Archive of Our Own ^beta

“No. Uh. That’s fucking stupid.” Maekawa said bluntly. She and Denden had crossed paths in the hallway, and she was quickly starting to regret having this conversation with her. She couldn’t wait to meet back up with Shishikura and get some rest before whatever game they had in store tomorrow.

“Wha?!? You think so?” Denden gasped.

“Yeah. I do. I’m not sure how you even thought-”

CRASH

“What was that?” Maekawa immediately snapped to attention at the noise.

The next thing they heard was a shrill scream. Panic surged throughout Maekawa’s body.

“Is that Ogura!?” Denden worried.

“Shit- Yeah. That sounded like the storage room. Let’s go.”

“O-Okay!” The two rushed to the storage room, wasting no time to enter as Ogura’s cries continued. They weren’t prepared for the sight that would meet them within.

“Eeeeee!”

“Holy shit-”

“AKIBA!” Ogura was crying her friend’s name over his still form on the storage room floor. Next to him sat a broken microwave, and red was quickly pooling around his head. “Get- Get up!” She sobbed next to him, desperately holding on.

“Is he dead? What the fuck even-”

“I- I can do this!” Denden rushed forwards, kneeling down next to the archer’s body. After a few seconds, she let out a gasp and turned back to Maekawa. “He’s alive!” She shouted.

“Shit, no time to waste then. We need to get him to Hirose NOW.” Maekawa ordered, rushing over to Akiba’s legs to pick him up, pointing Denden to carry his top half as she helped Ogura get off the floor as well. They turned to exit the room, although some people had gathered near the entrance.

“What happened? Are you guys okay?” Ouno questioned nervously.

“Oh fuck, oh fuck.” Ninomiya gasped.

“Everyone move! Medbay, now. Out of our fucking way.” Maekawa led the way as she and Denden carried Akiba down the hall. "You good, Ogura?" She took a few seconds to make sure the other girl wasn't hurt.

“Akiba…” Ogura continued crying as she tried her best to keep up with their pace, her handcuff still attached to the archer’s limp arm.

“We’re gonna save him, I promise, Ogura!” Denden tried to reassure her.

“Save the sweet talk for later, right now we need- Kumada! What the fuck are you doing?”

The group ran into the girl, trying to jam something into one of the dorm locks angrily. “I- Fuck! I wasn’t even-”

“Actually, I don’t even care. Just move already!” Maekawa shouted. More dorms started opening up at all the noise.

“Can you guys please try to keep it- Oh my god!” Tei yelped.

“The fuck happened now!? Are you serious?!” Nishiguchi yelled.

“Shut the fuck up, everyone shut the fuck up, everyone shut up already, God!” Maekawa snapped. “Why’s this- Stupid fucking chair- Move!” She hip-checked the chair in front of the medical bay to the ground with another slam. “Ouno. Door.”

“Oh, I… Alright!” Ouno hesitated before opening the door for Maekawa to shuffle in, Ogura and Denden in tow as the rest of the group crowded behind them.

Hirose startled to attention. “What do you guys need- What the hell?!” He stared at them in shock for a moment, then adjusted his glasses as he started into action. “Okay. Put him on the bed very carefully. Ninomiya. Get the bandages. His head is bleeding badly. His arms are bruised too. Here, Mion. Try to ask them what happened while I bandage him.”

Isoda turned awkwardly to the group. “Alright, uh. Does anyone want to explain what just happened?”

“The storage room!” Denden blurted out. “Me and Maekawa heard a really loud crash in there, and then we found Ogura next to him!”

“Don’t forget the whole fucking microwave. That was there too. Completely broken. He was already passed out when he got there.”

“Microwave?” Yaitabashi perked up. “You don’t mean-”

“I still don’t understand shit you guys are saying.” Kumada groaned.

“You’re telling me the microwave was what did that to him!?” Tei shouted.

“That must have hurt…” Ouno nervously said.

“Yeah! Look at how he’s crying.” Denden pouted.

“Wait, what?” Maekawa leaned over where Hirose was silently working on wrapping Akiba’s head in bandages. There were tears staining his cheeks, just like Denden said. “He hasn’t woken up at all, I don’t think that’s how it works.”

Kumada let out yet another groan. “Maybe because you haven’t asked Ogura what the hell actually happened. Spit it out already.”

Ogura had been standing next to the bed, looking down at Akiba‘s unconscious body and shaking with pure terror. “I… It… It came from above.”

“Fell on him?!?!? How the fuck?” Maekawa questioned.

“Akiba… Please…” Ogura started to cry again.

“Ah- May I come over?” Tsukigata asked. Maekawa gave him space to move next to Ogura, kneeling down and trying to comfort her.

“I guess that’s all we’re getting out of her.” Maekawa shrugged. She felt bad seeing Ogura in such a bad state compared to how she usually was, but she probably wasn’t qualified to help with it right now.

Isoda shrugged back. “Thanks for your help, though… I think?”

“Sure thing.” Maekawa looked around. “Where the fuck is Snowball?”

“Oh, and Ruka too.” Ninomiya seemed equally unsure.

“Does it matter?” Kumada grumbled.

“Uh, yes it does.” Yaitabashi answered. “I think everyone should be aware of what’s happening right now, considering how Akiba might literally die.”

“Eh, wouldn't be that big of a loss.” Ikeda snickered.

“Not fucking now, Ikeda.” Tei said, looking dead serious.

“Okay, everyone.” Hirose announced. “I think he’s going to be okay, but right now, it would make my job a lot easier if you guys left us alone. Everyone except Ogura and Mion. Go.”

“Fine, fine.” Maekawa walked out, looking back upon the trail of blood that went down the entire hall. Akiba could have very well died if she and Denden, two of the only people who could really carry him, hadn’t been there. At least luck was on their side in a way.

The group didn't seem to be in the mood for conversation, as everyone began to go their own ways. Maekawa did the same, returning to Shishikura’s room. “Snowball?” The boy was sat on the bed, empty handed, nervously looking at her. “Couldn’t get in?”

“Uh, no.” He said. “I heard all of you guys outside, but you were talking about going to the medbay, and I really didn’t want to go there right now. And it just sounded like there were a lot of people, so I got nervous, and just stayed here.”

“Eh. Fair.” Maekawa reconnected their handcuffs before laying back on the bed. “Apparently Ronin got whacked on the head by the microwave. He’s gonna live though, I think. Hirose’s handling it.”

“Eh- Akiba?” Shishikura started panicking. “You’re sure he’s okay?”

“I can’t really do anything about it, Snowball. Still, it got me out of having to talk to Denden. I should thank him, really.”

“That’s… A strange priority, Maekawa.”

“Whatever. I’m tired.”