Chapter Text
The Kuzuryu clan meeting hall always seemed eerie to Fuyuhiko. If he was being honest with himself, he hated being in there. Not just because of the dim lights, but every time he entered he felt he knew something was on the line. Whether it be his life, his family’s, his status, or even Peko, something was going to be sacrificed just by being there. That day was one of those meetings.
Something went wrong that day, or maybe that week. Peko Pekoyama was usually upright. Always mindful of what she did, as to not upset the clan. Yet a servant with wishes far from what’s expected is always bound to make at least one fatal mistake. Peko knew from an early age that life never goes the way you want it, she nearly learned how to stop wanting. But of course it didn’t work, because despite the whipping to shape, she was still human. That was Fuyuhiko’s favorite part about her. Even Peko is capable of making mistakes. Though, this mistake wasn’t particularly ideal, nor was it hers. It was simply a fatal false accusation.
Fuyuhiko took his seat hesitantly, unknowing of the accusation. Peko followed suit. An intimidating silence sat in the air for a while, until Fuyuhiko’s father spoke up, “I hope you know why you’re here.”
Fuyuhiko scoffed, “Knowing you it could be anything.” Peko bowed her head to not chuckle.
“I’ll not have disrespect today, boy!” So it was something serious. Fuyuhiko and Peko straightened up to that, Peko feeling more pressure than him. “Someone reported to us your betrayal, Pekoyama.” Her heart sank. She knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, but what’s her opinion to an official member's report? She might as well listen, though she knew eventually Fuyuhiko wouldn’t have it.
Another man in the room spoke. It didn’t matter necessarily who he was, just that he was certainly more powerful than either of them. That goes for most of the people in that room, at all times. “We call you here for your hitman’s termination. We know you’ve taken a liking to her and honestly I don’t care for it.”
Another man, “Agreed, if you’re so dead set on proving yourself, you gotta learn certain people are replaceable.”
Another, “I’d hardly use the word ‘people’,” They laughed. She was right there, and they laughed. Fuyuhiko wouldn’t take that. An insult to Peko is pretty much an insult to himself, at least that’s what he thought.
“That’s bullshit!”
“Lower your voice!” His father yelled. If Fuyuhiko could punch the guy right then and there with no repercussions, trust that he would.
Fuyuhiko grit his teeth, “What could she have possibly done to rightfully deserve that? Huh? What did she do?!”
Those words invited Peko to make her panic case, “I’ll take any punishment, please, the last thing I can do is stop protecting him!”
“And that’s exactly why this is the best punishment for you now.” Peko rose from her seat in a panic, perhaps to get on the ground and beg at their feet, she didn’t know. “Keep your seat!” And she did.
“Just tell us what she did!”
“Be quiet!” Fuyuhiko slumped back down in his seat. “If you would be patient you would’ve learned that before causing a scene.”
Fuyuhiko cursed himself out while Peko held back sobs. Peko could handle a slap on the wrist or even a hundred, but she couldn’t handle living a different life. It’s not that she got attached, but that it’s hard to imagine a life without the clan, with freedom. It’s not like she didn’t want it, she wanted it more than anything, but she knew it’s not what should happen.
“You seem not to understand, Pekoyama, that the highest sin in my book,” Fuyuhiko’s father started, “isn’t just a figurative stab in the back.”
A man stared angrily at her, with hostility and disdain. “Our men dying on easy missions ‘cause of you ain’t something we want to deal with.”
Peko didn’t understand. Who made this claim? Why? When did this happen? She knew someone died on her last mission, of course she did. She felt guilty, but overall understood it wasn’t her fault and there was nothing she could have done. Yet she never once incited the death. “No I—that’s not right. He—there was nothing I could do!”
“Don’t argue now! We know you wouldn’t confess to it!”
“Even if you’re right, we’re only being cautious.”
The sound of her door opening barely fazed Peko at that moment. She continued gathering her sickeningly scarce amount of luggage. Fuyuhiko slumped down on her bed, acting at home in her room as he often did more recently. He realized then that this would likely be the last time he’d be able to do it. “This is such bullshit, you know?”
Peko remained unresponsive. “I know damn well you’d never do that shit.” She hummed with neutrality. “That’s all they should need. My word should matter, y’know.” Another hum. “It’s not like they’re your boss. I mean, they kinda are. But still, I should’ve been able to save you.” Silence. The air stayed heavy for a long minute. “No, it ain’t my job to save you. It probably wouldn’t be saving you anyways.” Fuyuhiko said in a quiet, mousy voice. The guilt coming from his previous words was clear as day.
