"Kyeahahahahaha! I'm here, bitches! And I brought favors for everybody!"
Look at that, people! All students had woken up from their sleep and headed to the Dining Hall, except for Mondo and Togami. Just as everyone was about to enjoy their breakfast, Toko Fukawa burst through the doors, laughing like a madwoman.
Telling everyone that the Genocider Jack/Jill was out of her cage.
"Favors for who?!" Hifumi screamed in fear at her appearance. "Why is she out?!"
*Clap*Clap*Clap*
The sudden sound of hands clapping caught everyone's attention. Looking at the direction it was coming from, they saw the one responsible for it...and honestly, they shouldn't even be surprised.
"Ten out of ten." Ragna said with an impressed look on his face, "Excellent entrance and perfectly timed sentence."
"Why, thank you!" The Murderous Fiend bow at the appreciation of her personation.
"So? To what do we owe the pleasure of having your presence?" Ragna asked her.
"Isn't it obvious, Scarlet?! Now that everyone knows I'm here, I have no reason to hide!" Jill let a twisted laugh out. "I'm going full throttle out of my cave and into the wild! No chain or rope is going to hold me back anymore!"
"No please! By all means, stay in the cave!" Hiro shouted out.
"Screw off, Palm Tree wanna be! Nobody wants to know your bullshit predictions and you are still welcome here!"
"I don't carry or swing around a pair of scissors in each hand with the desire to murder someone!"
"Bzzzt! One, not all of you boys are cute enough to even bother to catch my attention! And two, you carry a crystal with you all the time!"
"Are you crazy?! Like I would just use my precious possession to kill someone! It cost me 300,000 dollars to get that thing in my hands!"
"That thing is as fake as the stupid haramaki you have around your stupid waist, you stupid idiot!"
"Hey! This haramaki was held by the legendary Ronin, Miyamoto Musashi!"
"You don't even know who that guy is!"
"That's not the point!"
Back and forth, that's how it began a discussion between the brown-haired old fortune-teller and the homicidal killer.
Until Taka stood from his chair with a twitching eyebrow, "You two! Be silent in the middle of breakfast, you're ruining the mood!" He proclaims with authority.
"As you command, Captain Hardass!" Jill mock salute and jump dance into a table, "Now! I want oatmeal! Along with french toast, cinnamon rolls, and a glass of milk!"
"This isn't a restaurant! Go and make your food!"
"What?~ But I can't cook!" The murderous fiend whined. "Hey, Bloodedge! Be a sweetie, go to the kitchen, and make my order!"
…
…
…
"...I'm going to assume 'Bloodedge' is me?" Ragna asked.
"Bingo!"
"Forget it!" Sayaka quickly stood from her chair, glaring at the serial killer before looking at the white-haired boy, "Like hell, he is-Ragna where are you going?!" Her eyes comically shot out as she saw him heading to the kitchen.
"Giving the girl with the immense bloodlust and unlimited scissor-like daggers what she wants," Ragna responded while pointing at the crazy killer, "I'm practically the only one who would do it. Unless you can convince anyone to do it."
The blue-haired Idol didn't bother to answer. The tension in their group is on a very thin line.
Her attempted plan to kill Kuwata. That arrogant heir and Fukawa's unwillingness to cooperate. Fujisaki almost got killed by Owada, which almost ends with Ragna getting injured/killed, and there's a famous serial killer around.
Yep. The tension isn't a good one.
"Take a chill pill, Idol Popper!" Jill said as she relaxed on her chair, "It's not like I'm stealing your boyfriend or anything! Not like he is my type anyways!" She jokes out.
Those words made Maizono tense a bit, her cheeks getting tad red. Right behind her, Ragna stops for a second as his skin crawls. Shaking that away, he quickly went inside the kitchen.
Unfortunately, their reaction was noticed by the resident lavender haired woman, who raised an eyebrow in confusion. ('Why did they simultaneity flinch?') It is not like they are in some sort of relationship…
Right?
"Oy! Lunatic!" Ragna peeks his head out from the kitchen, "Come here for a sec."
"What is it!?" Jill stood from her chair, annoyed that she needed to walk, and enter into the kitchen.
"...Consider that she is away," Celeste's voice brought the groups' attention as she turned to Kyoko, "Kirigiri. How were things on your end?" Her question made everyone look at the lavender girl.
"I didn't have much of a problem," Kyoko said. Her voice hush. "I went to check it not too long ago and it was all in order." She suddenly let out a sigh, "But, just to be clear...It is forbidden for anyone, excluding Chihiro, to not use the laptop, right?" Her question brought several confused expressions.
"Huh? Wasn't that obvious?" Hina asked.
