It wasn't supposed to go this way. I intended to stay in the shadows, blending in among the crowds. Damn Kizakura, he's really got a talent for spotting talent. But, I suppose without him, I never would've gotten out of the dark spot of my life.

What you are about to read, is the story of who will become the Ultimate Mercenary. My story, and all the crazies that are apart of it.

Signed, Jack Serqet, the Ultimate Mercenary.

'Hope's Peak High School. The school where the students are hand-picked for their talents, of any field. Can be anything, from Ultimate Blacksmith, to Ultimate Race Car Driver, to even the Ultimate Pharmacist. Graduating from here sets you up for life. Centralized in Tokyo, Japan, Hope's Peak is known everywhere, even across waters. This year they had a lot of foreign students come in. Something about fostering positive foreign relations. They play the role of a school that accepts all and has no faults.

What a crock of shit.

Anyone can tell by looking at the Reserve Course that the school plays favorites. They're the cash cow who's being bled to fund god knows what. They're hiding something, but I can't bring myself to give a rat's ass about what they do. I'm only here to scope out the campus and make sure everything is good enough to send Fuyuhiko here, as per my orders from the Kuzuryu clan. I only have another month of my contract before I have to find another person who needs a merc. And can tolerate me. I like to have fun, and that usually turns contractors off. So I don't have much discipline, get off my back.

Not saying the Kuzuryu's are bad, I mean, they are the yakuza here, but for once in the six years of my mercenary work, I have the option to take a break. Been doin' this shit since I was nine. Happens when you're raised by a gang. Well, more of a band of street mercs. But they're family. Ah, I miss them. Wish I could go stateside again.

I'm getting off topic. So like I said, the Reserve Course doesn't bother me too much, even though I've only been here two months. Everyone keeps their heads down and shuffles along. Makes it easier to blend in.

The only problem is..'

"Oi Jackie, what'cha doin' mate?"

'The Ultimate Hacker won't leave me alone.'

Jack shut his journal as he turned to the Brit.

"Just writing my thoughts down. What do you want?" He said as he faced the Ultimate Hacker.

William Brandt, AKA Killjoy - Ultimate Hacker - Nationality: British - Has many cyber crimes to his alias.

Jack Serqet - Reserve Course Student - Nationality: American - Somehow friends with Killjoy.

"I jus' wanna 'ang out." Killjoy said, voice thick with his English accent, which had a partial cockney undertone, causing Jack to sigh and chuckle.

"I always tell you I'm not interested." Jack said. Killjoy scoffed.

"An' you always end up interested. Tha's how it always goes." Killjoy said with a smirk.

"Well, that's true. So, what're we doing today?" Jack said, propping his head up on his hand. Killjoy pointed down to the courtyard, making Jack look. They were still in the Reserve Course classroom, drawing a lot of attention to them as there was an Ultimate present.

"I thought we could go an' help one'a my classmates out." Killjoy said, pointing at a brown haired girl.

"Yeah? What's her problem?" Jack asked.

"She's pre'ty shy, so I thought I'd get togeth'a some pals and get 'er to come out 'a 'er shell." Killjoy explained as Jack turned back to him.

"And I'm one of these 'pals'?" Jack asked, but it was more of a statement.

"Well of course ya are mate!" Killjoy said as he started to move out of the room, "C'mon, let's go an' meet up wit' 'er. You need more friends anyway."

Jack sighed again, this time with a smirk, and got up and followed his 'friend'.

'Whatever jackass. Suppose I should though, since my contract is ending. Time to meet and greet.' Jack thought as he exited the room.

"C'mon, c'mon, ov'a 'ere." Killjoy said, motioning Jack over to the fountain. The girl they were walking over to had long, messy brown hair with hazel eyes. She had on a green zip up hoodie with fur lining the hood with the regular Main Course girls outfit, barring the jacket in favor of her own, and instead of the regular school shoes, she had her own black ones. She was focused on her notebook, which she was drawing in.

"Oi Nattie, none 'a the others get 'ere yet?" Killjoy said, slightly startling the girl.

"N-no, it's just me." Natalie said in a small voice. Killjoy decided then to introduce them.

"Jackie, meet Natalie Ouellette, the Ultimate Artist. Nattie, meet Jackie. He's from the Reserve Course." Killjoy introduced.

Natalie Ouellette - Ultimate Artist - Nationality: Canadian - Very polite, but very lonely(but not for long).

"I-it's nice to m-meet you." Natalie stuttered softly, nervously reaching out for a handshake. Jack's disposition softened at meeting her, taking her hand softly yet firmly.