“There’s nothing we can do about it now. Let it go, don’t feel bad for me young—” Peko froze. She knew she could no longer use that name, but it came so natural to her it almost hurt to not use it. “...Fuyuhiko.”
Peko locked up her suitcase and headed for the door. Fuyuhiko laid still on her bed, still staring up at the ceiling on his back. That was the first, real, genuine time she called him by his name, and it felt terrible.
Peko collected the money Natsumi secretly left for her hidden in the bathroom before leaving. She sat on the seat of the toilet and read the note inside the envelope. The note read, “Just so you don’t go homeless or starve in the street. I know you still can’t lead a normal life with the clan somewhere on your ass but I still wish you the best. I know I was kinda a dick to you sometimes but you were pretty fucking awesome. Good luck girl!” Peko didn’t notice she was crying until a teardrop landed on the scuffed page. She swiftly shoved the money and the note in her suitcase and sat in the bathroom for a while. That while became twenty-seven minutes of sobs and some throwing up in the toilet.
Natsumi had found out that Peko was being terminated way before Fuyuhiko. She had been eavesdropping on one of her fathers conversations about it a few days prior. Natsumi had paid attention well enough to know what usually happened to ex-members of the clan. It never ended well. So, she stole some money from her parents, gathered some of her own, and even stole some of her brothers, she knew he’d want to help her in some way. Natsumi knew eventually she’d be caught but she didn’t care about a whipping if it meant Peko wasn’t homeless. She didn’t often admit it, but she cared for Peko a lot. Peko treated her a lot better than most other people in the clan. She did that for most people, but it was still refreshing.
Peko walked out the front door with a half-dead looking expression on her face. Fuyuhiko half expected to never see her again at all, not even at school. He knew that was ridiculous, but it made him dread graduation all the more.
The distance Peko and Fuyuhiko forced between themselves at school was beyond obvious to their classmates. They hardly ever talked to each other unless absolutely necessary. They didn’t seem very close at first anyway, but now it was almost concerning.
During lunch Peko used to sit nearby Fuyuhiko and they’d sit alone together. Now, Peko sits alone and Fuyuhiko is “bothered” by Kazuichi. She typically prefers peace and quiet, but now that she has it every hour of the day it almost feels like a curse. Luckily for her, Akane is very persistent when it comes to befriending people she wants to fight.
Akane’s brash voice cut through Peko’s thoughts immediately. “Hey, what’s up Peko?”
“Oh, nothing. How are you today Akane?”
“Great, so, you up to training later?” Akane asked with a big grin on her face. Peko had started joining Akane and Nekomaru’s training recently especially due to Akane’s determination to make Peko another one of her athletic rivals.
Peko hesitated to answer. “Ah, about that,” She turned her head away, a bit ashamed of her next words, “I don’t think it will be necessary for me to be training anymore.”
Akane paused, “...Wait, what. What happened to the Peko who has to get stronger!! You’re the ultimate swordswoman, c’mon man!” That last line made Peko a little sad. What would she do in her high school years now that she no longer needs to use her sword? Should she drop out? She had no idea what to do with herself without the clan.
“I… I have no need to get any stronger, is all. I have no need for my sword either, so you can stop referring to me as a swordswoman.” Peko expected an outburst. Any other sensible person would have reacted to that in some dramatic way. She was giving up her talent, the one thing she had. But Akane was always quite unpredictable to Peko.
“Huh, okay. So, what’re you gonna do now that you’re done with the sword business?” Akane finally sat down across from Peko at her table. She picked through what was left of her food while noticeably glancing at Peko’s food, which lay untouched.
Peko slid her tray over to Akane and slumped over the table, head in hands. “I’m not so sure.”
Akane talked through her chewing, “Well, I could give you some ideas! I just know you’d suit some other things, not just swords.”
Peko pondered it. Getting another hobby sounded fun, she’s never explored her interests before. The only thing she really knows she likes are animals and the color black. Maybe getting a new hobby could keep her mind off of the clan. “Alright, what are your suggestions?”
“Hmm… Alright well, I know you’re super athletic and you’re totally about cute stuff so maybe something artistic like figure skating? Oh, oh! Or ballet!” After hesitating a bit, Akane suddenly got super into the subject. “I always thought ballet was pretty sick but all those girls look like they’re under a strict schedule. I already know I’d be kicked out in minutes ha!”
