#togafuka

The intruder did not go away. “I insist you come back into the house. It's not just for your health. Tonight is a celebration of our hard work during the school term just gone. As... debauched as this party may be, and as reclusive as you are... this gathering is for all of us. You included.”

Byakuya held no interest in celebrating with his cohort. Having to acknowledge their existence on a daily basis was annoying enough. He jiggled his almost empty bottle and wished he had more beer.

“This isn't like the parties I read about in my research. There has been no cake, or even a game of musical statues,” said the intruder. “It's just... all drink! It is highly disappointing that Hagakure-kun brought all that alcohol. He is the only one of age who can legally drink it!”

That hadn't stopped most of the party’s attendants from doing so. Byakuya licked his lips. He had been one of the first to arrive at the venue, and rather than bore himself conversing with the others, he had allowed Yasuhiro to press a bottle into his hands before withdrawing to a corner.

By now, most of the invited guests were here. Shortly before Byakuya went out to the garden, Touko had shown up with a few others.

Touko...

... was utterly repulsive.

Byakuya pulled a face and stood up. He still didn't want to socialise with anyone, but he did want more beer. The ground wobbled beneath him like he was walking on loose concrete slabs, and his body tensed as two hands swooped in to steady him.

“I don't need your help, Isi ewu,” Byakuya sneered.

“It's Ishimaru.”

Despite Byakuya's objection, Kiyotaka Ishimaru guided Byakuya across the garden and into the house, where Leon's party was taking place. Punk music vibrated through the building. As loud as it was, though, Byakuya could still hear ping-pong balls clacking and plopping in the kitchen. Some of his classmates laughed and cheered in there too, but he didn’t go join them. Kiyotaka marched him to the living room before dumping him on the couch.

Already sitting there was Kyouko, with Makoto next to her. Byakuya found himself on Makoto's other side wedged between him and Touko, who smiled and fidgeted with a bottle of beer.

“It’s very cold outside.” Kiyotaka rubbed his hands together, opting to stay on his feet. “Be sure to wrap up warmly when the party ends! At the rate Kuwata-kun and Hagakure-kun’s bet is going, you will also need to walk home in groups to keep safe. Some of you are not fit to be traveling alone after drinking so much. It was a reckless thing to do, but there's nothing that can be done about it now.”

Earlier, Byakuya had overheard Yasuhiro and Leon talk about a bet they had going on, about who could make the most people drunk by the end of the night. Byakuya tilted his head back, frowning.

“Don’t you ever get sick of kidding yourself that you hold any authority?” Byakuya asked the ceiling.

“Excuse me?” said Kiyotaka, confused. “You mumbled, so I fear I misheard you. Please repeat what - ”

Byakuya’s chin snapped forward. “That’s what I’m... fucking talking about. You go around acting like you’re better than everyone, giving commands when no one gives a shit.” He raised the arm closest to Makoto and pointed in Kiyotaka’s direction, while his other arm fell across Touko’s shoulders. “It’s... just a fucking illusion... you don’t have power over anyone. What was it Kuwana... Kuwata said earlier? Something about how you should stop lying to yourself and acting like you’re a god or some shit when you’re no different to everyone else. Acting superior doesn’t mean shit when you’re empty inside. Why don’t you drop the act for once in your goddamn life and see what you’re fighting against?”

The bottle that had been in Byakuya's possession had disappeared at some point. He must have dropped it somewhere between vacating the deckchair and sitting on the couch with Touko. And Kyouko and Makoto, but he didn’t have his arm around either of their shoulders. They looked at him as if he had grown two heads. Not like Touko, who grinned and shuffled her beer bottle and looked at him like he was the only person in the room.

Kiyotaka was not looking at anyone at the moment.

“Perhaps I could afford to mingle, with moderation, with you all for a night,” said Kiyotaka slowly. His brow furrowed before he nodded and punched the air. “Yes, I will prove to you, Kuwata-kun and everyone else that I know how to have fun. I shall prove I am not constipated!”