"I see…" Kyoko's light-purple eyes look in the direction of a certain fanfic artist, who noticed it and flinched. "Just trying to be sure."
At that comment, Fujisaki felt a switch getting flipped in his brain. ('W-Wait...Did something happened to Alter Ego?')
"Don't be so stuck up, Kyo!" Hiro spoke with a laugh, "Nobody is so stupid to do that! They would be monopolizing everything!" His words made others sweatdrop as he spoke out loud!
It also stabbed the head of Hifumi, which caused him to be depressed.
…
..
.
Minutes when by. Some of the students finished eating their breakfast and left to do their things. Except for Makoto, Sayaka, Mukuro, and Leon.
They had been waiting for Ragna to come out of the kitchen, or even for Jill/Toko to come out and go look for Togami.
"What is taking them so long?" The blue-haired Idol asked. "It's just breakfast...Did something happen?!" She was overcome by worry.
"Calm down, Maizono," Ikusaba spoke. "Jill just said he wasn't her type, so there's no reason to be worried for him." That earned a blank expression from Sayaka and Makoto. "...What?"
"Ikusaba. I want you to think long and hard about who you are talking about." The Pop Sensation replied.
"..." There was no quick response, but the Soldier's face was making a blank expression. ('Right...Daredevil.')
"H-Hey. Come you guys," Leon was confused at the start but realized where they were getting at. "Talent or not, he has to have a limit to do things, right?"
Makoto felt a cloud above his head when he heard that.
"...Right?"
Now Maizono felt a cloud over her head.
"...Should I start to worry now?"
"You should have started when his face was plastered on the floor by a dumbbell." Ikusaba answer.
"Eeeeek! Is too much!"
A sudden scream made everyone look in panic at the doors of the kitchen, which were flung open. They saw the blurring form of Fukawa running away while holding her head and screaming 'Too blind!' and 'I can't see!' several times.
"Oy, Fukawa!" Ragna yelled out, coming out with a plate of what Genocider Jill had ordered. "You forgot your food!" Before he knew it, a dark-purple blur went, swipe the plate in his hands, and left. "Eat it slowly! Writers don't get ideas with overstuffed meals!"
"Shut up! Stop being so nice!" The scream of the book lover echoed away.
Ragna simply rolled his eyes before looking at the rest, seeing their confused expression. "What?" he asked them.
Before anyone knew it, Maizono was already on him. "What took you so long? She didn't try anything on you?"
Ragna placed his hand on her head, a petting she appreciated. "Don't worry. She didn't try anything. Although it was a bit longer to make what she asked."
"What the hell happened?" Leon asked.
"Well, as you have seen, Toko returned to her senses," Ragna replied with a thumb pointing at the doors. "The first thing she thought was that I was there to do something indecent to her. So to spare her the accusation, I simply said that her other self came and ordered me to make her breakfast." He explained.
"And she accepted it?" Ikusaba asked in confusion.
"Apparently she doesn't have a snarky comeback for that," Ragna said.
"Huh...the more you know." Four voices spoke simultaneously.
"So, I tried to start a conversation, and she went full ballistic on accusations again." Four faces turn blank at hearing that. "Next thing I knew, she started to ask me questions about herself too, and I quote, 'Finding my filthy intentions.' whatever that means."
"Jeez, what is wrong with that girl?" Leon couldn't help a sweatdrop slide from his forehead. "At this point, calling her paranoid is being nice to her." So true.
"Ragna?" Makoto spoke, catching the attention of the white-haired boy, "Just out of curiosity, did she ask about the type of gender she writes?" Ragna nods. "And you answer with romance since her bestseller is-"
"So Lingers in the Ocean." Ragna finished what Makoto was saying, "With over a million copies sold and is at the top of the list in the 'Hottest Men' polls. She then began to act surprised and shock-"
"Then you answer that you have no intentions to hurt her, with possibly saying that you just wanted to learn more of her." Makoto continued and finished.
Both brothers look at each other, sporting a blank expression.
"You too, huh?"
"Should it be a surprise?"
"At this moment of life? Not really."
('What the hell is this mutual connection?') The rest of the group thought with sweat drops in their faces.
"Anyways," Ragna began to speak as he stretched his arms backward. "I'm going around to kill time. If anyone needs, try your luck to find me." He said as he began to walk away.
"U-hm! Ragna, wait!"
The Daredevil stopped on his tracks and turned around, seeing the blue-haired Idol already next to him. She was sporting concerning, yet serious, expression.
Ragna had his full attention on her. "What is it, Sayaka?" He asked in a serious tone.
"Can I...have a bit of your time?" Maizono asked. "Alone?"
Alone...this was serious.
