Chapter Text
Shaking a can of spray paint in his hand, a young man exhaled a breath before holding the can up to an extravagant motorcycle. The boy, who sported an outstanding pompadour, pressed down on the nozzle and began spraying orange paint over the motorcycle, particularly over the area covered by paper that was cut out in the shape of flickering flames. After a few moments, he was done.
“Phew!” he sighed, proudly. “All done!”
Peeling the paper off of his ride, the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader, Mondo Owada, had revealed his new paint job to the world. He took a couple steps back, admiring the new look of his sweet ride.
“Not too shabby, if I do say so myself,” he murmured. Kneeling down, Mondo went to clean up the mess of paper that was surrounding the area he had been spray painting in, before he heard the soft click-clack of shoes behind him.
“Ah. Owada-kun.” Hearing that delicate voice, Mondo perked up and peered over towards where the voice had come from. Standing before him was a petite young soul who looked to be the exact opposite of Mondo’s tough, burly appearance. With innocent eyes and modest attire, you wouldn’t expect this person to approach the Biker Gang Leader so readily. And yet, the two exchanged smiles and waves as they greeted each other.
“Yo, Fujisaki!” Mondo called. Chihiro Fujisaki, the Ultimate Programmer, walked up to Mondo with their arms behind their back. They looked over Mondo’s newly decorated motorcycle; eyes sparkling in awe.
“Wow! Did you do this yourself, Owada-kun?” Chihiro asked, clearly impressed.
“Yep!” the biker responded proudly. “Just got done, in fact. Whadda ya think?”
“It looks nice,” Chihiro said. “The orange contrasts nicely with the black of your motorcycle.”
“Heh! It does, doesn’t it?” Mondo smirked. “And I thought it was badass before, but now it’s like…super badass!”
Chihiro giggled softly. Mondo looked over at the petite programmer before ruffling their flax hair. “So, how’s the trainin’ goin’? Made any progress?”
Chihiro’s eyes lit up as they flexed their arm. “Oh! Y-Yes! I’ve been keeping up with a regular schedule! M-My muscles are getting bigger and stronger by the day, I’m sure of it!”
“Awesome! I’m proud of you, Lil Bro!”
Chihiro beamed brightly at Mondo’s praise. For you see, despite Chihiro’s effeminate and delicate appearance, they were actually a boy. Chihiro has had a complex regarding his identity for as long as he could remember, worrying if he’s “not manly enough” or “too girly.” But with the help of his friends, and specifically training from Mondo, Chihiro has grown more comfortable with himself and has learned to embrace both his feminine and masculine characteristics. Although, he has been working hard on gaining more of a “tough” appearance.
And who better to ask for advice on being tough than the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader?
With Chihiro reporting on how his progress has been, the two friends stared at Mondo’s motorcycle before the biker suddenly got a mischievous idea.
“Yo, Fujisaki. Havin’ to put away all this spray paint seems like a waste, dontcha think?”
Innocently, Chihiro tilted his head. “Hm? What do you mean, Owada-kun?” Chihiro looked down at the few cans of spray paint on the ground.
Mondo looked around. He had wheeled his bike over to a side of the academy to do his work. They were in a pretty secluded spot, and the walls were a spotless white. It was as if they were asking for it!
Picking up one of the cans on the ground, Mondo smirked at Chihiro. “Whaddaya say we leave a li’l mark on these here walls?”
Chihiro blinked a few times, before gasping out in shock. “Ehh?! B-b-but Owada-kun! That’s—that’s vandalism!”
Mondo flushed a little in embarrassment. “Oi, c’mon, Fujisaki! You’re makin’ it sound like I’m doin’ somethin’ awful! It’s just a li’l paint, it won’t hurt nobody.”
“S-still…” Fujisaki murmured softly. “T-the teachers probably won’t be too happy about it. And also—“
“Teachers won’t give a damn! Have you seen what other students get away with? This is nothing!” Mondo then tossed a can of paint over towards Chihiro, which the programmer barely caught. “C’mon, I promise you won’t get in trouble for it. Just a little drawing or signature to show somethin’ for yourself. Here, watch!”
