Arikawa is a junior at a university, studying law. He ends up helping out Misaki and Professor Tsujimura in the labs with their agricultural work, however, in his free time. He's cheerful, and very honest and straightforward about his feelings. He's also a diligent student. His eyesight is poor, so he alternates between wearing contacts (which irritate his eyes) and glasses.
He starts the story out content with his girlfriend, Kanami, but after encountering Misaki outside and at the train station (where he's left with his flower necklace), he starts having romantic dreams about him. Arikawa develops feelings for him, and his girlfriend breaks up with him. He has to deal with Misaki's distrust towards him (he embarrassed him in public by loudly telling him about his dreams), and his fear of romance/sexuality after how his relationship with Kawabata turned out, but eventually the two get together and are happy.