Hougetsu Shimamura (島村 抱月 Shimamura Hōgetsu) is a high school student who met Adachi while skipping class on the second floor of the gym in her school when Adachi accidentally walks in on her one day. The two gradually took a liking for each other and began to hang out together all the time. In both manga adaptations, it was Shimamura who walked in on Adachi in the gym when they first met instead of the reverse.
Appearance[]
Shimamura has waist length, dyed brown hair, which she keeps out of her face with two clips on the right side. Her eyes are also brown. Despite playing basketball in middle school, Shimamura is on the shorter side. She even acknowledges that she is shorter than Adachi. She has a slim figure, but she acknowledges that she isn't really in shape. Several characters, such as Yashiro and Adachi, have touched her 'love handles' much to her dismay.
After letting her hair to continue to grow without dying it, her hair eventually changes back from the chestnut color she dyed it back to its natural brown color.
Personality & Character[]
Shimamura is a young girl who is a bit on the lazy side as well has a tendency to be an airhead. Adachi often wonders if Shimamura got that trait from her father.
Shimamura is conscious of her name being the same of the clothing brand and finds it unpleasant whenever people calls her with her last name. Adachi once said that she had a hard time spelling her name that she would often think of the clothing brand before she could spell her name correctly.
During the beginning of the series, Shimamura acknowledges that she has trouble attaching herself to people. Ironically, this is why she originally formed a bond with Adachi since she figured they were similar in this regard. However, her difficulty also had a distinct difference from Adachi. Shimamura finds human relationships as bothersome since she feels that it requires too much effort to maintain such balance. Adachi observes that Shimamura is a 'tolerant' individual but not a warmhearted person. Shimamura often wonders if taking care of her sister is only a duty that was passed onto her as her "big sister" or simply because she loves her.
Despite this, Shimamura also understands that there are good things that come from forming relationships. She understands that happiness can be found from having relationships as well. This is what led to her forming a connection with Adachi since she figured they were similar. As the series progresses, Shimamura decides that she doesn't want all her relationships to simply dissolve. While she acknowledges that some of the friendships she has formed will most likely die out over time, she wishes to maintain some connections she formed.
While Shimamura isn't sure what to consider her relationship with Adachi at the beginning of the series, she eventually considers it to a relationship that is irreplaceable. After they become a couple, Shimamura initially has some trouble, but she became committed to it. Additionally, she wished for Adachi and herself to become equals in their relationship rather than her needing to depend on Adachi for money among other things. This is evidenced in the timeskip chapters that showcases that she and Adachi maintain a loving relationship well into their early adulthood, and they both were able to afford going on a vacation together.
Shimamura seems to have a strong affinity with dogs which began when she was a young girl and met a dog named Gon that was adopted by her grandparents. She looked forward to seeing Gon every time she visited them during the summer and other occasions. Even as he grew to a more advanced age, she still enjoyed spending time with him. She stated that Gon reminds her of Adachi sometimes, and she compares Adachi to a dog repeatedly throughout the series.
Similar to her mother, she has an affinity toward teasing others, especially Adachi. However, she is able to restrain herself and show consideration when she knows the people she teases might take her literally. When Adachi asks her what chocolate she likes, Shimamura considered telling her Godiva, but she refrained because she was worried Adachi would actually buy her some and end up spending a significant amount of money. Instead, she simply tells Adachi she likes Milk Chocolate.
History[]
When Shimamura was young, she was describe as more outgoing. During her formative years, Shimamura developed a close bond with her grandparents’ dog, Gon. Shimamura figures that they were able to develop a strong bond because they were both small, and it was easier for the two of them. She became sad when she was forced to leave the dog at her grandparents house. However, she would look forward to reuniting with Gon every summer.
During Shimamura's elementary school years, she befriended a girl named Tarumi, but they became estranged during Middle school. They wouldn’t meet again until their high school years, but she would hear rumors that her old friend became a delinquent.
Shimamura became somewhat burned out on the idea of forming relationships and maintaining them. Throughout Middle School, Shimamura would create quasi friendships with people at the surface level, but she would never attempt to create something deeper. When she would end up in different classes than them, that would normally end her friendships with them.
After entering High School, Shimamura befriended Hino Akira and Nagafuji Taeko, but she did not anticipate that they would be friends beyond their high school years if that. During the second semester of her first year in high school, she had a chance encounter with Adachi Sakura. They began hanging out for the following month and became friends due to being somewhat kindred spirits.
