"We cannot be too cautious, Hannelore. Just because someone knocks on the door doesn't mean you have to open it. Sometimes, sweet girl, there are wolves at the door. If we are not careful, they might eat us."
― Ruta Sepetys, Salt to the Sea

Chapter 2

"If you glare any harder you might just set him on fire" an amused voice said from behind.

Togami almost jumped, he'd been so busy glaring daggers at a particularly annoying student that he hadn't noticed Kyoko Kirigiri come up from behind. Togami scoffed and turned towards the violet haired girl.

"I don't know what you're talking about" he said from his seat.

"Right. Of course you don't. After all, who Naegi hangs out with during her free lunch period is not your concern after all" Kirigiri said with a knowing smile.

Togami scowled at her. He knew that Kirigiri, out of all his other classmates, had figured out that Togami had a crush on Naegi. She was the Super High School Level Detective after all.

Togami turned his attention away from her and went back to glaring at his earlier annoyance. Down by the courtyard where the big tree gave off some shade, sat Naegi Makoto eating at one of the lunch tables. Normally, just seeing Naegi would bring a small smile to his face, but not today. Because today she had company. Not that that was unusual.

Naegi was popular among the school. People always felt comfortable around her, students said she inspired them to be better versions of themselves; she always made the room that much brighter just by her presence. The school, Hope's Peak Academy, had given her the title of Super High School Level Hope for a reason. So seeing Naegi surrounded by students was quite common since their enrollment three months ago.

No. What was different today was the boy sitting with her. If Togami remembered correctly, the white haired boys name was Komaeda Nagito, the Super High School Level Good Luck. Togami scoffed. What a useless talent he thought. He didn't trust this Komaeda Nagito at all. Especially around Naegi.

Komaeda gave off this fan boy/stalker vibe that set Togami's teeth on edge. He'd heard the rumors about him around the school. He was an upperclassman from the 77th class, Togami was in the 78th class, and from what he'd heard from some of his classmates was that the guy was creepy. All he seemed to talk about what hope this hope that, to the point that it was annoying. He was also rich thanks to him winning the lottery and he had no parents due to a plane crash they were in. But there was just something that bugged Togami about him. He didn't know what it was but judging by the way he looked at Naegi as she talked to him, he couldn't let Naegi be with him alone. He didn't think it was safe.

Decision made, Togami got up from his seat at the desk and made his way out of the classroom and headed towards the courtyard. Kirigiri waved goodbye at him, and with a nod in her direction, left the classroom.

Not even a minute had passed before he heard the sound of footsteps following him from behind. With a sigh, Togami pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to the person behind him. And lo and behold there stood Touko Fukawa aka Super High School Level Writing Prodigy aka his stalker. Seeing that she'd been discovered, Fukawa dived into a random classroom before he could say anything to her, her long brown braids the last thing he saw before she shut the door.

He really couldn't be bothered with her at the moment; at least she still kept her distance from him as He'd told her too. He didn't know why she'd become infatuated with him, he was only every rude to her. Shaking his head, Togami made his way to the courtyard where he could already hear Naegi's sweet laughter.

Naegi noticed him first, and smiled at him. Togami tried not to blush.

"Togami! Come take a seat, you haven't had any lunch right?" Naegi asked him while patting at the space next her. Before Togami could say that he didn't eat food from the cafeteria, Naegi smiled at him knowingly at said "Don't worry, I know how much you hate food from the cafeteria. I made this myself so it should be ok right?"

Honestly. This girl knew him so well. He allowed a small smirk to appear on his face and took a seat next to her.

"Well if you insist," he said. It seems she had made deep fried pork chop with Tonkatsu, tomato, golden kiwi, and broccoli. It was delicious.

"It's great isn't it? To think that I, a useless waste of space, would have the honor to try some of the Ultimate Hope's lunch! Ah, I truly must be lucky!"

Ah that's right. They weren't alone. Komaeda Nagito sat across from them looking at them as if they had given him a gift.

"You're not a waste of space Komaeda! You're my friend! You shouldn't say things like that about yourself!" Naegi immediately said. She was pouting angrily at Komaeda, her green eyes looking like she wanted to cry.

