"Better keep moving," Hajime sighed, jogging along the dirt track. Humidity hung heavy in the air, the hot island sun leaving the air sticky and uncomfortable. He pulled at his clothes self-consciously as he moved. He didn't want marks after all; he didn't know how long he'd be stuck here and he didn't bring spares. Something in the back of his mind, (the part that wasn't some cryptic stranger) told him something was off, he was missing something key. He dropped it when a low set building came into view.
"Rocketpunch market?" he read aloud. For a moment he thought he heard Izuru sigh.
So close.
What?
Izuru didn't answer. Ignoring the rising frustration, he carefully pushed open one of the double set doors, again feeling the comforting wash of cool air roll over him. Everything seems to have electricity at least…
Scanning the room carefully, he spotted four figures wandering the aisles. To his left, a girl with black hair and purple highlights seemed to dig eagerly though several containers of peanut butter, while a boy with white? Hair watched on with a curious expression. To his left stood another pair, this time a short boy and a black-haired girl conversing in a corner. As he watched, the shorter boy spoke rapidly, performing some…unpleasant gestures. The girl began to look more and more flustered, tears threatening to fall with every passing second.
"O-Oi!" he interrupted. The two turned towards him and he inwardly cringed at the spark of poorly hidden lust blatantly present in the leering expression on the stouter boy's face. He was dressed in a chef's outfit, missing only the hat to complete the outfit. His eyes seemed to roam hungrily up and down his figure and the older student resisted the urge to shudder. Hajime convinced himself, (barely), not to run for the door.
"Oh, what do we have here?" they purred. "I was just having a conversation with the lovely Miss Mikan. You can join us, if you would be inclined?"
The girl, Mikan, hiccupped. She had bandages wound around one arm, and her right leg, Hajime noticed, worried. Was she injured already?
They're accessories. Likely either covering up scars, or as a comfort item. It's quite obvious.
Like you're so smart. You just pulled that out your ass, didn't you?
The bandages are unmarked, unstained and carefully layered. That means that their application was slow and carefully managed. Regardless of the fact that you stand before the Ultimate Nurse, bandages applied to wounds are likely to have some staining from blood or other fluid weeping from a wound, and would have been applied in a more rushed and uneven manner. Additionally, there is no bulge to signify a dressing or other proper medical attention. Judging by her nervous nature, she is unlikely of a stable mental state. Ergo, either a comfort item, or hiding scars of previous abuse.
J-Just because she's a little shy-!
"I'm sorry!" Mikan suddenly stammered. Well, screeched would be a closer description for the pitch of the cry that rang from her mouth. Her words were full of panic and worry as her eyes darted between the two boys.
"It's okay! Um, I'm sorry I upset you and um, interrupted…" Hajime stammered out a response, raising his arms in a helpless defence. Izuru seemed to give off a smug aura in the back of his head.
This doesn't prove anything!
The girl all but had a panic attack at the prospect of disappointing you, a stranger. I stand by my analysis.
Hajime could only watch as the girl began to weep quietly. Approaching her only seemed to make her cry harder, so he backed off for now, approaching the other two people scanning the shelves.
By the way, you never provided that odd analysis on those two. Tired of the 'surprise battle royale shtick' you keep pulling yet?
Your attitude lead me to believe you had no interest in my observations, so I stopped. I'm sorely tempted to let you stew in your irritation and curiosity; however, that would be me overestimating the enjoyment such an endeavour would provide, and could endanger our chances in the future.
The pervert, Teruteru Hanamura is the Ultimate Cook, though his outfit suggests an overinflated ego, so he'd likely prefer the title 'chef'. His actions suggests a weak morality; I would not trust him as an ally. His figure poses a moderate threat; he is not fit, but his weight would make for a decent weapon given momentum.
You know, I'm treating this as a joke for my own sanity. Izuru, please don't tell me there's going to be an actual battle royale on this island.
Mikan Tsumiki is obviously the Ultimate Nurse, as I mentioned before. Her outfit alone is enough to deduce this fact, even without each Ultimate's personal fame. Her state of mind is incredibly fragile which leaves her own to manipulation; however without a powerful emotional trigger, I cannot see her gaining the courage to murder anyone. That, or outside interference.
