HEY GUYS! Pupla here! Long time no see!

Yeah! Bet you didn't expect me to come back one day, did ya?!

Then again, Jibster managed to beat me on this point.

Oh well…

Anyway, really, sorry about that big delay. You know, school and stuff. BUUUUT I'm back! The big hiatus is finally over! YEAAAH!

And yeah, I know no one cared. I just want to be funny, m'kay?

Secondly, I would like to make some shout outs: King Kimi for being an amazing pal as always, wesst1 for his pieces of advice and jean010 for inspiring me. Especially for the writing style.

Thirdly, as I said before, this will be the very chapter that will officially begin this journey. And boy, is it hard to start at last! I mean, compared to the rest, I had to plan for many other chapters in advance, and I'm SOOOO not used to do that at all! So please, tell me if I'm doing well, okay? Thanks in advance.

So, the characters I will make appear will be at a very specific order this time. You will figure out everything by reading. Are we good? Perfect. Also, more OC and more eventful characters. For those who searched in the latest chapters… I think you know where this is going.

And just a quick warning. This chapter will be a little different from the others. How? I'll let you find out.

Anyway, enjoy!

CONQUERING HOPE CHAPTER 7:

WEEK OF ADAPTATION, DAY 1

"*yawn* Well, here it is. It's finally the big day."

It was indeed. Makoto yawned as he slowly woke up from his slumber. His alarm clock displayed the current time of the day, which was 6:30 am. Since today was the beginning of an important week for him - and most importantly for his friends of the Reserve Course, he hoped -, he decided to get up a little earlier just so he could prepare himself well. But he didn't want to wake up his younger siblings, so he just opted to go to sleep early the day before. So, he began to move slowly and silently in order not to disturb the three young boys in his bedroom. He headed up to the bathroom and decided to take a quick shower before taking care of his entire face. And just after finishing brushing his hair and teeth-

KNOCK KNOCK!

"Dear? Are you done here?"

"Yes, Kaa-san! Almost!" he answered, looking at the closed door. "Is something wrong?"

"You have a visitor. One of your teacher just came inside."

"Uh?" Now that's something Makoto did not expect. A visit? This early? "Who is it?"

"She said she couldn't wait, and that she needed to give you something that belongs to you. She is in the kitchen right now."

Makoto thought about it for a moment. A teacher? Who wanted to give him something that belongs to him? That seemed important. "W-well, okay, Kaa-san. Tell her I'll be down in a minute!"

"Okay, dearie. I'm taking care of things." He heard her say, with a very light chuckle. "But hurry, okay? It's impolite to make a woman wait, you know."

"P-please don't say things like that…" Makoto whispered as he heard his mother moving away, letting change into his usual attire. In two minutes, he was done, so he opened the door, went down the stairs, and opened the kitchen's door-

"Ah, Naegi-kun! Good morning to you!"

If Makoto wasn't surprised before, then this broke the dam. "Y-Yukizome-sensei?!"

Yup. One of the teachers at the school just came home this early to greet him. And Chisa looked really glad to see the boy. "I'm so glad to see you're awake! I was a little afraid that you were still asleep and that I would bother you, but I'm glad I didn't!"

"H-hello there, Sensei." The Luckster greeted her nervously, still a little shaken by this turn of event. "I-I heard that you wanted to give me back something?"

"Oh! Right!" She beamed with joy, then put her hand inside of a bag she brought along with her, and lifted it up. "There! It's as fresh as new, just like it's supposed to be!"

Makoto widened his eyes in shock. "Uh? B-but that's… that's my school uniform!"

"I heard about what happened with that rotten orange Kizakura-san, so I decided to wash it!" she exclaimed, all the while pouting in anger. "Really, dirtying a student's uniform like that with his puke! I keep telling him not to drink during his job, but he just never listens!"

Now that peeked the parent's interest and surprise, especially the father Kotoya, who didn't seem pleased with the news. "Really now? A drunk teacher? And he's the one responsible for what happened to the condition of my son's uniform?"

"Yes! He's been a teacher for some time now, and he also works as the school's scout!" Chisa explained before eyeing Makoto straggly. "I thought you told them, Naegi-kun."

"W-well, I-"

"You never said it was a teacher who did this!" His mother Mariko interrupted his nervous explanation. "A teacher who literally throw up on a student! And on my child no less!" She eyed him in a reprimanding tone. "You told us that it was nothing serious!"

"B-because it isn't! It really isn't!" Makoto tried to refute, clearly embarrassed because of the situation. "Yes, Kizakura-sensei is a little carefree-"

"That's a nice way to put it, Naegi-kun."

"-but he never meant for that to happen! It was just an accident!"

"Do you really expect this to excuse anything?" The paternal figure answered, not backing down. "He is supposed to be a teacher, and yet he manages to find a way to bring alcohol at school, abandoning his students in the process!" He then looked at the former Housekeeper with a serious look and asked, "He did not seem like that when we met him. Does this happens frequently?"

"Unfortunately, yes, sir." The young woman sighed. "He knows how to be dependable, but… really, I think the Headmaster is being too nice to him in that regard. Even though they are friends, I don't think it should be allowed."

"And you would be more than right to think so." The mother said in a reprimanding voice. "Even the Headmaster know about this and apparently does nothing to stop this. And to think he seemed like a reasonable man… and he's the one in charge of Hope's Peak Academy, on top of that! You would expect the teachers here to be more responsible than this!"

"I know, right?" Chisa shared the same amount of disapproval in her voice. "Thankfully, that's why I and my friends joined the school! We want to make it a better place!"

Makoto couldn't help but smile lightly as the conversation between them went on, despite him being in an awkward position. Sure, he had to hide the truth from his parents, but at the very least it offered some subject of conversation…

"Aniki? What's going on?"

And perhaps they would have gone further if they didn't hear a tiny, tired voice at the door. Everyone turned towards the voice to see Nagisa, still in his pajamas, his confused eyes scanning the room he was in, which slightly surprised Makoto. Even if he knew about his younger sibling's tendency to wake up early, this was a little earlier than usual. "Nagisa? What are you-"

But Chisa was quick to interrupt him to greet the little boy with a smile. "Hey there, little one! I'm sorry, did we woke you up?"

The poor little boy couldn't help but blush slightly at seeing an older woman in his house, and closed slightly the door so she couldn't see him. "N-no, miss, but-"

"Nagisa dear, why are you up so early?" Mariko asked the Lil' Ultimate Social Studies.

"I heard you talking about something important, so I decided to check on everyone," Nagisa answered, still hiding. "Masaru and Jataro are starting to wake up. And I also heard Komaru waking up, so I believe the girls will join us soon."

"Ah! Perfect!" Kotoya said, looking satisfied to hear that. "Okay, Nagisa. Tell everyone to get dressed, okay? You must look perfect for today, I'm sure you know that."

"Understood." And with that, the little boy closed the door and went to do as he was asked to.

"You didn't need to tell him that, sir." Chisa looked at the man of the house. "I mean, yes, it is an important day, but he looked so shy…"

"That's because he was in front of a grown woman, madam. Nothing to worry about." The man assured all the while smiling. "I mean, kids at this age are usually like this. I know what I'm talking about."

"Oh, you and your remarks…" his wife reprimanded him with an amused smile, knowing about her husband's antics. She then turned over Chisa and told her, "I'm still not really used to see any of my youngest children getting up so early. I guess that they have gotten so close to their brother that they felt like they had to wake up with him…"

"Really?" Now that peeked the former Housekeeper's interest, as she looked at Makoto with a… odd stare. "Naegi-kun, I'm really glad that you care about your younger siblings, but… don't you think you should let them grow up at their own rhythm?"

The Luckster sweatdropped at this statement. "W-well, I think so too, b-but if they are the one who wants to wake up at this hour… do I even have a word in this?" he explained nervously. "Besides, you did say-"

"That they should treasure their youth! I know full well what I said!" Chisa interrupted him, looking at him as would a teacher to her student when the latter did something bad…

Which was perfectly appropriate when you think about it.

"Naegi-kun, I know you're trying to help them, but you can't just let them get this early! Kids at this age need all the energy they can have! I'm not saying that they should sleep all day, now that would only make them early rotten oranges. But you have to think of the perfect balance in order to give them the best childhood possible! Besides…"

And as his teacher was scolding him in front of his amused parents, Makoto could only stare down at the floor, and one thought crossed his mind.

"Please, Atua, or any God out there… have mercy on me."

"And thank you again for letting me have some breakfast with you, Naegi-san! I hope I didn't disturb you too much!"

"Nonsense, dear Yukizome-san! It's a real pleasure to receive someone who is close to our son!"

"Hehe, you're not wrong with that. I and your son have a good relationship, right?"

"Yeah, it's true. But I guess it's nothing new to anyone here, right?"

"You've got that right, son. It's expected from you, after all."

The parents were happily talking to Makoto's teacher, and seemed very pleased to see that she was getting along very well with their son. Since they offered her to have breakfast with her (or rather, had a cup of tea with them), they decided to kill time with some chit-chat. And if their first encounter during the first year has left a good impression of her, this reinforced it. They seemed to be in a good relationship… even though they are unaware of the teacher's methods if things went too out of control. Or about her certain feelings about their son. Then again, perhaps it was for the best. Anyway, the conversation between them went really smoothly, thank God for that.

Or maybe Atua would be more appropriate here.

"Heck yeah! Nii-san rocks!"

"Yeah! Makoto-nii is the best big brother ever! PERIOD!"

"U-uuurm… I think you guys are embarrassing him…"

"D-don't worry about it, Jataro…"

"That's a deserved praise if you ask any of us, Aniki. You shouldn't be so modest."

"That's Naegi-onii for you, Nagisa. Always so humble and generous… just like we love him!"

"Ooooh, just look at them! It's just like at school! Naegi-kun's little group of supporters is simply adorable!"

"W-well, it's not completely wrong, but… p-please stop already…"

But that did not prevent Makoto from being teased time to time, while he was taking care of the kids. He did participate to the conversation with the adults time to time, but since the Warriors of Hope wanted some of their brother's attention, he had to watch over them with his sister, which means that he also had to "endure" the jokes of those who couldn't help it.

Speaking of his sister, she was surprisingly calmer than the rest. Usually, she would join in the fun with her siblings and her parents, much to her brother's embarrassment and her amusement. But today was different. And what was different, you may ask? Why, our surprise guest, of course! Which happened to be a member of the school her brother went. And a girl. An older girl. And a teacher. Who couldn't help but secretly look at her brother with… tender eyes.

Like in some… special manga she'd read in secret.

She was not dumb. She knew what was going on. Or at the very least, she had an idea about what was happening inside of that young woman's head right now… and she did not like where this was going. Not in the slightest.

Why was she the only one noticing what the heck was going on?!

"Well, he's right, kids!" Chisa then instructed the Warriors of Hope with her commanding yet tender tone. "Today is an important day, not just for Naegi-kun here, but also for the Academy! So we count on you to behave, okay?"

"YES, MA'AM!"

"Y-you didn't need to tell them that, Sensei…" Makoto sweatdropped at the scene. "B-besides, aren't you overreacting a little?"

"Not at all! This is an important day, like I said!" The teacher rebutted, frowning at him like… okay, you get the idea. "You worked for this event to happen, because you were worried about those poor students! And now, the school has listened to your idea, and is ready to help them like they should! So where is your spirit?! I want you to smile, because just like I told you the other day, everything is going to be fine!

"She is definitely right, honey." Mariko followed her, smiling proudly to her boy. "You are literally dedicating yourself to their cause. You shouldn't think about it, son. Isn't it your thing to be optimistic?"

"T-that's maybe true, but…" Makoto chuckled awkwardly at his mother's claim. "I can't help but being a little nervous, you know? I guess that's also a part of me."

"You are right about that part, son." Kotoya laughed lightly as soon as he heard his son's explanation, explanation that also made everyone else in the room chuckle. His father then continued all the while smiling. "But you should definitely listen to the girls. I know it can a stressful task, especially at your age. But you made it this far. So might as well give everything you've got until the end, right?"

"Yeah! It's like I told you, you know!"

"K-Komaru?"

Everyone looked at the young teenager, who had kept quiet the whole time, and decided to break the silence she was giving to everyone. "I told you, you can't feel hesitant now! You have no reason to!" She winked at him in a playful way. "It's you we're talking about now. You'll make this event worth it for everyone. I just know it."

"YAY!" The kids cheered in order to support their siblings, and so did Chisa.

"You've heard your sister now, Naegi-kun! Everyone is counting on you now! Don't let them down like that, okay?"

The young girl sweatdropped at this. "T-that's not what I meant, but-"

DING!

"Uh? Is someone here?" Everyone then turned to the door as soon as they heard the sound of their doorbell. Chisa then turned towards Makoto and asked, "Did you tell someone to go to school with you today, Naegi-kun?"

"N-no, Sensei, I'm not waiting for anyone." He answered before widening his eyes in realization as he went towards the door. "Ah, but it shouldn't have stopped them to stop by. After all, that's what some of them did the other day."

"Is that so?"

"Yup. Not that it tells us who is ringing now, but I think we can assume that it's them again." He explained as he opened the door-

"Ah! Naegi-kun! Good to see that you're good to go again!"

"Seriously, Murasame, you need to work on your greetings… hey, Naegi-kun."

"M-Murasame-senpai? Ikuta-senpai?"

"What? Are you surprised to see us in front of your house again?" Kotomi asked him, looking at him while smiling in a smug manner. "I know you said you would be ready, but, you know, safety first. You know how I work. Besides, Murasame wouldn't want to go to school without you today."

"Why are you saying this, Kotomi-san?" Soushun asked her, looking surprised by what she said. "Aren't you happy to go with one of our dear friends?"

"Of course I am! But I knew that you would talk to him for, like, forever!"

"I wouldn't have!"

"You totally would have!"

"Well, this is surely a surprise!" Chisa said, popping out from behind Makoto, looking at them smiling happily. "Hello there! I take that you are both ready for today?"

That of course surprised the two teenagers, and the Politician did not hesitate to voice it for himself and his friend. "Y-Yukizome-sensei?! What are you doing here?!"

"I had to deliver something to Naegi-kun! I couldn't wait for him at school, so I decided to give him a friendly visit!" She then smiled at the Luckster. "Your family is really sweet, you know that? It was a real pleasure!"

"I-I'm glad, Sensei. I return the-"

"Well, this is a surprise…" Kotomi interrupted him, earning a pout from Chisa, which went unnoticed by the Journalist. "I'm pretty sure Kuzuryu will share this statement."

"Uh?" Now that surprised Makoto. So the two of them were not alone this time? "Y-you mean-"

"S-sensei?! W-what the hell are you doin' here?!"

"Oi, what the- you mean someone is in Naegi's house too?! And it's your teach?!"

"Oh man, Naegi-chi already has his hands full! Just my luck!"

"N-Naegi-senpai! Yukizome-sensei!"

The Luckster looked towards the voices different owners to see a small group of his friends in their school uniforms, together, looking at him, surprised at the development they were seeing.

Well… maybe together was not the most appropriate term to pull it. After all, it was the Kuzuryu siblings we were talking about. Indeed, Fuyuhiko and his sister Natsumi looked like they were going to start a fight at any moment, and knowing their tempers, anyone who heard about them knew that getting in their way or messing with them was a bad idea at best, a death sentence at worst. And the poor naïve and clumsy person of Yasuhiro Hagakure would probably have been the poor one if not for the intervention of Kaede Akamatsu, who was between him and the young gangsters… not without giving the older boy some reprimanding glance.

Man, that sure is a way to start off a day, isn't it?

"What is going on now, you rotten oranges?!" Chisa entered into her teacher scolding mode, quickly getting to her students with a frown on her face. "Can't you see that you are already drawing attention with whatever you are doing?! And why are you all ganging up on Hagakure-kun, uh?"

"T-that's not our fault! T-that idiot still owes us a lot of money, ya know!" Fuyuhiko started nervously, knowing full well what would happen if he said something wrong, which was why he avoided cursing as much as possible. "I-I mean, for heaven's sake, he managed to swindle my sis! That does deserve some retribution, right?"

"You're god damn right about that!" Natsumi followed quickly, not taking as much as precautions as her brother, pointing the Clairvoyant with her finger. "That bastard still need to pay!"

"Yikes!"

"Now, now, young lady," Chisa approached the group, with a slight frown on her face. "First of all, I will ask you not to curse now. You see, there are children here which are listening. Secondly, don't you think you can resolve that… arrangement of your in a better place than in front of your friend's house?"

"It's not our fault, you know?!" The Yakuza's sister replied. "My bro just wanted to come at Naegi's home for no reason and-"

"What the hell do you mean by no reason?!" Fuyuhiko refuted quickly and abruptly. "You came out with a fu- I mean freaking bruise on your cheek yesterday! And you're so stubborn you wouldn't even tell me what happened!"

"I told you, nothing happened! It was just an accident on my part!"

"You really think I'm going to believe some stupid bullcrap like that?! That's why I'm here! And since I can't even trust you to tell me the truth…" he then turned towards Makoto and yelled, "Oi, Naegi! Come down here! Ya owe me an explanation, and ya better not follow her example!"

"Don't tell Nii-san what to do!" Masaru started, not liking the tone that guy was using against his big brother. "He doesn't own you-"

A hand on his shoulder was enough to stop him. "It's alright, Masaru. Everything is fine."

"A-are you sure?" Jataro asked, clearly looking scared of the young man. "H-he look really aggressive…"

"Don't worry, it will be okay." He reassured him by putting his other hand on his shoulder. "I'll go talk to him and everything will be cleared."

"I-I'm not sure this will go just like that, to be honest…"

"Well said, Naegi-kun!" Soushun shouted out, completely overhearing Kotomi's statement, much to her annoyance. "Comrades shouldn't fight like that! We are better than this!"

"D-does it concerns everyone?" Yasuhiro asked nervously. "I-I mean, I'm not too sure about-"

"I don't think it's a good idea for you to raise your voice now, Hagakure-senpai." Kaede interrupted him and gave him a judgmental look. "Not after those things you did. Besides, you still owe Naegi-senpai an apology."

"U-uh? An apology?"

"Yes. I think you know what I'm talking about, but if you don't, you know what? I'll trust Naegi-senpai to explain it to you." She then narrowed her eyes. "After all, I know he's not like you."

"W-what's that supposed to mean?!"

But his complain felt on deaf ears as the Pianist was soon joined by Kotoko who dragged Monaca's wheelchair. "Hey, Akamatsu-san/Akamatsu-onee!"

"Hello, there! How are you two today, uh? Excited, I'm sure!"

"YAY!"

"And they would be right about that!" Chisa beamed in happiness, before pointing a direction. "Alright, everyone! It's 7:45 am now! School is not too far, but we wouldn't want to be late today on an important day, wouldn't we? So let's go!"

"YES, MA'AM!"

"Don't be so pumped up, idiot…"

"Okay. Lead the way, Sensei!"

"A-as long as I'm away from them…"

"Alright, alright, teach…"

"Tch… oi, Naegi, you comin' or what?"

"Y-yeah, I'm coming!" As his friends and siblings were patiently waiting for him, Makoto and Nagisa turned to their parents and Komaru to bid them goodbye. "Well, this is it. I sure hope it's going to be alright."

"Of course it will, sweetie. Don't worry too much about it, okay?" Mariko smiled sweetly at her son. "Go join your friends now."

"You heard her son. It's an important day after all." Kotoya joined her. "Don't make everyone wait."

