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Chapter Text

Someone leaked the nature of the Hope Cultivation Plan through email to the Reserve Course, elaborating on the death of their supposed 'dropout' classmates. The final nail in the coffin would be the video featuring the Killing game of the Main course student council.

[Let the game begin]

All of the students enrolled in the Reserve Course watched the video, unable to comprehend the truth. Unfathomable dread filled their chest when the students failed to contact their loved ones outside the school. Hope's Peak Academy has performed a sudden lockdown out of self-preservation. A whirlwind of emotions tore their thoughts, leaving them vulnerable to further propaganda.

People began to buzz. Some stayed silent while others replayed the video. People began to move. Some finally stood up, but others remained to keep watching.  People spoke louder. Some began to cry. Others stayed silent.

"So come and play with me," The Ultimate Gamer smiles despite shedding tears. "Hinata-kun."

People are yowling for blood, screaming for an explanation, and thrashing for comfort. The people cry for vengeance. They are planning a revolution, desiring the end of Talent.  None can contain the Fear and rage consume the building.

...

..

.

Hinata Hajime reached for his handgun.

Chapter Text

...

*CRASH!*

When a rock thrown (from the outside window) tumbled the projector, forcing the video to get distorted, one of the mesmerized reserve students sitting in the room arose from his daze.

"?!" Hinata Hajime snapped out of the dream, tragically falling off his seat and getting his head smacked against his desk. Rubbing his forehead, the brunette muttered an array of curses while checking the time.  [1:03]

"Hmm..." Hajime found that odd, recalling his class started watching a video presented to them during lunchtime.  That would be around 1 PM.  Hajime stood up, walked to the laptop connected to the VCR, and noted the video was on loop.

[The video is 10 minutes long.]

'We watched this more than 100 times?' Hajime grimaced, turning around to see several of his classmates still in their seats. 'Suspicious. No one would skip sleep and food to watch a traumatizing video.'

'Is this the ability of the Ultimate Animator?' Hajime pondered, slightly worried to see his classmates crying but never making a sound. 'Brainwashing for what purpose?'

'I better gather intel,' Hajime went away from the teacher's table, heading to his seat. Hajime couldn't help but notice the scratch marks, torn papers, and tumbled chairs around the classroom on the way back. The words etched on the blackboard meant one thing: Student Demonstration to protest against the Hope Cultivation Plan.

"Tsk!" Hajime unlocked his secret compartment in his desk, snatching his handgun. He tried using his phone to call his parents. [No response.] As expected. Hajime then contacted his uncle, who worked for the government. Hajime waits, aware of his guardian's tactic. His uncle probably lost his phone in the pile of paperwork again.

*CLICK*

"You're alive and not braindead. That's fortunate," were the first words his uncle uttered when the adult answered. Hajime rolled his eyes, hoping the old man had an explanation about the video. "I'm assuming your silence means you haven't read anything."

"I was hoping for a brief summary," Hajime raised his hand to cover his mouth, muffling his chuckle. Grabbing his second phone put on silence, Hajime scrolled down his messages. The first title is: [Parade in Hope's Peak]. This article discussed the current activities of his department, starting riots and attacks at the Hope's Peak main compound. The second one is from  his uncle, telling him to head back home pronto and avoid danger. The third one is from Nanami Chiaki, asking him if he can help her find someone. There is an unsaved number, but Hajime knows it's from that lazy arse of an Ultimate: Kamukura Izuru. 'Call me? Why the heck should I call him?'

"The reputation of a corrupted school falls rock bottom, destroying the hopes and dreams of mentally unstable teenagers. What else is there to say?" The uncle summarized the dissatisfaction of the students. Hajime nodded to himself, checking the messages to learn more about what happened ereyesterday. "Although, my colleagues have yet to report whether the chimera is dead. We're assuming the Kamukura family is on the move."

"The chimera is the supposed culmination of all the talents known to man. I wonder if someone as talentless as I can kill it? I mean, it's still a nymph, after all..." Hajime theorized, debating what to do next. He's confident that the Ultimates he knows can survive this so-called Parade. However, the spies placed by the government could get brainwashed. "Since you randomly spoke about your colleagues, should I check on them?"

