Character Relationship Map: Citrus

Characters

• Yuzu Aihara (played by Ayana Taketatsu) — protagonist

  A fashionable, spontaneous, and fun-loving city girl who transfers to Aihara Academy after her mother remarrys. She struggles to fit into the conservative all-girls school, frequently clashes with the...

• Mei Aihara (played by Minami Tsuda) — protagonist

  The hard-working, beautiful, but cold student council president at Aihara Academy. She is Yuzu's new stepsister, and their initial animosity gradually dissipates as they learn more about each other, l...

• Sara Tachibana (played by Hisako Kanemoto) — supporting
• Ume Aihara (played by Kana Ueda) — supporting
• Mei's Grandfather (voice) (played by Kinryu Arimoto) — minor
• Nina Tachibana (played by Rei Matsuzaki) — supporting
• Matsuri Mizusawa (played by Shiori Izawa) — supporting
• Harumi Taniguchi (played by Yukiyo Fujii) — supporting
• Shō Aihara (played by Tomoaki Maeno) — supporting
• Himeko Momokino (played by Yurika Kubo) — supporting

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Sara Tachibana → Nina Tachibana (Twin Allies)

  Nina witnesses Yuzu and Mei in E11, resolves to help Sara's destiny in E11-12

• Yuzu Aihara → Mei Aihara (Lovers)

  Accidental kiss in E2, mutual yearning kiss in E7, emotional distance and unresolved tension in E10-12

• Mei Aihara → Mei's Grandfather (voice) (Patriarchal Heir)

  Grandfather takes Mei to mansion in E2, falls ill in E3, drives exam pressure

• Mei Aihara → Himeko Momokino (Unrequited Allies)

  Himeko confesses crossing a line in E5, reveals Mei's past sadness in E4

• Mei Aihara → Shō Aihara (Estranged Father-Daughter)

  Shō returns in E6, Mei screams at Yuzu to stop explaining, Shō states he won't return

• Mei Aihara → Sara Tachibana (Unwanted romantic pursuit)

  In episode 11 and 12, Sara is destined to love Mei, causing Yuzu to feel shaken and Nina to intervene.

• Mei Aihara → Yuzu Aihara (Student Council Dynamic)

  Mei is president, Yuzu is new student; interactions shift from formal to personal

• Ume Aihara → Shō Aihara (Ex-spouses)

  In episode 6, Shō's return and hesitation reveal his past marriage to Ume and complicated family ties.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Yuzu Aihara → Harumi Taniguchi (Friends)

  Harumi invites Yuzu to amusement park in E5, supports her during arcade visit in E7

• Yuzu Aihara → Nina Tachibana (Strategic Pact)

  Yuzu promises Nina to support Sara in E12, Nina holds Yuzu back from Mei

• Yuzu Aihara → Matsuri Mizusawa (Childhood Rivals)

  Matsuri drags Yuzu away in E8, calls her cruel; later blackmails Mei in E9

• Yuzu Aihara → Himeko Momokino (Love rival)

  In episode 5, Yuzu and Himeko compete to eat lunch with Mei, both left crestfallen when Mei rejects them.

• Mei Aihara → Matsuri Mizusawa (Blackmail Rival)

  Matsuri uses secret photo to blackmail Mei into text-pal in E9

• Yuzu Aihara → Sara Tachibana (Destiny Encounter)

  Yuzu meets Sara at station in E10, Sara returns scarf in E12

• Mei Aihara → Harumi Taniguchi (Schoolmates)

  In episode 5, Harumi proposes inviting Mei to an amusement park, showing a friendly school dynamic.

Story Analysis

Overall narrative architecture across the single season

Plot Progression

1. Step-Sister Introduction & First Kiss
2. Family Tensions & Council Dynamics
3. Rivalry & External Pressures
4. Miscommunication & Blackmail
5. Destiny & Shrine Confrontation
6. Closure & Emotional Standoff