[Katsuya Akiya (MC) POV]
I made my way to the cafeteria with Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora. The dining hall was already buzzing with students, the smell of breakfast food filling the air.
We found an empty table near the windows. Nora immediately made a beeline for the food, returning with a tray piled high with pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Ren sat beside her with a more modest plate, while Pyrrha and I settled in across from them.
I was halfway through my eggs when I heard a familiar voice.
"Katsuya!"
I looked up to see Ruby waving enthusiastically from across the cafeteria. She was already making her way toward our table, her teammates following behind her.
I waved back, smiling as Ruby reached our table. Without hesitation, she slid into the seat next to me, her red cloak settling around her.
Yang sat down on Ruby's other side, while Blake and Weiss took the seats across from us.
"Morning, everyone," Ruby said brightly. "Mind if we join you?"
"Not at all," Pyrrha replied warmly.
Weiss nodded politely. Blake gave a quiet greeting.
Ruby immediately turned to me. "So! How'd you sleep? Did you get enough rest? I was so exhausted after initiation, I passed out the second my head hit the pillow!"
I chuckled. "Same here. I was out cold."
"That's good! I was worried you might be tired or something—"
Yang leaned forward, her lilac eyes studying my face with an intensity that made me slightly uncomfortable.
"Hey, Katsuya," she said, cutting off Ruby's rambling. "What kind of makeup do you use?"
Before I could respond, Ruby's elbow shot out and buried itself in Yang's ribs. Yang let out a strangled wheeze, doubling over.
"OW! Ruby!"
Ruby didn't even blink, her smile still fixed on me. "Don't mind her. She's just being weird."
I blinked, then shrugged. "Oh, I don't use any."
The table went silent.
I looked around, confused by the sudden stillness. Ruby's smile was frozen. Yang was still rubbing her side. Weiss had her eyebrow raised, and Blake was looking at me with mild curiosity. Even Nora had paused mid-bite.
"...What?" I asked.
"You don't use any?" Yang repeated, genuine surprise in her voice. "Like, at all?"
I blinked, then realized what she was getting at. Right. In this world, guys apparently wore makeup regularly. I'd completely forgotten about that little detail.
"Oh," I said, scratching the back of my head. "Yeah, I don't. Never really got into it."
Yang stared at me for a moment longer, then leaned back. "Huh. That's... actually kind of impressive."
I just took another bite of my food.
I finished the last of my eggs and stood up, gathering my tray. "I'm going to throw this away."
I walked toward the trash bins near the entrance, weaving through the crowded tables. As I dumped my tray, I turned around—
And saw Cardin and his gang walking in, laughing about something.
I paused.
'Oh... Cardin's coming, huh?'
Cardin's eyes scanned the cafeteria and landed on me. His grin widened into something unpleasant.
"Well, well," he said, striding over with his cronies in tow. "If it isn't the pretty boy from the Bullhead. What's the matter? Lost your bodyguards?"
I blinked at him. "Ok."
Cardin's grin faltered slightly. "What?"
"Ok," I repeated, already turning to walk back to my table.
"Hey!" Cardin stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "I'm talking to you, you green-haired freak."
I looked at him. "Sure."
Cardin's eye twitched. "You think you're so tough? You got lucky on that Bullhead."
"Cool."
"Lucky?!" Cardin's voice rose. "I could take you any day!"
"Sure."
Cardin's face was starting to redden. His friends behind him looked uncertain. "You—what is wrong with you?! Are you even listening?!"
"Ok."
"STOP SAYING OK!"
I tilted my head. "Cool."
Cardin let out a growl of frustration, his fists clenching. "That's it! I'm going to—"
He swung at me.
I dropped my tray.
It clattered to the floor as I ducked under his wild punch, and in one smooth motion, I shot back up—my head connecting squarely with his jaw.
Cardin stumbled back, clutching his face, his eyes wide with shock and pain.
"Oh, my apologies," I said, my voice flat and completely unconvincing. "I didn't see you there."
Cardin's face crumpled. His eyes were definitely glistening with unshed tears as he clutched his jaw, his pride completely shattered in front of the entire cafeteria.
"You—" his voice cracked. "You'll regret this!"
He turned and ran, his cronies scrambling after him. I watched him go, a strange pang of pity hitting me.
That was honestly kind of sad.
Before I could dwell on it, a blur of blonde and purple appeared in front of me.
Yang dropped into a full dogeza, her forehead hitting the floor.
"THANK YOU!" she declared, her voice echoing through the suddenly quiet cafeteria. "THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT BASTARD CRY! I OWE YOU MY LIFE!"