Before Chihiro could protest, Mondo then began to spray the paint in the shape of a heart before then marking a crack down the middle. “See? Not too bad. Now you try!”
While Chihiro was apprehensive, Mondo did have a point on how lax the teachers were towards Ultimate students. Attending Hope’s Peak Academy granted a lot of privileges, and certainly a small bit of vandalism would be brushed aside! Right?
Frowning, Chihiro thought about it for a few more seconds, before taking a couple steps forward and holding the spray can up against the wall.
“That’s my Lil Bro! Way to go!” Mondo cheered. Before anything else could happen however, a sharp voice rang out.
“Hey! What do you two think you’re doing?!”
Chihiro got startled so badly that he dropped the can of paint, rolling it around on the grass. Mondo cursed under his breath, before looking to see who had caught them in the act.
“Oh, just my fuckin’ luck.”
Standing before the duo was a red-haired girl with a bobcut and casual but stylish attire. She had a camera around her neck and her hands on her hips as she addressed the two boys. It was their upperclassmen, the Ultimate Photographer Mahiru Koizumi.
“Well? Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?” Mahiru asked expectantly.
Chihiro stared down at the ground in shame, hands shaking. He felt tears prick the corners of his eyes. It had been a long while since someone had addressed him with such a stern look.
“H-hey, Koizumi,” Mondo gulped. “L-listen. Me and Fujisaki here were just hangin’ out.”
“Hanging out? With cans of spray paint?” Mahiru turned to acknowledge the drawing Mondo had made on the wall. “And let me guess: that was here before you got here?”
Mondo began to sweat a little. “W-well, no. I-I may have…uhh…” Embarrassed, the biker rubbed the back of his neck. “I was just doin’ a paint job on my ride, and I guess I got a little carried away.”
“Oh. You don’t say,” Mahiru said sarcastically. “Owada. I have no problem with you painting over your own belongings, but it’s a different matter entirely when it’s someone else’s property!”
Mondo stared up in fear. “T-this isn’t anyone’s property! Not really!” Mondo argued. “Of course I’d never mark up someone’s own shit, but this is a building!”
“A building that belongs to the faculty of this academy!” Mahiru spoke sternly. “Do you think all of the floors and windows get magically cleaned overnight? Someone has to manage this academy, Owada, and I doubt they’d appreciate some crude drawings all over it!”
Mondo pursed his lips in shame. “Shit. I never really thought about that. I guess you’re right.”
Mahiru sighed, before then looking at Chihiro. The programmer flinched in response. “I’m guessing Fujisaki-chan hasn’t done anything out of his own volition?”
“N-no,” Mondo affirmed. “Fujisaki hadn’t painted anything yet, and…I sorta talked him into it.”
Mahiru sighed again, exasperation clear in her voice. “Jeez. Vandalism is one thing, Owada, but peer pressuring poor Fujisaki-chan into troublemaking? I’m very disappointed in you.”
“Yes ma’am. Sorry ma’am,” was all Mondo could say.
“It’s not me you need to apologize to,” Mahiru said coldly, before gesturing towards Chihiro. Mondo then turned and bowed towards Chihiro shamefully.
“Sorry, Lil Bro. I shouldn’t have egged ya on like that. A real man doesn’t make others do shit they’re not comfortable with. My bad.” Chihiro felt a bit bad over Mondo having to apologize, but the programmer still nodded his head gently in acceptance.
“Good. Now though,” Mahiru looked over at the spray painted art Mondo made. “About this.”
“Oh, yeah! I’ll clean it off! Don’t worry!” Mondo assured the redhead, but that wasn’t what was on her mind.
“Oh, I know you will, but that’s not what I’m referring to.” Mahiru turned and scowled at the biker. “While I am your upperclassmen, it’s not exactly my duty to lecture you. So, I’ll bring you over to someone who will.”
With his eyes widening in realization, Mondo’s face turned horrified as he began to plead with the photographer. “Oh, come on! Please, don’t Koizumi! Bro will be so disappointed in me!”
“Tough luck. Now come on.” Mahiru walked over to Mondo before grabbing hold of his ear, literally dragging him by it.
