-TOKO FUKAWA-

APPEARS LATER IN THE STORY!

-AOI ASAHINA-

I met up with Hina, agreeing to go on a light run through the school. After the run, we flopped in the hallway in a small heap. Hina seemed a little troubled.

"Ugh... Hey, Kuno... I'm so tired...", Hina mumbled.

"You do look a bit tired, what happened? Someone give you trouble?", I asked.

"No, not that... I woke up earlier than normal this morning, so I decided to do a push-up, sit-up, squat set. I ended up doing a thousand of each...", Hina explained. I almost chocked on the air when she said that.

"A thousand!? That would explain it...!", I gasped.

"Tired... so tired... I want... something sweet... I want those things you get when you mix flour, sugar, butter and eggs, then deep fry 'em...", Hina groaned.

"That's a weird way to say you want donuts...", I muttered.

"Don't tell anyone, but there's actually a bunch of frozen donuts in the warehouse...! Throw those in the microwave for a few seconds and just imagine... Imagine the warm chewiness of that donut! You know what I'm saying, right? You'd eat the crap outta that, right!?", Hina explained, almost drooling at the thought.

"You sure do love donuts, don't you?", I laughed a little.

"Is there anyone who doesn't? Who on Earth-no, who in the whole universe can say they hate donuts!? Think about the sensation of biting into a donut... First the sweetness floods your mouth, then the soft dough cushions you... Next you get that taste of egg and butter, right? Your whole body starts to melt... You feel like you're falling into the center of the donut itself! When people talk about the donut effective, that's what they're talking about...!", Hina grinned.

"I'm pretty sure that's not what they mean...", I deadpanned.

"Ahh, I can't take it anymore! I'm drooling like Niagara Falls over here! Get outta my way, Kuno, or I got an uppercut with your name on it!", Hina growled, making me jump out of the way. "Wait for me, God of donuts!", Hina ran off, as if her energy wasn't drained after our workout.

-YASUHIRO HAGAKURE-

I hung out with Hiro, hearing his weird stories with interest. Hiro suddenly grinned in the middle of his story and turned to me.

"I'm surprised how well you and me get along, Kuno! Seems like we hang out all the time these days.", Hiro smiled.

"Hehe, you're fun to hang out with!", I said with a small blush.

"Since we're such good friends, can I ask you something...? Wait! I totally realized something just now, completely out of nowhere! Say, Kuno... Have you been feeling down in the dumps? No energy, no spark?", Hiro asked.

"Um, I think so... With what's going on, I kinda feel down. But you don't have to help me, you know?", I shrugged with a pout.

"Oh, you don't have to hide it from me. I know what it's like, I've been there! And you know I'd recommend? This!", Hiro pulled out a crystal ball on a tiny pedestal.

"A crystal ball...?", I mumbled.

"Yeah!", Hiro nodded.

"And how is that going to help me?", I asked.

"Just hold on to it for a second! Here, here!", Against my will, Hiro shoved the ball in my hands. Although it was forceful, his hands did feel somewhat soft the split second they were in my hands... Hm. "Whaddya think? Nice and cool to the touch. Feels good, doesn't it?"

"I-I suppose...", I nodded.

"You can feel its power, can't you?", Hiro asked.

"Um... I don't know.", I mumbled with a shrug.

"It's the ancient power of our timeless Mother Earth!", Hiro declared. I just stood there, looking at the crystal ball with a raised brow. "You see, that crystal ball has quite the history... It was found in the ruins of Atlantis! It is literally a priceless one-of-a-kind artifact! This precious item grants enormous power to whoever holds it, bringing prosperity and peace of mind! This very ball has known the touch of Napoleon, George Washington, even Genghis Khan!", Hiro explained.

"Wow... Um, that's interesting...", I muttered.

"Well, I'd like to give it to you as a present! In return, I'd like you to come with me to a little seminar when we get out of here. And don't worry! I'll see about getting a discount on your entry fee. Cuz that's what friends do!", Hiro grinned.

