2 Years Ago- Suzuki POV
Suzuki walked to school he spotted some looks from Female Teachers. He smiled awkwardly. He didn't feel comfortable with those looks, but it didn't bother him that much. He had made it through this first year in middle school by convincing himself it was a sort of compliment.
'I don't like it but... Neechan has almost graduated. I don't want to cause problems for her so I'll bear with it.'
Suzuki walked into the classroom and sat next to a bubbly person.
"Good morning Kushida-San"
Kushida nodded.
"It's great to see you Horikita-Kun!"
Suzuki smiled.
'This girl is different from others'
"I hope you're not pushing yourself too much."
"It's fine. It's fine."
She smiled.
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After Class
Kushida met Suzuki outside. She approached him with a blush.
"Kushida-San?"
She took out some chocolates.
'Oh right! It's Valentine's Day. But me? She chose me?'
"The truth is... I like you a lot."
Suzuki blushed.
"Um yeah."
He accepted it.
"Will you go out with me?"
Suzuki blushed more.
'Well she's cute and doesn't look at me like I'm a piece of meat. Shes also very kind.'
Suzuki nodded.
"Alright. Please take care of me."
Kushida nodded, smiling brightly.
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Near Water- Back To Present Day.
Suzuki opened his eyes, staring out at the way, having finished remembering.
'That day was the catalyst for the person I become. The girl who made me so distrustful.'
"You called me out here so at least notice when I arrive Horikita."
Suzuki turned to face the same girl.
"Thanks for coming Kushida."
Kushida walked up to the railings, leaning on it, and her gaze looked out to the water.
"So why did you call me here?"
"I want to make peace with you."
"Even remembering what happened between us?"
"You manipulated me. You used me to boost your status. So that creepy guys wouldn't be so forward with you. So girls would respect you more but at the same time... I was immature. I couldn't see the gray between white and black. You likely suffered a lot from my attitude. I didn't give you a reason to fall in love and that was my mistake."
Kushida's eyes widened.
"Why the hell are you talking as if I'm a victim?"
"Because you are. We both are. I am a victim of you and you are a victim of someone else. That's the reality of this world. That's what I've come to realise. Everyone... is a victim of someone."
"What are you even..."
Suzuki thought of Kiyomi.
"The difference is what we use the pain from that for."
"Horikita. What the hell are you saying right now."
"I hate you. I really do but even so. I forgive you."
Kushida looked stunned as Suzuki extended his hand to her.
"For Kiyomi. Let's try to get along."
Kushida was deep in thought as she gritted her teeth and then relaxed.
"You fucking ass. Acting like you knew how it felt to date you. Still. You're right."
Kushida shook his hand.
"Sorry... and... I forgive you too."
Suzuki nodded.
'Now I can honestly say that I've changed. Now I can say farewell to... my old self.'
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Homeroom
Chabashira smiled.
"You have all done well to make it to Class B. You've even managed to create a gap of 147 Class Points. Keep doing well. I'm hoping to see you all graduate in Class A."
Chabashira sat down, and Kiyomi looked at Suzuki.
"Are you alright Suzuki?"
"My Sister... is going to graduate soon."
Kiyomi nodded.
"It won't be long now."
"I... don't know what to say to her."
"Hm? You don't know what to say? Shouldn't it be obvious?"
"What?"
"Just say what you feel."
Suzuki sighed, nodding.
"You're right."
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Graduation Party
Kiyomi and Suzuki attended the Third Year Graduation Party as they saw Makoto having fun with her peers. They were engrossed in hearty conversation.
'She looks so happy.'
Suzuki sighed.
'I want to talk to her but... this isn't the right moment.'
Eventually, her friends moved away, and Suzuki walked over as Makoto's gaze focused on him, and she smiled.
"Nee-Chan. Before you go. I want to talk to you. At the gates."
Makoto nodded.
"I understand."
Suzuki moved away.
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Alleyway
Kiyomi met with Tsukishiro.
"An excellent victory from your class. I must say your performance on stage was quite impressive."
Kiyomi nodded.
"Why did you call me here Director Tsukishiro?"
"There will be 2 white room students that will attend this school next year. They will be your challenge. Identify them and do your best to defend yourself."
"No matter how much I want to be normal I must acknowledge my own ability."
"I think you're overconfident. I didn't think you were so amazing. Maybe you're just a fish in a well unable to see the depth of the ocean."
"Though I'm not as foolish to think I'd the best in the world the white room is different."
"Oh and what's that?"
"I may not be able to see the depth of the ocean but I can see the vastness of the sky. No matter how many students are taught like I was there will be none that can match me."
Tsukishiro reflexively shivered slightly.
"You really are like your father."
"... Please never say that again."
Tsukishiro laughed.
"Very well."
Tsukishiro left as Kiyomi exited the alleyway as she was face to face with Chiaki.
"What was that conversation with the director about?"
"It was nothing special."
"I've always had a feeling about you. Like you're more amazing then you let on."
"I don't really think so."
Chikai sighed.
"I'm kind of the same. I don't want to stand out either because... I'm afraid my friends will leave me."
"Isn't that kind of prideful?"
"Huh?"
"You assume that they will feel inferior and abandon you. That's prideful. Trust in your friends more. Do your best to not be concieted or arrogant. If they still abandon you then they were never worth your time."
