Chapter Text
If Hajime were to lie, he’d say he had no idea how this happened. Just a casual and unlucky course of events he’d found himself in without even consenting to it, something he would have much rathered never touch nor look at, much less be involved in.
If he were to be honest, however, he’d say it started because of Nanami.
The reserve course of Hope’s Peak Academy was not a joke. Many would love to point and stare and confirm that all those students were the richest fuckers to be found in the area, whom appeared to just be fortunate enough to pay a small fee and be accepted in the prestigious courses that only a school filled with talent could promise. Hajime could confirm it was not that easy.
He was somewhat lucky, perhaps. His parents just happened to be in a good enough condition to be able to let him into the course, but the exams, the tests, the constant pressure, that wasn’t something money could fix. Hope’s Peak was strict; they would not just accept anyone. And Hajime, the perfect definition of the word average, who would admittedly give his soul to be part of something, had made it his personal goal to pass out each night due the lack of a constant sleep schedule in order to keep up with the incessant amount of things he’d have to study for. These were the times where he hated himself even more for not being good at anything at all.
It’d be so much easier, if only he had an Ultimate. If he was so good at an activity, or a job, or even at making up a speech, or something, he’d have been immediately noticed and asked to be part of the system he admired more than anything else. But he was not. He wasn’t good at anything.
From head to toe, Hajime Hinata was a normal, boring, uncharacteristic, common guy.
That was what he could not stand.
If he had to say his personal thoughts on it, he’d say he was not too worried about it. Albeit merely a lie if not anything else, Hajime was aware his results were steady enough to be allowed to stay in the school of his dreams. The requests for more were persistent, hard to accomplish, but satisfying when he managed to meet the given requirements.
And in his most honest, most humble opinion, if he had to sacrifice a few hours of his — admittedly almost none existent — social life to do it, so be it. He was willing enough to.
If you asked Chiaki Nanami, student of the main course, recognized for her ultimate talent in gaming, she’d tell you, as politely as possible, that he was full of bullshit, if not completely insane.
They had used to meet up for lunch every day at the fountain near the entrance. Usually they’d sit on the bench in front, a mere sandwich in his hands and a game boy in hers, and they’d briefly talk about what was new. Nanami would tell him about her classmates, whom she all loved very dearly, Hajime would tell her about how exhausted, yet kind of proud of himself, he was as of lately.
Nanami had always declared she did not care if he had a talent or not. To her, he was a good person, and that should be enough.
She had insisted she herself sometimes struggled with some of the games she played. An extremely rare occasion, given her natural talent with them, but it did happen, apparently. She kept saying all it took were a few tries, but they were necessary. Practice makes perfect. Nobody is born perfect.
He wished he could believe her more easily.
Those meetings became more and more brief, if not rare, the more his study sessions demanded a further prolongation. Nanami had been explicit with her dislike of the situation, but eventually understood. until they barely saw each other at all, and she herself decided it was time for them to meet directly in the much smaller reserve course dorms.
Saying she attracted stares was an understatement. Main course students never really even looked at reservers; seeing her ever so casually hang out in this kind of space was not usual. Nothing about Nanami had ever been usual. Hajime loved her for it.
It is not not like they did much. She merely sat on his bed and played while he took care of the studying material. Sometimes she had to force him to take a break by placing one her games in front of him and staring wordlessly until he played. He couldn’t decide if he was grateful for it.
She kept on saying that this could not possibly be considered a healthy study habit. Perhaps she was right, Hajime wasn’t going to deny that. She always however left him be after a few comments, because Nanami was never one to pry in your personal business. At some point, however, his only guess was that it had gotten just a tad too annoying.
“You should try this one.” She said one afternoon, after seeing him slouched over his desk, hands ready to tear at his hair. She placed her phone on top of the textbook, pointing at the bright screen. “It’s quite popular, I think. Most of the main course has it, too.”
He sent her a look. One he hoped wasn’t as rude as it feared it might be, yet helpless enough to let her know now was not the time.
“I can try it later,” He conceded. “Now I’m kind of stuck on—”
“It’s a logical rpg,” She kept on, unfazed, “You like it when games require logic.”
“I— I do, but —”
“And it’s online too. You can compete against others and see who can solve a level first.”
“Interesting. Really. Can we try it later? I really should —”
“I tried once or twice. It’s really good.”
“Nanami.”
