Chapter 14: Everyday Life with the Ultimate Swordswoman


Hello Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Ultimates of all ages! I have returned!

I hope all of you had an excellent holiday, which ever one it is that you celebrate, and a wonderful New Year!

Wow, 2020. Never really expected to still be writing this. I never thought it would catch on but the greatest readers I could ask for clicked on my story and kept me going and for that I thank you.

I'd like to also thank everyone who read and reviewed SHSL Guardian Logs, I honestly didn't think anyone would like that one. I may have to continue it, if that happens, I may rename it because I might give Makoto different powers (Think Dante and for another story, lots of Shouts).

Ah Peko. I have a soft spot for her. I actually have a soft spot for all of Class 77-B. Given what we know, it's hard not to. If you're wondering why I'm putting this out there, it's because as much as I don't want to make her suffer, she's going to suffer a bit. But that's okay, a certain Luckster is always happy to help.

So, if any of you want to call me a boomer or something in the review, I deserve it. It turns out that a Windows update just fucked up my battery drivers. All I had to do was uninstall the drivers and restart the computer. Wish I had been able to find that information before paying $59.99 for a battery. Thankfully I was able to return it.

To Neo Roybot8: First, thank you for your review. Don't worry though, I have a plan. Without spoiling things too much, there will be big changes at Hope's Peak at some point. I knew that was a problem when I wrote it the way I did, and knew I'd have to rectify the living space situation later. I'm glad you pointed that out though, advice and/or criticism is always welcome, that's how I improve.

So, with all that said, let's start the chapter!


Present Day

Miyabi let out a whine. Pekoyama had said that Miyabi was about to have kittens, and while Naegi had no reason to doubt his senpai's words, he also knew that the humans in this room were out of their depth.

"We should probably go get Tanaka-senpai," Naegi suggested.

Pekoyama nodded her head and said, "Agreed."

"I saw him earlier, it shouldn't be too hard to find him," Naegi said as he moved to leave.

"I shall accompany you," Pekoyama announced.

"And I as well," Celes added.

"Someone should stay and watch Miyabi, and since I saw Tanaka-senpai earlier I know where to look. Pekoyama-senpai has been monitoring Miyabi since the beginning so she could probably explain the situation in the most detail," Naegi pointed out.

Celes wanted to object, but she realized that Naegi was correct. Although she was thrilled about the idea of newborn kittens, more so that they were Grand Bois Chéri Ludenberg's kittens too, she was not particularly happy that one of her rivals was going with Naegi. She just nodded and went to attend to Miyabi. Naegi wasn't sure, but he thought that Celes started pouting.

"Naegi-kun, we must hurry," Pekoyama reminded him.

"Right, let's go Senpai!" Naegi said as and Pekoyama ran to find Tanaka with Naegi pointing the way.

As they ran side-by-side, Pekoyama said, "Naegi-kun, I apologize for this inconvenience. I know you had other things to do today and that I should have spoken to Tanaka-kun about this before. I suppose that I was being selfish for wanting to see Miyabi's kittens first. It's just that…"

"I'm going to stop you right there, Senpai," Naegi interrupted her. He continued, "I don't think you're being selfish, and even if I did, after everything you've gone through, I think you deserve this and more. I'm glad that you're thinking about what you want." Naegi couldn't help thinking, Pekoyama-senpai has come a long way. Not many people can have everything they've ever known taken from them and still push on.

Since I was a small child, I was raised as a tool and thought that was all there was to my life. Bo-cha-, I mean, Kuzuryuu-kun tried to get me to see that was not true. When I become a discarded tool, I believed that my life was over. Thanks to Naegi-kun, I can keep on living, but this time as a person, Pekoyama thought as she remembered what led her to this point.


Hope's Peak Academy-Old Building

Fifth Day of Classes-Saturday After Class

After what felt like forever, Naegi had finally reached the fifth floor of the Old Schoolhouse. It wasn't that he had begun to find exploring campus unpleasant, but even just this one building was a lot of ground to cover. It was fortunate that he had run into Celes in the Rec Room earlier, his legs were certainly grateful for that brief reprieve. He was about to question why his tour with Mioda didn't tire him out this much, but then remembered that she really just run to the different floors and explained what rooms were where on the way to the Music Room. It wasn't exactly as thorough as what Naegi was doing now.

What's in this room? Naegi wondered as he opened the door. Sliding doors. Old-fashioned wooden lockers with old style keys. Japanese style design throughout the room. Naegi could only assume that this was a dojo. It was a lot to take in, so Naegi could be forgiven for not noticing that he wasn't alone.

"...State your business."

Naegi tuned and saw one of his senpai, a girl with silver hair, red eyes, and glasses. In keeping with the room, she had changed from her usual outfit into a gi. Naegi recognized her as Pekoyama Peko.

Naegi quickly apologized, "I'm sorry Pekoyama-senpai, I didn't mean to disturb you. I was just looking around."

"You are…Naegi-kun, correct?" Pekoyama asked.

"Yes, I am Naegi Makoto," Naegi said as he bowed. This dignified-looking woman is known as the Ultimate Swordswoman. It's hard to believe someone with a cute name like Peko Pekoyama could be so skilled with a blade. I've heard she's a kendo master and that most adult men don't even stand a chance against her, Naegi remembered. Taking another look at Pekoyama, he noticed something, Her eyes are really intense.

"If what Yukizome-sensei said is true, we are expected to live together in the dorm," Pekoyama stated.

"Yeah, you're right," Naegi confirmed as he nodded.

Pekoyama continued, "It is necessary for men and women who live together to respect each other. Don't try anything inappropriate. I would prefer...not to kill anyone."

That got Naegi nervous. "Kill...? Isn't the sword you usually carry made of bamboo?" he asked.

"Though it may seem impossible to kill someone with this, a misaimed blow can be fatal," Pekoyama explained. After taking a moment to consider something, she added, "Well, an aimed blow can be fatal, too."

Naegi wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that, so he simply said, "I'll keep that in mind." After regaining his composure, he said, "I'll behave Senpai, don't worry about that."

"Very well," Pekoyama responded, satisfied as she went to meditate.

She's distant, but I don't think she's a bad person. I'm sure once everything calms down, we'll get along just fine, Naegi thought as he left to continue exploring the fifth floor.

Little did Naegi know that Pekoyama was thinking of him too. Although she had come to the dojo to meditate, one thought kept interfering. His hair looked so soft and fluffy.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm Common Area

Third Week of Classes-Sunday

It was only after breakfast but Naegi still found himself laying down on a couch in the common area. Ikusaba's warning from last night had him nervous. Of course, Ikusaba did not tell him the full extent of what Enoshima would do to someone in her way, so Naegi had no idea that his life could be in danger. When Ikusaba had promised to protect him Naegi had been grateful, but he also felt bad that Ikusaba had to worry about him. That's how he ended up here, he was thinking of ways to take some of the burden off of Ikusaba.

Be cautious, obviously, but what else? Naegi asked himself.

As Naegi pondered this, someone else had entered the common area. Pekoyama was at her limit. It wasn't fair! Since animals ran away from her, she had thought that she should give up on ever enjoying their soft fur. Then she meets Naegi with his oh-so-fluffy looking hair. He wasn't afraid of her, but she couldn't indulge herself. Pekoyama may not be the most well-adjusted socially, but she knew that she couldn't go around touching other people's hair. But why did it have to be so difficult?

So close and yet so far, Pekoyama thought. As if the universe had decided to mock her, she looked and saw Naegi laying on the couch. He wasn't moving, so she assumed that he was asleep. I suppose that a quick touch couldn't hurt, Pekoyama told herself before reaching out and placing her hand on Naegi's head.

Naegi felt someone's hand in his hair and tilted his head backward. He locked eyes with Pekoyama, he had not expected her. "…"

"…" Pekoyama said nothing, but her face was beet red. Naegi had caught her. She didn't know if this was better or worse than if one of the girls had caught her.

Though Naegi had been silent, he was not particularly shocked or judgmental, he simply believed that Pekoyama required assistance and was waiting for her to speak. He found it odd that she didn't speak up, but perhaps she was embarrassed to ask about whatever it was she needed. Her face was certainly red enough.

It was then that a thought struck Naegi. Naegi had come to the conclusion that if he could protect himself than Ikusaba would not need to worry too much about his safety. The issue then became, how would he protect himself? Self-defense training, sure, but what kind? Naegi was a small guy, depending on how Enoshima decided to go after him, unarmed was probably not the way to go, not if Ikusaba's concern was anything to go by. Pekoyama was a swordswoman, the best in the world, she could probably help him, even if it was only advice, he would take it.

With all of that in mind, Naegi asked, "Pekoyama-senpai, you study kendo, right?"

After calming herself down, Pekoyama managed to answer, "Yes."

"What level are you?'

"If you mean my kendo level then I don't have one."

Naegi did not understand. "Huh?"

"Dojo trainees typically earn levels corresponding to their years of training. However, I have no need for that," Pekoyama explained.

"Why? Don't people normally aim for that kind of advancement?" Naegi asked.

"I have no such aim. My destination has already been decided. Protect who I must protect, cut who I must cut. That alone is the original purpose of the sword. Wielding a blade in its truest sense in my aim. That is my reason for existing. To achieve that, I have no use whatsoever for meaningless levels determined by arbitrary rules," Pekoyama explained.

