Chapter 8: Everyday Life with the Ultimate Swimmer


Hello again, oh reader, mine, and welcome back to another chapter of "Everyday Life with Ultimate Girls."

It's the moment you've all been waiting for: Aoi Asahina's chapter. What did our Luckster see that Tuesday morning? Well, now you'll know, and I hope you'll like it.

A very special guest may appear in this chapter, not a Danganronpa character, but a character who shares Aoi's love of ramen (not Naruto, but that's a good guess) (Hint: he likes chickens).

To the Guest Reviewer who left that note about the Mikan chapter: I'd like to address what you wrote at the end of the chapter. Don't worry, I think you'll like what I have to say, so please stick around.

Well, I think I've addressed all I need to address, so let's get started.


Present Day

Naegi and Asahina were both still attempting to form coherent sentences after Nidai asked his question. Naegi would have appreciated if Owari had not mentioned it at all back then, but given her life, Naegi did not blame her. He had also hoped that those not involved would have forgotten that anything had happened. He wished that he had forgotten it, not because it was unpleasant, but because it was a source of embarrassment for himself and Asahina.

Asahina wasn't faring much better. How does Nidai-senpai know about…Owari-senpai, of course. Dammit, learn to feel shame, Asahina thought as she cursed her senpai. Asahina knew that Owari never meant any harm, but right now that hardly made her situation any less embarrassing.

Thankfully, they both had an ally in the form of Ogami Sakura. "Nidai-senpai, I believe that is something both Naegi-kun and Asahina-san would like to forget, perhaps it is best to respect their wishes," Ogami suggested.

"Yeah, it does seem to be making them uncomfortable. I guess I can live with not knowing," Nidai said as he attempted to let the matter drop.

Owari, however, did not pick up on why it was making the two uncomfortable and asked, "What's the big deal? Naegi-kun just saw you without-,"

"Owari-senpai, could we please not talk about that?" Naegi begged. I managed, but it was still difficult to look Asahina-san in the eye for a while after that, he thought.

"Y-yeah, it's just too embarrassing," Asahina managed to say. I wish that hadn't been my first big memory with Naegi-kun, but I guess even something like that can be special. I wonder, if that hadn't happened, would I still be trying to become something I'm not0? Asahina thought as she reflected on her memories of the Luckster, embarrassing moments and all.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Sixth Week of Classes-Tuesday

It was a little before 5:00 A.M. Tuesday morning and Naegi was taking out the trash. He usually wasn't up this early, but he figured since he was, he might as well get an early start. After finishing with the trash, he began to head back inside to think about what to make for breakfast, when he heard a window open and a voice speak.

"Okay, time to get fired up for a new day!"

Naegi realized the voice belonged to his classmate Asahina Aoi. Being polite, Naegi looked upward to greet her. "Good morning, Asahin-AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Naegi began to scream. Standing at the window of her room, with the light on making her that much more visible, was a topless Asahina Aoi with a towel in her hands.

Asahina heard Naegi, looked down, and screamed, "EEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKK!"


"Okay, explain it to me again," Yukizome said. She and the girls had woken up and instead of the sound of breakfast cooking, they heard Naegi apologizing to Asahina over and over in the dorm's common area. After managing to get answers out of the two deeply embarrassed students, Yukizome and the girls were still as confused as they were at the beginning.

Naegi, face still red from embarrassment, explained, "I woke up early and took out the trash. I heard a window open and heard Asahina-san's voice. After that, well, I didn't mean to-."

"I understand that Naegi-kun," Yukizome interrupted. She then turned to Asahina and asked, "Asahina-san, why did you open your window when you were naked from the waist down?"

"Actually, back home, I did it every morning. I just strip down to my waist, then take a dry towel and start rubbing down my bare skin," Asahina meekly admitted, looking at the floor.

"You do a towel treatment every morning?" Yukizome asked for clarification.

"Yeah, I loved going out on my apartment balcony, stripping down, feeling the wind on my skin... I would never let a morning pass without getting in a good rubdown. Since we don't have a balcony here, I had to make do with opening my window," Asahina said, still not able to meet anyone's gaze.

"Wait, so you went out on your balcony, and... stripped down? And you were okay with that?" Koizumi asked, incredulously. None of the other girls could really blame her, even if they did admit that it sounded like a very "Asahina" thing to do.

"Someone was popular with her neighbors," Saionji joked. Needless to say, that earned her a glare from Ogami.

That served to embarrass Asahina further. Oh God, who else has seen me? I thought I got up early enough that no one would. Why didn't I think of that before I started doing it? she thought, not sure she could look her neighbors in the eye anymore.

Naegi turned to Asahina and tried to apologize again, but still had trouble looking at her and forming sentences, "Asahina-san, I never meant to… I mean, I didn't know that… I promise I'll be more careful from now on, this won't happen again." I'm probably going to get expelled for this if someone reports me to the Headmaster. I guess I can't blame them, even if it was an accident, Naegi thought. He needn't have worried.

"Well, since it just seems like bad timing, I guess we can put it behind us," Yukizome said, much to Naegi's shock.

"None of you are going to report me?" Naegi asked in disbelief. He had already been wondering if he would even be allowed to finish up the week at Hope's Peak Academy and now, he was finding out that he wasn't in trouble.

"Naegi-kun, all of us, especially those of us that are your classmates, know about your luck," Ogami said.

"If you were going to peep at Asahina-san, you wouldn't have announced yourself," Koizumi said.

"Makoto-chan is no pervert, he wouldn't do something like this on purpose," Mioda said as Ikusaba and Maizono nodded in agreement.

"Can we eat now?" Owari asked, not really seeing what the big deal was about any of this.

"My, what an interesting start to the day," Celes added.

Relief washed over Naegi, but he still felt like there was something else he had to do. I should still make this up to Asahina-san. She likes donuts, maybe it will be easier for me to apologize if I have some with me when I do, Naegi thought as he tried to remember where the nearest bakery was.


That Evening

Dinner had come and gone, but Naegi was hoping that two of his dormmates would still have room for sweets. A box for Asahina-san and a box for Owari-senpai, I hope they like the assortment. I wonder who I should talk to first? Naegi wondered as he looked for signs of his classmate and his senpai. He wasn't exactly sure what to say to either of them, but he had hope that he would when the time came. It would come rather soon, because he saw Asahina sitting in the dorm's common area. Naegi was slightly grateful that Ogami wasn't there, he was embarrassed enough by the morning's event, having someone there when he tried to make peace with Asahina might have been more than he could handle at the moment.

Steeling himself, he called out, "Asahina-san."

Asahina looked up, but when she saw it was Naegi, she suddenly took an interest in the floor. She wasn't mad at Naegi, she knew what had happened was an accident, but that didn't make her feel any less embarrassed. "H-hey Naegi-kun," she said shyly.

"Asahina-san, I wanted to apologize again for this morning," Naegi explained.

"It wasn't your fault. I know it was an accident," Asahina said, trying to make eye contact with Naegi, but unable to bring herself to do so.

"That's true, but I still feel like I owe you an apology. I really want to be friends with everyone and I can't do that if you and I are uncomfortable around each other," Naegi said. Uncomfortable was right, all of Class 78 noticed something different about the two of them. Asahina and Naegi might not have been particularly close, but they usually got along quite well. That was not the case today as they not only consciously tried to look anywhere but at each other, they also tried to put as much space between each other as possible. They both wanted to give each other space, but being classmates, that wasn't an easy thing to do. When the boys of Class 78 asked what was going on with the two of them, the best answer they got was for Naegi and Asahina to each turn into a blushing, stuttering mess.

"We're friends Naegi-kun, don't worry about that," Asahina said as she managed to regain some of her usual confidence. She managed to meet his gaze for a little bit before looking to the side. It was progress at least.

"Well, even so, I got you something. I thought I would have an easier time apologizing if I brought you donuts," Naegi said as he held out one of the boxes of baked goods.

"Donuts!" Asahina cheered, all embarrassment momentarily forgotten as she happily examined the contents of the box. Jelly donuts, cake donuts, plenty of frosting, sprinkles, and powdered sugar. "Ah, thanks Naegi-kun," Asahina said as she hugged the young man.

Naegi stiffened at the contact. He was happy he and Asahina could look at each other again, but he might need a couple days before things were back to normal between the two of them. Not that either of us is likely to forget this morning, he thought.

As soon as Asahina let go of Naegi, she dug in to the box of donuts. It was hardly ladylike, but Asahina didn't care. Or rather, she wouldn't have cared, except she remembered Naegi was there. Between Naegi seeing her and Saionji's joke, Asahina had been particularly self-conscious today. With a blush on her cheeks she looked at Naegi expecting to see at least a little disgust. To her relief and surprise, she saw him smiling.

"I'm glad you like them Asahina-san, I was worried that I might have gotten some donuts you didn't like," Naegi said.

Looking shocked at such a suggestion, Asahina said, "I-impossible, no one on Earth - no, no one in the whole universe can say they hate donuts."

"I know I like donuts," Naegi said in agreement. Maybe not as much as you do though, he silently added.

Asahina seemed to go off into her own fantasy world as she continued, "Think about the sensation of biting into a donut... First the sweetness floods your mouth, then the soft dough cushions you... Next you get that hint of egg and butter, right? Your whole body starts to melt... You feel like you're falling into the center of the donut itself! When people talk about the donut effective, that's what they're talking about...!"

"I don't believe that's true," Naegi said, trying not to bring down Asahina's mood, but attempting to correct her all the same.

"Ahh, I can't take it anymore! I'm drooling like Niagara Falls over here! I'm sorry Naegi-kun, but I can't hold back, I need to finish these donuts," Asahina declared.

"Well they are yours. I guess I should give Owari-senpai her box now," Naegi said.

"Owari-senpai?" Asahina asked coming out of her donut frenzy.

"She and I ended up in an unfortunate position today too. I'd prefer not to go into details," Naegi said as started blushing again.

"Everything will work out, no one can stay mad at someone who gives them donuts," Asahina chirped happily before she turned back to her box of donuts.

"I hope you're right Asahina-san. I'm glad we can look at each other again," Naegi said.

"Me too, I really like you Naegi-kun," Asahina said. When she realized what she had said, she blushed and began to try to explain, "I-I mean, not "like" like, but I think you're a really sweet guy. I-I mean, you're really nice."

Naegi just smiled and said, "I really like you too Asahina-san, I'm glad we can still be friends." With that, Naegi turned and left to go find Owari.


Downtown-Near Hope's Peak Academy

Sixth Week of Classes-Saturday

Naegi was usually grateful for the half-days on Saturday, but no more so than today. Today, his sister, Komaru was visiting. He regretted that he couldn't spend as much time with his family as he did before he became a student at Hope's Peak, but they all understood that it came with being a student of the most prestigious school in the world.

Komaru missed her brother as much as he missed her and their parents, so today was already a great day in her book, no matter what happened. As a Sayaker, she was a little disappointed that she wouldn't get a chance to meet Maizono, but other than that, she had no complaints.

Given that this was set up at the last minute, Komaru's visit was not cleared with the school, so she couldn't receive a tour of the campus, but as with meeting Maizono, the Naegi siblings knew that there would be other chances.