With a determined expression on his face, Kiyotaka marched out of the living room. Byakuya stared after him, then at the doorway to the kitchen once Kiyotaka had disappeared through it. He only stirred when Touko spoke up.

“Togami-kun...” She rubbed up against him and pressed her knees together. “You’re f-freezing. I... could warm you up if you want...”

Byakuya didn’t feel cold. Or anything, in fact. He just wanted to go back to the corner and drink, but his beer bottle was gone and Touko was with him instead. She always seemed to be there. He shifted, moving his arm off her shoulders and slipping his hand beneath her armpit.

A wide smile split across her face. Touko had such an ugly smile. Lips like rotten peaches.

“Hey, Nagato.” Byakuya turned to Makoto. “Get me another drink.”

“I think you’ve maybe had enough, Togami-kun,” said Makoto.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion. And I’m fine,” Byakuya snarled before turning back to Touko. “Hey, Fukuoka... How does yours taste? Good? Bad?”

“Good?” Touko glanced at the bottle. “I-It’s a bit bitter... but I think I’m getting used to it.”

Byakuya’s eyes homed in on the bit of liquid glistening on her top lip. “Can I taste it?”

“Y-Yes! Here, have as much as - ”

He batted away the bottle. His fingers curled into her blouse. She gasped, then groaned. Her fingers laced through his hair. And that was all Byakuya could remember.

***

On the last day of the summer term, Yasuhiro brought Makoto and Byakuya to an izakaya after work. The city boasted thousands of these establishments, but Byakuya hadn’t been to a single one. Not recently, or ever. Back when the conglomerate’s employees were all still alive, he had heard about them visiting izakayas in the evenings, but Byakuya had been too young to go to any. Even if he had been old enough, he didn’t think he would have wanted to join them. He had many productive things to do, instead of chatting to workers outside business hours and eating food that his chefs could prepare at a higher quality.

Neon signs gleamed through the alleyway that the three men walked down. The passageway was so crowded that with every step, someone’s elbow brushed past Byakuya. One person walked into him, and he flinched, for a moment expecting more people to avalanche onto him like debris in a collapsing Future Foundation faculty.

But that didn't happen. He clenched his jaw and carried on snaking through the crowd.

Most of the people streaming through were wearing suits, with only a few in casual attire. Yasuhiro stopped by a door to one of the izakayas and beckoned to the other two. Past the white walled exterior and red lantern hanging by the doorway lay a confined area, containing a crowded bar and plenty of tables. Shouting and laughter rumbled through the building. Each stool and chair seemed occupied, but a server led them deeper into the izakaya until they reached a single vacant table.

“Thanks!” Yasuhiro beamed and sat down. “Three sakes, please! We'll order plates when you come back, ‘right?”

After the server left, Yasuhiro picked up a laminated menu. Byakuya did the same. Each item was listed in Japanese with an English translation immediately below, and what Byakuya suspected were the most popular options had an accompanying photo as well. While Byakuya scanned through the text for something to order, Yasuhiro rambled to them, though Byakuya struggled to hear most of what Yasuhiro said despite how Yasuhiro was yelling every word.

“You have got to try the kushiyaki. I don't know how the guy does it, but each bite is so good that I could carve the ocean in half with just my voice screaming how great it tastes. Trust me, I've been to a lot of these places, and this is one of the best, ‘right?”

Byakuya didn’t look up from the menu. “I don’t doubt that you frequent these sorts of places.”

“You have to shout, Togami-chi! I can’t hear you.”

Instead, Byakuya tightened his lips and glared at Yasuhiro.

“That’s just how these places are, Togami-chi! Everyone drinks and shouts and has a great time!”

