Archive of Our Own

Hajime had made a decision.

One that had been building up in his mind for a long while, only halted by his hesitation and hope. Throughout his life, he always hoped that he could find something special about himself. Something that would make him stand out, and have worth in his own life. The thoughts had plagued him ever since he was little. He had tried many things but nothing ever... seemed to stick. And at one point, he didn't bother trying as much at all. Finding no point in it.

It ached at his heart for a long time, even after getting into the school he always had dreamed of. Through his parents own fundings, he was able to get into the reserve course. He had no talent, and yet he had bought his way into the school. It had made him feel guilty... but he couldn't deny the chance. Even his parents knew how much he's always wanted to be there. They spent it all for him, and as far as he knows, they didn't regret it a single bit.

... but now they were starting to run low on money, soon they wouldn't be able to afford and keep him in roll. The guilt had been eating at him because of it. But most of all, it was self loathing that he felt from it. The news that they wouldn't be able to keep him in Hope's Peak was like a heavy blow to finally hammer in the idea that...

He was a waste.

That he had no talent.

Why was he even here in the first place? Why did he waste so much of his and his parents time? He loathed himself for it, but he still found himself grateful that he got to be here at all. Despite what it costed his parents.

However, one day after getting the news that he was losing funds, he was approached by some people who claimed to be staff of hopes peak itself. More specifically, the Steering Committee. And they had made him an unbelievable offer. An offer that was made to him at his lowest, when all hope had seemed lost.

To improve himself, to give him talent, so he could participate in the Izuru Kamukura project.

It was a project that could remake him into someone that was exceptional. Someone who could posses not just one talent, but multiple. Someone who could be the academy's greatest achievement. And if he took the offer, his parents of course, would never have to pay his fees anymore, since he would be an ultimate student.

He didn't believe them at first, the whole thing sounded bizarre after all, didn't it? To remake someone? To just add talents into them? Its impossible... right? They told him he had time to think it over, and he did. He thought about it a lot more then he imagined. It scared him at first, mainly due to what they told him about the process. They had said that it would remake him, which would involve going through extensive amounts of surgery that would transform him into a more profound and skilled person, who could use their talents to the fullest.

But the idea was nerve wrecking, it made him hesitant but... he finds himself asking again, what worth does he really have?

What about him was likeable? Or interesting? Did he even have the personality of an ultimate? He's seen some of them, they act nothing like how he would've imagined them to be. And despite how much their eccentric personalities intimidated him... it had made him realize something overtime. He wasn't like them, he truly acted like no one special. Part of him DID want to be as eccentric as them, and was jealous at how easily expressive they all were. Most of them had the confidence and skills to back it up, while he had neither. 

He didn't have the confidence he used to when he was a kid. He's just clinging onto a dream he can never really achieve.

It was for those reasons that... the project idea had started to become more desirable of an offer to accept. Overtime, the inner doubts in his mind started to get to him, and helped him find less and less of a reason to deny the project offer. He really, really didn't want to live on as someone who couldn't contribute to the world in anyway. He needed this, he didn't want to be a nobody, or a burden.

Currently, he was walking across the park he liked to go from time to time, and his destination was the office of the Steering Committee. Honestly? He was just... tired. He was so tried. Tired of waiting for destiny, tired of sitting at the side, just watching the main academy building from afar with nothing but pitiful envy in his heart.

He was tired of waiting, he was tired of trying to matter and succumbing to failure. He wanted to be someone worth the time and effort... especially for his parents. They deserved a talented child like that, didn't they?

And so, here he was. Nervous, worried, and anxious. But without a doubt, he was certain. He had made his choice. He was going to go through with the Izuru Kamukura project. As he was walking towards the location he was told to meet at, he noticed his shoelace suddenly came untied.

Holding back a groan at the minor annoyance, he bent down to tie it. That was when he heard some pretty loud footsteps march his way, and looked up towards the person that was looking down on him. He recognized the ultimate student before him right away. The person he sees before him appears to resemble Byakuya Togami, the Ultimate Affluent Progeny. While he didn't recognize all ultimate students, and has never met with them much, Byakuya was one of the few that he did know primarily from online.

However.... something seemed different about him. He looked bigger then usual, as he crossed his arms at the man beneath him.

"You. You are Hajime Hinata, yes?" He asked.

Hajime blinked at the man, and after tying his shoe, stood back up to face him fully. "Uh yeah, that's me." He asked, confused as to why an ultimate, and the Affluent Progeny at that, was talking to him.

"I wanted to ask a commoner like you a very important question."

Hajime frowned a bit, then answered. "Like me?"

"Obviously, you are a reverse course student yes?"

But before Hajime could answer, the man continued to speak.

"Now, onto the question. Do you devalue yourself because of your place in this school?"

Hajime froze a bit at the man's words. The question was very unexpected, Hajime didn't exactly know how to respond to it. He's never had someone address him like this before. A small but hurtful insult, or a lecture, sure. But-

"Has your position led you to this delusion of doubt? Led you to think you need to prove something?"

Hajime found himself blinking up at the large man. Still frozen at his words.

"Recently, I would have thought that our school system would already instill in all of its students that everyone has potential. Everyone. I suppose no one has ever told you that though, have they?"

'No' Hajime thought, they never had. In fact, he's always heard the complete opposite until now.

"I figured. It's only natural that you would think the way you do. That is why I have taken the responsibility to inform you on what your role really means. For your talent capabilities, and as a person."

Hajime braced himself. The conversation had started in a very strange way, as he wonders where Byakuya was going with this.

"Nothing." Byakuya simply said.

... and now Hajime was even more confused, but before he let himself process the emotions he was feeling, Byakuya continued.

"Your role, the position you are in, should mean nothing to you. As far as I am concerned, despite it all, that wonderful potential is still within you."

...... huh? Did Hajime hear that right? He couldn't have...

"You think that your lack of talent means you are beneath others... what a silly notion. Something that only could've been beaten into you by the commoners around you." Byakuya said, shaking his head back and forth.

"Listen well, Hajime Hinata. You have many qualities that most others wish they could have, including me. Your lack of talent, does not diminish those qualities in the slightest. The fact that you are very different from most of us, I would argue, is a definitive trait on its own anyway!" He says, as he points out towards Hajime.

Hajime could only be stunned at the words of an ultimate that just decided to walk up to him out of nowhere. He didn't register or even think to ask how Byakuya could possibly assume this much about him. In fact, it caught him off guard so much, his mind kind of just started going blank.

"Never forget that. Now if you will excuse me, I have some very important matters to take care of... but if you ever need further assistance. You may find me at the 77th classroom. Don't hold back on me." Byakuya finally says, ending the conversation as he loudly stomps away towards Hopes Peak.

What... just happened?

Did Byakuya really just say all of that? While he may not know Byakuya much since they've never interacted until now.... from what he's usually heard, the guy was a very stubborn and prudish person. But now? After meeting the man? While he was a bit forward... he didn't seem all that rude.

But of course, the part that confused Hajime the most, was all the encouragement! Where did that come from??

"Hajime!-" A voice screams from the distance, low and unheard.

Why did he talk as though he knew him?

"Hajime!!-" The voice screams again. A little louder, but still unheard. Not loud enough.

But those words he said..... could Hajime really believe them? It felt so nice to hear those words, especially from an ultimate... but-

"HAAAAJIIIMEEEEEEEEE!!!" The voice screamed, finally reaching Hajime's ears as he turns around, he looks on in shock, as some wild animal was running towards him while on all fours in a blur! However, as the 'animal' got closer and closer, he could make out the figure of a woman!

As she got closer, she did a few leaps before finally landing right in front of the boy, and standing right up in his face!

"Hey! I finally got your name fully remembered! I don't think the other me mentioned that before..." The slightly dazed girl said with a thoughtful look on her face.

A whole new wave of shock and confusion entered Hajime's expression and thoughts as he processed the energetic girl in front of him. She was very big (in areas he preferred to try and not look at), almost beastly looking, and full of vigor as she put on a big smile to continue the conversation.

"Nice to meetcha again! Your just as small as I saw you the first time! You are still eating regularly right?" The girl asks with a questioning look, eyeing him up and down.

"U-Ummmm... y-yeah I... try to, at least." He responded, still baffled.

She shakes her head with a smile. "Then your alright! I guess you just look skinner in person then on the screen..." She says, cleaning out her ear.

Before Hajime could even question what 'Screen' she is talking about, she speaks again.

"Now hold on.... there was something I wanted to ask you...damn, what was it again!?"

Then, she had a look of realization on her face!

"Oh right! Your not gonna go through the Izuru project thing are ya??"

'Huh?? She knows about that??' Hajime asked internally. Didn't the Steering Committee say they only told him about it??

"Cause that project is super evil! It's not gonna go the way you think it will!"

Then, she looks off to the side. "Besides... your a lot better then you think you are!" She says, now looking back at him with a cheery smile.

"I used to think you were a bit of a weakling... and I was afraid of being one myself... but you know! Being weak from time to time isn't too bad! You taught me that!" 

'I did??'

"I used to think that no one would help if I get kicked around, or tried to cry when I was little... and even a week or two ago, I still felt that way..." She said, looking a little down trot.

"But then I met you, and you told me how its better to work with other people to make up for that weakness.... and right now, I'm betting you don't have a lot of friends to rely on like that, right?" She asks, her face was neutral at this question, but there was a small look of sympathy in her eyes.

Despite not knowing who she was at all, he could not deny her question.

"So... I'll be your friend! Now you have some more arms to bring you up, alright? Sound good to you?" She asks with a smile.

"I.... y-yeah sure... but who-" He tried to ask, before being cut off once more.

"Oh, and that goes for the rest of us, if you ever listen to that stupid voice in your head that tells you your not worth it?" She then puts on a scary face, making grabbing gestures with her hands. "Just come on over to our class, and I'll tear those bad thoughts right out of ya!"

And just like that, she quickly started dashing off and away. Running towards hope's peak, as she begin waving back at him.

'Okay, who was THAT?? Was she an ultimate? When she was talking about the class was.... was it also class 77?!? So she is ultimate too!?' But why did she say all of those things? Her words made his heart feel warm, but it did nothing to help his confusion... 'and wait, how does she know about the Izuru-'

'Oh... something smells good!' Hajime delightfully admits, his thoughts getting interrupted by the smell.

"Oh, it seems your nose has already caught on!" A voice calls to him from behind once more, the same direction the wonderful smell is coming from.

Hajime turns to see an ultimate he is a bit familiar with, Teruteru, the Ultimate Cook... or Chef, as the boy preferred. A guy who he mainly knows as a server who sometimes works at the school's cafeteria.

"Ah! You've looked at me! Our fates have finally intertwined!" The boy said with a simple smile on his face, as he holds out a neat dish on a plate towards Hajime. On it, was a plate and bowl of meat and potato stew.

"Oh! I-Is that-"

"Yup! a Versailles-style Meat and Potato Stew queue de boeuf! We may have never met in person before but... I had a feeling you might like a masterpiece such as this!" Teruteru said, winking.

Hajime's jaw dropped a little... maybe drooled too from the smell. "W-Wait you... made this for me??" He asked.

Teruteru nodded his head. "Consider this a welcoming gift... I bet it must mean a lot from an ultimate like me to approach you like this, right?" He says with a slight smirk on his face.

"Y-Yeah.... a bit overwhelming too." Hajime did not have enough time to think a lot, especially now since a third ultimate has approached him, and seems to be quite kind as well. Who wouldn't get overwhelmed from all of i-

and once again, his train of thought was interrupted by the smell of food, when Teruteru had handed him the plate.

"Before we continue our little chat, you should dig in before my beautiful dish gets cold!"

Hajime, not being able to resist the temptation anymore, decide to take a bite and...

He just couldn't stop eating! He was stuffing down as much as possible!

"Geez, its delicious! I-It tastes so warm too!"

"Why yes, this dish was made with special care, and I made sure to heat it up more to give it more of a 'homey' feel! You know what I mean, right?" Teruteru asks with a soft... knowing smile? As if he was witnessing something familiar... but why?

"Yeah its... huh, I feel like I'm... remembering something I forgot... but why-"

"Because that dish is quite special! It's actually a recipe from my mom... it gives off quite a nostalgic feeling, don't ya think?"

"Yeah it really does... hey, can I ask something real quick?" Hajime requested with a settled conviction for the first time since meeting these people.

However, Teruteru put on a sad expression in response to that request. "Ah, em... sadly I don't think I have time for any more questioners. We are all running a bit late, but we at least wanted to make a short stop for our new favorite guy!"

"Favorite.... guy?? Huh?" Hajime asks, very confused.