Outside interference?
Her knowledge in medicine and mental state make her a great potential ally, provided she does not become too…zealous.
Hajime just sighed to himself. Izuru was obviously steamrolling over his comments, ignoring him completely. The uncertainty that had been brewing since he'd first woken up on the beach was simmering just below full blown panic. He could feel it in the way his hands trembled and every breathe fought with the pound of dough that sat lodged between his collarbones. If he wasn't careful, and if Izuru kept talking about this worse case scenario, he might just faint for a second time.
Regardless, he tried to force a small smile on his face as he approached the new students, aware he probably just looked constipated instead.
The first to notice him was the white haired boy. Catching sight of him from the corner of his eye, he turned and straightened, revealing himself to be several centimetres taller that Hajime himself (or so Hajime thought; it was hard to get a read with all that hair). His hair itself was like cottonballs, or teased Halloween cobwebs, purchased from a dollar store to be thrown erratically over bushes and cars. Eyes that Hajime was surprised to find fit the term 'stormy grey' seemed to almost sparkle when they met his own.
"Ah, I'm glad to see you're up and awake!" The boy chirped. Hajime quirked an eyebrow at the carefree tone. "I'm very sorry about before; I suppose I was being annoying, hovering like that. Of course you didn't need any help; you're an Ultimate afterall!" The boy smiled a quiet, innocent smile as he gesturing lazily with one hand.
Is he being passive aggressive? I honestly can't tell.
For once, Izuru was quiet.
I guess I'll play along then.
"Sorry about that," Hajime apologised awkwardly. "I, uh, get really cranky when I wake up, I guess. Thanks for checking whether I was alright though, really. I, uh, appreciated it. I just needed some time to myself."
The white haired boy's eyes widened ever so slightly, before breaking into a bigger smile. "I see! I really wouldn't have been surprised if it was because I was being annoying. I've been told I can be quite irritating. It's too bad though," he said suddenly. "You missed an incredible magic trick! Miss Usami turned a rooster into a cow, right in front of my eyes!"
"She…what? Wait, Miss Usami? Don't tell me that's the weird bunny thing from the beach?!"
"Haha, yeah! Good guess! And it's exactly what it sounds like. I visited Miss Hiyoko at the ranch, and she used her supposed 'magic stick' to change a rooster into a cow right in front of me. It was very impressive."
"I…see." Hajime wasn't sure what to say to the recount he'd just heard. What was the point of getting a toy to pretend to perform a magic trick? Especially one that would take enough effort to make a cow appear from thin air.
"Oh, by the way, I'm Hajime Hinata, nice to meet you." Hajime offered, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.
"I thought as much; I filled in your entry after I met you on the beach. Though, I have to say, its rather odd; it doesn't list your talent for some reason." The boy in front of him frowned, one hand lifted to his face in thought.
"Entry?" Hajime asked, baffled. The boy in front of him raised a single eyebrow.
"You haven't noticed? The e-handbook Usami gave us. It should be in your pant pocket."
Hajime patted his pockets, digging his hand into his right pocket, pulling out a device with a black, flat screen. A touch had it flickering to life. "Thanks, um, what was your name again?" Hajime tried.
"You've already forgotten my name? That's a little careless, but not too unexpected."
Izuru, help, what's his name. You're the one who chased him off, take some responsibility!
"I haven't forgotten! It's…let me think," he stalled, sweating bullets.
Nagito. Nagito Komaeda.
"…Nagito, right? Nagito Komaeda?" He held his breath in anticipation.
"So you remembered after all! It's nice to see I made an impression, even a small one." Nagito made to open his mouth again, when he was interrupted by a blur of black and purple.
"Hey, hey hey! Lookie lookie, it's a new person Ibuki hasn't seen before! Where have you been hiding? It doesn't matter because its time for introductions! Have an I! You have a B! You have a U-K-I and M-I-O-D-A! What does that spell? Ibuki Mioda! I'm the Ultimate Musician, nice to meetcha'!"
She's certainly enthusiastic.
"You think?" he muttered aloud before catching himself. Izuru sighed.
Would you stop that?
