#stepyapping

On the other hand, NoShu moments are bright like a burning sun. It's a passionate watercolor of orange, pinks, and reds that bloom as they stare into each other's eyes.

It's pure romance the way you couldn't be sure whether the burn on their cheeks was because of the warm heat of the sun or because of something else. For a couple individually driven towards death, Nora and Shuri are experiencing living for the first time, when they're together. The way the light gleams on each other like they're always discovering new things about one another is just so perfectly lovely.

And then there's TheoShu. Theo and Shuri often interact in the morning, like a icy shock to the system. For a man plagued with too much guilt to sleep and a woman trapped in her nightmares, what's a more eerie wake-up call?

TheoShu as a morning motif is so interesting because we're faced with Theo who acts like he's still stuck in a dream where he's fated to be with Shuri and Shuri, who is trying to run away from those dreams and move on with her day. They're never quite on the same page, like the feeling you get when you're debating on getting up on a Monday morning.

Finally. RiShu. I find that Richelieu and Shuri are always in a strange state of limbo when they stumble upon each other. A space that only they know, where the light doesn't shine until Shuri walks in.

Here's what we know about the AU (note: Translations are from what little I could find online. Translations may not be 100% accurate. If anyone has real scans of this book, I can offer more accurate details!)

Shuri: A 3rd year student at Gold Highschool with excellent grades, outstanding athletics, and in the advanced class. She lives in the city with her aunt and she's neighbors with Jeremy.

Nora: A 1st year student at Silver Highschool in the art club. He has outstanding athletics and while quiet, he gets along with his peers. He seems to be attracted to Shuri, who he met by chance.

Jeremy: A 1st year student at Gold Highschool. He is great at sports, but doesn't have a lot of hobbies outside school. He just floats around because he doesn't have any goals. He bickers a lot with Shuri.

Theo: A 3rd year student at Infinite Highschool and the student body president. He has excellent grades and plays the violin. His nickname is "the Prince of Infinite High" and he has a secret fanclub.

Ohara: A 1st year student at Infinite Highschool and the student body vice president. She has excellent grades and plays the violin. She strives to go to the top college in the U.S.

Elias: A 2nd year student at Gold Middleschool whose hobbies include gaming, going to arcades or computer cafes. He dreams to become a pro-gamer. He's going through puberty and he has a mother-complex.

Leon and Rachel: They are 4th year students at Gold Elementary School. They have a cat named Cherry. They are strong and healthy kids and Leon, who loves books, wears glasses due to poor sight. The two attend Alberon's Taekwondo gym.

Maximillian: Chairman of a large corporation and a self-made businessman. He is a perfectionist and often argues with Elizabeth, who has an opinion against all of his matters.

Elizabeth: A politician with a fiery personality. Her skill is wrestling and her hobby is wrestling. She is great at her job.

Richelieu: Part of the legal team at a large corporation. He graduated school early and as soon as he did, he joined Maximillian's company's legal team.

Wolffe: A senior year college student in the law department. He's overwhelmed with assignments, applications, and essays. He dreams of joining Richelieu's legal team after graduation.

Albert: A diplomat that deals with internationally famous politicians and often travels to different countries. He's sad that he can't see his family due to his overseas business trips.

Heidi: A traditional tea shop owner located in a small alley. She's very shy and quiet, but passionate about her tea.

Everette: An interior designer that focuses on giving people a warm and comfortable home and accommodating to their customer's needs. She is a hard working interior designer in Shinchang.

Alberon: A Taekwondo instructor that's large in size and blunt in personality. He practiced consistently and refined his skills to become a national representative, achieving great results. Children often fear his large size, but the twins take him aback with their fearless attitude. He opens up to them and becomes very popular.

Johannes: A resourceful businessman. He spends more time abroad than he does at home. He sponsors Alicia's creative activities. They got married for their mutual beneficial business relationship.

Alicia: She is an artist that works as an art museum curator and a writer. Thanks to Johannes' sponsorships, she's become a well known creator.