“Ow ow ow ow! O-okay! Okay! Agh! Wait, that hurts! Slow down! Ack!!”
As the rough and tough biker gang leader was dragged by his ear, Chihiro sighed a breath of relief as to not being in that predicament himself. Though, he still felt bad for Mondo, and quickly trotted after them just to make sure he’d be all right.
Sitting by herself, a young blonde girl stared down at a trail of measly, pathetic ants. Gaining a wicked grin, the girl put her thumb before preparing to send one of these little insects to a squishy demise.
Unfortunately for her, though, she was interrupted by the last person she ever wanted to see.
“G-g-good afternoon, S-Saionji-san,” was the timid voice that called out to Hiyoko Saionji, the Ultimate Traditional Dancer.
“Ugh! Contrasting her childlike appearance and demeanor, Hiyoko sneered as her nasty attitude was now on full display. “The hell do you want, Pig Barf?! Can’t you see I’m busy?!”
The addressed ‘Pig Barf’ was in actuality the Ultimate Nurse, Mikan Tsumiki. She was incredibly shy, apologetic, and sensitive. A perfect target for the bullying Hiyoko.
“O-oh! I-I’m s-sorry. I didn’t mean to i-interrupt you—“
“Yeah, well, you did! So take the hint already and buzz off!” Hiyoko cruelly remarked. Mikan whimpered at Hiyoko’s outburst, before meekly shuffling away.
Hiyoko thought that would be it, until she heard the girl trip behind her. Hiyoko’s head spun around and she saw Mikan with her rear up in the air and her skirt fluttered over, unfortunately exposing herself.
“Uwaaah!! I tripped!” Mikan wailed. Hiyoko snarled. Standing up, Hiyoko marched over towards Mikan and pointed at her.
“The hell’s your damn problem, Pig Barf! No one’s even around to give you the attention you so clearly want! So why are you even tripping in the first place!”
Mikan stared up at Hiyoko, tears in her eyes. “N-no!” she shouted. “T-there was a rock! A-and I-I—“
“Oh bullshit! Don’t throw those lame excuses at me! They may work on chumps like Hinata and Soda, but I see through your little act!” Mikan continued to stare up at Hiyoko, tears falling from her eyes.
“Honestly! You’re so infuriating!” Hiyoko continued. “Just how long are you gonna keep up with this! Newsflash, bitch! People are getting sick of it! So either fix your goddamn vertigo already, or go lock yourself in your room and throw away the key!”
Mikan whimpered, tears still falling as she wiped at her face. “I-I’m sorry. F-forgive meee…”
“HALT!” With a voice loud enough to startle both Mikan and Hiyoko, they turned to see a young man with fierce eyes and a pristine white uniform marching towards them.
“Ugh, great. It’s Bushy Brows…” Hiyoko gagged. This was another one of Hiyoko’s least favorite people, the Ultimate Moral Compass, Kiyotaka Ishimaru.
Continuing to march forward, Kiyotaka walked up to the fallen Mikan and picked her up by one of her arms, hoisting her to her feet. Before the nurse could thank him, however, Kiyotaka addressed the petite blonde dancer. “Saionji-kun! Just what is the meaning of this?!” he shouted.
Hiyoko blinked, confused. “What does it look like? Pigshit tripped and fell and flashed her panties to nobody!”
“Yes, I can see that Tsumiki-kun has tripped. However! What I am talking about is your crass and vulgar language, Saionji-kun!”
Hiyoko covered her ears due to Kiyotaka’s intense volume. “T-the hell are you saying?!” Hiyoko shouted. “There’s nothing wrong with what I said! Tsumiki’s just an attention-seeking, clumsy bitch who makes everyone’s day worse!”
The nurse couldn’t help but look down in shame hearing that, a few more tears leaking from her eyes.
“There! Right there!” Kiyotaka pointed. “That right there is completely unacceptable language in a school environment!”
Hiyoko rolled her eyes. “Oh, calm down! What’s your deal, anyway? Since when did you become such a lame-o simp for Pig Barf anyway?!”
