A/N: Random thought but you know that scenario in some fanfics where the children somehow timetravel and end up visiting their parents in their youth??
Well I was thinking about it and if Reader and Akiro were to visit Rui and Hanami during their high school years (16-17yo more or less), their meeting would be so freaking awkward!!
Reader and Akiro only know their parents as these toxic and manipulative people who have ruled their whole lives. But teen Rui and Hanami were just normal kids at that age and were (if I may say so) pretty much in love with each other (or at least this idealized version they had of the other one)
So the meeting I can picture it as Akiro and Reader being SUPER uncomfortable whilst Hanami gushes over Akiro (who's a carbon copy of the boy she fell for) and Rui tries to make some conversation with Reader to get to know her (since she's very similar to Hanami and therefore has a soft spot for her)
Haha wouldn't that be a funny thing to see? :^)
(Your POV)
"... and so I ended up going to bed at five or so." You yawned for the millionth time that morning as you finished telling Karma everything that happened last night.
"Wow princess," he whistled as the two of you continued going down the mountain. "Can't believe your brother actually manipulated your father into letting you stay." He kicked a pebble that was on his way. "But honestly, it was time your father got a taste of his own medicine." He didn't even bother to sugarcoat.
"I guess," you yawned once again.
"Damn (Y/N)," he chuckled at how sleepy you were. "You should've just skipped class today."
"I doubt my parents would let me," you let out a humorless chuckle. "But, honestly," you smiled, happiness radiating off from you, "that's the least of my worries. I'm just glad I made up with my brother."
Karma found himself smiling at your happiness and, without warning, he swung his arm over your shoulders and brought you closer.
"Does that mean-" he smirked, his face mere millimeters away from yours – "that the princess is finally ready to escape her tower?" He poked your cheek.
"Actually, yeah," you couldn't help but giggle, your light-hearted laugh filling the air and brightening the atmosphere.
Karma grinned at your response and, at a speed rivaling Mach 20, he sweeped you off from your feet. You yelped in surprise and hastily wrapped your arms around his neck.
"Ne (Y/N)-chan," your redheaded boyfriend smiled deviously as he carried you bridal style, completely unfazed by your reaction. "Are you gonna reconsider my offer?"
"Eh!?"
"Wanna move in with me?" He sent you a mischievous smile.
"Wh-What!?" You shrieked, your face heating up in the span of mere seconds.
"Why so surprised? It's not the first time I'm asking." He teased, clearly having the time of his life. "Besides, if you run away, you'll have to live somewhere, don't ya think?"
"Wh-Who says I want to live with a sadistic devil!?" You managed to screech, your face still hotter than ever as Karma burst out laughing.
"You know I take that as a compliment, right?" He leaned in, his lips dangerously close to yours as the scent of strawberries was now more present than ever.
"Dammit Akabane!" Your heartbeat sped up as the butterflies inside your stomach went crazy at the closeness. Karma simply laughed and placed you back down on the ground.
Once you had managed to calm down, the two of you resumed your pace and continued walking down the mountain, eventually reaching the bottom. You couldn't help but let out a loud sigh at this, your eyes glancing at the courtyard as you watched the main campus' students enjoying their recess. This was it.
"Want me to go with you?" Karma asked.
"No, it's okay." You shook your head.
"Hmm... okay." He said, though he didn't sound too compliant in following your wishes.
"Karma, I'm serious. It'll be fine." You reassured.
"Ehh okay but I'm still gonna wait for you."
"Huh? Are you sure?" You cocked your head to the side. "It's recess, you should enjoy your break."
"Meh, it's no big deal. I can always sleep in class afterwards," he deadpanned, much to your dismay.
After bidding farewell, you soon made your way towards the main building. You could feel the students' eyes on you as you crossed the courtyard but you tried to pay it no mind. You had to get to Principal Asano's office and tell him about Hiroko's confession. It was time you finally put an end to the scandal.
You walked down the corridor filled with determination, wanting to finally get this over with. Now that the school year was ending and the assassination was getting closer, you had to focus. You couldn't get distracted by such stupid gossip articles.
It was then you saw her, your (E/C) eyes making contact with her black ones. The two of you stared at each other in silence but, much to your surprise, she didn't look like her usual self. Hiroko didn't have her chin up, she wasn't looking at you in superiority though she didn't seem scared by what was about to happen. It was weird. She was simply... unfazed.
