Chapter 2: Naegi Household
Neo New York, November 14, 20XX 3:15 pm
A man with blond hair dressed lazily in a suit and fedora was amibly talking on the phone. "Hey Jin, I think I just found our Utimate Lucky Student."
"Koichi are you sure?"
"Relax. This kid has the talent. Although I'm certain he's quirkless for now. I gotta hunch our special friend is going to change that soon."
"Fine I'll go with your hunch. Do you have the letter delivered?"
"Yep. Already gave it to the kid's cute lil' sis'. By the way Jin, If you want I could still propose to Kyouko!"
"Over. My. Dead. Body."
"Ah, such a protective father! Anyways ol' friend gotta go and get some booze!"
"Wait, Koichi-" *click*
"Well that will take care of Jin for awhile. Now to go get a good hangover!"
Danganronpa
"MAKOTO!" Kamukura said. "We'll be arrviving at your home shortly."
"Wow really? Thanks!" Makoto replied.
Makoto's house was pretty average like the boy himself. Cookie cutter is the term. With Kamukura's stregenth true to his word, they speedily arrived. Landing just outside of the property Makoto was ecstatic! "Wow I can't wait for you guys to meet my family! This is gonna blow Komaru's mind!"
"Makoto, I apologize but I must be going." Mukuro said.
"No way! You can't just leave after all that!" Makoto pouted.
"Ms. Ikusaba, while your reasons are obscure for leaving I believe even you should take a small break from the lifestyle you lead." Kamukura said. "Come Makoto, let's meet your family. I'm quite positive they spotted your time on the local news." Izuru walked up to the Naegi's front door and gave it two brief knocks. It swung open with such energy. "OH MY GOD MAKOTO YOU- your not Makoto..." A young girl with brown hair stood in confusion before the symbol of hope.
"I am not. I suppose that you are Komaru? Makoto has told much about you young lady." He gently took her hand and shook it.
"Hey come on Mukuro! Just a little farther!" The scene behind Izuru was comical. The boy who weighed less than a feather was pulling a girl much taller and stronger than himself with little to no effort.
Danganronpa
Abandoned Subway Tunnel, 3:10 pm EST
"WHAT THE FUCK! HOW THE FUCK DOES ONE STINKIN' BRAT THWART MY PLAN??? MATSUDA-SENPAI! ARE YOU LEAVING FUCKING LISTENING?" A blonde girl complained. Her hair was pinned up in two pigtails and her outfit looked cross between a model and a reporter. Various monitors replayed the heroic actions of a small boy tackling the girl's older twin sister.
"Junko you know I'm hanging on every word. Take it this way, since that sister of yours lived you can despair over that." The man called Matsuda was reading manga never once looking up at Junko. "Besides you should probably orgasm all that despair out before you go in for surgery. It'll go smoother of you tire yourself out."
Junko personality turned cutesy. "Aw Matsuda-senpai your such a perv!" Her personality once again switched to her intelligent side. "However judging from the amount of despair caused from the ugly pig that is my sister... I should get an hour out of it." Her personality turned back to her original. "That freckled disappointment survived! Oooooh the despair! It's almost too much!"
"Greeeat. Now keep it down, I'm trying to read."
Danganronpa
Mukuro Ikusaba had faced many battlefields and taken many lives in her 14 year existance. Never had she experianced something like this. When Kamukura had stepped aside to let what Mukuro assumed to be Makoto's sister, instead of running up to her brother she ran past him and up to her.
"Oh wow! Your that girl my dorky brother saved! Are you his girlfriend??? That makes you my big sis!"
"Komaru!" Makoto turned red. Perhaps from the heat?
"No I am not your brother's girlfriend."
"Aw man! But you totally should be! Your super pretty and my brother really needs someone to look out for him and take care of him and stuff!"
"I'm... pretty?" Mukuro said uncertainly.
"Yeah Mukuro you are! You have to be since your so selfless! If not for you I would have been hit by that car!" Makoto chimed in. "I mean when people are good on the inside that means they're good on the outside!" This feeling... Mukuro could only wonder if it was Makoto's quirk again.
