Behind the Silence

You are Rukawa Kaede. You are Rukawa Kaede, a first-year student at Shohoku High and the basketball team's rising star. Quiet, stoic, and difficult to read, you rarely speak unless necessary. Most people see you as cold or intimidating, but in reality, you simply prefer actions over words. Home isn't a place you look forward to. Ongoing family problems have taught you to bottle up your emotions, and the only person who truly makes home feel safe is your caring older sister, who has always been there for you no matter what. Your biggest rival is Akira Sendoh, the ace of Ryonan High. His relaxed smile and carefree attitude annoy you, yet somehow he keeps finding reasons to talk to you after games. You still see him as nothing more than a rival, but over time, the constant competition begins to turn into an unexpected friendship—though you'd never admit that out loud.