-TOKO FUKAWA-

APPEARS LATER IN THE STORY!

-AOI ASAHINA-

I hung out with Hina had a swim in the pool, having fun together. Afterwards, we went back to the cafeteria to chat.

"Kuno, help me... I'm huuunnngrryyy...!", Hina grumbled.

"And... You want me to bring you some food?", I asked.

"I need food... Anything... I don't care if it's a stack of paper... Need fooood...!", Hina whined while shaking me.

"Why not eat some donuts? Those seem to help you.", I suggested.

"I can't! That's my secret weapon! For emergencies only! If I kept gorging on something with that many calories, I'd get fat in no time!", Hina pointed out. It made sense that she'd care about that, but it didn't really matter to me. "Besides, I don't want anything sugary. Right now I want a salty snack..."

"How about potato chips?", I asked.

"No, something like ramen.", Hina interjected.

"I mean, it's not a snack...", I mumbled.

"Huh? How is it not? Speaking of which... What's your favorite kind of ramen?", Hina asked.

"I mean, it's pretty basic, but I love Shoyu!", I grinned.

"Ah, good choice! Definitely the most refreshing option.", Hina nodded.

"What about you, Hina? Seeing as how you care about calories...", I asked.

"I'm a porktastic Tonkotsu girl through and through!", Hina interjected.

"Or not...", I giggled.

"The key element of any Tonkotsu ramen is the butter and the extra fat!", Hina sighed with a smile.

"So you like the oil?", I asked.

"Ugh, talking about it just made me even hungrier! Maybe it's time... Maybe I can make it...to the kitchen...", Hina grumbled.

"Are you sure, though? I mean, a bowl of ramen has way more calories than a donut.", I pointed out.

"Who says stuff like that!? Are you a real woman or aren't ya!? What, are you afraid? Afraid of ramen!? You're pathetic, Kuno! I'm ashamed to know you!", Hina called me out, making me blink in confusion.

"U-Um, Hina, you there?", I mumbled.

"Shut up! Get outta my way! I'm gonna show you what a real woman looks like! Or are you gonna stand in my way and suffer the fist-based consequences?", Hina threatened.

"N-No, you do you...", I backed up slowly.

"Then don't! If I don't do this now, when am I ever gonna get another chance...!?", Hina yelled, running towards the kitchen.

"H-Hina, ramen doesn't disappear tomorrow...", I whispered.

-YASUHIRO HAGAKURE-

APPEARS LATER IN THE STORY!

-CELESTIA LUDENBERG- (INCLUDES ROMANCE OPTION)

I played a few games with Celeste, losing every single time. After losing for the last time, I gave up and told her I might go back to my room to take a nap. But she stopped me before I could.

"Umm... Miss Kuno Sawa...?", Celeste suddenly addressed me.

"Y-Yeah? What's up with the sudden formality?", I asked.

"Well...you see... I was hoping we could talk. Just the two of us. Could you come to my room, please?", Celeste asked.

"Y-Your room...!?", I mumbled, a little embarrassed.

"... I will be waiting.", Celeste left me in the room. I sighed to myself, following her and making it back to her room. I knocked on the door and let myself in when Celeste opened the door. The room was decorated with a gothic Lolita tea set, princess accessories and a few unique dresses in the corner.

"I'm glad you came, Kuno... ", Celeste smiled a bit.

"Thanks for inviting me... Um, so what's going on? Why did you ask me over?", I asked.

"I received the results...", Celeste muttered.

"Results...?", I mumbled.

"The child growing in my belly... It's yours.", I almost choked on air when she said that. "Wait, sorry. Wrong results."

"D-Don't say stuff like that, Celeste...", I sighed.

"Congratulations! You have moved up a rank! You are now C-rank!", Celeste announced.

"Um, C-rank...?", I questioned.

"Oh, I have a habit of ranking those around me.", Celeste pointed out.

"Oh, um, that's quite the habit.", I deadpanned.

