"Hope!" Normal Speech
'Despair!' People's thoughts
"Truth!" Flashbacks
Disclaimer: I have as much ownership of the Danganronpa series as you do dear reader.
AN: First thing I want to do is to give a shoutout to Dancantsin on Twitter and Instagram. I've known him for a while and he has just made a bit of fanart about this story which I think its pretty damn cool. This story probably wouldn't exist without him too, so to anyone that wants to check it I'll be putting the link in my profile. Thank you for the support!.
AN: Thanks to both RWBYJNPR and Zephyrius29 for beta-reading this chapter and for their patience when it comes to a slow guy like me.
AN2: Other tags for this story (since the site only gives you 2): Mystery/Friendship/Drama
Interlude
Luckster's Hope
As someone with the title of Ultimate, you are one that is considered elite among the elite.
The youth that will guide the masses into a future filled with bright hope, such is the weight that Hope's Peak Academy gives to the title of Ultimate, and for you to carry such a title means that you know this very well.
However, even among your peers you, or rather your talent, is one that makes you stands-out.
Ironically enough, the reason for that being that your title is given to a new student at the start of each school year, making you just one of the dozens of students with that same talent.
But even in the history of the school, you are probably the one that can carry that title with the most pride.
We aren't here to talk about that aspect of your life though, but you know that already, don't you?
Of course, you already know why you're here, so let's not waste time.
You, the Ultimate Lucky Student of class 77…
Tell me about him.
My name is Nagito Komaeda, and I'm the Ultimate Lucky Student of class 77 of Hope's Peak Academy.
I know I'm just stating the obvious, but I think it would be weird if I didn't introduce myself at least, even if you tell me that it's unnecessary.
I'll admit that I'm not sure how to go from here though…
Hm? Just talking about whatever I feel like? Isn't that too vague?
But you came to hear about him, didn't you? That's the whole point of this in the end, after all.
If it is about him then, that makes things a lot easier for me. There are a lot of things I can say about him, after all!
…Not everything is good though, but I guess I need to be honest in these circumstances.
Oh, don't get me wrong, the fault doesn't lie with him, such a thing could never be. It lies entirely on me, and just thinking about that fills me with loathing.
If I hadn't been like that I would have been able to enjoy more of his company, but instead…
Our first meeting wasn't a friendly one, you see.
It's not that he didn't try, mind you, but it was me that did everything to dismiss him.
'What's good about another person with such a useless talent?'
That was the kind of mentality I had.
He didn't give up on me though, when in all honesty he should have just ignored scum like me.
I'm glad that he didn't do that, and I feel nothing but fortunate that I was able to spend my three years in Hope's Peak alongside his presence.
But at the same time, the guilt of being a bother to him was eating me daily.
I grew conflicted. A part of me wanted nothing more than to hold on to that light he always showed to me. To grab him and put him somewhere where no one would be able to harm him, where I could watch over his beautiful hope and protect it from everything.
Like a moth to a candle, I became intoxicated.
But I also wanted for that flame to be spread. How could I keep someone like him just for myself? All of my classmates, those with the title of Ultimates, don't they too deserve a chance to be with him?
He who can make their hope shine brighter than I could have ever imagined, what right did I have to deny everyone of such a thing? I'm just a lowly guy with Luck as talent, after all…
Ah, please don't tell him I said that, he'll just get angry at me unnecessarily.
But still, that didn't mean I didn't get jealous though, but I have learned to deal with such feelings by now.
…Well, mostly I suppose. He's someone that sees the best in people after all, even when there's nothing there.
Hinata-kun, Saihara-kun, Ikusaba-san, and Enoshima… Those are the ones I hate the most, you know?
Saihara-kun, who keeps rejecting his goodwill, and Hinata-kun that's nothing but a Reserve Course student, how come they are the ones favored so much by him?
I hated it so much…
But even when I was given the chance of getting rid of one of them, I still ended up just helping that guy instead…
I only did it for him though. I knew how Hinata-kun leaving would affect him after all, and even though I knew his hope wouldn't waver against such a thing, the thought of not helping him even though I could…
Even though it displeases me, as long as it keeps him happy and smiling then, isn't that fine?
I still wonder if this is what they call love…
Ah, sorry! I ended up getting side-tracked there for a moment, even though we really don't have much time…
Hm? Ikusaba-san and Enoshima? I think we should ignore them though. They are just pests anyway.
If I was able to get rid of those two I would have done so by now, but its hard with him protecting them so much. I don't want him to hate me, you see. I don't think I would be able to live knowing such a thing.
He will realize it sooner or later though, I'm more than sure of it. Those two will show their true colors soon enough, and I'll be there to protect him when that happens.
He's quite naïve after all. He thinks that there's good in everyone.
But for those two that ooze nothing but Despair, wouldn't things just be better if they were to disappear?
Again, please don't tell him that. He already has enough worries as it is.
