Chapter Text
“Y-Yoi-chan! Yoi!!” Ruruka Andou screamed out, as her attacker inched his way closer and closer.
“Why always Izayoi?” A certain young pharmacist wondered, watching the scene unfold between Ruruka and her attacker.
“H-help! Y-Yoi help me please!” Ruruka’s attacker now stood in front of her, raising his blade.
“It’s always Izayoi....” Seiko wondered.
“Izayoi!!” Ruruka shouted again, while Munakata said nothing as he readied his strike.
“Am… am I not good enough?” She hadn’t noticed that she was already on her feet.
Munakata swung down his blade.
“She never came to me like that…” Seiko thought, reaching into her pocket.
Ruruka closed her eyes, waiting for death.
“So… why do I… keep trying…” She ran.
Slice!
What was aimed at Ruruka’s chest was now embedded deep into Seiko’s shoulder, the blade making a horrid squishing sound as it dug deep into her. The slouching girl bit down her mask in pain, a scratchy, painful gasp escaping from her lips. Ruruka stood stunned, as the person whom she called a traitor just 10 minutes before stood in front of her, protecting her from a blow that could have very well killed her.
Why do I keep… keep trying…?
Munakata remained calm and pushed his blade further. His eyes were cold and full of legitimate killing intent. No matter how many had to die, despair would be eradicated. Ever since Yukizome’s death, he increased his efforts ten fold, even killing Juzo in the process. He hyperfocused on his now new prey, not bothering to think of anything beyond cutting her in half.
As he pushed the blade further, Seiko’s left hand grabbed hold of his wrist while the other plunged a thin syringe into his arm. As she quickly disposed of its contents into his bloodstream, Munakata pushed her away from him, completely aware of the possible harmful effects of such a liquid.
As he pushed her away, Seiko lost her grip and fell back as a new wave of fresh pain seared through her from her shoulder. The sword easily sliced through Seiko’s shoulder like a hot knife to butter. Red blood streaked down her arm and stained the floor beneath her as she fell. Some of it even flew out, wildly dripping onto the floor.
Finally out of her stupor, Ruruka managed to catch the falling pharmacist but the two still landed on the ground with a hard thud.
“S-Seiko! Are you ok?” the worried candy maker asked. “Oh my god you’re bleeding! T-there’s so much blood! What do I do?! Seiko do you have any medicine? Any drugs? God please say something! Seiko!”
Ruruka continued to frantically yell out, holding Seiko’s body close to her as she sat up. Seiko was unresponsive. In the background, Munakata’s own body was betraying him.
Seiko simply looked up at the sweet candy maker. She had grown up so much from that lightheaded, carefree girl she met in their first year. Sure Ruruka’s a bit hard to handle at times, and can be rather rude, and her and Izayoi are practically joined at the hip, but she can be sweet as well, almost as sweet as the candy she makes.
Her trust isn’t earned easily (arguably because of Seiko), and the two weren't even on good terms anymore. So Seiko didn’t know why she had done it, why she had rushed to her feet to defend her former best friend from a despairing psycho with a katana but she did.
The blood continued to pour out as Ruruka desperately tried to stop it. She looked over her own shoulder and saw Munakata’s motionless body, and her mind rested a bit. But the moment she looked back, any feelings of relief immediately collapsed into despair as she noticed Seiko’s dilated eyes.
“No no no! You stay right here Seiko! You better stay with us, with me because… because…” Choking on her sobs, Ruruka couldn’t continue further. She furiously applied more pressure to the wound, her tears streaking down her face and her wild pants accelerating by the second. “You idiot! Why?! Why did you save me again? Why? Why why why…”
Shakily, Seiko pulled down her mask, braces and all. Underneath she held a small smile as her own tears welled up. “I-I’m sorry…” she hoarsed out before slipping into unconsciousness and going limp.
///
1ST DAY OF CLASSES, HOPE’S PEAK ACADEMY. SOME YEARS AGO.
“... and so you all must know that attending class is not mandatory. There is a final test and examination at the end of the year that you must prepare for but that is all. However way you spend your hours here at Hope’s Peak, whether that be extracurricular or what not, is your responsibility. Furthermore…”
The professor continued to speak in a most robotic voice; from all corners of the room students listened intently, unaware of their future privilege in the illustrious academy. Most were freshmen, with some upperclassmen whose stay at Hope’s Peak Academy was a mix of work and academics. They showed up simply for first day etiquette; they were still students after all.
Amongst the freshmen there was ecstatic faces, pleased that their talents were acknowledged and were given the promise of a successful future at graduation. However some seemed skeptical of the academy itself. Not much was explained to them about the inner workings of Hope’s Peak, beyond what was on the front of an overly decorated pamphlet and elitist promises. They weren’t sure how such an academy could guarantee success. Yet many graduates were proof of that. So they were cautious, aware of their vulnerability at the hands of the unknown.
Seiko Kimura was one of those. Given the title of Super High School Level (or Ultimate) Pharmacist, Seiko was a medical protege. Able to easily identify combinations of chemicals and their properties at a young age, Seiko quickly caught the attention of the academy’s scouts. Her skills, as well as her almost photographic memory, proved to be of great value.
When given the invitation to attend, Seiko was almost skeptical of the offer. It seemed too easy. Too easy of a path to a bright future. Because despite the fact she was so talented, Seiko took pride in her hard work. She enjoyed the challenges that the world of medicine presented her. Countless hours working on a new formula. Researching old and new types of medicine. The meticulous hand work to put together the right amount of doses. Seiko enjoyed that.
So she was glad she entered a work-study program within the chemistry department. Being around the familiar environment would keep her mind sharp and with the school’s resources she could make some very interesting drugs.
“And that is about it, any questions?” The professor finally finished. She scanned the room in a quick glance and promptly dismissed her own question, not quite giving the students the time to even ask one. “Good, well since it’s the first day and this is only homeroom, you’re all free to go. Or get to know each other or something.” She quickly walked out.
Most of the students sat awkwardly, unsure of what to make of the situation. Some upperclassmen already stood up and were on their way out the door. Seiko was readying to do the same when…
“Hey! You’re a freshmen too aren’t you!”
A high pitched voice followed by a girl in the standard school uniform approached Seiko. She walked over to Seiko’s desk and sat on it. She waved at her.
“Oh yes I a-am. I’m Seiko Kimura,” Seiko answered, standing up with her bag in hand. She gave the girl a once over. ”And you are?”
“I’m Ruruka Andou! It’s sweet to meet you!” Ruruka replied with a smile. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a pink candy wrapper. “Here you go, take it! I made it myself!”
Surprised by such an offer, Seiko almost blushed. But she shook her head, rejecting the candy offering.
“S-sorry. I can’t have sugar. It goes bad with my medicine. Thanks but I gotta go.”
Ruruka seemed sad and opened her mouth to say something, when Seiko quickly put on her bag and rushed out from the room.
The next morning Seiko came to class and when she arrived at her unassigned seat she found a familiar pink wrapper with a note next to it. Quickly she opened it.
“This one is sugar-free! Made it this morning!”
Smiling to herself, Seiko put the candy and the note in her bag.
///