“Hinata.”
When their eyes met, she simply held his gaze. Nanami wasn’t one to back down easily. Hajime could just let out a sigh.
She was obviously tired of seeing him on the verge of committing. That much was obvious. But a game, right now? He couldn’t see how that will help.
“Nanami, please,” He grimaced. “Where is this coming from?”
“I’m the only person you see lately, right?” She held up a finger. “That can’t be good.”
“I just —”
“I introduced you to my classmates, too. You said you liked them, but always decline when we organize something.”
“I’m really busy.”
“And lack of human interactions.” She looked back at the screen. “Miss Yukizome always tells us that our brains develop at best where teamwork happens. Probably.”
“I don’t… I talk to you all the time!”
“Again, only me. That’s the problem.” She leaned over, pointing at the device. “Here you have a chat option. Players are usually encouraged to communicate to solve riddles.”
“Nanami…”
“You can send friend requests too.” She kept on, “It’s really nice.”
He took a breath. “You’re not going to leave me be until I play it, huh?”
Nanami shook her head with a smile he knew all too well. And Hajime, who silently decided that the sooner he got this over with, the sooner he could go back to focusing on his work, just gave in and picked the phone up.
“Alright, fine.” He watched her sit on the edge of the desk, a somewhat satisfied expression on her face. “What am I supposed to do?”
Nanami was not lying. The game was admittedly fun.
Apparently, there were a tad over eighty levels to play, going from the easiest difficulty to the hardest. You could connect yourself in different servers and confront yourself with others on how to solve a certain mystery.
Hajime was honestly surprised himself by how easily he managed to clear the first few. Nanami helped whenever it came to more difficult ones. As for the chat, some people were just more talkative than others. Various ones just moved their avatars to the first clue that came in their mind.
Some praised him, too. Said he had a sharp eye. He felt his cheeks heat up, and pointedly avoided looking at Nanami when she giggled under her breath.
Apparently, there were levels made up by more expert players as well. Nanami had shrugged and told him creating one required a higher level her profile did not have yet, as she had downloaded it only recently. It was fine, however; he highly doubted he’d ever have the will of doing something so important looking. Not at the moment, at least.
In the end, as he should have predicted, Nanami had the better outcome and they spent the rest of the afternoon playing. He only put it down when the sun started to set, and she had to go back to her own dorm.
He was ashamed about the speed in which he grabbed her wrist last minute, feeling his face flame as he just managed to mutter out, “Can you text me the game name?”
Nanami beamed.
It was currently around one in the morning.
Hajime was staring at his screen. His lower lip was worried within his teeth, thumbs hovering over the screen. Making up an account should have been easy, probably. Not something one should stress about. But Nanami had said it herself, most of the main course played. He felt doubt creep at him once more.
He wanted to be enough.
He wanted their approval so badly it hurt.
Please enter a name, it read. He had been dangerously close to put his actual name and surname before realizing he probably should not do that. He’d already noticed all of the people he played with had some sort of nickname, it was logical one couldn’t just enter their personal information for the public to see. Hajime might not have played video games that often but even he wasn’t that dumb. Sometimes.
He wished Nanami was still there. She would most likely tell him he was being stupid and make up some cool name for him to input. Or something. But it was late, and his best friend already had a tendency of sleeping on her two feet. Either she was really immersed in one of her games, or already in a deep slumber.
Besides, texting her for this one reason made him feel more embarrassed than he should have been.
He stared at it for some other time.
He could only think of one thing. It made him feel extremely idiotic.
His fingers typed anyway.
Izuru Kamukura.
He pressed enter before he could overthink it.
The page loaded before him. Account successfully created, it offered the option to set up a profile picture, put a bio under the name. He skipped both of those.
For some time, Hajime just played. He solved riddles, communicated with strangers, watched the time pass. He was completely going to regret this tomorrow morning, he thought, when his eyes would ache to close and the lecture would slip through and refuse to enter his ears nor register in his mind. He decided he was going to ignore this sort of detail before he went crazy.
The level he’d dared to select was just a tad harder than the ones he’d done with Nanami. A locked room murder, the victim’s avatar sat on a chair facing the newly broken door. Hajime wandered around the room. Several broken pieces of glass, possibly coming from the bottles he could notice nearby. He tapped the screen mindlessly, humming between himself.