Byakuya could see why this sort of place appealed to Yasuhiro. Noisy. Full of cheap food and drink. When the server returned, the three seated at the table accepted their sake. The server also gave small plates of vegetable tofu nimono and boiled soybeans, and then the group placed their main orders. Not wanting to raise his voice, Byakuya pointed out his choices on the menu: a chicken meatball skewer with green onion and a pint of lager. Makoto shouted his order, as did Yasuhiro.

“It’s been too long since the three of us have hung out!” Yasuhiro remarked. He took a swig of sake. “At least we have the rest of summer now! But then we’re back to the grind, huh?”

And all they had to do was that for the rest of their lives. Byakuya drank.

“When we go back, we’ve gotta make more time for each other!” Yasuhiro added. “Lately, I’ve been having lunch by myself most of the time. I miss you guys!”

“Sorry, sorry!” That was Makoto. He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed with an apologetic smile. “Being headmaster comes with so many meetings.”

“Kirigiri-chi’s been busy too. Then Komaru-chi has been hanging out with her classmates, And Asahina-chi...” Yasuhiro trailed off. His grin weakened, and he didn’t shout his next sentence. “She’s dealing with her own stuff.” He raised his voice again, the corners of his lips perking up. “And of course, Togami-chi is always working, except when he’s having lunch with Fukawa-chi!”

Both Makoto and Yasuhiro turned to Byakuya, staring at him, as though waiting for him to respond. Only, Byakuya wasn’t interested in trying to be heard over all the ruckus. Just hearing his own thoughts was proving troublesome. Besides, what did they expect him to say? Did they want him to confirm what Yasuhiro said was true? If Yasuhiro already knew, then Byakuya didn’t see why he needed to affirm his statement.

The corners of the other two guys’ mouths drooped slightly.

“So, Naegi-chi... How’s the couple’s life treating ya?” said Yasuhiro, looking at Makoto now. “When are you going to pop the question to Kirigiri-chi?”

Byakuya didn’t know what question Yasuhiro was referring to, but Makoto seemed to realise straight away. Makoto jerked his head back and waved his hands.

“W-We’ve only been dating for a few months, Hagakure-kun!”

“But you’ve been acting like a married couple since forever, ‘right? And if there’s one thing I learned from the world almost ending, it’s that life’s too short to drag things out needlessly. You don’t know what the next day will bring. It’s like that philosophical quote says... ‘Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young.’”

Makoto cringed back into his chair as Yasuhiro barked out more obnoxious laughter. Byakuya’s nose wrinkled. Everything was too loud. Too bright. There was too much shouting and laughing. When the server brought over their next round of drinks, Byakuya grabbed his lager. He was more than happy to let those two scream a conversation with each other while he ate some starters and drank his alcohol.

Had Yasuhiro not arrived at Byakuya’s door earlier to collect him for this night out, Byakuya would have still been at home. Nagisa wouldn’t have been, off having a sleepover with his friends at Kyouko’s place. Kyouko must have coordinated with Makoto and Yasuhiro so this outing could take place. Byakuya had nothing to do with that. If they had forgotten him somehow, he wouldn’t have said anything. Would have stayed in his apartment.

He traced his finger around the rim of his glass tankard.

“So, Togami-chi!” Yasuhiro popped a boiled soybean into his own mouth before speaking again. “What sort of things do you talk about with Fukawa-chi on your little get togethers? Or do you sit in silence?”

“We talk.” Byakuya picked up chopsticks and helped himself to some sashimi, dipping it in a pot of soy sauce. “We eat and talk.”

“Togami-chi, what did I say before? You have to talk louder! In a place like this, people shout out their thoughts and feelings without a care in the world. No one’s listening to us! You can say whatever you want!”

More alcohol and small plates arrived at their table. Yasuhiro’s gaze didn’t relent.

“Well, Togami-chi?”

“I’m not shouting.”

Even though Byakuya didn’t raise his voice, Yasuhiro seemed to read his lips well enough to understand what Byakuya said. “But Togami-chi, in here you can - ”

“I said I don’t want to!”

