NOTE: In this chapter, Kirigiri Kyouko will be referred to as Kyouko and Kirigiri Jin will be referred to as Kirigiri.

At 7:28am the next morning Naegi Makoto stood, paralyzed, in front of what should have been a harmless door in the school's Main Office building.

His life flashed before his eyes. He witnessed his earliest memory of receiving a birthday cake when he turned two, a cake he may or may not have put his face in. He remembered his baby sister being born and crying every night from the next room. He remembered how he himself cried when his dog passed away a few years later. He remembered a family vacation to Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba; going to the doctor with his mom when he was having trouble sleeping and couldn't stop wetting the bed; a bicycle he got for his eighth birthday; the first horror movie he ever saw, by accident, peering in on his dad watching TV late at night; wetting the bed again after having terrible nightmares about the movie; the summer his parents were abnormally busy and he and Komaru spent every day at their aunt and uncle's pool eating popsicles with their cousins; getting teased by the cool kids in elementary school; the first year he spent at his first high school and how boring and lonesome it was; receiving the letter of acceptance to Hope's Peak Academy; Hagakure Yasuhiro telling him yesterday afternoon that in the near future he would be a heartbroken dead person.

Naegi Makoto stood in front of the door to the headmaster's office. It should have been a harmless door, but in Naegi's mind it was a gateway to death. Wrist shaking, he knocked.

"Come in."

A middle-aged man in a button-down dress shirt and slacks was seated behind a desk, hovering over a computer. Bookshelves and display cases filled with trophies and trinkets lined the walls. A very scribbled on calendar hung to the side of the headmaster's workspace and file cabinets were stacked like building blocks in the corner. Naegi had definitely expected the office to be cleaner, but even amongst the clutter, the polished wood of the desk and the perfect regal weathering of the carpet leant the room legitimacy. It smelled like cheap air fresheners, iodine and books.

"Sit down."

When he first received the letter from the headmaster, Naegi had envisioned himself seated before an elderly professor with old-fashioned bifocals, a heavy frame and the roar of an old lion. This meticulous, slim man with curious, calculating eyes was not at all what he expected.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Naegi fidgeted in his seat. His heart was beating fast.

"Yes, I did. You are Naegi Makoto, Super High School Level Luck, is that correct?"

"That-that'd be me." He laughed nervously, trying to compose himself.

"Hm."

The headmaster looked him up and down, studying his hair; his outfit; his inexpensive book bag; his sneakers. He felt self-conscious and exposed, like an ant beneath a magnifying glass.

"It has come to my attention that for a so-called Luckster you have been caught in quite a few mishaps since the semester began."

Naegi's jaw dropped.

"What? H-how did you know about that?"

"I know everything that goes on in this school, Mr. Naegi. To assume that I-or the rest of the Steering Committee, for that matter-is in the dark about anything that happens here, no matter how trivial it may seem, would be a mistake. We see everything. Well, except for a couple of incidents we're still looking into, but-no, I can't discuss that with you. Forget I said anything."

He wrung his hands out nervously. Naegi was perplexed.

"Well, is it true? Since you've come to this school you've been in quite a few unlucky situations, am I correct?

Naegi blushed.

"Uh, y-yes, sir, that's right. I guess I have. I didn't make it to the freshman orientation… and I had some difficulties with my schedule and uh, the facilities in my dorm room… and um, yesterday I was almost kind of... well, killed by a baseball…"

The principal scratched his chin.

"Ah, yes, I remember hearing of that incident…"

Naegi put his head down in embarrassment.

"So, Mr. Naegi, would you care to tell me how this behavior befits a student with the title of Super High School Level Luck?"

It would be a lie to say that he hadn't thought about it. The irony of his position was not lost on him. As if it wasn't difficult enough for him to wrap his head around being accepted to the school at all, the constant stream of misfortune he had experienced since then was like a black cloud that clung to him closer than his own shadow.

"I, uh, I don't really know, sir…"

The headmaster sighed.

"The fact that you do not know is further proof that you have not been focused on honing your ability… I must admit that was not what I wanted to hear. This does not bode very well for you at all, I'm afraid."

Naegi's heart stopped.