"I see. You truly are the Ultimate Swordswoman. I hope I didn't offend you by asking about levels," Naegi apologized.

"It's fine. You couldn't have known," Pekoyama responded. It really wouldn't have offended her even if Naegi had known. Her own feelings weren't that important anyway, she didn't need to feel in the life fate had decided for her.

"You're really cool, Senpai. You're kind of like a samurai," Naegi stated.

Pekoyama turned red again and stuttered, "R-Really cool...? You say such strange things...! N-No one has ever said that to me before. Um...well...th-thank... Never mind." It wasn't Pekoyama at her most eloquent, that much was certain.

She seems... Naegi struggled to think of a proper description, very awkward. Is she blushing?

Once she regained her composure, Pekoyama spoke again. "However, because of the path I've chosen, there are things I've lost as well. Warm, irreplaceable things..."

That piqued Naegi's curiosity. "What did you lose?" he asked.

There was a pause before Pekoyama answered, "...Fluffiness."

Naegi wasn't sure he had heard her correctly. "Fluffiness...?"

"There are things that are warm, fluffy, and soft... The cat that came to visit the dojo, my childhood friend's dog, and even the finch I had as a pet..." Pekoyama recounted. Naegi wasn't sure, but he thought Pekoyama seemed very happy to think about those animals.

"But all animals can sense my menacing presence and run away from me. I just...want to touch their soft fur and fluffy feathers to my heart's content..." Pekoyama finished. Naegi didn't have to guess this time, he could hear the sadness and longing in Pekoyama's voice.

"I don't think you're menacing Senpai. We haven't known each other long but I think you're very kind," Naegi said honestly. Although, I guess animals could mistake the desire to pet them as predatory feelings. Possibly. Maybe there's more to it that I don't know yet, Naegi thought.

Although this conversation had started because Naegi had wanted to ask for Pekoyama's help, he now felt the strong desire to help her. "Oh, then what about asking Tanaka-senpai if you can touch his hamsters the next time you see him? He might be able to help you out. He probably knows a way to keep animals from running away from you," Naegi suggested.

Pekoyama thought about it before saying, "I see... You do have a point. Also, since his hamsters are called the Twelve Zodiac Generals, they might not get scared of me and run away. I should look for Tanaka-kun right now."

Pekoyama's eyes looked predatory as she left. She was a girl on a mission. Naegi couldn't help but think that Pekoyama's intensity would have a negative effect on the Generals.

Before she was out the door, Pekoyama said, "Naegi-kun, thank you for your advice. If you'd like...please come talk to me again. Good-bye."

Pekoyama-senpai walked off in a hurry. She must be really desperate to touch something fluffy, Naegi thought. A few seconds passed before he asked himself, Wait…did she need something, or did she just want to touch my hair? Naegi might have found it a little odd, but it didn't really bother him if that was what Pekoyama wanted. There were worse things in the world to be considered than "warm, fluffy, and soft." He just wasn't sure how to go about telling Pekoyama that if she needed her "fix," he'd be happy to help.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm Dining Room

Fourth Week of Classes-Monday

It was after dinner but even after cleaning up, Naegi had decided to stay in the dining room. He had a lot on his mind and didn't feel like going back to his room. Mioda was going to do a reunion concert with her old band Saturday evening, but Naegi had some misgivings. It normally wasn't in his nature to think someone was being malicious, but with Ikusaba's warning about Enoshima still fresh in his mind, he didn't believe that she got Black Cherry back together and booked them a venue out of the goodness of her heart. That said, he believed in Mioda. Her talent and love of music were unquestionable. As long as the audience understood that, they would enjoy her music.

Still, Black Box sounds more like a hipster club than a club for metalheads. Maybe I'm just too caught up in the name, Naegi reasoned.

Whether he was deep in thought or because she was just that skilled at concealing her presence, Naegi didn't notice Pekoyama enter.

"Naegi-kun," Peko called out.

"Hmm? Oh, Pekoyama-senpai. Is everything alright?" Naegi asked, concerned.

"I am simply curious if you are prepared for Saturday. You mentioned earlier that you don't know much about swords, right?" Pekoyama asked.

"Yeah...I've never held a bamboo sword before," Naegi admitted. What does this have to do with Saturday, though? Naegi wondered.

Pekoyama asked a follow-up question. "So, you've held an actual sword...just not a bamboo sword?"

"A replica katana actually. It was for display. Not fit to practice with," Naegi explained.

I see... So, you're saying you have an interest in swords, but do not use them," Pekoyama stated. Her questions then continued, "Then are you a striker? Or maybe you're a grappler?"

Before Naegi could answer, Pekoyama believed she had hit upon the answer. Answer to what, Naegi could only guess. "No, perhaps you are well versed in firearms." Pekoyama muttered.

Naegi decided to interrupt before he became even more confused. "Wait, hold on… I'm not saying I have poor reflexes, but I already know I'm not the warrior type."

"I see... The others tell me you have a perceptive way of seeing things, so I had assumed that you were, but..." Pekoyama began before taking a closer look at Naegi before saying, "Just as you said, you do not have the presence of a warrior. Which means...you are not suited for battle in the slightest."

Ouch. I mean, I don't plan on starting any fights, but I still… Naegi said to himself. "Pekoyama-senpai, what is this about?" Naegi asked.

"I thought that you intended to accompany Mioda-san and Saionji-san on Saturday," Pekoyama stated.

"I do, but I don't intend to start any fights. That would cause problems for the others if I did," Naegi explained.

"I see..." Pekoyama responded. After thinking it over, she continued, "What you say is true, however you must be extremely cautious."

"I understand your concerns Senpai, but I don't think we'll be in any danger," Naegi told her.

"That may be true, however, there are times when swords must be drawn. Whether you want that...or not," Pekoyama warned.

"What does that mean?" Naegi asked.

"Every human being has a duty to fulfill their destiny. That will never change, and...there is no need for it to ever change," Pekoyama explained.

"I don't know if that's true Senpai. Nothing stays the same forever. True, that change may not always be for the better, but sometimes you just have to accept it," Naegi countered.

"N-no," Pekoyama stuttered. Naegi thought that he heard something like fear in her voice when she denied his point.

"I'm sorry Pekoyama-senpai, I think we got off topic," Naegi said trying to change the subject back to their original topic, not that he really knew what that was.

"Y-yes of course, I thought that you were concerned for Saturday. I was wondering how you planned to deal with any trouble," Pekoyama explained.

"What? Oh, no I'm not afraid of a fight breaking out. I'm worried about something else," Naegi assured her.

"I see. It was my mistake then. If you'll excuse me," Pekoyama said as she turned to leave.

Naegi stopped her. "Wait, Pekoyama-senpai."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you!"

"I didn't do anything Naegi-kun. I simply misunderstood," Pekoyama said.

"Still, knowing you care enough to come talk to me about my concerns means a lot to me. I'm glad I have a friend like you!" Naegi said happily.

Pekoyama felt an odd twitch in her face. A foreign feeling of her lips curving upward. Is this a "smile?" she wondered. "You are very welcome, Naegi-kun."

"If I can do anything to return the favor, just let me know," Naegi said.

Anything? As she walked away, Pekoyama wondered if that included feeling something "warm, fluffy, and soft."


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm Common Area

Tenth Week of Classes-Monday

It was the day after the hostage situation at the Novoselic Embassy and Naegi was exhausted. Dodging the media was tiring work, as it turned out, and he believed that he would be doing it for a while yet.

I'm glad Maizono-san and Mioda-san are handling meals right now, Naegi thought as he closed his eyes. He wasn't sure if he had dozed off or if she was just that fast, but when he opened his eyes, he saw that Pekoyama had joined him. For the first time since he had met her, he saw that she looked distracted.

"..."

Is Pekoyama-senpai alright? There's such an intense look on her face, Naegi noted.

"..."

I-Is she worried about something...? I can't tell if I should ask or not... After weighing his options, and seeing Pekoyama turn pale, Naegi decided that he should ask if something was wrong.

"S-senpai, are you all right!? You're starting to turn pale!" Naegi shouted as he shook Pekoyama's shoulder. That was even more proof that he should intervene. After all, he would ordinarily never be able to get close enough to place his hand on Pekoyama's shoulder, much less actually shake it.

"Was I...?" Pekoyama asked, clearly surprised.

"Wh-What...? What were you even trying to do?" Naegi questioned. Whatever it was, if it required Pekoyama to focus that much, it must have been important.

"W-Well...actually..." Pekoyama began bashfully. "...I was trying to smile."

Naegi certainly hadn't expected that. "...Huh?"

"Koizumi-san tells me that...I'm the only one who doesn't smile for her pictures," Pekoyama explained. She continued, "So...I thought I should do something about it, but it's harder than I thought. I don't really understand it though. I picked today because I should be happy today. You saved Sonia-san last night. I should be happy that she is alright and that she has one less threat to worry about, but it hasn't helped me smile at all."

Naegi felt bad as he listened. He wanted to help his friend, but he wasn't even sure where to start. Making someone smile was one thing, but Pekoyama's earlier display made him thing that it was a more complicated problem than what could be solved with happy thoughts or funny jokes.

While Naegi was thinking, Pekoyama made a request. "So...will you try to make me laugh or smile?"

"Th-This is rather sudden!" Makoto yelped in surprise.

"Anything is fine if you think it will work, so give it a try!" To Naegi, it almost sounded like Pekoyama was pleading.