"Have a good day, Onii-san!" Komaru greeted him goodbye. "Good luck, just in case! Even though you are the Ultimate Lucky Student!"

"I-I don't think it's that great of a talent…" Makoto sweatdropped before smiling again "You too, guys. See you tonight!"

And with that, the Luckster left his family behind, joining his friends with Nagisa… who looked at him in a worried manner. "Aniki?"

"Yes?"

"What are going to say to your friend then?"

Now Makoto looked nervous. "I-I… I'm going to be honest now. I have no idea."

Nagisa then sighed in defeat. "You are too kind for your own good sometimes…"

It was a beautiful day outside. The birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, the sun which was already high in the sky was being bright as always, and only a few clouds were disturbing it… the perfect weather for a walk, you might say.

"I can't fuckin' believe you let that happen to my sis, god damn it! What the fuck am I supposed to tell my old geezers, uh?!"

"K-Kuzuryu-senpa-"

"Don't fucking shout at him, Fuyuhiko! Seriously, why do you have to make it like it's a big deal?!"

"Some bastard punched you right in the cheek, and you want me to shrug it off?! I call it bullshit! And why the fuck did you made him promise to keep his mouth shut?!"

"Because I fuckin' knew you would react like that! And how the hell was he supposed to know that this was gonna happen?! I don't need you to make a scene because of it!"

"I'm your big brother, for fuck sake! What am I supposed to do, uh?!"

Ah, but… it would be kind of hard if someone took advantage of that walk to "resolve things", as Makoto would put it politely, wouldn't it? Well, even if he tried to help, they just wouldn't listen to him. If only there was something that would make them stop was near him…

"Kids! I think you did enough for today! We wouldn't want any students to watch this, okay?"

Like their teacher's warning, for instance. And apparently, it was enough to calm them down… for a little while, at the very least.

"Tch! Good grief…" Fuyuhiko grunted under his teeth as Chisa's warning, before sighing heavily and eyeing Makoto with a scorn on his face as he spoke once more. "That better not fucking happen again, Naegi. I can let it slide, but only once, 'kay?! Fuck, you promised me, man!"

"I-I know…" The Luckster gave him a small and nervous smile. Well, at the very least, he seemed to try to control his anger this time, which was a good thing.

"Oi, don't talk behind my back like that!" Natsumi angrily told her brother with a quieter tone, not appreciating the fact that she was being excluded by her own brother. "Seriously, will you cut it out?!"

"I want to make sure that you can walk outside without taking the risk of getting injured, and look at you! If I see the moron-"

"Then I'll deal with him myself! Damn it, I don't need you to take care of me every fucking day!"

"Then why did this happened?!"

"Because it did, that's all!"

"G-guys, we don't want Sensei to-"

"I can still hear you, you know!"

From afar, Chisa was keeping an eye on the trio, just to make sure that nothing bad happened between them. Thank God, her training was extreme and very appropriate for the moment. Because she could watch for those three from afar…

All the while keeping her other eyes on the other four students and five children.

"Aw, man, I'm glad I'm not between those three!" Yasuhiro happily exclaimed carelessly, crossing his arms. "I knew I could count on Naegi-chi to take care of things for me!"

"Wait, what does it mean, uh?! That you're seeing him as nothing more but some kind of object?!" Kotomi looked at him, furious about what she just heard. "He is your class representative, for crying out loud!"

"And your friend, too!" Kaede followed very quickly. "Do you honestly think that you can just use him however you want?!"

"Classmates and friends should not behave like this towards each other!" Soushun was quick to speak his mind out. "How can you possibly inspire the other students if you can't even take care of your friends?!"

"Yeah! What about his feelings, you big meanie?!" Kotoko intervened as well with the same tone. "You would totally abandon Makoto-onii if you had the chance!"

"W-what? N-no, I wouldn't!" Hiro defended himself, putting his arm in front of his face in defense. "I-I was just-"

"No excuse, mister." Chisa scolded him with a glare. "You still have to learn to take care of your classmates. You've got a long way to go, rotten orange."

"A-again with that?!"

"Please! It doesn't even fit him!" Masaru mocked. "He looks more like a dead palm tree to me!"

The Clairvoyant looked at the kid in shock. "A-a dead palm tree?! Seriously?!"

"I-is it because of his haircut?" Jataro asked timidly. "D-does that mean he will turn into one?"

"WHAT?!"

"No, silly Jataro-kun! It just means that he looks like one!" Monaca laughed at her brother's question, before looking at Yasuhiro and putting her hand in front of her pouting face. "And I think it does fit him. At least, you know who you are dealing with him right on sight!"

But as usual, the older boy didn't catch the message quite right and started laughing. "He, you got that right, kiddo! Want me to tell you your future, you know who to call! They don't call me the Ultimate Clairvoyant for nothing, you know!"

Nagisa sighed at this remark. "I think we should let him be. He just won't understand a thing."

"Agreed."

"HEY!"

Everyone's approval, asides from Chisa and our trio at the back of the group, did not seem to please the Clairvoyant that much… not like they really cared anyway. Chisa was way too into her job to say anything, focusing on everyone instead, and yakuza siblings were still giving him cold glances time to time at his back, unbeknown for him, fortunately. As for our Luckster, he could only sweatdrop at his classmate's attitude. It was expected from him, of course, and he had gotten used to it. Besides, it seemed to have appeased the atmosphere of the group, so he was grateful for that.

He just wished his friend would think things through before doing anything stupid.

Alas, anyone could dream, right?

"Ah, kids! Here we are!"

And indeed, here they were. The gates of Hope's Peak Academy, the school they were attending, the best school in Japan officially, the school that only enrolled the best of the best, were in front of them… alongside many other students, Ultimates and Reserve Course students alike, with the latter being greeted by the school's other teachers who welcomed them in the friendliest way possible, and who looked genuinely happy to receive them.

Which was the exact opposite for the Security staff, which seemed to inspect each of the young people, ready to jump at them if they showed any suspicious behavior, as if they were nothing more but criminal scums.

Especially Juzo. That, Makoto noticed immediately after the Boxer gave him a sharp glance once he spotted him, making him shiver as much as the ten students did when it was their turns. If looks could kill, he thought he would die instantly. Why he was looking at him like that was beyond him, but he was not going to question it, if it meant avoiding a possible death sentence.

Fortunately, he didn't do it for too long when Chisa greeted him and said, "Sakakura-kun! Don't scare the new kids like that! It's not like they are going to do anything bad!"

"You never know for sure, Yukizome. I'm just doing my job, for God's sake." The Boxer scoffed, but looked less annoyed. "You may trust them, but I don't. And don't get me started on the guys from the public."

"Uh?" Hiro tilted his eyes in confusion. "The public?"

"Y-you mean… the people from outside the school?" Jataro whispered to the others, who nodded discreetly.

"They won't come until this afternoon! Well, the adult anyway, but I wouldn't see a kid wanting to mess with the school when the security is so tight! Besides, the number of people will be limited, and you know it!" The Housekeeper argued back, scolding her former classmate with a frown on her face. "I know you're worried about what could happen, but you really need to calm down and give the good example!"

Juzo looked at her neutrally, before giving her a loud and long sigh. "Fine, whatever. But I won't promise you anything if someone tries to play something funny."

Chisa pouted at him. "You're incorrigible…" She then looked at the students with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about him, kids! He's just making sure everything is under control, that's all!"

That got mixed results. Some students looked at her with sweat running down their front head, while other people shrugged it off, looking unconvinced. "I-if you say so…"

And Kaede seemed to notice some other people grumbling under their breaths, looking really displeased at the situation. Something that she decided to report to Makoto quietly. "I'm already hearing some unhappy people, Naegi-senpai…"

"I-I think I can imagine this…" The Luckster whispered back, fearing that the situation might go out of hands.

"Man, this guy sure looks scary…" Masaru was discussing the situation with the others. "He doesn't need to be so rough with them…"

"He's just a big meanie for me…" Kotoko answered him. "I bet it's the only thing he can do: being a jerk to everyone."

"If you want to insult me, at least do it in front of me."

They both yelped as they turned their heads up to see Juzo talking to them, sweating at the fact that the big guy was staring at them, not looking too pleased to hear some people talk bad about him behind his back.

"Sakakura-kun!"

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Just get them to the gathering on time, alright?" Juzo shrugged it off, not looking intimidated by Chisa's scolding in the slightest, before turning his head away and muttering quietly, "Dumb kids…"

Something that Kaede heard alright, but decided not to tell Makoto this time. Nobody needed to hear stuff that could make the situation even more awkward and tense than it already was.

"Y-yeah, can you please tell us where it is?" One of the Reserve Course students asked. "I-I mean, it's the first time we go inside the Main Course section, so…"

"No need to worry, dear students!" Soushun was very quick to volunteer, and this, with every inch of enthusiasm his body could possibly emanate. "As the President of the Student Council of Hope's Peak Academy, it will be an honor to help you during this journey of discovery and knowledge!"

"Uh?"

"What my friend is trying to tell you with his own words is," Kotomi was the one to come to their rescue by saying, "we'll be your guides for this week. We'll help you as much as we can. So just relax, okay?"

"O-oh. T-thanks, I guess…"

"Way to put up an introduction." Natsumi smirked, almost looking mocking him. "Well, at least, it's not the dude at the gates."

"Shhhh! You want him to ear us?!" Fuyuhiko was surprisingly the one who called her on her behavior. "Seriously, I don't need you to come back with another punch on your cheek, damn it!"

"Tch! Whatever."

"Fine then! It's time for us to go!" Chisa was the one who made the call to catch everyone's attention. "Everyone, it's time for us to go! Murasame-kun, Ikuta-san, please lead the way!"

"Yes, ma'am! This way, dear future comrades!"

"Seriously, stop. You're making them nervous…"

As the group walked towards their destination, Monaca tugged her brother's arm to get his attention. "Hey, Naegi-onii!"

"Yes? What is it, Monaca?"

"With who do you think you're going to pass the day with?" she asked curiously. "I mean, they probably have thought about some kind of program for the Week, right?"

"You mean… you don't know about what you're going to do?"

"We've been informed that we would receive our agenda for the week just after the gathering today." Nagisa answered, looking displeased at the fact while he was taking care of pushing Monaca's wheelchair. "If even the school do not take us seriously, how do you want those students to do so, uh? Did they even think their plans through?!"

"Um, actually… I-I think they didn't."

That got the kid's attention. "Uh? Naegi-onii?"

"I-I didn't have any kind of program for the week… and I don't think anyone else in my class did either…" Makoto laughed nervously. "In fact, I'm pretty sure only the Student Council has a glimpse about what's going to happen… pretty chaotic, I know, but at least someone is taking care of it, right? At least… I hope so."

Makoto's sweatdrop only made Nagisa scowl even more. "This is going to be just great."

"Hello, everyone. And welcome to Hope's Peak Academy. Yes, very typical introduction, I know. But you have to start off somewhere, right?"

Some laugh or chuckles could be heard in the large crowd established just at the center of the Main Course's fountain in the giant schoolyard, which had been completely remodeled – or rather, prepared for the event for the event, as many students were reunited in front of a large stage, with the principal doing his welcome speech – which was still typical again, but still – all the while the teachers from the Main Course and the trustees were all behind him, in separate groups, sitting on their chairs, waiting for what would happen next…

And while the teachers chuckled lightly, four of the five trustees looked rather annoyed by Jin's attempt at being humorous.

A cough from him was what made him become serious yet gentle again. "As you probably already know, I am Kirigiri Jin, the Headmaster of this school, and also the organizer of the Week of Adaptation." He made a quick pause. "And now, I believe it is time for a boring history session. No, you did not come here in order to get bordered, but hey, I do need to have some official information in order to back up my credibility. Being the Headmaster is not all sunshine and rainbow, you know?"

Again, some students laughed, and others groaned in annoyance… just like the majority of the Steering Committee, again.

"Ahem!" Jin coughed again before following. "Perhaps you are already aware of this. But when the school's founder, Kamukura Izuru, created the school in 1932, it was in order to make research about talent, and he believed that recruiting the best students at what they do was the best option to follow, as he affirmed that it would be the essence of hope for this country, and perhaps, he had hoped, for the world. And for the following 76 years after that, the school respected his wish to continue his methods."

Some people in the crowd were already chatting at this point, in good or bad manners, Makoto couldn't tell. He knew that some people might not be happy about what they just heard, considering what they had to do in order to enter the school, but he still hoped that nobody would make a scene now. He didn't need to be a genius to know that it would not end well for anybody… and especially not to the Reserve Course students.

"However," Jin's resumption made every discreet babbling end, "two years and half ago, we decided to open up the school to normal people just like you, because we thought that it was more than time for the school to evolve in the right direction, as I would like to put it. This opinion only engages me, of course… but I personally think that it wasn't right for people like you to be left out. I think that the founder's ideal was… put to the extreme when he was thinking like that, to be honest." He coughed nervously before continuing. "While I am interested in the notion of talent as well, I personally believe that talent… can be found in every person. We all have different experiences, and those experiences all brought us something. You probably guessed what I'm talking about."

He then smiled at the crowd. "That's why this event is happening today, and for the few days that will follow. We want you to help you discover your own talent. Your goal, your convictions… so you can finally have what you all deserve, what anyone deserves. A life when you can hope to the fullest."

Makoto couldn't help but smile at his turn when he heard that part of the Headmaster's speech. While he was not as interested in talent as the older man, considering his own, he saw that Jin genuinely cared about the Reserve Course students, just like him. He felt like he had some common points with him, and the fact that he got softer and nicer with the entire Academy since his relationship with Kyouko had been fixed was helping his relationship with him. He turned around to see that some students were smiling at this part as well. Apparently, some people were touched by his attention as well…

However, he also saw some other students who didn't look convinced by his speech. And he couldn't help but feel a little worried about it.

"So, with all of this said," Jin continued, "you might ask yourself, if what I said was true, then why would we take some time in order to put on something like this?"

"You're damn right about that."

"Shhhh!"

Makoto could hear two students speak silently. Apparently, someone here was not having any of this, but luckily, the remark was discreet enough not to be heard by the Headmaster who just continued. "Well, allow me to answer that for you. You see, while we wanted to make things right, we also wanted to make this feel right. What I mean is, after so many years with a set method, wanting to change it so suddenly would not have been the most… appropriate method, I should say. We wanted to prepare the field so we could take time and think about the best option to choose."

"Pcht, right."

"Shut up, dude."

Again, the two same voices. That did not help the Luckster's mood, but fortunately, it went unnoticed yet again by Jin who just followed. "That was the first reason. The second one is, I believed we needed time in order to think about something that would work for everyone. After all, as I said before, there are many students here, with various talents on different themes. So I think you will all agree when I will say that focusing on one aspect of the matter while forgetting about the others would be no good. We thought that some of you don't know what they want to do in the future, and so, if a certain field should attract you, you've got to have the will in order to follow the path you will choose. That's why we decided to wait in order to classify the different kinds of talents so you can expend your… visual field, should I say. We shared the idea with the Government when we created the Reserve Course department, and we agreed that putting everyone on the same boat immediately would not be the right thing to do. So we proposed to wait for some time in order to see if this method was paying off… and that's where you guys come in."

"Here we go…"

"Seriously, man, keep it down! We're gonna get caught."

For the third time, Jin was adamant at the fact that a student, probably a Reserve Course one, since Makoto did not recognize the voice of its owner, just voiced his voice in a negative way, and began to explain. "The contract we developed was simple: the Government would let us change things with the school, but to do so, we needed to see if the students in the Reserve Course really wanted to join the Main Course. That's why we talked about your exams in the papers when the news had been delivered. And after seeing that the majority of you managed to get this far, and considering that you signed up for three years in the school and you're about to get finished… well, I think you earned that right." He ended up with a smile before following. "I believe those things are steps that will give progress, not just to you, but also to the entire school. And I'm sure that this event, alongside everyone's efforts will pay off in the end. So, with that said, I believe this is where my long and boring speech ends. I hope you will have a nice week with our students, and that we will meet again in our school. Goodbye."

And with this, he bowed in respect in front of his students, earning applause from the majority of the students, who looked pleased by the Headmaster's speech… for the most part. After all, Makoto still remembered the things that some students said. It was still fresh in his mind. And it did not help him to calm down his uneasiness.

"You shouldn't think about those people, Naegi-kun."

"U-uh?!" Makoto yelped slightly in shock as he turned to his right side to see the one who just talked to him.

He didn't expect the person to be Sayaka. "H-how did she even manage to get next to me without being-"

"Oh, it wasn't easy, you know." The Idol answered him, not letting him the time to finish his thought. "Some girls were really happy to see me, so they stayed with me for a little while. I managed to separate myself from them, but who knows for how long?" She then giggled. "You know how fans are, right, Naegi-kun?"

Makoto stared at her briefly before sighing in a resigned tone. "I guess you're having a point here…"

"Uuum?" The girl looked at him curiously. "So you're not going to ask me how I got your thinking right this time?"

"Am I that predictable?"

"Teehee, you're not wrong on that part. You are the kind of guy that would worry about the tiniest of thing, you know." She smiled at him purely. "Not like this is a bad thing. In fact, this may be one of the things that distinguish you compared to other people. That's personally something I like about you, to be honest."

"M-Maizono-san…"

"But seriously, you don't need to worry about those people, Naegi-kun." She continued, ignoring the Luckster's slight red face. "Even considering hat I just said, you can't keep being like that all the time, or else you'll end up missing all the fun you can have. So try not thinking too much about it, okay?"

Makoto smiled sheepishly at her. "You really know how I feel by now, don't you?"

"It's not really hard, you know?" Sayaka laughed lightly. "After all, you're friend with a lot of people in the school, if not everyone. And we're classmates on top of that, so knowing you is not so hard-"

"MAIZONO-SAN!"

"It's really her?!"

"YES! That's a one-time opportunity!"

"HEY, CUT IT OUT, ALL OF YOU! SHE'S TALKING TO A FRIEND OF HERS!"

"Hey, who do you think you are to-"

WHAM!

"Oww!"

"WHAT WAS THAT?!"

"N-nothing, ma'am!

The two teenagers looked at the voices' owners to see a girly face with pink hair, who seemed to lead a small group of people who were apparently really happy to see the Idol… and who also seemed to reprimand them because of their impatience and attempt of rudeness.

And that face was familiar to the Luckster. "Y-you're-"

"Oh, hey there, Naegi-kun, was it?" The girl looked at him, recognizing him immediately, before smirking at him. "So you're friends with Maizono-san, too? First a recognized doctor, and now a famous idol? You sure know how to pick them?"

"U-uh?!"

"W-wait, what do you mean by that?!" Sayaka yelped in shock, before eyeing a very embarrassed Makoto. "N-Naegi-kun, who is this girl?! You never said anything about meeting a new girl!"

"I-it's someone I met during this weekend, Maizono-san," he explained awkwardly. "I-I didn't think about telling you guys because-"

"Probably because you already had enough on your plate." The girl laughed at his reaction, before talking to Sayaka. "Don't worry, he didn't do anything inadequate. I mean, he doesn't look like the kind of guy that would mess up…" She then growled. "Unlike my brothers…"

"O-oh?" The girl asked curiously. "A-and who are you?"

"Oh! Right! I haven't tell you my name yet! How impolite of me!" The girl gasped in shock at her own clumsiness, before introducing herself. "My name is Monzaemon Fumie, and it's really nice to meet you!" She then gestured behind them and said "Please forgive those guys too! They've been waiting to meet you for so long, that they couldn't contain their own fan hormones!"

"F-Fan hormones?!"