"You see, Mr. Naegi, being admitted to this school and then not continuing to express your talent just isn't acceptable. It's like if the Super High School Level Hall Monitor suddenly stopped following the rules. Or if the Super High School Level Baseball Player decided to give up baseball and start a punk rock band."

Kirigiri Jin picked up a day planner that was lying open on his desk and averted his eyes from Naegi's horrified face.

"Ah, yes, I still have to talk to Mr. Kuwata about that, but, anyway…"

He put the day planner by the telephone.

"Such behavior is simply not tolerated. You were accepted here based on your Super High School Level Luck, and now you've abandoned it."

"I didn't a-abandon my luck, sir! I just, er, I just lost it."

"That's equally careless, don't you think?"

Naegi's head was spinning.

"S-sure some bad things may have happened, sir, but it's only been a week. That doesn't mean I'm not lucky anymore."

"Tell that to the Committee, young man. They aren't having it. Your bad luck has been blatant and uncalled for. It has been decided that we cannot, in good conscious, foster a student who does not maintain a Super High School Level in their designated talent. I regret to inform you that you will have to be expelled from the Academy."

Expelled? He couldn't get expelled!

"Sir… there must be-there must be some mistake. I'm sure the Committee wouldn't do something as drastic as that right away…"

"It is not a mistake, Mr. Naegi. I have some paperwork here that you will need to sign. I trust you can arrange for your parents to pick you up this weekend?"

His stomach dropped with such gravity it may as well have fallen to the floor and rolled under the headmaster's desk in slow motion.

"What!? N-no!"

Up until this moment Naegi Makoto had possessed nothing but completely average goals for his life. He had seen nothing in his future but an average high school experience, an average college attendance, an average job with an average wife and average kids and an average dog, cared for on an average salary. He'd have average hobbies like fishing and reading the sports column and going on walks in the park and an average car and average neighbors who watched him mow the lawn.

He never had great expectations for himself, and he was okay with that, until he had come to Hope's Peak.

Just being in the presence of so many Super High School Level individuals had changed him, he realized now. It was like he had been given a glimpse into some alien world and there was no way he could hop back in his spaceship and return to Earth the same. Everything was different here. The air was clearer and the sky was higher. Colors stood out more, like the light and saturation settings had been turned up in his eyeballs. The world suddenly seemed full of wonderful and strange possibilities. In this place, it was like he could see the future; a better future.

How could he possibly walk back into an average high school after this? After stepping foot into Hope's Peak he couldn't be average anymore. If he turned back now, his life would be a super high school level disappointment. Even though bad things had been happening to him a lot lately, he hadn't given up hope.

He was starting to feel present and attentive in class. He had made some friends. Asahina, his lab partner, was energetic, helpful, and kind. She made him feel accepted. Hagakure was an odd fellow, but Naegi liked to think they were getting close. He didn't think he could count Togami as a friend, truly, but he never thought of anyone as a lost cause. His optimism was both his vice and virtue, as was his ability to see the good in people.

And then there was the girl. The mysterious, silver-haired girl with the ribbon in her hair… He had only just learned her name. If he left Hope's Peak now, he would never see her again.

He couldn't be expelled!

"Sir… Sir, please." Naegi's voice cracked like he was begging for his life. "I'm so grateful to be here. My… my parents were so proud of me when I left! And my little sister, she really looks up to me. I couldn't bear to see the looks on their faces if I packed my bags and went home without giving this my best shot!"

That was right. He had been so down in the dumps that he had forgotten why he was here. He did have a purpose.

"Not meeting the school requirements isn't the same as not trying your hardest, Mr. Naegi. At least, not at Hope's Peak. This school is, I'm sure you are aware, on an entirely different... level than most."

"I-I understand, but I can promise you that whatever you think of me now, I can change your mind."

Naegi's eyes were filled with emotion and he hoped the headmaster would see it. There was a curious expression on the man's face.

"I will change your mind! I-I think I belong here, sir."

Kirigiri Jin sighed.

"I'm afraid there really isn't anything I can do."

"That can't be true!" He felt his thoughts spiraling, searching for any possible argument to grasp onto.

