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Chapter Text

Hinata Hajime wasn't entirely sure if his parents saw him as a blessing or a curse. He just knows his existence is why Hinata ▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ stayed together. Maybe they would think differently if he were a girl? Hajime decided not to pursue this truth at all.

That's probably why Hajime discarded his bubbly optimism for try-hard maturity at the start of kindergarten. Initially found adorable by his teachers, Hajime adjusted his personality to match his peers. Hajime thought he was a people pleaser until he found himself feeling empty, despite having fulfilled the goal of befriending everyone. Fortunately, his uncle gave a name to that frustrating hollowness. The old man explained the concept of [boredom], suggesting Hajime find something that interested him.

Since his parents were busy, Hajime spent his time trying different hobbies and reading books. Listening to his teachers, Hajime learns about a prestigious school focused on teaching and cultivating the talents of gifted children. The title given to those prodigies sounded cool, but Hajime was more curious about the activities and skills demanded by the academy. As long as Hajime maintained above-average grades, his parents wouldn't mind buying him instruments and visiting places to try some hobbies.

"What is your motive?" One of the contestants inquired, blocking the exit of the bathroom.

"Motive?" Hajime repeated, recalling this black-haired kid as the winner of most of the games he entered. According to the players around him, this red-eyed aristocrat is a demon in disguise. Hajime can't blame them. This genius is good!

"I want to have fun," Hajime crossed his arms, not wanting to break his promise with his parents concerning strangers. Hajime didn't want to make his parents sad, so he hoped this guy would go away. "Aren't you having fun?"

 

"Even when you lose?" The child dodged his question with such a dead tone. Hajime should correct the rumors because this guy is clearly a robot. "How is defeat entertaining?"

"Of course, losing is not fun... But playing helps me find out if I'm bad at the game!" Hajime frowned, dropping his arms. "It's like eating. I ate desserts for the whole month to discover I love kusamochi! That makes sense, right?"

"You need to visit the doctor," His opponent remarked, leaving Hajime unsure whether he understood the reference.

Hajime was studying in elementary school when he noticed something wrong with him. He hasn't exactly learned anything about himself at all, other than his food preference. Although Hajime entered and won some stuff from various contests and competitions, his performance was never inconsistent. Hajime also found himself gradually losing interest during class, finding himself staring outside the window for inspiration. His grades were also fluctuating around the average, but those around him still found him dependable and smart.

Before his friends discovered Hajime had forgotten their names, his parents picked up on his troubles and transferred him to Kodaka Junior High. Hajime cheered up a bit with the expansive list of sports and international clubs, but he still hadn't found an answer to his inherent flaw. That's when Hope's Peak Academy popped out of nowhere, unveiling an experimental department for the talentless to enroll - The Reserve Course. Every teenager Hajime knew wouldn't stop talking about it, mostly the celebrities enrolled in that school.

Maybe he is talentless? Hajime tried everything, but nothing seemed to work. Hajime not only failed to master any skill, but he also held nothing dear to his heart. The world is starting to feel more boring than he'd like to admit. He was an average guy without a purpose. Hajime can't ignore the truth because he's running out of activities to try. All Hajime wanted was to grow up and be dependable to his loved ones. He didn't want to be a nobody who could do nothing noteworthy. How can he fix his future?

"May I sit with you?" The long-haired savant interrupted Hajime's musing, sitting right beside him without waiting for an answer. This stranger's actions scared the other occupants, leaving Hajime behind. However, Hajime refused to move. The brunette was in deep thought, having scraped the bottom of the barrel and determined his limit. Today was his last contest before he focused on the next chapter of his life.

 

"You should work on your social skills, Mr. Hope of all humanity..." Hajime opened his eyes, resting his chin on his clasped hands. Today, Hajime learned he was an absolute nobody, unworthy of any title due to his subpar skills. Logically, his next goal is to find purpose in life. "How will you inspire others when you insist on playing the role of an antisocial hermit so well?"

"There is no point interacting with those beneath me," The fellow teenager excused his actions, but Hajime had met this aristocrat for half a decade. The majority of the opponents facing this scholar are either competitive, afraid, angry, or jealous. On the flip side, those who become this person's ally become relaxed and arrogant due to the guaranteed win. "Join my team."

"No way. Playing with you is boring," Hajime refused, thinking once more of the options his classmates urged him to go for. Enrolling in Hope's Peak Academy sounded good on paper until Hajime noticed the copy-pasted curriculum and the five million yen starting school fee, not including the miscellaneous fees. His realist self argued the logistics, considering the school takes in students of any specialty. That means the experimental department could be a source of funds to fulfill the financial deficits. His ideal self responded by pulling out the evidence presented on TV, becoming a part of a popular school with possibly the best teachers in the entire country. 'Better to try now than regret later.'

