Hi all!
So, here's the next chapter! I... I'm gonna be honest with y'all. I'm not the biggest fan of this chapter. It's alright, but the first half is very much exposition and is mostly Taka thinking about how Hope's Peak works (I have my own version of how I think the school is/should be run, so I put it in here so I don't have to bring it up in later chapters) and about his fellow classmates. And it's not bad, but I don't like it too much, since it's slow. Of all the chapters in this story, this has to be among my least favorites. Now, once Mondo comes into the chapter, things pick up a bit, since there's actual dialogue and plot, so if you are finding yourself a bit bored with this chapter, just skim until Mondo comes in, and it gets better. I mean... in my opinion, ha. Still not my favorite chapter, but it's kinda needed for future plot purposes.
That all being said, I hope y'all like this chapter well enough. I think I'm going to post the next chapter tomorrow, if I can, since chapter 4 is very short. Like... 2,000 words, and is mostly a bridge between this chapter and the next. I like chapters 5 and 6, so I can't wait for those to be released. :-D
Also! Thank you all so much for the comments! I know I've not been replying, but that's more because I never reply to comments, for a couple reasons. One, I don't like how it makes it seem like I have more comments than I do on my stories. Just... personal thing, ha. And two, I have social anxiety and replying to stuff is just... oof, very challenging. I always overthink it way, waaaaayyy too much, ha. But know I appreciate every one! And if anyone has a question, I always answer, even if the answer would be spoilery. I've never really cared about spoiling my stories, if it helps ease people's minds. I will always mark spoilers with a mild, moderate, or major warning, so if you're the kind to look in the comments, don't worry, ha.
Enjoy!
The first week of school practically flies by for Kiyotaka, and before he knows it, he is finding himself running full pace in the school's changing slash exercise room at 10:00 am on his first Saturday at the school, his mind reeling with the knowledge that he's somehow survived his first week without any major incident.
(Well, other than what happened that first day, with the hulking biker gang leader, but seeing as how he is firmly resolving to ignore that ever happened, the week has gone far better than he had ever had any hope of it going, honestly.)
He just wishes he had an idea of if this is a good thing or not…
It's probably good... right? The classes themselves do not seem overly challenging, just tedious, like most of school is. But that is okay! He likes tedium! It gives him something to do with his time! He has no problem sitting through tedious classes taught by fairly dull teachers, doing monotonous, repetitive tasks! It's what he's always done, and he enjoys it immensely!
Still… despite being a school for 'Ultimate Students,' the course work seems to be akin to that of a normal high school for the most part, from what he can tell. Which may be a teeny, tiny bit disappointing, but not enough to bring him down!
The core classes follow the traditional courses all students are required to take, such as math, science, history, literature, and physical education (by far his least favorite class in general, given the numerous opportunities his fellow classmates are given to torment him in such a class, even if he does well in it. His new classmates haven't, yet, but still... the potential is there, which makes him feel tense). These courses don't appear to be overly advanced, either, though the coursework is fairly rigorous.
The only real difference to a traditional high school that he can notice is the focus on student specific elective courses. For the traditional classes, he would share his class with the others in his year, all of them in each five classes. However, each student has their own specific elective that they take part of, one that they will take alone with a single member of staff hired specifically to assist them. His elective, for example, is a course in ethics and morality.
The first time he'd had his specific elective class had been very nerve-wracking, considering that he'd been alone in a room with a single teacher, without much idea as to how it all was going to work. The logistics of it all had concerned him, somewhat, and he'd truly wondered what he'd do if he failed a course in what was supposed to be his best subject. How embarrassing!
However, after his first class, he'd begun to understand how it would work, and his nerves almost vanished. From what he can tell, it's just a normal class like any other, with coursework and projects, but it's tailored specifically to him and his personal growth. Whatever will best help him hone his 'special talent' will be offered freely to him, be it a trip to a specific area or a guest speaker brought in to share further information about the topic. He's not ashamed to admit that the idea of it all interests him greatly, very much so! While he knows a great deal on morality already, there is always more to learn!
Other than that, there are also other elective classes, which are less rigorous than the traditional and specific elective courses but allow the students to get a broader range of interests to explore with their fellow classmates. Kiyotaka had eagerly signed up for a political science course that is offered to all grades, which interests him greatly. After all, if he wants to become Prime Minister, he must know everything he can about politics and government! He'd been tempted to try his hand at a government class as well, but his advisor at Hope's Peak had shaken his head at the idea, saying that for his first year he should keep to one additional course, though he could add to it in his later years if he so desires.
Overall, his course load is extensive, but none of it is overly complicated or challenging. His most challenging subject so far has been— to his frustration— his physics course, but he's determined to work through it, like he does with everything. In fact, he's already finished with his homework for the following week in the class, even though it had taken him twice as long as his homework for his other courses (which he's also finished, of course). Well, that's just fine! It doesn't matter how long he works, just as long as he gets it done in the end! That has always been his life's motto, after all!
So, the coursework was not a challenge to him, and he is not particularly concerned about it in the slightest! Er, well... maybe a little, but only in the same way he is always concerned about his coursework. In that he worries that he'll let himself unintentionally slip and let his grades fall behind. But that's a common fear he's had, ever since he was a young child and his father drilled into his head the importance of doing well in school, saying that it was among the only advantages he could give himself in this life that others could not take away from him.
Still! Overall, his courses are not concerning him much. In fact, more than anything else, he finds himself almost feeling enthusiastic to progress, his mind eager to learn all that this school can offer to him!
As such, it is not that that is causing him to force himself to run at full speed on a Saturday morning, trying his best to outrun the anxiety and discomfort that he finds always plagues him, no matter how hard he tries. Instead, what is giving him the most concern is what always— inevitably— gives him the most concern in school.
His fellow classmates.
Now, don't get him wrong! He actually likes his fellow classmates here at Hope's Peak, for the most part! Some of them he doesn't quite understand very well, such as Hifumi Yamada (The Ultimate Fan Artist, whatever that means) and Yasuhiro Hagakure (The Ultimate Clairvoyant, of all things, who has been held back several years and is, in fact, an actual adult now). Some of them, on the other hand, he is slightly ashamed to say intimidate him, such as Sakura Ogami (The Ultimate Martial Artist) and Byakuya Togami (The Ultimate Affluent Progeny, which yes, is apparently a thing), though for quite different reasons.