"The school went through all this effort to admit me, right? They drew my name in a lottery; they took the time to find me, to file me through admissions because they believed that I had Super High School Level Luck. Having a great school like this do all that for me, that is pretty lucky, don't you think? I was just an average kid. But I'm here now, in the place of someone else who could've been. For their sake, sir, don't I deserve a chance?"

Kirigiri was silent for a moment.

"Mr. Naegi, while your passion for attending the Academy moves me, I really don't…" The headmaster's resolve had weakened, and Naegi wasn't going to give up.

"Sir, I know that it may not look like it now, but I can handle being here. I honestly think that… that I have something to offer."

Naegi didn't know what it was-what he could possibly offer a place like Hope's Peak, a place which already boasted all of the prime young talent in the nation. But he did feel like there was something. No, he knew there was something. And if he just had enough time, he could figure out what.

"Give me a chance."

Kirigiri was deep in thought, twirling a pen in his hands while swiveling back and forth in his chair. Ticks of the clock were audible in the deep silence.

After a moment, the headmaster sat up straight, clearing his throat. He was going to get in deep trouble for this, but he was not the type of person who sacrificed his own goals to satisfy others.

"Perhaps we can work something out."

"Really!?" Naegi beamed, his whole body reanimating as the tension dropped from his shoulders.

"Perhaps. It depends on if I can get the Steering Committee to approve it. Actually, that doesn't matter-I already know they won't; I'll be going over their heads by doing this. They aren't too fond of me pursuing this whole 'Super High School Level Luck' thing. It is my idea to hold the draw for that every year, you see."

"I didn't know that, sir."

"Indeed, you wouldn't. Students aren't supposed to know about our selection process. As leaders of a world-renowned institution, we conduct a lot of experiments. Exploring the idea that there exists a supernatural 'luck' is one of these." He paused. "I shouldn't have told you that."

He stood and nervously meandered around the room, examining his things.

"Ah, anyway, back to your case. Well, the Committee isn't going to be happy with me, but honestly, I'd like to see this experiment developed further. For that reason, I'll give you until the end of the semester to display your Super High School Level Luck to the fullest."

It was a heavy load to take on, but to stay at Hope's Peak, Naegi was willing to do anything.

"Yes, sir."

"And if you cannot do this, I will have to expel you from the Academy. For good."

Naegi gulped.

"Understood, sir. I promise I won't disappoint you."

"Let's hope for your sake that you don't. It looks like I'll be seeing you again in a few month's time to discuss the results, Naegi Makoto." He sighed.

"Thank-you, sir. Thank-you so much." Naegi bowed to him, his heart filled with fresh determination to succeed. He couldn't thank the man enough.

He left the office shaking, but feeling confident and excited. Escaping expulsion with a second chance... that certainly was lucky, wasn't it?

"Ouch!"

Naegi was making his way out through the staff building and was about to turn a corner when he collided with Kirigiri Kyouko.

"K-Kirigiri! Are you all right? I'm so sorry." He panicked, blood rushing to his head and coloring his cheeks.

"What were you doing in my father's office?" She was unfazed, staring him down with her piercing violet eyes.

"N-nothing! W-wait, what? Your father? You're the headmaster's daughter?"

Kyouko frowned, upset she had let that word come out of her mouth. 'Father' was a title that had no place being used in reference to Kirigiri Jin. She also hadn't wanted anyone to know about the connection.

She bit her lip-a habit of hers when she was angry or nervous. Her grandfather used to tease her for it when she was little, saying she let everyone know when she didn't get her way.

"Yes. Unfortunately."

"Wow. Well, I guess, the same last name..."

"You didn't answer my question."

Naegi's heart sank. He couldn't tell her that he had almost been expelled for being a talentless failure. Even worse, he couldn't let her know that her father thought of him as a talentless failure.

"Um, ah-" His mind went blank and he did the first thing he could think of. "W-well, what are you doing here, Kirigiri?"

It was the worst possible thing he could've asked, as it only made her angrier. She was also taken off guard, which she didn't like either.

"You-you can't-" Kyouko was flustered, which never happened to her. This was not how the interrogation was supposed to go. "You can't ask me that."

"Why not?"

