Chapter 3: 78th Class Preview
Caribbean Islands, 10:00 AM Togami Villa, November 8, 20XX
A young man sat at his patio table. Even though it was warm and bordering on hot, he still wore a blinding white suit. By far he had an air of nobility about him. The way he sat, the way his glasses were perched just right on his face, the way he elegantly sipped his iced tea. Today was shaping up to be a rather good day he supposed. His buisness tripled the price of worth just only an hour ago.
"Master Togami." His butler said.
"Yes Aloysius?"
"The mail has come."
A small amount of irritation crossed the young noble's face. "Is that supposed to be important? Knowing that the mail is here? Honestly, you-"
"Sir. I hate to interrupt but this is no ordinary mail." The old butler flashed an envelope along with a glare. The emblem of Hope's Peak was on it.
The irritation the noble felt before was replaced by a raise of a single eyebrow. "So they finally have a spot? Read it to me. Now."
"Yes sir." The top of the letter was cleanly slicened opened with a letter opener. "The letter reads as follows, Dear Mr. Togami-"
"I don't care for formalities right now. Summarize it."
"As you wish. The letter states that you have been accepted by Hope's Peak from the Togami Corporation's recommendation. You are expected to be there next September.
"Hmph. As it should be. After all a prodigy like me deserves only the highest honors of this pitiful world's education."
Las Vegas, Nevada 8:00 PM Grand Torino Casino, October 31, 20XX
A rather pale, young girl sat in a VIP gamballing room. Dressed in goth attire, many assumed she was a vampire. A nod perhaps to her quirk?
It mattered not to the table of men sitting at that same table. All they knew was this girl had balls gambling with them. Yakuza, mob, mafia. Gathered for a nice card game of Poker.
"Full House gentlemen, I win." The girl said pleased. She allowed a small smile to grace her features. Her chances of winning were 98% guranteed. No room for defeat.
"That's funny little miss "celeste"." One of the players piped up.
"Excuse me?" Celeste said taken aback.
"Well you see, I got a full hand of ace's. See?" The man had the audacity to flash the cards. Couldn't these fools just let her claim her lifelong dream? After this... after this, she would have it all. Everything she desired.
"Too late. I already claimed my win." Celeste said calmly and collected.
"Ah, but the next round has already started."
"Has it?" The tension in the room grew heavy.
"Yes. The stakes are even higher. Hope's Peak is all in on this next bet."
"Pray tell, what is the "bet"?"
"How long will miss Ludenburg last in the 78th class? Perhaps long enough to achieve that "dream" of yours?" The man said passing an envelope to her. This peaked her interest. A man in this "fedora" outfit has the nerve to challenge her? It mattered not. She won this game. The money was hers...
"Round goes to Mr. Fedora!" The dealer said. "The money is all his!"
On the envelope was one name written in gold cursive. "Takeo Yasuhiro" Oh yes. She would participate. She kept her stoic composure. On the inside she was absolutely seething with rage.
Tokyo, Japan 3:00 PM November 11, 20XX
Chihiro was quite pleased. Her latest program schematics hadn't the slightest hint of bugs. Of course it helped that she was using a suped up version of a PDA. No wifi signal made it possible for any viruses to sneak on and attack poor Proto Ego. After all he was only just learning how to outgrow being a standard A. I.
"LOOK OUT!" A voice shouted. A rough pair of arms grabbed her out of the way.
"HOLY FUCKING CRAP! You ok?"
"U-uh, I-I think so!" Chihiro slowly opened her eyes. The guy before her was scary! Big pompoudour and intense purple eyes! "WAAAAAAAH! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!" She burst into tears.
"HEY! HEYHEYHEY! CALM DOWN YOU'RE OK! AW SHOOT DON'T CRY! I WON'T HURT YOU!"
sniff* "Y-you promise?"
"HELL FREAKING YEAH! I PROMISE! BESIDES IF I HIT A GIRL MY MA WOULD KICK MY ASS!"
This guy didn't seem too bad. In fact he looked down right nervous. "U-um are you alright? You don't look good!"
"Tch! WELL YEAH! YOU ALMOST GOT HIT BY OUR BIKE LIL' LADY!"
