The bistro was actually surprisingly clean and luxurious. The walls were colored in dark grey, and the floor was lined with a red and white line carpet pattern. The tables and chairs were neatly set up in a nice manner, along with a few other things. Near the left side of the room, there was a large screen TV placed against the wall. Nothing was showing up on it just yet. Hiroshi also noticed that there was a frozen yogurt machine near the entrance to the kitchen area. Man, this school must have quite a lot of money if they can afford all of this.
Maybe being trapped here won't be as bad as I thought. Apart from being kidnapped and having no idea where am I or why I'm here, it doesn't look so bad. In the bistro, there were around five other students, all who were complete strangers to him. While he was trying to get a good look at everyone in the room, Ronin spoke up.
"Hiroshi, how about you introduce yourself to the students here? I swear, there were supposed to be more people here at the moment, but I guess they decided to go explore the school. Whatever, though. You got plenty of time to introduce yourself to the others, anyway. Let's start with those two over there."
Ronin pointed to a table near the side of the right wall. There were two students sitting together at a table, talking with each other while enjoying some food, probably because there was nothing else for them to do. Before they walked over there, Ronin grabbed two extra seats for himself and Hiroshi before sitting down at the table.
Hiroshi ended up sitting next to the girl, while Ronin sat right across from him. The girl seemed to be very enchanting. She had long, silky blood red hair with curly bangs and lime green eyes, and was wearing a bright orange jacket, with a white undershirt with a picture of a large pink heart in the center of it. She was eager to talk to him.
"Hello there! Say, I don't think I've seen you around the school yet. Did you just wake up or did Ronin over here find you? Because I'd be happy to get yourself familiar with this place!"
She seems to be very nice, I suppose. Hiroshi responded to her.
"Oh, uh, yeah, Ronin found me. I just woke up like, I don't know, half an hour ago or something like that, and I still have no idea where the hell we are, or why we're here."
The girl responded back to him in a cheerful and enthusiastic tone.
"Me too! I remember that yesterday was going pretty normal for me, but all of a sudden, when I wake up, next thing I know I'm trapped in this place! I have no clue what's going on, either. My name is Atsuko, by the way. Atsuko Hokama. Nice to meet you."
She gave Hiroshi a firm handshake before he responded back to her.
"Nice to meet you, too, Atsuko. My name is Hiroshi Tanimoto. Are you an Ultimate student, too? I'm asking because I just met Ronin and he said he was the Ultimate Necromancer. So do you have an Ultimate talent?"
Atsuko: "Of course, Hiroshi. Do you mind if I call you Hiro or Hiroshi? Ah, never mind that. I'm the Ultimate Match-Maker."
Hiroshi: "The ultimate what?"
Atsuko: "Basically, I'm the best of the best of giving any kind of dating advice, and getting the right people to form some kind of romantic relationship between each other. Whether it's with flirting or with relationships, I can help you improve it. It's a lot more difficult than it sounds, I'll tell you that."
So, that's her talent? I didn't know that was a talent, to be honest. Maybe she can teach me any dating advice she's got for me. I mean, if I'm being honest, I'm kind of a wreck when it comes to that. She seems really nice, though. I'm sure she'll understand. Ronin spoke up teasingly.
Ronin: "Hey, I think my buddy Hiroshi here could use your advice, Atsuko. He's not exactly the "go-get-her" type, if you know what I mean."
"Ugh...please don't make fun of me," Hiroshi said, facepalming right after he was done.
Ronin: "Nah, I'm just joking with you, Hiro. Sometimes I just like to poke fun at people randomly."
Hiroshi: "Please don't call me Hiro, either."
A different voice from across the table spoke up. "So, you're the newest student we've found recently?" Hiroshi noticed that a very professional looking student was sitting across from him. His voice was very smooth, and he wore a black tuxedo and a dark green tie, with an expensive looking watch on his right arm. He was a brunette, with his hair expertly slicked back. He looked very charming, kind of like that one guy at school that every girl was obsessed with. Just to give a good picture. Hiroshi responded to him.