The chat pinged. Someone asked if they had an idea of what was going on. Hajime didn’t answer immediately, bringing his character closer to the victim to zoom in on the body’s details. There was blood on their chin. Huh.
He heard another ping.
"I think it was suicide.”
Hajime stared at the message, frowning. The victim had several blows inflicted on their head. It could not be suicide.
“They were hit on their own head several times.” He typed back. “They couldn’t have done that on their own.”
“Ah, that’s an honest mistake. I suggest you look at them more closely.”
His frown deepened. “I checked. I still don’t understand what you mean.”
“Mhh, but there is blood dripping from their mouth…”
Their mouth?
He walked to it again, zooming in. Now that he looked at it through that perspective, the blood he’d noticed before was indeed coming out of their lips.
He sat up a little straighter.
The chat brightened, the stranger typing, “From the character description, they seemed to be quite fond of energy drinks. And just what have we found near the door?”
Some other avatar walked to the empty bottle nearby. “It has some powder inside.”
“Correct! My suggestion is that’s poison :)”
Hajime paused. Then answered, “The file did say they felt guilty about their status.”
“Which means they might have gone to drastic measures.”
“Guilt can truly be terrible most times, can it not?”
“Which meant they might have drunk it on her own, and locked the front door as to not be interrupted.”
“Exactly what I thought! ^^”
“What about the bottle?” Somebody else asked, “If they died on the chair, did they throw it themselves? It was near the door, after all.”
He stared at the screen. It was certainly a valid question. He made a move towards it once more, zoomed on the details. The bottle was just above the broken glass.
Ah.
“Somebody probably put it there.” He decided at last, “If you recall, their friend was with us when we opened the door.”
“Why would they do that?!”
“Making sure we got confused, probably.”
“And the blows to their head?”
“A past conflict. Suicide must have been their final decision after everything.”
One of the avatars walked to the answer station. They typed “suicide”.
Game clear.
Hajime could only smile.
He looked back at the time. It was just half past two. He was so going to regret this in the morning.
He was just about to close it and make a responsible decision for the first time that night, when he heard one more ping.
“Such an amazing deduction! Even I was asking myself most of the things you suggested.”
He blinked, pausing for a second. Most of the players had already disconnected, if not for one. He recognized it as the one that had been doing most of the talking so far.
“I have a hard time believing that.” He answered. “You’re the one that suggested a suicide.”
“Ah, but mine was a daring guess. You completely validated my decision! You even convinced everyone else I was mostly correct. I’m truly lucky to have gotten to play with someone as incredibly capable as you.”
Hajime felt the tips of his ears become a little warmer. He rubbed the back of his neck, unfortunately not able to keep a smile off his face for a long time.
“You’re too flattering. You were amazing too.”
“My, I’m so honored.”
He waited for a second. Two. Then—
“I would never wish to bother you,” the guy wrote, “but it’d be such a pleasure if we could continue talking. If you would give me that honor, that is.”
His attention got soon stolen by the notification following suit.
Lucky_Gal sent you a friend request.
Hajime could only stare for what felt like hours. Nanami had been right, in some way — he was not, nor had ever been, a social person. He was not used to initiating conversation if not with awkward tones, he was not one that usually approached strangers if not extremely necessary. Perhaps he was too weary of circumstances. Maybe sometimes he created too many problems inside of his head, trusted unfounded feelings that were only telling him to run, to ruin his own life.
And he especially never even gave that much thought to talking with people online. He'd never truly seen the purpose of exchanging information with someone whose real name is still unknown, their face hidden, their voice muffled. He wasn't one to keep socials, he had never been that interested in searching for friendship in strangers.
If he wasn't mistaken, it should have been a base rule of navigating online. Do not talk with strangers. Don't give your personal information. Don't be a fucking idiot.
But.
Nanami did say he needed to talk with more people, right? It was the first reason why she'd made him download this game, after all. And this Lucky person or whatever their name was, they seemed.. nice?
If you asked a deeper part of himself, perhaps he'd admit that he'd never been praised like this before. That being called incredible and capable made him feel so many things he'd never dreamed to ever acknowledge. Perhaps he’d dare to say this unknown person he’d never seen in his life was putting him in such a high pedestal, he never wanted to come down.
Hajime wanted to be someone. He wanted to be recognized as someone.
Anyone.