Turning his heterochromia eyes to the side, he looked quickly at the rest and got answered with Makoto's hand motioning him to go. Along with Ikusaba nodding in understanding, Leon gave him a thumbs up.
"Sure." Ragna looked back at Maizono, extending his hand to her, "Come."
The blue-haired girl didn't hesitate to take his hand and arm and wrap it firmly on her.
"I gave only the hand, you know." Ragna looked at her.
"I feel better like this," Maizono responded, holding tight his arm between her moderate breasts.
This caused both of them to flinch a bit in embarrassment, and thus, left the dining room.
All while the other three stares at them leave. "Damn." Leon spoke up while scratching the top of his head, "I feel like this guy is getting better luck than anyone, including you, Makoto."
"Heh." The Lucky Student sheepishly scratched his cheek. "Trust me, I don't mind at all."
Suddenly, Ikusaba placed her hand on the brunette's shoulder, "Say, Makoto." For some reason, her voice sounded...scary. "You have been training with Sparda for a while now, right?"
"Uh...y-yeah?"
"And what did he say of your current state?" She asked.
"T-That I'm still green, b-but improving?"
The Ultimate Soldier placed a hand under her chin, looking pensive for a moment before nodding to herself.
In an instant, Makoto found himself being lifted from the ground, held in a princess-carried position. "Eh?"
"I don't believe Sparda will have a problem if I help your routine for a bit." There was a glint on the gray eyes of the short-black hair soldier as she said that.
Naegi's face turned pale as his body comically became black and white. "W-Wait, Mukuro! T-There's no need-"
"As a former mercenary of my old squad, I am confident of my regime schedule." Ikusaba was looking like an old veteran with glittering with confidence. "You can trust me."
"Trust you in what?!"
"No time to waste." Ikusaba kneeled herself, ready to sprint.
"No! Wait! You don't have to-" And the woman didn't let him speak as the soldier burst away, creating a cloud of dust.
"Aieeeeeeeeeee!"
And a feminine scream of fear.
As the dust clears out, and the questionable male voice tones down, Leon watches with a dumbfounded expression, his eyes blinking several times at what just happened. "You know," he began to say as a droplet formed over his head. "I take back what I said; I'm not stuck in that situation."
Sometimes, the best luck is the one you aren't getting.
(Meanwhile)
"...Did you hear something?"
Ragna turned his head to the hall. He and Maizono were in the bathhouse since it didn't have cameras and nobody was inside.
"Hear what?" The idol asked.
"...Hmph, must be my imagination." Ragna shrugged his shoulders as he took a seat. "So? What is eating you, Sayaka?"
"...Is about my secret." Maizono began to say.
"Your secret?" Ragna blink in confusion. "But didn't we-"
"Yes, I know." Maizono began to explain, locking his hands together. "Even so...I want to come clean. Everything that I had done to you and Makoto, and with that stupid bear already knowing, I can't exactly keep it hidden."
"Good point." She did bring up a valid point… "Wait...If this is a secret, why didn't you bring Makoto along?"
Sayaka simply looked at him with a blank expression.
"Too soon?"
"Too soon."
"Right." Ragna scratches the back of his head in embarrassment. "So...Is, not something serious enough to make you...desperate?" he asked.
"Well…" The bluenette girl looked at the floor, "I wouldn't...go that far but…" She clenched her fist. "Is something I'm not proud of."
"...Alright." Knowing this was serious for her, Ragna taps his right tight. "Come sit on Papa's leg."
"Eh?" Maizono looked at him in bewilderment before her cheeks turned red. "W-What did you…" Instead of getting an answer, she just saw him tap his leg once again.
And before she could do anything else, she remembered that she had a slave collar. (Clearly unnecessary but okay)
"O-Ok." Having no objection, Maizono walked and sat right on top of his legs, her body flinching when her rump made contact with them.
"Now, tell me everything you wish to say," Ragna said as he paid attention to her.
Also, for the record, he is not internally screaming nor feeling hot while having his sexy (girl)friend on his lap. (Author's note: I'm serious.)
"..." Sayaka took a deep breath, calming her nerves a bit before speaking. "The truth is...I'm scared." Her blue eyes look into the red/blue eyes of her boy. "I'm scared of being forgotten." With that, she began to confess about her secret; the many deeds she did.
From modeling in bikinis and posting photos on the internet to sell them, to...ruin potential rivals.
Since little, she has always wanted to be a famous Idol. The story can never leave Ragna's mind. Having mostly been living alone in her childhood, she found a light of hope in watching an idol on TV. Seeing her sing, dance, and make others smile, she decided that will be what she wanted to be.
