Chapter Text
Long ago, across the endless sea of the astral plane, far beyond Earth and human understanding, a war was fought.
One side represented light, peace, and Law. YHWH, the One God and source of all life, and his countless armies of Angels.
The other represented darkness, freedom, and Chaos. Lucifer, the Fell Star and once YHWH's most trusted companion, who fell from grace and became the King of Darkness, the Ruler of Hell… And his armies of Demons and other fiendish beings that matched the Heavenly Host in number.
Like Yin and Yang, Oil and Water, and Day and Night, YHWH and Lucifer opposed one another for countless eons.
The war reached its climax when YHWH and Lucifer themselves finally battled one another for what would be the last time. It was on that day that the war, and the separate existence of both, came to an end at long last.
Whether they killed each other was unknown. But both had vanished, and neither of their respective factions could find them.
Metatron (the Voice of God) and Beelzebub (the Right Hand of Darkness) led the search for their respective masters to no avail… Until they both decided to turn their focus toward Earth…
Whatever the fates of YHWH and Lucifer, Metatron and Beelzebub knew they would find their answers there.
Now, it was a matter of who would find their objective first…
Light or Dark?… Or perhaps…?
"Shuichi… Up you get. On your feet, and all that. Uncle Shinjiro won't be happy if you stay in here." Saiko Saihara said.
Saiko was a young woman of average height. Saiko had dark teal hair and grey eyes. Her hair was much longer than Shuichi's however.
She also possessed ample… "assets". She was quite buxom and had a nice figure. Shuichi never really looked (she was his sister, after all)… But it was difficult for him not to notice.
Shuichi yawned and smacked his lips together, before turning to his older sister. His eyes, once half-lidded, closed in exasperation.
He already knew Saiko wasn't going to go away. She would probably drag him out of the bed if it came to it.
As amusing as that would be to experience, Shuichi didn't want to annoy his uncle, either. Conceding defeat, he slowly got out of bed. Still dressed in his pajamas, Shuichi looked at Saiko.
"Good morning, Big Sister." Shuichi said softly whilst he rubbed his eyes.
"Your clothes are unkempt. A detective would learn to dress themselves properly, you know." Saiko gently scolded.
"Right, right…" Shuichi waved dismissively.
Shuichi was a pale young man who was of average height (171cm), and had short hair which was the same color as his sister's, complete with an ahoge. In his youth, he also retained the same eye color as Saiko. That was until his recent birthday (18th) where his eyes became a mixture of blue and red (left and right, respectively).
What happened to his eyes wasn't really discussed much, but Shuichi was apparently told by his sister and uncle to not worry whatsoever. He did know that one's eye color could change during life, but he wasn't sure that was all there was to it. All the same, he didn't worry about it that much. He didn't notice any health issues, so perhaps it wasn't a large concern.
"Anyway, put your uniform on and get downstairs. Breakfast is ready." Saiko instructed before marching out of the room.
Shuichi sighed. He knew his older sister was right.
It was his first day at Hope's Peak Academy, after all.
He did as Saiko instructed and got dressed. He made sure to put on his hat for good measure… He mainly wore it to hide his red eye.
"Hey, kiddo. Nice of you to join us." Shinjiro, Shuichi's uncle, said.
"Morning, Uncle. Sorry that I slept in." Shuichi apologized with a bow.
"No worries, sport. Even if you're late, I doubt it would do that much harm in the long run." Shinjiro assured his nephew.
"You really shouldn't be enabling him, Uncle." Saiko said, hands on her hips.
"Relax, Saiko. Everyone ends up on the wrong side of the bed at least once in their life. Cut your little brother some slack, huh?" Shinjiro defended Shuichi.
Saiko sighed. "Alright, fine… Geez."
Sometimes, Saiko felt she was the only adult in the house.
Shuichi smiled gently. He was truly grateful for his sister and uncle. He knew he mattered to them (even if Saiko had a different way of showing it), and they mattered to him, too.
Saiko always protected and cared for Shuichi when he was younger. Their parents (the mother was a writer and the father was an actor) were always away on business. They never really had time for their children. When Shinjiro offered to have Shuichi and Saiko live with him, they were happy to accept.
Shuichi, in hindsight, was glad that happened. Shinjiro raised the Saihara siblings and treated them as if they were his own.
Shinjiro started reading from a newspaper as he spoke. "Anyway, you all set for this, Shuichi? Hope's Peak will be tough going, but I know you'll pull through."
"I hope so. I didn't think I'd be chosen for this, considering that the Academy already has an Ultimate Detective… I'm not sure what they'd want with me." Shuichi scratched his head.
"It's because you have a lot of raw, untapped potential. Considering how the Ultimate Detective wants to take you on as an apprentice, I'd say that counts for something." Shinjiro explained.
"An apprentice? Me? I… I didn't know about that." Shuichi blinked.
