Chapter Text
He hated being 'normal.'
Hajime Hinata hated feeling like he merely blended in with the rest of the world. That no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't make a difference in it, dead or alive. That feeling of insignificance twisted his guts, jealousy and longing would burn through him, and daily reminders of where he belonged on the social ladder always infuriated him. He only wants to be an Ultimate, just like them; that was all he has ever wanted. To stand proudly with his own talent, to walk past the gates and into the school of his dreams.
And that school was Hope's Peak Academy.
It was an institution he had admired all of his life. An academy meant to nurture the talents of those who excelled in fields where no one could rival them. If you graduated from Hope's Peak, you were guaranteed success for the rest of your life. Everyone would acknowledge you as one of the best in the world. And that was Hajime's goal, to graduate as one of the best and use his own talent to give hope to those who needed it.
But as of now, he's stuck in the Reserve Course.
This building... This damn building...
It had been announced at the end of the previous year. Hope's Peak would actually accept the 'talentless' on school grounds. Only... they would be kept in a new building, away from the Ultimates. There, students would be granted a more 'advanced' education than in a normal high school. And in return, students would have to pay expensive fees to remain on campus.
They're exploiting them, and they aren't even subtle about it.
Hajime knew this. The damn school was just using their famous name to lure students for money, only providing a somewhat harder education in return. There were no additional benefits. But even then, students still paid just to have Hope's Peak in their name, expecting it to carry them for the rest of their lives.
Hajime hated this. He didn't want to attend the Reserve Course, but it had been his best chance to get even close to the school he admired so much.
He didn't know what the plan was when he chose to attend. Maybe he was hoping for something lucky to happen? That somehow, someway, he'd end up getting into the Main Course? He worked harder than everyone else, getting the best and most consistent grades in his class, but even then, he knew the academy didn't care about that. All it came down to was if you had a talent or not, and he didn't have one.
But as of recently, he had the chance to.
The Izuru Kamikura Project... Hajime didn't know why he was chosen for such an important program, but it was his only hope of getting what he had always wanted. He'd be able to become much more than himself, to finally have a talent and stand among those he had admired for so long.
Nevertheless, something clearly felt wrong.
The explanations from the Steering Committee about the project had been vague. Hajime was only told that he'd 'receive' talent and would then be able to attend Hope's Peak. He thought that he'd understand more by reading the documents he'd have to sign, but it just gave him more questions than answers.
It was obvious that they were doing it again. These four men who ran the academy were just exploiting him and his desire for talent. They might even already know that he can't afford another semester of the Reserve Course, so it was as if they were forcing him into a corner.
So Hajime had doubts, not immediately accepting their proposal to turn him into 'everyone's hope.' Luckily, he had time to think about the matter rather than be forced to accept it on the spot. It turned out that preparations for the project were still being made and wouldn't be ready for a while. So he didn't have to make an official decision... for now.
He had until the end of the semester, which was also the end of the current school year.
And so, this is the dilemma that constantly plagues his mind. On the one hand, this project is his only shot at getting into Hope's Peak, but on the other, there's something clearly fishy about it.
He had spoken about the project to another who knew of it, Kazuo Tengan, the former headmaster of Hope's Peak. But he didn't like the older man's answer.
" Do not fear normalcy. "
These words rubbed Hajime the wrong way.
That sickly sweet smile from Kazuo had been included with his words, and Hajime had felt... attacked.
Kazuo did say he opposed the project, but... It seemed like he really didn't want him to accept his role in it.
Did he not want a 'normal' person like him to become talented? Was he still trying to segregate the talented from the norm?
Was he just being biased towards normal people, just like everyone else?
It angered Hajime, and a part of him wanted to accept the project out of mere spite. Was there anyone who'd stop being a complete asshole to him just because he hoped to be as amazing as those above? Was there someone who wouldn't judge him just for being an untalented person who wished to be more?
"Hinata-kun?"
Oh, right.
Hajime blinked several times as he realized that he had been deeply reminiscing.
He remembered where he was. The beautiful fountain, the paver cement path, the surrounding trees... He was back in the spot he usually went to after classes, the small area between the Reserve and Main Course buildings. It was where he always went to think or relax, as it was the quietest area to be, seeing as neither side of the campus would bother to visit the other. The warmth of the slowly descending sun radiated against his skin and filled the area in a warm, orange hue, reminding him why this place helped to calm his thoughts.
And as for the one who had called his name...
"Ah, sorry, Nanami. I got kinda lost in my thoughts."
Hajime looked up from the bench at Chiaki Nanami, the Ultimate Gamer. Her short, pale, mauve hair and blossom pink eyes really didn't go well with the brown uniform the Main Course had to wear. But at least she was allowed to wear the white Galaga clip; it was a nice personal touch.
The girl was standing in front of Hajime with her usually neutral expression, having just arrived moments ago, but also tilting her head in curiosity at what Hajime said.
"What were you thinking about?"
Hajime awkwardly smiled.
"Just... school things."
The girl didn't pry and simply sat beside the boy on the bench, holding her usual handheld console in her hands and zoning out as she played.
Chiaki was... what Hajime would call an oddball.
When he first met her, she had literally walked into him with her head down until she finished the level she was playing. And he swore that he didn't hear her breath until she had finished.
That really should've been their only interaction. The most the two had even spoken at that event was when Hajime mentioned that he had played Gala Omega. Chiaki had gotten surprisingly excited about that and had asked him to play together sometime.
But he really didn't expect to ever talk to her again, especially when her teacher, Chisa Yukizome, came and told her about the Reserve Course. It seemed that the new first years in the Main Course really didn't know too much about the Reserve Course. But now that Chiaki learned that he was just some talentless student, she probably never wanted to see him again...
And yet, here they are now, with Hajime taking out his own handheld console from his school bag and playing side-by-side with her.
He really didn't know what Chiaki was thinking. She, an Ultimate at Hope's Peak, waited by the Reserve Course gates after class to meet him, a Reserve Course student she didn't even know, and all just so that they could go to an arcade together.
From there, she received his number and occasionally sought him out so the two could keep playing together. A week had passed since their first encounter, and Hajime still didn't understand why Chiaki was spending time with a Reserve Course student like him. Didn't she have other friends to hang out with? Any of the other Ultimates?
Or... did she not? That would explain why she'd be with him of all people... She just doesn't have anyone better to be with. She probably saw him as someone easy to take time from. Someone that's... simple to interact with because of his lack of talent. Hajime remembered all he's heard from the Steering Committee and other adults, their implications that Reserve Course students were only here to support the Ultimates. Hajime assumed that they had only meant it money-wise, but it seemed to go for this manner as well. He was just here to keep her entertained since there wasn't anyone else available.
He stopped his fingers' movement on his handheld console, resulting in his character dying on the pixilated screen. He didn't even care, simply staring down at it with a disheartened stare.
"Hey, Nanami...?"
"Yeah?" She answered, starting another match by herself without even looking at him.
"Don't you... have other friends?"
There was no change of emotion from the focused girl, whose finger's rapidly pressed buttons as she answered.
"I didn't when coming to Hope's Peak, but now I'm friends with my whole class... maybe. We've been getting along recently thanks to playing games together. They all seem to like me... I think."
Hajime glanced at the girl with his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. So she wasn't alone? She has an entire class of fellow Ultimates that she calls her friends, and yet here she was here with him? What... What was she after?
He glanced back down and stared at the Game Over on his screen, doubting the girl's words.
"Then... shouldn't you spend your time with them? Beating me all the time must be getting pretty boring..."
He heard the victory theme from Chiaki's console, and her button tapping stopped.
"Hinata-kun..."
He could hear a surprising bit of annoyance from the Ultimate, prompting him to turn his head to her and be surprised to see the gamer angrily pouting at him.
Rather than intimidating, it just looked adorable.
"Remember what I told you?" She asked in an expecting matter.
"E-Eh?" Hajime stuttered, caught off guard by the sheer power of this puffy face.
Chiaki's focus returned to her game, her expression returning to its neutral state.
"Games are fun as long as you're playing with someone else. I do have fun playing with you, Hinata-kun. And it's not like I don't spend time with my classmates. So it's fine that I play with you like this... Maybe."
Hajime didn't seem convinced. "But... I-"
"And it's not like I easily beat you."
Hajime blinked several times. "What?"