"Well of course, are there any other handsome ahoge haired men here?" He asks in a more perverted voice, raising his brows.

In response, Hajime did feel flattered but also a little.... one edge? Like he's in danger...

"Speaking of which... your just fine as you are Hajime. You bring a nice air of warmth wherever you go... and long hair really doesn't suit your handsome face anyway..." Teruteru smiled the whole time, prepping a thoughtful look on his face with his last sentence.

'Huh? Long.... hair?' Hajime couldn't help but linger on that part.

Suddenly, Teruteru looked at his watch, and yelped. "Gah-!! Whelp! Look at the time, the others will probably get mad at me if I take too long."

He holds his arms up high, as he suddenly started to sprint off towards the academy! "My loins burn with yearn for our next encounterrrrrrr!" He yells dramatically... as he waves his arm back at Hajime.

'... his, loins?' Hajime couldn't help but think about... a little disturbed.

But before he could process why the cook spoke like that-

"GO NO FURTHER!!" A loud, powerful feminine voice spoke out to him. Causing him to turn towards its direction. A very beautiful woman, blond with a black bow in her hair, who looked at him with a burning determination in her eyes as she held her hand out to him in a stop motion.

"... w-who-"

"My name is Sonia Nevermind! And I cannot allow one of my friends to go on like this!" She declares, already marching towards Hajime now.

'Friends?? With... her? Someone this beautiful?' Hajime thought with a small blush, the women before was now inches from his body. Wearing a frown with a determined gaze.

"Hajime, you should know, that I believe what you are planning on doing... is a hopeless endeavor." She speaks firmly. "If you go through this project... you wont be yourself anymore!"

Once again, Hajime's baffled mind was in scrambles at how another student seemed to somehow know about the Izuru Kamukura project... it was a bit hard to keep track, but he did note the weird wording of that last part of her sentence.

"It is because you believe that you are nothing but normal, that you need something to raise your head as high as those that you look up to, right?"

'Yes... right again...' He thought.

"Well I can assure you, that the project is not your answer!" She says, swiping her hand. "For that is not where I see your destiny!" She declares.

"I believe your destiny lies... with me!" She puffs up her chest for her next words. "Let me guide you into the light! Be someone you can look up to when you are upset or in need of comfort."

Perhaps Hajime could've had a more coherent thought if it weren't for the Sonia's determination and fierce words, combined with her presence, shutting him up until she was finished. It was then, she took a deep breath, and finally started to speak softer.

"Not to mention that you... are a good person."

Those words sure got his attention, making him focus even more on what she means.

"Being normal doesn't change that at all. I believe that... a good person has much potential in life. Far more then they could imagine! I can see it within you, not within this Izuru Kamukura. Not with talent that redefines your very being." She then does an unexpected, small bow. "As a future queen, I insist you listen to my words. These are the words of a princess who wishes to care for all of her people, including that of her friends."

She then lifts up, facing him with a cute smile and closed eyes. "So please, come to me when you need it, I wish for us to talk more." She says, as she walked past Hajime towards the academy. Hajime couldn't help but feel entranced, and stunned at her words. The way she spoke and moved really swayed his heart...

'Okay, at this point, I have to find room to ask a question... who are these people? Are they all really Class 77th?' He most certainly didn't mind the words of encouragement but... why are they talking to him? What did he do to deserve their attention? To hear all these words of-

"EYES ON ME, HINATA!!" A loud booming male voice screamed RIGHT next to his ear, causing him to cover it as he fell to the floor. He rubbed his ear as he looked up at the.... massive figure before him. A large man gazing at him with such intensity.

"Stand up! A guy like you shouldn't be on the ground like that." He says, crossing his arms. "You've gotta stand and hold your head high if you're ever gonna march on in confidence!"

"Ah um... o-okay." Hajime says, starting to stand up.

'Jeez, this guy seems pretty aggressive.' Hajime thinks, feeling the ultimate's intensity.

"By now, I'm sure you've gotten a lot of encouragement from the rest of your team, right?" Then, he bashes his fists together. "Well too bad! Because I've got my own peace to say to you! As the Ultimate Team Manager, its my duty to coach my squad and give them the words they need to hear to move on! SO LISTEN UP!" He says pointing directly at Hajime, leaving no room for argument, as his intensity shut down any words that could have left Hajime's mouth.

"I've seen the faces of athletes at their lowest points. A similar one once crossed yours everyday, I saw it for myself."

'He's seen it before? Seen me?? But.... they all act like they've seen me... what does any of this mean??' Hajime asks internally.

"I've seen faces that looked defeated while in their deepest thoughts... there was ALWAYS hidden potential that was yet to be tapped into, beyond those expressions. It's my job to bring those out into the open and shape them to form the person that would surpass me one day." Then, he points to Hajime aggressively. "And I can readily assure you.... you have plenty of it behind those eyes of yours as well!" 

He crosses his arms. "Your a quick thinker, you've got calm judgment skills, its all natural abilities you have! But the only thing you have yet to understand is... the importance of teamwork. But that's only because you hadn't found your team yet before."

Then, the man gets his fists pumped, as he stares at Hajime straight in the eyes. "Which is why we have all come together to take you in on our team!! Your stuck in our care now, whether you like it or not!"

"I... I am? But why-" Hajime tries to ask, before yup, interrupted again.

"We don't have time for questions!! Do you accept the support of your team for your sake, or not??" 

Hajime stutters... but with how much attention has been thrown at him, and how all the words of encouragement and friendship have wrapped around his heart a bit, he finds himself muttering the answer he never thought nor believed himself to say, especially to a stranger he just met. "U-Um.... well yeah, I guess I would like that."

"Ha ha! That's great!... you know, I'd love for us to get started now and have you train the potential of your physicality... maybe even do 'it' to ya, to get that body pumpin like before... but-"

"But we don't have time for that, right Nekomaru?" Another soft voice spoke out.

"Gah-!!" Nekomaru stutters at the voice.

Hajime turns behind once more and sees another newcomer. But this guy's vibe was.... much different from the others. He had a neutral expression on his face as Hajime faced him. The guy started walking forward.

"We are all in a pretty big hurry... somethings coming and sadly, we cant talk to you as long as we would like to..."

Nekomaru glared at the man. "It's not your turn to speak to Hinata yet.... not that we'd want you to."

... okay, that put Hajime on alert a little. What was wrong with this guy? He didn't seem so bad. The guy in question raised his hands up, small smile on his closed eyed face.

"Relax Nekomaru! I just wanted to say my piece, that's all!" He opens his eyes as he finally steps close enough to Hajime at a quick pace. "Hello, Hajime. I'm Nagito Komaeda." Rather then waiting for Hajime to take his hand, he grabs Hajime's hand himself and shakes it.

"Wow, its pretty unreal to finally see you in person. But now that we've finally met face to face, there is something I need to say to you... I'm pretty disappointed." He says, his face morphing into a slight frown.

He lets go of Hajine, running his hand through his hair. "People in this world are always born with a special kind of talent. Worth, in their life. At first, I thought you were one of those people. Especially since you have many nice qualities, that much is true... but..."

And then, Nagito gave him a simple, blank stare. An expression that was unreadable, a mystery in feelings Hajime couldn't tell no matter how hard he tried to look. And then, Nagito finished.

"But your just another guy, aren't you?" He said, the words hitting straight to Hajime's heart.

"Nagito..." Nekomaru warns through his gritted teeth.

Now granted, the words of the previous ultimate's had hardened his resolve a bit. But still, this guys words, the way he said them... it started to spring up those insecurities Hajime had temporarily forgotten about in the mist of all this, as he unconsciously started stepping back when Nagito slowly walked further towards him. 

"Your nothing remarkable, really. And what makes even sadder is... the Izuru Kamukura project. I gotta say, its quite a surprise for Hope's Peak Academy to create to such a secret project like this, don't you think? It's a bit like cheating if you think about it..."

Nekomaru had started to maneuver around Nagito as he got closer to Hajime...

"So, are you really gonna go down this route? Not even putting in the 'effort'? Your just going to go the easy route and give yourself talents you don't deserve?" He said, looking unimpressed.

Hajime felt... ashamed, really. By now, he was starting to have doubts of the Izuru Kamukura project, still was but... the way Nagito was berating him made his chest ache with frustration. He already knew he didn't have any worth as a person... but this project was all that he had left. And to be shamed for even taking it as an option... what else was he suppose to do? What else could he have done to be better?

Nagito leaned back, crossing his arms once more. "Despite my previous statement though... perhaps it should be the route you take afterall. You'd become a better person, right? Defying the fate given to you, as someone not special. To just undo everything you've ever live-" He was then promptly cut off, with a quick strike to his neck by Nekomaru. 

The action stunned Hajime. Nekomaru glared at the main he knocked out, before sighing and picking up Nagito, throwing over his shoulder with ease. He looked back down towards Hajime, the boy still staring stunned at Nekomaru's action.

"Listen up, I want you at Class 77 the next time your free, so that we can get started. Don't be late, I want us to maximize your potential as much as possible." He started to walk away carrying Nagito.... but stopped for one moment.

"You were foolish.... for wanting to go through with the project...... but that decision doesn't have to define you. I think your someone level headed who can realize... that this isn't right." He turns to look at Hajime one last time. "And don't listen to what this guy says!" He yells, pointing at Nagito on his shoulder. "His own morals and values are twisted, he doesn't speak for us!" Nekomaru says, staring right into Hajime's eyes. And with that, he turns and leaves towards the academy building.

That was... how does he even describe that? Was that Nagito guy one of the classmates? The ultimate's? If so... why was he so different? His tone was far different from what the others had, it was cold and brutal.

But Nekomaru's speech at the end, calm and serious, still reassured him a bit as he looked straight into Hajime's eyes, even if it didn't fully work at the moment. Nekomaru told him that he was foolish, but level headed, despite the fact that right now his mind felt like an overwhelmed mess. The doubts Hajime had about himself were still there, currently conflicted thanks to these ultimate's words... including Nagito's, but not for the same reason.

Before he could allow himself to think about it further, he hears a very soft voice from right behind him. "Um.... e-excuse me?"

He turns behind him, (Seriously where were these people even coming from??) and sees a timid girl wrapped in bandages, looking a tiny bit flustered, as she stares up at him. Of course, this was an ultimate he did recognize. The Ultimate Nurse, who even works as the schools actual nurse too.

"Mikan?" He asks, which makes the girl look surprised.

"H-Huh? Y-You remember me?? But when... o-oh well.... thats r-right. Y-You um... went to the nurse's office a couple of times, r-right?" She asked.

And yes, it was true, and he even saw her a few times. But they never had the chance to interact. Whether it be she was busy or someone else was taking care of him at the time. 

"Well yeah. We never had the chance to talk before though."

She nods. "Y-Yeah.... u-u-ummm...." She closes her eyes, looking very nervous and shaky... it was starting to worry him a bit. He's seen what she's like before, and has seen a little too much to some of her... accidents, but this was a little more then usual... and surprisingly, she wasn't apologizing like she usually would have in a situation like this. So he asks "Hey, are you-?"

Suddenly, eyes still closed, she gives out a small shout. "I have something I want to say!" She says.... closing her mouth right away, as if afraid to make another sound. She opens one eye, and sees that Hajime was about to say something, but she had cut him off!

"O-Oh no! I-I''m s-s-sorry!! I didn't m-mean to interrupt you!!"

Ah, there it was. Hajime sweatdrops... with a fair bit of worry on his face at the girls state though. "Its not a big deal at all! You go first. What did you want to say?" He presses on.

She stops for a moment, and looks down as if thinking her words carefully. Then, she claps her hands together, looking back up.

"I.... I.... I think... y-your really g-great." She says, a blush slightly filling her cheeks, before she continues.

"Your um... your friendly, thoughtful, a-and your... s-so nice." She starts to shake a tad bit. "There are a lot of things... that I like about you and... I would... m-miss you if you were gone."

Her eyes where starting go get a tiny bit watery, more emotion seeps into her words.

"I would miss you... c-coming to visit. Talking to me... o-or I guess, I want you to start t-talking to me!" She clarifies, remembering the moments they spent on the island. "Because you make me feel happy... and I think you make the o-others feel that way too... we really want to h-help you... b-but I think about what would happen if you..."

And then, she bursts. Bringing her hands to her eyes to wipe away her tears.

"P-Please don't go t-through with the project! I-I'll do anything for you to not g-go just-!"