"It's nice to meet you too." Jack said. They made some small talk and found out that she was also moderately sophisticated, which he could've guessed from her being the Ultimate Artist. Soon enough, they were joined by the other friend Killjoy invited. It was a girl with shoulder length blonde hair with pink and black streaks here and there. Her attire mainly consisted of the girls uniform shirt, but her lower body had a black and pink racing suit with the top tied around her waist. Her pink eyes gave off a wild vibe. She definitely knew how to party. He even noticed she had a lip ring.

"Hey guys, what's up?" She greeted.

"Chizu! You finally made it!" Killjoy exclaimed. Natalie tentatively shied away from the energetic blonde, while Jack smirked. He liked her already.

"What's up, name's Chizuru Tamazaki, Ultimate Racecar Driver. And yes, I'm not Japanese." She introduced.

Chizuru Tamazaki - Ultimate Racecar Driver - Nationality: American - Japanese by name, American everything else.

"Yeah, you definitely look American." Jack commented. Chizuru smiled over at him.

"Yeah. I take after my mom, who's American. Died during my birth so my dad named me." She said, scratching the back of her head, "Nice to meet you."

"Jack Serqet. New Jersey. And no, I don't talk like that." Jack said, catching the question brewing in her eyes. She smirked at that.

"Alright, alright, I gotcha." She said before looking at Natalie, who was looking uncomfortable. Luckily, one of Chizuru's talents(Not Ultimate) it making people comfortable, "Hey, you're in my class right? Natalie?"

"Y-yes, that's me." She said softly. Chizuru smiled warmly at her, easing Natalie's nerves.

"We never properly met so... It's nice to meet you." Chizuru said, sitting down next to Natalie. Jack turned back to Killjoy.

"So, what're we gonna do?" He asked, only to see a smug and cocky smile on the hacker's face.

"Tha's gonna be a surprise." Killjoy said, getting an unamused glare, "I'm not gonna ruin our fun by tellin' early."

"It doesn't ruin the fun, it just lets us know what's in store." Jack countered. Killjoy crossed his arms.

"I'm not tellin' an' tha's tha'." Killjoy adamantly refused. Jack sighed as he glanced back over at the girls. Chizuru was hugging Natalie, who, for someone so shut in as herself, was allowing it and enjoying it.

"Alright, let's just get a move on." Jack said. With that Killjoy turned and headed towards the campus gates, glancing back to make sure everyone was following him.

"Go-Karting? Really?" Jack asked the masked hacker, whose visor's eye lights became question marks to display his confusion. Jack sighed, "I mean, we have the Ultimate Race Car Driver with us. It's pretty obvious who'll win."

"Ah mate, it's not abou' winnin', it's abou' havin' fun. Tha's why we're 'ere." Killjoy said. They were in a mall, which also had an indoor go-karting track. Jack was about to retort when Chizuru spoke up.

"I'm, uh, actually better at driving real cars. Anything else like go-karts and motorbikes, I'm kinda average at." Chizuru said, rubbing the back of her head.

"It's fine. I'd have still gone even if you would completely smoke us." Natalie said, making Killjoy look at Jack with a ';)' emoji on his visor, making Jack scoff and slightly smile.

"Alright, let's go." Jack said as he headed in. As the last member of the group entered the indoor go-kart track, a figure caught sight of them from across the mall's walkway.

"Well now, what's this? My dear classmates associating with a pathetic Reserve Course student? Seems I must remind them of the ramifications if they are associated with trash like that." He said as he crossed the walkway and stood outside to wait for them, before realizing they might be in there for a while, and heading into the bookstore a few shops down from it, "Itto-san did say she needed a book about new filming techniques. I suppose I'll get it for her, even if she does end up using it for her own perverted desires."

Inside the go-karting establishment, the four waited in line to drive the karts. Jack stood in front of the group with his arms crossed.

"I still think this isn't the best idea." He said, only getting Killjoy's scoff in return.

"Well, we're not 'ere for you, ya bloody downa', an' I don' rememba' askin' for your opinion." Killjoy said. The girls attention was drawn as the boys began to argue.

"The great thing about opinions? I can give them whenever I want."

"Guess you're one'a those people who can't keep their mouth shut."

"Oh that's rich, coming from you."

"An' what's tha' supposed ta' mean?"

"It means you never keep your mouth shut!"

"I 'ave the right ta' say wha' I wan'!"

"Then I should have the right to say my opinion!"

"Not if it's stupid!"

"What'd you say, punk?!"

"You wanna go right now?! I'll take you on!"

Their fighting was interrupted by Natalie laughing, the boys and Chizuru looking at her sudden outburst, with the racer giving a small smile and the boys looking back at each other an shrugging. Natalie noticed them looking at her, and shrunk into herself a bit.

"I'm sorry, it's just... how fast you two started fighting was really funny." Natalie tried to defend herself but Killjoy waved it off.

