College junior Ichigo juggles sports therapy coursework and dreams of a career healing athletes—until his childhood friend’s sudden return upends his routine. With a caring girlfriend by his side and a fiery ex-teacher still lingering in his life, summer heats up as old bonds and new attractions collide.
Campus Life & Career Dreams: The World of Sports Therapy
Ichigo’s days revolve around his passion: sports therapy. Between anatomy lectures, rehab sessions with student athletes, and late-night study sessions, he’s laser-focused on his future. The campus buzzes with energy—cheerleaders practice on the field, trainers bark drills, and the smell of fresh grass mingles with coffee from the campus café.
1. Hands-On Learning: Ichigo spends weekends volunteering at the university’s sports clinic, taping ankles and designing recovery plans. It’s grueling work, but seeing athletes bounce back fuels his drive. “You’re gonna be a great therapist,” his mentor, Dr. Tanaka, tells him—words that keep him going on long nights.
2. The College Social Scene: Beyond classes, Ichigo’s world is low-key. He grabs lunch with lab partners, attends study groups, and occasionally joins his girlfriend, Aiko, at her art club meetings. Life feels steady… until the door to his past swings open.
3. A Quiet Routine Shaken: Ichigo’s days used to feel predictable—until the email arrives: “I’m back in town. Let’s catch up.” His childhood friend, Hana, is coming home after years abroad. Suddenly, his carefully balanced life feels like a house of cards.
Hana’s Return: Old Friends, New Tensions
Hana’s arrival is nothing short of explosive. Once Ichigo’s partner-in-crime during their school days—think late-night snack runs and pranks on teachers—she’s now a confident, world-traveled artist with a sharp wit and a knack for stirring up trouble.
1. First Meeting, Spark of Nostalgia: Their reunion is awkward yet electric. “You look… different,” Hana teases, eyeing his new glasses. “Still the same dork, though.” They laugh over boba tea, reminiscing about their middle school days—until Aiko walks in, her smile tight but polite. The air thickens.
2. Hana’s Magnetic Presence: Hana isn’t just a blast from the past; she’s a force of nature. She drags Ichigo to underground art galleries, challenges him to try surfing (he face-plants), and shares stories of her adventures in Paris. Her energy makes Ichigo question: when did he stop taking risks?
3. Aiko’s Reaction: Love or Insecurity?: Aiko, sweet and steady, tries to be welcoming—she even bakes Hana cookies—but her smile falters when Ichigo and Hana laugh too loud. “She’s just a friend,” Ichigo insists, but Aiko’s silence speaks volumes. Is their relationship strong enough to handle Hana’s return?
The Ex-Teacher: A Past That Won’t Stay Buried
Adding fuel to the fire is Rika, Ichigo’s former high school PE teacher. Known for her strict workouts and sharp tongue, Rika left the school under mysterious circumstances—a rumor about a scandal with a student still circulates. Now a personal trainer in town, she crosses paths with Ichigo at the gym.
1. Rika’s Unforgettable Aura: Rika hasn’t changed—still in form-fitting leggings, her hair pulled into a high ponytail, she oozes confidence. “Still breaking rules, Ichigo?” she smirks when they bump into each other. Their banter is charged, and Ichigo can’t deny the old flutter in his chest.
2. Unresolved Feelings: Rumors aside, Ichigo remembers Rika’s kindness—she stayed late to help him recover from a knee injury, even when it meant missing her own dinner. Was there more between them, or was it just a student-teacher crush? Now, with Hana and Aiko in the mix, those questions resurface.
3. Rika’s Role in the Chaos: Rika doesn’t shy away from the drama. She invites Ichigo to her client workshops, flirts openly, and even asks about Aiko. “You’re a good kid,” she says, patting his shoulder. “But you deserve someone who pushes you—not coddles you.” Her words linger, making Ichigo wonder what he really wants.
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