Sawa Mitoma/Relationships

Mother
Sawa has a cold, distant, and strained relationship with her mother. For Sawa's entire life, her mother has been emotionally and verbally abusive towards her, picks on her for every little thing, effectively tormented some of her old friends, and controls her social life so she would be fully submissive and obedient to her, all while she says Sawa is no good at making friends. Sawa feels like she has to be grateful towards her mother for giving birth to her and raising her, and it doesn't help that neighbors and landladies are convinced that she is a great mother. Sawa feels trapped by her mother's abuse, as no matter what she says or does, her mother always blows up at her and continues saying terrible things to her and says it's for her own good; making Sawa feel like a ”punching bag”. Sawa's anxiety, self-esteem issues, and lack of friends are mostly caused by her mother's abuse and manipulation, yet Sawa couldn't come to fully hate her mother. However, when Sawa meets the Sohmas, Sawa is finally able to admit that she truly despises her mother and that she wishes she wasn't around. When Sawa learns that her mother sued Shiki after Sawa got hurt when it was actually an accident, Sawa decides to call it quits and admits that she will never forgive her mother.

Amane and Mito
Sawa is in the same class as Amane and Mito, but she initially never noticed Amane wanting to have lunch with her since she was convinced that she was a burden to everyone. However, when she learns from Riku that they always wanted to be her friend, Sawa reaches out to them and tells that she would like to have lunch with them and become friends with them too. Ever since then, Sawa has become increasingly closer with both Amane and Mito, and having two people she can confide her hopes and fears, who treat her with kindness, affection, and understanding, has boosted Sawa's confidence and shaped her character.

Shiki Sohma
Sawa and Shiki’s ”first meeting” was when Shiki found her she after had tripped down a flight of stairs. Shiki promised that she would be all right and soon called for help. Even though the Shiki was sued by Sawa's mother and Sawa didn't remember anything about the incident, Shiki would always think about Sawa, and was worried that the girl he saw that would keep getting hurt or cry again.

Sawa officially meets Shiki years later when she notices that he is feeling sick; she thinks to herself that he is so incredibly beautiful. They become friends rather quickly despite the initial awkwardness between them and get along very well, and Shiki mentions that he is happy to see her enjoying herself. Sawa treats Shiki as an equal despite him being three years younger than her, and wants him to stop speaking so formally with her. Also, because of his slightly distant disposition, Sawa views Shiki as a mystery, but wants to get to know him better. As time goes on, Sawa finds herself thinking about Shiki more; she even tells him this at one point. Shiki also understands Sawa, as he notices when she is feeling down, and Sawa, in return, thinks that talking with Shiki makes her feel better when she is down. Shiki eventually begins developing feelings for Sawa, and Sawa seems to develop some affection for him as well, as they become increasingly nervous around one another and blush more often in the other's presence. The Sohmas and Sawa's friends also like the idea of the two together, and hence often teases them about their relationship and even sets up ”dates” between the two. During one such ”date” during summer vacation, they grow closer as both of them admit that they enjoy spending time with each other.

After Sawa remembers the incident from their childhood where Shiki saved her, she apologizes to him due to the trouble her mother caused and for forgetting about their meeting, but she also thanks him for finding her and for keeping the ”her” from that day in his memories, even when Sawa herself forgot about it. Sawa then asks if they can continue being friends, to which Shiki happily accepts. After this, Sawa openly begins yearning to learn more about him, thinking it would be nice to talk to him all the time, becoming increasingly nervous in his presence, and openly expressing her joy when she knows that he will join a Sohma event. After Shiki confides to Sawa about his family situation and about his mother, they reach a deeper understanding of one another. Shiki thereafter asks if he can call her by her first name, to which she tearfully accepts. He also says to himself that he wants to protect the warm parts of his life while thinking about Sawa, confirming that she is so very dear to him.

Mutsuki Sohma
Sawa first meets Mutsuki after he saves her from the principal, and he later invites her to join the student council, which Sawa eventually hesitantly agrees to. Sawa admits that she initially thought Mutsuki to be ”shady”, but as she continues working alongside him and getting to know him, Sawa begins considering Mutsuki a close friend who she respects and can rely on, despite his eccentric and laidback personality at times. Sawa describes Mutsuki, along with Hajime, as the first people who ”pulled her up” and helped her break out of her shell, and is thus incredibly thankful towards them. She appreciates him very much and thanks him for giving her the opportunity to have so much fun at school. Aside from Mutsuki being a source of support for Sawa's, they get along very well, being very comfortable in one another's presence and Mutsuki sometimes acting as Sawa's voice of reason and giving her advice. Mutsuki also cares about Sawa deeply; he is aware of her issues and never pushes her too hard, instead encouraging her the best way she can. It is later revealed that the first time he interacted with her, it was because he knew that Shiki always thought her, so Mutsuki wanted to "use" Sawa to bring Shiki out of his shell.

