Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nagisa stared blankly down at the words on his paper. Sitting alone at his corner table in Kunigaoka, at a table with countless things scratched into it. He made very little attempts to focus the paper; his eyes kept wandering, from the things that were etched into that table, the uncomfortable feeling of hair getting into his eyes, and the chatter around him. Usually he would have someone with him - that someone would offer an earbud, make one of the questions more than just noise, or even take his mind off the way things didn’t make sense.

But that person got into deep trouble; he got himself suspended, before he could even ask him for his number. Their connection was completely cut off, and with such a long sentence… nagisa doubted he would be remembered by  the end. The thought hurt him more than he let himself realize. Thinking about him only distracted him more, and Nagisa was desperately trying to will himself to ignore those hurtful thoughts. He was already threatened twice today to do his work.

But there was so much noise. It came from every direction, because most everyone was already done with what they were doing. It was lunchtime too, so nobody had studies on their mind.

But a sudden crash and a yell pierced the rumble of talk, drawing all eyes to the source. Even Nagisa himself stopped to stare. A light orange-haired boy stood frozen, his textbook in hand and a friend’s canister of (luckily) iced coffee all over. The student was visibly shaking, a mixture of despair and pure rage on his face, directed at the friend(?) that dared to do it. Nagisa noticed many students start to clear out or look away, not wanting to be caught up.

“A-asano, I-I’m so sorry-” the whinier, messy student began,

“This was a handwritten assignment. It’s due in two hours. ” the Orange hair student growled. 

Nagisa felt an odd sympathy. But the more he was drawn into the quarrel, the more he hated the math staring him down. He wanted an excuse to abandon it entirely… it wasn’t doing him any good. He wanted a good excuse to do something easier on his mind… and his mother told him he’d better start making a friend or two that would help him “get a leg up” as she put it… so if this pushed him to the point of no return, he would do it acting on her will, he supposes. 

He wanders over, as quiet as ever, waiting for a good moment to interrupt. He reaches out, and gently taps the orange-haired student’s shoulder. It seems he still had the power to spook the larger kids, much to his delight. The gazes of him and his four friends fall on Nagisa.

“If you got your assignment messed up, I can fix it. I’m used to doing notes for two…” Nagisa inquires. 

It was true - plenty of his current classmates always made him do their work, steal the work of others and redo it in their own writing - and he always did it, and each time it wouldn’t end well. But the forging was something he was at least good at. 

One of the students began to berate Nagisa, beginning with a “how dare you” - but the boy that he offered his help to raises a hand, and it shut the student right up. Nagisa guessed he was another big deal…

“How much will it be?” the boy asks.

Nagisa shakes his head. “I don’t need to be paid. Just tell me when you need it, and where to hand it off. I’ve got plenty of free periods to use.” 

This was a flat out lie, but he didn’t care. He’d like more than anything to cut class, stow away, and focus on this. 

The boy studied him quietly, cold purple eyes brimming with curiosity - or maybe it was doubt. “Are you sure you can get it ready by then?” he asks.

Nagisa nods. “I think so. It’s not like you could hand in coffee covered papers, so why not try?” 

“True.” the student agreed, handing off the still dripping papers, “I’ll trust you. Meet me at classroom A-4. you’ll likely be working down to the minute.” 

Nagisa nods, ruining another tie by trying to save the ink from running anymore. “I’ll have it done.”

With those papers handed off, Nagisa returned to his spot, and took out paper similar to the one that student had used. Brandishing a new pen, he glances over at the ruined work to start - but a quite fancy fountain pen lands nicely on his paper, rolling to a stop just before it could fall into his lap.

“That’s one of the pens I always use. I expect to have it back too.” the student tells him.

Nagisa just nods, beginning the process of foraging an assignment. He briefly glances at the name he had just copied.

Gakushu Asano… Nagisa wondered what kind of big deal he was.

…

The clock was ticking down. In front of class A-4. Gakushu stared down a bunch of half-finished work - just in case that strange student in the library had been too slow. He wondered if he could buy some time if he forced himself to throw up… he’d much rather go through that than to miss an assignment and have to face his father for longer than the necessary progress report. 

“Man, that student was unreliable after all!” Natsuhiko sighs, “Guess he was after your work! Or he needed a new pen, haha…” 

“It’s your fault I needed someone to help me in the first place.” Gakushu snaps at him.

“Oh come on! It’s not like I meant to spill things on your paper!” the dude whines, “C’mon, just go sit and explain. You know your teachers like you! What’s the harm in asking for an extension?”

He hopes his glare hurts as he says, “You all know very well It’s not the fucking teacher’s-”

But before he could finish his thought, a heavy weight slammed into his chest, almost out of nowhere. It made him jump a bit, but he quickly grabbed onto the thing that had been thrown his way. The only faces he spotted were those of a strangely bewildered group of lower ranking students… and they quickly ran off when Gakushu glared at them.

He looks down at the binder that had been dropped on him. It was unmarked, save for a blue stickynote that read, “Papers. You’re welcome.” on it. The complete assignment was the first things clipped in front, pinched together by the fountain pen that Gakushu had also asked to be returned. It wasn’t just a rewrite, either - Gakushu was shocked to find that handwriting was perfectly foraged. He doubted any of his teachers would be able to spot the difference, save for maybe the principal. He looked around, wanting to thank the student somehow, but they were gone as soon as they had come. 

Determined not to let this one slip back to the abyss of students, Gakushuu makes a mental note to find them after classes are done for the day.  Once class is well on its way, he gets praised by the teacher for his foraged work, even… he knew he had put the leg work into it, but just knowing the mystery student had rewritten it in such a short amount of time still had him feeling as if he was in their debt, too. 

…

Gakushu slipped inside the principal's office. Good, he was out - likely getting something from one of the school vending machines, or chatting with a teacher on his short break before their daily progress report. He swiftly runs to the computer, enters the code, and checks the school database for the face he had first seen on his lunch break.

With a little swift, dizzying searching, he found them - Nagisa Shiota. By the looks of things, they were slowly and steadily slipping through the cracks. Dropping grades, unaccepted by peers, dress code violations… seriously? That one didn't seem quite right to him… it must've been a claim under investigation.

But still, Gakushu makes up his mind about the student as he swiftly resets things on the computer to how he found it - open to some strange scheme and also powered off so that the password screen would show.

He then swiftly exits the room and picks up the basketball he had left outside the room.  He does a quick sweeping glance of the halls, then calms considerably once he notes that the principal was not there to see him sneak out. Gakushu calms slightly, and turns his focus to a nice target to ask things to; someone from class C. 

“Excuse me.” Gakushu says, noting the usual tensing from peers in lower letters, “If I may have a moment of your time, I’m looking for a certain student. Blue hair, very quiet… do you know them?”

“Th-that could be a handful of people…” the girl says, looking for a way to get out of the conversation.

“Well, seeing as they seem to have time on their hands, they may be a part of B class. I’m looking for Shiota.” Gakushu explains. 

“Oh. that one…” she says, nodding to herself and beginning to walk, “I don’t know much about that ghost. it’s been thrown to the dogs ever since it lost its protection. I hope that’s interesting enough to you.”

“It’s valuable information, thank you.” Gakushu responds. 

As he watches the student pass, he abandons his search for the moment as he sees the principal approach. He steels himself as usual, and prepares for another uncomfortable progress report. He wordlessly follows his principal inside when prompted, and goes through the usual rigorous questioning, on who he’s spoken to, his grades, and club activities and diets - it wouldn’t matter if he lied where he could, so long as he kept a straight face through the whole thing. As always, he always tried to pick out flaws in any of his father’s movements or words, but was frustrated when faced with nothing to pick out, to use as a crutch in the onslaught of words meant to “keep his spirit up”. 

By the end, when Gakushu finally was able to exit the room, he feels sick as always. But instead of going home to rest like he usually would, he had someone he needed to seek out. 

He moved swiftly along the sunset tinted hallways, keeping a careful eye out for his target. Since he was pretty athletic, moving around campus was a breeze, and he had a pretty swift eye. For the most part, he only saw students chatting as they helped clean up the school, whispering among themselves, staring at him, picking fights with each other as usual…

But when he gets to the rooftop, a different scene greets Gakushu. The ghostly Shiota was caught in a group of other students, and suffering some serious abuse, both verbally and physically.

Instead of fighting or kicking, or even shouting, the blue haired student was frozen as the bullies surrounding him pulled and punched, limp like a doll caught in the grips of spoiled children. some mocked him for his looks, others laughed about how weak he was, or asked him why he was trying to act manly at all if he couldn't take a punch, that he'd pay for making their class look bad. So many hurtful words, and most of the insults Gakushu didn't care to listen to. 

Who knew he'd be repaying Shiota so soon? 

Realizing he still had that basketball, Gakushu aims it like a dodgeball. One swift throw, and the ringleader's air  is knocked out of him. The bullies look over, ready to fight, but the color drains from their faces when they see who it is.

"It's clean up time, and you're all making a mess up here." Gakushu tells them, walking forward calmly.

The students drop their victim and apologize profusely. Gakushu doesn't have the patience for their talk. He crouches down by Nagisa, carefully helping him up. His eyes seemed dark, almost lifeless, and blood was dripping down his face from his nose, some even staining his hair, which had been ripped from it's missing ponytail. The only sign of his terror was the shivering that wracked the poor student's body. 

"I'm taking this one to the nurse's office. You have 45 seconds to clean the roof of your error." Gakusku states. 

The delinquents get to work swiftly, and Gakushu guides Nagisa back down the stairs, even offering a shoulder when he notices that nagisa was limping. A voice in his head was nagging at him to remember Nagisa's class, that he shouldn't be helping him like this. But barely anyone was on the route they took, and the nurse's office was empty. 

"Just stay here." Gakushu instructs him in a slightly gentler tone, helping him onto one of the beds.

Nagisa only responded with a nod. Patching up this student after that was a rather silent moment. An ice pack for the leg, tissues for the blood, bandaids for any cuts… he would have fixed Nagisa's hair for him as well, but noticed Nagisa's recoil at his reach. Doing the next best thing, Gakushu simply drops the hair band into Nagisa's hands. 

Some minutes pass as Gakushu puts the materials he used away. But finally, Nagisa Spoke.

"... I'm sorry you got caught up." 

Gakushu thinks for a moment, then says, "Don't be. I wanted to find you anyways."  

"Why?" He asks curiously.

"You're interesting. And, of course, I owed you something after your forging endeavors." Gakushu answered simply.

“Oh…” Nagisa replies, fiddling with the hair ties in his hands, “You’re interesting, too. And really, you don’t need to repay…” 

Gakushu wanted to point out the fact that he sort of already did by rescuing him, but he let it go for now - what really interested him is the fact that Nagisa didn’t really seem to know that he was a big name in the school.

Or… did he simply forget? Surely, he would’ve made the name connection if he knew…

“I would hope I am. I’m high up on the school leaderboard, so to speak.” Gakushu bragged a bit.

“That’s pretty cool. A friend of mine was like that too, really smart and charming and all…” Nagisa says.

“Oh yeah?” Gakushu says, noting the compliment mixed in, “I guess I should get to know that friend of yours as well. It would be interesting to get to know him.” And by that, he means outdo this individual on every level.

“Oh, You probably know who he is already. But despite what happened, he really is kind when you get to know him. He always took me out to lunch when I got too stressed out with school work…” Nagisa says, beginning to tie his hair back. “It’s possible you’d get along, though. But i don’t know if I’ll ever get to speak to him again…” 

Gakushu ran through a quick list of popular students in his mind. Though, he never really thought of any of them as kind people, and it wasn’t Ren because that one makes a point to nip all rumors about himself in the bud. “Maybe. But why would you two never talk again? Did you have a falling out?” 

Nagisa shrugged. “I walked him home after he got suspended. Since I knew he’d be taking a fall soon from it, I wanted to see if he’d have time to hang out after school, or even if I could get his number to talk. But...before i could ask he started talking about all the trouble he always got in… and how he didn’t want me to get stuck with any problems he may cause, and suggested… that we stop hanging out from then on. And that was it. I haven’t heard from him since, and I doubt he’ll even talk to me again.”

Gakushu’s shock was genuine, but not for the reason Nagisa would probably think. He didn’t strike Akabane as the kind of person to make friends, and yet here was the only one. An abandoned one, at that.

Did he dare to find out why himself?

Well, he was certain he could handle a friendship better than that brat of an opponent.

“He must’ve done a number on your feelings.” Gakushu guessed. 

For a moment, he detected a hint of fragility in Nagisa’s voice. “Yeah… I'd be lying if I said he didn’t really hurt me by telling me that. I keep trying to figure out what I did wrong… how I upset him, and stuff…” Nagisa confirmed.

“Well I think it’s foolish of him to cut you off. He should have communicated with you better, at the very least. I doubt it’s your fault.” Gakushu tells him.

“Thank you…” Nagisa sighs, “It’s really been weighing on me. Between that loss and some other things, It’s like I’ve been doing nothing but losing focus and slipping through the cracks…” 

“So he sabotaged you.” Gakushu states.

Nagisa shook his head. “He wouldn’t do that on purpose. And I feel like it was bound to happen anyways. I’m just slow, and unimpressive…” 

“Would an unimpressive person be able to forge an entire ten page essay in two hours? You have to give yourself some credit, Shiota, lest you actually fall.” Gakushu tells him.

“I guess so. But please, don’t call me Shiota. I don’t like it that much. Nagisa is just fine. Or even whatever other name people have for me.” Nagisa says. 

“Well, Nagisa. If you ask me, your forging talent could be to your advantage if you use it right.” Gakushu says.

“How?” Nagisa asks.

“Let’s say you’re having trouble with your focus in a certain class. Sign yourself a fake doctor’s note, and you can force them to give you some extra time by law. Then again, I’m certain that the Principal doesn’t follow school laws at all, what with the things I've heard that man talking about doing.” Gakushu suggests. 

“That seems like it could be helpful, but I know that it would get ignored. Besides, if people knew i could do something like that, i’d get eaten alive for doctor’s notes instead, it would be suspicious, and I’d be in big hot water that way. I already am with the people that found out I’m good at that sort of thing…” Nagisa says. 

“You find yourself being used often?” Gakushu asks.

Nagisa shrugs. “They’re starting to learn after they’ve been caught with copied exact answers from the smarter kids, and they can’t connect it back to me because it’s basically their handwriting. It’s tiring, though… is it safe to assume you won’t be making me take people’s work?” 

“Of course not. You can’t take someone’s work if you’re the best in the school.” Gakushu says.

“It’s good you’re confident in yourself. I’m glad to know you won’t be like that to me…” Nagisa says.

“It’s not just confidence.” Gakushu corrects, “I really am In first place. I’m the principal’s son.”

Nagisa freezes, but unexpectedly, it’s not in fear. He facepalms, then sighs an exhausted, heavy sigh. “I. don’t know why I didn’t make that connection sooner. I guess I really did get too depressed to notice anything, huh…”

Gakushu nods. “Mm-hm. Everyone is worms to me.”

Instead of the usual tense reaction, Nagisa snickered instead. “Guess so! Though I’d rather be a snake than a worm.”

This ghost of a student was full of strange responses. Gakushu sort of liked it… maybe he would keep trying to seek this student out from now on.

Gakushu shrugs and smiles slyly. “I guess that you could be an exception. You do behave rather differently from worms, after all. But you’re way too good at blending in.”

“Well snakes do have camouflage!” Nagisa says, “they’re built for blending in, not only to catch food off guard but to hide from predators that could eat them. Well, at least it’s that way for some species…”

It didn’t take long for Nagisa to start rambling on about snakes at all - and surprisingly, though Gakushu knew plenty of animal facts, Nagisa had plenty of facts that were new, not to mention plenty of pictures of snakes saved to his phone. And honestly, it was fun to see someone speak so passionately about something important to them, and something a bit far from school-based subjects was a nice change of pace. He found himself sitting, sort of nodding along and engaging in talking about what things he knew. 

But at some point, Gakushu did get a glimpse of the clock and ended up swearing - he was late to getting home, and didn’t have much of an excuse.

“Sorry to cut this conversation short, but our principal will be interrogating me over my absence already.” Gakushu says.

“No worries, I completely understand. You could always just tell him a snake challenged you to a quiz on animals or biology or something and it dragged on.” Nagisa says, getting up from the bed and testing how his leg was doing.

Gakushu nods, already headed for the door. “Academics really is the only excuse he likes to hear.”

“He seems like he would.” Nagisa replies, smoothing out the sheets of the bed, “Go on ahead, I’ll tidy up. It will be less suspicious for the both of us, too.” 

“Alright. Have a good evening.” Gakushu tells him as he hurries off.

“You too.” Nagisa answers, even though nobody heard.

Whether it was to appease his mom at home or not, Nagisa had hoped to speak to Gakushu again.

Chapter Text

Days pass. They creep along slowly, painfully. 

Nagisa slowly succumbs to poor grades, while Gakushu tries his hardest to battle his overwhelming curiosity. He knew about Nagisa's ranking below him, noting the whispers of his impending fall. He tried to swallow his feelings, convince himself he wasn't truly interested. 

But his curiosity wouldn't stay down long at all.  Only when he tried his hardest to look did he ever catch a glimpse of that blue hair. The rare moment where they did lock eyes made his heart freeze, just as if he were caught by something worse than his father… but a quick smile melted away his unease as Nagisa gave a gentle wave. Gakushu glanced away, but still gave a quick wave back. 

Dammit, he wanted to know… not even just about Nagisa, but what he knew about akabane, the unapproachable brute that his father removed from the picture the moment he posed a threat. 

He ran over the thoughts in his mind, strategies on how to figure out Nagisa's off schedule. It would be a gamble to bet on his class attendance, considering everything… so maybe what he had to do was look for the boy during lunch - but no doubt, the bullied little snake wouldn't hide in the same spots that those parasitic worms could find him in. If anything, he had to tread carefully and hope he could find Nagisa by chance.

Using the principal's computer again did cross Gakushu's mind, of course - but the door was locked constantly these days. Of course he could pick it, but the principal would instantly single him out… and probably torment a confession, even if it wasn't him.  

Soon, his luck turns - Nagisa's locker is discovered, right outside the class rep's meeting room. Acting fast, Gakushu moves back into the classroom to write out a note.

Once written up, Gakushu moves to Nagisa's locker and slips the paper in, with a bit of tape to make sure it would be noticed.

"What're you up to?" The voice of a careless worm meets his ears. He recognizes it as the rep from E class, Isogai.  

"Nothing of your concern. Why don't you head back to class?" Gakushu replied.

"Well it kinda is. Are you the reason Shiota's getting booted to E class?" Isogai asked.

"Absolutely not. And as I've said, my interest in him is none of your concern." Gakushu answers shortly, "Now leave me be before I decide to pry into your secrets."

At this, Isogai backs off. "Fine. Just go easy on him, I talked to him earlier and he's not taking the change of class well."

 "I'd imagine not many would." Gakushu said, "this is a cram school - to fail here is to fail society."

Isogai didn't look all that amused. "You sound exactly like your dad, you know."

The words were like knives. Gakushu did his best to not let it show, but even then, it seems that isogai caught on to his discomfort.

"Sorry. That was a bit far, even for me." Isogai sighed, likely trying to spare himself from any vengeance Gakushu was now cooking up in his head, "Just. Please try not to bully our classmate to death, we already lost a teacher and he looks like he's eyeing the roof if you catch my drift."  

"Like I said, not my plan." Gakushuu said. "If you really have to know to sate your worries, I simply owe him something for a favor he did. That's all, and you will tell no one unless you want to get kicked out. Understand?"

Isogai seemed curious, but put his hands up with a nod and shrug. "Fine, i get it. I'm not a gossiper anyways. Thank you for not participating in punching down other classes today. Rep meeting's in five minutes, let's end this before other people get here."

With this, isogai heads to the classroom. Checking once more to see if the note is secure, Gakushu heads to the meeting himself.

…

Nagisa walked the halls, stomach doing flips. He already knew he didn't want to go home today. He had to leave his last class early to clear his locker out, and was already met by mockery and scorn from his ex-peers. 

He felt like he couldn't cry, but had to. He already threw up once, and felt bad that his new class rep had to walk him to the bathroom - even the nurse's office was no longer available to him since he dropped to E class. 

As he stared down his locker, he already saw derogatory post-its littering the front. Nobody ever does a thing about them, no tracking down the perps or even calls from the principal - it was his method. This level of hell for failures was by design.

With a shaking hand, Nagisa opened his locker one final time, collecting his things from the inside. An old snake made of beads, a photo of Karma and him posing by an alleyway - an old ticket to the fair. An ugly uniform Nagisa refused to wear. He liked his pants, as baggy and ill-fitting as they were…

As his mind wandered, he noticed the note hanging from the locker vent. A bit of fear lingered in Nagisa's throat. Might’ve been a fancier "kill yourself" note from one of his lovely ex-classmates.

Even so, Nagisa opened it.

I cannot reverse the principal's sentence. But we should talk a bit more about that favor I owe you. Meet me at the track field under the bleachers ~5pm. You have my word that I will be civil.

           ~Gakushu Asano

It took him a moment to process the words. Carefully, Nagisa folded the letter back up and stuck it in his pocket. He wasn't sure how to feel….

Regardless, Nagisa collected what was important, and left old, poor-grade papers crumpled at the bottom to rot. He didn’t bother cleaning up the stickynote mess - if this school wanted nothing to do with him, he wasn’t very keen on cleaning up after a bully’s mess.

Once it all was packed neatly into his school bag, Nagisa headed for the trail up the mountain that lead to class E. a small group of E-classers were at the bottom it seemed, talking to each other about the abysmal walk up, one of the odd new teachers… but at the very least, Nagisa had Isogai to recognize, and he was pretty kind to him.

“Oh! Hey!” Isogai said with a little smile, “Ready to walk up? It’s gonna be a bit of a winding path today - last night’s storm took one of the bridges out so we have to take a route around to where the rocks reach enough to pass with a jump."

Nagisa simply responded with a small nod and hum. Unfortunately, as nice as Isogai was, Nagisa was still shy with those he doesn’t directly approach. 

One of the rowdier boys, with orangey hair, slung an arm around Nagisa’s shoulder. “Come right this way! The way up’s hell but the destination’s… meh, half-decent. Come on!”

“You should at least introduce yourself before scaring the guy.” Isogai suggested.

“Oh right - the name’s Hiroto Maehara! Sexiest guy in class, can’t keep the ladies off me!” Maehara said with a smile and wink.

“The only things he attracts is flies.” one of the girls said smugly, “And maybe some guys.”

“Hey!! That second one is a compliment, Rio! You’re losin’ your game!” Maehara yelled at her.

They get into a bit of an argument by then, and Nagisa, thankfully, is left alone. Conversation continues around him - and he kind of appreciates the attempts at inclusion. He appreciates that they accept the answer of him being a boy. They don’t ask what shot him down to E class.

Up at the top of the mountain, Nagisa is allowed to catch his breath, eat some lunch, get familiar with his smaller locker and the finessing his new rusted key needed in order to open it… things weren’t so bad, he figured. It could be worse.

In the classroom itself, before his next class actually started, he found himself seated next to a green-haired girl that was about half-focused on her work. Her other bit of attention seemed to be on not-so-sneakily stealing glances his way, as he frustratedly tried to keep his long hair out of his way when getting situated. After about the 10th time she snapped her head back to her textbook when he felt her eyes on him, he was getting sick of it. 

“Is something wrong?” Nagisa asked neutrally.

“So sorry! I don’t mean to stare, but - you look like you’re uncomfortable.” the girl said.

Nagisa asked, “What do you mean? I guess my hair does get in the way, but it’s not like i could do much about it…”

Just like that, the girl produced another hair tie. “If you want, I can fix it in a way that’ll keep it out of your way! Just like mine.”

“Oh- thank you for the offer, but… I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m not really a girl…” Nagisa sighed.

“Hair styling doesn’t have to be a girls only thing - looking cute’s for everyone, plus, again, no more having to move your hair. You sure you don’t want some help?” the girl asked, and great, now she was doing some sort of puppy-dog eyes at him.

Not one to want to make enemies, Nagisa admitted defeat. “...Okay. I guess I’ll try.” he said, then asked, “What’s your name?”

Quickly, the girl popped up and pumped her fist in victory, undoing his first ponytail before she began. She answered, “My name is Kaede Kayano! You can call me Kaede if you want, too. What’s yours?”

“Nagisa Shiota.” he replied, “I prefer Nagisa.”

“So, what got you in E class? I personally got mad at the principal for what class he kept me in, got low grades… you?”

“Well… bad grades, and… something else…”

…

5pm rolled around. Gakushu was quick with his cleanup post daily report to his father, and the school had started to empty out by now. With an excuse to put away equipment made, Gakushu quickly moved down to the gym, put his stuff away, and snuck out to the underbelly of the track bleachers. There, Gakushu sat and waited, careful to move out of sight of others using the worn tarps that blocked off the underside, letting in only a few large gaps and slashes of golden sunset.

The wait felt like hours - but he knew it wasn’t that long, he kept close eyes on the time on his phone. He wasn’t sure what made him so anxious about the whole thing. Was it going against the rules this way? Was it not knowing what the hell he was going to say? Was it wondering why he was going so far, why he did this, why care for someone so supposedly below and other? He honestly couldn’t tell.

As minutes dragged by, Gakushu was starting to see himself as foolish. Why would the snake trust what looked to be a huge, predatory badger? He bet that Nagisa was expecting some sort of surprise attack, or hazing, or-

-and just then, the tarp rustled. Gakushu went completely still.

And after some struggle, Nagisa was now under the bleachers with him. With a new look, at that. The small twintails he now sported were… striking, Gakushu decided, pushing a different too-affectionate descriptor from his mind.

“Hey.” Nagisa greeted him softly, keeping his voice low, “I got your message.” 

“Good. Glad you read it.” Gakushu replied, in equally low tones, “Come and sit. No tricks - just talk.”

Nagisa nodded, then went and sat next to him. Thanks to the new class location, the smaller smelt distinctly of forest - it wasn’t unwelcome.

“So… what did you want to talk about again?” Nagisa asked.

“Just… what you want from me. To pay you back for so selflessly helping me.” Gakushu replied, “I know it’s strange that I’m still on this, but… your kindness was a rarity to experience. It was nice. And I wish to pay it back in a meaningful way, genuinely. I can’t save you from E-class, as I don’t have that kind of influence even if I wish I could, but… there has to be something else I can do.”

For a moment, Nagisa stared at him. In this moment, Gakushu was extremely uncomfortable. Being genuine with someone was… kind of unnatural for him, as usual. Plus, not knowing what Nagisa was thinking at all was deeply unsettling for some reason. It was hard to get into the “it’s nothing but an E-class” mentality.

“I’ve got two different ideas… I’d imagine they… might be hard.” Nagisa replied.

“Nothing’s hard for me. Tell me your ideas.” Gakushu said.

For a moment, Nagisa straightened up. His eyes darted two and fro slightly, and a crease in his brow - he was definitely thinking hard on how to word what he needed to.

“My mom enrolled me here. She’s always wanted a girl, and as she was having an unclear moment… she put my gender wrong on paper, and in the long run, embarrassingly, it’s how i’ve gotten in trouble with dress codes  - on a crappy technicality that teachers applied if they wanted me out of their sight. I’d really appreciate it if you could maybe, I don’t know, get it changed. Though I doubt you could ask your dad now, considering he likes seeing kids suffer it seems.” Nagisa began, “But on the other end, a much easier one… If it’s alright with you… could we hang out more often? I know, school taboo, and even if my new classmates are nice to me… I’m just not comfortable talking to them yet. But - I won’t force you. It’s probably gross to you that I even ask… but I’d be willing to keep it quite secret, just like now.”

To be honest, Gakushu was surprised by both requests. The first, though risky, would be incredibly easy - just a few clicks, find and replace on pronouns, photoshop and replace any dress code violations to be related to minor fashion offences or holes in clothes, and that would be that. That simple, and a chance to gaslight his father heavily - a delicious idea to be sure. As for the request of hanging out…

“You’re… asking to be friends.” Gakushu asked.

Nagisa didn’t meet his gaze. But he did nod.

“Genuinely?” Gakushu questioned, “You swear- you’re not doing this to be tutored, nor to gain anything - well, of course, because you’re in E, I wouldn’t be able to net you anything but leech labels…”

“Genuinely.” Nagisa replied, and looking up, there was a bit of a shine to his eyes. “I don’t want the attention of the school on me - you know that. And Karma did try tutoring me, if he couldn’t get anything to stick, I wouldn’t want to force you or to try, or else I would’ve asked for that specifically. The two things on my mind are making sure people know that I am what I am, and, well… making a nice friend. You really were nice to talk to. But I wouldn’t want to put you in harm’s way if you don’t want to risk associating with me - especially now.”

Gakushu… was a bit shocked.

In his youth, he only ever made superficial friends - things that would never last as his father went about business, routinely cutting him off from true connection, especially if the almost-friend was looked down upon by fate. And here in this cram school, even the big 5, gakushu was almost certain, they simply tolerated him as a way to gain more power over their peers. The simple, genuine wish - it was kind of unthinkable that not a single string was attatched.

"You're not even lying to me about it, are you?" Gakushu muttered, still quite quiet in his shock. "I-i dont mean that insultingly - it's just. You really just. Want to hang out."

Nagisa smiled - a gentle, warm gesture. And he took out a small blue stickynote, folded in and sealed by the sticky side. He held it out to Gakushu, quiet and patient in his demeanor.

"If you want… this has my number on it. We'll have to code our names for each other, but it's the best bet on planning meetups. Or whatever you wish."  Nagisa said.

Quietly, a bit awkwardly, Gakushu slowly grasped the note, lingering for a moment as Nagisa took his hand off the note. He was already thinking of theming Nagisa's chatroom around snakes.

"So, alternate names, huh…" Gakushu said. "How about I refer to you as Viper? Like the snake."

Nagisa seemed to light up at the idea. "That's awesome! And for you - for you… hmm…" Nagisa thought for a moment, and then hit his fist against his palm, "your hair is this nice kind of orange - like a monarch butterfly is. So how about Monarch? It's distinct, but shouldn't lead directly to you." 

Gakushu couldn't state enough how much he adored the idea. Instead, he smiled warmly and simply replied, "perfect. I'll put you in when I get a chance."

Nagisa smiled, and laughed softly. "I'll wait for the text. We should cut our meeting here, though - before you're missed." 

"Right." He replied, clutching tight to the note, "I still have to get changed - and grab my things. I'll… talk to you later, Nagisa."

Nagisa headed for the sunset outside their hiding place. “Talk to you later, Gakushu!” he whispered.

Just like that, Gakushu was left alone with his little secret. He was overwhelmed. He was excited. He was, admittedly, nervous. But he had someone willing enough to be a friend. A real one!

He had to get home quickly, finish his work as fast as he could, and text Nagisa soon. Maybe even see if he could do anything about the mentioned inaccuracies of his record.

Chapter Text

 Later that day, as the sun fell, Gakushu’s room had been filled with the sound of an overworked keyboard. The clackity-clacking sound would drive anyone crazy - and thus, Gakushu had put his headphones on to drown out the noise of his homework. He was almost done… and for once, it wasn’t extra research that he wanted to complete, either.

Typing completed, he immediately e-mailed his work to his teachers, slapped his laptop shut, then pulled out his phone. He carefully put Nagisa’s phone number in his contacts, and began to text.

Hey. Monarch, here. Is this Viper?

Gakushu’s thumb hovered over the send button for a bit, wondering if it was too formal. He deletes the text, and tries again.

Hi Viper. Are you well? It’s Monarch.

Feeling it was better than his first attempt, he sent the text off before he could dwell. After a slow minute, Gakushu was excited to see a text back!

Oh! Monarch! I’m glad you texted - I just finished dinner. I’m doing ok, despite mom’s reactions to things. How are you?

It was a relief to hear that Nagisa was okay. Gakushu knows that even a classmate getting knocked down to B or C classes often comes with parents going nuclear on them.

Monarch: I’m fine - Just finished homework. Had arrived home much earlier alone; father’s running unusually late with his work.

Viper: it’s probably bc of the E teacher situations ^^; our new sensei is kind of a special case lol

Monarch: how so? Is he not happy teaching the failures or something?

Monarch: uh no offense sorry

Viper: none taken

Viper: K Sensei just needs special accommodations - as much as one could get up on a mountain. I think he may sleep up here due to his restrictions??

Monarch: oh

Monarch: He’s that disabled? 

Viper: Yea sure

Monarch: huh. Kinda shocked the principal hires disabled people. I moreso pinned my dad to… well, for lack of better word, look down upon such.

Viper: well remember he’s teaching my class. So he probably doesn’t have such a high opinion of K sensei either

Monarch: oh. Right

Monarch: otherwise… what’s it like up there? I don’t think I’ve ever gone up to see.

Viper: it’s nice if you like forests. And don’t mind bees. And no AC. and also can avoid hostile wild life on the way up. Hey does your dad care if the bridges break?

Monarch: probably not lol

Viper: well at least the classroom doesn’t smell musty. It’s actually pretty nice. Sort of cozy, if not drafty. I suppose it comes with the territory of being here

Monarch: You make it sound like it’s not the worst building of this school campus lol

Viper: oh no it is it’s just not what I imagined hehe

The two went on talking like this for quite some time. It was pretty nice for Gakushu - he wasn’t quite used to talking about things so casually. Usually with the big 5 it was strategies, plans, and carefully picked topics to avoid stepping on anything sensitive. Here, they were just having fun…

Sooner than later, Nagisa had to bid Gakushuu goodnight due to a lights-out curfew - internet is cut, and Nagisa is unable to give or receive texts until morning. This is rather annoying to Gakushuu, but it isn’t his friend’s fault at all - he knows how crazy parents can be.

With the cut off so early, Gakushuu felt a bit restless. Oh! That’s right, that one other favor for Nagisa. He figures he could scope things out, check if his father has left his computer at home unlocked.

Sneaking out into the hallway at the front of his bedroom, Gakushuu heard the sound of running water coming from the kitchen - a sign that his father was beginning to prep dinner, more likely than not. The boy traversed down the hall, eyes locked on the door left slightly ajar. Thanks to years living in this house, Gakushu knew well where to step, to keep the floor from squeaking too loudly. Slowly but surely, Gakushuu made it into the room and to the computer. Thank goodness, his father’s cockiness has left him to keep helpful reminders of his passcode around. Solving the cryptic stickynotes, Gakushuu gained access and- and…

… What the hell was he looking at, exactly?

Of all things, it was open to the E-class registry, updated to have Nagisa within the collection of students, but even stranger was the profile of the teacher - some sort of yellow, strange, squishy smiley thing. Reflexively, Gakushuu looked behind him, craning to listen in for his father coming, or laughing about some prank. But no - the telltale sounds of pots and pans and idle chatter with what sounded like a guest remained downstairs.

Gakushuu took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and as softly as he could. He clicked Nagisa’s profile, and swiftly did what he came here to do - making female male, typing at lightning speed to change the dresscode violations to be over holes in clothing or wrong shoes and the like. There! Done! Gakushuu quickly tabs back to where his father had left it. 

But now, still… that bloated, strange yellow face. Gakushuu was certain that teachers weren’t allowed silly little icons or mascots for their school photos. It looked too… real. It wasn’t right…

Slowly, he hovered to click the profile.

He heard someone walking out of the kitchen. 

Quick as a flash, Gakushuu put the computer back in sleep mode and made an exit as fast as he could. Dodging back past the stairs near his bedroom door, he acted as if he had just come from his room. His heart was hammering in his chest, the fear of being seen, the hatred of that fear - he wished he wasn’t like this.

Determined to not be afraid, Gakushuu descended into the main entrance hall, then over to the kitchen, just as he heard another door close. Inside the room, with something good cooking in the pots, were two strange men that Gakushuu had never met before, sitting nearby at the table. On that table, there was a beautiful array of flowers. It was out of place - his father never usually allowed arrangements inside, as they were unclean to him, so these must have been special from one of these guests…

Ugh, the two were looking over at him.

“...Nice flowers.” Gakushuu spoke, “You never see spider lilies in an arrangement, usually - but they’re beautifully cultivated, I can tell.”

The gentlemen with the soft expression seemed to light up at the assessment. “Why, thank you young man! I find their beauty very underrated. Your father tells me you’re the gardener in the family?”

“I… yes.” Gakushuu admitted, feeling oddly compelled to add, “Mom taught me from a young age, and the principal doesn’t care for it, so… it’s usually how I spend my weekends in the warm weather.”

The man beamed, “It’s nice to have such a hobby. Perhaps I could consider you as a supplier someday, if you want? I’ll pay you part of the profits they bring of course.”

“I mean, if you deem them that nice, I guess…” Gakushuu replied. He never really thought people would see his hobby as something worthy of that, really. But hey, who was he to turn down some extra money to get him off the ground faster?

The other man, clad in white clothes even past his face (which Gakushuu assumed was maybe some religion-type thing?) seemed to be ever-staring Gakushuu’s way. The inability to read such an expression… discomforted him.

