Oh look more!
There were four against one, and Mondo was the first to throw the punch.
"OWADA! STOP THIS IMMEDIATELY!"
"Huh? The hell are you doin' here-"
"I HAVE WARNED YOU ONCE, IF NOT SEVERAL TIMES TO NEVER RESORT TO VIOLENCE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!" Ishimaru shouts. "THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!"
It takes him everything to hold back his coughing, but after properly reprimanding several others today he's quickly learning to simply ignore his symptoms. Nothing he couldn't deal with on a later occasion. Consequences be damned. (his father would later have a word with him about taking better care of his health).
Mondo scowls, a warning that even idled Ishimaru somewhat, but that was quickly dismissed.
"This time I will be reporting you! All of you!"
"Go ahead. Why the hell do you think I would give a damn about what this school does?!" The biker snarled.
And that's all it took.
Ishimaru doesn't remember who started the fight, but he sure figured out quickly how it ended after waking up in the nurses offices with a swollen eye and bruised lip.
It was Chihiro who was there for him when he opened his eyes, her worried attention looking over every part of him tentatively. She was crying. Or rather was previously. Her eyes were practically glass, ready to shatter once again at any moment depending on his actions. She offered him some water, something he greedily took the moment his throat felt the coolness of the liquid. That seemed to somewhat make her a bit more at ease.
There's a conversation between them, a friendly one that slowly removed any sort of tension in the small room, but even so it still didn't feel quite right. Chihiro wasn't necessarily doing this for him after all.
She's protecting Mondo. An easy conclusion, but despite that... it was nice to have her around.
"A nice girl from class B gave me some chocolate today. She told me she didn't care for sweets, but really neither do I. At least not this kind." She chuckles. "It actually turns out we have the same birthday, I know that's kinda weird to mention, but I think it's pretty cool."
"When is your birthday?" He asks, and it turns out March 14th was indeed going to be a day he needed to mark on his calendar.
"Would you like some? Of the chocolates I mean." She reaches for her bag and shuffles through it, pulling out a small bag tied in string. "They have a caramel filling in them, I think."
Ishimaru wasn't a sweet tooth, but from what he is aware of females tended to have a bit more of a soft spot for anything chocolate. They were small, and caramel wasn't exactly something he hated. He thanks her and takes a piece, and he swears the smile she gives him has him feeling warm all over. He has to look away for a moment to cool down.
"Um..." Chihiro begins to fidget in her seat beside him. "I know this is something you really not want to hear, but-" She takes a quiet breath. "Owada-kun really can be a nice guy. I know it sounds ridiculous, especially from what he did...what he's done... but he is!"
And there it is.
The warmth is gone. The small candy in his palm feels much heavier.
She was defending him again.
Why did she want to do this? Was he forcing her to? She could be around better people then him, a crowd worthy of her presence! Mondo was most certainly not worthy enough to even utter her name. So why?
He sternly narrows his gaze. "He needs to learn respect. No one in their right mind should be hitting anyone simply because someone verbally insults them. No one should be hitting anyone because they looked at them the wrong way, or said something they never wanted to hear, or even did something they never wanted them to do-"
Chihiro, goes to speak up, but he cuts her off immediately.
"Why are you defending him?! You've seen the way he's treated others! You've seen everything he's said and done! So why in the world are still standing by him!?"
She nervously looks down at her shoes, hugging her bag closer to her small frame. "Because..." Her voice is quieter, soft and more fragile. She's choosing her words carefully, almost as if she's trying to hide something. Ishimaru dreads the silence in between her thought process. The throbbing pain of his lip and throat is what keeps him from breaking the peace himself.
"Because everyone deserves a chance." She finally says, a small smile forming on her face. "And I know you think the same way, that's what I admire about you."
"Wha-" Ishimaru blinks several times. She admired him?
"You give a lot of people chances. Maybe you don't realize it, but a lot of people would have usually given up on someone who doesn't want to do what their told, but you always try and push others to doing the opposite. It might not be in a way everyone likes, you might not even realize it yourself, but... it's something I really like seeing. If it weren't for you-" She immediately pauses, giving a small hum before changing her words. "Did you know Naegi-kun was the one who found you?"