"HEY! Was that necessary?!"

"You know it was!"

"I-it's okay, Monzaemon-san! I-I'm used to it anyway!" Sayaka quickly answered with an awkward laugh, a little distraught by the girl's friendly, yet bossy reaction. "It's a part of being an idol…"

"Oh, but you shouldn't confront those problems all alone!" Fumie was quick to interfere. "That's why I came to find you!"

"Uh?"

"I wanted to accompany you today so I could protect, and also teach the others some good lessons!" Fumie exclaimed proudly. "Some students could learn some manners from you, and someone of your stature needs someone to look after you! And I'll be more than happy to be that person!" She proclaimed proudly. "Besides, it would allow us to have some girl-to-girl talk between us and our little group, right? I've already met one of your junior who is also in music, and she seemed to be okay with it! I really thought it through this time!"

"A-ahaha, that is a good way to put it!" The Idol began to laugh nervously. "B-but we can't really exclude my friend like that, you know? That would be impolite! L-let me ask him if he's okay with that, alright?" She then towards her friend. 'H-hey Naegi-kun-"

Only not to see him. "Uh?"

"Oh? You didn't see?" Fumie stated. "Some guy with dreadlocks came while we were talking and took Naegi-kun away. He probably needed him for important stuff.

"W-what?!"

But Sayaka did not have the time to complain more. The fans were still waiting for her, after all. That, she knew for sure, by the way they were advancing towards her

"M-MAIZONO-SAN!"

"IT'S REALLY HER!"

"I-I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN!"

"NO, IT'S ME!"

"WILL YOU ALL BE QUIET?! YOU'RE MAKING HER UNEASY!" The pink-haired girl shouted angrily at them, shielding her from the front with her body. She tilted her head back to her and said, "See? I'll be the perfect bodyguard for someone like you!"

"L-lucky me…" Sayaka laughed awkwardly, trying to reassure her newfound protector… all the while mentally cursing one particular name.

"Damn you, Hagakure-kun. You really needed to steal Naegi-kun from me, didn't you? You better not do anything bad to him, or else…"

"Hagakure-kun, did you really need to take me like that?!" The Luckster exclaimed once he arrived in his classmate's room in the school.

"I'm sorry, dude, but I really need your help now!" The Clairvoyant exclaimed, seeming a little panicked. "Without you, my future will be completely destroyed!"

"…did you run into trouble with Kuzuryu-senpai's family again?"

"What?! No way, dude! Are you crazy?!" Yasuhiro exclaimed panicked. "They almost killed me before! No way I'm messing with them ever again!"

"Oh, I know that all too well." Makoto sighed. "I was there too. You know, when they kidnapped both of us because of what you did to Kuzuryu-senpai's sister."

"How could I know she was his sis?!"

"Did you really needed to 'squeeze money out of her', as you like to put it?!" Makoto exclaimed, not having any of it. "Seriously, you need to think about the risks before pulling something like that!"

"I know now, dude, no need to lecture me for that!" the older boy protested. "But I really needed money, you know!"

"You need money all the time, Hagakure-kun."

"I've got my reasons! How am I going to take care of my collections without it?!"

"Again, did you really need to trick your clients in the first place? And if you really need money that much, don't you think that wasting it on potential forgeries would be one of the things you should absolutely avoid to do?" Makoto asked, before following. "Hagakure-kun, I can understand your needs, but you've got to think your plans through before acting! You're lucky that you're off the hook with Kuzuryu's family for now, but it won't always end so happily, you know!"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. I messed up, pretty bad." Yasuhiro sighed in defeat, knowing what his friend meant by it. "I've done pretty dumb things before, and I'm pretty sure that, if I followed like this, I would probably not be here with you to talk about it."

Makoto seemed to calm down a little after hearing what Yasuhiro said. "That's… good to hear."

"But that's why I need you right now! I've got to improve my game!"

Now that was not something that Makoto expected to hear. "Uh?" He looked up to him. "What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious? You're my assistant, you know?"

"W-what?"

"Come on, man! Don't tell me you don't already know the obvious! Hell, I'm pretty sure the whole class knows this by now!" The Clairvoyant laughed happily. "You're probably my best friend in the whole school, dude! I mean, everyone else is either annoyed by me for some reason, or they think that occult and fortune-telling is the same, and you know that I hate it!" He smiled proudly at him. "But you? You just take your time with me and you listen to what I've got to say. You just help me with my problems when I need it, dude. And I really appreciate that. I just wanted you to know this."

To say that Makoto was surprised would be an understatement. He never saw Yasuhiro act like that. Well, he was friendly for sure with some of his classmates, or at least he tried to be, but his… unique personality was making things difficult for sure, and he wouldn't blame the others for that… but he was glad that Yasuhiro could open up to someone freely, even if what he said in general was not the smartest things.

"Even Kaa-san is pretty happy to have you with us, I'm sure she told you this." The Clairvoyant continued. "She's glad that you help me and her when we need this, and she's really grateful for you about this, man." He then began to laugh again. "Hey, maybe that's a sign of affection that she's giving you! You might try your luck!"

And this… was one of those not so bright things.

"H-how about no…" Makoto muttered under his breath, which got unnoticed, fortunately.

"But you're right about one thing, dude. I've got to step up my game." The Clairvoyant followed. "Otherwise, my future will be… well, I don't know what it will be exactly, but I don't need to use my talent or my crystal ball to know that it won't be pretty!"

"I-it's not really a crystal ball by now…" Makoto laughed nervously at the statement… but deep down, he was rather proud of him, as weird as it seemed. Not only Yasuhiro, honestly one of the most… laidback student in the school, appeared to be conscious of his current situation and of the consequences of his actions, but he also seemed to have the motive to move on. He even already seemingly planned something in order to prepare himself, which was always a nice touch. All of this to step up his game-

'Stop counting on your luck to save you from now on. Step up your game, or else you will not have enough time to regret it.'

Ah… yes, this speech did sound familiar after all. Those words were the same that Kyosuke used that day in order to 'help' Makoto to improve. The Luckster was still shuddering at the thought of the Diplomat's stare in his eyes, and something about the man was quite cold for him…

Yet he could not deny the truth of his words. Yes, he would have to improve. Until now, everything worked fine in the end, just like Makoto had hoped. But who knows? Maybe one day, his best won't be enough anymore. Maybe he will face a threat too big for himself, an unreachable challenge. Everyone had their limits after all. Even the Clairvoyant seemed to know that now… and it gave Makoto the will to change as well.

"So that's why you're here today, Naegi-chi! I need your help in order to have a good start!"

Makoto tilted his head towards him in confusion. "U-uh? B-but didn't you say-"

"I know, dude! I know I said I would have to make my own progress on my own! …or something like that!" Yasuhiro put his hand in his hair. "But you know how starting things isn't my thing, dude! That's why you're here! To help me have a good start!"

"Ah… of course, when you put it like that…" Makoto said, sweat dropping at the older boy's claim. Clearly, he did not see the contradiction he just made…

Oh well. If it meant Yasuhiro was going to be more cautious from now on, then Makoto was fine with that. Any kind of progress was good… hopefully.

But that still didn't answer one question in particular. "Then… why are we in your room? You know we can't spend the day here. We've got to take care of everyone."

"I know, dude, I know! You did say it was important!" The Clairvoyant answered. "But hey, I figured that if they waited for two years and half, a day won't make them suffer, right?"

Makoto sighed at this. "Seriously, Hagakure-kun, we can't afford to mess up with them. The school's progress depends on it!"

"Yeah, but right now, my future is also in need of your advice!" The Clairvoyant answered, getting to his desk and taking a long list on it, then handed it to Makoto. "There! See?"

"Uh?" Makoto looked at it with curiosity. "What… what are all of those names? And those things?"

"I've noticed some interesting stuff I could buy to expand my collections when I was online! But I don't want to buy forgeries! If I have to give money for that kind of stuff, it has to be the real deal, or else I'll go on my way!" Yasuhiro declared proudly. "So I decided to note every name of those who peeked my interest, and I even wrote the name of those who were selling it just in case, so when I show you, we can work on it together! Like this, I'm sure not be fooled again! Neat idea, right?"

Makoto looked at him in surprise. So Yasuhiro did think his plan through this time? Well, that was some good improvement, he had to admit. Even if he still needed someone to help him to make the differences between the real thing and the forgery.

Makoto decided to look back at the list and asked, "So… that's why I'm here, uh? And what are you going to do about it?"

"You mean what we are going to do about it!" The older boy explained. "I make the research about what could be interesting, and you decide if it's worth the shot or not! In short, I'm the planner, and you're the eye! Ain't that great?"

"I-if you say so…" Makoto said hesitantly. "But… when do we begin?"

"Oh, we can discuss it right now!" The Clairvoyant answered, going to his door while opening it. "But we're going to need to go to the library. You know, in order to make some research about those guys! You coming?"

Well, today, there was going to be rain at some point. Yasuhiro really decided to plan something, and for once, it seemed to be a decent plan… but he better not say this out loud.

The Luckster gave him a resigned sigh before following towards the door. "Alright. But what are we going to do if someone sees us?"

"Oh, I'll just leave that part to you, man!" Yasuhiro exclaimed happily. "I mean, you were always the best at making speeches, so it should be no problem, right?"

"…let's just hope it will work."

"That was really fun, Maizono-san!"

"Yeah! I can't believe I go a show from Maizono Sayaka herself!"

"I guess coming here today was a good thing after all!"

"Come on, you guys, it's just the result of hard work! I had to go through a lot to be where I am, you know?"

Those words were coming from Sayaka, who was a little overwhelmed by all of the attention she was getting. But she kept smiling regardless.

After all, it was her fans she was talking to now. And what kind of fan wouldn't praise their favorite idol after one of her performances in front of them?

That, Sayaka did not want to find out. Nor did she needed to.

"I can imagine! Your voice seemed so pretty! And that outfit must have been so hard to make!" One of the girls said in an admired tone. "Are you the one that actually made it?"

"We do give ideas, yes." The Idol explained. "But we mostly do the writing, singing and dancing on stage. It sounds easy, but it's tougher than anyone might think."

"I can imagine. Being an idol isn't all sunshine and rainbow."

That was not a comment that Sayaka was expecting. But she couldn't just ruin everyone's fun now, could she? "I-it has some… difficult moments, yes. The training session can be tiresome, singing and dancing alike. And thinking about lyrics isn't that easy either. But if I had to pick one difficulty that is the hardest to master, it would be team synchronization."

"Because you are with other people, right?"

"Yes. Members of the same idol group have to be perfectly synchronized for the show, or else the whole thing will fail. You can imagine that it requires a lot of training…" She trailed off slowly. "Not to mention, members of a group can enter into… disagreements."

That seemed to put the other people in the music room into some kind of… panic trance, to put it lightly.

"WHAT?!"

"What do you mean by that?!"

"A-are telling us that you're leaving your group?!"

"T-this can't be! Tell us this isn't it!"

"QUIET!"

The sudden, booming voice that followed next silenced every other person in the room, forcing everyone to stare at its owner in surprise.

Who knew that a girl who looked so cute could be this authoritative… and even manly, at some kind of extent? Not like it was something new for the Ultimates, but it still managed to impress them in some way.

"Don't you see that you're making Maizono-san nervous with all of your questionings?! She'll give you an answer, but there's no need for you to harass her for your own curiosity!"

But then again, Fumie proved earlier that despite her pretty appearance, she could be your boss whenever she thought you were crossing a line.

She really wasn't lying when she said she could be a good bodyguard for the Idol.

And it was something that Sayaka was grateful for. Being bombarded with questions was never a good thing for her after all.

Something that she could also be grateful for was a friend that would care enough for her to put a hand to her shoulder to reassure her.

"It's okay, Maizono-senpai. You don't have to tell us if you are not comfortable with it."

And when she turned over its owner, Sayaka really expected Kaede to be that person. After all, the younger lady was her class representative. And if she trusted Makoto's words – which she did -, she knew that she was a competent candidate… even if sometimes, she doubted her abilities to maintain her class together.

But that, the Pianist would not let them know. At least, not in front of everyone. It wasn't her mission today. Her task was to be here for the Reserve Course students… and also for her friends if they needed it.

Something that Sayaka definitely appreciated, showing it with a sincere smile. "Thank you, Akamatsu-san, but it's nothing to be worried about. I didn't mean anything bad by it." She began to explain all the while looking at her public. "I just wanted to say that sometimes, the girls in the group can differ on some things, professional and personal stuff alike. But it's nothing new. There have been some disagreements in idol groups as long as they started existing, you know?"

That seemed to calm down some students a little. "O-oh? Is that so?"

"Of course! It's normal to have arguments with close persons sometimes!" This time, it was Kaede who spoke. "I mean, I can argue with my twin sister times to times, but in the end, we always made up! That's the thing with arguments! We let it out, we settle it down, and then we make up towards each other. It's not just an idol thing!"

"Exactly! That's exactly it!" Sayaka quickly agreed. "And if it's the group's future you are worried about, then don't be. Because as far as I'm concerned, I and the girls have no reasons to break up anytime soon."

That seemed to do it for the students, as the sigh of relief has swept through the music room. "Phew! That sure is reassuring!"

"I-I'm sorry for freaking out like that, but you know, I'm personally a big fan of your work, you know?"

"So am I, and yet you don't see me freaking out the way you did!" Fumie scolded them. "Don't you know that an idol has more stress to deal with than other people?! You can't just let people like being in that kind of trance!"

And once again, the unofficial bodyguard's scolding had its effect on everyone. "S-sorry…"

"It's okay, really! You don't need to get worried about that!" Sayaka was quick to smile at them. "I know you didn't mean anything bad by that! Besides, I'm just a student of the academy for the rest of the week, so I don't have anything planned!"

"It's still good to see you for real, Maizono-san!" One of the girls exclaimed happily, before turning towards Kaede. "Oh, and you too, Akamatsu-san! Your play was really amazing!"

And some people started to praise her as well. "Yeah! Not to mention, you could complement yourself with Maizono-san with ease! You really are the Ultimate Pianist!"

"Hahaha, you're really kind to say that!" Kaede laughed at the good remarks towards her. "But it didn't come just like that, you know. I had to train a lot since I was a kid to be here today! And the fact that I loved piano since then help a lot, too!"

"That's the same for every kind of instrument, people! Nothing new since music could be played! With hard work and conviction, you can go whenever you want! Choose your own style! And then rock on until the end of the night!"

People flinched a little as the male voice was heard, as they turned towards the young man in question, who was grinning all the while speaking. This flame-haired guy apparently knew what he was talking about.

It was why he was the Ultimate Rock Star, after all. Music was also his field. Even though his own talent was only about one aspect of the matter.

But it was just the fact that Sousuke did not talk that much during the class that surprised them. Aside from his own introduction and the presentation of the room, he was not with them most of the time. He was either preparing the podium for the girls, or in the studio in the music room, probably to take care of the instruments.

"Yeah! Yeah! Ibuki totally thinks so too! This is how she was able to attend at Hope's Peak Academy! And if she can, you can too!"

And also probably to take care of a very excited Musician that was next to him, holding a guitar in her hands, happy-lucky as ever, not caring about anything in the world other than everyone's happy mood. She was so excited that she also wanted to play with them, so she went with him to look for a guitar, because as she said, she had some 'happiness issues' with it.

Coming from her, it probably meant that she broke it out of excitement. Typical of Ibuki, the three Ultimates thought…

Speaking of the good mood, it was still present, but… something was different. "Oh? I-Is that so?"

"Yup yup! Ibuki went through a lot too to be with her friends here!" Ibuki pointed at her two friends here. "We may have different tastes, but we're still good friends!"

"R-right…" Kaede laughed nervously along Sayaka, who sweatdropped at the declaration.

Not that they did not like Ibuki. Quite the opposite, in fact. She was really a fun girl to hang out with, and she was passionate about her talent. The fact that they played in three different aspects didn't change anything about that.

It's just that… sometimes, her personality could be too handful for both of them. They were still wondering how a girl could be so… energetic all the time.

And if even her classmates were still wondering about that… what could everyone else be possibly thinking about her right now?

"H-hey, I remember you, you know." One of the boys said. "Y-you are the one who wrote the song 'From Me to You Too', from the single 'After the School Poyoyon', right? I think you were a member of the group 'Black Cherry'."

That totally got Ibuki's attention, as she turned towards the asker with sparkly eyes. "Ooooh? Ibuki had your attention now?"

"Well, I was curious when I saw the song…" he began. "And, uh… yeah, it's really special. In a good way, I think."

Now Ibuki's hopes were escalating. "Really?! You liked Ibuki's song?"

"I-I liked it, yes. I-I could understand the lyrics, and I'm just beginning in the genre, so… yeah. It's… pretty decent, I think, for a start."

That seemed to confuse Ibuki. "Uh? Your first one? You mean you are just getting started?"

"Yeah, I mean… my family doesn't really like that genre." He began. "And I'm not sure of what they would think of me if I got started in this, you know?"

Now that seemed to clarify thing for the Musician. "Ooooh, now Ibuki understand! Don't worry, it's something that Ibuki is familiar with, you know?"

"R-really?"

"Ibuki had a lot of differences with people in general. She's aware of that. But that didn't stop her to try and love what she was doing at the time." She said, becoming slightly more depressed than usual. "You know, for differences in everything in general. That's why… Ibuki had to quit the club."

Now that story just shut down the good mood of the room a little. "O-oh yeah, I heard of that. But… you mean the other members were not into your style?"

"N-not really…"

"Well, I can't honestly blame them." One other student said. "I mean, leaving a group of friends is always sad – because you were friends with them, right?"

Ibuki flinched a little at this, but smiled anyway. "O-of course! It's just that we couldn't work together because of our differences, but that's all! Nothing to be worried about, 'kay?"

Sayaka, Sousuke and Kaede couldn't help but look at her sadly. Because they knew it was a lie. A big and hurting lie.

Otherwise, her smile wouldn't look so forced.

"Okay, so as I said, I can't blame them, because even though leaving a group of friends behind is sad, maybe the group simply couldn't work." The student explained while looking apologetic. "What kind of music were they into?"

"W-well… Ibuki thinks it was majority… pop music?"

"So it wouldn't have mixed up well with the rest, right? So, perhaps, just perhaps, it was a good thing."

That comment made the Musician flinch again. And it didn't please her three musician friends. Sayaka was the first one who voiced that. "Hey! Why are you saying that?!"

Kaede followed next. "You can't just decide what was bound to happen or not!"

And Sousuke was the one who finished. "So what if it couldn't work?! Yeah, maybe it is good for them, but it isn't supposed to be good for Mioda-san too!"

Said girl looked at them with surprise, but also with a bit of sadness. "Y-you guys…"

"I didn't mean anything by it." The student explained. "I just wanted to say that, like this, she might know what she wanted to do now. So, maybe, yes, leaving was perhaps a good thing for you, even though it was hurtful."

Ibuki looked at the student who said that by surprise. "W-well… Ibuki did say that she had to go through a lot in order to be with her friends, yes…"

"The question is, do you regret taking that decision, Miss Mioda?"

The surprise was not only because of the question that has been voiced, but also because no one recognized its owner.

And it took everyone turning their attention towards the room's entrance, to realize that it was coming from the very short newcomer whose footsteps which could be heard in the room and which indicated that he was coming at them.