This person thought he was good. They thought he was capable. They liked his reasoning. They thought he was smart. Like he was not some average guy in the reserve course of the school he admired so much, but could never truly belong to.
It felt so good.
He accepted the request before he could second guess anything else.
The loading screen stared back at him for some time. Start a game, it said. Invite a friend. Start a chat.
He didn’t have to do any of those, it turned out, as the user started sending strings of messages soon after.
Lucky_Gal
I sincerely apologize for texting at such a late hour! I’ve been told I’m not usually one to wait.
I hope you’re not too tired.
Having a full conversation with you just sounds so nice! Way too nice to just pass.
All he could do was smile. Hajime could just smile. He told himself he was not getting mushy over a stranger’s praise. That was not what was happening. Nope. Imagine that.
He was just… going to be polite. He was going to answer these texts like a normal person would. He could never just ghost someone that seemed so genuinely interested in talking to him, right? No, he was above that. Completely.
At this point I don’t think time matters at all
haha
it is kind of late.
Almost 3am, to be exact.
I am probably going to regret this tomorrow morning.
That’s what I thought too
But I guess I have a calmer day tomorrow. I can just stay in, I think.
Ah, you’re indeed lucky! My course of studies rarely allows anything of the sort.
That sounds tough.
And you’re still up?
Sleep never came easily for me.
I honestly used to just read until my eyes closed on their own, If I must admit so.
Imagine how lucky I felt when I got recommended such a fun game.
You surely talk about luck a lot.
Luck is… kind of my thing.
I think you would know.
Hajime couldn’t help but frown. How would he know? He didn’t even know who this guy was.
Izuru Kamukura, mh?
Ah.
Right.
Shit.
Do you perhaps go to Hope’s Peak Academy?
Hajime suddenly felt the urge to smash his phone on the ground. What the fuck had he been thinking, genuinely. He should have known it was as stupid as it sounded. He forced himself to type out a reply — anything that could get his incoming awkward explanation not to sound too idiotic.
No, I do not.
I… kind of wish I did, if I have to be honest.
I just admire it.
I admire him.
I think.
If it makes sense.
It made sense when I made up that name
Somehow
Please ignore me.
Being killed would be less painful, he decided.
Ah, how beautiful.
…Huh.
To admire Hope’s Peak Academy so much you’d love to take the name of its founder…
You and I are so similar.
I have been admiring this school since the very first moment I’ve heard of it!
It is nice to find someone as passionate about it as me…
Mh.
That’s.
Yeah.
You don’t think it’s idiotic?
How could I ever!
Izuru Kamukura certainly gave us all so much.
I will forever be grateful.
“Us” all?
Do you go to Hope’s Peak?
My my, how observant!
Yes, I do.
My talent is not anything incredible. It is not even worth mentioning.
He felt himself sour.
Of course.
Nanami had said so, after all. Many main course students were hooked on this game. It made sense. It made sense he was about to embarrass himself in front of the example of the people he admired yet envied so much it made him physically ill. Completely normal. Fantastic. He was very normal about that.
Don’t say that.
I’m sure your talent is amazing.
Some may unfortunately disagree!
It is okay, anyway. I do not mind.
If I can just be a stepping stone for everyone’s true potential, might as well make myself useful!
That sounds depressing.
But that’s just life, Kamukura-san!
…Kamukura?
Ah, pardon me.
I assumed that since you did not put your true name, I should just start calling you by a chosen one.
Unless that’s bothersome!
No, no. That’s okay.
I like that.
Being called that.
I don’t think I could live with myself if you ever recognized me.
Or something.
Are you suggesting I might know you?
Probably not.
I just have a friend from the main course.
I don’t really want to risk it.
Mh, that is unfortunately understandable.
I don’t believe I’d enjoy it if you knew who I am, either.
Are you embarrassed too?
Ah, not exactly.
I happen to bring misfortune to all those around me.
I’d rather avoid that case for the moment.
Incredibly, I do understand.
So what should I call you?
The guy took a few seconds to answer that. Hajime watched those three little dots appear and disappear several times, tapping his fingers against the side of his device.
If I recall correctly, sometimes the name “Lucky” is used on commonly bases as well.
I’m pretty sure that’s meant for pets.
That’s even more fitting!
Don’t joke about that.
Anyway, I would not mind being called so.
As I said, I’m quite familiar with the concept of luck.
Are you a usually lucky person?