"Nah, it's fine luv, 'appens all the time." Killjoy reassured her. Natalie brightened at the assurance.

"Yeah, especially with the stupid bullshit that comes out of this dumbass's mouth." Jack said, provoking Killjoy.

"Wot was tha' mate? You wanna fookin' go?" Killjoy said, getting in Jack's face, only for Chizuru to hold him back.

"Easy killer, let's not give the staff a reason to throw us out before we even go once." She reasoned. Just then, the attendant called them for the next round. After five laps, they learned that what Chizuru said was correct. She was pretty average at go carts. Either that, or she was lying and didn't want to scare off Natalie.

Either way, Killjoy ended the session in first, Natalie following behind him, Chizuru almost passing her up in third, and Jack in last, thanks in no small part to Killjoy t-boning him twice, making him lose precious time. By the time they finished, it was 5:00.

"You guys wanna get something to eat? It's almost dinner time." Chizuru asked. Natalie nodded her head while check marks appeared in Killjoy's visor, meaning 'yes'.

"Sounds good to me." Jack said. They entered back into the mall and were on their way to a nearby restaurant(Natalie wanted ice cream after so they decided to hit up a Dairy Queen) when they were stopped by a figure. A teen boy.

"Well, well, well. Do my eyes deceive me, or is that Natalie Ouellette out and about with actual people." The teen said. Chizuru sighed while Killjoy turned to the boy.

"Mind your own fookin' business Ellis." He said. Ellis' eyes moved to the hacker.

"Ah Killjoy, is there anywhere you don't wear your mask? Tell me, does your mother ever see your face anymore?" Ellis asked. Killjoy just about threw himself at Ellis before Jack and Chizuru held him back, "My, my, you didn't have to get that worked up."

"Don't fookin' talk 'bout my mum." Killjoy sneered. It was clear that he hated this Ellis. In fact, Chizuru's face held distain for this new arrival, and Natalie looked like she was going to shrink into herself.

"So who's this jackass?" Jack asked. He expected the teen to be appalled and the name, but instead he just smiled.

"My name is Ellison Gacy, and I am the Ultimate Public Speaker, but if you call me the Ultimate Politician, I wouldn't mind. And you, are Reserve Course trash." Ellis said. Jack narrowed his eyes and smirked at the insult.

Ellison Gacy - Ultimate Public Speaker - Nationality: American - Tends to say things that make others mad.

"Y'know, for someone who's supposed to have a way with words, I would'a thought you'd come up with a better insult." Jack challenged. Ellis smirked in return. He was smart, he wouldn't fall for the bait.

"I see what you're doing. You're smarter than I thought. I'll take my leave now as my goal here wasn't to talk to you all. I just happened to run into you. Farewell classmates." Ellis said, turning and walking off, before stopping and looking back at Jack, "And I know I'll see you again. You are Killjoy's best friend."

As he walked off, Jack's smirk fell, "What an asshole."

"God, I fucking hate him." Chizuru scoffed, "Everyone in the class does."

Natalie had teared up just being in his presence. Killjoy was holding her so she'd stop shaking, "Don't know how the Chairman hasn't kicked 'im out yet."

"Hey, what's with Natalie?" Jack asked, concerned. Killjoy sighed.

"First month 'ere, he targeted 'er specifically. Made 'er feel real bad 'bout 'erself." He explained.

"I'm an artist. I draw and paint big pictures and stuff, but in my spare time, I like to draw..." Natalie softly said, glancing around, "...some stuff I don't wanna talk about."

"Don't know what she likes to draw, but somehow he found ou'. Thinks he's taking some moral high ground by not telling us, but he tormented 'er. After a month he got bored or somethin'. Now she starts shakin' whenever he's around out of class." Killjoy explained.

"I can't help it. I'm scared of him. Between him and Duncan's bullying, it's easy to be scared." Natalie said, starting to cry. Killjoy panicked and didn't know what to do. Chizuru came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Let me." She said. Killjoy was replaced by Chizuru who hugged her, "It's alright. We're here. He can't hurt you now that you've got us. He can talk all he wants, but Jack here'll scare him off."

Jack nodded, "Damn right."

Just then, a grumble came from Natalie's stomach, causing her to stop shaking and start blushing. Jack smiled.

"On to more pressing matters... let's get something to eat before Natalie's stomach decides it's time to start devouring itself." Jack suggested. Chizuru nodded as she and Natalie split.

"Lucky for us, there's a Dairy Queen ov'a there." Killjoy pointed out.

"It's a good idea," Natalie started, looking at the skylight. It was getting dark now, "The day's almost over."

"Man, time really got away from us." Jack said as he looked too. No one noticed the small frown that placed itself onto Natalie face at the words.

