i had this nightmare that there was this game breaking glitch in a N64 Zelda game that made this black nightmarish link with yellow eyes and a crooked smile that was called "the real you" and suddenly everyone who'd ever praised that game came forward and said "yes this creature fucking terrorized me when i first played it and i got so fucking scared about it i decided that i'd never talk about it and praise him in all this game in the highest of glories" and because that ONE person talked about it, that glitchy link fucking broke out of the TV and into our world
this is fucked part- so i was driving from my college to some other place, and i SAW that bastard walk up to my car, so i fucking floored it and hid in a subdivision. while the link is searching for me, he comes into contact with some dude and shattered like glass and then i woke up in a cold sweat
Anyways, here's your chapter. Here's the Discord: /cgFmXz3qJ5
Perfection. A noun. The quality or state of being entirely without fault or defect. An exemplification of supreme excellence.
Here's the thing- Perfection is unattainable. Perfection is a fallacy that causes more pain than joy, more uncertainty than serenity, and more stress than creative production. Being flawless is a ridiculous illusion that keeps us from being present. Maybe the closest thing we have to perfection is 'inner peace'.
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
…but if there was an 'embodiment' of such a word, it would belong to Medaka Kurokami, all in part due to her quirk and strange upbringing.
Medaka was born much earlier than expected, about a few months too early. While this was a strange shock to all parties involved, the bigger shock came about when it was revealed she had an appearance no different than any other infant born that day- doctors were baffled, and wondered if possibly her quirk had anything to do with it.
In fact, it did. The End- a powerful quirk, used to boost Medaka's strength casually, somehow amped up her own growth cycle in the womb.
Medaka's existence was a mystery. But there was a reason for it. The hypothesis of Quirk Singularity was proposed by Dr. Kyudai Garaki. According to him, every new generation has incredible powers in comparison to their forefathers. As generations pass, the peculiarities merge, change, and grow more powerful than ever. However, as the peculiarities get more potent, they will become more difficult to manage. In other words, the quirks are rapidly changing. And as a result of this, evolution is occurring at a disproportionate rate.
Powers like levitation and creating fire are becoming less common in our story's world as people develop more complex superpowers, such as the capacity to create a camera out of one's hands or a complete military defensive force out of one's lipids. Medaka was a sign that humanity is changing, for better or worse. The title given to this new generation of children was 'the abnormal age'.
While most children at age two had milestones like understanding emotions, pointing to things in a book when you ask, and walking up a few stairs with no issues, Medaka excelled- in fact, most of her milestones were more appropriate for perhaps a five year old. This girl showed a possible future of humanity, but she didn't yet realize this.
Medaka had what most would call a superiority complex- a belief that your abilities or accomplishments are somehow dramatically better than other people's. Most would brush this off, but as a two year old, Medaka had the talent to back this up. Her intelligence proved to be a force to be reckoned with, as by the time she was age 5, she had read every book in her father's study at least twice, from front to back. Even experts in the fields she had studied were baffled by her questions.
She was incredible in all senses of the word.
Any story would call a character like this a "Mary Sue"- a type of fictional character, usually a young woman, who is portrayed as unrealistically free of weaknesses. Medaka would be portrayed as such in any other world, given her unrealistic development and powers.
But this is a different story.
Those experts she stumped- they were intimidated by her prowess at a young age. What they had spent years honing and perfecting, she had mastered in only a few years. And she was born not too long ago. Fragile egos and broken spirits caused most to throw in the towel.
Medaka was first made aware of this when she discovered the secondary power of her quirk- the ability to replicate techniques. Her father, a pro hero tech developer, often rubbed shoulders with a hero who could produce bouncing balls from his fingers. Medaka had seen him perform the same move countless times over and over again- a move that could perfectly hit the weak points of a target. To any human, the move would be difficult to replicate. The hero prided himself on such a move.
But to Medaka, it was child's play.
A mere imitation of the move, done out of respect to the hero, was perfected and improved upon. The hero's ultimate technique was now easy for Medaka, like brushing her teeth or counting on her fingers.
The action caused the Pro Hero to realize- he was replaceable. Anyone could just do what he did. Even a child like her. Like the professors and scientists she had baffled before, the Pro Hero quit the job.
It was after this that Medaka realized how strange her life was.