Yasuhiro flinched. The rest of the izakaya continued bubbling with noise. Byakuya downed his tankard and grabbed another.

“Fukawa and I eat lunch somewhere quiet and talk about literature.” He also looked at her hands and lips and tried not to throw up. “Are you happy now?”

“Sorry! I won’t pry again!” Yasuhiro babbled.

Makoto’s eyes flickered. “Are you okay, Togami-kun?”

“I’m perfectly fine. Everything is perfectly fine,” snapped Byakuya. With the hand not gripping his tankard, he massaged his temple. “It’s just this place that is so odious. I could have been at home right now doing anything else. Instead I’m here with you... dunces.”

Byakuya didn’t have any schoolwork to mark anymore, or emails to reply to or lesson plans to memorise. Not for the next month or so. But he could have worked on his writing, though now that the school term had ended, he couldn’t meet with Touko on the roof like they had been doing. Perhaps they could meet somewhere else. Could even finish that movie too. Or he could have done the other things he had been doing as of late, like flicking through webpages on his laptop or lying awake in bed.

But no. He was in a cramped room that stank of booze and sweat, surrounded by strangers shouting nonstop. Packed in tight, like a corpse in rubble. Why was this room so small, anyway? Was there even enough air in there for everyone to breathe? How long until they all suffocated? Was the exit clear?

“Don’t be like that, Togami-kun,” said Makoto.

“Be like what? Myself?”

“This isn’t yourself. At least, not the yourself you are now.”

The server set down their skewers and more alcohol. Byakuya clicked his tongue.

"We’ve been worried about you,” said Makoto.

“If my quality of teaching isn’t up to standard, tell me.”

“You’re fine with that. You have a reputation of being a strict but knowledgeable teacher.” Makoto gave a smile. “Seriously, your intellect is incredible.”

“So what’s the problem, then?” snapped Byakuya. Makoto frowned.

“That’s what I want to know! Whenever I’ve seen you at work, lately you’ve been sort of... listless. And it feels like you’re avoiding all of us.”

“Almost all of us,” Yasuhiro chimed in. Byakuya glared at Makoto.

“I said I’m fine. What, do you want me to frolic through the school corridors with a stupid grin on my face?” he asked.

“I’m just concerned about you, as a friend,” said Makoto.

“Should I break into song at the start of every day? Should I kiss your feet, or does everyone else do it enough already?”

Makoto soared to his feet and slammed a hand against the table. The plates rattled. “You’re being ridiculous now!”

Byakuya’s lips twisted into a sardonic smile as he regarded Makoto, who trembled faintly. Yasuhiro yelped and cowered in his chair.

“Guys, let’s calm down, ‘right?” said Yasuhiro. “We’re all friends.”

“You’re the one who claimed this was a place where people could unleash their thoughts and feelings without a second thought,” Byakuya pointed out. “Is that not what we’re doing? I’m giving my own thoughts and feelings. Naegi expects everyone to fall into place and do what he says.”

“That’s rich, coming from you.”

“I used to be rich. That ended with my family’s deaths.”

“We all lost family, Togami-kun. Not just you. I’m trying to make a difference for everyone. I want to make sure what happened before never happens again. I thought that was what you were trying to do as well by helping me.”

“It’s getting a teeny bit too heavy in here. Let’s all enjoy our food, ‘right?” piped up Yasuhiro. “Togami-chi, how is your skewer? Naegi-chi, what about your curry? Is that chicken or a pork cutlet on top?”

Makoto remained standing for a couple more seconds before slowly lowering into his chair. “It’s pork.”

Laughter and shouting continued to boom though the izakaya, but none came from Byakuya’s table. They ate and drank in near silence. Even Yasuhiro didn’t say much, his eyes flicking between the other two. Byakuya refused to so much as glance in Makoto’s direction. He drained his tankard and helped himself to another. Then another.

