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It was that time of year: Makoto finds people for Hope’s Peak academy.
He would work late when it became scouting season. Scouting season occurred in the 2nd trimester, just before winter break.
Makoto would search everywhere for talented youth. But, they had to fit the new guidelines: be enrolled in a high school (does apply to year 8 which are finishing and enrolled in a high school), and obviously, have some sort of talent.
S/N: in this country, you start high school at year 9, which is age 14. For Keiko, she’s 13.
~~~~
It was April: the time in the school year that everyone hated. Keiko was in year 8, enrolled in a private middle school. The school was private due to having an experienced faculty, providing top notch education. Plus, most students who enrolled at the school went 3 days a week, due to having extracurriculars which did not allow for traditional public schooling.
Keiko’s detective work excelled as much as she did: 9 cases in two years. High school would be starting soon, and Keiko knew that traditional schooling would be extremely stressful. She would have to do the detective work on top of school work, which was just…ew.
Keiko sat at school with her friends Miaya and Angie. Angie’s parents owned the best rated restaurant in the country, where she was an apprentice under: simlar to Keiko. Miaya was a full time gymnast, and was at the level of an olympian at age 14.
“Keiko, have you heard anything about Hope’s Peak acceptance letters yet?” Angie asked.
“No. I was talking with a friend from the school last night, and she mentioned that it was around this time of year that invited were sent out. All I was told is to be patient.”
“Wait, like the really advanced ultimate school?” Miaya added, listening intently.
“Yea, a lot of students from this school get accepted even though they aren’t related one bit,” Angie explains.
“How do they get accepted then?” Miaya’s face twisted in confusion, as she was not familiar with Hope’s Peak, nod their practices.
“So, I guess it’s through ties, or an extensive amount of research. There’s online forums with information on every student. I’m not 100% sure on scouting procedures though, but I know there’s about 50000 files that are looked through.” Keiko remembered, pausing about every sentance to attempt to remember what she observed from her father.
“Wait, that’s lowkey cool..” Angie observed.
“Okay, so like…How do classes work?” Miaya asked Keiko, her face beginning to light up in interest.
“So, you have a “homeroom” where you spend 80 percent of time there. Then, you have two classes a day after the lunch break. The first is a specialized class based on your ultimate to enhance your skills. The next is a general ed class, such as math, english or history…Oh, and your senior year, you get placed with a company, team, or whatever where you do an apprenticeship 5 days of the week.” Keiko responded with, looking at Angie and Miaya with a neutral expression.
The two nodded, thinking about it. Neither of them knew if they would be accepted in; so this was an absolute dream. As for Miaya specifically, it sounded really cool.
The bell rang, signaling afternoon classes. The trio parted their ways.
~~~~~~~
Later that day, Keiko sat in the backseat of her father’s car. He asked her the normal, “how was your day? What’s one good thing about your day?” as they drived home. Keiko couldn’t help but feel anxious about the Hope’s Peak acceptance letters.
“Dad, how are the letters going so far?” Keiko asked.
Makoto glanced back towards her, focusing on the road as well. “I just finished them all today, things should be getting mailed out soon.”
At the mention of mailing, Keiko couldn’t help but wonder if her letter would be mailed or given too her by her father personally. Infact, she still had small doubts about getting in. Was she even good enough?
This lingering fear trickled into the many pre-existing anxieties Keiko experienced. She turned her head to the side, looking out of the window as the hills rolled. Makoto pulled up to the beautiful gated neighborhood which they lived in, and punched in the code.
Makoto continued driving into the neighborhood, as Keiko stared out the window. She felt sick, and had a random impending sense of doom. Her face, showed none of this.
Keiko got out of the car, taking her things as well. Both entered into the house, Keiko immediately sitting at the kitchen island to work on her homework.
While Keiko dug into her work, she still pondered about the Hope’s Peak acceptance. Knots formed and twisted in her stomach, she found herself shaking slightly, her heartbeat could be heard, and her breathing rised. She used all her strength to focus on her homework, even with the anxiety taking over her mind. 9/10 times, it could be conceded well. This was one of those times, because her father seemed to turn a blind eye (not that he was ignoring, but he didn’t notice).
“Keiko.” Her father called for her, his tone sounding like this wasn’t the first time he called.
“Hm?” The lavender hair girl asked as she looked up.
“I have something to give you.” He slipped her a white envelope. The letter read, ‘To Ms. Keiko Naegi…’ Which she opened up, immediately.
‘Congratulations. You have been accepted in Hope’s Peak Academy. There is an orientation 9AM on May 9th, please be in attendance along with one parent/gaurdian (preferably the one who attended Hope’s Peak previously, okay if not).’
Your Ultimate is The Ultimate Detective. During orientation, you will receive more details.
A small smile formed on Keiko’s lips. Kyoko appeared from behind, reading over the letter. “Congratulations, Keeks.”
~~~~
It was now Sunday. The Naegi’s spent their sundays with the Togami’s and the Hagakure’s. Byakuya’s daughter, Estelle (the new Togami heir) sat in her room with Keiko, Yuta, and Yuzuma (Aoi and Hiro’s Twins). The 4 sat in a circle on the floor of her room.
“So, congratulations to you on Hope’s Peak acceptance,” Estelle nodded to Keiko, looking at her dead in the eyes.
“Thank you.” Keiko expressesed.
“So like…are you exited to really join us…?” Yuzuma asked; exited.
Yuzuma was the Ultimate Water Polo player, Yuta was the Ultimate swimmer, and Estelle was the Ultimate Affluent Prodigy. All 3 were 2 years (one grade) older than Keiko.
“…Honestly, sure.” Keiko told the group, sounding a mix of doubtful and bored.
“Well, I know what would make you feel better, you get like…A Q and A from us!” Yuta said to Keiko, his peppy personality showing through his voice.
“Uhm…Okay…” Keiko uttered.
“So, Crash couse time!” Yuzuma added along with his twin brother. Estelle seemed to approve of the Q and A.
“Okay, so there’s about 16 students per a homeroom. And these homerooms are divided alongside your class, which is everyone in your grade. There’s 4 classes…” Yuta explained.
“Which are homerooms,” Yuzuma interjected, getting a glare from Estelle and Yuta.
“…per grade. So, Me and Yuta’s class is Class 15-A, meaning we’re the 15th graduating class, and the first. Estelle’s 15-C.” Yuzuma explained.
“I’m sure your aware already, but you’re in homeroom until lunch, then you have two classes: a genral education class, and your “ultimate” class.” Estelle added, “Oh, and for general education, only one subject per day. For example, you could have english on monday, and then PE tuesday.”
Keiko understood, the crash course easing her anxieties slightly. The group began to go on and on about the procedures, stories, teachers, everything and anything.