Haraguchi self-describes as "a nerd first and an activist second". Although he is fully committed to the cause of the [[Youkai Nation]], he prefers to serve its interests from the background, ensuring that the systems and infrastructure that youkai activists use are in good order.
He is frequently described by friends and colleagues as a gentle, soft-spoken, friendly figure with vast, expansive knowledge in all sorts of domains, from gunsmithing to computer networking. Though he has no qualms with producing and customizing weapons to his friends and his activists - he has, in fact, personally built maintains and customized customizes all of the Task Force's weapons - Haraguchi describes himself as a pacifist. He has never shot a sapient person in his life, and he dislikes traveling in the UA even within the Youkai Nation, stating that it often means having to shoot at living creatures.
His favorite restaurant is ''Great Tengu Inn'', one of Yurai's izakaya. Haraguchi considers it the best izakaya in the town, and perhaps even the best restaurant in the world.
Equipped [[weapons]]:
* Auxiliary: [[FN Herstal P90]] (50+1 /50, 51x [[5.7x28mm]], Standard AP)- IS 5
** Configuration: Threaded barrel
** Accessories: Silencer (Rifle, standard, .22), Reflex sight (integrated)** Combined effects: Silenced, 0.6x damage against unarmored ACs, 1.5x damage against unarmored ACs, IS tier -1* LE Duty belt, Handgun holster: [[FN Herstal Five-seveN]] with a [[Five-seveN magazines|30-round magazine]] (30+1 /30, 31x [[5.7x28mm]], Standard AP)- IS 2
** Configuration: Threaded barrel
** Accessories: Silencer (Rifle, standard, .22)
** Combined effects: Silenced, 0.42x damage damage against unarmored ACs, 1.05x damage against unarmored ACs
Inventory:
A female oni matching Sayu Tawara's description was said to have been in the area during the events. Although it was never actually officially confirmed, it is considered an open secret that Tawara was an active participant and may have personally killed several of the settlers, presumably in an attempt to prove her capabilities on the field to Sangi.
Tawara was also an active participant of in '''Operation Red Temple''', and was spotted alongside Daiki Haraguchi on the Ovis City scene, where Captain Gerald Phasma was assassinated. It is believed that she was the one who pulled the trigger on the Captain.
During the Weil Era, Tawara returned to her hometown in Kazama. With the shortages induced by the Weil harassment patrols, every town in the Youkai Nation found itself in dire need of raw materials of all kinds; as such, the Kazama native offered to help out at the mining facility, working as a miner, and later as a courier delivering ore to factories and other facilities in the Youkai Nation.
Equipped [[weapons]]:
* Primary 1: [[Saco Defense M60]] (100 /100, 100x [[7.62x51mm NATO]], Standard AP)- IS Unsp. / IS Unsp. (bipod deployed)** Combined effects: 0.6x damage against unarmored ACs, 1.5x damage against armored ACs** Combined effects (bipod deployed): 0.6x damage against unarmored ACs, 1.5x damage against armored ACs, FT -1, Recoil -1, IS tier +1* Holster 1: [[Century Model 100]] (6 /6, 6x [[.45-70 Government]], Standard FMJ)- IS 5** Combined effects: FT +1
Inventory:
Creature traits:
* '''Alcohol affinity''': When this creature consumes [[Food|alcoholic drinks]], they gain '''half''' the amount of [[Inebriation]] the alcoholic drink would normally give, but to compensate, the amount of Stress they lose from the effects of '''[[Effects#Stress|Need a drink]]''' is '''doubled''' (e.g., -0.8% Stress per +0.1 Inebriation, instead of only -0.4% Stress); effectively healing the same amount of Stress for half the Inebriation.** Example: When drinking a [[Food#Bars|glass of vodka]], a creature without Alcohol affinity will gain '''+5.0 Inebriation''' and '''-20.0% Stress'''. A creature with alcohol affinity would only gain '''+2.5 Inebriation''', but still heal '''-20.0% Stress'''.
She met Satoshi Sangi in 450 at the age of 18, while she was still a journalism student. At the time and according to Hirota, Sangi was looking to make contacts in the press and television, so that he could spread his message and his vision of the future to the world when the time was right. Hirota described her meeting with him as a "huge revelation", causing her to abandon her intentions to become a journalist and instead devote herself to Sangi's plans for the Youkai Nation.