"Don't waste your time. The school usually deploys a memory-erasing tool on trespassers. Your main priority is to gather info on how to exterminate the human experiment and report to us immediately," his uncle was typing on his computer, giving reports or commands to the rest of the agents. "Of course, if you're up to the challenge, you kill it to prevent further bloodshed. I'll send a group in the afternoon. Don't die."

"This is why you're alone," Hajime grumbled because the old man never filtered his words to impressionable individuals.

"Hey! You're the only one who thought about it-" Hajime cut off the communication, turning his attention towards the window to see dark crimson skies. 'Either I help Nanami find Tsumiki, find the chimera for the old man, or meet up with Izuru because he's bored.'

...

"..." Hajime furrowed his eyebrows, thinking what to do next. Of course, Hajime is worried about Chiaki. According to the news, the Parade  targets Ultimates to maim and eventually kill. Chiaki could be in danger. Hajime could go home after fulfilling his uncle's order, but his parents aren't exactly great company. He could go to his uncle's apartment, but then he'd be worrying over his friend. If he meets up with Izuru, he could be the reason for the Ultimate Hope to slaughter innocent lives. 'Decisions. Decisions.'

"I got it," Hajime decided, grabbing what was necessary for his bag before heading out. He grabbed a bundle of tape and a first aid kit. Hajime got the tape from the adjacent classroom. The first aid kit is something Hajime always possesses, considering he tends to anger the security guards.

'I'll meet up with Izuru to kill the chimera before meeting with Nanami...' Hajime rubbed his temple, presuming his headache was caused by the lack of sleep and meals. [The hallway is a mess.] He could see graffiti, destroyed glass, and furniture, as well as unconscious people lying everywhere. Hajime takes note of the deceased, cautiously walking through the hallway and avoiding the bodies.

'Most of them are the staff and faculty.' Hajime thought, knowing one of the bodies dangling in one of the classrooms. [A high school math teacher hung by the neck.] He didn't like the teacher either, so not all is lost. Hajime kept going forward, reaching the stairs. 'It's too quiet.'

...

Descending the stairs, Hajime knew the Reserve Course building was huge. Since he was in his classroom, he'd have to walk down another 11 floors to reach the ground floor. Assuming the majority of the reserve course is outside rioting, Hajime might not encounter anyone before leaving the building.

*ring. ring*

'Why would anyone fight on the staircase area?' Hajime stepped on blood puddles while climbing down.

'You can't ignore your phone forever...' Hajime kept walking down, staring at the bloody handprints and words etched on the walls. [DESPAIR] He doesn't exactly understand why anyone would write that, but that might be the motive for the video. Something so many people dub easy to comprehend, but on the micro level, quite strange to request. As soon as the other person picked up the phone, Hajime asked. "Are you ally or foe?"

"..." The silence does not bode well for the brunette. Despite having the title Ultimate Hope, Kamukura Izuru was not well-liked by his peers due to his analytical stance on all circumstances. Izuru craves entertainment, something, or someone to fill in the void of monotony.

"Izuru?" Hajime asked, unsure what else to say. As the guy's estranged twin, Hajime did his best to steer Izuru away from bloodshed. However, the Parade erupted like fireworks. "You better not be sticking your sword in any crazy person! Komaeda doesn't count. Feel free to pierce him. Nanami and I already screened him, and Komaeda did say he has a thing for you-"

"Who are you?" Izuru finally spoke up, and his words made the teenager realize the worst-case scenario had come to pass.

"Ah..." Hajime cannot forget the schemes of his biological parents to erase the memories of his apathetic twin. 'Those bastards did it. They actually did it.'

"I... I'm nobody, but stay safe," Hajime wasn't prepared for the indifference, hanging up the phone. [Forget about him.] Seeing the amount of blood, bodies, and destroyed property, Hajime wondered what exactly is despair to the video creator. 'How many issues are there to tackle in this god-forsaken school?'

