Chapter Text
Byakuya Togami
I buried my face inside my school locker, breathing heavily. Any longer and I’d get a migraine. Most days at Hope’s Peak Academy were exhausting, but today I was reaching my limit. Is this what women feel on their so-called “bad days”? Getting angry over the smallest things? Fukawa, with her split personality, was more irritating than usual. Mondo and Ishimaru held a contest shouting things like, “DUDE, I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS,” while Hiro told stories about aliens stealing his hamburger.
How did so many idiots end up in a place meant for the “Ultimates”? And here I was—Byakuya Togami, heir to the Togami conglomerate—stuck dealing with these commoners. Are any of these people really on my level? Maybe there’s one person who could actually match me…
- HEY DUDE!!! - Leon Kuwata yelled, slamming into my back. My glasses fell to the floor from his “friendly gesture.” - Sorry, man, didn’t mean to - he said more calmly, picking them up and handing them back.
- What do you want? - I snapped, wiping my glasses with the small cloth engraved with a “T.” If he had broken them, he could have faced a lawsuit - Can’t you see I’m not in the mood for your crude antics?
- Hmmm… still as cute as always - he winked, and I rolled my eyes while continuing to clean my glasses. - oh, come on, you can’t stay mad at me for long - he added, lightly punching my arm.
- Speak your purpose or I’ll file a restraining order - I hissed, putting my glasses back on.
- Alright, alright, geez, you’re so tense… Maybe my proposal can calm you down, depending on how you want it - he said with a grin.
- I’m listening - I said sarcastically, closing the locker.
- I’m throwing a party tonight, and I hope the esteemed Byakuya Togami will honor me with his presence - he said, bowing theatrically.
-A party? Seriously? - I massaged my forehead, feeling my headache deepen at the thought of another one of Leon’s “brilliant” ideas - if it’s like the last one, I’ll pass - I added sarcastically.
I remembered Mondo Owada’s last “amazing” party: a bunch of guys in dirty tracksuits in front of a giant TV with snacks and a crate of beer. Only Chichiro stood out, waving at me. The night was spent in a burping contest (which I refused to join, disgusting) and playing Mortal Kombat. The only funny part was Mondo losing every game to Chichiro. Fujisaki seemed more at home with those troglodytes than I did.
- No, no, man, I invited everyone, girls too… mainly it’s to strengthen male-female relations - Leon said, raising his eyebrows.
- What do you mean?
- Well… you know… - he started, scratching the back of his head - Sayaka and I are already on what you’d call ‘second base,’ if you catch my drift…
- I don’t know and I don’t want to know - I cut him off.
- Alright, no details then - he shrugged - I want to get closer to Sayaka, but at school she’s always surrounded by girls, so it’s hard to talk. We only keep in touch by SMS, but I’d like more.
- I don’t know why I’m listening to this, but since you’re wasting my time anyway - I crossed my arms - keep going, there won’t be another chance - I raised the corners of my mouth slightly - If you want to spend time with Sayaka that badly, isn’t it enough to ask her out alone?
- Oh, so there’s still some humanity in you, I knew it - he grinned, baring his teeth. I shot him a glare - okay, okay, I won’t abuse your patience. The truth is, I’m not sure if it’s too early for a one-on-one.
- Second base, huh? 0 I raised both hands, fingers bent in a sarcastic gesture - That doesn’t count as a face-to-face meeting…
- Don’t be mean, let me finish - he interrupted - the truth is, it’s not just about me and Sayaka. Look there! - he said, turning his head right. He pointed at Makoto laughing beside a slightly smiling Kyoko—everyone could see what was happening, but Makoto was too shy to make a move. He needs help.
- Since when are you playing cupid?
- You know, maybe I just discovered my talent as the ultimate cupid - he said with a smile - come, you won’t regret it this time! He made wide eyes at me, which I didn’t like at all - besides, someone else already confirmed they’re coming.
- Who? - I feared the direction this was going.
- You know… they’re coming this way. HEY SAYAKA, HEY CELESTIA! - he shouted, waving behind me.
He’s kidding, right? I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer. My headache and irritation from before multiplied - YOU DID THIS ON PURPOSE! - I ground through my teeth.
- Oopsie - he said, completely unfazed - had to convince you another way - he smiled, and I let go as the girls appeared.
Celestia Ludenberg. The only person at Hope’s Peak Academy who caught my attention. All these idiots had their “Ultimate Talents,” but Celestia… she was different. I had no idea why, but she intrigued me. In terms of prestige, she might be the only one to match me. My behavior around her was irrational; it was harder to stay composed. Her appearance, demeanor, or talent intimidated me. Maybe it was because we were alike? She, with her flawless and always elegant look, love for money and winning, and belief she was better than others. I felt as if she could be my female version. Is that why I faltered around her, and why she sparked my interest?