"What bike?" Chihiro turned around to see a bike buried half way into the ground. "OH WOW! IS THAT A DAIYA 1358 MODEL?" The bike was monsterous. Three giant wheels with black metal body with giant silver handlebars.
"YEAH IT IS! YOU INTO BIKES OR SOMETHIN'?" The man shouted.
"Not really. But its programming is incredible! The spedometer on it's electronic dashboard allows the engine to go twice as fast than 2/4 of the bike's speed! Not only that it simeltaneously evens out the amount of heat flowing to each part conserving the overall amount of gas!" Chihiro gushed.
"HOLY CRUD! YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR STUFF!"
"BIG BRO MONDO! YOU OK???" A group bikers slid into view.
"WAAAAAAAH! Bad guys!" Chihiro said breaking into tears again.
"YOU... IDIOTSSSSSS!" Mondo roared.
5 minutes later...
"WE'RE SORRY MISS!" The bikers said bowing in apology. Each of them had a throbbing red bump on their heads.
sniff* "Y-you don't have to bow! It's ok! *sniff* "Really!" She protested.
"NO THEY BETTER!" Mondo started shouting.
"EEP!" Chihiro was still unused to the loud personalitty of the bikers.
"THESE MORONS ARE THE MOTHER- *ahem* -WHO THREW THE BIKE HERE AND MADE A GIRL CRY!"
"Honest, we didn't mean to! The bike went haywire and shot off one of our stunt ramps!"
Chihiro spoke up. "Um would it be alright if I take a look at it?"
"YOUR ALREADY TAKING IT APART!" The biker group roared. Chihiro was unaware of it though. His hands flew over the dials and workings of the machine. He tuned out everything around him. Programming theories floated in front of his eyes. The motorbike to him was just another machine, a computer. He went through rounds of procedures, prodding at Ohwada's genius program. Before the creator's untimely end, Chihiro absolutely admired the man. He was the perfect balance of manly pride and brains. Someone Chihiro dreamt of becoming. Truly a role model to them.
Chihiro's efforts on the bike would not go unnoticed, in fact it would arise interest from a ghost.
The computer programmer's genius would soon be rewarded in shape of an invite from Hope's Peak Academy later that day.
Somewhere in Transylvania 11:30 PM November 6, 20XX
Hagakure was pretty sure his fortunes had something good in store for him...wellll maybe only a 30% chance of something good happening the other 70% said something would happen.
Probably.
The gang of caravans would be on the move again. More of the usual for the Yasuhiro gypsies Hiro assumed. He would be proven wrong on this late night.
His tent was suddenly flung open with grandeur, the customer was confident. Fedora snug on his head, his blonde hair was stuffed under it. Dressed nicely too.
"Duuuude! Sweet enterance! Guess your here for Hiro's famous fortune telling tent!"
"Well that's one way to put it. Lay on it me Mr. Future."
"Oh sweet! Um you are ok with dealing with uh... buisness associates right?"
The man raised an eyebrow at the teen. "I assume your time with the Yakuza has some "unfinished debts?" After all you only have a 30% chance of seeing a possible future. It's no secret that they lost big time on a foreign weapons and tech trade you assured 100% that they would get the shipment." He said innocently.
"Duuuuuude this is creepy! Are you readin' my mind???" The clairivoyant started to back away in freight.
"No, actually I work out of Japan. In fact it's kinda the reason I'm here. Oh and don't try running Hagakure. I can assure you I'm not here on the Yakuza's behalf."
"O-o-o-ok man. So you ah, want that reading?"
"Sure why not?" The man took at seat at the cloth covered table. The clairvoyant's crystal ball was sitting in the middle. Hiro started to wave his hands over the orb and focused on it. He stared intensely that the world within only he, Yasuhiro Hagakure, was privy to observe. Various tidbits of other timelines reflected inwards off the crystal. In one instance a bear on a stage seemed to be talking to an invisble audiance. In another it showed Hiro an image of himself in an underground bunker. He may not understand what those images mean or how closely tied they are to one another but that wasn't his talent to interpret things... finally the correct pieces floated to the top, honed in on the man before him. "Alright there we go! So ah fedora-hat-dude my crystal ball tells me your future holds a ton of booze! Lucky!"