“I doubt I’d be too good at that. Ballerinas usually look like models.”
“Yeah, wait what's the problem with that?” Akane tilted her head like a dog. Peko thought it was cute.
Peko buried her face in her hands a bit more. “If animals think of me as scary, how could I look like a model? Put it out of mind.”
“No way! You’re totally pretty! I bet it’s just ‘cause you don’t smile.” Akane remarked, scarfing down more food.
Right, smiling. With Peko’s newfound “freedom”, perhaps she should finally learn how to smile? It’s probably not the best idea given she has bigger problems right now like possible homelessness, getting a job, and avoiding being stalked and possibly murdered. Peko sighed and glanced at where Fuyuhiko was sitting, “That’s what Gundham said too.”
Peko entered her shifty motel room and exhaustedly flopped onto the bed. It wasn’t nearly as soft as her bed back at the Kuzuryu’s, and even that bed wasn’t the softest. It was times like these she had wished she had gotten her freedom some other way. Maybe she could’ve bought a dorm at Hope’s Peak instead of being forced to stay near Fuyuhiko at all times. It’s not that big of a problem though. Extensive training definitely helped her walk around everywhere.
She sighed a lengthy breath and reached for her phone. Earlier she had her first job interview after four days of surviving off of cafeteria food. She was hoping her phone service wouldn’t be cut off by the Kuzuryu’s any time soon but she knew that hoping was fruitless. Still, she opened her phone to check messages. She had some from Akane, most from Gundham with some cute pictures of the Devas, one from Chiaki asking if she’d be available to play some fighting games sometime soon, and five from Fuyuhiko. The last five were what shocked Peko. Of course she should have expected this, but after not even talking at school for four days it’s pretty shocking.
The first text was sent at around two hours ago. The next four were pretty recent though. The texts read: Meet me out near kazuichis dorm later at 7 dont let anyone follow u. Still being monitored every time I go out. Is that happening to u too? Anyways, I got news. Important news.
Peko almost dreaded talking to him again. She was trying to shake the clan off her tail and this little meet up would likely make it harder to do that. But even then she wanted to see him again. After all, he was the center of her life for most of it. It’s not going to be that easy to move on. But if Fuyuhiko said it was important, it probably was. Peko sent an acknowledgement text and pondered what to do while waiting. She decided to text Gundham a bit, it's not like she had anything else to do.
The receptionist desk at the Hope’s Peak dorms was pristine, likely to show how elite the staff of the academy is, and how pretentious they act. Peko scanned her student ID with the receptionist and walked through the doors making sure no one but the staff and students could see her face. Peko was always very cautious and knew how to easily shake anyone off her tail. The hardest part about her new life was that the people she needed off her tail the most were the people who taught her how.
Peko walked towards Kazuichi's dorm. Their entire class had dorms next to each other, the side of the hall splitting the girls and the boys from each other. Though, she expected Fuyuhiko to be waiting right outside his dorm for her. They would often sneak off to Kazuichi's dorm to hang out. Natsumi used to be the person they used to hide but it was getting harder and harder to hide in her room the older they got. So, once they got to Hope’s Peak and Kazuichi decided to cling to Fuyuhiko of all people, they decided to use his dorm instead.
Peko waited outside his door thinking he could be late. It wasn't until about 2 minutes had gone by for Fuyuhiko to open the door and pull her into the dorm. The dorm was quite messy, machine parts littered the floor. It was expected of Kazuichi. Kazuichi, however, wasn’t there at the moment. After Peko questioned it Fuyuhiko told her he was out to get drinks, quietly implying he asked for privacy.
“What did you ask me here for?” Peko started up the conversation after a few minutes of awkward silence. “I hope it isn’t anything foolish, even just talking to you is risky right now.”
“I know, Peko, and I’m sorry but it is important I swear,” Fuyuhiko replied, stepping back to take a seat on Kazuichi’s bed. The mattress sank only a bit under his weight. His arms sat exhaustedly on his knees and his head looked at the floor. Fuyuhiko gathered his thoughts before looking back up at Peko, who stood waiting patiently. “It wasn’t just you who got accused of treason. In fact, it’s been a lot of people lately.”
“What?”
“What I’m saying is we can get you back in if we find out who’s trying to terminate all these people. I can’t say the same for some of them though.” Fuyuhiko looked up at Peko with hopeful eyes. They both wished that things could go back to the way they were. But, Peko didn’t know if that’s what she really wanted.