Hajime, after being stunned by her words for a bit, quickly but softly grabs her wrists. "H-Hey! You need to calm down, okay? E-Even if I went through with this... I would still visit you if you wanted. Why would you think..." He shakes his head though, brushing off his question in exchange for more comfort for the girl. "I've been having doubts about this whole thing since seeing your classmates... so, you don't have to worry okay?... and..."

.... okay, well he still had questions of course. There were so many different things that he SHOULD ask... but, the one that ends up coming to his mind the most is, that he cant help bust ask is...

"Why... do you think I'm amazing? I mean... you say I'm f-friendly and stuff but... I never talked with anyone much. And I don't even do anything special..." He sadly comments. "D-Don't get me wrong I... your classes words have started making me want to back out but... I don't even know where to start..."

There was a bit of a tense silence. Despite the earlier talks, he still thought about his own contribution to the world, and what he could do to actually leave his mark in people... Nagito's words seem to have dig deeper then he would've liked them too. But he was still right, how could the rest of them think he has any place to start improving?

Then, he looked back at the girl... who was now giving him a soft smile.

"B-Because I've seen it for myself. I've seen you talk to others... I-I've seen you... care a-about me and treating me n-normally...." She looks down, speaking softer. "So, this time, I wanted to be the one to tell you... i-its not your fault... f-for wanting to do this. I understand h-how you feel... so." 

She looks back up into his eyes, blushing as she brushes her hair. "When we see each other again, talk to me, please. Okay? You can just start with us. We'll listen."

Hajime was stunned at the softness of her words, including the reassurance. It seemed like she was truly speaking from the heart. Was this what the real Ultimate Nurse looked like? A girl this confident, and even determined looking?

... sadly, he took too long to respond, causing her to frown.

"I-I wasn't t-too forward was I? Oh, I made such a b-bad first impression!" She panicked!

Thankfully, Hajime quickly reassured her. "No no! T-That was great I... I really needed that. Thank you. I'll take you up on your offer sometime." He says, assuring her with a soft smile. 

The sight of his smile, made her calm down and giggle. "Heheheheh... i-its no problem a-at all...." after staring at him a little longer, she blushes and stammers a bit in her voice. "Oh! I-I've gotta go! I think I took a little too much time, p-please talk to me again!" She says, bowing deeply, before running off behind him towards the academy...

He looked to the ground after that, thinking about her words. How forward they sounded, despite what he thought he knew about her. Sure, they never interacted before, but he saw how interactions with her and others went, and thought he understood the girl at least somewhat... but now here she was, another ultimate that somehow knew about the project, and was encouraging him to not go through with it with an unexpected amount of care... okay, what WAS happening?

And... how many students were left? In his classroom, there are 16, so could that be how many ultimate's were coming to see him? And once again, he finds himself asking why? How did they even know he was here??

As if on cue, he does in fact, get called on by another ultimate. In the most unexpected way though, through the feeling of his arm suddenly being bitten.

"Gah!!" He yelped as he turned to the girl who just bitten him.

"Heeeeey Hajimeee!" A girl with lots of colorful stripes in her hair calls out to him, waving.

"Dangit Ibuki! Again!?" A guy with pink hair running up behind her says, with a bit of exasperation in his eyes. "You know, I don't think he appreciated that the last time."

"Well, Ibuki thinks Hajime will learn to like it! We are best friends afterall!" She says to the boy with a confident smirk, before turning her attention back to the Hajime. "Haiiiiiiii! Nice to see ya again Hajime! Did you miss me?? Cause I missed you a looot! But hey! At least were here again! Our club can finally have its reunion celebration!!" She says, confiding in him with a tight hug.

Kazuichi smiles awkwardly at the scene. "Ibuki... he doesn't know what your talking about... remember?"

The girl perks up. "Oh! Aw damn, that's right! Oh well!" She shrugs her shoulders. "Nothing a little reintroduction cant fix! Hey, hey! Listen closely, okay?" She says to Hajime, patting his chest.

She coughs into her hand, then starts to do a few cute poses, as she speaks. "I, Buki, Mio, Da! Put it together, and what do ya get?" She asks, pointing at Hajime. "Ibuki Mioda!"

Hajime felt a little overwhelmed but... for the first time since this whole thing started, he let himself smile more naturally without realizing. As he was slowly starting to enjoy the antics of the people he was meeting.

The boy with the pink hair stepped closer, and offered Hajime a smile with a thumbs up. "And I'm Kazuichi Soda! Nice to meet ya man!"

"So... I'm guessing you two know me as well?" Hajime asks, to which, Ibuki nods enthusiastically. "Suuuuuure do! And Ibuki is happy to finally notice you! I always felt a meeting like this would happen within my bones, the meeting with my destined friend! But I never knew where to look." She says, circling her fingers around her head. "But now, Ibuki cant stop vibrating in excitement! Let's go celebrate! Now!" She demands, now pulling on Hajime's arm.

However, before she could pull on his arm further, Kazuichi stops her. "Whoa hey! We don't have time for that! We were just suppose to talk to him for a little bit. We'll have time for that after... the thing! Remember?"

Ibuki tilts her head. "The thing? Oh right! The thing! Yes! Ibuki remembers now! That we all have to do! Oh! Ibuki is suppose to tell Hajime he needs to believe in himself! Oh but that requires some serious thinking! Since I didn't write it down. Give me a sec, kay?" Ibuki then closes her eyes, humming to herself.

"While you think about it then... maybe I could say my piece first." Kazuichi said in a serious tone facing Hajime now. Which caused Hajime to eye him a little due to his tone.

"Whoa relax man, I'm not here to bite or anything... this is just something I needed to say." Kazuichi said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, I'm not really good at these types of things but... I guess it has more meaning when your on the spot then just rehearsing."

Kazuichi nervously laughs, before finally beginning his speech. "I'll be honest... I'm not the most brave guy there is. I'm someone who takes easy ways out of a problem when it comes to something that stresses me out, ya know? Well, I'm guessing you do, with how you were thinking of going trough with that project. But the thing is..."

He looks towards Hajime seriously once more. "You've probably had your belief's tested again and again, right?"

Hajime, while getting better thanks to these classmates words, did nod sadly at that. He did indeed have many moments of doubt in his life.

"Yeah, I figured. Feel really bad that other me couldn't see that the first time. I mean I know we just met, but if I had known you'd be this awesome of a friend... I'd try to meet sooner. And... I want to be there for my friends more too! That includes you!" He said, with a cheery closed eyed smile.

He then gives Hajime a thumbs up. "I want to be a reliable friend, and start believing again! And you should to-"

Then suddenly, Ibuki perks up, finished with her 'Serious' thinking. "Oh! Oh! Ibuki is done! And she needs Hajime to hear this!"

Kazuichi, of course, protests. "H-Hey! I wasn't done yet! I-It takes a lot to think of what to say on the spot ya know!"

"Well of course Ibuki knows! She just did it! Now..." Ibuki equips her rare serious face, as she grips Hajime by his shoulders seriously!

"To me, it doesn't matter whether you have talent or not, but how Hajime makes others around him feel! For me?" She gives him a cute smile "He makes me feel inspired, reminding me the importance of giving it my all. I like Hajime's determination when he puts his mind to something! I don't think he should ever let go of that!" She says, doing a cute pose with her hands.

Kazuichi chimes back in, finishing his words. "Yeah, you need to keep fighting for your beliefs man! And I'll believe in you too! I'll... help you change your future, so you don't go down the really wrong one!" He says, finishing himself off with a thumbs up.

Hajime smiles, the words honestly touching him. Minutes ago, he couldn't imagine an option better then the Izuru Kamukura project but, with these ultimate's... well, if they were willing to be his friends, then maybe... he could really believe their words. The glowing warmth in his chest speaks volumes to the strength of the people talking to him through just their words alone. As Kazuichi intended, it was building up Hajime's beliefs.

Then, once again, Hajime feels his arm being tugged at. "Okay, Hurry! Hurry! Hajime should come with us, right? Right? Help us punch Junko in the face?" She says, tilting her head at Kazuichi.

The boy in question, simply rubs the back of his neck, shaking his head. "Nah, I think were gonna get enough help. Especially with Ms. Yukizome and her um... buddies." He said, glancing at Hajime nervously, as he knows how the woman would not want more mentioning of what's about to go down. Leaving Hajime with a slightly confused look.

Ibuki groans in frustration, but nods, letting go of Hajime. "Fiiiiiiiine! But Ibuki is gonna catch up with Hajime as soon as she can! Then, she'll play many games with him to make up for lost time! See yaaaaa!" She yells, running towards the building. However, she then turns around and shouts: "Oh! And take good care of Mikan! She's a keepeeeeeeer!" She says winking, supporting her nurse friend before continuing to sprint off. 

Hajime could only blink at what Ibuki just said, before shaking his head and turning back to Kazuichi. "Wait, why did she mention Mikan specifically?"

Kazuichi then gives Hajime a grin, along with a raised eyebrow. "Ah weeeeell... not sure if its my place to say but... you may have gotten a bit of uh... attention during our watching. Sure as hell makes me jealous." He said, despite the grin still on his face.

"Uh... what does that me-"

"Whelp! We need to get going! Don't want to take up more time! But hey! Talk to us, okay?" Kazuichi interrupts, pointing at Hajime. "We'd like to have ya around more, especially me man! Let's change the future together!" He says, before walking off himself towards the high school himself.

As his heart felt a bit lighter, Hajime couldn't help but ponder some of the interesting words the Ultimate's said at the end there. Ibuki was... going to punch Junko in the face? Who was that? And Kazuichi mentioned Ms. Yukizome... is that a teacher? Their teacher? He didn't know anyone like that-

*Click*

The sound of a camera snap comes from right in front of him, startling the boy easily as he looks down to see... a girl hiding in a bush??

Oh wait! Not just any girl, he recognizes this ultimate! He had seen her a few times when she visited... Sato. A brief sad reminder of the girls passing, but he tries to shake it off, as he wonders what Mahiru, the Ultimate Photographer, was doing in a bush like that. She quickly emerges, walking towards Hajime with a smile. 

"Yup, still a dumb-looking face." She says fondly.

"Dumb-looking... well yeah, you just took my picture so suddenly. Of course its gonna look dumb!" Hajime responds with a frown, before asking his question. "What were you doing in the bush?"

"Well, a lot of our classmates have been talking to you by now, and I wanted to try catching you off guard from an unpredictable spot. Seems like it worked!" She says with a small smile, holding up her camera.

"Well yeah, I wouldn't have expected something like that. But its good to see you! I haven't seen you since the last time you visited the reserve course."

Her eyes widened at the mentioning at that sentence... due to the reminder of a certain someone. "Oh yeah, I remember... I was there to give Sato a visit... you two were friends right?" She said, her expression turning a bit sad at the end there, which Hajime understood.

"Well, we weren't all too close but... there were a few times we talked when we were too bored. You were her friend too, right? I'm... really sorry."

Mahiru looked even more dejected at that last part, but looked up with a soft sad smile. "Thanks, I can tell that you've thought of her too. From the sound of it, I think you two were friends."

... yeah, maybe they were, Hajime thinks. They didn't talk often, but when they were there for each other, they were really there where it counted. Though, he does wish they talked more. Now that Sato was gone, everything did feel more lonely then before. He didn't really have anyone else to talk to after her.

Suddenly, Mahiru wipes her eyes, shakes her head, and puts her hands on her hips. As she obtains a frown upon her face. "Well, it was nice to reminisce, but I don't have much time to talk so, hey Hajime! I've got a bone to pick with you!"

'S-Such a sudden change in mood!' Hajime thinks with a surprised look on his face.

"This whole attitude you have of yourself? The self doubt? I've got to say, I'm pretty disappointed, you know?" She crosses her arms. "You keep looking down on yourself because of your lack of talent, and that makes you pretty unreliable. It's like you don't even look at what's right in front of you!"

"W-What do you mean?" Hajime asks.

She sighs, and obtains a softer frown. "Do I really have to spell out it for you? You still haven't gotten it after talking with everybody?"

"Well n-no its not that! But I feel like each of you have a different perspective on this... as I would expect of such a talented group. I just wanted to know what your opinion was too, that's all." Hajime reassures.

She pauses at this, even with a slight blush forming on her cheeks, thinking over his words. "I... guess that makes sense. We both have our own words to say to you anyway, so that you can man up and move yourself forward from this."

"Huh? We both?" Hajime questions that weird wording.

"Down here, you blind dummy!" A new voice said from near his leg. Hajime looks down to find another, more smaller girl, who looks more like a child then a teenager. She was looking up at him, with a frown etched onto her face and her fists clenched. "You really didn't see me here the whole time? You know how easy that makes it to sneak up on you?" She says with a now teasing grin. 