And when it is said that the individual was short, it meant that he was a little taller than Ryouma Hoshi, just to give you an idea. The boy was hiding his brown hair under a big, green, fluffy hairpiece, on which there were stars with white, red and yellow colors. There were also a pair of goggles on it, which seemed to form some kind of headset. His eyes were also olive green colored, his very small nose looked round, he had some cat mouth, and on his cheeks were red spirals. He was wearing a red and white hoodie with a nine written on its side and with black and orange pockets, and he also had grey pants with the two black and orange straps hanging loose on both side. Finally, he looked like he was also wearing black and golden boots with red soles.

And the way he was looking at Ibuki… it meant that the question was directed towards her. And that he was serious.

"Now then, I don't have the pretention of speaking for everyone or to know the one truth." He began to explain with a cool tone. "But personally, I think that you can only begin to play a genre of music if you can really like what you're playing. You must feel it if you have to play. Put everything you have, and not being hold back. I think you know what I'm getting at, right?"

Ibuki stared at him, slightly surprised by the boy who was in front of him. "Uuuuh… yes, yes! Ibuki thinks she gets it!"

"So you like playing the way you do, right?"

"Of course Ibuki does!" The Musician bolted. "Ibuki can totally express her emotions like that! It's like… it's like a big tornado of feelings when she can sing what she prepared! Not only when she sings, but when she's preparing herself too!"

"Well, that's one thing down." The stranger said before asking, "Now, let me ask you another question. Did you feel that way with your group?"

Ibuki opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out. She had to stop herself and think for a minute… and nothing came out.

"I'll take that as a no." The short boy concluded. "Then for me, things are crystal clear: you did a good thing by leaving them."

"Uh?"

"I could see your sad expression when you mentioned your former band. I think you were sad about leaving them… but I think you had your reasons. And those reasons are, I believe, that you couldn't be yourself with them. You had to change yourself just not be to be excluded… but it damaged you emotionally because you couldn't express yourself. Am I right?"

The Musician looked absolutely stunned by his conclusion. In fact, everyone who was in the room and who was listening shared that expression.

And it was all the individual needed. "When I see you on your stage in general, I can feel your happiness. You excitement. Everything that you try to express via music. And that's what's important. You stay true to yourself, no matter what. And if want to share it with people, you have to be able to be yourself around them, without being forced to control your emotions. That's how you show how hot you are." The boy then winked towards the three girls. "I can feel the chemistry between you three. You're really not kidding when you said you were close, were you?"

"Oh! Oh! You're definitely right about that!" Ibuki said in joy. "We even wanted to form a band together, but because of our schedules, we couldn't! But it doesn't mean we can't get along, right girls!"

The look she was giving to them… it was one of pure happiness. And it would take a lot of cruelty to break it. So Sayaka answered with an honest voice, "Of course! It's like we said before!"

"I hear that." The boy said. "Sorry, a bad habit of mine is to listen to your conversation when it doesn't involve me."

"Y-you could have just knocked…" Kaede said with a sweatdrop, before asking, "But, you look like you know her a lot. Heck, by your speech, I would say that you know what you're talking about."

"Actually, those factors are both true." He began, lifting up his finger. "First, I bought her single some time ago. And let me say," he then pointed it at Ibuki with a smirk, "that I find it quite interesting. You've got the stuff, let me tell ya, Miss Mioda."

Which of course she appreciated. "Thank you!"

"And secondly, I do know about what I'm talking about. You are talking to a DJ after all, ladies and gentlemen."

That got some surprised gazes from the Reserve Course students. "Oh, really? You must be an Ultimate, right?"

But Fumie was quick to contradict this fact. "Uh, I don't think he was there when the meeting happened…"

"Nope. Ya got that part right." The DJ confirmed. "I'm actually a passerby, and I'm not even in the school. I was just curious about that 'Week of Adaptation' thing, is all."

Now this is what surprised everyone else. "Eh? Are you serious?"

"Come to think of it, it is the first time I see you in my life…" Sayaka said, wondering about the newcomer's identity.

Newcomer who seemed hurt… but who was simply playing. His smirk could tell the others that much "Ouch. Way to tell someone you're not popular, Miss Maizono. Just because I'm a DJ and a bad boy – not my words there – doesn't mean I can't be in the same league as you, you know?"

That got Sayaka to laugh a little at his joke. "You're a troublesome one, aren't you?"

But Kaede was already suspicious. "A bad boy, uh? You mean you got yourself in trouble?"

"You wouldn't like to find out, Miss Akamatsu."

"Hey, you do have the looks, man!" Sousuke shouted, pretty impressed by the little man's statements. "Heck, I think I saw you somewhere, but… I just can't put my finger around it!"

"It ain't any problem for me anyway," he replied. "After all, we're here to have fun, right?" He then turned towards Ibuki with a wink. "Hey, how about we make some music? It's about time things get hot in here."

She then widened her eyes in pure ecstasy, then shouted happily, "You're right! We still have to have the time of our lives!" She then turned to everyone else. "Hey, hey! You heard what the little guy said! We've got to have all fun together right now!"

"Thanks for the compliment…"

"Uh, i-is this really okay?" one of the students asked, obviously nervous. "I mean, I don't know about everyone else, except the one who talked earlier, but I don't know how to play anything…"

"It's okay, really! Ibuki will teach you with Sayaka-chan, Kaede-chan and Sousuke-chan!" She then beamed towards her three friends. "Right guys?"

"Of course we will. That's why we're here." Kaede answered with a smile. "We're going to support you guys as much as we can."

"And so am I," the newcomer said. "I suggested the idea in the first place, so it wouldn't be cool to let you struggle for my own pleasure, ya know."

"Thank you." Sayaka smiled at him, before asking, "But tell me… why did you come today?"

"Oh, I've got my reasons. One of my fellas told me about something interesting in the school," he explained. "So I and the others wanted to check on it."

"Something interesting?" The Idol was now really curious. "You mean if there were any interesting people in here?"

"I don't really need to look for that. I told ya, I'd rather have fun while doing so." He answered, before being the one who asked next. "But say, speaking of looking for someone interesting, have you ever been… I don't know, looking for someone? You know, in order to expand your group?"

"Oh, well, I don't think we need new members anymore." She answered. "But I do look out for some new idol bands, just in order to follow the actuality."

"And I'm rather a solo person," Kaede followed. "Although I do enjoy playing with others time to time."

"I see. And is there anyone here who asked tips in order to be a musician?"

That question made the two girls a little nervous. "Uuuuh…"

"Oh, there is. And by the looks of it, he or she is an annoyance, uh?"

That comment was enough to make Fumie's blood boil. "What?! Someone is bothering you all?! Ooooh, that better not be my stupid brother who's been lying to us this whole time!"

"N-no, it's probably not him…" the Pianist said, sweatdropping at the comment. "It's one of Maizono-senpai's classmate. He wants to change his Ultimate title… except that… well…"

"Let's just say that… his ignorance about the theme is quite the handicap for his ambitions…" Sayaka said, getting slowly uncomfortable. "Not to mention, his persistence can be quite… well, frankly talking, annoying."

"Oh, really now?" The little dude started to wonder. "And did he try to practice with you guys?"

That got Sousuke's attention… and not in a good way. "Oh, don't get me started with this guy!" The Rock Star shouted with an annoyed voice. "Not only I've got to deal with his constant stalking, because he wants me to teach him to be famous with music, but he also wants to do it in order to impress girls!" He then turned towards the three Ultimate girls. "What, you can't tell me he's sparred you three! He's done this to all of the cute girls in the school! And that includes Kiriko! Can you believe it?!"

Sayaka laughed lightly at this. "It's… alright, Ichino-kun. I mean, we did get used to it…"

"Besides, I don't think we have to worry on our side." Kaede followed with the same sweatdrop and awkward tone as her friend. "I mean, with someone like Chabashira-san to take care of this…"

"Well, it would be cooler if she behaved like this only to this kind of guys, not to every single male of the school!" He shouted, still bitter about the person. "But back on topic, the worst part about his guy is, he believes we're similar! What, is it because of the hair or something?!" He put his hands on his chest in indignation. "Seriously, this guy's maybe not a douchebag, but he sure acts like one!"

The little man looked at the group in interest. "Wow. You don't really have a good opinion on this guy…"

"To be fair, he is not bad or anything. Even Ibuki's got to admit, he has some cool side, and his determination can be something that Ibuki admires…" The Musician said, playing with her fingers in an awkward manner. "Buuut… that's pretty much it. Even though he tries to learn, he's not… the best at this domain. His dreams are pretty cool, but… Ibuki doesn't see him becoming a rock star anytime soon. He would be better of continuing on sports."

"Oh?"

"ACHOO!"

"Are you sure you're not sick, dude?"

"Yeah, you've been doing this at least ten times…"

"You know, we could just call it a day and watch other sports with your coach. It would be better for everyone, I think."

"Are you kiddin' me?! What would the ladies think of the Ultimate Baseball Star who would quit a game just because of a sneeze?! That would completely wreck my credibility!"

Yes, that was Leon's excuse when he sneezed continuously for seemingly no reason, while he was practicing baseball with another group of Reserve Course students… even if for now, it didn't have much progress considering the students low learn pace and the Baseball Star's bold nature…

"But there isn't any woman in here… aside from your… cousin over there…"

"Leon-chan! Show them why you're the best!"

"Oh, come on, Kanon! Not in front of everyone!"

And considering that the only woman in the medium baseball stadium was Leon's cousin, he didn't see any other cute girls to approach yet.

He was extremely lucky that nobody noticed the strange look that the blonde was giving him. Or else it would have completely screwed him over for sure.

What kind of girl would date a baseball player who would be in a romantic relationship with his cousin?! And younger than him, on top of that?

Granted, it was just a two-year-old gap, but still!

"Ah! Do you really need a girl's help to cheer you up? That's so lame!"

Ah, but then again, what was the worst? A stalking cousin, or an annoying brat like Masaru?! Seriously, he kept mocking him from the beginning in front of everyone! How could Makoto stand this?!

Not to mention, the little kid was basically a younger version of himself? Was he… was he always like this?

He understood better now how much of a pain he was then!

Guess he would have to make some apologies to his old men later…

Why did they have to be with the kids again?! That was beyond Leon's comprehension, even after hearing the explanation from his teacher.

"Hey, watch it, kid!" The baseball Star Just because you're Naegi's little bro doesn't mean I can't kick your little ass!"

"Try it, loser!" The little boy was quick to give him a raspberry. "You wouldn't be able to catch me anyway, you slowpoke!"

"Don't underestimate me, you little runt! I've run way longer than you in my whole life!"

"Only because you would be in a match where I wouldn't be, you dingus!"

And of course, since both of them were very similar despite their age, an argument between the two sports was unavoidable.

All the while, forgetting that people were watching.

"Uh… what are we doing here again?"

"I thought we were supposed to have some sports training, but we just had the basics of baseball explained… he didn't really bother to show us anything that could help."

"And this kid isn't really helping either. I mean, damn it, he sure is a spoiled brat…"

"Just like Kuwata… damn it, are you guys sure they're not relatives?"

And that last comment did not please them at all. "DON'T COMPARE ME TO THIS IDIOT!"

But their anger directed to them turned into surprise and more anger when they face each other again. "Who're you callin' idiot, little runt?!"

"You, obviously!"

"Leon-chan! Show them who's boss!"

And Kanon's cheering for her beloved cousin certainly didn't help at all.

"WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON HERE, KUWATA?!"

But something managed to. That loud, strong yell, almost a roar, that nearly shook the ground and surprised everyone so much that some of them jumped and yelped in surprise, even making the less careful fell on their butts.

Leon, on the other hand, only flinched in anticipated shock and greeted his teeth in annoyance. For he knew exactly who the voice belonged to the moment he heard it, unlike almost everyone else in the sports field.

And it didn't please him at all. "Oh, damn it… don't tell me he's out of the infirmary already…"

"I am sincerely disappointed in you, Kuwata! How are you supposed to toughen up if you keep being distracted like that?!"

And as it turned out, he was right. For when he turned towards the newcomer, he recognized him immediately.

Anyone who was a part of the Main Course – and also Jataro – could recognize those blue sparks from miles away.

Because asides from Nekomaru, they didn't know anybody else who could yell that hard, and emit such intense, electrifying sparks from their eyes.

How that even work was beyond anyone else's mind.

"You are supposed to give a good example to those students, Kuwata! You are supposed to give your best!" Nekomaru quickly scolded the Baseball Star, and also giving the Lil' Ultimate P. E. a sharp and reprimanding look. "But here are, goofing around with a kid who should also be focusing on doing his duty right now!"

It did make flinch the little boy, even if he was grumbling in defense. "I-I was going to anyway…"

But the same thing could not be said for Leon, who just gave him a hard look. "Will you cut it out?! I was in the middle of explaining the basics, okay?! Nothing to scold me for!"

"BUT YOU ARE NOT EVEN TRYING NOW! Otherwise, you wouldn't have let yourself distracted in the first place!"

"Well, I say you should take it easy, man! Let me remind you that you're not in the right condition to even do your job, you big moron! That's why I was assigned to take your place today!"

Those words made everyone wonder about their meanings to the Reserve Course students, and it also affected Kanon and Masaru who asked, "Uh? What do you mean by that, big guy?"

"Are you sick or something?" Leon's cousin asked him. "Is it what Leon-chan meant when-"

"Does any of this is important right now?!" The Team Manager shouted in determination. "Kuwata, you have to take things seriously! Or else, no one will have the will to progress!"

Leon only sighed in annoyance, because he knew that, even if he wasn't fully messing around on his own, his senior was right. What annoyance still…

And let's not talk about the kid.

"Alright, alright. I'll talk responsibility of this." He said all the while running his hand to his hair. "Happy now?"

"Not until you show them the right way!"

"That's what I was about to do, geez…" he muttered, before looking towards the others. "Okay, guys, time to put what I said earlier to practice! We're gonna see if you're baseball material or not!"

"W-way to encourage us, man…"

"That's why you came here, right?! So don't lecture me now about how I speak! You want to find what you're good for, and I'm here to help, so I don't want to hear complaints!" He said, looking less annoyed than before, and turned towards his cousin. "Alright, Kanon, what's your plan?"

"Leon-chan…"

"Oi, quit goofing around!"

"Oh! R-right!" The blonde snapped out of her lovely trance – thank God nobody seemed to notice – and started to explain everything that has been said by Leon to the group that formed itself around the Baseball Star and his manager.

But they seemed to understand better with her, because the students seemed to indeed, understand better, compared with Leon.

That's probably why he asked her to come today, despite knowing the risks.

Masaru decided to make the most out of the fact that he was not in the group to speak. "Tch! I bet they still won't understand anything! This guy couldn't explain the basics without sneezing!"

"I've heard a lot from Kuwata's cousin from his mouth, so I entrust him with the choice he made. Even though he could be more focused on his task in hands right now." Nekomaru, who had stayed aside as well, spoke directly to the young boy… and was beginning to look at him. "Speaking of which…"

"Uh?"

The nervous face of the Lil' Ultimate P.E. was answered by a judgmental look, and a surprisingly lower voice.

But it certainly didn't cover up the disappointment in the team Manager's voice at all. "Do you not think you should also help those people? Even if you are just a kid, that is no reason to slack off, you know."

"Oh, come on, big guy! It's all for good fun!" Masaru pouted, slowly getting calmer around the way taller man. "Besides, I'm sure they wouldn't take me seriously!"

"Well, just make them, kiddo."

And their little group was soon joined by another male voice, which Nekomaru recognized immediately. "You're late again. I assume that you had other problems?"

"Sorry, coach. It happens at complete random, you know."

"I do not blame you for this. After all, I know what it feels like."

Yes, he and the newcomer had some common point indeed.

One one hand, we had the Team Manager, who not only had a heart defect, but who also had constant digestive issues. But it never prevented him to do his job… until now, when his heart was beginning to give him signals.

On the other hand, we had a freshman at Hope's Peak Academy, who absented himself times to times, whenever it happened.

And Nekomaru was not as foolish as some would think. He knew that something was up with the junior when he saw the signs.

But he was also respectful. Even though he knew something was wrong, he kept silent about it… even if he didn't like it one bit.

He understood the Astronaut's well intentions.

But for him, someone like Kaito did not deserve to suffer like that.

"Uh?" Masaru looked at the junior, surprised by his show up. "You're here too? But aren't you an Astronaut? What are you doing here?"

"Hey, bein' an astronaut needs a lot of training, you know! You need to prepare your body for a lot of things, 'cause in space, nothing is going to save you… just your skills and your team."

"Precisely. I have heard of some intense preparations from different companies that planned to send people into space for different tasks around Earth recently." Nekomaru followed, before smirking. "I know about it, since I had to train a team for that purpose once."

"Really?! That's so cool!" Masaru exclaimed in excitement. "So you had to take care of something like that?!"

"Wish I had you as my manager, ya know. Could have been a little less painful." The Astronaut answered with the same grin. "Ah, but then again… ain't that a point in training? To do it the hard way?"

"Hahahaha! You sure are right, Momota!" The Team Manager laughed heartfully with him. "If you can't surpass yourself, then you will never improve and chase your dreams! That should be everyone's goal!"

"Damn straight, coach!"

In all of this mess, Masaru only looked at them, weirded out by such antics. "Uuuh, I think you guys are overreacting…"

"What, you mean to tell me you don't want to surpass yourself?!" Kaito looked at him with a determined face. "Don't you wanna show Makoto what you're capable of doing?! Is that what you're tellin' me?!"

It didn't take much to surprise the Lil' Ultimate P.E. at the mention of Makoto's name, before getting him all pumped up. "O-of course I want! Don't say stupid things like that! I'm Daimon Masaru, and I'm not going to let Nii-san anytime soon!"

"Then you better start working, Masaru!" Kaito encouraged him with the same look than before. "You've gotta show everyone what you can do! That's what your bro's been doin' this whole time, ya know? So ya better not keep up messing around!"

"I'm not going to do that!" He grinned with a pride tone. "I always do my best as the Hero of the Warriors of Hope! And I'm going to show everyone what I'm made of!"

"That's what I wanted to hear!"

The thumbed up Kaito grinning with approvement made Nekomaru smile lightly, closing his eyes as he entered deep into his own thoughts.

No, Kaito really did not deserve anything that was happening to him.

A passionate man, who encouraged others to follow their dreams and passion, did not deserve to deal with whatever problem he may have.

He shouldn't put his life at stake like that if he wasn't well.

But then again… he recognized himself in him.

What could be said for Kaito also be said for Nekomaru. Same problems, same personalities… and same block-headed determination.

He. If someone wondered if life had a sense of humor, then this would be a good example.

Well, at least Nekomaru found it was pretty funny.

"Oi, you three! Are you done yet?! We need to get going now! Aren't you guys talking about improvement and all this stuff?! Well, you should stick to it until the end!"

"That's right! Don't let me and Leon-chan take care of everyone like that!"

"I-I think we can just do fine, you know…"

Ah… that's right. Leon and his cousin probably finished already. Nekomaru then approached the other group of students and asked, "So I take that everyone is ready?"

"Uh, yes?"

"Everyone has been assigned to their assignments, Nidai-san!" Kanon clarified. "Now we can get down with the practice!"

"THEN LET'S GO ALREADY! EVERYONE, GET TO YOUR POSITIONS! NOW!"

"Y-YES SIR!"

And with that, all of the students, who were panicked by this sudden outburst, hurried to the different positions that had been given to them, with Kanon going with them in order to check if they understood what their role as well.

Leaving the five other people to discuss something rather… personal for the younger Ultimate. "Hey, by the way… did any of you see Nii-san around?"