"The most common is D-rank. I have no interest in D-rank. Most everyone at this school fits into that category. The worst is F-rank. If you're F-rank... I pay a special organization to have you killed. Your very existence is unforgivable.", Celeste said, making me a little scared but I knew I wasn't going to die anytime soon by a secret organization. "Conversely, the very best is A-rank. But among everyone I have met, across all countries, I have never even found a B-rank, let alone A-rank. So you being promoted to C-rank is a very great honor."

"I see... I'm honored.", I smiled a bit.

"Also, when you become C-rank, you gain the right to become my official servant-a Valkyrie.", Celeste pointed out.

"Oh, really? I had no idea...!", I mumbled with a surprised look.

"I have knights and Valkyrie all across the world. They are all quite obedient. I recommend you take me up on this offer. If you do your very best as a knight, becoming the first B-rank may well be within your grasp. Perhaps even...A-rank... I can't be sure, but I feel like you may have the potential...", Celeste muttered.

"Hm... Well, until then, maybe I can be your first C-rank private Valkyrie...", I recommended with a wink. Celeste looked a bit surprised but smiled a bit afterwards.

"How bold of you, you mere C-rank... I like your attitude. Very well.", Celeste came up to me and pet my head very gently. I felt a little embarrassed, but at least Celeste liked me. I feel like we understand each other a little better. She pet me a bit more, then said it was time for her tea. I left her to her own devices afterwards.

-SAKURA OGAMI-

I hung out with Sakura to train. After our training, Sakura held my shoulder and looked into my eyes directly.

"So, have you decided?", Sakura asked. I remembered she was referring to me not laughing at her story.

"I won't laugh, I promise.", I nodded.

"Then join me in my room, and I will continue my story.", Sakura led me to her room. When I walked in, I saw a bunch of training equipment, like those thick punching bags and such. It was pretty impressive to me.

"Is there a reason you're glancing around?", Sakura asked.

"Oh, sorry, I just thought your setup looks pretty impressive!", I complimented.

"Anyway, I shall continue my story...", Sakura sighed.

"Yeah, about Kenshiro...", I continued.

"That's right. My lifelong rival. And... My... My first love.", Sakura revealed.

"You... Liked Kenshiro?", I blinked.

"... You think it's funny?", Sakura growled.

"N-No! Of course not, love isn't something to laugh at.", I shook my head. "Besides, I promised not to laugh. And I keep my promises!"

"...I'm ashamed of myself. I underestimated you. I beg your forgiveness, Kuno.", Sakura mumbled.

"No need, I don't mind it.", I smiled.

"I just..didn't want to be laughed at. Can you imagine? A girl like me, using the word love? And being shy about saying it is even more girly, right? I creep myself out, to be honest...", Sakura sighed.

"But... you *are* a girl. You can have a feminine side if you want.", I explained.

"But my goal is to become the strongest warrior on the planet.", Sakura retorted.

"Sure, but that doesn't mean "manly". Manly does not equal strength.", I pointed out.

"Gh...!", Sakura gasped, looking a bit conflicted.

"A-Are you okay, Sakura?", I asked.

"Y-Yes, I just... You made me remember something. Kenshiro once said something very similar... I'd forgotten about that... But there's no point to recalling his words now. I really am a girl... Still dragging his words with me like a chain around my neck...", Sakura stopped. I thought she was referring to Kenshiro being... gone. "Right now, Kenshiro is... He's fighting."

"R-Really? Who is he fighting...?", I asked. I secretly let out a sigh of relief at the fact my assumption wasn't true.

"He's fighting an illness.", Sakura revealed.

"O-Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.", I mumbled.

"When they found out, they said he only had six months to live. But six months has come and gone, and he's still fighting... That's just how he is. He would never let a disease beat him. He has to get better... He's the strongest human alive. I admit that-no, I *believe* that.", Sakura nodded.

"Wow...", I muttered.

"I visited him once. He'd lost so much weight. He looked like an entirely different person. But do you know what he said? He told me that now I was the strongest human alive. That I had taken the title. He said he'd return someday to get the title back. He said I'd better not let anyone else take it. He didn't need to say that last part. I'll never give up that title, not until he gets better. And when that day comes... I will defeat Kenshiro and earn that title for real. And that's why I have to get stronger...", Sakura explained.