Hajime blinked, a little shocked at the girl and her sudden appearance. "How long have you been there?"

"Since Mahiru came out, obviously." She rolls her eyes. "I've been waiting for you to notice... and you took so long..." She says, with a sad look and tiny tears now suddenly forming in her eyes.

Hajime panics at this, feeling a bit of whiplash from the mood swing. "W-Whoa wait! I'm sorry I didn't see you earlier! What's your name? Are you apart of the class too?"

The small girl sniffles, and rubs her nose, before very quickly replacing her sad look with a standoffish look. "W-Well of course I am. Why else would we all be showing up here at once? I guess your brain IS still in tact enough to notice that!" She says, while sounding mean but with a tiny bit of... relief in her tone as well?

Before Hajime could respond, Mahiru speaks up once more. "Yeah, its a relief we got here in time... Spirit wasn't sure if..." Mahiru shakes her head at the deeply worrying thought, shaking it out as she turns her attention back to Hajime. "Well, the important part is that we're here now to help you realize how dumb your being about this whole thing. I'm not going to spell everything out for you though. You should be able to piece it together on your own after I give you my piece."

Finally, she lets out a small huff, uncrosses her arms, and speaks again. "Boys shouldn't be this tough on themselves, a lot of you guys are like that. Some of you always think you should be better, more impressive. But you honestly don't need this project to do that. It's a lot easier then you think! You just need to make important memories."

"What do you mean?" Hajime asks.

"Well, having good friends by your side helps. But you never focused on being with other people, or trying to make friends. You think you need a talent to do that, right? Well, I can definitely tell you, that's such an unreliable way of thinking! Especially when you already had a friend, Sato! And you didn't even realize it!"

Mahiru's tone starts to get a little sad, as she begins to reminisce. "You know, she didn't speak about you too often, but when she did? She talked about how much you two felt similar, and how she wanted to talk to you more, so she didn't go insane from being in that classroom! Heh... she was insecure, just like you. I wish I could've thought of the same words I'm telling you to tell her at the time..." Mahiru wipes her eyes, and looks back up with a soft bit of seriousness. "So, do you get what I'm trying to say?"

".... that I should try to be with more people? Rely on them as my friends?"

"Yeah, but there is still a point you forgot to mention." Mahiru continues, pointing. "You don't need a talent to be important to others, or to make them happy. Sato felt a bond between the two of you, and I know that if she wasn't as insecure as you, she would've pursued it. You just need to not hold yourself back, you need to reach out to people like us so we can... make you smile." She said the last part, with a tiny dust of pink on her cheeks as she starts smiling. "When you make other people smile, you get to live in their memories. Just as much as they live on in yours too. Memories you can look back on happily." Mahiru says, with a soft closed eyed smile.

Hajime felt his heart warm a bit at her words, they were probably some of the most convincing he's heard. It felt so personal too.

Mahiru then frowns though, shaking her head. "Geez, I had to do most of the explaining though, you really are hopel-"

"That was... really thought provoking. Do you often talk that way? It was really comforting, thank you." Hajime admits, with genuine seriousness in his eyes and voice, but with a small smile.

This however, got Mahiru to blush more heavily, as she crosses her arms behind her back. "I-I mean... I just said my perspective on it, like you said. It's n-not a big deal. B-But hey! Don't interrupt a girl while she's talking ever again! Okay?"

"Gah! S-Sorry, I didn't realize." Hajime says quickly in distress, feeling bad about his mistake..

Hiyoko, who stayed quiet in silence for her friends speech, rolled her eyes. Mahiru was really obvious, huh?

Unfortunately for Hiyoko, Mahiru saw this eyeroll. And in an attempt to divert the attention off her flustered state, talked in her direction. "Well Hiyoko? You wanted to say something too right?

THAT got Hiyoko's attention. "H-Huh??"

"Yeah, I said my piece so... c'mon. You wanted to say something to him too, right?" Mahiru spoke, in a softer tone.

In response, Hiyoko frowned and looked away. Pursing her lips as her cheeks reddened a bit. Pretending as if she had not heard her.

Hajime's attention is indeed now turned towards the small girl. "Oh right, you wanted to talk too, yes?" He asked curiously.

"Hmmmm... I guess... there is something I've been meaning to say to you. And I've been thinking about it since we came back from that place." She said, taking a deep breath, turning towards Hajime, before lean out with a darkened expression. "I think your a lazy stupid boy, who takes his stupid dumb life for granted, you shady looking guy!"

Hajime takes a step back in genuine shock at such a sudden intense statement.

"Hiyoko!" Mahiru says, face palming as she shakes her head.

"What? It's true! He doesn't even put care into how he's using his life!" Her gaze is no longer darkened as she leans back, but is still glaring at him.

"Well y-yeah, but you don't have to be that mean about it!" Hajime exclaimed. While he did agree with what she said at this point, it was still a little hurtful the way it was said! She was surprisingly aggressive for such a small girl.

"Hiyoko... we talked about this. Don't you want to tell him how your really feeling right now? And in a more um... polite manner?" Mahiru asks, begs for in a small smile.

At this, Hiyoko huffs and looks away. Tapping her feet as she blushes a bit. "O-Okay fine..."

There was a bit of a pause in how long it took for the girl to speak again. Something Hajime took note of himself, putting together internally that the girl herself doesn't really do this often.

Finally, she looks up at him with a small frown, crossing her arms. There was hardly a glare anymore though, but it looked like it took all of her willpower just to lower her mean persona down for this.

"I... I still think your stupid. At first, you definitely seemed to be like the kind of boy I'd want to avoid. Somebody weird and unimportant but..." She looked down, her frown faltering a bit. "I didn't... dislike it when you talked to me. A-And you do mean well... but your also so stupid! I don't get you..." 

Hiyoko then looks back up, small tears in her eyes. "But... i-if you come with me... and listen to w-what I have to say... then we can be friends, o-okay? D-Don't rub it in or anything b-but... you really did make me happy when we t-talked... and..." She quickly rubs her eyes, wiping away her tears. "I won't cry anymore too! I've already done so much of that t-these past few days... and I can't protect you if I keep doing it."

"Protect me?" Hajime questions. 

To answer his question, he was treated with a soft but swift kick to the shin. "Arugh!"

"Well no duh!" She exclaims in annoyance. "How else am I suppose to protect my property and prevent him from doing something so dumb!"

Hajime looks at her, a little baffled, while rubbing his shin. "Property? You d-don't mean friend?"

At this, Hiyoko smirked. "Well yeah! You are my slave afterall! So of course, it will be your job to take care of your master too!" She says in a teasing tone, clearly enjoying this. "Now after me and Mahiru go and take care of business, your gonna give me lots of piggy back rides okay? I won't let you do anything else until I'm done!" She declares, fully grinning as she points at Hajime.

Mahiru, sensing Hajime's deep confusion and whiplash, quickly steps in front of Hiyoko with her hands up. "She can seem a bit playful, but she means well! She sees you as her close friend." Mahiru assures, as Hiyoko leans in from the side to look at Hajime's baffled face again.

Hajime was quite appalled at the little girl's antics. He was also a little fearful, with how genuine her words sounded, without a hint of a joking tone. He could already tell a girl like that was someone to watch out for... but her affection for him seems genuine, and like the other ultimate's, he can tell that her words truly came from the heart. Underneath that mischievous grin, was someone who looked at him like he actually mattered... although he was still not keen on finding what else being her 'property' would entail.

"Well, regardless," He starts. "I'll look forward to being your friend, if you will have me."

Hiyoko rolled her eyes. "Well yeah! That's what I just said! You need to pick up the pace on your thinking! Mahiru doesn't like slow boys you know!" She said... which caused a confused expression on his face as he glanced towards Mahiru, who was blushing and glaring at Hiyoko.

Then, she quickly placed her hand over Hiyoko's mouth. "O-Okay. I think m-me and Hiyoko are gonna head out now! We have a very busy day ahead of us!"

"Oh! O-Okay." Hajime says, surprised at Mahiru's quick change in mood.

"But hey, well see you later! And then maybe we can go out-HANG out... w-with the others! That's what I meant! Don't be a w-weirdo and take that the wrong way, a-alright?" At this point, Mahiru was blushing madly, while Hiyoko kept giggling behind her hand.

Of course, this concerned Hajime though, as she looked to be in distress about something. "Hey, are you okay?"

At his concerned tone, Mahiru was struck silent, that blush on her face never seeming to go away. Eventually, her voice became quieter, as she spoke once more. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine.... lets just make sure to hang out later... o-okay?"

For reasons he did not know yet, Hajime's heart was beating just a little faster. As he felt a small blush on his face too. "Y-Yeah... I would like that."

A few more seconds passed in silence, until Hiyoko started to pull Mahiru away! "Cmon Mahiru! You are the one who said we should be heading out! Don't be a slowpoke!"

"Ah! A-Alright Hiyoko, I'm coming!" However, as her blush died down, she gave Hajime one last look, waving at him with a soft smile. One that the boy felt warmed his heart, as he waved back.

As they started to disappear from sight... huh, his heart was beating a bit funny. As it did, he realized almost every conflicting thought he had, was starting to get quieter. As he felt the genuine smile on his face spread a little wider too. He felt ready to take all of these ultimate's words close to his heart.

Or.... should he say friends now?

That still felt bizarre to him, ultimate's that actually want to be friends with him!? No matter how many positive words he heard, it would take a while for such a concept to get in his brain fully. It would mellow out, he was sure, but the disbelief would linger. And of course, he still had questions... like, loads of them. He gets them more and more with each person he talks to, and he wasn't sure where to start when asking... or what to even do at this point yet!

But, at least one thing was certain to him right now. No matter what, nothing could change the new thought he had set-up in his mind. He was no longer going to go through the Izuru Kamukura project. If his friends really meant what they said, then he knows what's for the best now. He's still not the most confident in himself yet, but he has a feeling that when he gets around to hanging with his friends, maybe... all that doubt can be rid of his mind for good. Maybe he can be worth it to the friends he now has here.

He turns to take one last look towards-

"GO NO FURTHER!!"

'Again!?!?' Hajime yells internally, startled, at a similar sounding shout. This time, from a man's voice rather then that of Sonia's.

Right in front of him, stood three people. In the middle, a man with immense intensity and a dark aura that swarmed around him. He was a very... intimidating looking guy. However, Hajime did recognize the two people standing next to him. One who he recognized as being related to Natsumi Kuzuryu, his sadly deceased classmate. On the left, was her brother, Fuyuhiko, the Ultimate Yakuza. And on the right, was his close friend, Peko Pekoyama, the Ultimate Swordswoman.

As he was struck looking at them all, the boy in the middle continued to speak.

"If you value your life, you will not step another inch closer towards this building! For within it, is an evil most cannot comprehend!" The grey skinned student declared, with power and an unwavering strength in his voice.

While Hajime was already starting to get used to the antics of his new friends, even he found this introduction to surprise him a bit. 'This is.... probably the most intense guy I've met of these ultimate's.'

"Heh, this bastard may talk a bit strange but... he is telling the truth. Though, I have the feeling your already starting to get the idea." Fuyuhiko said, grinning at the last part.

To Hajime, despite the smaller man's baby looking face, he was still a bit of an intimidating figure. Afterall, he had heard stories of him through Natsumi, who did always praise her big brother and family... in her own way. It was intimidating to see him in person... and as maybe a friend too? He seemed to be looking at Hajime with a lot of familiarity, and that smirk doesn't feel sarcastic or unfriendly at all. It surprised him to see such an expression on the Ultimate Yakuza's face.

"Indeed, though I really did not want us to depart on our mission without coming to you first. My young ma-friend was especially insistent." Peko simply said, also staring at Hajime with similar familiarity, as she stood still next to the boys.

However, her last words got the young yakuza to blush a little, and slightly growl, but with no real bite in his next words. "P-Peko! Don't fuckin say it like that!"

The boy in the middle of the two, Gundham, merely smirked as he stepped closer to Hajime. "Of course, you should realize by now, that our meeting is no mere coincidence... but an intervention from the gods themselves!"

'.... what could he possibly mean by that? Does it have something to do with how they all seem to know me by now?' Hajime questions... genuinely contemplating that there must be SOME kind of truth to that statement, given everything that's happening right now.

"To be within my presence is something of a great honor for someone like you, a mere mortal. Introductions are needed, yes?" Gundham continues. "I usually only offer my true name under the right circumstances.... and this confrontation is one of them. So you best be grateful! And do not forget it for as long as you live!" He declares viciously!

"O-Okay!"

