Suzume Saotome
Torako's childhood friend. She is usually very quiet but possesses monstrous strength and immense apetite. Despite being very athletic, however, she is in distress for looking child-like and not feminine enough. Whenever Torako runs away from her home, Suzume always accompanies her. Her name contains a kanji of sparrow (雀, suzume?) and the first kanji letter of her name (早) is pronounced as 'Sa' (South), thus revealing her name's relationship with Vermillion Bird of the South (朱雀). (Source: Wikipedia)