"You learn pretty quick whenever we play a game, and I know I can't really go easy on you." Chiaki spoke softly.
She had already finished another level, to which she turned to Hajime with a warm, soothing smile that shined brighter than the sun's rays.
"Give yourself more confidence."
"O-Oh..." Hajime stared at her, feeling his cheeks warm a few degrees.
"Do you have fun playing with me, Hajime?" She then asked him.
The normal boy thought about it for a moment, then nodded with a serious look.
"I... do. I really do. More than I thought I would, to be honest... I thought losing so many times would only make me feel frustrated, and while it still does, it also motivates me to get better. So that I could at least give you a run for your money." He finished with his own smile.
"Then there's no problem. If we both have fun together, then it's all that matters." Chiaki stated, her smile growing a centimeter wider.
Despite saying this, Hajime's eyes were still filled with doubt.
"Yeah..."
Chiaki then turned back to her screen, rapidly pressing buttons once again. "Let's keep going. I think you'll like this next level."
Hajime glanced down at his own screen and revived himself back in the game, his smile becoming more forced the longer they played.
Having fun together is all that matters? Sure, it may seem like that now, but... what about when they graduate? Hell, he couldn't even afford another semester at Hope's Peak. He'd have to leave, and then she'd just... forget about him. It'd be exactly the same as when he had transferred high schools to come here. When all of his 'friends' suddenly... cut him off from their lives.
Chiaki really was a weird one. He hardly knew anything about her since the two only played games together, but it actually seemed like she didn't care that he was from the Reserve Course.
But only she didn't care.
If anyone else saw them interacting, of course they'd want him to stay away from her. The world differentiated its population through two kinds of people; those with talent and those without it.
Of course, it seems to be a common idea that these groups should be separated in Hope's Peak. The gifted shouldn't waste their time with the untalented, and the latter should know their place below the Ultimates as stepping stones. This reminder came every day for people like Hajime, who was in the majority of untalented. And that was all he would ever be. Even if Chiaki saw him as a friend, sooner or later, they'd go their separate ways, whether it was the higher-ups wanting him to stop 'bothering' an Ultimate or him being forced to leave the school since he wouldn't be able to afford the next semester.
But... If he chose to go through with the project, then that wouldn't be a problem...
Right?
~{Reserve Course Building: Next Day}~
"I don't know why I've been put with trash like you, but... Well, nice to meet you."
That was a hell of an introduction.
The new transfer student had a proud and sweet smile on her face, one that didn't match the condescending words that had come right out of her mouth. Natsumi Kuzuryu... why did her last name sound familiar? Well, whatever it was, Hajime already had a bad feeling about her.
Her blonde hair, olive eyes, and permanent blush marks on her cheeks made her look rather approachable, even pretty cute. But then she just had to speak with such a foul mouth, ruining her chances of making any friends.
Normally, Hajime would feel bad for someone alone, but if that person chose to be alone by antagonizing everyone, then there wasn't much to feel bad about. It was just what Natsumi wanted, apparently.
So Hajime knew that as long as he stayed quiet and didn't pay attention away to her, then he'd be fine, even if his seat was right next to hers. At first, it seemed to work throughout the class, as he either just stared out the window or occasionally glimpsed at the lessons he already understood.
But at lunch...
"Hey!"
He took a bite of his bread, not thinking too much of the voice sent in his direction as he stared deeply at the Main Course building in his view.
"You with the sharp ahoge!"
He blinked several times and snapped out of his trance, swallowing the bread he was eating.
His hair didn't look that sharp, did it?
He put that thought on hold as his eyes went to the new student, Natsumi, who was sitting on her desk and staring right at him.
"Me?"
Natsumi rolled her eyes. "You see anyone else with an antenna on their head?"
Hajime couldn't help but frown. What did she want from him?
Natsumi crossed her legs with a smug grin, being sure not to let her skirt shift up too much.
"You've been staring out at the Main Course Building all day without even saying a word. I doubt you've got any friends."
Hajime gave her a deadpanned look as if asking, 'are you serious?'
"You're one to talk. after that introduction, good luck even getting anyone to talk to you..." He remarked.
Natsumi huffed and crossed her arms. "But I meant what I said! The guys here are all trash!"
Hajime just kept his unamused stare. "Am I a part of the group?"
Natsumi shrugged. "Probably. But at least you don't seem like you're content with just being stuck here. The rest of these guys are just happy staying here as nobodies. It's pathetic. It's not where I, the Super High School Level Little Sister, should be!"
Now Hajime was lost. "Um... what?"
Natsumi seemed happy to explain. "The Kuzuryu Gang. I'm sure you've heard of us. The Yakuza clan with over thirty thousand members?"
Hajime's eyes dilated in realization at the familiar name. Now the danger he had felt earlier made sense.
"You're-?"
"Yup!" Natsumi didn't even bother to let him finish. "They're my folks, and my big brother is gonna be the next heir!"
"Big brother?" Hajime blinked. She must be really fond of him if she actually addresses him like that.
"So with a talented big brother as the Super High School-Level Gangster, that makes me the Super High School-Level Little Sister!" Natsumi finished proudly.
"Super... high school level...? Little sister?"
Hajime just sweatdropped.
"First of all, wasn't the 'Super High School Level' title discarded a while ago? It was quite the mouthful..."
"Hey, I think they sound great! And the Super High School-Level Little Sister has a nice ring to it!" Natsumi beamed.
"Right... About that, I don't think the Ultimate 'Little Sister' is a thing... Nor would Hope's Peak even have something like that."
Natsumi frowned, almost seeming insulted. "Oh yeah? And what makes you say that?"
He laid out the facts. "Well, even if it was a thing, it's obvious that you weren't scouted, were you? Otherwise, I don't think you'd be in the Reserve Course with us in the first place."
"That doesn't mean I don't have any talent!" Natsumi abruptly snapped at him, "I'll do whatever it takes to get into the Main Course. I'm going to get in there!"
She then diverted her head away with a frown.
"I have to..."
Hajime could see the desperation in her eyes.
"She really wants to get in like me..." He thought in sympathy, relating to how she felt about getting in.
Now that he thought about it... she's like him, in a way. They're both attending the Reserve Course, hoping to move into the Main Course at some point. But Natsumi apparently thought herself to be above everyone here and believed that she deserved a spot in the Main Course by default.
As for Hajime, he at least accepted that he didn't have a talent, but that didn't mean he would give up. Either he'd prove that he could be in the Main Course with his own abilities, or he'd find a different opportunity to get in.
Which he did. Even if he wasn't sure about accepting it...
But why did Natsumi want to get into the Main Course that bad? Is it just to be with the older brother? Or is it for her own reasons?
Before he could ask, she turned to him with a menacing grin on her face, making him feel uneasy.
"I'm sure it'd be simple to get in if someone 'dropped out' so I could take their place. Like maybe a damn red-headed goody-two-shoes with freckles..."
That was... oddly specific.
Hajime could tell that Natsumi was joking by how she blatantly admitted such a thought with a chuckle, but that didn't mean it wasn't unnerving what she had implied. Even she had to know that threatening, bullying, or especially killing a Main Course student wouldn't get her a spot into Hope's Peak.
He opened his mouth to ask about the redhead she mentioned, but-
*SLAM!*
Hajime jumped a bit in his seat, then glanced upward at the girl who had suddenly slammed her hand on his desk. Violet eyes, dark green wavy hair, and the usual Reserve Course uniform for females. Hajime remembered her name being Sato, having heard it a few times when her friend from the Main Course usually came to get her during lunch.
Wait a minute, that friend of hers was also a red-headed freckled girl. Could she be the one Natsumi mentioned?
He put that thought on hold and focused on the girl angrily glaring at the blonde.
"Natsumi!" Sato snapped. "You better not be planning anything!" By the look she was giving the yakuza member, they were anything but friends.
"Well, well, if it isn't Sato? Long time no see." Natsumi mocked, not intimidated in the least. "Didn't Mahiru ever tell you it ain't nice to eavesdrop?"
Sato scowled. "Just answer me! You're not plotting something weird again, are you!?"
"Oh? 'Something weird?' Whatever could you mean?" Natsumi taunted with a smug tone.
Sato grit her teeth in irritation.
"That's not good..." Hajime thought.
"So you two know each other?" He cut in as if believing that it'd calm them down.
Natsumi chuckled, "Not really. At my last school, we were just in the same photography club."
