Kakeru Manabe 真鍋翔

Making his first appearance in Chapter 49 of the manga (Volume 9), Manabe appears at first as a rather lazy, yet outgoing and joyful young man, and has not changed since. Acting as Vice President of Kaibara High School's student council, Kakeru is "second-in-command of the School's Defense Force" and more than passionately works to be one of what he thinks is a Super Sentai type of job, often stating that he's "Black" (as in the black Goranger) while Yuki is "Red" (the leader). Manabe can also be described as a younger version of Ayame Sohma (whom Manabe, upon meeting, immediately hugged and said no other person would be fit to be the Defence Force's commander), Yuki's older brother, and often is seen having striking similarities in personality. Yuki also compares him to Kyo with his ability to make friends. Though he might appear constantly happy and joyous on the outside, Manabe actually at times looks down on himself, and can often get serious if he sees the need to.

Manabe is always fascinated by the Sohma family's beauty, as he is occasionally seen asking different Sohma family members their secret to their handsomeness.

Although Machi and her mother still need to work things out, Kakeru and his mother seem to get along fine, though they argue regularly about trivial matters very loudly, which results in complaint from the landlord. Kakeru's mother seems to have decided that she doesn't care about the inheritance anymore. Due to his vice presidential status he is also very acquainted to Yuki Sohma, the student council president. Together the two, although their differences are quite obvious and their personalities at times clash with one another, have developed a rather bonded relationship and the two are now finally seen smiling together in some parts of the manga, rather than Manabe just teasing Yuki, or falling asleep while Yuki is talking. !~