"Uh? Naegi?" Leon asked, before lifting up his eyes to the sky. "…actually, I think I saw Hagakure taking him somewhere. Probably for some of his dumb plan or something like that…"

"Aw, really man? That sucks." Kaito frowned after hearing this. "I was counting on Makoto to help me train those guys, ya know."

"And he said he would be here for me today, too…" Masaru lowered down his head, before pouting angrily. "But that dumb guy just stole him from me. I guess I'll have to wait for a little…"

"Do not worry, Daimon." Nekomaru smiled at him. "Naegi is a man of his word, I can assure you. He wouldn't break a promise like that."

"I-I know that…"

"Hey, if it can make you feel better, I'll text him to inform him when your time to shine comes. Deal?"

Masaru looked at the Baseball Star in shock, not expecting this kind of answer, nor the little smirk on his face.

Yes, he was a brat, but… after all, he was once like that, too. So he understood what Masaru was feeling.

And the little boy weakly smiled as he muttered. "I-I would like that… thank you."

"Nah, no problem about it, kiddo." Leon only laughed it off. "Now, how about we rock things out?"

"You got it! Let's show those slowpokes what the Academy can do!"

The two red-haired boys ran towards Kanon to help her, leaving the two other boys who slowly joined them… as they were discussing other things.

"Say, Momota…"

"Uum? What is it, coach?"

"You seem to… need more alone time recently." Nekomaru asked. "Do you have… any kind of problem?"

Although he would respect whatever answer he would get, he figured that asking wouldn't be too much trouble for the Astronaut.

"Nah, don't worry about me, old man!" Kaito grinned happily. "I just have some stuff happening around me. You know, family and all, as always. But thanks for worrying about me, I appreciate that!"

"If you say so…"

"Oh, by the way…"

"Uum?"

"Isn't Owari-senpai supposed to be with you? We usually see you two together sparring or some stuff like that."

Now that was a good question, to which Nekomaru had an answer. "Well… I figured that today, her attitude could pose some problems… so I had to ask some people to… take care of things."

Kaito quickly noticed the nervous tone that his senior was using, and it started to worry him because it wasn't like him. "Uuuh… Nekomaru?"

The look on the Team Manager's face said it all. "Trust me… I didn't like to do this one bit. But I didn't want to take any chances."

"What?! You mean… they really drugged her so she wouldn't come today?!"

"How could they do this to one of their own classmates?! And how could YOU approve that kind of thing?! You are also a part of their class, Hanamura-kun!"

Those were the questions that Kotomi and Soushun asked themselves, when they asked the Cook – or Chief, as he would like to be called – about where could be the Luckster. After all, he was the one who got the idea of the Week of Adaptation from the beginning. But asides from when they went to go to his home so they could go to school together, they didn't see him from the rest of the day, even at the cafeteria when it was lunchtime by now… and this started to bother them.

But what really bothered them at the moment was what they were hearing. How Akane was incapacitated so she "wouldn't cause trouble", as Teruteru would like to put it.

"What can I say? You know what Owari-san is capable of doing. Something had to be done."

Yes, that was his main excuse. Teruteru didn't seem to feel remorse either…

"I-I can understand where you're going with this…"

And apparently, Daiki who was here at the time, tasting some food prepared for the event sitting near the little group, was fine with that.

With people like Soushun and Kotomi, you can guess how they would react.

"WHAT?! You cannot possibly mean it, Kubo-kun!"

"We're talking about drugging people here! DRUGGING!"

"Y-you shouldn't yell like that. People are starting to look at you, you know…"

And indeed, the Food Critic was right. Some people were staring at them with odd looks on their faces right after the shooting.

Not like they would care about that now, though.

"Do you even realize what you are implying now?!" The Politician exclaimed in a less noisy voice than before, but which didn't hide his scandalous tone in the slightest. "Taking away a student's free will is simply wrong, no matter how you look at it!"

"W-well, admit that her behavior could have started some problems…" Daiki started to explain nervously. "t-that girl likes to battle a lot. I-it could scare students away, you know…"

"And let's not mention her enormous appetite," Teruteru added. "Think of it. Do you want anyone here to starve because of one person? You wouldn't allow that to happen now, would you?"

"That's still no excuse!" The Journalist argued back angrily. "Even if she can be a handful, you could have opted for another option!"

"You seem to forget that I am her classmate as well." The Cook pointed out, frowning slightly his eyebrows. "As such, I think I have enough experience to know that trying to mess physically with this girl could lead to… catastrophic results."

"But still-"

"Not like I mind anyway. After all… it also gives me another opportunity to feel them."

"Ugh! Why do you have to be so gross?!"

"Ufufufufu…"

"WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!"

"Ikuta-san, I know what's going on here is wrong, but try to keep it down!"

Well, that was something she just was having a hard time to do right now. Kotomi was trying to regain a good breathing pace, but… her anger was still here.

There were many things that she couldn't handle even with time.

And Teruteru's nosebleeds which represented his perversity was one of them.

"Hanamura-senpai, may I have your attention?"

"Oh? What is it, Toujo-san dear?"

So she could only wonder how people like Kirumi could handle this kind of harassment. On a daily basis, on top of that!

She didn't seem to budge when he started flirting with her as she was simply approaching him by behind!

His obscene obsession was also a mystery for her… but for people like him, she wouldn't even consider wasting her time on figure out why.

"Bandai-san has requested for your assistance," Kirumi explained in a stoic tone. "It appears that he had encountered a problem with the preparations of some of the dishes, and he requested your assistance."

"Oh, is that so? Well, this cannot be helped, I suppose." Teruteru said. "Well, I better see what this is all about. I believe I can entrust you to watch things here?"

"You believe well."

"As expected from you, Toujo-san dear." The Cook winked before going to the kitchens, leaving the same stoic Maid… and the three other students who were watching.

"…Toujo-san, I can't begin to understand how you can stand this kind of guy!" Kotomi was the first one to react with a sigh. "Seriously, this guy is one of the worst boys in the entire academy."

"While I must agree that his… antics can be quite controversial," Kirumi answered, "I can handle this kind of situation perfectly fine. He would not be able to do anything."

"Because of Chabashira-san?"

"…that is true, yes. But even so, he knows that I would not let such things happen while we are supposed to be working."

"Well, this is a risky job, considering who you are working with," Daiki said with a worried voice. "D-does he keeps… doing it?"

"His persistence can be on the way many times, yes. But as I said before, I know how to defend myself."

"T-that's good…"

"And I have also learned how to counter his advanced approaches."

This peeked everyone's curiosity as Soushun asked for them, "Uh? What do you mean by that?"

"Just take a look at what I have found in Hanamura-senpai's locker while I was cleaning the school."

The two students looked at what the Maid showed what was hidden in her pockets… only to widen their eyes in shock.

Well, not because they were surprised.

Quite the opposite.

"I-is that…"

"A bottle for an aphrodisiac, yes. I wouldn't have thought that he would let a label on it. It is very careless to do so."

"I-I think it would be the opposite, actually…"

Daiki's comment went unnoticed by Soushun, who was obviously not happy by this revelation. "S-so… does this mean that…"

"The probabilities are high, yes. If I base myself on what had been gathered by Saihara-kun and by the warning of the different classes, then… it seems like we have the confirmation of Hanamura-senpai's involvement on what happened to Owari-senpai."

"W-well, it was not so hard to figure this out," the Good Critic said nervously. "I-I mean, it did happen before… a-and this time, he had to receive some help from Kimura-senpai, Nidai-senpai and Tsumiki-senpai-"

"Does it change anything really?! Everything about this is wrong!" Kotomi shouted at him, quite scandalized by all of what she heard right now. "I can't believe that pervert gets so many people involved in his schemes! Who knows what he could have done during her blackout?!"

"I doubt that anyone would let him do anything," Kirumi stated. "Nidai-senpai may have needed to do that, but that doesn't mean he would go as low as to let something like this happen. Plus, Chabashira-san would banish him forever from any sports related things if she was to hear any of this."

"A-and she would probably pass her anger on every other boy in the school…" Daiki sweatdropped at this comment.

"Uh? What's going on here? What do you mean, she would hunt every boy? Did something happen, guys?"

"Sounds pretty stupid to me, you know. Well, unless there is a good reason, of course. I'm all ears now."

Everyone turned to see Aoi approaching the group… with someone by their side. Someone who they didn't know about, someone that was not in the school before to their knowledge, and someone who may possibly be Aoi's new friend.

And this new friend was a brunette girl who was just as tall as Fuyuhiko, who had slightly darker skin than others, similar to Aoi and Akane. She had orange eyes and orange cheeks that were barely noticeable, and her haircut was a little special: she had two strands of hair on both sides of her head and one at the middle, but what was really special about it was that there was on the top a double buns of hair at both sides. She was wearing a tiger-themed scarf around her neck, a white shirt with a small pocket on the right side, at the level of her chest. Her dark brown skirt was apparently supported by two dark brown suspenders, with a small chick pin on the right one. There was also a sign with a fork and a knife printed on the skirt, which was combined to make a symbol. Finally, she had yellow leggings and bright brown boots with some undulations on the sides.

"Ah, hello there, Asahina-senpai." Kirumi greeted politely. "I suppose you came to have what you asked for?"

"You know it, Toujo-san!" The Swimmer answered with a big smile. "Your donuts are just great, you know? I can't just get enough of it!"

"I see. I am glad."

"Oh? Donuts? You mean you feed on this kind of thing?" The smaller girl asked, looking a little surprised. "But didn't you say you were a swimmer or something athletic?"

"So what? I love donuts! Heck, I love everything that is sweet in general!" Aoi exclaimed, turning towards her new acquaintance. "It doesn't matter what kind of food it is, as long as it's sweet it's fine!"

"You clearly have no idea of what you're talking about, uh?"

"Hey! Sweet is love, sweet I life!"

"Not when you eat too much of it. Even I know that too much sugar kills the sugar." The girl explained, looking neutral like earlier. "Besides, how are you supposed to lose weight if you keep eating only that kind of stuff? You've got to have a nice shape if you wanna keep swimming."

"I-I don't just eat sweets! A-and I already pass a lot of time at the pool!" Aoi pouted, looking embarrassed by the remarks.

And the others were starting to notice as well. "Y-you shouldn't worry too much about her. I-I mean, we often see her at the pool with her friend, so…"

"And who asked you anyway, uh, pork guy?"

"Y-yipes!" The Food Critic yelped in surprise, not expecting the cold gaze he received from the little girl.

Kotomi then came to the rescue. "A-alrgiht, alright, let's calm down a bit. W-who are you, for starters?"

"I don't feel like presenting myself."

"U-uh?"

"I mean, I only came here to taste the food here. It's supposed to be cooked by the best of the best here, right?" She scoffed, looking to her left side, clearly not interested in what was happening around her. "I wanted to see that for myself, but I couldn't wait for the others, so here I am… a-all alone."

"Uh?"

Do their eyes deceives them?

"T-they wouldn't go with me… those meanies would rather leave me alone! This isn't fair! We-we were supposed to go here altogether, so why do I end up like this?! Waaaah!"

One moment she was arrogant at worst, and the minute after that, she was crying like a little girl!

Well, it did suit her, but still!

What was with this girl's personality?!

Aoi was really quick to react as she went towards the other girl and kneeled down to her level. "Hey hey, it's okay, really! You're with us now, so you don't have to be all alone! So stop crying, okay?"

"I'm not crying."

"Uh?"

"I just let it out for a little while, and now I'm good! See?" The girl smirked happily "But you wanted to check on me and you offered me to stay with you guys, so thanks!"

"U-uh…" Aoi was a little distraught by how things were going, but it was better for her to be happy than crying. "G-glad I could help! S-so, what's your name?"

"I still don't feel like telling you guys."

Now that was becoming annoying for Aoi. "Oh, come on! You really don't want to tell us at least your name?"

"D-don't be mad! I-I just like to introduce myself when I feel like it! T-that's how I do things! D-don't take it on me, please!"

And again, she switched her behavior for a scared one.

This was leading them nowhere…

"How about you stay with us for lunch?"

"Uh?"

Thankfully, Kirumi was apparently trained for this kind of situation. "Perhaps you will be more comfortable like this. What do you say?"

"Oh! Well, if I can eat something good, then I don't mind! What do you guys have?"

And just like that, the girl was being cheerful again.

Another mystery that Kotomi still hasn't cleared was how Kirumi Toujo worked.

Who was this girl? How could she help people the way she does? How could she do so many things in so little time? And how could she seem so tireless?

She admired that girl deeply. That was an aspect that she, Soushun, Daiki and Aoi respected very much.

But she couldn't help but worry about her. What if she decided to overwork herself so much that in the end, she ends up hurting herself?

She doesn't want this to happen to her.

But the Maid would always dismiss their worries, saying that it was her duty as a maid to help people. That she appreciated their concern, but that they shouldn't concern themselves about her.

Well, that was one thing that she couldn't do right.

Where could this attitude of hers be coming from?

Now that was a mystery that Kotomi would dig into.

"Aaaaand nope. Forget about this one too."

"Oh, come on, man! You can't be serious!"

"You wanted me to check on this list with you, Hagakure-kun. I'm just doing the job I've been assigned to… by you."

"Yeah, well, I didn't know you would eliminate more than half of my list, Naegi-chi! Come on, I've worked hard on that!"

"Well, you'll have to try harder next time."

Yes, Yasuhiro will indeed have to try harder. After all, if more than half of the list you've made is composed of imposters and forgeries, then you know that something is wrong.

Not just with the list, but also with the one who did it in the first place.

True, when Yasuhiro said he did a list, he was not lying. And at first glance, it looked like he did a decent job…

You can guess where this went when he and Makoto re-checked together on one of the computers in the library.

Needless to say, Yasuhiro did not like to see all of his efforts being washed off like that. "Try harder?! I told you, I spent all night on this! You really think I like to research and do all of that?! I had such a headache after that, I'm even surprised I could wake up!"

Makoto was not impressed by his classmate's anger in the slightest and decided to back up. "First of all, don't shout like that. We're in the library, and even though there's nobody but us inside, you don't need to make a scene. Not to mention, we will have to free the room soon, so we can't afford to make any messes."

"B-but still-"

"Secondly," the Luckster did not let his friend finish, "you were indeed the one that brought me here because you needed my help. So I don't think that complaining about this now would be appreciated on my part… and it isn't. I think you would react the same way as I do if you were in my shoes."

"O-okay, but-"

"AND, thirdly, and this point is the most important to me, is it really my fault you overworked yourself so lately?"

Slowly, but surely, Yasuhiro's confidence faded away ad it was replaced with anxiety. "W-well, uh…"

"If I remember correctly, you said you had the idea on your own. And just because you intend to do something doesn't mean you have to enjoy it. That, I can agree with perfectly." He then frowned his eyebrows slightly. "But I can't agree on with you is, first of all, that you put the blame on me, when I never forced to take the decision in the first place – because I don't think I ever told you to do something, did I?"

"N-no…"

"And secondly, that you organized yourself so poorly that it had a negative impact on your health. What were you thinking, standing up until 1:00 am to get your job done? Don't you think you could have worried your mother like that? Because I know her enough to know that she would be worried sick about you! Heck, that's what any mom would do in this kind of situation!"

"Well, any normal mom, at least." Makoto slightly frowned again, this time, in sadness. "After all… not everyone had a good mother, or even parents, for that matter."

Yasuhiro finally sighed in defeat. "Damn, Naegi-chi. You just know how to win to that kind of stuff, don't you? I guess I've got a long way to go…"

"I won't deny that." Makoto smiled at him. "But, you know… the fact that you're becoming aware of your flaws… I think this is a good start."

That made the Clairvoyant chuckle lightly. "He. If you say so…"

"Besides, you know I would have helped you anyway. I'm your friend, and I'm also your class representative. I would do everything that is in my power to help you. To help my class. To help everyone."

"Well, I'm still waiting for those organs of yours."

That comment caught the Luckster off guard. "W-wha-"

"Just kidding, Naegi-chi!" Yasuhiro laughed when he saw Makoto's dumbfounded face. "Ya don't need to worry about that anymore, honest! I just wanted to mess with ya!"

Makoto sighed in relief. "Oh, well, you did well on this one…" He then looked at him seriously. "But I haven't changed my mind on that, just to let you know."

"Yeah, I figured that much." The Clairvoyant scratched his finger under his nose awkwardly. "Thank God I don't have the Kuzuryus on my back anymore. I'm more than grateful to have all of my organs in check, and I'm pretty sure that's how you feel too!"

"D-don't remind me..." The Luckster shuddered as the memory went back into his mind. "I don't want to mess with Kuzuryu-senpai like this again…"

"You still manage to hang out with his sis. And I think she's even worse than him."

"S-she's not that bad… heck, none of them are that bad!"

"Not when you're on their soft side." The Clairvoyant then smirked slightly. "Then again, you do know how to be on everyone's soft side."

"I-I wouldn't say that-"

"Will you two stop your useless blabbering?! This is a library, for crying out loud!"

The two of them stopped right when they heard the voice scolding them with irritated arrogance, and when they turned themselves to see the person in question near the entrance… they felt a sense of inferiority hit them like a truck.

They would expect people like Byakuya to react like this, and they would usually shrug it off.

But they couldn't afford to do the same with this man.

After all, it wouldn't be polite to ignore one of the Steering Committee members when he would talk to you.

Makoto was the first one to react, sounding as polite as possible. "S-sorry about that, sir. We didn't want to make such noise…"

"Well, you did anyway. Can't you just do whatever you're doing without making such an uproar?! My God, do young people like you need to be so noisy?!"

Even though the man was not giving back the politeness.

After all, Akihiro Ichikagi was not known in the academy for his patience or his kindness.

In fact, the man, who had a heavy build, glasses and his parted hair on one side, was probably the most arrogant of the bunch.

Perhaps because he was the scientist of the group. That, Makoto was not sure of…

"Hey, don't mean to him like that! He was just helping me out with a project of mine, that's all!"

"H-Hagakure-kun…"

But whatever measure of security the Luckster took, his friend was not wise enough to do the same.

"A project? You mean to tell me that it is so important that you would skip your assignments?"

That, the Clairvoyant realized too late when he received the cold stare of the Steering Committee member, which was full of coldness, disdain, and even despise. "U-uuuh…"

"Sir, you don't need to so harsh with my friend." Makoto was quick to interfere, trying to look as neutral as possible. "He asked for my help for an important project, and he said it wouldn't take long."

"Bah! Do you honestly believe that I would care about whatever business you may have together?!" The old man shouted back. "Whatever you two idiots have planned is probably meaningless and futile, so why even bother?!"

"HEY!"

"It is important for us, sir."

"Well, whatever you may be doing, do it somewhere else!" He answered with a shrug, looking away from them in disgust. "I came here to have calm, and I don't wish to have your worthless company here. Someone like me needs my dose of fresh air away from you people."

"…yes, sir." Makoto sighed in defeat, before taking the papers and the lunchboxes he brought. "Come on, Hagakure-kun, we're leaving."

"Wha- Hey! Wait for me, Naegi-chi!" The Clairvoyant then quickly and nervously joined his friend, leaving the library as Akihiro took his seat, grumbling under his breath.

"Tch! As if those pesky Ultimates weren't enough!" The scientist said. "Now I also have to deal with those bugs from the Reserve Course!" He passed a hand on his front head in order to clean the sweat on it. "I thought I was going to pass out just by looking at them…"

He then went to the door to close it, not before putting a 'CLOSED' sign on it, all the while checking if anyone was nearby. Then, he went somewhere in the library…

Bringing a briefcase he brought with him.