Hiroshi: "Uh, yes, I am. I'm Hiroshi. Nice to meet-"
Hiroshi was quickly cut off by the stranger.
Kiyoshi: "I already know your name. I overheard you talking to Atsuko just now. To be brief, I am Kiyoshi Hattori, but I'm sure some of you people already know that. I'm quite well known for my talent."
Hiroshi: "Wait, that name does ring a bell-"
Kiyoshi: "Of course it does. I am none other than the Ultimate Actor himself."
Now I recognize that name! I swear I've seen him in some film or TV show before. Atsuko quickly turned her attention to Kiyoshi.
Atsuko: "Aren't you the guy from that TV show "Outbreak"?! It's one of my favorite shows to binge watch!"
Kiyoshi seemed eager to respond to her. "Glad to see I've found myself another of my many fangirls."
I think that Outbreak show was about something having to do with some zombie apocalypse, or was it parasitic zombies? I don't know, I haven't watched it yet. Hiroshi was curious to know more about Kiyoshi.
Hiroshi: "So, you're the Ultimate Actor? Does that mean you're, like, one of the best actors of your age or something?"
Kiyoshi: "You could say that, yes. I've already won an award for Best Supporting Actor in A Drama Series, so I would call myself a talented actor. And what about yourself, Mr. Tanimoto?"
Hiroshi: "I'm just a Reserve Course student. I wouldn't call myself an untalented person, but I don't have an Ultimate talent. I'm just trying to get into Hope's Peak."
Kiyoshi: "Oh, you're one of those people? Ugh, I didn't know we had inferior Reserve Course students among us."
Hiroshi: "What's wrong with that?"
Kiyoshi: "Nothing. It just pains me to be in the presence of one of you...ugh...talentless students here among us."
"Whatever," Hiroshi said, sighing right after he said it. I know you're an Ultimate and all, but you don't have to be a jerk about it, Kiyoshi. The Reserve Course wasn't exactly well respected, at least among the Ultimates or those in the Main Course at Hope's Peak Academy. At least this guy isn't as bad as the others who bullied me before.
Kiyoshi continued to talk to Atsuko for a little bit more, while Hiroshi looked around the bistro to introduce himself to the next guy on the list. Near the flat-screen TV on the wall was someone chilling by himself, sitting on one of the couches in front of it, enjoying himself. He seemed to having a regular black shirt on, with large, blood-orange fire patterns decorated all over it. He had dark, black hair, that looked kind of like a mix between an emo and a rock styled haircut. He also had a tattoo of a Phoenix on his left arm, and some small tattoos of flames on his right arm. Hiroshi got up from the table to meet the other student.
Hiroshi: "Hey, Ronin, I'm just going to check with the guy next to the TV. I'll be back shortly."
Ronin: "No problem, my guy. Go ahead."
He walked over to the guy on the couch. Right before Hiroshi was about to introduce himself to him, the stranger spoke up first, giving out a sigh.
?: "What do you want from me?"
He sounded kind of annoyed when he said that. He also seemed to have some kind of smokey scent as well.
Hiroshi: "I'm just getting familiar with everyone else here. I'm not trying to bug you or anything. So who are you supposed to be?"
The stranger seemed to respond much nicer this time, putting down his drink.
Isamu: "Sorry about that. I'm trying to process everything going on in this crazy school. Nothing makes sense about any of this, nothing, I tell you. Anyway, my name is Isamu Kinomoto, also known as, the Ultimate Firefighter. You probably would've guessed something like that because of my tattoos and the shirt."
Hiroshi: "You're a firefighter? Huh. I didn't know that was an Ultimate talent, but it sounds interesting. I'm Hiroshi Tanimoto."
Isamu: "Glad you think so. Although I'm not sure if my talent is going to be very useful here. Well, unless there's some kind of fire or other emergency here."