A life where nothing goes wrong, a life where others fear you because of your invincible power…what sort of life is that? The praises that once bolstered Medaka's pride were slowly turning into a list of people she had ruined because of her power. Making one's devotion look like child's play, whilst she displayed none of her own.
Her own natural self was toxic. A five year old who had everything felt like she had nothing.
Why was she born?
Her life was a curse. The young Medaka saw her life as a way to cause pain to others. Her adoption of the mindset worried her parents- the possibility of her becoming enveloped in this could lead to the worst case scenario.
Trips to the hospital for therapy became common. It wasn't that there was something wrong with her physically. The End would not allow that. The hospital was specialized to help atypical kids like Medaka. It was there that they did tests to see exactly what their abilities would best be utilized. Medaka was somewhat excited with each visit- finally, something for her. Something she could claim was her purpose on this earth.
...Until she met "a devil" and "an angel".
At the hospital one day, there were two people who would change her life.
She met the devil in the waiting room.
｢hello｣
The devil had a strange way of speaking, but he looked rather unassuming. Medaka saw no problem in letting him sit next to her. He looked to be around her age- he had a name tag on his shirt collar.
Misogi...Kumagawa.
"Hello." Medaka said, looking at the boy. "I'm Medaka Kurokami."
｢nice to meet you｣ Kumagawa said. ｢are you here to get examined｣
"Yes." Medaka nodded. "I presume you're here for the same."
｢i am｣ He said. ｢there's something wrong with me, they said. but i think they're wrong｣
"Huh?" Medaka asked.
｢they're here to help us, but they're missing the point｣ Kumagawa said. ｢some people can't be helped. we're supposed to live like this in a superhuman society. we're special for no reason. we're born randomly, live aimlessly, and die worthlessly｣
Medaka was caught off guard by his words. What did he mean by this?
｢there's no reason for us to be given these roles｣ Kumagawa continued. ｢they just help us cope with how small and insignificant we truly are in the world｣
Medaka noticed the boy's eyes for the first time- they were...empty. Uncaring. This boy had a spirit of malice.
"Misogi Kumagawa?" A nurse called out.
Kumagawa hopped out of his chair. ｢we're different from the others. whatever we do is totally fine. because if there's no goal for us, there's no point to being 'alive'｣
Kumagawa walked away, leaving Medaka stunned and lost for words.
The boy was right- Medaka's life had no goal. Thus, she had no reason to be...alive.
Don't you believe life would be pointless if we didn't experience problems and hurdles on a daily basis? We'll obtain whatever we want without even trying; everything will be simple if we don't fight for it. For a time, all of this may seem appealing. But we'd never grasp the worth of what we have, we'd never feel the urge to improve ourselves, and we'd always end up back where we started. We shall arrive at the destination, but our journey will be meaningless.
We learned nothing.
Realizing this, Medaka walked out of the hospital waiting room.
This turned out to be a bigger deal than she thought it'd be, because all hospital exits were locked. She couldn't escape outside...and it's a blessing in disguise that she didn't.
That's when she met her 'angel'.
Instead of fleeing the hospital, Medaka decided to hide in the nursery room, until the 'search' was called off. As luck would have it, she chose the best time to go into that room.
The angel was there.
The boy was playing with some toy, clearly struggling with it. It was one of those 'puzzles' with two pieces of squigly plastic lines, where you had to get one piece out of the other. He sounded annoyed as he tried to separate the two.
"Come on..." The boy grumbled. "I just had it."
"...here." Medaka said, holding out her hand. "It shouldn't take you that long to do that. Lemme see it."
Asking to steal a toy from a child is not the best way to introduce yourself to someone. But, it was the only way she could do it, and the best way to show off her prowess. That's the only way she knew how to interact with others...even if it caused something bad to happen.
Medaka easily separated the two pieces, and handed them back to the boy. The boy was speechless.
"Wow...thanks. How'd you do that?" The boy asked.
"You don't need to thank me." Medaka sighed. "It's just my stupid quirk at work. I could've done it in my sleep..."
"Oh, really?" The boy handed her another puzzle. "Then do this one! I bet it's harder."
...it's not like she had anything to do. Maybe one of these could be challenging. But, alas. No matter which puzzle the boy gave her, she was able to solve it in seconds.
