Authors note: Some of you might be wondering "didn't he already post the second chapter?" The truth is, I did, but there were a crap ton of fakes in it. I think I've managed to fix them though so I'm reposting the chapter with several changes.
Authors note 2: HOLY CRAP the amount of support I've gotten on this story. 10 faves and 16 followers all from the first chapter. Thank you all so much! I didn't even think this story was that good. However, I'd appreciate it if you guys left reviews. It helps both motivate me and let's me know what I should change or keep doing. Anyways, review and enjoy :-).
0000
Scanning through a textbook, Hinata let out a frustrated grunt. It turned out there was a test today he completely forgot about. When it came to schoolwork, he had to rely on himself to remember anything important. He had no friends he could rely on, not because he wasn't well liked, but because students here rarely got close to one another. Granted there were several big groups of friends around the school, but those involved in them usually never display any real closeness to their peers, only above average tolerance. Because of this, he really had no one to blame but himself if he ever forgot about an important date.
"Maybe I should have payed attention in math class instead of dozing off" he sighed. "Though it's hard to do so when the teacher sounds like an emotionless robot." Flipping through several pages, he attempted to memorize everything he learned last week. Unfortunately, the normally quiet kids in his homeroom decided that among all days, TODAY was the day to make as much noise as possible. What they were talking about, he didn't care but based on how well the day was going so far, Hinata knew he was in for a rough week.
"Note to self, never study in homeroom ever again" he mentally told himself just before the bell rang, signifying the official start of homeroom. As such, several students hurried inside the classroom, creating more of a ruckus. A moment later, his homeroom teacher the entered classroom and immediately began to take attendance.
"How can today get any worse?" Hinata whispered to himself after letting his teacher know he was present. Less than a second after saying that, the school's intercom turned on.
"Hajime Hinata, please report to the principal's office. Again, Hajime Hinata, please report to the principal's office. Thank you" a man announced over the intercom, causing Hinata to sigh for the thousandth time today.
"Me and my big mouth" he said before grabbing his book bag and exiting his classroom, heading straight for the principal's office.
0000
Upon entering the principle's office, Hinata was greeted with the sight of two grown men conversing with one another. Hinata recognized one of the men as his principal, a short man who lacked any hair on his head. The other man, a tall fellow with purple hair and a black dress suit was someone Hinata might have seen on a photo, but he was not very sure.
"Mister Kirigiri! Again, what a honor to see you here" the principle exclaimed. "You have not told me, but what do you want with Hinata? As far as I could tell, he has done nothing wrong…"
"Unfortunately, that is for me and him to discuss alone" Mr. Kirigiri politely responded. Seeing this as his cue to enter, Hinata knocked on the door, getting the attention of the two adults.
"Ah! Hinata, come in come in" the principal shouted. Doing what he was told, Hinata made his way into the room, shutting the door behind him. "Hinata, this is Mister Kirigiri, the headmaster of Hopes Peak Academy. He would like to discuss some, er, important things with you."
"Hello Hinata. Just like your principal said, I am Jin Kirigiri, headmaster of Hopes Peak Academy. There is something very serious I would like to talk to you about."
"What is it?" Hinata curiously asked. "I'm not in trouble am I?"
"Certainly not" Mr. Kirigiri responded, earning a sigh of relief from the boy. "However, what I wish to discuss with you cannot be shared in the open. If you do not mind, can we head over to my office in the actual Hopes Peak campus so I can say what I wish to say in private? You will be excused from your classes."
"Of course" Hinata answered rather quickly. Part of him was excited to see the inside of the real Hopes Peak building for the first time. However, the other part of him was nervous. It's not every day the headmaster of a prestigious school wants to see you. In fact, Hinata remembered one of his teachers saying the headmaster never entered the reserve course building unless if it was for an emergency.
"Thank you for your time Hinata" Mr. Kirigiri said. "Are you ready to go?" With a small nod, Hinata followed Mr. Kirigiri out the room.
0000
"Whoa" Hinata smiled upon entering the school building. The building which housed the ultimates was certainly different from the one which housed the reserve course students. For starters, the hallways were at least twice the size of the ones in the reserve course building. The walls were painted and decorated with various colors, ornaments, and pictures. The school also appeared to be extremely well kept, seeing as there were no signs of trash on the floor, a problem which the reserve course school has. Lastly, the students in the hallways seemed rather lively. At the reserve course, all the students had the same zombie like posture as they walked through the hallways.
"Impressive isn't it" Mr. Kirigiri said. "Come, our destination is on the fourth floor" Mr. Kirigiri said before leading Hinata up several staircases. Eventually they arrived on the fourth floor, where Mr. Kirigiri directed Hinata to a rather large room. Once he entered the room, Hinata took a seat on one of the several chairs in the room while Mr. Kirigiri locked the doors, an action which caused Hinata to tense up a bit. Is the information Mr. Kirigiri is about to share with him really that secretive?
