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Another night dawns on them, another night for Momota to drag Tenko out of her dorm to train. She's found herself sucked into a nightly routine with the most unlikely company she can tolerate-- an annoying, proud idiot of a man. Ever since their first day waking up in the academy and being told to kill to escape, Tenko had nothing but contempt for all of the men she's found herself trapped with.
The astronaut didn't have a patient bone in her body for the green-haired boy who claimed to be a supreme leader, or the tall long-haired boy in all black who couldn't even remember his own talent (Creepy!). Saihara was on thin ice, due to following poor Akamatsu around all day like a lost puppy. Ouma was absolutely out of the question, but she found she didn't mind the rest of the boys' presence, as long as they behaved.
Then there was Momota. She hated him at first for always being so physically affectionate, affectionate period, with the other girls. He'd high-five Akamatsu, and ruffled Yumeno's hair like she was some little kid, and even made the deadly serious detective Harukawa blush! That really stung, and Tenko would tell no one about the way she threw herself onto her bed and screamed into her pillow after bearing witness to that.
So she hated him. It was easy to hate him. After all, there was nothing yet to be angrier about.
At least until after the first trial-- the deed had been done. Akamatsu's blood was on her hands now, and the execution hadn't even finished when she broke down, pouring all her ugly rage and despair into crying for the girl she'd helped identify as the killer, even feeling a sense of grief over the supreme leader, who for all intents and purposes, was actually not as big of a creep as he could have been. There was frantic, horrified conversation all around her, but she tuned it all out as the static began filling her head.
Then there was suddenly a presence next to her, hands respectfully keeping their distance, yet still hovering in concern. Tenko let herself be led out of the trial room after it was all over, and only realized who helped her once the group had filed out of the elevator, gazes distant and mournful, unwilling to look at each other. But Momota was there looking at her with a crooked smile, and told her everything will be okay, prove it to yourself and to Akamatsu.
After that, she'd been quickly attached to his side, a bit unwillingly at first, and the aikido master made a point of having the two of them train together at night, something about strengthening the body and mind. Tenko didn't really believe him, but she did feel better after their first session, and she reluctantly agreed to making it a routine.
Now, they were down another two people. Harukawa killed Hoshi during his own magic show just earlier that morning. Her mind couldn't help lingering on the way Harukawa knitted her brows in regret as she'd finally fessed up, but her gaze was hard and steady, resigning herself to her death already. She thought of Hoshi, who was encouraged to finally perform again, only to be killed during his act. Tenko thought of Ouma, who played games during the trial that only frustrated everyone further, prodding and jabbing and accusing the detective until Harukawa finally snapped.
She remembered the satisfied smirk on his face after he'd worn down Harukawa's will, and fury curdled in her gut. She remembered the way the caregivers hand shook when he voted for the detective with wide eyes, the pained smile, obviously chewing on the inside of his cheek.
Good, The astronaut thought at the time, biting back furious tears. Feel that regret and let it eat away at you.
--
It's hours later after the trial-- she'd been holed up in her bedroom, crying so hard until her ribs ached. The day had been completely silent after the trial. Time passed by without her even noticing, and only found out the time when the nighttime announcement played, and she wondered if Momota was even gonna bother with training tonight.
At least until Tenko hears the bell of her room ring. The girl yells for him to be patient as she detaches herself from her bed. Two times. She'd been fixing her hair in the mirror, rolling her eyes in annoyance at the noise. Three times. Seven. She stomps out of her bathroom and shouts for him to stop, and the ringing ceases.
“Such a menace… dragging Tenko out to hang out with him, having the gall to be impatient…” She huffs, smoothing out her hair and rubbing her red-rimmed eyes. “Ugh! Tenko's so going to flip him during training!”
He dares to ring the doorbell again, and Tenko groans in frustration, rubbing her temples. Stomping to her door, she swings it open.
“Have some patience Momota-sa...n?”
There was no Momota in sight. Blinking, she only came face to face with the very much shorter and weaker-than-Momota, Ouma. Her face twists into a sneer, the subtle fury of his behavior during the trial echoing in her memory once again. Her hand not gripping the doorknob curls into a fist at her side. The boy in question had his finger on the doorbell still, eyes wide like a deer in headlights at the open door.
...he rings the bell one more time, lips twisting into a shit-eating grin. Tenko rolls her eyes.
“What does a menace like you need this late at night?” She demands, eyeing him cautiously, holding the door as if he's gonna push through and barge in.
Ouma huffs, clapping his hands together, pursing his lips. “Well, it's more like--”
“Ah!” Momota's voice comes from the hallway as he approaches. “Great, Ouma, you actually went to get her. Good on ya.”
Ouma shoots an unamused glare the aikido master's way, and Tenko furrows her brows in confusion, and opens the door wider to glare at Momota like he's gone mad.
“Wait, huh? Why send Ouma-san of all people to get Tenko?” She questions, placing her hands on her hips. Momota laughs heartily, and Tenko sees Ouma snap his eyes to the floor.
“Well, put two n’ two together! Ouma's gonna be trainin’ with us from now on.”
Tenko's blood ran cold.
Ice cold, freezing her veins. And then they heated in a boiling blaze, furious . After everything, he wanted this menace around? Did he not have any standards with who he tries to force to be his friend? Well, perhaps it could benefit her. Hopefully with Ouma around, she won't have to be alone with a boy anymore. Ouma can keep him occupied.