The boy stood awestruck, as Medaka had solved every puzzle in that nursery. "Woah...that was cool."
Medaka looked at the Rubix cube she had just solved. She was a bit confused by the boy's reactions. Any normal human would've been unsettled by her hyper intelligence.
"...it's not great." Medaka said, setting down the cube and sighing.
"No, no! It really is." The boy said. "Are...are you okay?"
"...I...I don't know." Medaka admitted.
"But you knew how to solve all those puzzles." The boy said, sitting next to her.
"...why are we here?" Medaka asked.
"In the hospital? Oh, well...my quirk recently activated, and my eyes hurt a lot..." The boy said. "And you're probably here for-"
"No, I mean...why do you think we're all put on Earth?" Medaka said. "Someone awful told me we're born for nothing...is that true?"
The boy blinked. "Well...if that was the case...I wouldn't call what I just saw 'nothing'. Seeing you solve those puzzles was honestly really cool!"
"...you're not mad at me for that?" Medaka asked, shocked.
"No! I'm really amazed!" The boy grinned. "Maybe that's why you're here- to help people that need it!"
"Help...people." Medaka repeated. Medaka's life up until now was simply devoted to helping herself to whatever. Nobody else was like her- nobody knew her pain and grief.
...and she didn't know everyone else's pain.
Medaka could recite the works of poets and write out the numbers of famous mathematicians...but humanity was a totally different story. No one had the answer to every problem and issue a person was having. A complex net of human emotion was impossible to properly transcribe, even with psychology at the helm.
...and if no one was there to help Medaka, maybe she could be there to help others.
"Like, you could be a cool hero or something!" The boy said. "Like...Smart Lady! Or Intelligirl!"
Medaka giggled. It was the first time she'd felt this way in a long time. "...yeah. Maybe you're right." Medaka smiled. "...I'm Medaka, by the way. What's your name?"
"Oh!" The blonde boy smiled. "I'm Zenkichi..."
And the friendship with the angel began. The reason she called Zenkichi her angel was because, in a way…he saved her. Unintentionally, he gave her a purpose that she could…connect to.
Medaka entered that hospital, feeling like nothing mattered in her life, and left it renewed. A reason to be here- to share her strength with the world, and help those who needed it most.
She had her reason to live.
At Shiketsu, the student council exemplified a strong sense of egoism, prioritizing their own desires and needs above others. Within the predominantly self-governed student body, teachers played a minimal role. However, the student council members at Shiketsu exhibited remarkable motivation and dedication to excel. They firmly believed they held authority over the school, and as a result, made decisions that often benefited their fellow students.
Driven by the school's mentality, these council members relentlessly pursued personal growth, constantly striving to outperform their peers. They recognized the significance of success and embraced the notion that hard work and surpassing others were essential for advancement. Whether in academics, sports, or their other passions, they remained resolute in their pursuit of excellence.
And what Medaka Kurokami desired most was…to be the "mediator" for all of Shiketsu. Medaka's campaign only lasted a few days, and she only gave one speech. It was the most effective campaign Shiketsu had ever had. Her one speech pretty much won her the popular vote and the student body vote.
So when the entire class crowded into that auditorium for some brief campaign speeches from all of the other candidates, no one knew what to really expect.
Save for Kumagawa and Zenkichi.
"Do you find the world merely average? Does the future bore you? Are you just getting by?" Medaka said to the student body. "Relax! Even then, life is epic. It's true that we often find ourselves in the midst of mundane routines, going through the motions without truly experiencing the thrill of existence. But I stand before you today to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way."
"As your class president, I vow to be the voice of the student body, to fight for your rights and ensure that your aspirations are not overlooked. I will be available, 24/7, 365 days a year, to help you with whatever, whenever! It is time to push beyond your limits, to strive for excellence in every endeavor. Let us support one another, pushing each other to new heights, and together, we will become an unstoppable force."
"So, my fellow classmates, let us embark on this journey of greatness. Let us rewrite the narrative of our lives, shattering the boundaries of what is considered possible. Together, we will make Shiketsu a symbol of inspiration, a beacon of excellence that will inspire others to dare to dream. Do not settle for an average existence. Embrace the epic journey that life has to offer. Stand with me, and together, we will write a story that will be remembered for eternity!"
