"Text with apostrophes is being talked"

Text in italics is being thought.

Chapter 4: Explosion and Expulsion

The next day I was walking to the academy, thinking about what Chisa had told me yesterday when we were at the infirmary. No matter what I do, as long as I have fun it will always be worth it. Yeah, I can see the reasoning behind it, and it sounds just like her: Happy and quirky. But there was something else that caught my interest… it was the way she said that I would find my talent someday, it was too… confident… It's just like if she already knew I had a talent to begin with… Maybe I really do but I didn't realize it? I guess I have to think it over once I got time, maybe I can talk with Hajime about this.

I made it to class a couple of minutes early so I sat down and waited patiently. I realized that Hajime was nowhere to be seen. I asked some of the other students if they have seen him, but they stated that he didn't even come to class yet. Odd, Hajime is the kind of guy to come to class early no matter the circumstances. I remember that time when he came wearing a mask on his mouth, saying that he was ill. I had asked him if he shouldn't be at home if that was the case, but he just kept saying that he cannot waste time and miss any of these classes. I guess he feels responsible of the money that was spent for his education here…

But now, he wasn't here… Could something have happened…? Maybe he is just devastated by Natsumi and Sato's deaths… Don't tell me…?! My mind ran wild at that moment as every hair on my body got stiff, I began to fear if he had done something stupid. I quickly grabbed my phone and pressed the buttons furiously. I put it on my ear while my foot tapped the floor impatiently. No answer. This is not good… He doesn't answer and I don't even know where he lives... Eventually I just sighed in defeat. I didn't have a clue to know his whereabouts so there was nothing I could really do. Besides, I might just be panicking and he's just fine. As such, I simply sat back on my seat through clenched teeth as the bell rang. Now that I think about it… maybe Chiaki could help me here. It is not a safe bet, seeing what I got myself into when I tried to go to the Main Building yesterday. But I just can't stay put and do nothing about it, so I'll give it a shot anyway… This is going to end bad, right?

Once again, class dismissed. As I expected Hajime didn't come, but I tried not to think too much about it. I packed all my things up and headed for the Main Building, hoping that I could find a way to get through harmlessly if it was possible. Fortunately, luck struck me as I looked up and saw the girl I was looking for sitting on the bench by the fountain between the buildings. As expected, she was playing unconcerned with her Game Girl. She took brief bites of her sandwich every once in a while. Not wanting to disturb her, I just stood there and waited for her to be done. After a couple of minutes, she let out a loud breath. That girl is going to kill herself one of these days if she keeps holding her breath like that! I chuckled internally. She lazily looked up and waved her hand slowly. She really loses the perception of her surroundings when she's focused on the game, uh?

I sat beside her on the bench and greeted her "Good morning, Nanami-san! How was your day?"

"Good… I think" She said unsure "We didn't do much. Yukizome-sensei told us that we will have our practical test tomorrow" A practical test? It makes sense, I guess. It's the only way to evaluate how someone is doing with their talent. If you think about it, it sounds more like a Talent Contest than a test, hehe! I looked up to Chiaki with a smile to tell her what I came up with just now, but her face made me drop it… She was feeling down, I can see it in her face. Why would that be? I mean, it's a test and that sucks okay, but if it got something to do with something you master then it should be a little exciting, right?

"Nanami…" I rested a hand on her shoulder to get her attention "I can see that something is bothering you. Would you mind telling me what is it?" She looked down again as she seemed to be gathering her thoughts.

"We are not in our best moments… All the class is still depressed over those poor girls' deaths… I believe that nobody is really excited about the test…" She said sadly. I couldn't help to feel pity for her… "Koizumi-chan has lost her friend… and Kuzuryu-kun has lost his sister… and no one seems to care… They are so sad…" One lost her friend, the other lost her sister, and if they get along so well then it's obvious to assume that the rest would feel just as sad… "And I don't know where Hinata-kun is…" Hajime? Oh, I completely forgot about him! "Have you seen him…?" She asked me with hopeful eyes… It was heartbreaking to tell her like this…

"No, I haven't… I tried to contact with him through the phone but he doesn't respond…" I said. She looked away and brought her knees to her chest.

"I see…" She whispered… I felt guilty, I was the one who asked her and made the topic arise. I didn't want her to feel so down, especially if she was having such an important test tomorrow. I made her feel like this, so it was now my responsibility to cheer her up. I poked her shoulder to make her look at me. She did, but she didn't look as expectant as I wished. I smiled, trying to start up by showing her relief.

