Chapter Text
Hajime Hinata was once a normal high-school student, naive and unaware of the dangers he'd soon face because of his own selfishness, influenced by society’s oppression for those deemed unworthy of talent, Hinata had never expected his decision to become a stepping-stone for the most despair inducing event in human history.
All he had ever wanted was to be worthy of the name “Ultimate” to be one of the Elites. To be someone he could be proud of, at least...for her. Soon the hope of ever reaching that goal simply became impossible, that was the truth he’d spent so long denying.
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His mind soon went dark and he laid motionless, but soon a throbbing pain in his head alerted Hajime that he had regained consciousness. Slowly, then all at once memories flooded into his mind. The Neo-program, Makoto Naegi, the Future Foundation, the Remnants of despair, Junko Enoshima and... Chiaki Nanami. He hesitated not knowing what to do for a moment, before reaching out. The sound of sucking air broke the uncomfortable silence. Hajime could hear faint murmurings of people. A wave of relief overtook him, even in his hazy state, there was only one thing that it could mean. It had worked.
"Hnngh." He groaned as he sat up, massaging his aching forehead where, to his surprise, he found long thick black hair. Fear, bitter and cold gripped at his heart. He knew this would happen...he had regressed back into the form of Izuru Kamukura. Feeling his forehead again gingerly, he followed the unmistakable shape of the long scar across it. He had wished for it all to be a lie, to be some kind of sick joke Junko had made up. But part of him knew that wasn’t a possibility.
Hajime shook his head vigorously; there was no time for regret. He spun his head around to see four teenagers huddled together examining eachother. Each with looks of confusion and pure joy plastered on their faces. Hajime knew these people well, Kazuichi Soda the Ultimate Mechanic, Sonia Nevermind the Ultimate Princess, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu the Ultimate Yakuza and Akane Owari the Ultimate Gymnast. Hajime couldn’t hold back the smile appearing on his face, if he could he most likely would have burst into tears just at the sight of his friends being safe. He slowly crawled out of the Neo-World pod, being careful to not collapse under the weight of his still asleep legs after being unconscious for so long. He hesitated again, standing to the side and just taking in the fact they were all okay.
“Hah! Check out the new digs! I feel like I could run 100 miles!” Akane yelled as she flexed her attire.
“Dude, we just woke up...how are you so fired up alrea-” Something made Kazuichi pause. He stared past Akane. “Is that..?” He trailed off.
“What are you gawking at dumbass?” Fuyuhiko turned to where Kazuichi was staring. Soon all four were staring wide eyed in the same direction.
“Could it be? Has Hajime returned to us?” Sonia perked up, tears formed in her eyes.
“Dude...what’s with the mop?” Kazuichi pointed out Hajime’s hair. His face turned red as he fought to hold back a laugh. Hajime folded his arms looking unimpressed.
“Anyway, let us not focus on appearances...and just take in the fact we are all together again!” Sonia clapped her hands together her smile beaming with joy.
“Uh...right my apologies Miss Sonia.” Kazuichi scratched the back of his head. “So, uh...what do we do now?” Everyone looked at eachother in complete silence.
“Well? Aren’t you like, a super genius or something now? What happens next?” Akane pointed at Hajime with a stern look. He thought for a moment.
"Well, I suppose-” He began.
Suddenly, as if on cue, a boy appeared in the centre of the cave entrance. He had short, spiky brown hair and wide grey eyes practically sparkling with optimism and hope, all five jumped in surprise.
“Hey, it’s that kid from, what-cha-ma call it? Future Foundation!” Akane announced now pointing at the newcomer.
“Makoto Naegi, branch 14 of the Future Foundation!” He introduced himself with as much conviction as he could muster. “Uhm, do you guys...have your memories back yet?” He suddenly became very nervous, I suppose he hadn’t thought this far ahead... Hajime guessed.
“If you mean our school memories, then no. Not yet at least.” Fuyuhiko murmured with his arms crossed. “I suppose that’s why we haven’t fully reverted back into the “Remnants of Despair” yet.” The grip on his arms tightened, worry clouded his eyes.
“Ah, I see...” Makoto rested his hand on his chin and closed his eyes as if deep in thought. They suddenly flew open after a moments silence, immediately locking on to Hajime. He couldn’t help but feel nervous at Makoto’s piercing gaze. Makoto’s eyes drifted to the surrounding unopened pods. “It seems that all your friends are still unconscious, well at least they’ll be safe for now and that Junko’s plan failed.” He looked up, his face was clouded but he smiled warmly at the others. “I’m afraid we will not be able to stay much longer...as you know the Future Foundation weren’t entirely pleased with our decision to protect you guys.” He laughed awkwardly; Hajime felt a pang of sympathy for Makoto. He had risked everything for them...
Hajime opened his mouth to say something else but before he could, a girl he didn’t recognise bounced into the cave entrance, beaming from ear-to-ear. Her blue eyes sparkled at everyone in the room as she placed her hands on a bewildered looking Makoto’s shoulders.