I'm glad that I get to spend time with Komaru, but I wonder why she's asking all these weird questions, Naegi thought. It was true, Komaru hadn't stopped asking how her brother had been doing given his current living situation. Naegi thought he might have imagined it, but when he had mentioned his friendship with some of the girls, Komaru's questions seemed to get a little more…aggressive. Almost like she didn't trust these strange girls around her brother after doubting him. Naegi thought that it was strange considering that when this had all started, Komaru had laughed at him the moment she found out.

Thankfully that line of questioning stopped when Naegi decided to show Komaru around town. They had gotten to the shopping district just before Naegi saw a familiar face.

"Asahina-san!" Naegi called out with a wave.

"Naegi-kun?" Asahina asked as she turned and saw her friend.

"Aoi-nee, who is that?" a boy around Komaru's age, clearly Asahina's brother, asked.

"Yuta, this is my classmate, Naegi Makoto. Naegi-kun, this is my little brother, Yuta," Asahina introduced. Seeing Komaru, she asked, "Naegi-kun, is that your little sister?"

"Yeah, this is my little sister, Naegi Komaru," Naegi said with a hint of pride in his voice.

"Wait, how do you spell 'Naegi?'" Yuta asked.

"It's really just spelled the way it sounds, N-A-E-G-I," Komaru said.

"Ah, thanks," Yuta said as he traced something on the palm of his hand.

"What are you doing Yuta-kun?" Naegi asked.

"You don't know? If you want to remember someone's name, you need to write it on your palm three times," Yuta explained as Asahina nodded in agreement.

Okay, that's a new one, Naegi thought. He decided it would be best not to question it. If it worked for the Asahina siblings, then who was he to argue? "I didn't know you had a brother Asahina-san," Naegi said.

"Did I forget to mention that?" Asahina asked with a contemplative look. She couldn't really remember if she had or she hadn't. Then, as if a lightbulb had gone off, she pounded he fist into her palm and said, "Now I remember, I was going to mention it during introductions, but the I got sidetracked when talking about those six sports clubs I used to belong to."

Yuta shook his head and said, "You are such a spaz, Nee-chan."

"Yuta!" Asahina shouted in embarrassment. It was one thing for Yuta to call her a spaz at home, not that she enjoyed it there either, but it was another to call her that in front of her friend.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not any better, but I always remember to mention you. You're my goal after all," Yuta said, sounding more like he was addressing a rival than his own sister.

"Are you an athlete too, Asahina-kun?" Komaru asked.

"Yep. I'm on my school's track and field team and while I may not be as good of a swimmer as Aoi-nee, I think I'm still pretty good!" Yuta proudly exclaimed.

"Hey Naegi-kun, as long as the four of us are together, how about we hang out downtown together?" Asahina suggested.

"Well, it's alright with me. How about you Komaru?" Naegi asked as he turned to his sister.

"Sounds like fun. I wanted to meet some of the Ultimates but didn't get permission to go on campus, so this works out," Komaru said. She did want to meet some of the Ultimates of Hope's Peak Academy, but more than that, she wanted to meet the girls her brother was living with. As Naegi Makoto's little sister, she had a responsibility, if you asked her, to make sure that those girls were good enough for her brother. Naegi hadn't mentioned being particularly close to Asahina, but Komaru knew there was a chance that could change.

"Alright, let's go!" Yuta shouted as he pumped a fist in the air and he and his sister took off.

Komaru was dumbfounded. "Aren't they the ones who invited us? Shouldn't they stay with us?" she asked.

"Komaru, if you want normal, you don't come to Hope's Peak," Naegi said as he grabbed his sister's hand and ran after the Asahina siblings.


It took a while for the Naegi siblings to catch the Asahinas. Naegi thought that maybe his friendship with Mioda had helped make him faster until he heard Asahina say, "Ahhh... so hungry..."

"Asahina-san, is everything alright?" Naegi asked even though he knew what the problem was.

"Naegi-kun, help me... I'm huuunnngrryyy...!" Asahina wailed.

"Aoi-nee, I'm hungry too, but you don't hear me whining," Yuta said before his stomach started to growl. He might not be whining, but his stomach sure was.

If Asahina heard her brother, she didn't show it as she continued, "I need food... Anything... I don't care if it's a stack of paper... Need foooood...!"

"Maybe there's a place we can get donuts close by," Naegi suggested.

"I can't! If I kept gorging on something with that many calories, I'd get fat in no time!" Asahina shouted, as if she was explaining something obvious for the millionth time.

So even she cares about that kind of thing. Well, she *is* an athlete, Naegi thought. He felt a little bad, but he had seen how much Asahina could eat, especially if donuts were involved.

"Besides, I don't want anything sugary. Right now, I want a salty snack..." Asahina trailed off.

"Like potato chips?" Komaru asked.

"Like ramen," Asahina said.

"I don't think that really qualifies as a snack," Komaru said.

"Huh? How is it not?" Yuta asked, sounding genuinely confused.

"Speaking of which... What's your favorite kind of ramen? Asahina asked.

"We're both partial to Shoyu," Naegi answered.

"Ah, good choice! Definitely the most refreshing option," Asahina said with a nod.

"What about you two? Asahina-san is worried about calories and you're both athletes, so..." Naegi started.

"We're porktastic tonkotsu fans through and through!" Asahina said happily.

Or you don't care about calories at all, Naegi thought. Naegi didn't mind though, this was who Asahina was and there was nothing wrong with it.

"The key element of any tonkotsu ramen is the butter and the extra fat," Yuta explained.

"If you want the best ramen in town, I happen to know a place," a new voice said. The group looked at the newcomer. He wore a hoodie with the hood up so no one could see his hair. He was a tall man with blue eyes. Had it not been for the newcomer's tone sounding rather jovial, the group of four might have been suspicious of him.

"Sorry, I couldn't help eavesdropping and when it comes to ramen, I feel the need to spread the word about this place. Spicy Ramen, once you eat there, no other place will do," the man said.

"Spicy Ramen?" Naegi asked.

"What can I say? A classy place for classy people. I'll try to make time to explain why Spicy Ramen is the one and only ramen shop that you and yours will ever want to eat at," the man began. Seeing that he had the group's attention, he continued, "First, the food. Those fresh golden noodles swimming in rich flavorful broth. There's something almost other worldly about that recipe. That combination of salt and the spice just—BAM!—hits you right in the mouth. And those pork dumplings? W-O-W! Don't get me started on those dumplings. Where did they even find the pork? And how about that ambiance? There's the downtown. Love the downtown. And the people walking around. Who doesn't like people?"

The group seemed to like what they were hearing so far, in fact the Asahinas started drooling.

The man went on to say, "Cons? Heard folks say the prices are a bit high. Look, I get it. Unlike yours truly, maybe you aren't sitting on a pile of money. If you need to scrape money together maybe we can work something out, I've got some caches that need to be found that are muy caliente… I'm getting sidetracked here. Look, if you know me, or know my chicken… well, maybe not the chicken, but if you know me—and trust me, I know me—you will love Spicy Ramen. Just tell them I sent you. Give them this coupon. I'm good for it." As he said that, he gave each of them a coupon, that was valid of one free bowl of ramen with a side of gyoza before he left.

"What a nice guy," Yuta said.

"I was nice of him to give us these coupons," Asahina added.

"Maybe not," Komaru said.

This got a confused, "Huh?" from both Asahinas.

Naegi held up his coupon, pointed to the valid date and said, "I don't know about any of you, but the one he gave me expired a few weeks ago.


Expired coupons or not, the group did go to Spicy Ramen. When the chef-owner had asked how they had heard of the place, the group told them about the man who gave them the expired coupons. A look of understanding crossed the man's face before he laughed and said, "Yeah, I know that guy. He's a little strange, but he means well. How about I give you kids a discount to make up for the trouble?"

"Are you sure sir?" Naegi asked.

"Yeah, you didn't give us these expired coupons," Asahina pointed out.

"No, but I always feel bad when he does this. I guess I feel a little responsible that my best customer is spreading the word about this place through expired coupons. I'll just add what I don't charge you to his tab," the owner said.

"I'd feel bad if you did that," Komaru said as her brother nodded in agreement. It sounded like the whole thing was an accident, and neither the Naegis or the Asahinas saw any reason to punish the man they met earlier since it seemed that he was trying to help.

"Don't worry about it, he did say he was good for it, didn't he?" the owner asked. After the group of four nodded, the owner said, "This happens a lot. He is good for it, and this is also why he says the ramen is a little pricey. I keep thinking he'll learn, but he doesn't." Since there didn't seem to be any more objections the owner asked, "Now, what can I get you kids?"

"Shoyu," Naegi said.

"I'll have shoyu too," Komaru added.

"Porktastic tonkotsu!" the Asahina siblings happily exclaimed.

"Coming right up. I'll even throw in a side of gyoza just like the coupons say," the owner said as he got to work.

"Hey Naegi-kun, do you think your luck had anything to do with this?" Asahina asked.

"I don't think so. My luck tends to be pretty bad," Naegi answered.

"It does, his misadventure before getting his invitation to Hope's Peak is proof of that," Komaru added.

"Komaru!" Naegi shouted, mortified at the thought of having to tell that story.

"What? You're the one who said the invitation made up for all the misery you went through that day," Komaru reminded him.

"What misery?" Asahina asked.

"Please no," Naegi begged.

"He didn't tell you? Well what happened was…" Komaru began as she went into excruciating detail about what Naegi called his "Worst Day Ever."

Asahina was listening to the story, but she noticed how red Naegi was getting. Wow, I thought Yuta was bad, but Komaru-chan seems like a master at humiliating her brother. I hope nothing happens to Naegi-kun if he gets any redder, Asahina thought. She was glad when Komaru stopped talking, more for Naegi's sake than any dislike of the story. In fact, she thought the story was good, it had everything: stolen jewels, a hostage situation, a police chase, and a happy ending. That being said, she didn't think it was worth humiliating her friend for.

"That was pretty bad Makoto-nii," Yuta said when Komaru had finished.

"The funniest part was when he called and told us that he had been placed in the Girls' Dorm by mistake," Komaru said while trying to stifle her laughter.

"It wasn't funny for me, most of the girls treated me like public enemy number one for that and it wasn't even my fault," Naegi stated.

"It all seems to be working out though," Asahina pointed out.

"That's true. You didn't seem thrilled with the idea, but you at least considered giving me a chance Asahina-san, I appreciated it," Naegi said.

Asahina's cheeks turned red before she looked down bashfully and said, "N-no p-problem, Naegi-kun."

Komaru recognized the beginning of a crush when she saw one but figured she could let it go for now. Asahina seemed nice enough, and maybe those feelings would fade. If the crush lasted long enough, then Komaru would have a chat with Asahina and the other girls her brother had mentioned. Getting back to the topic of her brother's luck, Komaru said, "I think Asahina-san is right Onii-chan, this is probably because of your luck."

"How do you figure?" Yuta asked, honestly curious.

"Well, we got ramen at a discount even though we were given expired coupons, that's a little too strange of a coincidence to happen to most people," Komaru explained.

"But didn't Makoto-nii say his luck tended to be bad?" Yuta asked.

"For him it is, he's going to feel guilty that our discount is going to be added to that guy's tab for at least the rest of the day. So really, our ramen is costing him his peace of mind, even though the owner told us that this happens a lot," Komaru explained.

Naegi wanted to refute that even though he knew Komaru was right, he did feel bad that the man who had given them coupons was going to be partially charged for their ramen, it was just how he was.