I suppose you want more details though, or else there would be no reason to be recording this…
It started a month after I joined Hope's Peak, you see…
"Nagito-kun, this is Naegi Makoto, and he will be joining next year as the new class' Ultimate Lucky Student."
The words of his teacher, Yukizome Chisa, got nothing but outright disappointment from his part. He had to admit that he had been more than a little curious about the details of his teacher's request, but now?
If he had known it was for something like this he would have probably done his best to decline her offer.
Of course, the idea of guiding one of the newly scouted Ultimates through Hope's Peak Academy sounded like nothing but a dream come true for him.
But why of all Ultimates it had to be one with a talent like that?
He honestly couldn't control the disappointment that he was sure was showing on his face right now, with said expression being solely aimed at the short boy that was looking up at him from his teacher's side.
He had to wonder if the boy was just oblivious to his current feelings though, since that smiling expression showed not the least glimpse of being bothered by his own obvious distaste.
"I hope to be in your care from now on, Komaeda-senpai."
His honest words, alongside his offered hand and smile, only truly made him force down a snort that would have left him otherwise.
He definitely had better things to do than to be watching over someone like Naegi Makoto.
He still did his best to hide his emotions behind a smile though, for there was no need to be rude in his sensei's presence. Not her fault to be saddled with a duty like this after all.
The younger Luckster even went as far as to offer him a handshake in an obvious sign of goodwill, but he had stopped paying attention to the incoming student by now, with his eyes firmly focused on the taller woman behind Makoto.
And apparently noticing the start of the awkward atmosphere that was going to form, the former Ultimate was quick to cough mildly before smiling kindly at them.
"I was actually hoping you could give Makoto-kun a tour around the school, Nagito-kun."
Of course he had assumed this already, the only difference now is that his answer wouldn't be as positive as before.
"Sorry, Yukizome-sensei, but there are a few things I need to do right now."
That wasn't a complete lie, for there were definitely more than a few things he had to deal with right now. Sure, it wasn't anything urgent and he knew that if the task involved anyone else he would be more than willing to just go along with it.
But right now he simply didn't want to waste his time like this.
The disappointment in his teacher's face could not be mistaken for anything else, and it honestly made him feel slightly bad for the woman. It wasn't her fault that Hope's Peak had such a stupid policy of letting in worthless people. In fact, she was probably one of the biggest victims of such a thing since it meant she would be wasting her time having to teach said nuisances.
He could only hope to not give her any unnecessary problems in the future.
With another, this time more honest, apologetic smile aimed at the orange-haired woman, he was more than ready to leave the premise. Classes were over by now so maybe seeing if any of his classmates, or even senpais, needed any assistance he could offer.
If not, then he was sure that he could find different ways in which he could help them.
But even so, he still couldn't avoid catching a glimpse of the newly recruited Luckster right before turning around.
He expected some sort of disappointment to be reflected in the shorter boy's eyes, but there was nothing of the sort. Instead, he looked almost as if he had expected such a reaction from him.
For what reasons he didn't know, nor did he care in the slightest either.
And as he left the classroom the last thought he believed he would ever have about one Naegi Makoto was a hopeful one.
One about the boy quickly understanding his place.
"Komaeda-kun…You were waiting for me?"
He couldn't say that he was surprised by his classmate's conclusion, but it didn't stop him from smiling proudly at that. If there was one thing that he had learned from his Class Representative, it was the fact that she had quite the sharp mind.
Something she probably gained as a result of her talent, he could only assume. Not that such a thing made it less impressive at all in his eyes though.
"Was I that obvious?" He spoke in honest wonder while both of his hands rested in the pockets of his hoodie.
His words simply got a tilted head from the shorter girl, who simply kept looking up at him, apparently trying to figure out something. What though, he wasn't completely sure.
"I don't think you would be one to come here unless you had to…"
Her words rung true in his ears, and he could only offer her a chuckle in response. She was simply stating a fact after all, for there was truly no way he would get close to that place without quite the reason.
So, of course, she found him being in the path that connected both Courses more than a little weird.
"I just wanted to make sure that you were fine, Nanami-san," He told her nothing but the truth, for the only thing that could make him get close to a place like the Reserve Course was the well-being of one of his classmates.
"I don't think anything could happen to me there though…" Still with her head tilted the Ultimate Gamer was quick to offer him a response "Naegi-kun was there with me too."
And as soon as that name escaped Chiaki's lips he actually found himself unable to avoid clenching his fist inside his pocket.
Why was he starting to hear that name almost daily?
Naegi Makoto wasn't even a student of this school yet, recruited or not, so why was that name something that his own classmates were now starting to repeat at least once every day?
It left a bitter taste in his mouth to know that the minds of the future hope of the world were being distracted by someone like Naegi Makoto of all individuals.
He still made sure to keep the smile on his face though, for showing his displeasure in front of her would be nothing short of rude. She was the one besides their teacher that tried to rally everyone together after all, and that to him was nothing short of admirable.