Perhaps.
But even so…
I don’t mind being called Lucky, if you don’t mind taking the name Kamukura.
He thought about it for a few moments.
He could keep chatting with a stranger for the time being. A complete utter stranger, whom he did not know the real name of, nor their face, nor their age, not their gender, but whom was offering a sort of friendship. Kinda. Who offered to call him by the name of a person he admired, but was nothing alike. A person which seemed pretty hard on themselves, so much so they wanted to be called by another name, too. Did he even want to?
…Well.
Kinda.
Yeah
Right
Sure
Why not?
Wonderful!
It is amazing to get to know you, Kamukura-san.
You can drop the honorifics, you know.
It’s not like we’re ever going to see each other anyway.
Wouldn’t “Izuru” be fine?
I would never dare!
It would feel like disrespecting his name.
Besides, I would never dream of taking in too much familiarity with you, either.
I don’t mind. It’s not my real name anyway.
Lucky isn’t even a surname.
Wouldn’t I be the one taking in too much familiarity??
Mhh…
I see.
Perhaps I will just call you Kamukura.
I have the feeling this is the most I’m going to get.
Alright, fine.
Kamukura is fine.
Ahh, this is so exciting.
It is such a pleasure to be talking this long with someone I respect so much…
You don’t even know me.
I know just enough.
Enough to know you’re the type of person I adore spending my time with.
You’re observant, smart, witty, yet insanely amusing.
You notice small details not many pick up first try.
Ah, I just love it when I find anyone capable of using their whole brain.
You’re…
You’re very flattering.
Are you a boy or a girl?
Stupid. Why the fuck did he type that. Why the fuck would he send that. Fucking idiot.
Oh, we’re already asking personal questions!
Apologies if this disappoints you, but I’m very much a guy.
I'm not disappointed!!
I'm a guy too.
And I wasn’t trying to pry!
I just don’t know anything about you.
I don’t even know who I’m chatting with.
Well, if we must be completely honest, I do not either!
I don’t know who you are.
What if you’re an old pervert?
What if you’re a stalker?
No I’m not!!
I’m pretty sure we’re the same age.
Oh?
And how would you appear to know how old I am?
What???
You said you go to Hope’s Peak, right??
You must be a high schooler to be accepted in that school.
So you must be around that age range.
That is indeed correct! ^^
I'm a high schooler.
I'm assuming you are too, then?
I am.
Why did you even ask me that for?!
I wanted to see how easy it is to rile you up!!
I got my answer quite easily :)
This fucking guy.
Hajime’s smile wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Lucky was extremely easy to talk to.
Hajime discovered that after glancing at the time and unfortunately realizing that they'd been talking for two good hours. He was amazed his eyes hadn't been closing on their own.
He ended up sleeping in. Which was fine, he assumed, he could just get Kuzuryu’s notes — for how legible they might be, which was not a lot, if she took any at all — and study in the afternoon. He told himself it was fine.
It's not like they'd been having some sort of deep conversation or anything. Lucky had kept on gushing about how amazing Hajime had been during that play, how he usually never sent requests because he was too terrified to bother anyone with his presence — apparently? — but Hajime's “abilities” had gotten him too excited to resist.
They ended up playing another game, and the case was indeed easier with Lucky going along with his own reasoning. They seemed to work well together. It was nice.
He would have loved to say he had been quite normal about this whole thing in the following period. That he was not distracted by his phone every two minutes, and that he absolutely did not smile like an idiot every time he heard a notification coming through.
It was just nice to have a friend.
It was nice to be held on such a high pedestal.
It was probably stupid.
But the days passed, and Lucky did not slow down. He sent him texts more often every day, told him what he was doing, if he was bored, if anything had reminded him of Hajime.
Lucky was also a very honest person. Once Hajime simply asked him how he was and he told him without an ounce of hesitation that he'd fallen into a ditch — it wasn't sure where it came from — and it had taken at least half an hour to manage to get out. He called it an unlucky accident. Hajime just scolded him and told him to pay more attention.
He then insisted that this incident brought Hajime to care for him, which must have meant this was all just a stroke of good luck. Hajime hadn't been sure on how to answer that.
“Are you still on your phone?”
His head snapped up.
Sometimes Nanami did manage to bring him out of his dorm. And most of these times included her classmates, which were all lovely, really, as she seemed reluctant to ever go out without them.