Now that takes him by surprise. Was he the one who brought him into the nurses office? How did he get by Mondo?
"Well, he actually had Sakura with him. She was the one who brought you here, but he did somewhat help deal with Mondo a bit... Ah- well, kind of."
"What exactly happened?"
"That I'm not too sure of. I actually over heard what happened from a small group in my club and found out you where here. Word travels a lot faster around here then you would think."
And Mondo? He starts to ask, but the door to the schools infirmary suddenly slides open, startling the both of them.
A tall student with bright pink hair awkwardly stares at them both from the doorway. He pauses in his steps and clears his throat.
"I...uh..." He goes to slowly shut the door. "Please excuse me..."
"No wait! Kazuichi-san it's fine!" Chihiro encourages, and after a few words she gets the message from him that the engineering club was asking for her. Something to do with a project they had been working on for another club. When she agrees, he immediately shuts the door, and Ishimaru mentally notes to go through the rule book again some time. Hair like that should be forbidden on school grounds When was the last time he even combed it? It was just simply unprofessional for an ultimate. He didn't even want to begin with the teeth-
"-Anyway's, I'll come by when I'm finished ok? Please rest until then. Oh! And don't worry about the rest of your classes. I'll bring you everything you need at the end of the day. My notes might not be as efficient as yours, but they should be able to give you a general idea on the subject I think."
He quietly nods and waves back at the female before she leaves the room, and as soon as the sliding door gently shuts behind her he's reminded of his current condition again. Now his body was physically aching from both disease and a swollen lip and eye; possibly even a chipped tooth.
It didn't help in the slightest when the teen responsible for this finds his way to the door.
Ishimaru was close to drifting back off to sleep when it happened, the biker leader making his entrance without even giving the courtesy to knock before entering. Fortunately there was a minor cut wound on his cheek, and the sleeves of his absurdly long jacket looked to have a few wears and tears, noticeable ones to boot. It was nice to see that he had at least inflicted some damage.
He doesn't say anything, and for a moment Ishimaru thought he was going to turn heal and walk away, but he stood his ground for the most part.
"You look like shit." He finally says.
Ishimaru doesn't bother to retort.
Mondo see's this and clicks his tongue, slamming the door shut behind him. He doesn't make a move to sit down or get any closer then he needs to be. Clearly he doesn't want to be here, and Ishimaru finds the thought easy to agree with. A teacher sent him in, more then likely their homeroom teacher if not the principle.
"Ya really need to learn to stay out a everyone's business, ya know that?" He continues, waiting for another response, only to continue angrily when ignored. "Why the hell do ya gotta stick your nose in everything? Huh?! Who the ever living hell died and made you the damn king of this fucking castle!?"
"You had no right to put your hands on him." The moral compass finally states, unfazed by the vulgar language. "And I had every right to defend myself because of such behavior. All that happened is on you."
Mondo practically jumps on him. It takes him only a couple of striding steps to reach his bed, and angrily he takes him up by the collar. "Ya think your hot shit!? Your lucky I fucking went easy on you! Your lucky your ass ain't two feet under ground! Screw you! You don't know what the hell actually happened! That kid was looking up Chihiro's skirt in class! Did'ja know that, smart ass!? Did'ja know he was taking pictures of her in the hallway!? After school!? Hell, the only reason he got away with this is because this fucking school doesn't know how to it's fucking job!"
"You should have reported him!" Ishimaru says. "If you handle everything on your own of course no ones going to know! Why didn't you inform the authorities!?"
"Because they don't do SHIT!"
"HOW CAN YOU EVEN SAY THAT!? YOU'VE NEVER ONCE TRIED!"
"BECAUSE IT'S A FUCKING FACT DIPSHIT!"
Ishimaru shoves him away. "That doesn't make any sense! Hope Peak Academy has never dismissed problems like this! They have ALWAYS dealt with their students properly and have ALWAYS made sure their students are educated in a safe environment!"
"Oh yeah!? How the hell can you prove that!?"
"Because this academy's record contains no such act of violence ever being overlooked!"
"BULLSHIT!"
"WHY ARE YOU BEING SO DEFENSIVE!? Stop finding an excuse to use your fists for every situation! You can't think you can solve every problem by yourself! You need to trust the system!"