"Alright. Now let's get this over with…"

"I told you before, nobody needs you here, you deceiving normie!"

"I-isn't that a little rude to speak to me like that?"

"Not my fault if you stick your nose where it doesn't belong!"

"Come now, people are watching…"

"Uuuuh… are we disturbing you guys?"

Yup, people were definitely watching. The Reserve Course students didn't know what to think of them right now.

But Tsumugi was definitely not caring about that right now.

Not when Rantarou was in front of her, trying to prevent her to do her job, all the while pretending to check if anyone needed 'help'.

As if she would need this guy's help!

She watched enough anime to know what kind of person Rantarou was. A nice guy in appearance, but who would manipulate anyone else with his behavior and stories to get what he really wanted, and who would toss any 'friends' he made once he considered they were loose ends.

Well, too bad! Because she was certainly not going to give him the chance to get near her!

And she didn't care if she sounded like Tenko! This guy was definitely someone to be aware of! Why wasn't there anyone to listen?! Even Makoto told her to go easy on him!

And those guys from the Reserve Course were just the same!

"A-are they always fighting?"

"Unfortunately, Amami Rantarou-dono and Shirogane Tsumugi-dono's relationship is quite… restless, as you may have all guessed. But fear not! It never went too far! That, I can assure you all!"

"L-let's hope so…"

Thankfully, Hifumi was here to ease the tensions.

He was a funny person, she had to admit. His speech could be quite comedic times at times, but she grew to like the guy.

Gullible and a little perverted (even if he denied it), but a passionate person at heart. She could feel it in his work. And that was something that she adored.

Not that she would actually be in a relationship with him by any means, but at least he was inspirational times to times.

Well, when he was not giving in his… bizarre fantasies…

It did happen to her, of course, but not to this extent!

…right?

"Ahem! As I was saying," Hifumi continued, "those works of arts were made personally by myself and Shirogane Tsumugi-dono here! And since we have figured that some of you chosen souls may be interested in this wonderful realm-"

"Chosen souls?"

"Realm?"

"We decided to also give you the sketches of our work!" The Fanfic Creator then showed everyone the papers where indeed, the sketches of different artwork, dresses and even puppets that had been gathered at the stand where the 'otaku group', as they had been called - but don't tell them that – had been outside.

Some students seemed indeed impressed with the details of each work. Still…

There were a few that appeared… confused to say the least.

"Um, excuse me, but… can I ask a quick question?"

Tsumugi was happy to answer. "Sure! Ask away!"

"Don't you guys have someone known as the Ultimate Animator? Why isn't he here with you guys?"

"Oh! So you noticed, uh?" The Cosplayer looked at him with a surprised face, then proceeded to answer. "Well, he was there this morning with us, but… he doesn't have a very stable health. So he had to go to the nurse office with two of his classmates not too long ago."

That seemed to worry the Reserve Course student a little. "Really? Is he gonna be okay? He doesn't suffer from a grave sickness, does he?"

"Let's say that his tendency to… go overboard while working puts him into trouble frequently." Rantarou took the helm. "I've heard that it is less frequent now, but when Koizumi-senpai escorted him earlier with Mitarai-senpai, he still is doing it a little…"

"And who asked you anyway?"

"Uh?"

No, Rantarou didn't like Tsumugi either. That cold stare of hers directed towards him was certainly not helping her case at all. Still, at least he tried to seem nice and laughed it off…

Even though her attitude was starting to seriously get on his nerves.

Honestly, he had no idea what he might have done to her to deserve this kind of treatment. Maybe it was his looks or his Ultimate title, he didn't know.

But every time he tried to interact with her so far, the girl would just give him a look that would kill him instantly if it could.

And it's not like she did it with every boy. Oddly enough, this was reserved to Byakuya, Nagito, Kokichi, Asukasei and himself.

The other boys he could understand. Two of them where arrogant rich people, and the two others were tricksters who had very disturbing patterns.

But him? He had absolutely no clue. Maybe he looked like Nagito. And sure, the two had similarities, he guessed…

But did he ever hurt his classmates in the name of concepts? Not as far as he remembered.

He didn't need another Tenko on his case, damn it!

Why didn't Makoto do something about this already?!

"D-did someone calls for me?! I-I'm so sorry!"

"Ryouta, slow down. You just got out of the infirmary room."

"He's right, you know! Honestly, can't you just take better care of yourself?!"

"B-but people need me now! I can't afford to make some mistakes!"

Everyone turned themselves to see the young man hurrying towards the group along Zenku and Mahiru who were close by.

As soon as the Animator got close enough of them, he stopped in his tracks and panted a little, before lifting up his head. "I-I'm sorry… d-did any of you requested my services?"

The student who asked him looked nervous now. "U-uh, yeah, but… are you sure you're going to be okay? Y-you look like you haven't slept for days."

"That's what I've been telling him." Zenku frowned his eyes. "But as you can guess, he is quite stubborn. Even two years and half did not change that."

"Z-Zenku!"

"O-oh, well, sorry about that." The student said, looking apologetic towards the two siblings. "I-I guess that being an animator is tiresome."

"I-it really is…" Ryouta sighed tiredly, before trying to give the best impression. "B-but that won't get in the way of my duties."

"And that's why I'm here, too." Zenku followed. "To make sure that he won't ruin his health again."

"D-don't say that in front of people!"

"They noticed already. And plus, it only benefits you."

"T-that's not a reason!"

"It is all the reason I need."

As the people looked at the two, Rantarou watched happily as it seemed to ease the atmosphere thanks to this comic display. At least, people could forget about the tension in the air…

No thank you, Tsumugi.

"Amami-kun? Can I have your attention?"

"Uh?" Rantarou turned towards Mahiru who looked at him with a nervous smile. "Yes? What is it, Koizumi-senpai?"

"Do you mind if I borrow your help for a while?" Mahiru asked. "I need a male model for a photography session, and you're probably one of the only boys available now."

"Oh? Is that so? Well, I'll see what I can do." Rantarou said with a smile on his face, as the two of them went to their destination. He then asked, "But tell me, you look nervous. Is something wrong?"

"Well, I was hoping that Naegi-kun would be available, but… I didn't see him at all today. So, I wondered who else I could go to…"

"Ah. I see now…" The Adventurer said, looking thoughtful. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen him either today. He probably had a proper assignment."

"Well, whatever it is, it better be really important!" The Photographer scoffed. "He was the one who came up with the idea in the first place, so not seeing him here would be completely hypocritical of him!" She then blushed a bit. "…e-even though I don't think he would do something like that."

The Adventurer seemed amused by this scene. "You really seem to care about him, don't you?"

"T-that's only because I needed his help! Nothing more!" The girls slapped the back of his head in annoyance. "Don't assume things like that!"

"Ahaha, sorry about that…"

Mahiru was also a handful time to time as well. Her high expectations of men along with her abrasive attitude can be a bit of a problem times to times.

But she was a respectful person. True, she sounded like a mother or a big sister times to times, but it was a part of her charm, he supposed. Someone that would take care of others and who would also scold people for their bad behavior is someone he could appreciate in his book.

Unlike a certain Cosplayer.

"Well, now that things are clear, let's continue where we were on! Mitarai-senpai, can you please elaborate?"

Who certainly felt the same way just when he left.

Finally, she could breathe a little…

"A-ah! Y-yes, of course!" Ryouta answered a little surprised at the girl's sudden happiness, but complied anyway as he also pointed out some of his work. "T-those are the sketches from different animations on a recent project I've been working on recently. I-it is only a prototype, so I didn't have much time to-"

"Uh, I know I'm going to sound rude here, but… can I ask another question?"

"U-uh?" The Animator seemed a little surprised by the new student's voice, but decided to answer whatever interrogation he may have. "U-uuum, sure. W-what is it?"

"Why can't we use computers so we can have a better approach of the matter?"

That seemed to catch the Animator off guard. "U-uh? W-what do you mean?"

"Well, animations are usually made on computers, right? I mean, that's how I started in the first place when I began to draw," she explained. "So… why don't we have the materials in order to see how it works? Actually, why aren't we in some kind of tech room? Wouldn't it better that way?"

That… was actually a good question, to which Ryouta had some trouble to answer. "U-uuum…"

"The schedule of the day didn't leave us with any other choice. We had to do our own stand in order to have something to show."

Clearly, he did not understand how his brother could react so calmly and effectively. "Z-Zenku…"

"Besides, all animations start with some drawings to begin with, no?" The Impostor asked, frowning his eyebrows slightly. "So wouldn't it be more effective to show the beginning of such an activity so you can understand the more complicated steps?"

And the effect was immediate, because the student looked nervous. "L-look, I didn't mean anything by it. I-I just got curious because… well, he is supposed to be the Ultimate Animator, right? S-so I thought, why would he begin with something so… out of theme?"

"I understand your confusion, however, know that this is anything but out of theme for him." Zenku answered, the tone less cold than before and his eyes being neutral again. "Trust me, I have been with him for two years and half, so I know what I am talking about. And plus, I did work with him on a few occasions. He taught me how to do his job, after all."

"O-oh. Okay. My bad, then…"

"No offense taken."

"Wait, you're an animator too?" The first Reserve Course student from earlier asked. "And who are you?"

"Oh, I suppose you have the right to know my name." He said, before presenting himself. "My name is Mitarai Zenku. As you probably guessed, I am his brother."

Ryouta looked away, blushing. "Y-you don't have to say it out loud."

Even after all this time together, the Animator was still embarrassed at the fact that Zenku considered himself as his brother.

That person used his identity when they first met so he could exist, yes, but it was a win-win contract. That way, he could work on his animations better.

But he kept checking on him even though he didn't need to. And even when the secret was revealed, he kept being by his side…

He was like Makoto on some sort. Except that he knew him better.

He felt like he didn't deserve such a good friend or brother like Denku at all.

"Really? I didn't know you guys were siblings!" The girl shouted, clearly surprised by this answer. "You two look so different!"

"That's because we are not native from the same mother," Zenku explained, before closing his eyes and smiling. "But I can assure you, our bond is real."

That did not help Ryouta's blushing face at all. "S-stop it…"

"Such an amazing connection, isn't there?!" Tsumugi said cheerfully, with stars in her eyes. "Their relationship is so strong that they would surpass any kind of blood form! It's something that many animes has done before, but it's so beautiful to see it in real life!"

Some people were a little disturbed by her trance. "Uuuh, sure?"

"And to answer your question," Zenku continued, "while I am indeed learning about this theme, it is not my original talent. You see, I am known here to be the Ultimate Impostor."

That caught the students off guard. "What?! Really?"

"B-but you seem like you're your own person now," the girl said, looking troubled at the revelation. "D-did something happened to make you stop doing it?

"Well, let's say that I had… some help along the way." The Impostor explained. "I try to be my own person more often, yes, but I'm trying to stick to my original talent. After all, it does has its uses times to times."

"But you decided to stick with your brother, right? So you're… another Ultimate Animator today?"

"You can say that."

"And he is not bad either, for a beginner!" Hifumi commented, looking prideful for Zenku. "His aptitudes in drawing are quite impressive! I suppose that given his talent, he can also adapt himself so he can copy other people's work!"

"D-don't say something like that! You make him sound like a thief!"

Zenku was a little surprised at Ryouta's outburst.

But he couldn't help but smile either.

The two of them developed a protective side towards each other. And honestly… he liked that feeling.

After all, this is one of the few people that tried to befriend him in the past.

Everyone deserved someone who looked out for them, he guessed.

And he as glad that Ryouta was that person.

"That was not my intention in the slightest, Mitarai Ryouta-dono!" Hifumi defended himself. "I was simply expressing my theory about his abilities, nothing more, nothing less!"

"B-but still-"

"It's okay, Ryouta. You don't have to worry about me."

Zenku's hand on Ryouta's shoulder made the Animator stop what he was doing and look up to his adoptive brother in surprise. "B-but…"

"Hey, uh…"

The girl looked nervous, as he seemed to notice something. Tsumugi was the one who intercepted her. "Yes? Is something wrong?"

"Say, remember the green-haired guy from earlier? The one with who you had an argument earlier?"

That seemed to bring down her mood a lot. "…what about that normie?"

"We saw him go with that red-haired girl, right?"

"Yes, he left. Why?"

"Has he finished already? Because he's coming towards us right now."

"W-what?!"

The Cosplayer looked at the direction the girl was pointing. And once she saw the man…

She reacted on instinct.

"AMAMI!"

The boy looked at her, noticing her coming towards him. The group also looked at her just when they heard her outburst. When they noticed the reason why she was reacting like this, they couldn't help but cringe in anticipation…

But they could also feel something… different about Rantarou.

Something that shouldn't be here.

But Tsumugi clearly not shared the same thoughts. Certainly because she didn't notice.

"I thought you were supposed to help Koizumi-senpai with her project!" She yelled at him angrily. "So what are you even doing here, uh?! You're trying to ditch your assignments, aren't you?!"

No response for him. And it didn't help the Cosplayer's mood at all.

"Well, tough luck, you dirty deserter!" She shouted, not waiting for an answer. "You are not going to harass us again just for fun! Not on my watch! So go back to where you are needed! Understood?!"

Still no response.

"I SAID UNDERSTOOD?!"

"Uuh, Shirogane-san…" Ryouta tried to calm her down. "I-I don't think you should-"

"Don't get involved, Mitarai-senpai!"

"Yipes!"

But the girl just wouldn't listen. Just the look on her face when she turned herself towards Ryouta could tell him that. And it made him a little nervous.

"This guy is so irresponsible he can't stick up to those who need his help!" She shouted angrily. "Well, it's about time this normie learn to-"

"OI! Who you're callin' normie, ya blue chick fuck?!"

"W-WHAT?!"

Now that was something that she definitely not expected. This guy crossed a line now! She turned herself towards him, ready to express her anger towards him and his horse puppet-

Wait… what?

A horse puppet?

Since when did that normie had something like that in store?

"What, can't man up and get it over with?! What the fuck's your problem, uh?!"

And since when did he needed that to talk?!

"W-why are you looking at us like that? Y-you are the one who attacked us in the first place…"

And now a deer puppet?!

"Oi, stop being nice to them, Shika! Now ain't the time to be scared of some bimbo!"

"B-but she was so mean to us, Uma! W-what is she gonna do to us! Otoo-san, please save us!"

And they were talking to each other now?!

"Now, now, you two, I got this… hey, you."

The Cosplayer looked at the boy with surprise. "W-what?!"

"I don't know what your problem with us is, but we are not Amami. We are someone else who may look like him, but that's all. Now, apologize to my children. Or else I will get mad."

"Y-your children?!"

Okay, now she was certain that the person she was talking to right now was not Rantarou Amami.

In fact, when she paid attention to the boy's physical appearance, she noticed a few differences with the Adventurer. First of all, his hair was like Rantarou's, except that this boy's hair was covering his eyes, so she couldn't see its colors, on top of an ahoge on the top of his head. Secondly, he seemed to be at least as tall as Kaito, which wasn't normal. And finally, his clothes were different. He had an opened black shirt with a yellow and white t-shirt with a rectilinear pattern under it, on which t-shirt was a big, black z symbol in a rhombus right at its center. There was also a silvered brooch on one side of the shirt. And… there was what looked like a second t-shirt under the t-shirt as well, this time a grey and white one, with the same pattern as before. Finally, he was wearing black pants with grey shoes.

"Well? Are you going to give me an apology?" The boy looked impatient now. "Or am I going to be forced to be mad at you?"

Tsumugi was completely distraught. That Rantarou clone was asking him to apology… to his… kids?!

What was with this guy?!

"U-uum, please excuse her for her behavior!" Ryouta intervened quickly, fearing the worst. "S-she is not usually like that! She just doesn't like that person!"

"Well, whatever! She shouldn't have yelled at us like that!" The horse puppet at the boy's left hand said. "We don't like rude people!"

The students were impressed by what they saw. The Impostor then asked, "Excuse me, but, by any chance… aren't you a ventriloquist?"

"Oh? So you guessed?" The deer puppet on the right hand said, before explaining happily. "That's right! I and my brother help our Otoo-san so he can give his shows and events! Kids appreciate it a lot, you know?"

That peeked the Reserve Course students' interest. "So that's how you're able to speak your mouth shut! That's amazing!"

"Did someone said there was a ventriloquist here? I want to see him!"

Everyone turned to see Ryota Someya running towards them, looking excited about what he heard. He turned himself towards the taller man and asked, "So you're the ventriloquist? And those are your puppets?"

"Puppets?! Who are ya callin' puppets?!" The horse said, not sounding happy about the name it had been given. "We're real people, ya know! Have some respect for our feelings!"

That sentence made everyone sweatdrop. Was he really considering them as his kids?

"Oh, sorry! That's not what I meant! I just said the first thing that came to my mind!"

Well, everyone except the Seamster, apparently.

Probably because he was also in dolls, or something like that.

"I-it's fine… people usually make that mistake…" The deer puppet said with a reassuring voice.

"Oi, don't let him go off the hook so easily, sis! Are you that stupid to let your guard down?!"

"WAAAAH!"

"Now, now, children. Let's not make a scene in front of people."

That… was an interesting scene, to say the least. A guy who looked like their classmates, was talking to two of his puppets on his hands. That was uncommon, even for their standards.

"What I think is interesting is your look, sir!"

And Hifumi did not hesitate to voice this opinion.

An opinion that seemed to interest the boy himself. "Uh? Are you talking about that friend of yours?"

"Indeed I am! Your appearance is very similar to his! Perhaps you are related to him?" The Fanfic Creator asked, before gasping. "Unless… you are one of his beta design! That would explain the similarities!"

"I-I don't think we are related to this Amami person you mentioned…"

"And what da ya mean, 'beta design', pig boy?! We're our own persons, damn it!"

Being confronted by puppets was certainly not a common experience for anyone in the stand, and it certainly managed to make Hifumi nervous. "M-my humblest apologies…"

"But you sure did look alike." The boy from the Reserve Course said. "Hey, are you sure this is not the true Ultimate Impostor?"

Zenku looked also surprised by this statement. "I… am pretty sure there is only one Impostor here…"

"IMPOSTOR NOW?! Ya've got some nerves!"

"P-please don't lash out at them!"

"Children, what did I tell you about behaving?"

In all of this, Tsumugi could not help but feel really irritated by the situation.

In front of her was standing a doppelganger of one of the people she despised the most, and who seemed even more unlikeable than him. And that was saying a lot!

She didn't need any of this!

Why couldn't it be a doppelganger of Makoto instead, like this Hajime guy?!

At least he was likable!

"Miss?"

"Uh?" The Cosplayer was cut out of her trance to look at the boy in question. "Y-yes?"

"I'm still waiting for an apology, and so are my children."

"Y-yes, please…"

"You're damn right we do!"

Tsumugi cringed a little, before bowing to them, trying to sound as pleasant and apologetic as possible. "Y-you're right. I-I'm sorry for reacting like that to you. I-it was totally uncalled for…"

"Apology accepted."

But inside, she was boiling in anger.

Just looking at this guy was making her angrier!

Okay, she did cross a line by talking to him like that, but still! That guy just acted so… bizarre! She would have liked it on other circumstances, but not this time!

And she knew exactly why.

'Curse you, Amami!' She mentally cursed. 'Why are they so many people like you wherever I go?!'

Well, today has been a decent day.

At the very least, that's what Katana Ochitsuite, the teacher of class 78-B, though as she rested on her desk in the teacher's room.

She had just finished her own tour with her group of students. What she had been instructed to do for the day was mainly to explain how the school worked. Their policy, how do they take care of classes and how they organize it so they can work on their talent at best… the base of the base, in a way.