Gundham gets into a dramatic pose, and with an open smile, says his name. "You may call me... Gundham Tanaka! Remember it well, for it is the name that will one day rule this world!"

'R-Rule the world... ?' Hajime couldn't help but think upon.

"Heh heh, you look rather shocked, and to the core as well. Surprised to know you had such a deity living within the same grounds as you?" Gundham said, raising an amused brow.

"Your having a lot of fun with this, aren't ya?" Fuyuhiko asked Gundham, walking closer next to the boys side.

"I am merely expressing my superiority to a potential new student."

Fuyuhiko however, snorted. "Well yeah, I can see that, considering you were eagerly waiting at the building ahead to meet your 'new student', afterall."

"Ghk-!" Was Gundham's reaction to that accusation. Blushing a little as he glared at the babyfaced yakuza.

It was then that Peko walked closer as well. "Yes, he was waiting for you to arrive Hajime, and to make his entrance there. He probably expected to find you first. Though, I admire his commitment." She said seriously.

Gundham turned to glare at the woman now as well, then turned to Hajime. "T-They have no way to prove that. All you need to know is that our paths were meant to cross on this exact day, and I have delivered on that destiny!" 

Hajime tilted his head, smiling slightly at the guy's comment. 'Well he doesn't seem as intimidating as before.... is he one of those soft on the inside types? Maybe, he's still a bit extreme though.'

Gundham then spoke once more, hoping to brush off his previous embarrassment. "Pushing that aside... I wanted to speak with you, Hajime Hinata, about the spirit hiding within your soul. The spirit of... The Singularity!" He says dramatically, pointing at Hajime.

Said boy could only blink at Gundham's statement. "Um.... Singularity?"

Gundham nods, crossing his arms once more. "It is the one being who can make the impossible, possible! Overcoming various limitations in order to achieve what their heart truly desires. I believe you are capable of such a thing."

"Huh? A-Am I uh... really that amazing?" Hajime asks, almost hesitantly.

Gundham merely smirked. "Heh, you asked a similar question before. No, it has nothing to do with your 'amazement.' You are a simple creature who holds that potential, but without the power to actually wield it."

His words made Hajime freeze up a bit, with how he associated lacking a power with having no talent. But before he could continue, Gundham made an offer.

"However.... if you agree to make a contract with me, I can lend you my powers to allow that potential to grow."

Hajime lit up curiously at that, though obviously skeptical as well. "What do you mean by.. powers?"

Fuyuhiko answered for Gundham. "It's nothing much, he's basically saying he wants you to be his best friend or some shit like that!"

Gundham's dark aura suddenly returns, as he quickly turns to glare at Fuyuhiko. "Silence! I am merely offering my powerful services to a singularity!"

Fuyuhiko grins and waves Gundham off, pressing him to continue. "I know I know, just get on with it already."

Gundham coughs into his hand, then raises his other hand up to Hajime. Hajime looks at the hand for a moment, but decides to give Gundham a soft smile as he takes Gundham's hand in his. And is surprised by how Gundham suddenly grips hard.

"There, it is now sealed." He says. "From this day forward, I will not allow you to die without my permission." Gundham ended with a serious look on his face.

That last part however, alarmed Hajime a little bit. "Whoa, w-what do you mean die??"

Before he could question further, Peko speaks up. "It's okay, nothing for you to worry about. This is just Gundham's way of saying that you will be safe as his friend." While Gundham did glance at Peko for her wording, he didn't speak up to refute her words at all.

Hajime's expression softens in relief, as he tries to tighten his grip, just as firm as Gundham. "I.. can say the same. I know we just met but.... if your really wanting to be my friend, I'll try not to disappoint and return the favor." He says simply.

Gundham is silent for a moment, before finally letting go of the handshake with a grin. "Heh, you best not Hinata. For you see, despite your simple meekness... you are someone who is worthy. Worthy of living in this world. Living as themselves." He says in a much softer tone, but with such eyes that bore into Hajime's soul, daring him to forget this lesson. "So don't you dare forget your worthiness as my apprentice... and my friend."

Despite the intensity, Hajime felt the sincerity of his words, honestly a little shocked by how soft he became in his words though. 'Wait, is he blushing too?' Still, he made sure to return Gundham's words with a smile. "Thank you Gundham, really. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Okay, Hajime could definitely see a smile on Gundham's face, even as he tries to hide it with his scarf. "Heh, you really are someone so easily appeased with flattery. But-" before Gundham could finish his sentence though, his scarf started to rattle. And soon, a few hamster heads started to sprout out. As they all begin to squeak happily at Hajime's appearance.

Hajime blinked at the sight, as one of the hamster's, Jum-P in particular, leaps onto Hajime's shoulder. Looking up at him happily! "W-Whoa!"

"Gah-!" Gundam sounded, also seeming surprised by his hamster's actions, before keeping his cool. "It would appear... my four dark devas have taken a liking to you. But you should be steady, they are deadly cruel beasts that know how to aim for the throat!"

His declaration confused Hajime, who didn't really see these hamsters as threatening.... further proven by Jum-P snuggling into the boy's neck. Causing him to crack a smile. "Uh... they seem to be fine to me?"

Gundam's eyes widen at Jum-P's gentle mercy.... impressed. He smiled to himself, as of course, he shouldn't be surprised. "Huh, truly, the work of a singularity..."

Suddenly, Fuyuhiko claps his hands. Looking on with determination, with perhaps a bit of irritation and anticipation as well. he speaks up. "Alright, alright, I've got my own things to say, and the others are still waiting. Are you done Gundham?"

Gundham scoffs at the yakuza, but answers. "Tch, yes. I am. If I must be going now, then so be it." Gundham opens up his palm next to Hajime, prompting Jum-P to jump onto it, crawling back up Gundham's shoulder to sit on it.

Then, he starts to leave. "Farewell, Hajime Hinata. Do not forget this rewarding encounter, for this moment onwards, your destiny has changed for the greater..." He sends off his last words, crossing his arms as he dramatically walks towards the direction of the school house.

Which of course, finally left the yakuza and his good friend. The short man looked just a little awkward, seeming nervous now that the attention is on him. But he takes a deep breath, and starts talking. "Heh, I cant believe I'm finally talking to ya, bet your thinking something similar huh?"

Hajime nods. "Yeah, I do have to admit, its strange to see all of these ultimate's take an interest in me out of nowhere. I'm a little shocked..."

At this, Fuyuhiko's grin returns. "Yeah, I bet. You must be feeling like some kind of big shot too, huh?"

"I mean.... its hard to understand how to feel when you have a lot of people coming at you like this." Hajime responds, sweatdropping.

"Yeah, that's true... hey listen... I don't want to just repeat what everyone else has been saying before, so I'm gonna offer something instead that I need you to be open minded about."

Hajime grows a little nervous at that. Considering this is the Ultimate Yakuza, he's not sure he could turn it down anyway. He patiently listens regardless.

"Offer my apologies... for my sister."

Now that shocked Hajime, almost to the core. Did he hear that right? His eyes widen as he looked at the man in disbelief, who had various emotions playing on his face that all shared a similar pain: Loss. Peko placed a hand on his shoulder as he attempted to continue.

"Look I... well you remember her right? First name was Natsumi?" Hajime nodded. "Right... my sister was always a troublemaker. I think you already knew that though. She was self centered, selfish, arrogant... but I still loved her, a lot. She had a way of whirling into people's hearts whether they liked it or not, heh. However, recently... I found out about some of the things she said to you."

Before Hajime could respond to that, Peko did put up a hand. "We know you must have lots of questions about it, but it will be explained at a later time. For now, we wish that you will listen." She said politely. Hajime's tongue was burning desperately to run with the many questions he still had pumping inside, but he decided to stay silent and nod. Continuing to listen.

With that, Fuyuhiko nodded too. "Now look, I'm not gonna justify the shit she said. They were hurtful and just straight bitchy, but... I knew her just as deeply as she knew me. She was very insecure and rash. She always tried to avoid the opening up shit, not really her thing to show people her true side. She was quite a manipulator, afterall. But deep down, she wanted to be recognized as someone special... something I failed to make her feel." He said, closing his eyes.

Hajime didn't know what to say, he felt like he was listening in on something very private, despite being the one talked to about it.

After a few rubs on his back from Peko, Fuyuhiko continued, opening his eyes back up. "Point is... she talked like a bastard to you, and I'm sorry for it. She really did have a soft side to her, and I wish you could've seen it more before she passed."

.... Hajime could remember his last encounter with Natsumi. He had never seen her like that before. So vulnerable and sad. He wanted to cheer her up, despite her previous harsh words to him and the rest of the class. But her next few words had really lowered his confidence, saying she's nothing if she has no talent worth seeing. Nothing for her brother. It was the first time she insulted him unintentionally... but at the time, it burned into his heart more then any other insult she had said. And it was the last time he would ever talk to her, before she would be found murdered.

Hajime could see the exact same vulnerability on her brother's face right now, and it made him want to do something about it. Just like with Natsumi. His words weren't strong enough last time so... lets try again!

"I will admit, I didn't like talking to her much. She was mean, and her words got on... everyone's nerves, really. But despite all of that.... I did miss her a lot."

Those words did seem to visibly surprise both Fuyuhiko and Peko, as they continued hearing Hajime talk.

"I saw what you mean. I would see it in the way she talked, sometimes slipping her personal feelings in with her harsh words. I saw the way she looked, when she thought no one else could see her. And... I wanted to help her out, despite it all. And you know what? In my final conversation I had with your sister... I saw it out in the open for the first time. She wasn't trying to be mean, or hurt others at the moment... she just looked so sad. I feel like my words weren't enough for her, and I've regretted that for a while, especially after she died. I wish I could've made her feel better, and I wondered what would've happened if I could talk to her again. Could she have acted better? Know that she wasn't alone? I asked myself that a lot in the days following her death... and it made me realize that I really did miss her. I'm sorry too... that everything happened the way it did." Hajime finally finished, looking up at the Yakuza with sadness in his eyes.

By the time he was finished, Fuyuhiko had a few tears in his own eyes as he was looking down. He used his sleeve to wipe his eyes as he inhaled a bit. Yes, he had already seen that conversation. The viewing showed it to him, he saw his friend trying to comfort his sister. Thought it was some kind of sick joke that they looked like they were on their way getting to know each other... right before the day her life was taken away.

But it made that moment so much more impactful to look back on after hearing Hajime's words now. When he first saw Hajime comfort his sister, he thought it was just because he was nice. Which the yakuza did think was a pitiful move of him, but didn't disapprove, since it seemed like his sister really needed it. And even with his distaste of the pity, he was obviously still grateful of Hajime talking to her when no one else would.

But to hear how much Hajime cared, and how much he saw in her... the two were really more alike then he had initially thought. Same doubts and worries, and deep down seemed to have understood each other. It further hardened Fuyuhiko's resolve, he won't fail someone close to him again. Not like he did his sister, he refuses to be that neglectful again. He'll do what he can for his friend, he thinks to himself. 

As he holds Peko's arm, he internally remembers how he acted when she died. How much it hurt her in the theater... he wont hold himself down anymore to do it. He made mistakes, he can do better without hurting those friends.

So, he puts a smile on his face, before speaking again. "Heh... I really shouldn't be surprised, of course you'd get it. You get a lot of people. But cmon, don't give me that pity shit you bastard... its alright though. The best thing we can do now is be there for each other, to remind ourselves its not the end of the world. So I'll say this just once, so we don't take too much of your time. Don't go through with that damn project, you don't need it. My bro is fine just the way he is, and I wouldn't have it any other damn way." He declares, with a hand outstretched.

Hajime smiled at yet another hand being outstretched to him, and stretched his own towards it, seeing no reason not to take it. He looked closely at Fuyuhiko's face as he took the hand. The yakuza was genuinely smiling, and with an adorable closed eyed expression Hajime thought he could only ever imagine in his head. It was kind of a funny sight to see, but it also showed him how genuine the ultimates emotions were too.

"When my class is done with the shit we gotta do, I'll invite you over to my dorm room sometime, and we can... share a brotherhood cup. If you want, I mean." The yakuza asks with a slight blush, looking off the side. The offer caught Hajime a little off guard, and wrote a bit of shock into his face. Was that why Fuyuhiko called him bro?? Did he really consider them that close??

Like every other encounter, it left Hajime with even more questions. But in order to not waste time, and because he wasn't sure he should turn a yakuza's offer down, he decided to put a hold on the questions and just accept it.

"Yeah sure, that sounds fun. I think I'll need to take sometime digesting all of this first."

Fuyuhiko laughs at this, breaking their handshake. "No kidding, I get that. Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting for ya."

