ⓍBiologist ⓎThe ⒶUltimate Ⓑ(SHSL Biologist Series Side Content)

Akihira yay :3 (Ichika bday gift)

Trying to get this out by August 13th aka Akiyama Ichika's birthday, so here is a lil present for best girl :3

I'm attempting an OC x OC oneshot so ig this is an AU where Katsumi is a part of the NDRV3 killing game in Eve's Torment and Lies fic. Basically, an excuse for Katsumi and Ichika to interact lmfao. Akihira for life ✌️

Btw Ichika belongs to Eevee_leaf <3 You probably already know their stuff and if you don't, get out and come back when you've joined the cult smh 🔪🔪 /lh

I feel like I mess up characterization very easily, so massive apologies if Ichika seems OOC in places 😭

I wanted to write this chapter as if it was the snippet of some larger imaginary NDRV3 x OC fic. But as some context, I'd like to think that Katsumi shows up in the same classroom as Kaede and Shuichi, making them her first friends at the start of the game. This oneshot would take place during free time in Chapter 2. Ichika and Katsumi have had minimal interaction up until this point.

———

"Heyy, Hirata-san!"

Katsumi perked her head up from the dining hall table to see Ichika skipping over. "Oh, Akiyama-san... Good afternoon."

"Hey!" A sudden pout formed on Ichika's face. "How many times have I said this already? Call me Aki!"

"Oh, sorry, Akiyam—Aki-san. Sorry." Katsumi internally cursed. She had nearly called her Akiyama again right after Ichika had said not to. What was she doing? "...S-Sorry," Her head lowered, "please keep reminding me if I forget."

"Hm?" Ichika blinked quizzically. "Well, sure, if you'd like that." A giggle escaped her mouth. "And here I thought you were an ice queen along with Harukawa-san. You didn't have to say sorry three times. Pretty girls like you shouldn't have to apologize so much."

"Uh—" Katsumi froze. Did Aki-san just...? She decided to just take it as a compliment, which only managed to fluster her. "Um, so... uh—" After realizing she was furiously fiddling with her bag strap, she forced her hands to stop and recalibrated her mental state as if nothing had happened. "Understood, Aki-san. So, are you here for anything?"

"Yep! I'm here to hang out with you! You seem so gloomy being all here alone."

Katsumi blinked. "Hang out... with me?"

"Of course! You heard it right the first time!"

"So, are you okay coming along with me?"

"Sure am!" Ichika did a twirl on the spot. "Where to?"

Katsumi could've blushed again. This felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make another friend. With restrained enthusiasm, she stood up from the table and pushed in her chair. "I guess, I was already thinking about making my way to Gokuhara-kun's lab, so do you want to join me?"

Ichika went silent, her hesitation making Katsumi's heart skip a beat. Maybe she had asked too much, but her worries were snuffed out when Ichika finally replied, "Sure thing! That would make sense for someone like you, Hirata-san. I promise I won't *bug* you too much!"

As the two made their way to the Ultimate Entomologist Lab on the school's second floor, Ichika made some light conversation. "So, are you checking out all the bugs there?" 

"If you mean the insects and the other terrestrial arthropods, then yes," Katsumi said as they made their way up the stairs. "I haven't given the lab a thorough inspection yet and I'm dying to get my hands on some of the more exotic species..."