Unlike the other boys, Walter isn't based on any trope per se. I like to call him "Classic Cai Content" because I let myself have free hands with him and just do what feels is the most natural to his character. I genuinely enjoy writing Walter because his sense of humor can be very different to my own, so it's a challenge to me. I also enjoy the fact he really tends to speak his mind, and although it's not always a good thing, it's really refreshing for me because a lot of the other Sinfonia boys are much more secretive.
Walter's character changed a little during the development, mostly because he was supposed to be the voice of reason of the group, but Jet ended up taking that position. Walter in turn... well, I like to think he is the speaker of the group: he would make a perfect salesman if he wanted, as he is very skilled at talking his way in or out of things. Walter is really speaking-oriented in general as he has a natural need to entertain and make people laugh, and he likes to impress others with his stories. He is very proud of his skill in talking. However, his poor teachers tend to have a hard time because Walter's way of answering things is very witty and technically they should punish him for not giving out a "neutral answer?? but honestly they all really like Walter's wits so they just kind of... gently scold him.
Walter became blind when he was around 6-7. He caught a really strong illness that normally would have killed a child as young as him, but somehow he miraculously got cured, but as a result he lost his eyesight entirely to the illness (he doesn't see even vague shapes). I think it definitely did affect Walter greatly, but he is the kind of person who moves on surprisingly quickly and adapts to situations. He doesn't find his illness to be a problem to him, and instead tells it's the rude and insensitive people who are a much bigger problem in his life. I think his eyes are naturally very narrow and in a constant squint, but he has an anxiety-filled habit of closing his eyes around strangers: as younger he was bullied pretty badly by other people because of his eyes, and as such Walter started doing this in order to avoid mean comments. He keeps getting more relaxed as he ages though so most of his sprites are going to have his eyes as open as they get.
I'm totally just rambling at this point but I honestly really love Walter so I love talking about him!! Claude and Walter parallels are my fave because those two are actually super alike to each other yet super different at the same time. Claude thinks Walter is a fool who uses his speaking skills for useless things and that Walter is too frank and rude, and Walter in turn thinks Claude is an arrogant jerk who uses his charm and wits for useless and terrible things. Walter also thinks Claude is cheap for flirting with the other guys to get attention when he himself gets attention through his stories and jokes. And Claude thinks Walter is a stupid jester who could get far but reduces himself to a court clown.
... it's pretty hostile between those two, honestly. But sometimes the people who are the most like you are the ones that make you the angriest. But they're both only 14, so I want to believe that maybe one day their feelings towards each other become less hostile. I mean, let's be real, if those two started working together I don't think anything would stop them. Actually, thinking about it now, maybe it's almost for the better they aren't friends :'')
ALRIGHT I might need to stop rambling now but my love for Walter burns strong