Chapter 2: Kuoh Academy

The bell at Kuoh Academy rang, marking the end of the morning break. Students hurried back to their classrooms, and Hideki walked at a slow pace, lost in thought. The school uniform, though elegant, did nothing to hide the vertical scar near his right eye, a mark of the battles he had faced in his previous world. Often, curious glances and implied questions from his classmates were directed towards that scar, but Hideki had learned to ignore them over time.

In the hallways, most of the students seemed to be focused on their own business, gossiping and laughing in groups. Hideki, with his height of 178 cm, stood out a bit in the crowd, but his solitary presence and reserved attitude made him seem even more aloof. He wasn't as handsome as Kiba Yuuto, who always attracted attention with his impeccable appearance, but Hideki had his own kind of appeal.

As he walked to his classroom, a group of first-year students approached him. Among them, a few girls in neat uniforms and shy smiles looked at him curiously.

—"Hey, Hideki-senpai," said one of the girls, a young girl with short brown hair, "can you help us with our math homework? We don't quite understand the teacher's explanation."

Another girl, with blonde braids, nodded. —"Yes, we would really appreciate it. We heard that you are very good at this."

Hideki stopped in his tracks and smiled kindly. Although he was a solitary student, he was always willing to help those who needed it. —"Of course, what is it that you don't understand?"

The group gathered around him, and Hideki leaned over to look at their notebooks. As he patiently explained the concepts, he noticed the girls looking at each other, clearly impressed by his kind demeanor and ability to explain things clearly. Although he wasn't seeking attention, it was evident that his efforts weren't going unnoticed.

—"Thank you, Hideki-senpai," said one of the girls with a smile. "You're a real lifesaver."

—"No problem," replied Hideki with a sincere smile. "We all need a little help from time to time."

With the task cleared up, the group of girls said their goodbyes and headed to their respective classrooms, casting admiring glances towards Hideki. He continued on his way to the classroom, feeling the weight of his emotional situation. Sometimes he wondered what his life would be like if he could return to his own world, but he knew he had to move on and adapt.

Later in PE class, Hideki met up with the first-year students in the gymnasium. The teacher had decided to organize a team exercise to encourage collaboration. Hideki, as a second-year student, was mixed in with the first-years to facilitate teamwork.

Among the first-year students, Hideki spotted Koneko Toujou, a classmate he had interacted with before. Koneko was observing the other students with a calm expression, but her gaze fell on Hideki as he prepared for the exercise.

Koneko approached Hideki with soft steps and a light smile. "Hello, Hideki-senpai," she said in a calm voice. "How have you been?"

Hideki was surprised to see her approaching and smiled at her. "Hello, Koneko. Nothing out of the ordinary." Hideki called her by her name at her request.

Koneko nodded and watched as Hideki pulled out a small bag from his backpack. From it, he took out a homemade cookie and offered it to Koneko.

—"Here, a cookie for you," Hideki said. "I know how much you like sweets and desserts."

Koneko accepted the cookie with a surprised and grateful expression. —"Thank you, Hideki-senpai. You didn't have to do it, but I really appreciate it. It was a kind gesture on your part."

—"It's nothing," Hideki replied with a smile. "I like to share what I have with friends."

Koneko nodded in understanding. "That's very kind of you."

With a friendly smile, Koneko joined her team for the exercise, and Hideki joined the group as well.

*PIIIIII* The sound of the teacher's whistle echoed throughout the field.

—"Well, guys, today we will have mixed volleyball matches, as we had agreed last week. Form your teams and get ready to play"—the teacher announced enthusiastically.

Physical education class was one of the most anticipated activities of the day, especially since the mixed volleyball match promised friendly and fun competition. The teams, made up of students from different grades, generated an atmosphere of camaraderie that everyone seemed to enjoy.

Hideki was on a team that was comprised of second- and first-year students. He was ready to play and enjoy the match, not letting the pressure of being in the spotlight get to him. On the other hand, the opposing team was led by Koneko, and Hideki couldn't help but notice that she was accompanied by some of her first- and second-year classmates.

The match started with great enthusiasm, and it quickly became clear that Hideki's physical ability stood out among the players. His agility and strength were notable, and although he did not seek the spotlight, he could not help but attract attention for his performance.

Koneko, despite her size, surprised everyone with her great athletic ability. She moved with a precision and speed that made the game more challenging for Hideki's team. However, Hideki was not intimidated and counterattacked with skill.

At one of the key moments of the match, Hideki jumped up to shoot, and his height and strength made him stand out even more. The ball flew over the net with impressive speed, and the opposing team barely had time to react. The girls on Hideki's team cheered, and Hideki gave them a confident smile.

From the stands, several students watched the match with interest. The girls, in particular, seemed impressed by Hideki's physical abilities. His movements were precise and full of energy, and every action he performed on the court attracted admiring glances.