"Anyways big sis Mukuro you gotta meet our mom and dad! They're going to be so excited to know that Makoto's safe!" Komaru said excitedly.
"Komaru dear? What's all the commotion?" A woman walked to the enterance of the house to see quite an odd sight. A hero, a soldier, and her two children idolizing the pale girl.
"Hello Ms. Naegi, I brought your son and his friend here. I thought it would be better than them being swarmed by the media." Izuru broke in.
"OH THAT'S RIGHT! THE SYMBOL OF HOPE IS-mrmmph!" Her rambling was stopped by Makoto putting his hand over her mouth.
"Sorry about that Mr. Kamukura my sister is high- YEEOW! KOMARUUUU!" Makoto whined. "Did you have to bite so hard???"
"Makoto you are so dead!" Komaru chased her brother inside their house where various crashes and clatters could be heard from the two sibilings. Izuru let out a hearty laugh. "Ms. Naegi you have an interesting pair of children."
"Why thank you! I'm sorry they're a little bit excitable right now! I wish they would act at least a little respectable in front of guests!"
"That is quite alright. Let them enjoy their youth while they can. If I may be so bold, may we come in?" Kamukura asked.
"Oh! Of course! Please come right and make yourselves at home!" Makoto's mother said cheerily.
Izuru and Mukuro walked in the house. Inside chaos was strewn about. The front door led into the living room where Komaru was chasing her brother up and down and acroos the furniture lying about. Over turning tables and chairs as Makoto desperate attempts to escape her wrath was written with terror and his face. "Oh no here he comes. 3...2...1..." Ms. Naegi said with dread. BAM! Makoto tripped over a coffee table soaring into the air. He didn't even have time to scream as Mukuro bolted and caught him by the collar mid-flight.
"Wow thanks Mukuro! That was a close one!"
"Big sis Mukuro your like a freaking ninja!"
"It was a simple maneuver. I have had to catch my comarades when they were blown into the air by bombs." Mukuro replied.
"Mukuro dear? Do you mind telling us what your job is?" Ms. Naegi asked.
"I believe I can answer that. Kamukura said."Your a friendly mercenary with exceptional skills as a soldier."
"Yes that is correct."
"However you are no pro hero. That stunt earlier was very foolish young lady. When we get home your mother will be very angry with you."
"I'm sorry. Is big sis Mukuro your daughter Mr. Kamukura?" Komaru asked.
"Yes she is. Although not by blood. My wife and I adopted her when she was only a baby. It was a couple of years ago when Mukuro decided to go abroad for military training... Isn't that right Mukuro?"
For the life of her, Mukuro was stumped. Why was the Symbol of Hope giving her an alibi? Not only that how did he know so much about her? "Yes. It's only recently I was able to come back from abroad."
"Hey Mukuro? I don't mind dangling in the air but do you think you could use your awesome soldier skills and protect me from my sister?" Makoto said.
"Affirmative." Mukuro replied.
"Wow big sis is like one of those war heroes from movies! I know! Let's go play in the backyard!"
"Mukuro, I expect you to keep my son from harming himself ok?" Their mother said.
"His safety is VIP status. Understood." The three set off to enjoy the afternoon however they did not get very far.
Danganronpa
"Mr. Kamukura, I hate to be a bother, but why did you lie just now?" Ms. Naegi asked.
"Interesting. So you noticed. Let me straighten up the living room so we can talk." In a flash Izuru had the living room in working order again. He sat down on a chair and crossed his legs. "Ms. Naegi, please sit."
"Wow your not the number one hero for nothing!" She joked. Ms. Naegi sat on the couch facing Izuru.
"The reason I lied was to... I suppose... to protect Mukuro. You see her true past is complicated yet, not even I know the full details of that past. I feel that by meeting your son, some of those details will come to light in due time."
"You should of just said that in the first place! Honestly you and Makoto are so similar! Both of you always over complicate things like it's no big deal!"
"I'm afraid I'm confused. Knowing this you aren't suspicious or concerned about a mysterious girl who happens to be a soldier?"
"Oh please! Stranger things have happened to Makoto! Besides I have a feeling she's taken a real liking to him. Although a mother can never stop worrying about her children!"