"I don't gotta trust shit!"
Oh my God.
How could anyone be THIS stubborn!? Ishimaru never knew just how little someone like Mondo trusted the system? How could he think this!? How could ANYONE just not trust someone with no evidence to prove their point?! It doesn't make any sense!
Everyone deserves a chance, but everyone also needs to learn that violence doesn't solve all your problems! He would never put his hands on anyone unless he physically needed to defend himself! This situation being a prime example!
His blood was boiling. Never in his entire life has he ever wanted to lay his hands on someone for being this ridiculous. But he was rational. He could control his anger and actions.
Ishimaru was absolutely nothing like him.
"...Is this why your here? To argue?"
"Hell no, the damn staff made me come here. I wouldn't wanna lay my eyes on your sorry mug for another second if it where up to me-"
"Then go! I have no need for you or this brute attitude of yours!"
"You know what? Fuck you!"
"And take that sort of language with you!"
"I can say whatever the hell I want!"
"Not in my presence!"
"When the shit have I ever cared about you or your feelings!?"
What time was it? Past noon?
It should be around lunch time. A time of rest. A time to take a break from whatever class you've been having trouble. A time to be with friends or even by yourself if it's something one would prefer more.
Ishmaru didn't need this.
He missed Chihiro. He really missed Chihiro. Another deep feeling the female has been able to draw out of him yet again. Her very presence seemed to ease most of tension he had. It's a shame it took him up until this very point to really notice this.
Mondo was the complete opposite.
All his pain - all his troubles, his worries, his doubts... he could feel every bit of every negative emotion whenever he was around. Mondo Owada was everything Kiyotaka Ishimaru avoided. The complete opposite.
He would be more willing to give his own life then ever excepted the small part of himself that admitted someone like him was absolutely right.
...
Mondo was right.
He couldn't hear him anymore, the hatred and fowl usage of his words.
Ishimaru couldn't hear any of that anymore.
"AND...Oh shit-" Mondo took a step back. "Shit, you're-"
Heavy bleeding came from his nose, and a lot of pain to follow. Before he could except the handful of tissues Mondo tried forcing on him, he reached for the nearest barrel and hurled.
It hurt.
Everything hurt so much.
His body shook violently, and what little he had this morning was completely emptied from him. It takes time for him to calm down. Unfortunately, his last thought before passing out again were that of Mondo, the biker gang leader who caused nothing but trouble where ever he went. The ultimate who actually managed to solve a problem using his fists, and someone Ishimaru would have to later apologize to.
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
He really did feel like shit.
Ishimaru could barley move by the time he got home. His father had been called to pick him up, and after a heavy conversation with the school nurse, thankfully they managed to avoid the responsibility of having to deal with the costs of an expensive hospital bill. However, he was told to stay home for the rest of the week.
"They won't penalize you for this." His father told him, placing a cool cloth on his son's forehead. Ishimaru knew he was missing time, time and money on his behalf for that matter. They didn't own a vehicle, so his father had taken a company vehicle from his third job to come pick him up. Unfortunately he was responsible for paying for the gas mileage, and considering that it took his father approximately 30 minutes to retrieve his son, they probably going to need to cut back on some groceries this week.
"Why didn't you just stay home today if you weren't feeling so well?"
"I'm fine."
His father gives a dreaded sigh, one of many. For as long as the younger can remember his old man would do as such from the morning he would wake up, to the time he finally decided to get a few more hours of sleep before his next shift. "Kiyotaka, please take better care of yourself from now on."
Words that could mean one of many. His father did care, there was no doubt in his mind about it. It was the amount of responsibilities that made it hard for him to express any sort of affection, exhaustion and much stress taking up most of his daily schedule. Even at a young age it didn't take long for Ishimaru to understand that there was a roof over his head and food on the table because of these tedious tasks the older man burdened himself with, and he held nothing but respect for him because of it.
There's mention of some soup in the fridge, but neither of the two can recall when they exactly bought it. After placing a small bucket near his son's bedside and cracking open his bedroom window, he glances over at the wall clock and announces his departure, wishing his son well before locking the door behind him.
Ishimaru takes his words kindly before drifting back to sleep.
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
He had forgotten to turn his alarm off.
