What Is he?

The morning sunlight streamed through Aoi's window, illuminating the neatly folded school uniform laid out on her bed. Aoi's morning started with a tangle of purple hair and a sleepy stumble, a stark contrast to the polished image she presented to the world. But after her daily routine, a transformation took place. The girl who emerged was undeniably pretty, with a poise that hinted at her well-known status across Japan." As Aoi navigated the crowded hallway, she bumped into someone familiar. 'Misaki!' she exclaimed, surprised. Her older sister grinned. 'Hey, little sis. Didn't expect to see you here.' They exchanged a quick hello, a brief moment of family amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces before Misaki continued down the hall. Aoi stepped into the kitchen, the aroma of warm rice and savory tamagoyaki filling the air. Her mom stood at the counter, a colorful bento box in her hands. Aoi smiled brightly. 'Morning, Mom.” Suzuki Aoi's mom smiled warmly. 'Good morning, honey! Here's the bento you asked me to make yesterday. I packed extra of your favorite tamagoyaki.” Aoi smiled, “Thanks, Mom.” Aoi then walks to her mom grabs the bento then hugging her. After breaking the hug, Aoi's little sister Nami walked in very sluggishly and sloppily, a little worse than Aoi in the morning. "Nami yawned widely, her voice barely a whisper. 'Morning, Mom... and Aoi…”Aoi walked over to Nami, gently patting her head. 'Good morning, Nami,' she said softly. Then, with a bit of playful urgency, she steered Nami back towards her room. 'Come on, sleepyhead, let's get you ready.' A few minutes later, Nami and Misaki were waiting outside, ready to go. Aoi dashed out the door, giving her mom a quick kiss on the cheek. 'Bye, Mom!' she called, then jogged to catch up with her sisters, who were already a few houses down. She waved back at her mom, who stood smiling in the doorway.

While almost arriving at Shishin High Aoi waved goodbye to Misaki and Nami as they turned down a different street, heading towards their school. With a mix of excitement and nerves, Aoi continued on her way, her eyes fixed on the imposing gates of Shishin High. This was it. Her first day, and she was ready to make a great impression. As soon as Aoi stepped into the schoolyard, she was surrounded. A sea of students surged towards her, voices overlapping. 'Aoi-san, can I get your autograph?' 'Aoi, you're so amazing!' 'Aoi, will you go out with me?' Aoi felt a little overwhelmed, but she managed a polite smile as she tried to navigate through the crowd." The schoolyard erupted as Aoi walked in. A cacophony of voices filled the air, all directed at her. 'Aoi-san, can I take a picture with you?' 'You're so cool, Aoi!' 'Will you be my girlfriend?' Aoi's cheeks flushed slightly, but she kept her composure, politely excusing herself as she made her way through the throng.

She managed to weave through the crowd, offering small smiles and polite nods until she finally reached the relative calm of the school's entrance. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. That had been…intense. She glanced at her schedule, trying to find her first class. 'Class 2-B,' she murmured to herself. 'Where are you?'

As she walked down the hallway, she noticed students glancing at her, some whispering excitedly. She tried to ignore the attention, focusing on finding her classroom. Finally, she spotted the sign: 2-B. She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

The classroom was already buzzing with students, but the chatter died down as she entered. All eyes turned to her, and Aoi felt a familiar flutter of nerves. The teacher smiled warmly. 'Ah, you must be Aoi Yamato. Welcome! We've been expecting you.'

Aoi returned the smile, trying to project confidence. 'Thank you,' she said, her voice clear and steady.

The teacher gestured towards the front of the class. 'Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone?'

Aoi nodded, stepping forward.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Aoi Yamato. I transferred from Seiun Academy in Tokyo. I love basketball and fashion, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you all." She gave a small bow, her gaze meeting Yoshikatsu briefly before moving on.