The first time Byakuya first tasted beer, the inside of his mouth had tingled unpleasantly, almost burning and leaving with a bitter aftertaste. Now, as he downed it, its warmth engulfed him.

“I think you might need to slow down your drinking,” remarked Yasuhiro. “You’ve gotta pace yourself.”

“What he needs is counselling,” said Makoto, picking at his curry.

“I'm completely sorbet,” said Byakuya.

Yasuhiro and Makoto looked at each other and quirked their brows, for some reason.

“Whatever you say, Togami-chi,” said Yasuhiro. He got out his phone, checked the screen and gasped dramatically. “Wow! Is it that time already? We should finish up and get going soon, ‘right?”

Byakuya wasn’t aware of a time they had agreed to leave at. Nor did the occupants at the other tables seem to be in any hurry to leave, clinking their glasses together and bellowing at the top of their lungs. As soon as they finished their meals, Yasuhiro and Makoto rose, with the former going over to Byakuya and dragging him off his chair.

“I can walk,” grumbled Byakuya as he tried to find his footing.

“I've been telling you. If you want to be heard in here, you've got to shout,” said Yasuhiro.

Rather than shout and make a fool of himself, Byakuya allowed Yasuhiro to assist him to the door while Makoto paid. The alleyway was still streaming with people, but now there were also bodies slumped against walls or sprawled across the ground. As they passed one, Makoto slowed, but he was forced to catch up to the other two to keep from being separated. 

“There were people unconscious back there,” said Makoto as they left the alleyway.

“Ah. That's normal,” said Yasuhiro.

The high street they stepped out onto was a lot less congested, with Byakuya able to move without anyone bumping into him. On one side of them, cars sped past in both directions. Keeping to the pavement, they headed to the lot where Makoto parked his car, then he drove them home.

Streetlights and illuminated signs swam through the darkness outside. Byakuya sat in the back with Yasuhiro. The radio droned techno but as annoying as it was, Byakuya didn't complain or comment on it. Or say anything. No one did. He looked at his hand and wiggled his fingers.

Outside the apartment building, Byakuya opened the car door. As he got out, he tripped, but he managed to stop himself from falling over completely with a few stumbles. All he needed to do now was enter the building, ascend to his floor and unlock his apartment door. But then Yasuhiro wrapped an arm around him.

“You go on ahead, Naegi-chi,” said Yasuhiro, flapping his free hand.

Makoto hesitated. “Are you sure? I don't mind helping him to his apartment with you. He's pretty heavy.”

Byakuya leered at him. “Fork you.”

Yasuhiro stiffened. A few seconds passed before Makoto responded.

“If you need anything, let me know,” he said, before walking on ahead.

Once Makoto was inside the building, Yasuhiro said, “That wasn't nice, Togami-chi.”

“Fack you too,” said Byakuya, squirming. Yasuhiro continued holding onto him with unexpected strength.

“It’s been forever since I’ve seen you this drunk. C’mon, let's go inside,” said Yasuhiro.

He dragged Byakuya over to the apartment building. The automatic lights in the lobby were already switched on from when Makoto passed through not too long ago. They shambled toward the stairwell together.

“You remember me being this drunk before?” asked Byakuya as they started to climb. “Are you referring to that party years ago?”

“Yeah! You got completely wasted, like you are now. You were hiding away from everyone, then you were insulting everyone... well, almost everyone...”

Byakuya’s brow furrowed. “What about me and Fukawa?”

“Huh? Don’t you remember?”

“Mostly. I sat with her on a sofa. My memory is blurry after that.”

“Probably ‘cause you were so drunk.”

“What was I like with Fukawa?”

Yasuhiro didn’t answer right away. “Ah, well... Togami-chi, you were really drunk.”

“Tell me!”

“Eek!” Yasuhiro twitched, as if Byakuya had sunk his teeth into his arm. “Okay! You made out with her, ‘right?”

