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Neil is an 18-year-old runaway hiding from his violent father. He survives by using forged identities, changing his appearance, and keeping his distance from others. Despite his intense instinct to flee, his deep love for the violent sport of Exy drives him to accept a spot on the Palmetto State Foxes.
Recruit of David Wymack
Teammate of Kevin Day
Protected by Andrew Minyard
Roommate of Matt Boyd
Son of The Butcher
Former Player of Hernandez
Patient of Abby Winfield
Patient of Betsy Dobson
Andrew operates as the volatile goalkeeper for the Foxes. He takes court-mandated psychiatric medication that leaves him manic, but he secretly stops taking his drugs for games and suffers severe withdrawal as a result. He establishes his own brutal code of loyalty, prioritizing the safety of his inner circle above everything else.
Twin Brother of Aaron Minyard
Cousin of Nicky Hemmick
Fierce Protector of Kevin Day
Protective Teammate of Neil Josten
Peaceful Confidant of Renee Walker
Patient of Betsy Dobson
Kevin is a former national Exy champion who fled the Edgar Allan Ravens after a severe injury to his dominant hand. Raised by the criminal Moriyama family, he is deeply traumatized and terrified of his former team. He demands perfection from himself and his new teammates, channeling his fear into an obsessive dedication to the sport.
Adoptive Brother of Riko Moriyama
Protected by Andrew Minyard
Demanding Mentor to Neil Josten
Assistant Coach to David Wymack
Former Ward of Tetsuji
Resentful Rival of Seth Gordon
Interviewee of Kathy Ferdinand
Wymack manages the Palmetto State Foxes as their head coach. He intentionally recruits athletes from abusive or broken homes, operating his team as a sanctuary for those discarded by society. He offers his players genuine second chances and establishes a protective environment where they can safely exist.
Riko stars for the Edgar Allan Ravens, leveraging his family's criminal influence to terrorize Kevin. Known as the King of Exy, he uses his position within the Moriyama crime family to exert absolute control over those around him. He represents an inescapable, violent threat to Kevin and the rest of the Foxes.
The Butcher runs a violent criminal enterprise in Baltimore. He is Neil's biological father, and his murderous business practices force his son into a life of permanent flight and assumed identities.
Father of Neil Josten
Nicky plays for the Foxes and frequently acts as a social buffer for his cousins. He brings a flamboyant and relentlessly friendly energy to the team, acting as a welcoming presence for new recruits. Beneath his cheerful exterior, he experiences significant fear regarding Andrew's unpredictable behavior.
Aaron plays for the Foxes but actively distances himself from the sport and his twin brother. He maintains a clinical distance from the chaos of the team, using sarcasm and apathy to carve out a separate identity from his sibling.
Twin Brother of Andrew Minyard
Cousin of Nicky Hemmick
Dan captains the Foxes, working to manage the fractured social dynamics in the locker room. She provides a stabilizing presence among her volatile teammates and serves as Wymack's primary authority on the court. She is highly protective of newcomers and strives to unite the divided factions.
Romantic Partner of Matt Boyd
Captain under David Wymack
Close Friend of Renee Walker
Protective Captain to Neil Josten
Teammate of Allison Reynolds
Matt defends his teammates on the court and provides emotional support in the dorms. He quickly establishes himself as a trustworthy ally to Neil, offering him help against the more aggressive members of the team. He frequently steps in to break up fights and protect his friends.
Renee brings a quiet, religious presence to the aggressive team environment. She stands out due to her gentle demeanor and overt religious faith. Uniquely, she is the only person who maintains a peaceful understanding with Andrew, allowing her to mediate conflicts safely.
Peaceful Confidant of Andrew Minyard
Close Friend of Dan Wilds
Allison rejected her family's fortune to play Exy, relying on her sharp attitude to keep others at a distance. She frequently clashes with her teammates and uses her wealth as armor against criticism. She maintains a highly volatile relationship with Seth Gordon.
Romantic Partner of Seth Gordon
Teammate of Dan Wilds
Seth plays striker for the Foxes, frequently instigating fights due to his substance use and insecurity. He holds a deep resentment toward Kevin Day's fame and regularly creates tension within the locker room through his aggressive behavior.
Abby treats the players' physical injuries while maintaining strict confidentiality about their personal scars. She conducts mandatory physicals and is fully aware of the trauma her athletes carry, acting as a maternal figure who respects their boundaries.
Colleague of David Wymack
Nurse to Neil Josten
Dr. Dobson conducts mandatory psychiatric evaluations for the university athletes. She attempts to establish an institutionalized understanding of the players, monitoring both new recruits like Neil and mandated patients like Andrew.
Therapist to Neil Josten
Therapist to Andrew Minyard
Kathy hosts a collegiate sports broadcast covering Exy. She prioritizes dramatic ratings over the well-being of her guests, deliberately ambushing Kevin Day by bringing Riko onto her stage without warning.
Interviewer of Kevin Day
Hernandez coaches high school Exy in Millport, Arizona. He recognizes Neil's athletic talent and actively seeks out Wymack to secure his player a chance at a college career.
Former Coach of Neil Josten
Erik maintains a long-distance relationship with Nicky from Germany. He provides Nicky with an emotional anchor to a life outside the dangerous and insular world of the Foxes.
Boyfriend of Nicky Hemmick
Tetsuji enforces strict training regimens for the Edgar Allan Ravens. As a member of the Moriyama family and the guardian of Kevin Day, he sets cruel standards and views the athletes under his care as personal property.
Former Guardian of Kevin Day
Relative of Riko Moriyama