"Photography club? Guess it was a hobby." Hajime thought, not really picturing a yakuza member going around taking photos.
Sato glared like she was trying to burn a hole through Natsumi's skull.
"Don't you even think about doing anything to Mahiru! If you do, you won't get away with it!"
Natsumi's smugness turned into visible irritation.
Hajime realized that she had just been taunting and joking with Sato to rile her up, apparently enjoying seeing the green-haired girl angry. But now, judging by the change in her expression, she was getting annoyed that Sato kept pressing her on it.
"Who are you to waltz up to me and start accusing me of random bullshit!?!" She snapped, hopping off her desk.
"I'm telling you to stop your weird schemes!"
"Don't act like you're so familiar with me or what I'd do, bitch!" Natsumi hissed back.
"I know you enough to say that you can't do anything without hiding behind your parents!" Sato returned, hands balled into fists.
Okay, this was gonna get out of hand.
"Hey-!"
"Stop it!"
Another voice cut in before Hajime could raise his own. And in just one moment, everyone's attention diverted to a red-headed girl with freckles and the Main Course uniform running into the classroom.
"Mahiru..." Sato mumbled, calming down a little from seeing her friend.
Hajime remembered her as the one Sato usually went to lunch with. He had only really caught glimpses of her outside or by the classroom, but now he had a full view of her as she ran to Sato's side. And the moment Natsumi had seen her, her scowl got larger and even more hate-filled.
But this was before she had a mischievous thought, forming another conceited and evil grin.
"Oho? Long time no see, Koizumi. Now, what does a student from the Main Course need from here?"
Mahiru looked fearful and held Sato's arm as she faced Natsumi.
"I just-"
"Let me guess, you're here to mock all these talentless losers?" Natsumi smirked, purposely raising her voice for the class to hear.
That got several more heads to turn to them, maybe even some from outside the room. Looks of anger or confusion came as the muttering started, although it wasn't clear whether they were focused on Mahiru or Natsumi.
"No, that's wrong!" Hajime defended. "She comes to each lunch with Sato! Everyone sees her come in from time to time!"
Sato spun to Hajime and looked at him as if he was some sort of rat. What, did she just assume that he stared at them like a creep all the time? It wasn't like their friendship was private, and anyone was bound to notice the daily pattern of an Ultimate coming to eat with a friend.
As for Mahiru, she glanced at Hajime in surprise that he had spoken up as if she had never expected him to do so. Her perplexed eyes essentially told him that she wasn't sure what to make of him.
Natsumi gained everyone's again by letting out a mocking laugh.
"Relax, I was just messing with ya!"
No, that time, she purposely tried to antagonize Mahiru.
Sato knew this, too, her hands balling into fists once again.
"You know that your brother is in Mahiru's class!" She pointed out.
Natsumi's face suddenly shifted into a dangerous glare, with parts of her face shadowing threateningly.
"Oh? And so what? You're gonna try and tattle on me?"
Her eyes narrowed in deadly hostility.
"I dare you to try it. I'll kill you."
"Saying stuff like that is what keeps making Sato think you're gonna do something bad..." Hajime thought in a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.
But the threat from the Yakuza was enough to have both Sato and Mahiru back up in fear.
"You haven't changed at all..." Despite being clearly uneasy, Marihu had a rather solemn face.
"And you haven't changed from being the bitchy goody-two-shoes who looks down at everyone!" Natsumi shouted back, earning a flinch from the girl.
Hearing her insult her best friend, Sato's glare returned. "Are you so desperate to get into the Main Course that you'd pull Mahiru down to do it!? You're the worst! If the Main Course didn't scout you, then it means you don't have talent! Yet you still don't get that!"
Hajime's eye twitched.
Here it is again... You don't have any talent. You can't get into the Main Course, simple. And this girl was one of the hundreds within the school that just accepted that, giving up on becoming more than they could be.
"You need to learn your place!"
Her place? Wasn't she calling it his place as well then? So what, Sato just expected them to accept that they'll always be stuck here, no matter what? He already has an opportunity to get into the Main Course, so why is it far-fetched to say Natsumi could get one as well? There's always a chance that a person has a talent they don't even know about!
But Sato's last words seemed to finally trigger the already pissed-off yakuza girl. Her pupils shrunk, and her teeth tightly pressed together as she cocked a fist back.
"WHY YOU-!"
Mahiru got in front of Sato and raised an arm to shield them, "No-!"
Whether it was to stop Natsumi or his own anger getting the best of him, he shot up from his seat with his fist slamming onto his desk.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!"
Hajime's volume stopped every single sort of movement in the classroom, even reaching just outside to those walking by, everyone just staring in stunned silence. Even Natsumi's anger seemed to snuff out.
But all their stares didn't faze Hajime at all. His glare remained firm as it directed itself right at Sato.
"Just because you accept that you're gonna be stuck here doesn't mean that we do!" Hajime moved his now-red hand and pointed his thumb at himself. "We came here for the chance to get into the Main Course and be something bigger! Not to pay just to have the school's name on our resumes! We're here to prove that we have what it takes to get where we want to be, with the best!"
Mahiru stared at Hajime in astonishment, not expecting him to speak out like that. Not to mention his declaration both puzzled yet intrigued her.
Natsumi blinked a few times from her own surprise, but Sato just stared at him in a shocked expression of disbelief, but it only took another moment before her manic glare returned.
"What, and you think it's okay for her to drag down a talented Main Course student to get in!?! She's going to hurt Mahiru! Don't you see that!?!"
Hajime did understand Sato's concerns, as it wasn't like he knew Natsumi enough to say she wouldn't hurt anyone. But he knew that the girl's threats from before weren't genuine based on her tone. And if she was smart, then she'd know that harming or removing anyone wouldn't put her in the Main Course.
So he carried on with this belief, "Those are just your assumptions! Look, I know she's giving you threats, but have you realized that it's because you're openly antagonizing her like this!?"
"Sato!" Mahiru tried tugging her friend away, hoping to stop this. "Sato, please-!"
But Sato just seemed to be getting desperate, pulling her arm from Mahiru with her eyes becoming more crazed.
"How could you not see it!? Why are you defending her so much!? Why? Why!?! WHY!?!"
Hajime started feeling really uneasy. He really didn't like that spiraling look in Sato's eyes. She seemed so set on the idea that Natsumi would hurt Mahiru, and Natsumi wouldn't directly deny the claims just to keep Sato freaking out. Was she that petty?
It made him worry about just what would happen during the year. And believe it or not, he was more worried about what'd happen from Sato's side rather than Natsumi's.
He had to calm her down while reassuring her about the future. And only one thing came to mind to do so...
"How can you be so sure she won't do anything!? What the hell makes you think she wouldn't hurt Mahiru!?" Sato cried on, her hands twitching as if on the brink of strangling someone.
Hajime hardened his gaze with a hand over his chest as he declared;
"Because I'll make sure of it!"
Sato looked at him as if he had grown a second head.
"Wh-What?"
"You're scared that she'll try something, aren't you?" Hajime asked in all seriousness. "If that's the case, then I can watch her and make sure that nothing ever happens!"
"Hah!? When the fuck did you become my damn babysitter!?!" Reasonably, Natsumi looked outraged, red in both anger and embarrassment. Her hands tightened into fists, and she seemed on the verge of punching Hajime right there.
But Hajime didn't let that phase him. He just kept his eyes on Sato's and spoke calmly but still sternly.
"Just stop involving yourself with Natsumi. You're the one who approached her in the first place! As long as you stay away from her, then everything will be fine. I'll make sure of it."
Sato didn't look like she believed him one bit, one of her eyes twitching as she turned her head and sent a glare at Natsumi, who scowled in return.
But Mahiru used this moment of silence in this standoff to retreat, forcibly pulling Sato by the arm now.
"Let's go, please ." She pleaded, finally bringing some sort of calm to Sato as she pulled her towards the door, but not before stealing a thankful glance at Hajime.
She and Sato then left the room, prompting a breath of relief from Hajime as he hung his head and fell collapsed into his seat.
That... probably could've gone better.
God, and now that he was actually thinking back on his words, he really said some embarrassing stuff, didn't he? He just admitted that he'd get into the Main Course in front of the entire class, and no less in front of an Ultimate . And then he just had to keep talking. He'd watch Natsumi? He'd stop anything she plans? A girl who had the entirety of the Yakuza backing her up?
