The next morning when Akihiko went to breakfast, Ishimaru was standing at the door with a serious face.

           “Excuse me, Senpai.” Akihiko tried to walk past him, but he wouldn’t move.

           “Momota-kun! Please let us have a talk immediately! I only request that you listen!”

           Akihiko stared at him. “Alright?” Ishimaru led him over to a table and motioned for him to sit down. Akihiko complied.

           “Thank you very much, Momota-kun! I-“ Akihiko interrupted, sounding annoyed. “Please just get on with whatever you’re going to say.”

           “Yes, of course!” Ishimaru immediately went into a deep bow.

            “H-huh? Senpai, what-“

             “My sincerest apologies!” Ishimaru exclaimed. “I judged you without knowing or understanding your circumstances! I would like to start over as friends if at all possible! Please forgive me!”

             “…” Akihiko sighed. “Get up, Ishimaru-senpai.” Ishimaru straightened and looked at him questioningly.

              “I forgive you. In retrospect, I did not exactly have the politest responses either. Let’s start over?” Akihiko held out his hand. “I’m Akihiko Momota, the Ultimate Child Prodigy.”

              Ishimaru shook it with a smile. “I’m Kiyotaka Ishimaru, the Ultimate Moral Compass. Pleased to meet you!”

              “Pleased…to meet you.” Akihiko echoed shyly.

              “Now then! Shall we eat?” Akihiko nodded, and the two started eating, the tense atmosphere vanishing.

              “Momota-kun, I must confess why I…have a prejudice against geniuses.” Ishimaru ran a hand through his hair. “Have you heard of Toranosuke Ishimaru?”

             “Yes?” Akihiko was confused at first, but then he connected the dots. “You- and him-“

             “We are indeed related. He is my grandfather. Considered to be a genius of his time, he was loved by all. But he got arrogant because he rose to the top effortlessly. He fell far and fast.”

              “That’s why I dislike geniuses. But, I guess not all geniuses are that bad.” Ishimaru smiled at Akihiko. “Someone who is cared about by my bro Mondo is totally cool!”

               Akihiko grinned. “The same to you, I’d say, Senpai.”

               “You may call me Taka or Kiyotaka if you’d like! We are now bros as well!” Ishimaru said, deadly serious.

               “Okay…Taka.” It feels weird calling someone else besides Kaito a nickname. 

                After a breakfast filled with leisurely, idle chatting, the monitor high on the wall flickered on.

               “Attention, dear students!” Monokuma cleared his throat. “Time for another motive! Head to the gym within five minutes or face execution!” The monitor turned off.

               The breakfast Akihiko had just eaten sat like a lead weight in his stomach. Not again….not again, not again, not againnotagainnotagainnotagain! He was spiraling enough he didn’t realize Taka had been calling his name for two full minutes.

               “Akihiko Momota-kun!” Taka exclaimed.

              “H-huh? T-Taka, I-“

              “I’ve been calling you! Anyways, I won’t let anyone hurt you!” Taka put his fist against his chest. “That’s a Kiyotaka Ishimaru guarantee!”

              Akihiko forced a laugh. “Thank you. Let’s go?”

             “Indeed!” The two headed to the gym where everyone was waiting.

             Akihiko’s anxiety was growing by the second. He felt a hand on his shoulder and jumped.

            “I’m sorry.” Kyoko said quietly. “Are you all right?”

            “I’m fine.” Akihiko mumbled. “Don’t worry about it.” 

             “You’re not.”

              Akihiko sighed. “You’re right. Tch, not like it matters. You can’t eliminate the motive, can you? Then forget it.” 

              Kyoko was silent, unsure of what to say. It ended up completely silent until Monokuma popped out from the podium. “Wow! All you kids actin’ like someone just died or something!”

              Akihiko was sure they were all thinking the same thing- Someone did. 

             “Anyways! Here’s the motive!” Monokuma tossed some envelopes into the air. “Find yours!”

              Trying to hide his panic, Akihiko glanced quickly around and saw an envelope that seemed to have his name on it near Mondo’s foot. Quickly, he grabbed it and opened it. He paused, then unfolded the paper to see what was inside.

              Akihiko Momota was abused by his tutor, which worsened after coming out as transgender. 

             Akihiko took a deep breath to calm himself down. It’s not the worst thing. Mondo and Taka both know. I wouldn’t kill for this.

            Would I?