I looked out the window vaguely focused on my reflection, the dark bags under my eyes looking as bad as always, especially with my red eyes. I blow a few strands of hair out of my face, my messy bun not doing much. It's too cold in the bus so I pull my gray jacket closer, ripped leather jeans don't do much in the cold.
"You're Sanyu Mochida, right?" I look up at the sound of my name, surprised to see the speaker facing the other way, talking to someone else. I assume he is looking for me, but I'm not sure, considering the one he's talking to is a guy with beach tan skin, blue eyes, blonde hair, and a strong looking body, the farthest image from me as you can get, so I go back to looking out the window.
"No, my name is James Guzman," The guy mistaken for me replied.
"What? O-oh I'm sorry, I'm trying to learn everyone's name so I can assign jobs better," The guy gave an awkward smile, writing something on a notepad, "My name Is Grant Kingsmen."
"Assign jobs? Are you leading this project?" A girl with dark forest green hair in a loose ponytail asked, her eyes a golden yellow.
"Yes that's right, nice to meet you umm," Grant opened the notepad in his hand, "Yukihiro-?"
"Veliah Kazeto" She corrected, before he could finish.
"Ah I'm sorry!" Grant apologized, then turned to the others on the bus.
I watched as he got everyone's name wrong, apologizing right after. My attention diverted when I feel someone sit next to me, it was a fit man with shaggy shoulder length brown hair. When he turned to look at me the first thing that caught my attention is his different colored eyes, the left a teal, and the other, red. I broke eye contact quickly and looked him over, he wore a dark green shirt with a black leather vest, blue jeans, and bandages wrapped around his forearms.
"Hey there, I'm Kenta Yuuta," He said, "who are you?"
"I'm Sanyu Mochida..." I said, trailing off.
"So, Sanyu, have you been to Hope's Peak?" Kenta questioned, a warm smile on his face, "I was the Super Highschool Level Stuntman."
"I haven't been to Hope's Peak before," I said slowly, "I declined my invitation."
Kenta eyes lit up at that, his smile a little less warm, "Really? You should have accepted, it could have been fun! it's a shame you didn't, we could have hung out."
"Yeah I guess," It felt awkward, and I didn't want to talk about myself, so when the bus slowed to a stop and Grant yelled for us to get off, I was relieved.
Despite never being there, Hope's Peak felt like meeting an old friend, an old decrepit, beaten down, friend. I sighed at the sight of it, then turned my attention back to the group, listening to Grant give the mission briefing.
"Hello everyone! I am Grant Kingsmen, just call me Grant, and I am the leader of this project. With the recent increase of 'despair' terrorism and the downfall of Towa City, many are desperate for a safe place to live again, so our goal is to rebuild Hope's Peak into a safe house," Grant paused for a second, thinking something over, "Now I know some of you are hesitant at doing this because of the mutual killing game, but there is no reason to worry, we are older and more experienced then a bunch of teenagers, plus we have been through too much to simply have it erased, and all of you have had a background checks so we know everything that could go wrong."
I noticed a few stiffen at the background check comment, myself included, and apparently Grant did to.
"D-don't worry, we all have all been through a lot, so there will be no judgement here, and you may make some lifelong friends doing this!" He gave a thumbs up, "So right now I want everyone to go introduce yourself to as many people you can in the next hour, and I will set everything up," Grant then jogged off back into the bus.
Left to ourselves, some shuffling awkwardly, and others striking up conversations. Not knowing what else to do I turned to the girl next to me recognizing her from the bus, I think it was Veliah, "You're Veliah right?" I asked, getting a better look at her I notice the two brown feathers behind her ear, and the x shaped ornament pinned in her hair. Her dress was a nice blue with strap sleeves and purple cloth wrapped around the waist. She also wore a cool black hooded cape, with stockings and black boots.
She focused her attention on me, "Yes, that is me."
Unsure what do next I introduced myself, "I'm Sanyu Mochida."
"Is that it? I'm Veliah Kazeto, the Super Highschool Level Archer," She looked me up and down, "were you a student of Hope's Peak? I heard people mostly from here took this job."
I didn't like talking about Hope's Peak so much, so before she could ask more I went off to talk to others, next I found myself introduced to an older man.
"Yoshiki Kaiza, former Super Highschool Level Video Game Designer," He said seriously, he had red shoulder-length hair, yellow eyes, and he was tall with a medium build, surprisingly he wore a blue suit with a white dress shirt, red tie, and black dress shoes, after that I began to travel around introducing myself to everyone.
I went to a man with interestingly ruffled turquoise hair, that sticks out like two horns. His eyelids are pitched dark, as if he didn't get any sleep, but who am I to judge when I'm the same? Although it was still a shocking contrast to his fiery red eyes, redder than mine. Actually now that I look closely, they have an insignia of some kind in them. He also has chain-like belts that looked dangerous. He wore a black fedora with a gray suit. I noticed a badge with the Hope's Peak insignia on it, the suit also possessed a red tie, to finish off, he wore yellow dress shoes and gloves, quite the match with the rest. I went to say hello and got a sigh of annoyance in return.
