Tea Shops and Tragedies

You Are In My Way

Kiyotaka Ishimaru had always been a stickler for rules, following every instruction he was given to a tee. Even in his early childhood, he had become so incredibly good at upholding a completely balanced moral stature, some would say he saw the world only in black and white. There was always a correct answer, always a correct way and anyone who said differently would be swiftly and precisely taught otherwise.

But having such a mindset, always came with its' downfalls.

At a very young age, Kiyotaka was taught the history of his name, of the success and imminent destruction of his late Grandfather and ex-Prime Minister, Toranosuke Ishimaru. Hearing of the corrupt scandals and media press spread about his grandfather, and how it had completely ruined his family's name and honor, Kiyotaka had vowed to do everything in his power to bring the Ishimaru name back from the grave and make headlines of his successes. From then on, his focus solely lied ahead at his goals and not much else.

During his youth, he had never had much time to connect with other children or garner many other interests besides his rigorous school studies. Academic excellence, skipping grades, Kiyotaka soared to higher and higher achievements with little to no end in sight. His parents had worried he was going to overwork himself, and would frequently give him lectures about burnout and proper nutrition. He would simply smile at them and assure he would be fine.

Somewhere in his young mind, he had made the decision that his life was only meant to make his parents proud.

Make his family name proud.

Hobbies and friends would only get in the way.

Kiyotaka had become a moral figure for many students by the time he had entered junior high. His strict militant outlook on school in general had gotten him the distasteful nickname of 'hall monitor' and 'rule hound'. Teachers fought to have him in their classes, admiring his strict attitude and helpful nature.

But the students were another story.

Kiyotaka was constantly bombarded with hated nicknames, insults, glaring looks, sneers and jeers alike. Being the resident goody-two shoes, of course most everyone avoided him in fear of being reported for rules they found silly. It took him a little bit to get used to this treatment of his classmates, not understanding their hatred for him, a small desire to just be liked beginning to block his desire to achieve his goal.

He soon came to realize that none of it mattered. The other student's approval of his methods and actions meant nothing as long as he could continue his studies in peace. Friends only caused distractions after all, and he couldn't afford any.

All he needed to do was keep a clean reputation to achieve his desires.

He would chastise students who were out of line, and praise those who followed the rules. He didn't care if that made him hated. He didn't care how many glares he got, or how many threatened him with violence. He didn't care how many times he would come home with a busted lip or a bruised cheek from a delinquent who got too fed up.

He would continue to live as he always had.

That is until during his final high school year, he received a letter from Hope's Peak Academy. The most esteemed college in the country. Kiyotaka had never felt more happiness in any moment of his life until then.

It felt as if his life was finally clicking into place.

His expectation of college living was cracked a bit when he arrived at the assumedly esteemed Hope's Peak Academy. Sure, the students there were a little bit harder working than in high school, but he had expected more people to be like him. To be solely focused on academics more so than their own personal lives.