Byakuya had suspected as much, but at least now he finally had it confirmed to him. In hindsight, he could have asked Yasuhiro about it months ago, but there had never been a good time. There was always work, or something else going on.

“I see,” said Byakuya, quieter.

“Then you went upstairs with her, and made out with her more in a closet until Fukawa-chi went home with the other girls in our class. I didn’t actually see you kissing her, but I heard about it from some of the others later. We made a pact to never talk about it to anyone, ever. For your reputation... and so you didn’t tear our heads off.”

They reached the floor below theirs. As they continued up the stairs, Byakuya swayed slightly and Yasuhiro tightened his hold on him. Byakuya’s eyes fluttered. This felt familiar. Was this what happened when he went upstairs with Touko all those years ago? Had they also held each other, wobbling as they clambered up?

“You were pretty harsh on Naegi-chi, y’know,” said Yasuhiro. “But even when you said those mean things to him, he drove you home and offered to help you to your apartment. And I bet tomorrow, he’s going to say good morning to you and ask if you slept well.”

Byakuya snorted humourlessly. Yasuhiro wasn’t wrong. Makoto was a pushover.

“Naegi-chi’s a great guy. I hate to admit it, but I’m jealous of him,” Yasuhiro carried on. “He’s good-looking, with a cute girlfriend and lots of friends... but what I think I’m jealous most of is how he’s just that bit more optimistic than the average person. Even if everything’s crap, he keeps on going. Even when someone’s a jerk to him, he gives them another chance. I could hate him for all that, but I don’t. And I don’t think you hate him either.”

“I’m not jealous of Naegi,” Byakuya said, as that was what Yasuhiro seemed to be getting at. “You don’t know me. Nobody knows me.”

“Nobody knows you, huh...? Ain’t that kinda lonely?”

When Byakuya opened his mouth to retort, no words came out. They emerged onto the floor with both their apartments, and Yasuhiro led Byakuya to his door.

“Think you can unlock it by yourself?” asked Yasuhiro.

Byakuya got out his key. “Yes.”

Admittedly, he did miss the lock, prodding his key next to it. Yasuhiro aligned it for him, then clapped Byakuya on the back.

“Cool. Let’s catch up in the morning, ‘right? Take care, Togami-chi.”

Then Yasuhiro walked over to his own apartment, unlocked the door and went inside. Byakuya should have entered his own home, but instead he pressed a fist against the door and stood motionless.

Of all the moronic things that Yasuhiro had ever uttered, the idea that Byakuya was jealous of Makoto was perhaps the worst. Not only was it stupid and wrong, but offensive. Makoto was painfully average in almost all aspects. He liked mainstream manga, listened to popular music and was happy existing this way. Had Byakuya been ordinary like Makoto, Byakuya wouldn't be alive.

Byakuya had to be top of his classes. He had to keep everyone at an arm's length. He couldn't care about having friends, let alone romantic partners, or indulging in activities that wouldn't improve some skill related to the conglomerate. There had been no room for weakness. No room for bonds or emotions or regrets. All this had been in the name of the Togami Empire.

A tremor shook through Byakuya, then he threw back his head and laughed. And laughed and laughed and laughed because the conglomerate was dead apart from him. When he quietened, his body continued trembling. He raised a hand and looked at it as he wiggled his fingers. Without a beer, it felt empty. He felt empty. Being Togami felt empty. But there was one person who made him feel not empty. Who saw him not as Togami, but Byakuya. Byakuya-sama.

The floor heaved beneath him as he headed to the stairwell. Even when he paused to lean against the wall, his surroundings continued rolling and tilting. He gritted his teeth and pressed on, tripping at the bottom of the stairs and crashing to his knees. A hiss of pain escaped him, but he stood up and hobbled over to Touko's door and knocked.

No one answered right away. Byakuya could have walked off. Retreated to his apartment, flopped into bed, and waited for the next day of the rest of his life. But he stayed, and then the door opened.