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure that Hajime is fine, and once he is back we can come back to play games together! That sounds good, right?" That seemed to work, seeing her sighing and smiling a little. So far so good "And about Koizumi-san and Kuzuryu-san, I understand that they are feeling like that and I pity them. But right now, what they need is your support as classmates. How can they get over their deaths if you aren't there to comfort them? Just try to cheer up and reassure yourself and soon you'll see that the rest will follow!" I declared, trying not to sound too harsh, but excited enough for her to take the message. Now she was relaxing her muscles as she nodded in understanding. And now, the final touch "After all, it would be a shame that all of you screw up in tomorrow's test… Don't you find it exciting? You can show off what you can do at that thing you love to do… Think about it: You, a videogame and a whole hall watching in awe as you beat stage after stage flawlessly…" I looked briefly at her to see a quick spark coming from her eyes "Wouldn't you find that thrilling?"

She finally looked at me with a smile and confessed "Yeah, I would… I think" She stated doubtfully for a second which made me laugh.

"That's what I wanted to her!" I praised her. I stood up to come back to class until she stopped me.

"Um, Blank-kun…"

"Yep?"

"Maybe… you would want to watch me perform the test? I will be more at peace if I knew you were there" She said.

"Are you inviting me? I thought that it would be an event just for the Academy staff and the Main Course students"

"It's not. Due to the importance of this test and the prestige of the Academy, the event brings the attention of all the country. Many reporters and television managers are allowed to come in, so the event is actually open to the public" She said that with… impressively calm for what she has just said.

"R-Reporters and television managers?! Wow! T-That sure sounds pressuring enough!" I said as a sweat dropped ran down my forehead.

"That is why we must give our all. If we fail this test we will get expelled" Again, she said that TOO calmly. Is she seriously so calm in this 'do or die' situation?! And her classmates weren't even that focused to begin with… Why am I feeling s dizzy suddenly?! "That's why I would like for you to be there. I will be calmer if you were there to support me… I think"

I tried to swallow up the lump in my throat as I responded "S-Sure! I-I'll be there! But PLEASE, do your best effort!" I begged with reasonable worry and made her giggle a little. Why is she even so calm about this?! "Well then" I said, trying to put myself together "I'll see you tomorrow, and don't forget to cheer up your classmates too. They will need it" No, seriously, they WILL need it.

She nodded and told me where the test will be held before she headed back to her class, waving her hand back to me. I mirrored her gesture as I went down to mine.

So I will be attending the most important exam for the Ultimates, even I feel nervous about this, not gonna lie. But, you know, maybe I can use this situation to my advantage! Chisa told me that I should try new things, and seeing the Ultimates showing off their talents is the best chance I will have to choose! I'll just write down those talents I would like to try out and ponder them later! There will be some that weren't that interesting to begin with at the end of the day, but I'm sure that I'll find at least one that I will definitely love! And if I have luck I could even be an Ultimate in it… Who knows? After all, as Chisa said 'As long as you have fun with it, it will be always alright'. It's settled then! Tomorrow I will be making the first step in the direction I should have taken long ago! Be prepared world, 'cause here I come!

I thought as I jogged to the Reserve Course building with a renewed spirit. For the first time in years, I began to feel myself going forward to a change… a pleasant change…

The next day I just jumped out of the bed. I was so excited today that I couldn't wait to get to the Academy. In a record time I got dressed, had breakfast, brushed my teeth and packed everything to storm out of home and jog up to Hope's Peak Academy with a notebook in hand and a pen on ear.

I finally made it to the Main Building gym where the test will be held and surprised myself that there were indeed cameras fixed throughout the gym and reporters were informing of the event to their viewers. That lump in the throat came back as I remembered that Chiaki and her classmates were risking everything here today, I just hope everything goes well… I took a free seat and waited patiently for the event to begin.

After half an hour, five judges appeared on the podium located across the gym as different students got in and took turns to introduce themselves to the judges and make a little performance with their talents. I was surprised at the variety of talents I saw today: A pianist, a maid, a magician, a folklore dancer, an inventor, an artist, an astronaut… even a cosplayer! Throughout the event I wrote down those that I think I could have fun with. Good, I already have a few talents. This was totally worthwhile! And these people are doing a really good job with their talents! I expected no less from the 'Ultimate' people. I chuckled internally.

The next participant who came up was a girl wearing a hairy scarf and a winter hat. She placed plates with desserts over the judges' bench, one for each judge.