Komaru knew that too, and although she would never admit it, her brother's kind heart was one of the reasons she looked up to him. Before she could say she was just teasing him though, Asahina spoke up first.

"How about if we run into that guy again, we'll just give him the money? Would that make you feel better Naegi-kun?" Asahina asked.

Komaru was impressed. Not only did Asahina also have a kind heart, but it sounded like she understood that his kindness was one of Naegi's best qualities. She still wasn't sure this girl was good enough for her brother though.

Before Naegi could answer, the ramen had arrived and with a chorus of "Itadakimasu!" the four enjoyed their "snack."


After enjoying their ramen and a little more sightseeing, Naegi realized that he would soon have to head back to the dorm to prepare dinner. Both Komaru and Yuta had to be heading home as well so the group made one last trip together to the train station. On the way, it was agreed that the four of them had to do this again sometime. Once both younger siblings had safely boarded their train, Asahina and Naegi made their way back to Hope's Peak Academy.

"Thanks for spending time with Komaru and me today, Asahina-san, she really enjoyed it and so did I," Naegi said.

"Well thank you for spending time with me and Yuta, we both had lots of fun too!" Asahina happily exclaimed.

"What should the four of us do next time?" Naegi asked.

Asahina adopted a thinking pose as she walked and said, "I'm not really sure, maybe we should AAHH!" While she was thinking, Asahina had stopped paying attention to where she had been going and tripped. Naegi had tried to catch her and she had tried to catch herself, but the result was her falling in such a way that she ended up spraining her ankle.

"Ooowww!" Asahina hissed.

"I'm so sorry Asahina-san, if I had caught you this wouldn't have happened," Naegi said sadly.

"It's not your fault, you did try to catch me," Asahina said with a reassuring smile. I just need to see Tsumiki-senpai when we get back, but it really hurts to put weight on it, the swimmer thought.

"Let me see," Naegi said.

"Huh?" Asahina questioned.

"I'm not Tsumiki-senpai, but maybe I can do something that will make the trip back less painful," Naegi said as he pulled out a handkerchief.

Asahina seemed a little shocked to see this side of Naegi but complied. He's pretty cute when he takes charge, she thought. After removing her shoe and her sock, Naegi examined her ankle. Asahina was glad that Naegi was focused on her ankle, because having Naegi touching her caused her face to heat up.

"Yeah, Tsumiki-senpai should be able to fix this up in no time at all, but until then…" Naegi trailed off as he tied his handkerchief into a makeshift brace for Asahina. Satisfied that it would work, Naegi replaced Asahina's sock and shoe for her, which had the effect of making Asahina's face redder. "Okay, try to keep weight off of it on the way back. You should probably lean on me," Naegi said as he offered Asahina his shoulder.

Asahina, who had just gotten her blush under control, turned red once again. "O-okay," she said as she leaned into Naegi. This feels nice, Asahina thought as she latched onto Naegi for extra support.

The two continued on their way, and although the pain was still there, Asahina was preoccupied with a different feeling. Once they reached the main gate, Naegi asked, "Are you alright, Asahina-san?"

Asahina had actually slipped off into her own little world without noticing and Naegi's question had just brought her back to reality. "Huh? Oh, I'm okay. I feel pretty good all things considered," Asahina said. I'm also really happy. Not sure why though, she thought.

Before the Naegi and Asahina arrived at the dorm, they met up with Ogami. After explaining what happened, Ogami picked up Asahina and carried her the rest of the way. Asahina was grateful that her best friend cared about her so much, but for reasons she didn't quite understand, she found herself missing Naegi's warmth.


Hope's Peak Academy-Track Field

Seventh Week of Classes-Monday

Naegi didn't really have a strong opinion one way or the other about P.E. He never stood out, but he never performed badly either. His results were average through and through. He wouldn't have minded doing better, but he could live with these results. There was something about this class that bothered him today though. One look at Asahina was all anyone needed to see how upset she was that she couldn't participate.

When Tsumiki had finished treating Asahina's ankle, the nurse had told Asahina, Ogami, and Naegi that although Asahina would be back to normal soon enough, but as it was a Grade 1 sprain, the swimmer needed to refrain from anything that would strain her ankle further for the next two to six weeks. To that end, Tsumiki wrote an excuse to get Asahina out of P.E. For good measure she gave copies to Ogami and Naegi, a wise decision because Asahina did not give the teacher the excuse Tsumiki had written for her. She was upset, but both Naegi and Ogami had managed to convince her that it was for her own good. That didn't keep Asahina from making her frustration apparent to anyone who looked her way though.

Hoping that he could help his friend and classmate, Naegi went over to Asahina and asked, "Asahina is there something I can do for you?"

After giving a frustrated sigh, Asahina said, "I've reached my limit... With my ankle like this I can't do any sports! I can't do anything! I'm sick of it! I wanna get out there and do some laps! Run a marathon! I wanna do some real SPORTS!"

Naegi realized that he probably should have been prepared for that but Asahina's outburst still caught him off guard. He composed himself enough to say, "A-asahina-san. Please calm down. Getting worked up won't help."

If Asahina heard him, she didn't show it as she continued, "I can't do ANYTHING right now! If I can't move around, I'm gonna DIE, like a BUNNY RABBIT!"

"But... I always heard rabbits die from loneliness..." Naegi said. He wasn't even sure why he said that. Maybe Asahina was starting to rub off on him.

"Whatever! I'm gonna die if I can't get some proper physical activity!" Asahina shouted.

"Don't you think that's a little extreme?" Naegi asked.

"You think I'm kidding, don't you? But I seriously can't sit still, ya know? Why else would I have joined six sports teams in school?" Asahina asked. She continued, "If I can't move, I'll just shrivel up and die. And I need a challenge! More and more new stuff to try!

"A challenge?" Naegi asked, confused.

Asahina calmed down a bit and explained, "What I really love about sports isn't winning, ya know? It's having to fight and struggle and give it all you got to reach the top. It's that excitement, that fear that you might suffer a heartbreaking loss. When you finally reach that goal, it's just... lonely. It's lonely at the top, ya know?"

I never really got into sports, so I can't really relate to what she's talking about... But I can tell that the reason Asahina-san is so amazing is because of how hard she can fight and struggle, Naegi thought as his already high opinion of Asahina improved even more.

"So that's why I want to push myself as hard as possible when it comes to swimming. I want to aim for the very highest mountaintop!" Asahina exclaimed.

"The highest mountaintop?" Naegi repeated in confusion.

"I'm talkin' about the gold medal, of course! Aim for the gold, even if it means I'm a super gold spaz!" Asahina clarified excitedly.

Didn't she get mad at her brother for calling her a spaz as recently as two days ago? Naegi asked himself. Pushing that thought aside, Naegi then asked,"Okay, but if that's what you want, isn't that all the more reason? If you have a goal, why are you making excuses?"

"Excuses? Hey! When did I ever make any excuses!?" Asahina asked indignantly. What does he want from me, I can't put too much strain on my ankle, Asahina thought.

"Sure, you are limited in what you can do with that sprained ankle, but if you really want to make an effort, shouldn't you try to see what you *can* do?" Naegi asked.

"Nng...! Th-That's a challenge! You just made an official challenge!" Asahina exclaimed. She then conceded, "But... I think you're right. If I want to get that gold medal, I have to make every effort I can. I want to become a "genius of effort"! I bet Ian Thorpe said something like that!"

"That's great Asahina-san. Tell you what, when we get the chance, let's go find Nidai-senpai and Tsumiki-senpai. I'll bet that they know a bunch of exercises you can do, even with that sprain," Naegi said.

"Y-you'd do that for me?" Asahina asked as her cheeks erupted with a blush.

"Of course, if it will make you happy," Naegi answered simply. After hearing about Asahina's motivations and goals, I'm getting fired up to help her, Naegi thought.

That just caused Asahina to turn an even darker shade of red as she stuttered out, "O-ok-okay. T-thank y-y-you." He really is the sweetest thing, Asahina thought.

"Oh, and Asahina-san, we should probably confirm it with Nidai-senpai or Tsumiki-senpai, but I've heard that as long as the swelling isn't too bad, swimming is great exercise for someone with a sprained ankle," Naegi added.

Asahina's smile upon hearing that was brighter than the sun. I can still swim. That's great! She mentally cheered. She couldn't wait to find Nidai and Tsumiki. Once classes had finished, she and Naegi scoured the campus for their seniors. Asahina was overjoyed for two reasons. The two had said swimming was perfectly fine, Tsumiki told her that she could get back in the pool as soon as tomorrow, and she had gotten to lean on Naegi's shoulder again as they searched and made their way back to the dorm.

Something about this feels so right, Asahina thought. She hoped Naegi would come with her to the pool tomorrow.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girl's Dorm

Seventh Week of Classes-Wednesday

As it turned out Naegi had not been able to join Asahina at the pool. She was a little disappointed, but just being in the water had cheered her up. It also helped that Ogami had been able to join her. Tsumiki had also joined them, but much to Asahina's displeasure, the Ultimate Nurse had only joined them to ensure that Asahina did not over exert herself.

Tsumiki had advised Asahina to avoid a kick workout as a freestyle kicking motion and a breaststroke kicking motion required flexion of the foot that might have triggered ankle pain. And since the dolphin kick requires a pointed toe, that was out too. Tsumiki had suggested that Asahina use the time in the water to perfect her arm stroke and your breathing pattern for both freestyle and the backstroke. She had even instructed Asahina to avoid diving as pushing off the platform or deck would require her ankle to bend significantly and possibly trigger pain.

Asahina was not upset with her senpai, she knew Tsumiki took nursing seriously and that she only wanted to help. She was more annoyed that she couldn't swim the way she wanted to, not that she hadn't tried. Today when it was only her and Ogami at the pool, Asahina had attempted to ignore Tsumiki's advice. However, as Ogami had been present when Tsumiki had advised Asahina on what she could and could not do, Ogami had made sure that Asahina followed Tsumiki's instructions.

"It's for your own good, Asahina-san," Ogami had said. Asahina knew she was right of course, but that didn't mean that she was happy about it. But she handled it rather well in her opinion, and she definitely did not pout, no matter what Ogami said.

There was another reason that Asahina was unhappy, and currently that reason had taken the form of flashing numbers in front of her toes. She didn't want to believe it, but her bathroom scale was telling her she had put on weight. She couldn't even say it was because she had just eaten, dinner wasn't for a while yet. She couldn't exercise the way she wanted for at least two to six weeks. I really hope it's only two weeks, that way I might still have a chance, Asahina thought as she made her way to her bed. She sat on the edge thinking of what she could do.

Asahina was soon shaken from her thoughts when she heard someone knocking on her door. Maybe that's Sakura-chan, she thought as she got up. She was surprised to find that it was not the Ultimate Martial Artists, but Naegi who had been knocking.

"Asahina-san dinner is ready," Naegi said had asked him to get Asahina for dinner. She had said that Asahina had been pouting during their time at the pool and suggested that maybe Naegi could brighten her mood. Naegi had been more than happy to help, but he didn't see any signs of pouting. Ogami-san asked me to get Asahina-san because she said Asahina-san was pouting, but she looks more depressed than anything, he thought.

"O-oh, I-I'm not hungry," Asahina said. It wasn't true, but she hoped Naegi would believe her.

He did not. Asahina Aoi no hungry? There's no way, something must be wrong, he thought. "Asahina are you alright? You seem depressed," Naegi said.