She glared at him and was about to tell him to go away when she spotted her father making his way down the hall toward them. Kyouko grabbed Naegi's arm and yanked him around the corner, pressing their backs to the wall, watching as Kirigiri Jin was met by an elderly gentleman with a face like a rat's.

The man was dressed in an intensely black suit with a black tie and a white button-up. His clothing was so dark, in fact, that it didn't look like clothing at all and blurred just to blackened shapes forming a stylistic silhouette. His grouchiness was an additionally visible trait.

"Kirigiri, what is the meaning of this? I left my office as soon as I saw the email. I thought we agreed that this boy wasn't necessary; that he was a liability." The chairman of the Steering Committee scolded Kirigiri in a gruff breathy tone; a balance between a whisper and a yell.

Kirigiri Jin crossed his arms. He had anticipated this response, but he knew that he had made the right decision. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt now, as he contemplated it more. He shoved his hands in his pockets, looking down at the old gentleman, who was also very short.

"I only approved him through the semester. There is... something I discovered during our meeting that I think is very important toward what we are trying to accomplish. Especially considering, you know... that other factor. This might prove to be exactly what we need."

"I don't see how that's possible. But I suppose there's no convincing you." The rat-like man scowled at Kirigiri. Even though they were both at the helm of the operations of the school, it was plain they detested each other. "It is beyond me why you continue to adopt a personal attachment to this situation despite the Committee's regrets. Alright, then. One semester, Kirigiri. And there are more important things for you to be doing right now than messing around with this."

The chairman grumbled and scampered away with a twitch of his nose. Kyouko watched Kirigiri Jin sigh and stare off into the distance for a moment before turning back the way he had come, bustling back to his office as though he had forgotten something.

Kyouko turned to Naegi.

"I need you to tell me what went on in your conversation with my father."

Naegi wasn't sure what he had just witnessed. Regardless, he resolved that he absolutely could not tell her about his near expulsion. He almost couldn't remember it, with this new information now buzzing in his head.

He was a liability? He was important to something the Committee was trying to accomplish? What was going on here?

"I... I can't..." He watched her lips tighten and her brow furrow, regarding him with disdain. It made him feel sad and dizzy.

"Fine. I'll find out on my own." She looked him once over. "Naegi Makoto."

She met his eyes for a moment before turning her back, long silver hair trailing behind her like the train of a gown as she walked away.

Naegi felt weak and exhausted, his head pounding. He tried to remember what he was supposed to be doing right now.

Crap.

He took off running to class, for which he was grossly late, all the while growing more and more anxious about the wild turn of events. How was he going to keep himself from being expelled? Were the headmaster and the Committee chairman really talking about him? For what reason? Why was Kyouko wandering around instead of being in class herself? And why did she seem to hate him so much?

He could barely breathe for all the questions. Chest tightening, he ran through the halls like he had a huge target on his back.

Across the carpeted halls and through the woven labyrinth of cubicles and doors in the office, Ikusaba Mukuro popped out from behind a copy machine where she had hid herself several moments prior.

Huh... that was pretty weird.

She adjusted her skirt and pulled up her socks. They were always rolling down, just has her bangs would never stay to the side and her fingernails could never stay clean. Enoshima berated Ikusaba constantly for her failure to present herself in a fashionable manner.

But Junko told me to follow Kirigiri Kyouko wherever she went...

Ikusaba sighed and pondered what she had just witnessed. She knew that if she were Enoshima Junko, she would know exactly what had transpired and exactly what to do about it. But she was Ikusaba, and therefore she had no idea.

I wonder what Kirigiri's looking for. And that boy... I've never seen him before... either way, I think this was important. Maybe it will make Junko happy.

"Dude, I've got the perfect person. It just came to me."

"You're not going to volunteer yourself again, are you?"

Hagakure Yasuhiro and Togami Byakuya were getting lunch in the dining hall. Rather, Hagakure was getting lunch and Togami was drinking a cup of tea and abusing the hand-sanitizer dispensers in attempt to cleanse himself of his abject surroundings.

"Nah, no way, man. Dude, Naegi could totally be your assistant."

In all honesty, Naegi was the only person Hagakure had gotten to know since classes started. Togami wasn't letting up about this assistant thing, and Hagakure just didn't have the time to get acquainted with anybody else.

