Chapter Text
Shuichi Saihara:
· A person who practices outdoor survival skills as a sport or hobby. Shuichi first met such a person through Kaito who had eagerly dragged them into those nightly training sessions as well as Maki. Though their idea of "training" was certainly something to behold. Pushups - nah, they'd suggest rock climbing. Pull-ups - Nope, swimming against a river's current was much more enticing. Communication and talking, sure, as long as it was done on a camping trip to the woods where no one brought any supplies. Thankfully, such training rarely happened, but when it did it was always the most excruciating exercise Shuichi ever had.
· Funny thing though. Outside of training the Survivalist always spent time with Shuichi. Asking if he was feeling alright, or if his muscles were sore. If he were hurting, even the smallest, slightest bit, they'd carry him over their shoulder to the nurse's office despite his flustered protests.
· They even had taken interest in his work, offering their assistance. For infidelity cases they taught Shuichi how to sneak around and follow people without them knowing as if they were out hunting. They showed Shuichi how to find animal tracks even in the most unlikely of places for his missing pet cases.
· When it came to cold cases or cases that didn't involve physical activity Shuichi would sit with the Survivalist by his side, explaining the case and how to connect evidence and statements to reveal the truth. When they struggled Shuichi would go step by step, leading them gently through critical thinking processes 'till they finally arrived at a logical conclusion, even if it weren't his own. In fact, seeing how others could view the case helped Shuichi broaden his own skills as a detective.
· Overall, the Super High School Level Detective and Super High School Level Survivalist balanced out one another nicely, teaching the other skills the former lacked.
Kaito Momota:
· "Survivalist, huh... Well I bet they never survived the vastness of space before!" With that thought in mind Kaito sought out the Super High School Level Survivalist. Surely, they'd make for a great training partner! After all, Kaito had to go through survivalist training himself to be an astronaut. And surely the Ultimate Survivalist would take interest in surviving the greatness of space! They just had to train with him! And if not, then Kaito would just convince them, he was Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars, he'd figure out something!
· Unsurprisingly, said Survivalist was nowhere to be found. Luckily some students from their class knew where the Survivalist was training. England's Wychwood Forest. Great! With the help of Rantaro, off Kaito went...
· What Kaito made up for in raw determination, he lacked in foresight, not having researched anything about the forest so he... he didn't know the place was also called "The world's most haunted forest"
· And that was how the Ultimate Survivalist found the Ultimate Astronaut, screaming at every little noise... even the sound of his own screaming.
· Not the best first impression, but Kaito was quickly able to brush it off and finally train with the Survivalist, but... just not in a forest.
· The Survivalist and Kaito got along like two peas in a pod, especially after Kaito saw how the Survivalist looked after his sidekick Shuichi. Every moment spent together was called 'training', dedicated to getting stronger in any sense of the word. Even simply laying on some cool grass in the dead of night racing to spot navigational stars first was training. Everything they did together was a friendly competition of sorts, pushing each other to be better.
· On one such night between rounds of star searching Kaito actually pried his gaze from that beloved mysterious expanse that loomed above him. Instead he glanced to his side, in that moment, realizing the person beside him was one he simply couldn't see not beside him when he finally blasts off away from this planet.
Ryoma Hoshi:
· Ryoma didn't think much of the Super High School Level Survivalist at first. Ryoma never went out of his way to meet others, and with his reputation of being a convicted criminal not many approached him. So, when the Ultimate Survivalist eagerly appeared before him, he was quite surprised.
· "You must teach me THAT, whatever THAT was!" Not knowing how to respond, Ryoma simply stared, dumbfounded. "The thing you did when dodging that attack!"
· Moments prior Ryoma had successfully dodged one of Kokichi's pranks. "Ah, the Shukuchi Method." He didn't even think about it. Though it had been so long since he had used it, it seems that method was still muscle memory... When was the last time he used that method? Back when he played tennis...he knew that, but...
· Ryoma was abruptly snapped from his thoughts, seeing those lively, sparkling eyes. "Shukuchi Method? That's what it's called? Please, you have to teach me!"