Before Aoi stepped into her new classroom, earlier that morning, Yoshikatsu was in the gym again, the rhythmic thump of the basketball echoing through the space. Yoshikatsu's eyes, a clear, focused blue, were fixed on the basketball and the polished court. The early morning air was cool, and the gym echoed with the soft thump of the ball as he decided to take it easy today, mindful of the lingering soreness from yesterday's intense practice. He still has flashes of pain from yesterday but he didn't let it stop him from practicing. The gym doors creaked open, and the sound of Sora Suzuki's cheerful voice filled the space. 'Yoshi, still going at it, I see? You'll wear yourself out before school even starts!' He strolled in, his upbeat energy evident even at this early hour, the scent of his mint gum mixing with the familiar smell of the gym.

Yoshikatsu managed a faint smile, his face flushed and sweat dripping from his forehead. Sora walked up to him, a bottle of water in his hand, and tossed it to him. 'I'm surprised you're still going... I thought you'd take a break after I had to drag you home after yesterday's practice,' Sora chuckled, shaking his head. 'You and your perfectionism. What's driving you so hard?

Yoshikatsu hesitated for a moment, his voice slightly strained. 'I just have to stay on top of my game, you know my family wants me to give up sports because…' Sora's expression softened. 'I know, you don't have to explain again, and I get where you're coming from. But don't forget to take a break now and then. Yoshi, even the mightiest river, carves its path with gentle currents as well as powerful floods. You can't always be the flood; sometimes, you need to let the gentle currents guide you to your goal'

Yoshikatsu sighed, a hint of frustration in his voice. 'I know, you said that quote before. But basketball… it’s the only thing that keeps me going. And honestly, you’re the only person I can talk to about it since I have no one else to lean on or ask for help, not even talk to constantly.' Sora's expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding. 'I know, Yoshi. And I'm here for you, always. You don't have to go through this alone, I'll always be your best buddy,' Sora said with a bright smile. Then, playfully, he grabbed Yoshikatsu in a headlock and ruffled his hair. Yoshikatsu groaned, but a small smile played on his lips.

Sora gave him an encouraging smile, his voice warm. 'You've got serious talent. I still remember how you beat me back in your freshman year—you were amazing. Just promise me you won't push yourself too hard like last time, alright?' Yoshikatsu nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. 'Fine.' Sora nodded, understanding the motivation behind Yoshikatsu's words. 'You'll get there, Yoshi. I believe in you. But remember, it's alright to have some fun too. How about we hang out after school today? Maybe catch a movie?

Yoshikatsu felt a pang of guilt as he realized he often kept his friends at a distance, using his intense practice routine as a shield. "I appreciate the invitation, but I prefer to practice in the gym after school," he said, hoping to find a way to balance his commitments without shutting Sora out entirely.

Sora grinned, changing the subject. 'Hey, I heard a new student is coming to Shishin today. Wonder what they'll be like?

Yoshikatsu sighed softly. 'New student, huh? Probably just another face in the crowd. I've got better things to do.

The school bell rang, signaling the start of another day. Yoshikatsu grabbed his bag and headed to class with Sora, leaving the sound of bouncing basketballs behind.

Yoshi gave Sora a fist bump and said, “Alright, Sora, this is where we part ways for now. Catch you at lunch.” With that, Yoshikatsu headed off to his class, filled with a mix of determination and excitement for what the day had in store.

The classroom buzzed with chatter when Yoshikatsu arrived. Desks were arranged in neat rows, sunlight streaming through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Yoshikatsu slipped into his seat, doing his best to ignore the usual pre-class commotion.

The homeroom teacher then walks in to clear her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. "Class, we have a new student today. Let’s give a warm welcome to Aoi Yamada."

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the door as Aoi entered, her confident smile lighting up the room. Her long, wavy dark brown hair flowed over her shoulders, and her pristine uniform added to her poise. The room buzzed with whispers as students noticed her familiar face from past basketball games and model-like figure from across the internet.

Meanwhile, after Aoi's introduction, the students broke into applause, the sound filling the classroom. Aoi's warmth and confidence left a strong first impression. 'Aoi, you can take the empty seat next to Yoshikatsu Noda,' the teacher said, gesturing to the desk beside him. Yoshikatsu, hearing his name, glanced at the window, a faint sigh escaping his lips. 'Ain't this great,' he thought, 'The new student is not only popular, she sits next to the guy the world thinks is invisible.”