“Hello everyone! I’m Aoi Asahina! I’m from a different branch but I just wanted to meet all of you so badly!” She squealed with excitement before falling into silence and began searching the room with a confused expression. “Hey, I thought there were supposed to be more of these guys...” She let go of Makoto’s shoulders and cautiously crept towards Hajime. He looked down at Aoi, another wave of nervousness made his spine tingle.
“They’re still in the pod's unconscious.” Hajime said dryly.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded from outside and two other people appeared in the doorway. A tall, slender man with short blonde hair and rectangular glasses and a slightly shorter girl with long lavender coloured hair. Hajime recognised them immediately.
“Oh, Togami! Kirigiri!” Makoto smiled, he walked towards them. “Sorry we were taking so long, I was just trying to figure out what the best course of action would be for these guys...” He leaned closer to the two newcomers and whispered, making sure the others wouldn't overhear. “I mean it’s not like we can just leave them here...what if the Future Foundation comes looking for them?” Makoto’s eyes widened with sympathy as he looked to the others for advice. All four members looked at the five, confused and still half-awake teenagers.
Kyoko Kirigiri was the first to break the silence. “It is to my understanding that none of you have received your school memories yet?” She continued, not waiting for a reply. “Meaning that at any moment any of you could easily turn against us. Additionally, how do we know they aren’t pretending to have lost their memories? They fooled the Future Foundation once before...” She announced, stepping forward and narrowing her eyes accusingly at Hajime and the others. Each looked at Kyoko in surprise and outrage. Sonia let out a gasp, Fuyuhiko opened his mouth preparing to hurl insults at Kyoko and Akane stood clenching her fists. But before anyone could do anything, Hajime stood infront of his friends, breaking Kyoko’s line of eyesight from them. She met Hajime’s narrowed gaze. Tension sparked between they’re unmoving glares.
“Uhm, look guys...Kirigiri didn’t mean it! She’s just naturally suspicious, being the Ultimate Detective and all!” Makoto appeared in between them shooting sideways glances at Kyoko. She took the hint and stepped back, closing her eyes and adjusting her gloves.
“Yes, I do apologise if I came off as hostile...I’m sure you will understand my reasoning.” She turned, walking back to her place beside Togami. Who in turn scoffed as he pushed up his glasses.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather us get out of here as soon as possible. It’s unclear what the Future Foundations intentions are, seeing we’ve committed a high act of treason.” He faced the others, an almost sinister look in his eyes. “No thanks to you that is.” He spat under his breath but still loud enough for Hajime to hear, he gritted his teeth and turned back to Makoto ignoring Togami’s comments.
“Do you...intend to hand us over to them?” Hajime crossed his arms, his jaw tightened.
Makoto looked at Hajime with disbelief “No of course not! We want save you guys!” Hajime smiled slightly, he could tell the boy was sincere just by looking at him, but that was probably his ultimate analyst talent kicking in, he was going to have to get used to having unlimited talents now. He looked back at the others who were now standing beside him, a warm feeling made his head clearer and determination sparked in his heart.
“Then, allow me to come with you to Future Foundation Headquarters!” He yelled as everyone turned to Hajime each with the same confused and startled expression.
“I can’t decide whether to admire your bravery or if you’re just fucking stupid!” Fuyuhiko scoffed.
“Man, and I thought having every talent made you a genius!” Kazuichi stepped back with his palm to his forehead.
“You must not! It is far too dangerous!” Sonia protested.
“Even I wouldn’t do anything as risky as that!” Akane grabbed Hajime’s shoulders and started shaking him vigorously. “Did your brain melt in that pod?” She stopped as the four Future Foundation members huddled together out of earshot from the others each whispering to one and other, every so often Togami loudly protested “No.” To Makoto.
After a short while, Makoto huffed. He turned around looking dejected before suddenly perking up.
“It may be reckless, but I feel like luck is on my side today! So, I believe it’s only fair. It will also give us the chance to show we aren’t traitors!” Makoto grinned, Hajime didn’t think depending on luck was a very good idea. Not when you spent so long with that complete psychopath. But nonetheless he let out a sigh of relief.
“WHAT?!” Togami screeched from across the room. “That is not at all what I had suggested! This is a suicide mission!” He continued rambling in his outrage.
“If Makoto believes this is the right course of action, then I have no objections.” Kyoko smiled at Makoto. Hajime was surprised at her sudden change in attitude.
“Yeah, I’m with you every step of the way Makoto!” Aoi practically launched into the air. She then abruptly stopped; furrowing her brows in concern. “But...what will we do with the others...” She turned to Sonia, Kazuichi, Fuyuhiko and Akane then to the still-closed pods. Silence filled the room, after a while Makoto giggled with a mischievous grin on his face.
“Lucky for you guys I know just the people!” He crossed his arms, looking proud of himself.
“Oh? And who might that be.” Sonia queried.
"Why my sister of course!” He clapped his hands together. “Komaru Naegi! And no doubt she’ll want to bring our old friend along!” Makoto smiled as Togami suddenly turned very pale; a look of pure dread clouded his face.
“You don’t mean...her...” He shuddered.
“Toko Fukawa!” Makoto announced ecstatically. Meanwhile, Togami had collapsed to the floor in defeat. The others looked at eachother and shrugged.
Chapter 1: End
To be continued...