Plot[]
Volume 01[]
After hanging out with Adachi for some time, she decides it might be better for her to start going to class again. She asks Adachi if she wants to go to class or hang out after school. Adachi agrees to wait for her when school is over.
Shimamura manages to convince Adachi to start attending class again by asking her if she would want to be left behind a year. She was pleased that Adachi decided to go along with her.
Volume 02[]
Shimamura notices that Adachi must be feeling troubled by something. She decides to ask Adachi was is going on. When Shimamura sees that Adachi is struggling to say what she wishes to say, she decides to tell Adachi she'll give her sometime to think of what she wishes to say and backs off.
The following morning, Shimamura is visited by Adachi. Her mother takes great delight in embarrassing her in front of Adachi, so she eats breakfast as fast possible, so they could go to her room. Shimamura is surprised that Adachi is able to get the courage to talk to her, but she lets her speak. Shimamura is surprised that Adachi asked her to spend time with her on Christmas. She sees that Adachi most likely doesn't have anyone that she can spend time with, so she agrees as long as she gets home before dinner and Adachi makes the plans which makes Adachi really happy. Adachi gets so excited she leaves the house while Hougetsu is asking her to take her with her to school, but Adachi can’t hear what she’s saying much to Hougetsu’s chargin.
While Adachi was making plans for Christmas, Shimamura decided she should put everything on her, so she decides to take an initiative. Shimamura decided to buy Adachi a present and ends up recruiting Nagafuji Taeko to help her come up with ideas. She comes up with the cover story of it being a gift for her little sister. That ultimately leads Shimamura to purchasing a boomerang for Adachi.
Shimamura was pleasantly surprised by Adachi’s gift. She didn't think anyone else would think to get this tea for her. Likewise, she decides to Adachi her gift, a boomerang. She picks up on that Adachi isn't exactly enthusiastic about her gift. However, Adachi refuses to have Shimamura return it. Before they leave, Adachi tells Shimamura that she wishes to be her 'best friend'. Shimamura isn't entirely what to say about it, but she decides to accept it regardless.
Volume 03[]
Adachi asks Shimamura to come with her to eat something sweet. It doesn't take her long to realize that Adachi wishes to exchange chocolates with her on Valentine's day.
Prior to Valentine's Day, Shimamura goes to the Nagafuji family butcher shop, and she has a chance encounter with her childhood friend Tarumi.
Shimamura spends some time with Tarumi when she goes to Nagoya to purchase chocolates for Adachi.
It is revealed the Shimamura watches the Horoscope show Adachi watches. She entered a contest, and she was able to win. For her prize, she was able to get a message put on at the Nagoya train station that indicated she wished to remain friends with Adachi much to Adachi's pleasant surprise.
Volume 04[]
At the beginning of the second year, she and Adachi are paired up in the same class, but their relationship goes back to being on rocky ground. Shimamura quickly befriends three classmates that became part of their class. She inadvertently causes Adachi to become upset.
Despite Shimamura supposedly becoming friends with the three new girls, Shimamura thinks that they don't really leave much of an impact on her. She doesn't even remember their real names. She merely gives them nicknames to remember them by. Shimamura thinks about Adachi on several occasions. She thinks that Adachi left an impact on her.
After a few days of not speaking or interacting with Adachi, Shimamura wonders what happened to her. While Shimamura continues to interact with her new friends, she understands that her friendships with them are unlikely to last. She realizes she doesn't even remember their names, but she gives them nicknames.
During lunch one day, Adachi asks her if she can sit next to her. Shimamura reflects on how it had been a while since she last heard Adachi's voice, and she lets her sit next to her. Shimamura notices that Adachi is solely focused on her during the lunchtime.
Shimamura gives Adachi a present.
When Adachi asks if she could potentially spend the weekend at her house, Shimamura takes a moment to decide before accepting.
It is revealed that while Adachi was at work, Shimamura went shopping to get Adachi a present. She bought the two of them matching hairclips.
Shimamura lets Adachi sleep in her futon with her.
Volume 05[]
Alternate Timeline[]
There is a scenario where Shimamura and Adachi meet as children.
Shimamura tries to get Adachi to not only play with her but with other children as well, but it becomes clear that the child Adachi wishes only to play with Shimamura.
Shimamura encouraging Adachi to play with her and others in the alternate timeline.
