Rise Highschool AU: End

Rise Highschool AU: End

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Ihaxlikenoob

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Kuoh returned to a semblance of normalcy once everything got settled down.

Now, I dealt with a lot of things.

Many that I could’ve handled better.

But that’s beside the point. 

Lives get busy, intermix, and change, until you get to the point where you look back, and wonder how things ended up the way they did. Sometimes, you look back at something terrible, confusing, and terrifying, filling you with nothing besides regret, but other times… you look back and wonder how absurdly lucky you are.

And, in even fewer instances, you can talk about it with people who weren’t going to beat you up for being such a lucky son of a bitch, too.

“So, I guess I’ve peaked. There’s no going up for me anymore, even though I’m just in highschool.” After I finished my bowl of Ramen, I spoke to my two companions. They were both also finished with their bowls, because even if we’re hanging out, there’s no reason for us to ruin a bowl of food, so that we could enjoy our company. We left together into a frosty, winter night to give our seats to the next patrons, so that we could do as we wished. “My life’s desires have all been met. My only fail state is for me to fuck up and fail at keeping everyone I love happy.”

“Oh? But you’re breathing and talking right now. Isn’t that a fail-state for you, Hyoudou?” Miyakuro idly insulted me, but the magic of ramen made him content enough to chuckle after his words. On a scale of one to “I don’t want to live anymore” that was definitely just a “friendly knife to the side.” “I mean, you’re spending time with two dudes, when you could be enjoying the company of your girlfriends… who are all out to make you happy, and make sure that you don’t treat yourself like a piece of shit.”

“There’s no need for you to fear that, Issei. As long as you continue to move forward and improve, you’ll surely be capable of keeping yourself and those you care for happy.” Li idly flicked Miyakuro’s forehead, getting a few curses from our fellow friend, but he gave me a smile that somewhat lifted my spirits. Even though Miyakuro was right, I should totally be spending time with Eli, Rias, and the others, time spent on myself and my friends wasn’t wasted. “Your grades have improved. You’ll be joining me and Miyakuro in our university. You will surely be able to support the family you wish to have.”

“Tch. If I were you, I’d just suck up my pride and live with Rias. I hear where-ever she lives is fine with polygamy. Just have her be your sugar-momma and live a life of debauchery, I say.” Miyakuro waved away Li’s glare. On the surface, his words might have been an insult, but he said it because he cared. If the pressure was too much, I could do as he said, instead of breaking apart and failing. Even though I wanted to succeed, to be the breadwinner of my house, I couldn’t let my pride get in the way of the happiness of me and mine. “Trust me. Being responsible, the breadwinner, and important is overrated, you barely have the time to enjoy being with anyone else.”

His sharp gaze turned towards Li, while a smirk played on his face.

“Example number one: this guy right here. He’s winning accolades, he’s going to live off of them, and support his family by working now, and just pursuing his hobbies later. He’ll probably spend more time buying antique junk to refurbish than working, between making kids.” It’s been quite a while since I’ve last seen Li embarrassed, especially by Miyakuro. The two of them have a weird pact where they don’t rib each other, but it’s great whenever they do. Li has to caught into his hand several times, as he tries to make his blush fade from his cheeks. “This guy has it figured out. Everyone he’s with are free to come and go as they please, too. We’re fucking around, working our asses off, and he’s living the life, y’know?”

Li looked to me for help against Miyakuro’s attack, as we continued to walk beneath the snowy sky with only the lamplights as our companions. Nothing came to mind, but when he pointed at me, I realized what he wanted me to say.

“But, Miyakuro, I want to be more like you than Li.” Ah. There it is. A rare, super-critical attack on Miyakuro Kita. His face instantly goes scarlet from the tips of his ears, to his nose, and all the way to the base of his neck. The compliment catches him entirely off-guard, because it’s true. He knows it, I know it, and Li knows it. And, that just makes it more embarrassing for him… but not for me! “What Li’s doing is great, but I want to provide for my family. Even if it’s not going to be as much as they can provide for me, I want to be able to help them and care for them. If I can do half of what you’re doing for the people you love, I’ll be happy.”

“Oh, shut the fuck up, you asshole.” Miyakuro groaned and hid his face behind his hand. He tried to play it off with a growl, and make it seem as though he was palming his face in exasperation, but his little tricks didn’t come through. He was embarrassed and happy, without a doubt. Li gave me a thumbs up, which I returned with a nod, as well as a thumbs up of my own. “The both of you need to go see if terminal velocity is a hoax.” He glared at the both of us, but the red on his face didn’t fade in the slightest. “Fine. Fucking fine. I’m happy that you’re willing to work and not just spend your days playing with TOASTERS, Hyoudou. Are you happy?”

“Yeah, because you seem pretty happy hearing it, Kita.”

“Tch.”

We walked together further, until we reached an overlook alongside the road. 

Kuoh stretched between hills and encroached upon he forests, a smattering of gray buildings surrounded by smaller, residential areas, and more vibrant, commercial areas. However, all of it was covered in freshly fallen snow. More fell from the skies from dark, low clouds. The lights of the city shone like small, glittering orbs of gold in the night, while a few cars here and there glimmered like rubies in well-lit streets. 

In just two years, we were all going to leave.

Miyakuro, Song, and I were all going to keep in close contact, but many were going to go away to pursue their own dreams. Some of us were heading into universities, but others were going to venture to distant lands, or find their own path. Of course, I’m going to support the dreams of those I care for, so I’m not going to stop them from going where they wish. Everyone is going their separate ways, like the few years we were all together in Kuoh were just the blink of an eye, and I didn’t know how to feel about it. 