You're acting like you lowered the bar, but it's still really high! Naegi thought. As often happens when one is put on the spot, Naegi was drawing a blank. He had suddenly forgotten every joke he had ever heard, and he wasn't sure what else could put a smile on Pekoyama's face. They hadn't known her long enough to have made any happy memories he could bring up. Wait… Naegi thought as he recalled three words. "Warm," "fluffy," and "soft." Naegi had an idea.

"What are…!?" Pekoyama began as Naegi grabbed her hand. She stopped as soon as she felt how soft his hair was. So fluffy! Pekoyama noted blissfully.

After a minute Naegi said, "You really do have a nice smile, Pekoyama-senpai."

"I'm…smiling?" Pekoyama asked. There certainly was an unfamiliar feeling in her face. Underused muscles were working for the first time in a long time. She was sure that Naegi was telling the truth.

"You helped me, Naegi-kun," Pekoyama said happily.

"Well, I know my method was a little weird," Naegi admitted.

"It does not matter. It worked," Pekoyama insisted. "I can't really smile that well. I've been like this ever since I was young. The childhood friend I always played with used to cry and say my face was scary. There was also a time when...my first love coldly told me that, too."

Naegi couldn't help thinking, That's…horrible, actually. For Pekoyama's sake, he hoped that whoever it was she was talking about was just bad at expressing themselves and with words.

"Even so... I never really needed to smile, so I never thought about it all that much. And because I completely neglected it, I forgot how to do it entirely," Pekoyama explained.

It's...not normal for someone to forget how to smile, Naegi thought. Was she subjected to an outrageous amount of harsh training? Or is there some other reason? he wondered.

"Naegi-kun? What's wrong?" Pekoyama asked with concern.

"Ah...nothing," Naegi said. Pekoyama may have told him about her past, but he didn't think he should pry too much right now. It was much more important that Pekoyama remember how to smile. "Anyway...I'll think of something better next time."

"That would be wonderful. I'll be looking forward to it," Pekoyama said happily. Faint traces of a smile in the making were evident on her face as she thought about what she had to look forward to.

When Pekoyama had left, Naegi noticed that Ikusaba had joined him. Naegi was about to greet her, before he saw that she was…pouting?

"Naegi-kun, Pekoyama-senpai isn't the only one who likes soft things," Ikusaba told him.

Naegi suppressed the urge to laugh.


Minato Inn

Eleventh Week of Classes-Thursday

The morning after Mari and Ataru had gotten lost in Aokigahara Forest was full of joy and relief. Joy that the children had been found right away and relief that they were safe. That hadn't stopped Owari from punishing the two, of course. They wouldn't get to spend time with their "Mako-nii" for the remainder of the trip. As much as Suguru would have loved to have Naegi to himself, the kind five-year-old would have felt bad if it was simply because his brother and sister were being punished. As such, Naegi had free time today and was looking for ways to spend it. Fortunately, he saw Pekoyama out on the inn's back patio. For whatever reason, she had index fingers extended and was raising them to her mouth. His curiosity getting the better of him, Naegi approached and asked, "What are you doing, Pekoyama-senpai?"

It was faint, or perhaps since this was Pekoyama "restrained" would have been a better word, but Naegi swore he heard eagerness in Pekoyama's voice. "Listen to this, Naegi-kun... I have discovered a revolutionary technique."

"A revolutionary technique...?" At first, Naegi didn't know what she was talking about, but he soon recalled his last conversation with Pekoyama. Just to be sure, he asked, "Are you talking about how to smile?"

Pekoyama nodded. "Yes. Saionji-san, taught it to me."

Warning sirens were blaring in Naegi's head when he heard that. Oh, dear Lord, no.

"I have not attempted it yet, but I have properly memorized how to do it, Pekoyama began. "First, I must hook my fingers to both sides of my mouth. And if I pull them to the side and up a little, it will resemble smiling."

"Th-That's just for show, though," Naegi said in an attempt to explain this to Pekoyama in the gentlest way possible.

"However, that is not all," Pekoyama continued. "Apparently there is a magic spell you can use in this state to make yourself and anyone else laugh."

Naegi did not like where this was going. "M-Magic spell?"

"Apparently, I must pull both sides of my mouth with my fingers and chant, 'I was born on a pirate ship'. Though I'm skeptical, I shall attempt it." Pekoyama finished as she raised her hands to her mouth.

"No! Stop!" Naegi shouted. Now that he had Pekoyama's attention, he explained, "This is a prank little kids play on each other."

"Naegi-kun, why did you stop me? Prank or not, there is no guarantee that it would not have worked," Pekoyama told him.

That…actually makes what Saionji did that much worse, Naegi thought seeing how desperate Pekoyama was. "That might be true, but I don't think you can really call that a smile that way. Kids may laugh that off afterwards, but in my experience they usually grimace beforehand. I just don't think self-deprecating humor is the way to go to get your smile back," Naegi told her.

"I see. So, just as I thought, there is no way for me to make someone smile since I'm incapable of smiling," Pekoyama stated sadly.

"N-No...I didn't mean it like that. I just think there's a way for you to smile, make others smile, and keep your dignity," Naegi explained.

Pekoyama didn't seem to hear him as she began to speak. "Koizumi-san showed me her photos the other day. They were filled with images of smiling faces. I don't know how else to say this, but...they were very nice photos. I learned that smiles give people power."

Naegi nodded in agreement.

"And...I remembered when I was a kid. There was a time when my childhood friend and I nearly got lost in the mountains," Pekoyama said.

"Lost in the mountains? Did you wander away from your parents?"

"No...we were forced into someone's car." Pekoyama corrected.

"I-Isn't that kidnapping!?"

Pekoyama just continued. "Well, it was fine until I saw a chance for us to escape. Afterward, we got lost in the mountains."

"I wouldn't exactly use the word 'fine' when discussing kidnapping. Not unless it's part of the phrase, 'Everything turned out fine.'" Naegi added.

"I desperately tried to cheer up my friend, but I was also scared and worried. My friend could sense that as well...so in the end, I ended up making him cry. If I had been able to smile and tell him that everything was going to be okay, even if it was a lie. I might've been able to take away his fear," Pekoyama finished. "Hmph, I haven't grown at all since then," she stated with a huff.

"I think that you're being too hard on yourself, Senpai. You were in danger too. It's only natural to be scared, you're only human after all. The important thing is that you were both okay in the end," Naegi said.

No…not human. A tool, Pekoyama thought. Although, she was happy that her friend called her "human." "Of course we were. My sword is a tool to protect people. I made sure I protected my friend."

Naegi's respect for Pekoyama grew when she said that. Protect, huh. Peko became strong for that sake...but because she became too strong, she lost something important too. With that in mind, Naegi said, "Pekoyama-senpai... I want to help out too, if you don't mind."

"Huh...?"

"Let me help you until you can finally smile on your own. After all, isn't it too early to give up now?" Naegi asked.

Pekoyama may not have smiled, but Naegi thought she sounded happy as she said, "I see... Naegi-kun... To tell you the truth, there is one more thing I would like you to do."

"Of course, Senpai, what do you need?" Naegi asked.

Pekoyama started blushing as she began to speak. "I-I need, um..."

"..."

"N-No...wait, hold on... I need to prepare myself a bit more," Pekoyama said suddenly. "When the time comes, I'll tell you... So, until then, please forget what I said." As she ran back inside the inn, Pekoyama hastily said, "Excuse me."

"I wonder what that was about?" Naegi wondered. Maybe Pekoyama-senpai doesn't have a close confidant. She does seem to have a lot she wants to get off her chest. I guess some people would find it weird to tell someone you've only known for a few months that much about your past. Still, it is nice to know that I am someone Pekoyama-senpai can trust.

As she went back to her room, Pekoyama thought, Why do I tell Naegi-kun so much? Bo-chan would be furious if he knew what I was telling Naegi-kun. How can I be a proper tool if I embarrass my master like that? Maybe…maybe it's because Naegi-kun and Bo-chan really aren't that different. Pekoyama couldn't recall when she began to think that, but it wasn't wrong. While stand-offish, when he didn't feel the need to put up a front Kuzuryuu could be rather kind when he wanted to be.


Downtown Near Hope's Peak

Sixteenth Week of Classes-Wednesday

After what had happened Monday, most people would have avoided going out for a couple days. Most people weren't Naegi Makoto though, and once classes had ended for the day, he had left campus to make sure that he knew where he would be going on Saturday for the tournament. He didn't think it was in his best interest to be late to a yakuza sponsored event, so he needed to be sure he would not get lost on the way to the warehouse. It was simple enough to get to, hopefully it would be after dark. Satisfied, Naegi was on his way home when he heard a soft meow behind him. Calico fur, large oval eyes, and a short, kinked tail, it was a Japanese Bobtail and judging by how thin she looked, she was hoping Naegi had food on him.

Naegi wanted to take her home right away and feed her but considered the possibility that maybe she had just a runaway. So, he picked her up and headed to the police station to inquire about any missing cats. When it appeared that the cat was a stray and not a runaway Naegi took her to back to Hope's Peak and took her to Tanaka.

"No sign of any ailments. She does not seem to be plagued by insect demons. Her coat isn't what it could be, but in the care of a Lightborn, that should be remedied easily. Yes, I believe that you have found a proper familiar to pair with your blessing," Tanaka told Naegi after he had finished examining the cat.