Hajime reached the ground floor, surprised to see many of the students wearing a monochrome bear head to cover their faces. The sight was unsettling for a while, but that feeling switched to understanding. It makes sense for them to hide their appearances now that they started a revolution of sorts. Hajime should probably wear one too to avoid recognition.  Hope's Peak has declared it will enact drastic measures to quell the revolts.

'Who exactly designed this?' Hajime walked forward, grabbing a spare bear head. He wasn't much of a speaker, usually observing and listening. Hajime knows the students won't harm him since they're in the same boat. 'Reminds me of Usami.'

"If you wanna customize your Monokuma head, feel free to use the markers and accessories by the entrance.." A student told him, but Hajime focused on the swirls around her eyes. "I suggest you don't because those Ultimates might identify you."

"Thanks for the tip," Hajime thanked, letting out a small smile as he examined the bear head. "Who gave the bear a name?"

"I... I can't remember," the student laughed and cried at the same time. Hajime surveyed the area, seeing students showing erratic behavior. Continuous brainwashing might cause the psyche to break. "That's ok. We'll be okay! We just have to spread despair to... to?"

"Spread despair to repel talent?" Hajime summarized, Taking note of students approaching their area. Hajime asked the relieved student, cradling the Monokuma head. "What do we do afterward?"

"You jokester!" A student saved the confused girl from Hajime's reasonable question. "You honestly think we can wipe out all those Ultimate bastards from the planet?"

"But what if we do accomplish that?" Another student asked, tilting his head. "What if we kill all the Ultimates?"

'I should report this to the Old man later,' Hajime can see the tallest student wielding a bloody axe. The students are scheming of big dreams, never realizing they are performing acts of terrorism. Receiving a revolver, Hajime balanced the Monokuma head and handgun while following the group. 'Did Komaeda come back from his vacation?'
 
'Supplying weapons and food?' Hajime followed the group, receiving food supplies. The students are still talking about killing Ultimates. Hajime received an entire plate of cooked packaged goods before he was left to his devices. 'A bottle of water, a couple of rice balls, a cup of noodles, biscuits, and a cup of yogurt...?'

'Was there ever an Ultimate Roboticist in school?' Hajime chose to ignore the robots monitoring the students, walking out with his meals in his bag. He took a bite of his rice ball, sorting his priorities. 'Guess I'm hunting down a chimera today.'

Chapter Text

[Rainy day with crimson skies.]

His friends in the Reserve Course succumb to desire, surrendering to the dog-eat-dog world. The school he was supposed to graduate in a few months collapsed like a deck of cards. His talented brother who forced himself back into his life suddenly forgot about him. You must kill the chimera for public welfare. If this was despair, Hajime wanted to scoff at god in the face.

'Don't give in. I won't give in,' Hajime possessed two guns and a bunch of smoke bombs from the cheery students. He wore the Monokuma head because it was akin to a waterproof helmet. Hajime recently received details from Chiaki of the chimera's location, but she has yet to answer any of his replies. 'Something is wrong.'

'Did she also fall into despair?' Hajime kept walking, scrutinizing the destruction around him. The students plan on destroying the walls with explosives. Hajime can use this to slip through security.

'If so, then I need to make her snap out of it...' Hajime followed the leader, looking behind to make sure none of the other students got lost. On the surface, one would think the Parade has no battle plan. Emerging from the core itself, Hajime knew the Reserve Course spent enough time creating clusters to override the Main Campus.

"Let's do this!" The leader turned to face his allies, and everyone cheered. Hajime found the least number of students and followed them, finding it easy to coordinate with the group.  Some of them speak of despair and death, but most want to save their siblings/friends in the Main Course. Hilarious.

"Thanks for helping us out, Hajime." A random student knew him, calling out his name. "I mean. They're already using guns and tear gas! It's only fair we have weapons to repel them!"

"Once the wall is gone, they're vulnerable!" A student interrupted their conversation, dropping the bombs on the school wall. "We're all in this together."

"Y-yeah.." Another student nodded, but Hajime noted the student's arms shaking as they carried the shotgun. "They killed some of my friends. We... We have to return the favor!"

