Prologue: Helplessness Blues (Part 4)

"Okay… Airi Kudo. What exactly do you do?" Saya asked.

"Maybe she's like… an assassin, or something." Izumi commented.

"Or a spy." Chiwa guessed.

"Actually, I'm a babysitter." Airi corrected. "I've been babysitting for 10 years."

Airi Kudo: Ultimate Babysitter

"You were babysitting since you were 6?" Chiwa asked.

"I've been babysitting since I was 10, actually." Airi pointed out, but Daichi stepped between the two of them.

"...You're 20!? Who goes to Hope's Peak when they're 20?" Daichi asked, incredulous. "Did ya get held back a couple years? Did your stupid pirate eyepatch make it so you can't read!?" Daichi ranted at Airi, who calmly crossed her arms. "You know you can dress yourself, right? You can CHOOSE not to look stupid." He said, pointing a gloved hand at her.

"I was blinded in an accident when I was younger. Someone spilled cleaning chemicals on me, and I lost sight in my right eye." Airi explained.

"That means you're half blind, not brain damaged. How did you get held back four years?" Daichi asked.

"And one of you appears to be ten years old. I assume I'm a chaperone, not a student." Airi said.

"I'm 12! I just.. I haven't gotten taller yet... In the last 2 years." Chiwa said, hugging her rabbit.

"Okay so she's just a midget, okay, got it, cool." Daichi said with a chuckle, getting a glare from both Airi and Chiwa.

"Are you absolutely certain you're a babysitter? If so… why the skull on your eyepatch? Why the gloves? Explain yourself." Saya demanded, jabbing her yardstick at Airi, who just lazily glanced down at it.

"Why do you threaten to hit people with a metal yardstick?" Airi asked.

"I…" Saya started, then looked down at the floor for a second. "You… You can't just…" she stammered out.

"Then don't talk about my eyepatch." Airi said coldly.

"...That sure was a thing that happened." Chiwa said, laughing off the awkward feeling she had.

"Uh…. S-Saya, Hojo gave us those handbooks, right? Maybe the guests or students are listed in there?" Izumi suggested. "Maybe we don't have to meet everyone back to back to back… Because this seems like it's going to be hard to meet everyone all at once."

"We're going to be meeting them anyway, I don't see the point in taking shortcuts." Saya said.

"But most of the people I've met are awful. I kind of want to take a break." Izumi said, looking away from Saya. "I.. I'd like some time alone, and leave you to it. Plus, we can confirm if Airi is a student or not."

"Hrm.. that's not a bad idea. Very well, you can take a few minutes away from the rest of us... " Saya said, looking around the room. "Hm… there may be room past the curtain where you can be at peace. Going through the doorway would just lead back to the others." Saya said.

"Oh right, there's a map." Izumi remembered, tapping a button on her student handbook and scanning a few menus. "There is a room behind the stage, actually… It leads to a small elevator that doesn't go back through the lounge."

"Then go that way. Go to your bedroom or something." Saya said curtly.

"N-not there again!" Izumi pleaded. "I've been in there for months! I-I can't go back in there!" she said with a note of panic in her voice.

"Then find somewhere else to go!" Saya ordered, smacking her ruler against the floor, startling Izumi.

"Ah! O-okay!" Izumi exclaimed, heading up the stage. Saya shook her head and pulled out her handbook and pressed a button to turn it on.

Welcome, Saya Kiruma

She looked over the menus; Hotel Map, Student Profiles, Truth Bullets, and Regulations. Saya pressed the button for Student Profiles.

Airi Kudo
Ultimate Babysitter

Age: 20
Height: 5'10, Weight: 144 lbs

Blood Type: AB, Chest: 29''
Date of Birth: 12/25
Likes: Foosball, Takoyaki, Kpop, Chemistry
Dislikes: Christmas, Pirate Jokes, People obsessed with bust sizes

Saya found that profile somewhat… strange. Chest size? Blood type? Saya then scrolled through the names in alphabetical order, skipping people she didn't care about, and finding another person she was familiar with.

Izumi Igarashi
Ultimate Waitress
Age: 17
Height: 5'7, Weight: 100 lbs
Blood Type: O-, Chest: 33"
Date of Birth: 11/21
Likes: Cooking, TYPHOON, Her sister, Kazane
Dislikes: Herself, Loud Noises, Being Alone

There were alternate menus for each person on the list, but each one was blank, filled with question marks. Saya assuming there was some kind of requirement for learning more about them. The next one she was curious about, was herself.

