Who does Ayanokoji End Up With?

Currently, Ayanokoji is in a relationship with Kei Karuizawa, who holds a significant place in his life. Their bond has evolved from a deep emotional connection to them officially becoming a couple. However, while Ayanokoji is with Kei, there are still possibilities for his future relationships. His interactions with other characters like Horikita and Ichinose suggest that his feelings could develop in different directions, leaving open the chance that he may end up with someone else as the story progresses.

Table of Contents

Current Relationship

Kei Karuizawa 

Kei Karuizawa holds a significant place in his life. She was the first person to wish him a happy birthday, and she was also the first girl to receive a gift from him. Kei chose to save him over herself, demonstrating her willingness to put him above her well-being.

This decision made a profound impact on him, breaking his rigid mindset and leading him to prioritize her over his previously peaceful student life. Their relationship is built on a deep connection, allowing them to talk to each other about nearly anything.

Kiyotaka considers Kei someone he could be more than friends with, a stark contrast to how he views Horikita, Kushida, and Airi, with whom he denies any possibility of a deeper relationship. What sets Kei apart is his intense possessiveness over her, further highlighting the unique bond they share.

Eventually, they became a couple and publicly announced their relationship in class, marking a significant turning point. They also shared their first kiss, cementing their growing closeness. Kei, as a character, seems tailor-made to be his love interest, perfectly complementing his personality and emotional growth.

Future Relationship Theories

Suzune Horikita

Horikita's relationship with Ayanokoji has developed naturally and gradually from the very beginning. Initially, Kei starts to see Ayanokoji differently. However, after witnessing his manipulative side, she hesitates and feels that putting complete trust in him might lead to regret. This creates some tension during the middle volumes of Year 1. By the end of that period, though, she begins to view him as a friend.

At the start of Year 2, their relationship deepens from her perspective. She values his acknowledgment and doesn’t want to disappoint him, holding him in high regard, similar to how she views Manabu. Through various short stories, it becomes clear that she is starting to feel something more for him than just friendship.

From Ayanokoji’s side, during Year 1, he initially saw Horikita as a tool, albeit one he had a bias toward. However, by the end of Year 2, subtle changes in his behavior hint at a shift in his feelings. His desire to have casual conversations with her, beyond just class-related issues, suggests that their relationship may be evolving into something deeper.

Maya Sato

Maya Sato developed feelings for Ayanokoji after witnessing his race against Manabu because she thought he was cool. They exchanged phone numbers before the Paper Shuffle special exam, and later, during Christmas, they went on a date. During the date, Maya confessed her feelings and asked him to be her boyfriend. However, Ayanokoji turned her down, as he did not feel the same way.

At the start of the second year, Maya discovered that Kei and Ayanokoji had started dating. She didn’t take the news well, revealing that she still harbored feelings for him.

Ichinose

Ichinose is warm, compassionate, and deeply selfless, often prioritizing others' needs over her own, much like Hirata. In contrast, Ayanokoji is cold, individualistic, and typically avoids getting involved in others' lives. Despite their differences, the moments they share tend to stand out, though they often end with Ichinose fumbling or misreading the situation.

One such moment was on Valentine's Day when Ichinose gave Ayanokoji chocolate. It was a significant gesture for her, as it marked the first time, she had done something like that. Another notable instance was during the island test, where Ichinose ran across the island to warn Ayanokoji. This led to her confessing her feelings, only to learn about his relationship with Kei. Heartbroken, Ichinose began avoiding Ayanokoji for months.

While there might be a possibility of them ending up together in the future, their current situation and dynamics make that outcome unlikely for now.

Sakura Airi

Sakura views Kiyotaka as a "nice person" and often refers to him as "kind-hearted," though this is based only on the side of him that she has seen. Her feelings for him developed after he helped her during a difficult time, leading her to fall in love with him.

However, her shy nature prevented her from confessing her feelings. Tragically, in Year 2, Sakura was expelled from the school, bringing her story to an unfortunate end.