"Can I have one? I plan on destroying a couple of statues inside," Hajime requested, honestly surprised a couple of students willingly gave him experimental bombs for his disposal. It seems the students in the Reserve Course Building and the ones outside react differently to the video and that email. Hajime read the email but found the delivery like that of a newspaper headline. 'Would things be different if I had volunteered?'
 

'No. I would probably turn into a dumb version of Izuru. Gross.' Hajime kept the explosives, observing the students place the bombs around the wall.

"Take cover!" A student yelled, snatching Hajime's arm to avoid the explosion. Hajime grabbed another student to ensure the debris didn't smack the unfortunate punster.

*BAAAMMM*

"Thanks!" The guy laughed as Hajime pushed him off.

"You better be!" Hajime staggered to stand on his feet, taking note of the destroyed wall and torn-down trees.

"Ready your guns!" The leader commanded, and everyone but Hajime cocked their guns. "We're heading in!"

"I can't wait to meet Junko-chan!" One of the other students squealed.

'Junko as in Enoshima fucking Junko?' Hajime grimaced, checking his phone for the coordinates. 'First, I hunt the chimera then smack a gyaru on the face!'
 

...

...

Walking down the familiar layout of a laboratory, Hajime couldn't ignore the cameras following his actions. He dropped a couple of the bombs on the pathways, preparing for the hunt. Removing the Monokuma helmet and wearing a lab coat for the pockets, Hajime explored the underground facility and made contact with a number of the injured personnel. The chimera is searching for information about its past identity.

'What sort of person will the Ultimate Talent be?' Hajime mused, shifting his eyes to stare at the broken glass screen. He wondered if the traps were built by Chiaki, but she wasn't the type to kill people.

[ATTENTION! INTRUDER DETECTED ON THE LEFT WING SECTION! ATTENTION! INTRUDER DETECTED ON THE LEFT WING SECTION!]

"Security breach in an already desolate facility?" Hajime raised an eyebrow, turning to the left. It could be a trap, but Hajime had no time. There was no weakness determined by the Scientists handling the human experimentation. Thus, Hajime had nothing special to tell his superiors other than to kill it as a human. 'To avoid bloodshed...'

"?!" Hajime finally faced the Ultimate Talent, finding himself lowering the gun. His chest feels tight. Vision blurring at the sight. [Some will do anything for power and prestige.] Despite the numerous surgeries and modifications, the brunette could not forget that one student who pestered him to no end in his first year. [Then, some will sacrifice anything to avoid the inevitable.]

"Nat..." Hajime took a step back, staring at the somewhat curious abomination. With long blonde hair and red eyes, the first successful experiment stared at the trespasser. Hajime whispered the name of the previous Student Council president in the Reserve course, "Natsumi?"

...

"..." The Ultimate Talent stares at him, gaining light in her gaze. She limped towards him, wearing nothing but a bloody gown. Hajime couldn't find it in himself to move. This was Kuzuryu Natsumi. She and the rest of the Student Council members went to have a meeting with the Ultimate Student Council the night before the Killing Game, but they never came back. Hajime should've known the scientists were desperate. They needed students with an unshakable will to survive hell with potential. "That was the old name designated to this vessel. After twelve trials, this individual remains."

"Everyone is dead... Except you," Hajime surmised, hands trembling from the emotions swirling in his chest. He should've gone with them. Hajime should've known and done something to save them. Hajime resisted the urge to pull away, feeling hands cradle his cheek. She was recently shot multiple times, running from her pursuers until they met. "Why are you still here?"

"Because... (She hesitated, finding her behavior confusing.) What is your significance to this body?" The chimera caressed the brunette's cheek with her fingers, shedding tears at the familiar face. "Why does your presence invoke such strong emotions?"

"I am your friend, the one who made you realize talent isn't everything... We promised to hang out after graduation..." Hajime wasn't sure what the man-made ultimate meant, but this was a trap to induce despair. 'If Fuyuhiko and Pekoyama see this, they'll go into a frenzy!'

