Switch || Kazuyoshi Usui || Porunga

OOC:

Name: Reina
Are you over 16?: Yes!
Personal LJ: nyantan
Email: luminomancy [at] gmail [dot] com
Timezone: GMT+8/Pacific
Other contact: AIM - rozeluxe / prinny beam
Characters already in the game: N/A
How did you find us?: ATP, technically!


IC:

Character name: Kazuyoshi "Switch" Usui
Fandom: Sket Dance
Timeline: Post-Chapter 169
Age: 16
~*Magical*~ abilities and strengths: Switch has average drawing skills, can play the drums, and is somehow an inventor of awesome mechanical marvels...that either end up being too creepy to use or have a flaw that makes them impractical to use without a high likelihood of amusing injuries.
How would they use their abilities?: For the lulz Sket Dan! Invention-wise, on Bossun.

Appearance: Standing at 173 cm, Switch has dark hair with dark brown eyes to match, though they're often hidden behind glasses that he doesn't actually need to see properly. He's usually seen wearing the typical Kaimei uniform with a sweater (vest in summer, long sleeves in winter) and a SKET Dan wristband on his right hand. The only thing that really stands out about him happens to be his ever trusty laptop he carries around with him, since he's often seen walking around with it hanging from around his neck. Oh, and the whole having a handsome face thing. But other than that, he's your neighborhood friendly otaku.

Background/Personality:
In a perfectly normal place of learning called Kaimei High School, a bunch of suckers end up stuck with the most random odd jobs in the name of helping people. Whether it's trying to keep a monkey out of trouble, playing crappy but sometimes addictive games or unmasking the truth behind a mystery, they will do their best to help their client with their problems! ...Well, except for when they make things worse. But that's a rare thing!

These suckers are the Campus Support Group, also known as the Sket Dan (and a bane of the student council). Currently they consist of three people and one animal: leader Bossun, vice leader Himeko, secretary Switch, and team pet Housuke. You get absolutely no cookies for guessing who this app focuses on.

In addition to being the secretary of the Sket Dan, Switch acts as the information gatherer (full time), brains (...most of the time), and crap game king (crappy game time) of the team. His information network proves again and again to be quite extensive when it comes to the people of Kaimei High and then some. Maybe too extensive, especially when it comes to measurements. But the information he gleans from this allows him to help supply clues and hints for even the most ridiculous problems.

While most of the series focuses on the shenanigans the Sket Dan gets into during their attempts to help the person of the chapter episode day, there are the occassional stories that give insight into the not-so-cheery pasts of certain members of the Sket Dance cast, including, of course, the Sket Dan. For Switch, his (unfinished) backstory is covered in the arc called Switch Off. For the purposes of (mostly) chronological order, this app will go over Switch Off before switching over to the present time. Say hello to mood whiplash!

So yeah, the guy we know as Switch? He, in fact, was not the original Switch, despite red herrings to the contrary. The nickname of Switch originally referred to his little brother, Masafumi Usui, computer whiz and the original creator of the voice synthesis software that the current Switch, Kazuyoshi Usui, would perfect and use.

Which of course begs the question of why Kazuyoshi is the one known as Switch now. It's a bit of a long story, but it all started when a childhood friend of the two brothers, Sawa, felt like she was being stalked by someone, even getting threats mailed to her. Rightfully concerned for her safety, she asked a friend of hers, Yukino, to accompany her home. Eventually, Kazuyoshi and Masafumi found out about her worries and tried to help her out with her predicament.

Unfortunately, this came at a time when Kazuyoshi felt very inadequate in comparison to his brilliant younger brother, which reached a high point when Masafumi's knowledge and ideas about what Sawa should do for self-protection by far trumped his own suggestions. He ended up thinking that he wouldn't be able to protect Sawa (who he actually had a crush on), especially not in the way Masafumi could. With that in mind, he refused to accompany Sawa to go buy self-protection equipment. Since she couldn't go alone though, Masafumi went to the store with her instead.

