This chapter was revised, improved, and added on to give more context.
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9:00 A.M
How long has it been since I've been here?
Why did this have to happen? I was just trying to do what was best. And now look where I ended up. A fucking asylum. How worse can this day get? It just isn't the same here as it is over there. Hmph.. I should have got her when I got the chance. Damn you, Riki!
"Sato, glad to see you up. It's time for your morning breakfast." The nurse walks up to me.
"Thanks, Miss." I took the food and ate it calmly.
Natsumi... I swear if something bad happens to Mahiru when I get back... I'll do worse than what I did that day.
And Riki, you are definitely like I said. I'm still confused on why you did that. I will find you and get the answer I need...
Until then... I'm stuck here.
Hope's Peak Academy
12:15 P.M.
Main Course Building, Cafeteria
Riki's POV
A day later...
So, this time we have different assignments. Thank you, headmaster. I don't know if I could have been in the same room with Ruruka after what happened yesterday. To think she had that kind of power, I almost let her have what she wanted... Gotta be more careful next time. I got the assignment from the headmaster earlier today. Let's see what this one is...
Assignment 2: Set up the games and food tents.
Students:
Seiko Kimura - Ultimate Pharmacist
Yasuke Matsuda - Ultimate Neurologist
Nagito Komaeda - Ultimate Lucky Student
Aoi Asahina - Ultimate Swimming Pro
Riki Aiuchi - Reserve Course Student
Alright, it's gonna be cool to see Seiko again after so long. That's a definite positive for sure. I just noticed that I've seen and met a lot of people that are related in the health industry. The Ultimate Nurse, Pharmacist, and now I'm about to meet a neurologist. I just find it pretty ironic. Looks like I finally get to meet the other lucky student here. If he's anything like Makoto, I'm sure we'll be good friends. And finally, Asahina-san. I've been to a couple of her events. Too bad they don't have any sporting events here. Makes sense though, we would destroy the competition considering the amount of people I've met so far. Well, let's go meet them.
As I step into the cafeteria, Seiko is the first to greet me.
"H-hi Riki! It's nice to see you. H-how are you?"
SEIKO KIMURA
Talent: Ultimate Pharmacist
Age: 18
Height: 5"2
Weight: 88
Likes: Mixing medicine
Dislikes: Loud noises
Birthday: June 8
"I'm doing good, more or less. This place is amazing."
"I'm glad you are having fun here. Me, Ruruka, and Sonosuke missed you for a while after we went to middle school."
"I missed you too." I smiled at her as I went to the others.
"Hey there. I'm Yasuke Matsuda."
YASUKE MATSUDA
Talent: Ultimate Neurologist
Age: 17
Height: 5"9
Weight: 120
Likes: Brains
Dislikes: Sympathy
Birthday: June 1
"Let's get along, shall we Aiuchi-kun?"
"Of course." Next up was the person with the awfully pale hair. Is this guy okay?
"Ah, hello. I'm Nagito Komaeda."
NAGITO KOMAEDA
Talent: Ultimate Lucky Student
Age: 17
Height: 5"9
Weight: 143
Likes: Pretty/beautiful people
Dislikes: Noisy places
Birthday: April 28
"Cool. Nice to meet you man."
"Yeah, I bet it is, Reserve Course student." Hey, what is this guy's problem? Why is he being so rude?
"Is there a problem man?" All of a sudden, the air in the room felt suddenly tense. Who does he think he is?
"I'm just saying. A worthless person like you shouldn't be here. You have no talent!" He started laughing evily. What the hell?!
"Hey, you aren't winning any awards in terms of talent either, lucky student." I retorted back at him.
"Heh, just calling it like it is... That's all." This guy really ticks me off... He's lucky I don't get angry that easily anymore. It takes a lot more than that to get me upset.
"Geez, you are so rude! I'm sorry for his rude outburst. I'm Aoi Asahina. But people just call me Hina. Nice to meet ya!"
AOI ASAHINA
Talent: Ultimate Swimming Pro
Age: 16
Height: 5"3
Weight: 110
Likes: Donuts
Dislikes: Calculating
Birthday: April 24
"Nice to meet you too, Hina. I like your positive attitude." That got her to blush.