"You entered the project against your will. The limited time explains your willful disobedience and fragmented memories," Hajime wasn't able to regain his personal space, especially when the female cornered him to the nearby wall. The female continues to cry before him, hands trailing down to his chest. She was bleeding, but completely calm to her imminent demise. Hajime needs to find a solution, speaking more to himself than her. "Someone wants you dead, but don't give in. Don't die yet. You may not believe me, but there are people who care about you."

"Are you not here to fulfill your mission - To exterminate the surviving test subject of the Hope Cultivation Plan?" Natsumi pondered, gripping his lab coat. Hajime ignores her gaze at his uniform, detecting footsteps approaching their direction. She pulled his hand with the gun towards her area, pointing the handgun towards her chest. "Do not hesitate. This body will not survive outside the school premises with the amount of drugs injected by those vermin."

"I didn't realize you care so much about me," Hajime hummed but noticed how pale her lips were. He pressed his hand against her neck, her chest, and back. Hajime muttered, raising his hand against her forehead. "How are you still alive?"

"Multiple talents are involved in sustaining this existence," Natsumi professed, resting her forehead against the wall and somewhat pinning the brunette against the wall. "This body had not been fed and maintained as required. Regardless of third-party interference, I will die a meaningless death. Are you not satisfied with this advantage?"

"Stop with your self-deprecating thoughts. I won't let anyone die today..." Hajime had a bad feeling this woman wanted him to kill her. 'The constant reliance on enhancement drugs could cause the suppression of the immune system and organ failure. However, medical intervention won't be easy without her medical charts. Giving the body the drugs could prevent withdrawal, but there might be external and internal injuries causing organ failure. I also can't ignore the possibility of contamination from an unsanitized area.'

"You are distracted," The body pressed against him is shivering.

"Thinking," Hajime knows the facility has the equipment for him to perform some necessary operations. He's only done a handful of cases, but he can wing the rest. Pushing the blonde for space, Hajime grabbed her wrist to run and avoid the incoming threat. Hajime checked his phone, sending a message to the old man to add Kuzuryu Natsumi to the Witness Protection Program.

Chapter Text

Hajime may have shot some people while waiting for backup, conversing with his friend to bestow a reason to keep living. He could patch minor injuries, but he had no choice but to observe her perform surgery on her own body without strong sedatives. She had obtained a similar mindset to Izuru, losing all sense of purpose with the lack of hardship and brainwashing. Don't fall into despair.

"I wouldn't be surprised if those talent scum cause World War 3," the old man personally came over to fetch the girl, grumbling under his breath. Stop thinking about it. Hajime could see other individuals bicker outside, but they showed no ill will over Natsumi. "You sure she won't put up a fuss?"

"As long as no one acts like talent scum, she'll stay put. Remember. We need to keep her alive long enough to keep the yakuza in check," Hajime stated the obvious. Natsumi is the beloved daughter of the Kuzuryu clan. Those individuals will surely attack the government once despair is filled. It's not your fault. Therefore, the government needs something to delay the full-front attack, minimizing casualty while showing goodwill. Hajime clutched his neck, crushing these unresolved feelings down his throat. "Best not to announce her pseudo title. She's as volatile as Izuru losing to Komaeda."

"Speaking of those two, have you cleared them of suspicion on this so-called Parade?" Mr. Hinata leaned on the wall, staring at Hajime holding the patient's hand. He wasn't fazed when Hajime pointed the gun at them, considering the child possessed nothing. The world is cruel to the talentless. The man resisted the urge to pull out a lighter and cigar, sighing. "Logically, we're crossing out Komaeda since he returned to the country yesterday. However, the guy has a long history of possessing dangerous and illegal items."

"I can't blame your reasoning, considering the motive of the mastermind involves DESPAIR," Hajime doesn't know why he's holding her hand, but he feels relieved to feel her pulse. Ignore the implications. Hajime has a working theory of what is happening to Hope's Peak Academy but refuses to accept it. "The mastermind has multiple accomplices to spread the despair video and manipulate the administration to isolate the community to increase the concentration of negative emotion. If they are not accomplices to the crime, they may hinder the investigation."