· And thus, began the Survivalist's escapades in trying to convince Ryoma to teach them. Wherever Ryoma went, Survivalist followed, much like how a duckling would with their mother. For the first day of this they'd ask Ryoma to teach, to which he'd decline, to which Survivalist threatened to follow him around till he agreed to do so. And that they did. They were the first person Ryoma met in the morning and the last person he saw at night.
· When asked why they wanted to learn so badly, the Survivalist listed off application after application they could see using the method to improve their own talent.
· After the first day though, the Survivalist occasionally asked to be taught, but also just asked Ryoma other questions, such as for his name. Then day after day, they'd just talk. And with each day, less and less would the Survivalist ask about the Shukuchi Method. Till they never mentioned it even once. Even after weeks, and months.
· "... If I taught you the Shukuchi Method, would you leave me alone?" With a confused expression the Survivalist looked to Ryoma, who was stoic as always, yet... the tone in his voice was off somehow. Did it waver? "No, you're my friend now! You can't get rid of me that easily. Sorry Ryoma, but you're stuck with me for the long run." A light chuckle escaped the man. Truthfully, Ryoma felt guilt for not having taught Survivalist long ago, for unintentionally stringing them along and for them being with a guy like himself, yet... it was nice always having someone around.
Rantaro Amami:
· Rantaro had actually met the Survivalist long before either were invited to Hope's Peak. On his many adventures searching for his sisters they bumped into one another. They ran into each other many times actually. Each time the Survivalist would guide Rantaro through any terrain, searching for whatever small town Rantaro was looking for and Rantaro would buy them a big hearty meal that was heavenly compared to the plain fish and berries they had grown so accustomed too. Then after that meal they'd go their separate ways till they inevitably met again several months later on complete accident.
· When they found each other at Hope's Peak, it was quite odd. They weren't huddled close in snowy mountains, they weren't trudging through a humid rain forest trying to fend off the many bugs, they weren't even dragging one another through some desert! They were just at a relatively safe and peaceful school with other people.
· It was nice being able to chat for hours on end of their old adventures together. Survivalist would tease Rantaro for not having gotten muscular even with how much traveling he did and Rantaro would tease Survivalist for how socially awkward they tended to be, having not spent too much time in human society. This lighthearted teasing managed to subdue the stagnant air about them. Even without the thrill of danger around every corner they still found joy and comfort in the other's company. It was a relief to them realizing their friendship was able to run much deeper than merely the thrill of exploration they often experienced with the other.
· But that didn't mean the thrill of adventure wasn't missed, so whenever Rantaro left the school to go searching once more, he was sure to tell his best friend and companion, and they stuck by his side for every last excursion, now not daring to leave him ever.
Gonta Gokuhara:
· The moment Gonta saw the Survivalist, Gonta knew they'd be great friends. They were being kind to bugs! When the giant wild looking man came charging at the Super High School Level Survivalist, they almost crushed the poor cricket they had just helped escape from being trampled in the noisy classroom.
· From that day onward Gonta happily introduced his new friend to his bug companions and even invited them to his lab. With how kind Gonta was the Survivalist couldn't refuse his offers, though they did fear the man. If he found out the Survivalist had to resort to eating the relatives of such beloved companions on occasion... The Survivalist never dared to finish the thought and focused instead on not accidentally mentioning that the particular species of stink bug Gonta was so happily showing off was delicious, tasting like apples.
· With each visit to the lab or escapade out bug hunting the Survivalist found an appreciation for the little creatures outside of nutrition. Many were quite pretty actually. And seeing the variety of inventive ways bugs adapted to harsh environments tugged at the Survivor's heart strings, realizing how they themselves were quite similar to them in that aspect.
· Though it may sound strange Gonta saw his and the Survivalist's relationship to be symbiotic, like that of the ant and aphid. The ant, the Survivalist, would protect Gonta, the aphid, who in return for the protection provided food - knowledge of insects.
· From what did the Survivalist protect Gonta from one might wonder.