And while he would definitely like to deal with the issue of a certain younger Luckster, he knew that such a thing could be left for later. Right now he had other things to discuss, namely about the girl in front of him.
"But even so…" He spoke slowly, hoping that his classmate would understand. "I just don't see why someone like Nanami-san has to go to that place."
The owlish blink he got from the girl did little to tell him if she understood what he was saying or not.
"I go because I like it there," Chiaki answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, even though to him those words simply didn't make any sense. "Hinata-kun is there, and Naegi-kun also spends a lot of his time there with him…"
"But Nanami-san is an Ultimate." He honestly couldn't care less for anyone from the Reserve Course, and if Naegi Makoto wanted to waste his time there then he certainly wasn't going to stop him, but the girl in front of him was completely different from them. "For someone like you to spend your time with talentless people, isn't that just a waste?"
He was sure that he was showing quite the confused expression, something that contrasted a lot with his classmate's calm demeanor. He did notice, however, that her eyes narrowed slightly, although for what reasons he wasn't sure.
Not that he was given time to ask her anyway.
"Hinata-kun and you are quite similar, aren't you?" The Gamer's words honestly felt like a stab to his chest. Sure, he didn't know the guy personally, but being compared to someone from the Reserve Course like that…
He knew he wasn't worthy of being an Ultimate, but he never thought he was that bad.
"You value talents too much, I think… Even though people are more than just that." Chiaki continued, almost as if she hadn't noticed the state that her words had left him.
"Maybe you should join us one of these days, Nagito-kun," And then she actually smiled softly at him while readjusting her backpack. "We can play as teams even. I think Naegi-kun and you on the same team would be quite hard to beat."
"Nanami-san… you can be quite mean sometimes, you know?"
He remembered once again to never underestimate an Ultimate, although this time it was definitely for different reasons.
"I think you're looking for this, Komaeda-senpai."
The defeated expression that he had worn just a few seconds later turned into a surprised one as soon as that voice reached his ears.
However, once his attention moved to the owner of said voice, his gaze turned into one that reflected nothing but coldness and irritation towards the boy standing by the entrance of the classroom.
And once his grey eyes landed on the device resting on the younger Luckster's hand, he ended up even gritting his teeth in nothing but sheer frustration.
"You shouldn't have that."
"Neither should you, senpai," His cold words were easily refuted by the brown-haired teen however, almost as if the cold glare he was aiming at him meant nothing. "I don't think planting a bomb in the school is a good idea though."
This time he didn't even bother to hide the scoff that escaped him after hearing those words. Of course, someone like Naegi Makoto wouldn't understand what he was trying to do, and he honestly wouldn't care for that at all if the boy in question hadn't found out about it somehow.
Had he found the bomb and then gotten the remote by sheer luck? Or maybe it was a combination of both of their luck that got him into this mess. He could save the details for later though, for right now he simply needed to press that button that the ahoge-haired boy was keeping in his hand.
Getting said remote actually ended up being a lot easier than what he expected, however, considering that before he even got time to say anything, it was Makoto himself the one that threw the device right in his hand.
His own look of confusion regarding that quickly disappeared as soon as he caught the device, for Makoto himself didn't waste time to continue talking.
"I got Soda-senpai and Yukizome-sensei to help me turn off the bomb before coming here." His silver eyes went wide with Makoto's declaration. "They promised me they wouldn't tell Headmaster Kirigiri about it though, so you don't need to worry about getting expelled."
He wasn't worried about that at all. No, for what he was right now was simply livid that not only had the younger Luckster apparently stopped his idea but that he had also gotten help from his class no less.
He still pressed the button, however, for he wasn't going to just believe such a thing blindly. The fact that no explosion filled his ears even seconds after pressing it told him that Makoto wasn't lying.
"Why…?!" He whispered out harshly while dropping the now useless device into the floor, with his focus being on Makoto and nothing else. Of all people, how could it be him the one that just decided to meddle on his way like this? Someone with a talent like luck, which as far as he had seen wasn't even that strong in the first place.
His answer actually came in the form of a smile from the shorter boy.
"Because I understand what senpai was trying to do, but I just can't agree with it!"
Understand? What could he understand about what he was trying to do? That had to be a lie, for if Makoto truly understood then he wouldn't be here stopping him like this.
Couldn't he see that this was for the best of everyone that mattered? That he was doing this because of how much he loved not only his own class, but also the rest of the students that symbolized the hope of the world?
Was he truly unaware of the tense atmosphere that had covered Hope's Peak Academy as of late? With rumors of illegal human experimentation being done in this very ground starting to fly around the halls of the school, and even there apparently being some sort of tension between his own senpais, the school had never felt more oppressive than before.
Why would students from the Main Course worry so much about the Reserve Course's happenings was simply beyond him, but to say that there was an air of paranoia in Hope's Peak halls would be an understatement.
Almost as if they were worried that any of them could be the next one to be used as a lab rat.