“I do not know what that means, but I cannot stand by as someone insults their fellow classmate! It is completely unacceptable! We should all respect each other, not call each other names! So, if you please, Saionji-kun! I would like for you to apologize to Tsumiki-kun for your bad behavior!”
Hiyoko glared daggers at the uptight boy, before falling for her trump card. “WAAAAAHHH!!! YOU’RE SOOO MEEEAAANNN!! YOU’RE A BULLY!!” Suddenly, Hiyoko was now bawling her eyes out and screaming like a child.
Mikan flinched at just how quickly Hiyoko was able to change her tune, and hid slightly behind Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka, however, was not intimidated.
“I apologize for making you cry, but I cannot overlook your awful behavior! So please, Saionji-kun! Apologize right now to Tsumiki-kun!”
At the drop of a hat, Hiyoko suddenly stopped crying as she looked up at Kiyotaka. “Huh? That usually works!” She then shook her head. “Whatever! Doesn’t matter what you say, I’m not going to apologize! Ever!”
Kiyotaka, however, would not budge. “Saionji-kun! Please apologize!”
“No!”
“Please apologize!”
“NO!”
“Please apologize!”
“I said NO!”
“Please apologize!”
“What is wrong with you?!”
“Please apologize!”
Hiyoko grit her teeth before growling in frustration. “FINE!!” she shouted. She stomped her feet as she faced Mikan. Rolling her eyes, Hiyoko clenched her fists before reluctantly saying, “Sorry,” in the most sarcastic way she could manage.
Kiyotaka then smiled. “Excellent! I am glad that you have apologized to Tsumiki-kun!” Hiyoko was in disbelief. Just how dumb was this guy?!
Mikan took a sigh of relief. Although she was grateful for Kiyotaka stepping in, she still felt like trash and stared down at the ground with teary eyes.
Kiyotaka noticed this, and had already prepared a speech to brighten her spirits. “Tsumiki-kun! Please, there is no more need for tears! The issue has been resolved, so you may cease your crying at once!”
“E-ehh?!!” Mikan exclaimed. “S-sorry!! I’ll stop crying!”
Hiyoko clicked her tongue. “So annoying.”
While it took a few more words, Kiyotaka was finally able to stop Mikan’s crying, and the boy then turned to face Hiyoko once more.
“Saionji-kun, I am thankful that you decided to apologize to Tsumiki-kun.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Hiyoko said dismissively. ‘Not like I had a choice.’
“However!” Kiyotaka suddenly yelled. “Even with your apology, I cannot overlook your demeaning remarks toward your fellow classmate. As such, I will deliver you to another one of your peers for proper lecturing!”
Hiyoko was in shock. “Huh?! Wait, what?!”
Before the girl could even register it, she was being dragged by her kimono collar across the ground as Kiyotaka marched ahead. “Do not worry!” the boy said. “So long as you listen to another lecture, no further punishment will be needed!”
Now finally registering what was happening, Hiyoko was all-too quick to complain. “H-hey! Let go of me! I’m not doing anything you want! Did you hear me?! Let go! Loser! Creep! Pervert! Weirdo! Jerkface!”
As Hiyoko continued to berate and insult Kiyotaka, Mikan looked over at the two before tearing up once again. Picking up into a mild sprint, she chased after them.
“W-w-wait for meeee!!”
Hope’s Peak Academy was large, mainly to accommodate for the Ultimates that attended there. As such, the gymnasiums were also quite large. And here at one of the many gymnasiums, a certain Mondo Owada was still being dragged by the ear.
“Let’s see… He should be around here,” Mahiru said casually, looking at her phone. Chihiro was also with them, hanging behind awkwardly and shuffling uncomfortably.
“Hey, I’m not gonna leave, y’know? So can ya let go of my ear?” Mondo asked gruffly.
Mahiru tilted her head. “Hm? Oh! Right, sorry.” She finally let go of her ear, and Mondo rubbed at it while wincing. After a few moments, some more footsteps were heard, and Mondo could feel his heart sink.
“Koizumi-san!” a loud, authoritative voice shouted. “There you are!”