"Yeah, sorry. The headmaster explained some more things to me yesterday. I was gonna tell ya, but I guess I never got around to it. Sorry again." Shinjiro chuckled smoothly.
Shuichi shrugged. "Don't worry about it, Uncle… I just hope they live up to their expectations."
"You'll be fine…" Saiko mumbled to herself.
…
"Uh… If you don't screw around, that is." Saiko added, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Shinjiro grinned. It was no secret that Saiko was a tsundere for her little brother. Maybe that was why she pretended to be so cold around him… To mask her true feelings.
Shinjiro never judged Saiko for how she felt toward Shuichi, either. He was a live-and-let-live type of man.
"Anyway… I wish I could be there for your entrance ceremony, Shuichi… I would if it wasn't for that damn case kicking my ass. I'm sure you'll be okay without me, though." Shinjiro remarked apologetically.
"No worries, Uncle… I'll make you proud." Shuichi promised.
"Heh. You already do that everyday, kiddo." Shinjiro smiled.
After saying his goodbyes to Shinjiro, Shuichi began his trek to Hope's Peak alongside Saiko. He carefully adjusted his hat so it wouldn't fall.
Saiko wanted to make sure her younger brother got to the Academy safe and sound. Though the reason she actually gave was to merely prevent Shuichi from getting lost.
"Thanks for coming with me, Big Sister… You didn't have to." Shuichi said gratefully.
Saiko managed a small smile… Just for Shuichi. "I'm just doing my job as your older sister… That's all."
Shuichi chuckled softly in response to that.
"W-What's so funny?" Saiko narrowed her eyes.
"You're really sweet deep down, Big Sis… And you're really lovely when you smile." Shuichi said.
Saiko gasped and turned away, hiding her growing blush. "Idiot…" She mumbled quietly.
Shuichi continued smiling. He was blessed to have such a kind sister.
"By the way, have you noticed anything… Strange going on, recently? With yourself, I mean…" Saiko asked.
"What do you mean? Is that meant to be a joke regarding hormones?" Shuichi asked.
"I guess that's a no, then… Just… If you do notice anything that frightens you, please tell me… And don't worry about how I'll react. I'm here for you, okay?" Saiko got unusually serious, more than usual.
"Okay…" Shuichi nodded.
He had no idea what that was about… Eh, it was probably nothing.
Eventually, the Saihara siblings arrived at the gates of Hope's Peak Academy, centered within an incredibly large city.
There were two requirements for being enrolled at Hope's Peak, as far as Shuichi knew.
First and foremost, the student in question had to already be attending high school. That wasn't a problem in Shuichi's case, as he had been doing that until being enrolled at the Academy.
The second condition was that the student had to be the best at what they did, which would earn them the title of Ultimate.
That was where things got complicated… Shuichi was skilled in detective work, yes… But he was far from the best at it. The title of Ultimate Detective belonged more deservedly to Kyoko Kirigiri.
So… Why was Shuichi allowed here, then? He was aware that Kyoko sought him as an apprentice, but why Shuichi in particular? There wasn't anything particularly remarkable about him, aside from his heterochromatic eyes (though he doubted he qualified based on that).
And ignoring that, was being an apprentice to an Ultimate Detective sufficient for entry? Shuichi doubted that.
There was a Reserve Course, apparently, but the suggestion that Shuichi should be a reserve course student instead was immediately shot down, from what Shuichi had been told.
In any case, Shuichi was honored to attend Hope's Peak, but the pressure he felt was enormous. He truly hoped he wouldn't disappoint his family, or Kyoko, for that matter. Shuichi knew he couldn't let them down.
"Well… Here we are, Shuichi… I, um…" Saiko began, her lips pursed.
She wanted to say 'I'll miss you' to her brother… But she couldn't find the words. Especially since Shuichi was giving her that wonderful, angelic smile of his…
"I'll be okay, Big Sis… But I'll miss you." Shuichi said.
"Same here…" Saiko managed to say.
"You two look like you get along well… it's nice to see." A soft voice said.
Shuichi turned to see a short woman with hazel eyes, and short and spiky brown hair. She wore a zipped-up green hoodie, a black jacket, and a black skirt. She wore red sneakers, as well.
Shuichi turned to face the woman. "Oh, hello, miss. Sorry about that. I was just saying goodbye to my older sister. She was allowed to see me off."
"Oh, it's fine, really. I think it's nice that you have a sister who cares about you so much. I actually have a sister, too… Though, she's younger than me, actually." Makoto explained nervously.
"Maybe we can swap sibling stories sometime." Shuichi suggested.
"That'd be great… Also, my name's Makoto Naegi, the Ultimate Lucky Student. It's nice to meet you." Makoto smiled, stretching out a hand for Shuichi to shake.
"Nice to meet you, Makoto. I'm Shuichi Saihara." Shuichi shook Makoto's hand.