Present Timeline[]
During the summer break, Adachi and Shimamura decide to spend time together. However, due to some schedule issues, Adachi isn't available to hang out at certain points, and she ends up making plans with Tarumi on a few occasions. During a festival, she and Tarumi attend a festival alongside her little sister and Yashiro. They have a good time together, and she is unknowingly spotted by Adachi who was working at one of the vendors with her restaurant.
Shortly after the festival, Shimamura received a call from Adachi. Shimamura is stunned when she hears Adachi more or less have a breakdown and rant on the phone. From Shimamura's perspective, she could only make out a few words of what she said. After Adachi is finished, Shimamura dismisses Adachi's rant as, "So annoying", and hangs up leaving Adachi depressed.
A few days later, Shimamura seemingly forgot about Adachi's breakdown by the time she received another call from Adachi, and she is more receptive. She agrees to go shopping and swimming with Adachi at the pool much to Adachi's relief. When Shimamura arrives, she is baffled and surprised when Adachi gives her a bouquet of flowers in honor of their friendship being restored.
Upon hearing this, Shimamura takes a moment to remember that they did sort of have a fight. While Shimamura didn’t seem too pleased at first, but Shimamura accepted the flowers and stated that she guesses they've made up now much to Adachi’s relief. Shimamura jokingly remarks that this is the first time someone ever gave her flowers before. She tells Adachi when she left the basketball team, they just gave her a can of soda. She didn’t notice Adachi was happy to hear she was the first to give her flowers.
Shimamura accepting Adachi's flowers
Before they head out to go shopping, Shimamura takes the flowers back to her house, so she could put the flowers in a vase before going to the pool. After having an exchange with her mother, they head back out.
When they are swimming at the pool, Shimamura gets dragged into the water by her mother.
During a time when she goes with Adachi to hang out at karaoke with Hino and Nagafuji, she can see that Adachi is not enjoying herself.
Volume 06[]
At the beginning of the volume, Adachi is visiting Shimamura's house and asking her to hang out. However, Shimamura is forced to decline because it is time for her family's yearly trip to her grandparents house.
Before they leave, Shimamura takes Yashiro out of their house. She makes it clear that despite Yashiro more or less becoming their 'family pet', they can't just leave her in their home to have the run of the place. Yashiro seems to understand that as she leaves. Shimamura briefly is concerned regarding what she will do during the few days they will be gone.
Upon arriving at her grandparents' house, Shimamura is greeted by the family dog Gon.
Shimamura spends time with her grandparents during the Summer, but she has a hard time getting her mind off of Adachi. Shimamura reflects on Adachi's breakdown earlier in the summer, and she regrets how she handled it. She thinks that rather than dismissing Adachi and hanging up on her, she should have been a little nicer to her.
During her time at her grandparents, she spend sometime reconnecting with their dog knowing that he is getting up there in years, and it is possible he may no longer be there when she comes back the following year.
After returning home from her grandparents house, Shimamura calls Adachi to let her know that she has returned home. Adachi wastes no time coming over to spend time with her. When Shimamura and Adachi are alone in her room, Adachi takes off her clothes and reveals that she is wearing the bikini that she took a pose in earlier.
Shimamura takes Adachi to have a bath with her while wearing swimsuits. While they are in the tub, Adachi confesses to Shimamura, but she becomes overheated resulting in Shimamura needing to pull her out and asking her mother for assistance. She decides to keep Adachi's confession to herself and decide whether or not she should consider what to do with this knowledge.
The following day, Shimamura receives a call from Adachi as she states she forgot to tell her something last night. Adachi asks Shimamura is she would be open to coming with her to the festival that weekend. Shimamura decides to accept the invitation. Shortly afterwards, Shimamura recives a call from Tarumi asking her to go with her to the same festival, but Shimamura declines and tells her that she is going with a classmate of hers. Shimamura figures that while Tarumi might be willing to a third wheel, Adachi would be as open to that.
Shimamura listens to Adachi's confession.
On the day of the festival, Shimamura asks her mother if she can borrow one of her kiminos much to her mother's surprise. Regardless, her mother decides to lend her one.
When she reunites with Adachi during the Summer Festival, they both mutually compliment each other on how pretty they look in their respective kiminos.
She finally receives confirmation that Adachi is in love with her when Adachi confesses her love to her. Shimamura contemplates what Adachi said to her. She understands that this goes against the norms of society. However, she also believes that her romantic partner doesn't necessarily have to be male either. She also considers whether or not she would even want to date Adachi to which she decides she would. Shimamura decides to accept Adachi's feelings, and they form a relationship.