Chiaki smiled.
"It's so obvious yet I didn't think of it. I'm probably a lot stupider then I thought."
Chiaki said this, sighing.
"So I'm guessing you'll be more likely to give more effort now?"
Chiaki nodded as they then parted ways.
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Roof
Kiyomi sighed as she lay down, staring at the Pleiades constellation.
"Subaru..."
[Kiyomi's hands were wrapped around a young boy's neck, but the boy didn't resist. He just smiled as if he was glad she was going to be okay. He was beaten and bruised, but Kiyomi had no injuries to see.
"I didn't want this! Why didn't you fight back!? All you did were fients!"
"I'm sorry. I can't save you from this place but... I can die in your place."
"Subaru! Fight me! Don't die like this! I can't accept this!"
"I'm going to live... in your heart so please... don't forget me."
The instructors approached, each brandishing a baton.
"Stop hesitating."
Kiyomi's face turned cold as she wrung his neck, and his body went limp. Her face became emotionless as she watched his body being taken away.]
"Kiyomi-San!"
"..."
"Kiyomi-San!"
Kiyomi looked at Suzuki.
"Um sorry. I was remembering something. A bad memory. Thanks for bringing me out of it."
Suzuki understood and sat next to her, putting his blazer on her to keep her warm.
"I'm okay."
"It's alright. I can bare with it for a while."
Kiyomi nodded as Suzuki opened a thermos, poured some tea into the lid and handed it to Kiyomi. She accepted it and began drinking it.
"Thanks."
"So which ones do you want to hear about today?"
Kiyomi pointed towards the stars.
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With Makoto
Makoto waited at the gates as Nagumo approached her.
"Horiktia-Senpai."
"Nagumo?"
"Seems like my times up."
"Makoto."
"Hm?"
"You may call me Makoto."
Nagumo looked surprised, blushing a little.
"Oh? Did I catch your attention finally?"
"You did. Graduate in Class A and I'll go on one date with you."
Nagumo looked surprised.
"Miyabi."
"Huh?"
"Call me Miyabi."
Makoto nodded with a blush on her face.
"Well, I'll leave now. I'll be waiting for that date Makoto."
"If I hear you slept with another girl I'll take it back!"
Nagumo smirked.
"Got it. Got it."
Kiyomi walked over to Makoto.
"Horiktia-Senpai."
Makoto smiled.
"It's good to see you Kiyomi. Take care of my younger brother okay?"
Kiyomi nodded.
"I'll do my best. He's given me a lot. He's a good man."
Makoto chuckled.
"It's strange to hear my younger brother be called a man. In my eyes he's still just a kid."
"Please don't say that. I don't like the kind of list I'd be put on if that were true."
She said this with a blank face as Makoto laughed loudly. Suzuki walked over.
"Nee-chan."
"Suzuki."
Suzuki bowed to her.
"Congratulations on graduating."
Makoto's eyes widened for a second as a warm smile appeared on her face.
"Also. Please punch Nagumo-Senpai at least once or twice before you even consider falling in love with him."
Makoto smiled.
"Understood."
Makoto patted him on the head as his face was sullen.
"You've grown a lot, Suzuki. I'm proud of you. Keep this school together without me okay?"
Suzuki nodded.
"I'm going to become the Student Council President just like you!"
"Don't follow my steps too closely okay?"
Suzuki smiled and nodded, and Makoto then walked away. As Makoto's figure disappeared from sight, Kiyomi gave Suzuki a hug.
"It's alright. You'll see her in two years."
Suzuki nodded, accepting her hug.
"Two years..."
"So until then spend all your thoughts on spending time with me okay?"
Suzuki was a bit surprised.
'She's only saying that because she's trying to help me...'
"Yeah okay."
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Suzuki's Room
Kiyomi and Suzuki sat down.
"Kiyomi-San. About our next year."
"I don't have much intent of interfering in exams. I will be a bit busy with other things."
"Other things?"
"I have some things planned. Personal business."
"Personal business?"
"Yes."
"Alright."
'Something about her past.'
Suzuki sighed.
"If you ever need my help. Please ask me."
Kiyomi nodded.
"Kiyomi..."
"Yes?"
"When we first met I believed that you were just a cute girl who was stalking me."
"Rude."
"But after a while I realised you're not just a cutie. You showed what a capable person you are. Honestly sometimes I feel like I'm not worthy of you."
"That's not true. I chose you because of how I felt."
"I know. It's not like I'd ever walk away from you. I'm not going to let go of you ever."
"You're being kind of possessive. I like that you care but where are you going with this?"
"Kiyomi."
Kiyomi's eyes looked more intently at him as they locked eyes.
"Suzuki?"
"I love you."
Kiyomi registered it, her heart beat faster as there was a slight redness in her cheeks.
"I love you too."
The two of them kissed and then sat next to each other, leaning against each other as they just sat together quietly without an exchange of words being necessary.
'Ayanokoji Kiyomi. You are much more than just a cutie. You're an incredible person that makes the most difficult things look easy. You're a victim of your father. You're the classmate you who changed who I am. You're my love.'
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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BTW
I released this chapter today cause it's the birthday of someone important to me. Just felt compelled cause of that. No other reason. He doesn't even read this fic.
Author's Note
I was trying to write peak. How'd I do?