A.N: Hello again, everyone! Welcome to a new story, in which we will be covering the relationship of two of my favorite Danganronpa characters! It takes place within my Makoto-centric series, and the first few chapters will be more particularly taking place during my biggest story so far, The Academy of Hope. As such, spoilers for the entire canon series, especially DR1. I'll try to update this fic as often as possible, although it's definitely something I'm writing on the side. Anyway, I hope you'll like it, especially since it'll feature a ship that I think is criminally underrated!
Chapter One: Two Ultimates
The water was warm, just as Aoi liked it. There was nothing the Olympic champion loved more than swimming. Sometimes, she would get inside the pool and swim for hours on end, forgetting about everything else in her life.
Her worries were forgotten in the pleasant feeling of the water against her tanned skin.
"Hina!"
Suddenly, a voice called out her nickname. All her friends called her Hina instead of Aoi, something the girl had gotten used to with the years. She could not recall who had started it but now pretty much called her that.
Among them was her brother, Yuta Asahina. The athlete emerged from the water at the sound of Yuta's cheerful voice.
"What is it, Yuta? Donuts?"
Actually, there was one other thing Hina could not live without, and this was her donuts. She could eat ten of the small pastries in a row without trouble, which was - by her own admission - not very healthy, especially for a world-class athlete like herself.
But the girl was addicted to them. The mere thought that her brother might have brought her some made her mouth water.
"Hm, not quite, but I think it's something donut-worthy," Yuta said, stepping close to the gigantic family pool. "Could you come out of there for a minute?"
She noticed he was carrying an envelope, which got her attention. Still, if he thought she would get out of the water just for an envelope, Hina knew he could think again.
"You'll show me later!" she told him, getting ready to get underwater again. "I'm sure it can wait!"
"N-No, wait, Hina!"
Pouting, the swimmer turned in her brother's direction and glared. Seeing the insistent look on his face, she relented and swam out of the pool, grabbing her towel and wrapping it around herself.
"So, what's so important inside that envelope that you had to get me out of my thirteenth swimming session of the day, hm?"
"Well, Mom gave me this and asked me to hand it over to you. She sounded happy about it," the youngest sibling explained, giving his sister the envelope. Hina carefully opened it and took out the folded piece of paper that was inside first.
Aoi did not have a great relationship with her parents. They were happy to receive parts of the money their daughter was making from her athletic achievements, but the high-schooler knew they did not care about her so much. So if her mother had been happy about the letter, Hina did not know what to expect.
Let's see…
"Ms. Aoi Asahina,
We have recently been following your exceptional performances as a young swimmer and would like you to attend our school. Indeed, your prowess in the water is undeniable and would fit perfectly within the studying environment we are looking to create.
As a result, you have been selected, and we offer you to join our institution as the Ultimate Swimming Pro.
Included in this letter is an orientation guide for Hope's Peak Academy.
I am looking forward to meeting you in person.
Hope's Peak Academy Headmaster,
Jin Kirigiri."
The girl's eyes threatened to escape their orbits as she stared at the letter, astonished.
"Congrats, sis, you're gonna be a student of Hope's Peak Academy!"
"W-Wow… I-Is that for real…?" The swimmer placed her hands on her brother's shoulders, her expression showing both surprise and seriousness. "You aren't pranking me, are you, Yuta?!"
The boy smiled. "No, of course not. You're an Ultimate of Hope's Peak Academy, Hina! This is not a joke!"
Some tears appeared in Hina's happy blue eyes. "YEAAAAAH! This is great!" I can't believe it… I'm going to be a student of Hope's Peak Academy! The best school in the world! "I-I'm so hyped!"
Medals and trophies had become the norm with the years for the young talent. However, as she read that letter again, Aoi realized that this was her greatest accomplishment. Her abilities had been recognized by the famous Hope's Peak Academy, where graduating students were said to be set for life.
And her brother's proud smile made Hina feel even more emotional. They fought often, siblings being siblings, but the girl loved her little brother. That it was him of all people who had delivered the news was the icing on the cake.
"So, was this worth your time, sis?" He grinned at her, seeing her nod fervently. "And better than donuts?" She nodded again. "I'm so proud of you, Hina. I've never been so proud of being your little brother."
Hina threw herself in Yuta's arms, hugging him closely. Their thrilled smiles reached their ears, and the junior Olympic champion would have wanted to stay like this forever. Without true parental love, the two brown-haired siblings had always counted on each other. Today, to have Yuta's brotherly pride was worth all the pride her parents had never shown her.
I know Mom's only happy because I'll be gone of the house as soon as I enroll in the school… But this isn't about her or Dad today.
She pulled back from the hug and wiped her tears away. "I'm getting changed, and we're celebrating this, Yuta. I'm spending all my donut money on a damn great restaurant tonight!"
"Sure, that sounds good."
As the young Yuta nodded and went back inside the house, Hina turned around, looking at the sunny blue sky, smiling.
