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"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of a Library." NAME: Kahoko Ogata
NICKNAMES: Kaho (for short), Ms. Ogata (by students & colleagues)
NATIONALITY: Japanese
SEXUALITY: Demisexual
BIRTHDAY: March 18th, 1996
AGE: 28
HOBBIES: Reading, Bookbinding, Hiking, Tending to her garden, Writing in her journal
FACE CLAIM: Bungou Stray Dogs – Louisa May Alcott
WHAT DO YOU TEACH?: Library Manager at Valeria University
CLUB SPONSOR: Library Club
PERSONALITY: Kahoko is a shy, introverted woman who often struggles with social anxiety, which manifests in her interactions with others. She is easily startled when strangers approach her, even when their intentions are harmless. Kahoko often finds herself at a loss for words in social situations; she becomes flustered and may stutter as she attempts to respond, her anxiety wrapping around her like a heavy cloak. Encounters with beggars or unexpected conflicts among groups of people leave her feeling frightened and overwhelmed, prompting her to retreat further into her shell. Despite her tendency to isolate herself, Kahoko is observant and empathetic, often keenly aware of the emotions and dynamics around her. In her quiet moments, Kahoko finds solace in her hobbies, which serve as a refuge from the pressures of social interaction. She is an avid reader, finding escape and inspiration in the pages of novels and poetry. Each book opens the door to worlds she can explore comfortably from the safety of her cozy nook. Along with reading, Kahoko enjoys bookbinding, a meticulous craft that allows her to channel her creativity and patience into something tangible.
When she yearns for the tranquility of nature, she often goes hiking, finding peace on secluded trails where she can reflect on her inner thoughts without the distraction of crowded places. Kahoko is also passionate about gardening, nurturing plants and flowers that bloom bright with life. Her garden becomes an extension of herself, where she cultivates greenery and growth in a calm and controlled environment. In addition, she keeps a journal to document her reflections and ideas, an outlet for her thoughts. Through her hobbies, Kahoko seeks to escape her anxieties and gradually builds a quieter, more profound connection with herself and the world around her. She took the library manager position at Valeria University to help her overcome her social anxieties. It's not easy dealing with the students and her colleagues, but she tries her best to engage more because she desires to come out of her shell.
PLACE OF LIVING: Kahoko lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the Ueno district.
APPEARANCE: Kahoko has short, honey-colored hair that cascades above her shoulders in gentle waves, with her bangs elegantly parted at the center of her forehead. Adorning her hair is a dark brown ribbon artfully tied on either side, lending a whimsical touch to her appearance. Her striking green eyes sparkle behind rounded black glasses, accentuating her features' softness. Kahoko's attire consists of a white blouse adorned with ruffles that delicately grace the area beneath her bust and the cuffs of her sleeves. Draped over her shoulders is a cream-colored shawl, beautifully detailed with intricate prints of tree branches and leaves, finished with tassels that sway lightly with her movements. Below, she dons a light mahogany skirt fitted at the waist with sleek black fasteners paired with black-and-white tights featuring a charming diamond pattern. Completing her ensemble are simple, low gray boots that add a practical yet stylish flair to her overall look, encapsulating a blend of elegance and ease in her fashion choices.
Kahoko IHISTORY: Kahoko Ogata was born in Tokyo, Japan, surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of rustling leaves that would later offer her solace. From her earliest memories, she was a contemplative child, often lost in thought and preferring the company of her favorite picture books over that of other children. Kahoko’s parents, warm yet slightly overprotective, noticed her shyness but encouraged her to interact with others more. They instilled the value of education in her, often taking her to the local library, where the smell of old pages and the hushed whispers of fellow readers became a sanctuary for her. As she grew older, Kahoko’s school life proved to be a challenging landscape. Social interactions felt like navigating a minefield, and group projects turned into a source of anxiety for her. While her classmates engaged in varying conversations, she often found herself daydreaming under the desk, wishing she could join in but feeling the weight of her nervousness. The classroom, a place meant for learning, became a battleground where her struggles with social anxiety emerged, enhancing her desire to escape into the world of books even more than before. Literature became her refuge, a vast universe where she could thrive without the burden of real-world interactions.