"A-aw.. thank you." After that rather interesting introduction, we set up the tents. Unfortunately for me, I had to work with this lucky guy. I'm just so curious on why he hates Reserve Course students. Is it really because of the lack of talent? While I pondered this, he called out to me. Of freaking course...
"Hey, Riki. Let's talk for a bit. We already set up all the tents; let's take a break." Hmph, I really don't want to, but he has me so damn curious about him.
"Alright." We went to the bench close to the Main Course Building to relax. Silence then ensued for a bit... I decided to break the silence.
"Hey man, what problem do you have with Reserve Course students? I know we don't have talents like the others, but we have feelings like you do."
"Hmm, I know that. I shouldn't even be talking to you. And yet, I can't help but talk to you. Your so... interesting. You and Hinata-kun." Ah, so he's already known Hajime. He probably blew a fuse with him already.
"Do you really think talent is everything?"
"Of course, there are systems for a reason right? Think of it like this, there are only two tiers you need to understand. The worthless and the powerful. Because people with no talent can't be anything successful in life, they cling on to those that can, the powerful." This guy's thinking is insane, but I can see where he is coming from. It's just, how can he think so negative like that?
"You are aware people aren't born with a talent right?"
"And you are aware people are born with a purpose right? The fact that you don't have a talent means you don't have a purpose." Grr... there's no changing this guy's opinion. I should stop before it gets worse.
"I figured it was pointless to try to get to you man. We just couldn't have a normal talk?"
"Your only doing it for the satisfaction of talking to an Ultimate."
"You are literally the Ultimate Lucky Student. Luck isn't a freaking talent!"
"At least it's something meaningful. Unlike you!" That's it! I've had it with this guy! Just when I was about to ball up my fists, someone came to my side and touched my left arm.
"Hey, why don't you go and cool off for a bit, okay? Please?" It was Chiaki pleading to me. Argh... I can't deny her. She's right. I let this guy get in my head. I can't let that happen again.
"Okay. I will do that Chiaki." She then smiled at me as I walked off to the fountain to relax. As I left, I heard them talking.
"Nagito, stop being so mean to them. They are people like us. They just want to be your friend!"
"A guy like me doesn't deserve to have any friends! I'm just trash!" Then he laughs. What is with that guy?!
Hope's Peak Academy
3:35 P.M.
Fountain
Hajime's POV
"So, let me get this straight, you really think your brother and Pekoyama-senpai are going to get married one day?"
"He needs to just hurry up already! I know he has feelings for her and everyone approves of their relationship! Even Peko likes him." Me and Natsumi were talking outside the school for a bit. She was waiting on her brother and Peko. She's changed so much during that incident.
"Heh... Fuyuhiko would blow a fuse at you for saying that, you know."
As we kept joking around and talking, I saw Riki walking off. He looked very upset.
"Hey Riki! Come here!" He came to me as I told him to. "What's wrong man? You look like you seen some crazy shit."
"Haha, it does look like that doesn't it?" He chuckled a bit. I think I know what happened. Judging by who I see at the bench...
"You met Nagito, didn't you?"
"That obvious, huh?"
"Trust me man, I know how you feel. He just really gets on my nerves, but for some reason, I can't leave him alone and he won't leave me alone. There's something about him that irks me."
"Yeah, had it not been for Chiaki, I don't know what would have happened. Man, did you ask her out yet?" He really knows my weak point, doesn't he?
"N-no!"
"Wait, you like Chiaki?! How come you never told me?" Now Natsumi was involved now...
"B-because I haven't gave you a reason necessary to say so!"
"Oh, now you got to tell me everything! When did it start? How are you gonna tell her?"
Me and Riki looked at each other grinning. Yep, there's no getting out of these questions are there?
Hope's Peak Academy
5:30 P.M.
Main Course Building, Classroom 77
Nagito's POV
As the class rep, Chiaki, was discussing something with us, I couldn't help but think back to what Riki had said.
("You are aware people are born without a talent, right?")