"My blessing? You mean 'luck'?" Naegi asked.

"Correct. There are places on this plane of existence that consider the type and appearance of this beast a sign of good fortune," Tanaka explained.

Now that Naegi thought about it, it made sense. The maneki neko is an image of a Japanese Bobtail, and those statues are considered good luck charms in Japan. Her color was probably good luck too. Japanese sailors had calico ship's cats to protect against misfortune at sea. And thinking back to his junior high report on Novoselic, he remembered a classmate's report on Germany that mentioned calico coloring on cats being lucky.

Naegi knew he was keeping this cat, but there were a few things that he needed to do first. Tanaka wanted to examine her a bit more, so as the Ultimate Breeder was caring for her, the Ultimate Lucky Student of Class 78 went to get cat supplies for the new resident at the…dorms. While Tanaka had explained, in his own Tanaka way of course, that Hope's Peak did not feel too strongly about students keeping pets even if they were unrelated to the student's talent, provided that they were properly taken care of, Naegi had forgotten to consider the possibility that the girls might not want a cat living at the dorms. He doubted that it would be much of a problem, but he had not asked ahead of time. He suddenly felt like a child hiding an animal from his parents or perhaps more accurately, a certain living suit of armor hiding a cat from his brother.

"Well, I'll figure something out when Sensei and the girls meet her. Maybe it will all work out," Naegi said in an attempt to reassure himself.

That moment came sooner than Naegi had liked. Yukizome and the girls had noticed while he set things up for the cat in his room. When Naegi had returned from retrieving the cat from Tanaka, they confronted him on it.

"Naegi-kun, what's going on?" Yukizome asked.

Naegi froze when he heard that question. This wasn't how he wanted to start this conversation, but perhaps it was just as well. As Naegi slowly turned from his spot on the stairs, the other residents of the dorm gave a collective, "Awwww!"

That's a good sign, Naegi thought. "I know I should have checked with everyone first, but she was following me, and she seemed hungry and…" Naegi rambled.

"T-that's right, you should have checked first," Yukizome lectured, although everyone present knew that she was doing because she was expected to as their teacher. "Now, what's this little cutie's name?" Yukizome asked.

"Uh, I haven't actually thought of one yet," Naegi admitted.

Upon hearing that, the girls began blurting out suggestions.

"Shizuka!"

"Anzu!"

"Shinobu!"

As this went on, one dorm resident did not make a suggestion, but that was because she has so distracted by the cat. Her fur looks so soft, Pekoyama thought as she longed to stroke the cat's fur. As if it read her mind, the cat jumped out of Naegi's arms and made her way over to Pekoyama. A few meows were able to get Pekoyama's attention.

"I think she likes you, Pekoyama-senpai," Naegi said.

"That is impossible. Animals don't…" Pekoyama began.

"Apparently that one does," Naegi interrupted.

Pekoyama was nervous. This had never happened, and she wasn't sure what to do. Moving slowly and robotically, Pekoyama knelt down and started to scratch behind the cat's ears. "Hi there, I-I'm Peko. What's your name?" she asked.

"That's what we're trying to figure out, dummy," Saionji reminded her.

"Hiyoko-chan, be nice," Koizumi lectured.

"Maybe you should name her, Pekoyama-senpai. She really seems to like you," Naegi suggested with a smile on his face.

Pekoyama looked at the cat in front of her for a while as she thought of possible names. When she decided on one, she smiled softly and said, "Hello Miyabi, I hope we'll be best friends."

A happy, "Meow!" followed by purring was the newly named Miyabi's response.


Kuzuryuu Manor

Seventeenth Week of Classes-Sunday

Nothing reminded Pekoyama of the fact that she lived in a different world than her friends than when she returned home to the Kuzuryuu Manor. She had been raised by the Kuzuryuu Clan since she was a baby as a hit woman alongside the heir Kuzuryuu Fuyuhiko. If anyone asked, she would say that she was content. She had embraced her life as a tool long ago, as long as she could be with her young master, she could be happy, or at least she had been happy until she started at Hope's Peak.

I'm still not good enough, Pekoyama thought. There could be no other explanation as to why her young master did not wish to rely on his clan's name and influence. That included Peko apparently if Kuzuryuu's declaration of, "I don't want you to be a tool!" What else could he mean?

These thoughts had been swirling around Pekoyama's mind since she had been summoned by the head of the Clan. Did Kuzuryuu-sama find out about that? Am I being reassigned? Please don't reassign me! Please don't throw me away! Pekoyama thought as she was led to the Head's office by one of his guards.

Once they arrived outside the office, the guard said, "Best of luck," before letting Pekoyama in. Once inside, Pekoyama prostrated herself before the Clan's boss, Kuzuryuu Kiyomaro. He was not exactly a large man, a source of irritation that his son had also inherited. Like his children, Kuzuryuu Kiyomaro had a baby face, but unlike his children, he had scars all over it from "incidents" with rival yakuza. Rumor had it that he and his late brother were the ones who ensured that no one would ever comment on the Kuzuryuu baby face to said faces but given the man's temperament and his late brother's reputation, no one dared ask for details.

"…a mistake," Pekoyama heard her boss mumble.

"Oyabun?" Pekoyama questioned fearfully. This was not off to a good start.

"Sending Natsumi to Hope's Peak Academy was a mistake," the man repeated.

Pekoyama let out a mental sigh at that, fearing an audible one may make whatever was in store for her that much worse.

"We warned her not to pay that outrageous amount for her fortune. She did it anyway. We told her there was no point in going to Hope's Peak as a Reserve Course student. She somehow convinced us to send her because the fortune she overpaid for said she would go to Hope's Peak. After a year passes and I think things are working out, she goes behind our backs and our men get beaten up by a teenager. I don't give a damn that she's the Ultimate Soldier or whatever, she shamed us, and the worst part is, I can't think of a reason to go after her or the boy she protected without violating three centuries of yakuza doctrine. Do you know why I called you here today, Peko?" her boss asked after he had finished ranting.

"Does it involve Natsumi-sama?" Pekoyama asked, so as not to anger her boss.

"Yes. I love my daughter. I think she would be a great leader for the Clan, if she wanted the position. But whenever she does anything that involves Hope's Peak, the Clan seems to get embarrassed in some way. Since she's too stubborn to listen and yes, I am aware how manipulative she can be, I thought that having someone on damage control might work. Peko, since you're already at Hope's Peak with Fuyuhiko, I want you to also make sure that while she's at school, Natsumi doesn't get herself killed or anything when she gets one of her ideas in hear head," Oyabun Kuzuryuu ordered.

"Hai!" Pekoyama acknowledged. It wasn't what she was expecting, but at least she wasn't being thrown away. She could protect both Kuzuryuu siblings, she had done it before. True, keeping tabs on Natsumi while being an Ultimate wouldn't be easy, not if Yukizome's strict enforcement of attendance was involved, Pekoyama was certain that she could manage.


Two Hours Later

"Right in there, kid," one of Kiyomaro's guards told Naegi as he motioned for the boy to enter Kiyomaro's office.

Naegi had no idea why he was here. Kuzuryuu just told Naegi that his father wanted to meet him and led him to a car parked out in front of Hope's Peak. Naegi liked Kuzuryuu Fuyuhiko, he did, but he didn't like that he had been involved in yakuza business three times in two weeks. Fear of death usually soured people on the experience. That being said, Naegi had no idea what he could have done to land himself in the crosshairs this time and he doubted that the Kuzuryuu Clan would have been so polite if they wanted him dead.

Still probably best if I don't press my luck, Naegi thought as he bowed to the leader. "Thank you very much for inviting me into your home, Kuzuryuu-sama. It is an honor to be here," Naegi said quickly, too intimidated by the man in front of him to slow down his words.

"So, you're the kid that got caught up in my daughter's business and gave the poker tournament such a memorable ending? What was your name again?" Kiyomaro asked.

"Naegi Makoto, sir."

"Naegi-kun. I should kill you for what your little girlfriend did to my men who were just following my daughter's orders."

"Sorry, sir!" Naegi never thought he would apologize for not letting people murder him, but here he was.

"Relax kid, if I wanted you dead, I certainly wouldn't have met with you personally."

"Yes sir."

"Do you know why I wanted to see you?"

"No sir."

"Last night was a big fucking deal. Though I probably don't need to remind you, you were in the middle of it. I had my doubts when Fuyuhiko suggested inviting you and covering your buy in, but I'm glad he did. Those Shikabane bastards have been getting too smug for my taste, but your little fall last night knocked them on their ass. After that, we and the other clans had the Shikabane by the balls. Not only did they not get any money in winnings, we picked up some territory in exchange for not starting a war over that cheating gaijin they kept betting on," Kiyomaro explained.

"I'm…happy…for you, sir." It was obvious that Naegi didn't know how to feel getting credit for last night. He was pretty sure the fake Yasuhiro Taeko and her brother were probably dead. He wished he had tried to save them, after those two had pissed off five yakuza clans and that man, the Drifter, Naegi doubted there was a way to save either of them.

"You should be, because you get to benefit from it too," Kiyomaro said.

"I don't know if I should, sir. It was just an accident that those two got caught," Naegi countered.

"True, but I'm a man who rewards those who help me, whether they mean to or not. So, whatever it is you want, provided that it can be done, name it," Kiyomaro told Naegi.