Then suddenly, a soft cough can be heard from beside Fuyuhiko. In the form of his right hand woman. "If I may, Fuyuhiko?" She whispers to him, out of Hajime's hearing range.

"Peko..." He said with a slight blush on his face. He looked away, speaking up a bit. "Sorry if I took up too much time."

Peko however, holds her hand up. "Its fine, I'm not someone of many words anyway, so I'll be quick." Then, she walked towards Hajime herself.

The boy in question, actually blushing slightly at her appearance. 'Huh, she's quite pretty.' But quickly made sure to banish such thoughts, not wanting to seem weird around someone who was a friend to a yakuza.

"Hajime, I have held a great bit of concern over you for a while now. You seem like someone who is searching for a reason to exist. And I understand, I have had my own dilemma with that as well."

"You have?"

"Yes. For the longest time, I had believed the only thing I was is my purpose given to me. That I am nothing more then that. Perhaps you see where the problem in that lies?"

"Well, yeah. It doesn't sound like you could... be yourself right?"

"Exactly, and I believe that a similar problem lies within you. To keep this brief, but from the bottom of my heart... your an easy person to talk to and be around. You don't need to have a purpose to be worthy of love, or friendship. If you go through with this project, you will lose everything about you. Everything that makes you nice. And I assure you... that's not worth it just to give yourself a hollow artificial purpose. You're already a great friend, and someone who I would rely on. You've even indirectly helped me with my problems more often then not too..."

What was she talking about when saying that?

Well, when Hajime had talked with her during the "Free Time Events" as Spirit called them, she had discussed with Hajime a lot of her.... personal feelings towards Fuyuhiko. And it got the two to open up within the theater they had watched the future events in. It was embarrassing but... at the end it was needed as well. And even within the screen, his simple offered advice helped build up her confidence a lot.

Even within the theater, his talks with a lot of them inspired quite a bit of her classmates and herself, and got them to like him even more. Hence why she truly believed he indirectly helped a lot of not just her problems, but some of her classmates problems too.

"I... would really like an answer on that sometime soon." Hajime asks, sweat dropping.

Peko just softly chuckled. "Of course, I believe we can provide an answer tomorrow or the day after."

"Oh, why those dates specifically?" Hajime simply asks.

Suddenly, Peko's gazes turns narrow and dark, as the thought of what she will do to Junko Enoshima enters her mind, her hands grip the bamboo sword behind her. "Because I will be done disposing of the garbage that plagues this school hopefully by then."

Of course, to Hajime, the sudden glare and hostile tone seemed directed at him, startling him. Managing to make him even more confused about the whole thing. "H-Huh!?"

Fuyuhiko steps in from behind. He felt the same as Peko, and couldn't wait to dispose of Junko, but he put a hand on Peko's shoulder to help calm her down a bit, as he spoke up for her now. "The business we gotta take care of.... it just involves a bit of cooperation from the class, is all. You just let us worry about it, alright bastard?" He says, giving Hajime a thumbs up.

"Ah, well... a-alright then!" Hajime responds, a little nervously. When a yakuza tells you to not worry about it, you probably should heed his warning.

'Still though... what does the class has to dispose of.... are they talking about that Junko Ibuki mentioned?? Seriously, who the heck is that??' The boy thinks to himself. The anticipation to know was actually killing him.

Just as it was though, Fuyuhiko and Peko start to walk past him, taking their leave.

"But rest assured, we all want to get back to you soon, goodbye Hinata. Please know that you are more then what you think you are." Peko says with a wave.

"See ya around bastard, don't think I wont come find ya again once were done here. Oh, and good luck with her, make sure you treat her right, okay?" Fuyuhiko grins, before continuing to walk away with Peko towards the main building.

'Huh? Who is.. her?'

Hajime would not have to wait long to find out, as the last classmate of Class 77 approached him from behind.

"Hey." She softly spoke.

Hajime's eyes lit up at the familiar sounding voice. A voice he knew that belonged to a person he's talked to before... and had wanted to talk to more. He turns around, and finds himself face to face with the Ultimate Gamer herself.

Chiaki Nanami, with a soft smile and gaze. Right away, he noticed the girl surprisingly didn't have any game console on her. Only her backpack as she walked towards him.

"It's good to see you again Hajime."

.... truth be told, he and Chiaki did not interact as much he would have wanted.

He met the strange girl on an off chance encounter, where he was walking around the park, watching the academy from afar. While he and Chiaki were distracted, she bumped into him with her eyes on her game. One that he recognized, which got the girl interested in talking to him. They never got to meet up much, mainly due to classes and her spending time with friends... but the few times they did hang out were great. For some reason, he truly felt like he could just relax and let go of his worries when around her.

In fact, his heart warmed at just the sight of her. "You too. Was this all...?"

She nods. "Yup. That was my class... I see you got well acquainted..."

"I sure did..."

Chiaki stopped in front of him, arms now crossed. "It must feel jarring to have all this happen at once. We all wanted to get here as soon as we could... to prevent you from making a big mistake."

Hajime blinked at this. "Wait so... so you all planned this?? Everyone was just-"

"Yup. All just hiding, until the other was finished. Including me."

.... okay, well that WAS obvious, considering how they were all able to confront him back to back... but it was still a bizarre thing to comprehend! Why was any of this even happening??

"It's... really good to see you again... but Chiaki! Look, I know what every one else already said but, can you at least give me an idea?? Of what's really going on??"

Chiaki gave a soft understanding smile, it was an expression so heavenly even her eyes looked as though they were smiling. "I get that, you really want to know, huh? The only problem is... I don't know if you would believe me if I told you all of the sudden now. Especially since my class is on borrowed time right now. We've been waiting for each other to finish this whole time too." She said, her eyes turning towards the main building. Hajime had followed her gaze and...

'Huh!?!?'

What he saw, was a sight that probably would've made him laugh, if not for how confusing the whole situation is. At the door, nearly every Class 77 ultimate he had just talked too were peaking from the doors, watching everything from a distant. 

There where some who waved back, like Teruteru, and Ibuki.

Others that gave a thumbs up, like Akane and Nekumaru.

And others that seemed a little shy towards being spotted by Hajime, like Mikan who blushed and ducked out of few, and Hiyoko who just huffed and looked away.

"Have... they really still been there the whole time?" Hajime asks, disbelief still in his voice.

Chiaki just waved back at everyone as she gave her answer. "Yeah, we all wanted to wait till we were together, afterall. It's something that we need to confront all at once." She said a bit seriously, before turning back to Hajime. "We couldn't explain it to you in one sitting, cause even if we did, we would sound really crazy. So give us some time, okay?"

Hajime noted the slightly serious expression on her face. It was a calm simple face, but her furrowed brows made sure to tell him that she meant it. But what was it that was so hard to believe? I mean at this point, he felt like he could already believe almost anything she would say. With a soft sigh, he decides to respect her wishes for now.

"Alright, fine. It's just that with all that has been happening, its hard to not want answers."

She smiles at him again. "I understand. But I promise you, everything will become clear soon. Even if its something you might not believe. Oh hey, I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"... how are you feeling now? Overall?"

A good question, how would he say he's feeling now?

Well, for one thing, he was definitely happier then before. And these ultimate's, while they can be a bit much... it makes him so happy to be able to call them his friends too. They seem like such fun and honest people, he really wants that in his life. For the most part, he felt more confident too. Each passing words from each one of those ultimate's filled his heart deeply. Slowly giving him more and more courage to just be himself...

Be himself. 

Something he never would've thought of wanting before. But... he wants to try. It felt nice to be encouraged to just be you with the people that want you to be. That seem to like you for who you are, and think you hold worth. Its still a shock to him, of course, and its probably gonna hit him harder when he gets back to his room after processing the shock. He cant say all doubts have come and gone, it has only just been an hour afterall, but he has a feeling that his friends can help him out of it. He wants to believe in that so badly. He hates the weight of inadequacy in his heart, but its not the only thing there now. He feels positive more then he did in a long time, and perhaps you can call him selfish but... he doesn't want to lose that.

It makes him feel...

"Better. A lot better, really."

"Do you still think you need a talent to be someone?" Chiaki then asked.

.... another good question, however, it was one Hajime was hesitant to respond to. He may feel better and more content being himself, sure... but having a good talent was still a dream of his. Even outside of his self worth, he was still selfish enough to want something that made him good so he can be on par with all the other ultimate's... however, he didn't feel like bringing that up. Even if he did still kind of feel that way, it was a silly thing to worry about.

Before he could respond though, it was Chiaki who spoke first.

"Because there is nothing wrong with wanting to be good, or talented... I'm not here to tell you otherwise. In fact, if that's what you want, you should always try to pursue that goal." She steps a bit closer to him, her eyes frowning in understanding. "But its important to know that it doesn't shape who you are."

Hajime responds. "..... I've known that for a while now, at least I think I do now, I just... I still have the want for it though. And I honestly don't understand why. I... I know that I'm fine the way I am now thanks to you guys. I don't NEED to change now, I have worth I just... I guess I still don't feel like I'm good at anything. Nothing about me really makes ME happy. I want to be something for myself I guess... I don't know. I think I'm being weird, and making this more complicated then it needs to be..."

There was a bit of silence... before Chiaki smiled, tilting her head. The sight made Hajime's heart feel even warmer.

"That's okay, in fact, its great. I can see it in your eyes and even your posture, your thinking in a more healthy mindset. It's not a bad thing to want to be good or better, you just need to know that you are never worthless or bad just because you lack it, or you haven't gotten it yet. You'll find your talent one day Hajime, and when you do, me and my friends will cheer for you, okay? Your not alone in this either, and you never will be again. I promise that we'll stick with you until you're happy."

The amount of warmth her words had, and the weight their meaning held dove deep into his heart. For once, it finally felt like in this one moment, all doubts in his mind were fully lifted, as he let the full impact of her words and echoes of the words of everyone else he heard before, hit his heart hard. 

He started to tear up a bit. He quickly wiped his eyes, feeling a bit embarrassed at his feelings finally leaking out like that. All of their words had affected him to a great extent, but he had been able to keep up his composure the whole. If its enough to make him leak out a few tears like this... their words really had affected him more then he thought, especially Chiaki's.

Speaking of who, got even closer to Hajime, to put a hand on his shoulder. "We all believe in you, and know you'll make a better future for yourself. It wont be easy, but there is more to life then that too. That's what we all wanted you to know. You being yourself can make people happy, you can improve and achieve what you want without losing who you are." She said, saying that last part with a bit more seriousness.

Losing who he was... he's heard had that a bit from some of the class but... now that he thinks about it, what did they mean by that? Why did they keep saying that? It stuck out more then usual this time because of how serious Chiaki's voice got.

He looks up at her slowly. "Hey Chiaki... how would I lose who I am? What do you guys keeping meaning by that? I've heard a few times from some of you."

At this, Chiaki blinks, and takes a deep breath. Figuring she probably has time to tell Hajime quickly. "Okay, I'll tell you a little bit of info but... I have to be quick, just please listen carefully."

He does so, making sure to straighten himself as he stares deep into her eyes.

"The Izuru Kamakura project is... REALLY nothing like you think it is. They don't reinvent you, or anything like that... they change you. Really change you and..... if you knew the extent of what you would do after.... you would never have agreed to this. At all."

The words made a chill go down Hajime's spine. Change him? Like actually... did she mean...? No. That's not possible, is it? They cant just... turn you into a different person right??

"W-What do you-?"

"You wouldn't be Hajime Hinata anymore. That's the truth." She finally states.

This shook Hajime to his core. He knew they would experiment on him but... they didn't think it was for anything like this! He... he didn't even think something like that was possible! She has to be overexaggerating... right?

Seeing Hajime's distress.... she quickly takes his hand in hers, and leans in to hug him with her other arm. Burying her head in his neck.

"Yeah... this is why I wanted to wait. Sorry. But listen, don't worry about it. Nothing like that project is ever going to get the chance to happen. We are going to make sure of it. It's already about to be taken care of, in fact."

"..... is that why.. you guys are in a rush?" Hajime softly asks, his voice sounding a little weaker then usually.

"Yes. It's not the only reason. Let's just say there is... plenty of other things we have to do. But they shouldn't take long."

She leans back, to look up at his face. "I know, it must be scary, knowing you were about to walk into something like that... but your safe now. You won't have to go through that. You still have the chance to be you, and nothing needs to change about the guy I see. I think he's already reached the perfect level. And..."

Then, she does something that throws him off his game completely. She leans in... and captures his lips.