With these words, Medaka Kurokami captivated the hearts and minds of the student body. It was like she ignited a fire in their hearts- a speech that beautiful could rally a small army to fight like a dormant flame within them had been reignited.
They recognized that Medaka's words were not merely rhetoric but a call to action, an invitation to step out of the shadows of complacency and embrace their true potential. The students of Shiketsu saw in Medaka a beacon of inspiration, someone who believed in their abilities and challenged them to break free from their comfort zones.
Hard to believe this was the same child who was breaking the spirits of pros way back when.
Of course, in spite of her incredible speech, some people weren't convinced.
"Hey, did you hear the rumor about the new student council president?"
"Yeah, she's kinda so up herself it's a joke."
"Sure she's hot, but she's totally unconventional. I dunno if she's really fit to lead us."
"Exactly! I mean, her speech was all grandiose and inspiring, but actions speak louder than words. I'm not convinced she can deliver on her promises."
"I heard she's been getting special treatment from the teachers too. How can we trust someone who hasn't faced the same challenges as us?"
"Agreed. I think she's just trying to boost her own ego, using the student council as a platform for personal glory."
Of course, in spite of her incredible speech, some people weren't convinced.
"Hey, did you hear the rumor about the new student council president?"
"Yeah, she's kinda so up herself it's a joke."
"Sure she's hot, but she's totally unconventional. I dunno if she's really fit to lead us."
"Exactly! I mean, her speech was all grandiose and inspiring, but actions speak louder than words. I'm not convinced she can deliver on her promises."
"I heard she's been getting special treatment from the teachers too. How can we trust someone who hasn't faced the same challenges as us?"
"Agreed. I think she's just trying to boost her own ego, using the student council as a platform for personal glory."
While Medaka's speech had resonated with many, there were still some skeptical voices among the student body. And skepticism was Kumagawa's middle name.
Kumagawa hummed as he walked through the hallways, listening to everyone sort of complain about Medaka's speech. 「however you look at it, you have to be impressed」He said to the person walking next to him.
"Why are you following me..." Zenkichi huffed.
「we're old pals, right」Kumagawa said. 「we're just palling around」
"Uh huh..." Zenkichi grumbled.
「to pull a bluff like that in front of the whole school- i suppose you could say she's used to standing up in front of people」Kumagawa hummed.
"It's not JUST that...it's more like she's used to standing over people." Zenkichi said.
「it seems she enjoys being above everyone, looking down on them from her self-proclaimed pedestal」Kumagawa said. 「that being said...98% of the vote! insane. even i voted for her」
"...yeah. So did I..." Zenkichi frowned.
「cuz you like her」Kumagawa teased.
"I can throw you through a window."
「that's called defenestration. would you say, that, because i'm bothering you, you throwing me out a window is called self-defenestra-」
Zenkichi rolled his eyes, and walked ahead a bit faster. Kumagawa was left standing there, with his dumb little pun.
「...aw」
Zenkichi walked through the halls, mind filled with complicated thoughts. Being Medaka's constant companion, the one who always questioned her actions and served as her moral compass, had taken its toll on Zenkichi.
He had often found himself caught between supporting Medaka's ambitions and questioning her methods. It was a delicate balance, trying to keep her ego in check while also acknowledging her genuine desire to help others. Zenkichi had been the voice of reason, the grounding force that reminded Medaka of the consequences of her actions. She was a 'look before you leap' type of gal.
Kind of a lot to put on a teenager. Zenkichi often found himself torn between his loyalty to Medaka and his own reservations. Deep down, Zenkichi cared for Medaka and believed in her potential to make a positive impact. However, he couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that Medaka's pursuit of being the "mediator" for all of Shiketsu was driven more by her 'purpose' than anything else.
She wasn't just a tool for everyone to rely on.
He knew that better than anyone else.
As Zenkichi made his way to his study hall period, he passed by something that caught his eye. It was right outside the student council's office. It was a box- it looked like it was blue, with a kirizuma style roof with a slot in the middle. He knew exactly what it was. He remembered Medaka's promise of a suggestion box during her campaign, an opportunity for students to voice their concerns, ideas, and feedback. It was meant to be a channel for the student body to actively participate in shaping the future of Shiketsu.
