Ryoji Shida

Relationships

 * Saki Kobashi: Saki and Ryoji are an engaged, loving couple, in spite of their conflicting personalities and backgrounds. Their first encounter sets the two as enemies, with Saki determined to take down and punish the delinquent Ryoji whenever he breaks the rules. Early in the series, the two have an antagonistic relationship, with Ryoji mocking and teasing Saki, while Saki constantly lectures Ryoji for his delinquent behaviour and cocky attitude. Saki's upper class and lawfully minded upbringing clashes heavily with Ryoji, who grew up in a poor village as a street ruffian. Their relationship begins to turn when Ryoji convinces Saki that she isn't right for the role of Class President, warning her that she is alienating everyone else in her efforts. He begins to show sympathy towards her, being the only one to vote for her in the race, which Saki thanks him for. Saki remains distrusting of Ryoji, even trashing a card and food he brings to her while she's bedridden. After an encounter in the nurse's office, Saki admits to Ryoji that he is the closest thing to a friend she has. From that point on, Ryoji's teasing of Saki becomes less cruel and more playful, Ryoji sympathising with the lonely Saki. The two begin to work together more often, Ryoji's craftiness and street smarts alongside Saki's strength and intelligence proving to be a supportive team. They also begin to show slight romantic affection towards each-other; Saki becomes jealous when Rei flirts with Ryoji, and Ryoji does the same when Saki is complimented by Yamato. When Ryoji's status as an Archdemon is revealed, Saki's stands up for him and is the one to bandy the class together to protect him from Class 3. When protecting Ryoji, she inadvertently refers to him as her best friend. She gets flustered by this at first, but by the battle against Yamato, she openly admits that Ryoji is her best friend. Their now close friendly relationship is solidified when Ryoji comforts Saki after the battle with Yamato. After a date at the village festival, Ryoji comes to the realisation that he has grown romantic feelings for Saki. He struggles with these feelings, especially during the School Dance. After a bonding conversation on the school rooftop, Ryoji kisses Saki and confesses his feelings towards her. Saki at first refuses him, worried about a relationship interfering with their work, but reciprocates when they have a conversation later, with Saki admitting that she's has romantic feelings for him as well. Now declaring eachother boyfriend and girlfriend, Saki and Ryoji work together to lead the class, Saki as the head of the class and Ryoji as their main tactician.