After his seventh try reaching for the snooze button, he unplugs the devise and knocks it off his nightstand.
The neighbors dog keeps him from two more hours of sleep.
...
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
His father had come home at some point.
There was some cold soup resting in place of his alarm. There was absolutely no taste to it, but despite that he had a difficult time keeping it down.
Why haven't they brought in that damn dog?
...
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
It's raining outside.
There's a small leak near his bedroom window, one he's once covered before. At least that's what he remembers. Perhaps he put it off to deal with it another day? That, or it was poorly repaired. More then likely the later.
He reminds himself to take care of it in the morning.
...
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
The dog has a sibling.
...
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
It's a Friday night when his father burns himself in the kitchen. Ishimaru knows this because he can smell burnt toast and something else from all the way down the narrow hallway.
"Sorry about that."
"It's fine. Thank you, Otosan."
His father gives a smile. It's difficult to tell how much meaning there is behind it, but the effort was appreciated.
They have time to chat with one another. During these times he would usually be at school while his father slept in for a couple more ours before going to work. He couldn't help be feel a little guilty for his efforts.
The alarm clock is fixed and put back into place.
It was around 10:30 when he fell out of bed reaching for his pajamas, one of his legs being caught in his blanket. Thankfully he was home alone.
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
Saturday and Sunday fly by quickly, and during those day's Ishimaru had found the energy to clean himself up: Showering, shaving what little hair he had, even taking a short walk to the corner store to pick himself up some energy drink, extra change he would have used for his school lunch that week.
His nose has stop bleeding, and thankfully he had been able to keep his food down for a while. He decided to pick up a couple extra drinks for his father, buying more strawberry flavored beverages than intended, because that is what he likes right? Seeing him always drink coffee, he could only throw such a guess at his choices, recalling the last time he ever saw his father eat something he looked to enjoy and take his time over. It was a fruit that looked like a strawberry at least.
On his way home a women bumps into him crossing the corner. She apologizes, but suddenly stops him before he could take another step past him. "Hey, your Taaki's kid, aren't you?"
He lifts a brow curiously. "How do you know my father?" There's a slight nervousness to his voice, something she seems to pick up on.
"No need to worry. I just know him through work, that's all." She reassures him. "He brags about you from time to time, you know that? It's almost annoying really. But then again, he has to hear about my Hiro in return." She smiles at the name. "Actually, I think you guys go to the same school. Hopes Peak Academy."
"Ah! You're son goes to Hopes Peak as well? That's wonderful to hear! You must be very proud of them!"
"Of course I am. My little boy is too special for them to pass up on." She puffs out a small smoke from her cigarette. "I wasn't very surprised when we got that letter in the mail actually."
Ishimaru was sort of impressed with her confidence, however if there was such a student wouldn't he have heard about them? Maybe they were a transfer student similar to Naegi? It is possible word hasn't necessarily gotten around yet.
"Sure he might fail a couple of tests, and bring us into debt a few times because of his gambling, but he is a very sweet boy." She states with pride.
"Um...I see?" Ishimaru doesn't quite know how to respond to that. "He sounds...very special..."
"Of course. His name is Yasuhiro Hagakure. Maybe you know him?"
If he had been drinking, Ishimaru would have more then definitely spit out all of it's contents. Instead, he had to deal with almost dropping the bags in his hand, staring at her like a dear caught in headlights.
It's safe to say the she did most of the talking before leaving him there utterly dumbfounded.
So many questions needed to be answered...
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
He wakes up before his alarm, stretching with a small 'pop' from his back before going about his daily routine: shower, wash his hair, dry off, brush his teeth, get dressed, then grab some breakfast.
Opening the fridge a plate of left over macaroni and cheese stared back at him, something his father made for himself before work but never got to finish. A habit of his that really needed to be tended to if he lost any more weight.
First come first serve. Those were the rules of the house hold. Rules his father gave him since he was old enough to walk.
He eats it cold before heading off.
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
Yasuhiro is the second one to get to class, smiling and mentioning the short encounter his mother had with Ishimaru the other day.
"She told me she recognized you because of that weird hair cut of yours."
"My hair cut looks perfectly fine!"
"I mean, I guess yeah." He shrugs. "But why the buzz cut, dude? Just try something different, ya know? Old men buzz their heads."