“Um… so, who are you two?” Gakushuu asked.

“Friends of your father.” the kind man said, “You may call me Rea. I am a simple florist.”

“You may call me Shiro.” the man in robes replied, even his tone almost rough to discern. “As for my profession - let’s just say I work with the government.”

There was something in Gakushuu’s nerves, setting off alarm bells ringing. Someone here is lying, and he hoped to god his father would be coming back soon to supervise.

But even so, Gakushuu didn’t want to let them know he knew something was off. “Would it bother you two if I took my work down here? I usually do some light studying before dinner.”

“It doesn’t bother me one bit. Do what you need to.” Rea replied. “Shiro?” 

“It would be nice to see if you move as fast as your father.” Shiro replied.

Gakushuu, with the slightest respectful bow, thanked the two and went to grab his textbooks. Once in his room, he sent another text to Nagisa - just as a comfort for himself.

Monarch: Strange men in my house that principal invited over. Even stranger still than the human napkin is the florist, he hates flowers that aren’t plastic. Going to pick their brains for a bit. Btw, that favor you asked for is done - you're paid in full,  and no one will know. 

With that sent, Gakushu turned his phone off and locked it in his drawer for the night, hiding the key. Study time it was. He took a few selections - reptilian biology, american histories, japanese history, polish workbook, french, latin, german, several others in languages, and of course advanced trigonometry. And, as an afterthought, he grabbed that little article on a new species of plant discovered that he picked up some days ago along with the appropriate textbooks to take notes in. He made his way downstairs with the hefty stack, and sat at his usual space on the table, swiftly going through his note-taking at an inhuman speed and saving the ones he wanted to savor for last. Not much reaction from the napkin, but the florist seemed a bit intrigued, offering praise here and there and even asking to peek at the article Gakushuu had while he was busy with the other books. 

Even so, Rea’s friendly demeanor didn’t ease Gakushuu much. And Shiro was a bit of a freak with those unblinking eyes. 

“So… remind me, what brings you both here tonight?” Gakushu asked, rounding off some notes and solutions as he finished the math book’s latest problem sheet.

“Why, business with your father, of course.” Shiro replied, “And your speed is most… decent.” 

The backhandedness wasn’t lost on Gakushuu. He slides one of his language books towards the man and replies, “I’d like to see you do it faster, then. Go on.”

The man seemed to shift for a moment, uncomfortable. “Science is more my forte.”

“I understand. But let me see you brush up on the polish speaking skills, hm?” Gakushuu said, hitting the man with his best (most patronizing) smile.

As the man sat there sweating, the chance to show his academic strength in his choice subject rejected, Gakuho finally came back into the room. He had some physical files, with strange labels that Gakushuu could only glimpse before his father readjusted it.

“What are you doing down here?” Gakuho had asked.

“Showing off my skills.” Gakushuu replied, “You never told me you had such interesting friends, principal.” 

“I mean, I figured the kid was coming down for dinner.” Rea added absentmindedly, “Even I'd eat with my family once in a while. Rude not to.”

“Usually, we do eat together.” Gakuho said, “But tonight, I intended to let him stay in his room and eat dinner there tonight. A minute reward for his recent paper.”

Gakushuu grew suspicious at that notion. Regular old papers were never any cause for celebration - only things that took real effort earned anything more substantial than a dismissive handful of flaws to refine and expectancy to keep the status quo. Something wasn’t right.

“I wouldn’t accept such a reward.” Gakushuu said, “Whatever did I do so out of the ordinary? It’s not really my place to accept that, principal. Besides, I’d enjoy getting to know your little… circle a bit more. Much in the way you know mine. It’s only fair, correct?”

The quiet from his father entertained him a bit. 

“We’re discussing the school budget.” Gakuho said, “It’s nothing that I want you involved in.” 

“And why not? I’m a student that attends your school. Shouldn’t I know where the money we raise with our school events goes? I’m fairly certain you’ve let me look over these things with you before.” Gakushuu retaliated.

“Ugh, what a handful. Don’t you listen? Your father is telling you to ship back out to your room.” Shiro groaned, “Kids these days, always so contrarian.”

“Well, my principal does encourage me to always question my surroundings, Mr.Shiro. Only dogs follow orders without question. Plus, I prefer my meals at the table.” Gakushuu countered. “The strangers, those documents he’s obviously trying to hide… my, especially with your robes, I am of the impression my principal has joined a cult, with all this secrecy.”

Rea snickered as he turned the pages of the magazine he read. “Shiro wishes he was a cult leader. Don’t worry, your daddy isn’t dumb enough to fall for that shlock. He’d sooner be the head of one.”

Rea and the principal exchange glances. Gakushuu was a bit shocked by Rea’s bold confidence. Not even he would say something like that.

“Certainly not. But if you insist on being here… I will let you eat. But after that, you should get ready for bed.” Gakuho said, not breaking eye contact with Rea as he set the documents down at the far end of the table. “In fact, It’s about time for dinner to be finished cooking. I’ll go fetch it.”

The tension in the air was palpable as dinner was brought in. so thick and strained, It made eating a bit more of a chore than it should have been, even if the carefree Rea was nearby exuding calmness. As much as Gakushuu attempted to prod, he would only receive non-answers to his questions. Not only this, but Gakushuu noted the difference in his portion and seasonings compared to everyone else. This kind of control was usually exuded on him if the principal thought his work this week was lackluster, thus further confirming Gakushuu’s suspicion of something being wrong.

“You know, I hate to admit it, but… your son’s not bad at all.” Shiro spoke up, after a bit. “He’s sharp, well versed, and I did notice his athletic efforts on my way to your office earlier today. Why aren’t you using him more?”

“I refuse to involve him in this matter. His goal is his studies - our affairs are not to be his focus.” Gakuho answered, almost angry in his tone.

“Ah, what a waste.” Rea sighed, secretly scooching Gakushuu some salt at the notice of his much blander plate, “Are you sure? It would be fun to have this kid work with us.”

Tentatively, Gakushuu accepted the salt, tipping the shaker over his food gently. “Sadly, I don't know what I'm missing. But I’m used to his secrets. They’ll air out soon enough. What is it, more torture for the middle grades, or is the End class subject to more experimental suppression? Rea says gardening club and an enhanced biology course, but Shiro is certainly a mystery to me.”

“I don’t advise that you speak to me so casually.” Gakuho replied, the edge of his anger only spurring Gakushuu’s wishes to pry. “These men are nothing important to you.”

“If it was truly nothing, you’d tell me exactly why they’re both here.” Gakushuu retaliated, picking off a piece of food with his fork, “Foolish of you not to use the excuses I so generously laid out for you… it must be pretty scandalous, whatever these men want with you and your school. Honestly, you should come clean before I get any ideas of something worse.” 

The bite of food passes Gakushuu’s lips. The salt that now flavors it is… off, somehow. Immediately, something curls in his stomach as his chewing falters, paranoid alarms blaring in his head.

Gakushuu swipes up a napkin from the center of the table. He’d rather go hungry than…

…than…

All of a sudden, something in Gakushuu’s mind fogs. He  feels something take effect, a shiver running through him and making him drop the napkin. Despite how he desperately wanted to pick it back up, to get up, do something other than slowly lose all feeling like he was, his body wouldn’t listen. 

Vaguely, as Gakushuu fought against what was happening to him, he heard the screech of a chair, someone, maybe his father, grabbing something.

“Hey, hey, relax, Mr. Asano.”

“What did you do?”

“He was getting too nosy. I just slipped him some sedatives… after a bit, he should be out like a light. Problem solved!”

After a beat, there was the sound of walking.

“Don’t you ever do that to my property again without my permission. Are we clear?”

“Careful there~ he can’t move, but that doesn’t mean he’s fully asleep. You should tuck him in, just in case he’s one of those humans that are a bit resilient against this particular sedative. Then we can talk.”

With that, the footsteps approached Gakushuu. He was lifted from his chair, and soon, into the stiff, cold arms of the principal.

With this, Gakushuu is carried. As he fights the darkness creeping into his vision, he can see the curious looks from the two guests. 

“Isn’t that the way to the bathroom?” Shiro asked, a hint of disgust to his question.

“Despite this hinderance, I refuse to let Gakushuu’s night routine be disturbed. He needs these steps to be the best student he can be. And if there are any after effects of this drug, or even severe side effects, both of you are to fund his treatment.” Gakuho answered sternly.

“So like… what, you’re gonna brush his teeth or something?” Rea asked, looking almost like he felt bad for the teen he just sedated, “Honestly, this ‘routine maintenance’ just sounds like a punishment to me. He can’t really stop himself from choking on water right now - the muscles are too relaxed. You should really just put him to bed. Just- convince him he was tired after school or something?”

Gakushuu hears the sound of a faucet being turned. Running water. He watched Shiro watch him thoughtfully. Rea didn’t make any further actions.

“I’ll manage.” Gakuho answered. “It’s not the first time he’s failed, after all.”

His consciousness slipped. All that Gakushuu remembered  past this were nightmares of drowning.

Chapter Text

By morning, Gakushuu awoke, cold and groggy. He distantly noticed, somehow, he had gotten into his pajamas. He watched his hands, a world away from himself as he stopped his alarm clock. The air felt like the deep end of a pool.

Gakushuu decided… that he definitely awoke in the dead of night. Tired from his studies, he surely slipped these on and went straight to bed again.

That’s what happened.

Strange strangers at dinner, then… then bedtime. That’s all. He was certain.

Gakushuu dressed in his usual clothes, and passed by the principal wordlessly. He texted Ren, demanding they grab breakfast before school at the cafe, before tentatively adding that he’d pay and he could bring the other Virtuosos if he wanted.

Silently, Gakushuu slung his bag on his shoulder, and opened the front door, absently noting the presence of his father a distance behind him, at the table, doing his own routine.

“No good morning?” Gakuho asked casually.

Gakushuu slammed the door behind him. Hurriedly, Gakushuu kept on walking out the yard, as if trying to outrun the distant sensations in that pressurized pool. Watching himself walk, taste coffee he couldn’t taste, talk of nothing with those school aquaintences, go to school with them. 

Even if he was asked by them what had happened, he couldn’t think to explain beyond The Usual - even if it certainly wasn’t.

The day went by in the deep between himself and his actions. Schoolwork, converse, lunch, clubs, meeting with the principal. Gakushuu lied about remembering last night. He felt nothing. Not even the usual edge of fear he felt from lying - it all simply vanished deeper into the empty feeling of water, slowing his movements, filling his mind. It was almost safe, in a way.

It’s like nothing happened.

Nothing happened.

Nothing happened.

Nothing happened.

Nothing happened.

As Gakushuu was moving to go home, a coherent thought finally emerged from the motions of his mind. Did Nagisa text him in the morning?

Wandering into the bathroom, Gakushuu unlocked his phone, noticing the messages he hadn’t noticed all day.

Viper: Wait, you really did it? Thank you so much! You’re amazing!!

Viper: As for the napkin, I think I know who you’re talking about? I’ve seen him talking with my teachers up here but he definitely hates dealing with us I think. Hope he’s not gonna be a teacher lol

Viper: anyways, I’m free after class if you want to meet up! Same spot under the bleachers seems pretty nice to me. Are you up for it?

For a moment, it’s like the water in the atmosphere had receded. The casual texting was… peaceful. Going to the bleachers was a choice.

Monarch: Sure. I’ll head down now. Let’s keep it brief, though - wouldn’t want to be missed.

With this, he pockets his phone and moves quickly to the bleachers they had met under last time.

Once Gakushuu was in the shade, sitting down in the slightly grassy space… he felt his body begin to reunite with his thoughts. The foggy water in his mind lifted… and dear god he was closer to snapping than he thought. He curled in on himself, letting the fear, anger and confusion wash over him as he tried to breathe, doing his best to bite back any sound. 

There was enough time between his arrival and Nagisa’s for him to calm down. He didn’t want to break in front of his peers, especially not one so new. As Nagisa slipped quietly inside their hideaway, he was glad it was shadowy enough to hide any remains of what he just went through. The two exchange soft hello’s.

“So… how were things at the main campus?” Nagisa asked, voice low in case anyone walked by, “I’ve never really been an A student, but I imagine it’s stressful sometimes.”

“Today was… fine.” Gakushuu answered, “This is the most eventful the day has been, honestly. I don’t struggle too hard, but the day has been particularly slow to the point of my brain falling out my ears.” 

“Oh, that so? I blame the weather. A cloudy day tends to do that to me, too. My aim gets so off…” Nagisa agreed.

“Aim?” Gakushuu asked.

“Like- Like my goals!! For the class period!! You know- um- how do I explain…” Nagisa corrected himself, doing his best not to shout, “In E, things are a little more… well,,, chaotic? So it’s hard to get much progress done without a goal - or aim, as K sensei has everyone calling it! His methods are a little weird, different from what I’m used to… it’s real different. But I feel like I’m starting to understand a bit better.” 

“I see.” Gakushuu says, the explanation making sense to him at least, “It sounds like the principal accidentally picked a good teacher for E, huh?”

“I’d say. He um - due to his disability, he has a lot of time in his day to just. Write up personalized study plans for each of us. It’s an insane thing to do! The man is very insane! But it really has been helping…”

“My, my. Let’s hope the principal doesn’t find that out, or he might rehire. Let’s hope the threat of an ableism lawsuit keeps shaking things up - I’d love to have a little challenge from you guys for once… no offense.”

“None taken. Oh! Today as a class we did some marine biology work. It was really intriguing, would you like to hear?”

“Certainly.”

From there, the two spent a good chunk of time, mostly talking about the things Nagisa got to learn. A lot of it was old material for Gakushuu, of course, but he couldn’t help but be infected by the happiness Nagisa was feeling.

It was enough for the day. It was enough to just forget the stress for a while. In their little secret spot in the shadows, they passed time until they felt they would be missed. They parted, Gakushuu leaving first this time around.

Though the events of the past day still weighed like sharp rocks in his head, the bit of comfort that retreat brought him was deeply valued all the same.

Gakushuu arrives home, and takes it upon himself to make dinner for one that night. He leaves the bones of his steak for the other of this household, plainly on the counter with no plate between. He compacts a shower with brushing teeth today, and locks his bedroom door as he settles in for the night, doubly efficient.

Tonight, as he sat in the glow of his laptop, he pondered… were there breeds of snakes that live in or by the ocean? Surely, his friend would like the results of his findings… even if it was just a moray eel paper. That’s close enough to a sea snake.

…

Some days pass. In order to maintain secrecy, it’s been some time since Gakushu had sat with Nagisa beneath the bleachers. After all, both of them had some respective duties and such to uphold, and Gakushu had some of his focus pressed to some other school rumors.

According to whispers at lunch, Karma Akabane was back in school - but his last actions had led him to being placed in E class. Serves him right, Gakushuu thinks. That’s where trash like him belongs, no matter if he once had A-grade intellect. 

But Gakushuu does wince at the thought a bit - there is one person at the bottom that he wishes he could cast a line to. Just him, not the rest. 

Continuing to listen to the gossipers (Meaning Ren’s groupies of the week seated with him at the big 5’s favorite lunch table), there was talk of… an Octopus sighting. Or octopi? 

The more Gakushu listened in, the more it sounded outrageous - tall tales of something big and tentacled roaming the town under broken moonlight, retreating to the mountaintop where class E rests, like a blur of movement and color. This had to be some sort of elaborate prank… or maybe another thing his father was hiding.

Once again, Gakushu is reminded of that strange profile picture of Class E’s main teacher. The weird, grinning, realistic face that was a bright lemon yellow. Gakushu squinted, as some pieces clicked together.

“You don’t suppose it’s a man in a suit, do you?” Gakushu spoke aloud suddenly, eyes not breaking away from his notebook and tray of food. 

“What, like some furry shit?!” Natsuhiko replied, a look of disgust cast on the disinterested Gakushu, “No way in hell! People say it moves way too quick to be human!”

“Perhaps, if you’re just a regular human.” Gakushuu said, a stupid rumor that, true or not, was too good to keep to himself, “You know, our principal is quite abnormal in his physical abilities.”

Looking up, the mix of horror and intrigue at the proposal was delightful to see around the table. Those who refuse to even think it, to those considering it as they think of the crazy things the principal has done over the years.

“No. Asano. No…” Ren said, palms of his hands resting over his eyes, “I really didn’t need that picture in my head, Asano!”

“I’m just saying,” Gakushuu smirked, resting his chin on his hands, “I really don’t know anything about the interior of Principal Asano’s closet. Barely even his room. Perhaps he’s more than just an Octopus after dark.”

At this, wails of disbelief and horror, mixed with thoughtful faces. One of the girls that were with Ren had picked up her phone, tapping away rapidly.

Though Gakushuu wore a mask of mild disgust, on the inside, he was smiling at his work. It wasn’t a lie, after all - just a simple theory. Therefore, in his mind, it’s fair game to muddy his father’s name with.

Besides, he’s still bitter about his father’s secrets and strange behaviors. So why not let something spread about him? 

If anything, it would give Gakushu room to breathe during check-in time.

“Now, besides that. Akabane really came back to school? I had half a mind to think he’d given up.” Gakushuu said, deciding to push the topic to something he was more intrigued about.

“Right? You’d think the staff here would rather eat glass than let him back in any of their classes. But the ants sure welcomed him with open arms.” one girl spoke, one hand still tapping away some messages.

The other girl twirled her hair and says, “Yeah, there’s no way he’s getting anywhere now. Does your dad make it impossible to transfer schools if you’re dropped into E class or something?”

Gakushuu shrugged. “Who knows. And who cares, honestly? He brought it on himself.”

Internally, he echoed, who cares about that trash? Nagisa didn’t deserve to be treated so rudely by him. 

Conversation wandered on, and slowly, Gakushuu lost interest. The day slipped by slowly. The tight routine, stressful classes - it made the drag worse, but he knew how to bear it. It could be worse.

Late into the day, as the sunset had come, Gakushu stopped his cleaning rounds to check his phone. Just the usual notifications, some texts from other class reps and the big 5, plus his father, naturally. As he went down the line, sending simple responses, a new notification pinged. Quickly, he tapped and read it.

Viper: Please come. You know where.

Gakushu, in response, quickly sent a reply.

Monarch: Coming now.

With this, his remaining cleaning was now done in record time. He slipped away from most, and stuck to routes unoccupied by other late-staying students. And soon, he slipped under the bleachers he knew well, ever with that same tears in the tarp hiding their little hideaway.

Glancing around one more time and confirming nobody was around to see, he quickly ducked under the tarp. There in those familiar shadows, Nagisa sat. The thousand-yard-stare told Gakushu plenty about the kind of time his poor friend was having. He didn’t often cry when stressed like this - something Gakushu related to.

“What happened?” Gakushu asked softly, sitting a bit closer by him than usual. He even fished around his bag for anything that could possibly relieve the stress, only successfully fishing out a plastic, half-drunk bottle of room-temp water. Nonetheless, he offered it awkwardly.

Still staring somewhere else, Nagisa reached for the bottle, holding it in his hands rather than drinking. “Well. I… I don’t know where to start. There’ve been a couple shocks…but this one was… bad. I don’t even know what I should say about it.” Nagisa said softly.

“Say what you need.” Gakushu replied, “I promise I won’t tell a soul. What’s spoken here stays here.” 

“Okay.” Nagisa replied. “Just. Give me a moment to think of how to say it…”

Gakushu nodded. Quiet filled the space between them, the occasional scrape of Nagisa’s nails on the ridged cap to the water bottle all that punctured it as he thought. And the more he did, the closer he came to tearing up. Finally, a deep breath was exhaled through his gritted teeth.

“Karma tried to kill himself today.”

Gakushu stared in disbelief, chest suddenly tight. “...What?”

“Yeah.” Nagisa replied. “We were talking on a cliff face about something, just exploring the mountain. I can’t remember what we were saying. Then he just. Fell back, smiling. My teacher managed to save him, and he didn’t even end up hurt in the end, but… I don’t understand. Just… why? Why would he do that to himself? I know you don’t know him the way I do. But… I just can’t wrap my head around why he would do it. I didn’t even have the time to try and grab him… and thinking if my teacher wasn’t there to stop him, I just…” 

As he trailed off, Nagisa buried his head into the crook of his arm. He shook, trying not to cry. Gakushu’s head spun, imagining exactly what Nagisa experienced. Even the thought of Karma, who he hated at up to this point, splattering against the ground, clothes dyed deep red as blood would pool out from the initial impact… it made him feel sick. Then taking that a step further, imagining the same scenario with someone he even distantly cared for was even worse. 

Before he even fully thought it through, Gakushu scooted over and wrapped an arm around Nagisa, pulling him close. He couldn’t think of much to say. He wasn’t sure what he felt about Akabane anymore, knowing now what he tried. He almost wished his father trained him to feel apathy about these sorts of things.

But what should he even say? It was an awful thing to experience for any party. Nagisa clearly wasn’t okay, so he shouldn’t even ask. Even an “I'm sorry” didn’t cover the mess of feelings this whole ordeal spawned.

“I… don’t know what to say. If there is anything to say about how awful that must have been…” Gakushu admitted, head resting on Nagisa’s, “Is there anything… any way I can help right now?”

Half of him wanted to fist fight Akabane in the streets, though he knew it would help nobody. The other half wanted to interrogate, to understand. His chest hurt to hear those small, barely-there sobs.

“I don’t know…” Nagisa sobbed quietly, “Just… stay with me…”

Tentatively, Gakushu put his other arm to work, sliding it around his friend to lock with his other hand. He didn’t know if it helped anything. He hoped it did. He hated not knowing what to do.

“I can do that.” Gakushu replied, “I won’t go until you say.” 

There they stayed , one curled around the other. Slowly, Nagisa’s crying stopped. Slowly, Gakushu’s thoughts re-aligned. He considers the reasons that would make Karma of all people step off a cliff… from his own, possibly flawed perspective.

On the outside, Akabane seemed like a very proud person - not unlike Gakushu himself. He never really bothered to read into him as an enemy, so best he had were rumors of the school - Akabane was suspended over an incident with a teacher, or another student. The student bit may have been born from talk of Shiota’s fall to E, so it was likely the former that was true. Some would say Karma excelled in studies, but dealt with a violent streak. Others say he simply did what he needed to coast by, and his intellect’s exact extent was unknown… but he did have a Previous rank as an A-classer, just not in the top 5. Thus, possible motives are laid out.

1. Hatred. A death would leave a mark on the school, and on any teachers that failed to prevent this. Flaw: Is Akabane aware that the Principal would scrub any blood from the public record? If he is, what would this truly accomplish?
2. Accidental. Flaw: Nagisa was a witness, and saw him drop backwards. A teacher was also present to halt his descent in time.
3. Culmination of stress over time, resulting in an attempt to end it. Nagisa was brought along so he could be found. Flaw: … Gakushu hates to think this is the case. If Karma could become this stressed, what does it say about his own threshold? How Gakushu’s own pride could twist his mind?

And even at the end of his theorizing, Gakushu was still left with these gaps he couldn’t explain. The solution would be to look into Karma himself - dig deep and get answers straight from him, though it wouldn’t be easy. 

Time to dig, he supposes… as if this pit wasn’t deep enough already.

Chapter Text

Days pass, and Gakushuu is hard at work in his attempts to pry into Karma Akabane’s life. There are things you can scrape from online, sure, but to be thorough, Gakushuu simply used some of his allowance to hire a private investigator. Should’ve been simple, should’ve been cut and dry.

That is, until the man came back to him one day, shaken and disheveled, handing him back the money he paid and explaining he’s not going to go after Akabane anymore.

“You got beat up? By a minor?” Gakushuu had asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

The man didn’t meet his gaze. “Don’t remind me. That little sadist is not to be messed with - I can still feel something burning in my nose!”

“You didn’t tell him anything, did you? Like who sent you?” Gakushuu asked, sipping a coffee, “It sounds to me like he really let you have it… but I will not be particularly happy if you’ve told him about me.” 

The man shook his head, a fearful expression intense on his face. What an easy to spook fellow.

“Good. Be on your way, then. I’ll figure something out.” Gakushuu replied dismissively.

It took about 3 more attempts with different investigators to receive 3 refunds and only spots of info back. Each one told him they escaped without revealing his Identity, so Gakushuu was fine to continue his own searching. 

So thus, in a dedicated notebook, Gakushuu had this information:

-Akabane’s house location (relatively useless.)

- his activity on certain blogging sites. Nothing indicating much stress, just a lot of trolling.

-his route to and from school. (Maybe less useless?)

-his habit of leaving campus for lunch. Or even, whenever he felt like it.

Gakushuu wasn’t even sure why he was going through the trouble. What was he searching for, even? Would it really put his or Nagisa’s mind at ease to know just why he decided to jump off a cliff that day? Or, well, he supposed maybe it was to figure out a way to help him, and keep him from-

-Gakushuu’s mind crashed to a halt at that thought. Help an E classer? Him, of all E classers?

He wasn’t supposed to be doing that. Hell, he promised himself that Nagisa was the only exception! It has to remain that way. Besides, with how he beat the hell out of his hired help, surely there wasn’t a reason to! That freak was just fine!

…But. Still. Still, why did he jump? Was he receiving help? He was… and maybe is still important to Nagisa. If he seemed just fine and jumped, then who else around Gakushuu was like that? Looking normal, acting as usual, but just a cliff’s edge from just…

“Asano!” 

Gakushuu snapped back to reality, at a lunch table with his peers. Everyone was staring at him.

“You’re pulling your hair out.” Ren said, gesturing to the spot he had been tugging at for a while. “Is something wrong? Don’t tell us that the principal’s upping the curriculum difficulty again.”

Immediately, Gakushuu waves a hand. “Nono, that’s not it. I’m just annoyed over something he said to me.”

“Oof. must’ve been bad if you’re acting like this over it!” Tomoya commented. 

“It was more stupid than anything. Something about not caring if one of his students… nevermind. Not my place to speak about it. Sorry.” Gakushuu replied. “Did you hear that we’re getting another menu change at the cafeteria?” 

Just like that, the conversation has changed successfully. His classmates are now more worried over what it will entail, since each class of student has different meal qualities.

Gakushuu spent his day flip-flopping between what he’s been taught, and what he personally wanted. Before he knew it, classes were over, and it was time to relax in a secret hideaway with his friend.

And of course, Nagisa was quick to notice his conflicted feelings.

“What’s on your mind?” Nagisa asked worriedly.

“It’s… not much. Just. Still thinking about what happened a week ago with Akabane.” Gakushuu admitted.

“Oh. right… you must really be worried, huh?” Nagisa asked, then added, “I-I think he’s been okay! The teachers have been keeping an eye on him, too, if you’re thinking he’ll try again.”

Gakushuu visibly relaxed despite his reply, “I don’t know if I’d call it worried… or, well, maybe. I’m having a tough time parsing how I feel about that whole situation, still. But I’m glad to know he’s being looked after, I suppose. The thought of dying young is quite… I don't know. I’m just shocked, still, I guess. Perhaps I’m overthinking it.”

“I think it’s okay to be overwhelmed over it.” Nagisa replied, “I think… It just means that you care about people. That’s a strength in my book - especially when it’s hammered out of you in this place.” 

At that, Nagisa reached up and patted Gakushuu’s head with a smile.

“A strength, huh. It’s been a while since i’ve been told that.” Gakushuu replied.

Once upon a time, when his father was a little bit of a kinder man, back when Gakushuu was still preschool age probably, he’d taught him about caring and such. Of course, things changed drastically over the years, to the point where truly caring without a motive in mind was more like a sin. And to care about E classers, of course… that would land you in the deepest circle of hell with the principal.

…Honestly, why did Gakushuu have to care so much about what the principal wanted?

“Thanks. Really….” Gakushuu said, and petted Nagisa’s head in return. “I’m glad you think I’m caring.”

“But you are!” Nagisa said, letting him mess his hair up. “You took the time to be friends with me. And help me out, despite not needing to. You really are a caring person.”

That really was a sweet thought. A thought that Gakushuu found hard to believe.

Caring about Nagisa? Maybe. Nagisa was an easy person to care for - after all, he was his first friend in a long time.

But caring about others? He couldn’t call it proper, true caring - a lot of what he does is simply to build the trust to keep others under his thumb, or to gather information. He was rarely ever truly caring, he thought. 

“So, other than that instance… have things been tolerable up there?” Gakushuu asked.

“Yeah! I think they have. I’ve had a few friends up there invite me to stuff, but I guess I’m still a bit nervous about going out for too long. You know how it is with Mom.” Nagisa answered.

“I certainly do. My father is quite the same when it comes to strict schedules. An hour made for acquaintances is an hour pushed back towards studying and all. It gets annoying sometimes.” Gakushuu sympathized.

They were both seated closer now, watching as the rays of light shining through the tarp slowly inched across the grass. 

“It does suck. And does yours ever get on your case on getting a partner? ‘Cause mine sure does.” Nagisa sighs. “She wants me to marry rich or whatever, make sure she approves of em’, the whole thing. Ugh.” 

“Luckily, the principal is all about my study. Apparently I did have a potential suitor coming to school, but he’s since shut up about it and he certainly doesn’t bring it up. I’d rather not be arranged to be with someone anyways, if i can help it.” Gakushuu answers.

“Huh. How weird. Maybe she took the placement exam and ended up in E, and that’s why?”

“Maybe, Maybe. I barely even remember her last name. I think it was the same as one of our ex-staff…?”

“Ooh, fired ex-staff?”

“No no, dead. She died. Freak accident, I think.”

“Oh- oh, you’re talking about Yukimura-sensei, aren’t you?”

“Yes! Yes, that’s the name. Miss Yukimura. I thought it a bit weird that father was thinking of her younger sister for me… I barely even know much about either of them beyond whenever Yukimura-sensei would bring papers to and from the main building. She seemed kind. Maybe. I’m not sure if it was genuine-kind, or suck-up-kind. It’s hard to tell with the staff here, sometimes.”

“She was genuine, I can tell you that. Her younger sister was named Akari, I think? She really loved her a lot, and she’d always speak so proudly of her whenever she had a moment, if I recall. But from what I know, Akari never enrolled in E class. Maybe he stopped talking about her because she’s still in mourning over Yukimura-sensei’s death.”

“Ah, that does make sense. Hope that girl’s alright out there, if that’s the case.”

“Yeah, I hope so too… but on Yukimura-sensei, she was an extremely genuine woman! And a bit silly when it came to fashion. She’d strive to make sure we were all taught well to the best of her ability. Honestly, the way Korosensei teaches now is almost reminiscent of her style? Just. weirder. I wonder if they knew each other.”

“Korosensei?”

“Ah- yeah, that’s just an in-joke name we use for him!! Just like Bitch-sensei for Jelavic-sensei. It’s easier to pronounce, and he thinks it's funny. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if he had the principal change his name to it in the system, haha…”

“Oh. got it. You know, there’s a lot of weird rumors about what goes on up there…”

On and on, the two talked until the spots of light had finally begun to fade. Gakushuu’s back aches from sitting on the ground for so long just talking, being a bit of a back rest for Nagisa, but it really was blissful beyond that. 

The two said their goodbyes, and went separate ways. Gakushuu’s father had already taken the car home, so Gakushuu was stuck walking home for the day. It was fine, though - just a few shortcuts would have him home with ease. He stopped for a bottle of soda at a vending machine near by, then popped the cap, sipping it as he ducked into an alleyway to take a shortcut. It was a quiet, serene sort of twilight hour. He screwed the cap back onto his drink, thinking of saving the rest for a treat after homework.

And suddenly, he was shoved into a wall.

A skirmish ensued, and with one hand occupied and a distracted mind, Gakushuu was in no way prepared to take his assailant on. He tried his best to give them a good kick, but they simply grabbed his leg, knocked him off balance and sent him to the ground, pinning him down. 

“Still holding onto your drink? You really are stubborn.” A calm, condescending voice reached him. This punk had to be about the same age as he was.

“You know, you could’ve asked me to buy you a drink if you were that desperate.” Gakushuu sighed. He was guessing that’s what it was about, at least.

Plus, if he could catch this bastard off guard, he’d be able to turn the tides on them and maybe even knock them out.

“You seriously don’t know who I am?” they asked, and he could almost hear the smile on their face as they laughed, “You’re the world’s shittiest stalker if you can’t even recognize the voice of your target!”

… shit.

“How the hell did you figure it out?” Gakushuu asked.

“Your first little hire sang like a birdie when I gave him a little wasabi. That and a little blackmail guaranteed he wasn’t telling you shit about his betrayal.” Karma replied, “You’re lucky my teacher confiscated my stash earlier today, or else you’d be getting a dose, too.”

“Force-feeding him that is all it took?!” Gakushuu shouted.

“Nope. It went up his nose.” Karma said, leaning down a bit closer, “But that doesn’t mean I still can’t do worse to you if you don’t answer me.”

“I’ll get you kicked out of the damn school if you don’t let me go!”

“Ooh, scary~ you talk like your daddy dearest wouldn’t bite your head off if you came home with a black eye and broken arm. It’s not hard to deduce the way he’d blow up if you lost to someone, and I’m sure you know that.”

“...”

“Yep, that’s what I thought~ so let’s talk, shall we? Why the hell are you stalk-”

Gakushuu hit him in the face with his drink, following up by trying to roll over and turn the tide. For just a moment, he was on top of the other, but Karma swiftly retaliated with a kick to the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Even so, Gakushuu got some distance while he caught his breath, self-defense training kicking in. 

Gakushuu’s one thought to get out of this situation? Knock Karma out, get the fuck out of here, and gaslight him into thinking he was misremembering this whole event. And never take this shortcut again if he could help it.

But all the martial arts that Gakushuu learned wasn’t much against a Karma with no sportsmanship about it. Karma, unbeknownst to Gakushuu, has fought people in the streets many times over, several times bigger than he was, and knew every weak point to exploit. 

Gakushuu threw punches to incapacitate, looking for a chance to flee. Aimed for the face, the throat - any weak point he remembered.

Karma pulled hair, scratched, and aimed below the belt each time, almost predictable if he didn’t mix it up. He hit with the intent to keep him here - to get his answers. 

Both of them were a bit overly brutal, after going at it for a bit.

 A jab to Karma’s throat, followed by a punch in the nose, only for Karma to grab his wrist and pull him close, bend him over.

 He thrust a knee to Gakushuu’s stomach, over and over, an onslaught that left no room to breathe.

It was easy to push him over again after that.

At least, by the time the back of Gakushuu’s head hit the ground again, Karma had a bloody nose and plenty of bruises of his own, and was at least half as breathless.

Karma sat himself down on that throbbing pain in his gut, grabbing Gakushuu’s wrists and pinning him down properly, no room to wiggle free again. And as he tried, Karma simply resting on that forming bruise on his stomach caused nausea to mix with the pain, a thrumming, sickening heat that took all his focus on breathing to quell. 

Those amber eyes, bright and wild, bore into his. He felt droplets of blood hit his cheek, falling from Karma’s face. That sadistic freak was smiling…

“Nice try~ was that as fun for you as it was for me? Or are you just gritting your teeth?” Karma asked.

Gakushuu made the physical effort to frown as hard as he could, which made Karma laugh.

“I really should just give you a bloody nose back. But you still didn’t answer me. Why were you trying to stalk me?” Karma asked.

“...Just knock me the fuck out already…” Gakushuu pants, scrambling to find a suitable lie in his head.

“Nope~ I want an answer from you, Asano. You’re not taking the easy way out. You better look me in the eyes, too - so I know you’re not lying.” Karma replied.

No matter what lie Gakushuu could think up, none of it would hold up for very long in his head. And if he just spun a creepy tale about it, he was sure Karma might actually beat him to death. And as Karma once again put pressure on his gut, the truth rushed out faster than he could think.

“I heard you were suicidal!” Gakushuu choked out.

And at that, Karma seemed to freeze. And at least, he wasn’t putting pressure on him anymore.

“...What?” Karma asked.

“I heard… talk of it. And…” swiftly, the gears began to move again, steadily steering away from what could get Nagisa and him found out, “...I saw an incident report resting in the principal’s trash a while back. Something about you almost going off a cliff. I didn’t get a chance to retrieve it, so I wanted to pry. Even if the principal doesn’t care about suicides, it bothers me. Even if it’s E-class trash like you, it bothers me.”

For a bit, Karma was quiet. Gakushuu took the opportunity to breathe. Even if the scenario was fake, his feelings about it were true.

“And what would you do once you found your truth?” Karma asked.

“I… I really don’t know. If it were simply an accident, and you were stable in mind and everything, I’d leave it be. And if it’s true you jumped, and are having those feelings… I don’t know. I feel I have to do something. Because if you hid something like that so well, who else am I blind to? What if you try again? I can’t interfere with E’s at school, but still. There has to be a way to just… do something about it. So, digging deeper was my best option for the time being. Sue me.” Gakushuu answered. 

Quiet followed his words once again. And then, a laugh.

“What’s so funny?!” Gakushuu snapped.

“Every single bit of this! You tried your hardest to beat the shit out of me so you didn’t have to admit you’ve got a heart! Not to mention you decided to stalk me about it! It’s just fucking hilarious. You suck at being genuine, don’t you?” Karma jeered.