But… still. Ouma ? Why?
She's more surprised the little shit is actually willingly joining them, not even trying to resist or come up with some dumb excuse to stick around and bother them. He's almost quieter than usual. But what would she care? Hmph.
Momota had taken it upon him to assure Tenko, their new shining light of opportunity, didn't fall into a place they couldn't save her.
Ridiculous , she thought with a roll of her eyes as all three of them headed to their training spot. Tenko's perfectly fine without Momota-san’s help.
So what prompted him to bring Ouma along tonight? Tenko can't really know for sure, but the way Ouma avoids looking either of them in the eyes, it definitely must've been from the trial.
“...Hey. Ouma-san.” Tenko cuts through the silence after Momota excused himself to, as he quotes, ‘use the toilet.’
Ouma's arms quivered with fatigue, the 20 pushups extremely taxing on a weak and frail boy like him. But his resolve didn't quiver when he blew a strand of hair from his face.
“Yeeees, Chabashira-chan?” He drawls, as he ties his bandana around his head. “Another empty question from bunhead? What a treat!”
“Be quiet.” she spat, before easing herself down. “Tenko's just curious why Ouma-san is quiet and, frankly, here in the first place? Why did Momota-san bring you along?”
Crossing his arms, he lets out an amused laugh. “Oooooh, sorry, am I barging in on your guys’ private time?” He grins, waggling his eyebrows, and Tenko's cut off before she can snap at him for the insinuation. “Guess I don't belong in the Musclehead Club!”
Tenko stands up, staring Ouma down. “Quit it! Tenko's actually bothering to show some concern for you after your nasty attitude earlier, so just listen to her!” Shouting, she realizes how quiet it really is at night when her voice echoes through the courtyard.
Ouma says nothing as he stares right through her, and Tenko's close to accusing him of ignoring her when she notices his eyes looking off to the side.
Turning her head, Momota is standing there awkwardly.
“Hey… hm, guess I came back at a bad time?” He smiled sheepishly, sitting on the table of the bench between them. “Do I need to play couple therapist or something?”
“I'm gay,”
“Tenko's a lesbian.”
Momota pauses for a second, blinking rapidly between the two of them before he nods. “Y-Yeah, got it. Sorry. But what happened? Y’know I'm here to listen to your feelings!”
The caregiver immediately sighs. “Chabashira-chan probably wants me out of here. She keeps asking why I'm here!” He clicks his tongue, gesturing to Tenko. “Why not explain to her your reasoning? ”
He puts sarcastic emphasis on the last word, and the aikido master grumbles.
“Just thought you looked a little lonely, is all.” He admits, and Tenko wants to laugh-- turning to Ouma does make her laugh, because he's glaring at Momota like he just spoke a whole new language.
“...Uhuh,” Ouma fiddles with the ties of the bandana and the wisps of hair on his nape to avoid looking at him.. “You were obviously wrong. Why hang out with flowerbrains like you two? I'm not lonely, anyways.”
Momota gives him a look like he doesn't quite believe him, and he's sad about it. Tenko just scoffs, waving her hand. "Please! You could've just left, you know? But you stayed anyways! Ha!"
Ouma grimaces, but he only shrugs. "I'm bored, y'know? I'm going idiot watching!"
“Yeah right,” Momota cuts in smugly. “You're the one who did 20 push-ups complaining about how hard it was the whole time! You're having fun."
Ouma sputters. “It's-- it's still hard. What's it to you if I have nothing to do at night?” He leans back leisurely on the grass, leg propped on one knee as he stares up at the moon. “Good sleep remedy is to work yourself till you pass out!”
The taller boy nods, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay, alright, sleeping problems. That's good, at least.”
Tenko hums, gaze trailing across the darkened courtyard and the looming school building. “Can't blame him… it's a weird place to fall asleep in so easily…”
I mean, four people have already died.
Those words went unspoken between the three of them.
Momota sighs. “Well!” He stands up suddenly, making the table dip to the side and Tenko lets out a yelp before it lands back on its legs. She grips the side of the table and shoots him an exasperated glare, but he doesn't notice.
“To train is to become stronger, body and mind! And if it makes you stronger mentally, you both will be able to get sleep and live life to the fullest.” His smile is like a shining star. “Just believe that. I'll be the one to help strengthen your minds.”
Ouma scoffs. “Whatever you say. I think I'll just be ditching you next time.”
Ignoring his pessimistic attitude, Momota sits down on the bench and ruffles Ouma's hair. “Not if my Hero Aikido depends on it,” He winks. “Sidekick!”
Ouma glares up at him from messed up hair, and Tenko resists gawking, she almost thinks she imagines the flush of pink on Ouma’s pale face.
Interesting .
“ Sidekick ? You know lying is my forte, right?” Ouma blanches, before turning away to smooth out his hair and readjust his bandana, putting an exaggerated pout on his face for good measure.
The aikido master laughs and shakes his head, looking at Tenko and Ouma with a smile. “Nope. Only Momota Kaito teaches his Hero Aikido to his sidekicks!”
It's Tenko's turn to blanch at Momota. “Tenko is not and never will be a sidekick to a menace like you!”
Her shouts echo once more throughout the moonlit courtyard, but Momota's laughter is uplifting and light hearted.
Maybe things will turn out just fine. They've lost people, but there's still time to turn back.