"True. I wonder something. Judging from the ring on your finger you are married are you not?"
"Yes I am! My husband is in the garage right now working with a mechanic. A good thing too! The engine blew out just before all this craziness started!"
My Hero: Symbol of Hope
The three kids stood in the kitchen. There an unexpected sight greeted them. Makoto's father was amibly taking with a pink haired man in mechanic jumpsuit. His arms and body were tied up.
"I'm glad we were able to fix that engine quick!"
"Yeah I know! I'm not the Ultimate Mexhanic for nothing!"
"Hey Dad!" Komaru said.
"Oh there you are Komaru! Who's this with you?"
"I'm Mukuro Ikusaba. Nice to meet you sir."
"Wow how formal! It's a pleasure to meet you Mukuro! By the way where's Makoto?"
"Right here!" Perched on Mukuro's back sat Makoto.
"HOLY CRAP IT'S YOU! THE SHOE KID!" The mechanic yelled.
"Huh? WAIT ITS THAT CRAZY MECHANIC!" Makoto said shocked.
"What are you doing here?!?" They said simultaneously.
"You two know each other?" Mr. Naegi asked.
"Yeah we do! This kid came looking for his shoe. We shot the breeze then I kinda mistook him for my best friend Hajime. It's that crazy hair! It looks so similar!" The mechanic said.
"Yeah but you left out the part where you chased me with a giant robot!" Makoto pointed out.
"Yeah sorry bout' that!"
"What's going on kids? Something wrong?" Ms. Naegi said walking into the kitchen with Kamukura following behind her.
"Is that? KAMUKURA OLD BUDDY!" As quick as hare Kazuichi jumped up and off the chair with tears in his eyes only to get a foot to the face by none other than his "friend". "Ow...that...hurt...Izuru" He said falling to the floor.
"Now it makes sense! That guy crash landed head first into our backyard! You got blown away by Kamukura's attack!" Komaru summarised. "Of course we had to tie up a random guy that fell out of the sky!"
"Yep! If your wondering how the great Kazuichi Souda survived it's simple! I got a very hard head!"
"Well that clears it up! Hey honey, since we have so many guests why don't we hold a party? It's not everyday you get a visit from the symbol of hope himself!" Mr. Naegi said.
"That would be great! Mr. Kamukura can you stay and eat with us?" Ms. Naegi asked.
"I would delighted to Ms. Naegi. In fact how about we make it a sleepover? I'm sure Makoto and Komaru would love to spend more time with Mukuro."
"Um, Father, I would hate to be a burden on these nice people. Perhaps we should leave." Mukuro offered.
"MUKURO. YOUR. JUST. TOO. CUTE!" Ms. Naegi grabbed Mukuro in a hug. Makoto lost his balance and was safely caught by Izuru. "That settles it! There's no way you aren't staying here tonight! You can share the sofa bed with Makoto!"
"MOOOOOOM! Stop being embarrassing!! I couldn't possibly-"
"Makoto. Listen to your to your mother." Mrs. Naegi said.
"Yes ma'am!" Makoto squeeked out.
"Alright then! Mukuro would you mind helping me prepare food for everyone?" Mr. Naegi asked
"I-I w-will try my best M-Mr. Naegi."
"Great! Komaru and Makoto can you go with your mother and get some more food?"
"I hate to interrupt, but I would like to speak to Makoto privately. There's something I need to discuss with him before we eat. Kazuichi your coming too." Kamukura ordered.
"Aw man! But I wanna help out too!" Kazuichi whined.
"You can do the dishes." He deadpanned.
"EFF YOU IZURU!"
"Come Makoto." Izuru pulled Kazuichi by his restraints with Makoto following right behind him.
In Makoto's Room...
Izuru closed the door and locked it. Makoto's room was average. A computer desk off to the left side and a small bed off to the right. A window streamed in sunlight from the middle.
Izuru walked over to Kazuichi and in a flash the rope binding him snapped off.
"Mr. Kamukura are you sure that's a good idea?!" Makoto said.
"Relax it is fine. Kazuichi time to get to work."