That was a tempting offer. "That's very generous of you, Sir," Naegi said, "but I can't think of anything that I want right now." It was true, Naegi couldn't think of anything he would require the power or influence of a yakuza clan for, if the offer extended that far.

"Well, think about it. Tell Fuyuhiko when you have an answer, you know where to find him. That will be all, one of my men will take you back to Hope's Peak," Kiyomaro said as he motioned for Naegi to leave.

"I will. And thank you, Sir!" Naegi said as he left Kiyomaro's office. Although, at the moment, Naegi was more grateful for permission to leave than he was for a favor.


Hope's Peak Academy-Courtyard

Seventeenth Week of Classes-Wednesday

Kuzuryuu Natsumi was less than thrilled by the new arrangement. She wouldn't say that she hated Pekoyama, but she did hate that Pekoyama got to spend as much time with her brother as she did. Natsumi was his sister and she hated that anyone was closer to her brother than her. Add to it that Pekoyama was essentially her babysitter and you were left with a very irritable yakuza heiress.

Pekoyama, who did not know why Natsumi was angry, but still picked up on the fact that she was angry, had relegated herself to watching her charge from the shadows. She was far enough away to not be noticed by anyone, but close enough to hear every one of Natsumi's complaints.

"Fucking dad. I don't need a fucking babysitter. Fucking Reserve Course. Fucking lying, deadbeat fortune-tellers," Natsumi grumbled as she vented all of her frustrations. Pekoyama as her new bodyguard wasn't the only thing she was upset about. It had been over a year and the school had still not recognized her as an "Ultimate". If she wasn't an "Ultimate" then she had wasted her money on Hagakure's fortune-telling. If she wasn't an "Ultimate" then what good was she? If she wasn't an "Ultimate" there was a chance that her brother would leave her behind. She didn't want that; she did not want that at all. And to make matters worse, one of her classmates from middle school was an "Ultimate," Koizumi Mahiru.

"What makes her so special?" Natsumi asked angrily, not that anyone beside Pekoyama heard her.

As if fate were answering her, Natsumi came across Koizumi Mahiru and her friend Fuwa Sato, both of whom were looking over prints of Koizumi's newest photos.

"I think I did a good job on this one," Koizumi said with a hint of pride as she looked directly at the photo in her hands.

"It's fine, Mahiru-chan, but why is that boy in all of these?" Sato asked. She was usually happy to look at Koizumi's work, but these photos bothered her because of someone's presence in them.

"O-oh, Naegi-kun is in all of them? I hadn't really noticed," Koizumi stuttered. That was a lie, she knew Naegi was in them, that's way she liked them so much.

Jealousy bubbled up within Sato. This boy was taking Koizumi's attention away from her. She wasn't sure what to do about it though. It was very clear that Koizumi was fond of Naegi.

Natsumi had no idea of any of this though, all she saw was her obstacle to being an "Ultimate." If Koizumi left Hope's Peak, everything would start going Natsumi's way, or so she believed. As the wind picked up, Natsumi got an idea. Koizumi needed to be reminded of her place, and Natsumi was going to be the one to remind her.

"Ever since your mom came home, you've been taking a lot of pictures of that boy, Mahiru-chan," Sato told her friend.

"I-I may have taken a few, but that's all. Plus, my mom keeps asking about him," Koizumi said defensively. When the wind picked up again, Koizumi gripped the pictures tighter, but soon felt someone smack her hands hard, causing her to let go. Before Koizumi knew it, the pictures had blown away.

"You should be thanking me. Now no one has to know that you took those shitty photos," Natsumi sneered.

Sato wouldn't exactly complain that the pictures of Naegi were gone, but Natsumi had hurt Koizumi, and that would not stand. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" Sato yelled.

Pekoyama saw what Natsumi had done and while she didn't like it, Natsumi was her superior. If it came down between Natsumi and her friend Koizumi, Natsumi would win. That didn't mean that her grip on her sword didn't tighten in frustration. Let it go. Become a weapon. Feel nothing, Pekoyama thought in an effort to calm herself. Tools weren't supposed to get angry at their masters. Peko did however make a mental note to make it up to Koizumi later.

"What? Nothing wrong with getting rid of trash, right?" Natsumi asked coyly.

"None of Mahiru-chan pictures could ever be trash!" Sato argued.

As if she hadn't heard Sato, Natsumi started speaking to Koizumi directly. "What kind of talent is "Ultimate Photographer" anyway? You point a camera and push a button. I could train a monkey to do the same."

"If that's how you feel then it's no wonder that Koizumi-senpai is the Ultimate Photographer and you aren't, Senpai," a new voice chimed in. Naegi had appeared, holding the pictures that had blown away. Good thing I had to meet with Headmaster Kirigiri about the elementary program, Naegi thought. If he hadn't gotten in the way, Koizumi may have never gotten her pictures back.

"And what the fuck does that mean you little bastard?" Natsumi roared. Pointing out that she wasn't an "Ultimate" touched a nerve.

"Maybe it is true that anyone can take photographs. The same can be said about a lot of the other talents the Main Course students have. But not anyone can put the love into their music the way Mioda-senpai can. Not everyone would make the sacrifices Maizono-san did to become the Ultimate Idol. I've seen the effort that Koizumi-senpai puts into making every photo perfect. I know that the Reserve Course students have worked hard, and I do think that they deserve better than they get, but after spending time with my friends here, I've come to understand the passion that made them 'Ultimate.' They all feel so strongly about something that they couldn't settle for second best. To just say that 'anyone could do that,' not only insults them, but everyone they had to surpass to get here, and if that's how you feel about it, you'll never be an 'Ultimate' yourself." Naegi knew he was playing a dangerous game saying all of that, he hadn't expected to meet Natsumi again so soon, and now here he was lecturing her. He hoped Natsumi's father didn't find out about this, although he also didn't think her father would put a hit out on him for something like this, or so he hoped.

Pekoyama couldn't help feeling flattered that Naegi had such a high opinion of her. I didn't know that Naegi-kun was so fond of us, she thought. Koizumi's red face suggested that she was having similar thoughts to Pekoyama.

Natsumi, however, was less than impressed. "How dare… How fucking dare you! Do you know who I am? Do you know what I can do to you? Don't make yourself a problem to me, you don't want to know what I do with my problems!" Natsumi ranted.

Naegi gulped at the implied threat but stood his ground. "I didn't say all of that to insult you Senpai, I just said all of that in the hope that you would understand. I'm sure that you're really a wonderful and talented person who deserves to be an 'Ultimate' too," Natsumi blushed when she heard that, "but so are my friends. I just want you to acknowledge their splendor."

Natsumi, who had recovered, scoffed. "'Splendor?' Yeah, whatever. But you seem to understand that I'm amazing, so I'll let you go this time. Koizumi! Don't ever forget your place. I'm better than you and one way or another I will be an 'Ultimate,' so if you know what's good for you, you'll stop being a problem for me."

Koizumi was still coming down off of her high from Naegi's praise said, "Huh? Oh, sure. Whatever." There was a time when Natsumi's insults would have bothered her, but it seemed that Naegi had removed any doubt about whether or not she belonged at Hope's Peak.

Natsumi didn't say anything to Sato as she left, but that didn't stop Sato from glaring at her. Unknown to everyone else, Pekoyama silently and stealthily followed her charge.

"I should probably go get dinner started. Here are your pictures, Koizumi-senpai," Naegi said as he handed Koizumi her photos. He then turned to Sato and said, "Fuwa-senpai, it was nice seeing you again. Hopefully next time we get to talk more, or at all, I guess."

Sato was less than thrilled with the idea, but she managed to force a smile and a nod as the boy left.

"I should get going to Sato-chan. I promised Hiyoko-chan I'd watch her practice before dinner," Koizumi said with a wave.

Sato was able to see that Koizumi's cheeks were still red from Naegi's earlier words but didn't comment on it. Instead she just waved as her friend left to meet up with Saionji. Sato couldn't help but feel jealous. She had been telling Koizumi how great she was for as long as she had known her, yet Natsumi, their old tormentor from junior high, still managed to wreck Mahiru's confidence. Then some first-year boy shows up and in a few months' time, his words carry more weight with Koizumi than Sato's own. Sato did not understand. Not only could she not understand, she didn't like it. What…

"'What makes him so special?' right? I've been wondering that myself."

Sato looked around for whoever it was who had been able to read her thoughts but saw no one.

"Up here," the voice called.

Sato looked up to see none other than Enoshima Junko sitting in a tree branch.

"Trust me, I know the feeling. My older sister has it bad for Luck Boy too," Enoshima said before shifting to her punk persona. "It's a fuckin' insult is what it is. We're fuckin' twins but she cares more about what that runt thinks than I do."

"That's horrible," Sato said. She was wondering what other relationships Naegi had been able to ruin since coming to Hope's Peak.

Shifting to her intellectual personality, Enoshima noted, "You and your friend seem to have other issues though. That yakuza girl seems like the type to do whatever it takes to get her way. If she thought it was necessary, I don't imagine it would be difficult for her to make your friend disappear."

Sato felt a chill go up her spine at Enoshima's words. Natsumi was a bully, Sato would be the first to point that out, but until now, she had always believed that Natsumi's bark was worse than her bite. That said, she had noticed that Natsumi seemed to grow more belligerent as time went on, but was Natsumi really so desperate to get into the Main Course that she would harm Koizumi? Sato did not wish to find out.

