Kozue Matsumoto

A girl from Baki's school. Her mother is Baki's landlord, the two of them live next to one another. Her father fought and died in the Underground arena. She cares deeply for Baki, but denies when asked. She is dissilusioned by Baki's violent life as an Underground fighter and begs him several times to quit. Though she still disapproves, Kozue better understands Baki's resolve after visiting Emi's grave site. After Baki's first tournament match, he reveals that he cares for Kozue. She became his love interest in 'Search for Our Strongest Hero', and makes love with him just before his fight with Yanagi, allowing Baki to become a "full man". She was briefly desired by Muhammad Ali Jr., but nothing ever came of it. And despite feeling strongly about him in return, chose to stay with Baki, whom she was already with and truly loves. Kozue explains to Ali Jr. that she thinks of him like a child, feeling the need to console him as he cries after losing in his match against Baki. Kozue makes a brief appearance in the Son of Ogre series, after Baki's fight with Pickle. She walks Baki to school while reminiscing about Baki's fight with Ali Jr. In the final fight between Baki and Yujiro. Yujiro approves her of being Baki's lover and is grateful to her for making him strong.