This attitude of hers had you doubting yourself once again. What if Hiroko hadn't done it? She seemed extremely calm which was weird considering her plan had backfired. During your second year, whenever things didn't go her way, she would always scowl and curse under her breath. She wouldn't even try to hide it.
So then... Why was she so calm now? Was this all part of her plan? But why?
You quickly shook your head and continued moving though it wasn't like you could shake that seed of doubt that was now growing inside of you.
Exhaling loudly, you knocked twice on the principal's office. His low and commanding voice invited you in and, taking one last deep breath, you gathered the courage to step inside.
"Ah, (L/N)," Principal Asano smiled once he realized it was you. "Take a seat."
You did as you were told, your eyes darting all around the room as your hands began to get sweaty. Now that you were in his office, it all seemed so... real... You gulped. Were you really going to tell on Hiroko?
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He arched an eyebrow.
You bit your bottom lip, still not sure if this was the right thing to do.
'I have to put an end to this,' you convinced yourself. 'Koro-sensei's assassination is more important and I can't get distracted now. I need to tie up all the loose ends!'
"Well," you lowered your gaze, "I-I think I know who leaked the picture."
"Is that so?" He leaned on his desk. "I suppose it was a student. Otherwise you wouldn't have come to me." He smirked. "Tell me, who do you think it was?" He inquired, quite interested in finding out himself.
You once again found yourself hesitating.
'Just get it over with!' You reprimanded yourself.
"I-I think it was Hiroko." Your voice got quieter to the point it was barely a whisper.
"Who?" He frowned, not hearing the name.
You bit your bottom lip.
"Hiroko."
"Hmmm...Do you have proof?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Before the article was published, I was sent a threat by an unknown number." You began rummaging through your bag for your phone. "My class and I... we managed to track the number and it led us to the main building." You chewed on the inside of your cheek.
"Then it could have been anyone from the main campus," he pointed out. After all, this was a very heavy accusation.
"I know," you agreed. "But," you paused, your gaze going down to your lap, "but Hiroko confessed..."
The principal didn't say anything, silently going through all the information he had just heard.
"Hiroko Matsubara..." he leaned back, "from class A..." He let it sink in. "Hmm... She's always been a proud main campus student," he said slowly, "it isn't like her to endanger her position..."
You pursed your lips. So the principal also had his doubts? Had you gotten ahead of yourself?
"Well," he interrupted your thoughts, "if that's everything then-"
"Principal Asano!" The door was suddenly slammed open, the noise startling you and making you jump in your seat.
"Higashi," he said lowly, his purply-red eyes narrowing as he glared at the student who had dared come unannounced into his office.
"P-Principal Asano," Maiya stammered, rather intimidated by his gaze as her initial burst of confidence seemed to dissipate into thin air.
"You'll have to wait your turn like the other students." He waved her off. "And next time, don't interrupt me when I'm in a meeting."
"But Principal Asano," her voice wavered. "This is important."
"Wait. Your. Turn. Higashi." He repeated word by word, the temperature in the room dropping almost instantly. "Now lea-"
"I did it!" She shouted. "I took the picture. I sent it to the press."
"What!?" You shot up from your chair.
"I'm so sorry (Y/N)." She turned towards you, her eyes welling up with tears. "I didn't mean to harm you, I swear. I never meant for this to get out of hand."
Your lips were parted, your eyebrows were furrowed and the only thing you could do was stare at Maiya in disbelief. Had she really been the one who leaked it? You shook your head. No. It couldn't be. The two of you had agreed on being friends. She had even apologized for not reaching out when you were transferred! So why? Why had she suddenly stabbed you in the back!?
"Is this true Higashi?" He arched an eyebrow.
Maiya gulped deeply and meekly nodded her head. Asano-san sighed and sat back down on his chair.
"A class A student," he mumbled under his breath and shook his head in bewilderment. "All right Higashi, close the door and take a seat. I'll be notifying your parents." Maiya bowed respectfully and sat down, her head hung low as she fought back the tears.
You immediately looked away, your heart clenching at the sight. Why were you feeling sorry for her? She was the reason why your parents found out about Karma...
"Principal Asano." The door was once again slammed open, startling both you and Maiya.
"Does no one here know how to knock?" You heard the principal growl under his breath as he stood up yet again. "This better be important Matsubara." His eyes darkened.
"Sir, I leaked the picture."