She insisted it was her duty as class representative. Hajime was pretty sure she just liked their company. Not that he minded, seriously, as he said, they were good people.
Perhaps texting while walking hadn't been a wise idea. But there were a bunch of clovers on the grass where they were standing, and even if they were all three leafed, he wasn't able to help but think that Lucky would have loved to see them. And he got distracted. As it usually happened those days.
Oops.
“Uhm, sorry.” He awkwardly put his phone back in the bag. “Just answering some texts.”
An arm enclosed around his arms, Soda's wide grin staring back at him the moment his head turned. “Text from who? A chick?”
“Of course not.” He mumbled. “Just a friend.”
“Doesn't mean you can just ignore us.” He heard Kuzuryu snap back, though his voice lacked of any real heat. “You're gonna bump into something if you keep walking like that.”
“Sorry…”
“We shouldn't exactly expect anything else from reserve courses.”
…Ugh.
Nanami’s classmates were so nice. When she introduced them to him, he was basically accepted immediately as one of the group. Seriously, they were good people. Just normal teenagers that appeared to have amazing talents. They were fun to be around, and they were nice to him.
All of them. Except one.
Fucking Komaeda.
Komaeda had been kind at first. Hajime still remembered how he'd clasped his hands together with a bright expression, smiling and rambling something about a hopeful encounter, which hadn’t really been the easiest to follow — until Nanami had mentioned how tiring the reserve course must have been to get Hajime in such low states ever so often. And Komaeda’s expression fell.
So did the good mood.
He liked Nanami’s classmates. They were all nice. Except for Komaeda.
Komaeda was a fucking asshole.
Nanami let out a sigh, “Komaeda…”
“Ah, I apologize,” He smiled. “I wouldn't mean to bother your ears with my dreadful voice. I was just pointing out the obvious.”
Why they kept inviting him, Hajime wasn't sure. Nanami insisted he was a good person, deep down, when one excluded the incessant ramblings and self deprecating comments he always, always threw in every single conversation.
He figured she was just too nice to tell him to fuck off.
“Could you not?” He glared over his shoulder.
“Could I not what?” He tilted his head. “Reserve course students surely can't bear these types of expectations! I'm merely doing you a favour.”
“Would you cut it the fuck out?!” Kuzuryu elbowed his arm. It lacked of force, too. “Just let him be.”
“I apologize.” He smiled, raising his hands up. “I just love to speak my mind.”
Hajime rolled his eyes. “We noticed.”
“I'm going to join Sonia.” Nanami declared, and skimmed over to where the other girls were walking. She wasn't a fan of petty exchanges. He probably should have held himself back.
“Mh, I cannot blame her.” Komaeda sighed out. “Standing next to Hinata-kun must be quite exhausting.”
Nevermind.
“What even is your problem?” He turned to look at him fully. “I'm just walking.”
“In the main course campus.” His arms were crossed, and he had the guts to look dejected. “I suppose the staff is too nice to kick reservers out…”
Hajime was not a violent person. He preferred words, really. But Komaeda? Komaeda made him really, really wish he could just punch him in his sickly pale face until he shut his fucking mouth.
“Whatever.” He huffed out at last, grabbing Soda's arm and gaining a yelp as he yanked him along, walking where Nanami was headed.
“Just leave him alone,” Soda said at last. “Nobody understands what the hell he's talking about half the time.”
“He just gets on my nerves.” He grumbled. “I don't know what his problem is.”
“Nobody does.” He looked ahead, and his face brightened. “Miss Sonia! I can carry that bag for you!”
“Ah, no, really, that won't be necessary —”
Hajime watched him abandon his side and rush over to Sonia, who was politely trying to get him to catch the fucking hint for the one thousandth time, without any success. Hajime just sighed fondly.
“Isn't it just so beautiful to see?”
Ah. Komaeda had caught up to him. Fantastic. Amazing. He was so happy about this.
“Soda-kun’s hope towards the chance of winning Nevermind-san’s heart never fades.” He had a strange smile on his face. “Such an amazing display of never ending optimism.”
“It's…” He grimaced. “Sonia definitely doesn't like him.”
“Quite the opposite.”
“He should just leave her alone. For both their sakes.”
“Mh…”
He let a few seconds pass, the sound of their steps barely audible over the chatter of their friends walking just ahead of them.
