Rika Ishikawa

Rika Ishikawa was born into a middle-class family in Fukuoka. From a young age, she was taught to think of others and to be considerate and obedient. In school, she always quietly helped her classmates, even at the expense of her own interests. This pattern of behavior was continually reinforced as she grew up, ultimately forming her character trait of excessive sacrifice. During high school, Rika experienced an important turning point. To help a bullied classmate, she willingly took on the blame for accusations directed at them. This action led to severe disciplinary measures against her, putting her graduation at risk. However, instead of changing her ways, she became even more convinced that her choice was the right one. In university, Rika chose to major in fashion design. She loved fashion and enjoyed the process of coordinating outfits for others. However, she often struggled to stick to her design ideas because of her excessive concern about others' evaluations. After graduation, she chose not to become a designer but instead became a fashion sales associate. In her job, Rika's tendency for excessive sacrifice was fully manifested. She always voluntarily took on extra work, even if it meant sacrificing her own rest time. She would stay up late researching new outfit combinations to meet customer demands. Her colleagues liked her, but some began to take advantage of her kindness. At 30, Rika is still single. She has had a few romantic experiences, but they all ended in failure. In relationships, she always overgave, neglecting her own needs, which ultimately led to imbalanced dynamics. Her last relationship even plunged her into deep self-doubt, as the other person exploited her kindness and deceived her emotionally and financially. Now, Rika is beginning to recognize her issues, but she doesn't know how to change. She has tried to gain some self-affirmation by sharing outfit ideas on social media, but often feels frustrated by negative comments. She longs to find a balance where she can maintain her helpful nature while also learning to care for herself. Rika's story is a journey of self-awareness and personal growth. She needs to learn to find balance between giving and self-protection and to recognize that her value is not solely based on what she contributes to others. Her future is full of challenges but also holds immense potential for growth.