Volume 07[]
Present Day[]
It is revealed after Adachi confessed her feelings to Shimamura that she basically blacked out, and Shimamura had to basically help her get back home. The following morning Shimamura is awakened by an enthusiastic Adachi who is calling to confirm if what happened actually happened. In her half-asleep state, she tells Adachi that she loves her too, but she is unable to recall it later.
When it is time for the school year to begin, Shimamura is woken up by her mother who kicks her in the butt. She also tells Shimamura that her friend is here. Shimamura looks to see that it is none other than Adachi. She correctly speculates that Adachi is here to pick her up and take her to school. Adachi also
As Adachi is driving them to school on her bike, she considers asking Adachi if she could pick her up like this everyday. However, she decides not to because that would simply be taking advantage of her girlfriend's goodwill.
Alternate Timeline[]
In an alternate timeline that depicts an older Shimamura who didn't encounter Adachi during her high school years, she goes on a train to work. While on a commute, she occasionally encounters a quiet young woman around her age. While they go their separate ways at different stops, she can't help but feel drawn to this young woman. Eventually, she strikes up a conversation with her, and it is revealed this young woman is an alternate version of Adachi.
Volume 08[]
Present Day[]
When it is announced the school trip would be divided into groups, Adachi is quick to come to Shimamura's side to form a group with her. While Shimamura is fine with being in the same group as Adachi, she also recognizes they'll need more people.
While they are in the hot spring, she notices that Adachi is glancing at her. She realizes that Adachi is attracted to her naked body. Shimamura asks Adachi if she wishes to see her body to which Adachi replies with a 'Yes'. Shimamura decides to indulge Adachi's desire.
When Panchos asks Shimamura about the nature of her relationship with Adachi, Shimamura decides to outright confirm that she and Adachi are dating. Panchos is initially surprised, but she is supportive. While Shimamura is speaks with Panchos her relationship with Adachi, Shimamura comes to the realization that she is in love with Adachi.
Flash Forward[]
It takes place ten years later. She is still in a relationship with Adachi, and they are living together. Shimamura prepare to go on a trip with Adachi, and she, she decides to pay a visit to her family. When visiting her family, she notices Chikama Yashiro still appears to be the same age as she always had been.
Shimamura is not surprised that Adachi is waiting for her at the airport.
Volume 09[]
Shimamura and Adachi make plans to spend time together during Christmas, and they acknowledge this is the first time they are spending Christmas together as a couple. Before she heads out, it is indicated her mother is aware of her relationship with Adachi as she encourages Shimamura to bring Adachi with her to celebrate Christmas together.
Volume 10[]
Flash Forward[]
Depicts when Shimamura is about to begin living with Adachi. She is spending time with her grandparents when she happens to overhear another girl who she suspects is talking to another girl based on the words she is using. She can't help but speculate the meaning behind what the girl is talking about. She briefly engages in conversation with the other girl before she excuses herself.
She receives a text from Adachi asking if it is okay for her to call her.
Present Day[]
With the beginning of the new year, Shimamura understands that this will be a new step in her relationship with Adachi. She will need to make important decisions regarding their future.
Volume 11[]
Shimamura and Adachi are getting ready to go on vacation to a hot spring.
Volume 12[]
TBA
Relationships[]
Family[]
Adachi observed in Volume 02 that Shimamura doesn't care for her as much as she cares for her.
Eventually becomes her girlfriend. She ironically realizes that she is in love with Adachi after dating her for a while after having a conversation with one of her classmates during the school trip in Volume 08. During their Christmas Date in Volume 09, Shimamura tells Adachi that she is in love with her much to Adachi's surprise. In Volume 10, she refers to Adachi as someone who keeps her going.
Shimamura prefers to be on even ground with Adachi. During Volume 08, Adachi offers to use the money she made to pay for a trip to San Franciso for the both of them. Shimamura refuses partly because they had school to attend, but she didn't want Adachi to spend so much money on her. Shimamura wished to pay for her own share as well which Adachi appeared to accept that.
During Volume 10, Shimamura tells Tarumi that she views Adachi as someone who helps push her forward.
During the Flash Forward sequences, she and Adachi are living together in an apartment, and she considers Adachi to be someone she finds to be irreplaceable.
The relationship with her mother is a bit of a mixed bag. While she recognizes that her mother cares for her, she gets annoyed by how immature her mother acts and occasionally picks on her. Adachi also observes that Hogetsu and Yoshika are rather close.