But even ignoring that, it was the conflict that had started to brew in his own class that was truly worrying him. He didn't know the details, but with how angry he looked as of late combined with some of the things said among their peers, he honestly wouldn't be surprised if the Kuzuryu clan actually came marching right towards Hope's Peak Academy at any second.
If looks could kill, he was sure that Fuyuhiko's glare would have incinerated half of their class by now.
And because of that, he knew he had to do this.
He just wanted to protect all of them. He knew how important today's test was going to be, for the failure of proving one's worth as an Ultimate could very well spell your end in this school. He knew that with how things were at the moment they wouldn't be able to perform to the best of their abilities.
His first idea had ended in failure, but to think that even his plan B would fail like this…Did he truly have so much bad luck?
"If you understood then you wouldn't have gotten in the way." He hissed out, but the only thing his words got as a response was a shake from the younger Luckster's head, who simply kept the same challenging look in his eyes.
"I know you wanted to help everyone, but this way of doing it is just something I can't accept!"
Those words simply sounded hollow to his ears to the point that he simply stopped caring about whatever could come off from Makoto's mouth. As a result, he simply walked briskly towards the exit of the room, making a bow to make Naegi Makoto's life a living hell if his actions somehow affected his classmates in any way.
"I'll show it to you…"
However, as soon as he passed by the younger boy's side he was stopped in his track by the strong-willed whisper that escaped Makoto's lips. He actually turned his head around slightly, with his cold grey-eyes quickly being matched by challenging brown ones.
He couldn't have predicted the next thing that would leave one Naegi Makoto that day.
"I will show you a hope that won't lose to anything, Komaeda-senpai. One that won't lose to despair. I'll show you that you don't need despair to see it, with a hope that not even you will be able to deny!"
The fact that the ahoge-haired boy was spewing off such a word like hope as if he actually understood it just made his own blood boil. What could Naegi Makoto know about hope? They were both just useless trash that was lucky to be here in the first place, so the least they could do was to try and make those that mattered shine with the brightest of all hope.
A hope that could only appear as a result of its victory over despair itself.
And yet this boy dared to say otherwise as if he understood such a thing better than him?
He truly had no words for such a lost cause like Naegi Makoto.
But even as he truly believed that, Makoto's declaration was one that he became unable to simply ignore.
"Oi, Komaeda!"
Such a call to his name was actually not usual for him, at least not before he did anything that might get someone to try and get his attention as a result. Even so, he couldn't remember actually doing anything today that would bring up such a thing though.
He still offered nothing but a friendly smile to the blonde that had decided to grace his desk with his presence. They weren't neighbors when it came to their seats in the class, so whatever the Ultimate wanted, especially considering who he was, had to be important.
"Kuzuryu-kun?" His voice was laced with nothing but friendliness and respect aimed at the blonde young man standing to the side of his desk, with his classmate's golden eyes looking down at him with a narrowed gaze.
"Just wanted to ask you something." The Ultimate Yakuza spoke in a surprisingly down voice, almost as if he was afraid that the rest. It was definitely a strange sight for him, however, it wasn't the only thing strange that he had seen his classmates doing as of late.
Rather than an instant thing, it had been more of a gradual process, one that nonetheless had left him quite confused, to say the least. His classmates all just seemed more… perky so to speak. Happy even, to the point that he honestly found it weird.
He could only assume that it was because of the fact that they were all now second years. It was hard to keep track of his classmates during vacations so he could only assume that much right now.
He gave the blonde a nod and another smile, for of course, he was more than willing to help the Ultimate Yakuza in everything he needed. It was the least he could do.
The question that left Fuyuhiko's lips, however, was one that he truly didn't expect.
"You share your Research Lab with Makoto, right?"
His own smile just froze in its place as soon as that question filled his ears, with so many questions flying through his head at that moment. This was the first time anyone actually came to him for anything related to the younger Luckster, so to say that he was unprepared for such a thing would be nothing short of an understatement.
His head ended up bobbing up and down almost mechanically, with his affirmative response getting a smirk of all things from Fuyuhiko.
"Good. Tell him to come to my room if you see him today then."
He opened his mouth to answer, but ended up immediately closing it not a second later, honestly fearing what kind of response he would get if he asked the Yakuza about the kind of reasons he could he have to ask him something like that of all things.
Something that he wasn't able to avoid though, was the glint that appeared in the Yakuza's eyes as soon as he brought up Makoto's name. It was he recognized quite easily after all, and one that, even though it would normally fill him with nothing but excitement, right now filled him with nothing but utter astonishment.
It didn't help that his mind decided to choose that moment to rewind the words that the boy had declared to him months ago. That had been his last confrontation with the younger Luckster actually, but it seemed his subconscious had decided to torture him with those thoughts.
"Ho? Did I hear you say Makoto's name, Fuyuhiko?!"
