Kazuki Kurusu

"I always figured guys like us didn't get a chance at normal happiness. But we made a family. A family I want to protect!"

- Kazuki in Cherry Pick Episode

Kazuki Kurusu (来栖 一騎) is the main protagonist of the anime series, Buddy Daddies. Working as an assassin with Rei, he obtains intelligence and is in charge of organizing and carrying out assassinations. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, cleaning, gambling, and the ladies.

Overview
Kazuki lives together with his colleague and buddy, Rei, taking care of each other's daily needs. Their work responsibilities are divided between contracting, gathering preliminary information, and devising execution plans as the main tasks. Kazuki has excellent communication skills and enjoys the company of women and gambling.

He excels in cooking, cleaning, and occasionally reprimands Rei for his indulgent lifestyle. In the past, Kazuki was married, and his wife was pregnant with their child. Unfortunately, due to his involvement in illicit activities, he lost his wife. Filled with regret, he attempts to share a portion of his earnings with his wife's sister, but she refuses to accept it.

Appearance
Kazuki is a young man in his late twenties who sports untidy, mid-length blonde hair. He possesses a sun-kissed complexion and a slim facial structure. Standing at an average height of approximately 6 feet (184 centimeters) or slightly shorter, he has a slender yet well-built physique.

For his work attire, Kazuki typically dons an off-white shirt as an underlayer, topped with a red hoodie and a knee-length dark green coat. His lower half is adorned with navy blue pants, while his choice of footwear consists of brown sneakers. Completing the ensemble is a brown belt.

During more relaxed occasions, Kazuki opts for the same clothing combination but without the long dark green coat. He accessorizes his casual outfit with a knee-length blue apron featuring a shark print on the front.

Personality
Kazuki is susceptible to the allure of temptation, often succumbing to his vices such as gambling and pursuing relationships with women. His decisions can be characterized as irresponsible. Nonetheless, he demonstrates a sense of care and concern for those who are dear to him.

When faced with unexpected setbacks in his plans, Kazuki struggles to adjust and maintain his composure, particularly when it comes to deception. Rei discreetly refers to him as a "lousy actor" as Kazuki attempts to persuade Rei that it would be mutually beneficial for them to return Miri to her mother.

Background
Kazuki was married to Yuzuko Kurusu, who was pregnant and nearing childbirth. Tragically, Yuzuko lost her life in an accident while Kazuki was engaged in his work. Coincidentally, she happened to be in the vicinity as Kazuki was pursuing a man through a dimly lit alley. The man's attempt to escape was thwarted when Ryo Ogino intervened by shooting the tire of the stolen vehicle, causing a collision with a nearby gas tanker and resulting in a devastating explosion in which Yuzuko was caught.

In an effort to move forward from this traumatic event, Kazuki would send financial support to Yuzuko's younger sister, Karin Izumi. However, Karin consistently refused the money and returned it to Kazuki at Yadorigi café. Having been alone for nearly five years since her sister's passing, Karin made plans to pursue her dreams in France. She reached out to her brother-in-law, Kazuki, who was still grappling with accepting his sister-in-law's death and avoiding her. Karin attempted to console him and impart words of wisdom to help him find the strength to move on.

Additionally, Kazuki revealed that he was raised as an orphan and has no knowledge of his biological parents. He acknowledged that he has not encountered or recognized them since, leading him to believe that he is ill-suited to adopt and raise Miri.

Rei Suwa
Kazuki resides in Rei's household and takes on the responsibility of managing household tasks independently. Their initial encounter took place when Rei was going through a difficult period and displayed a somewhat abrasive demeanor due to their profession as an assassin, appearing almost robotic. As they began working together, Rei focused on executing their assignments, while Kazuki contributed by strategizing. Being primarily in charge of domestic affairs, Kazuki would reprimand Rei for their untidiness and excessive indulgence in gaming.

When Rei introduced a cat into their home, Kazuki emphasized that their line of work necessitates avoiding responsibilities they cannot handle. However, after meeting Miri and developing a strong bond with her, their lives underwent a significant transformation. Together, they made the decision to dismantle Rei's father's organization and pursue a normal life. They relocated abroad with Miri, formally adopting her and forming a real family.

Miri Unasaka
Presenting himself as Miri's presumed father, he upholds this role and treats Miri as if she were his own child. Given his past experiences, it appears that he possesses a fondness for children, which is evident in his decision to allow Miri to indulge in the cake he specifically baked for their mission during their initial encounter. As time passed, both he and Rei grew attached to Miri. However, their desire to fully embrace their parental roles was hindered by a request made by Misaki, Miri's biological mother. Tragically, Misaki met her demise at the hands of Ryo Ogino, leaving Miri solely in their care once again. Eventually, they made the life-changing decision to legally adopt Miri and relocate to a different state, establishing themselves as a genuine and lawful family.

Kyutaro Kugi
Kyutaro is an integral member of the organization lead by Rei's father, responsible primarily for information gathering and communicating missions to the two initiators. Kazuki also relies on Kyutaro to handle financial matters, particularly sending money to his former partner. However, despite Kyutaro's trust in this task, Kazuki's previous partner consistently refuses to accept the funds.

Yuzuko Kurusu
Yuzuko, Kazuki's deceased wife, was pregnant with their child at the time of her passing. Tragically, she happened to be in close proximity to Kazuki during one of his work when she was inadvertently struck by a vehicle driven by the individual Kazuki was pursuing. This unfortunate incident resulted in her untimely death.

Karin Izumi
Izumi is Yuzuko's younger sister and Kazuki's sister-in-law.

Etymology

 * The name "来栖 一騎" (Kazuki Kurusu) carries the connotation of someone who attracts others to their dwelling or presence and possesses qualities of being a skilled and brave warrior who stands alone in battles.
 * The surname "来栖" (Kurusu) has the following meanings:
 * Dwelling in an Attractive Place: The kanji "来" (ku) means "to come" or "to approach," while "栖" (rusu) means "dwelling" or "residing." Together, they suggest the idea of a place where people come to dwell or a dwelling that attracts others.
 * Serene Residence: "来栖" can also be interpreted as a serene or peaceful dwelling, indicating a tranquil and harmonious environment.
 * The given name "一騎" (Kazuki) has the following meanings:
 * One and Courageous: The kanji "一" (kazu) means "one" or "first," and "騎" (ki) refers to a "rider" or "mounted soldier." Together, "一騎" can signify someone who is the first or stands out in their endeavors and possesses courage and bravery.
 * Skilled Warrior: "一騎" can also convey the image of a skilled warrior who excels in combat and displays exceptional abilities.