"You might be wondering why I called you here, right?" Mr. Kirigiri asked as he sat down. "Before I tell you, you must promise to keep everything discussed here a secret. I am about to share some confidential information with you."
"Um, sure" Hinata said. "I won't tell anyone."
"Thank you. Now, you may already know this, but Hopes Peak Academy was founded for one purpose, to create generations of people who will keep hope alive. Because of our goal, we select the most talented kids nationwide and help them hone their skills. By doing so, we aim to prepare them for the future, teaching them how to face challenges head on in life with nothing but hope on their side. Sadly, despite our efforts, more and more people are being plunged into despair. While Hopes Peak graduates will be able to install Hope into the next generation, the question is, how long can they keep doing so? Our response to this is known as the Hope Cultivation Program."
"Hope Cultivation Program?" Hinata asked. This was his first time hearing of such a plan.
"Yes, the Hope Cultivation Program is a process developed by the staff of Hopes Peak which involves creating the 'perfect human.' Via surgical means, the subject will gain a variety of talents, the ability to learn something just by looking at it, and a massive increase in both physical and mental functions."
"I don't mean to interrupt, but why are you telling me these things" Hinata skeptically asked.
"The reason for this is because we want you to be the individual who undergoes this process."
"Me?!" Hinata shouted. "But I don't even have a talent."
"That's exactly why the staff at Hopes Peak chose you. You lack a talent, which means we can study the results of the experiment with a more accuracy. If a talented student underwent this experiment, it will wield more biased results. I'm not good wth explaining things, sorry."
"No, I understand. However, I need to at least talk it over with my parents first" Hinata exclaimed. This was a pretty difficult choice to make. On one hand, he'll gain a variety of new features and talents. He'd become the protector of hope. On the other hand, he was not exactly sure if he should be making this decision by himself. This situation was bigger than anything he's ever experienced.
"Of course" Mr. Kirigiri said. "It would be very irresponsible if we made you choose without parental guidance. We are trying to instill hope in our students, not feed them into the world of adulthood unprepared. Anyways, the staff of Hopes Peak have already notified your parents about this project and the procedures involved with it. We have mailed them a detailed explanation of the project, it's purpose, and an explanation of the surgical procedure."
"Whew" Hinata said, releasing a sigh of relief. He wouldn't have to make this decision on his own.
"I have another question" Hinata stated. "I know you said you'd prefer a reserve course student for this project, but why me?"
"Why you?"
"Yea, I mean there are probably better candidates for this procedure...so why did you pick me?"
"Why we picked you? Well the answers simple, out of everyone in the reserve course program, you've certainly proven to us that you have the biggest heart. I've sent various staff members to observe the reserve course students and pick someone they feel would be most qualified for the experiment. Surprisingly, they picked you."
"Um…I don't remember doing anything THAT noteworthy" Hinata mentioned.
"That's not what the staff think. They gave me several examples to back up why they chose you. For example, on May twenty ninth, when one of the students broke their leg, you carried them the clinic without hesitation. A more recent example would include helping out the ultimate nurse, Mikan Tsumiki last week. One of our staff members caught you walking her home."
"Wait, so that whole thing with her being injured was a setup?"
"Absolutely not!" Mr. Kirigiri shouted, startling Hinata a bit. "The students involved with the beating were expelled immediately. Bullying is an issue this school takes very seriously. Do you have anymore questions?"
"Yes actually, when does the operation start and what happens afterwards?"
"We plan to start the operation on Friday, during the morning, giving you and your family enough time to decide whether or not you will go through with it. The surgery should last about a day due to how advanced the procedure will be. Afterwards, you will stay at Hopes Peak for a week so we may evaluate whether the surgery was a success or not. If it produces any unwanted side effects, we'll have to reverse the process. If the surgery proves to be a success, then you will be emitted to Hopes Peak Academy as the ultimate hope. Anything else bothering you?"
"Nor sir, I'm out of questions" Hinata responded.
"Very well then, talk to your parents about whether or not you will be going through with this. Let me know your answer on Friday morning, before school starts. "
"Ok" Hinata said with a nod of understanding.
"Come, allow me to escort you back to the reserve course" Mr. Kirigiri said unlocking the door to his office and exiting the room, Hinata following shortly after.
