Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who read, favorited, and followed last time! Also, special thanks to NyaPowa and Liliope for leaving reviews on the prologue. :) Here's the first chapter for you all!

Chapter 1

And here we are, Seirin High, the one and only, the young blood. It's a new day, Izanami-chan, so make it count. Give it everything you've got!

My brother's voice rings in my head as I walk up to the high school, a few other students around me, talking to themselves, or wrapped up in their phones. This time of year, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the walk to Seirin is one of the most beautiful I've seen — he would appreciate it, my brother.

I take in a deep breath. I grip the straps of my school bag and urge my legs to move forward at a quicker pace. I would like to be early.

Classes begin today, and nerves trace themselves through my body. My arms and legs feel tight, too tense to move, but somehow I still make my way through the school gates and into the building. The bustle of the students is louder now, everyone eager to begin the year, the early morning not a deterrent for most.

After I switch out my shoes for my uwabaki, I head to my classroom, my head spinning with the multitudes of people around me and all the noises. It still hasn't quite hit me that high school has really started.

I climb up the stairs, pushing through the crowd, and just when I reach the even level, there's a crash nearby and several students careen into me, gasping and shouting out their irritation. I feel myself slipping backwards and I let out a small noise of surprise — and maybe a cry for help.

A firm hand grips my upper arm. "Oi, watch out there."

The owner of the strong grip has a deep voice. For a moment, I think he is talking to me. But then I realize he's directing his attention to the people who'd rammed into me, pushing me backwards (and almost down the stairs and to certain death and humiliation).

The students murmur apologies and move away, each going to their own business. I twist my head around to face the one who'd helped me and am met with intense red eyes, dark red hair falling over his forehead.

My breath catches.

"You okay?" he asks, his voice rough. He lets go of my arm, like it was no big deal.

My mouth feels dry, my body too small next to his.

His brow wrinkles. "Are you okay?" he repeats.

"I — I'm fine!" I blurt out. Then I turn, and race away from him.

Not the best way you could've handle that, sis, my brother's voice echoes in my head.

I know, I know.

But how was I supposed to react after learning that Kagami Taiga is going to the same exact high school that I am?

It was short. We met one summer in America when I was nine and visiting family. It was only the second time I'd gone to America. And whereas the previous year, my brother Densuke had gone with me, that time, he chose to stay behind in Japan in order to focus on his studies. My child self felt betrayed — and scared, at the thought of going to America alone.

Our parents thought it was good experience. To visit a different country every summer, to see our family there, to perfect our English and learn more about the other culture. I suppose they were right, but I still hated leaving the comfort of Japan for the foreignness of America.

I don't remember the exact circumstances, but I was out one day alone. Usually, my relatives — my aunt and uncle — would accompany me when I wanted to go places, or I would go with them when they had places they needed to go. But for some reason, at that time, I was alone.

That was when the ball flew out at me, and he approached me. He asked me to play basketball with him. I thought he was insane. But I accepted anyway.

I knew nothing about basketball, then. He taught me the basics of the sport, and he wasn't a bad teacher at all. I must've been awful at that time, but I don't think he cared. He was just happy to be playing, happy to have the ball between his fingers, happy to have someone to share it with.

I envied him. His carefree attitude. His wild emotions bursting out with every easy shot he made.

We didn't play together that long Not long enough for me to get any better at basketball or for him to have a worthy opponent. I remember apologizing for my lack of skills, but he just laughed it off. He gave me his name — Kagami Taiga — and thanked me for playing with him. When I left, I thought — and maybe even hoped — to see him again. To learn more about the sport he so dearly loved.

But I never did.

I'd forgotten about him recently.

But now . . .

Don't be so pessimistic, sis, Densuke's voice rings in my head. You should be happy! You should go talk to him! Play some basketball with him.

As if I could do that.

I swallow, and push myself up from the wall I'd collapsed against after running from Kagami. Most of the hall is already empty and if I don't hurry, I'll be late for class.

I pray that he's not in the same class as I am.

When I enter the room, though, I breath out a sigh of relief because I don't see any red head among my fellow students.

I find a chair and slide down into it, my breathing calming down. But even so, my thoughts are wild and uncooperative.

I say it is relief, to not have him here in the same class as me, but perhaps it is actually disappointment.

A/N: "Uwabaki" are their indoor shoes, basically. Fun fact: Kagami is 191 cm or 6'3". Our protagonist, Izanami, is 155cm or 5'1". So basically Izanami's getting dwarfed here.

Thanks for reading! Until next time.

~ J. Dominique