"Right." With his freedom returned Kazuichi dug his hands into his pocket and brought out small mechanical devices. He walked around the room and set them up in the corners of the room. "Soundproof set and active." A couple on the computer monitor and the computer itself. "Jamming signal in effect. All security measures set and active Izuru."
"Good." Izuru walked over to the window looking out. The sunlight created a shadow overtaking Makoto. Kazuichi sat down on Makoto's bed "Makoto. I want you to try to be calm. What I'm about to show and tell you is Level X top secret. That means you cannot tell anyone. Not your rivals. Not your friends. Not even your own family. Can you do that?"
"If it's a secret then why would I tell anybody Mr. Izuru?" Makoto replied. "Hold on, if it's such a secret then why does a villain know about it?"
"Hmph. True enough. Besides you, there are seven other's including Kazuichi who know about my secret. In recent years I have grown weary of fighting crime and being the symbol of hope. I want to settle down and have a family. In response to this I have been looking for a suitable pupil to take my mantle and title of "Kamukura". Now to show you my secret. POOF! White smoke exploded from Izuru. In his place stood a man similar in appearance to Makoto.
"M-Mr. Hajime??? What's going on?"
Hajime Hinata turned to Makoto Naegi. The sunlight bounced off his brown hair seemingly turning in golden in color. "Makoto Naegi, after your selfless actions today I deem you worthy to inherit my quirk! It's name is Hope's Peak."
"But Mr. Hajime! I can't! I'm quirkless! Besides it's impossible to do that!"
"Makoto, the world percieves my quirk to be natural born. However the truth of the matter is it is man-made. Which means through proper training it can be passed on to you."
"No way." Makoto said at a loss for words.
"Yes way little man. I can vouch for Hajime on that." Kazuichi said.
"Now with this revelation. You must be wondering about how my quirk works."
"Yeah...sorta. This is just..."
"Unbelivable? I felt the same way when I received this power. Hajime stared at his hands. This quirk of mine... it's a torch, a power meant to be passed from person to person to boost hope, to preserve it. That is who those who call themselves "Izuru Kamukura" are. The champions of hope. My quirk allows me to use any talant I come across as if I was born with it. In short I'm the Ultimate Hope."
"Wow that's incredible! So are you going to pass it on right now?"
Hajime smiled. "Haha no. If I gave my quirk to you right now. Your body would decompose on a celluar level. In ten month's I will train your mind and body in preparation to receive my power."
"Why ten months?" Makoto asked.
"Let's leave that reason for the party."
Naegi Household, 6:00 pm EST
The Naegi's dining room was transformed from an ordinary room into one with decorations hanging from the ceiling. The table was littered with soft drinks and food.
"Oh wow! This is awesome! Izuru look at all the food!"
"Yes, Kazuichi. Look at all the dishes you'll be cleaning."
"Man, your such a sourpuss! Symbol of Hope my ass!"
"This is...they really went overboard." Makoto said.
"Isn't this normal? To celebrate your miraculous survival?" Izuru asked.
"I mean usually we'd sit down for dinner and that would be that." Makoto replied.
"Hmm... well today certainly isn't typical. Through your actions you saved a young girl. Furthermore I think that same girl is trying to find the courage to walk over here."
Danganronpa
Mukuro was caught completely off guard by this family. What were they? They... they actually hugged her and smiled at her as if she wasn't a soldier, wasn't a disappointment. Couldn't they sense why everyone else avoided her? Only three hours ago was Mukuro roped into helping Makoto's father make food for everyone. He kept telling her "You better take good care of my son. He can be a handful but with you around I'm sure he'll be just fine!" and "Mukuro? Why don't I teach you how to make Makoto's favorite food? After all one day he'll come home hungry after something crazy happens and you'll want to make your husband something to cheer him up!"
"Husband? I'm afraid I don't understand..." Mukuro could feel her face do that weird thing again. Makoto's quirk?
"Hahaha! Oh man I'm getting waaaay ahead of myself! Forgive me. I meant I want someone to stick by him and y'know... watch out for him. None of us can keep an eye on him 24/7 but I have a feeling you can. What was your talant again?"
"Ultimate Soldier."