Hmph.. as much as I hate to admit it, he is right. People are born without a talent. Of course he would know that. But why then, are these people in the classroom different? Fuyuhiko, Peko, Chiaki, Mikan, Mahiru, Hiyoko, Ibuki, Nekomaru, Akane, Gundham, Sonia, Kazuichi, and Ryota: all of these guys have talents. Yet, Riki, Hajime, and the others don't. Why is that? Do they just admire this academy? Or do they want to be something more than that?
I believe Hope can conquer anything in this world. Even terrifying Despair. As much as I hate Riki, he has something that most people in this school don't have. The power of Hope. A Reserve Course student at that. Hahahaha! That's the only solution!
"Nagito! Are you listening?" Mahiru had came to reprimand me again.
"A-ah... I'm sorry. I'll pay more attention."
"Hmph..."
Anyways... After these festivities, the exams are coming up. I'm looking forward to seeing what my is going to be. This is gonna be so much fun!
Hope's Peak Academy
4:40 P.M.
Main Course Building
Riki's POV
Day of the Halloween Festivities
Alright, it's finally time! Let's get it rolling here! I had my costume already ready. I wore a Cat Noir uniform, along with a blonde hair wig. It's from one of my favorite cartoons, The Miraculous Ladybug. It's actually a rather touching cartoon about two people who are high school students in one life; superheroes in the other. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good cartoon. It's actually how I started doing voice impressions because of that show.
Okay, that haunted house was pretty damn awesome! All of a sudden, people want to take pictures with me. Wow, this day is so awesome. It's too bad Reserve Course students can't have this same fun like these people. I feel like it'd be really awesome. Well, not like they can't come. They just have to disguise. Unfortunate.
"Hello, Cat Noir!"
"And who do I have the pleasure of meet- W-whoa..." What was in front of me was a girl wearing the Miraculous Ladybug outfit. They look absolutely perfect! Who is this?
"Hehe... caught you off-guard didn't I? I'm Ladybug silly!"
"Of course! How are you, my love?"
"Sorry, but I only have my eyes on one person. Hehe." After a while, we took pictures with everyone before we hid somewhere to get away from all the people.
"Can I just say you perfected that look?" I couldn't help but admire her.
"Aww, thanks! I'm just a plain person though on the inside. My name is Tsumugi Shirogane. What's your name?"
TSUMUGI SHIROGANE
Talent: Ultimate Cosplayer
Age: 16
Height: 5"9
Weight: 112
Likes: EVA foam
Dislikes: Disorderly queues
Birthday: August 12
"I'm Riki Aiuchi. Nice to meet you!"
"Nice to meet you too! Let's be friends okay? I'd like to take you to some cosplay conventions, if that's okay with you..."
"Cool, let's exchange phone numbers then." We did that and we went separate ways for a bit. Now it was time for the games. One in particular I had my eyes on was the Comedy Show game. It's where you have to make the crowd laugh the most, and you win a trophy based on the audience. I think I could pull this off. Plus, it'd show Nagito that Reserve Course students can make a difference.
But whose is to say I don't care about the feelings of the Main Course people? I do, and it's not like I hate Nagito because I don't hate him. But, I just want to make a message for us that aren't as talented as them.
As it was my turn to get up there, I notice everyone is in the crowd. Even the headmaster... Well, no turning back. I started doing my voice impressions, and made some jokes.
"Hey, why does it take more than one squirrel to plug in a light bulb?" In my best Spongebob voice, of course.
...
...
"Why?"
"Because they are so darn stupid!" The crowd laughed, not because of the joke, but how spot on my voice impression was.
"Did you know I can change my voice at will? Let me sing a song!" I then proceeded to sing "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars, using my best Bruno Mars voice. Of course, I rocked it. He's my favorite music artist after all!
After everyone else, I won the award. Apparently, it was unanimous. As I celebrated my award, two people walked up to me with happy expressions.
"Hahaha! Kid, you made me laugh the hardest I've ever laughed! Where did you learn to do those impressions?" This guy was WAY taller than me. It wasn't even close.
"I just watched a lot of shows and cartoons growing up. Guess the voices stuck to me for a while. Haha. There's more voices where that came from though!"
"HAHAHAHA! I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM SOMETIME! I'M NEKOMARU NIDAI! NICE TO MEET YOU!" W-why is he yelling?! Did I do something wrong?!