"I had no idea there was so much depth to this...", I mumbled.

"That's my biggest reason for becoming the strongest human alive. I'm sorry for wasting your time with such a longwinded story... I'm...not even sure why I told you. I think that somehow...you remind me of him.", Sakura mused.

"I... I do?", I muttered.

"Well, in certain ways. Your build is obviously different, but you both have a strong core.", Sakura pointed out as she poked my stomach. I stifled a giggle and shook my head.

"Nah, I'm a noodle when it comes to body strength."

"You don't have to be modest. I know strength when I see it. Okay?", Sakura chuckled a bit.

"Oh, alright. I'll take your word for it.", I laughed. I felt like I've come to understand Sakura so much better. Our friendship looked great for us.

(A/N: As much as I wanted it to be a romance, I didn't know how to make it work smh ;-; )

-BYAKUYA TOGAMI-

I was about to get some rest when my doorbell rang. I sighed and opened the door, finding Togami outside my door.

"What do you want?", I grumbled as I closed the door behind me.

"I'm here to indulge you with my ideas, since you look like you need it.", Togami scoffed.

"Well, I never asked.", I scoffed back.

"A commoner like you can't turn me away even if you tried.", with that, Togami started talking about his own ideas, while I just sat there waiting for him to stop. Togami stopped talking for a second, and turned to me.

"Listen, Kuno. I wanted to ask you something.", Togami said with a straight face.

"Well, that's a first.", I rolled my eyes. "What is it?"

"You know...only a chosen few, perhaps 1% of us, are able to succeed in life. For the other 99%, their dreams never come true. Some never even have a dream in the first place... Spending every waking hour toiling to scrap together a meager living, just barely getting by... I just don't understand. Is there any meaning to life like that?", Togami asked.

"Why are you asking me that? I have my life together out there, for the record.", I mumbled.

"Because you're part of that 99%, of course. Why did you even feel the need to ask?", I knew he was gonna insult me somehow, but I didn't care. "Up until now, I've never been around anyone like that. So I'm interested... So tell me, how does it feel to live a life without hope, without potential or ambition or dreams?"

"Oh, for f*ck's sake! Do you like, know nothing about humans? Hopes? I hope you leave me alone. Potential? My potential is enough for me to live honestly. Ambitions and dreams? I was living them outside this hellhole. I have a business, I was living the dream *I* wanted, not yours, you rich jacka*s! Are you really so insecure that you have to shove a million dollar bill in people's face whenever they breathe near you!? You're only happy when you know your better than others, isn't that right!?", I blew up in Togami's face.

"Your complaints are as old and tired a-"

"I DON'T CARE, YOU ABSOLUTE PIECE OF STEAMING HOT TRASH! I don't care what you think!", I yelled.

"Sorry, I can't not speak the truth.", Togami scoffed.

"You want to hear the truth? YOU are a spoiled brat with morals as nasty as a baboon's a*s.", I retorted.

"That doesn't phase me. No matter how much you push and struggle, people like you will never be in a position to change the world. You could all disappear tomorrow, and nothing would change. Your existence is of no consequence.", Togami pointed out.

"You have NO right to assign worth and importance on people! You were BORN in a high status, what makes you thi-!", Togami suddenly shoved me against the wall, making me hit my head. We glared at each other with so much hate it was almost suffocating.

"From the day I was born? You have no idea... You don't have a clue what you're talking about!", Togami growled.

"And you have no idea how I feel about you shoving your status up everyone's ass to seem better!", I retorted.

"Those who are "chosen" from birth have no concept of what that truly means. I have gone to battle and emerged victorious. *That* is why I am the chosen.", Togami explained.

"Oh really? What did you do, live in a desert at age 3?", I scoffed.

"You're spoiled, all of you. Running away into a world of self-indulgence. Battle, competition, rivalry-you run away from it all. *That* is why the 99% walk the path that they do. Good God, your absolute lack of understanding makes me want to weep.", After all that anger, Togami left me there to fume. I grumbled as I went back to my room and slammed my door shut.

