Chapter 4: Byakuya Togami

~Byakuya's POV~ Another dreadful year at Hope's Peak Academy.

Oh, joy...

Unfortunately, I already checked with my parents; they told me this school is as prestigious as it gets and there's nowhere else for me to go.

Ho-hum.

After I had visited the Headmaster's office and gotten my schedule and room key, I went to my new dorm room (which was located in the boys dorm B).

Once there, I met my roommate.

Unfortunately, I had the pleasure of being roommates with the one and only Makoto Naegi.

Again, oh joy...

When I arrived inside my dorm room, I was greeted by Naegi.

He looked at me when I entered. "Byakuya? You're my roommate?"

I sighed. "Yes, it seems so, Naegi." I said bluntly. Naegi shrugged.

"Oh well... I guess it could've been worse..." He said. But I could tell by his tone that he thought this is as worse as it gets.

Well, the feeling was mutual.

After that encounter, Naegi and I went our separate ways and preceeded to head to class.

But, before I could even reach my classroom, I ran into someone I thought I'd NEVER see again.

My old... Ahem... Friend, June Takahashi.

And I thought my morning couldn't get anymore dreary. But, for once, I was wrong.

Now, June and I aren't on the best of terms... And by "best of terms", I mean we hate each other.

Why do I hate June, you ask? It's a long story. To make it short, however, she embarrassed me in front of all my classmates and completely damaged my reputation. It took months to live down.

But, more on that later.

When I had met up with June, words were exchanged. First off, she called me a douchebag.

I, of course, was highly offended that she would call me something like that.

Of course, I had to retaliate. I mean, what kind of person would I be if I didn't? A chicken? Probably.

And, Byakuya Togami is NO CHICKEN.

So, I said something back.

After she had called me a... Ahem... A douchebag, June and her friends (Sonia Nevermind and Naegi) were leaving when I spoke up again.

"Hey, June. You never did tell me how your mother died." I said.

June immediately stopped walking and froze.

I hit a nerve.

I kept going.

"Well, now I think I know how," I said. "She probably killed herself just so she could get away from you. If I were in her shoes, I know I would."

Silence. No one said anything.

However, the silence ended when June marched up to me.

She then muttered something just barely audible. "Cancer." She said.

I blinked. "Come again?"

"Cancer," She said again. "My mother died of cancer, Byakuya."

More silence. This one longer than the last.

I, for once, was at a loss for words.

Her words repeated in my head. "Cancer. My mother died of cancer, Byakuya."

I just stood there, with nothing to say, letting her words soak in.

Cancer... June's mother died of cancer... She had never told me that... Ever...

Suddenly, the silence ended when I felt something hard come in contact with my cheek.

June had slapped me.

I drew back a bit from her sudden outburst. My eyes widened and my jaw probably dropped a bit.

She just slapped me...

Suddenly, she got real close to me. "Don't you EVER bring up my mother EVER AGAIN." June said seriously. In fact, that's probably the most serious I've ever heard her sound.

I said nothing in response. Then, June backed away. Then she, Naegi, and Sonia left.

I just stood there in the hallway, not doing anything. And, I would've probably kept standing there if the tardy bell hadn't rang and interrupted my thoughts.

I cursed. Damn... My first day of school and I'm late to class... Great...

Throughout my entire first period, June's words seemed to play over and over again in my head like a broken record player.

And, the more it played, the more in a bad mood I became.

Suddenly, it hit me: why did I say that??? I mean, I know we hate each other, A LOT, but... What I said... Didn't seem necessary...

In fact, the minute those words left my mouth, I... I actually regretted it...

I mean, when June and I were still on good terms, whenever I asked her how her mother died, she'd just immediately change the subject.

So, after awhile, I just gave up on ever finding out how her mother died. I never knew.

That is, until now.

June isn't the only one who lost a family member to cancer. When I was younger, my uncle died of cancer. And to make matters worse, he was my favorite uncle.

So, I know what it's like to lose a family member to cancer.

I should really have more control over the words that come out of my mouth.

However, what's really on my mind is why I feel regretful for saying what I said to June.

You shouldn't feel sorry for hurting your enemy.

I know that for a fact.

But, then why do I want to take back what I said?

Well, if she hadn't called me a douchebag, then maybe I wouldn't have said it.

Yes, that's right. She had it coming, Byakuya. No need to feel regretful in any way.

Then, why do I?

Hm... Maybe if I just ignore the feeling, it'll go away. That's what I always do.

... I guess I'm just in shock that June is going to the same school as me. I haven't seen her in years. And now, here she is. She's changed so much. She definitely looks different.

I assume she got into this school because of her talent for gymnastics. That seems like the most likely reason.

I rolled my eyes at myself.

Oh, stop thinking about her, Byakuya. She's not worth your time.

Well, not anymore, anyway.