This is all very strange for me. I don't usually write romance.

Why the hell did I decide to do this again?

Oh yeah, my friend told me I couldn't do it.

Let's prove them so very wrong.

Firsts Everywhere

My first day at school. I got this. I'm so surprised that I, of all people, was selected to go here. Surprised? No. Glad. I'm so happy that I was selected to go here. It'll be something fun, something I will always look back to, something where I can remember and go, 'Oh, so that's where I turned out for the better'. This is going to be great. I know it.

Everyone here has such a colorful personality, it's quite stunning, really. I even met Maizono again, the one from middle school. It's such a relief that I know somebody here. It's quite overwhelming.

About half the class is here. Evidently, going to class isn't mandatory. I mean, it's not like we're forced to learn anything. It feels like our teacher is more of a supervisor to whatever shenanigans my classmates decide to come up with.

The lunch bell rings and everyone storms out of their seats. I stand up, quite alone and unsure as to what to do. I guess I'll find somewhere outside to eat.

I settle upon a shady spot beneath a tree. I sit down and open my lunchbox to see what there is to eat. I notice somebody approach me and then pause. They make eye contact, blink, then abruptly turn around. I stand up.

"If this is your spot, I can move."

They turn around and look at me once again. He seems like an upperclassmen. He has white fluffy hair and wears a brownish version of the uniform. He's very pale. It looks unhealthy.

"No, it's fine. I can just come some other time."

"You seem to come here a lot, then. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

He just smiles as his response.

Well, I don't want him to leave. "There's enough room for both of us."

We end up sitting next to each other, eating our lunches.

"I'm Naegi Makoto. I'm from the 78th class."

"Ah, so you're one of the new first years."

"Eh…Yeah."

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Komaeda Nagito."

So formal.

"Oh, and since we're introducing ourselves, I guess I should explain why I'm here." He sighs. "Although my talent is a bit lousy."

"I'm sure it's not. Everyone here has to have something redeeming." Except me. "Not everyone gets to go here."

He laughs. "I'm glad you see it that way. You're right. Everyone here is so spectacularly amazing, I couldn't help but gaze and watch." He remembers what we were talking about. "Ah yes. My stupid talent." He collects himself before he speaks. "My talent is having good luck."

"Eh?" Wait. What?

"I'm not joking. It's official. That's my talent."

"No, that's not it."

"Oh? Then what is it, Naegi-kun?"

I really don't like the way he phrased that.

"It's just that…" I shuffle a bit. "Luck is my talent, too."

Something in his complexion changes. He looks disappointed about something. Like the color left his greenish eyes. He leans back just a bit.

"Ah, I see." A smirk lines the corners of his mouth. "Then that makes sense why we're all alone. Us trash students sitting back watching these talented human beings flourish and grow. I understand you, Naegi."

Huh? Where'd the honorific go? What's with this sudden change?

"We're not trash! Don't talk like that! We're here for a reason. Unlike the others, we just haven't quite found it yet."

"This school is called Hope's Peak because it's where Hope is born from talent. I've found that purpose you're talking of. We're the pillars so that Hope can grow. Don't you see that, Naegi? We're here so that they can spit on us, use us as their stepladder for whatever they see fit. That's why we're here. That's why—"

"That's wrong! Hope and talent aren't even related. As long as you're a good person, Hope can be born anywhere. No. Anyone can have Hope. That's what makes it so great."

"I have to disagree. If Hope and talent weren't related, then why does this school exist? It's been here for centuries, there has to be some reasoning behind their belief."

"I don't…" I take a deep breath. I can't lose here. "Then why are we here? If we're as normal and as insignificant as you say we are, then why are we here? We have the aptitude to make our own Hope."

"I don't think you understand, Naegi. We're here to support that Hope. Normally, there are never two people with the same talent at the same time. We're their throw away students who are here to remind the Ultimates who they'll be dealing with when they leave here."

This guy's unbreakable. I want to keep going, force my argument through, but…I feel like it's going to take a bit longer than one lunch period to do that.

The bell rings and we part ways, without uttering a single word.

The next day, I go to the same spot. I'm not exactly sure why, but I feel like I can't just let him think so negatively. He doesn't seem malicious, just self-deprecating. I'm sure he'll open up, though.

I sit down, and sure enough, a minute later, he shows up and sits next to me. We don't speak a word. Just eat. He doesn't eat much, just some bread. My mom made my lunch. It's got lots of food. It's delicious so I scarf it down.

Komaeda laughs. "You must like whoever who made your food. A sister?"

"You don't want to see my sister cook, trust me."

"Ah, so your mother cooks your food."

"A-And…"

"It makes sense for completely and utterly useless people like ourselves to depend on others. That's what we do."

"So who makes your lunch, Komaeda-kun?"

He pauses and tightens his lips back.

"How are you at cooking?"

He totally just dodged the question there. Ah well.

"Well…If I was any good, I'd make my own lunch."

"Both of us are the same, I see. The only thing I can cook is toast. Us lucky students aren't very good at anything, so it makes sense." So he makes his own lunch. "I have the Ultimate Cook in my class, and after I tried his food, I shed a tear."

"A tear? It was that good?"