Peko looked at Fuyuhiko with a sour expression, then at the floor. She couldn’t bear to look him in the eyes when she spoke. “I’m sorry. I don’t think—I shouldn’t get involved with the clan anymore.”
Fuyuhiko looked sad, probably a bit disappointed. But that disappointed look wasn’t for Peko, it was for himself. “Right,” He continued, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed. Um, sorry.” He faced Peko head on, but he still kept his eyes towards the floor.
There was another awkward silence. It lasted a bit longer this time. Peko knew Fuyuhiko and Natsumi could handle whatever was going on with the clan. They were strong people, even if they didn’t look it. For now, Peko didn’t want to be involved whatsoever. Maybe in the future, once Fuyuhiko took over, she could freely talk with them. There were some other kind people in the clan, none as kind as the siblings she was closest with. But Peko hoped they would stay safe. Peko couldn’t handle another moment having to face reality though. She squeaked out a small goodbye and left the dorm. After a few steps to leave the campus, she ran into Kazuichi who was holding two drinks from a nearby fast food joint. He also held some cash with his drink, proving even further that Fuyuhiko paid him off to leave them alone. He failed to wave at her and said, “Oh hey Peko, did’ja just get here?” with a large smile across his face.
“I was just leaving, actually.” Peko replied, shoving past Kazuichi while tearing up. Peko didn’t think she could handle being at that crummy motel one more night. It wasn’t far off from what she was offered at the Kuzuryu’s but that just made it so much worse. She wiped away a tear before nearly crashing into Gundham. Peko mentally questioned why everyone was so active at seven today. For Gundham it was normal, though. The water in his dorm was far too metallic tasting for the Devas liking. So, when refilling their water he went to his talent lab since the water there was often cold and refreshing enough for them. “Sorry, Gundham, excuse me.”
“What purpose do you have to be here this unremarkable night, Peko?” She was grateful he eventually stopped calling her ridiculous names.
Peko paused and turned back around to face Gundham. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Um, no reason, truly. Well…” She wondered if she should tell Gundham. She always trusted him to never judge her, and she had been wanting to talk to someone about her problems. Peko concluded she should tell him. “I was, um, talking with Fuyuhiko.”
Gundham seemed shocked. For good reason. “You come to this sacred academy to find a soul which does not lie here?”
Peko thought of what to say for a moment. “I can explain if you let me accompany you to feed the Devas tonight.” He nodded and they departed.
By the time they had reached Gundham’s talent lab, Peko had pretty much finished explaining her life story to Gundham. Though, he still seemed intrigued, asking vague questions every so often. Talking to Gundham wasn’t easy for most. Most people got quickly tired of the way he spoke. Peko found it easy. She found it easy to decipher his true feelings in most moments, she didn’t care much for the silly names he often made up for her but otherwise he was a sweet guy. Talking to him made her life feel somewhat normal, in the way someone sharing their own problems while you talk about yours makes you not feel so alone. By the time he ran out of questions they were halfway down the dorm hall. They walked to Gundham’s dorm silently, but this time it wasn't awkward.
Gundham unlocked his dorm with his keycard. He stepped halfway into his room before realizing Peko wasn’t invited in. Peko awkwardly bowed her head and said, “I suppose I should go then.”
Gundham took her arm before she could turn away. Peko honestly imagined that he would kiss her next, but that was just her naive mind at work. In reality he just invited her to stay with him. “You clearly need support with your ailments. Come to me for closure, great swordswoman.” She could probably cry right then and there. “We could find you a place to stay, perhaps even in one of these very quarters.”
“You know I cannot apply for a dorm anymore until next year. Besides, we graduate next year. I doubt it'll last me long.”
“That's not what I mean,” Gundham replied, “I mean perhaps a being of equal footing could assist you in these dire times.”
She understood then, sort of. Peko still misunderstood the statement a bit, she had a hard time with implied statements and had only thought she was getting better because she decided to look too deep into things nowadays. “Oh, well, I'm—I'm not sure we should…”
Gundham blushed a bit, similar to how he used to blush at Sonia. Peko had assumed he stopped getting so flustered around her because they had finally started dating. So did most everyone else. “No, er, not that… I mean, perhaps another woman could help you…” His voice got noticeably quieter and he abandoned the complex vocabulary. Peko smiled a small bit and accepted his invite.