The man laughed. Even the future knows my habits! Speaking of habits, yeesh! Jin again?!" His phone buzzed in response. He groaned. "Alright enough fun here. I'm gonna make this nice and simple Yasuhiro. Hope's Peak is willing to take care of all your debts IF you pass our enterance exam and attend our academy. Deal?"
"You mean...like all???" Hiro said in desperation.
"Yeah. All debts. Here's the letter proving it." The man's phone buzzed in his pocket yet again. "Haaaaah my job is never done."
Kansas City, Kansas 10:00 PM October 25, 20XX, Batting Cages
Leon had been batting for hours now. Another damn flaming fastball. Honestly his quirk was more bothersome than he wanted. Pissed couldn't even describe his feelings right now.
Crack after crack of the bat went. Every single time it was an instant home run. What point was there to having a sports type talent? All he really wanted to do was sit down and jam some tunes on his electric guitar. Who cares if he's crap at it?
"Wow another home run! Your so awesome Leon! Let's go on a date!" Leon knew that voice. It was his childhood friend Kanon.
"I'm not that great! Besides- *crack* I don't- *crack* wanna go out with you. Your my friend- *crack* basically a sister to me!" Finally the ball launcher stopped. Wait. It was too soon.
"Sorry about that!" A guy in a fedora said standing on top of the launcher.
"What the hell are you doing man!"
"Well you looked pretty pissed and I think your bat is starting to melt! Anyways if your that pissed about your talent, Hope's Peak could change that."
"Waddya mean? What about that fancy-smancy school?" Kanon said annoyed.
"Welp, to make things short, I'm a representitive from Hope's Peak. You pass our exam, we can teach you to channel that inner rocker of yours! Here's your invite to to the school Leon." The man threw an envelope at Leon. Leon caught it with ease.
"What crap is that?! How am I supposed to trust a random stalker in a fedora?"
"Well I dunno really. Guess you'll just have to trust the letter than the fedora!"
Tokyo, Japan 9:30 PM November 12, 20XX
Mondo. Big Boss of the Crazy Diamonds. Sitting in a bar. Yet another night surrounded by his treasured biker gang packed in there like sardines yet, so alone.
"Here Boss. Another glass of Sprite comin' your way."
"Thanks bro." Mondo muttered. "What the fuck am I doing? I'm usually down in the dumps about him. But I can't get my mind off that Chihiro chick."
"What's got you down Mondo?" Mondo glanced to his right. His right handman Takemichi Yukimaru was sitting on the stool with his back leaning against the counter. Relaxed as ever. Same black school uniform. Same short white hair. Same thin appearence.
"What the fuck do you mean? I ain't down about anything!"
"Well being your right hand I can usually tell what your thinking. Right now your conflicted about something."
"So what? Shouldn't you be prancing around with that fan club of yours?"
"Like I told you before all that matters to me is riding. I don't care for romance."
"Lucky bastard doesn't even want to get lucky... DAMN IT ALL TAKEMICHI! HOW THE FUCK DO YOU DO IT MAN?"
"Simple. I don't yell around the opposite sex everytime I like a girl."
"Damn bastard."
"Anyways Mondo, is it about yesterday by any chance?"
"Wha-WHAT THE FUCK YOU TALKING ABOUT?"
"1358 model almost crushing a girl. Walking said girl home..."
"That was just standard gentleman's code you bastard!"
"Anywho that chick was able to rewrite Daiya's spedometer program. Even improve it if only a little."
"Yea those tech skills were something else. Doesn't matter anyways..."
"Why's that?"
"When we got to her house this guy lookin' like the yakuza gave her this letter sayin' she's goin' to Hope's Peak. Ever heard of it?"
"Yeah. Who hasn't? The best school for pro heroes."
"Yeah anyways I probably won't be seeing her again... GOD DAMN IT! WHY AM I SO FUCKING FOCUSED ON IT???"
Outside Crazy Diamond Bar
"Who the fuck are you?"
"Oh just a fella looking for a drink."
"BULLSHIT! Get em' boys!" The Crazy Diamond prospects launched themselves at their well dressed opponent swings fists and pipes alike.
"That isn't a very nice way to say no!" The fedora wearing man dodged their attacks with ease, then kicking them straight in the gut one after another until they all fell down unconscious. The man walzed right over to the enterance of the bar and entered only to be confronted by 20 or so pistols.