“Oh, fuck off! You had to have done it back to figure out my route home!”

“Touche. I did a little following, a bit of bribing. But to be fair, I wouldn’t have to if you just, I don’t know, talked to me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I’m supposed to just go up to you and say ‘Hey Karma Akabane! Heard you flung yourself off a cliff! You good after that?’ NO! That’s not a normal thing to say!!”

“Riiight, and you’re bound by your stupid little letter not to talk to us peasants. You know, maybe things would change if you had the guts to make the difference. Your daddy wouldn’t dare put his own son in the failure class, would he?”

“You know what? You’re changing the subject. This was about you , not me. And I still can’t tell what the truth is.”

Gakushuu did his best to glare, but Karma was no longer all that intimidated (if he even had been to begin with.). And Gakushuu was not about to admit to himself nor Karma how little a sway he had in the grand scheme of the school.

Besides, he wants to know.

And once again, Karma smiled down at him.

“Yep, I threw myself right off that cliff. I only regretted it after I was saved, when I figured out some people out there give a shit about my life. I have to say, too - I’m pretty shocked you care. Or, well, you do it in your own little twisted way. I still almost can’t believe it.” Karma said.

“Well, I do. Just… you won’t try it again, right?” Gakushuu asked.

“Yeah, probably not.”

“Probably?!”

“Fine, I won’t do it again. Gave Nagisa enough of a scare with my bullshit, so I think I owe him that promise, too. Ah, don’t mind me - you probably don’t know who I’m talking about.”

You better fucking promise him. Gakushuu thought to himself, biting his lip not to say it out loud.

“Can you let me up now? If I'm any later getting home, the principal will be less than pleased.” 

“As long as you don’t make me bleed again, sure.”

With that, Karma stood, and surprisingly, offered Gakushuu a hand. “I gotta say, too - that was an entertaining little fight we had. We should do it again if you want some more experience~” he said.

“Maybe if I’ve got another question to beat out of you.” Gakushuu replied jokingly, accepting the hand. “I feel like I've got to get some more official lessons before I try again.”

“Why pay when we can just wail on each other free of charge?”

“Fair point, free things are a rarity. I’ll get a tooth from you next.”

And oddly, both of them were laughing, now - and god, laughing hurt. With an awkward wave, Gakushuu picked up his bag that had gotten flung against the wall in the fray, couldn’t find his drink, and began to head back home. Great, the moon was starting to rise…

“Heads up!” Karma called, tossing something his way.

Gakushuu quickly spun and caught what had been thrown to him. It was a fresh bottle of soda.

“You broke the last one on my face, so I figured you’d want a replacement. Don’t need to owe you anything, do I?” Karma said, and with that, turned to head his separate way.

“Huh.” Gakushuu hummed in reply, “Thanks…?”

It was cold as ice, definitely unopened, and likely bought in the time it took for Gakushuu to grab his things. That, and it felt pretty good on his aching gut.

With the soda in hand, Gakushuu quickly made his way home, popping it in his room and electing to take a bath to further quell the pain.

The water was nice and warm, and as he eased his way in, the number Karma did on him had also sunk in. it wasn’t lost on him that Karma only hit him where people couldn’t see it, too. It was almost kind of him. It also spoke numbers about how he was confident he’d win against him.

 He dragged a hand over the large bruise and winced. Yep, that’d be pretty tender for a few days.

It was weird, too. Karma was almost… friendly with him, once the truth came out. Genuine in a way that he’d only really experienced with, well… Nagisa, it seemed.

Honestly, these genuine friendships were dangerous in their own ways. If he could even call what the hell just happened with Karma making one. It was probably not quite one. Maybe just a passing, genuine moment.

Speaking of friendships, Gakushuu reached for his phone when he heard it ping.

Viper: Did you get home safe?

Gakushuu laughed to himself, and texted a reply.

Monarch: By my own fault, I met Karma today. We beat the shit out of each other. It was fun.

Viper: I

Viper: Why?????????????????

Monarch: Don’t worry about it =)

Viper: I THINK I WILL ACTUALLY KARMA IS INSANE WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING?! Are you okay? What even started it?! But more importantly are you okay?!?!?!

Tonight was going to be quite a long one, Gakushuu felt. He began to explain his journey home to nagisa, doing his best to make sure it wasn’t too harrowing for his friend to read.

Chapter Text

Nagisa did his best to keep a cool head, but it was a bit difficult today. Not being able to tell Karma off for fighting one of his friends was pretty hard for him. Plus, Karma definitely had a noticeably damaged nose when he came in… luckily, Korosensei was quick to notice and fix him up.

“Now how did you end up with so many battle scars, Karma? Now that I'm even closer, I see plenty!” Korosensei asked him.

“It's fine~ just got in a scuffle with a prissy little punk.” Karma commented. Nagisa did his best to show no reaction - just in case Karma was looking his way.

“Oh? Well I have no jurisdiction over what my students do in their free time, try and save your punches for attempts on me! I've been told I'm quite satisfying to punch~!” Korosensei replied.

“Ah, but you're pretty much immortal! It's no fun if you don't even bruise that much.”

“You are… concerning me, Karma.” 

With that, Korosensei swiftly did one of his mach 20 blips, coming back into focus covered in little gag sound buttons. Snickers filled the room.

“Then how about this! Hit me successfully and you may get a funny little sound to play! Now that certainly isn't boring, is it?!” Korosensei offered.

Karma laughed, and replied, “sure, whatever! But isn't it time for class to start, Korosensei?” 

“Ah! You're right!” He replied, and quickly blipped to the front of the room. “Let's see, schedule for today…! Ack! My buttons!”

The day continued on, silly but full of lessons and assassination attempts. A little at the latter half of the day, Nagisa got a text at lunch time.

Monarch: I hate Karma so much just sitting here hurts and I'm not going to the nurse's office

Viper: I'm sorry :( do you want me to bring you down anything? I'll see if Korosensei or the other teachers have anything I can bring you, and I'll be vague about it!

Monarch: that would be nice… if you could, I'd owe you one. 

Viper: Aw, don't worry about it. Friends, remember?

“Who you textin’?” Kaede asked, spooking Nagisa a bit.

He quickly darkened his phone screen and replied, “Aah! Don't sneak up on me, Kaede!!” 

“Sorry! Didn't mean to! But still, I'm curious…” Kaede replied, causing Nagisa to quickly shove his phone in his pocket.

“It's just my mom-” Nagisa lied quickly, “she hurt herself at work and she'll probably be a bit down for the count at home if I don't grab something on my way home. I just… don't even have the money, either… so I'm wondering how to break it to her in a way that won't have her blow up.” 

“Ohhhh… think we can ask Korosensei? What kind of hurt is it?”

“A coworker slammed a door on her arm, so it's kinda bruisy and muscular. At worst, maybe some fractures…? Maybe Koro could help.” Nagisa answered.

And of course, at hearing his name, and being quite invested in gossip anyways, Korosensei blipped over. “If it's fractures, just let me go and meet her! I'll be sure to fix her up nicely~”

“No!” Nagisa spoke quickly, slightly panicked as he thought quickly, “Y-you'd definitely scare her with your disguise! I-i'd really prefer to just keep her away from my school life as much as I can, too… Do you know any remedies? Anything I can give her that. Um. Doesn't cost any money?”

“Well,” Korosensei began, blipping away and back with a pharmacy bag in his hand, “the key to a healing wound is rest mostly! But key items like cold and or warm compresses, elevation, and compression with bandages will help the affected area heal faster as well! Some vitamin C, aloe vera healing lotion and arnica healing lotion, oh, and some believe pineapples help, so pick some up on your next store trip together! But here is a little starter bag of the basics. I included some little shakeable hand warmers and an impact ice pack for on-the-go compresses, along with the mentioned lotion and arnica, also pocket-size. Oh, and of course, some over-the counter pain relief medications to take. If she's diligent with her self care, she should be better in no time!”

“Oh!!” Nagisa was pleasantly surprised, and quietly accepted the bag from Korosensei. “Thank you for this, Korosensei! I'm sure this will make her happy!”

“Nyuhuhuhu! I'm glad to help!” Korosensei replied, and swiftly dodged Kaede's attempt at a sneak attack. “Do try to time that better, Kaede! Perhaps stab when I'm mid explanation!”

“Darn it! Almost had you!” Kaede sighed. 

As the two continued their banter, and some other students decided to try some sucker stabs too, Nagisa slipped away to grab his school bag and shove the goods inside.

Viper: Korosensei had lots of stuff to share - good tips, too. Let’s meet up and get you some care ^^

Monarch: Thank you very much. I’ll be extra motivated to hold out until then :)

Nagisa smiled to himself, trying to think up a response. 

Nnnyyyuuuuu?

Maybe just a simple “See you then!” works. He types it out. 

Nyuhuu~

Nagisa felt a disturbance. Before he could press send, he darkens his phone screen and glances around rapidly. Up on the ceiling, Korosensei had crept, his color a soft pink.

“W-what are you doing?!” Nagisa squealed, once again shoving his phone away in his pocket again.

“I had a little feeling, as your story didn’t quite match up with your usual talk of your family.” Korosensei replied, his forever-grin seeming a bit wider, “Seems like you have a secret… special friend~? Nyuhuu~”

Nagisa couldn’t help the full face blush. “I-it’s nnnot like that…” Was all he could say in his defense. 

“Well, well! Do give me the juicy details later! I do love good gossip.” Korosensei said, changing to his yellow and green stripes of confidence, “The others are doing their best to give chase!” 

He blips from side to side, dodging several bullets as Nagisa’s classmates move in.

“There he is!”

“Guys, over here! Circle the building!”

“Got a knife, Nagisa?” 

Nagisa rolled his eyes, and dug around in his pocket for a rubber knife. He kind of slows down as he sees Korosensei slip through a tiny gap in the ceiling.

…

By the end of his school day, Gakushuu felt like he’d fall over for once. Gym class and soccer practice were especially hellish on his pains -  any bending, straining, and by the end even just walking made his muscles throb and burn in pain. Stupid Karma…

But at least, he’d receive some care items from Nagisa now - he’d take them home and heal himself on his own time after they talk. Plus, he didn’t need to make any efforts to hide his agony.

He slipped under the tarp, and eventually, Nagisa came along as well. 

“Hey!” Nagisa greeted him, “How are you holding up?”

“Not that well, I’ll admit.” Gakushuu replied, “Please give me the stuff post-haste. I think this is the closest I’ve ever come to passing out from pain…”

Nagisa sat down next to him, unzipping his bag and grabbing the materials Korosensei gave him. “I’m so sorry. Let me help you out with it, then, instead of making you do it yourself - it’s the least I could do.”

Gakushuu stared, watching as Nagisa slipped his cardigan off and placed it beside him, clearly intending for it to be a spot for him to lie down and be treated. “You… seriously want to do that for me? Come on now, that’s too much, it’s not like it’s your fault…”

 Watching Gakushuu strain while adjusting his sitting position, Nagisa thrust a bottle of aspirin his way. “I’m serious! Friends help friends. Take some of these with my water, then take your shirt off so I can treat the bruises properly. No time like the present.”

A bit surprised, but respectful of the initiative Nagisa took, Gakushuu tentatively accepted the bottle, pulling a couple pills out. “Okay. just… be careful with me if you really insist.” 

After taking the medicine along with a swig of water, Gakushuu took his coat and shirt off, folding and storing them on his bookbag before he carefully eased himself down. Once more, he noticed that faint smell of forest and pine, coming off Nagisa and the cardigan he was laying on. 

“Geez, your stomach is so swollen… I’m sorry Karma did that to you. I wish I could’ve reprimanded him about it.” Nagisa sighed, pulling out the two lotions he was given. 

“I really would rather you didn’t if you could. That’d just sting more, having someone jump in on my own confrontations…” Gakushuu replied, glancing up at Nagisa’s hands, “...Let’s try the arnica first. I think aloe is more for sun-induced burns and swelling. I’ve yet to look up if there’s a difference, really.” 

“Okay.” Nagisa replied, and spread some on his hands, “Sorry if it’s a bit cold.” 

“It’s fine,” Gakushuu replied, “It’s fine…”

As Nagisa’s hands drew close, Gakushuu felt nervous. The other could easily dig nails or knuckles into his exposed injury, snap a photo of him for blackmail. But of course, as he worried, these possibilities never came to pass.

Instead, cold lotion glided across his skin, guided by a feather-light touch. Slow and careful, only barely agitating as he does his best not to. Gentle as gentle could be, with the pain numbing away over the places that got a chance to absorb the lotion. 

Gakushuu let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, and Nagisa paused immediately.

“Did I hurt you?” Nagisa asked.

“No.” Gakushuu replied, “I feel fine. I don’t think I’ve used this before… at least, not in a long time. Maybe when I was a kid, but even then I doubt it. It feels… really nice.”

“Ok. I’m glad to help…” Nagisa replied, smiling gently at him. 

Gakushuu let himself relax, and feel the full effect of the lotion ebbing the pain away, each and every spot that burned him before now dulled and manageable. That with the pain meds finally kicking in, and he pretty much melted into a peaceful state of being. Once the lotion was mostly absorbed and dry, Nagisa handed him back his shirt. 

“Feeling any better?” Nagisa asked.

“Definitely. Compared to my state before, this is bliss.” Gakushuu replied, only worried after he said it that it sounded weird.

“That’s awesome! I’m really glad I could help you out!” Nagisa replied, placing the remaining stuff back in the bag, “If you want, we can also do a compress to take the swelling down some more. Hot or cold?” 

“Ooh. Hmm…. I wouldn’t mind the cold for a bit.” Gakushuu decided. 

With that, Nagisa whipped the cold pack out and gave it a good punch or two to activate the compounds inside it. 

“Woah! That’s cool. Literally, too.” Nagisa commented,  shaking it a bit as it turned colder before handing it off to Gakushuu.

He gladly accepted it, and pressed it to his biggest pain spot through his shirt. Damn, he was shocked more relief was possible. He sighed happily.

“Seriously, thanks for this.” Gakushuu replied, “I would’ve had to suffer in silence without your helping hand. You really are a great friend - I won’t forget this.” 

“No problem!” Nagisa replied with a smile, “And make sure to take the rest of this stuff with you so you can treat the injuries effectively at home, ok?” 

“Of course.” Gakushuu replied, and reached for the bag offered to him. 

After putting it in his and zipping it up, he thought for a moment. 

“Even after the pain is gone, the fatigue it causes still lingers… that sucks.” Gakushu sighed as he set his bag aside, “Do you think I could get away with a short nap under here? Maybe 30 minutes?” 

“I think that would be fine!” Nagisa replied, “Would you… want me to stick around? Just to wake you in case the timer doesn’t?”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Gakushuu replied.

With that, the two end up using Nagisa’s cardigan again, this time to stop dirt from getting in their hair. Gakushuu sets his timer. Once more, his mind is sure to alert him not only to the closeness of Nagisa, but the ease at which betrayal can come to him. 

Even so, it didn’t stop him from desperately needing rest. He set his phone down, and closed his eyes. All was silent save for baseball practice in the distance.

“Have a nice nap.” Nagisa muttered softly.

Gakushuu wondered if Nagisa thought he’d be out that quickly.

Either way, he stayed quiet. He drifted off…

…

Karma was finally on his way home for the day - though usually he was one of the first to leave, today he’d ended up finding a nice patch of sun among the trees outside, and fell asleep on the old campus grounds. It was thanks to Kayano waking him that he didn’t end up sleeping until dark. He thanked her, remarked about maybe owing her, and then left on his merry way. 

Near the bottom of the mountain, a bit closer to the main campus building, he spotted an interesting sight; Korosensei was hiding in the bushes, that stupid blush-pink color as he pried into something or other - and Karma was curious. 

Squinting past the octopus, it seemed like nothing was there from ground level - just the football field and  baseball diamond, with scatterings of bleachers circling the various places. Ew, the tarps beneath the bleachers by the track and soccer field were full of holes…

…and considering that pink look, Karma deduced that this was something related to gossip that Korosensei liked so much. He snuck up on the octopus, who was giggling like a schoolgirl.

“Young love blossoming at the track field, Korosensei?” Karma asked, jabbing him for fun with the knife he kept handy.

“kARMA-!” Korosensei basically jumped up 5 feet in the air, landing in the tree he had been hiding behind. “No assassination attempts after class, please and thank you!” 

“Fine, fine.” Karma sighed, pocketing his knife. “But who are you spying on? Shouldn’t you be grading papers?”

“I finished that hours ago! And in fact, I am working on the next few weeks of planning as we speak, right this second~” and of course, looking closer, the teacher really was mach 20 blipping between places. “As for what I’m watching unfold, Akabane-kun, it is quite perplexing to me too~! A kind of something-something i have never witnessed before!”

“...you’re not spying on a make-out sesh or something, are you?” 

“Heavens no!! And I know what kissing is, I am not that much of a fool!” 

“Alright…” Karma replied, confused but more intrigued than ever, “What could you possibly be so confused about?” 

“Well,” Korosensei began, “As you students know, I am quite the romantics fan! Romances of young love and blooming hearts always bring a smile my way! Nyuhu~”

“Ok? Get to the point?” Karma remarked.

“I always thought it must be one man and one woman - every book i’ve read over on the subject treats it as such! The only way for such a romance to flow!” Korosensei explained, his eyes squinting faaar into the distance off his face like a snail’s, “But what unfolds here, some perhaps classic will-they-won’t-they between the same gender has emerged! It’s quite indeed perplexing! Intriguing! And I am left wondering deeply for the will-they! Is this also a common occurrence, do you believe?” 

“...You’re asking me if the gays are real?”

“The what?”

“Korosensei. Love between two of the same gender is called being gay.” Karma replied, “You won’t see much of it in mainstream Japanese media - it’s… frowned upon despite being practically the same as any other straight love. We do have gay students, though - I’m pretty sure most of them were landed in E with a bit of that lovely homophobia coming into play. One of your students are even transgender, and I’m pretty sure breaking the dress code for dysphoria reasons also helped his sentencing along.”

“Karma you are saying a lot of words that are new to me!” Korosensei replied.

“I could give you some articles and documentaries and even… romance movies on the subject,” Karma replied, “ if. You at least hint to me about who you’re spying on. Curiosity for curiosity.”

“Ah you caught me - Okay, this hint is obvious if you think about it! Hard!” Korosensei says, leaning in for a mock whisper, “Give me my homework first, though.” 

Karma rolled his eyes, and then took his phone out. “Here. copy down these links and rent these books and movies from… well, wherever you wanna get it from. That should give you a good look into Lgbt stuff. Any other questions, then i guess you can ask me about my experiences. Now spill.” 

Korosensei jotted his notes down, then got into whisper mode again. “Listen well! Our mysterious couple is a forbidden love, like romeo and juliette~ or rather, Romeo and Julius, in this case~? Huhu~! A great enemy is a great love in either case! Or perhaps a very nice friend. I could be misinterpreting it.”

In turn, Karma put this note down in his phone. “Alright. Pleasure exchanging information with you.” 

“Likewise!” Korosensei replied, and away the teacher went. “Study well at home tonight!” 

With that, Karma found himself alone. And as he squinted past the tree, he noticed the rustling of a tarp. It could’ve been wind, or some sort of animal. He couldn’t quite see. But maybe if he waited a bit longer… oh. A pair of human hands emerged from the tarp, soon followed-

“Oopsie! No spying! Do as I say and not as I do!” Korosensei blipped back, grabbing Karma quickly.

He was blipped to the front entrance of the school with a final wave from his monster teacher. The urge to stab him out of pettiness was… overwhelming.

But even so, the octopus was long gone, and Karma was ready to go home. 

…maybe he’d try to catch Gakushuu on his walk home again - get out some of this frustration with an actually proper sparring match.

He made a note under the last.

Check the bleachers tomorrow for Romeo and Juliette.

Chapter Text

Time passes once again. Gakushuu's days were the same - school life, chatting with his peers, sticking to a tight schedule, hanging out with Nagisa in the gaps. He wished he had more free time, but as more and more tests began to rear their ugly heads, the more his free time disappeared into mountains of paper.

 The big test at the end of first term was still a while away, but that didn't change the pressure that was put on him. From his school, his father, and himself. 

At least, even at their busiest, Nagisa would send him a meme to let him know he was also going through it. It really always did make his day.

Even so, more and more, a familiar stranger lingered around school grounds. That white-clad figure, Shiro. Gakushuu would just see him lingering around the principal's office, or outside the gate, or even heading up the trail. He didn't enjoy it. 

And of course, after one particularly agitating summons to the office for “motivational talk”, shiro was coming in after him. Gakushuu did his best to ignore him usually, but this time… this time, someone was with him. 

A younger guy, likely in the same age range as him and nagisa, that Gakushuu hadn't seen before. And yet… a lot about him was worrying.

The tense posture, malnutrition, eyes that darted around, locking onto Gakushuu when he noticed him studying him.

The first word to come to mind? Freaky. But. Spending time with Nagisa helped him realize that a lot of the mannerisms this guy showed were likely… stress? Anxiety?

And the fact he was hanging around Shiro didn't help. Gakushuu immediately suspected the student needed help, and that his father wasn't going to provide it. 

So? Gakushuu, reasoning in his head that this student-to-be had no defined class rank yet, was in his ability to reach. He hung around just beyond the door, hoping to catch snippets of the conversation as he waited.

When shiro exited and the wild-eyed child behind him locked eyes, Gakushuu motioned to the restrooms nearby, and in hopes of the student knowing either how to read lips or a touch of JSL, signaled for him to follow before disappearing into the men's bathroom. He waited beyond the threshold, listening.

“...What is it, Itona?” Shiro's voice traveled down the hall.

“Restrooms.” Came Itona's response, quietly, “I need to use it before we leave.” 

“Very well, make it quick. We will reconvene outside. The air is dreadful in this place.” 

Gakushuu sighed in relief. He understood him.

Itona made his way in, but didn't approach Gakushuu. He just actually went to use the bathroom, then went to wash his hands, completely focused on what he was doing. The water ran for a bit, and it seemed almost like Itona wasn't wanting to speak to him, either that or the feeling of water on the boy's hands was grounding him. So, Gakushuu figured he'd cut to the chase.

“Are you in danger?” Gakushuu asked him.

Those yellow eyes snap over to him. Shuu remained calm, leaned against the far wall with his arms crossed. Actually… they almost seemed greenish, his eyes. Maybe with splotches of orange, too.  Strangeness aside, the eyes with the bright silver-white hair, it was like looking at a feral white cat, the way itona was trying to kill him with a glance.

“How would I be?” Itona replied.

“That cultist freak, Shiro. I'm fairly certain he's a cultist at least. He's made it a point to think kids our age are gross, and yet he's here waltzing in with you. I simply want to make sure he's not abusing you, because I know the principal doesn't give a damn.” Gakushuu explained.

As he was talking, Itona drew closer. But again, his posture was tight, bristly. He grabbed Gakushuu's shirt, pulling him down to his level… or at least, he gave in a bit so it felt effortless to Itona. 

“You should worry about yourself.” Itona replied, “That's how life is. Shiro made me strong, and all you need to know is that I could tear you apart in seconds. ” 

Gakushuu stared. Usually he'd be irritated by such behavior, but the mental image of this guy as a feral cat is still just all he can think of. 

“I'm not sure what you mean, but despite what you think I can openly care about my peers, as long as I know nothing of their rank. I'm bending the rules to cast you a line - and you can take it if you want it.” Gakushuu replied. 

For a moment, ever so brief, Itona's expression changed; whether it was confusion, shock or hope, Gakushuu couldn't know. It was replaced with rage so quickly. 

“You'd never be able to help me. You don't understand anything I've gone through. Don't pretend like you do. I'm strong, and you're nothing. ” Itona growled.

Again, Itona was trying to be rough and angry. Again, Gakushuu just saw what he saw - a cat, feral and injured somewhere beyond the fur, just out of sight. 

… it really was weird, just how much his friend’s nature rubbed off.

“Fine. All I know is that the worst kinds of people hurt the kids they're left in charge of, mentally, physically, whatever, and I just worried if Shiro did that to you. My mistake if he hasn't, but you certainly didn't deny it. Either way, if you decide you want help, find me. Or… look for a boy with blue hair. He's certainly more approachable.” Gakushuu said, and just barely held back from rolling his eyes.

Itona stared.

Gakushuu stared, and spoke no more. But he did feel a sharp pain on his arm just before Itona let go of his shirt. Once let go, he glanced and saw a bloody cut he hadn't noticed.

Gakushuu stared at the wound. Itona stared at him like he expected something to happen. All that happened was that Gakushuu felt a bit faint. Despite his scrap with karma weeks ago, he's always hated the sight of blood - spilled, drawn, it didn't matter. He used to scream like he was being killed, whenever he saw some, but now he's well versed in giving no reaction.

… Well, most of the time.

“Would you look at that, my demons got me again. Pardon me, I have to clean this.” Gakushuu sighed, and wandered to the sink to clean the injury.

Once again, the sound of running water fills the silence.

Gakushuu watched the blood run down the drain, willing his gut to stop doing flips at the sight.

“You don't even know about it, do you?”

Gakushuu glanced his way again. Itona's expression was harder to read, once again a mask of strain.

“About what?” Gakushuu asked, squeezing more soap from the dispenser, “what Shiro has to do with my the principal, or the principal with that fucked up florist? I don't. It would be nice to know, though.”

“Its… classified.” Itona replied softly.

Gakushuu glanced back again, only to see Itona's demeanor had shifted again. It almost reminded him of Nagisa, in a way.

“Of course it is. Why?” Gakushuu asked.

Itona shook his head. “If I told you, I would… it would end badly for me. And since you really do know nothing… I guess I should say your stupid gesture was nice, but you can't save me even if you really wanted to. I have to do what I'm here for. What I was made for, I guess.”

Gakushuu was now kind of angry about all this confusing secrecy. But Itona wasn't the one that the anger needed to be directed at, that much he knew. As he shut the water off, he could now hear Itona starting to walk. 

“Just forget you saw me. Sorry I hurt you.” 

And in a blink, Itona was gone. Fast enough to be out of sight even as Gakushuu ran after him to ask what he meant. 

Gakushuu glanced down at his hands, still not dried. His left arm, still slashed, still bleeding. The fact that Itona had both his hands pulling his shirt when he first felt his skin split. How Itona's ragged clothes, not even the school uniform yet, had no place to hide any blades. 

It really, truly didn't make any sense… just what was going on?

What was he missing?

What was the principal hiding?

It didn't help that one of the virtuosos rounded the corner, freezing at the sight of him before running over.

“Asano! What happened?!” Ren asked, grabbing his injured arm.

“...did you see a student run past you?” Gakushuu asked.

“I- no, I didn't- are they the one that did this? Maybe they went the other way, we could still-”

“Don't worry about it, then.” Gakushuu replied, “they aren't worth the time. Don't disclose this little blemish to anyone, and I'll buy you whatever you'd like from the cafeteria. Not the principal, either - just no one.”

If Ren didn't see Itona, there was no way anybody would have. He had a feeling something else was up with him, what with the way he spoke of himself. Something was wrong, he knew it, and he couldn't confront his father about it until he had hard evidence.

“... okay, i can accept that, i guess? But let's just get you to the nurse…” Ren attempted.

“No.” Gakushuu replied, “Nurses send visit records. I've got what I need in my locker. If you want to help, just stay nearby and distract anyone that sees this.”

Gakushuu turned, not wanting to see his look of concern any longer. Deep in his gut, he felt that his bribe would be ignored.

“Alright,” Ren spoke, “Let’s hurry, then. That’s a lot of blood…”

Chapter Text

Another exciting day at E class has passed - this time, in meeting a new, tentacle-haired student. Itona was not open to assistance, and even less open for even a friendly conversation. By the time the day ended with Itona, and by extension Shiro unsuccessful, everyone was kind of glad about it. 

It was strange, too - Nagisa was getting stared at by him a lot. At least… it seemed like he wasn't after him for some reason or another. 

Nagisa hoped he would be okay. 

Either way, Nagisa felt he was long overdue for one of his breaks with Gakushuu. A small one would be fine…

Viper: do you want to go today?

It didn't take long for him to receive a reply from Gakushuu.

Monarch: yes, same time as usual. I'll do my best to escape early.

Nagisa smiled to himself. Most of the time lately, the two have gone to the bleacher shadows when they could to share a nap, for roughly 15 minutes. It's all they had energy for lately, but it wasn't too terrible. 

In fact? Nagisa snagged some old, weather proof deck cushions to keep under there for resting on, and Gakushuu had a habit of bringing what he referred to as a “cramming blanket” - for when things got too cold in the building to focus, and for power naps like the ones they shared. It was cozy and wonderful.

Nagisa took his usual route down, shortcutting through some trees until he reached the ratty tarp covering their hideaway.  He glanced from side to side, making sure nobody was watching. Coast clear, he lifts the tarp and crawls in.

A hand wraps around his wrist, tugging him down into the dark.

“There's romeo.” Karma grinned, “I wonder when Juliette will show up~?”

“Karma-” Nagisa began to shout, but s finger was pressed over his lips.

“Shhhh. Don't you have to whisper down here? You think with how long you've been snooping about with Juliette, you'd be doing that already.” Karma taunted softly.

Nagisa glared at him, replying much softer, “You can't be here! Get out!!”

“Oh, why not? I'm just curious about your little lover. Is it someone we know? Or are you getting strung along by someone from the main campus?” Karma asked with a smile.

“I-it's not like that!” Nagisa replied defensively, “We aren't together, we just- we're friends, and it'd be bad for the both of us if we were found out! You know what my mom is like, Karma!”

“Oh. So Juliette's high rank, it sounds like.” Karma mused. “Friends or whatever you are, I'd still like to see.”

As they talked, Nagisa tried to stealthily grab his phone, just to warn Gakushuu not to come down. He kept his eyes on Karma, one wrist still in his hand as he tried his best not to be seen. It would be hard to balance. 

“Why do you care so much, anyway?” Nagisa asked, “Don't you remember? You wanted nothing to do with me.” 

The sly expression on Karma’s face fell, replaced with one of confusion. “Hah? Where'd you get that idea?”

The words struck like a knife.

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah. What are you talking about? Are you trying to change the subject?”

Nagisa’s train of thought derailed completely.

Did Karma put no thought into what he says to him at all?

Did he really forget what was one of the most crushing days of his life?

…or was it just not as painful for him? 

“I don't know, Akabane.” Nagisa replied sharply, seeing Karma tense up at the formal addressing, “I guess I got the wrong idea when you told me not to stick around you anymore! You didn't even let me say anything, you just waved away.”

Karma’s shock fell to a frown. “That was-”

“What, so long ago? Maybe for you.” Nagisa interrupted, a knot twisting in his guts, “You were my best friend! I didn't have anyone but you back then, and you left me! And when you came back, when I thought finally, maybe I could fix whatever I did wrong, you know what you did?!”

“Nagisa-”

“YOU JUMPED OFF A FUCKING CLIFF IN FRONT OF ME!” Nagisa yelled, the twisting in his gut boiling over as he raged, “I watched someone I still cared so much for plummet through the air, ready to get his brains splattered on the forest floor for no good reason but a lucky shot that would barely matter because YOU! WOULD'VE!! DIED!!!”

The quiet hung heavy in the air. In his anger, Nagisa had forgotten his plan, but it didn't  really matter; Karma had let go of him. 

Silence hung between them, like wire stretched taut, about to snap. His hand hovered over the space where he'd let go, before he pulled back as well. 

Karma didn't know what to say. 

Nagisa didn't realize how much he had been holding in. It's too late to put it back in, not that he wanted to. He was still deeply, extremely hurt. He didn't care if he hurt Karma back for once.

“...Just go.” Nagisa muttered, “please. Let me be alone while i can.” 

After another beat of silence, Karma nodded. Nagisa shifted away, and he scooted out from under the spot. Footsteps faded. Nagisa curled up. 

He still cared about Karma. His feelings about him didn't fade much. But even so, that didn't change the way Karma’s actions hurt him. This little hideout was a place to forget about the pains outside, and even if he cares about Karma, him invading this place was way too much. A complete crossing of the line. 

Nagisa began to cry. He couldn't help it this time.

Minutes pass. The tarp rustles. 

“Shoot…” Gakushuu muttered softly, “what happened?”

Nagisa couldn't help feeling bad for crying. Even so, he replied, “Karma… found our spot.” 

Nagisa didn't look up to see what Shuu's face looked like. He was afraid of disappointment, of anger. In the silence, Nagisa continued to explain.

“I-I never told anyone. I just came down a few minutes ago, and when I came in he was just waiting for me. He asked me who you were, and I didn't tell but I just… i got so angry…” he muttered softly.

“You're right to be.” Gakushuu said, with an air of his brand of gentleness about his tone, “You didn't do anything wrong. He stuck his hand in the snake den, and he got bit. It's his own fault.”

“I know but i… I just exploded about everything. ” Nagisa emphasized, “From even before we ended up in E, to his whole attempt - I care about him, but I blew up and I just…” he couldn't control himself as he sobbed, “I feel awful! I can't fix it at all anymore!!”

Nagisa cried. He couldn't help it, and he couldn't stop. 

In the silence, Nagisa worried that Gakushuu had left him. But then, an unsure arm reached behind him, curling around his shoulder. Another awkward arm made its way around the opposite way, and he was pulled into an unsure hug.

“It's… going to be okay, Nagisa.” He replied unsurely, “I'm sure it's not completely a lost cause - what you guys had will mend in time. I think he needed to face some due consequences anyways, and that's not your fault.”

Nagisa leaned into Gakushuu, curled up tightly. Gakushuu adjusted around him, holding him closer, letting the smaller into his lap. It was hard to say if he believed Gakushuu's words.

“As for our hideaway… we should consider it compromised. But that doesn't mean much. We just have to move it somewhere else, and discuss that privately. Maybe even move it off campus, for privacy's sake. Or even just move to the right-side bleachers. Whatever it takes.”  Gakushuu continued, “Just… don’t be sad, okay? It’s going to be alright.”

Nagisa just nodded slightly, still continuing to cry. It would be a bit before he could stop himself. Gakushuu was quiet and quite patient. Slowly but surely, the tears left on their own.

“...thank you for being here.” Nagisa muttered softly, wiping stray tears from his cheeks. “I’m sorry you didn’t get time to talk… are you doing okay?”

“No problem. I’m fine, really.” Gakushuu responded, “Even better when I can help you.” 

Nagisa glanced up at Gakushuu when he said that. It seemed he realized what he said quickly, and was now looking off at the sunbeams through the tarp, trying very hard not to be awkward.

“You really are kind.” Nagisa said.

“Only when it comes to you.” Gakushuu muttered in turn, “I don’t think anybody else would agree.”

That warmed Nagisa’s heart a bit. Only when it comes to you.

Nagisa leaned against him, and pushing his anxieties down, hugged the taller boy back. 

“I really have to take you somewhere someday.” Nagisa said, “You deserve it.”

“I was thinking the same - though it’d be tricky. Maybe after the exams are over, we can figure out something when we’re all on break.” Gakushu replied happily.

Soon, their conversations began to turn to plans. Swiping some cash from parents, sneaking out late - the dates and times to work out. It was all a rough outline, but the two excitedly chatted, woes forgotten about for the time being. 

And all throughout, they held each other. Neither noticed the other still clinging until a message pinged on Gakushuu’s phone.

“ Great. ” Gakushuu huffed annoyedly, “Principal forgot some worksheets in his office, and I have to walk them home.”

“Aw.” Nagisa sighed, “I wish I could help you carry it.”

“The thought alone is still sweet.” Gakushuu replied, “But I guess I have to go for now.”

“Yeah.” Nagisa sighed. “Thank you, though.”

With one final squeeze, Nagisa let go and scooted out of his lap. Gakushuu crawled to the  tarp, shifting onto his feet as he grabbed the edge.

“We’ll workshop your Karma friendship mending soon - I’ll do my best to squeeze it in between everything.” Gakushuu promised.

“Okay.” Nagisa said with a gentle smile, “Just don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll definitely be doing my own stuff with it. See you later.”

And with that, the two parted once again.

…

Karma stood to the side of the bleachers, having listened into the conversation beneath.

Sure, it was shocking to him, that unlikely friendship between Nagisa and the biggest pain in the ass of Kunigaoka, but that wasn’t really important. Well - maybe it was. Just a little.

What had been important, though, was that he definitely screwed things up with Nagisa. He didn’t know what to do. He was having quite a few feelings over the whole situation. 

Worried about Nagisa.

Jealous about that Juliette, Gakushuu Asano. Why was he Jealous?

Unsure if this whole thing was genuine on Gakushuu’s part, or just a game.

Guilty about what he tried to sweep under the rug.

Still. Deeply. Bitingly. Irrationally paranoid that Nagisa wanted him dead, now more than ever.

He had been doing his best to shut that down - that sharp feeling that cried danger whenever they interacted. He’d tell himself it was stupid, that Nagisa was a genuine person. He would be fine. His brain lies to him, he knows that. It keeps him way too alert. 