Mainly, he still doesn't quite have a read on many of his classmates just yet, but most of them seem nice enough. Friendly.
Aoi Asahina (The Ultimate Swimming Pro), for example, definitely seems like a very upbeat and friendly person, the girl smiling at him whenever their eyes meet in class. Of course, she does that with everyone, which makes him think she's just a bubbly person by nature, but it's better than he's ever had in the past. Sayaka Maizono (The Ultimate Pop Sensation) also appears to be fairly bubbly, but in a somehow more... reserved way? Like it is not as natural for her, but she does it anyway for reasons he cannot quite fathom. Same with Junko Enoshima (The Ultimate Fashionista), but there is something about the model that, quite frankly, unnerves him, and he does his best to stay away from her, if he can.
Chihiro (The Ultimate Programmer) and Makoto (The Ultimate Lucky Student, who was invited to the school after having his name randomly picked out of a raffle, and thus is another normal student, like himself) he already knows in a basic fashion, the pair actually telling him that he can use their first names, if he wants, after their introduction the first day. It was a sentiment he'd gratefully reciprocated, even if it had made him slightly nervous. He'd even considered telling them to call him Taka— the old, ancient nickname his mother used for him when she'd been alive— but he'd ultimately decided against it, unable to find the nerve to be quite that familiar…
However, while he does not really consider either individual a friend— or even an acquaintance really— he is friendlier with them than anyone else. Makoto in particular seems very friendly, like Asahina, but less bubbly and more like he's just a genuinely down to earth, friendly person. Kiyotaka cannot deny that it helps put him more at ease at this foreign school to have such an average, normal person in it. A people person, someone who wants everyone to get along no matter how different they are. They have not had much of a chance to speak during the week so far, as busy as they both have been, but Makoto will always wave hello at him whenever he passes in the hall, a kind smile on his lips. It's kind of embarrassing how grateful a simple gesture like that makes him.
As for Chihiro, from what he can tell the young girl seems overly emotional and shy, often seen with tears misting her eyes, even during situations that don't quite seem to really require crying. But that is not exactly an insult, not to him. Not seeing as how he, himself, is a fairly emotional and socially awkward individual. As such, he does not fault her for either thing. Not in the slightest!
In fact, it is something that he admires in her, in her ability to connect so freely with her emotions. It's a very desirable trait! N-not that he is interested in her in that way! Of course not! She is a very lovely girl, but he has no time for romance, even if such a thing were an option for him, which he firmly knows it is (presently) not! Yes, they have shared a few conversations since that first day, but that's mostly since they sit next to one another in most of their classes and have the time to spare as they pack up after class ends. They mostly talk about school and things like that, and it doesn't seem like she minds his company too much... but that doesn't make them friends, let alone anything else!
But, well, maybe, with time... they could... be friends? It's ridiculous, of course! Him, having friends… how absurd! But… well. Of all of his classmates, she's the one he's found himself the closest to— the one he seems to have the most in common with— so far, and he finds that he wouldn't mind having a friendship with her, if the girl desires it. But! That is very unlikely, aha! And there's no real way of knowing if such a thing would ever be possible, if she'd ever want such a thing, since it is very unlikely that she would! There are too many variables up in the air, and it would be best for him not to get his hopes up too high... after all, a few civil conversations don't mean she wishes to be friends! How silly of him!
He... he really should stop thinking of her and of friendship... it's such a useless topic…
A-anyway!
As for the rest of the class... he still has yet to fully determine how he feels about them. Toko Fukawa (The Ultimate Writing Prodigy) reminds him a little of Chihiro, but to a much more extreme degree, the girl shy to the point of antisocial, not just asocial. Mukuro Ikusaba (The Ultimate Soldier— which is a terrifying Talent in its own right— who also happens to be the twin sister to Enoshima and is usually seen trailing the peppy girl, which adds a whole other layer to the whole thing, given his intense unease around the latter girl) is similar, but is far quieter, reserved, and intense, keeping mostly to herself and her sister.
Kyoko Kirigiri (The Ultimate… something? He actually doesn't know, he'd never found any information on her talent online and has never dared to ask her himself… how mysterious…) is quiet and reserved as well, but in a different way. Less awkward and more... purposeful, he supposes. Whereas the former few girls do not seem to enjoy being asocial and shy, it does not seem to bother Kirigiri at all. In fact, she appears to prefer it that way, looking more relaxed when she is relatively alone than when she is forced to participate in a class discussion, her back rigid and her eyes critical as she looks at her peers.
Celestia Ludenburg (The Ultimate Gambler, which is a nasty habit in its own right) is an absolute mystery to him, one that he's not particularly keen to unravel. She seems vaguely unpleasant from what little he has seen, reminding him bitterly of the giggling girls at his middle school. The ones who would look down upon him and mock him for his severe looks, cooing that it was adorable he had enough confidence to even be seen in public, which had truly done wonders for his self-confidence... while some of his worst bullying was done by his male classmates— the boys having no qualms against physically assaulting him— some of the cruelest of his bullies had turned out to be his female classmates, who never failed to find his weak points and cut him deeply to the bone. This reminder is not one he is particularly keen of, and so he spends most of his time avoiding Ludenburg if he can help it.
And that, of course, leads him to the two biggest troublemakers of his grade…
With Leon Kuwata— the redheaded teen he'd noticed Owada had been speaking to their first day (who happens to be the Ultimate Baseball Star, though he… doesn't seem to want to be? He isn't sure, as he tries not to spend too much time around him, but from what he can tell he wants to be… the Ultimate Musician? But Kiyotaka has never heard of someone changing their Ultimate Talent before, so… but he's digressing!)— it does not surprise him that the former baseball player likes to break the rules, as the teen's appearance has been screaming 'troublemaker' from the start. What with his piercings and white 'punk' jacket, and all. As he's said, he's not one to rely on first impressions and stereotypes, but is it really his fault if these impressions quite often are right?