His mind wasn't given much time to keep of thinking of those words however, for the imposing voice of the Ultimate Team Manager was quick to fill his ears, with the taller Ultimate himself now standing on the opposite side of his desk while looking down at the Yakuza with a look full of challenge.
He was also picking on his ears, but by now that was nothing out of the ordinary. The fact that he looked quite defensive of the younger Luckster however, was, and it was enough to finally wipe his smile off his face.
"And what if I did, Nekomaru?" Not like such a look would intimidate someone like the Ultimate Yakuza though, or at least that's what it looked in his gaze with how the golden-eyed blonde simply glared up at the much taller Ultimate.
"You will be disappointed then, Fuyuhiko!" Nekomaru declared just as he crossed his arms over his chest "Makoto will be training with me later today!"
…Now he was starting to wonder if he really was hearing everyone properly or if his ears were just playing tricks on his mind.
"Both of you are wrong in that regard."
His attention moved to the third figure that had apparently overheard their conversation, which he supposed was easy with how loud the Ultimate Team Manager had been.
"Makoto has a duty with me today, one that cannot be forsaken for anything else." The Ultimate Breeder spoke as if that explained everything, but the only thing it got was a pair of glares and a simply shell-shocked expression for himself.
"Eh?! But I wanted to practice with Naegi-chan today!"
And almost as if his desk was a flame and they were moths, the rest of the class was quick to join in the argument in a way that had him moving his gaze from side to side, a clear expression of utter confusion present on his features.
"Sorry coach, but Makoto is coming with me later!"
Why…
"B-but… I-I wanted to check on N-Naegi-kun today…"
"Pff, as if he would want to spend time with a pig like you after I ask him!"
How…
"I have already reserved Naegi-san's time for today, everyone!"
"Guh…Even if it's Sonia-san I can't just agree to that!"
This just couldn't be…
"What's with that guy making promises with everyone after saying he would take some pictures with me today…"
"I just need some special food and Naegi-kun won't be able to say no this time…"
"As long as you share the time with me I'll deal with them, Young Master."
Why…?! Why him?!
"Everyone, please!"
The ruckus, however, was finally calmed down once their Class Representative actually raised her voice to regard the whole class, who by now looked quite close to actually throwing their own respective chairs for reasons he just wasn't able to understand.
His gaze, alongside everyone else, was quickly drawn to the Ultimate Gamer who stood in front of the whole class, her gaze serious as she swept her eyes with the apparent intent of looking at everyone in the face.
And once her pink eyes focused on him she actually offered him a reassuring smile, almost as if she understood his current predicament. He ended up almost smiling back, truly hoping that there would be someone that would stop this madness from continuing.
Putting that trust on one Nanami Chiaki ended up being his own undoing.
"Naegi-kun said he would be playing with me today but… We can all play together here if that's what you all want."
And even though a deafening silence followed the Ultimate Gamer's statement, he could swear he heard something breaking inside of him.
What had Naegi Makoto done, he couldn't be sure.
But it couldn't get worse than this.
It somehow got worse.
Much worse.
He didn't know when.
He couldn't understand the how.
His mind simply wasn't able to figure out just what had happened.
But he had reached his limits by now.
If asked why, right there and then, then his answer would be that he saw something that should be impossible.
Something that simply went against everything that he believed in.
For he hated despair.
He hated it more than anything else in the world. It was such a disgusting feeling that served no other purpose than to make hope shine brighter than ever before.
It was something that he knew those that were driven by hope itself, like the Ultimates that filled Hope's Peak Academy, would never lose against.
So to know that there were not one, but two so-called Ultimates roaming around the school, both filled with nothing but that disgusting feeling had been more than enough to send him into overdrive.
He would get rid of them, for there was simply no way he would let such individuals taint the title of Ultimate or the school he loved so much.
That had been his plan.
And he was more than ready to carry it out, consequences be damned as long as he was able to help bring hope to the world.
And yet… that plan had been derailed.
Because of the change in one of them. The Ultimate Soldier, a girl that used to ooze nothing but despair from the moment he had set his eyes on her, a deplorable human being if he ever saw one.
But today he saw it in her. That same glint that had started to shine brightly in each of his classmate's eyes. The same shine that had appeared in his senpais, and the same one that was starting to form in those that just started their life in Hope's Peak Academy.
He saw it clearly in her eyes.
For where there was once a pool of nothing but despair, now shined a small glint of what he could only describe as one thing.
Hope…
And when it came to the responsible of such an impossible thing, his mind could only think of one culprit.
"Komaeda-senpai…"
Maybe he wasn't thinking straight at the time.
He was sure that slamming the boy against the wall while grabbing him by the hoodie was not something he would usually do…
But right now he didn't care about any of that.
He just needed answers, and the only one that could give them to him was the Luckster in his grasp.
The same boy that even in this position refused to look intimidated at all, and instead opted to look up at him with a smile of all things, almost as if he hadn't just pretty much assaulted him.
He wasn't even sure of the type of expression he was showing in his face, but he doubted it was able to show just the amount of feelings that seeing him smiling like that brought within him.