And now, the feeling of self-loathing was mixing in. regret. That sinking feeling that he wouldn’t ever be believed or trusted again. He just killed the part of Nagisa that cared about him for the second time they’ve known each other. 

He ducked away as he heard the tarp rustle. Gakushuu emerged, quickly moving away towards the main building..

Karma bit his cheek. Well, if there was one thing to do… he’d just confront Gakushuu again. Really confirm or deny those suspicions lying in his gut. 

There’s no way Nagisa would take a half-assed apology from him right now. Nothing he could say would cut it, that’s for sure. 

He headed for that shortcut Gakushuu liked to take. 

Chapter Text

Karma waited. Waited, waited, and waited some more. 

Finally, down the street, Gakushuu was handling a mountain of paperwork with great caution. He turned onto the alleyway, hefting the papers up and trying not to let them fall. Already, a few loose pages were slipping from the giant stack.

“Hello again~” Karma greeted him casually, met with a startle and scramble to right the stack of paper. 

“Why are you here again?” Gakushuu asked, “I'm busy, and again I'm not fighting you for fun.”

“Not what I want.” Karma informed him, “But I am here to ask. You're serious about your little friendship, right?”

Gakushuu paled. “I don't know what you're talking about.” He lied.

He tried to move past Karma, but he quickly stood in the other's path. “You do. I snuck around and heard your little talk under the bleachers, covered by the tarp with the bunches of old holes.” 

“Bastard. You really don't know when to quit sticking your nose into things, do you?” Gakushuu swore.

Karma shrugged, “Yeah, I won't quit. But I'm really serious. You're not planning to just gather Nagisa’s secrets until you have enough to spill across the school or something, are you? Because if you're planning at all to hurt him I'll kill you. For real.”

“What kind of person do you take me for?” Gakushuu asked, quite offended.

“The principal's son and ace student of hell on earth cram school.” karma replied.

“Fine. Fair. But even so, I actually value Nagisa’s friendship. And from what I hear, you messed up. Badly.” Gakushuu retaliated, “I'm almost shocked you're here threatening me for his sake and not texting the other bugs. What is it you want, exactly?” 

“Hey, I'm not… always like that. Sometimes. But yeah, I agree, i fucked up. Now, this is the part where you find it in your little prune heart to help me fix that.”

“My ‘little prune heart’ wants to know if you're even serious. Do you even like him as a friend, or are you just going to back away the moment you get close again?” 

Karma glared at him. “What do you mean?” 

Gakushuu rested his chin on the stack of papers and replied, “from Nagisa's perspective, things were fine until your little banishment. Then, suddenly, you pulled away hard, stating you two shouldn't hang out anymore. I'm just curious, here - what possible angle are you coming from that made you retreat to being a stranger?”

Karma, for once, started to look uncomfortable. Gakushuu stared silently, waiting for his excuse.

“I….” Karma began, “well, don't tell anyone this, or I'll end you.”

“Naturally.” Gakushuu agreed, “Go on.”

“I… well…. Thisissostupidoutloud,butithinkhewantsmedead.” Karma muttered quickly.

“Now say that so I can hear you?” Gakushuu asked, a touch low on patience.

“Look. I just. For some reason, I really don't know - usually I have a good sense for these things. If I'm fighting someone, it's easy to tell if it's not serious or they want my head on a spike. You feel that behind punches, in aggression, but especially in touch.” Karma explained, “Sometimes, if Nagisa… touched me unexpectedly, I'd get that same sort of sense. The pain, the blood rushing, it's just prickly and rushy and hot all down my spine. So my brain, stupid but human, started convincing me he wanted me dead. Like he was doing that to me on purpose, but i know that's not it, i watch him touch people on the back all the time and it's just a thing he does and he scares everyone when he does that-”

“Slow down, Akabane.” Gakushuu said.

Gakushuu glanced around the alleyway, and carefully sat the paper stack down in a clean spot before returning to the conversation.

“Yeah, laugh it up all you want, but it's just this… this instinct thing. You get that, don't- what are you doing?” Karma asked.

Gakushuu had attempted to circle around behind Karma, but Karma swiftly turned around to face him, an arm up and poised to strike.

“Stop that, I'm not going to do anything bad.” Gakushuu reasoned, “just let me test something.”

Unsurely, Karma turned around, facing his back to him. “Alright… don't break the trust.”

“Mhm.” Gakushuu replied, putting a hand on Karma’s shoulder, “Stand up straight. As best you can manage.”

Karma complied, straightening up as he felt the other place two fingers at the base of his neck and drag them down, “Okay? I dont see what you're trying toaAAOW FUCK!!”

Right around the middle of his back, just beneath the shoulder blades, it felt like he was shot. But focusing again, it was just Gakushuu’s fingers brushing by, before running back over that agonizing spot again, sending off another gunshot of pain. 

Karma tried to pull away, but Gakushuu’s hand stopped him from jumping.

 “As I thought. Here, right?” Gakushuu asked, easing up to a light touch but still pressing all the same.

“YES!! NOW FUCKING STOP!” Karma yelled, turning and batting his hands away.

“Good news! Nagisa doesn't want to kill you. Bad news, a bit of your spine is either out or fractured, likely from previous fights you've been in. It's likely been like that for a long time, and your own mistreatment of your body is what helped to ruin your social life. I'd get it checked if I were you, and get scripts for physical therapy and whatever else you need. I hope you don't need surgery - it would be a pity if you couldn't do your favorite passtime of… punching people.” Gakushuu explained, blocking the smacks. 

“GREAT.” Karma growled, attempting to rub the hard to reach spot, “Can't do that!”

Gakushuu rolled his eyes, “I'm sure your parents could get you to the doctor.”

“It's funny! Because actually, No!” Karma snapped, “My parents are hippie little wanderers that have too much money to spend on whatever the fuck, and they think that doctors are a scam ! So I'm left with my little food budget that has no room for things that aren't essential oils and a little foreign prayer thingy they sent me for colds that's definitely a scam. So tell me, Asano, can my body and human spirit fix itself?”

“With how you jumped out of your skin? No. You need medical attention. Fake an extreme injury at school maybe? Then someone can call an ambulance and you'll actually get checked out.” Gakushuu suggested.

“Same can be said if you just stab me and i go run into a crowded area off campus.” Karma countered. 

“No. I'm against that.” Gakushuu replied, again shuttering slightly at the  thought of blood. “But seriously, if your parents are such hippies why do you do shit that would land you in a hospital?”

“Bite me, asshole.”

“Yep. Figured that'd be your response.”

Now, the gears were once again turning in Gakushuu’s head. If he could figure out a fix for this, karma would be less likely to break off from Nagisa, Nagisa would be happier, and a happy Nagisa is a great thing. Perhaps he could do some research at home, then that could be used to at least mitigate Karma's pain and sensitivity. But now, there's the trouble of scouting a quiet spot…

…the risk factors were high, but he could work with it.

“I'm just gonna leave if you plan on prodding me again.” Karma sighed.

“No, I won't. But I might be able to figure out how to help you, if you'll let me.” Gakushuu said.

“What makes you think I can trust you with my body?” Karma asked.

“Look. Nagisa is my friend at least, and I have a big interest in making him happy. If his happiness lies with you, I have to make sure you're in good condition - at least that's how I see it.” Gakushuu explained. “And now that I think of it… your class has a little bet with us, isn't that right? I'd prefer one of my opponents to not be held back by such a handicap. Unlike the principal, I like to crush the enemy fair and square.”

Karma squinted. Gakushuu stared back.

Gakushuu sighed.

“Alright. You want blackmail material to hold in case, is that it?” Gakushuu asked bitterly.

A smirk appeared on Karma’s lips. “That’d help~”

Gakushuu began to undo his tie. “Figures. Take out your phone, do whatever, just be quick about it.” 

“Mhm~” Karma replied, quickly taking his phone out. “You have hand sanitizer? I've got a marker I'd like to use on ya.”

“Absolutely not. You're lucky I'm willing to do this.” Gakushuu snapped as he swiftly undid some buttons. “I break the hands of students that catch me at unflattering angles. This is a privilege, and pure on-the-fly insurance until I can write you a binding contract, understand?” 

Karma snaps photos continuously, mentally noting that the sound of the shutter going off had made Gakushuu flinch a bit. “Yep. I like this better than contracts, though. Hey, what's that little scar from? It's kinda cute.” 

“What? Oh, that.” Gakushuu replied, feeling around himself until he found it at the center of his chest. “That’s called a scar from none of your business . Hurry up and finish.” 

“Only if you pooosee mooore~” Karma replied in a singsong voice.

Gakushuu wasn't quite paying attention as he just turned at some angles and did whatever was asked complete with a deep look of annoyance, but eventually the sound of Karma's phone camera had ceased. He placed his shirt back over his chest, looking up at Karma. Suddenly, the self-consciousness caught up.

“...are you done?” Gakushuu asked. 

Karma nodded. He swapped to his contacts, then held his phone out to him. Gakushuu quickly buttoned up, and took the phone, adding his contact.

“Since I don't want people knowing you have my number, I'm putting my name in as Monarch. That's how Nagisa refers to me over text. What shall I put your name in as?” Gakushuu asked, sending himself a first text from Karma's phone before handing it back. 

Karma spun his phone in his hands as he thought. “Devil might raise some questions if people see it… hmmm…”

“Perhaps we can use something about your features. Rouge, because of your hair, Canine because you have sharp ones? I can't exactly call you something you hate, our conversations would never be serious where they should be.” Gakushuu thought allowed. 

“Hmmm. Put me down as Ruby, then. It's fairly inconspicuous, red, mildly demony, and rather ambiguous.” Karma shrugged. 

Gakushuu nodded, “I'll lock it in, then. Anything else before I have to go?”

“Two things. You can go pick your papers up, though.” Karma replied, resting against the wall, “One. What am I going to do about Nagisa? In case you don't remember, i fucked up spectacularly and I need advice about how to fix that.”

Gakushuu began to gather the papers, lifting carefully. “He was hurt by you invading a private space of his today, but I honestly think he's still hurting over the way you broke things off like a jackass a while back. You need to swallow your pride, own up, and make it up to him in person. Promise not to spill about our spot. And above all, do something special that you know he'll appreciate, so he knows you're serious about reconnecting. Keep in mind - he doesn't want you dead. I don't think he even has murderous feelings towards anyone. Maybe his mom, but that's a different can of worms.” 

Karma nodded. “I can do that. I'll figure something out. And now the second - are you suuuure you dont wanna tell me about the scar?”

Gakushuu glanced Karma's way again. “Yep. I said no.”

Now, Karma was giving him a little pouty face. Karma moved towards him a bit, and Gakushuu immediately made distance. 

“We're done here. I'm leaving.” Gakushuu sighed, rolling his eyes again.

“Aww, but what’s so bad about it?” Karma asked, “I like scars. I don’t judge them even if you did it by shaving or something. C’mon, I’m sure you told Nagisa or someone.”

Gakushuu shook his head. “Nagisa did bring it up once, but honestly, why the hell should I tell you anything about it? You've done nothing to make me trust you. All you need to worry your stupid self over is Nagisa. Pay me 500 dollars and a notarized contract swearing your secrecy if you want me to actually tell you anything. Goodbye. ”

With that, Gakushuu hurried home. 

Karma sighed, and turned away from Gakushuu’s path. “Well now I’m gonna be thinking about it…”

For shits and giggles, he cropped a close-up of that scar and made it Gakushuu’s contact picture. It kind of fit, too - any contact Karma saved had an extremely unflattering or weird picture.

…he kinda hoped it wasn’t too eye-catching. Being caught with that hardass’s number would be annoying. As he walked home, he contemplated changing the contact name to Juliette.

Chapter Text

Gakushuu finally made it home, shoving through house gates and then struggling with the door. Seems his detour took long enough for his father to start cooking. He was looming over something when Gakushuu walked into the kitchen.

“Took you quite some time.” Gakuho stated.

“Well, that's what happens when you take the car without your paper.” Gakushuu replies, “if you don't want to be off schedule, keep your work in mind.”

Gakushuu sat the paper mountain on the kitchen table, and moved to leave and get some work done before food. Before he could slip away, though, an iron grip clasped around his left wrist.

Gakushuu paled. In plain sight, the bloody bandages on his left arm were exposed, his sleeve likely ridden up from all the movement he was doing while carrying papers.

He glanced back to see his father, expressionless but giving out the most murderous aura anyone can give.

“Who did it.” The principal demanded.

Gakushuu knew how it happened. He knew it was in the bathroom when he confronted Itona. His mind scrambled for a save; if he was caught doing something he wasn't supposed to, who knows what else his father would find in pursuit of his “safety”.

“I don't know what happened.” Gakushuu replied, staring ahead at him and trying not to let his fear well up, “I did things as usual, and someone pointed it out. I suspect I scraped it while doing something. Soccer practice, perhaps.” 

“I was watching your practice.” No, he wasn't. “I would have noticed that.”

“I don't think I spotted you.” Gakushuu retaliated, “you never come watch because you always know I'm doing exceptionally well.”

Gakushuu felt the principal's grip tighten. It hurt, and made his wound under the bandages ache in turn.

Suddenly, the man's facial expression softened. He put on a mask of concern, and a gentle tone that called back to hazy memories of comfort. The change was jarring.

“Gakushu. You can tell me if someone hurt you. Was it a friend? A teacher? You are very important to me, and I need you to be honest with me so I can help you. You're a kind son; you wouldn't lie to your father, would you?”

Spiteful comments? Those, Gakushuu could handle. He could handle sharp tones, menacing demeanor.

But if there was one thing that Gakushuu hated more than anything else? It was when the principal put on the face of a father and acted like he cared for him. 

It ached, because really, he would love to have that version of him back. The one who was emotional, caring, not a facade to get what he wanted.

But his father was dead. The principal is all that remained in his place.

Gakushuu couldn't help that tingling feeling behind his eyes. Tears trying to escape. He held them back, letting out a sigh.

 This tactic of the principal's never failed with enough pushing. Whatever he wanted to know could be pressed out with a gentle face, hurt expressions at the lies, coaxing Gakushuu into this small, child version of himself, admitting faults as if he ate sweets before bed. As soon as the principal got the truth out, his devilish self would reemerge from that illusion's ashes. He knew what would come. He hated it.

In that singular moment, he wished his words could hurt the man half as much as the principal could hurt him.

“Gakushuu, please.” Gakuho repeated, gentle and disgustingly, measuredly sweet,“Can't you trust your father? Please, tell me what happened.”

“Don't do this to me.” Gakushuu muttered bitterly.

“Do what? I only ask because I love you. Don't take it as an attack - you'd only be hurting yourself. That'd make me so sad for you, son. It's hurting me that you aren't trusting me.”

The air pulled tight around them. Gakushuu was choking. The younger self inside tugged on his guts, crying that he wanted to be good; to be praised for telling the truth, given proper care.

But Gakushuu knew that praise would never come. All that would follow this is verbal beration, manipulation, words recorded with a sharp ear and used against him. There was never comfort after this. Only pain. Only suffering. 

“Nothing happened!” Gakushuu lied, “I don't even know where it came from, just that it happened! And I fixed it, so don't worry about it!”

The principal simply yanked him forwards, an arm around him in a half-hug. There wasn't even a false warmth about it; it was like Gakushuu could feel anger and disappointment thrumming beneath that jacket. Fear crawled up his back like centipedes, deadly, painful and prickly. 

Gakushuu wanted to hurl. Tears forced their way from his eyes, burning them as they fell. He wanted to leave. He needed to leave. 

“Can't you see you're hurting me, Gakushuu? It's not fair that you won't open up. What did I ever do except raise you right? Don't lie. Please. You're not a bad child.” The principal lamented. 

Mention a friend spotting the injury? No. He'd go after Ren and get more of the truth. Mention the bathroom? No. He'd probably heard Itona make a turn for the stalls suddenly. He'd know. No matter what piece of the truth, he'd know. No matter what partial lie, what fraction of reality, he'd crawl inside the gaps and push until his walls broke.

He pushed his vulnerability down, kicking it as deep as it would recede. He tried to break his gaze, but a hand was taken off his wrist and used to keep eye contact, squeezing his chin and cheeks.

His father pretended to cry. It was too much. 

“Please. I'm not your enemy. How did you end up hurt? Trust me, please.”

Bullshit. It was all bullshit. 

Gakushuu felt his father’s hand relax on his face, as Gakushuu took a breath in to speak. 

But instead of following through, he turned his head, and bit. Hard.

The Principal's recoil was enough to slip out of that suffocating grasp. He grabbed his schoolbag - locking his door wouldn't be enough tonight. He'd do anything to be somewhere else.

If he had to go to the ER, or stay at a virtuoso's place? He'd pick anywhere but here. He couldn't breathe here, couldn't think.

“I told you it was an accident , Principal. If you want to delude yourself into the cut being from a culprit, fine by me. I'm getting it checked out, and I'm walking there by myself. I don't need someone who doesn't believe in their own son's capabilities.” Gakushuu stated, drying his eyes as he swiftly turned and ran for the door.

Once again, his father grabbed for him, but he dodged out of the way.

“Gakushu-!” His father began to shout, but he slammed the front door, taking off down the walkway and past the front gate. As he reached the sidewalk, he heard his father open the door, giving chase.

Thank god, that demeanor he had was abandoned in the kitchen.

“Gakushu!” His father snapped at him, “Come back home. NOW.” 

He knew his father would catch up to him eventually. But he hoped to find a populated place before then, so his instincts to save face would override that anger. 

“You don't have to worry about me! Go fix yourself your damn dinner!” Gakushuu snapped back, slapping himself for not saving the breath to keep going. 

“You're being absolutely irrational! What could possibly be such a secret that you have to literally run from me?! Come back and talk to me like an adult!” Gakuho yelled.

“What, so you can manipulate me again?!” Gakushuu shouted, and dipped into an alleyway.

Crossing through streets and turns, Gakushuu did his best to lose his father. But like a machine on nuclear energy, the principal followed, seeming to gain momentum instead of fatiguing.

Gakushuu, however? His energy was waning. Despite being fairly athletic, his strength for the day was put into soccer and paper carrying. He was slowing down. Now, he was kind of fearing physical punishment.

He's never received that before, but there were first times for everything. He didn't want to see what his father would put him through. 

As Gakushuu rounded a particularly sharp bend, Gakuho managed to snag him by the bandage.

He was getting pulled backward 

His only concern was getting away. 

Gakushuu turned. His father's face rounded the bend. His punch slammed into the man's cheek, bouncing it into the sharp brick corner.

Gakuho shouted in pain. His hands went to grasp his face, a natural reaction to attempt quelling the pain. Gakushuu's bandage was now loose, trailing around his arm as he turned, sliding to a halt.

Part of him wanted to see if he was okay. He knew that wasn't safe, though. He was panting, light-headed, and his right hand stung from the impact of that right hook he just gave the man. 

Gakuho glanced up at him. Both the sides of his face were swollen, the cheek that had brushed the corner scraped and bleeding.  

The principal took a step forward. Gakushuu took two steps back in turn. His legs were shaking. His cut itched. He didn't dare break eye contact. He didn't dare blink.

“Gakushu-”

“No!” Gakushuu snapped, “I'm not telling you! Don't you understand?! I want my damn privacy! You don't have to know every little thing! You don't!! So go back home or else I'm not coming back!”

“You're being ridiculous!” Gakuho snapped back, “I raised you better than this! You're acting like a disgrace! You get back here immediately or there will be hell to pay!”

“Hell to pay?” Gakushuu scoffed, continuously moving back as Gakuho moved for him, “What could possibly be worse than shouldering all your fucking perfection? Having to deal with all the prodding, the secrets you can't even tell me, having nobody to truly rely on because CHILDREN ARE PAWNS TO YOU! You want truth, I'll give you a damn truth!”

“GAKUSHU!”

“I DESPISE BEING YOUR KID!!”

The words definitely stung the man. Gakushuu couldn't even believe that he had said that himself. Even so, despite what came to a head, he felt no relief. It made nothing better. He only felt like more of a discrace. 

He eyed his father carefully. He had stopped moving for him, just stared emptily down at him.

“What?” Gakushuu asked. He didn't know why he was beginning to cry again.

Gakushuu was trembling all over again. Why? Didn't he finally get the upper hand? What was wrong? What was worse than usual, here?

Gakushuu didn't dare look away. Each sense of his was tuned in, looking for what the principal would do next. He made distance, widening the gap.

Then, he saw the Principal's eyes widen. He moved for him again, and Gakushuu moved away. What was the point? Why was he still

THUNK.

An unimaginable burst of white-hot pain as something massive collided with Gakushuu's side. It carried him for a few feet, not stopping in it's speed as it swerved and carried him with it's momentum. 

Pain was all he was

Moving sky Telephone pole Ground above Wrought iron fence Red splattering everywhere-

-Gakushuu bolted awake in his bed. He was sweating, panting, his whole body prickling with that familiar feeling of adrenaline, the need to get away. 

Slowly, Gakushuu calmed, recognizing where he was. He slowed his breathing, looking down at himself. 

Favorite pajamas were on. His blankets were over him. Pulling up his sleeve, the bandage was untouched. Pristine.

Gakushuu breathed out softly. That was a nightmare. An awful, horrible nightmare.

Shit - did he do his schoolwork before getting in bed?

Gakushuu sprang up, dashing for the bag at the foot of his bed and combing through it. His homework was nowhere to be seen, oddly enough.

Did he… leave it downstairs? 

Chapter Text

Gakushuu moved for his door, prepared to check the house for his homework. Not in the living room, nor one of the study rooms, but downstairs, his father was seated at the table. He sipped some coffee, rapidly finalizing some documents on his work laptop. 

Gakushuu felt hesitancy to speak, until he remembered that whole confrontation was just a night terror.

“...Did I leave my homework down here?” Gakushuu asked, surprised by the sound of his own voice. It was scratchy and low. How long was he out?

Gakuho finished his sip of coffee and replied, “You finished it earlier and handed it off to me for safe keeping. It was good work - your comprehension of college level geometry is exceptional, as expected.” 

“I… did?” Gakushuu asked unsurely. He didn't remember. But then again… maybe he did it?

Gakuho simply nodded, “Although, you skipped dinner due to your fatigue. Your portion is in the fridge.” 

Gakushuu went to look, and sure enough, there it was. “Thanks, principal.” Gakushuu replied.

He's kind of surprised - usually if he missed dinner, that was that. Here it was, his favorite tucked away in a compact little container. He picked it up, and popped it into the microwave to reheat.

“...I'm going to check on the garden.” Gakushuu decided, “I need to make sure some spots are clear of weeds.” 

The principal nodded, focused on his work.

Gakushuu made his way to the back door, sliding open the glass door and stepping out into the backyard. He checked his flowerbed as he said he would - the flowers were in full bloom, flushed with color and vitality. Inspecting a white lily, he even found a bumblebee resting inside. It made him smile.

He sat on a stone bench amidst the flowers, taking in the peaceful night air.  He glanced back at the house, keeping a careful eye for security cameras.

Surprisingly, despite plenty at the front of the house, here in the backyard there were none. Perhaps because the principal allowed him some privacy, between the garden and the balcony attached to Gakushuu's room, where several other plants lied. 

But that was perfect. He pulled his phone out, going to Karma's contact.

Monarch: Ruby. How confident are you that you can sneak into a backyard?

Ruby: easily lol

Monarch: good. I can do your treatment for you if you're willing to come over after dark. There's no cameras back here, but the front of the house is littered with them. There's a small wooded area behind my place, though, so that should be a good enough spot to jump the fence. Be careful for your back's sake, though.

Ruby: fr?

Monarch: yes.

Ruby: wut r u even going 2 do?

Monarch: massage therapy. It's the simplest and most discreet thing I can manage. Walls are thick, so father won't hear if you're quiet, and he's usually getting ready for bed or finishing up his affairs. The chances of being caught are low.

Ruby: risky

Monarch: I suppose. It's up to you if you want it, though.

Ruby: not gonna pass up a free massage =)

Ruby: also damn u type fast for how many words u say in full

Monarch: 200 wpm is my fastest.

Ruby: dang

Ruby: special fella

Ruby: should i wear a wig and a dress to this lol

Monarch: why?

Ruby: so ur dadd thinks ur schmoozin a lady if he catches u lol

Monarch: We are doing work on your back. I think him catching me with a woman would still be horrible. I'll try to come up with some measures if he does happen to check in on me though. Also don't mention your gender while we text. Try not to at least.

Ruby: k

Ruby: gtg

Monarch: alright. See you. 7pm is most ideal.

Ruby: o7

Plans with Karma squared away, Gakushuu got up and went to check on his reheated dinner. Perfect temperature. He eats his fill at the table, only then realizing just how hungry he was. He enjoyed it greatly, and afterwards cleaned what he used, put it to dry, and went to the bathroom to brush his teeth, and see if his wound needed any dressing. 

Before he could fully leave the kitchen, though, the principal cleared his throat. “I meant to ask. How has your day been? Anything eventful?” 

Gakushuu thought for a minute. “Well, let's see… not much I can think of. Someone tripped me up at the soccer game and got a penalty, I think.”

“You think?” The principal questioned.

“It's strange.” Gakushuu replied, “it's like earlier today was days ago in my mind. I must've slept solidly.”

He decided not to bring the nightmare up. It was none of this man's business, anyways, and it doesn't benefit either of them to know.

Gakuho hummed thoughtfully. “Sleep can do strange things. Be sure to get some adequate amounts for school tomorrow. Hydrate properly.” 

“Of course.” Gakushuu replied as he walked off. “Goodnight, principal.”

In the quiet of the bathroom, Gakushuu focused on his usual nightly routine. Teeth brushed, face washed, pore cleanser and the works to keep his face pristine. Locking the door, he carefully undid his bandage to see if his cut from earlier was okay. 

Thankfully, it was surprisingly light compared to the condition in his dream - it would likely be healed within 2 days, if treated properly. He cleaned the area, applied some healing salve and gave it a fresh bandage.  

He went upstairs to bed, hoping for no more nightmares. And as for what became part of his nightly routine, he grabbed his phone one more time before leaving it to charge.

Monarch: Goodnight. 

He sent the message off to Nagisa. It was funny - Nagisa only had time in the day for good mornings, and he in turn had all the time in the world at night to send a goodnight. So thus, they've ended up giving each other those indicators.

He almost thought it poetic, in some silly way. 

He placed his phone at his bedside, and nestled under his sheets. It was quiet tonight. Peaceful. He did his best not to think of his nightmare again, and instead, he reminisced on the times he and Nagisa would rest together beneath the bleachers. 

He could almost see it - Nagisa curled up next to him, a gap between them. Distant, but so close. More than once, he'd wanted to ask to close the gap - use some excuse like a chill, or help with accountability in getting up later. He couldn't will himself to ask, usually. His mind would berate him for the thought. 

He sleepily pulled a pillow into his grasp. It had enough fluff to be comfortable to hold, and firmness enough that it was almost like holding someone. 

As Gakushuu dozed off, he could almost picture his friend resting with him, doing the same.

…

"̵͖͌͂̈́̕͠.̸͉͎͔͈̜̔̎̓̇d̷̛͍̖̊̔̾̊̾̊̌͜͝e̴͙̰̳͎͖͙̭̟̹̔̽̕͝ń̷̨̡̺͈̠̻̃̄͌̆͂̓͌ę̴͓͚̗̹͎̞̇͑̇̀̈̈̐́͊̕p̸̡̛͇̙̹̹͔͍̫̩̈́̽̕͜͠p̶̧̥̼̙̫͈̬̋̔̓̈́̏̔ͅa̷̗̪̮̤̟̎́͜͠ḩ̴̧̠̹̺̮̤̼̍̋̈̋͠ ̴͓̭̹͓̝͗̈̆͛̈́͘ͅs̶͈̔̄̚'̸̨̙̲͔̗̞̩͕̬͚͑̅̓̒ṱ̵̎ā̸͎͚̘̳̬̥͙̯͊̓ḩ̷̮͚͈̬̑ŵ̷̳̼̺̪̣̰̀̆̌͊͆͆̈́̕͜ ̸̡̡̦̩̮͓͇̦͕̀̽̐́̎͋͝͠f̸̢̧̖̦̦̪̜͚͍͂͆̎͐̏̿͆ơ̸̡͎̼̻̞̗̮̣͎̋̒̔ ̸̨̟͖̖̲̗͙͚̜̐͆͆͋̉̌̑̕̚͝ͅg̷͕̀͂́͆̔͒n̴̺̣̫̖͚͆͂̏̀͋͋̈́̆͝͠ì̵̛͍̗̏́͐̉͝h̵̛̤̙̒͂̀͛́̔͊͜͝ţ̷̳͖̗̠̙̎̒͂́̎̇̇ ̷̡̢̡̞͈͉͊̂̐̾̀̇̑ͅa̶͈̝͕͍̭̟̺̱̍̌͋ ̸̫̌͋̎͝͝w̸̡͕͚̹̳̻̦͂͂͛͑̈́̆̆̊͜͝͝ő̵̧̩̲̯̗̋̏͘ǹ̵̡̯͙̌́͒̆̅͛͘k̷̞̩͎̓ ̵͓̤̬͎̻̠̭̝̲̲̐̏̾͝t̷̘̙͙̣̲̗͑̄͛̊͌͜͝'̵̢̛͙͙̤̙̟̾̾͝n̶̡̩̘̺̫̹̿̀̾̽͋̈́ͅơ̷̡̧̻̩̱͓͈̬̔̇̈́̏̽ẇ̵̛̫̲̼̫̿̓̍̔ ̵̙̯̱͑ẹ̴̛̓̽̈͒̅̃̐̈Ḩ̴͋̂ ̸̛̼̲́̋̎̔̽̋.̸̻̺͛̅̈̐̏̀͋̚l̵͔̣̫͔̠̈́̋̈́́͐͘a̵̝͕̲̯̘͒̈́̓͌̅p̴̧̛͎̩̱̹̮̈́͗͒̒̚̚͘ï̸͙͓̤̃̑͒̔̒͋̂̉̓c̶͎̗̞̜̰͂͑͒͋̇͗͂n̴̖̳̝̞̺̮̝͕̓̔̋͋̃͝i̷̡̦̜͍̳̻̓̇͌̓̄͒̚ŗ̶̛̥͇̝̻͕̖̟͈̯̏̈́͆͂̽̌̎͝p̴̘̍̕ ̸̧̥̯̹͉̀̆͠ṛ̶̨̤̗̪̼̯͋͌̌̚̕͝ą̷̨̠̫̣͚͉̯̅ͅe̸̜̮̗͖̥̪̥̻̰͇̽̽̂͆̊́͗͝d̵̢̗̼̝̻̱͎͔̪͒̍̀͝ ̸̛̣͕̥͚̤͖̭̗̬̐͗̽͌͆̕̕͘̚,̴̳̗̳̖̪̟͓͌͛̊̄͌͒̀͝e̵̛͎̍́̀̔͌̃́m̵̞̲̯̰͚̒̍̀̎̽͒ ̶̝͎̯͍̈̐̈́̈́͗̃̋ṭ̴̣̥̾̉̊̎s̴̡͉̠͗̐u̸̫̩͔̙̲̅͜ř̵̨̛͉͝T̶̡̡̤̼̝̮͍̖̃͐̎̉̒̔͊͂̾͌"̶͈̹͌̍̈͘͘

Gakushuu couldn’t move. A man he didn’t know was staring down at him, a needle in his hand. He twirled it casually as he spoke to someone Gakushuu couldn’t see, words an incomprehensible, garbled mess. The sounds of the voices were straddling the cusp of recognizability.

The needle was coming closer to his body, moving down, slowly, almost advised so by the one not in his sight.  As it left line of sight, he realized just how cold he was. Why was it so cold? Why weren’t his legs moving? Why couldn’t he feel them?

It pierced him somewhere deep. Cold spread through the vein, sensation to follow. That gloved hand comes back into view, it and t̶̥̪͉͓̆̐̓̀͋̎͘h̶̨̧̡̠̫͇͍͍̹͛̚͜͠3̸̮̪̬̭̘̲͒̈ͅ ̴̡̡͕̜̙͔̺͔͔͘͘͜͝3̶̦̦͑ṃ̸̤̩̄̃͑̓̾͗͒̿̕͜p̵̧͙̖̱̞͙̩̑̽̑̋͒̓͊͘͝t̷͉̳̪͖̐͛͊͗3̸̨̥͇̰̩̪͕̯̮̏̓̆̇͒̆̚ ̶̠̥̗̤̹͇͈̤͊͘n̵̢̟͍̹͙̎̓̚3̵̢̪̦̹̤̬̥̀̒͗̓͗͒̏3̶̧͙͓͓͍̫͇̭̉̎d̸̪̻̤̬̪̆͐͌̍̍/̸̛̭̼̪̙͇̦̭͆́͜3̵͍͔̓̉̌̋̋̈ͅ ̶̨̪̠̺͖̝͑̍̕c̷̛̥̱̝̤͛͋̉̀͒͆ͅ0̵̧̛͓͔̉̂͊v̶̧̰̱̳̲͇͔̟̗̂͆͛3̶̘͓̑͂͋͒͌͐͂̀͐͠r̷̨̼̥̰̳͚̦̞̞̈͐͛͊ͅ3̴̘͓͈̞͆̈́̿͒̕͝d̶̨͖̤͚̟̫̥̺̪̀ ̵͔̅̃1̸̩͓̲͉͇͎̝̦͙̞̈̚ņ̸͓̘̖̲̤̻̜͐͒͋̓ ̸̧͎̣̜͗͗̉̿͊̿̈̾͘ͅd̵̞̝͙̻̱̬̖́̏̚ṟ̷̰̍̍̅̀̾͝1̶̨̲̠̞̭͓̜̀̈́p̴̭̬̓͆̇̒̓́͆̚͠p̷͓̮͕̜̂̈͂͘1̶͎̋̃̈́͠͠n̵̰̔͘g̷̰̭̞̥̜̞͉̼̹̒̅̒̂̕̕̕͘͝,̷̡̜̰̮̤̮̟̤̑̓͂͜͝ ̸̺̌̔͗̈͑̏̚v̵͇̊̊̈́͆1̵͍̖̞̞̯̫͉͛͌͆͆͐̔s̴͚̘̆̓̏̉͝͝ĉ̵͉̹̒͊̐̅3̵̯͉̟̺̩̮̦̟̦̞̈́̇͘ŕ̵͉̞̺̰̣̈͒̎̔͠ͅá̷͉͍̉̃̀̉̚͝/̷̡̣̰͇̯͖̎͗̒̒̊̈́̕ ̵̦̜̯̭͉̘͆̉̎̍̒ŗ̶̗͇̮̬̰͔̀̎͒͗̆̾͠͝3̶̠̞̝̭̖͌̎̒̿͜ͅͅḑ̴̯̗͈̣͖̅̕.̸̧̛͎̪̗͖ͅ

ġ̸̡͕̞̠̎̈́n̸̨͙̼̹͈͚̟̈́̒̊͋͌i̴͉͉̪̞̼̼̩̭͋̈͋͊̽͘h̵̲̙̦̀̂̄͐̆̽̆̀t̸̨̤̻͎̞̳̪̬̆̃̈̓͗é̵̜̩̱̀̀͝m̵̜̘̼̙̞͔̔̓̑̎͆̚o̷̻̤̥̼̭̭̫̍͒̐́̈́S̸͇̘̖̣͆̃ ̷̱̣̝͉̘͂́͐̈͌̋͘s̸̭̩̳̩̔̃͘͜a̵̩̔̈́̒̈́͝w̵̡̢̼̳̺̹͚͖̠̉̀̊̾͜ ̷̡̧̛̰͎̻͔̋͒̃̇̈́̿͠͠ę̴͙͉̻̖̮̬͖̓̓͛̓͆̒̎̋̄͂r̵̘̂̈́̌͊̀͗̽̽̋͐ê̷̞̻̣̝̗̈́̑̓h̶̘̻̥̉͂̔̽̆̐̎̚͘͝w̵̧̬̋̔̉̑͗̿ ̶̩̪̻̙͔͔̦̰̏̅̃̽t̷̨̞̲̱̠͕̥͖̻̳́̋̏̾i̴̤̱͍͓̤̩̼̭̎̇̉͋͛̄̓̕͝͝ ̴̧̖̺̘͇̺̘̿͌̍͐̑̿̑̕͜n̷̡̝̍̄d̵̦͌̽̋̑̏l̵͈͇̗͖̘̤̮͉̉̾̀̓͗̾̿͠ṷ̵̒̆͊͠ŏ̴͉̭̣̠̟͂h̵̡̢̙̜̮̩̱̀̌ş̴̨̫̟̳̞̝͈̉͊͛͘͠'̴̱̱̊́t̴͓̚ ̸͕͎̪̖̠̭̪̕e̶̳̗̻͎̫̞̓̓b̸̳͙͕̪̬̥̰̬͇̞͗͊̈́͋̀̔̕̚͝

…

Once again, Gakushuu jolted awake. He was covered in sweat, pillows and blankets kicked in all directions, and his body once again prickling with the need to get away. He sat himself up. His arms ached with the effort. He looked down his legs, massaged them to get that prickling feeling to quell. He took some deep breaths, trying to calm, yet his lungs ached with the effort. 

