The school's gym was full of people, all the second year student in the main course were attending the public speaking of the headmaster, Jin Kirigiri. It was the second time they had gathered around to listen to the man speak, the first being their welcome ceremony last year.
Time sure did go by fast, it has already been a full year. So many things had happened in the time Komaeda had joined the most prestige school in the country. Check that, in the world. He couldn't help and muse to himself how extremely lucky he was to be accepted into the wonderful school. He looked around at the people in the rebuild gymnasium in awe, each and every single person in here had a talent. Every one of them containing a little piece of hope that Komaeda was so desperate to get himself.
Why the gym was rebuilt was another story for the next time. He sat down on a random chair, trying to be as close to the speaker as possible so he wouldn't miss a word. He noticed some teacher sitting at the back, Yukizome, their homeroom teacher, being one of them. She always had a big smile on her face, never losing faith in her students even though they acted pretty reckless sometimes.
The room got noisier with the last of the students dripping in, carelessly chatting with one another, not really caring for the lecture at all. He would chat with his classmates as well if he would spot them, but it was just too crowded to find someone, they better not ditched the meeting.
A buzzing from the speaker caused everyone to silence, eyes turning towards the podium in front of them. Komaeda strained his ears to listen what the powerful man had to say, knowledge is power, after all. "I'd like to welcome everyone to their second year of your school life here at Hope's Peak Academy." The headmaster's voice sounded smooth against the microphone, words dripping with authority as he continued. "Everyone should be aware of the ideals we stand for by now, to recruit and assist students' who possess a special talent. So I would like to thank every single one of you for attending Hope's Peak, without you magnificent students, we would be just another average school" Some clapping was heard, and he wasn't sure if it was because of the speech of Kirigiri, or because of the compliment they had just received.
"What everyone also knows, is that we always strive to make this world a better place, to spread talent around the country as much as we can. That's why I would like to introduce everyone to a new program that we, as Hope's Peak Academy, have created to increase the amount of talented in this school." Everyone got quiet, listening to the man before them intently. "I am talking about the Hope Cultivation Plan." Komaeda had no idea what the plan was, but it had to be good with that kind of title, right?
"In this program, we'll assign five of our most exceptional sophomore reverse course students," He held up his hand to signify the number. "And place one of each in a second-year class that has been chosen by our staff." The white haired boy stilled at the influential man's words. Are they planning on putting normal students in the main course? That's a horrible idea! They'll interfere with the ultimates. Why would they even want to do such an absurd thing in the first place?
"With this, we'll hope to analyze what the influence would be on a talentless person when one is around ultimates, and stimulated to keep up with them. We hope to see these participants pick up some of the main classes traits and maybe even recreate a talent themselves. We've handpicked the students who we would believe are capable of doing so." Kirigiri took in a deep breath, needing oxygen after the long sentence before resuming again.
"Now, to assure a smooth transition, we have chosen a student in each class at random to guide and monitor the new student, we ask them to chaperone and properly guide them through the class life in the main course. They'll also be held responsible for how well the new student will score on the end test and overall improvements. we ask for these students to participate in monthly screenings to discuss the process the cultivation student has made."
"A more detailed form will be handed out to the students who've been chosen to participate in the program. Before anyone asks, you cannot resign from the program or you'll risk detention. We require full obligated participation from you." Some sighs and groans were heard in the gymnasium, students clearly unamused with the extra time and effort that was being thrown on their laps. Komaeda could see some girls next to him crossing their fingers as if begging not to be chosen. He felt a wave of unease settling on his stomach, he didn't have a good feeling about this.
"Now, I would like to announce the classes that will participate in the Cultivation program. For the 77th class we've chosen reserve course student Hinata Hajime to attend the regular class agenda, he shall be guided by Komaeda Nagito. We hope you'll all welcome him into your class and will provide him with the necessary care that is needed to join the program successfully-."
