Shinji Yoshimatsu

Shinji Yoshimatsu (吉松 シンジ) is a side character in the original anime series, Lycoris Recoil. He is a member of the Alan Institute.

Appearance
Shinji is a middle-aged man with dark blonde hair and brown eyes. He is most commonly seen wearing a 3-piece, navy blue suit with an Alan Institute badge attached to his left lapel.

Profile
A member of the Alan Institute and Mika's old friend. When not abroad on business, he is a regular at café LycoReco, taking a particular interest in Chisato.

History
Shinji has been a member of the Alan Institute for over a decade at least, as he was the sponsor of a young Chisato, who he deems a "genius for killing". As part of the Institute's support, Chisato was granted a fully artificial heart in exchange for completing a "mission to the world". Mika mentions that Shinji and Chisato have met once in the past, however she does not remember the event.

Mika and Shinji have been acquainted for at least 10 years, sharing something they call "The Promise".

Story
During the arms deal Fuki's team are tasked with preventing, Shinji contracts Walnut to hack into the DA's system to draw out intel. This results in a temporary outage of Radiata, interrupting contact between Fuki and DA headquarters. During the subsequent investigation and escort of Saori Shinohara by Chisato and Takina, Shinji is seen collaborating with Walnut to monitor the two. It is implied that this is his first sighting of Chisato since their initial meeting during her youth. Frustrated by Walnut's questioning, Shinji instructs his driver to destroy her condo, hoping to assassinate the hacker in the process. Learning of Chisato's identity, Shinji makes first contact by visiting café LycoReco, to the surprise of Mika. Following his first visit, Shinji becomes a regular at café LycoReco and develops a friendship with Chisato. He shares stories of his international travel, and even brings her back a souvenir from Russia. When prompted about his history with Mika, however, he avoids the topic, stating he would share more "some other day".

After learning that his assassination of Walnut had failed, Shinji contracts Robota and a group of mercenaries to eliminate the hacker. After the supposed success of the mission, Shinji mentions how this "finally ends all of his requests from last month", implying they have a history of collaboration. Despite this, he sees Robota as nothing more than a tool.

Having completed his business with Walnut, Shinji returns to café LycoReco recoil once more, stating he enjoys the ohagi mochi there. After reminiscing with Mika, he questions him about the kind of work Mika and Chisato truly do there. Later, Mika and Shinji meet privately at a bar. Mika questions Shinji's motives for returning, correctly surmising that his ultimate motivation was to reconnect with Chisato. He reveals that he had met Chisato once before, expressing sadness that she does not remember him. When asked by Mika why he doesn't simply tell Chisato the truth, he mentions how the Alan Institute does not permit further contact with recipients of support. Shinji then asks if Mika has managed to keep "The Promise", explaining his belief of how geniuses are a gift from god and must be delivered to the world, even if they are destined for killing.

Chisato Nishikigi
Shinji has a particular interest in Chisato, believing her to be a "gift from god" and a "genius for killing". As the sponsor who chose Chisato as a recipient of the Alan Institute's support, they have met before, however Mika states that she does not remember the event. One of his main motivations for contracting Walnut to hack into the DA's system was likely in an effort to find current information on Chisato, which he acts upon by tracking her with one of the hacker's drones. He later makes contact with her for the first time by visiting café LycoReco, albeit keeping his past with her a secret.

As Shinji becomes a regular at the café, him and Chisato quickly develop a close rapport. He shares stories of his travels abroad with her, and even brings her a souvenir from his trip to Russia. When prompted about his past and his connection with Mika, however, he refuses to disclose any information. It is likely Shinji does this in an effort to gain Chisato's trust, keep tabs on her and ultimately discover what her and Mika's real work entails.

Mika
Shinji and Mika have been acquainted for at least a decade and consider each other old friends. Prior to learning of Chisato's whereabouts, it is implied that the two hadn't met for some time, as Mika expresses surprise at Shinji's arrival. The two have a joint interest in Chisato, and share something called "The Promise".

Kurumi
Shinji contracts Kurumi, working under her hacker alias, Walnut, to break into the DA's database and extract intelligence. Acting on the intelligence obtained, Walnut is tasked with tracking down and identifying Chisato using a drone. Despite the task being completed, Walnut's incessant questions concerning Lycoris and the Alan Institute's motivations lead to the destruction of her condo and attempted assassination at Shinji's hands.

Upon learning that Walnut had survived, Shinji tasks another hacker, Robota, to eliminate her. After the LycoReco team fake Walnut's death to Shinji and Robota, he believes their business to be concluded.

Robota
Shinji has been contracting Robota to perform tasks for him for at least a month. He collaborates with the hacker during his plot to assassinate Walnut, with their business concluding upon their supposed death. He appreciates Robota's blind obedience, though consequently only sees him as a tool.

Takina Inoue
Shinji is noted by Chisato as the Takina's first customer at café LycoReco. Unlike Chisato, the two do not share any special rapport.

Trivia

 * Shinji was Takina's first customer at café LycoReco.

Etymology

 * The name Shinji is written in katakana (シンジ), which has no special meaning. However, when written in kanji (真司), means "true, reality, Buddhist sect" (真 shin) and "director, official, government office, rule, administer" (司 ji).
 * The surname Yoshimatsu means "good luck, joy, congratulations" (吉 yoshi) and "pine tree" (松 matsu).