"That's a cool name, Shuichi." Makoto beamed brighter as she released Shuichi's hand.
Saiko watched the interaction between the two. She should be glad that her brother had already made a friend so easily, especially a sweet girl like Makoto. She was, to a small degree.
On the other hand, seeing Makoto getting so friendly with her brother made Saiko's chest hurt for some reason.
Speaking of chests, Saiko looked below Makoto's face… And decided that Makoto truly had to be lucky to an Ultimate degree, considering the figure she had been blessed with.
Shuichi, on the other hand, did his damndest to maintain eye-contact with Makoto. He might be a red-blooded young man with hormones, but he could still control himself.
That, however, wasn't what Shuichi was concerned with. He was more worried about Makoto asking about what his Ultimate Talent was… Because he didn't really have one. And he knew being scouted as a possible apprentice wouldn't cut it with some people.
Then again, maybe Makoto wouldn't ask-
"So… What's your Ultimate Talent?" Makoto asked.
Fuck.
Shuichi paused… He tried to think of an acceptable answer.
And he did formulate one, however strange it sounded. "I'm the Ultimate Assistant…" Shuichi blurted out.
"Really? That must mean you're good at helping people? That's amazing!" Makoto chirped.
In Makoto's mind, she was so happy to meet an actual Ultimate who earned the right to attend Hope's Peak (another one, anyway). Since Makoto had won a lottery draw, she felt she never really deserved the opportunity.
Saiko didn't know whether to be impressed by her brother's 'quick thinking', or to facepalm.
"So, is this your first day, Shuichi? This is my second year here, so I can show you around, if you like." Makoto offered warmly.
"I appreciate that, Makoto. Thank you… I hope I don't cause you too much trouble." Shuichi chuckled nervously. At least he wouldn't have to be worried about getting lost… Hopefully.
"Happy to help. There are a few… Distinct personalities here, but you'll get used to them. I'll introduce you to everyone that I know later." Makoto said.
Shuichi nodded. If they were all like Makoto, then he'd surely be okay… Though he doubted that.
Still, what was the worst that could happen?
As the students, both old and new, began to pile in, it was time to say goodbye to Saiko for now.
Shuichi was surprised to find himself enveloped in a hug by his big sister. A bold move, even for Saiko.
Shuichi couldn't properly hear the words Saiko spoke, but he thought he heard her say 'I love you.'
Reluctantly, Saiko pulled away and released Shuichi. After smiling for her one last time, Shuichi followed Makoto into Hope's Peak.
"So, what class are you in, Makoto?" Shuichi asked as the two entered the building.
"I'm in Class 78, being a second-year student. Class 77 is for the third-years. It used to be split into two groups in the past, but it was eventually combined into one class." Makoto explained.
"Then, I guess my class is Class 79, since I'm a first-year." Shuichi correctly assumed.
"Pretty much, yeah. Anyway, if you need any help or have any questions during the year, just come find me. I don't know how much I can offer, but I'll do what I can for you." Makoto said.
Shuichi nodded and bowed in gratitude. The two continued on their way to the auditorium…
"So… You mentioned that you had a younger sister?" Shuichi asked Makoto.
"Yeah. Her name's Komaru. She's pretty excitable and… It gets a bit embarrassing, sometimes. Hehe. She means well, though."
"It sounds like she means a lot to you, Makoto." Shuichi smiled.
"Well, she's my sister, you know? I'll always love her. I bet it's the same with you and your sister, right?" Makoto asked. Thinking back, she was a bit nervous of Saiko. There was just something very… Imposing about her.
"Yes. Her name's Saiko. She comes across as cold, but don't let that scare you… She's really nice when you get to know her. She likes to read manga and detective novels." Shuichi revealed.
"Komaru would love that. I've lost count of the amount of manga she had our parents buy for her. She gets really childish when she solves puzzles too, even if they're really simple." Makoto recalled
"When I once solved a puzzle before Saiko, she threw a pillow at me. Hehe." Shuichi replied.
"Siblings, right?" Makoto remarked as she chuckled, whilst Shuichi simply scratched his hat.
The two eventually made it to the auditorium. Makoto turned to Shuichi. "Alright… Are you ready to meet your classmates and everyone else? Kyoko said she's looking forward to meeting you, especially."
"…" Shuichi gulped. He wasn't ready at all. The 'Ultimate Assistant' knew he would practically be a sheep among lions.
He then felt a soft, warm hand wrapped around his wrist. Makoto smiled at him. "You'll be okay, Shuichi I promise. You're an Ultimate after all. If someone like me can do this, you can, as well."
Shuichi blushed a bit at the contact, but he appreciated Makoto's kindness… It was wasted on someone like him, honestly.
Shuichi nodded, and followed Makoto into the auditorium. His life at Hope's Peak Academy was set to begin.