"So, Andou Ruruka, is it?" One of the judges asked followed by a nod from the joyful girl.

"You are the Ultimate Confectioner, right?" Another judge said. A confectioner… That sounds… sweet, get it? Wait, who am I even talking to?

"Yes!" Andou said happily "I call these babies Choux Crèmes! If I had to describe them, I will say that are the Heaven's Dessert!" The judges let out a synchronized 'ohhh'. As for me… I'll say that the way she was describing them made me felt a weird oversweetened sensation on my taste buds, but that was beside the point. "But they are not just delicious! With just a single bite, no matter how exhausted you feel, everyone will feel an empowering sensation that will make them touch the sky! These Choux Crèmes are choux-premes!" That last statement left the jury in shock. Too sweet or not, I have to admit that she has made a clever use of words there.

"Very well, we will now have a taste!" The first judge said as the jury took the dessert and proceeded to bite it up. The moment they did it they looked at them as if they have just found the meaning of life "T-This taste…! I can feel it flowing through me…!"

"It's like flowing through Niagara Falls!"

"You are right! I can feel it too!" Every judge seemed to be in a state of ecstasy… it was so weird… Wow, does it really taste THAT good? Suddenly, the judges groaned in pain as the held their bellies. Did something go wrong? "Ru-Ruruka… Could you explain this…?" The first judge asked in pain.

"I… I don't…" The girl was paralyzed, not knowing what to do. Another girl wearing a mask over her mouth and a boy with a red jacket made their way to the podium. Friends of Andou, I suppose.

"Ruruka-chan, what's wrong?" The guy asked.

"This… Could it have been…" The other girl began "… laxatives?"

"Laxatives?!" Another judge burst out. Laxatives? Why would her put laxatives in those desserts in such an important occasion? Could she have just made a mistake? "What's the meaning of this?!"

"Seiko Kimura, what did you do?" The guy asked in an intimidating tone.

"I… I just…! I just…!" Seiko didn't seem to put her thoughts into words.

"You… You lied to me…" Andou said with a hint of pain in her voice. "You gave me this weird drug…" She showed Seiko a bottle half filled with a weird liquid.

"That… That cannot be…" Seiko said in disbelief.

"It cannot be?!" Andou yelled in rage. Welp, there goes our sweet girl. "I took the drug you told me to!" Oh, so that's how it rolls. From what I can deduce, this Seiko must have a talent related to drugs or medicines and Andou tried to use one of them to ensure she would pass the test. How typical, no matter where you go you will always find people that cheat their way to victory. But a laxative? Even cheating she messed up?

"You… Did you have anything to do with this too?" A judge asked the masked girl, still trying to… hold it…

"N-No!" Seiko said in defense.

I saw the guy in jacket release some kind of kunai from his sleeve as he pointed it to the masked girl "What are planning?"

Seiko stiffened in panic just before she put down the bag she was carrying and proceeded to open it "D-Don't worry…! I can use my medicines to…! What… What is this…?" She said as she looked into her bag in disbelief.

A judge gasped in fear "Is that… a b-bomb switch?!" She yelled, making the entire gym to panic. A-A bomb?! What the hell is this?!

"Kimura! You…!"

"N-No! You've got it all wrong! I just did it for Ruruka-chan! Because we are frie-!"

"We are not friends" Andou said coldly Ouch… That stung… "Why did you lie to me? A person as horrible as you… cannot be considered a friend or even a stranger! You are just a pathetic subhuman!" WOW! That's really harsh, you know? And I don't think it's a good idea to say that to a person who is carrying a freaking bomb!

"Why…? Why did you say that…?" Seiko said hurt. "I always did what you requested me…"

"I trusted in you! I thought we were friends! I always thought that I could count on you! That's not fair!" Andou yelled angry.

"But… I always did things for you…! I got myself into this exam just for your sake!"

"How could I trust in someone who doesn't eat my sweets?! This is all your fault, you traitor!"

"My fault?!" Now even Seiko was mad. This is not looking good… "How could any of this to be my fault?! YOU are the traitor!" This was seriously getting off hand. The people in the gym are beginning to panic and the two girls' discussion is not helping at all! Should I just run away? But I can't let this mess go on! Oh, me and my stupid ideas… I needed to do something quick, the bomb right there is what troubles me the most. Even if the commotion is not sorted out fast, as long as that bomb ceases to be a threat everything should go well. Here goes nothing…

I tried to make my way through panicked people until a loud thud was heard from the wall of the gym and everyone got silent. The thud continued until the wall broke up and loud barks were heard from the other side Wait… barks? Suddenly, a giant dog got through, which made the entire gym to go crazy once again WHAT THE HELL?!