There were a couple of problems that had his attention lately. Nothing major, just some disgruntled past customers who had been on his case. They clearly just didn't like their fortune-and that wasn't his fault. He reported the hidden truth; not make it up. These guys were saying some nasty things, but Hagakure knew they weren't serious. They were just trying to scare him with their big talk about drive-bys and watching his every move. Everybody knew that stuff only happened in movies.

Regardless, it had Hagakure preoccupied. It was hard work avoiding everything by locking himself in his room with a pipe and vinyl records.

"Naegi? Who is that?"

"You know, my friend. Nugget."

Togami stared at him.

"That pest whose been buzzing around lately? He's nothing but a nuisance. I am not a babysitter."

Hagakure grumbled. He scanned the room of Super High School Level students as if hoping a divine light would shine down upon one of them so he could get Togami off his case. He stared harder until he was squinting and harder until his eyes were closed.

The only person who kept coming to mind was Naegi.

"Come on, dude! I like him. He's, you know... a good kid. People really seem to like him."

Hagakure actually wasn't sure if Naegi had friends other than himself. But Togami didn't need to know that.

"Hm."

Togami scowled. He didn't know much about this Naegi Makoto character other than he found him extremely irritating. He did suppose, however, that a simpleton such as the boy in question should be able to follow orders and handle the base errands he required in a timely manner. If he remembered correctly, another positive trait this Naegi possessed was a kind of lowly charm he imagined the masses would respond well to.

"He's rather like a dog, isn't he?"

"Well, his hair is kinda shaggy."

Togami crossed his arms, assuming his typical confident, self-satisfied posture.

"It's settled. I need you to bring your friend by later tonight. My room, six o'clock. Don't be late."

Hagakure groaned.

"Man, why do I have to do it? You can invite him yourself."

"And deprive you of the only use you have? I would never."

"You're lucky I like you, man, for some reason."

"You know the reason. Now, go and make that appointment. I have other things to do."

Togami turned his back, striding away with determination. His book was still missing and he needed to find it. It was most disconcerting that he hadn't yet. To think of what was in there... He chided himself for his carelessness, both in how much he documented in the book and how he had allowed himself to lose it. It was a grave error he would not make again; and he would get the book back as soon as possible.

He took out his cell phone and made a call.

"Eggman!" While Naegi wasn't looking Hagakure tackled him and pulled him into a noogie.

"Hey, Hagakure! Come on, don't!"

Afternoon was approaching evening and the September sun was setting on Hope's Peak's front lawn. It hadn't gotten cold yet but darkness was falling ever so earlier each night. Lampposts were striking against the skyline. It was now a common theme with Naegi that he just wanted to get back to his dorm after classes because something, or many something's, had made the day overwhelming. Today had arguably been the worst thus far.

Hagakure laughed and continued to muss up Naegi's hair.

"Hey! Your hair looks like mine now!"

"W-what!? No!"

"You'll be a hit with the ladies looking like that, my man. Just follow my example." He let Naegi go and gave him a thumb up.

The shorter boy groaned and started trying to fix the mess.

"Honestly, dude, it really didn't look that great before. I mean, what's up with your hairstyle? You look like this kid I saw once on an old-fashioned American TV show... his name was like... Hula-hoop... uh, Half and Half... no, Alfalfa... yeah, that's it!"

Naegi had no idea what he was talking about. He did know that Hagakure of all people shouldn't be making fun of his hair.

"Anyway, I got a message for ya, bro."

"Not another prediction!"

"Nope! Even better. Togami wants to see you."

"Er, what?"

Hagakure rubbed the back of his head and shrugged, a huge smile on his face.

"Yup! He wants you to be his assistant... I don't know what for... he wants to go for a jog with the President of the United States or something. I didn't know you were an athlete, man. Or that you had connections to the White House."

"I'm not. And I don't!"

"Huh, well, he kept going on an on about running and presidents... oh well. I'm supposed to bring you back, dude, so let's go before he gets mad."

"Wait!"

"Come on, let's go."

Hagakure grabbed him by the arm and started dragging him off to the dorms. Before Naegi knew what was happening, he was standing outside Togami's door and Hagakure was slowly walking away.