Shifting to her cutesy persona, Enoshima began to make suggestions. "If only there was a way to get rid of them both at once~. No one would miss the yakuza girl, but Naegi-kun is a different stowy~. Evewyone thinks he walks on water~."

That was true, at least if Koizumi was any indication. Sato had already accepted that she would need to make sure that Natsumi would never bother anyone ever again, but what was she to do about Naegi?

"Do you have an idea Nee-chan~? You can tell Junko-chan~! I don't care even if it's bad or even if it's a wittle fib~!" Enoshima pressed as she kept to her cutesy personality.

A lie? Deal with Natsumi and make it look like Naegi did it. It would take some planning, but Sato thought that if she could pull it off, all of her problems would be solved. She and Koizumi could go back to how things were.

Sato was so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she missed Enoshima grinning from ear-to-ear.


Hope's Peak Academy-Class 77-B's Classroom

Seventeenth Week of Classes-Friday

Class 77-B was a lot of things. Wild. Possibly insane. But most of all they were close. Of course, they didn't start out that way, and staying close was a lot of work. Fortunately, they had a class representative that was more than willing to put that work in.

"We haven't done anything together lately…I think," Nanami mentioned as soon as class had ended for the day.

"We went to that hot spring inn," the Imposter, who was Togami today, reminded her.

"That was with Class 78, though," Mitarai corrected.

"Now that I think about it…," Nidai began as he tried to remember if Class 77-B had actually done anything that was just for themselves.

"It has been kind of a busy year," Koizumi pointed out.

"Any ideas, Chiaki-chan?" Mioda asked the small gamer.

"I got some new games that I think you'll all like. It might take more than an afternoon to get through them though," Nanami said.

"Tomorrow afternoon then?" Souda asked.

"Excellent! I shall show you all that I have 'got game!'" Sonia announced. That got everyone speculating what games Nanami had or issuing challenges to one another.

While most of Class 77-B was excited, there was a member who didn't think that she could share in their fun. Pekoyama knew that she should be keeping an eye on Natsumi tomorrow afternoon. Bo-chan should be fine if he's with everyone else, but I have no idea where Natsumi-sama will go. Will she stay at school or will she head straight home? Pekoyama wondered. She really did want to spend time with her friends, but her duty to the Kuzuryuu Clan was supposed to come first.

"Don't worry about it," the voice of her young master told her.

"Bo-ch-, Kuzuryuu-kun?" Pekoyama asked.

"It's one afternoon and the school already has security to deal with threats. Anyway, if Natsumi wants to do something, it's not like anyone can stop her. I think Dad knows that too. It's stupid to make you divide your time between here and the Reserve Course anyway," Kuzuryuu explained.

Does this mean that Bo-chan wants me around? That he doesn't think I'm a useless tool? Pekoyama asked herself. Before she knew it, a small smile made its way to her face as she said. "You're right, Kuzuryuu-kun. I'll be joining all of you tomorrow."

"No shit," Kuzuryuu said with a laugh. As long as Pekoyama was happy, he figured that his sister could do without for an afternoon.


Around that time, Naegi was returning to the dorm to start dinner. Today had been uneventful for him, or about as uneventful as it can be at Hope's Peak. That was fine as far as he was concerned, uneventful meant he hadn't put himself in danger of death by yakuza. Natsumi hadn't seemed too angry when they parted ways on Wednesday, but he still knew that he was pushing his luck when he had rebuked her.

No point worrying about it now, I guess, he reasoned. As he got to the door, he saw an envelope wedged between the door and doorframe with his name on it. He braced himself for a letter from the yakuza telling him to watch himself but saw that it was from Sato.

Naegi-kun,

I'd like to discuss Mahiru-chan with you tomorrow. Can we talk in the Music Room of the Old Building after class tomorrow?

-Fuwa Sato

Naegi thought that it was odd that Sato would leave him a note, especially since there were people who knew Koizumi almost as well as Sato herself that Sato could talk to. Maybe it's because I don't know Koizumi-senpai as well as they do that Fuwa-senpai wants to talk. And I have noticed that Koizumi-senpai has seemed a bit distracted lately, Naegi thought, not realizing that he was the distraction. Well, Fuwa-senpai did go to the trouble, I might as well go. Maybe I can help, Naegi thought as he went about his business. He hoped that whatever he and Sato did tomorrow it would help Koizumi.


Hope's Peak Academy-Old School Building

Seventeenth Week of Classes-Saturday

Class had ended early, even for a half day on Saturday. Despite that, Naegi was still in a hurry. He blamed Sonia for that, the Novoselic custom of arriving 13 minutes early had rubbed off on him.

It might not be a bad thing in this case. I'd prefer not to keep Fuwa-senpai waiting if I can help it, Naegi thought as he caught his breath after sprinting across campus. The Old Building was closer to the Reserve Course Building than the Main Building, so he imagined that Sato had beat him here. As Naegi climbed the stairs, he wondered what it was that Sato had to say. Koizumi had told him that she had known Sato in junior high and that they had been friends for all this time, but that didn't give him any hints. Is this about what happened the other day? Naegi wondered. Natsumi had been trying to get under Koizumi's skin, maybe Sato wanted to discuss that.

Thump!

What was that? Naegi asked himself as he ran towards the source of the noise. It was coming from the Music Room. Is Fuwa-senpai alright? Naegi thought as he tried to open the door. It was locked. Naegi was wondering if he could force it open by himself when he heard another loud Thump! followed by the sound of wood splintering. Naegi hoped that whatever had made that noise had damaged the door frame or the lock enough for him. Running back down the hall and charging at the door, Naegi crashed shoulder first into the Music Room door. It worked! The door had opened. Naegi had been prepared for trouble, but he wasn't ready for what he saw: Sato had…something in her hand and she was out of breath. Even more surprising, Natsumi was there. Her nose was bleeding, possibly broken but Naegi couldn't tell just by looking. The amount of blood on her uniform and on the floor suggested that she had been injured for a while.

"Do somedig! Dis bitch is trying do kill be!" Natsumi screamed at Naegi.

"You weren't supposed to be here yet!" Sato yelled as soon as she recovered from Naegi's appearance. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Natsumi was supposed to be dead and Naegi was supposed to show up to take the blame. She'd have to get rid of them both now. She raised the weapon in her hand and tried to take another swing at Natsumi, but Naegi was faster than her arm.

"Fuwa-senpai, you can't do this! Give me that!" Naegi yelled as he struggled with Sato for control of her weapon.

"She needs to die! She'll kill Mahiru-chan if I don't do something!" Sato argued as she tried to fight off Naegi. Sato was having some trouble though; she had been chasing Natsumi around for a while and her grip on the weapon was getting loose from fatigue and sweat. It didn't help that Naegi kept pulling on it. After a few more minutes of struggle, the weapon slipped out of both her and Naegi's hands and crashed through a window.

Naegi winced when that happened. Although he knew that he couldn't, and shouldn't, hide this, he would have preferred to talk Sato down before security showed up. Sakakura wasn't shy about using brutal methods to take control of a situation. Sakakura-san wouldn't get violent with a student, would he? Naegi wondered. Naegi realized that he didn't want to find out and decided that he needed to calm Sato down before security arrived. "Fuwa-senpai, I don't know what drove you to this, and maybe you think that there was no other way, but what about Koizumi-senpai? Would she want you to be a murderer?" he asked.

Sato gave no indication that she had heard him and continued muttering. "She'll kill Mahiru-chan. She'll stop at nothing to get into the Main Course."

"You're fuggin' insane. It dot going to kill her," Natsumi said.

"Liar!" Sato yelled.

"Fuwa-senpai, I agree that Kuzuryuu-senpai should know better than to make threats with the weight of a yakuza clan behind her, but she wouldn't hurt Koizumi-senpai, her brother would never forgive her for killing his friend and her Clan would never help her with this," Naegi argued.

Natsumi resented that Naegi would suggest that she was to blame in any way in this, it would go against everything the yakuza stood for her to kill for personal gain. But she had also been warned that all of her flexing would come back to bite her, maybe it was time to tone it down.

Before anymore could be said, Hope's Peak security came in led by Sakakura Juzo.

"What the fuck is going on in here!?" Sakakura demanded when he saw the students.


It could have gone a lot worse. To everyone's surprise, Natsumi had in Sato's defense, claiming that at least some of the blame lay with her. She had been suspended for a few days for bullying other students. Sato's parents had been informed of what had happened, no one envied Kirigiri Jin when he delivered that news. Luckily for the Fuwas, the school would not involve the police if Sato would undergo therapy with Gekkogahara Miaya, an alumnus of the school and the Ultimate Therapist. Koizumi was upset by Sato's actions, but she was glad that her friend was not a murderer. The weapon as it turned out, had been a girl's school swimsuit filled with gravel, "rather ingenious," according to Kirigiri Kyoko, the Ultimate Detective.

Naegi came out unscathed, but he couldn't help but worry. Not for his own sake, but for Sato. Natsumi might have been forgiving, but Sato had still attempted to kill the daughter of the Clan's boss, if he chose to retaliate, Sato would be in danger. If only Naegi knew what would occur at Kuzuryuu home that evening.


Kuzuryuu Kiyomaro was indeed furious, but Sato was not the target of his anger, it was Pekoyama. He would honor Natsumi's decision to be lenient with Sato, but he could not forgive Pekoyama's failure to protect his daughter.