There she stood. Touko wore a short-sleeved, V-neck purple nightdress. It had a slit down one side, exposing some of her thigh as she shifted her weight between feet.

“B-Byakuya-sama?” she said, squinting and adjusting her glasses.

He placed a hand onto her shoulder. Felt her body tense up. Her eyes were the colour of lavender.

“Fukawa...”

Byakuya licked his teeth then swallowed. His fingers stroked her shoulder gently. There were so many things he could say to her. She disgusted him. He couldn’t resist her. She was a nuisance. He wanted to be with her. She was intelligent. She was interesting. She was strong. He was intoxicated by her.

He said, “You’re beautiful.”

Her eyes widened. Her breathing hitched. The space between them shrunk as he lowered his head and leaned in. His eyelashes fluttered. He barely breathed.

Then he felt a hand press against his chest, fingers digging in like fox’s teeth.

“I can’t do this, Byakuya-sama,” said Touko, her voice cracking.

Byakuya froze.

“I’ve been trying s-so hard to be your friend, t-telling myself that I’m happy with things being as they are, only for you to go and do things like this.” Her shoulders hunched and shuddered. “You have lunch with me. You visit a museum with me. You talk about literature and your life with me. But you kiss me and have sex with me and you say it’s because you need an outlet for your stress, and I go along with it because I’m still hopelessly in love with you.”

As Byakuya stared back at her, his chest clenched as though her fingers weren't gripping his shirt, but had torn past his ribcage and seized his heart. 

“And n-now... you come here, smelling of beer, wanting to... what? Kiss me again? Have sex with me again? Is it because you’re stressed, again? Do you know how much you’re tearing me up inside? I love you. I love you so much my heart wants to burst whenever I even think about you. But I can’t do this anymore. Thinking you're going to kiss me every time you lean in. Agonising every time you look at my hand. W-Wondering if we’re hanging out as friends, or if we’re on a date. I’ll go insane. Just... What am I to you, Byakuya-sama? A friend? A girlfriend? Am I just a way for you to work out your stress?”

Her face wobbled, then she burst into tears. His tongue stuck to the top of his mouth. This wasn't what he had expected to happen. Or what he expected her to say. He didn't know what to tell her. He didn’t know much of anything at the moment. But he did know she made him feel like he wasn’t empty. Slowly, he curled an arm around her, and she burrowed her face into his chest.

They stood like that, together.

hanako kuzuryu, the ultimate chef. shes a perpetually nervous, quiet and shy girl. her confidence and gruff like attitude can only be seen when shes in her comfort place, the kitchen. (kuzuteru)

hon togami, the ultimate tragedy writer. hes a chronic overthinker, way too chatty and constantly worried about everything and anything. he is an excellent writer however and his work is revered across the nation. (togafuka)

tsukasa yumeno, the ultimate prankster. shes whimsical and highly mischievous, she also claims to be 'magical'. much like her mother, she has no real drive to do much unless goated into it, her father is the reason shes mega impulsive. (oumeno)

the owada twins, kou and yuuri. kou is the ultimate bmx rider. shes loud and vulgar but extremely loyal. yuuri is the ultimate influencer, hes surprisingly hot headed and also brutually honest but very very kind. (ishimondo)

hiro kuwata, the ultimate punk singer. hes a rowdy and obnoxious guy with alot more energy than an average person should even have. he is naturally gifted at sports but pursues a career in music, which makes both of his parents very proud. (leosaya)

choucho hoshi, the ultimate entomotaxist. shes a creepy and perpetually unsettling girl with a fond fascination for death and bugs. shes quiet, and the only people closest to her are her parents. (goshi)

hitoshi amami, the ultimate pacifist. a reserved and polite young man who inherited his fathers calm attitude. he is trained in the martial arts of aikido but uses it to disarm others and make swift moments, not fight. it is genuinely difficult to upset him. (rantenko)