Akihiro Tsukihara, a boy of sixteen with red eyes, white hair, and a strong build, was once admired for his brilliance in every school activity. His charm and natural talent made him the center of attention, but after a tragic accident, everything changed. He withdrew into silence, losing not only his confidence but also the meaning of love. Behind his calm face was a heart broken by fear—the fear of his own strength, the fear of trust, the fear of ever hurting those around him.
His parents were gone, and he was adopted by a kind and loving aunt, supported by her elder sister, who raised him in warmth yet could not heal the scars inside him. When he entered college, he found some comfort in the presence of his elder sister, who was already studying there, serving as his quiet anchor. To everyone else, he was just a withdrawn student with a mysterious aura, a boy who once shone brightly but now chose to stay in the shadows.
Now beginning his second year of college, Akihiro's quiet life was disrupted on the very first morning of the semester. The classroom buzzed with chatter until it suddenly fell silent. A new student named Sola Hoshikawa had walked in, and her presence alone seemed to command the room. She carried herself with elegance and confidence, her long blonde hair catching the light and her golden eyes scanning the crowd with a calm poise that made her stand out instantly. Her aura felt almost legendary, and in that moment, every boy in the room was captivated, whispering and stealing glances, while even some of girls looked on with a mix of admiration and jealousy.
But in the corner by the window sat Akihiro , unmoved. While the room seemed to revolve around her, his gaze was fixed on the sky outside, as if she hadn't even entered. He didn't react, didn't glance her way, didn't care. His indifference contrasted so sharply with the excitement around him that it didn't escape her notice.
For weeks, she tried to get his attention—small greetings, casual attempts at conversation—but nothing worked. He remained silent, distant, and unreachable. Yet instead of discouraging her, his coldness only fueled her curiosity. She began to notice his habits: how he always sat by the window, how he never spoke unless necessary, how his eyes often wandered to the sky as though searching for something far away.
Months passed, and soon the college will announced its annual sports meet. The Sola was appointed as team captain for the racing competition, a role she proudly accepted, as she already held the college record of 9.00 seconds in the 100 meters. She needed eight runners in total but only had four confirmed candidates, so she posted a notice on the college board calling for volunteers. Akihiro , as usual, paid no attention, but his mischievous friend spotted the list and, as a prank, wrote down Akihiro's name to embarrass him.
When Sola saw his name, she was surprised. She approached him, asking why he had signed up, but Akihiro's confusion quickly revealed the truth. Realizing his friend had set him up, he tried to brush it off, but Sola teased him, saying that backing out now would make him look weak. Though he showed no interest, he didn't openly refuse, leaving her with a flicker of hope.
On the day of practice, she dominated as expected, her flawless speed proving why she was the champion. When Akihiro's turn came, however, most students chuckled, waiting for his humiliation. He stepped onto the track reluctantly, expression unreadable. At the whistle, his body moved with startling speed, every step powerful and smooth. To the shock of everyone watching, he crossed the finish line just one second slower than her record—nearly matching it without any training. The field went silent before erupting into stunned whispers.
The crowd buzzed in disbelief, his friend stood frozen with guilt, and Sola —who had never been challenged before—looked at him with genuine amazement. The coach's sharp eyes lit up, already recognizing his potential. But Akihiro , as always, remained calm, brushing it off as if it meant nothing, even as something faint stirred inside him for the first time since the accident