After all, in the first week alone, he's had to give Kuwata at least three detentions for various offenses, such as running in the halls or talking loudly in the library, amongst many other strongly worded warnings. It makes the other teen dislike him greatly, the pale eyes often narrowed and bleeding hatred whenever he is in the general vicinity, but the other teen has yet to openly be aggressive towards him, leaning more towards childish insults and name calling than anything else. He doesn't seem overly inclined to swear, either, so Kiyotaka usually ignores it, though he can't hide the frown he'll get when he hears Kuwata snipe at him from across the hallway, snickering at whatever childish insult he came up with that day.
Overall, his relationship with his classmates is not overly contentious— even with Kuwata— and, given how terrible he is at not making people despise him, it is not something he is overly bothered by. In fact, if Kuwata had been the worst he'd faced while here at school, he would safely say that he is actually looking forward to his time at this institution, his fellow classmates practically pleasant!
However (sadly), his year isn't the only one at this school, and it seems that the older years do not take as kindly to him trying to enforce law and order in this school, many of the upperclassmen glaring and harassing him. None have gone so far as to physically assault him (yet), but he remains on high alert as he patrols the halls, his fellow hall monitors not nearly as effective as he is at catching and punishing ne'er-do-wells and other delinquency. That honestly just paints a larger target on his back, but he doesn't mind. He's been painting a target on his back rather meticulously ever since he was old enough to know what justice and doing the right thing even was. He can handle it, he knows he can. And overall, while the upperclassmen can be a handful, it isn't the most stressful part of his job.
That honor, of course, belongs to the person who has to be the single most challenging of his fellows at this school.
Mondo Owada...
True to his word (which Kiyotaka, strangely, gets the feeling the teen usually is), the biker has not brought up what happened on their first day again, and doesn't really seem to hold it against him. Kiyotaka can feel those intense eyes watching him at the most random of times, but he does not ever catch the other teen in the act, nor does the teen ever try and make conversation. Not that he has any idea what they could possibly converse about, of course! He doesn't think he's ever met an individual quite as opposite to himself as Owada is, after all! What on earth could they possibly converse about? It's a ridiculous thought and is one he hastily pushes out of his mind, like he always does with ridiculous thoughts.
Anyway...
Just because what had happened the first day has not come between them doesn't mean that they get along just fine. In fact, quite the opposite! After all, true to his own word, Kiyotaka does not stand by idly while Owada blatantly breaks the rules either, handing out detention slips whenever the biker breaks a rule. Which the other teen does often. Constantly. Hence Kiyotaka's firm belief that he is the most frustrating and impossible person that he's ever had the displeasure of meeting.
Though… and this part is really strange to him when he thinks on it. Because, when caught, the obnoxious biker will sneer and scowl at him, like he would expect. And yet, however… well. Bizarrely, he does not usually try to argue against the numerous detentions he is given. Sometimes he'll give a token protest or curse him out (which he's decided to take to ignoring as long as it's not school hours, as it's not worth the headache, really), but for the most part he just glares and sometimes cracks his knuckles. And, so far, he has not gone any further than that. He rarely even talks around Kiyotaka, truth be told, the other teen usually quieting up whenever Kiyotaka enters the room, content to just glare daggers into him whenever he isn't looking.
It is, quite honestly, extremely intimidating.
Which, he supposes, is the entire point…
Still! Let it never be said that Kiyotaka Ishimaru is one to allow himself to get unduly intimidated by anyone, even someone who is quite larger and more muscular than he is! He continues on with his duties, ignoring the dark and angry glares he is subjected to at any and all hours of the day, and focuses entirely on his studies and his duties, regardless of any and all negative social consequences.
Still... he cannot help how his mind wanders, late at night, quite against his will. How he blithely will remember the feeling of being held up by those strong, capable arms, the overwhelming scent of cinnamon and motor oil assaulting his every breath. Remember what it had felt like to be pressed firmly to the wall by that firm body, the situation terrifying in more ways than one, and yet strangely... well, sensual, in ways that he cannot bear to try and contemplate. Remember the swirling emotions that had raged inside those mysterious lavender eyes, galaxies and universes and lifetimes contained within them that he would never have any hope of deciphering, even if he has a thousand years. Late at night, he will feel his breath catch at the reminder, his body tensing and a strange heat filling his gut that he resolutely pushes down and ignores.
Because, naive as he can be, he knows what such a thing means.
And it's not something he is at all willing to entertain.
Besides! He- he is not... you know. That. Not that he has anything against people who are! In fact, he has an extensive plan once he becomes Prime Minister to bring about more rights for people who are... that, so he firmly has no problems against it! At all!
But, well... there has never been a Prime Minister who is, well... uh, that, and as such, he knows that he cannot be, either. He already has so much against him, so much that isn't in his favor, that he cannot afford to add any further complications against him! He... he would do anything to achieve his goal, granted that it is legal and fair! And that... that includes potentially hiding any, er... unsavory aspects of himself. Not that he has such aspects, or that such aspects are inherently unsavory! He just... he means...
Well. It doesn't matter what he means, because he is resolutely not thinking about it, which is all he needs to know on the matter!
Besides... even if he were, you know... that... the likelihood of Owada feeling similarly is slim to none. And even if— and he emphasizes if— the other teen somehow did? It would never work out. They are just... too different. Kiyotaka abides by the rules almost to a fault, and he would rather write his own self up for an infraction than to compromise on his morals for even a second (something he has done, sadly, a couple times). And Owada? Owada is practically the living embodiment of rule breaking and delinquency. So far, from what Kiyotaka can tell, if there is a rule at this school, Owada seems darned and determined to either break or bend it. How could he ever— and he means ever— see anything worthwhile in such a ruffian? He couldn't. He wouldn't, and as such, such thoughts are a waste of time and energy. And he hates wasting his time and energy!
Which this all is. A waste of time. All of it. Thinking of his classmates, worrying about them and their intentions, wondering about enemies, and friends, and whatever else. It's worthless to think about, to worry about, and he's spent more than long enough worrying about it for a lifetime!