He had been doing well in blending in with the rest of his class. But after this? He'd either be known as the delusional loser who thought he'd get into the Main Course or the suicidal creep that'd try to watch a big-shot Yakuza girl.
*Smack!*
"Ow!" Hajime clutched the back of his head and glanced up to see Natsumi with her hand just having finished smacking him, a glare so intense on her face that he honestly thought that she was gonna tear his head off then and there.
But instead, she merely snarled at him. "That's for being a fucking dumbass and butting in."
Hajime just let out an uncaring sigh as he rubbed the spot she had smacked.
"Sorry... But you weren't doing anything to help calm things down. It was the only thing I could really say to give her at least some kind of relief."
"Tsk!" Natsumi turned her head away, choosing not to acknowledge what he said. "The next time you pull something like that again, I'll fucking kill you." She whispered threateningly.
Hajime merely sighed as he looked down. "Yeah, yeah..."
The whispers then started picking up, all of them about what just transpired, of course. And it didn't take long before Hajime had enough of the atmosphere, so he just picked up his bread and proceeded to leave the room.
He didn't notice Natsumi's gaze following him as he left.
The Yakuza girl had her own thoughts as she watched him leave the room.
He wasn't afraid of her, not like the pussys who'd nearly piss themselves just from hearing about her family. And the threat she gave didn't even make him flinch. It didn't seem like he even gave too much of a shit that she was a Yakuza. She didn't know how to feel about that.
But what had really stuck to her about him was...
'Just because you accept that you're gonna be stuck here doesn't mean that we do!'
'We came here for the chance to get into the Main Course and be something bigger!'
Natsumi looked down, narrowing her eyes.
He was a little better than these losers. And he actually understands how it feels like to want to be something more.
...
Wait, did she ever even get his name?
~{Hope's Peak Fountain: Afterschool- 3:21 PM}~
'If the Main Course didn't scout you, then it means you don't have talent! Yet you still don't get that!'
He hated it.
'You need to learn your place!'
Ever since hearing Sato spout that, Hajime couldn't get it off his mind for the rest of the day.
And with these new thoughts, old ones came flooding back to him.
'He has no talent.'
'It's pointless!'
'His parents are stupid too.'
'You can just pay your way in.'
'They want him to succeed that much?'
The same phrases, the same insults, all said by so many different people.
And these thoughts continued to plague him all the way to his afterschool meeting with Chiaki. The two were back by the fountain, playing together on their consoles. But his mind kept lingering back to the disheartening things he heard before moving to Hope's Peak. The things said by those he had considered 'friends' in his previous school.
None of them had supported him. None of them bothered to understand that he just had to come here.
None of them... were ever actually his friends, were they?
They all act buddy-buddy, you all laugh together, and you even let them copy your homework sometimes. They help you get through the years by stopping loneliness, they become the group you rely on, but the moment you choose a different path they don't like, they just... cut off all ties with you.
Hajime heard the sound of his pixilated character exploding and saw the words Player 1 Wins blinking on the screen, just another reminder that he was completely inferior compared to the talented gamer he was playing against.
He forced himself to smile as he leaned back in his seat, staring straight up at the sky.
"Heh, you got me again. I guess they don't call you the Ultimate Gamer for nothing..."
Chiaki just puffed her cheeks into a pout, feeling unsatisfied as she stared at her victory screen.
"It was just because you weren't focused..." She grumbled.
Hajime's smile faded, not even bothering to keep it up when it was obvious Chiaki noticed his mood.
"Did something happen?" The gamer asked, partially turning her head to him with a curious look.
"..."
Hajime kept silent. Would Chiaki even get it? Would she understand how he felt when Sato blatantly claimed that someone talentless would never get into the Main Course?
As he sorted through his thoughts, Chiaki started another round by herself, waiting for her friend to speak.
And after a few more seconds, Hajime gave her an answer in the form of a question.
"Hey, Chiaki... If you had no talent for video games... What do you think you would've done?"
Chiaki's eyes momentarily peeked at him before going back to her game.
"If I had no talent?"
Hajime's gaze was rather... emotionless, staring straight up into the sky without even blinking.
"Like no matter how hard you practiced, no matter how long you played, you always lost, no matter what? Would you still have fun playing them? Would you be... happy? Knowing that you won't ever be good at games?"
Chiaki was silent, thinking of a response while also focusing on playing.
"I think it'd be fun in its own way, so... I think I'd be happy."
"Even if there was someone with a talent for games that you would never beat? Even if people would never pay any attention to you for being talentless? Even... if you wanted to show people that you were important but never could?" Hajime immediately pressed on.
Again, another moment of silence from her.
Until...
"There's more to life than just talent."
"Huh?" Hajime blinked in surprise, turning his head to the girl.
Chiaki kept talking as she played.
"That was something Yukizome-Sensei told me... Your life won't be interesting just because you have talent. But instead, by getting involved with others and making memories, hope, which is more important than talent, is born."
Hajime looked down at his own screen, thinking about her words.
There's more to life than just talent?
Hope is more important?
...
...
What a load of bullshit.
In this world, hope is talent. Talent is what draws people to you, talent is what gives you influence over others, and talent is what lets you change the world.
Chiaki's optimistic answer honestly frustrated Hajime, but he couldn't blame her. From the short time he knew her, he could tell that she wasn't really the type to think deeply into serious things. Not to mention the girl seemed to be a bit of an airhead.
She just didn't get it.
Even if talent wasn't 'all' that life was about, it was important for a person to get what they wanted in the world. And talent was what Hajime needed for what he wished to do; to become something more than himself. He wanted to be an icon, just like the talented of Hope's Peak. He wanted his own talent to spread hope to the world, inspiring others and making the world a better place. But no matter what difference he'd try to make or how iconic he'd try to be, it wouldn't mean anything if he didn't have any talent in the first place. His abilities would always either be compared to an Ultimate, or he'd merely be stuck in their shadows, forgotten entirely.
It was like comparing a superhero to a cop. Their power difference and flashiness would always distinguish the two. The heroes will always be the icon the world looks up to, while the cop is forgotten altogether, as they are merely one among too many, with achievements barely comparable to what heroes can do on their own.
Chiaki wouldn't understand; she hasn't been in his shoes. To feel insignificant, to desperately want something to make yourself greater while dealing with everyone looking down on you for it. Because the one thing you lack locks you into a social standing that you can't change.
Despite the angering thoughts that went through his mind, Hajime couldn't help but form a relieved smile. Chiaki's answer wasn't what he had wanted to hear, but it did reassure him in one way. The Ultimate really didn't care whether or not he had a talent, so... he actually had someone he could call a friend.
At least... until they split paths, just like his previous ones...
*Click!*
The shutter of a camera snapped Hajime out of his thoughts. He and Chiaki looked up from their seats to see someone holding the device in front of her face, the lens clearly aimed at them.
And when she lowered the said camera, Hajime paled.
"Shit."
It was the girl who had indirectly started Sato and Natsumi's fight, the red-headed, freckled Ultimate who always comes by for Sato during lunch.
Mahiru Koizumi.
He hid his growing distress. What was she doing here? Was this about earlier? Fuck, a part of him had wondered if the girl would've ended up confronting him at some point, but he didn't think it'd happen, and especially not so soon.
"Koizumi-san?" Chiaki tilted her head.
"Huh?" Hajime turned to her.
"She knows her?"
Mahiru smiled at her friend.
"Sorry, you guys had such nice expressions, and before I knew it, I was already aiming." She giggled.
Hajime honestly doubted he had a nice expression with his mood before.
"Did I bother you guys?" Mahiru asked, approaching the two of them.
"No, not at all." Chiaki shook her head, then turned right to her gaming buddy. "Right, Hinata-kun?"
Mahiru stopped in front of the two and looked at him. And this was when her smile transformed into a look of surprise.
"Ah."
Hajime could only stare back in uncomfortable silence.
...
Well... this is awkward.
Did she not recognize him at first glance when she took that photo? Well, he did kinda have his head down and looked pretty generic. Or did she not even bother paying attention to him at first since an Ultimate was next to him?
Chiaki noticed the stares the two had, curiously tilting her head.
"Do... you two know each other?"
"Er, not exactly." Hajime answered, turning to her and awkwardly scratching his chin. "I know her name and that she comes into the Reserve Course at lunch to eat with a friend, but that's basically it..."