Clearly this was going no wear...
Asahina and Sakura arrive five minutes later (thankfully Yasuhiro ditches him for the swimmer girl), later coming Junko, Kirigiri, Byakuya, and Sayaka who had run into Celest on the way in.
When Chihiro arrived she quickly made her way over to his desk. "Ishimaru-kun! H-How are you feeling? Any better? Would you like a tissue or-or a drink? Maybe something to snack on or...Ah! Sorry, I'm rambling..."
"No. I do appreciate your concern." He tells her, and that heartwarming smile of hers is back.
"That's a relief. I was so worried-"
Other students continue to poor in one by one, the hallways getting chattier within the minute.
Mondo shows up today, refusing to acknowledge the moral compasses presence while making his way over to his seat, keeping his attention focused on the window and maybe a few others who tend to walk by the classroom.
Not to many of the students welcomes him back, but those who did either waved at him or simply asked if he was feeling alright before going back to their business. Nothing looked to have change during his absence, and that was a relief in itself.
Chihiro spoke with him through out the rest of the homeroom period, and Ishimaru could have sworn he caught the bikers eyes in their direction a couple of times.
He definitely didn't get the victory he wanted, but damn did this feel good.
"-Apparently the machine kind of blew up the moment we turned it on." Chihiro sighed. "I honestly don't know what went wrong. Kazuichi-san did tell me that he checked everything before we tested it."
"What have you been working on? If you don't mind me asking." Comes Sakura, joining the conversation. Asahina nodding to her words as well.
Chihiro's beamed at the question, and started going on about some sort of new device for the baseball team the coach asked them to build. Leon chimed in at some point stating that it was only to try and get him to play again, but he'd "rather drop out or join the cheer-leading squad then buzz off my hair again!" (Ishimaru really didn't see what was so wrong with a buzz cut.) He's caught off guard when Mondo comments on the cheer-leader idea, something about cutting off something else instead to fit into that tight skirt.
"Hey man, some men look pretty good in skirts." Yasuhiro claims.
No one dared to question that further, Junko holding back a laugh somewhere behind the group.
...
*BANG*
Everyone turned to the door as it busts open, none other than the late student Makoto Naegi standing at the other end of it. He was breathing heavily, clothes disheveled, a bit of dirt on the knees of his pants, and a large twig sticking out of his hair.
And not a moment to soon.
The bell rang seconds after his presence, and as it does the lucky student lets out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Impressive." Celest says, taking a small sip of her tea. "You're efforts are paying off I see."
Ishimaru isn't sure whether or not she was being sarcastic.
"Great job, Makoto!" Asahina cheers. "Another record!"
"Don't give praise to something so meaningless." Byakuya scoffs. "This is hardly a victory. His timing has hardly changed in the slightest."
"But he's trying..." She quietly adds, arms crossed.
"I assume you missed the bus again." Sakura asks him, and the lucky student tiredly nods to this as he slowly pallets his way over to his desk. He puts his head down momentarily, and in a matter of seconds light snoring can be heard coming from the small teen.
He's on time today. Ishimaru abruptly gets out of his chair. "CONGRATULATIONS, MAKOTO! YOU'VE FINALLY DONE IT!"
Naegi gives a startled yelp and sits up straight, looking around the room confused before locking eyes with the other. "Ishimaru?"
"And you've been on time all week!? That's wonderful news!"
"Oh..." His head slowly lowers itself back onto the desk. "Thank you..."
"Damn dude, when's the last time you slept?" Leon asks, but is answered with more light snoring.
Their homeroom teacher steps in and takes attendance. Yamada's kind enough to answer for Naegi by impersonating his high voice.
It disturbs everyone.
*(*)*(*)*(*)*
Their conversation was inevitable, that was for sure.
Mondo was the one to approach him again, asking him...well, more like telling him to see him after class. They caught up with one another in the restroom. One that smelled a lot like cigarette buds and some other odd smell Ishimaru couldn't put his finger on.
"Before you say anything," He took a a deep breath, straightened out his poster and made sure to lock eyes with the biker. "I apologize for my behavior earlier. I wasn't well, and most of what I said did cross the line. I have excuse for that."