"Aren't you going to stay?"

"Nope." The tall boy's face had suddenly turned grim, though he tried to hide it with a forced smile. "I got, uh, some stuff to take care of. Yeah. Catch ya later!"

Naegi wasn't sure why, but he felt concerned.

"Hey, Hagakure, are you okay?"

But the clairvoyant already disappeared around the corner.

Sighing, Naegi knocked and waited. He suddenly felt nervous as he experienced a bout of deja-vu from his meeting with the headmaster. Togami opened the door as promptly as could be expected. The Super High School Level Heir also looked as displeased as could be expected.

"You're several minutes late. At a party this is a faux pas; at least ten minutes late is the fashionable standard. For a business meeting this is a fatal error. By this time, someone else has already seized your window of opportunity. Don't worry; I will break you of this habit soon."

"Er…"

"No matter. As you will see, I am feeling extraordinarily generous today. Come in and have a drink."

"I-I think I'll pass on that-" Naegi hesitated as he stepped into the room. The way he recoiled at the suggestion informed Togami that this underdeveloped child had never tasted alcohol before. The quicker he remedied this handicap, the better.

Togami struggled to retain a critical retort. Instead, he leveled his tone and spoke plainly, yet with condescension.

"Naegi, I will let you in on a little secret of business. It's really common sense, but of course you lack that too." He couldn't hold back his insults for more than one sentence. "If your employer asks you to do something, you do it. Especially when you are at their mercy; but, as a general rule, it should be your first response to consent. If they ask you to take care of something, you take care of it. If they ask you to step on your coworker's shoes to rise to a new position, you do three times better-you stomp on said opponent's head. If they ask you to accompany them to a ski resort in the Italian Alps, even if you've never skied before, you are now an avid skier. If they offer you a drink, you drink."

"Now, with that in mind, come in," He increased the severity of his voice, "and have a drink."

Naegi gulped.

"O-of course, sir." It was the only appropriate response when put to him in this manner, like a gun held to his head.

He followed Togami over to what appeared to be a mini bar in the corner of his room. Naegi was so surprised Togami had a bar in his dorm that nothing seemed impossible to him anymore. In fact, his perception of what was possible and impossible was rapidly shifting since he had come to this school. He still couldn't believe he was almost expelled this morning for being unlucky.

Togami served him a glass of scotch.

"To a new business partnership." The shining heir to the Togami Conglomerate raised his glass with unrivaled elegance.

"I, uh, still don't really know what this is about-"

Togami gave him a razor-edged glare that stopped him mid-sentence. He felt like he was signing his soul to the devil, but raised his glass in turn.

"Er, cheers?"

They clinked their glasses together. Togami took his drink with ease; Naegi almost choked and barely managed to swallow. The poor boy sputtered and coughed.

"That's-that's very-strong-I-ugh."

"Of course it is. This is premium scotch. You may have a glass of wine if you prefer."

Naegi preferred not to drink at all, except he evidently didn't have a choice as Togami shoved a glass of wine into his hand.

Togami poured himself another scotch and gestured for Naegi to sit down with him at a neatly kept table. The seating arrangement did not look like it belonged to a sixteen-year-old boy. The table displayed an antique globe and a bust of a handsome, cunning face suspiciously similar to Togami's. It looked severe; it looked impressive; it looked expensive. Naegi's perception of the world shifted another degree.

"Now, to discuss the particulars of my proposal. I am a very busy man, as you well know. Since coming to this school my responsibilities have increased double. Something I did not expect, to be frank, but a positive development nonetheless. The more areas of life I dominate, the stronger the Togami Conglomerate becomes. This school and the network of exceptional individuals it associates itself with will soon be under the control of Togami Byakuya."

It sounded like a plan for world domination, but that didn't surprise Naegi either.

"It has come to the point where if I am going to get anything done around here, I'm going to need an assistant to do my bidding. That is where you come in, Naegi."

Naegi was stunned into silence.

"That oaf Hagakure is obviously unsuited to the task. He can barely handle being a lackey. I'm looking for someone to replace him as we speak, but I haven't the energy to spend on such a useless job. It is low on the list of priorities"

"Um." That sounded pretty harsh. Naegi had actually thought that Hagakure and Togami were friends up until this moment. It was very apparent now that he should never say the words 'Hagakure' and 'friends' out loud to Togami.