But what she found surprising was that her group was more composed of adults from the Reserve Course and from outside of the school. Mainly, teachers that probably hoped for gaining a more… beneficial status, and also some future teachers that want to make their proves or parents that may want to enroll their students here… even though they would probably end up in the Reserve Course anyway.

She sighed in defeat as she took a sip of her coffee.

The truth was, she hated doing this.

Not doing her job, on the contrary! She usually liked being in the company of teenagers and helping them with their own insecurities!

Being a former scout was a big help!

…even though, some classes were just too much to handle.

God, why did she had to remember that day with class 77-B? Why did their teacher seem so laidback about their… eccentricity?! 'To let them enjoy their youth', she said?!

Well, it was maybe a good thing for them, but said thing certainly couldn't be said about the school itself! And even less for her health!

How much money did they have to spend for the damages they were responsible off?!

She coughed at the thought. 'Here I go, losing my cool again. You've finished for the day, so just relax, Katana. You've earned that much.'

'…'

'Or… did I?'

She couldn't help but wonder, as she stopped her movements for a while. Did she – no, was she doing a good job?

No. She didn't feel like it.

And that coffee didn't have that small taste of self-satisfaction as usual when she did something she could be proud of, so she simply put it back on its spot on the table.

After all, how could she be relaxed when she knew she had to lie to the public?

Well, technically, it wasn't really lying. She just hid some things to them so they would see the school in a better light.

But for her, hiding things from people was lying in her book.

And she hated doing that.

Honestly, did the school really needed to go that far to impress people?! They were already on top of the pedestrian, for God's sake! The public has estimated that Hope's Peak Academy was the best school in Japan as a whole! Their methods, their ideology, their methods, their people – every other school envied them for what they had, for crying out loud!

Besides… who said that just because some papers gave some statistics, obligatory meant that they were right?

Especially when you could find this kind of information in any other media?

Thank God, a small minority had not fallen into the trap, but that was just it: a small minority.

Against the rest of the world.

Katana sighed as she put her head on her palms, thinking about the situation, and how she helped things going.

Honestly, if she had a choice… she would tell those people not to waste their time here.

Just because she liked to educate and help teenagers didn't mean that she liked the place.

In fact, this was perhaps one of the worst establishments she could think of. In her years of scouting and educating, Hope's Peak Academy surely knew how to hide their ugly side.

Ah, but then again…she knew she didn't have a choice to begin with.

She knew she had to respect the rules.

And she knew she also had to respect those who set them up.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your group?"

Aaaand here comes one of the demons that had the strings in their hands.

Who appeared to be one of the Steering Committee member, Akihiro Ichikagi, the scientist of the group.

And who always had that smug look on his face. As if he was trying to tell her – no, to constantly remind her that he is and will always be superior to her.

She had her job to take care of, and she already knew that before he looked at her with the same disdain on his face, so thank you for the unnecessary pressure…

"Actually, sir, I finished the tour with my part." Katana explained, while looking at him neutrally. "So I decided to take a break."

"You mean to tell me the others have left already?"

That question sounded more like a statement. And it didn't seem like the man was pleased in the slightest.

Nonetheless, Katana simply answered. "Yes, sir. They didn't have any questions."

"Couldn't you do your job and keep them longer?" The man irritably asked, sounding grumpier than usual. "What if they had important questions in mind?! We need to get ready for every eventuality!"

Was he not listening to her?

That was another thing that Katana didn't like: when someone was too stubborn to actually pay attention to what others were saying.

"Like I said before sir, they didn't have anything else to ask. Besides, we still have the rest of the week if they have anything to ask."

"So what?! We need to be convincing right from the start! Do you even take your job seriously at all?! I don't even know why you are still working here!"

And rude, on top of that. But she couldn't just return the favor.

That damn bastard was lucky he was one of the owners.

"I'm sorry, sir. But I do not think you should be reacting like this. I don't see any problems."

"That's because you only see the surface of things! Of course you wouldn't understand! My God, first the Reserve Course students, then the Ultimates themselves, and now even the teachers! What's wrong with all of you, being so ignorant, rude and useless?!"

Very lucky indeed.

Her status as a simple teacher wouldn't authorize her to stand up to herself.

Or else she would have kicked them moron in the balls already.

"Oh, because you think you're so great you can do nothing? What have you been doing anyway?"

But apparently, some people did not need any of this to actually do something.

Like Yasuke form class 77-A, for instance.

He may not be the most gentle or caring student, that for sure.

But one thing she could admire was that he was no pushover.

Thanks to him, she could assist to the funnier scenes here.

The look on Akihiro's face was just priceless!

Thankfully, he did not notice, as the old man's face of surprise turned quickly into anger. "What?! Are you talking about me now?!"

"Do you see any other old man in this room?"

And the scientist did not like this answer. "W-who do you think you are talking to, Matsuda Yasuke?! Do you think you can just talk to me like that?!"

"Not my fault in you're making a scene right now." Yasuke answered, completely nonchalant. "Seriously, no need to push your buttons like that."

"I feel whatever I want to, you little pest!" The Steering Committee shouted angrily. "I basically own this place, so there's no right for you to say-"

Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by him feeling his collar being grabbed by two hands… and a very irritated Yasuke who shoot him a death stare, which was enough to make him release the briefcase he was holding.

"Oi… like you're in any position to talk, you useless piece of shit."

The insult still hurt Akihiro, but this time, he was more afraid than pissed because of his current position. "W-what?!"

"Who do you think did the work for your sorry ass all the while you were doing whatever you wanted?" The Neurologist asked with the same threatening tone. "You've entrusted me with almost all of your assignments because you 'didn't want to waste your time on such petty things that any idiots can do', as you like to put it. So I don't think you have the right to complain about anything in front of me, old man."

Akihiko certainly tried to get back at him. "Y-you… you honestly think you can-"

But the younger boy was having none of it. "Why do you think the others asked me to keep an eye on you, uh? It's because they knew they couldn't trust you. So I' say that you're lucky enough to have someone doing all the dirty work for you." He then narrowed his eyes even more. "So don't push it."

And with that, he released the scientist, who only took a few steps back before slowly getting angry again. "Y-you… you won't get away with this! Make the most out of this status of yours, because the day you'll lose it, I'll be there to cut that tongue of yours!" With those words full of hatred and anger, the old man picked up his briefcase and left the room, muttering enraged words. "Why do I have to be assigned with those fucking people…"

That did not let Katana emotionless, as she allowed herself to chuckle lightly. "Well… his happened." She then turned herself towards Yasuke. "Thank you for doing that. This guy really deserved it."

"Not anything new about it." The Neurologist sighed in annoyance. "Someone has to show them the limits. Those old men are getting worse with age…"

"You said it." Now it was Katana's turn to sigh, before looking at Yasuke in worry. "Still… are you sure you're not going to be in trouble?"

"Who are they going to report me to? The National Japanese Ugly People Association?" The Neurologist shrugged his shoulders. "That kind of organization would be guilty of discrimination just by existing."

That comment made her laugh this time. "As tactful as ever, aren't you Matsuda-kun?" She then sighed another time. "I wish I had whatever you had."

"Uum?"

"I mean, he did mention you had a pretty high position." She eyed him with curiosity. "I suppose they gave you something good in exchange of your silence on some things?"

He closed his eyes. "If you know about it, then why are you even asking?"

"I guess… I'm a little envious. I mean, you have an interesting talent that can be useful to them…" She explained, bowing her head slightly in depression. "No way they would do the same for me. Not only I'm only a physical education teacher, and I was not even a student there. I just… needed a job. And now here I am…"

"So? What's your point?"

"You know how life is hard within those walls." She elaborated. "One simple mistake could get you transferred in the Reserve Course… not like it's a bad thing to meet new people, but that shows how little respect those people give you."

"So what? You're not telling me you're going to give up now, are you?"

That shocked Katana as she looked at him incredulously. "N-no, of course not! I wouldn't give them that pleasure!"

"Good. So you know that it's what they want." The Neurologist said, looking at her seriously. "More the reason to keep going. After all, your students need someone competent."

If she was surprised before, that was nothing compared to now. "Y-you… see me as a competent teacher?"

"You wouldn't be here if that wasn't the case. You're always trying to help your students. Only an asshole like those old sacs of shit would say it's worthless."

"Y-you wouldn't be wrong about that…"

"Just because you're not like that crazy Housekeeper doesn't mean you're bad. In fact, I would say that of the two, you're the better." He grunted in annoyance. "I mean, this crazy chick would go pick the students up to their house just to make them attend to classes."

Katana sweatdropped as the memories of her colleague flew into her mind. "T-that, and her knives can be pretty convincing…"

"Seriously, why didn't the security do anything about it?" He exhausted, before continuing. "And let's not forget about her nutjob of a class of hers…"

"D-don't remind me… I'm still having nightmares out of it."

"Not your fault if she can't even restrain her students." He muttered, before a small form of a smile appeared at the right corner of his mouth. "Luckily, you didn't end up with a class like that. Those are dorks, but at least they behave. At least, most of them."

"Y-you're right…"

"And you're also lucky to have that idiot of a Luckster to keep things around."

Now that kind of thing angered Katana a little. "Don't insult Naegi-kun like that!"

Another thing that she didn't like was when someone insulted one of her students.

Maybe because she considered them as her own children… probably a teaching thing.

"I'm just calling him that because it's the truth. He's a dork and idiot, but the good kind." He looked out the window, seeming to recall some memories of the past. "I've seen this right when I saw him for the first time. A good-hearted idiot that worries way too much about others, to the point of forgetting his own health."

"I think you are exaggerating a little-"

"Can you tell me the name of the one who gets tossed away by that idiot Aikido Master more than anyone else, just because he wanted to befriend that sexist moron?"

"T-those were accidents-"

"Who gets involved into that damn Cook pervert despite his promise to do it less often?"

"W-well Yukizome-san told me he did it less frequently-"

"And who decides to help one of their classmates just because he's too dumb to think for once?"

"Alright, alright! I get it!" Katana shouted in annoyance. "Maybe he is a little of a pushover-"

"A little?"

"But he does this because he wants to help! That's how he thinks and work!"

"I'm just saying, sometimes he can be too nice for his own good. Just looking at him say that much." Yasuke then smiled just a little. "But still, the advantage of being a kind-hearted idiot is that you can get along with almost every other kind of idiot. Even that ugly blondie is found of this little guy now."

"…are you talking about Enoshima-san?"

"Who else here is a crazy chick with a former obsession about 'the beyond of despair' or some crazy, kinky bullshit like that?"

"I… won't deny that this attitude of hers was troublesome." The teacher sigh, before smiling again. "I guess we owe him… again."

"I admit I didn't think he would manage to go that far. Even I couldn't put her out of that stupid trance, and I've known her since we're kids." He sighed in a tired, and somewhat relieved manner. "So yeah, I think it's safe to say, he did everyone here a favor."

That comment made the teacher nervous. "R-really? What do you mean by that?"

"It would be better if you or anyone else didn't find out. Honestly, this girl can go wild when she wants something… or someone." He only said, letting out another tired sigh. "But I don't think you needed me to know that. I figured you already guessed when you saw your class the first time."

Katana could only nod in agreement. "…it still makes me shiver a little just thinking about it."

"What?! What do you mean, we can't skip classes on the first week?!"

"Those are the rules, Enoshima-san. I know we said classes are only optional. But in order to create some balance in your class and in order for you to know each other just a little, we thought that we had to at least restrain this rule a little bit at the beginning."

Those were the words that Katana told her students on the first day of Class 78-B's year. She had to explain the basics to the newcomers, and the main subject was the fact that, indeed, the students were not forced to come to classes. However, she also had to tell them that, while this was an official rule, I could only apply after one week. Which meant that they did had to come to classes during the first week.

Needless to say, one particular Fashionista was not happy about it.

"Ugh! That's so lame! Lame, lame, lame!" Junko shouted, putting her elbows on her desk. "If you guys focus so much on talent, then why not leaving us to do what we want! Damn it, I've got important modeling sessions, you know!"

"J-Junko, you don't need to react like that…"

"Shut up, Mukuro! Who asked you anyway?!"

"S-sorry…"

Katana could only sweatdrop as she watched the scene in front of her. That Junko Enoshima girl seemed to be a handful for sure. The wild horse that would do whatever she wanted no matter what anybody told her.

Even when it was an acquaintance of her. The other girl, Mukuro Ikusaba, seemed to be nervous when her sister – yes, that fact really surprised her when she saw the files of both girls – refused to listen and ordered her around. And apparently, it also meant that she could use whatever tone she could see fit.

And if this was one of the students she had to take care of…

What about the others?

"Well, I'm not gonna complain about that, dudes. I mean, like this, I've got more time for finding clients, you know?"

"This is indeed a very useful rule, while surprising! Like this, I will be able to work on my new doujinshis for sure! My fans are waiting, after all!"

Well, here it goes. She already had two students who will skip the classes for their own desires.

Yasuhiro Hagakure and Hifumi Yamada, in order. Honestly, they didn't look like the sharpest knives in the drawer, if she was to be honest. She hated to think this about her own students, but honestly? They just had the looks.

"NONE OF YOU WILL DO SUCH THINGS! I WON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN!"

But said thing couldn't be said about the boy who spoke next.

A strict boy that would stick up to the rules, no matter what… unless those are contrary to his beliefs.

Clearly, Kiyotaka Ishimaru was that kind of people. That was easy to tell.

Oh, did I say spoke? I meant yell in a furious way, as he bolted up from his seat and put violently his hands on his desk, staring fiercely at the two boys that spoke… and who looked really nervous by this reaction.

"H-hey, come on, dude, no need to react like that!" Yasuhiro exclaimed nervously. "Y-you heard what said Sensei…"

"Y-yes! It was not a decision made by us, dear classmate! You do not need to react so violently!" Hifumi also defended himself with the same tone. "A-and besides, this rule has some good uses…"

"None of this matters! Just because such a rule exists and is approved doesn't mean it is right!" Kiyotaka exclaimed. "To allow the students to skip such important steps for their own activities… no matter how much you look at it, this is simply and completely unacceptable!" He then directed his gaze towards Junko and Mukuro. "And this goes for you too!"

"I'm trying to tell her not do it…"

"Who said you could talk for me, uh?! And did you take a bath?! My God, you smell awful!"

Whatever confidence Mukuro had vanished away instantly after Junko's remark and movements. "I-I did! I swear I did, Junko!"

"Uuum, e-excuse me to ask you this, but… are you girls related? B-because you know each other…"

That question was coming from a girl – wait, a boy?! But… what was the thing with the dress?!

Was he a cross-gender?!

Ahem… anyway, it was coming from Chihiro Fujisaki, and it seemed like the Programmer was nervous by now thanks to the girl.

Not like she would blame her – HIM! Blame him!

not her fault if the dress suits him.

"Uh, duh! Of course we know each other!" The Fashionista gave Chihiro an odd look, as if she thought that the Programmer was asking the obvious. "We're sisters, you know?"

That surprised Chihiro greatly. "U-uh? Really?"

And it also had its effect on others, Yasuhiro taking the first place. "No way! You guys really are sisters?! But you look so different!"

"Indeed! It is quite the mysterious fact!" Hifumi followed suit. "To have two girls with completely different names to be related… it is mysterious, I say!"

"We get this a lot…"

"Okay, first of all, fatso, don't repeat things. It's annoying." Junko interrupted her sister just to reprimand the Fanfic Creator. "Secondly, what's so mysterious about us having different names?! Uh?! What the hell does it tell you?!"

Of course, the Fanfic Creator was easily scared by this annoyed glare. "W-well…"

"It tells us that your family situation is not the best. But you are right about one thing: who cares about such trivial matters as this? It is not this uncommon."

But that was not the case for the Lolita girl in a black robe, named Celestia Ludenberg – officially, that's not the same name on the bios that the teacher had – who looked completely calm about the situation… too calm, in fact.

Junko noticed it as she decided to cool down her anger a bit and smirked deviously at her. "Oh? So you can take guesses about others personal lives, can you? Don't you think it's rude to do that to strangers?"

"Normally, I would not waste time on this," Celestia answered. "However… I do not like the barging that those two idiots made."

She then turned towards the Clairvoyant and the Fanfic Creator, who immediately took notice of her change of behavior, putting their arms in front of them in defense, fearing that their next words might be their last.

"Well, at least, we can agree there." Junko scoffed. "Those two definitely are idiots. Perhaps a little punishment would teach them a good lesson about respect of other people's breath."

"P-punishment?!"

"I-I beg you, please spare this poor unfortunate soul!"

"J-Junko, please." Mukuro tried to reason with her sister. "We shouldn't get so much attention on us…"

"What the hell are you talking about?! I'm the only talking. You don't get involved in my mess no matter what. Capiche, you moron?!"

"Y-yes, Junko. Sorry…"

Yes, this Junko girl was definitely going to be a problem.

Katana could only look at Mukuro, who was looking sadly at the ground.

No matter how good of a soldier she apparently was, around her sister, she would completely lose faith in herself…

That was sad for the teacher. To see this kind of relationship between sisters…

It was not normal.

Not to her, at least.

And it was not normal for Kiyotaka either. "Dear classmate! I will not accept this kind of behavior towards a classmate, and let alone a sibling! Apologize to her no or-"

"Oi, will shut the fuck up already, moron?! You're hurting my ears with your loud speeches!"

"Yeah, how much air can you hold, honestly?! Isn't there any button on you to turn it down?!"

Kiyotaka could not believe it. Someone had the audacity to interrupt him! On an important problem on top of that!

Then again, when both he and Katana looked towards the voices, it was to be expected.

Mondo Oowada and Leon Kuwata had the delinquent's looks, after all. The former is even the leader of a biker gang.

More the reason for Kiyotaka to lash out his anger at him. "How… how dare you! Both of you! We are talking about a classmate's well-being, and you two shrug it off as it wasn't important!"

"Look, idiot, none of this is my business to begin with," Mondo explained angrily. "And if you keep shouting like that, I swear to God I'll make you shut up with my own two hands! Got it?!"

That surprised and scandalized the red-eyed student greatly. "Y-you would assault one of your classmates?!"

"Dude, we already told you, keep it down! Ya don't need to be so loud!" Leon said, also seeming irritated, but not to Mondo's extent. "I don't need you to be on the way of my dreams!"

"Dreams, you said?" Celestia asked, in a curious way. "And what would that be, if I may ask?"

"Ya wanna know, uh? Well, guess it can't hurt to tell ya!"Leon smirked, closing his eyes in pride. "Well, you're in luck, lady, 'cause you're in front of the future new Ultimate Musician!"

"Uh?" Chihiro asked nervously. "The Ultimate… Musician?"

"That's right! I decide to graduate here in order to become a famous musician!" The Baseball Star smirked even further. "Ain't that great?"

"Well, I'm not personally against it, but… aren't you the Ultimate Baseball Star?"

That question came from a girl name Aoi Asahina, another student that looked at him intrigued and lost.

And Leon didn't seem to like that reminder, as he passed a hand into his hair. "Don't remind me… but I hate baseball! That's why I decided to change my talent."

"Dude, ya really think ya can change your talent like that?!" Mondo asked him, almost mockingly. "If so, I suggest ya give up now!"

"HEY! No one can tell me what to do!" Leon answered angrily. "Besides, ya don't know my potential at all, so don't judge me without knowing me!"

