This time, we'll be taking look at the after school clubs, or at least one of them, this is the Animal Club.

Chapter Text

The boy's gym/workout room was usually busy in the day, as students that required to stay fit needed to exercise, partly due to needing their talents to be up to snuff, otherwise they wouldn't exactly be the Ultimates in their field. Another reason is that it can sometimes just be relaxing, or a hangout spot for the boys to go to whenever they just want time to themselves, which for some people is often and for others it isn't ever.

At night however, it's a completely different story. Everyone is either asleep or partying, or sometimes both thanks to Miu Iruma's inventions. However, the quietness can work to the advantage of some students, mainly one Chihiro Fujisaki. The thought to be female Ultimate Programmer recently came out that he was male to two other students, one of whom is his roommate, Makoto Naegi, the Ultimate Luck and the other is helping him train, which is one Mondo Owada, the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader.

Anyway, after getting the quick flashback out of the way, now we can go onto the two training, just before midnight. Mondo was watching over Chihiro, who was struggling to finish the exercises they were doing within the 2-hour time limit, so then they don't overwork themselves and become too tried to go to school or work on their talents. In fact, it was currently 2 minutes until the two would wrap up their training, and Chihiro was now doing pushing up weights, small ones of course, since otherwise he wouldn't even be able to lift them. "You've got one-minute left. Try to slow down and bring the weight" Mondo was on his phone, checking the time and most likely doing other things, but Chihiro couldn't notice, since he was absorbed into his training. He did slowdown from his already slow speed, so there was some communication going on between the two. "Time. Training's done for tonight, did more than yesterday, so you're improving, so good job!" Mondo had a small grin on his face and gave Chihiro a thumbs up.

However, the small programmer wasn't putting his weights down, just trying to keep them in the air, although he was clearly struggling. "Err, Chihiro? Dude, you don't have to do anything more, you've done well today, I guess." Chihiro still didn't move, so Mondo went towards him and kneeled down. "OK. Why aren't you stopping."

Chihiro was trying to look over at Mondo, but for some reason didn't move his head. "I-I'm sorry, but there's a ladybird where the weight will do and I don't want to squish it..." Mondo turned to see a small ladybird and sighed, not before lifting the weight off the smaller boy and putting the weight away, then opened a window. Chihiro was now focused on the small creature, that soon got the message and flew away.

After that, Chihiro got up and walked over to Mondo. "Thanks Mondo. I'm sorry that I wasted your time with my issues, but I couldn't let that poor thing get hurt!" Chihiro's emotions switched from thankful, to saddened to determine within a quick couple of seconds.

Mondo got a bit emotionally confused at this, as could be told from his response. "L-Listen, don't worry about, just let me know right away next time, the thing's lucky to be alive to be overly honest. Not even sure how it went in here to be honest it's raining so we closed the window."

Chihiro had his finger pressed on his chin, as if he was trying to get some idea. Then he began to speak. "I could ask Gonta tomorrow at Animal Club, he'll know something I hope."

"Animal Club?" Mondo perked up at the name of the club. "What kinds of animals are there?"

"Oh, all kinds, Gundham brings in a lot of the animals he takes cares of thanks to his talent. If you want to see an animal, Gundham most likely has it. How about I take you!" Chihiro began to get excited causing Mondo to get embarrassed at him.

"I mean, only if you want to, I guess, I don't know?" The embarrassment was turning into stress, which Chihiro didn't notice, since Mondo was trying to hide it, although thanks to his voice getting louder, he was struggling.

Chihiro began to calm down a bit, downgrading into a simple smile, which thankfully calmed Mondo down as well. "I mean, Himiko was interested in going, so taking you as well wouldn't be a problem." Mondo then nodded and the two agreed on a time to meetup so then they could go to the club.

The next day, Chihiro and Himiko met up with Mondo and the three decided to walk towards the club. Entering the room, they found four other students. Gundham Tanaka, who we've spent some time with already, but as his talent is the Ultimate Animal Breeder, it's only natural that he would be the club leader. The tallest student was Gonta Gokuhara, a buff man, wearing glasses and a suit, and this student is the Ultimate Entomologist showcased by his bug box. On the opposite side of the size spectrum was Ryoma Hoshi, the Ultimate Tennis Pro. He had a hat with rackets on, but that was the only way you could tell he was once a player in the sport. This is because his outfit was something that a prisoner would wear, at least the bottoms, which had striped blue and black trousers, and a leather jacket to go with it. Also, a pack of candy cigarettes. The only woman who was in the room, before Himiko got there, was Peko Pekoyama, the Ultimate Swordswoman. She had grey hair and glasses for a start, plus wearing mostly black with a red bow and a sword on her back. Bamboo, but a sword, nevertheless.