And so, he pushes all of the thoughts out, from the thoughts of his classmates to his confusing thoughts of Owada, his body tensing as he finishes his morning exercise, the treadmill he is running on slowly rolling to a stop as he breathes deeply, taking a long sip from his water. Given that the men's and women's exercise rooms are separate, he does not feel shame to have his shirt off, even though it does display the numerous scars he has obtained over the years. Such scars do shame him somewhat, especially considering not a single one was obtained during a fair fight, more often than not Kiyotaka gaining them as his tormentors held him down and beat him bloody, but he refuses to let such a thing dominate his life. He never does.
This room is one thing that he truly does enjoy about Hope's Peak, though, without any reservations, he will admit. At home, he'd never been able to afford a gym pass, making do with whatever cheap exercise equipment that he could pick up at general stores, or else running down the streets at a quick pace. Doing the latter was nearly impossible during the cold months or during the monsoon season, though. And it was always somewhat dangerous for him regardless of weather, since the likelihood of someone seeing him and taking offense at his mere existence was sadly very high, but he never let something like that stop him. Exercise is important to a healthy body, after all!
Still, having actual exercise equipment, including weights and dumbbells and a treadmill, is like a dream come true. He has made sure to build up his physique since he was young, knowing that he'd never use his strength to harm another, but also knowing that having said muscle might be beneficial if anyone ever decided that they did want to cross that imaginary line and do something that would potentially permanently disable him. It simply gives him the ability to defend himself if he truly needs to, which is comforting for him to know.
Plus, there has always been something so soothing about losing himself in the rhythm of exercise, his mind and body relaxing for once as he pushes himself to the edge of his physical and sometimes mental ability. The times he exercises while studying are the best of all, truly. Being able to not think and just lose himself in the mindless repetition of his feet moving along the pavement... being able to feel his muscles ache, the sensation reminding him that he is still alive, still here, still fighting... it is intoxicating to him. And he doesn't even have to feel bad about wasting time, since good diet and exercise are two very important parts of being an upstanding citizen! And he so rarely was able to have the former, growing up…
The biggest downside to this room, he's come to find, is that it's sadly not private.
This is a fact he is bitterly reminded of when the door to the room slams open, causing him to spill his water all over his chest, a startled gasp escaping him at the bitter chill. His eyes dart up and he is caught, like a deer in the headlights, as his eyes meet lavender, the exact person he wants to see the least of course being the one to come waltzing in.
Well, two people he least wants to see, he acknowledges, dimly registering the sound of Kuwata laughing, the teen snickering about some girl he once knew. He feels himself frown as the words catch up to him, his hands landing on his hips as he hears the almost derogatory way Kuwata is speaking about the girl, his words crass and overly crude, even with the slim portion that Kiyotaka has been able to hear of the conversation. It's so crude that he doesn't even dare think of the words himself, disgusted at the meaning behind them! Tearing his eyes away from the lavender, he frowns at Kuwata and shakes his head in disapproval.
(And, as such, he does not notice the frown that Owada, himself, has, the teen also looking to Kuwata in disapproval. Which is a shame, as that may have saved him a lot of his upcoming trouble, if he had…)
"Kuwata-kun! Such a topic is not appropriate to be had in a public-school venue! I expect you to serve a detention for such an infraction! I hope that you learn to not be so crude towards members of the opposite sex in the future!"
He listens as Kuwata groans, the redhead glaring darkly at him as he stalks into the room, heading over to the weights. Owada does not move from the entrance, rather remaining where he is, shoulders bunched up and tense. Not that Kiyotaka is looking! Because he isn't. His eyes are resolutely trained on Kuwata, after all, staring hard at the red-haired teen. Maybe if he stares hard enough, he'll be able to make the other teen understand the importance of respecting members of the opposite sex?
Yes, and maybe he will also be able to invent a time machine and go to the past, to be able to prevent his grandfather from ever accepting those bribes and implementing those horrible laws and regulations. Anything is possible, technically!
"Aw, come on man! It's not like any chicks are around ta hear it! I was just joking around, stop being such a tightass, will ya?!"
Kiyotaka stiffens at the familiar insult, scowl rising on his face, his arms coming up to cross over his chest. He is starting to feel strangely exposed here, in this suddenly too small room, but he can't escape now. His shirt is currently tucked away in one of the lockers and, while he could just walk over and grab it, something keeps him rooted to his spot, not wanting to make it seem like he's retreating. That would be too much like giving up for his mind to accept.
So, he just stands there and glares, hoping his discomfort is not too evident. Judging by the way Owada is staring, he's not so sure he succeeds on that front. Oh well... not much more he can do about it, sadly! Best to get back on subject and get this conversation over with, probably...
"And now I will add on a detention for using foul language! The rules of this school are very clear, Kuwata, you may wish to review them! I am more than willing to assist you in such an endeavor! And besides! It does not matter if no women were around to hear you! It is disrespectful to talk about them in such a way, whether or not they are present to hear it!"
He can see Kuwata puff up in agitation, his glare even more dark as the teen pushes against the wall and begins stalking over to where Kiyotaka is standing. He can feel himself stiffen at the approach, his heart beginning to race as he realizes that he's about to be hit, Kuwata's fists clenching tightly as he strides forward menacingly.
Part of him wants to cower back, the naive hope he'd once had that if he just acts passive his tormentors will leave him alone rising up, unbidden. He's long since learned that such things rarely, if ever, work out in such a way, however. In fact, often they work in the opposite direction, the bullies disgusted at his lack of spine.
And so, he just pushes down the desire to be such a coward, and instead just holds his head up high, even as his hands and body begins to shake in anticipation for the pain that he knows he's about to feel.
"Oh yeah, you effing tightass? Gonna get on my case 'bout that, too?! How 'bout I teach you a lesson you won't forget, huh?!"
Kiyotaka fights hard to not flinch back, even as Kuwata looms ever closer, instead opening his mouth to fire a comment back, something about Kuwata having nothing of any value to possibly teach him.