Komaeda audibly groaned, drowning out the rest of the headmaster's speech with a sigh. What good luck he had, being chosen to babysit an equal. He wanted to refuse, to say he wouldn't participate in any of this, but the word 'suspension' was ringing in his ears. He already got suspended last year, when his luck caused him to accidently blow up the old school's gymnasium. He wouldn't be able to afford another one, since he'll probably, most definitely, get expelled then. Kirigiri was very impressed with his talent and couldn't let go of him the first time, but the consequences of another suspension would be dire, no matter what talent he possessed.
He leaned his head against the palm of his hand, not bothering to listen what Kirigiri had to say anymore. Knowledge is power, but with great power comes great responsibilities, and said responsibilities could be a major pain in the ass. He heard some names he didn't recognize flow through the speakers, some heavy sighs followed by some of the students in the room. He could hear the grunts of disapproval as another unlucky student was being saddled up with a lowly reserve course student. Komaeda vaguely heard something about the headmaster wanting to meet the named students in his office, later on, to introduce them to the participants. More like obnoxious lab rats, the boy sneered, he wasn't in the mood for any of this, no matter how good his luck would be later on. He honestly wouldn't mind passing this one up.
The speech had ended and everyone left the gymnasium. Komaeda followed the herd out with sunken shoulders, letting his feet drag him towards the headmaster's office like he was going to get scolded for something. He tried to keep his usual façade up, a smile plastered forcefully on his face as he moved through the halls.
He was greeted into the office, a boy around 19 years old sitting on one of the leather couches with crossed legs. He seemed pretty lean build, a tight buttoned up shirt with a green tie adoring his frame. His hair was brown and he noted the weird strand standing up awkwardly, resisting the urge to push the ahoge down as he walked towards the middle of the room where the headmaster guided him to.
"Komaeda-kun, I would like to introduce you to Hinata Hajime." He waved his hand towards the brunet on the couch, urging him to get up. "He had the most outstanding grades in the reserve course, so we have high expectations of him." The boy, Hinata, stood in front of him now, an arm outstretches confidently, a bright smile on his face as he was about to introduce himself.
Komaeda's eyebrows shot up in disgust, only to receive a glare from Kirigiri. He crossed his arms like a little child not wanting to listen to his parent. "Now, you do realize what the consequences would be for you if you didn't participate in the program… Right, Komaeda-kun." His tone was strict and heavy, and it made his head hung low in an unspoken apology. He hated being scolded at, but he couldn't afford being expelled. Raising his head up again, the cloud of white hair bouncing at the movement, he bitterly took the outstretched hand of Hinata, squeezing firmly as he looked into his green eyes harshly.
"I'm Hinata Hajime, nice to meet you."
With a thick book in his hands, he was dismissed from the headmaster's office. The book contained all information about the Cultivation program and the requirements of how to take notes on the progress. He needs to make a weekly report and every month they have an appointment with Kizakura, the school's scout, to see if these is any processes talent wise. Apparently, they'll only try this program for a year, and only the students who made a positive headway will be allowed to stay in the main course the next year.
Komaeda sighed, walking in tow with Hinata towards the exit. Classes wouldn't start until tomorrow, and with no more presentations being held, the hallways were eerily quiet. They hadn't said a word to each other, save for their meeting in Kirigiri's office, and Komaeda would've liked to keep it that way.
"So… you live in the dorms here?" The white haired male just nodded, eyes still looking forward, not really caring to give a proper answer or make eye contact. "That's cool. I just moved into the main course dorms as well. They're a lot more private than the rooms in the reserve course." Komaeda just ignored him, pretending to listen what the brunet next to him had to say while gripping the book in his hands firmly. The pest had already become annoying with his eagerness, he better not bother his classmates with these kinds of useless questions.
"Komaeda-kun… are you perhaps ignoring me?" A pale face snapped back to look towards Hinata, looking at him in disgust. "Look, I don't want to be here and talk with trash like yourself, so don't try to get all buddy-buddy with me, or the others, got that?" The brunet's face looked in shock at the sudden outburst, and Komaeda almost felt bad for him. He walked towards the door leading outside, pushing it open without looking back, he noticed the other stopped walking with him and stood still in the middle of the hallway, about to say something but deciding against it.
The heavy wooden door shut close, restricting the view of the troubled male who was now behind them. This was going to be a long year, Komaeda thought as he walked towards his room.