Asahina usually thought Naegi being sensitive to others' feelings was one of his best qualities, but right now she wished he had not picked up on her mood. "Oh... well... I tried to convince myself I was imagining it, but I totally wasn't imagining it," Asahina admitted.

"Imagining what?" Naegi asked.

"I... I got fat," Asahina said. She continued, "I'm so fat! Fat from every angle! I hate this... Hate it! I may as well just accept it and embrace my new big fat fatty attitude. I'll just get disgustingly morbidly obese, and then nobody will want to marry me! Which makes me depressed, and I get even fatter. Eventually I can't even stand up on my own. And then I die, sad and alone. Nobody notices. I finally lose weight when my body starts to rot."

After Asahina was done, Naegi realized that it was probably a good thing that he was the one Ogami sent to get Asahina. While he believed that most of the other girls would try to convince Asahina that she had nothing to worry about, he had interacted with Saionji and Fukawa enough times to know that the former would try to feed those insecurities and the latter would think Asahina was making fun of her. Though if someone like Asahina can have body image issues, she could possibly make the others feel self-conscious too, Naegi thought.

"I think maybe you're worrying a little too much. Besides, as far as I can tell, you look exactly the same," Naegi said.

"You're just saying that. I'm a total chub monster! I'm a perfect circle," Asahina argued.

"No, I'm not. Asahina-san you're just as beautiful as you've always been," Naegi blurted out. He covered his mouth as soon as he said that and turned red from embarrassment. He believed what he said, but to actually say that to Asahina was still embarrassing.

"B-b-beautiful? You really think so?" Asahina asked. She was just as red as Naegi when she heard what he said.

"W-Well, I mean, uh... yeah," Naegi admitted, bashfully.

It seemed that this time Naegi's words were a source of relief rather than embarrassment as Asahina soon exclaimed, "Thank God! Seriously, thank GOD! Naegi-kun you have no idea how happy I am to hear that!" She wasn't done though, as she exclaimed, "But I can't relax now! I'm making an official statement! As of right now, Aoi Asahina is on a diet!"

"A diet...?" Naegi asked.

"Just you watch! I'm gonna get so thin it'll scare the crap outta you!" she proclaimed.

"W-Well... don't overdo it, okay?" Naegi pleaded. He doubted that Asahina would take dieting to an unhealthy extreme, but her could never tell what was going through her mind when she got fired up like this.

"Don't try and stop me! I've made up my mind, and my willpower is rock hard! And now my resolve is even MORE rock hard! But before all that, let's go get dinner! And after that, donuts!" Asahina exclaimed.

It doesn't sound like dieting is part of Asahina-san's skillset, but at least she's back to normal, Naegi thought happily.

Asahina must have noticed Naegi's mood because she asked, "What's up?"

"Nothing, I'm just glad you're feeling better. The happy and energetic Asahina-san we've all come to know and love is back," Naegi said.

"L-love?!" Asahina asked as she turned red again.

"Well yeah. You're everyone's friend Asahina-san, when you don't seem like yourself, we get worried," Naegi explained. He seemed to have missed the blush on Asahina's cheeks.

"O-oh that's what you meant. I mean, of course that's what you meant," Asahina said as she calmed down. He already said I was beautiful, I would not be able to handle it right now if he came out and said he loved me. Still, it felt good to hear that, especially from Naegi-kun, Asahina admitted to herself.

"Ready to go?" Naegi asked.

"You bet! Dinner and donuts, here I come!" Asahina exclaimed as she got up and got ready to run downstairs. She would probably have gotten there in record time if Naegi hadn't placed a hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

"Asahina-san, I was there when Tsumiki-senpai looked at your ankle. She said you have to take it easy and that means you can't run for now," Naegi reminded her. Asahina started to pout upon hearing that, which Naegi had to admit made her look cute, but he held firm. He grabbed one of her hands and said, "Come on, I don't know how much longer Ogami-san and Ikusaba-san can keep Owari-senpai from starting without us."

Asahina once again felt her face heating up but nodded. Asahina was in such a daze from her interaction with Naegi that she didn't catch the looks of disapproval that Ikusaba, Maizono, and Mioda sent her way when they saw her hand in Naegi's.


Downtown Near Hope's Peak Academy-Spicy Ramen

Ninth Week of Classes-Saturday

Tomorrow is a big day, Naegi thought as he and his companions waited for their orders. He was right, tomorrow he would be accompanying Sonia to the opening of the Novoselic Embassy and to say he was nervous would be an understatement. He knew he had no reason to be, no one would be there to see him, but having been personally invited by the Princess Sonia of Novoselic put more than a little pressure on him. He didn't doubt that what he learned from Sonia would be enough to get him through it, he simply doubted that his strange luck would behave the whole time that he was on what would now be considered Novoselic soil.

It was for that reason that he was grateful that his sister had been able to visit today. By some strange coincidence, Asahina's brother Yuta had also come for a visit ant the four met up, just as they had agreed to do last time. Something was different today though, two things really, specifically Komaru and Yuta's attitude concerning Asahina, but he couldn't quite understand why.

Komaru had been acting a bit strange and Naegi could not think of a reason for it. What Naegi did not seem to realize was that Komaru was not as naïve as he was. Komaru saw the serene smile on Asahina's face when the swimmer had looked at Naegi when she thought no one was looking. Komaru may have been young, but she recognized the look of a girl in love when she saw it. She also had a strong suspicion that Asahina was unaware of what it was that she was actually feeling. She could tell that Asahina would never intentionally hurt her brother, but she still felt that it was her duty as a little sister to keep a close eye on the Ultimate Swimmer when she could. This was also one of the reasons she wanted to meet these "Ultimate Girls" that seemed to have taken an interest in her older brother. Naegi Makoto may take everyone at their word, but Naegi Komaru knew that a little healthy suspicion could be a good thing. Her brother deserved the best and she would make sure that any girl that took an interest in him understood that fact too.

Naegi was unaware of what was going through his sister's mind, he was more focused on the younger Asahina.

Yuta had been disappointed when Asahina could not race him, but he understood that she shouldn't agitate her ankle, so he got over that rather quickly. What had the younger Asahina giving strange looks at the Ultimate Swimmer was what had happened when they arrived at the ramen shop and placed their orders. Asahina had asked what on the menu had the least calories and had ordered that instead of her favorite, porktastic tonkotsu. Naegi probably would have found that odd had Asahina not told him that she had planned to go on a diet. Naegi had his doubts at first, but to his classmate's credit, she had been cutting back on donuts. Naegi did not know if this had anything to do with the strange glances that Yuta had been giving Asahina. He had a feeling that Asahina wouldn't tell her brother that she was on a diet.

Only one way to find out I guess, Naegi thought. Turning towards Yuta, the Luckster asked, "Is something wrong Yuta-kun?"

Yuta, who had been shooting worried looks at his sister said, "Huh? Oh, I'm okay Makoto-nii."

"Are you sure? You've been looking at your sister like she's a stranger since we placed our orders," Naegi pointed out.

"Oh, that? I'm just not used to Aoi-nee acting so concerned about calories," Yuta explained.

"I care about those kinds of things. I am a teenage girl, you know," Asahina reminded him.

"I know, it's just sometimes I forget that," Yuta said waving his hands in a defensive manner.

And just what is that supposed to mean, Asahina thought in annoyance. "How do you forget that I'm a girl, Yuta?" Asahina asked.

"Yeah, not really sure how you could miss that," Komaru chided while shooting envious side glances at Asahina's breasts.

"No, I know that, it's just with how Aoi-nee usually acts, hanging out with my spazzy sister is almost the same as hanging out with my guy friends," Yuta "defended."

Yuta-kun stop talking, that grave you dug for yourself can't stand to get any deeper, Naegi thought with a facepalm. Had he just met Asahina, he would have thought that she would be able to brush that off. After spending time with her, he came to realize that Asahina could be very self-conscious. One look at his classmate's mortified expression was enough to confirm that Yuta's words had had an effect. Naegi decided that he would need to talk to her after the younger members of their group went home.


After Komaru and Yuta had safely boarded their trains, Asahina and Naegi made their way back to Hope's Peak Academy. Naegi knew the younger boy hadn't meant for this to happen, but the fact remained that the rest of the day had been very awkward after Yuta's comment. It was obvious to anyone that Asahina had become depressed after hearing her brother's assessment of her.

Naegi turned to Asahina, who had been rather quiet since Yuta's comment, and said, "Asahina-san, I hope you don't take what your brother said too seriously. If it makes you feel any better, Komaru has told me on more than one occasion that I could stand to be manlier."

"Huh, oh, I'm okay Naegi-kun, it's just I don't know what Yuta was talking about. Is there something wrong with the way I act?" Asahina asked. That's why she had been so quiet, she had never thought that there was a problem with how she acted until now and was wondering what to do about it.

"I don't think there is. Asahina-san is Asahina-san, and that's why everyone likes you. I think that at a certain age kids have it in their heads that there is only one way to be masculine or feminine and that having certain interests or doing certain things makes one less so."

"What do you mean?" Asahina asked.

"Well, say I took ballet. There was a time when people made fun of boys who took ballet. Even though that has diminished in recent years there are still people who think ballet is for girls," Naegi said.

"That's dumb. I hear that there have been a few American athletes that have taken ballet. I believe that Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Steve McLendon, NHL goaltender Ray Emery, former heavyweight-boxing champion Evander Holyfield took ballet classes. So did the retired legendary American football players, wide receiver Lynn Swann and running back Herschel Walker to name a few," Asahina argued.

"I know that, and you know that, but some people just refuse to change their perceptions of what is masculine and what is feminine. I'm not saying that there aren't traits that aren't inherently masculine or feminine, I happen to believe that there are. But I also believe that men and women can enjoy things that are usually associated with the opposite sex and still be masculine or feminine. A man can be gentle and nurturing and still be masculine and a woman can be strong, brave, and feminine. I think what matters is that we know when to…we'll say, shift gears," Naegi explained.

"That's kind of the problem Naegi-kun, I'm not sure I know how to do that. People have always told me how I'm not ladylike... And I mean, I can't really disagree. All I'm good at is sports, exercise, physical stuff," Asahina admitted sadly.

I think there is a difference between being ladylike and being feminine, but that's not important right now, Naegi thought. "I don't think that's a problem, like I said before, I like Asahina-san the way she is," Naegi told her.

"I appreciate that Naegi-kun, I really do, but if I'm being honest, this has bothered me for a while," Asahina said.

I'd like to reassure her more, but if I press anymore right now, I think I'll just do more harm than good. I'm sure she'll understand given time, Naegi thought. "I guess I understand Asahina-san, just promise me you'll consider what I said too," Naegi said.

"I will," Asahina promised with a small smile. Naegi's words had made her feel better, but she still felt insecure. I appreciate what Naegi-kun said, it was very sweet. But I still can't help but think that there is something missing, Asahina thought.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girl's Dorm

Eleventh Week of Classes-Saturday

With the exception of Naegi and Owari, everyone had arrived back at the dorm around mid-afternoon from their hot spring retreat. As much as everyone wished that it could have lasted longer, they all knew it had to end sometime.