"Alan Wikly, former Reserve Course Student," He says, walking away. A reserve course student, you don't see them much anymore, much less around Hope's Peak, I wonder why he took this job?
I was then surprised by someone introducing themselves to me first, "Nice to make your acquaintance, I am Yukihiro Yamika, former Super Highschool Level Maid," I turn to see a woman with long chocolate brown hair reaching her wrists, and green eyes. Yukihiro is slender, her long arms, legs, and oval face would give you an impression that she's a very serious person, she also had a pale skintone. She's wearing a long black dress with a white apron, gray stockings and black flats, a very maid-like appearance.
"Have you noticed that every one of us introduced ourselves by saying our names and Super Highschool Level talent?" Yukihiro asked, waiting for my answer.
"Yeah, now that you mention it," It was pretty weird, but who am I to judge, "Well I'm Sanyu Mochida."
"Sanyu Mochida-sama," Yukihiro said happily, then bid goodbye to talk to others.
I saw someone faintly familiar with blonde hair, partially covered by a black fedora, in a black sweater that was unzipped to show a red shirt. His Black jogger pants held up by a belt with black socks and sneakers. I finally recognize him as the guy who was mistaken for me on the bus, "you're James Guzman, I'm Sanyu Mochida," James stared at me for a second in confusion, then seemed to recognize my name as well.
"Oh, you're the guy who Grant was looking for, did you ever tell him who you are?" He asked, "and yeah I'm James Guzman, Super Highschool Level Kickboxer."
"Oh no, not yet, but I will," I won't really, "see you later," I waved goodbye and went off to someone else.
I notice someone finishing their conversation and looking around afterwards, he had long brown hair, for some reason it reminded me of the Beatles? I decided to talk to him next.
"Hello, I'm Sanyu Mochida," I said. Looking at him closer now I see he is shorter then me, not small or thin, but athletic, looking up at me with calm green eyes. A scar below his left eye, but still pretty cool in a way.
"Oh, hello I'm Danny Walker, Super Highschool Level Magician," he replied softly, pushing his round glasses up. He really had a magic look going, with a black hat, blue striped scarf, and black gloves. He shuffled a bit shyly, not looking me in the eyes, I decided I've bothered him enough.
"Well it's nice to meet you, see you soon," I said waving goodbye, only then to bump into someone.
"Hey! Who do you think you are?" A loud angry voice snapped at me, I orient myself to look at a tiny man, his purple eyes glaring. His hair was dyed blond, the black roots showing, he looked young, younger than everyone here. He wore a black vest over a white button up with a black tie, black gloves, and black pants.
"O-oh well I'm Sanyu Mochida?" It came out like a question.
"Ha-ha-ha. Very funny," and he stormed off, it was actually quite scary and I didn't even get his title.
I looked around at everyone here, fourteen, a pretty good number of people for this. I noticed a few people drifting away from the groups, and felt myself doing the same. Somehow or another I started thinking of talking to them too, I want to think it was because I want this meet and greet over with. So I walked up behind the guy closest to me, he was taller then me, with spiky light red hair, he is fit looking from what I can tell, kinda like a runner.
"Hey, I'm Sanyu Mochida," He turned to look at me, giving me a better look at him. His eyes were orange, and had a scar downwards on the right eye, and bandages on his right arm to. He wears a black army jacket with shiny gold buttons. It was unbuttoned so I could see a black dress shirt underneath, he had on black jeans and black high top converse. On his back was a guitar case and a messenger bag, it also seemed that I interrupted him eating, as he hastily swallowed.
"Greetings, I'm Masayuki Hisakawa, Super Highschool Level Assassin, but you shall address me as M," M said, his voice leaving no room to disobey it.
M? Well if that's what he wants, why not? "Ok, M," his face was stoic, so I couldn't tell if he was happy or not that I went with the name. I decided to leave him be, M looked like he was itching to get back to what he was eating.
There were a few people left that I hadn't talked to, so I continued with my effective strategy of who's nearest. It was a tan women with round emerald-green eyes, and bushy arched eyebrows, complemented by a sharp jawline, she had plump lips and a up turned nose, the jet black wavy hair long enough to cover half the back. She's wearing a classic aviator outfit, completed by a couple of fancy badges, she has a white high neck crop top and military style dark olive colored pants, tucked in to black laced up boots. I found my attention caught on her vibrant green crystal necklace, it was pretty cool.
"Hey, I'm Sanyu Mochida, that's a really cool necklace," I said, pointing at it. She stared at me, her dark aviator sunglasses hiding her eyes now.
"...thanks, I got it from a good friend," She held fondness in her voice, and seemed to be lost in thought, "Akira Nishihara, Super Highschool Level Pilot."
"A pilot? Is that what all those badges are form?" I ask, actually pretty curious.