"Um, thank you so much, Hiro... But it seems that this is really important to you, I can't take this.", I smiled.

"Sorry! The crystal ball has already acknowledged you as its proper owner! It wants to stay with you. It NEEDS to stay with you! It has given itself to you! So now you gotta keep your promise! You don't wanna know what that thing does to oath breakers... Okay, I'm countin' on ya, pal!", Hiro left, leaving me with the ominous crystal ball.

-CELESTIA LUDENBERG-

I met up with Celeste, and we talked about some of her most memorable wins.

"Hmhmhm. Look how quickly we have become close friends, Kuno.", Celeste smiled.

"Um, y-yeah, I suppose.", nodded with a small blush.

"So, let me share with you something... I will tell you about the biggest crisis I ever faced in my gambling life.", Celeste revealed. I raised a brow at that, thinking about how much did she lose during this supposed game. "A shadowy organization was hosting a mysterious tournament... The game in which I participated was called King of Liars."

"King of Liars...? What's that?", I questioned.

"It was quite a severe game. When you enter, they strip you of all your assets. Money, property, everything. You must use your wisdom, cunning, and luck to battle through challenge after challenge. For the final match, I had to face off with an odd duo... They called themselves the Honest Woman and the Liar Genius.", Celeste recounted.

"Yikes, that's pretty intense...", I cringed.

"Oh, that part is not important. But during a break, I was careless and spilled some tea on my clothes. I was terrified that the stain would never come out. That was a very difficult time in my life.", Celeste sighed.

"Um... what?", I sputtered, confused as heck.

"I was forced to win more quickly than I wanted, so that I could rush to the cleaners. I was able to get the stain out, but it was perilously close... If I had waited even another hour, I would have been forced to throw out my favorite dress.", Celeste looked so distraught... over a stain on a dress. I was at a lose for words, and I didn't even try to question it. Celeste was different, that's all I could say.

-SAKURA OGAMI-

I hung out with Sakura, who wanted to improve my muscle structure. She gave me an intense training regimen to follow. After that, we sat down and Sakura began talking. "Hmm... I suppose I can share this with you.", Sakura nodded to herself.

"Huh...? Share what, Sakura?", I asked.

"The story of the man who is stronger than even me.", Sakura revealed.

"R-Really!?", I smiled.

"I've never told anyone about this before... but I think I can tell you.", Sakura confirmed.

"Well, thank you for trusting me with that info...! So, who is it?", I questioned.

"The truth is... I have a lifelong rival. He only fights in underground tournaments, which is why nobody knows about him. But he is truly the strongest man on the planet. I've faced him in battle after battle... and lost every time.", Sakura explained.

"Wow, he's that strong!?", I gasped.

"These days, fighting has become its own science, in a way. People studied it, it evolved, and eventually it was established as a formal sport. The idea of being invincible disappeared. Whoever develops the next great technique becomes the best. But even in this modern era, he never used that kind of scientific approach... His only teacher... is real combat. He laughs in the face of combat sports. No one can come close to him... Martial arts relies on a certain amount of luck. A lucky punch, a missed step, can decide who wins. But none of that matters to him. He never loses. There's no strategy that can beat him. Many have studied him. All have lost.", Sakura described this man that was her rival, showing her respect to him with her sincere look.

"He almost sounds like a machine...", I muttered.

"His name... is Kenshiro. As he described it to me, he inherited what he called the ancient assassination art...", I shivered at the word "assassination". I thought about how this technique got the name, but I just shook it off. "And the story doesn't end there... Will you hear what I have to say, and not laugh?", Sakura requested.

"Um, sure...?", I raised a brow at the request, but agreed anyways.

"Thank you, Kuno... Please, give me some more time. I need to gather my thoughts... But... I can't tell you now...", Sakura huffed, turning away from me.