Asahina had noticed something during their time at the Minato Inn: She had noticed the change in Owari. Owari was still tough and brave, but it seemed that she had learned how to do what Naegi had referred to as shifting gears. Asahina noticed on more than one occasion that the usually fiercely independent Owari would sometimes switch to nurturing and gentle. Asahina had originally written it off as her Senpai's siblings being present, but if that had been the case, then Asahina was sure that she would have noticed the change in the Ultimate Gymnast when their week at the inn had started. She then thought that Naegi had to be connected somehow, but if that were true, why had the gymnast been the only one who changed?

Asahina couldn't help but remember a conversation she had had with Naegi previously where she had told him that she was worried that she was not ladylike. If Owari-senpai can do it, then maybe I can too. But what is it that I'm missing? Asahina asked herself. She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she didn't hear Tsumiki approach.

"Asahina-saAAAh!" the Ultimate Nurse began before she tripped and wound up in a position that displayed her panties for all the world to see.

"Huh? Oh, Tsumiki-senpai, are you alright?" Asahina asked as she walked over to the older girl and helped her up.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I'm fine. I-I j-just wanted to e-examine your ankle," The nurse explained.

"Sure," Asahina said, getting back to her thoughts.

It didn't take long before Tsumiki said, "Asahina-san, y-you're a-ankle is p-perfectly fine. Y-you can re-return to your n-normal routine."

That got Asahina's attention. "That's great! Any longer and I would have gone insane!" Asahina cheered.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it heal faster! I swear there was nothing I could do to speed things up! Please don't hate me!" Tsumiki wailed.

"Huh? I don't hate you Senpai, and I'm not blaming you. You, Sakura-chan, and Naegi-kun all told me to take it easy, but even I have to admit that I was too stubborn to listen at times," Asahina said, not sure what else to do to pacify the poor nurse.

"O-oh, okay then. I g-guess I-I'm not needed here then," Tsumiki said, sounding a bit disappointed. Before the older girl could leave, Asahina asked her something.

"Tsumiki-senpai, I know this is a weird question, but do you think I have…womanly charms?" Asahina knew her face must have been beet red when she asked that if the heat in her cheeks was any indication.

"Asahina-san has lots of womanly charms! That's the right answer, right? Please don't hate me!" Tsumiki pleaded.

Maybe she was the wrong person to ask, Asahina thought. "Uh, there really wasn't a wrong answer Senpai, so don't worry," Asahina said, now feeling rather uncomfortable with how awkward the situation had become. She knew it would be awkward no matter who she asked, but she wasn't prepared for this. Still, she needed an answer, so she decided that maybe some of the other girls would be more helpful.


Why can't I get an answer? Asahina asked herself. She hadn't felt this discouraged in a long time. She had asked many of the other girls if she had womanly charms and almost everyone she had asked seemed to think she was joking or in some cases insulting them.

When she had asked Fukawa, Fukawa had asked, "A-are you making fun of me? D-do you think that you can do that just because your breasts are bigger?"

Saionji had asked, "What kind of stupid question is that? Did you trade your brain for bigger boobs?" with a look of envy on her face.

Ikusaba had glanced at Asahina's chest before saying, "I'm not really sure how to answer that."

Koizumi had asked what brought this question on and upon hearing Asahina's explanation just seemed to shut down, although Asahina thought she heard the older girl mutter something along the lines of "Someone like Aoi-chan can have self-esteem issues," and "What does that mean for a plain girl like me?"

Yukizome had said, "So much so that sometimes even I'm a little jealous," all while looking at Asahina's chest.

Mioda had said, "Let Ibuki show you,", before she had made to grope Asahina before Ogami, who had entered the room at just the right moment, grabbed the Ultimate Musician and carried her out of the room.

What is this fixation with my breast size? Asahina asked herself with a mental pout. Figuring that since Maizono and Enoshima would know all about womanly charm given their talents, Asahina resolved to ask them. As luck would have it, Enoshima happened to be close by.

"Asahina-san, how's it going?" Enoshima asked, her mask of a non-despair obsessed teenage girl firmly in place. Enoshima knew exactly what was going on of course and decided to offer her own special brand of "help." Unresolved self-esteem issues were a great source of despair but Enoshima thought that Asahina's confidence as a woman could be shattered and that was even better.

"Enoshima-san maybe you can answer: Do you think I have 'womanly charms?'" Asahina asked.

"Uh, Asahina-san, you are aware that 'womanly charms' is a euphemism for breasts, right?" Enoshima asked. She wanted to laugh but figured there would be time for that after she made Asahina feel like a failure as a woman.

"Then that means that I've been asking people… Oh God!" Asahina exclaimed, mortified.

"Did you mean to ask whether or not you're feminine?" Enoshima asked.

"Yeah, I mean, people tell me I'm not ladylike, and they aren't wrong, but I don't know how to change that. What am I missing?" Asahina asked, sounding a little desperate.

"Well, some girls have it and some don't," Enoshima said. It was a lie, but Enoshima knew Asahina wouldn't catch that.

"Isn't there something I can do?" Asahina asked.

"Maybe. Let me ask: Have you ever been in love?" Enoshima asked. As much as she abhorred hope, she would give people hope in order to make their despair that much greater later and now seemed like a good opportunity for that.

"N-no, I haven't," Asahina admitted, more than a little embarrassed.

"That might help. Maybe a bit of dating would help. I happen to know a guy that might be perfect for you," Enoshima said.

"Really?" Asahina asked hopefully.

"Sure, let me get in touch with him and I'll get back to you," Enoshima said as she left the room.

Someone perfect for me, Asahina repeated in her mind. For some reason, an image of Naegi appeared. That was weird, I don't think Enoshima-san was talking about Naegi-kun, so why… Wait, I don't know anything about dating! What am I going to do? Asahina panicked before she retreated to her room to try and study "proper" dating.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Twelfth Week of Classes-Wednesday

In Asahina's room, Asahina and Ogami were discussing what Asahina should do for her date that Saturday. Enoshima had gotten a response for the boy she mentioned. His name was Fukuyama Suzuki, a male model at her agency who was the same age as Class 78, with the exception of Hagakure. Asahina had never heard of him, but she figured Enoshima knew what she was doing.

Ogami, however, was concerned. When Asahina had come to her and asked for dating advice she had promise to help in whatever way she could but given that the closest Ogami had ever had to a proper date were her matches with Kenshiro, she feared that she would not be much help. She had been doing alright so far, she did manage to ensure Asahina would not act like a dotting sitcom wife and Ogami did not even want to know why Asahina thought a jealous mistress was a good example to follow but she had corrected that too.

As much as Ogami wanted to support Asahina, she knew that Asahina was not doing this for the right reasons. "Asahina-san, perhaps you should reconsider this date. No good can come from trying to force love," Ogami warned.

"Thanks for looking out for me Sakura-chan, but I think I'll be okay. Enoshima picked this guy because she said he would be perfect for me. Besides, Enoshima thinks that if I fall in love, I'll learn how to be more feminine," Asahina said. Thinking that she would finally find what she was missing Asahina was a little excited, but she couldn't help but feel like something about this was wrong. Every time she would talk about her idea of the perfect guy, she would always picture Naegi and begin to get cold feet. She pushed through it though, she needed this, she'd never have to worry about being seen as "one of the guys" ever again if this worked.

Ogami didn't say it, but she knew that Asahina was wrong, that she was perfect just the way she was. She had wanted to, of course, but figured that it would be best if Asahina realized that on her own. Just because Asahina could be stubborn about this didn't mean that Ogami wouldn't step in if it seemed like Asahina was losing herself. There was something Ogami had been meaning to ask though, and now seemed like a good a time as any. "Asahina-san, what has made you so concerned about not being feminine enough?" Ogami asked.

"My brother Yuta said that hanging out with me was like hanging out with his guy friends, in public no less. I'd never been so humiliated in my life. The worst part is that he said it with Naegi-kun and his sister sitting right there," Asahina explained.

"Oh?" This piqued Ogami's curiosity. She knew that Asahina and Naegi had been spending a great deal of time together, although hearing that they and their sibling were acquainted was news to her. What really caught Ogami's attention was Asahina's mention of Naegi and his sister specifically. "Asahina-san, what do you think of Naegi-kun?" Ogami asked.

"Naegi-kun? He's the sweetest boy I've ever met. He let me lean on him when my ankle was giving me trouble. He went with me to ask Tsumiki-senpai and Nidai-senpai what exercises I could do so I didn't make my ankle any worse. When I was worried that I had put on weight, he said that I was 'just as beautiful as I always was.' And he tried to make me feel better when I was upset about what Yuta had said," Asahina said with a dreamy look on her face as her cheeks reddened.

If Asahina's gushing hadn't given it away, her blushing would have; Ogami knew that her friend was already in love. As much as she wanted to point this out, Ogami thought that Asahina would not believe her. She would if she had to, but Ogami was hoping Asahina would figure this out on her own. Perhaps this date would be a good learning experience for Asahina and perhaps this Fukuyama Suzuki would indeed make Asahina happy, because Ogami would make him pay if he hurt Asahina in any way. "Asahina-san," she began, "I don't know if Enoshima-san's advice was correct, but I do believe that when this is over you will know what is like to be in love and you will find the solution to your problem. Just be aware that it may not be in ways that you had expected."

Asahina was confused, but it sounded like she had her friend's support, so she was happy. Still, she couldn't help but focus on the last part of Ogami's statement. Not what I expected? What could that mean? She asked herself. Unable to come up with an answer she thought, If Sakura-chan is right then I guess I'll find out after my date on Saturday. With that, she continued to study and practice for her date.


Downtown-Park Near Hope's Peak Academy

Twelfth Week of Classes-Saturday

The day had come. Asahina's date with Fukuyama Suzuki had arrived. She wished that she had had more time to prepare. She still wasn't sure what the proper way to act on a date was but remembering Ogami's words from Wednesday helped to reassure her. She was a little concerned about her clothes, but Enoshima had assured her that since Fukuyama was just taking her for a walk around town and through the park, Asahina's tracksuit would be fine. In fact, Enoshima told Asahina that Fukuyama had said he would prefer that she be comfortable, but as with all things involving Enoshima, that wasn't exactly true. In truth, Fukuyama wanted everyone to recognize Asahina.

Fukuyama may have been new to the modeling industry, but he had already earned a reputation, both as a brownnoser and as a peacock. Ordinarily, to the Japanese the peacock is associated with Kwan-yin. The peacock symbolizes love, or more precisely it is an emblem of love. Fukuyama was making sure that the Western use of the label was catching on. Always having to be the center of attention and always doing whatever he could to be more famous, an athlete like Asahina, who had been breaking records since a young age, was just a means to an end for him.

Asahina, of course, did not know this. What she did know, now that she was face-to-face with him was that he was rather good-looking. He was tall, he was well-built, and he was blond with spikey hair. He was flamboyantly dressed but Asahina looked past that, she wasn't usually one to judge others on their quirks.

"Asahina Aoi-san, I presume? Your pictures hardly do you justice," Fukuyama said, in a smooth, deep voice.

"O-oh, t-thank you. You're everything Enoshima-san said you were," Asahina said, embarrassed but pleased by the flattery.

"Oh? What exactly did Enoshima-senpai say?" Fukuyama asked. He hid it well, but he was nervous. There was always something about Enoshima, like she could see through everyone. The last thing he needed was Enoshima Junko to know that he planned to unseat her as the world's top model.

"She just told me I'd know it was you immediately, that you'd be the best-looking guy in the park," Asahina said.