· Homesickness. Even with his beloved insects around, often times, he found himself missing living outside of human society and with his forest family. But the Survivalist reminded Gonta so much of home. Though they weren't a wolf or lizard person, they had that...for lack of a better word, calm wildness. Like Gonta for much of their life they lived outside of human society and being able to speak with someone about his home and they truly understood what he was speaking of...knowing Gonta had a connection with a person like that always pulled his lips into a smile.
· So, whenever the Survivalist left for an adventure with Rantaro, it hurt, but seeing them return with a bug case in hand, some new insect friends they had made on their trip, it filled Gonta with unimaginable joy.
Kokichi Oma:
· Ah, the entrance ceremony, a staple of High Schools all across Japan. The time where all the new students gather and listen to the principle and others of authority welcome them all with open arms! A rather boring event, but one that could easily be livened up. And what better way than to greet his new classmates than pranking everyone all at once with fireworks and paint! Though enacting such a plan would take time, lots of time. So, for several days before the ceremony he prepared.
· Unfortunately, on one such day Kokichi was caught by some security near where the ceremony was to take place, a place none of the students were allowed, and so, a chase ensued.
· As Kokichi dashed down hall after hall he took a sharp turn around the corner, crashing into someone. Perfect. Kokichi flipped on the water works, crying out, saying the mean guards were chasing after him for no reason at all and how he oh so badly needed help! And help the person did, hiding Kokichi and telling the guards they hadn't seen him. With the guards gone Kokichi stepped out of his hiding place and thanked the person, now he could get back to preparing!
· The person quickly left but took a moment to glance over their shoulder. A strained smirk emerged on their lips as a stifled laughter manage to seep out. They wished Kokich good luck with 'catching his prey'.
· Soon after the day of entrance ceremony came, and it was marvelous! Well, except for one thing, that person who helped Kokichi, the Ultimate Survivalist, managed to avoid the prank! Now this will not stand. And so Kokichi dedicated himself to giving them the greatest scare and laugh of their life in retaliation!
· ... Or so he thought. No matter what he pulled, they managed to outmaneuver him! Exploding school supplies? Nah, moment they picked it up, they threw it out the window. Fill their classroom with laughing gas? Nope, they always left the room moments before his trap went off. How were they doing this!?It was as if they knew it was going to happen!
...wait.
· Well he got his answer one afternoon when he tried to tackle the Survivalist from behind with joy buzzers under his clothes. They dodged his attack much to his chagrin. "Survivalist! Why are you so mean to me!? I just want a hug." Seeing those crocodile tears come cascading down the Supreme Leader's cheeks they decided to speak out. "I've played the role of both predator and prey many times. I always keep a close eye on my environment, even if it means crawling through the vents at night." Kokichi blinked, the tears instantly disappearing. "Huh...Not gonna lie, getting that out of you was much easier than I expected. I didn't even have to prod at you at all." "No decent predator would not have noticed my skill level at this game by now, so I decided to just save you the trouble of confirming your suspicion. I found all your traps before you got to set them off. And now, this game can really begin! So, catch me Oma! I want to know what truly being caught off guard in one of your surprises is like! I'm sure it must be thrilling!" Oh, this was going to be fun, especially when Kokichi finally wins.
· Every day thereafter was filled with excitement and suspense. Especially days when nothing happened and all they did was talk. Both in this game of cat and mouse trying to outsmart the other with everything they had! Never knowing what was to come next, they were always on their toes, one searching for opportunities and the other searching for any sign of an attack, both adding lulls into the action making the next attack more thrilling. Even when Kokichi did win, the game continued. After all, even if he won once didn't mean he could get consistent results. Besides, he saw no reason why he would take away an excuse to spend time with such a fun person.
Korekiyo Shinguji:
· It all started when Kiyo entered his lab one morning, finding one of his artifacts was missing. Though very concerning, his attention was focused on the small note that was left in it's place. 'Go to the track' it read. There he found another note instructing him to jog around the mile-long track twice. For the time being he decided to play along, curious as to the intentions of the person behind these notes. When he finished a new note had appeared, instructing him to go to the cafeteria where there was a meal being prepared for him. Once he was there another note was with his meal telling him to return to his lab, where his artifact had been returned... Quite an intriguing person to put Korekiyo through all that. What could their aim be, he wondered. Little did he know he'd learn that the very next day.