 

"You could get injured," The Former Lil' Ultimate Hope stated the obvious because yaks aren't exactly common in Japan. Then again, Hajime wasn't the sort to give up after finding ways to participate and fly all the way to Mongolia to play yak polo. "Your parents may ban you from participating in future competitions."

"Are you actually treating me like a... Hmm." Hajime suddenly thought of a flimsy plan, but he wasn't sure if the idea would work. His parents had always looked at him like a responsible person, but maybe acting like his classmates might be the best way? Hajime conceded, needing to iron out the details of his scheme as soon as he returned to his homeland. "Ok. Will you have me in your team?"

Hajime attempted to pressure his parents to let him enroll in Hope's Peak Academy through various means. All he had to do was facilitate his parents ' meeting with the other adults, tossing in bits of his classmate's conversations to nudge them towards the corner. Hell! Hajime even went on his knees because Hope's Peak Academy has limited slots for enrollees. Hajime knows the main obstacle would be the stupid tuition fee, but he can't give up. He is no quitter! Most importantly, his future is on the line!

Hajime tried everything, but his parents refused to give him a chance. They're even blaming themselves for neglecting him when Hajime actively did not give a damn whether he was being supervised. His parents were there when Hajime won first place, and that was the only event that counted. Hajime didn't need unnecessary fanfare when he received anything less than a first place, preferring his opponents never meet his parents to avoid awkward tension.

His mother attempted to bring reinforcements, like introducing him to his grandfather. She probably hoped the adult would hand down some old-fashioned advice. Lo and behold! The old man supported his action, and Hajime even used the former as an excuse to cuss. The look on his parents' faces was priceless, witnessing him curse and beg to enter the damned school.

"It is nice to meet you again..." The voice made Hajime turn to face the source, standing several feet away.

"It's been a while, Ultimate Hope." Hajime greeted, cupping his chin after taking note of the latter's appearance. After yesterday's argument with his parents, Hajime decided to convince his class to attend the Open House offered by Hope's Peak Academy. He may have wandered out of the group to check on the facilities, but nothing could ever happen to him in this school. Hajime mused, "Why are you here? You aren't the type to wander around crowds."

 

"Boredom," There was not an ounce of lie in those words. The ultimate walked to his side, inquiring. "Do you plan on enrolling in the Reserve Course department?"

"Uh... I want to, but the tuition fee is a big problem." Hajime had no reason to lie, but the pamphlets offered by the school couldn't justify the price. Hajime was at his wits' end. Hajime resumed walking, waving the pamphlets. "I'll figure it out somehow-"

"If the tuition fee is your only issue, then follow me." The Ultimate Hope grabbed his wrist, tugging Hajime somewhere. "You can explore the facilities at another time."

"Thanks?" Hajime didn't think the answer would involve nepotism, but he could work with this. Entering the elevator, Hajime wasn't sure if his sudden anxiety was the impromptu meeting with the principal or the fact that his tentative friend refused to let go of his wrist. 'Both? Both.'

Hajime miraculously managed to enroll in Hope's Peak Academy without paying a yen at the cost of...? Hajime wasn't sure why the school asked his parents to sign a liability waiver and why the scholarship program was a secret. Hajime knows other students signed up for this program, so this can't be sketchy, right? However, why are they forced to live in a dormitory? Why are they required to have a monthly health examination? Why can't they contact their parents without supervision?

A total of twenty-two scholars have signed up for the scholarship program, based on his recollection. One of the Hope's Peak personnel, the Former Ultimate Fortuneteller, decided to give them an arcana name on a whim. Hajime wasn't surprised to receive the Fool arcana, especially when he dabbled in tarot card reading. New beginnings in a foreign environment sound about right.

Although the scientists refuse to disclose any information, they promised one thing that stirred everyone's expectations. [You all have been chosen because of your potential to have talent!] Hajime wasn't sure if he was cheering with the rest of his peers, but the feeling of dread was heavy and painfully bundled in his chest. If Hajime understood the contract correctly, he may have signed himself up as a guinea pig. He can't be the only one who read it, but everyone in this room readily agreed to the terms. Maybe he should think in a positive note like everyone else? He should be grateful for being chosen by this school. Maybe the researchers will discover something Hajime hadn't figured out while observing every single day of his life in Hope's Peak Academy? Hajime struggled to swallow his hesitation, trying to celebrate like everyone else.

Chapter Text

Due to popular demand, Hope's Peak Academy opened two grade year levels to accept 1560 eager students. However, Hajime wondered if the school was truly prepared to teach all of these students. There are a total of 26 class sections holding at least 30 students.