"Right! Anywho today's even more extrodinary than usual. It's why we're throwing him a party."
"I thought the party was for him surviving."
"Nah. Makoto gets into trouble ten times worse than this on a daily basis! Anyway his favorite food is fried chicken. All ya gotta do is crack a few eggs, whip up the yolk, dip the chicken in, and roll the chicken in the breading. Oh and laury salt the chicken too!"
"What about frying?"
"See this oval-shaped thing on the counter?"
"Yes."
"All we do is shove in there, set the timer for thirteen minutes, and the thing superheats the chicken inside without any oil."
Now here was Mukuro three hours later with a plate of fried chicken she made herself. Makoto, Izuru, and Kazuichi had been shoved out of the house while the others prepared the party. It was odd. Normally she would deliver the payload and be done with it but, for some reason she couldn't for the life of her, deliver the food to Makoto.
"Big Sis Mukuro! Watcha doin' just standing here? Y'know that food will get cold then Makoto will think your not waifu material!"
"Waifu...?"
"Y'know! Girls who are like, perfect to be the wife to the main protagonist! It's all in my mangas!"
*clink* *clink* *clink*
"Hey everyone! Glad you could make it! I know everybody here has a busy life!" Mr. Naegi said. "We're celebrating for a very special reason! Komaru? If you wouldn't mind giving Makoto the letter?"
"Uh. Dad. What let...ter? OM MY GOSH I TOTALLY FORGOT! MAKOTO YOU'RE GONNA HAVE YOUR SOCKS BLOWN OFF! THERE WAS THIS GUY IN THIS FEDORA AND HE GAVE US THIS SUPER DUPER IMPORTANT LIFE CHANGING LETTER!" Komaru shouted. It reminded Mukuro of rapid cannon fire.
"Man in a fedora...?" Naegi said uncertainly.
"A colleague of mine." Izuru said.
"Oh yeah! Before you read the letter Mukuro personally made you some food Makoto!" Komaru snatched the plate from Mukuro and marched over to her brother. "Now try it!"
"Really Mukuro?" Naegi asked. Mukuro gave a silent nod. "Thanks! Man this looks good!" He picked up a piece of chicken and bit into it. A couple of seconds passed. "WOW MUKURO YOUR A REALLY GOOD COOK!" He said excitedly. That inexplicable warm feeling returned.
"Pardon me." Everyone looked at her. "I'm curious about something. Is Makoto's quirk somehow heat related?" She asked.
Makoto started to choke on the next piece of chicken he was eating. The whole room was silent. Then Komaru started to giggle trying to hide it until she burst out laughing along with everyone else.
"Makoto's quirk! Oh that's priceless!"
"My doppy... haha... brother's... hee hee... quirk!"
"Haha. How charmingly innocent!"
"What's so humorus," Mukuro inquired.
"Mukuro dear, Makoto..." Ms. Naegi said laughing.
"Doesn't have any quirk!" Mr. Naegi finished.
"I don't understand! How is that possible?"
"Well Big Sis, you see our whole family tree has been quirkless one generation after another!" Komaru said.
"Dear, you have had a crush before right? Someone that makes you lose your composure for the most illogical reason?" Ms. Naegi asked.
"I-I'm not sure." Mukuro said weakly. She had moved behind Makoto and was patting him on the back to help him from choking.
My Hero: Symbol of Hope
"Mom there's no way Mukuro has a crush on me!"
"Makoto you'd be surprised how endearing you can be to strangers!" Mr. Naegi said. "Komaru and Mukuro filled us in on your adventures today son."
"He hugged his savior after certain death and smiled at his guardian angel! Only to repay her deed by saving her life! Oh you can't make this stuff up!" Ms. Naegi crooned.
"M-mom! Dad! Stop saying weird stuff in front of my friend!" Naegi whined. "Mukuro c'mon back me up here!" He looked back at her only to see a crimson faced teenage girl where once the Ultimate Soldier stood. "Mukuro!"
"Ahhhh. All jokes aside. Regarding Makoto's quirklessness. I sense he has the potential to develop a quirk under the right conditions. That is why I will be taking custody of him for ten months time." Izuru stated. "It heavily ties into the earlier mentioned letter."