“I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand, Hinata-kun.” He said at last.
Hajime let out a resigned sigh.
“Nobody understands you, Komaeda.”
“I would not expect them to try, either.” He shrugged. “Their time is obviously much more important if spent doing something much more significant than talking to trash like myself.”
He'd never understand if that was supposed to make him feel bad.
“Some people just do not belong in this world.” He spared him a glance. “Some others even less. The difference is that only very few of them know their place.”
He then walked up to where Mioda was jamming non-hearable notes in the air.
Hajime could only stare at his back.
You do sound quite down today.
Lucky had demonstrated to be a very perceptive person. He seemed to understand wether Hajime's mood was high by the words he used, or how long his sentences were. And Hajime had tried to change that, seriously, but it was as if Lucky could see right through him. He wasn't sure on how to feel about that.
Sometimes it was comforting. Lucky never judged him. He listened and gave advice when it was requested, or stayed quiet when it was not. Perhaps he just appreciated the possibility of getting to let it all out, even if unprompted.
He'd come back to his dorm after that hang out with about five messages to read. He'd tried to engage in the conversation as much as possible, hoping to distract himself. But once again, Lucky demonstrated just how bluntly honest he could get, and he was back sulking into his pillow.
It's fine.
It's very stupid.
I don't mind a few stupidities if they come from you, Kamukura!
You know I'm here to listen.
He worried his bottom lip under his teeth.
There's just someone that keeps pissing me off.
Oh?
There's this guy in my friend group.
Well uh
At least I think we're in a friend group..
We hang out a lot
Can that be considered being friends?
I must admit I am not an expert in the matter.
But you're a lovely person. I am perfectly sure they all care very deeply about you.
Yeah…
They're very nice.
Except for this one guy.
He's an asshole.
Has he done something to you?
Nothing physical.
He's just very snarky.
He doesn't lose an occasion to make some sort of sarcastic comment.
He just seems to hate my whole existence.
I didn't even do anything to him!
We never even had a fight or anything.
I don't know him.
But he hates me and I think I’m starting to hate him too.
Hate is a strong word, Kamukura.
But perhaps I understand what you mean.
There's… someone I am not fond of, either.
Really?
He's quite arrogant.
He acts as if he knows everything.
He knows nothing.
I try to make him understand such, and he gets defensive quite quickly.
Aggressive as well, sometimes. He makes me pass as the villain.
It's really frustrating.
Sounds like a lot.
I'm sorry you gotta deal with that too.
It is fortunate that I don't see him often.
I never mean to be rude, Kamukura.
But this person brings out the worst in me.
Honestly, same.
He really does it for me too.
Enough about him.
How was school?
You're right. We should engage in more pleasant conversations.
Lessons at Hope’s Peak are never too demanding, fortunately.
My main professor is a very kind woman.
She makes it all so easy.
You're indeed lucky.
Mine are way too strict.
Well as I said, luck is quite my thing!
I hope I can give you some of it, too.
Haha
I could use some of that.
Thanks, Lucky.
Always at your service, Kamukura.
Kamukura, guess what!!
No offense, but this could go anywhere.
Haha, you know me so well, Kamukura!
But it’s nothing catastrophic this time.
I actually got to be somewhat useful in class today.
It was nice to see everyone smiling.
I’m so happy for you.
I hope everyone finally realizes how nice you are.
You think I’m nice?
Obviously!
Wasn’t that clear?
…Sometimes I have a hard time believing that.
But thank you.
You’re very nice too.
Lucky
Lucky
Lucky
Lucky
Yes, Kamukura?
Nothing.
You disappeared all day!
Aww, Kamukura, did you miss me??
I’m honored!
Even so..?
We’re friends.
I want to know how you’re doing.
Ah.
Obviously.
For what matters, however…
I missed you too.
Are you up for a round?
I wish.
I unfortunately have an amount of work to take care of.
I’d very much rather be doing anything else.
Bummer.
Later?
Later!
I promise!!!!
I beat your record by the way :)
No you did not.
Did.
Did not.
Did.
Did not.
Did.
How old are you, five?
Someone’s salty.
Because I won.
Hah.
I’m going to block you.
No you’re not.
No I’m not.
Kamukura!!!!
I have a rather important question.
?
What’s up?
If you ever reincarnated as an animal
???
Which one would you choose to be?
What kind of question is that…
An important one!