"N-nice to me-"
"YOUR VOICE IS TOO SOFT. SPEAK LOUDER!"
"NICE TO MEET YOU! I'M RIKI AIUCHI!"
"I'M NEKOMARU NIDAI! AND DON"T FORGET IT! HAHAHA!" He then shook my hand very hard. This guy is strong! To even say that is an understatement!
NEKOMARU NIDAI
Talent: Ultimate Team Manager
Age: 17
Height: 6"4
Weight: 268
Likes: Freshly washed towels
Dislikes: Lazy people
Birthday: February 22
As he was talking to me, I felt someone poke my body in various locations. Who is doing that? Then something pressed against my back. A-are those b-breasts?! Why are they so big?! N-no, Riki stop! Don't think like that! All of a sudden, the person then got in front of me and looked at my face for a bit.
"U-uhm..."
"You are surprisingly strong... Do you want to train with me and Nekomaru?"
"U-uhm... maybe later! I-I'm assuming your both involved in athletics?"
"Yep! Only I am a team manager! She's the true athlete!" I am astonished at how this big, buff guy is not an athlete. I'd immediately sign him up for any sport. Hell, even rugby probably won't be a problem for him!
"I'm Akane Owari, the Ultimate Gymnast. What's up Aiuchi-kun?"
AKANE OWARI
Talent: Ultimate Gymnast
Age: 17
Height: 5"7
Weight: 123
Likes: Meat
Dislikes: Working Hard
Birthday: July 15
"Ah, nothing much Owari-senpai. Seems like you stay true to your work. I like that."
"Yeah, although now I'm really hungry! C'mon Riki, your going with me and Nekomaru to get food at our favorite spot!"
"W-wait! Is it okay to leave right now?"
"Yeah, it's fine! Besides, we should celebrate your award there!" Nekomaru seemed to reassure me that we were fine and could come back at anytime.
"Alright, then I have no complaints. Let's go!" My life has really changed for the better, hasn't it?
The old me would have simply declined without a second thought...
Hope's Peak Academy
8:00 P.M.
Junko's POV
Day of the Halloween Festivities
Where the fuck is Riki?! I didn't get him because Mukuro wanted to talk to Makoto so bad! What does he see in you?! I already know he doesn't like you! He just doesn't like to break people's hearts.
Argh... Damn it! I hate when my plans don't work! Just when I was fuming, Mukuro walked up to me.
"About fucking time! What the hell were you doing?!"
"I was just talking to Makoto, sis. No need to get angry."
"I don't fucking care! And quite frankly, I can't calm down! Because you know we were supposed to talk to Riki!"
"A-ah... I'm sorry..."
"Geez! Just wait, your gonna end up having a crush on him too. The way you fall for people is too easy. He smiled at you and that's what got you to break?"
"It was the first genuine smile I've ever g-gotten..."
"Whatever! No excuses! Next time, I won't be so patient with you..."
"Got it. So, now what do we do?"
"Let's go find this guy. He can't be far; he should be getting off the stage for winning that award."
We ended up searching the whole damn school, even the Reserve Course Building, but found nothing. Fucking nothing!
"Are you kidding me? Where could he have gone in a span of ten minutes?!" Mukuro just stayed silent and let me rage for a bit. She knows to do that at least...
...
...
"Fine, the next time we meet Mukuro, we are finding this damn kid! Got that?!"
"Yes, sis."
"Good."
I don't know why, but I just feel like he will be a major thorn in my side if I don't get him on my side.
...
...
Teruteru's Food Cafe
8:30 P.M.
Riki's POV
After a little while, we reached this cafe. A cook then came to greet us.
"Haha, welcome! You must be the guy everyone is talking about in our class! Pleased to meet ya; I'm Teruteru Hanumura, The Ultimate Chef. Order whatever you want; it's on me buddy.
TERUTERU HANUMURA
Talent: Ultimate Chef
Age: 17
Height: 4"3
Weight: 152
Likes: Momma
Dislikes: Junk Food
Birthday: September 2
Is everyone in the class interesting? I wish I had classmates like these guys! Well, not like Ruruka, Sonosuke, and Seiko were bad classmates, although it was ironic that I was smarter than all of them. Hell, so smart I skipped 3rd grade and went to 4th grade with them. That's besides the point though.