"I'm Hajime Hinata, nice to meet you. And to answer both of you, I don't actually remember my talent."
Nagito had a comical expression of surprise plastered across his face before he schooled his features. "You don't? How strange. You must have hit your head pretty hard when you fainted."
"Ehhh? That's so strange. Oh well, I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually, Haji-meme!"
"W-What did you just call me?"
"Bye bye!" Ibuki called over her shoulder before she sprinted for the doorway, leaping over a display as she went. Hajime and Nagito watched in silence at her dramatic exit. Eventually, Nagito spoke.
"Since you've just woken up, I'm sure you still have quite a few students to talk to. I've already talked to most of them, so I think we'll part ways here. It was nice to see you again."
"Yeah. That sounds good. Thanks for the help Nagito." He thanked the strange boy as they turned to leave, pausing for a moment at the doorway.
"No problem. Feel free to ask me for help anytime. Hajime." For a single moment, Hajime thought he felt venomous suspicion lace his name as it passed those pale lips, before he brushed it aside.
Hajime.
Oh, so you're back now. Had a nice nap?
Fear makes you snarky, it's not an attractive personality trait. Be careful around Nagito Komaeda.
Really? Why? I thought he was nice. A little self-depreciating, but mostly helpful.
He's dangerous. I have reason to believe he is delusional, and possibly psychopathic. Regardless of the situation, he is dangerous. He's also incredibly intelligent; just from our interactions here and the beach, he's become suspicious.
You have any evidence to back up those claims?
Beyond his depreciating comments indicating a deeper psychological issue? No. But I also have more memories than you; you'll have to trust me on this one.
"Trust." Hajime snorted quietly to himself as he stepped back out into the scorching sunlight.
Yes, trust. I'm in for the same ride as you, Hajime. You'll appreciate my presence soon enough.
And Ibuki? What's your evaluation there? He asked, curious.
Vibrant, loud, impulsive. Given a little effort, she could be manipulated. Quite possibly the least threatening so far. The rambunctious heart of gold type.
Really? Huh.
Most likely to be a victim.
Please don't say things like that.
Hajime poked at the newly discovered e-handbook, swiping through the profile of the people he'd met. What Nagito had said was true; several profiles were locked. Including his own, nine of the sixteen profiles had details filled out. In many of the unlocked profiles, a shadow shape was filled with a single blue segment.
"I wonder what that means," he wondered aloud.
I believe they're called hope shards. The bunny talked about them while you were unconscious. Such a ridiculous name.
Hope shards?
You collect them through positive interaction with your peers. Supposedly, collecting everyone's lets you go home. Normally there's a notification, but I found it irritating, so I muted it.
There's a way home and you hid it?
It was irritating.
Everything irritates you!
Incorrect. Most of it bores me. People though, I find particularly irritating. Feel grateful I do not attempt to mute them too.
And on that threatening note, Hajime decided giving Izuru some space was probably a good idea. Checking the profiles of students he'd met, he observed that Izuru was correct about both the short pervert and the timid girl's talents and names.
Flicking to Nagito's profile, he found he held the title of 'Ultimate Luck'.
Weird talent.
A terrifying one. Not one I do not possess, so we are fairly safe, but imposing indeed.
You've said you have all these talents before. If we share the same body, don't I have any of these talents too?
Talent may be influenced by body shape and type, particularly in athletics; however, it is nearly entirely a mental trait. So no.
Luck is a mental trait.
Partially. The powers of the human mind can do marvellous things. For the most part, however, it is an exception, hence your safety. You will not be 'lucky' but you will not be 'unlucky'.
Okay, I guess. Hey, did we just have a mature conversation for once?
I'm shocked too. Didn't think you were capable.
Jerk.
I really hope I've fixed the formatting now guys, really doesn't like this chapter for some reason. Unfortunately, I had to delete the chapter after uploading and replacing it with newer versions didn't work. As I've said before, I hope you like the chapter, sorry its short, I've been doing lots of planning, and I have a new tumblr at .com where you can send me drabbles prompts, ask questions about my stories and AUs, and even get some previews. No pairings are promised for now, I'll have to see where this story takes me. Thank you for everything, especially people who left comments last time and were somehow able to read it (superhumans, I swear).