"So…My daughter met with this girl and you were…where exactly?" he asked.

"With my friends, Oyabun," Pekoyama said, ready to resign herself to whatever fate her boss had in store for her.

"Doing what?" Kiyomaro asked.

"Playing videogames that our class representative picked for us, Sir."

"Dad, wait! I'm the one who told her it would be alright," Kuzuryuu Fuyuhiko said in an attempt to defend Pekoyama.

"Shut up, boy! We'll discuss your poor judgment later," Kiyomaru told his son. Turning back to Pekoyama he said, "Peko, you've been an asset to the Kuzuryuu Clan over the years and I can forgive minor mistakes. What I can't forgive is you not carrying out the task I gave you. I told you to keep an eye on Natsumi. Make sure 'Natsumi doesn't get herself killed or anything when she gets one of her ideas in hear head.' Well, one of her ideas damn near got her killed today. What needs to happen to make that right, Peko?"

"I-I must take my own…" For as brave as Pekoyama was, she really did not want to die like this, as a dishonored, useless tool.

"Oh no. My daughter is still alive, and I can't ignore your service up until now, but there must still be punishment. Pekoyama Peko, you are no longer part of this Clan!' Kiyomaro declared.

"N-no! Oyabun, please…" Pekoyama begged.

"Fuyuhiko, take her back to school and then come back. It's the last thing that we'll do for her. We'll talk about your poor judgment when you get back," Kiyomaro ordered.

It was clear to everyone that Kuzuryuu was angry with his father, but he complied anyway. "Let's go Peko. It's gonna be alright," he said although he didn't believe it. Heir or not, he couldn't overrule his father. Not until the man retired and while no one knew when that would be, Kuzuryuu knew that it would be well after it could make a difference.

Pekoyama was not aware of what her former young master was thinking. She wasn't aware of anything; her former boss's declaration had left her numb.


When they had finally returned to Hope's Peak, Kuzuryuu brought Pekoyama back to the girls' dorm. He told his sensei and the others what had happened and asked that they keep an eye on Pekoyama, to which they readily agreed.

"Kuzuryuu-senpai, is there anything else we can do to help?" Naegi asked.

"I've got this! I fucked up and I should fix this!" Kuzuryuu raged.

Naegi didn't flinch. He had been previously unaware of Pekoyama's connection to the Kuzuryuu Clan, but now that he knew all of what Pekoyama had told him about herself made sense. It also meant that she and Kuzuryuu were close, therefore he couldn't blame Kuzuryuu for being angry.

"Fuck, Naegi, I-I'm not mad at you, it's just…I wanted Peko to be her own person, to be more than a tool. I finally convince her that it's okay to do what she wants to do, and this happens. How fucked up is that?" Kuzuryuu asked. Naegi had a feeling that the older boy was trying his hardest not to cry.

"I understand Senpai," Naegi said. Remembering something, Naegi then said, "Senpai, I think there is something I can do to help. Your father said he owes me a favor, maybe he'll let Pekoyama back in the Clan if that's what I ask for."

Kuzuryuu felt hope return at that moment. "You'd do that?"

"Of course, Pekoyama is my friend. I can't think of a better use of it than for her."

"It's a plan then, but we should hold off for a bit. Dad isn't in the mood to grant favors tonight and pissing him off more won't help," Kuzuryuu cautioned.

I can imagine, Naegi thought. He would have to defer to Kuzuryuu's judgment for now, he only hoped that Pekoyama would be okay in the meantime.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Eighteenth Week of Classes-Wednesday

Much like when Mioda had returned from her disastrous concert, Pekoyama had confined herself to her room. Unlike that time, Yukizome had two students watching Pekoyama at all times. This was no act of favoritism; both Mioda and Pekoyama had their spirits broken this year, but unlike Mioda, Pekoyama had expressed a desire to end her life.

Her first words when she started to speak again were, "Why didn't he kill me instead?" That was all Yukizome needed to hear.

Ogami and Asahina, despite not being members of Class 77-B offered to watch Pekoyama on Sunday. Pekoyama had cried all that day.

Owari and Mioda had volunteered on Monday. To Owari's horror but to no one's surprise, Pekoyama made known her refusal to eat.

On Tuesday, Nanami and Sonia tried to comfort Pekoyama, but to no avail. The poor girl just turned her back to them as she lay in bed.

Today, Ikusaba and Enoshima were watching Pekoyama. While Ikusaba had volunteered out of respect for Pekoyama, Enoshima had volunteered just to drink in Pekoyama's despair. Having lost the only way of life she had ever known, Pekoyama's despair was indeed delectable, but Enoshima thought that maybe she needed one more push to make it even better.

Pekoyama was oblivious to all of this. She simply wanted to regain her honor. Shards from her bathroom mirror wouldn't do the job and the others had removed all sharp object from her room. Even Ikusaba had removed her knives before coming into Pekoyama's room.

Enoshima got up and stretched. "I don't know how you do it, Muku-nee. I'm stiff and sore from sitting all day."

"You got used to it in Fenrir," was Ikusaba's reply. Guard duty often involved remaining motionless for hours on end, sometimes with a chair, sometimes not.

"Well, I wasn't in Fenrir, so I need to stretch my legs," Enoshima said as she got up. She wasn't gone long, but Ikusaba still frisked her when she returned. "Really Muku-nee?" Enoshima asked.

"No sharp objects or blades of any kind are allowed in here Junko-chan, no exceptions," Ikusaba said as she finished up. Enoshima was clean.

"Would I really bring something sharp in here when Pekoyama-senpai is like this?" Enoshima asked.

Ikusaba just gave her a deadpan look. Yes, yes Enoshima would bring sharp objects or blades in Pekoyama's room, but it seemed as though she hadn't…this time.

Both girls heard the door open and revealed Yukizome. "Umm…Ikusaba-san? Enoshima-san? It's time for dinner," Yukizome informed them.

"Sounds good! You ready Muku-nee?" Enoshima asked her sister.

Ikusaba nodded as she stood up. Enoshima followed suit and both left the room. Yukizome was going to follow them but before she did, she turned to Pekoyama and said, "Pekoyama-san, I'm leaving your door open. One of us will be up to join you soon."

She got no response from Pekoyama, not that she was expecting one. When Yukizome left, Pekoyama rolled over and spotted a key on her end table. Pekoyama knew it wasn't hers, she had her keys taken off of her so that she couldn't lock the others out. Even in the grips of depression, Pekoyama's curiosity go the better of her. She reached over and a wolf symbol much like the tattoo on Ikusaba's hand on the keychain. I didn't see Ikusaba-san leave these here. Ikusaba-san would have…No, her room will be locked, and this doesn't look like a room key, Pekoyama told herself. Still, Pekoyama didn't want to let the opportunity go to waste, so for the first time in a week, she got out of bed and left her room.

After having spent a week in bed, Pekoyama was a little wobbly on her feet, but she still made it over to Ikusaba's room with no trouble. She checked the door and to her surprise it was unlocked. With energy she hadn't felt in a week, Pekoyama dashed around the room, looking for the lock that worked with the key she found. She managed to find a metal case in Ikusaba's closet and found that the key fit. She had lucked out, Ikusaba's knives were in the box.

Pekoyama was ready. Seppuku. Her life was no longer of value, and she could at least restore her honor in death. She did feel bad that she would leave her other friends, and she felt guilty that she was using one of Ikusaba's knives and room to do this, but she had no other choice. As Pekoyama prepared to stab herself, she was interrupted by an intruder.

"Meow!"

"Miyabi," Pekoyama gasped, surprised that her feline friend was in the room with her. She had forgotten to close the door.

"Miyabi! Where did you go? We were going to bring Pekoyama-senpai her dinner," Naegi's voice called. After a second or two, Naegi apparently noticed something wrong and said, "That's odd, Ikusaba-san never leaves her door unlocked, much less open. Miyabi! Are you in there?"

Time froze for Pekoyama as Naegi opened the door.

Naegi was greeted to the sight of Pekoyama kneeling in the middle of Ikusaba's room with a knife. In a flash, Naegi was standing over Pekoyama trying to get the knife off of her.

"Give me the knife! Pekoyama-senpai, I know you're hurting, but you can't do this!" Naegi yelled.

"Naegi-kun, let go! There's nothing left for me!" Pekoyama argued.

"Bullshit! What about us?! We need you, Senpai! You're our friend and we love you!"

"I'm a broken, discarded tool!"

"You've never been a tool to us!"

"What's going on here?" Yukizome asked as she and some of the other girls entered the room.

Ikusaba forced her way in and got the knife out of Pekoyama's hands. "How did you get in my room?" she asked.

Pekoyama slumped over and said in a broken voice, "I found a key to your knife case. Your room was unlocked."

Ikusaba checked the key, it was hers, but she didn't have it with her in Pekoyama's room. She had a feeling that she knew how Pekoyama got it. "I'm sure that I didn't have this in your room, Senpai, but I should have double checked your room while you're like this," Ikusaba said as she bowed in apology before shooting a glare at her sister.

"P-Pekoyama-san, I-I know that you're upset, b-but Naegi-kun is right," Tsumiki said as she came out from behind Yukizome.

"Peko-chan can't leave us! If you died, Ibuki would never stop playing the Blues!" Mioda added.

"We haven't fought yet, but I know that you aren't this weak," Owari said.