"You're not saying something," Mr. Hinata gave his nephew a warning, probably contacting a couple of his spies within the building.

"..." Hajime let go of the hand, standing up to face the adult. They both know psychological warfare is being employed within the battlefield, accepting the unquestionable fact that the majority of the Ultimates have a frail mental state. Hajime's mental state is plummeting after witnessing his own friend subjected to inhumane test trials. To not waste any more time, Hajime spoke straight to the point. "Assuming the mastermind contacted the Ultimate Hope for assistance, it is wise to place the entire section under surveillance."

"If we do so, Nanami is going to take the job to protect his girl..." Mr. Hinata pointed out, but Hajime could not shake off this feeling of dread. Junko spent months breaking Izuru's wall, becoming a friend of the Ultimate Hope. After evaluation among the members, they decided it was best to send a report to consider the unnamed test subject deceased and label Kuzuryu Natsumi as a surviving victim of the dreadful experiment. Hajime knows Junko is the mastermind. With paranoia running in the family, Mr. Hinata has yet to spread the information to the rest of the agents until the spies have been removed. "It's best to assume the perpetrator has talent or an individual on par with an Ultimate. Birds of the same feather flock together. If they refuse, they get stoned."

"That's not how the proverb works," Hajime walked towards the door, having made up his mind. The only issue would be cutting off the limbs. Before Mr. Nanami meets his girl, Hajime will face the Ultimate Gamer to uncover her tricks. Hajime doesn't know if he can do it, but who else can do it? He can also fend off against Izuru if he's truly the mastermind, and probably escape the antics of most of the Ultimates in this school. "If I don't send a message in the next twelve hours, assume the mastermind won against me."

"You really going to risk your safety against those Ultimates?" His uncle inquired as Hajime opened the door. Hajime knows it's a trap, but it was either him or Chiaki. Hajime glanced over his shoulder to look at his uncle. In the next hour, the unit will split into three groups. One group will return to home base with the Ultimate Talent; the other group will investigate the situation and weed out the spies planted in the academy; while the last group will suppress the violence caused by both parties and communicate with the security team of the school. "Before you go, don't forget to take your medicine."

"Got it." Hajime caught the thrown medicine bottle, glancing at the unlabelled medicine. Forget everything. He popped the lid, picking one of the star-shaped crystal shards. "Is this chewable?"

"How the hell should I know? The pharmacy gave it to me. Better something than nothing," His uncle refused to look at him, and Hajime munched one while trying to decipher the regret on the man's face.  Too sweet . The man muttered as Hajime forced himself to swallow. "Do you think the future still has hope?"

"... Ha!" Hajime could only smile at him, finding that question utterly useless. "Why not find the Ultimate Animator and then we'll talk about that hope BS?"

...

...

'Hope? What hope?' Hajime gritted his teeth, walking out of the temporary shelter set by the agency. While chatting with Natsumi, she mentioned the plan of the Ultimate Fashionista towards Class 77 and 78. The adults chose to discuss the matter with the administration, specifically Kirigiri Jin. Unfortunately, Hajime and Chiaki's father recognized the circumstances of Class 77-B after taking note of the circumstances of the students in Class 77-A.

'Mr. Nanami probably went on ahead,' Hajime was running with the Monokuma head, hoping he wasn't too late. Assuming one of the accomplices can perform mind manipulation, Hajime needed to snap them out and escort them to safety. 'I can do this. I have no choice but to do this.'

'I must do this,' Hajime needed to keep his promise to Chiaki because the gamer would break down if she discovered herself to be the cause of her class' downfall. He hates it. He hates how his friends could crumble so easily. 'Why can't they be indifferent? Why do they care about people so much?!'

'Talentless people with stable minds or Ultimates with distorted perceptions? Why can't there be a balance? I hate it. I wish there was someone capable of keeping them alive,' Hajime had seen a fair number of accidents, assassinations, and conspiracy. The seed of doubt is planted. Hajime descends the stairs before the statue, walking down to the long-awaited game. 'Stay calm. You have no choice. You can't be a burden.'