We had a few moments, but nothing more.
Once, we played cards at her initiative in the academy library until late. I lost my watch that time. Celestia insisted that the prize be the signet ring, passed down through the Togami family for generations, but I refused. Considering she was an ultimate gambler, I couldn’t risk that much. The thought crossed my mind that she might win the ring and become part of the Togami family. I scolded myself for letting such mischievous thoughts slip.
A few weeks ago, at Junko Enoshima’s birthday party, we ended up alone in the kitchen. Celestia, under the influence of alcohol, excitedly recounted how she had won at mini-golf against a wealthy English kid, supposedly a master at the game. Of course, she had never played mini-golf before. Leon had warned me that she was excellent at lying, so I should take her stories with a grain of salt. That evening, I wasn’t focused on her tale. Leaning against the kitchen counter with a glass of whiskey in hand, I tried to keep up with her chatter. Her large red eyes, porcelain skin flushed from the alcohol, and thin lips distracted me. At one point, Celestia twirled her hair around her finger flirtatiously. I felt dangerously hot. I loosened my shirt collar, even though I never did that, and swallowed louder than intended. Celestia noticed. She looked at me, then moved closer until our faces were mere centimeters apart. She placed her hands on my chest, and I gently wrapped my arms around her waist. She smiled and leaned in. I felt she wanted to kiss me, so I moved slightly closer as well…
Suddenly, we heard a scream and jumped apart as if burned. It was Toko Fukawa. She was completely shocked. After the scream, she collapsed onto the floor.
- Oh my God, she fainted - Celestia whispered, running to Fukawa. Cursing silently, I also went over, trying to revive the girl. Unfortunately, everyone rushed into the kitchen, ruining my only peaceful corner. Fukawa transformed into Genocide Jack, which was unexpected, as there was no blood anywhere. Could seeing someone else embrace a woman have triggered her so badly that her other personality awakened? Fortunately, Genocide Jack didn’t remember how he ended up in the kitchen or what caused his emergence, and Toko… even if she remembered, never mentioned it.
- Byakuya? - Leon’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up to see him now holding Sayaka around the waist, and she, hanging on his neck, glancing at me shyly. Was this what he meant by second base? - Everything alright?
- Y-yeah - I said, quieter than expected. Celestia’s ruby eyes burned into me.
- He looks embarrassed, are you sure he’s okay, Byakuya? - Sayaka asked in her overly sweet voice.
- Yes, and I don’t know if we’re close enough to use first names - I replied with all the composure and coldness I could muster.
Sayaka seemed slightly flustered, but Leon smiled warmly at her.
- See? He’s fine - Sayaka immediately forgot my comment and focused on Leon - Even Mr. Fun Destroyer will be at tonight’s party, so it’ll be a full house!
- I never confirmed that! - I shouted.
- Too late, you’re going, end of story - he tried to flick my chest, but I held his hand.
- I told you. You’ll have a restraining order soon - I hissed, releasing his hand.
- Relax, he’s just joking - Leon laughed, and I sighed in irritation - come on, Sayaka, I hope I can sit with you at desk now - he winked, and she giggled. They walked away, Leon still holding Sayaka.
- They’re adorable, aren’t they, Togami? -Celestia said in a melancholic tone.
- Please, I’m about to puke - I muttered, shaking my head and turning to her. I was much taller than her, despite her high-heeled shoes. I looked down at her involuntarily, but she didn’t seem intimidated.
- Could the ultimate heir be afraid of a pair of infatuated teenagers? - Celestia chuckled.
- I’m not afraid, just disgusted - I said, my composure returning, though harder to maintain around her.
- Such a shame - she fluttered her lashes at me - I hope we meet at Leon’s today. I need someone for a more intelligent conversation.
- Even though I don’t care… for the sake of manners, may I ask what persuaded you to come?
- Nothing - she shrugged - I’m deepening male-female relations - she said with a smile, and I narrowed my eyes, since Leon had used the same argument - see you, Togami - she nodded, then walked down the corridor, her heels clicking. I didn’t reply, just followed her silhouette with my eyes.
Once she disappeared from view, I exhaled loudly, pinching the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger. I felt someone’s gaze on me.
- Toko, get out - I said loudly and firmly, not turning toward her - I can smell you from here.
The girl jumped, screaming, then ran in the other direction, mumbling incomprehensibly.