An idol that can bring a smile to others through songs. That was her dream…
Now look at her, the Ultimate Pop Sensational in the world, all because she followed her dream and did anything she could to make it real...anything.
Which includes several blackmails, bribery, and manipulation...Also, merchandise.
This was wrong. So much, but there was no turning back. Maizono knew that. Her friends knew that. Her manager knew that. And the sad truth of it...was that it didn't start like that.
Rather, it was when a thought crossed her mind when she saw another rising idol; what if one day, people began to get bored? To simply like another band or idol who is better than them? Will they be forced to disband and go their separate ways? Be forgotten from the music industry as number one?
She couldn't allow that! No matter what!
"...So every time an upcoming idol would come, I would watch their interview while my manager checked for inside information." Maizono was looking down, guilt and remorse expressing her face. "Everything me and the girls did will probably be over, I know is...unfair for everyone, but I don't want that, I want to sing with them forever…" The familiar pit of her stomach was turning. "That's why I came to Hope's Peak Academy since once we graduate from here, our future is guaranteed." She finally confessed to her secret.
She had to tell him. Because he deserves to know.
So here she was now, telling her boyfriend information that would probably hurt their relationship a bit… But just like him, she has to take the risk.
So, holding her nerves in place, she looks up at his face, ready to see his current expression-
"You model in a bikini?"
Only for her to fall off his legs at seeing his disbelief and a blushing expression.
"How in the world didn't I know that?" Ragna was having internal thoughts as he began to imagine her in different kinds of swimsuits. ('I mean, given her body and reputation, it would be stupid to not have that kind of thought.')
"Ragna!"
"Hm?" Turning his attention to her, he saw Maizono giving him an angry expression.
Right. Secret.
Ragna coughs on his first before looking at her in seriousness. "Okay so...I'm shocked," he said. "I mean, every time I heard you sing, I heard someone who works so hard. Who spend days and nights, rehearsing and training their vocals to bring a sound that has brought people together." His words did cause a reaction on Sayaka who flinched. "To think something like getting forgotten would shake you up, to the point that you would do horrible deeds."
"I know." A comical tear began to come out of Maizono's eye.
"I understand your fear and desire...But you shouldn't worry about it. No matter if a new idol appears, there will be people who will wish to hear your voice on the mic. I should know, we have a hard-dying Sayaker in our home." Ragna said.
"You do?" That information was a bit surprising of the blue-haired idol.
"Trust me, I'm being nice to her by saying that." Ragna felt his face scrunch into a comical expression as he began to imagine that little ahoge sister going fan mode while dressed in everything Maizono related merchandise. "She admires you in many ways, not just with your songs. It has gone to the point where she idolizes you. Saying things as there will never, and I say ever, be another Sayaka Maizono in this world. There will be others, but she is one of a kind." He watches as her face morphs into amazed.
"Really?" She asked, although she had an expression that said 'she had no words'.
The white-haired boy nods, "Oh, is true. And if she believes that, I just know there's more like her." He then raised his finger and placed it on top of her smooth lips, "And that came from your passion for singing. There is a reason you were chosen as the Ultimate Pop Sensation, so trust in your effort, your dedication, and the millions of fans that believe in you and your group."
"..."
"And if you can't still believe in these words," Ragna moved his fingers from her lips to her chest, "Then believe in that little girl inside you; the one that said she wanted to bring smiles through singing."
Maizono's eyes widened in surprise. ('The little girl...inside me?')
"What do you think you were doing, you dummy?!"
She heard that child-like voice.
"Stop doing such bad things already! We work hard to be where we are today!"
She felt the emotion inside those words.
"We are going to become an Idol that can bring millions of smiles out of people!"
Honestly, how could she forget her child self? The promise that she made to herself? The reason for becoming a popular singer/idol in the first place!
Why did she forget that little part?
She didn't wait for a second to place her hand above her boyfriend's finger. Followed by her eyes closing, and tears dropping. ('What was I thinking?') she thought to herself. She made so much to stay on top over a small fear of being forgotten...That she forgot every effort she did to fulfill her dream in the first place.
Days and nights of rehearsal? Required diets for her vocals? Times she had spent writing songs? It was like she was mocking herself...from herself!
('I was making fun of my effort…') Her thoughts became dark at the horrible images of everything she had done while sporting a disgusting and satisfying smile.
How can she smile that horribly?! Is worse than the blackmails she had-
*Pat*
Before she could think anything else and drown herself in despair, a weight on the top of her head stop it. She turns her blue eyes up, seeing Ragna with a calm expression and a small light in red.
"Have some faith in your fans. They won't forget you or your group so easily. Even if some other idol someday becomes more famous than you, I'm sure there will still be people who want to hear you guys sing." Looking up, she saw Ragna had made a small smile. "At least, I know I will. And Makoto too."