"Oh? Oh, of course. My apologies, it's just sometimes Enoshima-senpai likes to mess with us, I was hoping she hadn't been spreading any unseemly rumors about me," Fukuyama said, relieved. Fukuyama continued and said, "But today isn't about her. Shall we?" Fukuyama held out his hand.

"Uh huh," Asahina said with a nod as she took his and in true Asahina Aoi fashion, took off running, pulling her date behind her.

Fukuyama's shrieking could be heard throughout the city.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Around the Same Time

"Where is it?" Naegi asked as he ran around the kitchen looking for frosting. He had planned to make donuts for Asahina either to celebrate a successful date or to comfort her if it went badly. As great as he thought Asahina was, the fact that Enoshima set this up had Naegi worried, the Black Cherry Reunion hadn't been that long ago after all and Ikusaba's warning from back then was still fresh in his mind. "Junko-chan wouldn't have done this if she didn't know that it would end badly…" Ikusaba-san had been referring to Mioda-senpai at the time, but I can't help but feel that the same applies here, Naegi thought. At the same time, he knew that one would have to try very hard to actually dislike Asahina. Plus, he didn't need to tell her what the donuts were for, assuming he ever found the frosting to put the finishing touches on them. Deciding that it wasn't in the kitchen, he went to ask the girls if any of them had seen it.

"Hey girls, have any of you seen…," Naegi trailed off as he saw the other girls in the common area living room. His main focus was Owari, who was sitting on the couch with an empty tub of chocolate frosting and a chocolate covered spoon in her hand. "I, uh, I guess you have," Naegi sighed.

"Oh Naegi-kun, were you going to use this?" Owari asked, trying to look as innocent as she could while having been caught red-handed. The last thing she wanted was for Naegi to be mad at her.

"We tried to stop her," Maizono said as the others nodded.

"The size of the room and the fact that it was crowded made it difficult," Ikusaba said, disappointed in herself for failing when Naegi needed her.

"It's fine, it's easy enough for me to fix. I'll just go get some from the school kitchen," Naegi said.

"Actually Makoto-chan, I think that Teruteru-chan's ingredients are being checked today for any…" Mioda began before being interrupted.

"Perhaps we should just leave it at that Mioda-san," Sonia said. She'd prefer to not remember that experience, and she would certainly prefer her, in her mind, future husband not know about the aphrodisiac incident from last year.

"Okay, I'll go buy some then," Naegi said as he went to get his wallet from his room.

"Naegi-kun would you mind picking up a few more things while you're out?" Yukizome asked.

"Sure, could you all put a list together while I go find my wallet?" Naegi asked as he headed upstairs. Upon his return, he saw the completed shopping list. It wasn't particularly long, but he thought that it might be better if he had an extra pair of hands to help him. Before he could ask if someone wanted to join him, Ogami beat him to it.

"Naegi-kun, might I accompany you?" Ogami asked.

"Sure Ogami-san. Did you need something in town too?" Naegi asked.

"I seem to be running low on protein for my protein coffee," Ogami said.

That sounds like it would taste terrible, Naegi thought, not that he was a big coffee drinker to begin with, but the taste of protein mixed in sounded awful. Naegi would never say that out loud of course, so instead he said, "Okay, let's go."

Naegi did not notice five disappointed looks from certain girls. If there was a silver lining for them, it was that Ogami had shown no romantic interest in Naegi, so they weren't too worried about one of them gaining an advantage.

Once he and Ogami were outside, they heard a loud shrieking noise. That sounded like a man's voice. I hope nothing is wrong, Naegi thought.


One could say that something was wrong, but it really depended on whether one was speaking with Asahina or Fukuyama.

Asahina wasn't having a terrible time, but she wasn't feeling anything she didn't feel when she spent time with anyone else, with the exceptions of Ogami and Naegi. Fukuyama just didn't make her feel anything special. She was more than happy to keep going, she didn't think Enoshima would have steered her wrong so maybe she'd feel something when the date was over. The only complaint she had was that Fukuyama would make any and all topics about himself. Asahina did not begrudge people with self-confidence, she figured it helped when it came to the modeling industry. However, Asahina herself was rather humble and it irritated her when someone was too full of themselves, her interactions with Togami Byakuya were proof of that. Still, Fukuyama had bought her funnel cake, so he couldn't be all bad, right?

Fukuyama certainly thought something was wrong though. If things had ended with Asahina dragging him by his arm towards various food vendors, Fukuyama would have been fine with it. He had even decided to be nice and buy the girl funnel cake from one of the carts. But then something happened that started to annoy him.

As Asahina was enjoying her funnel cake, a group of three junior high school girls, each carrying duffel bags had approached the Ultimate Swimmer.

"Excuse me, are you Asahina Aoi?" one, a short girl with brown hair asked.

"I sure am. Who are you?" Asahina asked.

"I told you it was her," one of the other girls, a blonde, said excitedly.

"We're members of the swim team at our school. We heard that you were going to Hope's Peak Academy, but never thought we'd get the chance to meet you," the first answered. That looked to be true, the girls were all tan and their hair seemed light, results typically associated with constantly swimming in chlorinated pools.

"We all think you're amazing. Not just us, our entire team," the girl who had been silent up until now, a redhead, said.

"Ah thanks, but I'm nothing special," Asahina said embarrassed by the praise.

"That's not true," the first girl argued.

"Could you give us some pointers?" the second asked.

"Well, I'd have to see you practice, but I'd be more than happy to if we can meet up again," Asahina said honestly.

The girls were happy, Asahina Aoi, their hero, wanted to watch them practice.

"I do have some advice though: Once you set your sights on a goal, keep chasing it. No matter how many times you stumble you'll get there if you put in the effort. Because as great as it feels to win, the challenge is always the best part," Asahina said.

The girls nodded excitedly, if someone like Asahina said that, it must be true.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you three know me, but I didn't ask for your names," Asahina said apologetically.

"I'm Adachi Miyu," the girl with brown hair said.

"My name is Kashiwagi Momo," the blonde said.

"Okayasu Sae is my name," the redhead said.

Fukuyama was not happy with this. He hated not being the center of attention, but he had to endure it for a little while longer. As soon as he had agreed to this date, he had contacted various fashion and gossip magazines, even some paparazzi forums to be on the safe side, anonymously of course, with a tip that he would be on a date with Asahina Aoi. No one had shown up yet, but he had been assured that each publication he contacted would send someone. At least he had Asahina's child-like quirks to laugh at. "What is that fool doing?" he quietly asked himself as he saw Asahina tracing the names of the girls on her palm. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a few well-known members of the paparazzi hiding in the background. It was time for Fukuyama Suzuki to shine.

"Asahina-san, we should get back to our date," Fukuyama said as he approached the group of swimmers.

"Asahina-senpai is on a date?" Adachi asked.

"We didn't mean to interrupt," Okayasu said.

"We didn't notice you, we're sorry," Kashiwagi added.

Fukuyama's eye started to slightly twitch at Kashiwagi's statement, but none of the girls noticed. He was able to get it under control though and proceeded to introduce himself. "I'm an up-and-coming model in the fashion industry. The male model to end all male models. I am the beautiful Fukuyama Suzuki!" Fukuyama exclaimed in an over-the-top fashion as he struck a pose.

The younger girls were less than impressed.

"I'm not sure I recognize that name," Okayasu said as she adopted a thinking pose in an effort to remember.

"He said he was 'up-and-coming', so he must be really new," Adachi reasoned. She and Okayasu turned to Kashiwagi, hoping she had heard of Fukuyama.

"Don't look at me, I don't follow fashion," Kashiwagi said to her friends.

That was the wrong thing to say as a vein started to throb on Fukuyama's forehead. To add insult to injury he heard the click of some cameras, his introduction falling flat would be preserved for posterity. Through gritted teeth he said, "Let's go enjoy ourselves, Asahina-san?"

"Uh okay," Asahina said. He must be embarrassed. I probably would be too if I did an introduction like that only for it to fall flat. I'm sure he'll calm down, Asahina thought. Asahina then turned to her young fans and said, "Okay girls, you know how to contact me, so we should be able to work out a time where I can give you some pointers. I hope we see each other again soon."

"Thank you, Asahina-senpai!" all three girls exclaimed in unison.

As Asahina and Fukuyama walked away, the junior high swimmers whispered amongst themselves.

"Is Asahina-senpai really on a date with a guy like that?" Kashiwagi asked.

"He's good looking but he seems full of himself," Adachi said.

"Asahina-senpai could do so much better," Okayasu added.

They may have been whispering, but Fukuyama had excellent hearing and he was seething on the inside.


Around this time, Naegi and Ogami had successfully completed their errands, even if it had taken longer than originally planned.

"Three different stores to find the right junk food, I don't believe this," Ogami sighed, her annoyance clear. Protein for her would have been easy and getting supplies for Tsumiki wouldn't have been difficult either, but some of the girls felt the need to add obscure brands of various snack foods to the list that they had given Naegi. At least his frosting had been easy enough to get.

Naegi agreed but knew that there was no point in getting annoyed. Instead, he looked off into the distance and said to Ogami, "Ogami-san, if we cut through the park, we should be able to cut our travel time. I think that's where Asahina-san said she was going for her date, maybe we should say hello."

"Oh, I wouldn't want to bother her," Ogami lied. The truth was that she only asked to come along because she wanted to make sure Asahina was alright, she just didn't want to go by herself and seem like an overprotective friend, although she realized that there was no getting around that.

"Ogami-san, I know that's the main reason you asked to come along, you've been distracted the whole time," Naegi countered.

Normally, upon being accused of having an ulterior motive, Ogami would have felt insulted, there were few alive who were more honorable than Ogami Sakura. But Naegi was correct, Ogami had not been completely honest and she was worried about Asahina. Seeing no reason to deny it, she admitted, "You are correct, Naegi-kun. I know Asahina-san can take care of herself, but I cannot help but worry."

"I understand completely, and I don't think anyone would blame you, it's not like any of us besides Enoshima-san know this guy," Naegi said. He didn't dare tell Ogami that he was worried too, and that was because it was Enoshima who set this up.

"Thank you, Naegi-kun," Ogami said.

"Anytime Ogami-san. Now, let's pop over for a bit, say hello, and get back to the dorm. There's nothing wrong with that right?" Naegi asked rhetorically. He was trying to justify what they were about to do, but he didn't know if it was for his sake or Ogami's.


As it turned out, Asahina had been wrong and Fukuyama had not calmed down. If anything, he got worse since the two of them ran into a few more school athletes and boys who were fans of Asahina for… other reasons. Fukuyama's ego couldn't take much more. No one in the park had stopped them because they recognized him, it was all Asahina Aoi. To make matters worse, the bruising of his ego was being captured on film or was being saved to memory cards and even if none of those pictures were published in magazines, he was sure those pictures would be on the internet before the day was over.

Fukuyama was so frustrated that he had long since stopped paying attention to where he was going. He did not hear Asahina tell him to watch out and thus bumped into a little girl with a large chocolate ice cream cone.

*click*

Someone had snapped a picture of Fukuyama getting a large chocolate ice cream stain on his outfit.

That was the last straw.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU GET OUT OF THE WAY YOU STUPID LITTLE BRAT!" Fukuyama screamed. He was so angry at this point that blood vessels had become visible on his forehead.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry Mister, I…" the little girl stuttered out trying her hardest not to cry.