"I didn't mean anything bad, personally," Aoi said, refocusing the Baseball Star's attention on her. "I just thought it was a little odd, considering your talent." She then laughed a little. "Plus, I don't think that you would look cool with your shaved hair."

That surprised Leon, and not in a good way. "What?! What do you mean by that?"

"U-um, I think she is referring to the photos on the school's website," Chihiro explained. "I-I think those were taken during one of your matches…"

Now that did it for Leon. "WHAT?! You all saw those?!" He then turned his head away from the rest of the class, huffing in annoyance. "Man, that's so not cool! I thought they had those all erased! This is so embarrassing"

"I know that what you intend to do is none of my concern, but… I would personally think it would be a waste not to pursue your talent at its potential."

"And who are you to - WOAH!"

Well, this was an expected reaction.

After all, anyone would freak out at least a little at seeing someone as imposing as Sakura Oogami approaching them.

Leon gulped down a bit, then went back to his confident self. "W-well, thanks for the advice, but my mind is already made up! Music is my destiny! And I'm not letting anyone get in my way."

"…well, regardless, I hope you will achieve your ambitions."

"T-thanks. Support appreciated…"

The words were supposed to be supportive, yes…

But Leon could hear the disappointment in her voice.

"Yeah! I mean, whatever you do, we've got your back from now on, okay? So, good luck then!"

In comparison, Aoi's soft voice was way gentler. And her cute face and the… good-looking body did help her, yes.

"Aha, thanks! Some people here are supportive after all!"

"S-stupid idiot… o-of course you would b-believe a nice looking girl like her…"

"HEY!"

No, Leon did not like being the object of mockery.

And the fact that it was coming from a girl with glasses did not change that in the slightest.

Not like someone like Touko Fukawa cared anyway.

And Leon's stare directed at her did not help her temper. "W-what?! W-why are you looking at m-me like that?!"

"Duh, ya just insulted e in front of everyone!" Leon answered sharply, showing his pierced tongue. "What did ya expect, honestly, girly?!"

"G-GAH!" Touko recoiled in disgusted shock. "W-what is that thing?! T-take it away from me!"

"Disgusting?!"

"Hey, you don't need to be so mean!" Aoi came to his defense. "We can all be friends here, right?"

"F-friends?! A-as if!" Touko shouted back. "W-what if I don't want to-"

"Quit your useless babbling, all of you. You are wasting breath in this room."

The room went cold jut after that sharp comment has been made.

But even if Katana knew what to expect from the owner of this particular voice, even she couldn't deny that it made her flinch.

Byakuya Togami was indeed worthy of his reputation.

"Oh my, the heir of the Togami Corporation himself is raising his voice," Celestia remarked, sounding almost amused for some reason. "You must be confident about your own abilities to have made it this far."

"And I do not intend to waste it on the likes of you." Byakuya answered with the same disdain in his voice. "I plan to make it on top, and I do not need any of you simpletons to get in my way."

Mondo apparently did not like being insulted in the slightest, but his approach was… more physical. He approached Byakua's desk as he cracked his knuckles and said in a threatening voice. "Oi, ya really think we're gonna let you look down on us like that, uh?! Ya really think you're so good, ya can talk shit about us?!"

"Why, of course. I don't see why I should even explain why, but since your brain doesn't seem to understand big speeches, I'm going to translate you into simple words for you and for everyone else." He stared coldly at the Biker. "I am Togami Byakuya, and you are nothing. So don't bother me ever again with your worthless threats."

That seemed to do it for Mondo. "Why, you-"

"That's enough. Both of you."

That wasn't surprising to hear someone ordering any sign of violence to stop.

But what was surprising was the fact that the one who said that was not the teacher herself, but rather a student.

Then again, it would be expected, yet again, for someone like the girl who talked to react like this.

After all, the Headmaster's girl, Kyouko Kirigiri, was not someone you could push over.

The stare she sent to Mondo was a proof of that. "Do you want yourself to be in trouble on the first day of classes? If not, then I suggest you back down now."

That did surprise the Biker, but he did not comply immediately. "W-wha… And who the hell do you think you-"

"If you want to prove him that he's right, then go ahead then. Whatever happens next is none of my business."

Now that did make Mondo flinch for a moment, before he gritted his teeth in contained anger, dropped his fist and looked down.

But Kyouko was not finished yet. Now it was Byakuya's turn. "As for you, I suggest you also keep that tone of your down. You are no longer in your home, so now you have to follow the school's rules."

To which Byuakya scoffed. "And what makes you think I should do that? Do I have anything to lose?"

"Your credibility, for instance."

Now it was Byakuya's turn to sound angry. His cold stare could tell that much. "…what?"

"You say you don't want to be affiliated with us. So why are you even talking to bus in the first place?" Kyouko simply said with an unafraid tone. "If you want people to stay away from you, then don't attract attention to yourself in the first place. That is a contradiction that will cost your credibility one day."

The Heir only looked at her in disbelief, before scoffing in anger and turning himself away from the others, completely ignoring everyone else from now on.

"H-how dare she…"

Along with Touko's hateful glare towards the girl.

Not like she cared anyway.

But her actions did surprise some people.

"Wow! You sure know how to stand up to yourself!"

"Y-yeah, that was… impressive."

The two voices belonged to that group of people.

Surprisingly, the former voice's owner Sayaka Maizono was more amazed and did not seem so fazed…

Unlike the latter, who looked impressed and nervous at the same time.

But this guy… it was the first time that she saw that face…

Was this the Lucky student of the year?

Kyouko simply answered, "It was nothing. I simply thought I needed to act."

"W-well, you certainly did a good job…"

The guy's reaction was predictable for Kyouko. He seemed intimidated by her act, as if he was mentally noting not to do anything that would anger her or put him on her bad side…

Not that he was wrong about it, in fact, it showed that he was smart enough not to make that kind of mistake.

It's just that… when your first impression seemed like that, it was hard to get rid of it.

But the other girl looked rather… amused by this exchange.

"Come on, Naegi-kun! She's doing going to scold everyone else in the room just for fun! She just needed to make a point!"

Said boy looked astonished by that statement. "U-uh? How did you-"

"I'm a psychic, you know?"

What?

Even Kyouko couldn't help but blink in shock.

And the boy seemed to share her feelings. "W-wha-"

"Just kidding!" Sayaka giggled. "I just have a good intuition."

Well…

Talk about a bluff.

But the Detective couldn't help but feel some kind of relationship between the two.

And she wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Uh, you two seem rather close!" Aoi said in interest. "You know each other too?"

"This is indeed quite interesting." Sakura followed her quickly. "Were you two classmates in another high school before, perhaps?"

"Well, yeah!" The Idol answered with a smile full of glee. "We were in the same class some time ago, you know!"

"W-we didn't interact that much, though…"

"WHAT?! No way! You mean you were with the same class as Maizono-san?! Talk about luck!"

"That is indeed quite the twisting surprise! You must be an important character to deserve such a development!"

But whatever the boy nervously tried to explain was shut down by the boy's cries of surprise and… was there also jealousy?

Way to make a boy at ease on his first day in his new class, people.

"Now, now, let's not make a scene on the first day, please…" Katana tried to say in a pleasant voice, but with a hint of begging could be heard by those who listened closely.

And Junko was one of them.

"Oooh, but you can't deny it's quite the scene in front of everyone, Sensei!" She smirked, looking at the ahoge boy. "Say, are you the Ultimate Lucky Student?"

But Katana did not like where this was going. "Enoshima-san, please don't embarrass your classmates with questions like that. I'm sure that's not really-"

"A-actually, she's right, Sensei."

Everyone looked at him curiously. Mukuro was the one who asked the question. "Uh? What do you mean?"

"W-well, that's my talent. I'm the… Ultimate Lucky Student."

That answer was met with a second of silence… which seemed pretty long for the boy, who was beginning to be a little stressful because no one said anything.

Until Celes decided to break that silence. "Really? Your talent is luck?"

Her tone was polite and gentle, but the Luckster knew that there was something more to it. He couldn't find what it was it, though, so he said, "W-well, yeah. Pretty much. Is something wrong with that?"

"Oh, quite the contrary, dear." She assured him. "I just would like to find out which luck of us is stronger, nothing more. It's a gambling thing, really."

That… was a way to put it.

"Pcht. A woodlouse which has been chosen by nothing more but a worthless superstition. Why am I not surprised?"

"J-just a random idiot…"

And those remarks coming from Byakuya and Touko were not helping either.

Fortunately, Aoi was considerate enough to cut the tension with a smile. "Hey, don't worry! It doesn't matter what talent you have! We're going to be friends anyway!"

"She is right, dear classmate!" Taka was quick to follow her with a welcoming tone. "Like our friend said, whatever talent you may have, it shall not prevent you to work as hard as you can! You remain our classmate, no matter what!"

"I-I don't mind either, if that can help…" Chihiro followed the friendly group, with the same nervous, but amicable smile.

The Luckster only chuckled in response. "T-thanks, guys…"

"By the way, Sensei," Kyouko turned herself towards Katana to ask, "you were about to say that luck was not his talent, and yet it is. But shouldn't you be are of that already?"

Sakura also found that quite questionable. "That is true… you should know our identities and talents by now. Is there a problem?"

The teacher started to sweatdrop. "A-ah, that's a… good question, yes. Y-you see, we do have all the files…" she then turned herself towards the ahoge boy. "Except for you."

The boy widened his eyes in shock. "Uh?"

"T-the Headmaster said that we did receive the profile," Katana nervously explained. "However… there was an incident that… erased it. So we… had to redo the whole profiling again. S-sorry about that."

That statement was unexpected.

But it was pretty funny for some others.

"Are ya kiddin' me?! Ya mean to tell me this little guy's profile got erased because some shit happened?!" Mondo grinned. "Talk about bad luck!"

"That's exactly what I was gonna say!" Junko didn't contain her laugh at that statement. "Seriously, you're sure you're the Lucky Student?"

"I-I'm pretty sure." The boy answered with a sheepish laugh. "I mean, I did show the letter to the Principal, so…"

"Oh my… that is quite the revelation." Celestia seemed a little stunned by this revelation, before a smile escaped her face. "This is becoming even more interesting…"

"Wait, you mean you're luck is good AND bad at the same time?!" Yasuhiro asked, before walking away slowly, putting his arms in defense. "S-stay away! I-I'm way too young to die!"

"Hey, stop being mean to him! None of this is his fault! Things like this just happen!" Sayaka was quick to take his defense, before turning to him with a smile. "You don't feel like this is your fault, right Naegi-kun?"

The boy chuckled in nervousness. "N-no, I don't think I should…"

"And what's your name?"

"Uh?"

The boy turned towards Mukuro who looked at him with a neutral look. "Maizono just called you Naegi-kun. But what's your first name?"

The Luckster then laughed a little and smiled at her. "O-oh, that's right! I'm sorry, you have a point there. I should have told everyone my name when I've been mentioned, so thank you, I guess."

That caught the Soldier off-guard, as a very unfamiliar feeling went towards her chest and manifested itself on her cheeks.

What is was, she had no idea, but that was freaking out.

Never did she felt that way before.

In front of a boy no less!

So the first thing she did was to turn her head to the side and answer, "N-no problem, I guess…"

And Junko was the first one to notice that.

What the hell was wrong with this pathetic excuse of a human being, she had no idea.

But something was telling her that once she found out was going on with her… she was not going to happy.

And something was also telling her that it was because of this ahoge boy.

He seems so boring, though… even his talent was complete trash to her. Luck? Seriously?! It was possibly the weakest and worthless talent ever!

meh. A guy like him couldn't be possibly responsible for that. What was special about him?

Nothing.

So why bother with him at all?

She had big plans coming, after all. She needed time to prepare them.

And she certainly didn't need a worthless Lucky Student in her legs.

"Well, I suppose you will start off the introductions then." Kyouko deduced. "You did say you should have to present yourself, after all."

"Right! That's what I'm going to do!" The ahoge boy then stood up and looked at his teacher. "Can I, Sensei?"

"Certainly."

The Lucky Student went in front of the whole class, and then bowed to them.

"My name is Naegi Makoto, and I am the Ultimate Lucky Student."

What Makoto did after that stunned the others lightly.

He looked at the others… and smiled.

"I hope we will all be able to get along."

"And get along, we did…"

Those words muttered by Katana couldn't be closer to the truth.

Well, there was still someone in their class that would still refuse to associate himself with the others unless it is absolutely necessary, or if he saw this as an opportunity to use their moments together for his own desires… even if he did manage to get just a little bit softer… she figured.

Guess the Togami line was also recognized for their stubborn attitude.

But overall, everyone was getting along just fine.

And let's not forget about what happened with their progress.

Sayaka restarted her idol job and decided to work hard in order to achieve her dreams, which had proved to be successful so far.

Kyouko was more open with others and managed to reconnect with her father.

Touko was still the same, but was a little more polite, not to mention, she could actually put up with some kind of people better… that, and her obsession with a certain boy grew stronger.

Better that than the previous boy for sure.

Sakura had to go through one of the most devastating events of her life and suffered both physically, mentally and emotionally but was saved from giving up and started to retrain…

Not as intensely as before, which could be seen, but still…

Aoi was still as bubbly and cheerful as ever, but wanted to show more of her feminine side.

Which wasn't really a problem to begin with for Katana, but she wasn't here to judge.

Leon was still struggling with music in general, but was not giving up for sure.

Mondo started to look for a job and started to feel more comfortable when it came to talking about it.

Celestia was also starting to socialize and to have fun while playing, and she was closer to achieve her dreams.

Chihiro had gained enough confidence in himself to reveal his secret to his class and started to train, and also became a little less timid.

Mukuro has started a healthier relationship with her sister.

Well, it was still agitated, but it was still way better than before.

Junko went out of whatever trance she was in, and stopped the pranking all together in order to get along with others better.

That meant one less thing to take care of for Katana… thank God for that.

Taka was still as passionate as ever, yet managed to be friendlier with others in general.

Still didn't prevent his outrage when he spotted something scandalous, but it was now something common for those who know him by now.

Hifumi was making some improvement with others as well, as he became more sociable and started freak people out with his passion in a less often pattern than before.

And Yasuhiro… he still remained the same.

Well, to be fair, he got smart enough to avoid as less trouble as possible, so it was something… she guessed.

All in all, the class made progress on their own. Talent aides, everyone – or almost everyone, if she wants to be mean – has gained something. They either have a clear goal in mind, or have a better handling of their emotions.

…and all of that, because of one boy in their classmate, who didn't need to wait to be class representative to help them.

That almost made her feel ashamed to call herself a teacher, because the boy also helped her with some things, when it was supposed to be her job. They did hang out time to time, after all, so they know each other a little, and it was easy for the both of them to make a connection.

Perhaps because Makoto as just like her: a nervous boy who would quickly push aside this sentiment in order to help those he cares about as much as he can.

He was like… a son to her.

Yeah, she would never call him that in public, of course. And she knew she shouldn't feel like that. But she couldn't help it. When she started some relationship with students she has been assigned, she had a habit to secretly call them her own kids. She figured that this habit started during her first years as a scout teacher. And when their school traveling was over, it was still a little painful to know that those same kids that you've followed will go and probably forget about, the pain was here. But she gave them a straight face and a smile each time, telling them that it was okay, that everything was fine.

Telling herself that everything was fine.

With Makoto, however… that was different.

He cared about her, she could tell. She felt that his attention and concern was genuine, just like when she cared about kids. She helps people, and he helps her back. That's how she feels about him.

After all, the conversation she had with Yasuke… she already had it with Makoto.

Honestly? She couldn't have asked for a better student.

He may not be Kiyotaka when it came to rules, because after all, incidents happened in the past.

That time when he skipped one of his exams for his sister's sake was one example, and she would need to talk about that to him again in the future.

But it only made the bond stronger.

No one was perfect, after all.

Even if she felt like it was close.

"He's going to regret being so nice one day."

Oh, that's right. Speaking of Yasuke, she forgot he was still in the same room with her. And his words were… a little odd, to be honest.

Was he showing concern towards Makoto?

That would be a first.

She had to ask. "What do you mean by that?"

"It means what it means. That one day, he's going to be in so much trouble, he'll ask a day off."

She couldn't help but chuckle. "I guess you're right..."

"This isn't funny. I've seen him with that stupid Clairvoyant who was talking about a project he's been working on." The Neurologist narrowed his eyes and looked at the window again. "They were heading towards the school's exit I think the moron wanted to bring him along."

No that worried the teacher. "R-really? B-but didn't he had anything else to do?"

"Apparently, no. And I think that old fart from earlier spotted them, too. I definitely heard him saying their names when he passed me a visit to my Lab. He grunted some shit about those two 'wasting his breath', so I guess he asked for Naegi's help… and now, they must be outside the school, doing whatever that moron planed."

Yasuhiro with Makoto… that was not a good sign…

Well, he with anyone was not a good sign in general, but with Makoto, that was worse!

She still remembered that time when the Kuzuryus were involved, and it was not pretty!

DRRRR!

Right then, she felt her phone vibrate. She quickly opened it to see a message…

{1 New Message from Naegi Makoto:}

{Hey there, Sensei! Just to tell you that I and Hagakure-kun are going out early just to work on a personal project he's been working out! Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous! I'm sorry I couldn't contact you earlier, but I had a lot to work on! Please let the other not to worry too much, okay?}

Katana sighed in defeat, but couldn't help but smile. Perhaps Yasuke was right on Makoto being a little of a pushover…

Oh well, she couldn't change him, she supposed.

{Hello, Naegi-kun. Alright, but you better stay out of trouble, okay? And if Hagakure-kun tries to do something reckless, I'm counting on you to stop him. Phone me when you'll be finished, alright?}

Once she sent it, she didn't need to wait too long for an answer.

{Alright, I promise! Thank you again, Sensei!}

The answer was enough to reassure her… at least, for now.

But one side of her couldn't help but feel worried.

"Naegi-kun… please be alright."

Yup. I end the chapter on a cliffhanger. Way to make a comeback.

So, how long I've been out? Let's see…

FIVE MONTHS?!

Well, I did say I would put my story on hiatus for a while…

And I don't know when I'll update again. Sorry, I'm just as good as Jibster when it comes to that. Also, all of this takes literally 70 pages on Word. So it gives you an idea of what took me so long.

Anyway, now, some explaining to do.

Yeah, I did say it was going to be a fic on Makoto, but then I thought, 'why not giving some spotlight to the others?' After all, many other characters will be important in this fanfic, if not all. So, that's why I decided to take a different approach.

Besides, some of them deserve some justice because of what happened to them. Not only in the games, but… in the anime as well. Yes, I am definitely on the 'disappointed of Danganronpa 3' side, but… that's a story for another time.

Also, I'm trying to improve my way of writing. Looking at you, jean010. ;)

Is it good? Bad? Don't hesitate to tell me in the reviews.

Speaking of guesses, I think those who know who was the girl in Chapter 8 'A Reserved Premise' will know who those mysterious characters are… even though I suck at physical description.

Anyway, the next chapter will focus on Makoto and Yasuhiro mainly. And I will take the time to analyze his character in order to give you my opinion of him.

In fact, each time Makoto will have his 'arc' with a character, I shall give you my opinion about that character. And since Makoto is the main character of my fic, he shall go last.

There will be other characters in this chapter, and notably some KK characters that have not appeared yet. If you followed from the very beginning… you'll guess who I'm talking about. And don't worry, this chapter definitely won't be this long! …I certainly hope so.

As usual, if you have any question, I'll do what I can to answer them! (Except if it's related to the story… obviously).

With all of that being said, see you all next time!

Pupla out.