Sort of missed it, but since I didn’t talk about Kengo when I finished up Little Busters!, I’ll talk about him now as part of his birthday celebration.
Kengo starts out pretty cold and aloof in the beginning, sticking to what he has been taught and never moving from it. His relationship with the other members is rocky, even from the very start of all this. However, things start to take a turn when he saves his fellow classmate/potential love interest Miyuki, breaking his arm in the process. Since he can no longer study kendo, he is quick to jump on the only thing left for him: baseball practice.
After that, his personality becomes more laid-back and fun-loving, and he becomes more friendly with Masato and Riki, but he maintains his negativity towards Kyousuke’s beliefs. He stands for everything that Kyousuke does not, namely that Riki and Rin’s progression must be slow and natural, rather than forced and unforgiving. By the start of Refrain, after everything falls apart, both Kengo and Kyousuke are at an impasse, and Riki is left to his own devices in order to rebuild the team.
I do admire Kengo’s two-faced personality. At one point, he can be cold and harsh, and at another, he can be playful and friendly. Although he’s arguably my least favorite of the three male supporting characters, he still makes a significant impact in all the routes he appears in. His love for those he calls his friends knows no bounds, and it’s rather sad to watch the guy go in the initial ending of Refrain. Fortunately, since everyone made it out of the accident alive thanks to Riki and Rin, Kengo and Masato will live to outclass each other another day.
And that’s the way things should be. Have a happy birthday, Kengo.