Hiroshi: "Well, yeah, I mean, you're the Ultimate Firefighter. I'm pretty sure that's, like, what you're supposed to do.
Isamu: "My talent isn't exactly the safest one out there, either. Being a firefighter is a very dangerous job. I've already got a couple of burn marks on my back from it, and it hurt like fiery hell, pun intended."
He seems like a pretty swell guy, I'll admit that.
Hiroshi: "Do you have any idea why we've been taken here?"
Isamu: "Not at the moment. I've been trying to piece everything together, but not much is coming up. I do know that whoever brought us here must have a lot of resources and power if they were able to capture a bunch of Ultimates and put them in one place."
Hmm...he does make a good point. Whoever's behind this must be more powerful than I thought. But who would want to keep us trapped in this place, anyway?
Isamu: "Also, I didn't want to be rude and interrupt our conversation, but I noticed that there was some girl in the back that was staring at me the whole time we've been talking. It's starting to creep me out a little bit."
Hiroshi: "Wait, what?"
Hiroshi looked behind him, and saw that there was a girl sitting at a table in the far back of the bistro, alone, her eyes dead focused on Isamu. Man, either she's really obsessed with that guy, or she's preparing something...unsettling for him. Better get that idea out of my head before I picture anything disturbing. And by disturbing, I meant the things you'd probably find in an over-erotic fanfic online.
Isamu: "Just please talk to her for me, okay? I'm busy finishing my iced tea, plus I'm also thinking about our current situation. Tell her to please not stare at me so intensely, but don't do it in a rude way or anything."
Hiroshi did as he asked. He walked over to where the girl in the back corner of the bistro was sitting. She didn't seem to notice him at first, her gaze still creepily set on Isamu, until he started speaking to her.
Hiroshi: "Hey, uh, hello there?
She seemed to be kind of shy towards him, and then she jumped back in surprise. She had a very stylish, dark brown tuxedo and a light blue undershirt, along with her blonde hair being tied back into a single ponytail.
"Ah!" She anxiously tried to straighten herself out. "What do you want from me?"
Hiroshi: "Well, Isamu told me he noticed that you were spying on him or something like that. He just told me to tell you to not to do it so creepily anymore."
She heavily overreacted to that, so much that she started muttering her words.
"What?! No, no, no, I wasn't trying to be creepy or anything! I just got...I just got a bit lost in space staring at him. I mean, he's just so...enchanting to me."
She made a naughty giggle when she said those last few words. Okay, I should definitely warn Isamu about her, then. This girl might be crazy for him.
Hiroshi: "Don't worry about it. I'm sure he'll understand if you explain it to him. Name's Hiroshi Tanimato. I'm a part of the Reserve Course. Nice to meet you."
When she answered, she was still acting nervous.
Mizuki: "Oh, uh, w-w-well, nice to meet you, Hiroshi. I'm Mizuki. Mizuki Nakamura. I am the Ultimate Chaos Theorist."
She's the Ultimate what now? A chaos theorist? What's that, someone who theorizes chaos or something like that? While Hiroshi didn't know what her talent was, he was interested in getting to know more about her.
Hiroshi: "So, what is your talent, exactly? I'm kind of confused."
Mizuki: "Most people don't entirely understand my talent by first glance, so I don't blame you for that. It's very difficult to fully explain, so I'll try to make it brief. I study chaos theory, which is a branch of science and mathematics devoted specifically to study chaos. Basically, I study certain chaotic complex systems, then I underlie any patterns or loops I encounter in my studies."
Hiroshi: "I...still don't understand."
Mizuki: "I didn't understand it when I was first assigned, either. I'll just give you an example. Have you ever heard of something called, 'The Butterly Effect'?"
Hiroshi: "Doesn't that have something to do with time-travel?"