As Zenkichi reached the box, he noticed a small sign next to it that read, "Your Voice Matters. Drop your suggestions here." There were some pieces of paper, and a few pencils for writing next to it. Zenkichi hummed.
Looks like there's been some suggestions already placed in, Zenkichi realized.
He looked to the door of the student council, and took a deep breath. "I never said congrats on the election. Wonder if she's in there...:" Zenkichi walked over to the door, and knocked on it.
"Come in!" Medaka's voice said. "And bring the box."
Zenkichi grabbed the box, and walked inside. The student council office was small- there was a bookshelf and cabinet off to the left side, two tables in between the big presidential desk with folding chairs, a red rug on the floor and a fancy stain glass window behind the president's desk.
Zenkichi's gaze shifted around the room as he held the suggestion box in his hands. Medaka was sitting at her presidential desk, her posture upright and her expression focused. He cleared his throat. "Miss President."
Medaka chuckled. "Please. No need to call me by my formal title. It's just Medaka to you."
Medaka's uniform was different now- in lieu of the normal Shiketsu uniform, Medaka wore a dark blue and yellow version, with a red ribbon tied around her collar. On her arm were a multitude of armbands- red, blue and three green.
"What's with all the armbands?" Zenkichi asked.
"Ah, I want to take my time appointing the other student council positions." Medaka explained. "So, for the time being, I'm assuming responsibility of all the other positions."
"...so that's how it is," Zenkichi sighed.
"Indeed." Medaka smiled, as Zenkichi set the box down.
"By the way...congrats on winning the election," Zenkichi said. "I just wanted to swing by to say that."
Medaka smiled back. "Please. You handled most of the big stuff. You should be happy too, y'know."
So, not that it needed to be a big deal, but maybe Zenkichi helped with one or two things for the election. Like writing some of the speech, and making a few posters...but that was it.
"Yeah, yeah." Zenkichi sighed, as Medaka popped open the box. "Listen, about that- I don't know if I can really handle being wrapped up in more of this stuff."
Medaka unfolded one message, and hummed. "Hm?"
"You've always been like this, ever since we were kids. Something would happen, you'd turn up, and drag me along." Zenkichi said, turning around for some unintentional dramatic effect.
"Hmmm..." Medaka said, sorting through the notes and half paying attention. Most of the requests were stupid suggestions- a good thing, to be honest. Meant the campus was doing well. Anyone who requested something like "I don't want exams" or "change homeroom teacher for me" were just trying to take advantage of her absurd power.
But then she opened a particularly interesting one.
"You can handle yourself for a bit, right? I mean, you're a top student, you're rich, you went head to head with Star and Stripe last week-" Zenkichi listed off, as he heard Medaka began to shift around. Confused, he turned around to see-
"WHY ARE YOU GETTING NAKED!?" He yelled, totally dumbfounded.
Medaka peered out from behind the folding screen that had appeared out of nowhere. "Hm?"
"D-did you hear anything I just said!?" Zenkichi said.
"I heard 'why are you getting naked'." Medaka said. "It's not THAT big a deal, Zenkichi."
"You're undressing right before me like that's the most natural thing in the world!" Zenkichi frowned. "For God's sake, have some sense of shame!"
"Is there any point in being embarrassed about anything that goes on between the two of us?" Medaka said. "Besides, we used to take baths together, remember?"
Zenkichi turned away. "I don't remember anything like THAT..."
"Well, it happened." Medaka said, as she went back to changing. Zenkichi threw up his arms, and sighed.
"Your appearance is quite coincidental, Zenkichi. I was about to call you..." Medaka said, voice sounding more sincere. "I need you by my side for this one."
Zenkichi paused. He took a deep breath.
"Just this once..." He sighed.
Now that he thought about it, it was always like this. Being whirled around by her. Somehow, they'd always be together.
Somehow.
"Fine. So, what's the request?" Zenkichi asked.
"Allow me to read it," Medaka said, stepping out from behind the folding screen. She was now wearing a rather fancy gi. Zenkichi raised an eyebrow.
"What the-" Zenkichi said, as Medaka started to read.
"I am currently concerned about a group of trouble-making third years who have taken over the kendo hall," Medaka read. "Could you find some way of getting rid of them?"