The two spent only a few minutes brainstorming and a lot more comforting Peko. It felt strange to cry in front of someone else to Peko. The only times she's ever really cried was in private. She never even let her guard down around Fuyuhiko. She had always trusted him, but she still didn't want to ever appear vulnerable to him. She wanted him to know she was capable of protecting him. The only times she let her guard down in front of him were when they first met and Peko wasn’t yet toughened up. That was the reason crying in front of Gundham felt so gratifying to Peko, as well as shameful and slightly disappointing.
Then Gundham reached out to hug Peko. That woke her up from her trance. Peko looked up to him from her hands. She couldn’t see him well with the combination of her teary eyes and her glasses in her jacket pocket. But she could see the confusion in his face. Peko realized how wrong this felt. It felt cheaty, she was in a taken man's dorm room crying to him about her problems. Not to mention her indescribable relationship with Fuyuhiko holding her back, it didn’t feel moral.
“I'm sorry,” Peko paused to slow her tears, “I… I don’t want to get in the way of your relationship. This isn't… I shouldn’t be here.” Peko tried to stand but Gundham’s hands, accompanied by the strange look on his face, stopped her.
Gundham tried to make sense of the situation. “What relationship?”
Peko scoffed, looking down to let the tears fall after realizing trying to stop them was vain. “Sonia? I know she means something to you, Gundham.”
Gundham’s eyes widened and his shoulders slumped back down. “No, she is but an ally. Sonia doesn't favor my kind anyway.” Peko stared at him cluelessly. It took her a few seconds to process what he had said. “I believed you at least would see through her thin veil.”
“You mean to say she never hid it?” Hid what? Peko still didn't understand. Unless he meant… “You mean she's into women?”
“Indeed.” Peko nearly slapped herself for not realizing it sooner. Peko held her face in her hands, feeling embarrassed. She wallowed in her self-depricating thoughts for a while before noticing Gundham hugging her. Peko knew it wasn’t wrong, but it still felt that way. Receiving affection was wrong in her mind. She shouldn’t be loved, she had no redeeming qualities that anyone could care for, she was completely incapable of loving and being loved. That was how her mind worked. So affection like this honestly only made her cry more. She softly apologized for getting Gundham’s shirt wet with her tears but he didn’t mind. In the moment she thought of how grateful she was to have a guy like Gundham. But in hindsight, she should’ve known she’d always had somebody like that in her life, she just took him for granted.
Peko’s tears stopped gradually. Gundham wiped them away as he pulled back. He had always wore a stern look on his face, this time it looked slightly gentle. The two stared into each others eyes. Peko looked tired from her crying, and from life in general. Her eyes were a bit puffy and almost as red as the rest of her face. Her lips were only slightly chapped and her front bangs were a bit disheveled from movement. Gundham, on the other hand, looked calm. His eyes looked concerned but his mouth, which he typically pressed straight, was relaxed.
Gundham leaned slightly forwards, Peko leaned slightly back. She knew this was what she wanted, but she still hesitated. She questioned in her mind what was keeping her from this. The clan was the clear answer, but they were out of her world now, she was free. That thought was the final blow in her mind. Peko stopped hesitating and leaned forwards with Gundham. Their lips touched. The kiss was soft and nothing more. Gundham didn’t intend to get anything out of Peko that night. The kiss was only a result of unresolved tensions. Peko didn’t expect this to turn out how she wanted. She wanted to be with Gundham in that moment. She wanted for them to be a couple so someone would care for her and she’d have a place to stay. But she knew life never went down the best route. However, Gundham would gladly prove her wrong.
“You could stay here. Just for tonight,” His voice was soft and gentle, “I won’t try anything, I promise.”
Hope’s Peak didn't usually waste money on things like luxury dorms when they had other expenses to take care of. So obviously their mattresses weren't the best in the world, but to Peko they were heavenly. It was definitely much better than the motel. Peko turned to the other side of the bed half expecting to see Gundham asleep next to her. He wasn’t, of course. Last night he insisted on taking the couch instead.
Peko almost laid on the bed for what felt like half an hour before getting up. She intended on thanking Gundham for letting her stay the night and leave swiftly. After putting on her shoes, Peko walked towards the couch. The couch was empty, Gundham had already woken up an hour before Peko. Maybe the bed was a bit too comfortable. Gundham walked back into the main room from the kitchen area holding a mug with a repeating paw print pattern on it. His hair was unstyled and slightly messy. He wore a t-shirt that was somewhat baggy and pajama pants with a pattern from some western horror movie. He looked almost exactly how he did last night, only Peko is finally seeing him in the light.