"...I know." Maizono smiled at him. She knew he and Naegi would still hear her songs.
And that makes her truly happy.
"And if on the highly improbable possibility, that people do get bored of your music, I'll keep hearing it." Ragna proclaimed, which made her flinch in surprise. "And if someone has a problem with my taste in music, they can leave it on the complaint box, but I don't look in that shit!" Insert cool sunglasses.
"...Pfft!" Maizono had to cover her mouth.
"And we shall slay the hoes and thots together! Slay, I said!"
"S-Stop it…!" She was breaking.
Ragna got to her ear and whispered, "Pull the lever, Kronk."
She broke.
"Pffffft-hahahahaha!" Laughter burst out from Sayaka's mouth, unable to control the laughter. "I don't know what it's hahaha!" she tried to speak, but it was impossible.
Her body stumbles forward, resting against Ragna's chest. After a few minutes, she began to recover her breath.
"That's more like it," Ragna said with a laugh. "Do you feel better now?"
"...A little." Maizono had to admit that she felt a bit relieved, the sadness being replaced for a moment.
"Good," She felt a pair of arms hold her in a hug. "You look very cute when you don't look all desperate." Ragna honestly said.
"..." Maizono moved away from his chest and looked at him with a blank expression. "Ragna...that line was horrible and stupid. Shame on you."
"Dammit," A dark cloud appeared over the Daredevil's head, feeling shame. "I knew that was horrible. What was I thinking?"
The giggles of laughter cause Ragna to look at Maizono, seeing her chuckling. "Too easy," she mumbled out.
It was at that moment he realized...he was played.
"...You need to stop that."
"I don't feel negativity behind those words, so nope." The blue-haired girl pops that 'p' with her lips while dove her head back to his chest. "Besides, you like that charm of mine."
Ragna stood silent for a second before smiling and rolled his eyes. "You truly are a girl after my own heart."
"I learn to be daring from the best," Maizono replied while hugging him more.
Because she now realizes that she doesn't need to do horrible things to be number one and be remembered.
And the proof has been held tight on her arms.
After calming her down, Ragna and Maizono left the bathhouse and went their ways.
Not before getting a quick kiss on the lips by her, which he would have returned if she didn't pull away quickly and ran off.
While a bit mesmerized by her, he managed to recompose and walk away.
"Uhu~ Is this love what I sense in the air?~"
Only to stop, take a deep breath, and calm down any urges he might have got when that child-robotic voice spoke. Looking to the side, he saw Monokuma wearing...a makeshift cardboard box that resembles a video camera.
"That was a lot of time that you spent inside the bathhouse with Miss Pop Idol." It said while it faces began to blush intensively and sweat form around it. "And that kiss she gave you-hah hah- just now can only mean one thing." With a burst of lustful power, he pointed at the Daredevil with his paw.
"You both finally did 'it', right?!"
…
…
…
*Flip*
The sound of a book page being flip made Monokuma create imaginary question marks over his head.
"What are you doing?" The duo color robot-bear ask, honestly, in confusion.
Ragna's eyes were on the paper in his hands, "Looking at the script of this chapter." He answers as he moves to the next page, "Is this the part where I blush like a bitch in heat and speak like a pussy, denying that while speaking between stuttering. Or is this where I speak sarcastically to you, having no desire to continue playing your bad-shit mind games?"
Here is the twist; he is genuinely asking with a confused expression.
"...Say-wha?" Monokuma asked, having no idea what the hell was this guy talking about.
"Dammit, I forgot my line." Ragna clicked his tongue, "I'm going to have to go back to the studio and ask. I'll be back." Without a second, Ragna dove off-
*CRASH*
Eternal: What the hell?! Ragna, what are you doing here?!
Ragna: I said I forgot my line. Can you tell me what to do in this part?
Eternal: You could have just stopped the story! Why did you break the fourth wall?! Do you know how much it cost to repay one of them?!
Ragna: Pls. You can waste enough power to repair it, beside is good content when the 4th wall gets broken.
Eternal: That's…*sigh* Okay, point to take. (Slap on the forehead) Look, just...wing the scene, just...be you.
Ragna: (Nods) Got it. (Jumps back into the Danganronpa story)
"Alright, where was I?" Ragna asked Monokuma, who still was silent.
"...Did something happen?" The robot asked while looking around, trying to find out what exactly was that happened. "Meh, must be my imagination. ('As if something would happen in my watch! Upupupu!')" He turns to look at the Daredevil…
Only to see him walking away from him.