"SORRY?! SORRY DOESN'T CLEAN MY OUTFIT. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO PAY FOR THIS?!" the enraged Fukuyama asked.

"Calm down Fukuyama-san. You were the one who bumped into her, remember?" Asahina attempted to remind him.

Fukuyama had stopped screaming, but he was no less angry as he sneered, "I wouldn't expect you to understand. Of course, some sweaty, unfeminine, athlete whose wardrobe most likely only consists of tracksuits wouldn't see a problem with stains."

"What is your problem?" Asahina asked, offended. By this point, everyone else around had stopped what they were doing to watch the scene caused by Fukuyama's meltdown.

"You're my problem. You eat like a pig, you know nothing of proper etiquette, and yet somehow, you're more famous and more admired than me. I agreed to this because I thought it would look good and all I have to show for it is humiliation. Humiliation at being outshined by an uncouth swimmer. Humiliation because now this outfit is ruined…" Fukuyama started to rant. He stopped momentarily when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned and yelled, "WHAT?!" before a fist collided with his nose.


Naegi and Ogami had made it to the park and spotted Asahina in the distance. The two made their way over just as Fukuyama ran into the girl with the ice cream.

Ogami had started to make her way over once Fukuyama had started screaming at the girl.

She sped up once Fukuyama had first insulted Asahina.

The sad look that appeared on Asahina's face when Fukuyama continued to demean her caused Ogami to start running towards the model and the swimmer. Ogami would make Fukuyama regret his words.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, someone had beaten Ogami to it. Had she not been so focused on Fukuyama, she might have noticed Naegi approach the model mid-rant and tap his shoulder. What had really surprised her was when her classmate, Naegi Makoto, a boy many would consider the embodiment of gentleness, punched Fukuyama in the nose. There was a sickening cracking noise, Ogami had no doubt Fukuyama's nose was broken.

"OW BARE OU! DO OU DOW WHO I AM?! (How dare you! Do you know who I am?!)" Fukuyama screamed. It was difficult to understand him with his broken nose, but everyone who heard him understood.

"I think you're someone with an ego so fragile that he freaks out over his clothes and demeans women. I think you're someone who needs to learn how to act like at least a halfway decent man before you even think that you can judge how feminine a girl is. I think what you said to Asahina-san proves that you wouldn't know true beauty if you were staring right at it. And I think you could never be good enough for my friend. Now leave before I say something I might regret," Naegi said. He might have looked intimidating had he not been clutching his hand, clearly in pain.

The crowd, which had been silent up until now, started cheering once Naegi had finished. A few voices shouted, "You tell him kid!" which only infuriated Fukuyama more. Even worse for Fukuyama, not only had the photographers he contacted captured the whole thing on film, some bystanders had recorded the whole incident. He got up to retaliate but stopped when he saw Ogami. If looks could kill, he'd have already been dead, so he did what any sane person would do and ran with his tail between his legs.

By this time, Asahina was suffering from what could only be called emotional whiplash. When Fukuyama had started putting her down, she felt crushed, not only had the whole date been a waste, Fukuyama had insulted her in public. She thought that even if she didn't hit it off with Fukuyama, she had at least made progress and proved to herself that she could act feminine. Fukuyama's words dashed any hope of that, at least in her mind. After Naegi had come to the rescue, she felt elated. It hardly mattered what Fukuyama thought because, Naegi-kun thinks I'm beautiful. I mean, he said so before, but he stood up for me and called me beautiful, Asahina thought. Then something hit her, Wait, why is Naegi-kun here? Is that Sakura-chan with him? What's going on? "Why are you both here?" Asahina asked.

"We went shopping and decided to cut through the park," Ogami answered as she held up a plastic shopping bag. Looking at Naegi, specifically the hand he was clutching, she then said, "I think we should get back to campus so that Tsumiki-senpai can look at Naegi-kun's hand."

"Huh? Oh, does it hurt bad Naegi-kun?" Asahina asked in concern.

"Probably more than it should. I didn't really mean to break his nose, but I can't stand people who insult my friends. Before I knew it, my fist was in his face," Naegi said as picked up the bags he had dropped with his pain-free hand.

"Here, let me help," Asahina said as she grabbed some of the bags. As she was doing that, some familiar faces came made their way over to her.

"Asahina-senpai, I hope you don't take what that scumbag said to heart," Adachi said.

"Asahina-senpai is the girl we aspire to be, the perfect blend of athletic, feminine, and beautiful. That guy was just no good," Okayasu added.

"You should have gone on a date with this guy instead, he gets it," Kashiwagi said as she pointed at Naegi.

Asahina blushed as an image of herself and Naegi on a date floated through her mind. She pushed that image aside and said, "Thanks girls, that really means a lot."

"Anytime," Okayasu said.

"We meant every word," Kashiwagi said.

"We'll see you later, Senpai," Adachi said as she and her friends left.

After the girls left, Asahina, Naegi, and Ogami began to make their way back to Hope's Peak Academy. They walked in silence until Naegi said, "Asahina-san, I'm sorry. I know you wanted that date to go well."

"It's fine Naegi-kun, Fukuyama-san was a jerk, but was he right? Is there really no hope for me? Am I doomed to the life of a crazy cat lady because I'm not feminine enough?" Asahina asked.

"Asahina-san," Ogami said sadly, she really didn't know how to get through to her friend.

"Asahina-san, could you and Ogami-san meet me in my room after Tsumiki-senpai looks at my hand? There's something you need to see and someone I think you should talk to," Naegi said.

"Okay," Asahina said. For some reason, the thought of being in Naegi's room excited her, although, and she felt bad for thinking this, she wished Ogami wouldn't be able to join them.


Once Naegi had seen Tsumiki, he met Asahina and Ogami in front of his door. Luckily, his hand wasn't broken, but Tsumiki told him to be prepared for it to swell up and to keep icing it. He unlocked his door and invited them both in.

Asahina was nervous, unless she counted her brother, she'd never been in a boy's room before. Ogami noticed this but decided not to comment on it. Naegi motioned for the two to take a seat. Once they had, he began to speak.

"First, before we begin, and I know this is weird but trust me, Asahina-san could you undo your ponytail?" Naegi asked.

Asahina agreed that it was weird but complied.

"Thought so. That probably wasn't necessary, but I think it might help me get the point across. Now, and I promise this is my last weird request, could you look in my mirror?" Naegi asked.

Asahina was still confused but did so. Asahina wasn't what one would call vain, but she thought she looked rather pretty with her hair down if she said so herself.

"After we hung out with Komaru and Yuta-kun last, I called home and asked for some pictures. Take a look at the woman in this picture," Naegi said as he handed Asahina a photo.

It was a family photo, Asahina recognized Komaru and Naegi. She guessed the two adults in the picture were Mr. and Mrs. Naegi. Once Asahina got a good look at Mrs. Naegi, she gasped. Had the woman in the picture not been an adult with hazel eyes, Asahina would swear she was looking at her future self.

"As you've probably guessed, that's my family and the woman I asked you to look at is my Kaa-san. I didn't notice it until after I got these pictures, but when your hair is down, you look like a younger version of her," Naegi explained.

"She's beautiful. She's must be what people think of when they think of 'yamato nadeshiko,'" Asahina said as she showed the picture to Ogami.

"I don't know about that, but I doubt anyone thought that back when she was our age," Naegi said.

"What do you mean?" Asahina asked. There was no way Mrs. Naegi could ever not be considered the epitome of pure, feminine beauty.

"Here's a picture from her first year of high school," Naegi said as he handed Asahina another picture.

If Asahina hadn't notice the similarities between her and Mrs. Naegi's appearance before, she did now. In the picture was a young Mrs. Naegi, before she was Mrs. Naegi obviously, with her hair done up in a ponytail like Asahina's usual one, wearing a rugby uniform. There were other girls in the picture, her teammates and they looked as though they had just finished a game.

"Kaa-san was a rugby player in high school. She and her friends had to start the team themselves since this was before 1991. She was a winger," Naegi said.

"Your mother played rugby?" Asahina asked, still not able to believe it. Asahina had once overheard Nidai describe rugby as the manliest of men's sports and, at the time, she had agreed with that assessment, but she couldn't deny what was in front of her. The woman in the family photo was once one of the girls in the rugby team photo, her face flushed from exertion and she had been visibly sweating.

"Yeah. It embarrasses her, but whenever she looks at that team picture, Tou-san always says she's just as beautiful now as she was back then," Naegi said.

Asahina couldn't help but picture herself in the future, looking back on her time as an athlete and hearing her future husband say the same thing. The fact that said future husband looked and sounded like Naegi turned her face as red as her jacket.

"You don't have to take my word for it though," Naegi said as he took out his phone. To avoid hurting his injured hand, he placed his phone on the table and pulled up his contact list. Selecting the option "Home" he tapped it, picked up his phone and waited.

"Naegi residence," A female voice from the other end said.

"Hi Kaa-san, it's Makoto," Naegi said.

"Koto-kun! How are you sweetheart?" the woman, Mrs. Naegi, asked.

"I'm fine. I hope you are too," Naegi said, a little embarrassed at the nickname his mother had used.

"I'm alright, so is your Tou-san and so is Komaru-chan," Mrs. Naegi said.

"That's good to hear. Kaa-san, do you remember when I asked for those pictures?" Naegi asked.

"Yes. Did they help your friend?" Mrs. Naegi asked, concern apparent in her voice. Asahina and Ogami thought it was sweet that a woman who they had never met sounded so concerned for the well-being of a child that wasn't hers. Clearly, Naegi's kind nature was genetic.

"I think so, but I thought maybe you could talk to her," Naegi said.

"Absolutely. Is she there now?" Mrs. Naegi asked.

"I'll put her on," Naegi said before passing his phone to Asahina.

The Ultimate Swimmer took his phone before managing to get out a shaky, "H-hello?" Asahina didn't know why she was so nervous, she wasn't even in the same room as this woman, but knowing it was Naegi's mother had her nervous. Asahina wasn't sure if someone could make a lasting impression over the phone, but she really hoped she made a good one.

"Is this Asahina Aoi-chan?" Mrs. Naegi asked.

"Y-yes ma'am. And you're Naegi-kun's mother, right?" Asahina asked. She knew, but she wanted to be polite.

"Yes, Naegi Momo at your service," the woman chirped happily before giggling. Then in a motherly voice, Mrs. Naegi said, "Koto-kun told me something was bothering one of his friends and that old picture of me could help, but maybe it would be better if you started from the beginning, Aoi-chan."

So that's exactly what Asahina did. From what Yuta had said up to now: all of her insecurities; the advice she had received; she left nothing out.

Mrs. Naegi had listened patiently and once Asahina finished she said, "Well Aoi-chan, you've officially had the worst date of your life."

That got a laugh out of Asahina.

"That's better. Now, I had a similar problem when I was your age. Girls didn't play rugby back then, and if they did, they were weird. My own kaa-san was against it, she said things like 'How will you find a husband if you act like a boy?' I won't lie, it bothered me, but I loved playing rugby, still do when I get together with the girls, although we're probably getting too old," Mrs. Naegi said.

"I don't get it. When I look at you in that picture with your family you look like what people think of when they hear 'yamato nadeshiko,'" Asahina said.

"That's sweet of you to say. The only one who thought I was beautiful or feminine back then was my husband. Or at least he was the only one who admitted it," Mrs. Naegi said.