Mahiru waved at the moral compass. “Hey, Ishimaru-kun. I believe that Owada has something to say to yo—Wait, is that Saionji-chan?!”
Kiyotaka blinked, before peering over his shoulder. “Ah, yes!” He hoisted Hiyoko up to her feet. “Unfortunately, I caught Saionji-kun making rather rude remarks towards Tsumiki-kun and calling her terrible names!”
“Saionji-chan!” Mahiru said disapprovingly. “How many times have I told you to watch what you say?”
Hiyoko sniffled, tears in her eyes and snot running down her nose. “BWWAAAHHHH!!! BIG SIS MAHIRU!! THIS GUY WAS SO MEAN TO MEEEE!! HE’S JUST LYING!!”
Sighing, Mahiru crossed her arms. “Sadly, I am inclined to believe him, Saionji-chan. Look, I know it’s hard for you, but please try and be nice to Tsumiki-chan, okay?”
Hiyoko grimaced. ‘The hell?! Big Sis woulda been chewin’ out any guy right now for being so mean to me!’
“Okay, Big Sis…” Hiyoko dejectedly said.
“Good,” Mahiru smiled, but it quickly vanished as she scowled at Mondo. “Now then, as for Owada.”
Kiyotaka gulped, his face pale. “B-bro!” he gasped, shaken. “W-what did you do, Bro?! Did—did you run in the halls?!”
Frowning, Mahiru pulled Mondo forward so he was closer towards Kiyotaka. “Worse. I caught him spray painting one of the walls on the side of the academy. And he was trying to push Fujisaki-chan into doing it, also!”
At the mention of their name, Chihiro visibly shrunk in the back, while Kiyotaka looked at Mondo with alarm.
“B-bro!!” Kiyotaka gasped. “That—you should know better, Bro! Painting is all well and fun, but not anywhere on campus grounds!!”
Mondo closed his eyes, lowering his head in shame. “Gah! I know that, Bro. I’m sorry. And it was a shitty thing of me to do to drag Fujisaki into it.”
Placing his hands on his hips, Kiyotaka let out a sigh. “Well, as long as you recognize your wrongdoing. I do not see a purpose to lecture you any further, but you must scrub away the vandalism you have created! Do not fret, I will help you.”
Mondo was shocked by Kiyotaka’s offer, now clenching his fist as a single tear trailed down his cheek. “Dammit, Bro. You’re just too cool!”
Despite everything being resolved, Mahiru wasn’t done yet. “I hope you’ve learned something from this, Owada. I better not catch you pulling stunts like that again! Boys like you should seriously follow Ishimaru-kun's example!” Kiyotaka beamed subtly at that comment. “And Fujisaki-chan, don’t do things you know aren’t right just because your friends say so.”
The petite programmer stood up straight at attention before bowing profusely. “Y-yes ma’am! Will do, ma’am!”
Satisfied, Mahiru turned over to Kiyotaka with a smile. “Thank you so much for this. And also for bringing Saionji-chan to me. She didn’t give you too much trouble, did she?”
Kiyotaka shook his head. “Don’t worry! I got her to apologize to Tsumiki-kun rather quickly!”
Mahiru looked both shocked and impressed at that revelation, before then smiling once again. “I’m glad. Then, I’ll see you around. I’m gonna have a bit of girl talk with Saionji-chan.”
Laughing, Kiyotaka then slung his arm over Mondo’s shoulder. “Haha! Then Bro and I will have some bro talk! I hope to see you soon, Koizumi-san!”
Faintly, a red blush appeared on Mahiru’s face. “Likewise. See ya!”
The groups went their respective ways, while a purple-haired nurse continued to chase after Mahiru and Hiyoko.
However, they weren’t the only ones nearby. Outside of the gymnasium, looking in, were two other students of Hope’s Peak. Both considered to be incredibly average, yet beloved all the same by their peers. Those being the Ultimate Lucky Student, Makoto Naegi; and a Reserve Course transfer student named Hajime Hinata.
The two shared a knowing glance between each other, a confident smile on Hajime’s face while a more awkward smile was on Makoto’s.
Then, Hajime spoke. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”
Makoto laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “Ahaha... I just might.”