From there, Chihiro let the two other students he brought along go off and explore the group, while Chihiro met up with Gonta, who was feeding some bugs, however he did notice Chihiro walking up to him. "Oh, hello there Chihiro. Gonta no notice you come in today, Gonta busy look at bugs. Gonta apologises." Gonta looked saddened, although Chihiro still had a comforting smile.

"Don't worry about it Gonta, we were pretty quiet. Anyway, I came to ask you a question, if that's alright with you." Gonta became happier at Chihiro's forgiveness and nodded in response to Chihiro's request. "OK, so I wanted help with something, and I went to Mondo and he helped me out, before we were done however, there was a small ladybird with seven spots on it. But we closed the windows so how did it get in there?" Gonta nodded along to Chihiro's question.

"Chihiro must be talking about a Coccinella Septempunctata, the most likely answer is that it got lost and went through the airvent. Gonta thanks you two for freeing it, even if it's not technically a bug. It's more of a beetle, but Gonta loves them all the same!" Gonta had a smile on his face as he was explained it to Chihiro, who in turn got more excited.

Chihiro's face was mostly his mouth now thanks to how much he was smiling, and his voice reflected that quite well. "Wow, I didn't know that Gonta, that's super cool! Thank you for explaining it, I'll have to keep a better eye out for them so they can leave and be free."

"It no problem, Gonta always happy to teach about bugs and other small things, and Gonta should be thanking you for being so kind to them!" Gonta had a look of joy in his eyes as he was talking to Chihiro, which improved the Programmer's mood as well.

To this Chihiro had a small giggle. "I mean, it's only right to be kind to other beings, even if they're small or big." The two then continued to look after the bugs in the room, which I'm sure all that took part enjoyed.

Meanwhile Mondo was stroking a dog, near to Ryoma, who was petting a cat. The two didn't say much at first, until Ryoma spoke up. "They look comfortable, have you got experience with dogs or something?" There was a silence between the two, before Mondo closed his eyes and began to talk.

"You could say that, I guess. Had a dog once. His name was Chuck, small white Maltese. Loved my baby boy more than any-f***ing-thing in the world." The Gang Leader was quiet, contrasting his usual shouting or even his normal volume, which Ryoma picked up on.

The Tennis Pro was also quick to pick up on another thing that Mondo did. Calmly, yet sympathetically, he spoke up. "Noticed the use of past tense. I'm sorry for your loss. No one should have to lose a loved one." This caused Mondo to start crying a bit, although he did try to hide it.

He turned away from everyone else and looked at a wall but still was listening. "T-Thanks. You seem to know a thing or two about cats. Have you ever owned a cat?" Now it was Ryoma's turn to go down a trip of memory lane, as he went quiet, just like Mondo did.

Then he took a deep breath. "Yeah, owned a cat once. Had to give them away though, for obvious reasons. That was a long time ago, bet you anything that they don't remember me anymore."

Mondo surprisingly gave a quick response. "I think you're underestimating how much animals care. I bet your cat still misses you." Ryoma, although it was unknown to the eye, was deeply touched by this.

"Heh, it wouldn't be the most unbelievable thing to happen in my life." The small convict was almost chuckling at his words.

However, while those two were peacefully talking, Himiko and Gundham, without the Divas, were not so peacefully talking. "So then, mistress of magic, what brings you to my domain?!" Gundham was borderline shouting, which wasn't pleasant for any of the other students, although the people who were already going to the club where used to it.

"Nyeh, I just wanted to ask about my magic doves and my familiar. I not sure if they're happy being with me or if they'd be better of not pursing magic. I could use telepathy, but I'm all out of MP..." Himiko did look incredibly saddened, something which Gundham managed to pick up on.

He went down to her level. "Well then, I feel I can not overlook such a major issue. Do you have your familiar and doves with you?" Himiko nodded, then rushed outside and brought in 2 separate cages, and when she placed them down near Gundham, he opened it up. The animals rushed out and Gundham felt their bodies and started to play with them until he turned to the Ultimate Magician. "These animals definitely want exercise more than anything else. They look like they've been stuck in their cages for a long time, or at least in long bursts." This wasn't the thing the young mage wanted to hear, which was obvious to anyone around her. "Despite that though, you must clearly have some mastery of the dark arts, as these animals are still very happy." The scarf wearing man then gave a hearty laugh at the small hat wearing girl.

Himiko still looked down, and her voice was somehow even lower. "No, you're just saying that to spare my feelings. I can tell when they're not happy."