Chiaki formed another smile. "Well, now you two can get to know each other. Koizumi-san is one of my classmates. She's a photographer."
"So... she's the Ultimate Photographer?" Hajime speculated.
Chiaki nodded. "Yeah. She likes taking pictures of people."
"I see..." Hajime mumbled, looking down. He probably should've figured that out much earlier from the camera hanging from the girl.
"Hey!"
Hajime flinched and circled back to see a rather stern appearance on the freckled Ultimate, her hands on her hips as she leaned forward at him.
"Shouldn't you be introducing yourself?" She asked rather expectingly.
"R-Right!" Hajime instinctively straightened his posture on his seat. "I-I'm Hajime Hinata of... the Reserve Course." His voice trailed off at those last words, the reminder of his position once again sprouting some self-loathing.
Mahiru narrowed her eyes at him, clearly not impressed by that greeting.
Hajime didn't know this, but she had actually already known his name, having asked it from Sato after the two had left the classroom earlier that day. But introductions were a good way to figure out a person, as you could pay attention to their speech or actions to get a good idea about them.
So if she were to judge Hajime from just this greeting, she'd normally have called him a wimpy and unreliable boy that she wouldn't trust.
But.. that'd only be if she didn't include their interaction at lunch earlier.
"Did something happen, Koizumi-san? You usually go back to the dorms after class." Chiaki asked her friend with a curious gaze.
That was when a look of realization formed on Mahiru's face.
"Oh, right! Sensei is looking for you!"
"She is?" Chiaki asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah, the Class Representatives are needed for a meeting, so-"
"Nanami-saaaaaaaaan!!"
"Eh?" Hajime heard the familiar over-eccentric voice of a teacher, glancing down the path to see a woman wearing a housekeeping apron over her suit cheerfully running towards them with a wave.
Chisa Yukizome... this would be the third time Hajime would encounter the teacher. He had first met her in addition to meeting Chiaki, where the teacher had actually carried the girl over her shoulder to take her to class. And the second time they interacted, Chisa had actually sought him out to ask him about the Reserve Course.
And here she was yet again, stopping right beside Chiaki with her usual smile brimming with positivity.
"There you are! We need you so we can start the meetings for the class reps! You have things to plan for the rest of this year!"
Chiaki seemed somewhat surprised. "Really? I thought it wouldn't matter if I was there."
"Now now, of course it matters!" Chisa then realized that there were two others with her. "Hm? Oh, Koizumi-san! You found her first? Thank you!"
"I wasn't actually needed, though..." Mahiru answered, almost sounding... disappointed?
The teacher then glanced down at the seated Hajime, her smile growing bigger to see him. "Oh, Hinata-kun! Good to see you again! Did you become friends with Koizumi-san too?"
"W-Well..." Hajime didn't know how to answer that, especially with the narrowed eyes Mahiru was giving him.
"Oh! I guess I'm interrupting your playtime with Nanami-san, right? Sorry, but I need her!" Chisa apologetically bowed.
"No, it's alright." Hajime reassured with a wave of his hand.
"We can just meet up again tomorrow." Chiaki reassured with a soft smile at Hajime, one that Mahiru picked up on.
"Well then, let's not keep them waiting, Nanami-san!" As Chisa said this, she crouched a little toward the girl, who raised her arms up while playing her game.
"And up you go!" The teacher sang, flinging the Ultimate Gamer over her shoulder.
"Does she just do that all the time?" Hajime sweatdropped, remembering the teacher doing the same thing on the first day he met the two of them.
Chisa glanced from Hajime to Mahiru, "You two spend some nice time together, okay? I'm sure you'll get along just fine!"
"Eh?" At this point, Hajime's eyes widened in dread, realizing that he was actually going to be alone with the Ultimate.
"See you tomorrow Hinata-kun, Koizumi-san." Chiaki muttered, continuing to play on her console as Chisa started moving.
"See you tomorrow, Koizumi-san! Take good care of her, Hinata-kun!" Chisa waved, running off into the distance as Mahiru awkwardly waved back.
And so, Hajime was left alone with the Ultimate Photographer.
He could already feel his anxiety creeping up on him, especially when Mahiru gave him a look that he could compare to someone trying to study for a hard test. Just an intense stare, like she was trying to get a read on him.
Hajime didn't know how to interact with her. What should he say to her? Should he even say anything?
There was no doubt Mahiru remembered him from earlier, and that had him feeling nervous, embarrassed, and even pretty stupid. He had declared that he would make it into the Main Course in front of her. Was she gonna tell him how crazy he was? How he should just give up on his dream and just accept that he'll never get in? Or maybe she didn't even want to talk to him?
Whatever it was gonna be, he didn't wanna hear it.
He put his console into his bag and stood up, keeping his head down to avoid looking at her.
"I, um... I guess I should be heading back." He muttered, giving her a polite bow. "Goodbye."
He then turned around with the intent of walking back to his dorms. But he hadn't even managed to take one step before-
"Hey!"
Hajime let out a cry and nearly tripped by how suddenly he tried to stop himself, to which he then turned back to see Mahiru frowning at him, hands on her hips once more.
"You're not really just gonna leave a girl all alone, are you!? And right after Nanami-chan and Yukizome-Sensei expected us to talk to each other!"
Oh great, she's mad. That was the last thing he had wanted from her.
Hajime looked down and scratched the back of his head, unsure of what to say. "Um... Sorry?"
"Really? That's all you gotta say?" Mahiru sighed with a hand on her head from disappointment. "Jeez! You can at least look at a person when you're talking to them, you know?"
Yeah, she has a point. He was being somewhat rude here.
So Hajime looked forward to Mahiru's eyes, still feeling awkward about even interacting with the girl.
"My bad. I'm not really used to talking to people."
Well, not used to talking to Ultimates, but he wasn't gonna say that right in front of her.
Mahiru let out a small 'hmph,' and crossed her arms.
"Oh really? You seemed just fine speaking up earlier in your classroom."
Even though he knew this was gonna come up, Hajime instinctively tensed.
But rather than Mahiru continuing on the subject, the photographer sat down at the bench he had just been seated, patting the spot next to her while sternly staring expectantly at him.
"Sit down."
Her authoritative voice was unsettling and kinda reminded him of a mom, but Hajime listened and took a seat beside her, trying to keep his gaze on her so she wouldn't snap at him again.
Mahiru squinted her eyes suspiciously at him, "Are you friends with the Class Rep?"
"Eh?" Hajime blinked in confusion, recalling Chisa mentioning something like that. "Do you mean Nanami?"
Mahiru rolled her eyes. "Obviously. Who else would I be talking about?"
She... really didn't like him, did she? Was it because he was a Reserve Course student? But that doesn't make sense, seeing as Mahiru was close friends with one. Or was this just because of earlier? He didn't like to think he did anything that had genuinely offended her, but you never know...
Either way, he decided to bear with it for Chiaki.
"Yeah, we're friends. We tend to come here and play video games together. She's... pretty nice." He answered truthfully.
Mahiru seemed satisfied by that answer but still kept a firm gaze on him.
"Make sure you take good care of her, alright?"
"Yeah." Hajime nodded.
"What kind of answer is that!? How can I trust you with her when you don't act like mean it!?" Mahiru scolded.
God, was this a personal attack or something?
"I'll take care of her, I will! I'll make sure nothing bad ever happens to her!" He frantically declared louder and more serious, hoping that would finally satisfy her.
"Good! Make sure you do! My class is really fond of her, so if anything happens to her, you'll be hearing from them!" With that, Mahiru looked away from him and down at her camera, checking her gallery.
Hajime leaned back on the bench and had to keep in a sigh of relief. He really didn't want to be annoyed with the girl, but he was already feeling exhausted by all her nagging. Chiaki really expected him to get along with her?
He stared forward at the trees while trying to figure out just how to stay on the girl's good side.
And he was so focused that he didn't notice Mahiru's face reflecting regret. The girl was firmly grasping her camera with slightly red cheeks, deep in thought to fix the sour mood she had created.
And by looking at her camera, she had a small idea.
"Hey, another thing."
Hajime almost let a groan slip as he wondered what he did now, already turning to the camera... aimed... at him...
"Say 'cheese!'"
"Huh!?" Hajime's eyes widened as he froze like a deer in headlights.