“Good morning,” Gundham spoke with a gravelly voice. Peko picked up her hoodie from his desk chair, she was getting cold with just her camisole.
“Morning,” Peko slid her arms into the sleeves of her hoodie, “Thank you for letting me stay.” It was a miracle she could even spit out those words. Peko didn’t want to leave, she wanted to stay forever. She wanted a comfortable life where she saw Gundham in nice comfortable clothes all the time. She wanted to hear his awful morning voice everyday. That morning she felt the most normal she had ever felt. That was what she wanted, a normal life. And yet she walked out the door.
When Peko stepped into the hallway she zipped up her hoodie halfway. She prayed no one saw her come out of Gundham’s room. It wouldn't be the worst thing ever if people found out what they were to each other, but it would be kind of inconvenient. Peko turned the corner to leave and nearly knocked someone over. Lucky for her it was only Akane.
“Oh, hey Peko. That's crazy I was just about to call you!” Akane blurted with a wide grin. “Wait but what are you doing here? You don't have a dorm, right?”
Peko looked at the time on her phone. “You were going to call me at 8 in the morning?”
“Right!” Peko resisted the urge to sigh in relief. “So, I was thinking about our conversation the other day and—oh hey baby gangsta!” That caused Peko to awkwardly turn around. Surely enough there he was. Fuyuhiko looked tired but he still wore a slightly confused expression on his face.
“Hey… the fuck are you doing here at 8 in the morning?” He asked Peko in a lazy morning voice.
Akane wasn't the greatest at reading the room sometimes, though she tried. “What're you doing here at 8 in the morning, huh?” She attempted to one-up him. It seemingly worked because Fuyuhiko scoffed and started to walk away. Peko was sort of ashamed for not saying anything to him. “Anyways, as I was saying,” Akane started up again. “I was thinking I could help you figure out what you wanna do with your life!”
“...What?”
“I think we should start out with ice skating, it totally fits your vibe, y'know? Then if that doesn't click for you we could try calligraphy or something!” Oh, that conversation. A Peko of the past would probably brush off her offer and say ‘It’s just not worth my time’. But this Peko had no time to lose anymore. So why not have some fun with her classmate?
The rental skates had fit on Peko’s feet comfortably. She tied the laces swiftly and lifted her weight from the cold bleachers. Peko stumbled a bit and held onto a wall just close enough to her to stabilize her balance. Akane was struggling a lot more than Peko. She decided to hold out her hand to help Akane up just in case.
They decided to go to a local rink instead of the rink Hope’s Peak had provided for several winter sports students for a multitude of reasons. First of all, they wouldn't feel humiliated by falling even once. Secondly, the academy rink didn't have rental skates. And lastly, they wouldn't bother any ultimates who would likely be studying for practical exams around this time. Peko never used to study for practical exams, missions were enough to hone her skills. But now without missions, she might need to start.
After nearly falling over about five times, Akane eagerly took Peko’s arm and rushed toward the ice. The glass was the only thing keeping them both from toppling over each other. Akane couldn't stop laughing after each trip while Peko worried she'd eventually hurt herself. Peko, nonetheless, brushed it off, if Akane could be so fearless doing parkour, she could probably master ice skating in no time. Though, actually stepping onto the ice was proving to be a difficult task. Peko could only assume Akane was treating it like a roller skating rink. After helping Akane up from the ground twice, she laughed.
“Yes!” Akane exclaimed proudly. Peko looked in confusion.
Still giggling, she replied, “Why are you celebrating? You're still sitting on the ice, you know.”
“Well, yeah but, I finally got you to smile!” Peko paused and put her unoccupied hand to her mouth. It felt fine in the moment, but pointing it out made it harder to accept. Should she really be so happy now? She still had problems, and even without them a pressing guilt still loomed over her. Peko, however, decided to keep going in spite of that guilt.
After observing many other skaters, Peko slid onto the ice with ease. She still gripped onto the wall for support, but it was certainly more satisfying than Akane’s method of trial and error. “Huh, no fair! How did you do that so easily!” Peko chuckled.
“Relax, it's not something you rush into.” Peko turned around to Akane. She had one hand on the wall, and the other on Akane’s shoulder. Peko gestured to Akane’s feet and adjusted the brunette's stance with her own. “Then you step in with one foot and…” Peko trailed off while demonstrating, “hold on to the wall and you’re in.”
“Damnit, why're you a pro already!” Akane whined once she finally got onto the ice.