Hajime Sohma
Sawa and Hajime initially had a slightly rocky relationship due to Sawa accidentally stepping on his face during their first meeting and due to Hajime’s insensitive remarks towards her at times. However, Hajime does eventually apologize for his behavior, and as Sawa joins the student council, they become close friends. Since Hajime helps Sawa break out of her shell, encourages her to stop apologizing all the time, and lends her a listening ear when needed, Sawa begins viewing Hajime and Mutsuki as the first people who truly accepted her and didn't leave or reject her. Sawa appreciates Hajime scolding her at times because it makes her realize things about herself that she couldn't realize before, and thus decides to try her best to change with the support she found in Hajime, Mutsuki, and the Sohma family. Hajime is also the first person who Sawa tells about her relationship with her mother to, and it is thanks to him that Sawa is able to come to the conclusion that she truly does not want her mother in her life.

Hajime later admits that he had his guard up around Sawa, since she is the daughter of the woman who sued Shiki. However, as they continued spending time together and as he got to know her, he came to genuinely care for her and becomes kinder towards her, and later apologizes for viewing Sawa in that light. Hajime admits that he is glad that he got to know the real her, and he also indirectly tells her that she is basically part of their family and that she already has been dragged into it. It is mentioned by Mutsuki that Hajime likes to treat his underclassmen as younger siblings, so it is possible that Hajime views Sawa as a younger sister of a sort and wants to help her out.

Sora Sohma
Sawa was initially put aback by Sora's behavior and thought she was rather eccentric, but they do eventually become friends thanks to Sora's outgoing personality. Sora is very supportive of Sawa and even during their first meeting, she comforts her and encourages her to speak up. By the end of their conversation, Sora asks Sawa to refer to her by her first name, while she calls her by the affectionate nickname ”Sawacchi”. As they continue spending time with one another, Sora becomes one of Sawa's closest friends, and despite their opposites personalities, Sawa being put aback by Sora's eccentric behavior at times, and Sora's tendency to tease Sawa quite a lot, Sawa loves Sora and holds her in high regard. Sawa also appreciates the kindness and friendship Sora extends to her, which has lead to them to become very affectionate with one another.

Riku Sohma
Sawa and Riku are classmates. Sawa's first impression of Riku was not very bright; she is intimidated by him and fears that he dislikes her. However, after being confronted by him, Sawa learns to not look down all the time, and thanks him for helping her. After this, they become friends, as they are in the same class and since Sawa is spending more time with the Sohmas. Sawa now isn't as intimidated by him, but she does have trouble with understanding him and his feelings. Despite this, she knows that Riku has a kind heart and enjoys his company.

Mina Sohma
Ever since their first meeting, Sawa has thought that Mina is extremely cute and is very fond of her. They become friends very quickly, and despite her young age, Mina is aware of Sawa's relationship with her mother to some degree and therefore wants to support her in her own way, and hopes that Sawa will be blessed with a bright future. Sawa describes Mina as someone who makes her feel ”sparkly” inside.

Kinu Sohma
Sawa shares a friendly relationship with Kinu. When Sawa begins spending time with the Sohmas at school, she also begins spending more time with Kinu. Sawa gets along with Kinu very well, and although she is sometimes but aback by her occasional eccentric behavior, she seems to view her as an older sister type figure of a sort. Kinu is also always very welcoming of Sawa and understanding of her; this is especially proven when Sawa learns what her mother did to Shiki when they young; Kinu becomes her voice of reason, gives her advice, assures her that she is more than allowed to protect herself, and encourages her to carve her own path in life, all which Sawa appreciates deeply.

Chizuru Sohma
Sawa met Chizuru when she got offered a part-time job at his parent's shop by Mutsuki. Chizuru is initially very rude towards Sawa, but she continues to treat him with respect and even speaks formally with him despite him being younger. Sawa does not mind Chizuru's way of speaking, even finds it endearing, since it reminds her of Shiki so much. Chizuru later apologizes for his rude behavior towards her, as he thought that she was another customer who fawns over his father. Because of this, Sawa thinks that despite his short-temper and aggressive behavior, she knows that he is very kind, always looking after her, and that he had a good head on his shoulders.