Mizuki: "No, not the movie, I mean. In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is when a small change of a specific state can result in a large amount of unpredictable results, sort of like changing something small in the past, but radically changing the future. There's also the domino effect-"
Hiroshi: "Not to be rude or anything, but I think my brain is getting fried just thinking about this. But your talent does sound interesting."
Mizuki: "Thank you! I haven't really met too many people who seem interested in my talent. But my talent usually comes in handy for any chaotic predictions. Oh, wait! Before you go, can you please tell Isamu I'm...sorry for making him uncomfortable?"
Hiroshi: "I'm pretty sure you can do that yourself. Besides, if you got feelings for him, you should be the one to tell him that."
That made something inside of Mizuki snap.
Mizuki: "WHAT?! I-I-I don't know what y-you're talking about! Yes, I a-admire Isamu, but I'm not THAT obsessed with him! Eeeeeh!"
Well, there's no use in reasoning with her now. I better leave her alone for now. I should introduce myself to the last person in here. There was one more student in the back of the bistro, standing around with his arms crossed over. He looks kind of hardcore, not going to lie. Let's see what his deal is.
Hiroshi walked over to him. The student didn't seem like too much of a talkative person, and seemed to have a grim expression on his face. He had a suave-looking black leather jacket, with a white undershirt, and wearing a golden chain around his neck. He had short blonde hair with a buzzcut. He was wearing a black beanie hat before, but he wasn't wearing it now. Wonder what his ultimate talent could be.
Hiroshi: "Say, who are you?"
?: "The hell do you want from me?"
He had a very loud and serious tone.
Hiroshi: "Man, all I wanted was to introduce myself. No need to get aggressive about it."
?: "I don't recognize you. I didn't see you with the other Ultimate students."
Hiroshi: "Actually, I'm a Reserve Course student. I'm not an Ultimate. My name's Hiroshi Tanimoto. What's your name?"
?: "Reserve Course? I never heard of it. But that's probably because I'm a transfer. My name's Connor. Connor Hatherfield."
Hiroshi: "Wait, why do you have a-"
Connor: "If you're wondering, I'm a transfer student from America. I honestly have no idea what this Reserve Course you're talking about is. I'm the Ultimate Lyricist."
He's an American? At Hope's Peak? I wonder what brought him here. But what exactly is his talent?
Hiroshi: "You're the Ultimate Lyricist? So what is your talent used for?"
Connor: "I'm the best of writing lyrics for my songs and albums. Trust me, I'm one of the best new artists in the music industry. You could say I'm somewhat of a rapper, but I don't prefer that term."
Hiroshi: "Oh, so you're one of those people?"
He seemed to get kind of offended by that.
Connor: "Hey, now, don't get the wrong idea. Unlike most of the others in the industry I come from, I actually have talent. I put thought and meaning into my lyrics instead of making a bunch of songs about nothing. Believe me, I hate most of the bland part of the industry. There are only a few good artists where I come from."
Hiroshi: "Now that you mention it, you do remind me of some kind of famous rapper from America. I just can't remember the name."
Connor: "Whatever. Is there anything else you need from me? I'm just completely confused about all of this."
Hiroshi: "No, that's all for now, I guess."
Connor: "Thanks. I'll just be staying here in the meantime. If you want to meet up with the other Ultimates, they're all over the building. It will probably take you some time to meet up with everyone here."
Hiroshi: "Alright, then. See you later, Connor."
Hiroshi left him and returned to the table where Ronin, Atsuko, and Kiyoshi were. He decided he wanted to get to know them a little better first before meeting up with the other Ultimate students in the school.
Hiroshi: "Hey, Ronin, you care to introduce me to the other Ultimate students?"
Atsuko interrupted him.
Atsuko: "Don't worry about that, Ronin. I can go with you, Hiroshi. Besides, I'd like to get to know you a little better."
Ronin: "That's fine with me Atsuko. I've already spent some good time with him. I think you'll enjoy her, Hiroshi."
Alright, that works as well. As long as I get to meet the other Ultimates, that's fine with me.