All summer long I was in and out of the hospital. Screenings, tests, the same things over and over. I don't understand why I bother. I only have about a year left to live anyway. Who cares how fast my brain is deteriorating or how fast the cancer is spreading? Aiko insists that I go, just in case some miracle happens where I'm cured. That's definitely possible. Instead, I wanna believe that in my death something amazing will happen. Like hundreds of lives change for the better. Hope to as many people as possible when I die. I don't know how it'll happen, but I'm sure it will. At least I hope it will. The good part of the deal when it comes to my illness hasn't shown itself yet.

Now it's almost the first week of school. High school. Almost all the other freshman at Spiral High seem either extremely excited or nervous about this part of their lives. High school is really romanized in everything, so I get it. While I'm thinking about going there, just waiting to die, I can't help but wonder. Why did I even enroll in school if I'm not going to be here much longer? I tell myself it's to make my death more impactful. The more people who know me, the more impact, whether it be despair or hope, it'll be something. Deep down I hope that I can find a friend too, but I already know it won't happen.

Only a few more days until it starts and I'm still so alone. I keep dreaming of more. The good from this better be worth it. Aiko is distancing herself. She's probably mentally preparing herself for me to die. Can't blame her. The only person I expected any form of comfort from is running away. I can keep dreaming for someone to genuinely care about me before I die. As selfish as it is, I want that. I want that person to love me, so when I go they can experience despair which will led into a big, hopeful thing in return. Desperately. Insanely. That's what I want. Is that stupid? Also, I want it to impact as many as possible. My life needs to have a meaning, otherwise all of the ups and downs mean nothing.

"Nagito...?" Aiko's voice is quiet on the opposite side of my door. In the dark, reading books about everything. That's how I spent my free time all summer. "What's wrong?" I reply with that, because I'm sure she would only talk to me if something happened. I wish it wasn't like that. She comes in almost shyly. "You got some letter in the mail." Handing it to me, I'm forced to put down my book about the evolution of film. "What is it?" The envelope is decorated with a logo. 'Hope's Peak Academy'? Hm. "Do you remember that school for talented kids? It's them. Do you have some special talent you never told me about?" I shake my head. Talent? I might be talented at being useless or something trashy like that, but I don't think that's recognized.

I open up the letter. All these words don't make sense to me. Is this a prank? "Congratulations!! Nagito Komaeda, you were randomly selected to join Hope's Peak Academy! Similar to jury duty, you were chosen at random from a number of high school freshman. Your talent will be seen as the Ultimate Luck. At our school, we study talents of all sorts. We hope to see you soon!" Huh? Ultimate luck? I mean, I know my luck cycle is really something, but... "Ohhh, congratulations! So many kids dream about going there or paying their way in. This is amazing, Nagito. You really are a lucky kid." Aiko hugs me for the first time in a while. A long while.

"No, this isn't right. Being around all those kids with amazing talent? I wouldn't belong. I don't deserve it, I mean... I'm gonna die anyway." Maybe this is the good part of the deal, but I just don't know. This wasn't what I expected. "Don't talk like that. You're going to overcome this and graduate from that school." She speaks so happily, like she likes me again. Why? Why does she care about something like this? This can't be right.

"I should turn them down. I don't des-"

"Don't turn down amazing opportunities because you're sad. You'll do great there."

Looking at the letter again, I realize something. Joining would give me status. Not like being rich does, especially since I don't tell people. Being a student at Hope's Peak would make me be seen as talented, worthy, and valuable. I should go. If I do, then maybe my death will have meaning. When some teenager dies, people are sort of sad. When a teenager with potential, value, status, and talent dies... Oh, what a tragedy. Plus, if I stay quiet about my illnesses, my death will be a surprise. That will surely impact my classmates. Even if they hate me! Haha. Yeah, this is definitely the good part of the deal. "Okay, I'll go."