"...Just kidding!"
Wait, what-?
*Click!*
He didn't think he'd be shocked, confused, and then startled in just a matter of seconds.
Mahiru was already looking at the results by the time he recovered, a laugh escaping from her mouth.
The photographer immediately looked at the results on her camera.
"I thought it wouldn't come out good from that close, but man , is that a dumb-looking face!" She laughed.
Hajime felt his cheeks redden. "Dumb-looking!? That's only because you took my picture so suddenly!"
"Well, duh, that's the point." Mahiru said, giving Hajime a flat look.
Hajime couldn't hold in his sigh this time. "I didn't think you'd even want a picture of me..."
"Oh, I didn't. Not at all." Mahiru declared with a neutral expression.
Because you're a nobody. A voice hissed from the back of his mind.
Hajime frowned and tried to ignore it, "Then... why did you take it?"
Mahiru put a finger to her chin and looked up.
"This is... just a record."
"A record?" Hajime raised an eyebrow, curious.
"Yeah..." Mahiru looked down at her camera with a soft smile. "A record."
"A record of what?" Hajime found himself asking.
Mahiru looked up at him with a contemplative look. "A record is... just a record. It could be anything, from people to places, but I want to be the one to capture them." She said, holding up her camera beside her head proudly. "Most people tend to forget just what they do or who they meet each day. But there could be so many important memories among them they don't even realize."
She lowered her camera onto her lap and formed a close-eyed smile, "So I make a record of everyone each day, so we don't forget those precious moments. That's pretty much the only thing I can do anyways; to record everything important at every opportunity."
"Huh... Wow."
Hajime couldn't help but feel impressed, staring at Mahiru with fascinated eyes. For someone who had just been berating him moments ago, Mahiru sure seemed to have a unique but thoughtful view of their daily lives. There aren't many people who would think about noting down each day like that. Or was this just one of the properties of the Ultimate Photographer?
"That's... really considerate of you. How long have you been taking pictures?" He felt himself relaxing more as they spoke.
How long have you had what he's desired for his whole life?
He ignored the voice again.
"Ever since I was a kid. It was my favorite thing to do. To just hold a camera everywhere I went and take photos at every opportunity I had." Mahiru chuckled, scratching her cheek as she reminisced. "I took so many photos in middle school that I ended up getting a whole board for myself in my photography club."
"Photography club?" Hajime repeated, these words being familiar. "The same one Sato and Natsumi were in?"
That had Mahiru's smile fade into a dejected look. "Yeah..."
Hajime realized he screwed up, the sour relationship between Natsumi and both Mahiru and Sato lingering from the back of his head.
"Um, sorry... I..."
"Hey..."
Wait, did Mahiru's voice just get soft?
Hajime stopped whatever he was going to say as the redhead looked up at him with a seemingly worried gaze.
"Did... Did you really mean it when you said you'd watch over Natsumi?"
Hajime blinked.
Fuck. Guess we're doing this now, then.
He gulped nervously, wondering how to explain that.
"W-Well..."
Mahiru saw his hesitation and abruptly snapped at him.
"Hey! You promised, didn't you? Be a man and own up to it!"
"Urk..."
Well... He did say he would. And it'd be really scummy of him to go back on that, especially when Mahiru seemed so worried about what would happen between Sato and Natsumi.
He took a deep breath before giving Mahiru a look of sincerity, knowing she wouldn't be convinced if he didn't act like he was serious.
"Yes, I promised. It may have been on the spurge of the moment, but I did promise. So I'll make sure I keep it. But you should understand that what Natsumi says..."
He paused. This was stupid. Was he really going to say something about a girl he just met today? And to another girl who has already known her for years?
And yet, he kept talking.
"Look, if she really wants to get into the Main Course, then you won't have to worry about her doing anything that harms you or Sato. Natsumi should know Hope's Peak won't tolerate any of that. And Sato mentioned that her brother is in your class, right? If that's the case, then that's just another reason for her to avoid resorting to anything violence. In the end, she just uses intimidation to make herself appear strong."
He nervously rubbed the back of his head, remembering the smack he had received. "But please don't tell her I said that. Otherwise, she might prove me wrong..." He chuckled.
Mahiru formed a tiny smile as she looked down.
"Thank you for stepping in..."
Hajime stopped his rubbing. "Eh?"
She... thanked him? An Ultimate actually thanked him?
"I... I was honestly scared that someone would get hurt..." Mahiru finished, trembling a bit as she remembered Natsumi's fist.
Hajime frantically waved his hands in front of him. "I-I didn't really do too much! She probably wasn't gonna hurt you anyway if she wanted to stay in Hope's Peak!"
Mahiru looked back up at him, still smiling softly.
"But what you said helped calm Sato down too. She still doesn't really believe Natsumi isn't planning anything, but... I think she'll accept it over time if you keep watching over her and nothing happens."
Her eyes seemed to be pleading, her grip on her camera visibly tightening.
"But please make sure to watch Sato, too. There's only so much I could do to stop her or Natsumi when they're both in the same class without me..."
God, how could he say no to that face? Mahiru looked like she'd cry at any second, a completely different aura to her compared to the one with her stern and headstrong attitude before.
Hajime knew there was only one thing to say here.
"I will." He smiled, speaking completely genuine.
That seemed to calm the girl down, but it seemed there was still a part of her that wanted to guarantee he'd do the task, so she brought up an incentive.
"In return... I'll show you my photos!" She smiled, holding up her camera.
That caught Hajime's interest; the male surprised and intrigued at the mention of seeing an Ultimate's work.
"Is... Is that okay?" He asked, yet hoping to see them.
Mahiru nodded happily.
"It's all I've really got to give you. I normally wouldn't show them to a boy, but you seem... 'decent' enough."
A boy? What does that-?
"Here! I'll show you some that I took of my class!" Mahiru cut through his thoughts in excitement, scooting close to Hajime to the point where their hips were touching.
But Hajime didn't notice this, as he immediately became engrossed in what Mahiru was showing him.
A bunch of smiles.
He saw several photos of diverse and unique-looking Ultimates, but what really drew him to each of them were all of their smiles.
He... He's never seen smiles captured so perfectly before. These pictures... They portrayed so much warmth and happiness among the individuals present in them.
And compared to these bright and happy smiles, the one forming on Hajime was yearning.
So this is life in the Main Course?
It looks like everything he's ever wanted. To have a talent and enjoy standing proudly with others like him. This closeness in these photos, it was nothing like the half-assed 'friendships' he's seen in the Reserve Course or the ones he's had in his previous high school.
The friendships in these pictures... The smiles he's seeing... They're the brightest thing he's ever looked at.
He didn't even notice the higher female to male ratio in them.
At some point, the screen stopped scrolling, to which Hajime looked to see Mahiru frowning, seemingly expecting something.
"Well? Don't just stare... Tell me what you think about them."
It seemed that she wanted confirmation of her talent, not that it was hard for him to give it with these results.
He glanced back down at the camera with a peaceful smile, staring at a photo of Chiaki smiling.
"My favorite thing about them are the smiles."
He didn't notice Mahiru's eyes widen.
"You've captured them all so perfectly. Everyone's happiness, their warmth... It's honestly breathtaking. I can feel how important every moment must've been in these pictures, how each one tells an important story or moment. It's just like what you mentioned before, how there's an importance in everything right in front of you. And these pictures... they capture that perfectly. It fits for the Ultimate Photographer. It's just... perfect."
Hajime was then met with silence.
It lasted for a few seconds, which kicked in Hajime's anxiety at the thought that maybe he had said something wrong once again. He turned to Mahiru, ready to apologize, only for his eyes to widen.
She was... blushing?
He wasn't mistaken. Mahiru's blush went all across her face, her eyes bulging as she stared right at him.
"E-Erm... Did I say something wrong?" He instinctively asked.
Mahiru blinked several times and seemed to snap out of whatever trance she had been in, pulling her camera back and scooting away sheepishly with her head down.
"N-No! Not at all, in fact..." Her blush got deeper. "That... That was good. I honestly expected you to say something simple like it's 'awesome' or 'amazing' like other guys... B-But you, um..."
Hajime was pretty surprised to see how timid Mahiru became under praise.
"Is she... not used to being complimented?" He wondered, feeling his own cheeks flush at the unexpected sight of the flustered Ultimate. It seems she has a cute side, after all.