They weren't happy ones, to say the least.
"How…" He whispered harshly between ragged breaths, with his hold on the younger Ultimate becoming even tighter. "How could someone like you…to everyone… to her…?"
It simply went against everything he knew. Someone like them with useless talents shouldn't be able to bring such hope to anyone, let alone those that were true Ultimates!
And yet…
"I told you, didn't I?" Makoto answered without missing a beat, still with that insufferable smile plastered on his lips. "That I would show senpai a source of hope that not even you could deny…"
A source of hope? Of course he remembered that declaration, for his mind simply refused to forget. He simply couldn't accept it, however, that someone like Naegi Makoto could have such a thing.
"Because hope doesn't have to come from talents in the first place." The brown-haired boy continued, and with each word, he felt his own body simply shaking. "Even if you think that our talent isn't that good, we can still bring hope to our friends without having to hurt them!"
"Hope…does not come from talents…?" He murmured, the words sounding nothing but alien as he said them, even leaving a bad taste in his mouth. How could Makoto say such a thing? That had to be a lie, as simple as that.
"You saw it already, didn't you?" It was almost as if Makoto could read his mind however, for the boy spoke once more before he was even able to react. "That even Ikusaba-san is able to feel that within her… That not only anyone can feel hope, but that they can also help others obtain it!"
He gritted his teeth in frustration, wanting nothing more than to deny everything in Makoto's face. But as soon as that intent came it was replaced by the faces of his classmates, and the way they had changed from last year.
He felt sick. Not only because he couldn't even deny what he had felt from Ikusaba Mukuro, but that he couldn't found himself denying that the feeling he loved so much had indeed formed inside his classmates.
And whether he liked it or not, it was more than obvious that Naegi Makoto had been involved in that somehow.
He released his grip on the shorter boy, and without saying anything he simply turned around. He heard the Luckster call out to him almost immediately, but he simply ignored it.
Right now he couldn't face such a thing.
It scared him, to be honest, to start believing in those words.
"Yukizome-sensei told me you have been here for a while…"
Even without moving his gaze from the roof he was still more than able to recognize that voice. Now that he actually thought about it said voice even sounded a lot like his own.
It was weird if he had to be honest, but not something that he would bring up or anything. He didn't feel like talking much right now, and instead just preferred to stay in silence with his body simply spiraled across the floor of his own Research Lab.
Well, he supposed it was their Research Lab by now.
The 3rd year Ultimate Lucky Student never came here anyway, so it wasn't a surprise that it was just the two of them even though he would truly prefer to be alone right now, looking at the glistering orbs that rested on the roof of the room, more than ready to fall randomly into anyone with enough bad luck to get hit by them.
They were just filled with paint though, so it wasn't that big of a deal.
He had been resting here for a couple of days and none had hit him.
In retrospective, maybe hiding in such a place had not been the best of ideas.
"She told me you haven't been going to class either… Nanami-senpai got quite worried too."
Of course she would, for Nanami Chiaki was simply too nice for her own good, even going as far as to worry about someone like him. Their teacher was just the same though, so he wasn't that surprised on that regard, even if he found himself unworthy.
He felt the boy walking closer to him, and then going as far as to sit right next to him. He still said nothing though, for he didn't even know what to say. Getting angry at the younger boy wouldn't help at all, that much he understood by now, for it was not at him that he felt angry towards.
But rather at himself.
He hated how lost he was feeling at the moment, because every time he tried to reason that the younger Luckster was wrong he felt like he would be denying the very own feeling that he loved so much and that he was seeing in his friends.
And doing such a thing was something he was unable to do, not when the proof was right there.
So with the one responsible for giving him such conflictive feelings sitting right beside him, there was only one question that could escape his lips.
"How…" He whispered, barely high enough for Makoto to listen. "Someone like you…how are you able to do it? I don't get it…"
His gaze still refused to move from the roof, even as one of the spheres filled with paint suddenly fell out of it and landed a few feet to his right. The silence that followed his question did little to help him, but just as he thought that Makoto would simply leave him in silence the brown-haired teen finally decided to grace him with an answer.
It just wasn't the one he had expected.
"I remember feeling like that before, actually." Makoto spoke after taking a deep breath, almost as if he wasn't comfortable with what he was about to say, "I thought I just wasn't worthy of being here… I mean, how could plain old me be on the same level as people as amazing as the ones going to this school?"
He actually found himself nodding at those words, and for the first time, he actually found a common ground with the young boy that had the same talent as him.
He knew for a fact though, that there was a 'but' coming.
"I actually still feel like that from time to time…" Makoto continued, his words now getting his full attention. "But a…friend once made me realize that you don't need an incredible talent to help others… and that sometimes even just being optimistic when everything goes wrong is more than enough."
The smile filled with melancholy that Makoto wore at that moment confused him more than what he would like to admit, but the ahoge-haired boy seemed to not be done with his speech.