I stared down at her, mildly alarmed. "Uh... no problem?"
Before I could say anything else, Ruby slid into view and kicked her sister mid-dogeza. Yang let out a grunt as she toppled sideways.
"I am SO sorry for my sister!" Ruby said, grabbing Yang by the collar and starting to drag her away. "She doesn't know how to act in public! Bye, Katsuya!"
"Ruby—" Yang protested as she was pulled across the floor.
"SHUT UP, YANG!"
I watched them go, shaking my head with a small smile.
——
[??? POV]
I sat alone at the edge of the cafeteria, picking at my food.
This morning had been awful. Cardin had cornered me near the lockers, yanking my ears and laughing while his friends watched. He called me a freak, said Faunus didn't belong at Beacon. I'd just stood there, frozen, taking it like I always did.
Then I heard the commotion.
I looked up and saw him. A green haired boy with slitted eyes was talking to Cardin, but he looked completely unbothered. Cardin was getting red in the face, yelling, swinging, and Katsuya just kept giving these flat, dismissive replies. Like Cardin wasn't even worth his attention.
And then Cardin swung at him.
I flinched, expecting the worst. But the boy ducked, dropped his tray, and headbutted Cardin so cleanly that Cardin stumbled back holding his jaw. His eyes were actually watering. He ran. Cardin Winchester, the bully who made my life miserable, ran away crying.
I stared at the boy as he stood there, completely calm, watching Cardin flee. He didn't look proud or smug. He just looked... mildly pitying. Like he almost felt bad for him.
My heart was pounding.
He didn't even know me. He had no idea what Cardin had done to me this morning, or any of the other mornings. But he still stood up to him. He still made him run.
I clutched my hands together in my lap, my ears lying flat against my head.
I watched him walk back to his table, surrounded by his friends. The blonde girl bowed to him. The girl in red dragged her away. He just smiled and shook his head like it was nothing.
Like he hadn't just changed everything for me.
My cheeks warmed. I quickly looked down at my tray, my heart fluttering in my chest.
He didn't even know I existed. I was just some Faunus girl. Why would someone like him ever notice someone like me?
But I couldn't stop watching him. Couldn't stop thinking about how safe he made me feel just by existing. Couldn't stop wishing I had the courage to go over and thank him.
Maybe someday.
Maybe.
I felt my ears twitch, and I quickly pressed them down, hoping no one noticed.
——
[Katsuya Akiya (MC) POV]
I sat back down at the table, shaking my head with a small smile.
"She's something else," I said, referring to Yang.
Pyrrha chuckled softly. "She certainly is passionate."
Nora was still laughing, her face red from watching Yang get dragged away. "That was AMAZING! Did you see her face?! HA!"
Ren quietly pushed a glass of water toward her. "Drink, Nora. You'll choke."
I felt a strange sensation at the back of my neck. Like someone was watching me.
I turned, scanning the cafeteria. Students were eating, talking, laughing. Nothing out of the ordinary.
But I couldn't shake the feeling.
I frowned slightly, then shrugged it off. Probably just my imagination.
I stood up, gathering my things. "I'm going to head to class."
Pyrrha stood up as well, her tray in hand. "I'll come with you."
The lecture hall was massive, tiered rows of seats descending toward a central stage. Professor Port stood at the front, his enormous mustache bristling as he gestured to the diagrams on the board.
I sat near the middle, Pyrrha beside me. Her notes were neat and precise, already filled with key points about Grimm anatomy and behavior. I had my own notebook open, but I'd already realized hers was going to be more useful.
"Here," she murmured, sliding her notes slightly toward me. "You'll want to write this down. The Ursa classification system is important."
"Thanks," I whispered back, copying down the details.
Port's voice boomed across the room. "Now, the Ursa Major is a fearsome beast! Its armor plating is thickest around the skull and shoulders, making frontal attacks ill-advised. But if you target the underbelly or the joints—"
I scribbled down the information quickly. His lecture was actually incredibly detailed. He might have been long-winded, but the man knew his Grimm. The way he described their behaviors, their weaknesses, their attack patterns—it was all practical knowledge that could save your life.
Pyrrha occasionally pointed to something I'd missed, and I'd fill in the gaps. She had a knack for picking out the most important details from Port's rambling stories.
Port finished his lecture and surveyed the room. "Now, I will need two volunteers for a practical demonstration. Who among you is brave enough to face a Grimm in controlled combat?"
I raised my hand without thinking.
Across the room, another hand went up... and it was... Blake Belladonna.
Port beamed. "Excellent! Mr. Akiya and Miss Belladonna! Please, come down."