"Hey! Get back here!" With enchanted speed, Monokuma catches up to him, holding a microphone on its paw and extending it to his face, "I need the full interview! How deep was it? Did you go all the way? Was she tight inside? Did she enjoy it? Did you puss-out in fear when you believed that someone might walk in and watch you go horny animals howling?"
"...You sure are trying hard, huh?" Ragna felt sweat falling off.
"Details are important in every life!" Monokuma replied.
"Then why didn't you install cameras inside the bath, if details are important?"
Monokuma flinched at that. "...I want my CCTV to be clean and wholesome. No R rated."
"It's because of the moisture getting on the lens, isn't it?" Ragna deadpanned.
Monokuma began to sweat a lot. The Bullseye has been hit.
"So what?!" Monokuma's red-eye glow. "Are you saying that I don't have the right to know the truth behind the scenes! Do you not understand your position in this school?!"
"You care for school rules?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...Tch! Point taken." Monokuma responded. Deep down, school rules are a pain to everyone. "Even so! If I can't get great gossip from my precious students, what's the point of being Headmaster?"
('...I have a strange sensation that they reference something.') Ragna sighs, "Can you just get to the point of your visit?"
"Fine~" Monokuma whines as he lazily sways around. "So tell me, my dear devil."
"What do you think of that picture?"
The air went still. The tiny pinch of hair on the back of his neck stood straight as the familiar sense danger was going throughout his body.
The damn psycho knew of the photo very well.
"I mean, those dazzling smiles of them. That youth aura surrounding the air. It's like a moment of their happy lives was taken out of their school lives!" Monokuma exclaimed.
"...You are saying that Mondo, Leon, and Chihiro have met before?" Ragna asked.
"Who knows?~ Maybe they did? Maybe they didn't?" With that said, Monokuma turned around, "Makes you wonder...Can they be trusted?" And with that, he disappeared.
Ragna was left in silence. His hand went inside his pocket, taking out the group photo.
What was Monokuma trying to tell him with that?
('No, forget it.') Ragna shook his thoughts and put the picture away. ('They are trying to screw with my thoughts. Trying to have suspicion on them.')
But there's no denying that...suspicions are clouding his mind.
Scene changing. We see Ragna walking down the stairs after spending some time walking around.
"Haaaaaah…"
A peculiar voice of tiredness entered his ears as he looked down the stairs, seeing Taka sitting on one of the steps, feeling a bit depressed by the tone of his voice.
"Well, that's a big sigh," Taka flinched a bit at hearing the Daredevil's voice and looked behind him. "Did you finally reach the limit of your body?"
"...Yes. I did." The Moral Compass student admits. "I have reached my breaking point." He looks down at the floor. "With what happened with Maizono and Bro...I finally reached my limit."
"Your limit as the Ultimate Moral Compass? Or your limit as a person?" Ragna asked him.
"...Both." Taka didn't hesitate.
"Fair point." Ragna walks down the stairs and sits next to him. "Do you want to get everything out of your chest?" He asked, knowing that there are still things holding tight his heart.
"...If I'm being honest...I'm disappointed in myself." The black-haired boy confessed. "I swore...that someone like me would make a change. To prove that normal people like me can make a difference. To show that effort can make a change in society!"
The Daredevil watches as the boy clenches his fists and his face sours. "I came to Hope' Peak in the hope to prove that hard work pays off. That giving everything you got can change the world! That ordinary people can surpass geniuses!" He exclaimed with such conviction, and then, he looked down in shame and disappointment. "But...look what has happened. Trapped in a building, robbed of that opportunity, forced to kill to get out, and we got two incidents that happened out of my control, which Mondo was part of one!"
"What's the point...of being the Moral Compass if I can't help nor stop my classmates?!"
"..."
"...S-Sorry, Sparda." Ishimaru apologized, "I didn't mean to make you listen to my ranting."
"No, that's okay," Ragna said as he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I can tell you need someone to listen to you." He then thought of something that Makoto would do, "Hey. If you don't mind me asking...why do you put yourself on these harsh conditions?"
"What?" Ishimaru looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Ragna clarifies. "I mean, why are you so harsh with yourself? That any bad thing that happens to you or is in your care is a... truthful reminder of a past mistake."
Taka looked at him surprised, "Wow...you're sharp, Sparda." He complimented while letting a heavy sigh out. "...The reason I'm like this...is because of my grandfather."
Ragna raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Your grandpa?"
The black-haired boy crossed his hands together, an angry/hurtful expression transform in his face. "His name...was Toranosuke Ishimaru. And he was the genius that became the Prime Minister of Japan."
And so, Taka began to talk about his grandfather, a man who had nothing but a school degree. Going from Minister of Foreign Affairs to Chief Cabinet Secretary, and finally Prime Minister.