Aoi walked gracefully toward her seat next to Yoshikatsu. As she sat down, she gave him quick, subtle glances whenever she could. The teacher wrote an assignment on the board, and Yoshikatsu started copying it down. Suddenly, his pencil slipped from his fingers, rolling directly to Aoi's foot. Yoshikatsu's heart skipped a beat, a wave of panic washing over him. "Of all the places it could have rolled, it had to be there? What kind of bad luck do I have?"

Aoi then takes another glance at him then notices his pencil is gone after tracing his eyes she sees his pencil next to her foot she then reaches to grab it then hands it to him. Yoshikatsu quickly took it from her, praying she wouldn't say a word to him. Aoi said, “Your name is Yoshikatsu, right?” Yoshikatsu was shocked to think “Why do the gods hate me so much?” Yoshi then tried to speak but when approached by someone other than Sora, for the first time leading to a significant degree of stuttering and verbal fumbles. Then Yoshikatsu finally said “Yeah I am”

"Aoi smiled. 'Nice to meet you, Yoshikatsu. I'm Aoi Yamato.'

Yoshikatsu nodded, still a little shocked. 'Nice to meet you too,' he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

Aoi paused for a moment, then asked, 'So, do you play any sports?'

Yoshikatsu's eyes widened slightly. 'Uh, yeah. Basketball.'

'Cool! I love basketball too,' Aoi said, her eyes lighting up. 'Do you play for the school team?'

'No not yet,' Yoshikatsu replied, a little more confidently now that they were talking about basketball.

'That's awesome! I'm thinking about trying out for the girls' team,' Aoi said. 'Maybe we could practice together sometime?'

Yoshikatsu blinked, surprised. 'Uh, sure,' he said, not quite sure what to make of her offer.

The teacher cleared their throat, and Aoi turned her attention to the front of the class. 'We can talk more later,' she whispered with a smile."

Yoshikatsu then nods while completely shocked by what just happened.

After the first period, all the students in the class except Yoshikatsu started to surround the aoi desk "Hello, Aoi! I’m Airi Kimura," introduced a bespectacled girl radiating warmth. "Do you need assistance navigating the campus?"

Aoi reciprocated with a smile. "Thank you, Airi. That would be helpful."

An eager peer interjected, "What prompted your transfer? Your fashion sense is remarkable!"

Aoi chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I relocated from Tokyo and have always been passionate about fashion."

A taller student, arms crossed, leaned closer, inquiring, "Are you participating in any sports here? Our basketball team boasts a strong reputation."

Aoi’s eyes illuminated with enthusiasm. "Absolutely! I played for my former school's basketball team so of course I'll join."

Yoshikatsu watched Aoi, a mix of curiosity and unease swirling within him. 'It's been a long time since anyone talked to me like that,' he thought, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He quickly grabbed his bag and headed for the door. Aoi noticed him leaving and, with a quick 'Excuse me!' to the class, hurried after him. She caught up to him, a little breathless, and leaned forward, her eyes searching for him. Aoi leaned forward, her voice echoing slightly in the empty hallway. 'Let's have lunch together!' she said, her smile wide. Yoshikatsu's face turned red, and he quickly declined, 'I'm busy,' and walked off. Aoi watched him go, then puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms, a small frown on her face. 'Damnit”. Aoi watched Yoshikatsu walk away, a mix of determination and curiosity swirling within her. She decided to follow him, wanting to understand why he was so reluctant. She trailed him to the gym, and as she stepped inside, she felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. The air seemed to grow heavy, and a shiver ran down her spine. Aoi's legs felt weak, and she stumbled, landing on her bottom. She looked up at Yoshikatsu, her eyes wide. He was completely focused, his blue eyes intense and unwavering. It was like he was in a different world. Aoi's breath hitched in her throat. 'This isn't what I saw yesterday,' she thought, her eyes wide with fear. 'This is...different.' She stared at Yoshikatsu, his blue eyes burning with an intensity that made her shiver. 'Just What is he?’