"What we're trying to say, Pekoyama-san, is that Naegi-kun was right, we do love you. Please don't try something like this again," Yukizome finished.

Pekoyama was silent as she took this all in. She felt something soft and furry rub up against her. Once Miyabi got Pekoyama's attention, she gave Pekoyama a look as if to say, "I need you. Please keep living."

Naegi took a deep breath and said, "Can someone help Pekoyama-san get cleaned up? I need to go talk to Kuzuryuu-senpai. This can't wait anymore."


Two hours later, Naegi, Pekoyama, and Kuzuryuu were at the Kuzuryuu Manor in front of Kuzuryuu Kiyomaro. Pekoyama looked like she wanted to leave; Kuzuryuu looked nervous; but Naegi looked calm, he came here on a mission and he would see it through.

Kiyomaro simply looked amused at the interruption to his evening. "Naegi-kun, I've been informed that you have something to ask of me?" Kiyomaro asked.

"Yes sir," Naegi answered.

"And why is Peko here? She isn't part of this Clan anymore."

"That's actually why I'm here, Kuzuryuu-sama. I respectfully ask that you reconsider your decision to exile Pekoyama-senpai from the Kuzuryuu Clan," Naegi explained.

"I offer you a favor and this is what you ask for? I admire your courage for getting involved in clan matters, but I have to say no," Kiyomaro said.

"What the fuck, Dad! Isn't your word worth anything?" Kuzuryuu demanded to know.

"Don't start with me, Boy. This is my decision and mine alone," Kiyomaro responded. The response wasn't loud, but Kuzuryuu flinched as though he had been screamed at.

Pekoyama didn't know why she had come along for this. She knew that Kiyomaro wasn't going to change his mind, but she had the tiniest bit of hope when Naegi had told her what his plan was.

Naegi wasn't ready to give up though. He got down on his knees and prostrated himself and said, "Please Sir. Before I was asking, but now, I'm begging. Pekoyama-senpai is my precious friend and you and your clan have been such an important part of her life for so long that she's lost without the Kuzuryuu Clan. I can't stand to see her hurting like this. If I can do anything to get you to reconsider your decision, name it."

Pekoyama and Kuzuryuu were stunned. Naegi hadn't even known them that long and he was putting himself in danger for Pekoyama. He had to know that questioning and angering Kiyomaro was like playing with fire. Pekoyama was touched but also a little embarrassed. Here was this boy that she hadn't known for very long fighting for her harder than she was fighting for herself. What have I been doing? Being with Bo-chan meant so much to me, but I didn't even try to fight to stay. A little begging that I didn't expect to work, that was all I did. Maybe…maybe it is too early to just give up even if my future lies elsewhere, Pekoyama thought.

Kiyomaro gave a sigh and said, "Naegi-kun, you've got balls and honor and it's clear that Peko means a lot to you, but this is something that I can't do. It was one mistake, but it was a big one, I can't trust her."

"Dad, I told you, it was my idea," Kuzuryuu argued.

"And we have discussed your poor judgment previously," Kiyomaro countered causing Kuzuryuu to flinch again.

"Sir, please," Naegi begged.

"Naegi-kun, it's fine," Pekoyama interjected.

"But Senpai…"

"If there's nothing else, my men will escort you out," Kiyomaro said as he clapped his hands and two of his guards came in and flanked Pekoyama and Naegi.


It didn't take the guards long to escort the two students outside. Once they had left, Naegi turned to Pekoyama and said, "Senpai, it might take a while, but I'll try again. I'm sure I can get Kuzuryuu-sama to change his mind."

"Don't bother, the old man is too stubborn," Kuzuryuu said.

"But Senpai…"

"He's right Naegi-kun. I appreciate it, but Kuzuryuu-sama has always been stubborn," Pekoyama added.

"But maybe…"

"Don't worry. I may have given up on this but not on my own life. If you're willing to fight for me then my life must still have value. It's a shame. Bo-chan told me he didn't want me to be a tool and it's only now that I realize what he meant. I never did what I wanted. Being here meant so much to me but I didn't even try to fight for it, I just listened to Kuzuryuu-sama's final order for me and left. I begged, but I had already accepted that it wouldn't work. I suppose it is ironic that acting as a tool for the Kuzuryuu Clan is why I'm exiled," Pekoyama laughed sadly.

"You were never a tool to me, Peko," Kuzuryuu told her.

"I know. I know that now," Pekoyama responded.

"Naegi, take care of Peko. And I mean take care of her. She's special," Kuzuryuu told the younger boy.

"I know. And I will, she's important to me too after all," Naegi told Kuzuryuu.

"Peko, I'm sorry. Maybe things would have been different if we had tried this sooner. But I was so damn afraid of the Old Man getting more pissed off that I put it off. If I could just stand up to him…" Kuzuryuu began.

"It's not your fault, Bo-chan," Pekoyama told him.

"I'm not your "Young Master." Not anymore," Kuzuryuu said sadly. Taking a deep breath, Kuzuryuu continued, "Peko…I… No, it doesn't matter. My future has been planned out for years. What I want doesn't matter, it never has. But Peko, promise me you'll keep going, for both of us. Any freedom I have is gone after graduation, but you finally have yours."

"…" Pekoyama was at a loss for words. She knew what Kuzuryuu wanted to say. She wished she could say it too, but he was right. Circumstances being what they were, the two couldn't be together. Kuzuryuu probably had an arranged marriage with a yakuza heiress or the daughter of someone influential in order to strengthen the Clan. Pekoyama thought she could have been content just being by his side, but now that she was being honest, she knew a life like that would just be one of misery.

"Senpai, you have to at least try," Naegi said. The two had forgotten about Naegi during their moment.

"No everyone can do what you do, Naegi," Kuzuryuu explained. He couldn't help admiring the younger boy's optimism, and he couldn't help thinking that if he were more like Naegi, he could stand up to his father and he might have been able to help Pekoyama on his own.

"But…" Naegi tried to say.

"Naegi-kun, it's fine. Thank you for trying so hard, but I'll be okay. With that, a silence hung in the air and the students decided that it was time to return to Hope's Peak.

After arriving back at school, the students returned to their respective dorms. Once in her room, Pekoyama found Miyabi waiting for her. Picking up her furry friend, Pekoyama couldn't hold it in anymore and broke down in tears.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm Dining Room

Eighteenth Week of Classes-Thursday

As Naegi was setting out breakfast and the girls were taking their seats at the table, to everyone's surprise, Pekoyama had decided to join them.

"Are you okay, Peko-chan?" Koizumi asked seeing Pekoyama's eyes look redder than normal.

"No Koizumi-san, I'm not. And I probably won't be for a while. But I won't be trying to kill myself anymore. Naegi-kun, Miyabi-chan, and all of you…if you all saved me then all I would do is shame myself further if I tried again," Pekoyama explained.

"That's…progress?" Asahina asked, not entirely sure how to react to that.

"I have to take a different path from the Kuzuryuu Clan now. If those paths join again, so be it, but last night I realized that it's time to live as a person, not a tool," Pekoyama said.

"Pekoyama-san, I want you to see Gekkogahara-san at least once a week for the rest of the school year. I think it will do you some good," Yukizome said.

"Hai, Sensei," Pekoyama said as she sat down next to Naegi's usual chair.

"Just so you know, Senpai, I've never thought of you as a tool," Naegi said as he sat down next to her.

"I know, and I hope you'll help me again. Although, teaching me to be a person will probably be harder than teaching me how to smile," Pekoyama warned.

"I will. Even if I hadn't promised Kuzuryuu-senpai, I'd still take care of you. You're my friend after all," Naegi told her.

Blushing slightly, Pekoyama said, "I'm in your care from this day forward, Bo-chan."

Naegi may not have just thought it was a joke, but his admirers swore there was something flirty in Pekoyama's tone.


Present

It will still take more time, but Pekoyama has been making great progress, Naegi thought as he spotted Tanaka.

Naegi-kun, thank you for being so considerate of me. When I was at my lowest, you came and tried to remind me that my life still had value. I hope that you will be patient for a little while longer. Until I am sure of a few things, Pekoyama thought before explaining the situation to Tanaka.

Tanaka said he had to get a few things but would join them soon. As the two made their way back to Miyabi and Celes, a voice called out, "I finally found you."


Okay, I know that ending was a little abrupt, but I really wanted to get this one out. I know it took long. I hope it was worth the wait. Peko was hard to write for, mostly because in order to solve her problem of seeing herself as a tool, I had to create a bigger problem and force her to remember that she is a person.

You all probably caught that, but Peko's story isn't quite over yet. I thought it would be too much to have her go from broken to admiring Makoto. She'll be around and we can resolve this when the V3 girls are introduced. I wasn't going to do that, but I think it's for the best. Like I said, she's hard to write for, but now that things have been set up, I think I'll have an easier time next time.

As for why Peko recovered as quickly as she did, I drew some inspiration from Mina's ending in Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force 4. I know I'm showing my age with that one, but it was good. Check that ending out on YouTube and tell me you don't see Peko doing that.

You know I honestly don't think an arranged marriage is too far off as far as Fuyuhiko is concerned. I don't know much about yakuza politics but I can see political marriages being a thing.

Anyway, Kyoko is next. Followed by the Warriors of Hope.

Read and review and I'll see you later.

P.S. I will take whatever abuse or insults you think I deserve for the wait and the chapter. I don't think it's bad, but I don't think it's one of my best either.