"Who the fuck are ya to walk in here you son of a bitch?!"
"Well-" The man was abruptly interrupted.
"I can answer that." The leader of the biker gang stepped forth. Giant popadour and all. "Your that bastard from Hope's Peak. What hell you want from us?" He growled.
"Well first off I was hoping to get wasted tonight with some quality sake. Of course my boss just had to get in touch me before I could even get a drop! Then he tells me "Kizakura blah blah give letter to biker leader blah blah for the future of hope yada yada yada." Anywho who's in charge here?
"That would be me! MONDO OHWADA!" Popadour head said.
"Ohhhhh! Your that guy from earlier! With Fujisaki! Welp congrats corncob head, you're going to Hope's Peak! Make sure to show up there next September!"
That night shots rang out as the bikers partied in celebration of their bosses success. It would be known as the Crazy Diamond sendoff in years to come.
London, United Kingdom 12:45 AM November 8, 20XX, UK Natural History Museum
6 suspects. Airtight alibi's and almost no evidence to suggest who it might be. A priceless jewel went missing. Security cam footage recorded the jewel being there one minute and during the blackout it disappeared. From 11:30 to 11:32 was enough time to commit the act before the lights came back on at 11:32:45.
These facts were painfully obvious to Kyoko "Sherlock" Kirigiri. Pink hair with a single braid. Fair skin and velvet purple eyes. Always dressed in dark clothing with black gloves. The young detective gained fame for her astute deductions and police work even of she was a teenager. Just being a Kirigiri was enough to satisfy the London police of her qualifications. It helped that her profession ran in her family's blood for generations.
This case's solution was elusive to her at the moment. The museum security measures made sure to seal off the all the openings to to the jewel's location during the blackout. The time was too short for anyone to make a clean getaway and the air ducts were motion sensitive.
"Hey Kyoko!" A voice yelled. Kirigiri was broken out of her thoughts. A man dressed in a fedora walked casually up to her.
"It's only you Koichi." She deadpanned. "What do you want?"
"Nothing much. Here on some business! I just felt like dropping in and checking on you."
"How considerate of you. My father has put you up to something hasn't he?"
"Astute as ever Kyoko. Say do you still have that picture?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do!" Koichi started to poke Kirigiri's cheek in a playful manner. "C'mon admit it Kyoko! You still have the picture! Kyooooko!" Kyoko's face turned pink in response.
"OK FINE I STILL HAVE THAT PICTURE!" Kyoko admitted finally.
"HA! KNEW IT! SO ARE YOU WORKING ANOTHER CASE?" Koichi asked.
"YES I AM! I'M WORKING ON IMPORTANT POLICE BUISNESS THAT AT THE MOMENT I HAVE TROUBLE SOLVING!" She said exasperated.
"Perhaps look at it from a different angle? The item in question was the Kibougamine Diamond right? Half of it was Diamond while the other half was a meteorite. Peculiar indeed doncha think? Koichi said.
"Something like that would be worth stealing but the culprit must have known how quick the blackout was and the security measures it..took." An idea clicked in the young detective's mind. "What if the thief never actually planned to make a run for it off the bat? It would only make sense if they hid it before the subsequent investigation." Kyoko thought.
"Ah I know that look! You figured something out haven't you?"
"Perhaps." Kyoko let her body dissolve into smoke and enter into the air vents. Sure enough there was the diamond deep within the duct work. She quickly returned to the Kibougamine exhibit. "Koichi I know you have access to police files."
"Oh so you have a suspect in mind?"
"Yes I do. Search up records of metal manipulation type quirks."
"So specific! Alright here we go." Koichi whipped out his phone and typed a few things into it. "Looooks likeee we got a few!"
"How many?"
"Taking into account of location, timing, and commonality... 15,000 results Kyoko." Koichi replied.
"Can you narrow it down any further? Say...control?"
"Sure. In the mean time you have a customer."
"MS. SHERLOCK!" The police captain yelled. He briskly walked over to Kirigiri. "I have one of the suspects who would like to speak with you! I would also like to know the individual assisting you." In Kirigiri's opinoin he was incompetant. To her he was always two steps behind her work and four steps behind the criminals.