"You actually remind me a lot of another friend of mine, Komaeda-senpai." Makoto was now aiming his smile at him, with warm brown eyes meeting his cold silver ones. "He was really adamant on how things had to be done in order to bring hope to the world… to the point that it almost destroyed everything he loved…"
A flash of pain moved so quickly through Makoto's eyes that he could have sworn it had been an illusion, but before he was able to think more about it Makoto had already sprung to his feet, with his smile still present on his face.
"That's why I wanted to show it to Komaeda-senpai… a way for hope to exist without having to hurt others so that everyone can smile without regret." Such a thing sounded too fantastic, even to him, but it seemed his frown of skepticism did little to deteriorate Makoto's will.
"Because…" Makoto continued without missing a beat. "To Komaeda-senpai that loves everyone and wants to show them hope to such a degree, something that I admire even if I can't agree with your methods… Aren't such strong beliefs worthy of the title of Ultimate all by themselves?"
His eyes widened more than ever before with that declaration, with his whole being shaking in response. He raised his body into a sitting position, with his gaze fixated on the boy standing in front of him that refused to stop smiling at him.
"So even if senpai doesn't believe in himself, I will never stop believing in what you can do, Komaeda-senpai! Because I know for a fact that senpai is someone that will be able to bring hope to the future, alongside everyone else!"
Those words…
How long had he longed to hear something like that from someone, he had to wonder…?
No, that wasn't right. His Class Representative and his teacher had tried to tell him something like that before, but he had ignored it.
And yet here was this boy, someone that he had passed off as nothing but a waste of space, now offering him something that he didn't know if he was even worthy of accepting…
"Please, Komaeda-senpai!" Naegi Makoto extended his hand towards him, and it was only now that he was truly able to understand the light shining in those brown eyes. "Help me protect everyone's hope!"
Had he been so blind to his feelings that he had ignored such a strong hope shining so brightly inside the younger Luckster to the point that it was honestly blinding him?
What an idiotic guy he had been…
And as he looked at the extended hand, a million different emotions moved through his gaze at the same time. Apprehension, fear, bewilderment, expectation and even, dare he say it, hope?
Could he take it? Such an offer of acceptance? To the him that had been rejected every since his parents died.
An offer of a purpose to the lost him that had only months to live?
Did he even deserve such a thing after how he had treated the boy in front of him?
Or was this just a dream and he would simply wake up as soon as his fingers touched that hand?
He raised his own hand slowly, timidly, almost as if making any sudden movements would scare Makoto away.
But such a thing never happened, and it didn't matter how long it took him, Naegi Makoto never stopped offering him his hand and a smile filled with purpose.
So when his fingers grasped on that palm, he ended up latching to that hand as if it was his lifeline, and with that, it was nothing but warmness that coursed through his body.
And even after minutes he still refused to let go, fearing that if he did he would lose it all again, for right now there was nothing else that terrified him most than being rejected by the same smile that was offering him peace right now.
"I just hope that I'm able to help Komaeda-senpai find his own hope someday…"
But the last words that he received from Naegi Makoto weren't ones of rejection, but rather an invitation for a future he couldn't even being to imagine.
And with those words, it was an honest smile what blossomed in him, the first one that he had ever aimed at the younger Luckster.
To find his own hope, he said…
Maybe he already had.
"You're Hinata Hajime-kun, correct?"
He truly never expected to set foot in a place like this, but he knew that desperate times called for desperate methods.
He had hoped to do this fast, but judging by the confused expression in the brown-haired teen in front of him he knew it wouldn't be the case.
"Yes…?" The Reserve Course student answered with more than a bit of doubt while looking obviously sizing him up. "And who wants to know that exactly?"
"There's no need to mind me, really." He raised his hand in an offer of peace while also showing a smile. "I just came to deliver something."
There was still nothing but a frown of confusion on Hajime's face, but it wasn't something that he particularly cared as long as he received what he came to offer, which was why he extended his hand before Hajime even got a time to react, with the obvious intent of giving him the piece of paper that was resting between his fingers.
And it took a few seconds and more than one look of suspicion, but the ahoge-haired boy did end up grabbing said piece of paper, which was quickly followed by him looking at it in open confusion, a look which was quick to move towards him after a few seconds.
"A lottery ticket?" Hajime said in doubt, to which he could only nod in response.
"Consider it a gift," He said as he turned his body since he was more than ready to leave. "That ticket won the big prize a few minutes ago, so I'm sure you will be able to use that money to stick around for a while more, Hinata-kun."
And the way that Hajime's eyes almost bulged out of his sockets after he revealed that was honestly amusing by itself.
"W-what?!" The talentless teen cried out in surprise, no holding the ticket as if it was some sort of sacred treasure. "W-why…how?!"
"Like I said, consider it a gift." He repeated easily.
"B-but I can't… I don't even know you!" It was obvious that Hajime wouldn't be accepting of the gift just like that, however, which he found truly weird for someone that desperately needed the money, at least as far as he knew.