"Alright alright. I'll leave it at that Naegi-Chan but only because you look like you want to cry" Komaeda said and smiled gently at her. Naegi didn't look convinced but decided to change the topic.

"Oh that's right! I haven't introduced you to each other yet! Togami this is Komaeda Nagito from the 77th class and the Ultimate Super High School Level Good Luck and Komaeda, this is Togami Byakuya Super High School Level Heir and my best friend so I hope you two get along." Naegi said happily as she finished introductions.

Togami took another piece of Naegi's lunch before he crossed his arms and scowled at Komaeda across from him.

"Ah it's such and honor to meet another Ultimate! To think trash like me is actually breathing the same air as two Ultimate's! I can feel such hope from you both!" Komaeda was practically drooling now.

Oh yeah Togami thought I'm definitely not going to like this guy.

"Well if you'll excuse me, I have to run an errand. I'll…see you again Naegi-Chan?" Komaeda shyly asked.

Naegi smiled brightly at him and said anytime. And with that, Komaeda gave them a small wave and disappeared inside the building.

Once Togami was sure that Komaeda was completely gone, he turned towards Naegi and narrowed his eyes at her.

"What?" Naegi asks innocently.

"You know what. He's weird, I'm sure the rumors about him haven't escaped your notice. You shouldn't talk to him," Togami says while offering Naegi the last piece of kiwi from her bento. Naegi pouted but opens her mouth so Togami can feed her the last of her food.

Togami tried not blush as he placed the last kiwi on Naegi's lips. Honestly, this girl will be the death of me Togami thinks.

After swallowing her food Naegi turns to him once more and asks him why.

Togami gives her a look. Naegi sighs.

"You shouldn't believe rumors Togami. I'm not going to judge someone by things that other people say behind their backs. It's rude. Besides he seems nice. We've bumped into each other a few times and I figured I should know who he is. Sure he doesn't talk very well about himself and he might be a bit obsessed about Hope, but he's not that bad. If anything I think he's just shy and a bit insecure. Give him a chance" Naegi says while looking at him with those damn puppy eyes.

Togamis' eye twitched in annoyance and he tried to look stern but he knows that once Naegi pulls out "the eyes" he knows he's lost the battle.

"Fine," he relents "But make sure you're careful and if he tries anything it's okay to flip him over shoulder like you so love to do" he smirks as Naegi flushes.

"One time! It happened one time! And it was an accident!" Naegi exclaims. Togami chuckles and ruffles her hair.

"Regardless, that's why we took self defense classes in the first place. To defend ourselves if we ever felt we were in danger. And I'll make sure to be with you whenever he's around but I am busy most days and can't be with you 24/7 so just be careful." Togami says while playing with a strand of her hair. It'd gotten longer again. It reached the middle of her back and Togami always liked playing with a few of her strands.

"Okay Togami. I'll be careful. I promise." She said while extending her pinky finger towards him. After a second, Togami intertwined his pinky finger to hers and shook it.

"We should be heading back, lunch is almost over." He said while extending his hand to help her up. Naegi took it and they started making their way towards their building.

"By the way, those are looking old maybe I should get you a new set" he said while pointing at Naegi's blue headphones around her neck. It was a present Togami had gotten her for her 10th birthday since she had a thing for music. Singing, playing it, or even listening to it, Naegi loved music. In return Naegi had gotten him a necklace with a blue crystal because it matched his eyes, or so she had said. He always had that necklace on him, it was precious to him. And it seemed Naegi always had those headphones around her neck as well.

"You think so?" she asked, "I can just polish them and they'd be fine though. They still work pretty well and besides.."

"Besides what?" he asked looking down at her.

"It's the first present you gave me so I'd like to keep it" she mumbled while looking away.

Togami couldn't hold himself back anymore and ruffled her hair and chuckled.

"Hey!" she exclaimed. But she was laughing and that just made him ruffle her hair harder as they finally entered the building.

However, unbeknownst to the happy friends, a figure was watching them from across the street. A scowl on their face.