While the two were out, Kazuyoshi ran into Yukino, who said that she had information that Sawa should know. She then recounted the few things about the boy stalking Sawa, most importantly that he stabbed someone in middle school and may still have a knife on him to this day. Despite this coming so soon after his outburst, Kazuyoshi immediatelly called Masafumi upon hearing this to tell them what Yukino just said, warning them to be careful. Yukino sounded surprised when she hears him make that phone call, so Kazuyoshi explained it by saying that Masafumi is the person dating Sawa, not him, since he thinks that Sawa would be better off with Masafumi than him.

When Kazuyoshi tried to leave after this, however, Yukino suddenly says that she just spotted Sawa's stalker nearby. At that, he promptly chased after the guy and successfully caught him, a boy named Shinji who insisted that he didn't mean any harm to Sawa, explaining himself to simply be a nervous guy crushing on her.

Kazuyoshi decided to ask him about the stabbing incident in middle school, and it was from this conversation that he learns the person behind the incident was actually Yukino, who happens to be a lot more violent than she first appears. Shinji had been dating her before he fell for Sawa though, and this allowed Kazuyoshi to put two and two together and realize that Masafumi and Sawa are in danger. Unfortunately, Yukino got a head start since Kazuyoshi was questioning Shinji. Even so, he rushes over to where the two are supposed to be.

But when he finally gets there, he's too late. Masafumi's been stabbed, and the paramedics are on the scene. Masafumi ends up dying from the wound soon after. To make things worse, he learns that Yukino purposely stabbed Masafumi because she believed he was Sawa's boyfriend and thought it an appropriate "revenge". Which unsurprisingly makes him blame himself for Masafumi's death even more. He couldn't understand why he wasn't the one to die, especially since he saw Masafumi as the brother with a bright future ahead of him, and himself as the one who carelessly let his little brother die because of his lie.

Eventually he ended up restyling his hair and wearing his old glasses (sans lens) to better resemble his little brother in an attempt to keep at least his memory alive. He even went so far as to ask people at Kaimei High School to refer to him as Switch.

But school soon became too much for him. Switch eventually stopped speaking and locked himself into his room, becoming a hikikomori, someone who suffers from acute social withdrawal. Aside from the imagery of someone offering their hand to him through a window, it's unknown how exactly Switch got back on his feet after this. However, the one thing for sure was that Bossun was the one who helped him out during this time, and even to this day, Switch feels very indebted to him for it. He also recognizes that Himeko feels the same and that both of them would do anything that Bossun tells them to do...not that he really seems to realize it.

Aaaand now that that's finally over (why was that even so long), let's talk about the present! As mentioned before, Switch currently acts as the secretary of the Sket Dan. He's also the designated go-to guy when it comes to info gathering or a need for the presence of an otaku. Yes, otaku. He's proud to be one, openly playing dating sims on his laptop in the club room and collecting a lot of merchandise (though this rarely turns out well when it shows up; his acquired swag inevitably ends up being used for some club shenanigan thanks to his wonderful clubmates). He's particularly fond of the magical girl and mecha genre, especially making lots of allusions to the former (Futari wa Pretty Cure Nervous, anyone?), though he'll read nearly anything and be ready to make a reference to it at any time.

But while he has a comment for any occasion, he doesn't actually say anything out loud. Everything he says comes from his laptop's voice synthesis software (and makes him sound like Sugita Tomokazu). Even so, he can be pretty chatty when he wants to be and is fully capable of having nice girl talks with anyone around. Well, that is, when he's on his laptop. Without it, he's quiet. Very quiet. And he still won't utter a sound, preferring to write in a sketchbook in order to communicate. Needless to say, coupled with his info database being on his laptop, losing or breaking his laptop in some way can be rather frustrating for both him and others around (because on top of dealing with Switch, they have to deal with Switch who takes too damn long to write out his responses).

As for other likes and dislikes that don't involve computers and otaku in any way, Switch isn't fond of the occult, to say the least. He believes in the power of science, and that anything occult can be explained with science. This puts him at odds with Reiko Yuuki of the Occult Research Club, and while he still doesn't care for the occult, he has struck up an odd friendship with her and would help her out, even if he doesn't want to admit it. He'd even stick up for her even when he's technically not obligated to. But that doesn't mean he'll ever like the occult, nope!