"Hello captain! If she's Sherlock obviously I'm her assistant Watson! I usually stay behind and do all the technical work behind the scenes!" Koichi said. "Now about that person of interest!" Behind the captain a person stepped forth. He appeared to be in his mid 30's. Not exactly tall and not exactly short. His black hair was disheveled and his face was showing stubble of a beard. Dressed like a typical mad scientist lab coat and all, he was thin in appearance with blue eyes.
"Um. Hi. I'm Professor Nth. There's no need to probe further. I-I-I'm the one who borrowed the diamond." He said nervously.
"You say "borrowed". Why?" Kirigiri inquired.
"I say it because it was an accident! I never meant to take the diamond! Just before the lights went out I was starring at the diamond. I was absolutely fascinated and curious about it. All I wanted to do was examine it! But when the lights went out my quirk acted up! I'll be honest, I've never quite been able to get a handle on controlling my power. It happens when I get scared or stressed! Before I knew it the metal lock on the case opened and the diamond was in my hands. I remembered seeing the air vents. In freight I hid it thinking that everyone would get the wrong idea and assume I was trying to steal it!" Nth explained.
"Was the blackout your own doing?"
"No it wasn't I swear! My quirk can only control the state of metal in my line of sight!"
"He's telling the truth Kyoko. His file has data on it. In times of fear or stress it seems that metal can be maniupulated subconsciously to his desires. Meaning it's plausible that his quirk activated as soon as he was startled by the blackout."
"With that in mind who did cause the blackout?"
One hour and fifteen minutes earlier...
A scissor sliced through the air and imbedded itself in the control panel located outside of the museum. Genocide Jack was on the hunt.
"Damn where'd that pretty boy go?" The serial killer yanked out their weapon of choice and wandered off in search of their prey.
Back in the present...
"I have a pretty good idea of how that happened." Koichi said.
"I'm assuming that will be a private report?" Kirigiri said.
"Yeah one of the candidates got a little ahead of themselves!" Koichi replied chuckling.
Kyoko could tell from the man's body language and facial expression that he wasn't lying. It wasn't a premeditated crime nor was anyone actually at fault. So what to do with the perpetrator? Koichi solved the issue. "Hey. Nth was it? How about in exchange for clearing up the mess you caused, you come work for Hope's Peak Academy as a teacher? We can help you with quirk mastery and provide funding to any projects that happen to catch your fancy!"
"Y-y-you would really do that for me?!"
"Hey it's better than letting an intellectual end up in a prison cell!" Koichi joked.
"Thank You!" Nth said.
"Hey there's a pending case and court trial! You can't just-" The captain sputtered.
"I can't, but Hope's Peak academy can and will make this happy accident die quietly. Why it won't be more than a ghost story!" Koichi interjected coolly. The police captain fell silent. Stunned from Koichi's implication.
Outside the museum...
"Y'know there's one thing I can't figure out. How did Nth's quirk avoid the air ducts sensors?"
"Simple. It didn't. The diamond did all the work for him. It reflects light just like glass. The sensors run on laser security systems. Since the whole museum was shut down there's was no need for extra precautions."
"Ah I see! Oh yeah Kyoko about why I'm here... your Dad wants you to attend Hope's Peak. I know you and him aren't on the best of terms but maybe you can get together and talk."
"What? Am I supposed to be flattered that the headmaster wants me to be a designated student by recommendation in his precious school?"
"No. It's quite the opposite actually. He refuses to show favoritism to anyone. To the academy you'll be among the many contending for a spot. Kirigiri name or not. Jin knows you well enough that you wouldn't have it any other way Kyoko." Koichi argued.
Kyoko's expression became stoic. Perhaps attending the academy would have its fair share of mysteries and stories to uncover. Maybe even unravel the enigma that is Jin Kirigiri.
London, England 9:15 AM November 9, 20XX
Famed romantic novelist and devoted cosplayer to Japanese school uniforms. Purple hair and suspiciously nervous. These were the qualities that defined Toko Fukawa. The qualities her other "her" were... more violently animated. No one other than Toko should know. Nonetheless on this bleak night somebody came looking for "her". White fedora with good looking guy underneath the hat was the one knocking at the door to her flat. He showed her a picture of blood. Everything after that was a blur. So here she was under a bridge after who knows what "she" did. It was like being in a hangover. No memory of last night's events.