For him, time stopped at the moment. He had experienced plenty of unbelievable things this past hour. From words of encouragement to comfort... but NOTHING came close to this. He couldn't help but focus on the softness of her lips, how amazing it tastes, and the look in her now open fluttering eyes that tell me she means every bit of the moment she's letting him have with her. Sharing with him, and letting him know its all alright.

Eventually, she breaks the kiss. A soft, closed eyed smile forms on her face as she leans back. "He's perfect for me. And I want to support any dreams he wants to reach above and beyond for." She said, with such promise in her heart.

Of course, Hajime is still trying to reel himself back in from that kiss. His face suddenly feeling very hot, as his fingers come up to touch his lips.

"I... d-did you really just... do that?" He asks quietly.

Chiaki nods. "Yeah, I did. I've wanted to for a while now, believe it or not." She says, with a bit of pink dusting her cheeks, as she finally moves behind him to take her leave. As she does, she turns her head back to him one more time. "I'll see you around Hajime. You should probably go take the time to clear your head, maybe go home and see your parents again."

Then just like that, she fully turned away. Walking towards her classmates still by the door.

As Hajime saw her walk away, he found himself lost in his thoughts again. No one else was coming, so there was no one reason to stick around for long. Yet the revelation of everything kept him stunned in place. How should he process all of this? Was there a way to process it without making his head feel like it would explode??

He felt warmer inside, that was for sure. The sudden influx of friends he just made, from an ultimate class at that, would've put him in quite the chipper mood if it wasn't for the revelations of... the truth behind the project.

"I almost don't want to believe it.... it sounds insane."

Was Chiaki telling the truth? He wanted to believe her, since she didn't seem like a liar but... for a school to have such a horrible secret... for them to not tell him the whole deal...

He finally turns one last time to look at the building, he couldn't help but think... what was really going on here? How could they get away with hiding something like that... what happened his friends that made them all visit him?

No matter what the truth could be, whether Chiaki was lying or not, he was content with refusing the project now. He was... tired. His brain felt overloaded, and the truth he heard had made him uneasy enough to not want to be near that building. He finally finds the muscles in his legs again, and moves them towards the exit of the park. Far away from the building he was originally meant to go in. If Chiaki said she and everyone were going to try and shut it down, he would let them take care of it. Even if he wasn't entirely sure if it was true or not... he has a feeling that he will find out soon. And it wouldn't hurt to wait a bit, right?

Tired of these aching nerves in his mind, he tried thinking of something else as he was approaching the exit out of the school grounds. His train of thoughts, finding their way to what Chiaki did earlier, and it made him blush. Why did she do that? Did this mean she.... wanted to date him? A girl like her??

He couldn't help but feel lucky that someone like that could ever fall for him, but... he wants to understand first. Hajime was the kind of guy who wanted to fully understand something before he goes into anything, and he wanted to know why she started giving him this attention all of the sudden. Having a gut feeling that it relates to whatever happened with the class that made them all see him. When she and her class tell him everything... perhaps he can decide then. Until then, with a small blush on his face at remembering Chiaki's kiss... he finally heads out of school grounds. Taking Chiaki's advice. He would rest, and simply wait till tomarrow.

----------

"Oh! He's walking away." Teruteru pointed out, watching Hajime walk off.

"It seems he has gotten ahold of his barring's more." Peko spoke.

"Oh thank goodness, I would have felt terrible if we had bombarded him too much." Sonia said in relief. 

"Nah, we didn't give him too much info, he should be able to process it all himself... for now at least. We should come back to him as soon as we're done with this though! I have a promise I need to fulfill!" Nekomaru said.

The class watched on as their friend walked way, most were relieved that he seemed to be taking this as well as he could. They all looked on at their friend, happy to have met him through their unusual journey, as they nodded at Nekomaru's words. Thus, with Hajime slowly growing out of view, they all stepped away from the doors.

"Took him a bit though, I thought I would've had to go out there and knock his dumb head in myself to get him to come back to his senses." Hiyoko playfully added, with a smile on her face.

"... I still don't think that would've given him a greater impression of you." Kazuchi said, sweatdropping.

"Shut up, handy boy! He's my slave and I'll help him however I like!" Hiyoko retorts, pointing at the man!

"Regardless, it seems that we are all here close on time, with just three minutes to spare." The Imposter said, still in his Byakuya Togami impersonation. 

Mahiru had gone up to him, asking him a question out of curiosity. "So... your still dressing up as Byakuya? Did you not want to greet Hajime as yourself?"

At this, The Imposter lowered his gaze, fixing his glasses. "I just... felt I needed more time. I do confess I was... rather nervous."

Sonia nods in understanding towards The Imposter. "We understand, we will have plenty of time to catch up with him at a later date, and you can tell him then."

"Yeah, I'd like to spend a bit of time walking and moving around more anyway. Being stuck in an enclosed space like that was killing me." Akane said, referring to the theater they were taken to as she eagerly stretches out in the main hall.

"It felt nice to actually reunite with Hajime after all this time though. I cant wait for the rest of you to talk with him more." Chiaki says smiling, happy to be out of that theater room as well. And happy to see her friend safe, she wanted to be the first one to show up to him, but she was so surprised by her class' insistence on meeting him first, that she decided to go last. She had bonded with him before all of this, afterall.

Most of her class looked at their class rep fondly after that, seeing her expression of relief and peace as their own feelings of it.... however, two girls in particular did give her different looks. Mahiru raised a brow at Chiaki, slightly blushing.

At this, Chiaki innocently tilted her head, with a new curious expression as she tapped her chin. "Huh, what's wrong Mahiru?"

"You know what's wrong! W-What was with that kiss at the end with Hajime?" Mahiru asked, blushing in a bit of jealousy.

"Y-Yeah, w-was that part r-really necessary?" Mikan added, who had a slight frown with a pout as both girls started intently at Chiaki.

"Oh, I don't see what the problem was, I was just showing affection for my friend. Why would that be an issue?" Chiaki said with a small smile and an 'Innocent' tone.

Within the theater, Hajime had very luckily gotten... a few admirers. Chiaki always had a crush on the boy, but Mahiru and Mikan had also developed their own feelings for him, especially after witnessing their 'Free Time' events that showed Hajime bonding and getting along with the class.

Hence the... tense situation between the three girls right now.

Kazuchi groans. "Agh... I tried to be proud... but I'm still just jealous." He had to admit, looking on in envy at the two girls staring Chiaki down. He tried getting over his jealousy after leaving the theater, especially after seeing him and Hajime bond... but that lingering jealousy might take a while to leave him.

Ibuki giggles. "Hehe, Ibuki sure wishes she was in his shoes, that's for sure!" She says, but in a lot less jealous tone then Kazuchi.

And with that, The Imposter attempted to break up squabble, he stumbles forward towards the girls to get in between. "Let's not do this now, there will be plenty of time to settle this 'quarrel' that the three of you have, after we go with Ms. Yukizome."

"Indeed. For now, our journey lies in stopping the enemy that awaits us. I can assume that the rest of you are prepared for the battle?" Gundam said darkly.

And with that sentence uttered, everyone else freezes, then nods. The expressions slowly darkening on all of the members of Class 77. What battle was Gundham talking about?

The takedown of Junko Enoshima, and the exposure of this schools secrets.

After the things they had seen... you can expect they have quite a few words to have with Junko herself.

Everything they had seen in the viewing was a very traumatic experience for all of them. It was one long journey that showed the future of what would happen to Hope's Peak, themselves, Hajime, the world...

To found out that it was all from two fellow high school students was insane, most of them refused to comprehend the idea. It was absurd! Even for someone like Fuyuhiko, who was literally a yakuza, could not believe that one of the students at Hope's Peak and their sister had planned all of these horrible atrocities to become bestowed on them. But it was a horrible truth revealed to all of them. A future that they will do everything in their power to prevent.

"W-Wait! I would like to ask something!" Sonia yells, getting everyone's attention. "When we subdue and stop Junko... were um.... were not going to kill her, are we?"

The main concern for asking this question was simple. Within the theater, understandably, a lot of the students were bloodthirsty. And for a brief moment? So was Sonia herself. However, she did not think that killing Junko was the most moral choice to make..... or legal for that matter. She was someone who did not wish such harmful acts to be committed in general. Even when it was necessary. 

And quite frankly, after the type of horrible 'Executions' they had seen, she was hoping some of her classmates would agree for no further violence...

In response, she got a tense silence that lasted a short bit, before Fuyuhiko spoke up simply. "Well, yeah? Why wouldn't we?"

Not expecting such a blunt reaction, Sonia herself recoils a bit. "What?!? B-But... should we really... I-I mean-"

"W-Whoa! Who said we were all in agreement of that idea??" Ibuki exclaimed, looking very nervous with her hands up.

Her interruption made Fuyuhiko flinch a bit, but it was Kazuchi who spoke up next. "C-Cmon guys! After everything she's done? I-I mean... look it makes me nervous too but... we cant just let her walk away right??"

"... I don't think killing her is the best resort to anything." Chiaki spoke up. "We should just keep tabs on her for now, it's for the bes-"

"Aw heck nah! Screw that! After what she made me do to my momma?? I want her head on a pike!" Teruteru exclaimed angerly in his foreign accent, his little hands shaking in righteous fury. A lot of other students frowned at his words in agreement, remembering what Junko made them do to their families. Akane even nodded at his words as well. She thought about how her siblings were killed by her own brainwashed hands in the future. All because of that Junko. She WILL make her pay...

Fuyuhiko was already going through every counter measure in his head, coldly. Sure, Junko hadn't actually DONE anything yet... but that did not matter to him or half of his classmates. He was genuinely thinking of ways to kill the bitch. And if the Yakuza leader wanted someone dead, he would get what he's owed. He would find a way, no matter what it took. With Peko eagerly waiting by his side to help as well.

Help, not use. They were both in this together. Not as a master and his tool, but as two deep friends.

As many others shared thoughts similar to him and Peko, especially Akane and Teruteru... there was one girl who was a little different in her violent thoughts.

Mikan was also someone who thought nothing but cold hatred towards Junko. When she was revealed as the killer, when her 'facade' was dropped. She was so scared and confused. Not understanding what was wrong with her future self, why she would've murdered Ibuki and Hiyoko, or who this 'beloved' of hers even was!

She hated herself SO much for the rest of the viewing, her emotions conflicting left and right... until the ending, in which everything became clear.

When she, and everyone else realized their minds had been violated, and changed... it didn't take long for her and the rest of the class to put two and two together. At first, Mikan felt relieved, and even happy. Happy that she did not become like that on her own, that she wouldn't willingly change just to harm anyone for some twisted desire. But soon after? A dark, cold anger spread through her mind. She joined her class in shouting at the Junko on screen. The woman who would ruin their lives and turned all of them into mass murderers. She had looked just like she did back in chapter three during that time. A soft but cold expression, with nothing but a burning hatred dawning her face as she thought about Junko. 

The disgust she felt at being forced to love someone, and commit horrid acts for them. It gave her deeply unpleasant thoughts about killing the girl herself... but she knew to restrain herself, and wanted to stick to following her classmates lead instead. And despite everything, she was also genuinely scared of becoming someone violent like her future self was brainwashed into being. The thought was unpleasant to her, she never wants to stoop to that level. And so, she spoke up next.

"I.... I-I want to kill her too." She said, in a dark tone that in no way fit her. Which of course, chilled her classmates at what sounded like a familiar tone... however, Mikan quickly dropped that tone on her next words. "But k-killing is so w-wrong and h-horrible.... we've already seen it so many times, I'm so t-t-tired of seeing it and I... I want it to stop! W-We shouldn't have to be like this to g-get what we want."

THAT got everyone to stop and think... yes, they were all tired of the killings. They were all relieved that no more of them would be killed when Goodbye Despair ended, and that Hajime, Akane, Kazuchi, Sonia, and Fuyuhiko all made it to the end. The violence was tiring, Mikan did have a point that most did not want to argue against.

Even Fuyuhiko flinched at her words... he and Mahiru had a long talk after what transpired in chapter 2. And while he would prefer to not reminisce on the details of that chapter or conversation, he did remember how he swore to himself that he would make it up to her, to be a less violent person in general, really. He would still be the Ultimate Yakuza, of course. But... he didn't like the way he did things, he wants to tone himself down...

But Enoshima.... shit. Can he really just let her live? The woman was far too dangerous to let just roam around! Was it morally right to not stop her for good? Should she not be an exception?

Chiaki then continued after Mikan. "What Mikan said, we're all tired of horrible tragedies resulting in murder and bloodshed. We will stop her, and will make sure she never harms anyone again. Not us, not the other students, Hajime, and especially not the world." 