Peko took her hand instead of her shoulder. “I'm not a professional, I'm simply observant.” Akane held on to the wall and Peko held her hand for support. Peko was a fast learner when it came to sports, once she saw a few people do it she was athletic enough to make an attempt and ask for critique. That was how she was taught in kendo, though the younger she was the more trial and error it took. Akane had her own way of doing things. She was athletic enough to do risky things and somehow make it look intentional. Her routines tended to be made up on the spot, so something coordinated like ice skating was going to take a little while for her to get used to. This moment reminded Peko of the time Akane asked Peko to teach her kendo. It took her a while to get good at it and once she did she got bored of it and decided to give it up.
The two skated along the walls for a few minutes before Akane decided she was ready to go solo. Peko learned a lot within those few minutes so she got the hang of skating quickly. Akane, however, didn’t learn much. She fell about four times before asking Peko for help. Peko continued to instruct her how to skate for a little while. Once Akane got the hang of it, she decided the best idea was to try out some figure skating moves she saw from the winter Olympics. Obviously, that wasn't the best idea. Akane was well versed in gymnastics, but not as much in ballet.
Akane’s first attempt at a lutz resulted in her flat on the ground. Peko skated back over silently to help her up. Akane grouchily took her hand. “Hey Peko, you should try.” Peko glanced at her, then the ground, then back at her.
“I don’t know what you were attempting but it seems like it didn’t work out well.”
“No no—seriously! Let's sit and I'll show you a video, then you can do it.”
Peko tilted her head like a confused puppy, “And what makes you so sure I can?”
Akane looked at her for a moment then grinned her widest grin and replied, “‘Cause you're freakin’ awesome!” Peko blushed. She rarely gets compliments like that nowadays. Well, she used to get compliments from her classmates all the time, but that was back when they were freshmen.
“Alright then.”
After studying the video about five times over, Peko was ready to take on the challenge. It was certainly an ambitious pick but that was expected of Akane. Peko got back out on the ice and turned around. She started skating backwards, she nearly tripped up a bit at the start. Then she started leading into the jump. Peko tapped her right foot on the ice and twisted the right foot behind her. She leapt and fell with a scrape sound coming from her skates. Her eyes could only look at the pile of scraped up ice near her hands. She knew it wouldn't be easy, of course she did. Even then Peko couldn’t help being upset with herself. She half expected to get slapped for failing, an old instinct she's going to have to unlearn soon.
Nonetheless she hopped back on her feet and tried again. And again. Each attempt hurt her ankle more than the last. She tried until she physically couldn't anymore. Akane had made a comment about how she'd go skate on her own after two attempts, so Peko was alone on the ice. She tripped over her limp ankle so much that Akane noticed halfway across the rink. After some dangerously fast skating toward Peko, Akane reached her hand out to help. She had a somewhat uncharactaristically worried look on her face. Well, it could be in character for her, Peko didn’t truly know her that well. Yet it was that look on Akane's face that made Peko realize she was crying. She wiped her tears and apologized plainly.
“Maybe that's enough skating for today.” Akane helped Peko off the ice. “Did you at least like it…?” She asked hesitantly.
“It was nice, I suppose.” Peko started untying her skates whilst talking. “I doubt it's my ‘calling’ per se. I do believe it'll be hard to find that.”
“Oh. Don't worry about that, I'm determined!”
“I know that it's just,” Peko winced when she touched her other skate. Her ankle hurt terribly. “It's just that I've never really been passionate about anything.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“What?”
Akane took off her skates and tossed them on the end of the bleachers. “Everyone's passionate about somethin’. Like, I get hyped when I do a sick flip or even just see a good dish. It's what keeps people living. You just gotta think about what you live for.”
After Peko’s talk with Akane at the skating rink, they tried a lot of fun activities. The most recent one being ballet. By now though, it's nearly graduation. Peko still didn't truly understand her speech about passion and such. Peko had never been passionate, so did that simply mean she's never really been alive? That's not what living is about to her. To Peko, living is about surviving. Making it out alive everyday is enough for her. But maybe that's why every day still hurts.
Peko had ditched the crummy motel and started living in Gundham’s dorm. She tried hard to ignore Fuyuhiko throughout the rest of the year as well. Though, now that school's out for the seniors, Gundham’s finding a new apartment somewhere in a smaller city and Peko’s going with him. Luckily this means they're nowhere near seeing people they don't want to see, but it's still difficult. Change has been difficult for Peko lately.
