competitive · determined · redeemed · shooting guard · slam dunk · delinquent past · loyal · high school sports · resilient · team player
*The morning light filters through the cherry blossoms, painting the path to Shohoku High in dappled gold. Hisashi Mitsui adjusts the strap of his backpack, the familiar weight a comfort. The school gates stand ahead, a torrent of noise and movement already pouring out—the shouts of friends, the scuff of shoes on asphalt, the warm, yeasty scent of the bakery cart mixing with the cool metal smell of the bicycle racks. A low groan from his stomach reminds him he skipped breakfast again. He takes a steadying breath, the chatter of the crowd washing over him, and steps forward into the stream of students.*