"W-Wait, why...?", I called after Sakura, who was walking away.

"Please, try to understand. Even I... I too have the heart of a woman...", Sakura left me standing there, running that last statement in my mind. I wasn't going to pry into the matter, but I was still curious about the end of the story.

-BYAKUYA TOGAMI- (A/N: Byakuya will be a bit of a different approach, since Kuno-chan hates his guts now, lol. She won't be seeking his friendship because of what he did to Chihiro's body, but Byakuya will hang out with her to try and change her way of thinking, to his "game" outlook on the events.)

I was checking out the art room, tracing the drawing on the walls and trying to think of who made them. I heard footsteps come up behind me, so I turned and immediately scowled; Byakuya was there.

"What do you want, Togami?", I grumbled.

"Nothing in particular, I assure you... Jeez, when is the next life-or-death killing game going to begin already? Or will I have to get things going myself to alleviate this boredom?", Byakuya sighed, standing next to me with his condescending stance. I rolled my eyes and sat down on one of the isle stools.

"I don't have time for you.", I stated, trying to ignore him.

"Don't be so petty, I'm trying to talk, that is all. You were a lot more welcoming before...", Byakuya raised a brow at me.

"Key word, before.", I scowled. Instead of him leaving me alone like I wanted, he sat down on the opposite stool and began explaining what he wanted from this "game". He suddenly cut off his talking with a different topic; himself.

"Just to be clear, being the Ultimate Affluent Progeny is only one of my many talents. Some people think I rely on the care and protection of the Togami name.", Byakuya explained. I raised a brow at him, but let him continue. "But I don't rely on my family. Rather, I am my family's savior. The Togami Corporation reaches across the world, true, but I will take us to even greater heights. It is expected of me, naturally. After all, even my own family has recognized my ultimate superiority. In other words, even among the Togami family, I am the chosen among the chosen."

"Hm, weird flex but okay.", I shot back at him with an eye roll. Byakuya grit his teeth and stood before me, making me look up at him with a bored look.

"My confidence is justified, I assure you. It comes from the battles I've fought and won.", Byakuya stated.

"Oh really? What are those "battles", Togami?", I asked.

"I am personally worth over 4 billion dollars, separate from my Togami family assets.", Byakuya boasted.

"I asked about your battles, not your net worth.", I deadpanned. Byakuya growled and leaned down to look me dead in the eye.

"Stop cutting me off, you scum.", Byakuya growled at me.

"Heh, make me.", I rolled my eyes and pushed him away from me. "Now, where did you get so rich, Togami?"

"Hmph, the stock market. I buy and sell shares and assets, based on market trends, all within a single day. Surely even someone as simple-minded as you have heard of this technique.", Byakuya taunted with a smirk.

"Day trading, a lovely subject...", I grumbled. "And you got 4 billion dollars from that?"

"Well, I first started doing it just to keep myself occupied, and before I knew it... there it was. It's really not a big deal.", Byakuya shrugged.

"And high schoolers are allowed to do that?", I asked.

"... I'm Byakuya Togami.", Byakuya smirked.

"... And? Nice to meet you, I guess?", I raised a brow at his poor explanation. Byakuya didn't seem to care, since he kept going.

"4 billion dollars is nothing to the Togami Corporation, but for personal use, it's not bad. So now you understand, right? I'm not merely the child of modern-day nobility.", Byakuya asked with a smirk.

"I never asked for this conversation, but I guess so.", I shrugged. "So did you just come here to tell me how "noble" you are? Or did you come here to tell me to call you the Ultimate Day Trader or something?", I sassed.

"Oh, I don't do that anymore. It was too simple, so I got bored of it pretty quickly. Of course, that's how I feel about anything I do. Frankly, life is too easy. It's only natural for me to do whatever I want in this world.", Byakuya smirked at me and left. I groaned and left the room, really not feeling the art anymore.