0000
The rest of the day felt like it went by rapidly for Hinata. During all of his classes, all he could think about was the Hope Cultivation Program. After all, it's not everyday someone recruits you for an experiment which could alter the human body. Knowing this, Hinata was a bit conflicted about whether or not he really wanted to go through with the operation. On one hand, the operation would help him achieve his dream of attending Hopes Peak Academy as an actual student, not one involved with a side program. Secondly, based on what Mr. Kirigiri told him, he would be doing a great deed for mankind. Despite the positives to the project, Hinata still had his doubts. For example, what if something goes terribly wrong with the procedure? He could get some sort of brain damage which cannot be removed by simply reversing the procedure. There was also the fact this whole project seemed rather shady. After all, the project's goal is to enhance the performance of a human being to superhuman levels. Will the government be involved?
Once he was dismissed from school, Hinata immediately made his way home, eager to see what his parents thought about the program.
0000
"So Hajime" his mom said as she took a bite out of her food, referring to her son by his first name. He, his mom, and his dad were currently having dinner together as a family. "I've received news from Hopes Peak Academy that you've been selected to become the ultimate hope…"
"Yea…" Hinata casually said, curious to see their reaction. "I had a conversation about it with the headmaster who explained the project to me."
"Oh. Well, they've given us until Friday to discuss whether or not you should go through with this."
"Let me say sport, even if you don't end up going through the project, you should be mighty proud of yourself" Hinata's father exclaimed. "Despite not having a so called 'ultimate talent,' you've managed to catch the eye of Hope's Peak."
"Thanks dad" Hinata smiled.
"I agree with your father" Hinata's mom stated. "However, right now we need to discuss whether or not you will be going though with this. The first question is, do you want to go through with this?"
"…I do" Hinata answered after giving it some thought. "I think this will be good for humanity, that someone will be fighting for hope and the good for mankind. People will look to said person for guidance. Not to mention, if I'm accepted into Hopes Peak's main program, we will no longer have to pay for the reserve course. However, I also have some doubts. What if the experiment goes horribly wrong? What will they do then?"
"I cannot answer that" Hinata's mom explained. "But I have the same doubts as you. There is also the fact this whole thing feels very shady. I don't exactly know why, but that's just the feeling I get when thinking about the project. I mean, altering a human being that way, is that even legal?"
"Sure it is" Hinata's dad responded. "Keep in mind, Hopes Peak Academy is a government funded school. The money used to pay for the project comes from the government, which means they must be involved. With the government involved in this project, I don't see why this wouldn't be legal."
"I guess your right" Hinata's mom said. "But my biggest concern is still the issue of the possibly of failure. Hajime is our son. If we lose him during the experiment…I don't know what I would do…"
"I agree" Hinata's dad said. "But at the same time, I think our boy should still go through with the operation. From what I've heard about the staff of Hopes Peak, the operation will be done by some of the most experienced professionals around, not by some random guys who almost didn't get their medical degrees. He's in good hands. Also, once the procedure is finished, Hinata will be safer than ever. If they enhance his abilities, he won't have to worry about robbers or kidnappers. He could just fight them off or outsmart them. Not to mention the impact something like this could have on society."
"I guess you're right" his mom said. "However, Hinata…are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"Yes mom, I am" Hinata said, this time with more confidence. Talking about this with his family certainly helped him feel more comfortable with his decision.
"…Very well then, I'll write you a note giving Hopes Peak permission to preform the operation" his mom said before taking a sip of her juice. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence…
0000
After enduring three more days of torture, Hinata smiled as he looked at the official building of Hopes Leak Academy.
"Today is the day" he whispered to himself before entering the school. "Today's the day I achieve my dream." While walking through the halls trying to reach the headmaster's office, Hinata felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Not only will he be attending classes with the talented students, but he will also be gaining a talent of his own. He was a bit frightened about the possibility of failure, but after talking about it with his family various times, he managed to build up some confidence. Once he reached the headmaster's office, Hinata let out a large breath of air before knocking on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened and he was let in by Mr. Kirigiri.
"Hello Hinata" Mr. Kirigiri said before closing the door. "Have you decided whether you'll be apart of the Hope Cultivation Program?"
"Yes I have" Hinata said before handing him the note his parents wrote. "I'll do it."
"That's great to hear. Now, as you already know, we plan to start the operation now. As such, you will be excused from all of your classes. Come, let's make our way to the biology room, where the operation will take place" Mr. Kirigiri said before unlocking the door and exiting the room. Calming himself down, Hinata quickly followed him to the biology room.
0000
When Hinata entered the room, he was greeted by several people who were wearing white lab coats as well as white masks which covered the lower part of their faces. Pulling out a hospital bed, they wasted no time, telling Hinata to lay down on the bed. After Hinata did what he was told, they slipped on a gas mask and began the process of anesthesia. A few seconds later, Hinata's vision faded as he fell unconscious…