"I'm not doing this for you, Hinata-kun." He responded after releasing a sigh, earning a raised eyebrow from the young man in question. "I'm doing this for Makoto-kun's sake."
"Makoto?" Hajime looked somehow even more confused than before, that much was obvious, but it wasn't like he felt like explaining much right now in the first place.
"You're his friend, right?" He asked, doing his best to sound as neutral as possible, to which Hajime simply nodded stoically in response. "I don't want Makoto-kun getting stressed over the fact that you can't pay off the tuition, as simple as that."
And even though Hajime obviously understood the words he was still more than a bit wary of it, but it wasn't like he was going to take a no for an answer right now of all things.
"I don't particularly care for what happens to you, Hinata-kun," He said as he fully turned to leave. "But I do care about Makoto-kun, and I owe him a lot. That prize means little to me, so I would just take it if I were you…Unless you want for Makoto-kun to worry about it unnecessarily."
"You… expect me to just accept all of this just like that? You haven't even told me your name!"
"Like I said, this is for his sake, not yours. If you start making Makoto-kun worry for dumb reasons then I won't just sit by and watch." He declared with an air of finality, truly just wanting for the talentless boy to accept the gift and be done with it.
He truly meant what he said, and while he knew that this wouldn't fix everything that he had done, it was at least a start. Figuring out why Makoto had looked gloomy as of late had been easy enough, especially with Chiaki's assistance.
And of course, buying one lottery ticket and actually winning had been just a normal occurrence to him.
And while a part of him would truly prefer for someone like Hinata Hajime to leave the school, he simply couldn't ignore the fact that he could help Makoto in any way, even if it was small.
Whatever feelings he had for someone from the Reserve Course were simply outmatched by his feelings towards the younger Luckster, as simple as that.
"I don't see what Makoto-kun sees in you if I'm honest." He still felt like leaving a few partying words to the obviously conflicted teen, who was now going from glaring to looking confused. "But what do I know? I just hope Makoto-kun isn't putting his trust in the wrong place…for both of your sakes."
Naegi Makoto was one that saw the best in everyone.
Even in trash like himself…
And even if right now he still wasn't able to truly understand how he did it…
"Goodbye, Hinata-kun."
As long as he could keep seeing that hopeful smile that saved him, the opportunity for a bright future would be there for everyone.
He would just have to protect him then.
At all cost.
That took longer than I thought it would…
I even ended up saying some stuff I don't think I should have… He told me had explained those details to you already though. I'm surprised I'm still allowed here even after that If I'm honest.
Not that I'm complaining or anything…
I wonder how Makoto-kun is right now… I heard he was sick so I don't think I will be seeing him today?
I know I could always go to his house, but I think that is already being handled by the others and I wouldn't want to meddle too much…
I don't think his sister likes me very much either though.
Are we done here then? I hope that will help you with whatever you're planning.
One last question? Sure.
Well, if I had to describe Makoto-kun in one phrase…
Doesn't Ultimate Hope sound appropriate, Kirigiri-san?
Of course, thanks to Thanks to both RWBYJNPR and Zephyrius29 for beta-reading this mess of a chapter.
Now first let me apologize for two things. First is the delay, which is the result of real life being, well, real life. I never expected for this chapter to take so long, especially since it doesn't move the plot at all, and for that, I can only say I'm sorry.
Second is for the quality of the chapter itself. I'll admit it and say that I think this is the weakest chapter so far, which is a shame since I like Nagito quite a bit. Writing about him, however, especially in a chapter like this, is obviously not my forte with how many things are apparently going through his head.
Now I can only assume that this chapter might be confusing, especially after the previous one's ending. My plan was to always have a chapter like this between the end and beginning of an arc, as in a chapter that explained another side of the story, with this one focusing on the relationship between the two Lucksters. Why Nagito? I mostly just felt like it to be honest, that and plot-wise he is one of the last ones to start getting a bit too obsessed with Makoto in this story (ignoring the V3 cast which is a different matter altogether). I also needed this chapter to flesh out a few things before anyone got confused, like with Hajime for example.
For the future, I was also planning to do chapters like this for the rest of the characters for those that wanted to have more specific details about the events that got us to the current present in this story, but that will depend on you guys. Do you want more chapters like this in the future? Of course, I will let you pick which characters to handle first so that you will all get to see your favorite ones first.
Next chapter, which will with any luck come out sooner, will go back to the plot. A lot of people are trying to guess who send that message and that is something that I enjoy. Danganronpa is a mystery series, after all, so doing one for this story simply felt right. Who sent the message? That is for everyone to find out.
Thank you all for having read this far and for the support you have all given to this story with your views, favorite, followers and of course the reviews. Next chapter shall be better, that much I hope. Thanks to both of my betas for their patience and help and thanks to Dancantsin for the fanart.
Next Chapter: Surprise home visit.