And even though she was losing her words, Hajime could guess where she was going with them, as there was a familiarity in them from his own thoughts.
"I think I get what you're trying to say? Like, you put in a lot of work for something but only get a word of praise back for it? No actual feedback at all?"
Mahiru once again looked up at him with appalled eyes.
"Huh, you... actually get it."
Hajime awkwardly chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. "Well... whenever I write essays, I usually put a lot of effort into them. But I hardly ever got any feedback on them besides a 'good job' from teachers. So I kinda know how it feels."
Hours and hours he'd put into them, hoping that maybe, JUST maybe, he'd have some kind of talent in literature.
But of course, it was worth nothing .
Mahiru blinked a few more times, then looked away as she mumbled a few words.
"You're a pretty okay guy..."
"What was that?"
She jumped a bit.
"I-I said, that, um..." Her hands shyly held her camera as she looked up at Hajime. "I... I can show you my photos again next time..."
"Wait... Next time?"
"Is... Is that really okay?" Hajime replied, seeming unsure of what she meant.
"It's fine." Mahiru suddenly stood up from her seat with a cheerful smile, her blush only partly fading. "It's the least I can do for helping to keep Sato and Natsumi in check. Just... please make sure to protect them. Both of them."
So Mahiru even cared for Natsumi... or was it just because her brother was a classmate of hers?
Either way, Hajime knew he couldn't take anything back now.
"I promise." He stated with confidence, confidence that completely eased Mahiru. "They'll be fine."
"They'd better." She giggled, taking a step back with her hands behind her back, letting her camera dangle from her neck. "Well, it was nice meeting you, Hinata-kun. I... I'll see you again when I get more pictures."
"I can't wait to see what smiles you capture next time." Hajime beamed.
That brought another tinge of red to Mahiru's cheeks, the girl turning her head away.
"Y-Yeah... Bye."
With that, she quickly walked away, heading back to the Main Course building while peeking back at Hajime once.
And once she was out of sight, Hajime looked down with his hands clasped over his lap nervously.
That was... interesting.
He had honestly expected that whole conversation to go down in flames pretty quickly. And while his first impression of Mahiru was rough, he hadn't expected to have it changed in that same exchange.
Mahiru had opened up to him quite a bit for this being their first talk, completely different from his expectation that she'd only speak the minimum with him. Or that she'd speak to either berate him for wanting to get into the Main Course or merely out of obligation to Mrs. Yukizome and Chiaki. And... he had actually enjoyed their conversation, not to mention all those glimmering pictures she showed him.
But... she didn't even bring up his declaration to get into the Main Course.
What does that mean, then?
"I guess... She just didn't care? Or was it not even worth thinking about...?"
Hajime formed a disheartened smile, pitying himself.
"Yeah... She probably thinks I'm humorous... Like a kid saying he wants to be a superhero when he grows up... Nothing to take seriously at all..."
Perhaps Mahiru thought that sooner or later, he'd realize how foolish he was and give up?
Right... He's just a Reserve Course student; that's it. An insignificant, talentless boy. She probably wouldn't have ever even bothered with him had it not been for her worry for Sato or for Chiaki and Mrs. Yukizome's insistence for them to talk.
Hajime, alone once again, stood up from his seat and picked up his bag, proceeding to walk back to his dorm. Today had been a long day...
And tomorrow would be another.
~{The Next Day- 7:57 AM}~
Of course, things were gonna end up like this.
The moment Hajime went into the Reserve Course Building, no, even before he got past the gates, he could feel the stares.
So many Reserve Course students somehow recognized him even when over ninety percent of them weren't even in his classes. Did what he said from the previous day really spread that far? Did his statements really warrant this much attention being brought upon him? Did it really mean that he deserved what these people said?
"That's the guy?"
"He said he was gonna get into the Main Course?"
"Really?"
"Is he an idiot?"
Hajime quickened his pace, ignoring the murmurs in the hall as the grip on his bag tightened. He was glad he left his dorm to get to class much earlier. Otherwise, he didn't know how much more he'd hear from a larger group of students.
"If the Main Course didn't scout you, then it means you don't have talent! Yet you still don't get that!"
Again...
'It's pointless!'
Always the same thing...
'You need to learn your place!'
Why did things have to be this way?
Hajime made it to his class more out of breath than he should've been, the stress taking a toll on his mind.
The offer from Hope's Peak was starting to look more appealing each day.
He shook his head and ignored the stares from the few students already in class, making his way to his desk in the back corner of the room. He plopped down onto his seat and immediately glanced outside at the Main Course building, letting everything cloud around him as he focused on his goal.
One by one, students made their way into his class, each one making some sort of glance at Hajime, who ignored all of them. The male was in a trace, as he usually was before his classes would start. As long as he did what he usually did and avoided everyone, then theoretically, he shouldn't attract any more attention to him.
"You don't even try to hide that you're a loner, do you?"
Well, he did think 'theoretically.'
He didn't know how long he had been staring before a familiar voice called to him, but Hajime held back a sigh as his eyes went over to Natsumi. The female Yakuza lord was once again seated on top of her desk, staring down at him with a neutral expression.
Hajime did have to admit he was somewhat surprised. After the previous day, he didn't think she'd ever bother talking to him again.
"You're... early." He pointed out, glancing at the clock on the wall.
Natsumi smirked.
"Expect the yakuza lifestyle to be strict. Don't think we can just get up anytime we want. We've got things we've gotta do, got places to be."
"Oh, so you're a model student? Does that include a bedtime?" Hajime responded rather sarcastically.
He honestly didn't expect Natsumi to smirk. "You've really got some balls, don't you?"
He didn't know how to respond to such a... 'question.'
Natsumi then crossed her arms. "Hinata, right?"
Hajime raised an eyebrow, a thought coming from the back of his "I don't think I ever gave you my name..."
"Good memory." Natsumi chucked. "You didn't. I looked at the class roster to find it."
Hajime instinctively shivered. Don't tell him she did a background check on him, did she?
Natsumi acted like it was nothing and asked, "So, how does it feel now that you're the moron of the Reserve Course?"
Hajime frowned. "So I'm assuming no one's said anything about you then?"
"Hey, you're the one who said all that shit out loud. And besides, if anyone starts talking about me behind my back-" Natsumi turned to several staring students, sending a malicious grin at them. "-then I'll let them choose where they want their body dumped."
Everyone staring turned away and started shaking.
"She's really gotta stop throwing threats around..." Hajime sweatdropped.
Natsumi turned back to him. "So yeah, good luck on the rest of the year." She teased.
Hajime rubbed his temples as he groaned. "Jeez, thanks..."
Natsumi scoffed, letting her legs dangle off the desk.
"You know this wouldn't have happened if you would've just minded your own business? But you just had to jump in like some stupid knight in shining armor."
"You make it sound like I stopped you to impress those two..." Hajime said with an unamused look. "I just didn't want you doing something that you'd regret."
"I wasn't actually gonna hit her!" Natsumi leaned forward with a scowl.
"If only she actually said this when Sato was around..."
"But you were very close too. I couldn't tell if you were going to or not, so I couldn't just sit there." He calmly told her.
"And you thought the best thing to do was slam your desk and promise to stalk me?" Natsumi deadpanned.
"Wait, what!?" Hajime instinctively recoiled in confusion, his brain working to understand what she meant.
Once realizing what Natsumi was referring to, a shade of red formed in his cheeks as he quickly tried to explain himself.
"W-Wait! Don't misunderstand that-!"
"What was it you said? You'd watch me whenever you can?" Natsumi's expression turned into a cheeky grin, obviously mocking him. "So you're gonna track me all day? Each step I make, keep tabs on what I eat, maybe even follow me into the restroom?"
Hajime felt his cheeks flush harder as he looked down to avoid her gaze. "L-Look, I'm sorry about that, alright!? I really just wanted to get Sato to stop freaking out since you wouldn't refute anything she was worried about you doing!"
"Well, maybe next time, don't just suddenly say shit we know you won't back up." The girl rolled her eyes, leaning back and crossing her legs.
"..." Hajime took a deep breath and drowned down his embarrassment, then turned back to her with a stern look. "Natsumi, I'm not gonna invade your personal space, nor am I gonna follow you around. But-"
"But what ?" Natsumi's gaze became sharp and threatening, daring him to continue.