-HIFUMI YAMADA-

I hung out with Hifumi, who seemed very peeved about "Cosplayers not knowing the origin of their hobby". I listened to him ramble, taking a few notes in my head. After that, Hifumi geared the conversation to something else.

"Hey, Miss Sawa?"

"What's up, Hifumi?", I asked.

"I feel like you're worthy of my trust, you know? You're the only one... I can confess to. I've reached my limit. I need to get out of here. Right now.", Hifumi grinned.

"Whoa, whoa! No need to get so hasty, especially with that creepy smile...", I shuddered.

"I need to see her. I need to get to a TV. I need to see the real Princess Piggles.", Hifumi groaned. I was about to ask what did he mean by "real", but I just ignored it.

"I-I'm sure you'll see her soon, no need to be so down! You'll see your... something angel pretty pudgy princess!", I smiled.

" "Something" angel...? SOMETHING angel!? How dare you insult the princess like that!? Say her name right, swine!", Hifumi yelled. I glared and pulled out my knife and put it near Hifumi's neck.

"What did you just call me...?", I growled.

"EEK!! S-SORRY I'MSOSORRYMISSSAWAISWEARI'LLNEVERSAYTHATAGAIN!!!", Hifumi shook in his place as I pulled the knife away.

"You tell me her name.", I demanded.

"D-Demon Angel ☆ Pretty Pudgy Princess, to be precise! Can't leave out the star, he he...!", Hifumi laughed with a nervous tone.

"Good! But man, you really like that anime, don't you?", I asked.

"Of course. She's my guiding angel. She opened my eyes to life. Before her, I didn't have a single friend. I was just a mild-mannered boy who liked to draw. I hurt everything I touched. I was a model young lad who fell to the Dark Side... For example! Sometimes a nicey-nice type girl would come try to talk to me, right? You know, be nice to the weird, dorky kid. And I'd scream at her, "You're such a hypocrite!" I'd just yell right in her face and make her cry. Man, I loved doing that...", Hifumi giggled.

"Dude... That's horrible! Why would you yell at someone who was nice to you!?", I scolded.

"Hear me out! But by total chance, I happened to catch an episode of Demon Angel ☆ Pretty Pudgy Princess one day. At first, I felt nothing but contempt for it. I thought it was just another magical girl anime. However, after that, she came to me in my dreams.", Hifumi whispered.

"Um... your dreams...?", I mumbled.

"I dreamed that I went on date after lovely date with Princess Piggles. It was... so much fun. When I woke up and realized it was a dream, I got depressed. But I also realized... I was in love. I wanted to experience that sensation again, so I started buying all the Princess Piggles stuff I could. Unfortunately, in the show itself, the princess never falls in love... So as much as I wanted to, I never got to see her face filled with love, the way I did in my dream. The face she made when she was in love was the cutest thing, I've ever seen... So, filled to the brim with my overflowing affection for the princess, I decided to draw that face myself! I was consumed with passion, and I finished one Princess Piggles project after another. I was so happy with the results, I decided to put it up on my personal website, just to see what happened. And it was an instant success! That was the moment I was reborn as the true fanfic creator!", Hifumi explained his story with pride.

"So that's what happened before?", I hummed.

"I was so happy... I have no idea there were other people on the planet who's felt the same things I had. I can't thank her, I know that! So instead... I'll ball up all my love and affection, and use it to do incredibly embarrassing things to her!", Hifumi laughed, and I just sighed and left him at that.

-KYOKO KIRIGIRI-

Kyoko and I hung out in the lab, even though I was doing most of the talking. She seemed so calm, even though we were in such a dangerous situation.

"...", Kyoko was just staring off into space, and I was tempted to ask her about her calm demeanor. I decided there was no time like the present to ask.

"Um, Kyoko...?", I called, making her turn towards me silently. "How do you stay so calm, Kyoko?"

"...Calm?", Kyoko inquired.

