Japan.
Kanagawa Prefecture.
Spring arrived quietly, bringing renewal to all things.
Cherry blossom trees lining the streets swayed gently in the breeze, pink and white petals drifting through the air like a light veil cast over the city.
Morning sunlight pierced through the lingering mist, gradually spreading across the land of Kanagawa, awakening this legendary prefecture from its slumber.
A new school year had begun.
The vitality of youth surged through every campus like a rising tide, igniting dreams, passion, and expectation.
Ryonan High School — Outside the School Gate
Sunlight bathed the school gate, and the four characters "Ryonan High School" gleamed faintly in the morning glow.
The entrance was already bustling with activity.
New students in neat Ryonan uniforms flowed in and out, chatting in small groups, laughter echoing through the air.
Every face carried the unmistakable brilliance of youth—anticipation, curiosity, and boundless hope for the future.
In the open square before the main building, club recruitment booths stretched in a long line, resembling a lively festival.
Basketball Club.
Soccer Club.
Baseball Club.
Anime Club.
Light Music Club.
Photography Club.
Senior students stood before their respective booths, brimming with enthusiasm, waving flyers and calling out loudly.
"Come take a look, juniors!"
"Join the Baseball Club—this is a man's romance!"
"The Literature Club has kind senior students waiting for you!"
"The Swimming Club welcomes everyone—come check it out!"
The noise overlapped chaotically, creating an atmosphere even livelier than a shopping street promotion.
Just then—
Two particularly eye-catching figures emerged from the crowd near the school gate.
A young man and a young woman walked side by side.
Even before they drew close, they had already attracted countless gazes.
Especially the red-haired young man.
His short crimson hair flickered like flames beneath the sunlight, a few strands dancing lightly in the breeze, as though carrying restrained heat.
His features were sharp and well-defined, exuding a composure and pressure far beyond his age.
His skin was fair, yet not delicate—there was a hidden sharpness beneath the calm.
Most striking of all were his eyes.
A pair of heterochromatic pupils.
The left was a deep golden-red, like a blazing sun capable of seeing through all things.
The right was a cold crimson, calm and unwavering, carrying an unsettling sense of authority.
When his gaze swept across the crowd, it felt as though nothing could escape his perception.
What made him even more remarkable was the coexistence of two completely different temperaments.
One was gentle and approachable, giving the impression of a polite and refined student.
The other was distant and commanding—like a king hiding behind courtesy, quietly observing everything from above.
The contradiction did not clash.
Instead, it formed a perfectly balanced whole.
Beside him, the young woman was equally striking.
She walked with calm composure, her presence dignified and graceful.
Her features were refined and elegant, her expression serene, carrying a quiet confidence that naturally drew attention.
Long black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, shimmering softly under the sunlight, with slightly curled ends that added warmth to her otherwise cool beauty.
Her light brown eyes reflected the morning light, glowing with an amber-like clarity, gentle yet resolute.
Standing together, the two seemed to form a natural harmony—fire and moonlight, calm and intensity.
They were Akashi Seijuro and Kamishiro Ruri.
"This is Ryonan High School," Kamishiro Ruri said softly, standing at the school gate with her hands behind her back.
A small smile curved her lips, excitement flickering in her eyes as she surveyed the campus.
The cherry blossom trees before the teaching building shed petals that drifted gently to the ground, as if welcoming them.
"It looks nice," she said with satisfaction.
Akashi stood beside her, his gaze resting on the stone wall engraved with 'Ryonan High School.'
Sunlight outlined his profile, highlighting both firmness and restraint.
"Yes," he replied quietly, a hint of complexity passing through his eyes.
He hadn't expected that this would be where his high school life began.
His decision traced back to a phone call half a year ago.
That day, Sendo had suddenly contacted him, asking whether he would consider attending Ryonan High School.
At first, Akashi had been puzzled.
Later, he learned that the call was partly driven by Coach Taoka Moichi, and partly by Sendo himself.
After entering Ryonan, Sendo had displayed outstanding talent, quickly becoming the team's core.
However, despite their efforts, Ryonan ultimately fell to Shoyo High School and Kainan High, losing their chance to advance to the Nationals.
The defeat hit hard.
In frustration, Sendo had muttered a single sentence—
"If he were still here… we might've won."
That remark sparked intense curiosity within the Ryonan Basketball Club.
Coach Taoka, in particular, pressed Sendo for details—and learned of Akashi's existence.
A point guard so dominant… yet unheard of?
The mystery deepened when they discovered Akashi had stepped away from basketball during his final year of middle school.
Eventually, Coach Taoka asked Sendo to reach out.
Sendo hadn't been confident.
After all, Ryonan was merely a private school—decent, but hardly elite.
But to Akashi, none of that mattered.
Public or private, prestigious or ordinary—it made no difference.
With his intelligence and memory, academics posed no challenge.
And so, without a firm plan of his own, Akashi agreed.
It was also no secret that both families were already aware of Akashi and Kamishiro Ruri's closeness.
Though they hadn't officially declared anything, neither family objected.
On the contrary, both sides approved.
"Let's go," Akashi said, withdrawing his gaze from the school sign.
Kamishiro Ruri nodded, stepping forward with him.
Together, they passed through the gates of Ryonan High School,
their new chapter quietly beginning beneath falling cherry blossoms.