Saya Kiruma
Ultimate Class President
Age: 17
Height: 5'8 (5'11 in heels), Weight: 131 lbs
Blood Type: A+, Chest: 34"
Date of Birth: 8/23
Likes: Fresh Air, Self Improvement, Sewing, Classical Literature
Dislikes: Excuses, Rulebreakers, Smoking, Flirtiness

Saya's profile was mostly available on her handbook, compared to the profiles of other students.

Saya Kiruma is the younger sister of Shiro Kiruma, a college-bound Ultimate Politician. Saya Kiruma, after entering Kotouga middle school and establishing herself as a moral authority worth following, she entered Hopes Peak as one of the brightest potential leaders. Armed with a metal yardstick to put people in their place and cull immature behaviors, she can be truly intimidating.

Saya is nearsighted and suffers from moderate persistant Asthma. She typically has her inhaler with her in case she has a severe attack

"So they know about that…" Saya said, narrowing her eyes. She then scrolled through the rest of the names to see who she hasn't met yet. Another one came to mind as she scrolled idly through the names.

Daichi Kakihara
Ultimate Thief
Age: 17
Height: 5'9, Weight: 142 lbs
Blood Type: B+, Chest: 32"
Date of Birth: 1/11
Likes: Smoking, Being Alone, Calculated Risks
Dislikes: Too Many To List, Women

"A thief? Who in the world puts a thief in a high school roster? What kind of place is Hope's Peak running…?" Saya asked.

"Heh, not so smart, are ya?" Daichi said dismissively. "Hope's Peak always allowed criminals to study. Hell, the Headmaster went to school with a biker."

Daichi Kakihara: Ultimate Thief

"What do they study? How to be criminals?" Chiwa asked.

"No, you idiot. Once I got nailed by the police I stage break-ins to test building security. Headmaster Naegi thought I had turned over a new leaf, so he gave me a spot on the waiting list. Guess enough people dropped out to get me admitted." Daichi said, rubbing his temple. "Now shut the hell up, you're giving me a headache."

"Excuse me, you're the one that threw the bunny, right?" Airi asked.

"Yeah, and what of it?" Daichi said. In a flash, Airi slid a knife from the sleeve of her shirt into her hand, bringing it close to Daichi's neck. "Wh-what the fuck?!"

"Why does she have a knife?!" Chiwa exclaimed, hiding herself behind Socrates.

"K-Kudo! Put that knife down!" Saya demanded, shocked at how quickly Airi had drawn a knife.

"I am only going to warn you once; If you do anything to hurt or upset Chiwa, they won't find your body…" she said coldly, her single eye trained on the thief.

"Holy…" Daichi gasped out, backing away.

"...You said were a babysitter…" Saya said, stunned as Airi hid the knife back into her sleeve.

"H-how did you know my name?" Chiwa asked, shaking behind her bunny. Airi turned and patted Chiwa on the head.

"I read your profile on my student handbook. Don't worry, Chiwa. You and Socrates are safe as long as I'm here." Airi said with an unnerving smile, her lips pulled back to the sides of her face.

"...Please stay away from me." Chiwa said, backing away from Airi.

"H-hey! Stooooop! Don't pull me!" Izumi's voice called out, everyone turning toward the stage to see an odd sight; a black-and-white bear, looking like the outfits worn by the staff.

"You… are… coming… with… me! Hnnnng!" the bear yelled, dragging Izumi by her ankle. Izumi clawing the floor like a cat being taken to the vet.

"I'm not okay yet! I just wanted a break!" Izumi cried, kicking her free leg. The moving bear just gritted its teeth. "Stop dragging me like I'm a dead goat!"

"You were running off. I'm not going to round you up all day! We're dragging this out long enough. Meet everyone, dammit! Socialize! Stop making this prologue any longer!" The bear replied. "And who drags around dead goats? You're weird!"

"W-why is this a prologue!? You're not making sense! Stop dragging meeeeee!" Izumi cried.

"Neeeveeeerrrr!" The bear defiantly shouted, dragging Izumi back in front of Saya.

"...Yo is that bear movin' that chick?" A man called out that Saya didn't recognize. "And is it a talkin' bear? That's whack, dude."