While she and her mother do care for each other, it is a bit of a running gag that Yoshika seems to show favoritism for everyone who isn't Hogetsu whether it be her little sister, Yashiro, or Adachi. While Hogetsu shows some annoyance at this, she ultimately shrugs it off.
Her mother seems to be aware of her relationship with Adachi, and she appears to be supportive of it. When she gives Adachi advise on how to handle Hougetsu, she usually mentions something physical, such as kicking her, which Adachi usually has no intention of following up on. In Volume 10, Yoshika tells Adachi to take care of Hougetsu to which Adachi promises she will.
Unnamed Father
While the story does not depict her interactions with her father much, she does care for him, and they have a decent relationship. In Volume 02, she does show some concern regarding his health. In Volume 04, Adachi believes that Shimamura inherited some of her charm from her father.
She appears to have a relatively close relationship with her sister. She thinks her sister is a little brat, but she is willing to be accommodating for her, such as taking her to a movie or to a festival.
During Volume 05, Hougetsu reluctantly takes her sister and Yashiro to a Summer Fireworks festival because she understands her parents are too lazy to bring her, but not before getting permission from Tarumi.
While Yoshiro isn't technically a member of the Shimamura household, she has basically become a resident over the course of the series, and Hougetsu doesn't seem to necessarily mind that.
During the class trip in Volume 08, Yashiro snuck into Shimamura's bag much to Shimamura's surprise and horror. She becomes concerned that she might be accused of kidnapping, but she decides to cooperate with Yashiro by giving her food which Yashiro gives Shimamura the items in her bag that she requests.
Friends[]
Shimamura made a number of friends prior to meeting Adachi, but she acknowledges that maintaining them were difficult. Some of her friendships fell apart over the course of time, and she felt somewhat indifferent about that. Over the course of the series, Shimamura decided she would prefer to at the very least maintain some of the friendships she develops.
Between Hino and Nagafuji, Shimamura talks to Hino most. Unlike Nagafuji, Shimamura was somewhat willing to indulge in Hino's hobbies, such as fishing.
While she thinks Nagafuji is a decent person, she thinks she is a little too ditzy. She also recruited her during Volume 02 to help her come up with a potential Christmas gift for Adachi while pretending that it is a gift for her little sister.
Shimamura's childhood friend who she lost contact with prior to the beginning of the main story. Shimamura comes to the conclusion that Tarumi wishes to befriend the original Shimamura rather than the person she is now.
During Volume 05, she spends quite a bit of time during the first half of the summer with Tarumi, such as acting as her model for a painting and attending a firework festival with her. She was genuinely impressed with Tarumi's skill as a painter.
Shortly after she forms a relationship with Adachi, Shimamura believes it is unlikely she will ever be able to establish the friendship she once had with Tarumi. Shimamura eventually realizes that Tarumi actually has feelings for her that go beyond friendship. Shimamura decides to be honest with Tarumi about being in a relationship already with someone she loves.
A girl that Shimamura befriended at the beginning of the first semester of her second year. While she and Shimamura got along, Shimamura surmised that this friendship would most likely fizzle out over time.
During Volume 08, Shimamura was fine with Ponchos and her other friends forming a group with herself and Adachi partly out of necessity. After she finds out that Shimamura and Adachi are dating, she is initially surprised, but she is supportive. She views them as a lovey-dovey couple which helps cause Shimamura to realize that she is in love with Adachi.
Acquaintances[]
Adachi Atsuka
They first met each other when they happened to go to the gym at the same time.
When she sees her for the first time, she thinks she appears familiar. As soon as she overhears someone refer to her as 'Adachi-san', she immediately makes the connection that she is Adachi Sakura's mother.
After Shimamura spends time in the sweat lodge with her, she overhears Asuka talk dismissively of her daughter which causes Shimamura to have a reaction and decide to take action. She criticizes Atsuka for how she is talking poorly of her own daughter and challenges her to a contest to decide who is right. She does her best to avoid any possible contact with her following this interaction.
Etymology[]
- Shimamura means "island" (島) (shima) and "town, village" (村) (mura).
- Hougetsu means "embrace, hug, hold in arms" (抱) (hou) and "moon" (月) (getsu).
Trivia[]
- Shimamura's zodiac sign is Aries.
- Shimamura's natural hair color is Black.
- Despite attempting to take school more seriously, Shimamura's grades are apparently lower than Adachi, Nagafuji, or Hino.