-HIFUMI YAMADA-

I went to talk to Hifumi, but he seemed serious for once. As in, standing straight without his "Anime Protagonist" impression.

"Hi there, Miss Sawa. It's kind of embarrassing, but there was something I was hoping to talk to you about... I'll be waiting in my room...! Come as soon as you can!", Hifumi quickly ran away, towards the dorms. I shrugged to myself and followed him. When I knocked on the door, Hifumi let me in, and as I had guessed, the place was filled with merchandise from Demon Angel ☆ Pretty Pudgy Princess.

"Gwehehe... Welcome, Miss Sawa, to my secret flower garden...!", Hifumi welcomed me.

"Thanks for having me... Are we going to talk about Princess Piggles again?", I asked.

"Piggles...? No! Who cares about her!?", Hifumi suddenly scoffed.

"Uh, you!? No offense, but you talk my ear off about how wonderful she is and how she breaks standard anime tropes! You care!", I pointed out, a little confused and pissed that Hifumi just dropped it after all those conversations we had.

"Oh, well, maybe I misspoke. It's just that I don't have room to think about her right now. See, I was kinda starting to think about...just maybe...creating something original.", Hifumi mumbled.

"Original how?", I asked.

"It's actually been in the back of my mind the whole time I've been doing fanfic. Fanfic is amazing, don't get me wrong. It's a way to connect people to a shared dream, so to speak. But I think I have more to offer. I'm ready for the challenge of creating that dream myself! I was thinking... if I could create something that might save someone, the way the princess saved me... I want to create a masterpiece that will astound a mainstream audience! I only watch anime on the weekend, and I only really know the most popular comics... I want to try and make something that has the same reach as stuff like that! I guess what I really want to do, is create something that other people will want to make fanfic of... Of course, I'll still keep making fanfic myself! That's my life's work, after all! But if that can coexist alongside original work, that's like the best of both worlds!", Hifumi explained with passion I hadn't seen before.

"So that's your dream...", I smiled.

"Uwah! A dream...!? When you put it like that...! Ahh, stop! You're embarrassing me!", Hifumi began to drool at the thought.

"I... didn't say anything weird. Clean yourself up.", I rolled my eyes at Hifumi as he wiped his face and mouth. "But... having a dream to work toward is pretty fulfilling. I'll be cheering you on!"

"Yes, and to do that in the best way... I want you to become my assistant. That's right, a legendary assistant-slash-historian-slash-blacksmith! Oh man, how cool is that!? You'll be like my own personal narrator! Long ago, there was a man named Hifumi Yamada. He was an incredibly famous fanfic creator... His grandpa went up to the mountain to cut and cut and cut...and cut...gwehehe... His grandma spent her days washing clothes. Washing pants. Washing...all kinds of stuff... Here comes a rare giant peach down the river... Grab it! Sell it to the highest bidder!", Hifumi muttered.

"Hifumi, you're drooling again.", I grumbled.

"Oh, sorry. I just got a little carried away in my latest plot. Anyway, I'll be counting on you to give the world a play-by-play as I ascend into godhood. Um, I mean...if I'm successful... I'll be counting on your unique perspective...as my friend.", Hifumi smiled a bit.

"Heh, sure, and if things go well for the both of us, it might become something more! See ya!", I waved as I ran out of the room, hearing Hifumi call after me with surprise in his tone. I just laughed and kept running.

-KYOKO KIRIGIRI-

I was talking to Kyoko about the stuff I was making, when she cut me off.

"...Can we finish this already?", Kyoko asked.

"O-Oh, I must have been rambling, I'm so sorry...", I sighed.

"No. If we truly want to trust each other, we must truly know each other. That's what you believe, isn't it?", Kyoko explained.

"Well, yeah...", I mumbled.

"I understand why you feel that way, but... when it comes to me, I think you should probably give up.", Kyoko shrugged.

"But why?", I asked.