"Well, what are you guys standing there for, let's go!" Chizuru said, ahead of the three.

They had stayed for another hour before heading back to Hope's Peak. Even though he was constantly annoyed by the Brit, Jack was glad Killjoy dragged him out to meet some of his classmates. Having Chizuru and Natalie as friends really helped him through the day, and he definitely had more fun than staying at his warehouse and playing games until sundown. Breaking off from the three after exchanging numbers with the girls, Jack walked down an empty city street.

Jack looked up at the black June sky. So many stars made it bright out, bright enough to see someone following him.

"As much as I appreciate being followed by a model, I gonna have to ask you to stop stalking me." Jack said to the figure behind him. Stepping out of the shadows was a girl just under 5'9"(In her heels) with long dark brown hair. She wore the main course's uniform, replacing the school jacket with her own puffy one with fur lining. This was Kyoka Hayashi, the Ultimate Model, and one of Killjoy's classmates

Kyoka Hayashi - Ultimate Model - Nationality: Japanese - A Model whose family is a part of the Kuzuryu Clan. A yakuza in disguise.

"I had to make sure-"

"Of what? Me not revealing who I work for? I'm not stupid Kyoka. I know what'll happen if I reveal I work for the yakuza. Besides, if you're there, why is it my job to scout out the place for Fuyuhiko?" Jack asked, cutting Kyoka off. She was silent for a few moments as he had a point.

"Would you turn down payment?" She finally asked. Jack scoffed.

"Hell no."

"Then don't ask questions. Remember, you work for us." Kyoka threatened.

"How can I forget. It's not like I've been working for mafias and yakuzas for the last however many years of my life." Jack said, rolling his eyes. Before Kyoka could retort, he continued, "Look Hayashi, I get that you don't like me, but don't worry. I can keep our shared involvements a secret. Besides, if I'm gonna be there, a few friends won't hurt, would it?"

Kyoka remained silent, thinking over his words before agreeing, "It's... alright, I suppose."

"Okay then." Jack said, turning around.

"There's just one thing."

"Of fucking course there is. What's the prob...lem?" Jack said, turning back around, sentence trailing off as he saw Kyoka's timid demeanor.

"I want to be friends with Natalie, but... I think she's too scared of me." Kyoka admitted, embarrassed.

"That's your problem?" Jack asked, incredulous. Kyoka's face snapped up to him, scowling.

"Don't make fun of me!" The model shouted.

"I'm not, I'm not. Look, if you have a problem with that, just ask Killjoy. He's really good at getting her to come out of her shell." Jack recommended.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Trust me, He'll definitely help you. He wants Natalie to have more friends than just him, me, and Chizuru." Jack explained, "Ask him tomorrow and get back to me on how it goes, alright?"

"Okay. I will." Kyoka said, less embarrassed.

"Good. Now it's really late, and I don't wanna keep you from sleep, so... I'll see you next time." Jack said, waving goodbye.

"Yes, okay. I'll see you later." Kyoka said as she started to walk away. After a few feet, she stopped and turned her head to Jack, "You know Jack, you're not as bad as I thought."

"Same to you. Now get going." Jack said as he walked away. He only walked a few feet before...

"I'd definitely be able to 'elp 'er ou'"

Jack jumped as he looked to his left, seeing Killjoy leaning on a building. The brit's face mask gave a ':)' in amusement.

"What the hell, man?! How long were you there?!" Jack asked Killjoy.

"The whole time."

"So you know about..." Jack trailed off.

"I've always known." Killjoy said, surprising, "After all, I work fa' them too."

"You do?" Jack asked as Killjoy nodded.

"Yeah. They hired me to keep the records relatively clean fa' Kyoka. Same thin' goes fa' Fuyuhiko an' Peko." Killjoy explained. Jack crossed his arms and shifted his weight.

"Kizakura's already got them pinned for next year, huh?" Jack asked, Killjoy nodding in response, "Huh. Well, anyways what are you doing out here? You follow me too?"

"Yea, I did." Killjoy casually admitted, making Jack sweat drop.

"Why?"

"Well, I saw ya' headin' ou', but not to the Reserve Course dorms. You got ya' own place ou' 'ere or somethin'?" Killjoy asked.

"Yeah, I do. It's a small warehouse that I cleaned and decorated using the money I already had from the Kuzuryu's. It's pretty late, and I got another bed so, you wanna crash?" Jack asked.

"You say tha' like I wasn't already plannin' to." With that, the two boys headed into town, reminiscing on the day they spent. Jack was thankful for Killjoy's stubbornness as now he had two new friends. Even though his relationship with Kyoka is still rocky, he thinks they've made some progress. Looking back to the sky, the American wondered aloud.

"I wonder what tomorrow brings?"