Hirota is believed to have either written or helped writing write the famous speech that Sangi delivered in 454, during the televised announcement in which he announced the existence of the Youkai Nation. Since then, she has devoted herself to be being the Nation's public relations representative, giving many speeches of her own and appearing on Youkai Nation ads, posters, and other forms of propaganda. She is frequently seen at Sangi's side, acting as his assistant.
When the Military announced they were mobilizing, Hirota realized that her lack of combat experience would be a liability, so she requested to receive training. Sangi initially refused, believing she was too valuable to be sent on the frontlines, but constant insisting eventually made him cave, and she was sent to Mippei Yosai. It is there that she met Sayu Tawara; Tawara personally trained Hirota and allowed her to begin honing her marksmanship.
During the events of '''Operation Needle Poke''', despite Hirota being only a few months into marksmanship training, she requested to be sent to Yurai to assist in its defense; this time, however, neither Sangi nor Tawara allowed it to happen; she remained in Mippei Yosai and continued her training, to her displeasure. After the events, as soon as the last military forces retreated from the Youkai Nation, she moved back to Yurai, returning to her duties at as Satoshi Sangi's assistant. While visiting the workshop and receiving modifications for her weapons, she met and befriended Daiki Haraguchi.
Hirota did not participate in '''Operation Blood Banner''', but she was in charge of providing the Youkai Nation's side of the story in its aftermath, claiming the human settling party was, in reality, an invading force paid for by the Military.
Many years later, in 531, Hirota took part in '''Operation Red Temple'''. She directed the telephone scam which lured Colonel Morgan Phasma out of Fort Cutlass and into Neo Khazrun, and she also directed and organized the plan to assassinate him once he was in position. Hirota was intended to be the person who would pull the trigger, while Sangi would act as a spotter; unfortunately, her group was spotted by the Colonel's security detail, and the entire operation turned into an active gun battle. The kitsune did not take the shot, advising Sangi to "use Plan B" instead and switch to backup weapons. In the chaotic exchange of gunfire that followed, both Hirota and Sangi managed to land eight shots on the Colonel, before managing to miraculously escape without taking damage from the military security or Neo Khazrun's Town Security. Upon hearing that their target died of his wounds before he could receive medical attention, Operation Red Temple was declared a success.
Yuriko Hirota's popular image is that of a perpetually-smiling optimist and a dreaming idealist, simply working her hardest "for the cause" and wishing for the best.
As is typical of most [[kitsune]], Hirota is a skilled orator and conversationalist. Almost fanatically devoted, she never hesitates to deploy all of her skills, natural and learned, at the service of the Youkai Nation. She frequently expressed that her "one love" is for "the [(youkai] ) people", believing the youkai race to be "divinely chosen" and destined to be "one day become the masters of the Mazes". Her displays of opinion, have frequently earned her criticism, with many accusing her of lacking objectivity, glorifying the Nation at all costs, and in some cases, accusing her of naked bigotry against non-youkai. Adding to the criticisms rather than try trying to deny them, Hirota is known for making a game out of mocking her critics and detractors, often implying that they are 'pro-Military shills' or 'non-believers'.
As one of the most famous figures from the Youkai Nation, Hirota is known to greatly enjoy the fame and attention, viewing them as opportunities to see and be seen by many. She considers that being recognized by nearly anyone in the world to be one of the most gratifying elements of her life, as it allows her to "spread the message" and be viewed as legitimate.
== Equipment and skills ==
Equipped [[weapons]]:
* Primary 1: [[Cheyenne Tactical M200 Intervention]] (7+1 /7, 8x [[.408 CheyTac]], Standard Match) - IS Unsp. / IS Unsp. (bipod deployed)** Accessories: Silencer (Rifle, Standard, .408), PMII 12x scope (as standard), Bipod (integrated)** Combined effects: Silenced, FT -3, IR -3, Recoil +4, can use [[Concentration]]** Combined effects (bipod deployed): Silenced, FT -4, IR -3, Recoil +3, can use [[Concentration]], IS tier +1* TT-1E Pistol vest, Handgun holster: [[Heckler & Koch HK45]] (10+1 /10, 11x [[.45 ACP]], Standard JHP)- IS 3
** Configuration: Threaded barrel
** Accessories: Silencer (Pistol, silencer, .45)
** Combined effects: Silenced, FT +1
Inventory:
[[Skills]]:
* Combat skills: '''Expert''' (Bolt-action), '''Skilled''' (Semi-auto rifle, Automatic rifle, Semi-auto pistol, Automatic pistol)
* Non-combat skills: '''MasterExpert''' (Negotiating), '''Expert''' (Evading)
[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Youkai Nation]]