Before he gets a chance to, however, he sees movement out of the corner of his eyes and feels his heart stutter as he realizes that Owada is moving. For one heart stopping moment, he thinks the thug is moving to join in on his friend's (and he supposes the two must be friends, with how often they seem to hang around the other) fun and feels himself stiffen further. One irate person, he knows he'd be able to handle, even if it hurt, but two...? Especially when one is as morally unscrupulous as Owada is…
However, before he can fully feel the sharp and acidic spike of fear flow through his veins, he notices that rather than stalking over to him, Owada is stalking over to… to Kuwata. And, to his utter amazement, he watches dumbfounded as Owada grasps the redhead's shoulder tightly, his head shaking firmly once, his back turned to Kiyotaka as he faces his friend. The biker's mouth is pulled into a bitter scowl and his eyes (what little he can see of them from his angle) are boring into the redhead's.
(Kiyotaka also dimly notices that Owada is not wearing his typical leather duster, for once, but is instead just wearing the simple white wife beater he typically wears underneath the behemoth of a coat, allowing his body to be visible for once. Kiyotaka will never in a million years admit it, but he cannot help how his eyes are drawn to the teen's overly muscular arms, the biceps likely larger than his own head.
Now, Kiyotaka is not a weak person, not by any stretch of the imagination. He's spent several years building himself up physically, after all. But he knows that his physique tends to lean more towards what is considered to be lean and even slender. Not that there is anything wrong with that, of course! It's just how his body is built.
But Owada?
The teen is what Kiyotaka is fairly certain is known as absolutely ripped, in the common vernacular.
It's, uh... very distracting…)
"Leave it, Kuwata. He ain't worth the effort. Bastard'd prolly just get ya in detention fer the rest a' the month. 'Sides. Ain't like the tightass knows what he's talkin' 'bout. Prolly never even looked at a chick, let alone spoke ta one. Too prim an' proper fer that."
The words make his body— which had unintentionally started to relax at Owada's unexpected intervention— stiffen up again, his eyes glaring even as he feels his whole body heat up with his embarrassment. Without his shirt, he knows that the other teens will know exactly how flustered he is by the words. Ah… how wonderful…
Still, like always, he refuses to back down. And so, head held high once again, he glares at Owada's back, the biker not even giving him the decency of looking at him as he insults him. It really shouldn't bother him as much as it seems to...
"Excuse you! I will have you know that I have spoken to- to plenty of women!" is what he manages to get out, making him flush further. Ah, wait, no. That didn't come out how he had wanted—
His thoughts are cut off as he hears Owada snort, amused lavender eyes finally looking over his broad shoulder and meeting Kiyotaka's, causing him to get a bit tongue tied for no good reason.
"Oh, yeah? Really? An' how many a' these 'plenty a' women' ended that chat without slappin' that pretty face a' yers, huh?"
Kiyotaka cannot help the way he blinks at the words, at a loss for how to properly respond. On one hand, he deeply resents the insinuation that women have a tendency to slap him, even if it is a regretfully accurate one, for reasons he doubts Owada is even aware of. (From what he can tell, none of his classmates in his year have any idea who his grandfather is, let alone why that means they should hate him as well, which is honestly a huge relief to him, if true...)
But on the other...
Owada thinks his face is pretty?
Surely not. It makes no sense! He knows for a fact that he's not the most attractive man, his eyebrows so dark and thick that they practically take up his entire face. That's not to mention how his mouth is almost permanently turned down into a bitter scowl despite his best efforts otherwise. And all that doesn't even touch the highly bizarre and not a little intimidating color of his eyes, made worse by the intense stare he often has on! He's been told many times how frightening his eyes alone can be, young children sometimes even screaming upon seeing him, their parents hurrying them away while glaring at Kiyotaka harshly, even though it wasn't like it was his fault!
The point is, he's never been called 'pretty' before. Not even as an insult, which he can only assume that Owada had used the word as. It must have been sarcasm or something similar. Kiyotaka has never really understood sarcasm, after all. It makes the most sense, though. More than the nonsensical idea that Owada genuinely finds him pretty! Ahahaha!
Ha…
Realizing he's spent far too long thinking about this, his body surely tomato red at this point, he determinedly scowls and glares, somehow, even harder.
"T-that's not true at all! I- I've had many nice conversations with women! Quite a few!"
It's not entirely the truth, but technically his mother counts as a woman, yes? And his great aunt, who had admittedly died when he'd been young, but it still counts! R-right?
Judging by the way Owada laughs, the sound harsh and cruel, he doubts the other teen will see it the same way…
"Oh yeah? Yer mommy don't count, ya know. But I'll tell ya what. Tell me the name ofa chick ya actu'ly had a pleasant conversation with, ya nerd, an' maybe I'll believe ya. An' don't even think 'bout lyin' ta me. Ya suck at lyin'."
He unconsciously bites his lip, looking down resolutely at the ground, suddenly unable to hold those cruelly mocking eyes. He knows it's admitting weakness, but he can't help it. He has no idea what exactly the point of this conversation is, as it seems so asinine. And yet, judging by the cruel snickering Kuwata is letting out, there must be a point here. A point that he is just missing, likely due to his social ineptitude...
It is interesting that Owada has noticed how terrible he is at lying, however. He hadn't realized that he's spent long enough around the other teen for him to notice such a thing… it might just be a bluff on the biker's part, but somehow, he doubts it...
Regardless! He needs to come up with a name, any name, and be truthful about it! Maybe when he'd been young, back Before everything changed? Or maybe during the rare time he was away from his hometown, individuals less likely to recognize him on sight? Or maybe-
Grinning suddenly, a name popping into his head, he jerks his head back up and stares at Owada almost gleefully, his eyes alight with relief and self-satisfaction with a happy smile rising unbidden on his lips. Because he realizes he does, in fact, have the name of a girl he's spoken to and managed to have a pleasant conversation with! Many times! And it was recently, in fact!
(Kiyotaka steadfastly ignores the suddenly blank way that Owada stares at him at his revelation, sure the other teen has found some fault in his moment of glee. He also ignores the way his eyes want to linger on the muscles of Owada's arms as the teen subtly shifts so he's facing Kiyotaka more, his arm dropping off Kuwata's shoulder now that the redhead is watching with a smug air, his fists no longer clenched and poised to throw a punch. It's not helpful, here. Instead, he focuses his eyes resolutely on Owada's lavender ones, which truthfully isn't much better, but at least is somewhat more socially acceptable...)
