Still trying to get characters meeting each other out of the way. Maybe someday we'll start getting to the main plot and start developing it. Sigh! -Looks forlornly off into the distance.-

Also, as a side note I just got to the first trial in V3, and oh my God the chemistry between Kaede and Shuichi is so adorable! They work so well together and it makes me so sad knowing what happens at the end of the trial! It's why I haven't finished the first chapter yet! But actually playing the game (instead of just reading about it) will help me with the relationships and characters, so I have to get through it.

Chapter 5 – Hi! You're Hot!

Makoto panted heavily as he arrived for his next class. It was on the other side of campus from his first class and he had to sprint to make it in time. He hadn't seen a tram or anything to pick him up, so now his legs hurt and his lungs were on fire. The classroom was nearly full but Makoto was glad to see that Hajime was there and there was a seat open next to him.

"Whoa! What happened to you?" Hajime asked as Makoto sat down.

"I had to run here," Makoto panted, "My first class was all the way on the other side of campus."

"Yikes," Hajime hissed with sympathy, "Maybe you should try to find an easier way to get here. Find a tram or a get a bike or something."

"Yeah," Makoto agreed.

He glanced to his right to see a girl with short dark hair staring at him. He didn't know why, but he gave her a friendly smile and a small wave. "Hi," he greeted.

The girl blushed and quickly turned away. That was weird, Makoto thought.

"I can't wait for a break," Makoto said to Hajime, turning back to him, "I'm already exhausted."

"Me too," Hajime sighed, "My first two classes were weird."

"You've already had two classes?" Makoto said in shock, "I've only had one so far."

"Yeah, I had one class at seven am and another after that. This is my third class," Hajime muttered. He sounded so tired.

"What is your talent anyway, Hajime?" Makoto asked. Hajime sighed like he really didn't want to talk about it.

"They gave me the title Ultimate Hope, but I really don't like it," he replied, "It's so…" he trailed off as if he didn't know how to end the sentence. Makoto wanted to know what "Ultimate Hope" meant, but he decided not to press him anymore.

Besides, class was starting anyway.

…

Shuichi nervously stepped into his next class, looking around for anyone he knew and was disappointed when he didn't. He took a seat in the back, shyly pulling his hat down to avoid eye contact with everyone. As he opened a blank notebook to take notes, there was a sudden excited shout.

"Shuichi! Yay! You're in this class!"

Flinching, Shuichi looked up and saw Kokichi smiling at him and rushing over to him, nearly pushing others over in his excitement to get to him. It made Shuichi slouch down in his seat.

"K-Kochi, I don't remember seeing that you had this class," he muttered.

"Yeah, turns out I suck at reading these schedules," Kokichi said as he sat down next to him, "But yeah, we have this class together! Isn't that great?"

"Could you lower your voice a little? Everyone's staring at us," Shuichi murmured.

"What?!"

A bunch of people started whispering to each other while giving side glances to Shuichi and Kokichi. The detective had never been more embarrassed. Suddenly, a girl with long dark hair and thin round glasses stepped into the room. She looked around, spotted Shuichi then went over and took the other seat next to him.

"Is it all right if I take this seat?" she asked.

"Y-Yeah, go right ahead," Shuichi replied. The girl smiled at him before leaning over.

"I'm Tsumugi Shirogane, by the way," she told him, "I'm, er, the Ultimate Cosplayer."

"That's a stupid talent to have," Kokichi muttered, earning an elbow in the side from Shuichi.

"I-I'm Shuichi Saihara," he greeted, "I guess I'm called the Ultimate Detective." Tsumugi gave him a confused look.

"Why do you say it like that?" she wondered.

"I'm just an apprentice," Shuichi replied shyly, "I-I'm not a real detective. But I solved a couple of cases and people started calling me the Ultimate Detective."

"That's not too bad!" Tsumugi encouraged, "I bet that's better than a lot of other detectives and police officers! You deserve that title!"

"Th-Thanks, but I really don't," Shuichi said, pulling his hat down.

"You need to stop putting yourself down so much!" Kokichi exclaimed, slapping Shuichi on the back, and startling him, "I bet you're way better than you give yourself credit for!"

Before Shuichi could scold him the teacher came in and told them all to settle down as she started the class. After that he was too focused on the teacher to notice either Kokichi or Tsumugi staring at him through most of the class.

…

Byakuya huffed when Makoto and Nagito came into the room. Even though he was obviously annoyed, Makoto thought that he perked up a little when they entered. Maybe he was actually looking forward to seeing them?

"Oh, it's you," Byakuya scoffed.

Or not.

"Well, you might as come sit down before another plebeian tries to," the heir sighed. Makoto smirked. Byakuya was so obvious. He and Nagito went over to him and sat down.

"How are your classes going so far, Byakuya?" Makoto asked. Byakuya let out a heavy sigh.

"Pointless," he muttered, "I can already tell I'm going to pass all these classes with very little effort. The only reason I'm here at all is because the head of the Togami Family always has to attend Hope's Peak University."

"Wow," Nagito sighed, admiration prevalent in his voice, "You have such an amazing heritage! I wish I could be even half as brilliant as you!"

"Yes, well, you never will be," Byakuya said, a bit of smugness in his voice, "No one will."

Makoto rolled his eyes and nudged him in the side. "Don't be rude," he said.

"I'm not being rude!" Byakuya insisted, "I am simply stating the truth!"

"Whether it's 'true' or not, you don't have to be so blunt," Makoto pointed out, "Or condescending. You could try being humble for a change."

Byakuya scoffed. "Why should I?" he wondered.

"Because you'll make more friends that way."

"I don't need friends," Byakuya insisted, turning away.

Makoto sighed as more students filed in. The teacher came in last and started the class, beginning with roll call. Then he immediately started making them work. Makoto was glad he had thought to bring a notebook as the teacher had them write down complex equations and difficult problems he claimed would lead them to success in the business world. At the end of class he told them about the textbook they would need this semester and then dismissed them.

As they got up, Byakuya scoffed. "As I thought, this class will be a cakewalk as well."

"You understood all that Byakuya?" Nagito asked.

"Are you kidding me? I've been training to take over the Togami Conglomerate practically since I was born," he bragged, "If I didn't know anything about business by now I would be a laughing-stalk of the family."

"Wow, you have a lot of weight to carry on your shoulders," Makoto realized.

"Naturally," Byakuya huffed proudly, "It's what being a Togami is all about."

…

When lunch finally rolled around they all finally had a break from classes, most of the group was exhausted. Hajime slowly shuffled over to a table and collapsed at it, having far more classes than anyone at the school. Nagito came over and sat next to him, setting a plate of food in front of him, hoping he would eat something. The others arrived a minute or two later.

"Hey," Shuichi greeted as everyone sat down, "How's everyone's day been?"

"Ugh," Hajime groaned.

"That bad, huh?" Makoto said.

"It's been such a long day already," Hajime muttered, "And I still have several more classes after this! And even more tomorrow!"

"Aw! I'm sorry, Hajime!" Nagito told him sympathetically.

"I, on the other hand, am having a great day!" Kokichi boasted, "Everyone in my classes adore me! I've been thinking of expanding my organization to this school. I bet there are plenty of students who would love to join me!"

Beside him, Shuichi rolled his eyes.

As everyone chatted about their day, Nagito couldn't help but stare at Hajime and wonder just why the University was forcing him to take so many more classes than everyone else. What was his talent all about?

I suck at ending chapters. If you want updates on the stories I'm working on, you can follow me on Twitter, ThunderingWhite. In the meantime, I'll try to update sooner and also make the chapters longer.