'If I am not perfect in this very situation, I will regret it,' the disowned heir of the Kamukura clan wept, understanding what was at stake.

Chapter Text

[LOADING...]

"This wouldn't have happened had Mr. Nanami waited for me," Hajime muttered, walking down the maze. He followed the bodies along the area, concluding Chiaki was following the mastermind's plan. He doesn't know whether she's brainwashed or threatened. He'll need to meet her face-to-face. He dodged the traps based on the traces of blood and the blueprint saved in the database.

'Why does my head hurt?' Hajime rubbed his temple, resisting the urge to take another sample of the unlicensed drug. He ignores the voice of the gyaru, running down the hallway to catch up to the survivors of this maze.

"You're not going to make it, Hinata-senpai~" Junk taunts him as he narrowly avoids a chainsaw. Hajime merely rolled his eyes, using momentum to jump over the pitfall. Hajime felt something trickle from his ear, wiping it and seeing blood.

'I'll worry about this later,' Hajime shrugged it off, ignoring the ringing in his ears as he ran down.  Something is going to happen. Hajime doesn't know what, but he needs to stop it. Adrenaline is starting to wear off. Hajime held the gun in one hand, trying to concentrate. 'Keep moving. If I stop now, who will act for them?'

'Almost there!' Hajime ignored the blaring screens, finally taking a glimpse of the survivors. Chiaki and three other individuals are severely injured by the maze. Two of the individuals fell for the mastermind's trick, lunging straight out of the door.

"Wait!" Hajime reached out, using both his hands to tug Chiaki and her father out of harm's way. Tossing them to the floor, Hajime pulled out his gun and shot at the students about to fire. Incapacitating the students was his primary objective, promptly discarding the empty gun with another to disable the brainwashed students.

INCOMING GAME OVER

"!!" Hajime dropped his gun, clutching his chest as he began coughing. The side effects of the drug are too much.  It's an ineffective drug.  Bleeding from his ears and nose, Hajime stared down at his hands covered in blood, but he heard the familiar click of the guns. Grabbing his uncle's blade hidden in his vest, Hajime threw the smoke bombs before the spikes lowered the bodies.

"Stand up," Hajime ordered the father and daughter, tossing an explosive in the general direction of the enemy. This was his act of self-preservation. He walked into the waiting room, unable to stop coughing blood.  Checker tiles like chess. Crimson carpet and witness stand like the court: crimson veils and golden engravements like a palace. 

"That's enough!" A voice spoke up. "How dare you ruin Junko-chan's work?!"

"Ruin?" Hajime wiped his mouth, observing the Ultimate Soldier enter the room. Right beside her, he paid witness to the Ultimate Hope. More brainwashed soldiers are entering the area. The reserve student chuckled, clutching his knife with bloody hands. "You mean salvage-?"

"I'm not fond of gore, to be honest!" Hajime deflected the bullets shot in his direction, blinking his left eye stained in red. His body is shaking, rejecting the latest remedy drunk. The soldiers continue to point their guns at him despite the lack of ammo.

*BANG*

"?!" Hajime dodged the shot from the back, falling to the ground. *BANG!* Turning to Chiaki's side while the enemy reloads their guns, he watches the father hold his forgotten gun at Chiaki. 'That's not right. That can't be right.'

"Eh?" Hajime couldn't comprehend the situation. Mr. Nanami loves his daughter. He's even crying while on the verge of pulling the trigger. 'Why would he shoot her? What other reason? Oh.'

'His wife,' Hajime used his dagger to headshot the father, ending the adult's regret over his actions.

Too late.

*thud* Chiaki got shot, and the female dropped to the ground.

"A-are you alright?!" Hajime ignored the threat looming behind them, crawling to Chiaki's side. Pulling her close, Hajime stared at Chiaki's eyes.

"H-hinata-kun.." Chiaki held onto him for dear life, staining his shirt with blood and tears. Hajime played right into her lap, the gamer who loved to share everything with him. This game of despair that she refuses to win. She asked in despair. "Did you like it?"