…
Lucky.
If you want to talk to me just ask me how I’m doing.
… :)
I knew it.
I KNOW YOU.
You do!!!
Now answer my question :)
Idiot.
Have you heard of this new song?
My friend forced me to listen to it.
It’s actually pretty nice.
Haha, same
I’m not usually one for loud noises.
You did mention that.
And you remembered?
Of course I did.
?
Lucky?
You there?
Sorry, I’m here
Apologies
I’m just
Not used to people caring about what I say
You better get used to it.
I care.
Ahhh.
I’m truly lucky.
I care about you too.
The song was easy to listen to.
It made me think of you.
Please answer.
Please.
Kamukura??
Are you alright?
Yes
No
I don’t know.
Everything is a mess.
Would you like to tell me about it?
Not really.
Sorry.
That’s completely alright!
You don’t have to.
Let’s talk about something.
Like what?
Anything!
Anything that might take your mind off of it.
It’s going to be okay.
Yeah.
I’d like that.
Thank you.
Sometimes I wish we could see each other in person.
Isn’t that foolish?
I was the one to ask to stay anonymous.
It’s okay.
I feel like that too.
I understand.
Kamukura…
You’re probably the only person that can stand my presence.
I’m sure that’s not true.
You’re amazing.
I’ve never felt so comfortable with anyone else in my life.
I haven’t either.
Perhaps that’s why I’m so terrified.
My biggest fear is to scare you away.
You could never do that.
Lucky, you’re strange
But it’s a good kind of strange.
One I could never mind.
One I like
You know?
Kamukura, when you say such things…
I mean them.
I know.
That’s why it’s so worrying.
You’re everything.
I have never grown this fond of anyone else before in my entire life.
I am not certain of what to do about that.
Maybe you don’t have to do anything.
We can just live like this
No questions
Just our conversations.
Mh…
What I would give to be with you this very moment.
What would you do..?
Who knows.
Perhaps nothing.
Perhaps everything.
It’s up to you to decide.
I…
I think I’d like anything, if it comes from you.
Ahh…
I feel the exact same.
Do you think that’s stupid..?
In the end we don’t even know each other.
Perhaps.
But I told you already.
I don’t mind doing something stupid if it’s with you, Kamukura.
“You’re on your phone a lot, lately.”
The only sounds hearable up until that moment had been the soft splashing of the water of the fountain behind them and the clicks and beeps of Nanami’s console. Hajime looked up from his screen, taking a few seconds to fully understand what she’d just said.
Her head was still down, however. Her eyes were following the movement of her character, fingers moving quickly over the joysticks. That usually meant she wasn’t too worried about whatever she was about to say. That comforted him, just a little.
“I guess so.” He rubbed the back of his neck, gazing at his shoes like they were suddenly very, very interesting to analyze. “Is that annoying?”
“Not really.” She shrugged. “It’s nice to know you have other friends.”
“I wouldn’t say friends. It’s not plural.”
“Mh?”
“Just one guy.”
“The one from the app?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I mean —” He cleared his throat. “He’s easy to talk to. He’s a good friend.”
“A friend you talk a lot with.”
“Do I?” Stupid question. Of course he did.
“You do.” She let out a hum. “And you’re smiling more. I think”
…Huh.
“Am I?”
“It seems like so,” Her screen displayed a victory statement. She put it down. “It’s nice too.”
“Well, he’s— he’s good with words.”
“Mhmh.”
“And he just… he listens, you know? When I talk.” He played with his own fingers. He tried not to feel pathetic. “And I try to listen too. He says I’m good at it as well.”
“You are good at listening.”
“And he’s, well — he’s kinda funny too.” He felt his lips curl up. “Texting him makes my day a little better. It’s just good to hear from him. And to reach out.”
“I see.”
“I haven’t seen his face yet.” He confessed. “But what he says is always on track. He never contradicted himself. That’s probably very stupid.”
“Maybe.”
“But it just feels like it doesn’t matter. Like he could be whoever and I would be okay with it.”
“Mh?”
“But like, sometimes he does send pictures. He shows me things he’s looking at through the day. He says they made him think of me…” He trailed off. “I… kinda like it when he says that. And —”
“Hinata?”
He snapped his mouth shut. Looked at her. She looked right back at him.
Her smile was warm.
“It sounds like you have a crush on him.”
…
Fuck.