It's quiet for a second, before Mondo's echoed, "Huh?" killed the silence.
"I said I apologize." Ishimaru repeated. "I...also want you to know that...I would have acted exactly as you did in that situation." Another breath. "Even if a teacher had been informed, I admit it does take time for them to fully send out an investigation on such a matter. They receive more then enough complaints regularly."
"I bet most come from you." Mondo smirks. Ishimaru dismisses the comment.
"What I'm trying to say is, I would not condone your actions, but they are understandable. I will take it up with the dean and make sure this does not go on your record."
More silence. They continue to stare at one another knowingly, a sort of challenge. One that neither of them intended to lose by.
Mondo shifted his position, hands in his pocket whiles adding a slight slough to his already towering stature. "Alright. Apology accepted. I also want you to tell Chihiro is she ever asks that I kicked both your asses."
"Parden?"
"You heard me. I'm the one who took you down. You barley marked me." Ishimaru stands his ground. The biker rolls his eyes. "Ok, fine. Gott'a admit you do have muscle. If it weren't for that stupid fever ya probably would've gotten a few more seconds outta me. Probably would have had to go a little more all out on ya."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. Problem with that?"
"No. Not necessarily."
Did...did he apologize as well? It sure felt like one to him at least, in his own Mondo sort of way. For once he wasn't in a stance ready to take action, but rather looked more casual. At ease. As a result to this sort of attitude, the other ultimate also found himself loosening up more. Ishimaru knew this wouldn't be easy, but here they were, standing in the same room without going at each others throats yet again.
It was nice to know that the delinquent had some sort of grasp on his temper.
"She doesn't know how to say 'no'." Mondo continues. "Every damn day she's doing something different. It's annoying having to wait for her to finish."
"You've been driving her home?" He asks.
"Yeah, once in a while." He looks up, likely picturing the programmer tinkering with something. "Sometimes it's like she lives here. I swear the next creep that takes advantage of her I'll-" His attention is back on Ishimaru. "I'll beat the ever living hell outta 'em."
He doesn't touch his words, not this time.
It's quiet again, some chattering in the background from behind the closed doors. It reminds Ishimaru that their break was just about over.
He clears his throat. "We should get back to class." He turns to leave, but keeps his hand on the door handle when the other doesn't follow. "Your planning on skipping aren't you."
"What's it to you? Gonna rat me out?"
"Mondo, you musn't keep doing this! You're education is far to important to just-"
"And HERE ya go again. Damn it learn to lay off! That your problem, ya know that!?"
Ishimaru frowns. "My problem is that people like you slack off because they've already given up on the future! You give up before you can even try!"
"Oh give me a break! Ya think better grades is gonna do me any good?! My life's already kinds of fucked up after my first arrest. Other gang members are already out for my head as it is, getting a bad test grade is my least concern!"
"Enough of that negative attitude! Isn't there anything you want to be outside your gang!? Anything that's even crossed your mind!? Smoking in the bathroom isn't going to push you forward to where you want to go!"
"The hell!? I don't smoke!
"Please, I could smell an entire packet in your jacket the moment you went to visit me in the nurses office that day."
"I don't smoke! I'm tellin ya!"
...
"...um."
They're attention immediately goes to the door at the new voice, a tired Naegi staring back at them. "What are you guys-"
"LOCK THE DOOR!"
"Ah!" He flinches. "It...doesn't lock." He reminds them, unsure of what else he can say.
"Then block the doorway until we're finished!" Mondo tells him.
"I...what?"
"BLOCK THE DOOR!" They both yell, and the lucky student doesn't dare question them further.
Yamada covers for the three of them thankfully.
This... is such an odd way to end this I know. But trust me when I head over to Mondo it'll be clear how this "conversation" of theirs went.
Anyways, I'm so sorry for the wait.
I really don't have an excuse other then the fact that I was lazy and College is terrible. (take notes kids)
Anyways to make it up to you all I made this a two parter, because man Ishimaru has a lot to say and, Naegi really needs to learn to catch a bus on time.
A personal note: All their interactions will center around Naegi in a way, but not always directly. Some people might not even like him, who knows. Also, I'm only doing Dangan one character's for now, and I have a good idea who's up next~.
Thank you for reading no less! And remember, comments and likes really help!