"For my personal assistant, I need someone malleable. Someone talentless but competent enough to receive specific orders, and yes, that is a sincere compliment. I need someone without a purpose of his or her own that I can form to my instruction. I offer this position to you, Naegi Makoto, and I trust you recognize that this a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Naegi was speechless. Throughout Togami's entire spiel he had waited for words to return to him but they had all but fled the scene. He didn't know which was more jarring: the level of belittlement he had just experienced or Togami's proposition itself.

"I really, uh," he struggled. "I didn't sign up for any of this-"

"And that is precisely why it is your good fortune that I have bestowed the opportunity upon you."

The words 'good fortune' clinked off the hollow space Togami's outrageous remarks had left in Naegi's brain and brought him back to consciousness. Kirigiri Jin's words echoed in his head:

"You have until the end of the semester to display your Super High School Level Luck to the fullest. And if you cannot do this, I will have to expel you from the Academy. For good."

Perhaps this was exactly what he needed. He didn't like the idea-he couldn't even fully digest what it was he would have to do-but surely this chance at success was as good as any. For all he knew, this wasn't Togami's gift at all, but Lady Luck's sent to rescue him from a terrible fate.

Togami mistook Naegi's bewildered silence for intelligent consideration and clarified his terms.

"Of course, you are thinking, 'what's in it for me?' And that is the appropriate response. Only a base monkey wouldn't weigh a possible undertaking on the scale of personal advancement. Therefore, I will tell you exactly what you stand to gain from this arrangement."

"The obvious answer is privilege. You will have the ability to observe my daily goings-on, to study my methods firsthand. You will meet a great many influential people when attending to me at meetings. You will be able to go where I go: the exclusive events, the million-dollar dinners, the VIP section of any and every venue you can imagine."

"Yet, the biggest reward will be the way in which the world will open up for you, an average nobody who would otherwise content himself with the social involvement required to passively read the daily newspaper. So much more than that lowly existence could be yours."

Togami sat back, satisfied with his rhetoric, and finished off his scotch.

Despite himself, Naegi took a long, bitter swig of his wine.

"I guess-" He could hardly process what was happening to him, but he had to do something. He couldn't let himself just be expelled without a fight. He would need to take a leap of faith. "I guess I accept."

Togami smiled.

"As I knew you would." He reached across the table and slid a neat, thickly toothed piece of paper in front of Naegi and lent him a fountain pen from his breast pocket.

"Sign here and we have a deal."

"S-sign?" Naegi picked up the paper with two hands and squinted at the fine print. "Is this an official legal document?"

Togami blinked, blank-faced. He was genuinely taken aback by the question.

"Of course it is. How else would we solidify our agreement?"

There was no response. Naegi took a deep breath and scribbled his signature on the dotted line.

"Excellent." Togami put his own signature on the paper and dated it. "Now, I already have several assignments for you. The first is to deliver these invitations to the appropriate personnel."

He indicated a neat pile of crisp envelopes.

"Invitations? Like for a party?"

Togami sighed.

"It seems I have a lot of work ahead of me." He took off his glasses and cleaned them with his handkerchief. "You don't have it quite right. But, in layman's terms, I suppose... yes, a party. Here. Saturday night."

"But that's this weekend. And you mean... here, as in, your dorm room? Won't you get caught? How will everyone even fit?"

"Just deliver the invitations."

And that was the end of it.

COMMENTS

i would just like to say thank-you so much to everyone who has provided feedback. it really means a lot to me and helps encourage me to go forward. :) it's very important to me to practice my writing skills and anything you have to say benefits my work.

i'm glad that people have said they don't find the chapters too long, because they only seem to be getting longer. ^^; it should cap off at about this point though. there are just too many characters to get to!

it's my goal to update this once a week because writing is pretty much all i'm doing in my spare time. that could obviously change at any point though so i hope people will be patient if updates become less frequent. i'm happy you guys want more and i'm able to provide it in a timely manner right now. :)

that said, i really enjoyed this chapter. i hope you do too. xo C