"What is even going on anymore?" Saya asked herself, burying her face in her palm. "A talking bear? How? Also, why?"

"Where do I get one?" The man replied to Saya. The bear then turned around to the assembled students, showing its face briefly.

They could see that it had a black button eye on its white half, its black half with a jagged, red glowing eye. On the white side it had a cheerful smile and on the black half, a smile of jagged, sharp teeth.

"Now stay with Saya! Stay! Keep that butt on the floor, missy!" the bear said. "I have got too much prep work to do to have people just wandering around…" he grumbled before going up the stage and through the curtain. "Meet more people! I am not doing this again!"

"..." Saya looked down at Izumi, who was sitting on the floor with a defeated look on her face.

Izumi looked back up at Saya. The awkward was palpable

Daichi left at some point, not even interested in what just happened. And Izumi and Saya together looked at the man who was watching the two of them.

He a muscular young man with tanned skin, light brown dreadlocks and green eyes, hands covered in a dry, white powder. He was dressed in a white tank top, blue jeans and hiking boots.

"So… what's up!? I'm Rokuro Akada!" he said with a big wide smile.

"ARE WE GONNA IGNORE THE BEAR!?" Izumi manically shouted at the top of her voice. "ARE WE!?" she bleated out. "Am I finally insane!? Is this the death throes of my life ending!? WHY? Why is any of this happening!?" Izumi said, digging her fingers in her hair. "AAAHHHH!" She continued to shout and hyperventilate. Saya sighed and smacked her upside the head with her yardstick.

"Ow…" Izumi complained. "That really hurt..."

"Settle down, Igarashi. It's been a long day and it'll only get longer if we start freaking out." Saya said before turning to Rokuro . "We'll figure out the… weird talking bear later. I'm Saya Kiruma. With me are Izumi Igarashi, Chiwa Ohara and Airi Kudo." She said, pointing to each with her yardstick. "If you want to learn more I guess the student handbooks have our talents and… other strange factoids in full."

She pointed her yardstick briefly to Katsuya. "That is Katusya Suba in the corner and the man you saw leave was Daichi Kakihara." Saya explained.

"I see. Well, I'm the Ultimate Climber. At least that's what my acceptance letter said." Rokuro said. "I'm good at a lot of things, but I'd say I'm a really good climber."

Rokuro Akada: Ultimate Climber

"A lot of things?" Saya asked.

"Yeah. Not smart people stuff like reading, or physics, or world peace. But I can fight pretty good! And I can climb mountains, swim in oceans and stuff. Y'know, the works."

"Uh...huh." Saya said, coughing awkwardly.

"Wh-what's with the dust? A-are you on coke?! That's illegal, isn't it?!" Izumi exclaimed, pointing at Rokuro's hands.

"What?! Nah, this is just talc!" Rokuro said with a hearty chuckle. "Talc lets you climb stuff! Like mountains! And things that are like mountains but with the grippy things!"

"...I think that's a rock wall." Saya clarified.

"Hell yeah it is! Rock wall! It's like a chunk of fake mountain!" Rokuro yelled.

"But.. you're in a hotel! What were you climbing?" Izumi asked.

"I made the hotel room into my climbing room by poking holes in the walls!" Rokuro exclaimed.

"...You broke holes in the walls but you didn't escape?" Saya asked.

"Yeah well maybe I didn't think about that when I was makin' them!" Rokuro announced, rubbing a finger under his nose as Saya marked him as an idiot in her mental checknotes.

"Are you sure you're not on crack!?" Izumi asked.

"No! Plus, I kept havin' to fix the holes because I'd wake up and they were all patched up!" Rokuro pointed out. "I would have to punch em out every day and then someone filled it with spackle!" Rokuro explained. "It wasn't all that bad, though. I would take out the spackle, mix it with water, and stick it to the wall for hand-holds!"

"...You realize you're staying in a hotel room, right?" Saya asked.

"You wanna fight about it?" Rokuro challenged, putting up his fists.

"I-I didn't say anything about a fight!" Saya objected. "What about that implied I wanted to fight?"

"Ha! By not agreeing to fight me, you have forfeited your argument, I declare myself as the victor to this debate!" Rokuro exclaimed, throwing a fist into the air.

"That's now how debate works! You can't just say something stupid and you win if the other person doesn't want to be punched in the face!" Izumi complained in response.