"Alright, thanks!"
"No problem. By the way, have you ever seen Peko's panties before?"
"W-what?! W-where did that come from?!"
"Heh, they are black- Guh!" He felt a sword touch his neck.
"Mention that again and I'll actually do it, Teruteru." Peko and Fuyuhiko showed up. Once again, I find myself thinking not to get on people's bad sides. Well, it could have been worse. Poor Teruteru. Fuyuhiko walked up to me, Nekomaru, and Akane.
"Hey, how's it going guys? Oh Aiuchi-san, don't mind him. He's a big pervert. Been like that since the cooking incident."
"Cooking incident?" I was curious.
"Long story short, Hiyoko made us all horny for each other."
"Well, o-okay." That was all I needed to hear.
"Ah, I see we all are having a "introduction" meeting!" All of a sudden, I turned to the voice I heard. It was a girl with blonde hair and wearing the Main Course uniform. Who is this?
"Let me introduce myself! I am Sonia Nevermind. I come from Novoselic. It's nice to meet you!"
SONIA NEVERMIND
Talent: Ultimate Princess
Age: 17
Height: 5"7
Weight: 110
Likes: Occult/Japan
Dislikes: Sour plums
Birthday: October 13
W-why do I feel obligated to bow my head to this girl? She's so royal!
"U-uhm n-nice to meet you." I ended up bowing. What the heck am I doing?
"Oh, you do not need to do that! Just greet me like you normally would." She picked my head up and all of a sudden, I started blushing.
"Ah... yeah, sorry."
"You wouldn't be wrong to do that though." Fuyuhiko then speaks up. "She's the Ultimate Princess, so it wasn't out of place." Now it makes sense. Then, just when I didn't meet the craziest people in this cafe, another person stood up and this guy looked evil! Am I going to die?!
"Hahahahaha! Fiend! State your name and your pet level!" Wait, what the hell is a pet level?
"Uh... I'm Riki Aiuchi. And pet level? I don't know what your asking of me." Then, Peko whispered to me what he meant.
"He's asking what kind of pet you have or had." Ahh...
"Oh, I have a pet dog at home. A husky to be exact. I adopted one at the animal shelter." His face then lit up. Seems like that was the right answer.
"Haha! It's at a nine! Near perfection! You know the ways of the animals!" Then four hamsters came out of his shirt.
"W-what the-"
"I am Gundham Tanaka! You would do best to remember this name!"
GUNDHAM TANAKA
Talent: Ultimate Breeder
Age: 17
Height: 5"9
Weight: 163
Likes: Four Dark Devas of Destruction
Dislikes: Earthly Life
Birthday: December 14
"H-hey, hamsters just came out of your shirt."
"Those are his Four Dark Devas of Destruction! They are so adorable!" Sonia really was excited to say that. Guess they are really close.
Alright, this class is really interesting... I would do well to just keep my thoughts to myself.
"Well, that was a moment you'll remember forever! Hahaha!" Nekomaru kept hitting my back. Heh, he is right. I already have so many friends here; why should it stop here? I ended up changing into my regular outfit.
I decided to eat here with these awesome people. It was a great time! I learned so much about them and it felt good to tell someone my thoughts.
Would I have done that earlier growing up?
Park
10:00 P.M
I hated to leave so soon, but unfortunately I had to because my sisters needed me to get some bread at the store. Well, it was getting late anyways. As I was walking home, I seen Ruruka, Seiko, and Sonosuke at the park together. I was curious to what they were doing, so I walked up to them.
Now I wish I didn't do that if I had known what would have happened next...
"What the hell is your problem, Ruruka?! Don't you see I have to do this? If I don't, I can't see you again!" Sonosuke and Ruruka was arguing, and Seiko didn't know what to do.
"But your choosing your parents over me?! Our years of love? Your going to throw that all away just for months of work?!"
...
...
"Maybe it wasn't meant to be in the first place..." Sonosuke had basically ended their relationship right there. Wow...