"Not all of them," she replied, Akira didn't say anything else so I said goodbye and went on down my imaginary line. That led onto a tall, light-skinned male, with blue eyes and black hair that almost covered the left one, and some chin stubble. His clothes were a black blazer, green shirt, white tie, black pants, and black boots.
"Hey, I'm Sanyu Mochida," My introductions are starting to sound quite repetitive, maybe I'll change it up on the next guy.
"Kojiro Ryuhisa, Super Highschool Level Artist," Kojiro said, clearing his throat, "nice to meet you."
"You too," I replied and we parted ways.
Next up was a girl with a healthy body posture and slim build. She has a regular well-toned peach-pink skin color. Her eyes were the color of silver, her navy-blue hair had highlights and black streaks. Her hairstyle is a long, waist-length wavy hairstyle with straight bangs that's tucked onto the sides with a hair clip. For her clothes she wears a typical elbow-long-sleeved sailor girl uniform, but it is white with a dark brown ribbon along with a dark brown knee-length skirt. However, and if I'm looking right, I think I see a sports uniform underneath.
"Hello, nice to meet you," I said, "I'm Sanyu Mochida."
"Haruna Takahashi, Super Highschool Level Soccer Player" She said, looking me over, "you're quite the pip-squeak aren't you."
"Excuse me?" I was taken aback, I mean I am very skinny, unhealthy so, but I'm no pip-squeak, I'm 5'8 for goodness sake!
"You've got no meat on those bones," she heckled, then just left.
I don't know if she was making fun of me or not, but I sure didn't like it. I looked around and was kinda shocked to see that I've already talked to everyone but one, the last person was a guy with long brown hair to his shoulder, brown eyes and wearing glasses. He has on a jacket and blue pants, underneath a black shirt, gray tie and black shoes.
"Hey," I said, he looked at me for a second before responding.
"Hello," and that was all he said, I even waited to see if that was really it.
"I'm Sanyu Mochida," I said, and he didn't say anything back, just still staring, "um I-i was supposed to be the Super Highschool Level Race Car Driver," I had hoped that would prompt him to say his name, but no, "and you are?"
"I'm Evan Halen, Super Highschool Level Lawyer," he replied, this guy is pretty sparse on words, but I didn't feel like doing this much longer so I left Evan, and stood off on my own. I didn't have to wait long before Grant fumbled back out, holding a stack of notebooks and a large bag.
"Ok everyone, we are going to go in and scout the building, everyone take a communicator and notebook, if you come across any problems please radio in, and if you see areas that look unsafe or in need a lot of work, record it in the notebook so we can pinpoint where to start!" Grant sounded excited, and happily handed everyone their items, "I hope all of you have done your introductions, because for the next three months you will have to rely only on each other."
After a few more rules and guidelines we got into a group and followed Grant inside. I migrated slowly to the back of the line, It was dark so the flashlights we were given were a big help, and the place smelled old and moldy.
"This place is gross," I turn to see the scary tiny guy from earlier, "I can't believe it's the same place."
"Yeah, I mean this is Hope's Peak, the best of the best," I said offhandedly, it's starting to sink in now, how jarring it is to see a once magnificent place turned to ruin.
"Yuzuru Taoka," he had said it so suddenly I didn't even think it was him, "Yuzuru Taoka, Super Highschool Level Debate Team Member."
I looked at Yuzuru, maybe he wasn't so bad, "nice to meet you Yuzuru-," suddenly a crash came from behind us, we both whipped around to see the vault doors locking shut.
"T-that scared me," I awkwardly laughed.
"Didn't scare me, you big baby," he retaliated.
We continued in silence after that, till we came to a stop in a area where the lights were on.
"That's strange, I thought the power was out?" Grant questioned reaching for his radio, "no one's picking up," worry tinted his voice.
"I thought this place was supposed to be crumbling, these walls look brand new!" I turned to see Alan observing a wall, and he was right the walls do look new.
"Maybe they sent others in before us? To freshen it up?" Danny questioned looking at Grant for reassurance, he got a poorly concealed worried smile in return.
"The paint is still wet," Evan announced, "whoever it was is still here."
"That's right!" A high pitched shrill voice answered, the lights shutting off.
"Wh-who are you?" Grant yelled as all hell broke loose.
"Why, you know who I am, Upupupupuu!" It laughed its signature stupid laugh.
In the chaos I heard a impact next to me and a sharp intake of breath, before I knew it, a punch sent me to the ground as well. I groped for my flashlight, flicking it on to identify my attacker. It was a towering person, dressed in regular everyday clothes, except their face was hidden by a monochrome bear head with a glowing red eye. That was the last thing I saw before I was knocked unconscious.
Hello everybody, here's chapter 1! If you don't like something I've done to your character then please PM and I will try and fix it next chapter! I'm actually pretty hyped for this, I've already outlined some of the trails, Lol! And please review! it would make me bear-y happy! Upupupupupu
Beta notes: hi I'm the beta reader u won't believe how much editing i get to do with this eheheh