Biker Boys in Blue Blazers

Beautiful

Before the play began, Jin Kirigiri decided to make a short speech about the play and the students' dedication to the roles they were playing. "They aren't that expected at first, but each of our actors have said how their connected to the character they play. Basically, it was like a spoken word version of Shine A Light," He chuckled, before joking, "And yes, it was very cathartic, and the school councillor has never been busier. Now, without further ado, Hope's Peak Academy's production of Heathers the Musical!"

He exited the stage, curtain rising to show some of their classmates scattered around in late-eighties style clothing. Mondo stood a little off centre, a bulky grey jumper and baggy jeans swamping his frame, a murky coloured scarf wrapped around his neck, no eyeliner and his hair in a ponytail. He just looked frumpy and awkward, perfect for the part. He had a book propped up in his arms, writing something as the music began.

In the audience, the Crazy Diamonds had turned up to show their support and... they could hardly recognise their leader. Mondo just looked so different, not intimidating at all. None of them knew a thing about the musical, and wouldn't be there if Mondo wasn't in it, but they couldn't believe that the most fearsome gang leader in the country was playing a nerd. Didn't the headmaster say that everyone related to their characters? Maybe Mondo just drew the short straw and got a bit-part...

"September 1st, 1989. Dear diary: I believe I'm a good person. Ya know, I think there's good in everyone, but here we are first day of senior year!" Mondo began, throwing his arms out wide, gesturing to his classmates with an almost frustrated look on his face, "I look around at all these kids I've known all my life and I ask myself: What happened?"

That was when the other kids joined in, spitting insults at each other like it was nothing. "Freak! Slut! Burnout! Bug-eyes! Poser! Lard-ass!"

"We were so tiny, happy and shiny, playing tag and getting chased..." Mondo sang, walking as if he wanted to leave, but was cut off by a group of arguing students.

"Freak! Slut! Loser! Shortbus!"

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he turned to walk in the other direction. "Singing and clapping, Laughing and napping," He sang, and almost reminiscent look on his face, and the gang realised that Mondo probably wasn't playing a bit-part, "Baking cookies, eating paste..."

Mondo was cut off once more, another group getting into an argument, "Bull-dyke! Stuck-up! Hunchback!" He looked annoyed, even more so than before, but accepted it silently as he made his way to centre stage.

"Then we got bigger, That was the trigger, Like the Huns invading Rome," He performed, before stopping in the middle of the stage, book clasped in his hand, and exclaimed in complete exasperation, "Welcome to my school, This ain't no high school: This is the Thunderdome. Hold your breath, And count the days, We're graduating soon!"

"White trash!"

"College will be paradise, If I'm not dead by June!" Mondo exclaimed, before his features relaxed, that odd, vulnerable look back once more as the music became softer. He looked out into the audience to sing his next part, "But I know, I know, life can be beautiful. I pray, I pray for a better way. If we changed back then, We could change again! We can be beautiful..."

One of the girls, with blue hair and dressed in preppy clothes, pushed a red haired boy to the floor, his exclamation of "Ow!" breaking through Mondo's monologue.

"Just not today," Mondo concluded, walking over to the kid on the floor.

Mondo really was a good singer, his voice smooth and deep. A few of the gang members, including Daiya, looked over to Takemichi; despite clamping his hands over his mouth, he seemed to be doing some weird combination of silent screaming and drooling. How Mondo missed the obvious crush the kid had on him, Daiya had no clue, but it was fun to chuckle at every now and then. He was glad he'd sat next to Takaaki now, so they could laugh over dumb gay teens together; and he nudged the older man with his elbow to point out the ridiculous sight...