Everyone ran desperately to the exit to avoid being stomped over by this dog. The three people standing on the podium were still there, the girls paralyzed in fright while the guy was trying pathetically to scare away the dog. This was my chance, Red Jacket was keeping the little buddy busy… well, the big buddy… So I now I could sneak up and snatch the bomb before it goes off. Let's do this!

I went to the podium by the wall, trying my best not to make any sudden movement that might attract the canine. Once I got there and the bag was in sight I smirked in victory. Score! However, when I looked up to see the dog right in front of us… I realized that the girls were crawling back in fear… the bag was on their way. "Wait! If you go on you'll…!" It was too late. They both pressed the bomb's button at the same time with repeated beeps. OH SHI-!

Chisa Yukizome's P.O.V.

How could this happen?! A bomb went off in the gym while the practical test was being held! This is terrible! Please! Please, let my students to be okay! I ran as fast as I could, heading to the gym while other teachers ran behind me. Once we arrived… I just couldn't believe what I saw… The entire gym was in ruins…! And just right in front of where the door should be was… Komaeda-kun?

"It didn't go just as I wanted… Well, everything always goes as I want…" He said to himself.

"Komaeda-kun!" He turned around to face me and greeted with one of his smiles.

"Hi… Yukizome-sensei"

"What happened here?! Did someone get hurt?! Are you okay?!" I kept asking. You can't blame me! Anyone would be worried in such situation.

"You don't need to worry about me, sensei. And everyone who once was here left running before the explosion so it should be fine…" He looked to his foot to see a dog cuddling on him "There you are little guy! You shouldn't go around licking on others drinks"

Suddenly, we heard some noises coming from the debris and saw three people standing up with difficulty "Didn't you say that everyone got out?" I asked Komaeda.

"Well, almost everyone" He corrected himself, given the circumstances.

A group of teachers assisted these students and brought them to the ambulance we called in advance. Before they left, one of the girls looked at me and panicked "P-Please! There's someone else there! You've got to help him!" There was someone else stuck in the debris?! I ran up to the center of the ruins and looked around, but I began to panic as I didn't see anyone else here! They can't be dead… right…?

A sudden groan not too far away made me run fast to the source. The person in question was stuck under a piece of concrete but it wasn't too heavy for me to push it aside. But once I got a good look at him… I felt my stomach turning… It was Blank-kun… and he was unconscious! "Blank-kun!" I yelled as I took him in my arms "Blank-kun! Please, wake up! You cannot leave yet! Please!" I begged, shaking him carefully. No! No no no! This can't be happening…! You can't be dead! "Blank-kun! Blank-kun!" I shook him more violently this time. He just had to wake up! I can't let him die like this!

Two minutes later… and he wasn't moving an inch… Eventually, I stopped to shake him and just… held him tight… "Blank-kun…" I whispered as tears flowed down my cheeks… and I felt them being wiped away… I opened my eyes from the foreign touch and saw Blank-kun wiping my tears with his thumb, smiling! "Blank-kun!" I said relieved to see him alive.

"Heh…" He blurted weakly "I totally messed up, uh?" He said, trying to humor me even in such a terrible predicament.

"Why would you do something so imprudent?! You could have died!" I scolded him, not wanting to let him go.

"Well… A bomb was about to set off and you are asking me to stay away…?" He coughed "I'll say that you are right… but you are asking me too much… When someone is at risk… I just cannot help myself…" He smiled reassuringly. That determination again… that is what will always drive him, even if he can't control it… But I'm glad it's driving him in the right direction… "Besides…" He continued "I had to keep the promise I made to Nanami-san…" I smiled once again, he was definitely a kind soul… He will get far in life, I'm sure of it… "H-Hey, Yukizome-sensei… is everyone alright…? Did your students get hurt…?" He asked worried.

I shook my head reassuringly. "It's fine. Nobody was severely injured besides you apparently" He made another quick smile before his eyes began to close slowly.

"That's… good…" He said right before he drifted back into unconsciousness. I smiled pitifully once again, and… hugged him… I stayed like that for a couple of seconds before I watched him sleep for a last time and called up for a teacher to help me get him into an ambulance.

"Ah… Three students were expelled simultaneously…" Kizakura-san said disappointed… After the initial panic formed by the bomb was sorted out, I was appointed to meet up with my superior Koichi Kizakura and Principal Kirigiri to discuss this matter.