Kahoko found comfort not just in reading but also in nurturing her imagination through creative hobbies. Bookbinding became a passionate endeavor, allowing her to stitch together not just pages but fragments of her thoughts and dreams. Gardening emerged as another sanctuary; the rhythmic tasks of planting and tending to flowers offered her a sense of control and fulfillment. Her garden became a vivid mosaic of colors, which mirrored the intricate stories she read, each blooming a chapter in her personal narrative. Often, she would escape to nearby hiking trails, where nature enveloped her in a cloak of tranquility, far from the pressures of social expectations. When it came time for college, Kahoko chose to attend Valeria University, drawn in by its stellar reputation for literature and history. Despite her excitement, the transition was laden with new challenges. The bustling campus teemed with social activities, and the cacophony of student life sometimes felt overwhelming. Kahoko’s social anxiety flared amidst the crowded halls and raucous classrooms, but she found that attending discussions and lectures lowered her barriers. Surrounded by books and like-minded individuals, she slowly started to carve out her own space within the academic community.
Kahoko immersed herself in her studies at university and took advantage of every library resource available. It was during her time volunteering at the university library that she discovered a potential career path. The library staff recognized her attention to detail and organizational skills, and Kahoko flourished among the shelves of narratives and the comforting ambiance of paper and ink. Here, her love for books became an asset, and, more importantly, it became a way for her to connect with others, albeit through the safety of the written word. It became clear during her time attending Valeria that she wanted to continue working on campus, which meant to qualify for positions even after she graduated, she would have to study hard. And that's exactly what she did while grappling with her social anxiety daily and feeling the weight of expectation on her shoulders. She knew that she was being encouraged not only by the library employees but also by her parents, who were just happy that Kahoko found something that she wanted to do and work on dealing with, trying to overcome her struggles with socializing with others.
It wasn't easy to achieve, but it was ultimately worth it. Kahoko graduated from Valeria University and applied to work at the campus library. She started out working there as a Library Associate to get the feel of being an official employee of the library. Suffice to say, she was happy. This meant she would have to interact with students and faculty regularly whenever they visited the library for their specific needs. Naturally, she struggled just even to tell someone where specific materials were located, and she would often fumble over herself a lot. It took her a couple of years to get the hang of it but she would still freak out when having to deal with large groups of people at a time. She would often work side by side with the original Library Manager, Eva Uotani, who was the main one encouraging Kahoko. Though she still found comfort in facilitating her beloved workshops on bookbinding and gardening, every small interaction presented an uphill battle. Nevertheless, she channeled her passion for literature and creativity into developing programs that encouraged students to engage, slowly learning to articulate her thoughts and manage her fears with Eva's support. In her fifth year working there, Eva stepped down because she was taking maternity leave. This meant someone would have to take on her role while she was away.
That's when Eva had already announced that she'd decided Kahoko would take over as the Library Manager while she was out. Kahoko was not expecting this. One minute she was congratulating Eva, and the next, she was hyperventilating at the news that she would be stepping into Eva's role. She pretty much knew all the responsibilities that came with the role which is why Eva had chosen her. Although she lacked confidence in taking the position, Eva told her that she would do fine, and if it came down to it in the future, who knows, she may be in the role permanently. Only time will tell. Hearing that, Kahoko congratulated Eva again on her pregnancy and told her that she would do her best to make sure the library ran smoothly. Thus began Kahoko's new role. Taking on the responsibilities of library manager, she initiated special programs designed to foster community and connection among students who also struggled with struggles similar to hers. Kahoko became a quiet beacon of support, proving that the library wasn’t just a refuge for herself but also a sanctuary for many seeking solace, understanding, and belonging.
She's also the sponsor of the Library Club as well. In her current role, Kahoko has made a conscious decision to confront her anxiety head-on. Through structured programs that integrate her love for reading, gardening, and the great outdoors, she has fostered an inviting atmosphere for students and faculty. Rather than shying away from the challenges of social interaction, she now views them as opportunities for growth, always remembering her own journey from shy girl to empowered library manager. Each day brings a fresh page of resilience, reminding her that even the most intricate stories often hold the promise of transformation and renewal.
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