The Kendo hall at Shiketsu was a beautiful and roomy building, featuring classic design elements like gleaming hardwood floors and sliding shoji doors. The building was situated close to the heart of the Shiketsu Academy campus and was highly regarded as one of the most prestigious and culturally significant landmarks of the school.
The hall was mainly used for practicing and training kendo, as the name implies. The primary purpose of the facility was to offer a secure and genuine space for students to develop their abilities in the traditional martial art. The equipment included different types of practice weapons such as bamboo swords and armored helmets, along with protective gear to ensure safety during training.
In addition to practicing kendo, the hall was also used as a gathering spot for different cultural and social groups on campus. Throughout the academic year, there were a variety of events held there, including both formal ceremonies and casual social gatherings.
The Shiketsu Kendo hall represented more than just a building - it was a significant symbol of the school's cultural heritage and values. The Shiketsu Academy community values it greatly, and any disturbance to its regular operations would be taken seriously and dealt with promptly.
"Sounds simple enough. Are you SURE you need me here?" Zenkichi asked.
"Yes, 100%." Medaka nodded. "Besides, it's always better to have someone else's perspective."
Zenkichi nodded, understanding her point. "Okay then. Let's go and handle this situation-"
"After lunch," Medaka said.
"...eh?"
"Have you eaten a proper lunch, Zenkichi?" Medaka asked.
"N-no?" Zenkichi frowned.
"Then go do so," Medaka said.
With a bewildered expression, Zenkichi hesitated for a moment but ultimately nodded in agreement. "Alright, fine. I'll grab some lunch," Zenkichi conceded.
"Thank you," Medaka said. "Your body is a temple! You should worship it."
"Whatever," Zenkichi said, as he walked out.
While waiting in line to order his lunch, Zenkichi thought about his relationship with Medaka and how it was going. She was truly impressive, with an unshakable self-assurance and an unstoppable determination. He found himself thinking about the suggestion they had received regarding the third-year students in the kendo hall. He had a pretty good idea of how Medaka was going to handle things...
"Uh, excuse me?"
Zenkichi turned around to see a boy, from the other class. He wore glasses, had black eyes (usually squinted) and messy, dark green hair. "Sorry, I...saw you coming out of the president's office. Do you know if she...got my request?"
Zenkichi hummed. "You the kendo kid?"
"Yeah, that's me." The kid nodded. "I'm Hyuga, from Class 14- nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Zenkichi said. "I'm Zenkichi. As for your request, we're gonna be handling them after I eat."
Hyuga's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and relief. "Really? That's great! I've been trying to practice kendo, but those troublemakers have been causing a lot of disruptions. It's been difficult for the rest of us to use the hall."
"You a big kendo guy?"
"Yeah! I've been doing it for a while, and I was really excited about doing it here." Hyuga explained while Zenkichi picked up his lunch. Zenkichi listened attentively as Hyuga shared his passion for kendo. He could sense the genuine enthusiasm in Hyuga's voice...
"Don't sweat it from here on out, okay?" Zenkichi said. "Just focus on your day. I'll find you down at the dorms later and update you when we're done."
Hyuga's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Zenkichi. I really appreciate your help, and I trust that you and the pres will handle this situation effectively."
Zenkichi made a face. "...sure, sure."
"Huh?"
"Nothing." Zenkichi said.
Medaka...please be normal about this.
After lunch, Medaka and Zenkichi approached the kendo hall. It was a gorgeous building, a lot prettier than in the photos in the brochures. But it smelled terrible. Cigarette butts and other sort of junk sort of piled up on the ground.
"You'd think the school would have stepped in by now," Zenkichi frowned.
"Shiketsu expects us to be self governed, and that starts by caring for our facilities." Medaka explained. "It's a whole different responsibility from any other hero school."
"Lot of pressure to put on kids, especially those who probably don't have a great grasp on their powers," Zenkichi said.
"In a way, you're correct." Medaka said. "Handing the duties over the students may be difficult, but it presents a chance for personal development and progress. The way I view it? This is preparing us for our role as civil servants to the people."
" I guess it does make sense in that regard." Zenkichi said, goosestepping over some trash.