What… was going on? Why was he having these dreams, and such extreme reactions now?

Was it… stress? He’s never been like this before.

Seeking to take his mind off of his aching, Gakushuu grabbed his phone. A message from Nagisa waited for him. The contact picture was of a high blue green tree python Nagisa sent days ago.

Viper: Good morning ^^

Gakushuu smiled. A morning text was always nice.

Monarch: Morning. Slept like hell, two separate stress nightmares. Are you ok at least?

Viper: Oh no :( I’m sorry. What went on in them?

Monarch: the principal chasing me, and then the second one was some freak speaking gibberish and waving needles around while I couldn't move. Not fun.

Viper: Geez that’s scary

Monarch: Like you wouldn’t believe.

Gakushuu continued his morning routine, doing his hair, brushing his teeth, putting on his school outfit. Between these little things, he continued to text Nagisa.

Viper: If the principal ever actually does chase you, run into the mountains up on the campus! I know a lot of secret spots and we set traps to prank each other up here all the time. You’d be safe with me.

Monarch: If that’s so, that would be nice. Are traps allowed?

Viper: Do you think the principal cares what we do lol? I’ve seen korosensei nearly fall in three different kinds of em this week.

With secret places brought up, Gakushuu switches tabs to his chatroom with Karma.

Monarch: Hey, should I tell Viper our spot is still alright, or would you want to do the honors?

He was surprised the reply was swift - he didn’t take Karma to be the type to wake early.

Ruby: I do

Ruby: Dw

Gakushuu nods to himself, and switches chats back to Nagisa. He makes a mental note to maybe provide a contact picture to Karma’s chatroom at least. 

Monarch: crazy. Do you guys do any studying between all that?

Viper: We do surprisingly! Or well we did

Viper: Some of the guys were messing around and ended up injuring a guy, korosensei caught word and got angry so we’re banned from midterms studying until we do some community service for him so we dont get sued or whatever :/ I might be helping tutor a small child for some days during and after class

Monarch: That’s unfortunate. I wish that only the culprits were punished and not you.

Viper: Right? Though I guess a lot of us had some here and there things we weren’t exactly doing with kindness, so we had it coming

Monarch: Were you involved in a pit trap, Viper?

Viper: More like. Fake knives. Incident. And maybe the paintball bomb prank at the beginning of the semester i let terasaka talk me into helping with that almost took my face off also has something to do with it

Monarch: This is the only incident I feel calls for an emoticon because I don’t think I can express in words how shocking that is. So.

Monarch: 0_0;

Monarch: I didn’t take you as a prankster type.

Viper: wellll most of my tries in the prank war were coerced. If I’m being honest, I’m not all that into it. Korosensei Is nice and he makes the class really fun to be in. The teachers have a pool of prize money for who successfully gets him the most that he himself endorses but like. I still kinda feel bad.

Gakushuu kind of wondered if prank wars really were what went on up there. It definitely seems plausible… hm. Gakushuu doesn’t dwell on it - the real shocker awaits in the kitchen.

Monarch: Ok I think the principal is being weird.

Viper: ?? how

Monarch: Last night we had a food I like a lot. That alone wouldn’t be weird, but my favorite breakfast is now waiting for me too. What the fuck could he want from me?

Viper: Ok that is a bit weird

Viper: study encouragement maybe?

Monarch: but he never does that. I just do.

Viper: ok yeah maybe that’s weird. I’d be suspicious of my mom too if she made me something I liked each meal. Like am I dying?

Monarch: Right? I kind of expect bad news. But he’s already gone for the morning.

Viper: Double weird.

Viper: I gtg but txt me when you get to class, ok?

Monarch: Of course. Have a good day.

After food, Gakushuu grabbed his bag and made his way to the school. As he was walking in, he passed Karma at the front, just at the crossroads to the mountain and main campus. 

Did he just smile at him? It was so quick, he thought he was seeing things. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.

Ruby: Don't forget your plans to touch me later ;)

Gakushuu blushed.

Monarch: I won't. Also don't say it like that.

He didn't check Karma’s reply to that, knowing it would be something equally dumb as the one he just sent. When he finally got by his classroom, he instead switched to Nagisa's chat.

Monarch: I'm in my classroom. Have a good day.

Viper: Ty for letting me know! You too!

Gakushuu smiled to himself. Then, he opened the door, to where some peers and the virtuosos were sitting for the first period. 

But… something was weird. People were staring more than usual. Of course, when his gaze met a student's, they looked away, but… it was like they were trying to figure something out. Even the virtuosos, crowded around his desk, had glanced strangely his way.

“Goodmorning.” Gakushuu said, tired and casual as he usually practiced, “what's the matter? Did the principal raise the stakes again?”

“Nah.” Natsuhiko quipped, “it's just. Good to have you back aft-”

“AftER THE NIGHT.” Teppei finished the sentence, “after the night! After the night. We love you.”

The remainder of the virtuosos stared at him save for Ren, who cackled openly at the sentiment. Gakushuu eyed them all suspiciously.

“Am i… being left out of something?” Gakushuu asked, “You know I don't like that.” 

Ren waved a hand, “Nono, it's okay. Natsuhiko here is just confused.” 

He patted Natsuhiko on the head to emphasize, but the other student swatted at him. Ren glanced unhappily at his now oily hand before wiping it on Tomoya, who didn't notice that in his whispering match with Teppei.  

It almost seemed… the group was divided, somehow. Their energy was off in a way Gakushuu couldn't quite put his finger on.

“Aaaanyways.” Natsuhiko began, “I'm having some troubles in coding class. Do you mind if I send you a line that I'm really struggling with?” 

“Not at all.” Gakushuu replied, “I'll be sure to help you set it straight. Email or text?”

“Text.” Natsuhiko replied.

“Following that, I need some help as well.” Ren spoke up, “I've got a bit of writing that needs some peer review. Help Natsuhiko first, though. It only makes sense to do so.” 

Gakushuu noded. “Will do. Now, why are you all being so strange?”

Tomoya waved a hand. “Stress is all it is! I still don't think those two should rely on you this much, but it is what it is. I can't change them.”

Teppei added, “yeah, it's just the midterm nerves. Nothing to worry about. We'll get through it fine and have Class E as our slaves.”

Natsuhiko, once more, was glaring furiously at the two for just a moment. But Ren quickly covered for him, shoving the rest of the breakfast he had with him in the other's mouth before he could shout. He munched furiously as he grabbed his phone to text.

Soon, Gakushuu's phone pinged.

Natsuhiko: TWFyayBkb3duIHRoZSBmaXJzdCBsZXR0ZXIgb2YgZWFjaCBzZW50ZW5jZSBvZiBoaXMgd3JpdGluZy4gSXQncyBpbXBvcnRhbnQu

Gakushu: I thought you wanted help with a code?

Natsuhiko: That's it. That’s the code. Help out whenever.

Now, that was strange. Why would he…?

He got a notification from his Email. Ren sent him a document to look at. The title was, “FoxSpiritLabrynth.txt”. Very, very weird.

Gakushuu would have to worry about it later. He nodded to himself, shutting the screen off. “I'll go over these soon. Both of you, do your best not to worry.”

The two virtuosos nodded. They moved on to different topics after that, rambling on until the teacher came to class. Gakushuu was happy to jump into the lesson, do anything to ignore the strangeness and distance he was now feeling between him and his classmates. He did his best to do his work quickly, so he could crack into proofreading Ren’s work. 

He wondered how his friend was doing in E class. It seemed unfair that Nagisa couldn’t study until he fixed someone else’s mess…

Chapter Text

Nagisa had finally gotten back to class after the day's events. Between tutoring younger students and generally helping around the facility the old man ran, he was rather exhausted. He's not sure why he thought he'd have the energy to retrieve his bag from the mountain after a long day.

He sat at his desk, contemplating a nap, before deciding to text Gakushuu and see if he was up for it. He'd barely been able to respond for the past few days, but considering the midterms cramming, Nagisa didn't hold it against him if he was swamped. 

Viper: want to find somewhere to nap? I'm exhausted -.-;

He sent it off, and darkened the screen. Kaede's face peeking over his shoulder appeared in the reflection.

“Ah!! Why are you there?!?!” Nagisa squealed, hiding his phone behind him as he jumped up.

“Oh I was just waiting for you to notice me! Don't worry, I wasn't really looking at what you were doing.” Kaede replied with a smile. He could tell she was lying about that.

“Ok well um… do you need something??” Nagisa asked, hoping she wasn't too focused on his texting to pick up on anything.

“For me? Not really! Buuut I was asked by Karma to see if you'd come back by the track up here for a sec.” Kaede answered.

“Oh.” Nagisa said. He was worried…

“It's nothing bad!! I made sure about that. Maaaybe had some of our friends spy on him a bit. He's just - well, I don't wanna spoil it. Just talk to him, it's fine!” Kaede reassured him, gently patting his back.

“Alright? I guess I'll go see him then. Thanks for the heads.” Nagisa replied.

“No problem! Have a good night, Nagisa!” Kaede replied with a wave.

With that, Nagisa steeled his nerves, and went to seek out Karma.

As she said, he was out by the track field Korosensei made a while back. He was awkwardly sitting in the off-center spot of it, encompassed by the track's bend to his left, and some small patches of clovers on his right. He seemed to be fidgeting with something Nagisa couldn't really make out, and as always, it was somewhat hard to parse his thoughts and mood.  

When Karma took a glance around himself, he finally spotted Nagisa on his way. He shoved whatever he had in his Jacket pocket and stood up quickly, almost seeming nervous for a moment. He leaned one way like he was about to take off, but at the last moment of it he steadied himself, feet rooted to where he had placed them. 

Took Nagisa a moment to realize he himself also hadn't moved. He was having trouble making contact with his own feelings at the moment, as his brain often did in times of stress, so he could only guess he was nervous, too. Even so, Nagisa took a deep breath, and continued forward. He put on a nice…. Or neutral face. 

“Hey.” Nagisa greeted him awkwardly, “um… Kaede told me you wanted to see me?”

Karma began to nod his head as his words lagged behind, “Yeah. I did.”

“What for?” Nagisa asked. 

He watched Karma closely. His amber eyes darted around here and there - it seemed he didn't have all his words in order like usual. His cool, casual persona was down for the moment. He started twisting the thing he had in his pocket again, shifting on his feet, too. 

Nagisa almost asked if he was ok, before Karma started to speak.

“I'm sorry.” He said.

Nagisa paused. He searched his memories for some way Karma wronged him this specific day. Nothing came to mind.

“...did you do something today?” Nagisa asked.

“What?? No- I- look. I'm apologizing for all of it.” Karma began, “It was messed up to cut contact with you like i did. I was being paranoid, and a stupid idea got into my head that… well… everyone wanted me gone. And it was horrible of me to think you preferred that, too. I wasn't in a good place, and you suffered from that. I tried to just… push it under the rug when we next met, and I, honestly, didn't think about the effect my actions would have on you. Down to finding your secret.” karma explained.

Nagisa stared, absorbing his words intently. He wondered… was he really being serious? He'd never experienced Karma speaking with such sincerity before.

As Nagisa thought, Karma continued, “I get there's a chance that a lot of my mistakes so far are unforgivable, but I want to make it up to you. I won't tell anyone about your secret, and I'll do anything I can to help you keep it. From changing the subject of a rumor, to my brand of intimidation. If there's any other ways you'd like me to go about it, I'm all ears for your wants. I really do promise. And, kind of to show you I meant everything I just said… here.”

With that, Karma shoved a gift into Nagisa's hands. Nagisa undid the paper bindings to find a brand new bead-snake. 

Unlike the one Karma had shown him how to make years ago, this snake was made from some way more expensive beads, not the cheap plastic kind. It was made from stone beads,  likely taken from his mom's collection, and probably three times the length of the original snake. The beads of the body were a pale white, and shone with iridescent light blue and orange tones. The beads that made up the eyes were two different colors, one yellowish and one dark blue, and unlike the first snake, this one even had a pink bead tongue!

As Nagisa stared down at the gift, Karma pointed to each part, listing off the gems the beads were made from. 

“Moonstone body, 2 pearls from the ones we had a lot of, then some rose quartz pieces. The underbelly is kinda lacking so this guy can bend, so don't judge it too hard.” Karma said. Then after a moment, he tentatively added, “I'm not really into the crystal mumbo jumbo, but I think I remember mom saying something about the blue one being for… trust and honesty, and the yellow one being for like. Joy and new beginnings. Or something. I don't know.”

Now that, Karma was being a bit deceptive about. He knew a lot about stones, Nagisa was sure - each time he'd come to school fiddling with a new bracelet, he'd recite whatever long ramblings his mom had told him over the phone about the healing or the academic benefits it had, and laugh with him over it. And as much as Karma didn't believe the stones did things for his health, Nagisa was pretty sure Karma had an interest in the meanings they carried - the wishes behind each gem you'd give to someone.

Nagisa wishes he could remember what the moonstone and rose quartz ones meant.

Regardless, Nagisa gently held the stone snake, carefully bending it to see the flexibility Karma had talked about. This was really just for him?

“How long did this take you?” Nagisa asked him.

“Well… maybe a weekish.” Karma answered. “...do you like it?”

“I love it.” Nagisa replied, smiling as he wrapped it around his hand.  He got a bit teary-eyed as he said, “You're really serious? About everything…?”

“I am. I really, really am.” Karma replied. Nagisa could tell his tears were making the boy uneasy as he followed up, “Is it not enough? Is there anything else I can do? Just tell me, I really feel stupid…” 

“Hey. Come down here.” Nagisa said, motioning for him to bend down a bit.

Karma complied, and Nagisa wrapped his arms around Karma’s shoulders, pulling him close and tight. Now, he could feel Karma shaking just a bit, too subtle to see from a distance, but just enough to feel.

“Karma, this is the most thoughtful, wonderful gift I've ever been given.” Nagisa said gently, “How could I just turn around and deny your apology?”

“...Easily…” Karma muttered softly.

“I wouldn't do that to you, though.” Nagisa replied, voice wavering in his emotions as he said, “I missed you so much, Karma. I'm happy to have my best friend back…”

Finally, he felt Karma untense. His best friend, after a beat, hugged Nagisa back twice as hard.

“Me, too.” Karma replied softly.

They stayed like that for a while, just hugging. It would be a while before they separated.

…

Somewhere back by the school building, out of sight and earshot within the empty classroom, Kaede fiddled with her phone, switching between her screenshots and phone call app as she carefully put in the new contact.

Monarch.

She didn’t know who they were, but she was going to figure it out one way or another. She didn’t get the best gleaning of their relationship to her friend, but she was feeling oddly overprotective. After all, Nagisa did have a habit of attracting weird company…

She figured the best way to do it was to call Monarch immediately. The dialup tone rings, and she watches the boys out the window anxiously. There was nothing stopping them from finding her doing this, maybe she should move down the mountain, or go in the bathroom.

Too late. A masculine voice picks up the line. “Hello?”

It was… familiar. Definitely a student. Who was this?

“Hi.” Kaede began, “This is Monarch, right?”

There was a pause at the other end. “Sorry Ma’am, you have the wrong number. I don’t know anyone by that name, either. Have a good day.”

“No- wait- you have to be! Can’t you just-” Kaede stammers, only to hear the phone call cut short. 

Great . She was probably blocked, now. She sighed to herself, collecting her bag and some papers from her desk. She took one more glance towards the boys, who were heading back towards the building. Oddly uneasy, she made herself scarce.

Man, she was happy for those guys! So! So happy for them!!!

She didn’t really know how Nagisa could forgive Karma just like that, after his heartache, the moments of sadness he’s had for months over that redhead, but man!!!! If Nagisa was happy, she guesses she should be, too!!

Kaede pushes on down the mountain, pushing down the uneasy, queasy feeling with it. 

None of what’s up here really matters at the end, does it? Best to keep that care superficial.

Halfway down, her phone rang. She nearly dropped her things in her rush to answer.

Before she could even say hi, Monarch spoke at the other end.

“How did you know that name?” they asked her, any faux kindness present in the last interaction now replaced with Icy intimidation.

“U-um, well… Nagisa told me it.” Kaede replied.

“I think you know that’s not true. He wouldn’t give that information freely.” Monarch replied Icily. “He better not be hurt. I’ve got many ways to find out who you are, and make you suffer if he has.”

Kaede feels like they’re not joking. “Ok, ok, I think that we’re both coming at each other with the assumption that the other on this line is bad for Nagisa. Um. Who are you to him?”

“I’m not answering that unless you give me a good reason to trust you.” Monarch replied. 

“Hmmm ok. Well, I’m a good friend to Nagisa! His favorite animal is snakes, he likes dark blue, bright red, and violety purple, he got the hairbands from me and well, if I’m honest. I may have peeked over his shoulder and he did his best to distract me about the conversation I saw. I’m doing this because I wonder who you are.”

There was a pause at the other end of the line.

“You’re Kayano, aren’t you?” Monarch said, sounding only slightly more relaxed.

Kaede made the mistake of a weird little squeak sound coming from her lips, confirming Monarch’ suspicions.

“You are. Why are you breaking Nagisa’s trust like this, digging your nose into his private affairs? You do enjoy your relationship with him, don’t you? You’re compromising it.” Monarch continues, sounding as if they were leaning against something.

“I-i- It’s not like that!! I just want to protect him, seriously!” Kaede replied. “How do I know you’re not hurting Nagisa, huh?”

“I, too, want him to be safe. He’s important. And I know he’d be upset with you just as he’d be upset with me if I were to do this to you.” Monarch said.

“Well… he’ll understand. Stop turning it around on me, okay?” Kaede replied.

She couldn’t help those weird pangs in her stomach. She didn’t want to call it jealousy - but she felt like twisting the knife in this person the same way they were twisting it in her.

“Besides, what do you do for him besides being a chatting buddy?” Kaede said unsurely.

“That’s not your-”

“Do you talk to him every day? Do you make sure he’s alright? Do you walk home with him when he has nobody else for two miles in the opposite direction of your place?!” Kaede asked.

Silence on the other end. She continues, the quiet just making her angrier.

“I bet you don’t even bring him pads when he needs them, right?! Nobody thinks about that sort of thing for someone like him, but I do! How do I know you’re not just someone who’s just gonna toss him away again the moment he stops being fun for you, huh?! You don’t think about what he wants! You don’t-”

A soft sigh comes from the other end of the phone. “Are you finished with the projecting Akabane onto me? Or do you need more time?”

The sentiment absolutely pissed her off. Not only did it give her a bad headache, but worst of all, pinpricks of pain were blooming in the back of her neck.

“Listen here.” Monarch said, almost sounding gentle, “You’re an important person to him, Kaede. It would not hurt him if you came to him with your frustrations and worries. I can’t tell you who I am, for his safety as well as mine it’s important that our relationship and its manners thereof are a complete, confidential secret. I won’t claim to know your feelings, or your struggles. But, just like a certain someone you and I both know that isn’t Nagisa, you have to confront it. Or it will fester into something worse.”

“You don’t know anything.” Akari snapped.

“Correct.” Monarch answered. “I know you through the lens of Nagisa’s perception of you. For all I know, the bright, cheery girl you are around him is a facade. But if there is one thing that’s true, it’s that you care about him. It sounds like you want him to care… differently.”

He was right in his assumptions - more than he knew. And suddenly, the paranoia of her mask slipping was ringing in her ears. Her hand glides over the itchy spot on the back of her neck, checking that her skin hasn’t broken. Once confirmed, the absence of her hand itched and burned. So she held it. She took a breath, recomposing herself. Demure, kind, ditzy, demure, kind, ditzy…

“I’m sorry- You’re right, I do. Care for him. Geez, these long study seshes make my nerves a little short, you know? I’m sorry I took it out on you!”

Silence. Itchy. She indulged, trying to at least get the burning to stop. Suddenly, she was wondering what Nagisa tells him. If he’s involved in the classroom. Currently, or going to be. This was dangerous for her.

“It’s fine… but do heed my words. Talk, no matter how painful or awkward it is. It’s only human to want.” Monarch said. “I need to go. I’ve been absent too long. Don’t contact me again unless you’re in danger.”

And with a click, they were gone. No chance to ask any more. She moved to redial, but the service on the mountain dropped. 

She tried over and over, itching all the while. Angry. Sad. paranoid. Jealous. 

Slowly she stopped. Her hand came away from that now-dormant spot, scratched to submission. Flakes of scabs coated the underside of her nails. Her thoughts were covered in too much to pick away.

Someone tapped her back, startling her. She swung around, worried it was Nagisa, but a different face greeted her. Small, braided black hair and rounded lenses. She had jumped when Kayano turned, and hurredly shoved something into her hand, muttering incomprehensibly before rushing down the mountain. As Kaede’s thoughts lagged behind, staggering from the shift of self-loathing to sudden social interaction, she was left to look at what she was handed, wrapped up in a scrap of blue-lined workbook paper.

It was a charm her sister had got for her - a weird, fluffy green cat ball with six legs and two tails, and a lot of damage from being so loved. The cheap, tiny chain links broke, but now looked like they were carefully, novicely soldered back together. She had lost it days ago, only the clip left sadly behind on her keyring. But now, here it was - oddly in better shape than she lost it.

 A note was left on the inside of the paper.

I found it by the bottom of the mountain, in some mud. I mixed up a gentle cleaning solution and used the bunsen burner to melt some wire and fix the chains. Gave a new loop, too, so she stays where she should. I’m sorry it took so long. Let me know if she needs treatment again. She’s cute - does she have a name? Please let me know. If you want. Use the doll comb attached to keep the ball floof untangled also.

-Manami Okuda, seat 5

Ah. Okuda. Kaede was a bit surprised - Usually, she keeps to herself, and she’s basically mute 90% of the time, only occasionally speaking to Fuwa when she’s able to speak, and handing notes off to Karma and Rio when she can’t. She’s even taken to a text-to-speech app once or twice when she’s having particular trouble in class presentations - something Korosensei was happy to adjust to. 

Remembering a time they worked on an assassination project together, Kaede had signed to her briefly  - which made the girl happy, and she signed back slightly too fast to interpret. 

Kaede was… almost a bit inspired by this. Having her little comfort buddy back, she didn’t feel so  stressed. 

She held the little weird cat to her chest, and continued on her way, sorting her thoughts out as she went.

She never personally named the cat… but she figures it would be a Kayano thing to do. 

It was hard to say, though, if it was a Kayano thing to do the confronting Monarch spoke of…

Chapter Text

Gakushuu, post handling another one of Nagisa’s more unstable buddies, had a hell of a time at soccer.

Usually things were less tense, but the isolation extended here, too. He was catching worried glances, stares, whispers.

He hated it.

  He had a feeling the principal was behind it - maybe he was test running a new, stupid theory about student life. Something to do with isolation.  It was stressing him out, being a guinea pig for this new model.

When he saw Nagisa’s invitation to nap, he gladly jumped on the chance.  

Before he knew it, he slipped into his safe space in those welcoming shadows. He received a text from the principal, stating a staff meeting was overtaking their usual report time. Thank god. 

It was so strange, how such a small, insignificant place could carry such an air of calm.  

He laid against his pillow, and pulled out his cramming blanket with some effort. The sense of exhaustion was hitting him full force. 

He texted nagisa vaguely where he was before drifting off, barely hitting send. 

… 

Gakushuu was dreaming again. It was dark. Distinctly, Gakushuu felt cold. Not himself. 

Just ahead, far in the distance, someone stood. The sounds of distant practice echoed, the metallic clink of a bat hitting a ball. The sound kept making him flinch.

He was moving. Moving towards that distant figure. The details slowly came into view. It was like a mirror, almost - but the other Gakushuu was horribly injured. He lacked an eye, the blood pooling in the socket and down his face as he turned to look at him. His stomach was mangled, and his arms a mess of cuts and tubing, and legs simply crumpled into shadows that one could mistake for the silhouette of a deer's legs, were they not attached to bloodied thighs.

They met gazes as Gakushuu's heart froze. He felt like he was going to puke. 

The monster with his face stared down at him, almost pityingly. 

It shambled over. Unnatural, broken.

 Gakushuu couldn't move. 

“ What… do you… want. ” It spoke, almost a demand, not a question.

Gakushuu didn't know what to do. “What are you?” he asked, voice barely cooperating.

It leaned in closer, placing bloodied hands on his shoulders. He desperately didn't want to look at its body.

“ They’re. Trying. To make me. What they want. ” The monster replied, eye locked with Gakushuu's. “ But I want. What you want. What. do. you. want? ”

Gakushuu didn't have an answer. He was frozen in terror. 

The monster squeezed him tighter. It leaned its face in closer, doing exactly what Gakushuu didn't want. His head hurt. He felt weak. He could no longer tell where his body started, and the monster's ended.

“ I. Helped. You. Now. You.help.me.what.do.you.WANT? ” 

Gakushuu?

Despite the insistent repeating of that question, filling him with terror, he was starting to remember it was a dream.

Gakushuu!

Despite the disgust, he shoved his hands against it, pushing it away. There was a hole in his own body. His legs felt numb.

Gakushuu, wake up. You're having a nightmare…

The monster backed off, and stared. Now, sensations of reality were coming back. Spots of sun, hands gently shaking his shoulder. 

“ I will. Try again another time. ” It spoke, glancing off to where Gakushuu heard Nagisa’s voice. 

“ You can't ignore what we went through forever .”

…

Gakushuu jolted awake. Nagisa was leaning over him, a hand on Gakushuu’s shoulder and a worried expression on his face. 

“There you are. Are you alright? I came in, and you were all twisted up and shaking. I thought you might scream or something… and you wouldn't wake up.”

Gakushuu quickly sat up, nearly bumping heads with Nagisa as he did, touching his stomach a bit. No blood. He was whole.

“I- …yeah, I'm fine now. Thank you for waking me up.” Gakushuu replied. 

“No problem.” Nagisa said, slowly taking his hand away after realizing he was still holding him, “Um… what was the nightmare about?” 

“It was… weird. A lot of… gore. I think. I can't remember.” Gakushuu lied. His own mangled body talking to him lingered in his mind. Echoing that question. 

What do I want? What do you want from me?

Nagisa frowned. “That doesn't sound good. Do you want some comfort?” 

“I… wouldn't mind some.” Gakushuu replied. 

Right away, Nagisa gave him a hug. For once, not an ounce of hesitation was to be had as Gakushuu returned it. He held tight. He was glad Nagisa couldn't see his teary eyes from this angle. 

“I'm sorry if this isn't proper…” Gakushuu mumbled quietly.

“You don't have to apologize for that.” Nagisa said, squeezing him a bit tight in turn, “you deserve comfort.”

“...Thank you.” 

“No problem. Do you… wanna try to sleep again? I could stay close like this, and it might help you.”

Gakushuu thought for a bit. “...You wouldn’t mind?” 

“Not at all.” Nagisa replied.

The smaller boy coaxed Gakushuu back into laying down. Nagisa moved him gently, letting Gakushuu rest his head on his chest, Gakushuu's arms wrapped around his waist. Gakushuu let it happen, unsure if the memories of the nightmare were still making his heart beat so hard.

 As his head laid on Nagisa’s chest, he could hear his gentle, much calmer heartbeat. His breathing was even and slow. It was nice. He couldn’t remember the last time he laid like this with someone…

“That okay?” Nagisa asked.

“Yeah…” Gakushuu said, nodding affirmatively.

“Good. try to get some sleep, okay? I’ll be right here for you.” Nagisa said.

“Okay… but just a bit. Half an hour maximum.” Gakushuu sighed.

“I know.” Nagisa replied.

Nagisa reached a hand up, and gently stroked his hair. The sensation was new for Gakushuu, and not unwelcome.

“I'll keep count. Just rest.”

Between that calming heartbeat, and the fingers in his hair, Gakushuu was giving into his sleepiness again. He was nervous at first, but Nagisa was definitely helping. 

Ever so slowly, his eyes slipped back closed.

…

In Gakuho's office, a man now dressed down out of his freakish robes sat in a chair across from his desk. The blackout curtains were drawn, and the principal had a looming migraine, thus the only light on was his small, antique desk lamp. 

He locked eyes with the one-eyed man across the room.

“Thanks for the privacy, Principal Asano. Gets sweaty under all those robes.” Shiro sighed.

He nonchalantly reached into his pants pocket, pulling out a loose cigarette and a lighter, flicking it a few times until it lit.

“Don't light that in my office.” Gakuho snapped. “We're here to talk seriously.”

“And I need a smoke if I'm gonna do that. Seriously, don't you think a conversation like this takes a lot out of a guy? I'm certain you've felt it, too.” Shiro said.

Shiro watched for a reaction. When it seemed there would be no more objections, he lit the cigarette and took a drag. The grayish smoke wafted between them. 

“Alright. Now, tell me how your son’s been doing.” Shiro sighed.

“He hasn't spoken a word about the incident.” Gakuho replied. “His vitals have been perfect - maybe even better than before, but I'd have to request medical records to double check it. His wounds haven't surfaced. He hasn't been to the nurse, so I must conclude he's not hiding any issues.”

Shiro grinned. “Good, very good. I'm pretty surprised there's been no pain, but perhaps your freak genes got somethin’ to do with it. How about when he's out? Is it as I said it would be?”

The principal nodded. “Using that, he doesn't remember anything leading up to or during its activation. Afterwards, he continues on like normal.”

“Excellent. Man, good to know for projects down the line… Now, let's talk about payment for his upcoming maintenance.” 

Gakuho glared at the man. “I already gave you everything I had.”

“And that ‘everything’ gave me the funding just to un-roadkill the kid. That took a lot of resources, and you know the government cut my funding for this stuff when they found out I wasn't putting automatic rifles on Itona or whatever they think I can pull out of my ass.” Shiro said with a wave of his smoke, “As much as I truly wish I could keep on his recovery for free… it ain't how the world works. I need money to make his treatments.” 

Gakuho couldn't keep his face straight. No matter how he tried to manipulate this man, to appeal to whatever grime-infested heart he had, he couldn't quite break him. So here he sat, glaring at the man as he ran through the options in his mind. All he had was money enough to keep his home and his school floating, and that which he earned in stocks wouldn't cash out in some time…

“Oh, you poor thing. Backed against the wall, right?” Shiro said, a mock tone of concern to his voice, “but you know… i have a solution.”

“Then tell me.” Gakuho demanded.

“Simple, really - a body that bends to your will counts as your weapon, doesn't it? Where itona and sometimes the reaper bend for me, they'll still waver their own way. However, with what we have for your son-”

Suddenly, Shiro didn't have the air to finish that thought. In the blink of an eye, the principal was looming over him, a fist gripping him by the hair and shoving him firmly back into the seat. His eyes were wild with anger, and Shiro thought for a moment he may get his neck snapped.

“You're asking me to put my son at risk, having been the one to put him back together? Knowing full well how easily he could rupture again?” Gakuho growled.

“Easy, easy.” Shiro said, holding his cig away from the fray, “If you agree, it's going to be covered by the assassination funding. You won't have to pay a penny more, and your son will be none the wiser. All your little eyesores on the mountain will be nothing but a dream. He won't even know. And when it's done? We split the money, and I get rid of the problem. The end. Isn't that nice, principal?”

Gakuho considered it. 

Shiro stared up at the man cooly, feeling the fist in his hair waver in its strength. “You already have the tools to put him under.  I know, it's stressful to augment your property, but you won't be ashamed of his results.”  

Gradually, Gakuho let go. He stormed over to his desk, rummaging through it for pain medication. The bottle was found - but it was completely empty. 

He glanced back up to tell Shiro to leave, but found another unlit cigarette held out to him, Shiro happily puffing away on his own.

He had never smoked in his life.

But he also never dealt with something so nightmarish. 

And once he grabbed it, Shiro leaned down and lit it with the butt of his own.

“Thank you, Shiro.” Gakuho muttered softly, before he stuck the unlit side in his mouth.

It was disgusting. But it… helped.

“Psh. Please.” Shiro scoffed, grinning his way, “We're partners in this endeavor, aren't we? You may call me Kotaro.” 

Instead of a reply, thick, bluish smoke filled the room.

Chapter Text

Ruby: ready 4 me?

Monarch: almost. 

Ruby: k guess I'll sit in this tree for 10 more minutes

Monarch: your fault for coming early.

It was a quiet night in the garden. The principal was busy with work, and Gakushuu would be having his allotted gardening time, purging weeds from the garden by the light of his battery lantern as he liked… if it weren't for the promise he made. 

Now, Gakushuu was doing his best to modify a sunbathing chair into a good base to do massages on. He was frustrated with the damn thing and oiled it to hell and back so his father wouldn't be alerted, and it still squeaked too much for his liking.

It wasn't like the principal could hear through walls. But he still didn't want any attention grabbed, and this felt too dangerous.  

But it was fine. The chair was on level ground, flat as can be, this. Was. Fine.

He double-checked his materials; a towel to wipe hands on, some skin-safe wipes in case Karma came here sweaty, and a brand of lotion Gakushuu tolerated the smell of just in case that was requested. And… also some of the topical gel for muscle pain Nagisa gave him sometime back. 

Gakushuu sighed. He couldn't believe himself. 

Monarch: I'll toss you the ladder.

Ruby: nah im fine. Watch

Gakushuu was going to text him not to do something stupid, but he watched as Karma leapt from the tree he was in, clearing the fence and sticking the landing - before the force of his landing caught up to his spine and he crumpled forward, hands balled into fists on the ground as he hissed out the pain.

Gakushuu came over and kneeled beside him. “That'll be a month's more rest, you showoffy dumbass.”  he whispered harshly.

“I'm fine.” Karma struggled out quietly, “it always hurts. But not this much… does getting it worked on do that??”

Gakushuu facepalmed, and sighed. “You got surgery, I hope, not a quack chiropractor?”

“They went inside me yep”

“Then yes, it's going to hurt more. And you better hope you didn't just screw yourself again. Can you sit up for me?” Gakushuu asked.

After a moment, Karma sat back on his legs. Gakushuu reached for the buttons on his shirt, and Karma leaned back a bit, looking at him curiously.

“What? I'm going to check your surgery incisions to make sure you didn't just split them. Besides, I can't massage you effectively if I'm not able to feel the muscles and such.” Gakushuu explained quietly.

At this, Karma leaned forward to let him continue. “Damn, should've made you buy me dinner if getting me shirtless was your end goal~” Karma replied smugly.

“Be quiet.” Gakushuu muttered, rolling his eyes.

He undid Karma’s jacket, and unbuttoned his shirt. In that pale, low light cast by Gakushuu's lantern, he saw… nothing?

…No, looking closer, there was the smallest surgical incision. It was very clean, and luckily, there seemed to be no outside damage. It was almost supernatural.

Making sure, he tested the area gently with his fingers. “Does that feel okay?”

“Same ol’ recovering pain.” Karma answered. “Why the hell are your hands so warm?”

“Maybe you got cold in that tree. Better question is, how did they do this so cleanly?” Gakushuu responded.

“Had the best surgeon I could. A teacher was kind enough to hook me up.” Karma replied casually.

“The disabled one I presume? Koro-something is his class nickname?” Gakushuu guessed.

“Yep, that’s the one. Real gem of a guy.” Karma replied. “Nagisa talk about him often?”

“Here and there. He seems too good to be true. But if he helped you, too, I suppose the principal made a mistake in picking staff to torture E students.” 

“Yeah. Anyways, can we get on with this? Principal jackass might come and try to find us if we get too loud.” 

“You’re right. Let’s get to the chair.”

With that, Gakushuu showed Karma to the makeshift massage table. Karma did not refrain from laughing at how stupid it looked before lying down.

“Ok, so we’re going to have a quiet system here. I’ll have about 30 minutes for this, but you can get up if you’re too sore to endure it. Tap twice for me to go harder, and once for me to massage more gently. Supplies are where you can reach - just tap me with one if you’d like it used on you.” Gakushuu explained quietly. “I’ll start shortly. Do you understand?”

“Mm-hm.” Karma responded softly.

“Good.” Gakushuu whispered.

With that, he began.

Gakushuu was working slowly and gently - from shoulders, to shoulder blades, upper back, to lower. He carefully analyzed the contours, mindful of the scar, and gauged Karma’s reactions for what felt good. He was a touch surprised that Karma’s skin was so smooth - he almost expected it to be littered with wounds and scratches. 

Tap-tap . Gakushuu's signal to go a bit harder. 

As he increased the pressure he used slightly, he chalked up the lack of scars to be because Karma was good at his punchy passtime. Gakushuu began to wonder to himself if Karma’s spinal injury was a chance incident, an enemy catching him off guard just once, or if it was signs of some other time Karma had a lapse in self-safety. As much as Gakushuu hated to think about it… maybe Karma’s had other falls, and this was a result of one of them. You usually only get such a bad injury from high-impact incidents.

Tap-tap. Harder again. Gakushuu complies.