"Hi-Hiroko..." Maiya stammered, her eyes round at the sight as she blinked away the tears.
"I apologize Maiya," she bowed slightly at the girl, "I shouldn't have manipulated you into taking the blame."
"B-But," the brown-haired girl stammered, eyes darting from Hiroko's face to yours and then to the principal's. "But Principal Asano I-"
"Silence." Asano-san ordered, his booming voice succeeding at shutting her up. "Do you girls think this is a game?" He glared at the three of you, an aura of aggravation emanating from him as his towering figure loomed over you. "Do you think you can waste my time with such absurd fights?"
You gulped. It was pretty clear why he got along so well with your parents...
"The three of you. Get out. Now!"
Without uttering a single word, you stood up from your chair, the wooden legs making a grating sound as they slided against the tiled floor. You didn't even glance at either of the two girls and just left the room.
The principal now wanted nothing to do with you. The scandal hadn't been dealt with which meant your parents were still on your back. You growled.
Had this been Hiroko's plan all along!?
(Karma's POV)
'Break time will be over in a few minutes,' I thought as I stood up and made my way to the main campus' courtyard.
Tucking my hands inside my pockets, I walked over to the vending machine, ignoring the annoying murmuring of the main campus' students. Did they really have such uninteresting lives? Did they really have to always be gossiping about end class students? Damn were they annoying!
I soon reached the machine and the group of girls that had been frolicking around immediately scattered upon noticing my presence. I chuckled, I guess there were no queues for me.
Inserting the coins, I picked my usual strawberry milk. I was starving. So once I had the beverage in my possession, I was quick to go back to the spot where I had been sitting, not wanting to be anywhere near those stuckups.
My eyes were glued to the building as I lazily sipped from the milk carton. Why was (Y/N) taking so long? Could something have happened?
I found myself frowning at that last thought though I forced myself not to worry too much. If anything were to happen, she would defend herself, she wasn't helpless. She did attend martial arts with the square...
"Akabane."
Heh. Speaking of the devil.
"Ah, the Student Council," I immediately smirked and stood up. "What? You gonna scold me for using the main campus' vending machine?" I snorted.
"On another occasion, perhaps," he said matter of factly. "But that's not why I'm here."
"Then what do you want?" I arched an eyebrow, already bored with the conversation.
"Is (Y/N) with you?"
"Dunno, you tell me. Can you see her anywhere around here?" I chuckled as he rolled his eyes, not amused with my joke.
"I suppose you're waiting for her. Otherwise you wouldn't have willingly come to the main campus."
"Oh wow. Such impressive deduction skills Mr.President," I smiled, my tone filled with sarcasm. Why would he even ask if he already knew?
The square didn't say anything else and just stood there in silence.
"You planning on staying or what?" I frowned.
"I want to talk to her," he answered dryly.
"So why don't you just go find her?" I arched an eyebrow. Did I really have to wait here with him? Of all people?
"She's been avoiding me."
I laughed loudly at this, "doesn't surprise me."
The two of us sat there in silence. Asano's eyes were glued to the main campus, his arms crossed against his chest as his lips were tightly pressed together. I sighed in boredom and leaned against the trunk of a tree.
"I suppose she's still mad at me." He suddenly broke the silence.
Huh? Was he trying to make conversation?
"You want me to answer you?" I tilted my head, quite amused at the situation.
I received no answer so I didn't bother with his question and continued drinking from my strawberry milk. But, as unbothered by his presence as I pretended to be, I couldn't stop myself from wondering what in the world did he want to tell (Y/N)? He certainly must be pretty desperate if he was willing to be anywhere around me.
My eyebrows knitted together as I kept thinking about it. Suddenly, that conversation we had outside the principal's office came to mind. Can't believe we actually worked together that day. Was I that desperate?
I pursed my lips, already knowing the answer to that question. And I guess that, as annoying and condescending as that square was, he did seem to genuinely care about (Y/N)'s family situation.
Argh! I couldn't believe I was even thinking this but... I guess the square wasn't that bad... He had, after all, gone as far as to give up his phone so (Y/N) wouldn't be stripped of her freedom at home.
I found myself frowning at the memory, my eyes set on the milk carton. Nearly a week had gone by yet I couldn't move on from that day. That fight... it kept haunting me.
If I hadn't allowed that rage to consume me, if I hadn't taunted Asano, if I had controlled myself and never thrown that first punch-... I could've at least made things a bit easier for (Y/N). But I did the opposite.
