C̶r̶o̶s̶s̶e̶d̶ in Love [Oumasai DanganronpaV3 Pregame]

Valedictorian's Help

It's a calm noon at Hope's Peak High, students are bustling and chatting about everything and nothing while waiting for the clean up bell.

Shuichi Saihara is talking to his friends.

"This 76% in Home Econ is bugging me, I can't wrap my head around some of the stuff she's teaching.. it's just so bothersome, she doesn't even help."

Shuichi explained to his friends, exasperated and ticked off.

One of his friends- Kaito Momota, chirps up;

"We've all been there huh? Y'know... You could always get the valedictorian kid to help you. Sure he'd help for just a little cash, and we all know you have the money!" The spikey haired friend elbows Shuichi in a playful way.

"Huh? You mean the purple-haired kid that sits alone in our Arithmetics class? "

Shuichi answers, a little confused since he's not too sure who they're talking about. All he knows is that kid barely misses any days and always gets "Exemplary" on their exams.

"Yeah that's the one.....I think.." Himiko Yumeno answers while working on devouring her sushi, natto, and rice.

"I guess I could ask..? Thanks for the suggestion! I'll ask next time I see him."

Shuichi began to eat his food as well.

As they neared the end of the lunch period and began cleaning up, Shuichi was approached by Kaede Akamatsu and her clique of girls- Tsumugi Shirogane, Angie Yonaga, and Miu Iruma.

"Shuichi? Let me help you with that!" Kaede said, beaming.

Kaede took the trays out of Shuichi's hands, setting them in the sink for someone else to clean.

"Mm.. That's not really necessary, but thank you Kaede." Shuichi started cleaning the trays despite Kaede's protests.

"Shuichiiiii, why don't you skip class with us and we can all go to the store across the street? They have the best Anpans over there, maybe we could share one...? "

Kaede moved a strand of hair behind her ear, looking up at Shuichi only to find he hadn't looked at her once and was still scrubbing a piece of stubborn rice off of a tray.

"Hey! Are you listening to me?? Shuichi.. Look at me.. Please?" Kaede put her hand on Shuichi's arm, pulling it to his side and hugging it loosely as she whined.

"Kaede, I'm sorry. We've been through this before... I just don't like you like that.. Please let me finish this so I can go back to class. "

Shuichi tilted his face towards the ground, concealing his eyes in shadow with the brim of his hat.

He pulled away his arm, starting on the last tray.

"Awhh come on Akamatsu-Chan! You'll get him next time..!"

The teal haired one spoke up, rubbing her arm as she guided Kaede away.

"*Snort*" Miu, the blonde, interrupted while following the two.

Kaede turned around and shot her a scornful look.

"Ugh just go away! All of you!!"

"Oh dear, what did I do?" Angie said with a sorrowful expression.

"N-nothing! Just go away, I want to be alone..."

The moody rejected blonde quickened her pace as she sped away from her three friends, Shuichi sighed seeing this interaction from the corner of his eye.

Shuichi felt a tinge of guilt, but not as much as he did when he first rejected her. This was the fourth time. When would she get the damn hint??

Shuichi made it through the rest of the school day with debatable ease, still struggling in his Econ class unfortunately.

As he exited his building, he saw a familiar purple-haired peer, making his way towards the front gate.

Shuichi walked a bit faster to catch up with the speed-walking Kokichi Ouma, and when he finally caught up he leaned in beside Kokichi's ear.

"Helloooo!"

Shuichi backed off as Kokichi jumped to the side, probably not expecting such a greeting.

"Wha-uh? H-Hello?"

Kokichi was obviously startled, but cordial with his mannerisms, bowing his head slightly.

"Are you our valedictorian? What's your name? " Shuichi leaned forward a tiny bit so he could see Kokichi's face as they walked.

"Yes.. I'm the valedictorian... My name is Ouma, Kokichi. What did you need? "

"Well, Ouma, I was hoping you could help me? I have a 76% in my Home Eco class.. I know you have it earlier in the day, so I was wondering if you could help tutor me, possibly? With reasonable compensation, of course."

Kokichi took a second to respond as they walked, a very long second however.

"Uh.. Did you hear me?" Shuichi waved his hand in front of Kokichi, his expression was like he was in a different universe with how bad he was staring off into space, Shuichi was almost worried he'd bump into someone.

Kokichi visibly snapped back to reality as his eyes became less dull.

"Yes! Yes, I heard you. I think.. I think that would be okay? Just Home Economics, correct?" Kokichi said a little robotically, like all his emotions dropped when he was talking about class.

"Yeah, what days do you think could work? I'm free everyday but Tuesdays usually, I gotta help my parents at work."

Shuichi messed with his hair, fixing it beneath his hat so it was comfortable.

"Ah, well... Does Monday, Wednesday, or Friday work for you?" Kokichi asked, hesitantly

"I mean, all of them work, and the more the merrier right? " Shuichi chuckled to himself as he put his hands in the front pockets of his dress pants.

"I can do that, so, next week? Monday?"

Shuichi noticed a look of contemplation crossing Ouma's face.

"Yeah!! That sounds good, oh- And I'm Saihara, Shuichi! It's a pleasure to meet you, Ouma. I hope we can become friends."

Shuichi stopped walking, which by nature stopped the other- Shuichi held his hand out for a handshake. A shaky hand reached out for his in return.

"I- it's nice to meet you too, Saihara. The pleasure is mine?" Kokichi ended with a half smile, a little awkwardly.

Shuichi, however, was beaming! "A new friend, someone to help me, this will be nice! No strings attached." Shuichi thought to himself as he let go of the handshake.

"I'll see you Monday then, goodbye Ouma!!" Shuichi waved to his new "friend" and jogged a bit to catch up with his classmates ahead.

Kokichi waved back with a polite smile.

Shuichi walked home a bit happier than usual. "That was cool, he seems like a nice guy. Maybe I should give him my number tomorrow so we can talk more about tutoring? Well- either way, I have to hurry and get home already."

Shuichi thought to himself as he marched along to his domicile.

A/N- Word count; 1063
Arc 1
Cover image- https://pin.it/2s4Y7S9Wq