Hajime flinched from her glare but kept composed enough to keep going.
"B-But while I'm here, I'm going to at least make sure that neither you nor Sato ends up doing something... excessive. I know you said that you weren't going to hit her, but you were close to. And if you did, then Hope's Peak would've expelled you straight away. They don't tolerate anything like that, no matter who you are. And if Sato ends up instigating you again, I'll see if I can be the one to calm her down since you obviously don't care about her paranoia. That's all."
Natsumi stared at him like he had just said the world was flat, blinking a few times in bewilderment before she gritted her teeth into a glare of annoyance.
"Why the hell are you so invested in this!?" She whispered loudly. "It's none of your fucking business what happens between me and those two! And don't say it's because of what you promised! You said so yourself that you were just spouting bullshit! You have no reason to uphold it!"
Hajime's mind immediately went back to the redhead yesterday, which only seemed to firm his posture confidently.
"Actually... I do."
Alright, time to be suicidal.
"I... talked to Koizumi yesterday..."
Natsumi's expression turned into shock, and... betrayal? He didn't think he'd see that on her. But it only took two seconds before it morphed into another even more pissed-off, not to mention hostile, glare. Her eye was twitching, and she was baring her teeth at him.
She looked ready to explode.
Hajime quickly kept going, praying she'd listen.
"Y-You may not believe this, but she cares about you enough to worry! She doesn't want you in any trouble!" Hajime told her straight up.
Natsumi clearly wasn't expecting to hear that, her eyes widening as she froze in place.
He kept going. "All she wants is for you and Sato not to fight, that's it. She doesn't want either of you to get hurt, and I promised her that I'd make sure of it."
Natsumi remained frozen for a few more seconds before her eyes narrowed, and she pressed her teeth together, looking away with a 'Tsk!'
"Damn bitch, acting like a damn goody-two-shoes like always! She doesn't give a shit what happens to me!" She hissed.
Hajime looked down at his desk, gathering up his thoughts before speaking.
"Natsumi... I don't know what's your problem with Koizumi, and I know that as someone who doesn't know any of you personally, I really don't have the right to say this, but... I don't think Mahiru is the way you make her out to be."
"Hmph! Did you fall for that slut's innocent persona? You guys are all damn simps, I swear!" The girl snarled.
"I... what?" Hajime blinked.
" Everyone loves that damn nice girl act. Everyone loves to talk to her. Everyone loves her damn pictures! The damn slut takes pictures of everyone, and they always gotta fucking say how amazing they are!"
Natsumi's hands tightly gripped the edges of her desk as she hissed air from between her tightly pressed teeth.
"And then she just acts like she isn't even doing anything special... Like she's not even trying! While I was trying my ass off to take good photos! Only for it to be never fucking be enough!"
Natsumi's rage somehow seemed to snuff out, the girl letting her head hang with shadows over her eyes. It honestly shocked Hajime just how suddenly the girl seemed to lose her fiery spirit. It was as if her anger had burned everything from her, leaving her looking so... defeated.
"It's... It's fucking bullshit.. ." She choked out. "She's in there, while I'm not... She's in the Main Course standing beside my big bro, while I'm stuck here surrounded by generic losers... She has talent, while I don't... I hate it, I hate her ..."
Hearing her finish her ranting, Hajime's eyes softened with a sad but sympathetic gaze. Natsumi was spilling a lot more than he had expected her to, and it showed just how conflicted and powerless she felt.
But thanks to that, he understood things completely now.
"She's... jealous. Koizumi and Natsumi were both in the same photography club, but Koizumi had a natural talent that Natsumi could never match, no matter how hard she tried."
Hajime knows how it feels to try so hard but for it to never be enough. Hours of work in so many diverse areas, but never producing any results worthy of being called talent.
"Koizumi is in the Main Course, even in the same class as Natsumi's older brother. The EXACT spot where Natsumi wants to be. Standing proudly beside the brother she looks up to with her own talent as one of the greats. Worthy of being by his side."
Hajime knows how it feels to admire those with talent, admiring the Ultimates who could spread hope using their extraordinary abilities. He knows how it feels to yearn for a spot beside them, to be considered worthy of standing with them with his own talent to change the world his own way.
"Koizumi has the life Natsumi wants... And that's why she resents her so much. Because she feels like if it wasn't for her, then she'd have that spot beside her brother..."
Hajime felt for her; he really did. He knew exactly how she was feeling. Having no talent, feeling like you couldn't do anything, he's been through it all.
But at least Hajime knew has the chance to actually become a part of the Main Course. So if he got that opportunity, then he knew Natsumi would be able to find her own.
He couldn't let her determination die here.
"Don't give up."
His encouraging voice seemed to snap Natsumi out of her slump, the girl raising her head to find him softly smiling.
"Tell her. Tell her what you have always wanted to hear..."
"Don't ever give up on that goal. You can make it in, Natsumi. Sooner or later, Hope's Peak will definitely notice the amazing person they're missing. You'll get in... I know it."
Natsumi's mouth opened in shock, her enlargened eyes seeming to be searching for some kind of mockery in his eyes.
But there wasn't. Everything, from his face to his words, was all genuine.
"Your brother is lucky to have quite the Super High School Level Little Sister." Hajime beamed, giving her an even bigger smile.
And just like that, Natsumi felt... weird.
Like a weird warmth flooding through her chest. A comforting warmth, as if eating a warm soup on a cold day.
The yakuza monarch ended up staring at him for a few seconds before turning her head away, her hands now lightly holding her desk as she embarrassingly rubbed her thighs together.
"You're a really weird guy... you know that?" She mumbled.
That just seemed to make Hajime chuckle, the average-looking student scratching his cheek.
"If you say so..."
"..."
"..."
Natsumi peeked at him before looking away towards the wall to avoid his eyes.
"Thanks..."
Hajime paused, processing the girl's word of thanks. He noticed that the blush marks on Natsumi's cheek developed the smallest shade of red.
Did she just turn cute?
He felt the corners of his mouth move up, feeling satisfied and even a little amused. He knew Natsumi wasn't really a bad person; she just acted tough to keep up her Yakuza image. Or at least, he hoped so...
But what he did know was that she really looked up to her older brother and that she was willing to do so much just to be by his side.
He wished the best for her.
And as if to conclude their moment, Sato emerged into the classroom, a glare instantly falling on him and Natsumi.
Natsumi eyed her just as fast with a glare of her own.
That easily made Hajime nervous. Was there already gonna be a repeat of yesterday so soon!?
But surprisingly, Natsumi turned away from Sato and faced him, putting on a devilish smile.
"So you're gonna watch every nook and cranny of her too? Even underneath?"
Red immediately took to his face as he started sputtering, earning a laugh from Natsumi.
Sato stared at them for a few more seconds before seeming to realize that Natsumi was purposely ignoring her, which made her glare only slightly soften. But she didn't say anything, merely making it to her desk and sitting down.
She occasionally glanced at them during classes but otherwise said nor did anything.
Hajime hoped this peace would last. He wouldn't be optimistic and say that Natsumi would ever be friends with Sato or Mahiru, but he hoped they would respect each others' spaces.
As for him and Natsumi... Does she even see him as a friend? Well, she didn't seem to resent him, at least. Not even for the promise without her consideration. But he didn't want to jump the gun and say they were friends, though. He dreaded what would happen if he misunderstood and if Natsumi got angry over it...
However, if you were to ask him, he'd call Natsumi a friend. Especially since the two are more similar than he had ever assumed they be.
But then there was Mahiru...
Hajime hadn't thought that he'd ever interact with another Ultimate, at least, not without going through with the Izuru Kamikura project. But just like Chiaki and Yukizome, it had just been a chance encounter that had built up to something more.
Now she trusted him to keep her best friend and worst enemy safe.
But Hajime thought real that he and Mahiru weren't friends just from their one talk, and that was probably for the best in his eyes...
He did admire Mahiru's talent and was grateful she chose to show him her work... It almost made him want to ask Chiaki if he could somehow meet other Ultimates.
But he knew he shouldn't even bother. He knew to never seek out an Ultimate or even get close to the Main Course building. He saw the stares people gave him, especially one from that head of the security staff who'd always glare at him if he got too close. It was unlikely that another Ultimate would ever talk if even look , at him.
Yet he had no idea just how many he'd end up meeting.
Nor how many would end up despairing over him.