Principal Kirigiri was staring at the files of those students who got expelled… Andou Ruruka, Seiko Kimura and Sonosuke Izayoi… "The media is putting too much attention to the bomb… We have no choice than to give in and point the culprits…"

"Well, after an incident of this scale it was obvious that you should… Now, concerning Komaeda-san…" I looked up worried at the mention of my student… I know where this is going, but I just didn't want to hear it…

"He was a victim that got himself involved in the incident" Kirigiri-san said.

"But there are witnesses that say state he was the one who caused the incident. Many are asking for his expulsion" Kizakura-san refuted. I squeezed my hands, hearing them talking like this to one of my students… it's heartbreaking…

"I'm deeply sorry!" I blurted as I bowed in shame "This was the result of my negligence!"

"Even if he was the mastermind behind, we have to concede that he wasn't the one who administered the laxatives or activated the bomb" Kirigiri said, deep in thought "Even so, without active intervention, he got the results he wanted. A talent like that is too precious to let it go to waste" He thought for a bit before sighing up and saying "Nagito Komaeda will be suspended indefinitely. Koichi Kizakura, his main teacher, will be put to test to make sure he's still under the right faculties to teach" Kizakura-san hid his face under his hat in shame "and the assistant of the main teacher, Chisa Yukizome, will be transferred to the Reserve Course" There it is… That's what I… was looking for… In order to research that mysterious project, Kyosuke told me that I needed to get to the Reserve Course without raising suspicion… And… I made it…! But then… why do I feel so devastated…? "Will that work as a compromise?" Kirigiri-san asked.

"Yes sir…" I said without any energy left.

"And finally, the practical test will be postponed…"

"Luck could be terrifying…" Kizakura-san said, looking at Komaeda-kun's files.

So… Here I go… To the Reserve Course… From now on I'm sure I can make much more progresses… That is something I should be excited about… right? I'm doing this for Kyosuke… You can do this, Chisa…

But I was just trying to lie to my own heart, I was really sad in actuality. I needed to distract myself, otherwise I will get emotional again… I picked up my phone and called Kyosuke to tell him the situation "Good news. I got transferred to the Reserve Course, as you requested me. This will make my investigation easier"

"Good news indeed, but you don't really sound happy about it" He noticed.

"I can hide nothing from you, right Kyosuke?" I tried to laugh… but I couldn't. "It's just that…" Those images repeated in mind. Once I came back from Principal's office I went to class to tell them the news as happy as I could… but they saw through my façade… Everyone's questions in confusion, Komaeda-kun's suspension, Sonia's tears… It was too heartbreaking to take in, but I stayed strong. I reassured them that it will just be for 6 months; that Komaeda-kun was just doing what he thought was the best for his classmates… and finally, I told Nanami-chan that I believed in her to keep the class together until I come back… as her duty of the class's representative… I will miss them so much… "…it's hard to say goodbye…" I felt a single tear drop down my cheek as I said this "It's funny… don't you think…? My job was to investigate this school… and yet I think I'm enjoying being a teacher too much…" I wiped out that tear with a handkerchief I was keeping in my pocket "I'm sorry! I'll make my best effort investigating… Bye…" I said as I hung up and looked at the building in front of me… This would be the longest 6 months in my life…

Néstor Blank's P.O.V.

Ugh… This backache is gonna kill me…

A couple of days have passed since the incident with the bomb. I stayed at the hospital in the meantime and I found out little bits of what was the situation at Hope's Peak Academy. Apparently, the three students that were on the podium when the bomb went off were expelled, considered to be responsible of the incident. Furthermore, another student got suspended to be considered the mastermind behind it and had gone missing. Now that I think about it, Hajime is still missing in action. I just hope the little guy is alright… wherever he has gone to… That day was sure quite the rollercoaster, uh?

After a couple of days the doctors discharged me, saying that the damages weren't so bad, but they told me that I'll need to visit frequently to check up that I recover properly. I can't complain, but boy this pain in the back is terrible! I almost look like an old man without his cane! But hey, I'll survive this… I think… I hope…

Nevermind, today I came back to the academy, I can't let myself miss these important lessons, you know? I opened up the door to my classroom and… I just couldn't believe what I saw… There, standing in front of the blackboard was the last person I expected.

"Yu-Yukizome-sensei?!"

To be continued…

I know that a lot of people love him and all that, but I have to confess: Nagito drives me mad sometimes. I know that he's not that bad after all, but seriously he must have a fetish with hope or something.