· Like the day prior one of his artifacts were missing and a note was in its place. Once again, he was led to a location, told to do an exercise, but something different happened. As he was doing some push-ups, someone approached him. "You're doing it all wrong." Kneeling beside him they moved him so everything was in proper place saying there was no point in this if he was just not going to do it properly."Ah, the Ultimate Survivalist.So you've been taking my artifacts."He then gestured to the note they held, it saying something about going to the cafeteria again. "...I didn't know how else to get you out of your lab, you never leave the place." "Well, now that you're here, why are you having me do this?" They threw out their arms, gesturing to all of Kiyo. "You look like a twig! How do you not break in the wind!? You need help! I didn't think my word would be enough to convince you so, I held one of your precious items hostage."
· And that was how Korekiyo began doing light exercises with the Survivalist. Exercising was not Kiyo's forte but getting the chance to converse with a person who had minimal contact with society intrigued him to no end. And he got them to speak of their travels, and the many remote places they had gone to. With each location spoken of, Kiyo added knowledge of the history of the region. Particularly he spoke of legends of warriors since those intrigued the Survivalist the most. On occasion they even tried recreating some, like the labors of Hercules or legends of Beowulf or the adventures of Fionn mac Cumhaill.
· Their friendship was very unlikely, even chaotic at times when recreating myths went awry, but it was always fun and fascinating. A friendship neither would trade for the world.
Kiibo:
· Though it was not often Kiibo had the chance to speak to them, he held great admiration for the Super High School Level Survivalist. He always saw them moving and running around the campus almost nonstop. They were always looking for ways to get better, asking others to teach them like Ryoma with his Shukuchi Method. They seemed to stop for nothing!
· Even the most unlikely of things they did to improve. Kiibo learned this when one day he was passing by the Ultimate Light Music Club Member's lab and saw the Survivalist singing with a microphone in hand as the owner of the lab wailed away on her guitar. All too quickly their session had come to an end, and Kiibo was caught staring. The Survivalist swiftly skipped up to him before he had the chance to leave.
· "You wanna give singing a shot Kiibo?" "Ah, no I couldn't. My singing is lacking, dangerous as Shuichi puts it. Even if I practiced it wouldn't get better. I want to improve, but I can't. The only way I can, would be with help from someone like Miu or Dr. Idabashi. I...I am a robot I can never improve myself on my own but you can! I find that to be an amazing ability, but even more so is how you work so hard for that." "Really!? I wish I was like you, Kiibo!" That comment caught the robot off guard. "Kiibo once you get an improvement you get to keep it forever! If I took a break for even one day my muscles and body would lose some of the improvement I had gained yesterday or even more. I have to constantly push myself lest my skills and body get rusty from lack of use for even a short time, and getting back to the high proficiency I was at before would be extremely difficult. The human body is ridiculously temperamental while you don't have to worry about such things. And I even have to focus on specific parts and not just my whole body, like singing to increase lung capacity. And Kiibo, the improvements you can gain are limited only by the imagination while the human body was much more restrictive. You can be so much greater than me or anyone else at this school!"
· That day changed a lot of things for Kiibo. It got him to be able to see his existence from a slightly different perspective, even if only for a moment. And after that day the Survivalist would approach him, asking him if he would spot them during their exercises. During these times they and Kiibo would try to come up with ideas to improve his body; they would come up with ideas to improve their exercise regimen; they'd throw out any idea at one another, no matter how ridiculous or impracticable. In the end all that really mattered was the thought behind it, wishing to help the other even in the simplest of forms. No matter how simple they wanted to help. Even if it was just Kiibo cheering on the Survivalist to push on through one more lap than they did yesterday. Even if it was just the Survivalist sitting by Kiibo's side as he was getting a maintenance check. No matter how simple, or insignificant if seemed, they ended up supporting the other in any way they could, hoping that in doing so the other could at least get a glimpse at just how great they could be because the former certainly could see it, and they would both agree that the other was absolutely amazing and filled with endless possibilities. They just needed to see it and they were the one who was going to show that to them.