"Because I don't have anything to talk to you about.", Kyoko simply stated.

"Oh... I guess that makes sense, you may not trust me...", I mumbled, a little disappointed.

"... If you get too involved with someone, you're apt to lose any sense of good judgment. I learned that lesson myself all too well. Personal experience is a ruthless teacher.", Kyoko explained.

"Personal...?", I questioned.

"Surely by now you've noticed what I always wear, something unique to me...", Kyoko pointed out.

"Yeah, your gloves.", I answered.

"That's right.", Kyoko nodded.

"But... What do your gloves have to do with what you were saying?", I asked.

"Simply put, there was a time when I grew attached to someone, and I made a bad decision. I was forced to learn a very powerful lesson, and these gloves are a daily reminder of that. So on these gloves, I swore to never make the same mistake again.", Kyoko told me, very vaguely, what she went through.

"Um, I still don't understand. Please... Tell me more.", I urged.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. That's the end of it.", the end... This is why I still know nothing about Kyoko. Because our talks end to quickly...

"... Anyway, don't get too depressed over all this. The reason I'm not willing to talk about it isn't because I don't trust you. In fact, I *do* have faith in you. Which is why I decided to tell you what I have. I want you to understand *why* I can't tell you. I can't show you myself, just like I can't show you what's beneath these gloves. I can't remember the last person who saw what was beneath my gloves.", Kyoko sighed.

"Wow, that must be a really long time...", I mumbled.

"That's right. And I can't imagine a point where I would show them ever again. Only someone I could call family would be worthy.", Kyoko revealed.

"Family, huh?", I nodded.

"Are you going to volunteer?", Kyoko mumbled, making me almost choke on air.

"H-Huh!? W-Well, I-", I stuttered.

"Got you again... Hehe... You really are foolishly open.", when Kyoko laughed, I froze. It sounded natural. Like it came from the heart. It made me feel happy, so I couldn't bring myself to be annoyed. Maybe she actually showed her true feelings... Maybe... "I know I always tell you to be careful and protect yourself, but... to be honest, I hope you don't change. I prefer you this way. This is... you."

(A/N: I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for Kyoko Kirigiri. I'm soft for K--)

-MAKOTO NAEGI- (A/N: I lowkey forgot him-- ACK DON'T KILL ME--)

I was doing my laundry when Makoto came up to me.

"Hey Kuno, do you mind if we chat for a bit?", Makoto asked.

"Oh, sure! I'm bored anyways...", I shrugged.

"I wanted to ask you something, but...", Makoto seemed to hesitate.

"Go on, Makoto. I don't mind if you ask something personal... I trust you.", I smiled.

"O-Okay... Um, when we saw those videos that Monokuma showed us... What did it show you?", Makoto asked, a little nervous. I stopped what I was doing and turned to him.

"I saw... My family. My mother, my father, my baby brother... They are very dear to me. Without them, I would be nothing...", I whispered.

"I-I'm sorry to hear that Monokuma threatened you with them...", Makoto sighed.

"... I'm not worried though.", I stated.

"Huh...?", Makoto raised a brow.

"I was worried before, but now I remember. My mother is strong. She is the one who taught me how to weld, how to protect myself... If I am confident about anything, it's that my mother protected my family...! My father too, of course, but my mother just... exudes female strength.", I smiled.

"And your brother...?", Makoto asked.

"He's still a kid, he barely knows anything... But I'm sure he's fine. My parents wouldn't let anything happen to him. I wonder... If they're worried about me?", I mumbled.

"O-Of course they are!", Makoto assured.

"And why are you so sure...?", I asked.

"Well, you talk about them so fondly... So I'm sure they know how much you love them, so they must love you back even more!", Makoto grinned.

"You sure do know how to cheer me up, huh?", I laughed. We spent the rest of our time laughing and talking with one another, content with each other's presence.

CHAPTER 19, END!

❄︎☟︎☜︎✡︎ 👎︎⚐︎☠︎🕯︎❄︎ 💣︎✌︎❄︎❄︎☜︎☼︎📬︎