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“Are you insane?” Hinata’s voice is almost a growl, malice creeping into his tone.
“Huh?” Naegi’s head jerks up to look at Hinata’s stony expression.
Hinata really hadn’t wanted to come to this meeting. Naegi hadn’t even told him what the meeting was for. He much rather would have stayed at home, working on his own projects and spending his time with Komaeda, like he always did. But Naegi called, and as much as he wanted to stay on Jabberwock, Naegi was his boss, and he owed him. A lot. And so here he was, sitting in a cramped room on an uncomfortable chair, surrounded by other Future Foundation officials, staring daggers into Naegi.
“You are not reopening that bitch of a school. You’re fucking joking. ”
Kirigiri, ever the professional, spoke up. “Hinata, you haven’t even heard us out yet. I promise that we have thought this ove-”
“You haven’t thought this over at all. If you had, you wouldn’t even be considering the idea in the first place.” Hinata wants to scream. He wants to storm out of the room. He has to be polite, has to keep his composure to show that he’s a good, well-adjusted citizen, but god, this conversation is making it difficult. “If you’re serious about reopening Hope’s Peak, then you all are even bigger idiots than I thought you were.” The room is clearly a bit taken aback by Hinata’s sudden outburst, but Naegi perseveres.
“Hinata, please, just listen to us. We know that this is a difficult topic for you, but we wanted you to come in so we could discuss it with you. We think your perspective in this scenario is important to rebuilding the school.”
“Why would you make me come in if you weren’t going to listen to anything I'm going to say?”
Kirigiri butts in. “If you could listen to us first, we would let you speak your mind.”
“You’re reopening that fucking school whether I argue or not, aren’t you? You just wanted me in here to pretend like you actually care about the people that got screwed over by Hope’s Peak.”
He knows he’s acting like a child. He doesn’t particularly care.
“This is what we wanted to talk to you about.” Naegi continues. “We know that the school has negatively impacted many people. We’re aware of the damage that it caused, and the operations that happened inside of it. But the school gave so many people hope for the future, and we think that reopening it would bring back a lot of hope for the world.” Always an optimist. “With your perspective, we could rebuild it in a way that would be beneficial for those that attend. Rest assured, Hope’s Peak would not be brought back for the purposes of-”
“Creating me?” A cold silence falls over the room. Hinata dislikes talking about it, but if Naegi is going to go through the trouble of digging up old wounds, he’s going to make sure everyone is uncomfortable as he is.
“N-no. There would be no… experimentation.” Naegi stumbles over his words. Clearly, no one is happy with this topic.
Hinata’s head is pounding. He needs to keep his composure.
“With respect, Naegi, I’m not just talking about the experimentation.” Naegi’s head tilts as if he doesn’t understand what Hinata is talking about. “You don’t think I went through with the project for fun, do you? Hope’s Peak destroys people, Naegi. If you reopen it, you’re creating a million more opportunities for another Kamukura.”
“We wouldn’t be experim-”
Hinata almost shouts. “ God , Naegi, I’m not talking about the fucking experiment.” He’s not getting it. How is no one in this room getting it? “You think Enoshima ended the world off the back of a school that was perfectly fine?” The room seems to get colder at the mention of her. “That place destroyed me before the experiment was even considered. It destroyed everyone, reserve and main course alike. The core of that place is nothing but expectations and pressure.” Hinata hopes no one can see his hands shaking under the table.
Naegi is silent. Finally, in a small voice, he speaks up. “With respect to everything you’ve been through, I believe that we can rebuild it in a way that will not be harmful.” Always a fucking optimist.
Hinata stands up, fists clenched, posture rigid. “Thanks for listening, then.” He walks to the door and unceremoniously leaves. The door slams on his way out.
—
The Future Foundation bathroom isn’t exactly the most flattering place to break down, but it’s not as if he has any other options. His head falls onto his knees as he curls up in the stall. Stinging tears well up in his eyes, though he’s determined not to cry.
Naegi. Naegi Naegi Naegi. Hinata knows he’s doing what he thinks is best. He’s always doing what he thinks is best, regardless of whether or not anyone else agrees. Maybe he should be grateful. After all, that reckless hopeful attitude is what saved him. Saved everyone. Maybe he thinks reforming Hinata and his classmates means that he can reform Hope’s Peak. Hinata digs his nails into his palm. He can’t help but feel that he’s being used as a tool for proof that Hope’s Peak can succeed again. It all feels nauseatingly familiar.
His phone buzzes in his pocket. He wipes his face with his sleeve and picks it up. It’s from Komaeda.
Hope the meeting is going well! Everyone at home is missing you. <3
Hinata gives a half-hearted smile. Komaeda knows how much Hinata dislikes visiting the Future Foundation headquarters.
Thank you, Nagito. :)
He adds a smiley face, for good measure. Komaeda’s response is almost immediate.
Are you out already? With the way FF handles things I thought you would be in there for at least a couple hours X)
He can hear Komaeda’s raspy laugh over the phone.
I wasn’t exactly dismissed, but I’m coming home anyway.
Did the meeting not go well?
Hinata’s fingers sit over his phone’s keyboard, unsure.
I’ll tell you about it when I get back. It’s not good news. I don’t know how ready I am to talk about it right now.
Unease makes its way back through his body just thinking about it again. He can practically feel Komaeda’s worry from the way the three dots linger on the corner of his screen.
Don’t pressure yourself, ok? We’ll talk when you’re ready.
And I'll get Teruteru to make some kusamochi for when you get back. :)
Hinata gives another small smile at his phone. He stands up, trying to get the creases out of his outfit. He sends one last text before putting his phone in his pocket.
<3
Maybe he’ll put in his two weeks’ notice soon.