"W-wait!" Ruruka's cry was in vain, as Sonosuke reluctantly walked off, probably to his house. As if the gods wanted Ruruka's day to go even worse, it started raining very heavily. W-whoa! The weather didn't predict a thunderstorm! Uh oh!
"I-I'll go talk to him..." Seiko had ran off to him to try to convince him.
...
...
Which left me and Ruruka alone. Well, she still didn't see me. Ruruka started crying a lot. Argh... I know we didn't talk for a little while, but it still wouldn't be right if I just left her there like that. At this state, I don't think she is able to go home. So, my kindness kicked in and I did what was best.
"H-hey Ruruka..." I lended her my jacket so she wouldn't get cold.
"R-Riki?"
"Y-yeah, it's me. I heard what happened... I'm sorry."
"N-no... It's okay. I think I was just being selfish. But is it wrong of me to be like that to my boyfriend? Well, ex-boyfriend?"
"No, I don't think that at all. That's the purpose of a romantic relationship right? Love is complicated, but it also can be really awesome. I'm sure Sonosuke had his reasons. But had that been any other guy, I know I would have been jealous."
"R-really? J-jealous?"
"Well yeah, I told you I had feelings for you, but you and Sonosuke really liked each other, so I backed off. Now I'm wishing I made the first move." I kinda expressed more emotion than I had intended. I wasn't mad at Sonosuke though; I was mad at myself for being so damn shy.
"R-Riki..."
L-let's go to my house. I don't want you to be alone tonight." I quickly said. She blushed, but nodded silently. But before I walked off, she grabbed my arm and pulled me close like before. I saw her teary eyes; it must have been really tough to hear that. She had eyes that longed for love. I didn't resist her either. She got on her tiptoes, and our noses were touching.
She closed her eyes and slowly leaned in for the kiss.
I-I...
I know I shouldn't. If I do this, then who knows what would happen down the line? She just got dumped by her childhood love. Surely, Sonosuke would look at me differently. Maybe Seiko won't be as close to me anymore; she could get jealous. Anything could go wrong here! I should be trying so much to stop her from doing this!
...
...
And yet, I gave in to my urges this time, and kissed her gently.
Park
10:30 P.M.
Seiko's POV
If I hurry, I can still make it to him and make this work out!
"S-Sonosuke, please stop!"
After five minutes of me telling him to stop, he finally complied and stopped. Seems like he was tired of running after a while.
"Seiko, whatever you say, it isn't going to work. Just drop it okay?"
"N-NO!" I screamed a bit more than I had intended to. Sonosuke was surprised at my outburst.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scream but I think your overthinking it a bit too much."
"Overthinking?"
"Why do you listen to your parents so much? Last time I checked, you didn't even like them like that because of what they said to Ruruka. You even said you weren't going to see them often anymore, and now your listening to them? What is the problem?"
...
...
"The truth is, I want to be with her forever. But I just can't fulfill that wish as long as I have this work to do."
"Then postpone it!"
"Hm?"
"Just postpone it until your exams are done. You know you can do that right? And besides, whose to say you can't do the work while your in school? Don't throw this away or you will regret it forever!"
...
...
"I-I-I-"
"Just think about it okay? Rest on it. I'll talk to you tomorrow." I had walked off to go back to Ruruka, leaving him there dumbfounded.
As I went back, I saw Riki and Ruruka talking to each other.
Hmm? When did Riki get here?
Oh man! I'm starting to get into the story myself! It's starting to get intense, and we aren't even at the halfway point yet. Haha! I know it seems like there's a good amount of filler, and I do apologize. Trust me though, it's necessary for events that will happen later on down the line. More serious events will happen as the chapters continue. Think of the first few chapters as a tough, but overall happy time, and the last few chapters, as a suspenseful, yet satisfying moment.
I do think of making another story, with Riki and a class of Ultimates. Which one though, I don't have a clue on that yet. Thank you all for reading this chapter as usual, and even the entire story.
Sonosuke just broke up with Ruruka! And Riki and Ruruka kissed each other afterwards! What will become of their relationship after this moment? Will the childhood friends still be close after this experience? Can Nagito ever change his way of thinking someday? And will Hajime ever confess to Chiaki one day? Find out in the next chapter!