fraternizing with the enemy (assassination classroom fanfiction)

Asano senior time (edited)

**Beep... beep... beep...**

The relentless sound of the heart monitor filled the silence, echoing in the room like a ticking clock. For the past two hours, it was all E-Class had heard from the speaker, the cold, mechanical rhythm marking the passage of time. In that time, they'd grown accustomed to the sound, pushing it to the back of their minds as they discussed what they had learned, piecing together the fragmented information from the earlier conversation. Yet, as they spoke, something else began to stir from the speaker—a shuffling noise, a low groan that pierced the quiet like a soft cry for attention.

**In the hospital room:**

Ren had settled into an awkward silence, completing his homework as the other three occupants of the room slept. Hours passed in stillness, and for a moment, he felt like a spectator in a world that was no longer his own. But then, from the bed, a sound broke the calm. A groan, low and ragged, pulled his focus back.

He lifted his head, his eyes settling on the groggy figure of Asano Gakushuu. "Finally awake, Shuu?" Ren's voice was light, teasing, though it held a trace of concern.

Gakushuu's bleary eyes blinked open, confusion clouding his gaze. "Am I?" he muttered, a wince spreading across his face as he tried to move. "Yeah, definitely awake alright... why does it always feel... like I've been hit by a truck?" His breath hitched as a sharp cough wracked his body. "Cough, cough Can you pass me some water, please?"

Ren didn't hesitate. He grabbed a glass of water, moving carefully around the slumbering Karma as he gently tilted the glass to Gakushuu's lips. But the strawberry-blonde male, still barely awake, rolled his eyes as he grasped the glass with his own hand.

"Ren. I can lift my arms and hold a glass," he muttered, his voice rough but sharp.

Ren scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "Well, at least we can say your voice is better than before. Shame your personality hasn't improved either. Still a pain in the arse, as usual."

Gakushuu, attempting not to laugh, ended up in another violent coughing fit. "Cough cough Takes—cough cough takes one to kno—cough—know one."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Ha. Ha. Ha. Funny. You're a comedic genius." The sarcasm dripped from his words, but Gakushuu merely smiled serenely, his soft chuckle barely audible.

"Quite," Gakushuu responded, though his voice was far from steady. "I don't know if it's the morphine... or if the pain has just lessened... probably the morphine. But my side is only slightly irritating now. It's itching a lot, so at least I know it's healing. And while the tinnitus hasn't gone... I'm not as lightheaded or dizzy anymore. Just a strong ache in my throat and head... and my whole body aches a little."

Ren sighed in relief, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That's good. What about mentally?"

Gakushuu's expression hardened, a deep contemplation crossing his features. His eyes, though exhausted, met Ren's. "Not great. It's easy to push the emotions... and the event out of my mind. But every time I close my eyes... I see the monster he's become. I'm reminded of what he did... and how powerless I truly am. I know it's unhealthy for my mental health, but... I'm just not ready to face it."

Ren didn't sense the impending panic attack in his friend's words. He gave a quiet nod, trying to offer comfort. "When you're ready, we can go through the inevitable psychiatry appointments together. God knows finding you both like that will forever be scarred in my mind. I honestly don't know how Karma kept his level head at the time... there was so much blood."

The heart monitor in the background began to beep faster, the rhythm increasing in speed. Ren turned fully toward Gakushuu and noticed the sweat beading on his forehead, the way his body trembled, a sure sign something wasn't right. Before he could say anything, the amber-haired male's hands began to shake violently, and he scrambled away from the bed, pushing himself as far into the corner as he could manage.