Chapter 11

Rantaro never seen such a colorful room.

It had some trees and real grass growing. There were many displays of all kinds of bugs, some he's never seen. Some tanks were kept as habitat for the bugs.

"Gonta feels right at home,"

"Amazing. I didn't know bugs can come in these colors." Rantaro looked over at a beetle display.

"Bugs are pretty! People think bugs gross, but they good for environment."

"Its okay, like I mentioned I went bug catching with my little sisters before, so I'm used to them. They aren't that bad."

"Ah, Rantaro has sisters. Gonta… jealous,"

"Why?"

"Gonta human family no like Gonta much…"

"Human family? What do you mean?" Rantaro turned from the bug display to fully face the gentle giant.

"Oh, uh, Gonta got lost in woods one day, raised by uh, wolf family for ten years. Gonta learned about insects and wildlife. Gonta very grateful to wolves, but human family no like them. Human family think Gonta too wild. They want Gonta to be more…. Civil. That's why Gonta aim to be true gentlemen!"

Rantaro was silent for a moment.

Rantaro laughed.

"What is it? Gonta say something funny?"

"Gonta, you already are a gentleman. More than anyone I know. I wish my father was like you..." Rantaro muttered the last statement.

"What?"

"Ah, nothing. But you're a real man, Gonta. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone. I would've preferred my non-human family if my blood ones didn't accept me."

"Really? But… Gonta family rich and need to keep family name…"

"That's an even more reason for your freedom, Gonta. Don't let yourself be bound by strict rules. Your wolf family and your love for bugs should come first. Because its most important to you. I defy anyone if it meant protecting my sisters."

The tall bug lover was shocked to hear such words. No one has ever told to make his own decisions, except his wild family.

"Gonta will do his best!" He finally said.

"That's the spirit big guy! Now come one, tell me about these little guys over here!" Rantaro pointed to the beetles he was looking at earlier.

"Wow man! A whole tennis court!" Kaito said.

"It's not that impressive. It's just for practice." Ryouma said unimpressed.

"What does this baby do?" Miu drooled over at a machine throwing tennis balls.

"Exactly what its doing. If you don't have someone to practice with, this machine does just that. You can change the speed too."

"Woah, a machine skilled in handling balls! I hope it can teach me some of its techniques!" The perverted inventor said. Ryouma scowled.

"Uh, so do you still know how to play Ryouma?" Shuichi decided to change the subject.

"A man can't forget the details of his true love. But it doesn't matter if I do, for that man is no more."

"Oh, c'mon man, quit being depressed all the time! Show us how to play!" Kaito asked excitedly.

"I'd rather not. You can play amongst yourselves."
"But you're the expert! Besides you know you still love it deep down!"

Ryouma stared at the overly eager astronaut. Even the detective looked at him expectantly.

The ex-con sighed. "Fine, but only one game."

"Alright! That's the spirit!" Kaito gave a thumbs up.

"I've never been coached before, was never really an athlete." Shuichi said and picked up a racket.

"It can't be that hard, you're just hitting the ball back and forth right?" Kaito said.

"Tennis is much more complex than it looks. You've seen professionals play it so of course it looks easy."

"What do you mean?" Shuichi asked.

"It isn't just about hitting the ball back and forth. Its about precision and footwork. You need to train yourself to have a keen eye. And your body must be in the right condition to keep up with that. It takes years of practice."

"We're still willing to try! Right Shuichi?"

"Uh, yeah sure."

Ryouma looked at them. "Alright, here we go."

Meanwhile, Miu was still fondling over the machine.

A little while later everyone had gathered back in the dining hall. No one said a word at first.

"Uh, so do you guys wanna try this thing?" Kaito spoke up.

"If it lies to Himiko, I'll smash it right after!" Tenko said.

"I don't even care." Himiko said.

"What do we have to lose? If its true, it can help us figure out how we got here. If not, then it let's keep it at the back of our heads." Shuichi suggested.

"Why would we do that if it's a lie?" Kiyo asked.

"Because it can help us figure out why someone would want to lie to us. And how far they'd go."

"Not a bad idea, but is everyone alright with this?" Rantaro asked.

"Whatever. Let's get this over with." Maki sighed.

"I know I certainly have nothing to lose." Ryouma said.

"I'm prepared for anything!" Tenko shouted.

"Yeah bring it on!" Kaito followed.

"Very well. Proceed." Kiyo said.

"I'll try to process it into my memory. If I don't like it I can always delete it."

"Only Atua knows the truth."

"Gonta not sure, but gentlemen take risks!"

"Oooooh this is gonna be soooo exciting!" Kokichi glistened.

"Why the hell are you so pumped?" Kaito shot.

"Hey, I wanna learn the truth. If you just wanna live here forever be my guest."

"Of course I wanna get out! This light might be the key!"

"Then, if everyone wishes, let us proceed." Kirumi said.

Shuichi faced the flashlight towards everyone. When he joined, he hit the button.

The light was blinding at first. Then, an image, or a movie played into their heads.

-Flashback-

A large group of rioters with baseball bats and other weapons were shouting. The person's memories was trying to hide. They could make a dash for the alley across the street since the manhole led to the underground. Just as they stepped out of their hiding spot, one rioter shouted.

"Hey! There's one! Get em!"

The person immediately started running. They couldn't escape to the manhole as it would give away their only hideout. They ran and ran through the damaged, empty city.

How long will this continue? When will it end? When will we be free? We only wanted to go to a good school!

-Flashback end-

Half of the students fell to their knees. Others were holding their heads.

"What the hell was that?" Kaito said.

"I'm not sure….I remember running." Kirumi was out of breath.

"It felt so real…" Himiko said.

"If those degenerates were after Himiko! I'll fight them all!"

"Could that have been the Ultimate Hunt?" Shuichi looked over at Rantaro.

"I think so. It fit the description." He responded.

"That was terrifying! They were gonna ravage my gorgeous body!" Miu covered her chest.

"I highly doubt that was the reason." Ryouma shook his head.

"Wait, my memory found a connection!" Kiibo said.

"What's the hunk of know it all have to say?" Kokichi said.

"Just hear me out! Remember when the person running said they only wanted to go to a good school?"

"And?" Ryouma said.

"Well, since we are all Ultimates, I believe that this school has something to do with it."

"I think there is one school that was known for that." Shuichi agreed.

"Correct! It was called Hope's Peak Academy!" the robot snapped his fingers.