Medaka and Zenkichi stepped into the kendo hall, taking in the sight before them. The once-gleaming floors were marred with scuff marks and littered with cigarette butts, as Zenkichi had noticed earlier. The atmosphere inside the hall felt heavy, tainted by the neglect and disrespect it had endured. Inside were a group of delinquents, with their uniforms unbuttoned, and no hat in sight. These were a bunch of rebels...
A few years ago, due to the lack of members, the kendo club dissolved, and the hall became neglected. Currently, it housed a lot of the school's troublemakers- this was their hideout.
Their leader sat in the middle of the crouching and lazing misfits. He forwent the uniform of a student of Shiketsu, instead wearing pants, a jacket, a black shirt, a necklace, and earrings. He had spiky dark blue hair and an x-shaped scar on his left cheek. Pursed between his lips was a cigarette.
The guy took a puff of his cigarette, and exhaled. "...the hell do you want? Who are you?"
"First year Class 13, Medaka Kurokami." Medaka said. "Head of the school council."
"Hey, that's the bitch who ran away with 98% of the vote. Heard the previous class pres is pissed..." One of the misfits muttered.
"In response to a request in the suggestion box, I call the student council to action." Medaka declared.
The guy laughed. "Oh boy. Hey, guys. The government's here to shut us down. Again."
Zenkichi raised an eyebrow. "Again?"
"Again," the leader of the misfits replied with a smirk. "They've tried to kick us out of here before, but we always find our way back. This place is our sanctuary, our little rebellion against the system."
Medaka stepped forward, her gaze steady and determined. "I understand that you see this place as a refuge, but it's important to remember that we are a community, and the kendo hall is meant to serve the needs of all students. Your actions are causing inconvenience and preventing others from utilizing this facility."
The leader took another drag from his cigarette and blew out a plume of smoke. "Listen, little miss student council president, we don't give a damn about your rules or whatever the hell you want."
Zenkichi faked a cough. "That's a nasty habit you got there- don't you need lungs to do Kendo?"
The leader glared at Zenkichi, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. He dropped the cigarette butt on the ground and stepped on it, extinguishing the flame. "You think you're clever, huh? Trying to play mind games with us?"
Zenkichi shrugged nonchalantly. "Just stating the obvious."
"You'd be right...if they were real." Medaka said, picking one cigarette up.
"Huh?" Zenkichi asked.
Medaka held the cigarette between her fingers and looked at it closely. "These cigarettes, they're fake. Just props." She flicked her finger, and the cigarette disintegrated into a cloud of smoke. "These troublemakers aren't even smoking real cigarettes. It's all a show."
The leader's expression faltered for a moment, caught off guard by Medaka's revelation. He quickly regained his composure and sneered. "So what? What does it matter if they're real or not? We're still causing trouble here."
"Then where the hell is all the smoke coming from?" Zenkichi said.
Medaka smirked at that. "That would be his quirk," Medaka said, pointing at the leader. "Mahibi Moji. Quirk: Smoke Manipulation. These fake cigarettes are designed to emit smoke as a part of his Quirk. They're non tobacco, see?" Medaka unwrapped the cigarette from its packaging and revealed its contents—a harmless herbal blend.
"Wow. That's lame." Zenkichi frowned.
Moji's confident facade wavered as Medaka exposed the truth. He clenched his fists, his expression turning defensive. He picked up a kendo sword nearby, and pointed it at Medaka.
"You think you can just waltz in here and interfere with our business? We don't need your self-righteous meddling!" Moji shouted, his voice laced with defiance.
Medaka hummed, as she held the sword in her hands. "Looks like this bokutou has been well looked after. Zenkichi, look at this ebony finish-"
Moji blinked, and looked down at his hands. The sword was gone. E-eh!? When did she take the sword? I didn't even see her move!
Zenkichi felt the sword. "Hey, that is pretty nice..." Zenkichi made eye contact with Moji. Medaka just used a barehanded disarm on them- is she trying to stick to a kendo theme today?
Moji was FUMING at this. He snapped his fingers, and suddenly, the rest of his group was surrounding Medaka and Zenkichi. The two seemed rather nonplussed about this.
"Hm." Medaka said, spying all the infractions. "Inappropriate dress, accessories, and unshaved beards. A veritable parade of rule breakers."