"You dummy..." Hajime mumbled, tears falling down his eyes. The adults pointed their guns at them. Hajime forced a smile, staring at the broken teenager. "If we both die, who'll take care of your friends?"

"I just..." Tears fell from her eyes, uncaring of the situation. Hajime couldn't help but laugh at her selfishness.

"I wanted to play... video games..." Hajime's mind was blank as his friend raised her hands to touch his cheek, giving the brightest smile he had ever seen. "With you... One... more... Time."

"Haha... ha," Hajime can't deny the truth, feeling something snap inside him. 

"No matter what I do, she will die...?"

Chapter Text

Blood dripped from most of his ears, nose, mouth, and eyes...

Hinata Hajime realized the extraneous variables narrowed the chances of saving Nanami Chiaki:

"N̳̿͟͞o̳̿͟͞ m̳̿͟͞a̳̿͟͞t̳̿͟͞t̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞r̳̿͟͞ w̳̿͟͞h̳̿͟͞a̳̿͟͞t̳̿͟͞ I̳̿͟͞ d̳̿͟͞o̳̿͟͞, s̳̿͟͞h̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞ w̳̿͟͞i̳̿͟͞l̳̿͟͞l̳̿͟͞ d̳̿͟͞i̳̿͟͞e̳̿͟͞...?"

"What did you give him?!" Mr. Hinata called the wife of his colleague, recognizing the insignia of SHOURAI CORP plastered on some of the security guard's uniforms. "Answer me, Kioko!"

"This is all for the sake of our survival! Now, no one will be useless in this world..." The usual stoic scientist exclaimed in euphoria, causing the detective to feel a shiver running down his spine. "Once we embrace despair, humanity will face a hopeful future!"

"You bitch! Your family loved you!" Mr. Hinata gripped his phone so tight that the screen began to crack.

"They were all necessary sacrifices for progress!" She laughed in utter glee/sorrow. "It is time for the world to embrace change-"

"Cut the bull crap!" Mr. Hinata broke the phone and threw it at the window, cursing when the phone broke the glass pane. His phone is gone now. The man hated how the world revolved around talent. Ambition and greed ruin the lives of the general welfare. His assistant is fidgeting, unable to contact back-up.

"Tsk!" Ignoring his assistant, Mr. Hinata walked out to open the door where the Ultimate Student Council President stayed. He ignored the irritated Ultimate Boxer, grabbing the telephone to contact someone he swore never to call for assistance. Ultimates resigning from the Kamukura mansion due to personal preference. Once someone answered the phone, he took the most lethal gamble to date. "My nephew needs you!"

[ . . . ]

Hinata Hajime was in deep thought despite the chaos around him. It's as if the adults knew this tragedy would happen.

"Because I saved Natsumi, you fell into despair..." Hajime spoke to his unconscious friend.

"If I save you first, the old man kills Natsumi..." Hajime held the Ultimate Gamer, observing the situation. If these adults fail to capture and implicate Enoshima Junko, Class 77-B will be labeled as the perpetrators. "Limited time... No choice but to play by the rules..."

[Tragedy]

"What the hell am I supposed to do?" Slacking his hold on the corpse, Hajime forced himself to stand up. Given the nature of Hope's Peak Academy, the administrators would willingly give up a small group to salvage their reputation.

"What do you want with me, Nanami?" Hajime wiped his blood-stained cheeks, turning away from the corpse to face a nervous adult in front of him. "Hmm?"

"Nakamura..." Hajime realized the reinforcements work for the Kamukura family, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you here?"

"Young master..." The Ultimate Bodyguard grabbed his fedora and respectfully bowed towards the bleeding adolescent. "Until death, we are here to follow your orders to change the world."

"Huh?" Hajime scoffed, having no desire to influence this wretched reality. "Why would I do that?"

"You want to save them."

"Ah," Hajime covered his mouth, crimson eyes staring at the wall. "Nanami would like that..."

"Alright," the kingmaker gazed down at his faithful pawns. "You better not regret your choice."

[Class 77-B must survive this Tragedy.]