"I do, in fact, have the name of a girl I have had a pleasant conversation with! Several pleasant conversations, in fact! I have spoken quite a few times with Fujisaki-kun! She is quite an intelligent young lady!"
The smug feeling that he gets at his declaration is broken thoroughly as Kuwata begins to laugh, cold and harsh, sounding like he can't catch his breath. Owada, to his credit, doesn't laugh, but he does smirk, his eyes swimming with cruel amusement. It makes his stomach churn to see, his shoulders tensing as the smile slowly dies on his lips, the harsh look somehow hurting worse than Kuwata's laughter. He's not sure why, honestly...
"Ah! Aha! Ahahaha! Y-you really think that's a good come back, don't ya, you effing nerd?! Aha! Ain't nothin' special about chatting up that pathetic little thing! Bet she was so scared stiff she ain't even had the ability ta tell ya ta leave her alone, let alone raise her hand ta ya! That ain't a pleasant conversation, ya moron, that's a hostage situation! Ahahahaha!"
The words make him stiffen even further, his stomach clenching unpleasantly at the words, eyes widening with what he knows to be hurt. W-what? N-no! He... he hadn't forced Chihi- Fujisaki-kun to... t-to talk with him! They'd had that conversation on their first day, and since then they've had a couple of polite chats about this or that after class ended, usually about coursework. That... that wasn't him forcing her to talk to him! S-sure, he'd been the one to initiate the conversation each time, but... but, well, he'd thought... h-he'd given her plenty of outs! Had done his best to make her feel comfortable, knowing the young girl was overly nervous about most things!
Unless... oh. But wait… what if she wasn't usually so nervous and it was just around him that she was so freaked out? To be honest, he's never actually seen her interacting with anyone else, not when he wasn't in sight at least, so maybe… m-maybe it was just- just him that she was so nervous around... m-maybe he has been, in fact, forcing her to talk to him against her- her will... oh no... o-oh...
To his shock, he watches with blurry eyes as Owada reels back and snarls at the redhead, his eyes full of anger. For one split second, Kiyotaka thinks that the other teen is about to defend him, his heart stopping at the thought, something like hope rising within him against his will.
But then Owada begins to talk, and he realizes he's a fool if he honestly thought that Owada of all people would rise to his defense.
He always has hated hope…
"Hey, shut the hell up, ya jackass! Fujisaki's a nice chick, show her some goddamn respect! Chances are, she's just too polite ta tell this asshole ta leave her 'lone. But it ain't surprisin' ta me that ya would choose her, tightass," Owada claims, turning his eyes back to Kiyotaka, that cruel glint back in them, his lips tilted in a harsh smirk. Kiyotaka tries to hide the pain that the look causes to shoot through him, his throat thick for reasons he hates himself for. He's fairly certain he fails. If Owada notices, he doesn't say anything, though. He just continues. "The one chick too nice ta turn yer ass down. She's a bit of a nerd like ya, too. No wonder ya'd cling ta her. Poor chick..."
The words wound him deeply, probably more deeply than any fists could have. He... he hadn't... he had just... he'd thought... but the biker's right, isn't he? He's been selfish, forcing poor Chi- Fujisaki to speak with him…! The poor girl! Owada's right, s-she's just been too polite to tell him to leave her alone! H-he has to rectify his mistake, post haste! H-he... he has to... to find her and- and...
And what? What if he just makes her more nervous? Or upset? Oh no! He wouldn't want that! H-he...
Pathetic, isn't he? Can't even make a single friend… can't even have a single pleasant conversation with anyone without doing something wrong…
He can feel the tears building in his eyes, and he can feel two sets of eyes boring into him. He knows that Kuwata is noticing the tears, the teen beginning to laugh again, over his offense at Owada's reprimand. He bites his lip to try and contain the darn things, but he can no more stop the tears than he could stop the rain. As soon as the first one begins to fall, more and more follow, ugly and pathetic.
Like he is…
Knowing that it's time to retreat, no matter how much the thought pains him, he stiffly marches to the locker he'd put his things in, trying to cling desperately to any hint of dignity he may still have. Sadly, the echoing of Kuwata's cruel laughter chases any sense of dignity he may have away, his chest numb and his heart aching. The only thing he can even slightly say about this whole thing is that at least Owada isn't laughing, too. But somehow, he thinks the dark stare he gets instead is worse, in a way.
So much for the teen not being a bully, huh? He hadn't even done anything to the teen. Not today, at least… and never anything that the teen hadn't previously earned through his own actions…
He quickly grabs his towel and dries himself off, the sweat and water from earlier still clinging lightly to his chest. He then hurriedly puts on his undershirt, deciding to forgo the usual shower he takes after his workout, his pristine uniform folded nearly in his bag. He can just take one once he gets to his room. It... it's fine.
He... he's fine.
It... he... he's fine, he… he…
Maybe if he says it enough times, it will become true?
His eyes are still stubbornly leaking tears as he hurries out of the exercise room and through the hallways, the path not crowded, but he can still feel the phantom sensation of eyes following him. He doesn't know if it's real or not, but he supposes it doesn't really matter. It's not like he's never publicly made a fool of himself before. Sure, he's been hoping he could prevent himself from doing such a thing here at Hope's Peak, but he should have known he'd fail at that. He always has before.
It's right as he's at the entrance to the dorm hallway, his dorm tantalizingly within sight, that he hears someone call his name, the tone high pitched and one that makes his heart clench painfully. He turns guilty eyes onto the young girl that is hurriedly rushing over to him, concern in her big and bright eyes. It cuts to the heart of him. It... well, it certainly looks like she's concerned, yes? But... but...
"Kiyotaka-sama! Are you alright?" he hears the girl ask again, now standing right before him. He can't help but notice how she is quite a bit shorter than he is, not to mention frailer. He doesn't like the thought that he's somehow intimidating her into spending time with him, but... what if he is? What if she's only doing this because she thinks she has to, or else he'll... he'll... he doesn't know… hurt her? He would never dream of such a thing! He refuses to hurt people even twice his size, let alone a young girl much smaller than himself! But… maybe she doesn't realize that…?