After a dynamic exchange of moves, the match reached a critical moment. Koneko, with her ability to anticipate moves, managed to block a powerful attack from Hideki, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers and exclamations. Despite Koneko's efforts, Hideki quickly recovered and helped his team maintain the lead.

Finally, the referee's whistle signaled the end of the match. Hideki's team won by a narrow margin, and both teams shook hands in a sign of respect and camaraderie. Hideki approached Koneko, who had a look of concentration and exhaustion on her face.

—"You're impressive, Koneko!" Hideki commented with a smile as he approached her. "You played really well, I still can't believe how high you can jump." Hideki was genuinely surprised by Koneko's skills.

Koneko smiled back with a slight nod. "Thank you, Hideki-senpai. You played well too. It was a good challenge."

"Thank you very much, Koneko," Hideki replied.

As the teams dispersed, Hideki noticed that some students were still talking about the match and their performance. Although he wasn't interested in being the center of attention, he couldn't help but feel a little satisfaction at having contributed to the general enthusiasm.

With the match coming to an end, Hideki and Koneko headed to the showers, glad for the good energy of the game and the chance to share a sporting experience. Despite the differences between their worlds, moments like these reminded him that he could still find connection and camaraderie in his new surroundings.

After the exciting volleyball match, Hideki headed to the boys' locker room to change. The energy from the game was still coursing through his body, and even though he was tired, he felt a sense of satisfaction that he couldn't ignore. He entered the locker room with the same calmness he displayed on the court, unaware that his classmates would be paying attention to his presence.

The locker room was filled with lively conversation and laughter from the students changing after the game. Hideki made his way to a free bench and began to undress, conscious of the heat and humidity in the air. As he changed, several of the boys on the team who were mostly first years, who had been watching the game and talking about it, began to murmur amongst themselves.

One of the boys, with messy hair and a curious expression, made a comment to the group. "Have you seen Hideki-senpai's physique? It's impressive. You can tell he trains seriously."

Another boy, who was drying his hair with a towel, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, and not only that. The scars he has on his body… That must be from some epic story or something!"

However, among the boys who didn't know Hideki well, some looked on with some uneasiness. "What about those scars?" one of them said nervously. "Don't you think he's a little scary? He looks like he was a delinquent or something."

Another boy, who was also watching, nodded with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Yeah, I don't know, those scars give him a pretty intimidating look."

But then, another student who knew Hideki better chimed in. "It shouldn't be possible. Hideki-senpai is very kind. He's helped me on several occasions, even when he didn't have to. I don't think he's pretending or like everyone else thinks."

The boy who had raised the concern raised an eyebrow. "Really? Are you sure? Maybe he's just pretending to hide his true nature."

The student defending Hideki shook his head. "I don't think so. I've seen how he treats others. He's a genuinely good person, despite those scars. I think it's just a hard life story, but it doesn't mean he's a bad person."

Hearing these comments, Hideki realized they were watching him and turned to them with a kind smile, not showing any discomfort from the attention. "Oh, those scars are from an accident I had while trying to save someone. It was quite a complicated situation, but luckily everything turned out okay," he explained with a mix of sincerity and vagueness. "Nothing to worry about."

One of the boys, who was especially interested, leaned in to take a closer look. "He must have had a pretty rough life. Though, really, that makes him seem more… impressive, you know?"

Hideki shrugged and changed into the clothes he had brought for after the game. "I've just had to face a few obstacles in my life. But the important thing is to keep moving forward."

The boys continued to talk amongst themselves, some with a mix of respect and admiration, as Hideki finished getting dressed. Even though he had noticed the stares and comments, he didn't let them affect him. Instead, he focused on getting ready to go back to the restaurant and do his shift at work.

As his teammates continued to chat about the match and Hideki's abilities, he headed towards the exit of the locker room, feeling a mixture of satisfaction for his good performance in the match and calm for keeping his focus on the future that awaits him.

The Occult Club was in full swing when Koneko entered the room. Rias and Akeno were chatting while looking through some old documents and books. The air of the place was always steeped in mystery, accentuated by the relics and artifacts that decorated the room, making the atmosphere feel charged with secrets to be discovered.

Koneko silently approached, still thinking about her recent interaction with Hideki. Settling into a nearby armchair, Akeno was quick to notice her presence with her characteristic playful tone.

—"Ara ara, Koneko-chan, you seem very interested in Saito-kun lately," Akeno commented with a mischievous smile. "Have you found more than just a classmate?"

Koneko blushed slightly, a gesture almost imperceptible on her normally unruffled face. —"It's not like that, Akeno. We're just... friends." — she replied, trying to maintain her usual calm.

Rias, who had been watching the conversation with curiosity, frowned slightly before leaning forward. —"Saito-kun... I'm not familiar with him. Could you tell me more about this boy?"

Akeno let out a small laugh, enjoying the situation. "Well, Hideki Saito-kun has started to attract some attention lately. Although he is not the most famous student at Kuoh Academy, his physical ability and kind attitude have made him stand out. He has shown impressive performance in sports, and his dedication to studying is notable; he even has a scholarship. Some already call him the 'hero of the academy' for his exemplary character."