All of that work to win these gold medals… today, it's finally paid off. I don't know who my classmates are going to be or what's going to happen, but I know one thing, and it's that I'm excited about it!
The new Ultimate Swimming Pro jumped around in happiness, her usual cheery self overwhelmed by an even more thrilled Aoi Asahina.
Hope's Peak Academy, here I come!
The stock market was doing well today. Politicians had been corrupted to ensure that a deal would be reached on a worldwide free-trade agreement. Unsurprisingly, the markets were reacting positively to this.
Politicians… They might be the stupidest commoners of the bunch, thinking that they hold any semblance of power…
Byakuya Togami shook his head as his young, yet impressive, financial empire continued to grow almost exponentially. The world the heir to the Togami Corporation lived in was ruthless, but he could now stare at it and watch contently as people begged for his mercy. The blonde merely ignored them, knowing spitting on them would be doing them a favor.
After all, these plebians weren't even worth breathing the same air as he.
"Young Master Togami?"
The boy turned around, recognizing the familiar voice of the person entering his office.
"Aloysius. What is it?"
Aloysius Pennyworth was Byakuya's main butler, a man dedicated to his job, whose skills were acknowledged even by the young heir. In truth, he was much more of a father figure to the high-schooler, although Byakuya would have a more difficult time admitting that. Relationships were strictly professional for him, after all.
"My apologies, Young Master, but I have been tasked by your father to hand this over to you personally," the white-haired said, extending an envelope in Byakuya's direction. "I hope I am not disturbing you."
"No, you're not," the blonde boy answered, glancing at the envelope suspiciously before taking it and opening it. "Did my father tell you why it was so important, perhaps?"
Aloysius shook his head. "He has not, Young Master. I believe he wanted you to find this out yourself."
Hm… I suppose my father has better things to do than read somebody else's mail… He thought, pulling out a folded letter from inside the envelope. Let's see here…
"Mr. Byakuya Togami,
We have heard of your phenomenal managing and economic skills as the heir to the Togami Conglomerate, and as such, we would like for you to enroll in our school. Indeed, your abilities to lead a company and make it rise to great heights would make for a perfect fit within our school environment.
As a result, you have been selected, and we offer you to join our institution as the Ultimate Affluent Progeny.
Included in this letter is an orientation guide for Hope's Peak Academy.
I am looking forward to meeting you in person.
Hope's Peak Academy Headmaster,
Jin Kirigiri."
Byakuya blinked once, then twice. He had heard of Hope's Peak Academy before, as his father had ties with a few old and insignificant men leading the school. The boy had read that it was a prestigious school reserved for so-called Ultimate students.
He did not even want to imagine the kind of plebians, run-of-the-mill commoners this school would give such a title to. The thought almost made him sick.
"Apologies for the intrusion, Young Master, but should I celebrate this letter?" the butler asked. "You do not seem particularly overjoyed."
"It is an acceptance letter for Hope's Peak Academy." He handed Aloysius the letter back. "Take a look for yourself. I'll admit I am surprised since I had not applied, but I suppose my greatness was acknowledged nonetheless."
"My, you have my most sincere congratulations, Young Master Togami! This is an impressive accomplishment!"
The Togami heir crossed his arms. "I know my worth, Aloysius. A school, as famous as it might be, will not be anything more than a waste of my time."
The loyal butler nodded. "Yes, you are right, Young Master. However, do you not think that attending Hope's Peak Academy would be less of a bore than your current high school?"
Even though he was the butler, Aloysius often gave his opinion and insight, and most of the time, it was good advice. It was actually the reason he was the heir's personal butler.
"Quite true. And it could allow me to show these pathetic Ultimates what it means to be the Chosen One," he pondered, seemingly interested by the idea. For Byakuya Togami to show his interest in something was rare but meaningful. A small smile appeared on his lips. "Excellent suggestion, Aloysius. I thank you for that."
Aloysius bowed respectfully in front of his Master. "You are welcome, Young Master. I am delighted that I could help. Is there anything else I can do for you, or shall I leave?"
Byakuya thought for a couple of seconds before shaking his head. "No, you are free to leave, Aloysius."
"Very well, Master." He bowed again. "I hope you have a nice day. Allow me to congratulate you once more."
With that, the butler left the office, leaving the future leader of the Togami Empire alone with his envelope back. To be above others was natural for Byakuya; it was in his blood. Being the one to come out on top of all the contenders for the title of heir was all the proof he needed to back up his claim.
The allegedly best school in the world… I suppose it could make for a pleasant distraction for a time. Having to bear being surrounded by commoners might not be amusing, but it could make for a statement, at least.
The new Ultimate Affluent Progeny pushed his glasses up on his nose and smirked as he looked back to the state of the stock market.
Hope's Peak Academy, I hope you will be up to the standards of a Togami…
To be continued…
A.N: Well, I hope you liked this first chapter! These two are just a joy to write, believe me. This introductory chapter was there to set the tone and we'll get into the action in the second chapter. Anyway, please leave me some feedback in a review, I'd appreciate it a lot! I hope you all have a nice day!