Gakushuu picks up on a small exhale. Was that a sigh of content? He must've been doing well! He had to admit, it didn't feel too bad to be doing a good job on his first try of this. He had about an hour's research to go off of, afterall, and about 5 minutes of practicing before he felt stupid massaging a pillow. Curse of a perfectionist to mull over the finer details…

Gakushuu continued on, attentive about listening for taps, and Gauging the level of comfort Karma had. And weirdly, it was almost like gardening - different motions and end goals, but he could let his thoughts wander all the same. It was relaxing.

Before he knew it, the timer on his phone went off, buzzing softly. He took his hands off Karma and silenced it.

“That's time.” Gakushuu whispered. “Did it help in any way?”

As Karma sat up, he seemed quite relaxed. He nodded as he reached for his shirt and jacket, buttoning them back on. 

“Good. I guess I'll schedule more time for this. Usually twice a week maximum is good, but once a week should suffice if you don't have the time.” Gakushuu rambled softly.

“I wouldn't be bothered by twice.” Karma answered.  

Gakushuu began to gather his things, and Karma sat on the chair for a little longer - presumably taking in some peaceful night air. 

“Hey. Where does that balcony lead to?” Karma asked, pointing to the nice outcropping framed by wisteria vines and lattice.

“That's directly up to my room. I like to enjoy the balcony when i lack the energy to come tend to this place.” Gakushuu answered.

“I see.” Karma said softly. He stared for a moment longer before standing up and helping Gakushuu move the chair away. 

“I put the ladder behind the shed, out of sight of the doorway. That's your exit.” Gakushuu said, picking his lantern off the ground and  sliding the handle onto his wrist.

“Thanks.” Karma replied. “So. Same time next week for this session? And then the next, we could do the day after tomorrow, or something.” 

Karma extended a hand towards Gakushuu, and Gakushuu shook it. “Seems fair to me. We'll work out the second time for this week later.” 

As Karma’s hand left his, something had been left behind, pressed into his palm lightly before Karma pulled away and made his way towards the ladder. Gakushuu squinted at it in the moonlight.

It was a hunk of amethyst. A deep, beautiful purple at that. A little strange, but the edges of the crystals were nice and pointed. Maybe Karma intended it for help with self defense? Or just payment for the favor?

Either way, Gakushuu accepted it, putting the gemstone in his pocket. He thought it would look good on his balcony table…

As he turned back towards the sliding glass door, he saw the slats of the blinds shift and move, before the principal's hand went for the door handle. Inwardly, Gakushuu shuttered, but he reminded himself that he had the only light out here, and Karma was well out of sight by now. 

“I'm coming in now.” Gakushuu said, “you don't meed to check on me. I keep track of time.” 

When Gakushuu met his gaze, there was something about it that made him feel his blood turn to ice.

…

Karma was a ways away, sitting on the garden wall of Gakushuu's home, watching the scene happening before him. 

He noticed how Gakushuu tensed up at the sight of the principal at the door, compared to how calm he was before. The tone of frustration in his voice and words.

But then, something strange happened. The principal didn't acknowledge his words at all. He simply said… his name, followed by something else Karma couldn't quite hear from here.

And then something changed in Gakushuu’s posture once again. 

As the principal put a hand on Gakushuu's Back, guiding him inside, something about the way he moved was… wrong. 

The gait of a rabid deer came to mind. Arms and shoulders slack, legs dragging, like walking was an afterthought. Or, maybe… a puppet, more like.

Gakushuu turned around, and mechanical in motion, he slid the door shut with slight difficulty. His eyes seemed… blank, compared to their usual.

Vaguely, Karma could see a third person in the house.

Alarm bells rang in Karma’s head as he sat there, unsure what to do. 

Should he tell someone? 

Wait here? 

Confront Gakushuu about it abother day?

He just wasn't sure. 

“Okay…” Karma muttered softly to himself, “let's think this through…”

Chapter Text

The nightmares got worse. More frequent. And with tests coming up, Gakushuu couldn't have it. 

Despite his best attempts at staying awake, he'd doze off somehow and end up facing those bloody nightmares of himself. 

Sometimes it was that monster.

Sometimes, he was tied down, pinned open like a dissected frog. 

And the worst would be when he felt himself lying on hot pavement, unable to move, covered in blood while the emergency vehicles attached to those distant sirens never, ever came.

He tried not to sleep. He tried to busy himself texting Nagisa, or even Karma when Nagisa wasn't available at night.

He was surprised that Karma always humored him. They'd talk about meaningless things, several nights in a row. But eventually, even he would fall asleep. And Gakushuu would be left trying to distract himself, having let unpleasant thoughts and images build in his mind without telling anyone about them.

Then, exam day hit. The end of term exams. It was time to do something he could focus on, and maybe when it was done, the distress would be over with.

Yes, that's all this was. This was exam stress, and nightmares came from it.

Determined, he entered the hall, soothing himself with that thought.

After an hour or two, he finished before the rest, handed his paper in, and set his head on his desk.

He did feel relieved. Maybe… maybe it would be okay to sleep.

…

Gakushuu dreamt once more. A dream made of memories he had pushed deep.

He was a little kid again, sitting in the garden with his mother as she showed him how to take care of it.

“You see, Gakushuu, these are weeds. We have to pull them out so our flowers can get more food.” She explained gently, reaching gloved hands into the mess of green, “you have to tug them out by the roots, just like this. Do you want to try?”

Gakushuu nodded, and stuck his small hands around the base of a weed. It took some effort, but he got one out. 

“Good job!! I'm so proud of you!” She cheered, and bent over to give him a kiss on the forehead. 

Gakushuu was happy. He kept pulling up weeds, and receiving encouragement for the simple act. When his father came home, they ate dinner together on the patio, overseeing his hard work. Even his mom's cat was let out into the garden, chasing the butterflies in and out of the flowerbed…

Genuine smiles all around. A happy memory.

A new scene invades. 

He was still young when his father came home one day, and at the time, Gakushuu didn't know why he looked so sad. He and his mom tried to cheer him up, but nothing was working. 

The sadness lasted for a long time, and it seemed like nothing was going to help.

He remembered asking, “Dad? What will make you happy?”

His father would think, and reply softly, “did you do your homework today?”  

Gakushuu would nod - he always did it. And his father would say that made him happy, but… it didn't seem true. 

His mom's cat tried to cheer up his father too, distract him from papers and cuddle up. But slowly, he seemed to get more and more annoyed. He’d go from simply ignoring her to swatting her away angrily, much to his mom’s frustration.

And one day, as he came home and opened the front door, the cat ran past him - he had enough time to stop it, Gakushuu thought, but he just watched it go. He remembered his mother getting upset, and then his father saying something dismissive.

Days pass. Arguments are had day after day, so Gakushuu wanders around after school, shaking treats and calling for the kitty his mom lost. He would be late coming home, but he didn't think that was bad. Besides, he didn't like to be at home at the time - it was noisy and upsetting. 

More days pass, and Gakushuu remembers his tired mother beckoning him to the shed in the backyard, excited about something. 

“Shuu, come look! I found her!” She said happily.

And there was their lost cat. And her four small, small kittens. Gakushuu remembered staring, being in awe. 

He held one in his hands, and it kneaded at his sleeves, purring. 

“Can I name them?” Gakushuu remembered asking.

“Of course!” His mother had replied, “But, Shuu, this part is very important… you can't tell dad about the kittens, okay? You can only check up on them when it's gardening time. And I'll take care of them in the morning, and bring her bed out here.”

“Why can't dad know?” Gakushuu had wondered.

“He… is allergic. He got allergic one day, that's all. And if he even hears about her, he'll start sneezing!”

Gakushuu laughed at the idea. A part of him knew there was more to it, but as a kid, the answer satisfied.

But he picked a kitten he liked - it was small and pure white, and the eyes were a weird, pinkish red. It reminded him of a big kid that used to visit, and play basketball with him all the time…

“It's Ikeda!” Gakushuu proudly proclaimed, and his mother shushed him nervously.

“Are you sure you want to pick that for him?” His mom asked.

Gakushuu nodded. “Ikeda. I'll help keep him safe.” Then, he pointed to the other three kittens, “Marigold, because it's orange, Pea, because he's got dots that look like them, and… Lilac. Because those are your favorite!”

He remembered smiling as he received another hug from her.

Days pass.

Gakushuu awoke to a cat screaming in the dead of night. 

He remembered running downstairs, having just grabbed a shoe, like it would do anything. The moments leading up blurred into chaos. 

There was so much blood. His mother was sobbing, and it looked as if she got hurt in the fray. His dad stood over something dead and predatorial, having beaten it to death with a shovel. Beyond recognition.

In the cold, midnight grass, still holding on just barely, his favorite kitten lay. 

“Ikeda!!!” Gakushuu had called out to it as he ran to hold the kitten, and held the poor thing in his grasp. His father looked around bewilderedly.

The little kitten mewled weakly for a time, only calmer in his shaking arms. His white fur was pink and red. 

More chaos, as his mother shouted at his father - it was his fault, because he refused to let the momma cat back inside when she came back. 

But Gakushuu ran inside away from the yelling, and called an emergency line to beg them to save his cats. 

He never got to see if the kitten lived after they got him to let go of it. 

His mother promised him, over and over, that it wasn't his fault.

His father wouldn't talk to him. 

In honor of his kitty, he was starting to feed strays. He kept it a secret for a while before his father caught him.

He was grounded. Ungrounded by his mom, then grounded again as his father picked up an argument with her.

One day, his mother wanted to leave with him.  Places were lost in blurred memory, but he remembered a lot of gardening. He had remembered having just planted a Sakura sapling in the backyard with his mom when she talked about it. It was over the piles of stones that marked 4 graves.

Something-something, she was going to be staying with his guitar tutor from now on. He remembered being happy for her - his guitar tutor was a very nice lady…

…but then… his father had tricked him.

The first time his father had manipulated him, was just before the court date for the divorce. He confused him with his words, stressed him out so hard that when he signed some papers, it was just to make the man stop talking in so many circles. He didn’t know what it was for, what it would do.

He never saw his mom again. He remembered he cried as he said goodbye. 

“It's not your fault. I love you so much. I'll see you again some day, when you're older, okay?” She had told him.

And then he was dragged away. In the car, he bawled his eyes out.

“Stop crying.” His father, the Principal, commanded.

Gakushuu stared up in shock.

“She was simply a distraction for you. You will flourish from here on out, I assure you.” His father had said. “Besides, if you didn't truly want this, you wouldn't have signed the papers. You are mine. You will always be.”

He couldn't feel anything but nausea.

But he never stopped gardening.

He'd keep his flowering trees and gorgeous garden growing strong. In hot summers, he'd play his guitar for himself, or for crowds of folks he never knew if his father forced him to.

And even in those stressful moments, he'd never felt closer to what he lost. 

If there was one line to draw between the cats, his mother and himself, there was one thing;

His father only saw them as objects in the end. 

Of that, he was certain.

…the dreamy memories began to fade, and the surroundings of the room were coming back to him just barely.

He lies on his desk. But creeping vines root him to it. It didn't hurt; he just couldn't move. 

The visage of his mother, in hazy memory and flowers in her golden hair, wandered to his side. She smoothed his hair down gently. Every day, her visage was hazier. His father had removed every photo of her, once she was discarded.

Would the same happen to him if he wasn't good enough?

“Gakushuu.” The visage of his mother said softly, “tell me. What do you want the most? For yourself.”

His body felt too warm. Hazy memories left him feeling hollow and sad like always.

“Gakushuu.” It said, “hurry. Hurry and tell me.”

Slowly, Gakushuu spoke.

“I…”

…

“Alright! Pencils down!” A teacher called.

Gakushuu's eyes snapped open.

For a moment, the world didn't feel real. It was just a cold, dreary room full of mute sounds. 

He was dismissed.

He didn't feel real.

Chapter Text

After the E class students exited the main campus exam halls after the last test, Korosensei had greeted them atop the mountains with a large array of snacks.

“You fought well, my students! I hope you’re all feeling confident in your work!” Korosensei had said, smiley as usual.

Some were more confident than others, but all around, everyone appreciated the snacks. 

Terasaka and his friends were grinning amongst their group, whispering about their achievements. Many of the girls sat in a circle and chatted about how annoying this one question was, or how one spot was a breeze while they traded their favorite fruit gummy flavors. Many, however, relaxed with their food and drink, ready to do whatever they can before having to serve Class A, as they were certain would happen.

Nagisa was, at least, semi-confident. He wasn’t too good, but he wasn’t bad either - he hoped it was enough to help his class get where they needed to be. 

Plus, scoring a korosensei tentacle to pin would be good if they succeeded in getting better scores than most of the big 5.

He chatted with Kayano and Okuda for a little while, before he started to wonder where Karma had snuck off to. He had seemed distracted for some days, but he had told Nagisa it was just a bit of finals stress. Nothing to be worried about!

…so now, where was he?

Nagisa excused himself and went to search. He checked a few places Karma liked to be, eliminating each spot. Not under his nap tree, not at his seat, not by the back of the building. But finally, he was found by the pool area Korosensei made, sitting quietly on a rock by the water’s edge.

He didn’t exactly look okay.

Nagisa was Going to approach, but then Korosensei blipped in, beating him to it. He stayed quiet as he watched his teacher hand off some of Karma’s comfort snacks.

“So, what is it that bothered you? Are you worried about the scores?” Korosensei had said, “You know, I’m certain you had a good one.”

“It’s not about the damn test.” Karma snapped a bit, holding his food instead of eating it, “I’ve been trying to figure out what to do - who to go to. You seemed like the best person to talk to, even if you can’t do much being a monster.”

At this notion, Korosensei gained a bit of a more serious air about him. “Alright. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Nagisa felt the need to hide as he spied, so he crouched by a bush, quiet as could be. The running water was good at covering his movements. He made sure he could keep a good eye on Karma, to gauge what he was feeling correctly.

“It’s about the top seat - Gakushuu Asano.” Karma said. “I know, he’s a jerk, but I got to know him recently. I snuck by his house for some small things a few times. And I saw something I shouldn’t have. I don’t know If I’m right, but I mean - I’ve seen eyes like that before, and I feel like I know what’s happening to him. I know, I get paranoid, but I think it’s better to trust my gut on it.”

“I see. I’ll trust you on it - just tell me what you think is happening to him.” Korosensei advised gently. 

Karma took a deep breath, steeling himself. Nagisa held his breath.

“I think Gakushuu is getting abused by his dad.” Karma admitted. “Not verbally. And… worse than a beating. It’s… something else.”

Nagisa felt his stomach drop. He immediately understood what Karma was saying.

“What have you seen?” Korosensei asked.

“For starters - whenever he’s come to the back door for our deals, he looks like shit. He cleans up for school I’m sure, but he looks like he hasn’t slept in weeks. Sometimes, it’s a close call, and his dad almost catches us talking. Each time I look back, Gakushuu just… he gets this thousand yard stare. That empty look I’ve seen on a different friend who struggled with their parents in the past. And he does whatever his dad wants, contrary to how he acts in school.” Karma explained.

Karma looked down, staring into the water.

“But I think the most damning thing is his wrists. The last time I met up with him, it was dark out, but I could still see these deep purple bruises in a ring around them. I'm certain it was from handcuffs, or rope or something. Next day at school, it's covered up somehow. He doesn't know what I'm talking about when I ask about them, or at least he acts that way.”

“That is cause for concern.” Korosensei agreed gravely. 

“Yeah. And I know for a fact I'm not strong enough to beat the shit out of that man myself. So help me out. Let's kill him.” Karma stated.

Nagisa couldn't agree more with him. Korosensei, however, kept his cool for the time being.

“Karma, I do understand how you feel. And if things are going on as you said, I'd end the person in a moment as well.” Korosensei agreed, blipping back with a small notebook and pen, “but we both know that Mr. Asano is not a normal civilian. He's very powerful not only physically, but financially and influentially. As easy as you could stab someone, the rest of the structure built by his hands could collapse, so to speak, harming not only you, but Gakushuu as well. The biggest thing we need - that would be evidence of what the principal is doing. Lots of it, backed up to the moon and back, and indisputable.”

“Alright, and how am I getting that?” Karma asked, “Gakushuu is denying what's going on and I just. I don't even want him near that jackass anymore.”

“I am of course going to try and help! We do have a resourceful Ritsu on our side, after all.” Korosensei replied, “I'll see if there's anything we can scrape from computers or home system video feeds. I will also case the house and such, see what I can get by without being shot at.” 

“Alright…” Karma said, seeming to calm only slightly, “I fucking hope there's something to find… we have to get Gakushuu out of there fast.”

“Well, if it's any comfort, I may… have taken a small peek at the grading results of a few of the prior tests.” Korosensei grinned, “Our little class definitely exceeded the quota for beating the Big 5. We're getting that trip. And in order to take you, those 5 would be going with us themselves.”

“Okay good, but what if the principal comes along?” Karma asked. 

Korosensei thought hard, tapping the pencil to his squishy chin. “Welll, I doubt he’ll be willing to let Gakushuu participate in the assassinations. He can't get money from Gakushuu's participation, so there's no benefit in it for him. Buuut, if it were in the contract that you could make at least him do whatever for the class once there, I think that opens us up to him being present for our relaxation time at least, as long as that can be stretched out for. Did you have a clause like that?”

“No idea. Probably not, but…” Karma looked thoughtful for a moment. “I think the others would find it funny to at least try to gaslight the big 5 into thinking it was on the contract. And if I could talk Gakushuu into giving me the original document, I'll edit it, and Nagisa could take care of the signatures no problem.”

“Sounds like a good challenge to me! And a good chance to use your speaking skills as well~” Korosensei agreed. “You know, I looked into the big 5 a bit - they along with A class put on a music and restaurant venue each year for the school festival, and Gakushuu plays guitar for it usually. Wouldn't be too suspicious at all to assign him to be E's personal musician!” 

“That's awesome.” Karma finally seemed to perk up. “Once everyone knows the score, I'll set things in motion. But you gotta promise me you'll do whatever you can up until the trip, okay?”

“Of course. You have my word as a teacher - we're supposed to take stuff like this seriously anyways!” Korosensei replied.

With that, Karma got up and began to move away. Nagisa held still as he walked by, but stopped and turned to face Korosensei one more time. 

“Oh, one more thing - I'm sure you already know because you snoop, but Gakushuu is Nagisa’s other best friend right now. I think it'd be real upsetting for him to hear about this, so don't tell him. I don't think he knows, and I don't want him feeling the shit I went through.” Karma said.

Koro looked at him. “Karma?”

“Yeah?”

“Glance down and to your right.”

Karma met Nagisa's gaze, and pretty much jumped out of his skin.

“JESUS FUCK NAGISA!!” Karma screamed. 

“Hi Karma.” Nagisa replied. “Wanna try that whole thing again, but involve me in saving him this time?”

“You- I- You!! You deal with enough!!!” Karma snapped.

“So? How can I not get involved when one of my best friends is in danger?” Nagisa asked as he stood and brushed dirt from his knees. “You know I could actually talk to him, too. If we both make him comfortable, the whole thing would go way smoother. Oh, and if we start the rumor at Kayano the whole class will be on board in an hour.”

“Okay, but how are we convincing Gakushuu about all this?” Karma asked. 

As they continued to argue, Korosensei quietly excused himself.

…

Monarch: So, we’re having a minorly urgent meeting under the bleachers? Why is Ruby going to be there?

Viper: He insisted on it. It’s gonna be okay, he’s not going to be weird about it or anything ^^;

Monarch: alright. I’ll be down in a little while… you know how it is with the meetings at the end of the school day.

Viper: I’ll be here :) and him too

Nagisa sighed, and put his phone back in his pocket. “He’s got a status report to the principal. We’re probably going to be here for a bit…”

“Damn. ugh, I wanna slug that principal right now…” Karma grumbled.

“I know. I want to, too.”

Karma and Nagisa were sitting under the bleachers, waiting for Gakushuu. Karma felt weird invading this place, and Nagisa, of course, was still a bit sore over Karma’s attempt at not involving him. He guesses he should’ve known better than to try and hide things from him, but still…

“So…” Nagisa spoke up, “Why were you… going to his house in the first place?”

“Oh. right. So, funny thing. You know my back injury? He’s the one that helped me find it. Long story short, because you guys are friends, he decided he’d offer me some help. He probably thought I wouldn’t take it, but I did.” Karma explained, sipping a strawberry milk carton before he continued, “So now I just go jump the wall into his backyard twice a week for a massage by battery lantern. In the dark. In his garden.”

Nagisa stared at him. “Really?”

“Really.” Karma confirmed.

He glanced up. Was Nagisa… pouting a bit?

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous.” Karma jeered.

“What? No.” Nagisa replied.

There was a bit of silence.

“...Is he good at it, though?” Nagisa asked.

Karma smirked. “Jealous.”

“Oh just tell me!”

“Fine. Yeah, He’s really good. And the garden there is all his - it’s nice.”

“Now you’re making me jealous on purpose!”

“Maaaybe~”

Quiet conversation continued on until Nagisa heard someone drawing near. Quickly, he put a hand over Karma’s mouth, listening carefully.

Then, he relaxed. “It’s him.”

Karma’s eyes narrowed, and he pulled Nagisa’s hand away so he could speak, “You can tell by his footsteps?”

Nagisa shrugged, giving some muttery noises as his answer. And sure enough, the tarp lifted, and Gakushuu had come in.

He was definitely a lot more sleep deprived since Nagisa last saw him. Even now, it seemed he could fall back asleep at any moment - not to mention, he seemed to be in a bad mood from his visit with the principal.

“Good evening. Nagisa. Karma.” Gakushuu said tiredly. “What’s so urgent?”

“So, we heard some rumors about the test score results.” Karma began, “Excitingly, my class got a victory! But I know your dad is gonna be up your ass about it. And who knows if he’s coming on our little trip to bug the fuck out of you for this loss that’s honestly probably not even your fault.”

Gakushuu squinted at him. “Is this about what I think it is?”

“No.” Karma answered extremely suspiciously.

“I was thinking - you know that document you had everyone sign?” Nagisa covered, “Maybe we could… edit that a bit, you know? Just so that you didn’t have to spend time potentially being bothered by him. I know I’d want time away from schoolwork on vacation.” 

“Okay…” Gakushuu replied, “I’m listening. I wouldn’t like him infringing on a getaway, that’s true.”

“And all you’d have to do is a little thing that says, in vague little legal-jargon terms… that you and maybe your buds’ll be helping class E out with whatever they want.” Karma said.

“You lost me.” Gakushuu deadpanned.

“No- what he means is, well-” Nagisa stammered, “It- we wouldn’t make you do anything bad. I wouldn’t at least. We’d have a good time, relaxing on the beach as far away from your dad as we could get… and as long as you played it like you didn’t like being there, we wouldn’t exactly have to hang out in secret. Seriously, none of us are as bad as being taped to the principal’s side. At the beach.”

Gakushuu considered it for some time.

Considered, thought, and considered some more as he sat between the two.

Karma opened his mouth to say something, but Gakushuu put a finger over it. Karma bit him jokingly.

“Okay. I think I can make it work, we’d just have to print it again.” Gakushuu decided. “Nagisa, think you’re up for some signatures?”

“Of course!” Nagisa replied happily. 

“Good. I’ll be back with the files adjusted and printed in just a moment.” Gakushuu replied, and swiftly left to complete his task.

The three of them quickly enacted their plan, and by the end of the day, a new, freshly foraged document was created. Gakushuu handed off the old one to Karma, who promptly took a lighter out and burned it away somewhere in the woods nearby.

By the time Karma and Nagisa separated from him, the whole class was buzzing with the idea of having the big 5 as their slaves if they managed to pull off the victory over them. 

All was set in place.

Chapter Text

It was the day of the trip to Okinawa, for their little island resort adventure. Everyone awoke and headed to school bright and early for the bus to the airport, and none were more excited than class E.

Especially to pull their little prank. 

“WHAT?!” Tomoya yelled, “tHE FUCK DO YOU MEAN WE’RE SERVING YOU FREAKS?! THE DEAL WAS A VACATION, NOT VACATION AND SLAVERY!”

“Well, it’s in the fine print!” Rio smirked, “C’mon boys, let’s check the paper if you’re really so chicken! Or did you lose it already~?”

“You’re wrong, absolutely wrong! Ren, show them!” Natsuhiko cried.

Ren rummaged through his bag frantically. “Just hold on, I know I put this in my English folder…”

“C’mon guys. Just admit that you’re trying to short us!” Terasaka accused.

Gakushuu, of course, arrived fashionably late. “What’s the commotion? Why isn’t everyone seated yet?” 

“Well if it isn’t the contractor himself!” Fuwa said, “We’re getting in an argument with your buddies over whether the contract included you guys being our slaves for the trip. The majority of E class is certain you said we’d get you guys, and your buddies insist it was just the trip. You got the paper to prove it?”

Gakushuu hummed softly and replied, “Allow me to check my school supplies.”

Of course, he found it after some mock searching, and then skimmed through the papers of their deal.

“My, oh, my. Look at that.” Gakushuu said, “Line 23-42-B subsection b - seems we are doomed to be your subjects for the trip.”

“ASANO WHY WOULD YOU WRITE THAT?!” Teppei yelled.

“Wait really- I meEAN HA TOLD YA!” Rio cheered.

“If.” Gakushuu began.

“If?” both sides of the argument asked.

“If and only if none of you score an absolute goose egg in any of the subjects. Then, the virtuosos that didn’t get the best score overall in all subjects have been spared this fate…” Gakushuu continued.

“FUCK!” Okajima swore, causing the entirety of class E to descend upon him like angry shushing seagulls.

“Shuu, why are you doing this to yourself?!” Natsuhiko whispered, and Gakushuu held up a finger to him. Smirking and winking.

“If I may have your attention back, students of E.” Gakushuu called out.

The students wailing on their poor classmate stop immediately to listen.

“So thus Gakushuu Asano remains the sole servant of E class… but he must only answer to one student that can meet the following requirements. Oh dear.” Gakushuu smirked.

“OH SHUT THE FUCK UP WITH YOUR GODDAMN JARGON AND SPIT IT OUT!” Kirara yelled.

“This student must be the one to list the highest number of snake species in under 50 seconds, meeting a minimum requirement of ten species. No google, and Teachers are not allowed to help. If a minimum of ten is not reached by anyone, I’m also off the hook.” Gakushuu said. “Anyone up for this little challenge? No?”

“TEN? MINIMUM?! ”

“YOU LITTLE PRICK!!”

“LEMME TO THE FRONT, I’VE GOT THIS!”

A few students tried, and when timed, pressure got to them. Many had lost hope of having some fun with their nemesis, but then Nagisa stepped up.

“Timer begins when you start.” Karasuma, the neutral party chaperone called.

Nagisa took a deep breath. With it,  four of the virtuosos giggled cockily, and E class held their breath. Gakushuu held his, too - he didn’t even know if Nagisa had that many snakes in mind. He absolutely didn’t run this by Karma, or Nagisa for that matter.

But then again, he wasn’t just anyone’s to play with.

“Anaconda, Titanoboa, Australian copperhead, bandy-bandy, black snake, brown snake, king cobra, coral snake, Black Mamba, sea snake, taipan, tiger snake, boomslang, cat snake, coach whip, kukri snake, flying snake, wolf snake, worm snake, wart snake, rattlesnake-”

“That’s time.” Karasuma called. “You did it.”

“Rat snake, water snake, scarlet snake, eyelash, dwarf pipe, False Coral, round island boa, amethystine python, burmese python-” Nagisa didn’t hear him, and started to get out of breath.

Nagisa only stopped when E class erupted in cheer, surrounding and celebrating him. 

“Welp, that’s that, I guess.” Gakushuu said, acting as bored as he could as he tossed the paper to the virtuosos to read over, “Nagisa Shiota, your orders are mine to grant. What’s the first?”

“Ooh, Nagisa, I got one, I got one!!”

“Tell him to dance for you!”

“Let’s really make him look like a butler!” 

“Nagisa, it would be so funny if you just led him around with this colla-”

“Ok, alright!! Just- everyone stop talking for a bit!” Nagisa yelled, waving his hands a bit. 

Ren broke from the group of virtuosos, leaning by Gakushuu. “Are you sure you’re okay with this? You know, we can just maybe void this and kick the craziness altogether…” 

“No, it’s fine. I’m the one that made a lapse in judgment, and spiced the challenge up thinking nobody would get it.  Besides, you have to keep your deals. That’s just a part of life.” 

Then, he walked over and faced Nagisa. They shared a knowing glance, just for a moment. 

“Well, master. ” Gakushuu said, rolling his eyes dramatically, “What’s my first order?”

Nagisa blushed. “Just call me Nagisa please- and um- I guess- come sit with us? On the bus. And the plane.” Nagisa stammered. 

“Very well.” Gakushuu said, diverting his smile into a tired yawn. “I’ll catch you on my breaks if I get them, boys.” 

“Hey, isn’t Karma your row buddy, though?” Isogai pointed out.

“Oh yeah.” Nagisa said. 

“Well, I guess Gakushuu is your seat, then.” Karma grinned, “Riiight?”

This made both Nagisa and Gakushuu get a bit red. 

Nagisa glanced back at Gakushuu. “I mean- if he’s alright with that. Are you?”

“If it’s what you choose.” Gakushuu replied, covering his face a bit. “Remember, you’re the boss.”

“Right… right. Well, I guess I said it. Come sit with us.” Nagisa said. 

Class E piles onto their bus, and Karma, Nagisa and Gakushuu are seated for their long journey.

Chapter Text

It would be a while before the destination was reached, and currently Gakushuu, along with class E, were high up in a plane right now. 

There was plenty craziness and shenanigans at first, many making use of their proximity to him to bother him. But after some hours and the swap to a plane, everyone was getting a bit of travel exhaustion and started to settle down.

And now, Gakushuu was seated on the plane between Karma and Nagisa. Both of them were napping - Karma with a neck pillow and headphones to block out any turbulence, leaning on his shoulder a bit, and Nagisa curled up and using his lap as a space to rest his head. 

In his boredom, he returned to that string of code and the document  two of his friends sent him.

The code was base64, which Gakushuu figured out before he realized this was probably an ARG project the two were working on. The two used to be at opposing ends before bonding over their love for the puzzle genre. Gakushuu found them more tedious than fun, so he hadn't thought about this until now. 

The bit of base64 read, “Mark down the first letter of each sentence of his writing. It's important.”

Tedious, but Gakushuu now had some time since studying was over and he was just waiting on a trip. He opened Ren's document and read it carefully, bringing out a notebook to mark down the letters FoxSpiritLabrynth.txt had for him.

Young, wild fox, running in the meadow. Over hills and valleys he travels, looking for a special place. Under the bridge, the entrance lies.

 He hesitates before it. A dry, arid wind blows from down the stairs. Violets dot the entrance. Every breath the fox  takes feels like time stretched infinite.

Breaching the threshold, the fox descends. Every step crumbled beneath his paws. Echoing footsteps bounce off the walls. No soul has set foot here for a long time.

Gakushuu yawns. Tedious, but at least he should finish it. He checks his notes, treating each paragraph as a space.

Great, vast hallways sprawl to and fro, each corridor its own maze. Over to the left, the fox scurries. Nowhere but curling halls and rounded edges this way. Every sound amplifies, bouncing sharply along the circular halls. 

Forward, the fox thinks, for it cannot remember the way back. Onward through these echoing halls. Really, what treasures did the fox hope to find at the center?

Anything was better than the clutches of his pursuer.

Wheels screech somewhere in these halls. Echoing, bouncing off the walls. Everywhere, yet nowhere. Knowing whether they were coming for the fox was impossible until the headlights appeared, and even then it was far too late. 

.

Thank you for reading this, Gakushuu. The trick no longer applies from here - I know you don't like to solve them.  Natsuhiko and I put this together to convey something to you. I know a fox wandering into a roadway is extremely morbid, but i wrote this in haste, and the subject matter is important.

Teppei and tomoya are more afraid than we are, but don't blame them for being distant. They were digging for more information first and took the brunt of things, which Natsuhiko and I took the cue to get a lot more… cryptic. If Natsu and I end up getting separated from you more, this isn't by our choice. I promise. You mean a lot to us all, and we would never abandon you willingly. At least, that's how Natsuhiko and I feel.

Oh, and I owe an end to the story. Ignore the previous rule, but do analyze closely.

I hope we get the chance to talk.

-Ren + Natsuhiko

Gakushuu stared down at the sudden, jarring message. Stress bloomed in his head, spreading angry, painful petals of headache right at the center. He was already offput by the tale the story spun, but this note combined with the coding in the first part.

YOU WERE GONE FOR A WEEK.

There was no denying it. That's what the message was. And taking into account the time he received this… it was just after the nightmares began.

Stress still gripping him tightly, he continues to read. He needed to know what information the virtuosos had to share.

The inhabitants of the labyrinth went to his aid, pulling him from the dark flooring into safety, doves and mice tending to his wounds with little success. The fox was going to die from the tire tracks that now distorted his body. 

Word spread of the incident to the sparrows, and their duty was to spread the news of the accident to the fox's forest.

But an old wolf leapt from the darkness of the fox's path, cutting its warning song. It hunted every single one, silencing them before approaching the fox - no known plan.

Little did it know, the call reached a few of the fox's friends before it was gone. A duck, who informed the boar, the deer, and the black lamb. 

The wolf stole the fox away to its den. And one day, the fox emerged. Miraculously in one piece, contrary to the call the duck had recited.

It knew not of the now-silent labyrinth at all. He remained as ignorant as the rest of his forest. 

And yet, those four worry, a piece of him lies at that place. The fox's spirit, running those halls endlessly, ignorant to the pools of blood and screeching beasts that roam the road.

Running still, with knowledge of what the wolf had done to it.

Running still, until his body and memories are whole again.

Gakushuu gripped his phone with shaking hands.

This… had to be a prank. It had to be a bad joke. A week? Seriously? And this ending - what did he mean by this?

Of course, the fox was a euphemism for himself. The duck was Teppei, and the boar, the deer and the black lamb were the rest of the virtuosos. 

Doves and mice were likely rescue workers. But then… the wolf. It had to be… the principal, right?

He was slowly piecing it together. He had an accident, landing him a week forward in time with no memory of what it was. Word got around, but then the principal did something to silence it before the forest - representing either the school or the general public, perhaps, had the chance to know what it was.

The more Gakushuu tries to think, to piece together how he possibly could've forgotten what happened to him or why his father was covering it up, the sicker he felt. 

Trying to remember was like grazing his body against a wall made of razors. It was painful.

He felt well and truly sick.

But then, he felt a tap on his forehead.

Gakushuu looked up to see a girl with braided black hair and rounded glasses.

Uncurling her fist, she held out some medicine for nausea.

“You look… like you need some.” Okuda muttered softly, almost too soft to hear over the general buzz of the plane and the conversations held within.

Gakushuu reached up and plucked it lightly from her hand.

“...Thank you for that. I guess.” Gakushuu replied.  

Okuda nodded, and then slid back down into her chair. He stared the gift down a moment more before taking it. At this point, if it was poison, it would feel better than the damn headache and world-shattering bullshit this document implied.

Gakushuu mulled it over more and more, sketching in his notes.

The car crash dream had to be the incident. Even if he couldn't remember what happened after the impact, this whole story was about the fox getting run over.

So what happened? Did Trauma rob him of his memories?

And if he was hit… how the hell was he okay? He had nothing on him. Absolutely no swelling, no gashes or bruising or impact injuries of any sort.

The more he spiraled into thought, writing and agonizing, slowly, exhaustion was creeping in. 

How was it possible? Did it really happen? Was he being pranked? It had to be. But it couldn't be. But it had to have. But there was no evidence, and his memories weren't… ugh…

At least his nausea was slowly calming down.

He couldn't even help it - exhaustion closed its jaws on his head.

He could only hope his sleep was dreamless.

…

Gakushuu dreamt again. The constant hum of the moving plane echoed in his mind.

He was much younger again, it seemed, in a tall, tall forest. 

He was… lost, wasn’t he?

Well, the best thing you could do when lost was hold still, he was taught. So he perched himself on a fallen log and waited.

Time passed. The dream gets dark. And then, he sees a flashlight.

A boy older than him, flashlight in hand, and distinct, pinkish eyes. Every other feature blurred away, but he remembered him.

That’s Ikeda.

“Oh! There you are! Thank goodness we found ya - Mr. Asano is worried sick!” he said.

He took Gakushuu’s hand, leading him through the forest. 

The dream changed.

Ikeda was the one that taught him a love for sports - often after school was done, Ikeda would bring him to the park near his house to shoot hoops, play baseball, or even do some soccer.

His dream mishmashed these times together, making what could really only be described as Game With A Ball, but he remembered having fun. 

Slowly, the details of the boy’s face were coming together. Pink eyes, blond, messy hair, weird eyebrows and a sharp smile. He was bright, sweet, and complimentary. 

Though he was much older than him, Gakushuu couldn’t ask for a better friend and playmate. 

“Watch out, Gakushuu!” Ikeda called suddenly.

Much too late, he turned to see a ball heading for him with enough force to knock his tiny body over.

Thunk .