"K-Kiyotaka? D-did you hear me?"
The repeated question brings him out of his stupor, and he smiles as brightly as he can. Judging by her wide-eyed look at the expression, it looks more terrifying than reassuring.
It always does…
"I- I'm perfectly fine, Chi- Fujisaki-kun! Y-you needn't worry about me at all! H-how are you?!"
He winces internally at the shouted words, the programmer's eyes going even wider at the tone, looking worried. Probably- p-probably concerned that he is going to hurt her! Oh no!
"O-oh! I- I'm good! B-but, Kiyotaka, a-are you sure you're okay? Y-you look like you've been crying… a-and I told you that you can call me Chihiro, i-if you'd like..."
Kiyotaka blinks at the concerned sounding words, the girl looking at him earnestly. But... he... she must be trying to be kind! He... right?
R… right?
He doesn't know. He… he just doesn't know. His chest is aching, his eyes burning, and all he wants to do is head to his room and take a long, hot shower, washing away the sweat and grime of the day. And then, after that, he will head to the library and get to work on next week's assignments. It's a weekend, but that doesn't mean he can slack off! He... it doesn't matter if he has friends here or not. If he is intimidating Fujisaki, then he is most regretful of that fact, but it is not something he can spend time dwelling on.
Sure, maybe part of him had wished he could be something like friends with the young girl, something about her manner reminding him a little of himself, though in a very opposite way. And it would have been nice, he guesses, to be friends with her.
But he can't stand the thought that maybe Owada and Kuwata are right. That Fujisaki is just being nice, humoring him for whatever reason the girl has. Maybe she is being genuine and is just genuinely a good person and wants to be his friend, but he can't take that risk. Can't risk taking advantage of her good nature or of terrifying the poor girl half to death. And besides, it's not like he can drag the poor girl into his own mess! He's not worth the effort it would put the girl through, even if she thinks she could handle it!
He's too messed up for that… and he knows it.
So, despite the ache in his chest, he does his best to soften his mouth, his lips doing their best to mimic a facsimile of a smile. He thinks it's better than his last attempt, because Fujisaki doesn't flinch at the look, and rather smiles timidly back. He carefully raises a hand up and wipes away the tears, shrugging casually.
"O-oh, this? You needn't worry for me, Fujisaki-kun! I can handle myself! It is nothing that need affect you! And I thank you for your permission, I will take it into consideration! Now, if you will excuse me, I have some studying to do!"
With one last, awkward smile, he nods tensely at the girl and strides over to his room, fumbling with his key card to open the door. He can hear Fujisaki stammer behind him, and he has a moment to feel bad for the almost harsh way he is treating her. If she truly is genuine in her desire to befriend him, then his actions must be very hurtful right now... b-but! It is for the better! She may not see that, but he does, now at least. He does pause in his doorway for a moment when he hears the girl call after him, her voice high pitched but steady.
"Oh, okay, Kiyotaka-sama! I-if you'd like to get together and study sometime, feel free to let me know!" Fujisaki calls to him, waving goodbye as she heads over to her dorm, a few rooms down from his. Kiyotaka watches her as she goes, frozen in place. He jolts into action when he hears her door click shut, his face flushing as he finally enters his room, stomach churning.
That... that didn't sound like she hated him. Did it? No... not really. It genuinely sounded like she wants to study with him. Maybe she has realized he's a good student and wants to study with him to get ahead? But that doesn't make too much sense, she's a very smart person as well, much smarter than him. He doubts she'd need his help studying. If he didn't like her as much as he does, he'd almost call her a genius, but she's not as lazy as that! He doesn't think, at least... so why would she need studying help? Why…
Ah. But this all doesn't matter! He's confusing himself. He shakes his head angrily as he carefully removes his undershirt, blushing lightly as he realizes Fujisaki had seen him wearing only the thin material. He then removes his pants and underwear, folds both articles to place in his laundry, and enters his bathroom, the best thing about his room, by far. He'd never had a good shower before, the one at his apartment barely having a steady stream of water for him on a good day, rarely warm, so having a shower with amazing water pressure and what seems like endless hot water is like a dream come true. Kiyotaka knows that if he wasn't such a studious person, he'd willingly shirk all his responsibilities just to stay in this glorious thing.
But that would be irresponsible. So instead, he makes sure to schedule at most twenty minutes a day for him to take a warm shower, usually at the end of the day before he goes to bed. And after workouts he also takes a shower, but he typically uses the communal showers by the changing room for that, which is also a good shower, but to a lesser degree, especially considering the public nature of it.
As he steps into his own, perfect shower, he must admit that it truly helps him relax from the strain of the last twenty some-odd minutes. Even before turning the water on, just standing in the fairly large cubicle makes his shoulders relax from the tight line he'd forced them into at some point. Huh. He hadn't even noticed how tense he'd gotten that until right now. No wonder Fujisaki was concerned! She's such a nice girl…
She doesn't deserve to be saddled with a nuisance like himself...
Despite what she had said to him, Kiyotaka silently resolves to stay away from the programmer for the foreseeable future. As he lathers up his body with the cheap shampoo slash body wash that he usually uses, he figures that it's the best course of action. He won't be rude to her, not on purpose! But... but she deserves better than to have to waste her time on someone like him. It doesn't matter if Owada and Kuwata are right or not. If Fujisaki does enjoy his company or not. That's never what has mattered.
What matters, he knows, as he stands in the shower, chest heaving for stupid reasons, is that he's an Ishimaru. A social pariah. It seems like no one at this school really knows who he is, or what his grandfather had done, but he's fairly certain that if they ever found out, they'd feel the same way as his previous classmates. After all, how could the Ultimate Moral Compass be related to such a dishonorable man? Clearly it couldn't be true. Clearly Kiyotaka would have had to have cheated to be allowed into such a prestigious school with such a title. He hadn't, of course, but that's beside the point!
Once they find out, they'll be angry that he fooled them all for so long. Even if it's only a week, that's still too long, to be honest. If Kiyotaka were as moral as the school thinks him to be, he'd tell them all himself, right now! But...