"It's how debate works in the Akada house!" Rokuro proudly boasted.

"What does that say about your family!?" Saya shot back.

"A lot of things, but I don't wanna think about it!" He replied.

"Clearly…" Saya muttered. "Well, thank you for joining us, I suppose. Please, find a place to sit."

Rokuro nodded and headed off to an open part of the room, dropping down to do push-ups. "Saya… are all the guys in this hotel the worst?" Izumi asked.

"It would appear so, Igarashi. Though I can't say I care much for Kudo, but you and Chiwa are fine." Saya assessed. "Hopefully the next student step through will be more in control of themselves."

After a few more minutes of wait, another student stepped into the dining hall; a young man in a white hooded jacket and a black cap covering over blonde hair. His jacket was unzipped showing a white shirt underneath with black pants with orange stripes and a pair of orange-and-white sneakers. He had bangs covering one eye, his unhidden eye a cotton candy pink, looking around the room before walking over to Saya and Izumi.

Saya heard the sound of rushed, high-pitched breathing coming from her side. She turned to see Izumi staring at the new student, breathing fast and heavy. Saya gently squeezed her shoulder to get her attention.

"Stay calm, Igarashi. I know these past few students have been intimidating, but I will be doing the talking. Just slow your breathing." Saya said, Izumi trying to catch her breath.

"Uh… is she okay?" the young man asked, Saya turning to him.

"You'll have to forgive, Igarashi. She's been through a lot since her door unlocked." Saya said, offering a hand. "I'm Saya Kiruma, a pleasure to meet you." she said formally, Izumi's breathing increasing in rapidity.

"Uh-huh… if you say so. Anyway, I'm Sora Hi-" he began when Izumi let out a loud, high-pitched squeal, startling him and Saya.

"I KNEW IT WAS YOU, TAIGA!" she exclaimed, pointing right at the new student.

"Oh no..." he said, as Izumi drew herself aggressively close to his face, eyes shining brightly.

"I'M ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST FANS! I HAVE ALL OF YOUR ALBUMS!" Izumi shouted, everyone staring at her in confusion.

"Uh… hi…" He said with a squeak to his voice.

"Who is this 'Taiga' you keep talking about? Do you know him, Igarashi?" Saya asked, Izumi letting out an affronted gasp.

"Who's Taiga?! You don't know!? How do you not know!? Do you own a TV!? Do you look at billboards!? Do you have ears that listen to music!? What kind of lady are you!?"

"A very busy one with important things to do. Your behavior is confusing me, Igarashi..." Saya said.

"Please don't explain." the young man pleaded, but Izumi ignored his request.

"He's Taiga!" Izumi exclaimed, flailing her arms in the young man's direction. "Taiga is Taiga! He's Taiga! He's the only Taiga!"

"I'm fairly certain half of those weren't words." Saya said, holding up her yardstick. "Explain in words, Igarashi.

"You have to be from the 1800's. Either that, you're pulling my leg pretty hard, Saya." Izumi said. "Taiga is a member of the biggest boy band in Japan, TYPHOON. All caps! Not the one that floods Kyoto every few years." she explained.

"I see, no wonder I hadn't heard of him." Saya said, Izumi just staring at her with her jaw open, finally giving Taiga a chance to speak.

"Actually, My name's Sora Hitose. I'd say it's nice to meet you, if it weren't for the circumstances." he said.

Sora Hitose: Ultimate Boy Band Member

"Was I the only one who was kidnapped or do we all have that in common?" Sora asked.

"From what I can ascertain, we were all kidnapped and brought to this hotel." Saya explained. "I remember being attacked and forced into a van, being struck in the head to knock me out. When I woke up, it was long enough for any injury I would have to healed. Otherwise, I've been in that room for more than 6 months."

"Yeah, they got me because I had wanted my bodyguard to leave me alone when they put a rag under my nose and put me out. I woke up in handcuffs stuck in a stuffy 4 star hotel room."

"I find it weird the thing we can all bond on is our mutual kidnappings." Izumi commented, showing a surprising amount of calm before the gears suddenly turned back. "A-anyway, Mr. Taiga, can I have your autograph?!"

"Ah, w-well, I don't have have a pen…" Sora said, turning his head away from Izumi,

"No, that's wrong." Saya pointed out.

"What?" Sora asked

"My room had a pen. And I assume your room had a pen too." Saya corrected.