He remembered what happened after that. He got a double nose bleed, and cried really hard. Another player ran to an adult to grab ice and tissues, while Ikeda panicked slightly and stayed by, picking him up off the ground.

“I’m so sorry, Gakushuu!” he said.

…wait. That’s… not how it went. When this happened, he was comforting him, telling him it was alright, and that the blood would stop in no time. Something like that until someone arrived to check him over.

“I’m sorry… It’s all my fault! All of it!” Ikeda cried.

The faded memories seemed so washed out compared to Ikeda’s pained expression. Tears dripped down his pale cheeks, and he held Gakushuu tight. 

There were a few more odd things about him; how damp he looked, the strange bruises that crept from the back of his neck, and the scars lining his arms.

Gakushuu himself was now the age he usually is. Still bloody. He can’t get his right eye to open, nor himself to stand on his legs. All he could really do was stay in this strange hug his old friend was holding him in.

“This wouldn’t have happened to you If I just toughed it out… If I would’ve just held on and not jumped like a damn idiot, he wouldn’t have gone fucking crazy!!” Ikeda sobbed, “He wouldn’t have done this shit to you! To all of you!!”

Gakushuu tested his arms. It made something in his body burn dully, but it was bearable.

As Ikeda pulled at his own hair with a hand, repeating how he is at fault, Gakushuu grabbed his hand.

“...Stop saying that…” Gakushuu muttered softly. He tasted something metallic in his mouth. Disgusting.

“...Why?” Ikeda asked, lip trembling, “It’s true. I caused all of this. ”

“Don’t blame yourself. You were a victim, if I recall… and I think even if you lived, he would’ve found out your circumstances and still become this way.” Gakushuu said.

“He would’ve gone authoritarian and made a caste system for the school? Really?” Ikeda asked, “He would’ve made your life suck and give you no peace, even if one of his favorite students didn’t kill himself?”

Gakushuu tried to nod. Something about it didn’t work right. 

“The only actions a person can be responsible for taking is their own.” Gakushuu said. “It’s never been your fault, how he became. It was my own choice to run from him, and it was his choice not to warn me. Not yours. Never yours. Please, do it for me if not yourself; don’t blame yourself for any of this. It’s not your fault.”

Gakushuu felt as if he got through to the boy there. Even so, Ikeda still cried.

The surroundings of the accident were blurring into view. With it, stronger sensations of pain.

Gakushuu tuned it out, and focused on Ikeda. Despite the fog and limitations of the dream, he held the boy.

“Ikeda. If it counts for anything? I forgive you. And I don’t blame you. So take that knowledge and please… have a safe trip home.” Gakushuu said softly.

He felt Ikeda nod. The dream was beginning to fade.

And despite it being one… it felt nice to comfort his old friend one last time.

Chapter Text

Finally, the plane lands and E class, plus Gakushuu and the big 5, arrive at their destination. Karma and Nagisa awake to the plane announcements, but Gakushuu remains asleep through it.

“Man, he’s knocked out, huh?” Karma said, putting his stuff in his carry-on bag. 

“Yeah. I guess it’s finally the finals stress leaving him.” Nagisa agreed, before gently patting Gakushuu’s shoulder and saying, “Gakushuu? We have to get moving.”

Gakushuu slowly awakens, rubbing his eyes. “Hm…?” 

“Have a nice dream, sleeping beauty?” Karma asked sarcastically.

Gakushuu shrugged. “If I did, I can't remember a thing about it… any more requests?” 

Gakushuu glances over at Nagisa and says, “Well, requests approved by Nagisa, I should specify. Can't have all of you E-classers bossing me around at once.”

He's keeping up a disgruntled facade well, but his body language told Nagisa that he was content being around him.

“Okay well… then could you help me carry my luggage when we get to the pickup?” Nagisa asked.

“Sure.” Gakushuu replied.

They along with E class got their things, and made their way out from the airport to the hotel and such. Everyone got settled in and started to explore.

Well, most of them did. Gakushuu was stopped in the lobby by his father.

“Did the plane trip treat you well?” the principal asks, startling the two boys Gakushuu had been carrying luggage for.

Practiced as ever, Gakushuu whirled around with a wry smile. “Yes sir, mr. principal. A touch of turbulence happened, but it was nothing to worry over, and overall quite pleasant. Anyways, I’m surprised - what brings you here? Usually work keeps you quite busy, doesn’t it?”

Nagisa was a touch creeped out at how that switch to his business-pleasantry was flipped, but still watched on curiously.

“That it does, but I wanted some of my own time off here. It is a world-renown resort, after all.” Mr. Asano replied, and the three could almost feel the contempt radiating off of his gaze as he continued, “That being said… Why are you spending such precious freetime carrying all those bags? Certainly you don’t plan to stay here for very long.”

“What are we, chopped liver?” Karma spoke, circling around the back of Gakushuu to put his arms around the shoulders of him and Nagisa, “You know about that big, high-stakes bet, right? Well, we E classers would’ve had more lackeys, but your virtuous little ray of sunshine wrote in a clause that got his allies out of it. We barely beat the conditions to keep him, and he only answers to Nagisa and Nagisa alone. That a problem, you mo- ahem, Principal Asano?”

The principal narrowed his gaze at Karma. “Pardon. I’m talking to my student right now.” he replied, before turning his gaze to Gakushuu again. “Well, seeing as you dug this grave yourself, I’m certain you’re happy lying in it. Doing this will not lessen the intensity of your future prep for the next semester. You understand this, correct?” 

“Of course. I still intend to take breaks for myself, as detailed.” Gakushuu replied. “May I also correct you that Karma  and Nagisa are both students of yours as a principal. It’s rather impolite to ignore them both.”

“I suppose so. I’ll rectify it, then.” the principal replied, fakely sweet.

He turned his attention to the two once more. “I suppose my son could be in worse care. Mr. Akabane, do take care to let my son have breaks. Jealousy does harm to oneself in the end.”

Karma rolled his eyes. “That it does, that it does.” he replied, then muttered under his breath, “Bet you’re real jealous that he’s not at your beck and call, prick.” 

“What was that?”

“Jealous ramblings. Nothing to worry about, principal.”

“Certainly…” the principal replied, “And I do think it’s somewhat chivalrous for him to be serving under you, Shiota. Your mother tells me constantly of how wonderful of a woman you are… and of course, that accompanies plenty an ignored bribe. I’m sure you’ll prep him wonderfully for when he has a wife someday.”

The principal was glancing at Gakushuu - gauging his reaction to this dig, Nagisa noted, likely to see if Gakushuu was hiding something from him. Nagisa himself struggled to find his words in silence while  Gakushuu kept still.

Karma broke that tense silence with howling laughter.

“Something funny, Akabane?” the principal asked.

Karma laughed, “Excuse the language, but are you blind? Deaf maybe?!” he casually walked in front of Gakushuu, “Or do you really believe the ramblings of the woman? Oh, poor you, I thought ya woulda looked into her a little further. His mom went nuts, and she just thinks he’s a girl. C’mon, you’re a smart man. I don’t have to spill Shiota family baggage for you to get it, do I?” 

“Was I mistaken? Nagisa is a typical name for a woman, and she does have long hair… not to mention on the school record she was listed as female, last I checked. Are you sure you’re not the one that’s incorrect? Do you have proof?” Principal replies.

“What, you wanna inspect him or something? That’s not happening unless you want to be on a pedo registry. Why don’t you just hear his voice? Not everyone’s has come in yet, but he’s probably got the best one of the E class men barring mine.” Karma argued. 

“If I can interrupt this fight… I wanted to double-check the registry for the sake of brevity.” Gakushuu interrupted. “Principal, you may have misread his with Kaede Kayano, who is seated nearby. The record clearly has an ‘M’ in his information.”

He showed his phone to the principal. Sure enough, it’s as he said it was.

Shock registered on the man's face for just a brief moment before he recomposed himself. 

“I stand corrected, then…” the principal replied. 

“Aaaand?” Karma jeered, “Come on, be a good role model, principal! A good man always apologizes to whomever he's wronged, doesn't he? ”

There was an air of flusteredness about the principal, as he vaguely turned towards Nagisa’s direction, stiff like a stone.

“My apologies, Mr. Shiota. I suppose it has been some time since I took a good look at your record.” Mr. Asano spoke. 

At this, Nagisa tilted his head and smiled gently. “It's okay! I'm sure you didn't mean any harm. Don't let us keep you - have a relaxing time, Principal Asano!”

“Hm. Likewise.” The principal replied curtly, and began to check his phone. 

Before he could bother them again and before Karma could get more confrontational, Nagisa hurried away with him and Gakushuu.

“Nagisa, I am so sorry about that-” Gakushuu whispered.

“Its fine.” Nagisa whispered in turn, “I'm sorry to you for what I did while you three talked.”

“What-”

Then at that moment, there was the sound of a large adult man hitting a polished marble floor with his entire body. The boys look back, and see the principal's shoelaces have been tied together.

Karma and Gakushuu look back at Nagisa. An elevator call beeps, and the doors open.

“Run.” Nagisa said. He turned and pulled the two inside the elevator before hurriedly spamming the close door button and locking in their floor. 

Once on their way, there was a collective sigh of relief. 

“You… do realize he might come after us for that, right?” Gakushuu asked.

“Well, good luck to him. I had Korosensei help me make sure nobody but E class and the teachers know which room is mine. He could find the floor if he tried super hard, but a little prank wouldn't make him camp the floor out, right?” Nagisa said.

“That's true. What's he gonna do, put you in E class twice?” Karma agreed. 

“Fair…” Gakushuu agreed, and eased his grip on the bags he held, “He'll probably still bother me in my room even if you didn't do that. He's a jerk like that…”

Karma smirked a bit. “Well, there's a fix for that.” 

“In that case, as my… well, servant, you stay with us in my hotel room. That work out for you?” Nagisa asked.

Gakushu blinked. “Really?”

Nagisa replied, “Yeah. If you're good with that… are you?”

“I mean. Sure. That works, I suppose. Will there be space for me?” Gakushuu asked.

Karma shrugs and says, “yeah, should be two beds between us. You can pick one to share, if there are chairs you can lump those together, or if we have enough  bedding you can take the floor. Pick your poison, really.”

“I guess I'll decide when I see the state of things.” Gakushuu decided.

And thus, the three chat for a while while they make their way to the room. The room itself has a lovely view of the beach, calming shades of greens and blues, and some minimal, tasteful art of seashells and ships. There was a little tv, a mini fridge and small space for food prep, and a nice bathroom with a big bath, definitely meant for relaxation.

And also, just one, big king size bed. Not the two. 

The three stood puzzled.

Jokingly, Gakushuu muttered, “Well, I think you counted wrong.”

“D-did we get the wrong room?” Nagisa asked.

Karma checked his phone. “Nope. This is the room number, and our key. There's a lot of us, and you and I were sort of in a last-two situation. Maybe our extra bed was stuck somewhere else to accommodate our classmates. That, or the room specs were off.” 

“Either way, it looks like my stay with you two is off the table now…” gakushuu sighed.

“It doesn't have to be!” Nagisa assured him, holding up a hand, “we could… uh…”

“Well, 3 things could happen.” Karma interrupted. “Option 1, we take turns. Option 2, we fight for the good spot until we get tired and the winner claims it. Option 3, we share. 2 and 3 sound like the most fun.”

Now, logically, Gakushuu found option 1 to be most suitable. But… he couldn’t deny the fun to be found in the 2nd. And the 3rd…. Well, even if it was interesting, there’s no way Nagisa would-

“I’m fine with the third. Sounds like less work overall, and the bed’s big enough.” Nagisa said.

Ah. So that was that, then.

“You're sure you want that…?” Gakushuu asked. 

Nagisa nodded. “Yep! Besides, there's still a lot to do this first day, so we shouldn't waste energy on debating or fighting.”

“Hm. Fair enough then! I'm gonna start unpacking my stuff!” Karma replied, and happily moved over to the dresser and opened the bottom most drawer. He was clearly pleased about the situation.

With this, the three begin their vacation. For a while, Gakushuu gets to relax while Nagisa and Karma meet up with E class over something important… unfortunately they wouldn’t tell him exactly what, but they assured him he’d be able to come with them later.

So, Gakushuu takes the time to unpack his things, putting his clothes in the top drawer of the dresser neatly. He considered momentarily doing Nagisa’s unpacking for him, but after debating with himself for a time, he decided he’d wait to ask. He also packed an acoustic guitar he had lying around at home, guessing it’s something on the less demeaning side to do. He almost hoped he could show off some of his soloing skills with it.

As he gently placed the guitar in its case against the wall, he began to think about the rumors surrounding E class again. The rumors of a giant monster on the hill, the weird coincidences with the main teacher’s profile picture compared to the rumors of some sort of giant yellow octopus.

He glanced over at Nagisa’s suitcase again. If there were any place to gather clues, it would be in there, wouldn’t it?

Maybe those rumors could give insight into his own troubling mystery…

He glanced at Karma’s suitcase, wondering if he could instead - nope, he was smart enough to have a lock on his case. Dammit.

So, still somewhat unsure, Gakushuu approaches Nagisa’s suitcase… studying it from the outside, at least. He notices a small slip of paper tucked into an outer compartment, and curiosity just a touch too strong to bear, he snatches the paper, wondering about what was on it.

The note read as follows:

Nagisa, I couldn’t help but notice you packed all these long, shabby clothes. Those are no clothes for the weather you’re going to be in! You should glisten on the beach, so I took the liberty of replacing it all with some nice new sun dresses! I paid good money for them, so you better use them! You know why you have to look nice! Embrace what you were born with!

-With love, your Mother

Gakushuu glared down at the paper, annoyed by this woman’s antics. He crumples the paper and tosses it into the trash can nearby, walking over to his suitcase to retrieve his wallet. Clothes would be on the pricier side at this resort, but he didn’t really care too much. It’s barely a dent in his savings, and it’s for a friend… he just had to make sure none of his peers, E class or otherwise, saw him doing Nagisa the favor.

Exiting the room, he moves for the stores quickly and quietly.

Chapter Text

Now at the store secton of the resort, Gakushuu took his time picking out shirts and shorts for Nagisa. He was very fickle with his own tastes, so he was taking the liberty of getting things that were light, soft, or some combination of the two. He also kept an eye out for snakes and anything else with something he knew Nagisa would like on it. 

About 5 days worth of shirts in soft blues and oceanic colors hung off his arm when he felt someone looming over him. 

“I'm surprised you're taking souvenirs so early.” Principal Asano spoke.

Just how the hell did he find me?

“I must say, it's a surprise to run into you here as well.” Gakushuu replied. He kept his expression neutral, but on the inside, panic was welling up. “Are you here to quiz me on the manufacturer of the merchandise here, or will you let me enjoy my vacation myself? The Worms are colluding on the beach, so I figured I'd get some personal business done now before the blue-haired one uses me for the day.”

“I see. That explains it quite nicely…” Gakuho says. “I myself have a little party to attend later tonight. Plenty of influential people to talk to, to network with.” 

It's like he was bragging. Unseen to Gakuho, Gakushuu rolled his eyes, continuing to peruse the clothing rack.

A hand lands in his hair. Gakushuu can't tell if this was a stale attempt of fatherliness, or another attempt to assert himself as the one in control.

“You know… there is also a venue here. Plenty of girls your age tend to collude there at night. Perhaps if you can escape, you should attend one. It's high time you've had a first date.”

Gakushuu scoffed, ducking under the hand. “That would interfere with my studies. No thank you.”

Plus, he wanted no part in any place his father has set up for him. He feels paranoid already, and being there would be worse. He wasn't even interested in women - he was interested in his goals, and his friendship. Though he respected the ones in his class, he could never imagine being interested in them, let alone some random one he didn't know.

“Of course, nothing that would follow you out of this resort. It would just be one of the many fleeting pleasures here.”

Before he could think, Gakushuu replied, “Was that what my mother was as well? A fleeting pleasure? Or was she just a means to an end to get children out of and abandon after she stopped being pleasurable for you?”

The silence following was tense. Palpable. A couple of passerby's and employees glanced in their direction - unwanted eyes on their conversation to be sure. Gakushuu isn't sure why he said something like that in the first place, but it did shut the principal up.

“Gakushuu. Step outside with me for a moment.” Gakuho stated, more commanding than asking.

Gakushuu met that glare. It was like venom dripping from his eye sockets, a seething rage under a mask of neutrality.

“If you have something to say, then say it here. I have limited time to finish my shopping, and you're wasting it, Principal Asano. You can wait, or you can find me later as well. I'm sure you have the skill for it, as demonstrated.” Gakushuu replied.

He turned himself back to what he was doing, aware of the angry adult looming over him. He continued to ignore him until that stifling pressure dissipated. When he checked, he saw that Gakuho had left. 

Gakushuu finished picking out those days worth of outfits, complete with a bathing suit and a good pair of pajamas. The older teen working the counter reached into a basket of stickers, and discreetly plopped them into the top of his bag.

“Oh- no, I don't want to buy any souvenir stickers.” Gakushuu said, waving a hand.

“It's on the house, my guy.” the teenager replied with a smile, “Life's hard with overbearing parents, I know. You deserve a little treat.”

“Oh. Thank you, then…” Gakushuu replies, a touch quieter than usual as he bows to her slightly. He didn't want his father to hear him if he was still lingering nearby.

When Gakushuu makes sure the coast is clear, he moves swiftly back to his shared room. When he opens the door back up, he sees that Nagisa and Karma are back, and Nagisa seemed to be on the verge of crying while Karma was helping him calm, the feminine clothes once packed neatly now thrown everywhere.

“Hey Shuu.” Karma greeted, a hint of frustration in his voice, “I don't suppose you have any spare clothes with you?”

Gakushuu smiled. “Well, While i was packing my stuff away, I thought about doing Nagisa’s as well, and before I even opened the suitcase, noticed a little note from his mom sticking out from the side. So, this is for him.”

With that, he deposits the bag in Nagisa’s lap, then turns to tidy up the mess strewn around the room. He really hoped Nagisa would like what he picked… but the mess kind of bothered him so he didn't really stop to watch like he usually would. 

 As he folded the dresses over his arm, Gakushuu explained, “That should be enough for the trip, but if you don't like any or need some more, let me know. I somewhat went off of what you usually wear, and i went light and soft for the weather since the next few days are going to be-”

A sudden, tight squeeze from behind startled Gakushuu out of his explanation. He was a bit glad he wasn't facing the two - he felt his face become a bit flushed for some reason, and he wouldn't want Karma commenting on it. 

“Thank you…” Nagisa told him, hugging a bit tighter for just a moment as he rested his cheek on Gakushuu's back, “You really saved me with this, Gakushuu. Seriously, I really gotta find a way to repay you sometime!” 

“It's alright - It's what friends are for.” Gakushuu replies simply, patting the arms around his waist. Really a friend thing, right? That explains why he likes helping him. 

Once Nagisa separates from him, he says, “But seriously, Nobody’s gone and done that for me before… I'll do something, I just don't know what. Anyway, do you guys mind if I change into these swim shorts in the bathroom?”

“Not at all.” Gakushuu replied.

“You do you, we've got some time before we need to do the thing.” Karma answered.

“Ok! I'll be quick!”

With that, the bathroom door closes, and Gakushuu continues to pick up the dresses and skirts.

“Pretty cool of you to save Nagisa there. A gesture like that's hard to top.” Karma complimented him.

“Well, he's a good friend. I'm sure he'd do the same for me if I was stuck with things I didn't want.” Gakushuu replied.

“Guess so.” Karma agreed. “You know, that's a lot of outfits his mom packed… it almost feels like a waste to just get rid of them, don't you think?”

Gakushuu looked at the garments on his arms, staring thoughtfully before glancing back at Karma. “You want to give them to your classmates or something?” 

“Well that's a nice thought. But I don't know if the lady will throw a fit if Nagisa doesn't bring them back eventually.” Karma replied.

“That's true. Where to put them in the meantime…” Gakushuu said, half muttering to himself.

“Y'know, I've been a bit curious - what's your stance on those things? Dresses and skirts, I mean.” Karma asked, rolling over on the bed and staring upside-down at Gakushuu, head just off the edge.

Gakushuu thought for a moment. For most of his life, he's gone to private schools and former events, and each comes with stiff styles and shades of grays and blacks. The only times where he's seen some color are school plays and, of course, summer gardening with his mother. She'd always wear a seafoam green sundress and a large, floppy straw hat to keep the sun off.

The garments resting on his arm were colorful, summery shades, each with the intent to flow in a soft ocean breeze. 

“Well, I suppose these would look nice with a sun hat. One of those big woven straw ones. As for skirts and dresses as a whole… it'd be just like anything you put on your body. It's just clothes.” Gakushuu summarized his thoughts. 

“Oh yeah?” Karma smirked, “Why not try one on then? Since it's just clothes and all. Maybe you could make use of em’ since you're staying~”

For a moment, Gakushuu considered the proposition seriously. His gut reaction was that he felt the principal would hate it. Of course, he's never had a gripe about the angel togas or long garments for school plays, but Gakushuu was certain he'd never seen men wear these things before. It's all different circumstance from a play.

But… why should he care about what his father wanted? After all, he's been so fucking weird about him. Weird and crueler than usual, considering how the virtuosos had to hide their messages from him.

And. Really… It's just clothes. You just wear them.

Karma stretched, arms now supporting his head as he hung off the side of the bed. “You're thinkin’ real hard about that, huh?”

Gakushuu shrugged. “I'm not certain these would fit me. They're meant to be his size.”

Karma rolled over, repositioning himself to sit back on the bed. He sounded almost excited as he said, “Well how do you know for sure? Maybe she buys him those one-size-fits-all things in case he manages to get a growth spurt in. You'd have to try to know.”

Gakushuu… could kind of tell Karma wanted him to put one of these things on. He contemplated the selection at his disposal. As much as he would want to retaliate and refuse to get under Karma's skin… he was starting to get curious himself. Why was it taboo to wear? Surely it wasn't some torture device.

Among the selection of dresses, there was a nice pullover sundress that was a purple wash tie-dye, flowing from a deep amethyst purple at the top to a crystalline bluish-white at the bottom. He picked it out of the bunch, still somewhat hesitant as he rested the rest on the large window sill. 

Fuck it. If Karma was going to laugh or something, he could always punch him.

Gakushuu unbuttoned his shirt, slid the dress over his head, and then slid his shorts off once the skirt was there to provide him modesty. 

He was correct - it didn't really feel different from any other outfit. It was breezy, and that was nice, but an outfit is an outfit. 

He glanced back at Karma. “Is this what you wan…ted…?” 

Why was he blushing? Why was he looking at him like that??? 

“What?” Gakushuu said, raising his voice a bit.

Karma seemed to snap out of it after that. He grinned like a Cheshire cat and said, “Look at that! I didn't think you'd actually do it! Didja even look in the mirror before looking for my approval~?”

A bit annoyed by the comment, Gakushuu glances over at the mirror. Like that would be at all-

Oh.

Gakushuu definitely felt different, now looking at the person in the mirror.

Where the skirt of the sundress was probably going to be long on Nagisa, it was short on Gakushuu, swaying just above his knees. It was flowy and nice, swaying with his movements. It matched his eyes, even, and complimented the hue of his hair nicely.

Gakushuu… liked how it looked. 

Was that the point? To value the way you looked? He was always told he had to look nice, to look presentable to other people and value eyes on himself - his marketability, in a sense. To think he could just. Look in the mirror, and see himself in something that made him happy just for himself… it really, suddenly made sense why people have style preferences. It's what they themselves enjoy…

… What other things could he try? To elicit this new… excitement for his style? He suddenly found himself wanting to take a trip to the shopping area for himself, just to peruse what he could experiment with.

“KARMA!” Nagisa was out of the bathroom, now in swim shorts and a white top with a hammerhead shark on it, and sprinting at the redhead as he yelled, “PUT THE DAMN PHONE DOWN!!”

Gakushuu turns just in time to see Nagisa jump and tackle Karma, trying his hardest to wrestle the phone from the stronger boy's hand.

“Aww, C'mon! You have to let me have my fun, Nagisa!”

“I know what you use those for!! Delete it now!!!”

“Hmmm, no thanks!”

Karma was easily keeping Nagisa at bay, holding his phone just out of Nagisa’s reach as they roughhouse. As Nagisa strained and struggled in a one-arm headlock, Karma kept laughing while barely breaking a sweat, wrapping a leg around him to further prevent him from getting any leverage.

Gakushuu easily swiped the phone from Karma’s hand and pinned him to the bed while he checked what the devilish guy was doing. Karma couldn't quite risk letting go of Nagisa, so all he really had to do was sit on his free hand and check things out at his leisure.

Karma was open to his camera app, and Gakushuu saw his own figure in the previews. 

He taps it and says, “You could have asked to take photos, you know.” 

Gakushuu swipes through a few angles, still enjoying the way he looked, inspecting for anything weird Karma had in the background. 

Karma replied quickly as he scrolled, “See? It's nothing bad, he was having a moment so I wanted to just-”

“Keep looking.” Nagisa commanded, freeing one of his hands to slap it over Karma's mouth and squeeze it shut. Gakushuu complied.

A few dozen angles (how did he get so many in that time? How long was Gakushuu staring and thinking?), and Gakushuu wasn't sure what he was looking for. “I don't know, they seem pretty-”

Aaaaand there was an underskirt shot. Gakushuu choked on his words when he found it, glaring at Karma as a blush spread on his face.  

He shoved the picture in Karma’s face, asking in a cold tone, “Karma. What's this doing here?” 

Karma licked Nagisa’s hand to get it off his mouth and replied, “For fun! I was just joking around…”

Nagisa smeared his hand on Karma’s cheek and interjected, “Not for a prank! He uses them for blackmail! He's told me that!” 

Using his best, most intimidating glare, Gakushuu asked, “That so? Do you do the very same to your female peers? Do I have to tell someone about this?”

“What? No. I just like to take pictures of guys in them. It's more entertaining.” Karma answered quickly. “Besides, who are you gonna run to? That's not the only picture I've got of ya, you know~”

“And I have where they're stored.” Gakushuu said, holding the phone up. “Does he have any strange stuff of you, Nagisa?”

“He shouldn't after the last time.” Nagisa huffed. 

Karma glared back at Gakushuu. “Hey, don't go through my-”

“Shut it, pervert.” Gakushuu snapped.

Karma struggled a bit to try and worm his arm out and grab his phone, but he couldn't really take 2 opponents in the position he was in. He rapidly tried to protest about it, getting redder by the second, but Nagisa decided to shut him up again. 

“Hm.” Gakushuu reported, “Nothing bad… but he does have an album full of flattering pictures, Nagisa. Just in your regular school uniform and preferred clothes… and oh, just an old selfie of you two. Looks pre-social-transition.”

He let Nagisa glance through the photos, swiping through for him from the old selfie upwards.

Nagisa blushed at the trip through memory lane. “What- I only remember you snapping, like, half of these… When were you- why do you have these???” 

“It doesn't look like blackmail to me.” Gakushuu quipped, selecting a large portion of the photos and tapping a share and sending a couple of the best to Nagisa… and himself.

Karma's face was nearly as red as his hair. He couldn't really make the excuse that they were accidents or blackmail - they sat there on his phone, in their own titled folder, carefully picked from his camera roll. 

“Let's see, lets see… is there anyone else who gets such special treatment~?” Gakushuu wondered out loud, backing out to carefully inspect Karma's albums.

There was one specifically titled blackmail, mostly filled with some documents and unflattering photos of classmates asleep at their desks or tripping at gym class, some dated albums of summer trips, and then… a titled folder for Gakushuu himself? He tapped the album.

“One for me, too? You shouldn't have~” Gakushuu teased. 

Before he could investigate closely, though, someone knocked on the door. For a moment Gakushuu felt his guts twist before he heard Kayano's voice.

“Are you guys okay in there??? You gotta get down to the beach!” She called.

“We're coming! Just a second!” Nagisa yelled back.

Gakushuu sighed, tossing the phone onto the bed. “Well, I shouldn't make you two late.”

Karma quickly snatches the phone up, and finally lets Nagisa go as his arm is freed by Gakushuu standing back up.  

“Sorry if he made you put that on.” Nagisa apologized.

“As if he'd just let me!” Karma protested, before Gakushuu explained it himself.

“He didn't. He proposed the Idea, and I figured I'd try one out of curiosity.” He said.

“Oh. Well then- what do you think about it? Do you… want to wear it?” Nagisa asked.

Gakushuu shrugged and replied, “I'm perfectly fine with it, and I'd wear it if you told me I had to. But all the same, my father found me while I was shopping for you earlier. I don't think it would end well for you guys if he saw me in one.”

“Yeah, that's… weird that he's looking for you.” Nagisa said, sharing a knowing glance with Karma. “Pick a shirt and wear your swim trunks just in case, then. That should be fine.”

Nodding, Gakushuu went and collected the clothes he had shed earlier, reversing the sundress process. 

Nagisa stared for a moment, in his own world of thought before Karma raised an arm over his eyes.

“Heyy! No looking for you~” Karma teased.

“I wasn't! I was thinking!!” Nagisa snapped back, blushing and slapping his arm away. 

“Sure you were~”

“Ugh - just go put your stuff on!”

as the three walked to the elevator, Karma heard his phone go off and checked it. A text from Gakushuu.

Gakushuu: In exchange for the nice photography of Nagisa, I've let you keep your spoils of your quiet photo shoot. But next time you want to do that, Ask.

Karma: You'd let me???

Gakushuu: I really don't care I doubt you actually do anything with the photos beyond enjoyment. It's almost flattering.

Karma: :)

They step into the elevator, riding down while Nagisa and Kayano talked about the weather. Thinking it over, he deleted the less-acceptable photos. Karma wanted to be a better man than the one currently stalking Gakushuu for what Karma was sure was malicious reasons...

... and besides, it sounded like Gakushuu wasn't opposed to indulging him.

Chapter Text

Down on the beach, Gakushuu ended up having a lot of work cut out for him. He helped Nagisa get some diving gear on, Nagisa asked him to grab some water for the others, and to get people to stop pestering him about letting someone have some fun through Nagisa's orders, Nagisa reluctantly ordered Gakushuu to wear a pair of orange cat ears Rio got ahold of and cut their requests off there. 

Gakushuu didn't mind the additions - he caught quite a few angry whispers about him pulling them off so well, and he was happy to continue doing small tasks and acting pouty if it meant hanging out with Nagisa.

At some point, Gakushuu felt himself succumbing to heat exhaustion, so he rested under a beach umbrella with some water and a hand fan, also giving himself another layer of sunscreen to avoid sunburn. His flawless skin was easy to burn, after all. He wouldn't let the sun of all things defeat him.

“Hey Asano!”

Gakushuu glanced up, seeing Kayano smiling down at him. He felt a bit uncomfortable, but he’s pretty sure she's forgotten about her encounter with Monarch…

“Hey.” Gakushuu answered her, fanning his face again.

“We're gonna be doing some volleyball on the beach! You wanna come play with us?” She asked.

“Nagisa didn't order me to, so I can't join you.” Gakushuu replied.

“Well we're not trying to order you! I just thought you'd like to join us in something fun for a bit, you know?” Kayano explained with a frown, “I mean, you've been working pretty hard… and Fuwa wants to practice her passes and stuff against someone fast. It's up to you, really! I promise it'll be fun!”

Gakushuu considered it for a moment more, fanning himself as he did. Kayano looked a touch envious, and he generously tilted the fan her way as he used it.

“Fine. may as well keep my energy up.” Gakushuu decided.

“Yippee!” Kayano cheered, then immediately turned around to the others as she grabbed him by the wrist, “YOU GUYS ARE GETTING YOUR BUTTS KICKED NOW!!!!”

The game was a little lengthy,  and the other team already had a wide lead, but… Gakushuu found himself having a lot of fun during it. He expected to be talked down to even when he was working with the others, but instead got a lot of encouragement for his skills. On the sidelines, eventually, both Nagisa and Karma were cheering for his side, and the other team fought well. In the end, he assisted Kayano in just barely spiking the ball past the rope, Terasaka missing the hit by a hair as the ball landed in sand, unable to be recovered. 

Sweaty but overjoyed, his team cheered for their victory and crowded around Gakushuu, mostly group- hugging each other but also weirdly involving him in the center. He felt pretty sun-baked by now, and the heat of the small crowd didn’t help, but… he let himself feel happy. He was rarely involved in group celebrations these days.

As things dissipated a bit, Isogai, who was on the other team, approached, offering a fist bump.

“Hey, that was a really nice game! Gg.” Isogai offered.

Gakushuu stared at the gesture a moment before somewhat awkwardly returning it. He didn’t quite expect the sportsmanship considering the way he’s spoken down to him in the past.

“Yes. Your team fought hard.” Gakushuu replied, then evened out his voice a bit, “You… should probably be congratulating Kayano, though. She made the play that ended the tie.”

“I know! But I think it’s nice you played along with us, considering the bad blood and all. Kinda wanted to encourage it.” Isogai explained.

“Hm.” Gakushuu nodded, “I see…”

“So- Um- anyways, the class has something important to do, but a little while later we’re gonna be having some nice rest! Music, drinks, the whole shebang. I wanted to ask you to come, since your dad was being really… weird. What do you say?” Isogai asked.

Gakushuu felt his gut twist. It must’ve shown on his face, because Isogai gave him a little bit of a worried look.

“What did he say? When did you hear this?” Gakushuu asked.

“Well earlier, the other class rep and I were talking with the teachers, and he approached out of nowhere. Kinda shooed us off, but I stuck around to spy because, honestly, I’m nosy and I’m not too fond of that guy.” Isogai explained, shifting on his feet a bit, “He was saying something about how you really need some sort of medication, that it’s like a weird topic for you but you need to go take it despite the pacts we made, something like that…? I’m paraphrasing here, but you know. Point is, medication. It just really seemed weird - you like, never get sick.”

“Isogai.” Gakushuu said, and planted his hands firmly on the boy’s shoulders. “You’re correct. I don’t get sick, and even if I do, I walk it off on the path to class. And you want to know something exceedingly strange, Isogai?”

“Uh-oh.” Isogai muttered, then spoke a bit louder, “What?”

“I’m entirely unaware of the medicine he’s talking about. I’ve never, not even once, needed any sort of daily medication. He has never informed me of needing something like this and frankly, it’s CONCERNING.” Gakushuu said. He did his best not to shake, but he was definitely panicking on the inside.

What was the principal doing to him? What was all this secrecy, and why the hell was he getting these teachers involved? He didn’t know what to think.

“Yeah, trust me, I don’t like that for you either. It stinks like garbage.” Isogai said, gently prying the hands from his shoulders. “Half of why I wanted to talk to you about it before I forgot, you know? Do you need someone to stick with you for now while we do the class thing, or do you want to just kind of go where you want for a bit?”

Gakushuu thought for a moment. He bit his nails, running through a couple hundred scenarios in his head.

“Did any of your teachers agree to fetch me?” Gakushuu asked.

“Didn’t get to stay that far. I’m sorry.” Isogai answered. 

“It’s fine. I’ll do what I can to figure things out.” Gakushuu replied. “Thank you for warning me. I owe you, I suppose…”

“It’s cool. Just… be careful if you find yourself alone around them, alright? Just on the off chance they did agree to something. Who knows.” Isogai said, before another student called for him and pulled his attention away.

Fear pooled deeply in Gakushuu’s guts. He glanced around for his two allies, but he couldn’t catch sight of them in the crowd of E-classers moving about. He pulls out his phone, and begins to text, ducking behind some rocks farther from the shore.

Monarch: I’m really glad your classmates are nosy. But also I’ve come to learn extremely concerning things.

Monarch: I think my father might be drugging me with something. How without my knowing, and for what reason, I don’t know the answers yet. I’d ask you and K to talk to Isogai more, but I don’t think he has anything else useful to say beyond what he warned me. I also can’t trust your teachers in case he paid them off to give me to him.

Monarch: I want to have fun with you guys for more than 5 fucking minutes without the principal ruining it but here we fucking are I guess.

Monarch: Just dont…|

Gakushuu stared at the message he was making. He didn’t want to have to beg to not be left alone. He felt ashamed, he felt embarrassed, but it was clear he couldn’t stop whatever the principal was doing to him behind closed doors.

Suddenly, he felt the ocean breeze cool the tears on his cheeks. Shame. Anger. Fear, and every scenario it conjured of the sick things a human could do to another - things he could only hope to not be the case.

He did his best to shove it all down - drown it before the spiral of emotions swallowed him whole.

Monarch: Just do what you need to. I’ll get to the bottom of whatever stupid scheme he’s pulling. I’ll make sure none of us have to worry anymore.

Rising from his hiding spot, the class seemed to have moved on somewhere. The beach was quiet, save for the crash of waves. He wanted to get his stuff from under his umbrella, or maybe take a little dip in the waves, but… perhaps he  was safest, nestled in this cramped, rocky space.

Just until Nagisa returned… he’d remain here. Vigilant.

… and then some ungodly noises sounded from down the beach, scaring him out of his skin. It was coming from a Gazebo on the waves some yards down the shore. Was that fireworks? Or was it gunfire?