But… well.
He's too big of a coward.
See… it's one thing to be hated for something out of his control and to deal with it with as much grace as he possibly can, like he's done practically his entire life. But it… it's another thing entirely to be a willing participant in his own torment. He's never been a masochist, after all! Not really…
So, he won't (can't) tell them, but he has no hope that they won't find out eventually. He's never had any good luck whatsoever, after all. They will find out, one day. Some day. And when they do... well. They'll hate him. If he hasn't made them hate him already by then... aha. And this… this he knows better than he knows anything else. Such a thing is just… inevitable. He can't stop it. He's too powerless to do such a thing. Too… too weak… pathetic…
However… however, the one thing he can do is stay away from them all. To prevent them from possibly growing attached to him, to protect them when his secret does come out. And his secret will come out, of that he has no doubt. If he keeps to himself... if the only way his classmates see him is as an authority and a school resource... maybe it won't be so bad, then. He's had plenty of people take him up on tutoring help at his old schools, despite their hatred of him. Schoolwork often comes before personal hatred and grievances, after all! And he's always been a hall monitor, despite everyone hating him, too.
So, he determines as he rinses off the suds— arm motion lethargic and slow for reasons he knows are ridiculous— he can follow his role as a Hall Monitor and as a Tutor, if anyone desires that, but no more. He won't allow himself to think of the frankly stupid notion of becoming friends with any of them. Not even acquaintances. He… he's not that foolish.
He's learned not to be…
With a sigh, and a weary heart that he resolutely ignores, Kiyotaka shuts off the water and moves to get out of the shower. But, for some reason, his legs refuse to move. He stands there, the warm steam from the shower slowly dissipating from the air and welcoming in a bitter chill, staring blankly at the faucet, watching the last few droplets of water drip, drip, drip…
Alright. So... so, maybe he had wanted to befriend some of his classmates. Maybe he had wanted them to like him— not because they had to or felt pressured to, but because they just... genuinely liked him. It's stupid, and foolish, and even if he didn't have the secret of his grandfather over his head, he knows it never would have worked out. People don't 'like' Kiyotaka. Even before fully knowing who he is, people have never liked him. He's too awkward. Self-righteous. Socially inept. Intense. All of those other words people have called him with sneering faces and taunting tones. All of those insults and torments they'd hurl at him.
Did he think that Ultimates would believe otherwise? They're the smartest and most capable people in the world! If anyone would be able to see how utterly worthless and pathetic he is, it would be them! He'd have to be stupid to think otherwise, and he is not stupid. If there's one thing he knows, it's that he's not stupid. He spends every waking moment preparing himself, mentally and physically, so that he wouldn't be stupid.
And it's fine! It's fine, it's fine, it's fine! He doesn't need them to like him, he doesn't need them to be friends with him! He just needs to do well in school, to tutor those who desire it, and to stay out of their way! Like he's always done! I-it's foolish to want for more... it's foolish to hope for more!
After all...
Hope always, inevitably, leads to despair.
He's learned that the hard way, too…
Forcing his legs to move, his body riddled with gooseflesh while his eyes become stupidly blurry again, Kiyotaka wraps himself up in a white, fluffy towel and tries to stop the shivering. The school ensures that the building is kept reasonably warm all throughout, but he can't stop the chill that is attacking him. Maybe he should call the office and ask them if there is something wrong with his thermostat... or maybe not. He wouldn't want to bother them, after all... to be more of a burden than he already is…
He stalks over to his dresser and takes out a fresh uniform, sighing in relief at the feeling of a fresh, clean uniform on his newly clean skin. It's a feeling he's always loved, the feeling of being clean. It's something he's shamefully not felt very much in his life... after all, it's hard to fully clean yourself when the water in your apartment is shut off more often than not and you can only afford to head to the local bathhouse once a week, at most. At least he doesn't have to worry about that here! Aha! Ha…
Blinking back the water in his eyes, he takes a seat at his desk and takes out his physics textbook. He's already finished all of his work for the week, in all his classes, but he might as well try and get ahead! Especially since he's already so far behind! He'll head to the library later and find other books on the subject, see if he can't find more information that will make this all make more sense. He'd go right now, but... well, it's probably best he stays in, right at this moment. Just... it's probably best.
This is how things will have to go. He will study, either in his room or in the library, and he will patrol the halls. He will keep order in this school, no matter the consequences. He will not allow himself such delusions as to hope for friends or even acquaintances. Studying… learning… this is what he will do. This is what he has come here to do. This is what is required of him. This is what he has come to expect. This is what he understands and accepts. And he does. He accepts it.
He just wishes it didn't make him feel so incredibly lonely...
Ha, poor Taka. :-( No, Mondo didn't mean to be so mean, he's just got an image to uphold. And no, Taka's thinking is not logical, but then again... neither is anxiety. My anxiety got so bad in high school that I stopped going to class, despite the entire reason I was anxious was that I feared I'd fail my classes. See the lack of logic there? Ha. I do, in later chapters, explain exactly why Taka feels this way, so know that there is more explanation than just "ha, anxiety, amiright?"
Also, I deliberately changed the layout of the changing room to be more of an exercise room, too, with a treadmill and a communal shower and whatnot. Why? ...Eh. Wanted to. I do that a lot with this story, and most of the changes are deliberate, mostly since I think it makes more sense to me or it works better with the chapter. Like... in a much later chapter, I made it so that the bathhouse is separated between boys and girls, since... duh. And the laundry room has, ya know... dryers? I don't know if the machines are meant to be washers and dryers, but seeing as how there are clothes lines above, I'm thinking no, in the game? Anyway, just know I am taking creative liberties with how the school is portrayed, and that it is on purpose, for the most part, ha.
Finally, I am glad that people are excited for the Mondo POV story! I was originally trying to make it shorter than this story, but I'm only 8 chapters in (corresponding to chapter 10, in this story), and am already over 90k words. :-) I'm not good at being concise. I do have some ideas of adding new, original scenes to that story too, so we'll see how it goes. Hopefully it won't also be over 370K... X_X