'Asano helped (Y/N) and gave his phone away. I got her in trouble and made things worse with her parents,' I frowned. 'Worst of all, he wasn't even the one who leaked the photo.'
'I made (Y/N)'s homelife worse for nothing...'
"Karma," I suddenly heard the octopus' voice in my head. "You don't have to throw away your pride. Just put it down by your feet for the time being. Look straight down at the blade you placed at your feet. If the right intentions lie within it, it should shine brightly and proudly, even on the ground." My jaw tightened. Those were the words Koro-sensei told me when I bumped into those guys...
Exhaling loudly, I turned towards the square.
"Hey," I spoke up.
The strawberry blond slowly turned around, brow furrowing slightly as he stared at me in silence, probably wondering what insult I would throw next.
I gritted my teeth. Geez. Was I really gonna try to make things right with the square? This was more difficult than I had imagined.
"It was decent of you to give your phone away," I managed to say.
My words caught the student council completely off guard.
"And..." I bit my bottom lip. Damn was this hard! "I was wrong." I lowered my head, jaw clenching tightly as I forced myself not to throw an insult into the mix. "Trying to pick a fight with you wasn't the right call. I should've made sure I had all the information before acting." I found myself admitting in all honesty.
Asano's purple eyes widened at my apology though he was quick to recompose himself and act like nothing had happened. Instead, a cocky smirk now began tugging at the corners of his lips and I instantly began regretting what I had just said.
"Well if it isn't the infamous Akabane Karma apologizing," he smirked, my eye twitching at his response.
'Why do I even listen?' I silently cursed at the octopus.
"Looks like (Y/N) finally managed to drill some sense into that thick head of yours," he chuckled, quite amused at the whole situation. "But," his smile fell, his demeanor reverting back to his usual seriousness, "lowering your head like that isn't like you Akabane." His purple eyes analyzed me carefully. "And I can't help but wonder," a small and creepy smile played along his lips, "what kind of experience could have had such an impact on you to make you act like this?"
A small, playful smile exposed my canine teeth. There was only one school in the world with people whose academic skill could match mine and make for an interesting competition and that was here, at Kunugigaoka.
"Oh, but don't get me wrong." I chuckle, my eyes darkening as I slowly lifted my head and straightened up. "I'm not tryna kiss your ass like those main campus students."
"Is that so?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Apologizing for our fight was one thing," I stated flatly. "Even a delinquent like me can realize when I've messed up." My jaw was set, my voice lacking my usual playful tone as I used the same insult I had heard my whole life. "But," a rather amused smile slowly began to replace my serious expression from just seconds ago, "I also wanna make things right. I don't wanna owe you in the future."
"And why may that be?" He looked at me with his chin up.
"I'm paving the way for our college years. I want our competition to be fair and square. No foul play. No petty fights like this year."
"I see..." A sinister smile played along his lips.
"So what do you say, Asano?" My eyes went bloodshot as a sadistic smile played along my lips. "The next three years, you better come at me like you're tryna kill me. It wouldn't be fun any other way."
"Then you better prepare yourself, Akabane," he smirked at the challenge. "And believe me when I say I'll uncover whatever the end class is hiding."
I grinned. College was gonna be interesting to say the least.
(Your POV)
"(Y/N)! Wait!" You heard Maiya calling after you. But you simply ignored her, not in the mood after everything that had happened.
Seriously!? Why did the universe seem to hate you so much!? You couldn't believe it! The scandal had ruined your life! So why!? After everything you had had to put up with, why were you going back empty handed!? Why couldn't you finally find out who was responsible for sending that cursed photo!?
"(Y/N)! Please, listen!" Maiya suddenly grabbed your shoulder.
"What Maiya!?" You spun on your heel. "What can you even say that will make things better!?"
The brown-haired girl was taken aback by your reaction, your outburst making her unconsciously take a step backward.
"There's... there's really no excuse," she whispered and lowered her head. "But please, don't take it out on Hiroko." Her lower lip trembled. "She wasn't even involved in this. I don't know why she took the blame."
"Well I do," you snapped, your usual patience nowhere to be seen as you were only filled with an uncontrollable rage. "This is all part of her plan, isn't it!? Messing with the principal's head so he refuses to listen to me!"
"What? N-No (Y/N), it really isn't." She shook her head several times. "I swear it's true. Hiroko had nothing to do with all this."