Worried that’s where the E-class went, Gakushuu grabbed his things and took off across the beach, intent on figuring out what was happening. Again, scenarios plagued him. Did his father know Isogai was there? Was he killing them for just one of them knowing something? Was there some sort of show that went wrong and now that gazebo was going up in flames due to faulty-

Gakushuu crashed into something, too focused on staring down the gazebo to watch where he was going. It was Mr. Karasuma.

“Careful.” Karasuma stated.

Gakushuu made distance between himself and the teacher. He didn’t have plans to see his father early, that’s for sure.

“Please tell me they’re not blowing themselves up in there or something.” Gakushuu said.

“They aren’t.” Karasuma replied.

Gakushuu’s shoulders untensed, and he sighed in relief. “Okay, good - what’s going on in there?”

“That’s classified.” Karasuma replied simply. “Nothing to worry about. It’s just… gym class.”

Gakushuu stared him down. “Really?”

“Really.”

“Can you tell me more if I give you-”

“I don’t take handouts.”

“Even if it’s-”

“No.”

Gakushuu was… somewhat taken aback. “Damn, who takes the pay raises then?” he asked sarcastically.

Karasuma jabbed a finger towards the blonde woman fanning herself in her lounge chair, sunglasses and all. The sounds in the gazebo also didn’t bother her at all.

“Huh.” Gakushuu muttered.

There was a pause between them. Gakushuu thought for a little bit.

“Do you know why my father decided to join this trip?” Gakushuu asked.

Karasuma shrugged. “The man does what he wants. That's not my business. Is there anything you think important to mention about his presence?”

Gakushuu thought for a bit. “Just that it's abnormal. He's not usually present when vacations come around… and the way he's trying to get close to me is not normal either. Something's off about it.” 

Karasuma made a face. Gakushuu could sort of feel it - that awkward feeling of a dude getting too wrapped up in his boss’ familial drama that frankly isn't paid nearly enough to care. 

“Not getting overtime pay, are we?” Gakushuu guessed.

Karasuma shook his head.

“Remember that if he makes a request of you involving my whereabouts. I just want to avoid him for a while and I got on his bad side a few times already. You know how it is when he's angry at least, right?” Gakushuu requested.

Karasuma sighed. “Believe me. I've been trying to relax. And Irina is not about to go out of her way, either. If this is about your medication, it should be your responsibility to keep track of.”

To say Gakushuu felt relief was an understatement. “Thank you. Glad you agree.”

“Karasuma hun, you still should've taken the bribe and just pretended to go after him. Then you'd have some more money to go shopping with me~” Irina added, stretching a little. 

Karasuma looked tired as he said, “...right. Anyways, don't worry about the noise, it's paintball guns. You ought to go and take your medicine sooner before your father comes and asks us about it again.”

“Of course. Tell Nagisa I went back to the hotel if he asks, if you can. Thank you Mr. Karasuma.” Gakushuu said, bowing a bit before he turned and moved for the hotel.

As Gakushuu dodged crowds, trying to get back to the room he felt safe in, his paranoia only grew. He felt as if he was being watched by his father, like every eye that landed on him was paid off by the man. Every corner he turned, he feared running into him again.

Luckily, he made it with no incident. 

Once he closed the door, he slumped against it, burying his face in his knees and just trying to breathe. Those gasps for air wrench tears from his eyes as his skin crawled. Even now, he envisioned the principal standing outside the door. Waiting patiently until it opened again.

He wondered… why did he have to go through this? What the hell was the man doing?

Thinking was just beginning to hurt. His head pounded. He needed something to focus on that wasn't panic.

He looked to his guitar case.

…maybe he should tune it for tonight. Yeah. That seemed good.

He passed time, tuning it and preparing to play. The pleasant thrum of the strings and the familiarity of the notes did a lot to calm his nerves. Once all was well with it, he gently packed it into his case, secured it to his person, and prepared to head back down to the others. A lot of time had passed, after all.

He made sure the principal was nowhere to be found, and went for the elevator, pushing the button to go down. As the elevator arrived, he could hear someone frantically clicking the button inside as the doors slid open, almost spurred faster by the actions of the one inside.

It was Nagisa. As soon as he looked up, he pulled him in for a hug.

“Gakushuu! Thank goodness you're okay!” Nagisa said, “I couldn't find you after I got out of class, then I saw your text and I thought you were gonna confront the principal by yourself and I- Ugh, I just freaked out so bad…”

Gakushuu held him closer, drawing comfort from his hold. “I'm sorry I scared you. I wasn't doing the best mentally, I'll admit, and I didn't think to let you know my plans for myself. I'll be better about it next time, I promise.”

“It's alright, just… don't do anything drastic without at least running it by Karma or me, okay? We wanna help you.” Nagisa said.

“Of course.” Gakushuu affirmed, “I could do that for you.”

“Good.” Nagisa said.

“Do you need anything from the room?”

“No, I was just hoping I could catch you up here. I'm glad I was right. Let's get back to the others, you'll be safer.”

As they pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed, they stayed close together, arms around the other as they slowly descended. Gakushuu would've talked more about his findings surrounding his father, between the note from Ren and Natsuhiko and now the medicine, but this quiet moment with his friend was something he didn't want to disrupt. It was so nice…

…and then his mind wondered if his father had cameras in the elevators. 

“Do you think he tapped the elevators?” Gakushuu asked.

“I don't think he'd have the time, or thought ahead, but I don't know what to look for and It’s not like you can put a whole lot past a guy like that…” Nagisa thought, then offered, “if he does have it bugged, what do you think will bug him the most to see? Between you, me and Karma, we've been caught if he has.”

Gakushuu considered it for a moment. “I don't know. He's always put a lot of emphasis on me marrying someday, so I imagine he's probably mad I'm showing a guy like you such ~frivolous affection~ like hugs or whatever. He already tried to tell me that I could only think about finding an approved girl to kiss on vacation like a weirdo.”

Nagisa laughed a bit. “Geez, that kinda sounds like something my mom would say. Do you think he'd burst a blood vessel and die if we kissed?”

Gakushuu snorted at that. “God. I wish.”

A bit of a mischievous smile appeared on Nagisa’s face.

“I'm feeling a bit murdery. Let's act like I'm gonna do something.” Nagisa suggested.

“Like how? Also ‘murdery’? Really?” Gakushuu asked with a smirk.

“Yep! Watch.” Nagisa said, and gently moved him to the corner of the elevator.

Grabbing the support bars that were now on either side of Gakushuu, Nagisa hoisted himself up and kneeled on them, now a touch taller than him with the boost. Not to mention a lot closer.

Nagisa took one of his hands and said, “Now, place your hands here - feel free to back out when you want, ok?”

Gakushuu nodded, and watched quietly as Nagisa guided Shuu’s hand to his hip, mirroring the position with his free hand to hold the smaller steady. “Like this?” He asked.

“Mm-hm!” Nagisa affirmed, and with the newfound balance he leaned in a bit closer, cupping Gakushuu's cheeks.

Gakushuu couldn't help blushing.

In a soft tone, Nagisa cooed, “Now, I think this would make his head explode. Right?”

“Y-...yeah…” Gakushuu replied. His head was spinning a bit. He felt butterflies.

Forget about his father - Gakushuu felt like his heart would beat right out of his chest! 

Nagisa’s eyes were such a bright, stellar blue. Of course, he'd seen them closely before, dimmed by the dark and shades of amber sunlight peeking through holes in their hideaway, but here, so close… something was different about it. Different, and alluring as Nagisa bent down, closer and closer as his hands held him still. 

No way to escape… not that he wanted to. Safety was an odd, but welcome thing to feel in the scrambling of emotions he was having. Just a little closer, and they'd be…

Ding-dong!  

The chime of the elevator stopping for a passenger broke the spell over them both. Nagisa pulled back, and Gakushuu could hear a small, angry huff leave his lips as his hands slid away, down to his shoulders as leverage to take his legs off the bars. He held him steady as long as he could before those doors slid open too widely. Nagisa’s landing shook the elevator for a bit, but things were fine.

As the other passengers stepped in, talking amongst themselves, reality came back to Gakushuu’s mind.

Did they just… almost kiss?

For once, he was glad nobody was watching him. It took a while of quiet composing. It was all just to piss off a hypothetical watching principal, it wasn’t real. How could he hope for it to be, anyways?

Quietly, Gakushuu took to gently stretching his wrists, hands and fingers, prepping them for the night of playing ahead. He chatted a bit about the plans Nagisa and E Class had for the night, eager to hear something that would take his mind off his own thoughts. And the itch he felt on the undersides of his wrists…

They got to the gathering of E-classers, and he was actually greeted pleasantly by them. After explaining his role, the whole class was excited to have him!

He sat himself down, took his guitar out, and did a small warmup by playing the My Neighbor Totoro theme song. 

“After I make sure my tuning is right,” Gakushuu explained as he played, “You E-classers can ask for whatever you want played. Nagisa’s orders, of course, I'm not happy to be here yada yada yada. Anyways, how do we want to do this? A polite line? Clipboard and paper?” 

“A set list on paper sounds about right.” Isogai said, pulling out a notebook and ripping a page out. “Any restrictions?”

“Hmmm… you have to mention if you want me to sing while i play your song or not. Otherwise, I'd appreciate nothing explicit, but I'm not going to stop any of you.” Gakushuu explained.

Sure enough, after the ground rules are set, several E class students write their requests on the paper. Most have gone by his guidelines, surprisingly! Lots of popular songs, some tv show openings… hm. Some Metal music from Nagisa - literally, a vague request of anything from the metal genre that he knows. He could attempt metallica or something like that… he also thinks he remembers Nagisa talking about a few other bands he liked.

…aaaand of course Karma is making him sing a love song. He glances towards the redhead in question, who smirks and winks. At least it was a tasteful one. 

As he makes his way down the list, the festivities continue. Gakushuu's nerves melt away with the music he makes. This really was one of his most beloved hobbies…

Drinks are being handed out by staff to the students. Someone offers him a glass between songs, but he politely refuses it, holding up his trusty water bottle that he never lets out of his sight. As he drinks, he’s still feeling those weird pins and needles in his hands. He’d been playing for some time, so maybe it was just that…?

It was somewhere between his 5th song when he felt a change in the air. The summer heat stuck in his throat, and he felt a prickling sensation in his spine. A spasm in his left hand causes him to mess up a note, though it went unnoticed.

Somebody fell. 

Then another. 

And another.

Chapter Text

The majority of the class dropped like flies suddenly, and panic arose. Gakushuu stopped what he was doing at the first sign of trouble, rushing to help the situation.

Fevers, Nausea… some of them could barely see straight. All affected were incapacitated. It was almost like a flu… but how did it come on so fast?

Gakushuu glanced to the drinks, some of which were spilling onto tables and floors. He felt his stomach turn. It had to be poison.

Why did his paranoia have to be proven right? Why couldn’t he be the only one affected by it?

Was it… his fault? Was it because he interacted kindly with them all? Were they being punished in his place?

A whirlwind of scenarios passed his mind as he helped fill bags of ice, and make the sick comfortable. It all felt too fast for him to catch up.

He was normally so sharp. So quick to notice changes, from staffing to shores to even the way others talked - but it was like even his own words were drowned out by panic too thick to penetrate. He felt as if he couldn’t catch his breath.

A hand came down on his shoulders, gently shaking him a bit. Slowly he turned, almost afraid, those fearful, animal-like feelings shooting bullets in his guts. It made him not recognize Karma for a moment. He could read concern… maybe? Or was it anger? Both, given the situation… probably.

“Are you okay?” Karma repeated his question to him.

Gakushuu blinked, considering. Heat in his eyes. Prickling pain. Fear. the concept of himself was drowning under the sound of his heartbeat in his ears.

Karma guided him away from the sight of poisoned students he failed to protect, down to the quiet shores.

“Did you drink anything from the hotel’s menu?” Karma asked him, gentle but serious.

Gakushuu felt like he’d fall apart completely if he opened his mouth. He shook his head no.

“Good, okay…” Karma replied softly. He considered his next question carefully as he kept his hands on Gakushuu’s shoulders, ensuring he was faced away from the crowd. “What are you thinking right now…?”

He forced himself to take a breath. He felt his voice waiver as he replied, “...That… th-this is my fault. Somehow…” shame and stress washed over him in waves, forcing him to look down as he dug his nails into his own thighs. “I was so sure I was a target that I stupidly failed to consider he’d go after anyone else that-”

“Nope.” Karma said, “Absolutely not what happened. Look up, take a breath.”

“But it had to be-”


“Wasn’t the Principal’s doing. We do know it was a third party, though, and the teachers are working on helping us handle it. So throw that away, and look back at me, okay? I need you to do that for me right now.” Karma urged him.

Gakushuu slowly looked up. Though sensations were disconnecting, distantly, he felt tears, saw how they blurred the one before him. Remembering what he was told, he forced himself to do as asked. Inhale, exhale.

“Repeat what I’m going to say, okay?” Karma instructed gently.

He nodded.

“What happened here is not my fault.”

“What… happened here… isn’t my fault.” Gakushuu repeated.

“Good. You remember that, and say it every time you start to worry about this.” Karma told him. “Some of us have to travel up away from the shore some ways - this hotel here wasn’t equipped to deal with this, so we’re retrieving something that will help them. But it’s going to be a while, and you’re one of the people that know how to take care of those that got sick better. Could you please stay here and help my classmates for me? For Nagisa?”

“So he's going too?” Gakushuu asked.

“He is. But with any luck, we shouldn't be long at all. Under an hour is the idea.” Karma said.

Gakushuu, truth be told, was terrified of being alone.

But he couldn't exactly let people know that, now could he? Especially not someone friends with the one person he never wanted to leave in a situation like this.

“Go on ahead. I'll do my best to help takebayashi.” Gakushuu said. “Do you want me to convince the virtuousos to aid?”

“I don't think it'd be good for them to get involved in this. The less involved the better…” Karma answered. “Besides, we dont need 4 more people crying and throwing up.”

Gakushuu snickered. “They're not that bad in situations like this.”

“Says the best of them, crying and throwing up.”

“Don’t sound too complimentary around the others, now.”

It was so strange, how easily Karma could lift his spirits… but Gakushuu was grateful to have him. The two part ways once Gakushuu has fully collected himself, masking away and pushing down the fear to sift through another time. There were people that needed him, and he wouldn’t be letting them down. He waved Nagisa off as well, wishing him good luck. A lot of work is in order between him and Takebayashi, but splitting the load made it so it was done twice as fast.

“Gakushuu, re-wet on towels for terasaka gang.”

“Got it. Rio’s in pain, needs something to alleviate it.”

“Yup. on it.”

“Let’s see here…” Gakushuu surveyed laid up students. The groans of general discomfort seemed to have died down. It was silence, soft breathing, and waves as the tide rolled in. “I think we’re ok for now. If any of you need one of us, speak or tap the glass next to you against the ground. That’s partly what it’s there for. I’ve got extra bottled water, so don’t be afraid to ask for it.”

He didn’t expect any answers back, but some did take him up on the offer. He distributed the bottled water, helping those that were too weak to hold themselves up to drink. Soft words, gentle comfort - it was something he was good at, spinning a web of sweetness to lull worries away. He even got some of the students to sleep.

“Asano. Got another bottle?” Takebayashi asked.

“Yep. Just one more.” Gakushuu replied, standing from his position next to Rio.

Just beyond Takebayashi, he saw a shadow. No telltale thunks of the shoes of the hotel staff - it was a silent movement inward.

Not on my fucking watch, he thought to himself.

He walked past Takebayashi, tossing a water bottle that he luckily caught.

“Must use the restroom.” Gakushuu lied as he moved for the door.

“Try to be back soon. Maybe get one of the staff to accompany you just in case.” Takebayashi replied simply.  

Gakushuu didn't answer as he ran through the threshold. Someone small disappeared behind another turn, and he picked up his pace, grabbing a fistful of smooth stones from a decorative potted plant he passed. If something happened, he's sure the others could follow a path.

 And so, his chase began through those oddly empty halls.

Gakushuu was fast - but this individual seemed to be in equal measure to his speed, just barely out of sight. The full, bulky bodysuit and hood worked well to hide who it was.

Not only that, but something else was wrong. At his ankles and knees, Gakushuu was feeling weak. Every step against the ground slowly upped the stabbing pains, making him aware of the now consistent burn in his wrists.

But he still pushed through. If this was the person responsible for everyone falling ill, he needed to catch them.

At a spot close to the top floor, the figure slid a keycard into the slot of a door with impressive speed. The slowdown allowed Gakushuu to gain on him, and he pushed himself to make it before the door slammed shut. He barely slid in, pulling the door shut behind at the deficit of losing the wrist he almost grabbed. But now? His target was trapped, and Gakushuu locked the door so he couldn't leave. Not unless he could survive a few stories of falling.

“Bad move.” Gakushuu spoke as he turned to the perceived culprit, “What did you do to class E?”

Gakushuu startled a bit when he saw them slip the suit off, kicking it under the single bed in the room. A head of pure white hair, pale skin, red tank top… and a familiar, strange scarf being pulled from the foot of the bed and replaced around his neck.

“I didn't do anything to them.” He replied. “You should really be careful about who you follow. I could've been someone dangerous to you.”

“Itona…?” Gakushuu muttered, then asked as he realized, “You haven't been with the rest of your class. Not this whole day. Why?”

Itona eyed Gakushuu carefully. “Not social. Besides, I'm on ‘sick leave’. Not really part of them yet. But that's not important. What do you feel right now? Tell me everything. Quickly.”

Gakushuu felt a bit anxious. Then why is he here? He eyed the door behind his person, thinking of leaving for the safety of a crowd.

“If you want to know anything about the things that are happening to you, you'll cooperate. It's in your best personal interest…” Itona glanced at the balcony, anxiously. “And… I'm doing it against my guardian's wishes. Neither him nor yours know I'm doing this. They can both fuck themselves at this point.”

Gakushuu’s attention sharpened at Itona's words. Itona closed the distance between them, holding his hand up between them.

“My word is the only thing I have time to promise you. Please. Just talk.” Itona said. His voice was soft, but harsh. Pleading.

Gakushuu took it, sighing a shaky breath.

“Fine. Right now, it feels like my ankles and wrists are wrapped in barbed wire. Every joint does. My spine hurts, but i don't know if that's just pain radiating, but it's been more and more noticable the longer I stand. I also have a migraine, but I'm almost certain that's from the stress of the past hour.” Gakushuu answered. “Now why is it relevant? What do you want to tell me?”

A small, soft huff leaves Itona's lips. “Okay…”

With that, he walks over to the bedside table. Opening the drawer that seemed to have a false bottom, he retrieved a few small, thin boxes.

“What’s happening to you is not natural pain. In order to survive these certain side effects of what's happening, you need constant treatment to keep your body's levels balanced. Without it, the pain will slowly increase to unbearable levels. In your case, no treatment will cause your body irreversible damage, paralysis, and a high possibility of death.”

The pit in Gakushuu's stomach deepened. Itona handed off the boxes, one by one.

“This one is the treatment Shiro and your father wanted me to administer. It not only has the cure to your pain, but a high amount of sedatives… and things that further their little plan with you. Can't remember for the life of me what the specifics are called.”

He then hands off the second, smaller box. “This one is a compound that destabilizes a certain aspect of those plans - it took a while to find, and I had to do some annoying and careful research to be certain. This is it. I programmed the box so it only opens for you. You'll be able to open it if you mess with it the right way.”

Sure enough, as Gakushuu turned it over, and an old phone keypad lit up - number groups and all.

Gakushuu Glances back up at Itona. “So… if this is all true. What drives you to help me? And what do you gain?”

“Good question.” Itona replied, as he watched his locked cure be pocketed by the other, “Like I said - I don't like what's been done. You've been dragged into something you never should've had to deal with.”

“And what do you gain, I ask again? And why are you being so indirect?” Gakushuu asked.

“For one, I'm still under contract by a different person. If I make it out alive somehow, I'm not losing out on something by feeding a civilian confidential info, if it's even fair to count you as that.” Itona replied. “As for what I gain directly? Well. It's just revenge, simply.”

Itona wanders to the balcony, opening the sliding door. The ocean breeze that wafts in feels like sharp hail on Gakushu's skin.

“I went through… well, about a year-ish of augmentation. Shiro changed me. Hurt me, humiliated me. And I endured it all, just as a chance to escape the situation I was drowning in. And now, with the promise you've shown… he no longer wants to continue to use me. My treatments have ceased, and he only promised me one more if I dosed you. I could be mad at you, sure. But I'd much rather screw him over while he still thinks I'm his puppet.”

He hopped up, sitting on the ledge of the balcony. In the light of the moon, it was increasingly obvious how haggard Itona looked. There were bags under his eyes. There was something dried in his messy hair - maybe blood - and bruises littered his arms, alongside old scars. As he smiled at Gakushuu, he could see a gap in the top row of teeth near the back of his mouth.

He looked so, so frail.

“I'm tired, Asano. The room here is bugged. The augmentations done to me were implanted directly into my skull, and every day I feel them spreading. Moving. So I think, before Shiro could go and beat the shit out of me, or do anything else he likes to do to assert how much stronger he is than I am…”

Itona leaned back - much too far.

“I'm gonna leave.”

Gakushuu moved before he could even think.

His fingers closed tight around what he could hold. Scrambling up Itona's shoe, he clawed for better grip of the boy's leg.

Of course, Gakushuu's own body heavily complained. His wrists simply felt broken, his arms and legs screaming at him to stop, and his back felt as if he got shot. Still he persisted. He wouldn't let anyone die - not on his watch.

“Let go of me!” Itona yelled, flailing his free leg at Gakushuu, trying to make him let go.

The kicks to his arms only made Gakushuu hold tighter. “Fuck you! Dying is bullshit!”

Against the pain, Gakushuu heaved. All too slowly, he was bringing the smaller back from the edge. As Gakushuu pulled, Itona braced his arms against the edge, trying to fall back into open air once more.

Gakushuu took a gamble. He grabs Itona's shirt, momentarily giving Itona the advantage in leverage before quickly wrapping his other arm around Itona's waist. Against the wall of the ledge, he braces his legs, holding Itona by the waist as tight as he can manage.

“If you fall, you're killing me too!” Gakushuu threatened him, “you really want that?! For all that work you did for me to go to waste? Your revenge will be nothing if we die together and you know it!”

At the words, Itona's pushing falters. Then, he stops resisting. Gakushuu pulls him back onto safe ground, tossing him onto the bed before quickly shutting the balcony doors.

He grips the handle like a lifeline, waves of agony washing over his body. As he stood, his heartbeat traveled through every inch of him, head throbbing. He can barely catch his breath.

Itona spoke in a hissed breath, “You have to take your medicine, fas-”

“LIKE HELL I AM NOW!” Gakushuu yelled at him, “WHAT, SO I CAN FALL ASLEEP WHILE YOU FLY OFF THE BALCONY AGAIN?!”

“God, what the hell should I do then?!” Itona asked, on the verge of tears, “I don't- I can't face Shiro again… he'll…”

“C-come back with me.” Gakushuu breathed, fighting bile that rose with pain. “Blend in with the sick ones. We'll - We'll each take half the dose. Even if they don't understand why you're here, they'll understand an emergency.”

“You… you can't be serious…” Itona muttered, before pain wracked his head again, killing his ability to speak properly beyond choked sounds of pain.

Gakushuu picked up the longer box from where he had tossed it aside, fumbling with the latch before it opened. Of course, it had to be an injection. He steadied one hand with the other, pulling off the cap of the needle with his teeth.

He half falls next to Itona's bedside, his knees taking the brunt.

“Does it need a vein, or not?” Gakushuu asked.

Itona, still clutching his head, nodded slightly. Gakushuu took one of his arms, guiding it down. The poor student's veins were easy to find, surprisingly.

In goes half the dose. Though not ideal, as Gakushuu pulls it out, he sanitizes the needle with some pocket hand sanitizer he carried with him.

 It stung when he injected himself, but he barely cared once that pain began to ebb down a bit. Once it's done, he tosses the empty needle along with the box it came in.

“How long were you without that…?” Gakushuu asked. With his calm, a heavy tiredness was leaking into his bones. It was something he felt he could fight, though.

“A-ah… a week…” Itona muttered softly.  

Gakushuu, with great effort, pulled himself up to his feet again. “Do you… feel like you can walk through it now…?”

“I don't know…” Itona replied. Tears dripped down his cheeks. “I… I can't…”

“‘S fine, then…” Gakushuu replied. “I'll… carry ‘ya.”

Gakushuu reached down, and attempted to lift Itona from the bed.

 Gakushuu heard a beep. A keycard had unlocked the door.

“No…!” He heard Itona whimper softly. He watched him curl into himself, bracing for what would come.

The last thing he saw was the fear in the poor boy's eyes as he desperately looked to Gakushuu for help.

A light not only blinded him, but kicked his pain up impossibly beyond his limit. He thought he could hear himself screaming over that blinding agony - he definitely heard Itona.

He hit the ground hard, dark nothingness snaring him in its grasp.

…

Chapter Text

“Are you sure you’re okay, Nagisa?” Kaede asked.

Nagisa was simply staring out of the car window on their way back to the hotel, gaze far in the distance.

“Hm? Yeah, I’m good. Knowing that everyone’s gonna be okay…” Nagisa answered. “Just… pretty ready to go to bed.” 

“I bet. It was a long night…” kaede sighed.

Very soon, they were back at the hotel. Slowly, their classmates were starting to get back on their feet. Nagisa was about ready to just collapse on one of the makeshift beds…

“How's everyone?” Kaede asked takebayashi.

“They're starting to improve. Glad the whole threat was a fluke…” he answered.

Nagisa scanned the crowd. Once, twice, thrice.

“Hey…” Nagisa tapped his shoulder. “Where'd Gakushuu run off to?”

“Oh, he said he'd had a stomach ache. Left a while back… haven't seen him since.” Takebayashi answered. “I just sort of assumed the stress got him, but its been a while, hasn't it?”

A pit forms in Nagisa's stomach. Something isn't right.

“I'm… gonna go check the bathrooms.” Nagisa said, and quickly disappeared into the crowd and away.

Meanwhile, Karma was in the lobby area, having agreed to help Terasaka carry his friends to his room on the first floor. The two were talking quietly as they moved, Karma supporting him a bit as well as Terasaka carefully tried to grab his keycard.

“Surprised you're still moving like this after all the stomach poison.” Karma commented, shifting the weight of two classmates on his back, “you're crazy.”

“Yeah, well.” Terasaka replied, finally getting it in his fingers before nearly dropping the card, “I didn't wanna rest ‘till I knew the gang was okay.”

“Still in pain? Dizzy?”

“Not much. Careful, your uncaring guy look's slipping.”

“It is? Should i drop these two on the floor and leave then?”

“Drop me and you’re dead when i get back up…” kirara muttered quietly.

“Okay, okay…I won't drop you. Today.” Karma replied.

They get inside Terasaka's room, and get the gang comfortable. Blankets, water and other things needed for the three all crammed together in bed - Terasaka wanted to keep his own bed for himself, and he had no doubts about kirara kicking the boys out of bed once she gains more clarity.

“Allrighty, that's done.” Karma said, glancing at terasaka, “Now you do something for me!”

Terasaka glared. “Seriously?”

“Yep!” Karma replied, “come along, cow-boy!”

“Do you mean that like an actual cowboy or-”

“Anyways! Take a look.”

Karma points out a line of rocks, running through the hall to the stairwell. Terasaka squints.

“...okay, so there is a trail. What about it?” Terasaka asks.

“Follow it.” Karma said simply.

“Why?” 

“I wanna know where it goes. Im too tired to do those steps myself~”

Terasaka glares at him. Karma just continues smiling like a goofball. He's serious.

“What, do I have to carry you too?” Terasaka asked sarcastically.

“Well! Now that you mention it~”

“ I AM NOT FUCKING CARRYING YOU!”

“Aww. Oh well. Follow away then! Tell me what floor it goes to and I'll elevator up.”

Rolling his eyes, Terasaka follows the path. “Yeah whatever. I bet this is a prank you set up.”

“Aww, if only i had the time~” Karma sighed, and wanders off to do whatever. 

Terasaka could only eyeroll so much, so he just continues on his way, following the path of stones. Eventually, the boring path leads… to a room. 

The door was propped open with something - a small box-like object. He couldn't tell what it was. He pulls the door open, picking it up for a moment.

He hears a strange, quiet sound. 

Terasaka glances into the room. 

…

“I-I can't find Gakushuu!” 

Nagisa paced around the bathroom on the first floor, Karma leaning against one of the sinks nearby.

“Nagisa, it's probably okay - don't you think he'd use the room bathroom instead of multi-stall peasant bathrooms?” Karma joked.

Nagisa glared, wide-eyed and sharp. “You remember what we just went through, right?! What if there was another assassin, and-”

“Takaoka wouldn't know about Gakushuu. He wasn't in our class, he wouldn't know that Shuu is like, friends with you. If there was an extra assassin, he would've gone for our classmates, don't you think?” Karma points out.

The words do well to calm Nagisa. “Right- right… it's- it's probably okay…”

“Yeah. He probably went upstairs, took a shower and crashed out of stress.” Karma said with a smile. 

Suddenly, both their phones buzz. Karma checks his quickly.

“Ooh, did Terasaka find the end of that trail?” Karma wondered aloud.

Plain as day, panic texts appeared rapidly in the class group chat.

Terasaka: ITONA UPSTARS

Terasaka: LOOKS DEAD

Terasaka: FUCK

Terasaka: HELP

Karma glanced up, whole body tensed all over again. Nagisa's already left the room, and commotion begins again as karasuma and some agents rush past in the lobby, Korosensei in his defense form brought along.

…

Ok. Ok, Itona was still breathing - Terasaka could help. He could keep him up until help came.

“Itona! You better stay awake! You hear me?!” Terasaka yelled at him.

Bruised and bloodied, a soft affirmative comes out of the broken student before him. Terasaka, using sheets, his shirt, anything he could find nearby, tried to wipe away the blood, to find the wounds where it came from.  

Itona stirred. 

“Ry…o…ma…?” He uttered the name through broken, staggering breaths. 

He didn't think Itona remembered him, let alone his first name. But still, as he worked to slow wounds, keep him covered, hell, just keep him *awake.*

“Itona- who the hell did this?!” Terasaka asked. 

He wished the answer would've been someone he didn't know about - but he could already guess.

“Shi…ro…” Itona choked out the words. “He… I…”

He knew. Terasaka, from the moment he got close up to the freak, he knew he wasn't to be trusted. He really wished, in that time that he did spend closer to Itona, that he paid more attention - maybe, just maybe, things wouldn't be this way.

“Don't worry - we'll catch him. I'll beat the shit outta him for you, I swear!” 

Itona didn’t answer too well. Terasaka found at least one of the stabs, and used whatever he could to slow the blood. His breaths were shaky, shallow.

“You don’t have to talk - just let me know you can still hear me, okay?!” Terasaka told him.

A half-rotted tentacle slowly reaches up from the mess, barely able to regenerate. It curls itself around Terasaka’s arm, squeezing it lightly.

Though panic tried to flood his senses, Terasaka had to shove it back. Keep plugging the wounds up. They’d make it out…

…

Karma arrived with Karasuma and the others. He’s surprised by the amount of mess, the blood and struggle signs outweighing more than that of any fight he's been in. But, as soon as any panic tries to rise from the depths of his head, a dull quiet swallows it. He’s fine with blood, and this isn’t the worst thing he’s ever seen.

He pushes the worst thing out of his head, as he has been, despite the situation dredging it up.

There’s no time to feel anything at all - not until it’s safe to rest.

Korosensei is coaching Karasuma and some other agents on how to help Itona - he’s delicate right now, thanks to the decay of the tentacles and how exactly he was injured. Terasaka can barely pull himself away - despite how tough he is, he could never leave anyone like that. 

Karma spots something tossed to the floor in the mess…

He picks up the little box. He sees the number pad, the handwriting. Gakushuu’s name.

He wants to break it open. But if it were something important and fragile…

… it was best to find him first. Maybe he knows what happened here - he doubts he’s to blame.

Karma excuses himself from the room, an Idea of where to look.

…

Nagisa burst through the door to his shared hotel room, ragged breaths against the silence deafening. He couldn’t deny his panic. Playing freshly in his head as he checked in the bathroom, the closet, beneath the bed, were those threats Takaoka made.

He was so afraid for him. He knew he had to calm down, but as nothing but silence met his searching, he couldn’t right his breathing. In shaky hands, he pulls out his phone.

Nagisa: He’s not here. 

Nagisa: what do I do

Thankfully, Karma was a fast replyer.

Karma: Stay there. They’re stabilizing Itona for transport, and I have a feeling I know where Gakushuu is

Karma: I’ll bring him back

Karma: Promise you

Nagisa bit his lip, texting rapidly back. Tears fell - he couldn't help it.

Nagisa: i want to keep searching for him

Karma: i know that

Karma: but i also know tonight was a lot. For everyone.

Karma: go rest and let me drag him back there.

Karma: listen to some music or something

Nagisa: do you even know where to start looking?

Karma: listen. Not gonna lie. I stole the old keycard for his old room after i gave him my copy of the key to ours

Karma: his dad is here too, so, if my hunch is correct, Gakushuu has been left in his room and i just have to grab him from there

Karma: if I'm wrong you can come look for him with me but im not. Now lay down.

Nagisa sighed softly. 

Nagisa: fine. 

He puts his phone down on the bedside table, taking a deep breath. He was still shaking - he hated it. 

But still. Maybe Karma was right. He needed rest. He reaches up, taking his hair down from the pigtails, and goes to grab his pajamas. 

A shower… that would be good, too. He'll be done by the time everyone gets back. It will be fine.

It has to be.

…

Karma made his way to the top floor of the hotel, moving quickly and quietly through the hallways. In the chaos of the Itona situation, it made it very easy to sneak into off-limits spots, like the hotel kitchen, and retrieve an actual knife.

Did he think the principal would let his guard down? No. But maybe he could sucker stab someone else, if there were any unsavory faces left around. So far, the coast was clear as he moved in on Gakushuu’s intended room.

He puts an ear to the door, listening carefully in the still, off silence of the empty corridor. It was muffled, but he could hear it.

“... will cost us greatly in his development…. Disposal highly unnecessary…” 

He was talking to someone, far enough from the door to be difficult to hear. Karma had guessed on the phone…. But no. A second voice is heard.

“Your little brat wasn't supposed to be in that room, for the last time!! You're lucky I even brought him back up here for you - I should be-!”

A loud bang of something thrown against the door. Heavy. Maybe Shiro himself? Karma kind of hoped. The Principal’s voice came clearer from the door…

“You damaged my property, I should remind you.” the principal said sharply, “And your rash, sloppy decision has caught the eyes of everyone in the building. I strongly urge that you rethink it next time your disgusting urges arise, or else I will make it certain that you rot somewhere.”

Property. The thought of who he was referring to made Karma’s blood boil.

“There it is…” Shiro’s voice, strained. “Admonishing me when you’re just as bad. You get so pissed when your little- ugh- shitstain ditches you for the rest of those shrimp just like him…”

More violence heard. As Karma looks at the door, he realizes he shouldn’t be in sight of the peephole and moves off to the side, pressing his body into the little indentation of the neighboring door’s frame. Couldn’t be too careful. Besides, he could still hear just fine now that they were closer…

“You’re not even trying to hurt me all that hard, are you, principal? It’s like you know you’re- GHK-!”

“Shut it. You aren’t a parent - you don’t know what this hell has been like for me. He isn’t one of those low-class students, either. You’re only here because of what you’ve done to help him - otherwise, I’d have you quickly exposed. Even if I could do it myself, right here, right now, ending you with my own hand is a waste of a good suit and the necessary procedures. Are. we. clear?”

“Yes… fine…” the sound of sliding, a dull thunk again. “Can I go have a smoke now that you’ve beat me?”

“Your lungs must be mold by now.” the principal quipped.

“And yet you smoke them with me. Come on, let’s get the fuck outta here, i know you don’t want to corrupt your precious student’s lungs or whatever.”

The door handle turns. Karma holds his breath, managing to remain unseen as the two walk by. As the footsteps fade, Karma swiftly moves to use his key.

The interior of the room… was fancy. Fancier than Karma and Nagisa’s, with expensive curtains and lush silk bedsheets, and many other details unimpressively rich. There atop the downy covers, Gakushuu was… laying. 

His eyes stared vacantly up at the ceiling. His pajamas were silk and fancy, too, and Karma couldn’t help but be reminded of snow white in her glass coffin. He looked… dead.

“Gakushuu. Hey, Gakushuu…” Karma called out to him, tugging his arm. “Get up, idiot.”

The only thing that happens is that his eyes twitch slightly. Karma checks Gakushuu’s wrists again. Once more, those bruises were back, darker than ever.

Karma wanted to vomit. But there was no time to stay, shake him further, anything. He pushes his hands beneath his friend, picking him up. Gakushuu still had a pulse. Was still breathing.

He leaves for his room, careful to avoid the steps taken by Shiro and the Principal.