"Watching everyone eat it together mixed with the skill and talent put into the food." He grabs his arms and gives a twisted smile. "It was beautiful." He relaxes. "We could never recreate something as amazing as that."

We. Thanks. But what is with this way of thinking?

"Well, just because you won't be the best at it doesn't mean you shouldn't try."

"I'm glad you think that way, but I don't think—"

"I'll make your lunch tomorrow then."

"Eh?"

"It may taste horrible, but I'm going to do it. With some practice, and some time, it'll get good, I promise you."

He laughs. "Okay then. Prove me wrong, Naegi-kun."

That sounded like he's mocking me. He added the honorific again, too.

The bell rings and we part ways once again.

At home, I spend a lot of time cooking the best bento I can. Komaru walks up to me and watches.

"Makoto, you're making your own lunch? That's a first."

"…Yeah."

She gasps. "Could it be…for a girl?"

It's for a guy, but not for that reason.

"No."

"Aw…"

"I just wanted to be more independant for once. I'm always relying on you guys."

Komaru runs up to me and hugs me.

"W-What's this for?"

"It's okay to rely on us. We're your family after all."

"Thanks, Komaru."

I went to that tree, carrying a small box. I held my promise. I sit down and wait for him to arrive. Sure enough, he shows up and sits right next to me.

"Wow. That's quite a bit of food."

"Well, you only ever eat a slice of bread. You look unhealthy. So I made sure to give you a lot."

"Normally, I'd be honored for you to say that, but because I know that you're just doing it to feel better about your insignificant life, I don't feel anything like that."

I shove it onto his lap.

"…Just eat it."

He opens up the lid and sighs.

"Naegi-kun. I don't like rice."

I stare at him. It's a bit messy, but I put in fried rice, carrots, and some beef. And he's telling me that he doesn't like rice.

I hand him chopsticks.

"Eat it."

Reluctantly, he picks up a piece of meat and puts it in his mouth. He hums and meddles over it.

"It's not bad."

"Really?"

"It's not good, either."

"Oh."

Well, what was I expecting? At least he's eating it now.

We are startled by a sudden rustle behind us. We both stand up. Something ran up the tree. A scream echos in the distance and a girl stumbles her way up the hill, whining and crying. She has disoriented purple hair and is wearing a tan uniform, much like the person standing next to me.

"Uwaaaa! What do I do what do I do what do I do?"

Komaeda doesn't move and instead gives me an intense look. What? He wants me to do something?

I walk over to her. "Is there something wrong?"

She looks up at me, just noticing my existence and takes a few steps back, in fright.

"I'm sorry i-if I disturbed y-your lunch."

"No, if there's anything I can help you with…"

She looks downwards a bit.

"G-Gundam-san asked me to f-find a cat t-that ran away and and and…"

"It's okay, slow down."

"It climbed up the tree! I'm sorry!"

"No. It's fine. I can get it for you if you want me to."

"R-Really? I don't k-know how I can r-repay you. I don't have any m-money."

"You don't have to pay me anything."

"Oh. So t-that's what y-you want. It's okay. Don't b-be too h-harsh."

"No! I don't need anything! Nothing!"

"Nothing?"

"Just let me get the cat for you."

"You're too kind!"

She starts bawling her eyes out and I walk to the tree. I see the cat. It's orange and just sitting there, relaxing. The tree splits up into two large branches, one that the cat is sitting on. I hate to admit it, but I'm rather short so I can't get up to it.

"Komaeda-kun. Can I stand on your shoulders?"

"What? You can't get up there yourself?"

I give him a nasty look.

"As long as it helps Tsumiki-san. I'm not very strong, so make it quick."

He bends down and I put each foot onto each respective shoulder. He stands and I can get into reach of the split in the tree. I climb onto it so that my weight is fully onto the tree. I inch my way towards the cat as to not disturb it. I grab it and in the process, I'm let loose and fall onto the ground with a mighty plop. The cat slashes its way out of my grasp and into Tsumiki's arms. She starts crying.

"A-A-Are you okay?! I-I-I'm a n-nurse!"

I rub my head.

"I think I'm fine."

"A-Are you s-sure?"

"I'm fine, I promise."

"Thank you…"

"Naegi."

"Naegi-san! And Komaeda-san too! Thank you!"

After much prodding to calm her down, she ended up leaving and taking the cat back to whoever asked her to get it. Komaeda and I sit next to each other once again, lunch nearing its end. He eats the carrots and I sit, waiting for him to finish.

"Hey, Naegi-kun. What is Hope to you?"

"My Hope? That's like asking what the meaning of life is. I'm not sure there's an answer for that."

He looks at me like that wasn't the answer he wanted. He pouts a bit, then sighs.

"If you saw someone brimming with Hope, what qualities would you say they have?"

Qualities? Someone full of Hope? "They'd be brave. Courageous. Kind. Willing to help people. Give them a smile. Work with everyone to create peace and harmony, no matter the odds."

Komaeda smiles lightly. The sun shines softly behind the downy of his hair. It's the first smile that feels earnest and bright. "That…That is my Hope, too."

The bell rings, he stands up and bids me a goodbye. Walking away, I noticed a piece of toast sitting on the grass. A little piece of paper was placed next to it. It reads, "Sorry! I can't cook very well.

—Komaeda"