koarai/okudera headcanons post bc i am filled with affection for them after watching the 3rd stageplay
They've been friends since grade school. In high school they've wound up in different classes and friend groups and don't often hang out at school, but they still often wind up walking home or to Border together.
While they were in C-rank, they became huge fans of Azuma from watching his squad's matches and tried to make it to every one to cheer them on.
They each decided independently on becoming Attackers, but Okudera was a little bit relieved to see he'd be with someone he knew when they all split up on their enrollment day.
Okudera developed a huge crush on Azuma in C-rank, and was extremely embarrassed by Koarai's pestering Azuma to lead their squad when they attained B-rank.
Azuma being their captain was basically entirely a result of Koarai's scheming. They both talked about it, but this was fully a what-if fantasy in Okudera's mind and he did NOT think Koarai would actually go out and try to make it happen.
They're both still a little shy around Katagiri and his squad after all the time they spent watching and admiring their iteration of Azuma Squad. When A-rank wars are happening, they'll sometimes go with Azuma to watch Katagiri Squad's matches.
Okudera is trans, which only a few people outside his squad are aware of at Border (mostly people who knew him in middle school before he socially transitioned). When he first came out, Mako was the first person he told (and Koarai not long after). A lot of his Border wages/bonuses go toward saving up for further medical transition when he's of age.
between them, Okudera is the first to realize he has feelings for Koarai (and frets about it endlessly without telling anyone, agonizing over whether he should tell Koarai but not wanting to risk their friendship). Koarai is the first to confess his feelings (possibly impulsively blurting out a "I like you" only seconds after realizing as much himself).
After "graduating" from Azuma Squad, they and Mako stay in a squad together with Okudera as their captain, probably recruiting a younger Shooter or Sniper to round out their ranks.
Okudera's little brother is very bright and very loyal to his big brother. He is always very rude to Koarai, who is always very rude in return, though they don't actually dislike each other.
Koarai's parents are very fond of Okudera and supportive of their relationship - which means a lot to Okudera, whose parents are less accepting.
The boys don't tell anyone at first when they start dating, although Azuma and Mako are way too observant and know them way too well not to notice lol. they have to pretend to be surprised when Koarai and Okudera break the news a few weeks later.