Something possessed her to look in her pocket. Something the man said came hazily back to her. Hope's Peak was it? The letter was crumpled but peculiarly no blood...? It mattered not! A new idea sprang forth! If her romantic fisherman novel had women swooning, Then her next one...oh yes she could imagine it now! Toko started to drool and quiver with euphoric excitement. Her next one would be about sly fedora men whisking away the anxious girl's troubles! Her masterpiece to be!
Now the only issue finding her muse... Hope's Peak sounded like a good place to start. She began to read the letter.
London, England 3:08 PM November 8, 20XX
The Ishimaru name. Stripped of its honor and grace. Surely Kiyotaka could restore the honor if he worked hard enough at his school work! Mountains of books and papers were neatly stacked around Kiyotaka's room. The boy himself was hard at work studying for all his subjects. Always wearing his white uniform and boots. How could anyone go off and not worry about giving their very best? He didn't need social gatherings or "friends".
Then that irritating thing came floating up. Toranosuke Ishimaru. His grandfather. He had mixed feelings about the man. His grandfather had died only a year or two ago. Kiyotaka wasn't privy to all the details about what exactly happened to his grandfather. Grandfather Toronosuke would not speak on the matter and there was not enough information on the internet to grasp the full event. What he did understand was at some point in the past his grandfather was prime minister of Japan. Regarded as a "genius" and greatly respected. Some sort of scandal arose and he was forced to step down in shame. The Ishimaru family fled Japan and settled somewhere where there was still an active political scene.
Kiyotaka respected his grandfather for the things that he accomplished but, he could not tolerate that he did it by pure "genius" and talent. No effort was ever really given. It spurred the young Ishimaru to do the opposite and give everything to effort! Nothing would be acceptable to be a genius! No substance, no sweat and blood of tirelessly working yourself to the bone!
"Kiyotaka! You have a visitor!"
"Coming mother!" Kiyotaka answered back. How strange. He could not recall anything of the sort about college visits or internships he scheduled for today. He got up from his desk and came out of his room. It was only a short walk to the living room. There was his mother and this bizarre man sitting there. Strange appearance and a rather untidiness about him. Something about this guy gave Kiyotaka a sour feeling.
"Hey there Taka! How's it going?" The man asked. Ah yes it was his body language, that laziness he gave off and casual demeanor was what unsettled Ishimaru.
"I am doing well... who are you exactly?" Kiyotaka asked.
"Who? Me? Well not to brag but I'm a representative from Hope's Peak Academy. I got a letter here for you that might peak your interest!" The man said.
"Does that mean...?"
"Yes it does. Your application and moral straightforwardness is something that we need in a candidate. However your spot isn't guaranteed. Naturally you'll have to take our entrance exam."
This was the chance the Ishimaru family needed! Their honor would be restored surely if he graduated from Hope's Peak at the very top of his class! "I promise you! ON BEHALF OF THE ISHIMARU NAME I'LL PASS YOUR EXAM WITH FLYING COLORS! THIS I VOW! Ishimaru shouted with pride.
New York City, U.S.A. November 15, 20XX
Memory Alter process complete.
"What was that?" The girl thought. She opened her eyes. She could see that she was in a bed and in an apartment. But... where was she? Who was she? It was hazy... "Ryoko are you awake?" The girl turned her head towards the sound. That's right... her name was Ryoko Otanashi! The man before her though looked familiar... a jumble of feelings could be felt towards him... "Matsuda...senpai?" He seemed to be surprised when she said his name. "Ryoko do you remember anything?"
"No. I feel really sleepy and hazy?" She replied. Matsuda-senpai started muttering things to himself. "Hey whaddya talking about?" He ignored her. "Matsuda-senpai?" That seemed to catch his attention.
"Damn this is gonna be a pain in the ass." He said. "Ryoko, here. Remember this journal?" He handed her a simple brown journal. It chronicles her condition. Now she remembers! Her memory is this unique psycho-psychology thingy. Ryoko felt herself drift off to sleep again.
Danganronpa
Matsuda hung over the napping "Ryoko". 12 times he's preformed this memory erasing process since yesterday. She still remembers him though. Eerily so. If "she" was really gone. Then maybe it was better to keep her this way. Ten months was a long time to get used to "Ryoko" the forgetful girl.