Unfortunately, facilities such as the AVR, libraries, bathrooms, and club rooms can only hold half a hundred students each. That's why a lot of the students end up loitering around the hallways or the outskirts of the West district. The first week was adequately spent chatting with their newly found niche of friends, gathering data through gossip and observation. That's how Hajime learned that security prowls right outside their building to ensure none of them entered the forbidden areas.

Anyways, Hajime was placed in Class 1-H since he was a last-minute scholar joining the Kamukura Izuru project. The scholar nicknamed [The World] created a group chat for all of them, giving Hajime a rough idea that Class sections A to G have three scholars each. From his classmates in his section, Hajime uncovered class sections starting M and below having more than 30 students due to two elements - Financial capability and overall performance.

"If I do well, I can jump straight to section B," Hajime talked to himself, fiddling with the school rule book. He already knew the curriculum of the school, but he held onto the booklet because of the ambiguous rules within it. He could also use the rulebook as an excuse to visit Principal Kirigiri, avoiding a lethal beating from the guards. "But if most of my section performs well, I'll get in section A and get all the perks this department has to offer."

'The first years have it easy, only needing to deal with ten subjects...' Hajime had to tackle a total of thirteen subjects with snobby teachers and join at least two clubs to fulfill the mandatory requirement. Hajime already skimmed the textbooks for this semester. They were barely any different from what he learned from Kodaka Junior High. 'Except Kodaka High gave me more access to the sports equipment and science labs.'

'I guess I can tackle Japanese alongside English. Classical Literature is best discussed with Japanese history, but World History is probably better. All for sure, Math needs to be isolated.' Hajime planned, scanning the roads to ensure no wild security guard emerged to smack him with a baton. 'Biology and Chemistry are very close to one another, but maybe Health can be inserted as some sort of footnote?'

'How will I improve their home economics grade? Physical education is also a grey area when I don't know my classmate's limits,' Hajime frowned, unsure of the grading system of his classmates. If Hope's Peak Academy placed everyone according to their financial ability and overall performance, Hajime hoped those who paid their way to Section A weren't smart enough to maintain their position. Overall performance could be based on the grades in the old school and the entrance exam grade that everyone took. 'I guess I can check if their musical talent and calligraphy skills are up to par? I know my grades are either B or A, so I need to make sure they are either with me or better than me...?'

"Hajime." The main course student greeted, landing a couple of feet away, while Hajime took a step back. Hajime guessed the ultimate was walking along the trees because the brunette would know if someone emerged from the ground. The Ultimate Hope dusted his sleeves, polite in an odd way. "Are you free this weekend?"

"Sorry... I have plans to rearrange my department," Hajime spent a week meeting with all his teachers and fulfilling what Hope's Peak wanted from its students stuffed inside the plain preparatory school. Hajime should ask his classmates to clear their weekends for a crash course on the fundamentals. He should also create a reviewer for the juniors one year below him to draw attention away from his section. 'The rich can bribe the school, but Hope's Peak must have personnel who prefer merit over all. Didn't one of its alumni get caught in a scandal? I'm sure that would strike a nerve with any Hope's Peak alumni if the admin decided based on profit.'

"Why not ask your classmates?" Hajime placed one hand on his hip, suddenly curious why this person visited him. This ultimate is definitely a descendant of the founder of this school based on the surname, so he must know that the reserve course department abided by a normal schedule. A Monday to Saturday schedule with their mandatory club participation hours. Surprisingly, the principal wanted the homeroom period to take a lot of time and be designated on a Saturday. Hajime couldn't appreciate it because his homeroom teacher gave the same ambiguous BS as every other. Hajime advised while his inner self crammed all his random thoughts into a small chest. "Based on the initial reactions of the personnel, it's only a matter of time before discrimination happens. No one would want the Ultimate Hope interacting with a nobody-?"

"Are you sulking?" Hajime knew this guy preferred to stay quiet and analyze his opponents, but spending years playing against this guy made it quite easy to notice some emotional dissatisfactions. His benefactor looked away, making Hajime defend himself. "I'm just stating facts. Weren't you the one who rambles about the talentless being beneath you? The people in Hope's Peak share the sentiment, but times two... Like an echo chamber?"

"I will wait for you," The guy says, but that statement is very dubious. 

"Please don't. Find someone else to bother," Hajime really doesn't want anyone to wait for him. However, Kamukura Izuru decided to ignore his words and walk away. Hajime just hoped someone could get that person's interest. Hajime didn't want anyone to stop him from becoming someone. 'Gaining talent is the way to find purpose... right?'