Moji sneered, brandishing another kendo sword threateningly. "We don't care about your rules, princess. We're not here to follow your precious regulations. We make our own rules."
"And it's my rule to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to use the school's facilities."
"Equal opportunity?" Moji scoffed. "Shiketsu is all about power. If you can't handle that, then you're just weak."
Medaka smiled. "You think I'm weak?"
"You sure look like it."
Zenkichi took a deep breath. "Here we go."
Medaka suddenly dashed forward- for a brief second, it looked like there were multiple Medakas all around the room, each one closing in on one of the misfits. They were shocked and confused, but even more so when Medaka appeared behind them.
"Still think I'm weak?" She asked, holding at least one of their belongings.
"M-my necklace!"
"My phone!"
"My lucky charm!"
"The hell was that? A ninja technique!?"
Nope. Still kendo. Zenkichi huffed. It was a normal step and retreat- Medaka's power just bursts it to an absurd level. And she did that with socks on...
Medaka set the materials down, using a fan (where'd that come from) to rest the objects on top of. "Hm. You have made a fine mess of this place..." Medaka hummed, looking around. "To have dirtied one of Shiketsu's facilities to this extent...I'm almost impressed."
"What's with the lecturing?!" A kid in a beanie yelled. "This has nothing to do with you!"
Medaka's gaze turned piercing as she focused on the kid in the beanie. "It has everything to do with me. I see what's going down."
"...uh oh." Zenkichi muttered.
"All of you...were undoubtedly once passionate, loyal kendo members." Medaka said. "And some great tragedy led you to stray so far from the path.
...could not be further from the truth.
The kid in the beanie snorted. "Tragedy? You think you know anything about us? We're just having fun, doing our own thing."
"Yeah, we just like swinging swords!" One student said.
"You like swinging swords...despite having a quirk?" Zenkichi asked.
Medaka's expression remained resolute. "Fun at the expense of others? Disrupting the learning environment? That's not the Shiketsu way. This clearly...is some form of escape for you."
"You're just pulling shit out of nowhere now," Moji huffed.
"Oh, please! There has to be a reason for this!" Medaka declared. "Were you thrown aside by your parents? Failed to meet a teacher who could guide you? Betrayed by one of your own?"
The crowd fell silent, as Zenkichi huffed. This is where Medaka came into her own- 'preaching to the lesser morals'.
"Your silences speaks volumes, kithless kendo lovers!" Medaka declared. "I will help you all be born again!" The room was filled with a mix of skepticism and curiosity as Medaka's words hung in the air. The troubled students exchanged glances, uncertain of how to respond to Medaka's proposition.
"I will straighten you out! Right your wrongs! Improve and rebuild you to the most impressive version of yourself! You will be devoted to the sword, and find that something to give you purpose and fulfillment. I will not see your thoughts get led astray again!"
"What is she!? The military?" Someone muttered.
Medaka's enrollment at Shiketsu...was a match made in heaven. Medaka's egoism, in this context, was not about self-centeredness but rather an unshakable belief in her own capabilities and the belief that she could positively impact those around her. This unwavering self-assurance had a ripple effect...and it usually ended with her on top.
...or someone else being totally burnt out.
"We start with basic strokes today!" Medaka yelled, her voice commanding attention. "Each of you will learn the proper form, technique, and discipline that comes with wielding a kendo sword. We will restore the honor and integrity of this hall!"
The students exchanged glances once again, unsure of what to make of Medaka's proposition. Slowly, they started to gather around, intrigued by the possibility of a fresh start.
"A-aw, what!?" Moji frowned. "Come on, guys."
One of the students stepped forward, a hesitant expression on his face. "Look, Moji, I know we've been causing trouble and all, but...maybe she's kinda right. We're all kinda drop outs...Maybe it's time we find that passion again."
Moji's grip on his sword tightened as he stared at the student who spoke up. He felt torn between the familiar comfort of their unruly group and the glimmer of possibility that Medaka's proposition held.
"...I'll give it a shot." He grumbled.
Zenkichi watched as Medaka took charge, her determination shining through. With a sigh, he rolled up his sleeves and joined her, ready to support her in this new endeavor.
"WE START WITH 10,000 STROKES!" Medaka declared. "Don't even think you'll be walking home tonight!"
Zenkichi groaned. And she was acting so normal...