He was a born genius that didn't need to do any effort. Never knowing the meaning of failure and always succeeding…
And that was his downfall in the political industry.
Taka, while holding his anger, explained that his grandfather was controlled by naive emotions, which roped him into scandals. Scandals that ended his career as fast as he got it.
Because of this, Toranosuke brought mountains of debts to the family, which are still unpaid. This caused him to not speak to anyone ever again...and despite his fame and legacy, when he died-
"The only people that went to his funeral were family members," Taka concluded his story. "He might have been a genius and amazing person...but look at what happened! He was lazy and didn't do any kind of effort! He ruined his reputation, his life, and his family!" He exclaimed with anger, "They say that being a genius is a blessing, but for me? Is a tragedy. A tragedy that can destroy anyone who trips and falls! Just like my grandfather!"
While the white-uniform student tries to control his emotion, Ragna was now seeing why Taka was like this. ('I did wonder why he sounded angry when he wanted to be called by 'Taka'.')
"That's why I believe strongly that effort is everything! And I will go even farther than my grandfather! Just like my father did!"
"Your father?" Ragna looked at him in confusion.
"Yes!" Taka stood from the step, clenching his hands in pride, "After grandfather's downfall, my father was viewed as a son of a criminal. Even so, he kept working as a police officer with his efforts. No matter how horrible they view him." Taka looked at Ragna, surprising the white-haired with eyes of joy. "In the end, his effort was rewarded!"
"He was?" Ragna asked.
"It was a miracle!" Overjoy wasn't describing how Taka was feeling at the moment. "He was going to the grocery store to buy some food when a robbery happened! Two men in disguise attack a woman and rob her purse. Seeing a crime, my father's body moves to act and chase after them. He pinned them down in an alleyway, pointing his gun and making sure they didn't try to escape. They try to persuade him to let them go, he answered by shooting a nearby trash can, silencing them and saying that he will not let crime go unjust."
"Wait," Ragna realized what he was talking about, "I remember something like that in the news. A pair of thieves were heavily wanted for 18 theft, their last victim was the daughter of a CEO company. The one who ended their streak was an officer with a bad reputation." So that was his father.
"That's the one!" Taka could still remember it, "The girl's father was glad for what my father did, to the point that he offered him a job in his company!"
"Sounds like he was set," Ragna commented.
"Yes, he did…but he didn't take it."
"Huh?"
"My father rejected the offer." Taka left Ragna speechless, which made him chuckle. "I know. It was shocking to me as well." He straightened himself and looked away, "Make no mistake, he would have accepted the job...but saving her daughter was nothing but him upholding justice. That she was alive and well was enough for him. Not to forget that he was still in many debts because of what my grandfather did, he would bring problems to the company with his current public opinion."
The Daredevil nodded. He can see the reason. ('People around him would think he was in some sort of shady business. Thinking even worse of him.')
"If I'm being honest, I just wanted him to forget about the public and take the job." Taka let a hearty scoff out, "But it was for the best. Because the next day was where things started to change."
Long story short, Ishimaru's father was praised by his boss. His fellow officers compliment him for a job well done. While not enough to erase the negative view, he was seen in a new light.
While he still has ways to go to finish the debt, the man's efforts were acknowledged, not because of who he is, but rather what he has done.
"Thanks to that, my father was being looked at as a police officer and not as a criminal. He is proof that efforts in life can overcome any genius!" Taka spoke in pride and determination, "And I will show it to the world, I will work harder and create a world where those who work with effort are properly rewarded!"
"...That's quite ambitious." Ishimaru turns to Ragna, seeing him standing up from the steps, "The ordinary boy that becomes something larger than a genius...the road ahead of you is challenging."
"A risk I'm willing to take." The response was fast and certain. "In the name of my family, and in the people I respect. I, Kiyotaka Ishimaru, will bring back the honor that was taken from us." He pumped his fist in the air, "And the first thing I must do...Is clear things up with Fujisaki and Bro. For good!"
"Woah there, hold your horse for a moment." Before Taka could do anything, Ragna quickly placed his hands on his shoulders. "You shouldn't meddle with that," he said in seriousness.
"What?" Taka was confused, "But weren't you the one to say that they should patch up quickly?"
"Yes, I did," Ragna nodded, "But Mondo and Chihiro need to resolve it by their volition and choice." His words caught the attention of the Ultimate Moral Compass' attention. "If you force it out, it might cause a problem for them, or get things awkward."
"...I see your point." Taka placed his hand under his chin, "Then, what should I do? Even if I shouldn't, as fellow students and friends, I can't simply do nothing." He asked for a solution.