Switch is forever loyal to the Sket Dan and his friends. He'll help as needed, even if he can be very weird and obtuse about it. Case in point: the delinquent turned idol Momoka. He always buys tickets to her events without using any of his connections because, as he puts it, that's what a real fan does. And he considers himself a fan of Momoka. He doesn't even tell Momoka that he does this. In fact, he doesn't openly mention it all. Ah, but that doesn't necessarily mean he likes her in that way. He does like her as a friend, but welp, his backstory. He honestly liked Sawa, and after that fiasco, he's not very keen on putting himself into romantic relationships.

Why should that character be in this game: N/A

Why do you want to continue their history here: N/A

For applicants considering an alternate version of a character already in game, please use this as your chance to explain the key differences between your character and the one already in play: N/A

Have you read up on how the game works?: Yes, first, Flaming Ferret, and second, missions, robbing and freelance work!

1st person sample:

[ The sound of typing on a keyboard can be heard in the background... ]

Good morning, everyone, this is your host Tomokazu Sugita speaking! As for me, I'm currently pulling a Ryoga and somehow walked my way into another world. And before you ask, no, this isn't an omake. Maybe a crossover? We seem to be popular for that lately. It wasn't all that long ago that we met Sugita and the rest of the Yorozuya...

[ Waaait a second. Maybe he should be a little less fourth-wall-breaking for an intro. Too bad the feed already started! Not that he really minds. Accidental voice posts aren't really all that surprising right about now. ]

Oh, and I forgot to say this earlier, but actually, I'm not Sugita. I'm Switch. If you've seen anyone that looks this...

[ Insert so-so cartoony drawing of a black-haired teen with a red-horned hat and a blonde-haired girl with a large...stick (?) in her hands raised precariously over the red-hatted boy's head; both are drawn with googly eyes and big smiles. ]

Please keep a good distance away and contact me immediately. And as a friendly warning, I suggest be wary of any sweets she [ pointing at the drawing ] may hand you. We are not liable for the ruined clothes, shoes or dignity that may occur if you ingest one.

[ A pause. He seems to be considering the pros and cons of what he's about to next. Maybe. Who knows what he's thinking behind those glasses. ]

But if you're curious, there's nothing stopping you! After all, I could just be trying to freak you out (lol)! (^o^)/

3rd person sample:

With a loud thump, Switch set down the large, suspiciously cannon-shaped package in his hands and stared at it like it would bite back. Which actually would be pretty interesting idea for a new invention, but that's not what he's trying for at the moment (thankfully).

After a few minutes, he nods once, apparently satisfied with the white wrapping paper decorated with crayon-drawn Sket Dan symbols. Hey, he's no artist, but it works. And there's no better wrapping paper for Bossun's birthday present. Besides his Bossun drawings, of course.

Speaking of his Bossun drawings, he did draw one again for the occassion, complete with a rainbow marker-written "Happy Birthday, Bossun! (Belatedly)". Yup, obviously it's an awesome birthday card. Switch still had stuff to add to it though. And by stuff we mean "excuses as to why he missed Bossun's birthday". Which is why he's sitting down at the desk with the package, twirling his rainbow marker around in his hand and using it as a makeshift moustache.

Envy his productiveness at your own risk.

Moments later (read: hours later after playing his dating sim), he finally scribbled out his wonderful birthday card of excuses.

"sorry for missing your birthday, bossun! i was reeeeally busy then!. (;*´Д`)ﾉ i got invited to this liberty maji anime marathon meeting, and i couldn't exactly refuse lol. and after that i had an appointment with satsuki-san (can't refuse a girl's request in tokimeki status, just so you know) so in the end i couldn't make it. (シ_ _)シ i figured you'd be spending it with your family and maybe tsubaki and his family anyway, and it's not like i have to make an appearance all the time like you and himeko, right?

oh, and did you know you shared a birthday with zoro from one piece? cool, right? maybe next time i'll make a set of three swords you could use for something! look forward to it! (〜￣▽￣)〜

also the three of us should go do something together! my treat (probably)! ヽ(＾▽＾)人(＾▽＾)人(＾▽＾)ﾉ"

Even Himeko would relent on being mad after reading this, right?

Questions?: Is it okay if he keeps his laptop with him? Just in case!
Did you put your characters name and fandom in the subject: Yes!