Rias listened with interest, but her mind focused on something else. "Koneko, have you noticed anything strange about him? Any trace of supernatural energy or connection to the Sacred Gears?"

Koneko shook her head. "No, Rias-buchou. I don't sense any supernatural energy in him. His presence is a little different from other humans, but he doesn't seem to have any special powers. Maybe it's my imagination… influenced by how kind he's been to me." She muttered to herself, though Akeno managed to catch her last words.

—"Different how?" —Akeno asked with a curious smile, while Koneko looked away.

—"He has a... strange dog smell," —Koneko added, muttering quietly. However, Akeno heard her perfectly, causing her smile to widen.

—"Oh! Are you afraid that Saito-kun likes dogs more than cats?" —Akeno joked, causing Koneko to blush even more.

—"It's not that!" —Koneko was quick to reply, visibly embarrassed—. "The smell I perceive is more similar to that of an inu-yōkai, but I can tell that he is human. Maybe I'm just confusing him and he has a pet dog."

Rias frowned with a thoughtful expression. —"It's interesting... Although there is no obvious supernatural energy in him, his presence and the smell of inu-yōkai you mention could suggest some connection with supernatural creatures. Perhaps Hideki has some unknown link with these beings, or he could even be related to some kind of special magic or lineage."

Akeno, with her usual curiosity, joined the conversation. "That sounds plausible. Inu-yōkai are known to have a particular influence on their surroundings. If Hideki has some relation to them, that could explain why you sense something different about him."

Akeno smiled mischievously. "Perhaps it would be useful to ask Hideki directly if he has any pets, especially a dog. Sometimes, a simple conversation can clear up doubts."

Rias nodded, still thinking about the possibilities. "That's a good idea. Although we can't detect supernatural energy in him for now, it's important to be alert to any details that may arise. Appearances can be deceiving, and sometimes the most subtle clues can reveal more than we imagine."

Hideki walked through the city after a long day, thoughts heavy on his mind. Despite the warmth of the Nishimiya family and the connection he had begun to forge with Koneko, a shadow seemed to follow him at every turn. Something was missing. Something he couldn't ignore.

As he passed a small donut shop, he stopped. The sweet aroma drew him in, but it was more than that that pushed him inside. It was nostalgia, that memory of days gone by in his old world, when moments as simple as buying a donut could bring him some happiness. He walked in, ordered a few, and walked out with a bag in his hand, as if clinging to that small illusion of normality.

He sat down on a nearby bench, a forced smile adorning his face. He opened the bag with an emotion he tried to imitate, seeking comfort in the familiar smell of donuts.

—"Mhm! It smells delicious!" he exclaimed, forcing enthusiasm. He took a donut and brought it to his nose, smiling in a way that hid what he was really feeling. "What a heavenly aroma... It smells like honey cakes. And without further words!" he said with a big smile before taking a bite. "This is amazing! It's super delicious! It's so good to be alive!" he said, trying to convince himself as he took a bite. He knew that even though he was grateful to be alive, the sweet taste couldn't fill the emptiness he felt.

But as he chewed, the sweet taste failed to fill the emptiness he felt. Around him, the world continued to spin. Children ran past, giggling excitedly because their mother promised them a toy. A couple walked hand in hand, sharing a light, laughing conversation. Friends bickered in banter, one saying, "I know you too well, you won't." A family walked past him, the little girl laughing with contagious joy as her parents followed close behind, smiling.

—"Sniff... Delicious..." he murmured, his voice cracking with pent-up emotion. "They're... so tasty."

His hands stilled as he spoke, and the sadness he'd been hiding in his voice became evident. Sobs began to escape from his chest. The donuts he was holding fell to the floor, forgotten.

—"Why...?" he whispered, his hands covering his face, desperately trying to hold back the tears that were now flowing uncontrollably.

His mind filled with memories, which now felt more distant and painfully unreachable. He remembered how his grandfather used to wake him up every morning, his scoldings wrapped in unconditional love, and the unwavering support he gave him in his darkest moments. Images of his friends, especially Shinsou and Kirishima, also appeared, those who had been his refuge in difficult times. The good times shared, in a time when the weight of becoming a hero had not yet overwhelmed him, now felt like distant echoes, filled with a nostalgia that amplified his sadness.

However, with those happy memories also came the crushing weight of his current situation. He had lost what used to give his life meaning. His family, his friends, his dream of being a hero... Everything seemed so distant now, so out of reach, that the contrast between his past and his present only accentuated his pain.

In that moment, surrounded by people who lived their lives as if nothing had changed, Hideki felt the true weight of his loneliness. And for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to break down. The tears, which he had held back for so long, fell uncontrollably.

End I hope you liked it.

I almost cried writing this last part, I really put myself in his shoes writing the ending

This last scene is inspired by a scene from Trigun.