+ straightforward | honest | intuitive | reliable | resourceful | passionate | devoted

~ ambitious | fastidious | reserved | controlled | strong-willed | obsessive |  superstitious

- self-critical | unsympathetic | pessimistic | stubborn | inflexible | arrogant | anxious

At first glance, Tsurugi tends to come across as somewhat of a prick.  Perhaps this extends even further than the surface, as he makes no effort to deny any accusations of being arrogant or self-absorbed.  He is icy at best to begin with, acutely aware that the personality he has developed over the years makes him difficult to relate to; while he has some reservations about continuing life in this vein, he has done so thus far and wonders if it is worth the trouble to shift paths.  He is inflexible in this regard; it is incredibly hard to shift his opinion or his routines, both for himself and others. His pessimism contributes to these outlooks as well, he is generally convinced that things will never go optimally for him, and is genuinely shocked if things don't end in disaster or as previously anticipated.  He is analytical and intuitive; due to his tendency to observe rather than interact or interject, he tends to be fairly accurate in his observations about people, while simultaneously being completely wrong. While he is able to accurately isolate traits and tendencies, he often fails to realise that people are capable of change or erratic reactions, as he bases his judgments on his own rigidity.  Regardless, his analysis of personality and patterns can be invaluable in the hands of someone who has more faith in humanity or more emotional intelligence. He is stubborn in his ways and set in his own routines; he hates having to budge on anything, and getting him to concede control is an uphill battle. He is willing to listen, however, and can be swayed with evidence, though appeals to pure emotion will likely fall flat.  This tends to make him rather unsympathetic towards the plights of others when they come as a result of one’s own stupidity, but not if someone is genuinely in a bad place due to circumstances beyond their control. He does place great importance on familial and friendly bonds, and is always willing to provide counsel and support when issues with these come into play. On the flip-side, he is a bit arrogant as well; he is aware that he possesses certain valuable traits and will not downplay their value if asked.  That isn't to say that he is one to boast or go out of his way to make others aware of his skill(s), but he will not deny possessing a good trait if he does in fact possess it.

Ambition was something instilled in him by his surroundings.  He is fastidious and excellent with his hands; he quite enjoys repairing things.  Coupled with his obsessive tendencies, it contributes to a generally immaculate appearance; he is quick to notice and correct any imperfections in his own look.  He dislikes uncleanliness and takes his personal hygiene very seriously, washing his hands and feet as much as he can, along with sticking to a strict schedule of bathing.  He also keeps his gloves on most of the time, to avoid having to touch undesirable surfaces with his bare hands. He is, under a collected exterior, rather anxious, and this manifests in a variety of ways: he has a tendency to overthink and over-plan ; he checks things over and over ; he often repeats trivial or minor tasks ; he is unable to be totally still while standing or sitting ; his sleep cycles are often interrupted and he has dark circles as a result, which he attempts to hide with white powder.  He also has a host of anxiety-related habits, such as adjusting his gloves/jiggling his foot/swiping his finger against the tip of his nose (as he has a beauty spot in the middle of it, and he'd get rid of it if he could.) He is almost always in control of himself, which contributes to the anxiety; he doesn't want to leave any openings in his skill or demeanour that could be used to paint him as lesser than his peers. He is strong-willed, and tends to get through obstacles thrown in his way by sheer willpower; he is easily thrown for a loop when he faces emotional turbulence and does his best to ignore it, believing himself to be dispassionate when he is actually the opposite.  He does, in fact, feel everything very deeply, but he channels these feelings into fueling his ambition instead of acting out negatively, though he does have a few habits that one could classify as self-destructive. He does not like being questioned about himself, his emotions, or his hobbies, as he feels like he is one-dimensional and boring, and often struggles to come up with any hobbies he enjoys engaging in when put on the spot. (Confident in skills/talents? Yes. Confident in his own personality and place in people’s lives?? Not so much,,)

He is not prone to brooding or moodiness - he tends to remain in a generally "good" mood, which comes as a shock to most.  He is surprisingly patient and gentle with explanations - though he can be critical if he thinks someone is acting without thinking - and takes genuine pleasure in helping others along their path, as he believes life is meaningless without a goal to strive towards, and respects those with a goal, no matter how strange it sounds to him.  He is confident in his skill and in his strengths, and is a reliable and respectful member of society. As he enjoys working with his hands, any sort of repair project can be brought to him; he does not shy away from hard, manual labour, though he isn't particularly fond of having to wake up early to engage in it.

If he gives his word, he will abide by it, no matter how inconvenient the circumstances, as he hates lying in any form.  He views those who go back on their word as those who have no respect for the person to whom they gave their word, and disloyal people have no place in his life.  He is a bit extreme in his classifications here, though he is far more understanding of excuses that involve familial matters and will sometimes forgive the more minor things after careful debate. He is a straightforward man and does not like to beat around the bush, if he is pleased he will express it in plain terms, and vice versa.  He does not go out of his way to be critical, but he will not hold back an honest critique or expression of emotion, unless he feels that doing so will have too negative of an effect on the person in question. He is not entirely difficult to get along with, and those who are willing to accept his flaws will find a loyal, steadfast (albeit strange), and supportive friend.