"Hmm," Ragna began to think for a second, before snapping his finger, "I believe what you can do is have an eye on them. Not too much that they will be uncomfortable, but enough that they can tell you will support and help any way you can."
Taka's red eyes glow bright, "I-I see...I'm not meddling with their problems, but at the same time I'm not forgetting about them...!" He began to mumble for several minutes.
('Holy shit. I placed the seed, but it grew way too fast.') Ragna thought with a droplet on his head.
"...And they both will be able to patch things without feeling like I'm forcing them! While making sure that they know they aren't alone!" Clapping his hands together was the end to Taka's rambling. "Yes! This will be acceptable!" In true to his character, Taka bow to Ragna, "Thank you, Sparda! Your wisdom and knowledge have given me much to think!"
"No need." The white-haired boy patted the honor student's shoulder, making him stand straight. "I simply lend a hand to a friend." ('Besides, I simply did what Makoto would probably say.')
"...We are...friends?" Taka asked with disbelief in his face.
"After what has happened, our talks and the fact that Mondo just began to call me 'Bro'... I think it is time to confirm it." Ragna smiles, pulls his hand off the shoulder, and holds it in a handshake. "That's if you want to."
Kiyotaka Ishimaru. As you already know, he is a man of rules. Political, economic, he can give you over a hundred explanations of ideas and possible outcomes/solutions to the world.
Is because of that, that he could never have friends. Even if he was part of the Student Council, nobody had a relationship with him. And not just because he was an Ishimaru.
To make things simple, Taka had...problems to keep talking over political stuff only.
So, one would understand that the moment he saw Ragna extended his hand at him and became, by his choice, his friend...He couldn't control his emotions as tears began to form on his red eyes.
He didn't hesitate to take and shake his hand. "It would be an honor! I promised to make you proud of having me as a friend!"
"O-Okay. Calm down, tiger." Ragna felt that his hand was going to need to take the sauna.
Taka has a strong grip and a strong shake.
After calming the black-haired boy down, they both went their separate ways. Taka needed to clean himself up from the snot.
Ragna was heading to his room. And as he was walking through the hall, he blinked in surprise when he saw a certain someone standing in front of his door room.
Mondo Owada was resting against the wall, his eyes closed. When he heard footsteps, he opened one eye, his purple iris looking at the side and seeing Red.
He straightens up and walks forward. "Red." He spoke.
"Mondo?" Ragna was confused, why was the biker look with a serious expression. "Can I help you?"
"..." Mondo simply walked around him, "Come to the Gym. Please."
Ragna's eyebrow was still up as he looked at the biker's back jacket. ('The Gym?') While confused, he didn't ask and began to follow him.
It didn't take long for both Mondo and Ragna to reach the location on the first floor. The gym was empty, which worked for the Biker as he walked forward.
When they reached the center, Mondo spoke, "Listen Red." Ragna stops to hear him, "I am...grateful for what you did. About the kid, bro, and...even the talk about my brother."
He let out a chuckle, "If it wasn't for you...I would have done something I would never recover from." He began to crack his neck and fist. "I...admit that I have a problem with my anger."
('Well, at least he finally admits it.') Ragna thought.
"But you see," Mondo began to remove his dark green jacket, "Shouting is in my blood. And when I yell, I get to burn something inside me." He shows his buff arms, filled with hard muscles. "I either go on a bike to burn it off...or I go one-on-one."
Ragna watched as he folded his jacket and placed it on the ground before turning to look at him. He knew where this was going. "...You want this?"
"...I need this, Red." Mondo rose his fists and clenched them. "Right now, you are the only one who can give it to me."
"You do realize that Ikusaba and Ogami are also here, right?" No offense, but he might have a better time releasing it if he goes against either the Ultimate Soldier or Ultimate Martial Artist.
"What?!" In a moment of disbelief, the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader protested in shock, "D-Don't be stupid! I-I can't hit a girl! I'll ruin my honor! M-My mom would have my head if she heard that I punched a girl!"
"..." Ragna merely stood silent at this, an incredulous silence.
"I'm serious! It's not because I'm scared of either of them!" Mondo insisted loudly as his face turned red.
"Alright. Alright." The Ultimate Daredevil rose his hands in defense. "I believe you." He then proceeded to take off his red coat, folded it all together, and placed it on the ground. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes." The delinquent's answer was final.
Ragna let out a sigh and proceeded to stretch his body, bones cracking in place. "First Blood?"
"Good enough for me." Mondo said as he ready himself, "...Thanks for accepting this, Red."
Ragna scoffed with a smile, "If it will help you calm your anger." He positioned himself in a fighting pose, "Any time, brother."
Mondo had a ghostly smile. This man truly deserves more than his respect.
With that said, both Ultimates charge at each other.