"D-don't tell her that!" Sora replied,

"My room had a pen too! Hold on, I'll be right back!" Izumi exclaimed, heading off to go to her room when Saya grabbed her wrist. "Ack! Saya, let go!"

"No. We are not wasting more time! You'll just be dragged back by that strange anthropomorphic bear." Saya said.

"...Oh yeah. I forgot that happened." Izumi said.

"You were screaming the entire time it happened." Sora pointed out. "How do you forget about that?"

"Because I was screaming! Then I met the best member of TYPHOON like five seconds after!" Izumi said, Sora hiding his eyes under his cap and mumbling.

"Mrhm… I'm not that great…" Sora muttered.

"You kidding!? You and Ryuzaki have a fanbase rivalry! You and him have cliques of fans who hate the other clique! They won't even talk in the same chat rooms! They don't even sit together in concerts because people will throw hands for you, dude!" Izumi said, stunned. "Remember that riot at the Tokyo Dome during your BANG STAR tour?"

"Don't remind me." he said darkly, Izumi once again breaking through any personal space barrier, Sora puffing air into his cheeks and forming the small frown he had on his face.

"I've seen you live and you're amazing! How do you do it? What's the secret to your singing skills? It can't be lip sync!"

"I-I don't… th-that's not… no…" Sora stammered out, Izumi's breathless praise getting cut off when Saya got behind her and locked her yardstick onto Izumi's neck.

"If you behave like a dog, you'll be treated like one. Mind your manners, Igarashi." Saya said.

"Saya, let go! I wanna touch his beautiful hair!" Izumi cried out, trying to reach a hand for Sora as he backed away. "Taiga, where are you going?! Sign my shirt!"

"Nope. All the nope." Sora said, putting his hands in his pockets and turning away. "Noping my way outta here. Noooooope!" Sora said, flashing a peace sign back to the two girls. "Cya."

"Let go of me, Kiruma! He's getting away!" Izumi shouted.

"Don't make me embarrassed to be around you, Igarashi! You'll regret it."

"Taiga! Tell me why you didn't friend me back on your fanclub paaaaaage!"

"The reason was nope! Deuces! Peace! Byyyye!" Sora exclaimed as he made a break for the door only to be blocked by the manic grinning visage of Hojo. "Hyaaaah! What the hell are you?!" he exclaimed as he fell back in surprise, landing on his rear.

"I'm Hojo!" he said loudly, Izumi's frantic flailing coming to a stop as she heard Hojo's voice.

"J-Jesus f-fuck!" Sora said, sliding his body back along the floor to make some distance from him.

"That ain't my name, kid! That'd be Hojo to you. And being your guide to the ultimate 5 star hotel-kidnapping experience is my game! I heard what you said about it being four stars, kid, but with our excellent service and my a-winning smile, it's a big fat 5 in my opinion!" Hojo rambled. "Have you ever seen sinks that nice before? They're motion sensored! I'm real proud of our sinks."

"...I hate you. And I hate your sinks." Sora said, slowly bringing himself to his feet. Saya let go of Izumi, walking over to Hojo.

"So, what brings you here, Hojo?" Saya asked.

"It's time for you everyone to meet the boss! The bear! The bear boss! The boss bear! The… beaross!"

"English, please." Saya said.

"Everyone who isn't in the dining hall get in the dining hall! Everyone who is already in the dining hall, don't leave or I'll have to slap you!" Hojo exclaimed. "Speaking of, let's get that cat Daichi back in here!"

"Let go of me! Get the fuck off!" Daichi shouted from outside the dining hall as two large, suited men in bear masks dragged him through the doors. "I'll piss on your graves! I'll put out my cigarettes with your eyeballs, you punks!" He shouted, kicking his feet defiantly into the air

"You're gonna have to get some smokes first, buddy! Anyway, we got eight here and just need the other eight to join us! I bet they're doing some dumb meet and greet with each other like this room did!" Hojo said, flicking his head in odd angles.

"That's... Probably correct." Saya said, scratching the back of her head.

"And now, I, Hojo, proudly present to you… These nerds!" Hojo announced, holding out an arm to an empty hall. "...It appears that I don't have the nerds yet!" He said, laughing awkwardly.

"NEEEERDS! Approach the dining hall door in a timely, orderly fashion!" Hojo shouted.