Haruka Fujibayashi

Haruka Fujibayashi (藤林 遥 Fujibayashi Haruka) is an expert samurai swordsman and member of the Battou unit, elite fighters of Earl Mizuho, in the Holy Empire Urquhart.

Appearance
Haruka has a short, slender frame and long black hair, which she keeps in a high ponytail. Like all citizens of the Mizuho territory, she is described as having a very conventionally Japanese look. Though not described, color illustrations show that she has blue eyes.

All members of the Battou unit wear a samurai-style hakama (pleated combat skirt) over a traditional hakama-shita kimono (a short version of a kimono robe designed to be tucked in to the hakama), a spaulder on the left shoulder, and carry three weapons: a traditional katana and wakizashi close to the waist, as well as a "Magic Katana" hanging below that.

Personality
She is kind and soft-spoken. Because she has been a swordsman all her life, she has no understanding of romance, and does not realize that her brother has been chasing off potential suitors within the Battou unit, nor that Erwin has feelings for her until it is directly pointed out.

Synopsis
Haruka is one of the most skilled samurai of Earl Mizuho's Battou unit. She is assigned as one of the Earl's bodyguards, and is performing that duty when she meets Wendelin and his entourage for the first time (WN Ch. 83). Erwin immediately develops a crush, and attempts to get to know her by studying swordsmanship from her (WN Ch. 84).

Her brother, Takeomi, recognizes what is happening, despite Haruka herself not realizing Erwin's feelings. He is overprotective of Haruka, and attempts to interfere in any effort of Erwin getting romantically involved with his sister. Takeomi eventually challenges Wendelin to a duel for Erwin to get permission to be with Haruka (WN Ch. 87), and when Wendelin wins, relents. He then desperately tries to shift the conversation to the duel merely being about permitting Haruka to travel to Wendelin's territory to act as a swordsmanship instructor, a misunderstanding Haruka has as well.

Wendelin explains Erwin's feelings, and that the proposal is for her to become Erwin's fiancée, but that she will not be forced to do so if she doesn't want to (WN Ch. 88). She notes how strange that is, as Wendelin and Earl Mizuho could easily force her to marry, and recognizing that she finds Erwin desirable as well, she accepts the proposal. Since then, she has continued to serve as an instructor to Erwin, but also travels with him as fights by his side.

Background
Haruka is the third child and second daughter of a low-level (unranked) hereditary retainer in the Earl Mizuho territory of the Holy Empire Urquhart. She and her brother became members of Earl Mizuho's Battou unit, rising in stature due to their exceptional swordsmanship skills.

Abilities & Powers

 * Expert Swordsmanship

Erwin von Arnim
Erwin is immediately taken aback by Haruka's natural beauty, displaying his severe weakness for Japanese features that also caused him to fall for Karla von Browig prior. Since they are both acting as bodyguards and are both sword users, he uses those facts as an opportunity to get close to her, however she is unaware that he has any potential feelings for her.

Erwin begins taking swordsmanship lessons from her, finding that he has more talent for Japanese-style samurai swordsmanship than for traditional style. He wishes to ask for Haruka to be his wife, but her brother Takeomi Fujibayashi attempts to intervene. After Wendelin von Benno Baumeister defeats Takeomi in a duel, he explains to her that Erwin wishes to marry her and she accepts the proposal.

Following their engagement, they spend a significant amount of their free time getting close, and their relationship blossoms. She continues to instruct him in samurai swordsmanship. The two stay with each other nearly all the time, fighting side-by--side.

Takeomi Fujibayashi
Takeomi is strongly overprotective of his little sister, being repeatedly described by others as a "sis-con". He repeatedly tries to get in the way of Haruka's relationship with Erwin, struggling with it even after the two are engaged. He was also partly responsible for Haruka having no concept of romance, as he systematically chased away any members of the Battou unit who attempted to get close to Haruka.

Etymology

 * The name Haruka means "distant, remote" (遥).
 * Haruka's surname Fujibayashi means "wisteria" (藤) (fuji) and "forest" (林) (hayashi/bayashi).

Trivia

 * Haruka has a hidden competitive streak tied to her latent "speed" addiction, which only comes out whenever she gets an opportunity to drive one of the magic cars which are kept by Wendelin von Benno Baumeister's household. Like Elise (her "rival" in driving), she is known for driving at unsafe speeds without any regard for her passengers - much to Erwin von Arnim's and Wend's chagrin - once she enters into the aforementioned competitive mindset.
 * Haruka strangely doesn't seem to mind - and even shows her consent - when Erwin takes up one concubine after another (referring to Leah and Anna).

Quotes
"Brother-kun has been completely led around by the nose by that girl. Even if they become a married couple, she will have the pants on" Haruka to Erwin about Kaeda