I stood, slightly confused. I didn't remember this happening on the first day of class. Didn't he just need one which was Weiss?
I glanced at Pyrrha, who smiled encouragingly.
I made my way down to the stage, meeting Blake near the center. She gave me a small nod, her expression unreadable.
Port clapped his hands together. "Splendid! Now, let us begin."
Port gestured dramatically toward a large cage at the side of the stage. With a loud clang, the door swung open, and a Boarbatusk charged out—its tusks gleaming, its red eyes locked onto the two students before it.
"A Boarbatusk!" Port announced. "A formidable foe! You two must work together to take it down. Show us what you've learned!"
The Grimm snorted, pawing at the ground, ready to charge.
I turned to Blake and offered a small smile. "I'm Katsuya Akiya. I'll follow your lead."
Blake blinked, clearly surprised by the offer. Then she nodded, a hint of appreciation flickering in her amber eyes.
"Alright," she said, drawing Gambol Shroud. "I'll keep it focused on me. Look for an opening."
She moved before I could respond, darting forward and slashing at the Boarbatusk's side. The Grimm squealed and spun, charging after her. Blake weaved and dodged, keeping its attention while I circled around.
I pulled out one of my butterfly knives, watching for an opportunity. The Boarbatusk was fast, but Blake was faster—she moved like water, never staying in one place long enough for it to land a hit.
Then I saw it.
The Grimm shifted its weight, preparing to roll. Its armored hide would make it nearly invulnerable in that state. I was about to call out a warning when I noticed Blake's foot catch on something.
A pencil. Someone had dropped a pencil on the stage.
Blake stumbled, her concentration broken. The Boarbatusk seized the moment, charging straight at her.
I shot forward, my chain extending and wrapping around the Grimm's tusks. I yanked hard, pulling it off course as I reached Blake. My arm wrapped around her waist, and I lifted her clear of the charging Grimm, spinning us both to safety.
The Boarbatusk crashed into the wall, stunned.
I set Blake down gently, still holding her steady. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
She stared at me, slightly wide-eyed, her amber eyes searching my face.
I grinned, stepping forward toward the dazed Grimm. The Boarbatusk was shaking its head, trying to recover.
"Now," I said, my voice dropping into something more focused. "Watch my jarona!"
I let Blake go, my focus shifting entirely to the Boarbatusk. The Grimm was shaking off its daze, its red eyes locking onto me with renewed fury.
The Boarbatusk snorted and charged, its tusks lowered. I sidestepped, my chain shooting out to wrap around its back leg. I yanked hard, throwing it off balance.
It stumbled, and I closed the distance, my knife flashing as I struck the exposed underbelly.
"Jarona!"
The Grimm squealed, thrashing, but I was already moving—darting around its side, my chain tightening around its neck. With a final, decisive pull, I flipped it onto its back. I drove my knife into its throat.
The Boarbatusk dissolved into black smoke.
I straightened, brushing off my uniform. The classroom was quiet for a moment, then Port's laughter boomed through the hall.
"Splendid! Absolutely splendid!"
I turned to Blake and offered a high-five. She stared at my hand for a moment, then slowly raised hers and slapped it. The gesture was hesitant but genuine.
"What's a jarona?" she asked, her voice flat but curious.
I grinned. "It's a catchphrase. From a friend."
Blake tilted her head slightly, clearly not understanding, but she didn't press further.
Port clapped his hands together. "Excellent teamwork, you two! Extra credit for both of you. That was a textbook display of cooperation and adaptability!"
We both thanked him and headed back to our seats. I slid into my spot next to Pyrrha, who had been watching the entire demonstration with a small smile.
But as I sat down, I noticed something.
Her smile was slightly tighter than usual. Her eyes flickered to Blake for just a moment before returning to me.
"Good work," she said, her voice pleasant but with a slight edge. "You two worked well together."
I blinked. Was that... jealousy? No. That couldn't be right. We were just teammates.
But she was definitely pouting.
I glanced back at Blake, who had already returned to her seat and was reading her book like nothing had happened. Then I looked at Pyrrha, who was pointedly organizing her notes.
I turned back to the front of the class, my brow furrowed.
'Does Pyrrha... like me?'
———
[(Author: so uhh... My ADHD and autism were like full throttle for a minute and due to me playing some the new Digimon UP game... i might have been brainstorming another fic and was thinking of some kind of digimon fanfiction like mc isekaied into the world and can gamble for multiple digimon and gain their moves and strengths... or maybe some kind of marvel fanfiction idk im losing focus (i ain't dropping nothing don't worry, I'll post two more chapters of this tomorrow was just busy today making some dirty rice and fried chicken)