You gritted your teeth, your hand curling into a tight fist as you glared at the brown-haired girl. But, despite the anger that boiled inside of you, there was a small part of you that really wanted to believe Maiya.
But you fought back that urge because you were tired. Tired of so many betrayals. Tired of people pushing you around and taking advantage of you!
"L-Look (Y/N)," Maiya stammered. "When I saw you with Akabane... I just couldn't believe my eyes. I know you had already told me you two got along but it was still hard for me to believe. He's always had this violent reputation and seeing him so in love with someone... it shocked me." She meekly searched for your eyes.
"But then, I remembered what you told us about him. How he was much more than the rumors and had good morals." She nervously began playing with the hem of her skirt. "I swear I didn't mean to harm you (Y/N)." She blinked away the tears. "I just needed proof of what I saw."
"But why?" You frowned. Why on earth would she need proof for something like that?
"Hiroko wouldn't have believed me." She sadly shook her head. "She's convinced you're in love with Himura and that Akabane and you would never get along. She's always saying I live in the clouds so if I told her what I saw without any proof, she would've just dismissed me."
"But I still don't understand Maiya." Your voice lacked any sympathy. "Why would you show it to her?"
"It's just-" her bottom lip trembled – "I believed that, if I showed it to her, she would see how much Akabane liked you and would finally understand he was more than the delinquent the school painted him as. That the end class wasn't bad and we had just misjudged them."
You remained silent, your lips pressing tightly together as you watched how Maiya fought back the tears.
"So it was Hiroko who leaked it?" You began to raise your voice, slowly piecing the story in your head.
Hiroko was responsible for your parents finding out, for making your homelife even more of a living hell!
"No." Maiya was quick to shake her head. "She was actually the one who told me to delete it but-" she paused and looked away – "but I didn't listen and..." she bit her bottom lip, "and I sent it to that magazine."
You didn't say anything, your eyebrows knitting together as you tried to understand the whole story. So Maiya was the one who took the picture because she wanted to put an end to Hiroko's prejudice of the end class? Her reasons were pure so why did she suddenly think it was a good idea for the press to get their hands on that photo? It didn't make sense unless-...
"There's something you aren't telling me, am I right Maiya?" Your voice was laced with a venom you had never heard in yourself.
"No, I swear it's the truth," she gulped.
"It was Hiroko, wasn't it?" You began backing her against the wall, your eyes darkening as the temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"N-No." She shook her head over and over.
"Why do you keep covering for her?" The crease in your forehead deepened as you were reminded of the way Hiroko had talked to you when you tried to confront her.
Hiroko still looked at everyone in superiority. She still treated you like you were nothing so why was Maiya so keen on defending her? You gritted your teeth and got closer, Maiya's back now pressing against the wall with no place to escape.
"I'm telling the truth I-"
"I've listened to you, right?" You interrupted her. "So if you're not going to answer my questions then I don't know why I even bothered."
That rage that had boiled inside you so many times was now stronger than ever as it took control of your body and stopped you from thinking properly.
"Look (Y/N), I don't know what you think happened but-"
"Stop speaking nonsense and just tell me the truth!" You spatted.
"It was Aoi and Nika!" She cracked, the words running into each other as she looked away from you in fear.
Your body stiffened at her reaction, eyes going round as you slowly came back to reality and realized what you had just done. Were you really-...?
"I-I... I'm so sorry," you immediately retreated, voice faltering as your hands started to shake slightly.
"Please (Y/N)! Forget what I told you," Maiya begged, not taking notice of your agitated condition as she could only focus on her slip-up. "Just put all the blame on me but don't bring Aoi and Nika into this."
But her pleas were drowned out by your thoughts as your mind was invaded by what just happened. By what you had just done.
Was this-... Was this what Akiro felt when he manipulated your father?
No.
This was worse.
Unlike him, there were no selfless intentions behind your actions.
Your body was now trembling violently as you fought back the tears. The way you had spoken... The way you had acted... It was just like your mother...
A/N: And no, Reader's fears about turning into her mother are, unfortunately, not new.
She's always had these doubts deep inside her and they have appeared many times throughout the story (chapters 31, 38, 40 and 61 that I remember, but there might be more)
And I also love how in this chapter we have Reader having an existential crisis whilst Karma finally vibes with Asano. Such a weird juxtaposition lmao