"Listen, a mage should be very good at deception, and you are a master mage. This means that you should know whenever a fellow master of the dark arts is lying, and right now, I can safely say I am not lying to you!" This caused Himiko to be a little happier. "However, if they want more exercise, how about letting me see them for about an hour every day?" Himiko thought about it for a couple of seconds, before nodding her head in agreement. "Very well, I shall come to you early every morning, FUHAHA!" Then Himiko looked scared at that idea.

"N-Nyeh, is there any possible way to do it slightly later?" Gundham laughed at Himiko's worries for a while, which caused the Magician to react unfavorably, but she eventually accepted his offer.

After a while, Peko was sitting at a table, looking nervous, which was unusual to those who had met the girl. Chihiro noticed this and went to sit with her. "Hey, are you OK?" The woman looked over to see the small student just sitting next to her.

She took her time to start explaining, which Chihiro didn't have any issues with, since he also struggled to get his insecurities out. "I... still don't think that animals like me." She was sitting with the Dark Divas of Destruction, who were just peacefully existing, eating some seeds to pass the time.

Chihiro began to feed an orange and white one, called San-D, a seed and it began to eat it at high speed. "Why wouldn't they like you?" Chihiro was smiling throughout the entire conversation.

Peko looked absolutely shocked at the programmer's innocent question. "Because I am too intimidating, and they don't want to come near me. I mean, no small creature would want to come close to someone like me." Peko was very distressed about this, even though she didn't look like she was.

Chihiro simply placed the bag of seeds in the Swordswoman’s hand, before he began to talk once again. "If they really were scared of you, they wouldn't be so close to you, right? Sometimes animals just need a reason to approach people, and you have to want them to come to you." Peko had a small but shaky nod before getting out a seed, which Cham-P, the biggest hamster slowly went up and began to nibble on the seed. "Besides, animals can grow attached to anyone. I mean Celeste has a cat, and she's super scary. Don't tell her I said that though." Peko surprisingly gave a small smile to this; however, she was mainly concerned with the animals she was petting, with great intensity I might add, which Chihiro didn't mind.

Chihiro was then altered to some footsteps and turned towards that direction. As it turned out, Himiko was there. "Hey Chihiro. Do you mind helping me out with the tiger cage? I took the dove ones out by myself, but I need a hand." He was definitely shocked by the mage's requests.

It took him a minute to respond, as a small blush was beginning to form, but he shook it off as soon as he realized it was happening. "O-Of course! I'd be glad to help you Himiko!" The two small students then picked up the cage and moved it to the best of their abilities. "H-Hey, did you find what you were looking for Himiko?" Both of them were struggling, so it was difficult for them to make eye contact.

Himiko was having a much harder time than Chihiro, and her big hat wasn't helping much. "N-Nyeh, yeah." Her face was full of sweat and was red, although it is possible that the cage isn't the only reason as to why.

Chihiro then managed to put on a huge smile on his face. "That's great to hear Himiko, I'm so glad I was able to help you out. Sorry I'm not good at lifting things though..."

"Eh, I've seen worse. Besides, you're reliable." She didn't emote much, but Chihiro appreciated the compliment. The two got back to the stage room, where Himiko had pretty much taken for herself, since it was easier for everyone involved. Then they placed it down. "Nyeh, I think I can get Tenko to move it while I'm in punishment." Chihiro had a look of worry on his face. "Nyeh, I know you helped them out, it's OK, we were gonna get caught anyway. Kaede got Kyoko so we pretty much lost." Chihiro was able to calm down after this and began to pet Himiko's familiar.

"I hope that your punishment isn't as bad as I've heard." Chihiro looked saddened when he was reminded of the punishment Monokuma had issued out but decided to change the topic. "Your familiar seems happy, guess going to the club was a smart idea. Thanks for coming with me by the way." Her familiar looked comfortable with Chihiro, and Himiko formed what seemed to be a smile on her face.

"Eh, don't worry about it, I was planning to go anyway." The two then just hung out for a while until it was nighttime.

Then Chihiro went to the gym/workout room and met up with Mondo once again. "Hey Mondo! Thanks for coming again!" The Gang Leader looked pretty happy to see Chihiro once again.

"Same to you dude! Hey before we start training, I've got to ask, this club is only once a week, right?" Mondo asked as politely as he could, which was surprisingly very polite.

"Yeah... Gundham simply needs time to take care of the animals privately and time to have his own life, if I could I would take the club up on other days, but I don't have the time." Chihiro became a little saddened while he spoke which Mondo realized.

"D-Don't worry about its man. Just wanted to know, anyway let's start training, same goal as last night!" Chihiro got excited as the two began to train into the night.