What she was really dreading was the ceremony. She was honestly considering not even going. She had already graduated, she got her diploma, why would she go to the ceremony? It’s not like she had any family. Besides, it's the perfect chance for a certain family to get their hands on her. Either way, she was coerced to go by Gundham. So there she sat with her school uniform on next to a few people she didn’t even know.
The ceremony was dull and it took a while to get to Peko’s name. After she walked across the stage and sat back down, she began to tune the rest of the ceremony out. She didn’t really think of anything this time. Her head was completely empty. It was a nice meditation break from her cold life. The headmaster's daughter, Kyoko Kirigiri, gave a speech as the underclassmen representative. Along with Kirigiri, our very own Chiaki Nanami of class 77-B gave a speech as our graduating representative. It's nice seeing someone you know decently well succeeding in life.
After the ceremony, many people were crying. Families from every corner of Japan were there that day, just like every year at Hope’s Peak. News stations did their yearly report of the graduating class. Everything was routine, so Peko didn’t really understand all the tears. It's not like Hope’s Peak helped her in life. She was still headed down a dark path, and it was honestly worse than it was before she was scouted into the academy. Peko couldn’t help being cynical, that's all.
She narrowly avoided the crowds of families to find Gundham. She accidentally locked eyes with Natsumi while walking towards Gundham and his mother. Peko shook off the anxiety forming in her head and continued to walk towards Gundham, perhaps now with a bit more determination.
Gundham’s mother had tears streaming down her face as he looked a bit embarrassed. Luckily for Peko, no one else was around them at the time. She slowed her pace she hadn’t even noticed had quickened. “You must be Pekoyama!” His mother greeted.
“Ah, yes. It's nice to meet you, Ms. Tanaka.” Peko held her hand out to shake on instinct. Gundham’s mother took it anyway.
Gundham seemingly turned even more red. “Oh she's so polite!” His mother complimented. “You two suit each other well. I'm glad.”
After a while of talking with Gundham and his mother, Sonia made her way towards the conversation. She and Gundham were best friends, of course. Though, Peko simply hoped none of the flashy royal family followed her.
Sonia led the conversation well and seemed to connect with Ms. Tanaka too. So well Peko faded out of the conversation entirely. Peko didn’t necessarily care, but from an outside view anyone would say with confidence that Sonia was Gundham’s actual girlfriend.
Peko picked her head back up once it was time for a final homeroom. This was probably the worst part of this whole ceremony for Peko. It's not that she didn’t care for her classmates, she still had friends in the class. But she couldn’t bear seeing Fuyuhiko that day. It just felt worse than any other day. Because that day everyone was meant for bonding, having emotional moments, and thanking their teacher. It just didn't feel right to do that with him. Peko couldn’t describe their current relationship with any amount of words. It was an old friendship that happened and if it happened again there would still be that looming guilty feeling that no one wants to feel. Even that doesn't necessarily describe it well.
Ms. Yukizome was crying at the front of the room. Everyone was exchanging words, crying, giving out gifts, and hugging each other. Yet Peko sat still in her usual desk, completely unbothered. It didn’t feel necessary to her. Peko always viewed school as the smallest part of her life, albeit for reasons that didn't apply at the moment, but nonetheless it's still how she felt. Of course Ms. Yukizome made an impact on her, but it wasn't really something to cry about. Peko had known many people who she never saw again, why would this be any different?
“Your shoulders carried heavy burdens today. I apologize.” Gundham spoke while taking a box from Peko’s hands.
Peko disappointedly let go of the box. “I can handle a little labor. Trust me, I'd be fine moving everything.”
Gundham shoved the last box onto the new marble countertop. Their new place was quite fancy, but that's what anyone could expect from a former ultimate's salary, let alone two. “I'm well aware of your capabilities, but perhaps you shouldn't push yourself so hard these days. It's healthier to take breaks.”
Peko let out a sigh while closing the door. “I know, I know.” She sat down on the sofa, it hadn't quite been moved to the living room yet so it looked a bit out of place. “We should get to work, though. It'd be nice to get fully moved in so you can get the Devas back from your mother.”
Gundham sat down next to her. “We'll be fine for a while. She’s quite the reliable mortal.” He wrapped his arm around her. “Let's just rest for now. We must replenish our energy in order to work hard tomorrow.”
Gundham kissed her softly. Peko spoke between kisses, “If you say so.” So they decided to turn in for the night. Together. In a nice apartment that they both own. In a city far away from their problems.