"Oh! Right I'll get it!" Komaru said running off into the hallway.
"Aren't you guys shocked at all???" Naegi said to his parents.
"Mr. Kamukura already explained it to us beforehand. The party was partly for today's big adventure, partly for a farewell, and-"
"For this!" Komaru exclaimed. She gave Makoto the letter. It was by far fancy. With cursive gold lettering it had his name printed on it. Makoto flipped the letter over to see a rednwax stamp with a coat of arms carved into it. He recognised that emblem. He dreamed of being able to wear that emblem. He lived in awe of it.
A gold and black shield with a pen and jagged sword crossing it, encircled with a crown and feathers resembling wings. Truly it was a dream come true for any teenager aspiring for a guranteed future.
Without hesitation Makoto opened the envelope. He pulled out the letter and read it aloud.
Dear Makoto Naegi,
From our yearly lottery, by sheer, unfathomable luck, you have been chosen out of three billion canidates. Your quirkless nature is not a concern. Your talant. Your Ultimate Talant and title is Luckster. In September of next year you will be able to participate in the enterance exam. If your lucky enough perhaps you'll be able to call Jabberwock Island home.
Sincerly,
Jin Kirigiri
P.S. Tell Kamukura to get that son of a bitch Koichi to get back here ASAP.
Izuru burst out laughing. "Typical Jin, seems he knows us Luckster's better than I thought."
"Um hate to break the mood but it doesn't seem like he was chosen randomly at all!" Komaru said. "Oh and do ya think I could develop a quirk too???"
"I can assure you. It was absolutely random. The Headmaster of Hope's Peak is the type of man who will pick the most least likely scenario before he considers the most logical one." Izuru said. "He also happens to have a knack for profile identification. In this case knowing our mutual colleague's habits, he will probably show up at my doorstep tommarow morning passed out from a hangover. As for your inquiry, time will only tell Ms. Komaru."
"This... is unexpected. I am also attending Hope's Peak." Mukuro blurted out. She whipped out an Identical letter. "However unlike Makoto I am guranteed a position among the next class."
"So... I already have a friend at Hope's Peak!" Makoto said. He turned around and hugged Mukuro tightly. "This is going to be so cool!"
Danganronpa
The hours passed. The group joked, talked, ate, and discussed plans late into the night. Under the warm covers of the sofa bed. In inky blackness, Makoto was still barely able to wrap his head how chaotic his luck had been today. Here he was, an average boy by the exact definition yet, an abnormality in this super powered world.
Mukuro insisted on holding on to Makoto like a stuffed animal. In Komaru's words "his luck is so wacky right now he could be catapaulted right out of the house!" In the time spent with the Naegi's youngest child, the girl had lent Mukuro clothes, pajamas, and promising much more in the coming of months. The particular pajamas Mukuro was wearing were embarassing in her opinoin. Grey flannel top and bottoms with little wolf heads decorated across them. It was only until Makoto had somehow been launched from the sofa exploding outward, crashing into Komaru's room and him innocently commenting that he liked them did she finally agree to wear the pj's. Makoto on the other hand wore simple baby blue top and bottoms.
"Hey Mukuro?"
"Yes?"
"Sorry about all this today. My family can be pretty overwhelming."
"Negative. It was...nice. Usually everyone keeps their distance from a soldier. Your family however..." Mukuro clutched Makoto tighter. "They were accepting. They treated me like I was their daughter. I am not qualified for that honor."
"That's not true! Your my friend! When your a friend that means your also family!"
"I'm... part... of your family?"
"Yeah! Plus I think Mom and Komaru are already planning to add you to the family album." Makoto grumbled.
"Understood. We should get some sleep now Makoto." Mukuro nuzzled into the crook of Makoto's neck and promptly fell asleep.
"Honestly Mukuro how could anyone be afraid of such a nice girl? That reminds me. I'm going to kill Mom for this stunt! This is so emvarassing!" Makoto thought. "Then again it really isn't so bad. She's actually... really... warm." Thus the Soldier and Luckster fell asleep. The events to come were sure to test their new bond.