"Oh Chiaki, you and Mikan had such a profound response!" Nagito said, finally conscious again as he startled everyone.

"N-Nagito!" Mahiru said wearingly.

"Heh, jeez Nekomaru, did you have to be so rough in that chop to my neck?" Nagito asks the large man, who simply glares back at him in silence.

"Nagito... why did you say that stuff to Hajime?" Akane had asked with slight anger, though a few others in the room had already guessed the reason, considering Nagito's twisted world view.

He sheepishly rubs the back of his head. "Ah cmon Akane! I just thought he could use it, its my way of showing I care!" Slowly, Nagito gets up, brushing himself off. "Part of Hajime's issues is that he thinks the project would solve every problem he has with himself, right? So I told it to him straight. A way to obtain talent with no effort at all? That simply isn't respectable for an average guy like him. He is in no place to do that to himself at all."

The rest of the glared at Nagito, thinking back to the way he had spoke to Hajime according to Nekomaru, and most of them didn't see any of the good intentions he claimed to have at all. Maybe he was truly trying to help Hajime, but he also chose to do it in a cruel way, a way that no one would've wanted for their ahoge haired friend.

Believe it or not, but with how much time everyone had in the theater, a lot of people really did try to decipher Nagito's way of thinking to the best of their ability. Even Akane and Teruteru had moments where they questioned his motives out loud. But most just ended up.... baffled. Was this the Nagito they knew? He was always weird, yes. Everyone did think that of him before the viewing, and he did have moments where he treated himself and others as lowley but... it was never to the degree it was in the theater chapters. He was still a calm guy, and some would even say friendly presence.

Was their Lucky Student always like this, and they simply ignored it before? There was no way he had always been this bad right?

Gundham sneers at the Lucky Student, before turning his head away to dramatically ask him a question. "Tsk, regardless of your... words to the singularity, I do feel an answer to be demanded out of you."

Nagito politely smiles at Gundham. "Of course! What did you want to ask Gundham?"

"Will you be wanting to assist us in the battle against Junko."

Nagito's response was instant, with a small frown on his face. "Well of course, why wouldn't I? That girl... the Ultimate Despair, she's my worst enemy!" He says with his hands raised.

"Heck no to that! I don't want your trashy smelly odor anywhere near us while we do this!!" Hiyoko shouts, clearly not in favor of Nagito offering his 'assistance'.

"To think such a vile human lived amongst us the whole time..." The Lucky Student continued, as if he didn't even hear Hiyoko. "To know that we harbored her here frustrates me to no end... so! What's the plan?"

"We haven't decided yet, were waiting on Ms. Yukizome." Fuyuhiko says, then glares at Nagito, gritting his teeth out. "But one thing we aren't planning on is including your fuckin ass in it, okay?"

"But I-"

"Nagito, I know you really need to do this, but we need more clear minds at this task. And we cant just rely on luck alone for this to go smoothly." Chiaki says.

"Yeah! You need to sit down and let us handle it! You cant be trusted anyway, you might go out on your own and cause more problems." Mahiru points out.

Nagito sighs. "Wow, you guys really don't trust me now huh? But hey, its okay. I'm sure I'll earn you trust back soon! But I'm not sure I can just stay away from this. Just sitting aside and allowing despair to roam just doesn't sit very well with me, you know?"

He tilts his head, ending a smile at his class that sends a shiver down their spines. As his eyes narrowed: "I don't think I'll sit out of this."

Akane however, growled at this, approaching him. "You think you can just do what you want huh? Alright that's it, I'm not letting you go this-"

But just then, the door a few steps behind her finally opened. Out came their teacher, Chisa Yukizome. Who blinked at the appearance of all of her students outside her office door.

"Ms. Yukizome! You're finally done with your calls! How did it go?" Nagito asked happily.

Along with the students, Chisa had also been taken to that theater to witness the future events of everything.

The whole thing had been nothing short of heartbreaking for the poor woman. It was a gradual decline of her mental state from start to finish, from seeing her students being forced into some awful killing game, to learning the truth about what would happen to the world soon.

The revelations at the end of the viewing shook her.

At the end, during the final class trial, the school's biggest secrets were revealed to her. Everything she, Juzo, and Kyosuke had been investigating were shown right in front of her and her classmates.

One of those things, being the Izuru Kamukura Project.

A project meant to create a student with artificial hope, and perfect skill in almost every talent the academy had researched. The process required suppressing the subjects memories and erasing their personality, emotions, thoughts, and hobbies. It was horrible, the most inhumane, disgusting plan she had ever heard. And who was the victim of such an experiment?

Hajime Hinata.

Oh, poor Hajime.

He was a boy Chisa had met once before the viewing. He seemed nice, despite the slightly stoic demeanor he liked to put up around himself when she was talking to him. She never noticed his self esteem issues, she was in too much of a rush at the time for classes. She knew he was a reserve course student at least, and hoped to talk with him again about them for her investigation. He seemed like an interesting kid to get to know better.

She never knew that she would've gotten her wish in the most long, heartbreaking days of her life. In addition to Hajime's exposure to the experiments, she also had to learn that her kids would've been involved with the tragedy... by taking part in causing it. How Junko Enoshima had been the main root of Izuru Kamukura's fall into despair, as well as her classes brainwashing into become her remnants. A surge of DEEP anger surge through her at the reminder. Especially at how it was done. Killing, and torturing Chiaki, using that footage of her to turn her innocent students into brutal monsters and...

Help end the world.

That was the horrible tragedy that everyone learned. A global event that plunged the entire world into destruction and despair. The world itself, had practically ended with the help of her class... and herself. All brainwashed to help contribute with Junko's plan. Seeing and hearing everything that happened for the first time almost made her mind blank with how absurd it all sounded. How unbelievable it was that one high school girl was the cause of all of this. So naturally, once they left the theater with open minds, and even a hope filled ending to the story after they were shown how the world plunged, she went investigating and told the class she would make calls.

As much as she wanted to investigate the Izuru Kamukura project first, and even find Hajime to comfort him herself, she knew this had to be her duty first. So she told her class to go find him instead and stop him quickly, since she wasn't sure how long they had before it was too late. Spirit, the person who took them, said that Hajime was already on his way to the project when they left the theater. So while they went to find and stop him, she stayed behind and did her own investigating on Junko. She told her class she would be done in an hour and a half but... she didn't expect them to already be here! They couldn't of already talked to Hajime and finished that quickly... right?

"K-Kids? Your already here?... is Hajime okay? Was it too late or-"

"No, i-its okay! We got to him before he could make that mistake." Sonia said, causing Chisa to sigh in relief, hand to her chest.

"Okay, good. I do have some unfortunate news, I don't have too much to go off of to subdue Junko."

Of course, the response from the class was not well received.

"What!? How?? Hasn't she been planning to do this for almost a year from now??" Mahiru asked.

"Y-Yeah! The chick may not be a master mechanic, but she seems to plan ahead quickly. Hasn't she found Ryota yet? Or make her sister do anything suspicious?" Kazuichi asked, hand to his head.

At this, The Imposter shook his head. "No, I attempted to call Ryota after talking with Hajime and he hasn't answered. He is probably too invested in his animations at the moment while at home."

"Yeah, I wanted to try and call him too, but I remembered that since you were impersonating him, you gave me your number instead of his." At this, The Imposter slightly flinches in guilt, which she notices. "Oh but its okay just... can you give me his number now please?" The Impostor nods, and hands the note with Ryota's phone number on it to Chisa.

"Just be gentle, he really is... a bit sensitive." The Imposter pleads.

"Oh of course! I'll try and contact him soon myself, I'll be gentle."

"Is there any good news at least? Regarding the Izuru Kamukura Project? Can we get it shut down!?" Nekomaru asked.

"Not yet, but I was able to get Juzo to meet me at the entrance of the building, the moment he is able to see something off, and no doubt he will, nothing will stand in our way of getting evidence. Kyosuke will be a while before he is able to come over... now look. I know how you kids feel about Juzo, but he's my witness I need to get this whole thing shut down."

".. about that, Ms. Yukizome, we-" Peko had started, before the teacher herself cut the swordswoman off. "No Peko, you guys can't come with us, we already talked about this."

"The wails of our determination speak otherwise... Ms. Yukizome." Gundham recites, remembering to addresses his teacher properly.

"What if you need back up? There's lots of security guys there right? I can handle whatever they have to throw at us!" Akane says menacingly.

"We shouldn't be so reckless though Akane, even if some of us have the strength for it." Nekomaru adds, placing a hand on the girls shoulder.

Chisa however, is still not easily swayed, shaking her head at this. "Kids, I know you have a personal grudge because of what they planned on doing to your friend. I really do understand that, but I promise you that me and Juzo have got this. You don't need to worry, we'll make sure that the people behind this whole thing are brought to justice."

"Ah well, for me personally, Junko was my main priority anyway. I trust our teacher in taking care of the situation with the project." Nagito said, with a soft smile on his face.

Chisa gives Nagito an unreadable look, it wasn't full of any type of glare or resentment like her other students, but it wasn't a nice or warm look either. It was unease. She has very mixed feelings on her Lucky Student, and she had felt obtuse at not being able to see how he truly was mentally. He did have weird moments, sure. But Chisa never dug too deep into them... when she probably should've. She never thought they would be as big of a deal as it ended up being. And now that they were back from the theater, looking at him, hearing what he says... it sounds to different to the Nagito that she thought she 'knew'.

She shook her head. She can focus on him later, right now, she needed to focus on all of her kids.

"I am Nagito... you can be assured of that. But whatever you kids plan on doing with Junko, it cant be anything more then spying on her. I can understand how weary you all must be, but we all need to be careful about how we approach this." Chisa takes a deep breath, finally putting her phone in her pocket as she begins to address the class more. "... if you all really insist on helping me, even in taking the project down... then fine. I don't want to ignore the feelings you kids have, but you all need to follow my lead throughout all of it. We have to keep a low profile about all of this... considering that we cant just make everyone believe us with just words. I wish it was as simple as that, but we can still make a difference now as long as we think rationally about this and go about it calmy, I promise we can obtain a future free from despair."

At her words, the class's expressions grew more determined. Happy their teacher is letting them help and face the problem head on.

While some wanted to do things their own way, like Fuyuhiko, even he relented and agreed with Chisa. Deciding that for now, they can follow her lead if it means he can properly participate further with his friends.

Despite only watching, every last one of them felt like they had gone through a lot in the viewing they had seen. They've seen many sides of each other, they went through so much emotion each chapter, and they've all talked to each other more then ever. Whether it was for comfort... or making amends from what was seen, it was a ride they all took part in that helped them grow. Despite all the trauma, they were ready to face the future head on!

And of course, they met someone new they just couldn't hold back from meeting in person. Not just to save him from the project, but to converse with him again during all the times they wanted to while conversing with each other.

Hajime Hinata, they were happy to say they met him, saved him, and once this was all over? They'll make sure he keeps up to touch with all of them! Including Ryota.

After a few murmurs of agreement, The Imposter spoke first. "So, what is our first plan of action then?"

Chisa nodded. "First, we'll meet in the courtyard with Juzo. And the-"

"Dammit, stop moving around!" A loud unknown voice shouted, causing Chisa and the rest of the class to look down towards the noise.

And it was.... a sight to behold.

Down the hall, a few students were restraining someone, students from their other class.

Holding the arms of a girl with familiar pigtails, was Mondo Owada. And holding the legs tightly, was Sakura Ogami. Finally, in the middle of it all, was Mukuro Ikusaba, eyeing Mondo and Sakura. Daring them to make the mistake of dropping their hostage... but surprisingly compliant in what was happening at all.

And of course, who was the person they were restraining?

A wide smiled, but darting eyed Junko Enoshima. Who seemed to be both worried and gleeful at her predicament.

The four people then glanced up, stopping in place at who was down the hall.

For a moment... no one said anything at the sight... in Class 77th's case, the classmates were processing the sight before them, being the woman who caused the biggest most tragic most awful event in human history. All tied and restrained. Before the class realized it, their bloods were boiling at just the sight of her. The girl who would cause all of their future misery.

At this, Junko raises a brow, staring up and down the other class, before perking up. "Oh hey! I heard you guys were gonna become my little pawns! Judging by the looks on your faces... you had a viewing too right? Can you tell me how it was?? Was it just as despair filling for your hearts as I hoped it would be?!?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

It took every ounce of willpower for:

Teruteru not to charge the woman with his skewer

Akane not to leap out and stomp the woman's ribs in.

Fuyuhiko not to give Peko the command to slice her head off.

and Hiyoko to rush in and tear the Fashonista limb from limb.