Blood Crusted Lavender {Danganronpa OC Fanfic}

Chapter 1 - Hope, Aspirations, and Promises

Hope's Peak Academy. Some say everything from its design to its students shine with promises and knowledge. Others said it was just an overrated school that kids were wasting their time trying to get into. Did I know if either of those things were true? No. Would I find out? Hopefully.

This prestigious academy was a unique one indeed. Arguably the best school in Japan, with its students practically being guaranteed a secure and wealthy life after graduation. The school accepted only the best of the best at any certain subject, and students there were dubbed 'Ultimates.'

And this certain subject wasn't limited to just science or english. It could be anything! For example, I heard one of the applicants applied as the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader. Like, dude, I'm pretty sure you would get a better education with that by actually breaking the law on a bike than being taught how to break the law on a bike at a preppy school. But it wasn't my place to judge.

The point being: the school would accept any talent. You just had to be really good at it. And, in my opinion, Ultimate Jiu-jitsu Master had a ring to it.

Or, at least, that's what a lot of people have told me after my MMA fights or sparring matches. At first, I didn't believe what they said about me. I just thought they were being nice. But then, I started getting compliments from judges who were never afraid to tell someone when they sucked, and people who were hardly impressed by anything. That's when I began to believe that my talent could get me places. Places like Hope's Peak.

So, last summer, I applied to the school. And, to my surprise, I managed to scratch my way up to one of the top contestants for an 'Ultimate' title.

Every year, the school chose fifty kids that had applied based on many factors. Such as awards won, recommendations from experts the similar, years spent learning the talent, etc. These kids were called 'finalists.' After all letters to finalists are dispatched, all finalists would meet a certain location on a certain time, finding a creative way to show judges what they were made of in the finalist exams. Following an official-and very private-assessment of each person's performance, the school would choose 16 of these finalists to be involved in their curriculum.

So, I wasn't necessarily guaranteed a spot in Hope's Peak. I had a lot of competition and a lot of anxiety to get over. But I refused to let that stop me. Not when I had everything to give and nothing to lose.

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I woke up to the sun's beautiful golden light shining through my windows and down into my room. I blinked, taking a minute to soak in the pressure-filled day I had ahead of me. The blankets that were protecting me from all that were so comfortable, but my excitement overpowered the urge to stay in bed.

I stretched and looked around my room, knowing this could possibly be the last time I would see this familiar place for almost a year. The wood smell that never really left, the door handle that would sometimes break off and force me to climb out the window to get to school, even the disgusting nest of dead bugs slowly accumulating in the living room closet that no one actually had the guts to actually clean up; I would miss all of it.

There were still some things out of place from the hours I spent practicing last night. I made a mental note to get everything organized after I ate breakfast, but I knew I would probably end up making an excuse not to.

Maybe I should practice one more time before I go, I thought. But a glance at the time sent me into the bathroom to get ready.

I quickly got dressed in a black shirt and overalls, then brushed the curly orange rats' nest on my head enough so that it looked like I put effort into it. Then I tied it all up in my signature ponytail braid.

Running down the old creaking stairs of my house, I walked to the kitchen where my mom was cooking some bacon and eggs for my little brother.

"Good morning, honey. Ready for Hope's Peak?" She looked tired, like she usually did. Her usually curled dirty blonde hair was straight and greasy today, and the bags under her eyes were more obvious than usual. Guess the bills for this month still weren't paid.

My mom's job doesn't pay well, and my dad has his... problems. Which leads to us often not having enough money to pay bills, replace household items, and even eat somedays.

Our situation was the main reason I began teaching kids at school jiu-jitsu. But despite how much money I raked in from that and all the competitions I won, my mom insisted that I use all of it for Hope's Peak, since it was a very expensive school.

We had a lot of arguments about it, but she still wouldn't take anything. So, I resorted to more tactical measures. I tried to sneak some money into her bank account and pay some bills she didn't know about, but she always managed to find out and wouldn't accept any money.

You see, my mom seemed like a tired, feeble woman, but when she made up her mind, there was nothing you could do to change it. So, my family stayed poor.

"Mom, I'm not a student at the school yet," I reminded her. "I still have to prove that I have what it takes."

Ever since Hope's Peak informed me they wanted me as a finalists, my mom has been talking like this was my first day at a brand-new school where I would have a good day, which would turn into a good year, which would turn into a good life.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice that she supports me, but I don't want her to get her hopes up. Just in case I didn't get in. So, I always reminded her of that fact.

"I know," my mom replied, giving me a kiss on the forehead. "But I know you'll get in. Don't worry."

"Yeah, Blair! You'll get in!" My little brother, Kaji, commented. "I mean, after all, you are the Ultimate-"

I leaned over the table and covered his mouth with my hands. "Don't say it outloud!" I told him.

It was a superstition, at least among the kids I met online that were also Hope's Peak finalists, that if you or someone around you called you 'Ultimate Whatever Your Talent Is', you wouldn't get into the school. I'm not really one to believe in things like that, but I needed all the help I could get right now. After all, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I froze as I felt something wet gloss over my hand. "Did you just lick my hand!? Gross!" I slapped Kaji on the back of the head while he giggled.

I sighed. My little brother was mostly a good kid. He just got into trouble at times and liked to annoy people. Especially his siblings. But I could never stay mad at him for long.

I ruffled up his fluffy orange hair and headed out the door. "Bye, y'all," I was about to say when my mom yeeted a piece of french toast in my direction, to which I promptly caught my mouth.

"Just testing your reflexes," she called. "You never know what kind of trouble you'll run into in a big city. Also, say hi to Shi-Shu for me!"

I gave her a thumbs up and headed out the door. 

Once outside, I breathed in the fine country air. Since I would be going to a polluted city where you can't even see the stars at night, I figured I might as well enjoy the fresh air while I'm still here.

I looked around to see my older brother, Kaoru, who was smoking a cigarette next to the house. So much for fresh air.

He locked eyes with me. Might as well bid my goodbyes to him and dad, I figured.

I took a step forward, but Kaoru stopped me with a shake of his head.

He gestured to the garage and waved me goodbye. Then lit another cigarette. My smile faded a bit. I knew that look. He was trying to tell me that Dad was having another one of his temper tantrums.

That's when I heard a crash and a furious scream from the garage. I flinched. Better leave him alone.

So, I jumped over the fence and ran to meet Shi-Shu near the bus stop without a word.