"Well, you never seem to lose your composure. It's hard to tell your emotions...", I elaborated.

"You say that like I'm some kind of inhuman beast.", Kyoko smirked, causing me to blush and stutter like an idiot.

"N-No, I'd never think that...! I j-just meant, well...! I... Sorry, I didn't mean it...", I sighed.

"Well, I *am* human. I *do* have emotions. I simply keep to myself. I don't show it in my face or in my voice.", Kyoko explained.

"You make it sound so easy, as if we aren't in this... situation.", I mumbled.

"Well, you should consider trying. Your naïve honesty makes you an easy target.", Kyoko advised, even though I didn't ask. It was kind of annoying when she pointed out how honest I was, but I wasn't about to throw a fit over it. I wasn't going to change either. I wanted to get some sort of reaction out of her, but I didn't know what to say or do. "Protect against deception, and never allow others to read your emotions. And whoever stands before you, don't let them push you around. Remember that."

"And that's why you hide your feelings? But... That's such a waste!", I called Kyoko out.

"...Hmm?", Kyoko raised a brow at me, and I sighed. I gathered the courage for what I would say next.

"Your smile is such a beautiful sight! Hiding it behind a stone-cold mask is a waste! A bright smile is way cuter!", I explained with a grin. Kyoko's face suddenly went... Pink. It was honestly the cutest thing I have ever seen, and I wanted to commit it to memory.

"Wh-What are you talking about...? C-Cute? It's much too soon to be bringing up... things like that...!", Kyoko stuttered.

"Aha, there's the emotion I was looking for~!", I cooed.

"...What? You... Kuno, you...! Y-You... deceived me!?", I almost choked at the word "deceive". That wasn't what I was going for... "I don't believe this...! To use the word "cute" to deceive someone...! That's just... too cruel!", with that, Kyoko almost ran out, causing me to call after her.

"I-I'm sorry, I got carried away! S-Sure, I kinda deceived you... But I was being honest!", Kyoko froze, and turned back to me, with the same stone face as before. It was baffling to me. Wasn't she just blushing!?

"... You see how easily you yourself are deceived?", Kyoko asked.

"... Eh?", I muttered.

"You would never just come out and call someone cute like that. Completely out of character. You thought I wouldn't pick up on the ploy?", Kyoko asked.

"It wasn't a ploy... but...", I felt so dejected. I thought I found her weak point, but I was just tricked.

"Watch yourself, Kuno. You're honest to a fault.", with that, she was gone. I was left feeling a little embarrassed.

-KIYOTAKA ISHIMARU-

APPEARS LATER IN THE STORY!

-MAKOTO NAEGI-

I found Makoto in the kitchen, making a simple meal for himself. I decided to join him, making some food for the both of us, chatting while taste testing. After we both ate, we sat down in the cafeteria next to window.

"You know, Makoto, you're special.", I smiled.

"Huh...? Special?", Makoto echoed.

"Yeah, your talent is pretty cool! Ultimate Lucky Student... With that kind of Ultimate, you can basically go into whatever profession you want!", I exclaimed.

"I... never thought of it like that. I just thought it was a little... silly. I mean, I'm not lucky at all...", Makoto shrugged.

"How so?", I asked.

"I don't usually win stuff at crane machines, I always get the short sticks whenever my old class draws sticks for whoever cleaned, and so on.", Makoto sighed.

"Maybe someday, you'll get your big break!", I cheered.

"Hm... Kuno, don't you like your talent?", Makoto questioned.

"Oh, I love it, don't get me wrong! It's just that not many want a blacksmith for practical jobs. It's why I made my own company.", I explained. I got up and grinned. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade with a little twist~!", I quoted and left Makoto at that.


CHAPTER 16, END!

❄︎☟︎☜︎✡︎ ✌︎☼︎☜︎ 👎︎☜︎👍︎☼︎☜︎✌︎💧︎✋︎☠︎☝︎📬︎