"How did you deal with it? Naegi-kun mentioned something about 'shifting gears' but I don't know how to do that," Asahina said.

"You do, you just don't know it. Aoi-chan, many girls your age worry that they could be more feminine or that their interests aren't feminine, that unfortunately comes with being a teenager. What you need to remember, and I'm sure you've heard this a bunch of times in the past, 'Each of us is our own harshest critic.' I think your mentality as an athlete, the desire to always be better, has done you a lot of good, but I think it is also why you aren't able to see that you already have a cute and feminine side, because you think it isn't enough. The fact is, all women, and men too, instinctively know how to 'shift gears,'" Mrs. Naegi explained.

"You know Mrs. Naegi, that makes me feel a lot better," Asahina said.

"I'm glad to hear it. When Koto-kun told me about you, I could tell he was worried. I'm glad he tried, but he's still a teenage boy so he can only understand so much about girls. That's why I had a feeling he'd call and ask me to speak to you. I'm sure I didn't say anything he hasn't, but having been in your position myself, I figured my words would reach you when his couldn't," Mrs. Naegi said. After letting that sink in, Mrs. Naegi asked, "Do you think you'll be okay now, Aoi-chan?"

"You know what? I do," Asahina said. It was true, after talking to Mrs. Naegi, her concerns seemed rather silly and her mind felt so clear. She had a feeling that in a few days she'd even be laughing about how bad her date went.

"I'm glad to hear it. Now, would you mind putting Koto-kun back on," her voice dropped to a whisper, "I'm proud of him for sticking up for you, but between us, I don't think I'd be a proper mother if I didn't lecture him for punching that other boy," Mrs. Naegi joked.

Asahina laughed before saying, "Sure thing Mrs. Naegi, and thank you." She then handed the phone to Naegi and said, "She wants to talk to you." Asahina couldn't help but find it funny that Naegi paled at that.

"Oh, I've been dreading this," Naegi said with a gulp. Before he spoke to his mother, he said, "I'm glad you're feeling better Asahina-san. I'm sorry, I couldn't help you more on my own."

"You did fine Naegi-kun, you've been so sweet and supportive through all of this," Asahina said. Asahina had to resist the urge to kiss his cheek. His mother is on the phone, I'm sure she'd hear something, she reminded herself.

"Asahina-san, we should go," Ogami said, breaking her silence.

"You're right Sakura-chan. Good luck, Naegi-kun," Asahina said as she and Ogami left. Once Naegi's door was shut, Asahina said, "What a nice family." She then started giggling as she said, "It's hard to believe that the same guy who punched Fukuyama-san is the same guy who seemed so afraid of his mother lecturing him."

Ogami chuckled, but for a different reason. "You're quite fond of Naegi-kun aren't you?" she asked.

"Well yeah. He's sweet. He's understanding. He's patient. He's always willing to help…" Asahina probably would have continued until Ogami interrupted.

"I told you," Ogami said simply.

"Told me what?" Asahina asked.

"So, you haven't realized it. Asahina-san, you were trying to force yourself to fall in love, but you didn't notice you were already in love with someone," Ogami said.

"What do… you… With Naegi-kun?" Asahina asked as she had an epiphany. That would explain so much, like why she seemed to have Naegi on the brain.

"Yes, which means we should probably talk," a new, yet familiar voice said. The two girls turned to see Ikusaba, Maizono, Mioda, Sonia, and Owari.

Realizing that this was a battle Asahina would have to fight on her own, Ogami said, "I wish you luck Asahina-san," before excusing herself.

"Wa-wait! Sakura-chan?" Asahina pleaded, she had some idea of what was coming and couldn't believe that Ogami had left her to fend for herself.

"There is no need to worry Asahina-san. I have a suggestion that I believe, at the very least, will satisfy the both of us," Sonia said.


Present Day

I can't believe Sonia-senpai can ask a question like that with a straight face, Asahina thought, still slightly mortified by the question. She was going to aim for the gold medal, in life, in swimming, and in love. Accepting Sonia-senpai's offer of being a mistress is like giving up, and that is unacceptable, Asahina thought.

"Oh Asahina-san, Kaa-san wanted to know if you're feeling okay," Naegi said, remembering his last conversation with his mother.

"Oh, Asahina-san has met your mother?" Owari asked in a low growl. If Naegi's family had already met Asahina, then that was a huge advantage for the swimmer.

"Not in person, they only spoke once on the phone. I think from what I told her, Kaa-san sees a lot of herself in Asahina-san. I guess athletes have a special bond even if they're separated by a generation," Naegi said. He didn't really get it, of all the things he had inherited from his mother, he had not received her aptitude for sports.

"That they do," Nidai agreed, which only served to irritate Owari further. Then again, she was an athlete too. She would need to make it a point to meet Mrs. Naegi and share in this special bond. She shot a look towards Asahina that said, "I won't lose to you."

Never one to turn down a challenge, Asahina just nodded.

Naegi was oblivious to all of this. He remembered why he had come here and said, "Sorry everyone, I came to make sure everything was alright not interrupt you with reminiscing," as he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

"It was no trouble," Ogami assured him.

"You could stay if you wanted to," Owari said, hoping he would, even if it meant sharing him with one of her rivals.

Asahina felt the same as Owari, and said, "You're more than welcome."

"Well I'd like to but there's something I need to do today and…" Naegi began.

"I'M SOOOORRRRRRRYYYYY!" a familiar voice wailed. It was soon followed by an equally familiar, annoyed groan.

"…and I should probably go do something about that," Naegi finished, his plans changing once again. He waved good-bye to his friends before heading towards the voices.

While making his way towards where those voices came from, Naegi couldn't help thinking, She said she wouldn't do that anymore. They were both doing so well, I wonder what happened.

"I'M SOOORRRRYYYY!" the first voice repeated.

After another groan, Naegi heard, "No, no, no! You'll always be a doormat for people if you don't fire back. It really isn't that hard Mikan-nee."

That's new, Naegi thought, more than a little confused.

He soon heard a third voice that said, "Hiyoko-chan, maybe it would be best if you two took a break."

The second voice seemed to think about this before saying, "You're right Mahiru-nee."

Naegi soon reached the location of the voices and saw that the voiced indeed belonged to Koizumi Mahiru, Tsumiki Mikan, and Saionji Hiyoko. Hoping they would explain what it was that he, and probably the rest of campus, he imagined, had heard. "Hey everyone, is everything alright?" he asked.

The first to react was Tsumiki, who ran and cowered behind Naegi. Saionji scowled at that, but Koizumi smiled, although Naegi swore he saw her eye twitch.

"It's nothing Naegi-kun, Hiyoko-chan was trying to 'toughen up' Mikan-chan," Koizumi explained.

That really didn't clear things up, which led to Naegi saying, "I might need to hear this from the beginning."


And finished. I hope you all enjoyed it. I apologize for the wait, but to be honest, this chapter was harder than I expected it to be. Having never been a teenage girl, I can only refer to articles on psychology and parenting to help me with this. I mean, thinking you're not "X" enough is a pretty universal concern, but that can only get you so far.

I'd like to that Putain de Plagieur for proofreading once again. You're the best, my friend!

For those who are interested:

Yamato nadeshiko (やまとなでしこor 大和撫子) is a Japanese term meaning the "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", or "the epitome of pure, feminine beauty". It is a floral metaphor, combining the words Yamato, an ancient name for Japan, and nadeshiko, a delicate frilled pink carnation called Dianthus superbus, whose kanji translate into English as "caressable child".

The term "Yamato nadeshiko" is often used referring to a girl or shy young woman and, in a contemporary context, nostalgically of women with good traits which are perceived as being increasingly rare. However, Nadeshiko Japan is also widely used as the name for the Japanese national women's football team.

Wing

The wings are generally positioned on the outside of the backline. Their primary function is to finish off moves and score tries. Wingers are usually the fastest players in the team and are either elusive runners or, more recently, big, strong and able to break tackles. The skills needed for the left wing and right wing are similar, although left-footed players are usually played on the left wing as they can step and kick better off their left foot. The winger on the blindside often "comes off the wing" to provide an extra man in the midfield, in the same vein as a full-back. One or both wingers will usually drop back on opposition kicks to give the full-back extra options for counter-attacking.

For anyone who caught it, yes, the guy who gave them the expired coupons was Cayde. I couldn't help it. How could anyone not love Cayde-6? Obviously this one wasn't an Exo, that would have been weird, but doesn't that seem like something he'd do? Eavesdrop on a conversation that involves ramen and give coupons to Spicy Ramen? I'm sorry, won't happen again. Unless you liked him, in which case, given his gambling problem I might bring him back for Celes's chapter.

I didn't notice this until I replayed DR1, but when her hair is down Asahina looks a lot like Mrs. Naegi. Google "Naegi Family," find a picture with preferably with Mrs. Naegi's eyes open, and then Google "Aoi Asahina hair down" if you don't believe me.

Also, don't worry, I didn't forget Junko's reaction, those will be in her chapter.

Mahiru is up next, but there are somethings I need to let all of you know.

First off, a guest reviewer suggested Makoto confronting Mikan's family. I'm not opposed to the idea, in fact I planned to address it, just in a future chapter that focused on Mikan. Yes, that means that the girls get more than one chapter that focuses on them, although they may share a few chapters. I'm holding off on it for a few reasons:

I want to make Hope's Peak Academy a safe haven for Mikan, and that means dealing with her tormentor, Hiyoko.

There are things I need to explain, and plan to in the Warriors of Hope chapter (yes, they get one), as to why nothing was ever done about Mikan's home life, even though anyone should have known something was wrong within five seconds of meeting her.

While Mikan did talk about the forms of abuse she suffered, given how broken she was canonically, I don't think that it's a stretch to think that she would avoid letting her friends meet her family even after she mentions the abuse. I think it is rather likely that she would be under the mistaken impression that her friends would abandon her. Or double down.

There is also the matter of her living situation outside of school. That's a problem she'll be sharing with at least one other girl, so I figure that resolving that for them would be more suited to the arc I have planned for their summer break

Having said all that, her knight in shining armor, or at least a green hoodie, will come to her rescue. I hope that's acceptable, I hate to find out that I lost a reader over my choices, although I think that is rather unlikely, but one can never be sure. Trust me when I say, Mikan is one of my favorite characters from SDR2, I want her to be safe and happy in this fic as much as any of her other fans reading this.

Secondly, and I probably mentioned this before, but Mahiru, Mikan, and Hiyoko are going to be part of a mini-arc. So instead of a resolution to their problems in their respective chapters, all three will be resolved in a fourth chapter after each of the three girls gets their respective chapter. I'm doing this because of my belief that I really can't do Mikan's chapter without Hiyoko being a major part of it; I can't do a Hiyoko chapter without bringing up that Mahiru is Hiyoko's enabler; and while I could do Mahiru's chapter and resolve the problem there, I can't help but think that her being called out as Hiyoko's enabler would be a giant leap back. Whether I like it or not, those three girls are very closely linked. I don't really see it as a bad thing, but it might present a bit of a challenge, and those chapters might be shorter that usual too.

On another note, I plan to take a break until after the new year. I love this story, but I think part of the delay in getting this chapter out is that I feel a little burnt out. I just need to recharge my batteries, but I shall return, hopefully with a new chapter worthy of you, my readers. I will still answer PM's so don't be afraid to send one if you have questions.

Read and review and I will see you in January.