Somehow, I’d felt that strange, bizarre world I’d found myself in at Kuoh to be normal. Surrounded by crazy hijinks every other week, insanely talented people, and just plain different standards from the rest of the world… it all grew on me. A world without everything I’d experienced, just boring, normal situations that needed to be solved through simple actions seemed strange. There was going to be no weird, strange thing happening that would have me go out of my way, call in favors, and solve problems before they could turn everything, I knew upside down.

In just half a decade, I’ll be finding a job, working, and living my life, even if everything I had now slipped through my fingers. 

The world moves on without stopping for anyone.

“Oi. We’ve got a year before graduating. Think about that later.” Kita dragged me forward, before I realized I’d stopped walking to stare at Kuoh. A grimace played on his face. A sharp, downward snarl with the slightest hint of teeth that reprimanded me for being an idiot. “We actually have time to enjoy being kids, y’know? Sometimes, you should really stop thinking too much, because with your brain, you’ll just end up hurting yourself.”

Li was in my line of vision. He stood in the snow, with his long hair and faint smile, with his hands within the sleeves of his coat. There was a slight sad look in his eyes, as though the same thoughts that I had occurred to him, but when he nodded in Kita’s direction, I knew that they’d spoken about it before.

And, that they were both right.

The world might be moving on, time might never stop, and we might all stray apart from one another.

However, the present is still something that we can enjoy, while working towards a future that we’ll love, too.

Still, I needed to say something about what I felt.

“Hey, whatever happens, we’ll stay friends, right?” I’ve known Li all my life, while Kita’s been my friend since we first met. The three of us are all leading different lives. Li’s going to make a name for himself, live well, and have a family, while staying away from the spotlight. Kita’s definitely too good of a person to let society just be what it is. He’ll definitely work towards fixing as much things as he possibly could, even though it’ll mean that he’ll be working a lot. Me? I didn’t know what I wanted to do yet, besides be with the people I loved. Our paths can all easily take us from each other. If there’s anything I wanted, here and now, it would be the slightest hint that wouldn’t happen. “If the two of you ever need help, I’ll come running, you know?”

“Idiot. That goes without saying. Did you want some sort of blood oath, or something?” Kita’s response was swift and brutal, but Li’s raised brow hurt me more. Do you both really ned to double up on the critical damage you’re sending my way? I’m kinda, already super weak, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t gang up on me! “Look, Hyoudou, you’re not as normal as you think. In fact, you’re a fucking freak like the rest of us. There’s no way I’d ever forget about your stupid, OP ability to make friends with literally anyone in my life. It’s too fucking useful to forget.”

“I agree with Miyakuro, Issei. You are skilled and capable, as well as above the norm. Though you cannot see it yet, I assure you that you won’t be thrown aside by anyone.” Li placed a hand on Kita’s shoulder. He was tall, yet by the way he smiled and the way he looked at me, he made me feel like he looked at me as an equal. Even though we were anything but. “Li, you are my friend. I won’t throw you away. You are important. Only you don’t think that’s the case. Miyakuro and I both think of you as an irreplaceable friend.”

Li looked away from me, towards Miyakuro, and I stared at my other, silent friend. 

Kita huffed, turned, and started walking forward with his hands in his pockets. 

The tips of his ears were red, but not from the cold.

A chuckle left Li’s lips, before he gestured onward for us to follow. 

“I’ve spoken with those who care for you. Whether you like it or not, you’ll learn just how important you are, Issei. And, of course, I approve that they’re taking care of you so well… and not out of pity, but because they wish for you to see yourself, as they see you.” We walked together, further along the sidewalk framed by snow. “They’re all skilled, talented, and capable. I’m sure that you’ll see, even before graduation, what you mean to others, as well as appreciate yourself.”

Another laugh left his lips, before he rested his hand on my shoulder.

“Just like you and many others did for me.”

My next steps were mindless, after those words left Li’s lips. That simple truth that he utterly believed in the fact that I somehow helped him, even with others doing the same, was something that I couldn’t believe. In fact, wanted to call it a lie, but no matter how I thought about it… I couldn’t convince myself that it was, because Li would never lie to me, nor anyone else he cared about.

“Oi! The two of you are both answered for… multiple times over! I’ll call both the battalions after your asses to claim their territory, if you keep eyeing each other up!” Miyakuro stopped and turned on his heal to face the both of us. His voice was a raspy growl, while on of his eyes caught a glint of moonlight. Li laughed at his words, and I felt a chuckle leave my lips too, as he obviously feigned anger. “Oh, this isn’t fucking fake! I’m freezing. The two of you are just musclebound freaks who can’t feel the cold. Let’s. Go. Home!”

Li shook his head, but went ahead. 

Miyakuro turned again, then began walking forward. 

And, even though some part of me told me that I couldn’t walk with them, my feet took me forward, until we all stood shoulder-to-shoulder, as we made our way forward.  I can’t say that I believe in myself as much as they do me. There isn’t a single thing that comes to my mind, when I ask myself about what I could possibly do to help them, or contribute to their lives. However, if they believe in me, then I should at least believe in what they think about me… and, at least, do my best to not disappoint them. 

That single thought was daunting, but I know for a fact that I’ll do my very best to help them, if they need me. 

For my friends, I’ll give everything in order to help them. 

They might amaze, great people who have potential, but the fact remains that they’re all still people. Each and every single person in Kuoh, without a single exception, wants to be treated decently. No one wants to only be a prodigy, as a princess, or even a talented person. The pedestal can be lonely and terrifying…and those are two things I never want my friends to feel, let alone languish and cry out for help, only for no one to come. 

I’ll be there for them.

Any one of them, even those who I’ve only greeted or spoke to once or twice. 

I might not be someone amazing, but at the very least, I can try to be a good friend and cheer someone up.