AN: Hello again! I'd like to start this note by addressing one of my reviews. If you're concerned about Hinata becoming a character that defines the story and is too overpowered, don't worry, he won't. I have no intentions to make any character flawless and unable to die in this universe, especially main characters. This universe is supposed to be dystopian and slightly depressing with moments of hope the Danganronpa series is famous for. With that said, enjoy the chapter.
Chiaki made Makoto very self-conscious. From the small distance he was from her, she looked very small. As he approached to greet her, he realised they were the same height. Was he really that small? He knew that Kyoko was taller than him, even when barefoot, but was it really that noticeable? After introducing himself to Chiaki and making funny faces at her daughter he turned back to Hajime, who directed him to the kitchen. He pulled out one of the stools to allow the Luckster to sit down, before continuing on behind the counter. Hajime reached up to the top shelf and brought down a large bottle of whiskey. He produced a tray full of glasses from seemingly nowhere. He poured the liqueur in two glasses and pushed one along the countertop to Makoto. The shorter boy picked up the glass and stared through it. ''I probably have a terrible tolerance.'' He chuckled nervously. ''Good.'' Hajime responded dryly. ''I'd prefer if some of the details of what I'm about to tell you were vague in your memory. I'm only going to explain myself once to each of your group, so it doesn't potentially trigger my other self's episodes.'' Makoto chose to stay silent and simply nod in confirmation. Hajime took a deep breath before he began.
''Before the world was destroyed, the steering committee of Hope's Peak conducted an experiment to see if they could give a talentless individual a talent or, in my case, several talents. I was a talentless individual. My obsession with Hope's Peak had got me as far as signing up for the Reserve Course, but that cost tens of thousands a year. My family couldn't pay for it any longer and the school knew that. I was offered the chance to stay on at the school if I participated in this experiment.'' He stopped and looked towards Chiaki, who was talking to Kyoko and Byakuya, the latest two from Makoto's group to come down the ladder. ''It almost cost me everything when I accepted. I told Chiaki that I'd 'see her tomorrow' the day that I went to the committee. They kept me in the basement of the Academy for months, I never thought that it'd take so long to prep for what was essentially a glorified lobotomy.''
Makoto's eyes widened and he went to speak before Hajime gave him a reassuring look. ''I never knew the full extent of the experiment. I was told that they would give me a talent with few negatives. They completely removed my personality and took away all of my memories. When I woke up, I was told my name was Izuru Kamakura and that I had every talent known to man.'' A lightbulb went off in Makoto's head. ''So you're the other Ultimate Analyst that Peko spoke about.'' He mumbled. ''I'm more than that. I am talent. I'm the Ultimate Ultimate. There's only one talent that I don't possess, and that's luck.'' He said as he pointed at Makoto, who raised his eyebrows in surprise. ''So… what happened after you woke up? Surely a lot to get to this situation.'' Makoto said hesitantly. Hajime nodded before continuing on. ''Not at first. The first few weeks were quiet but my memories were slowly coming back. I was locked in a dark room and was occasionally greeted with a scientist who'd test one of my various talents, so I had a lot of time to think. As soon as they found out that my memories were coming back to me, I was let out. I was given nothing, so I assume they believed that my skills and logical way of thinking would allow me to survive with little issue. That's when I saw what was happening to the world.'' He poured himself another glass. He glanced at the ground before circling the counter to take a seat next to Makoto.
''You know its only been 3 years since I started Hope's Peak. I had half a year of school before the experiment. Chiaki and the rest of her class had a solid two, then halfway through the third year shit went down. You were halfway through your second year I would guess, right?'' Makoto, who had shifted in his chair to face the boy on his right, nodded with a smile. Though he had no memory of his time at Hope's Peak, he was certain he had a good time with his friends. If his memories ever came back to him, he would probably feel as bittersweet about them as possible. ''When I was out in Tokyo, I kept thinking about Chiaki; she was one of the few things I could remember. There was about a year where all I did was observe. I stayed close to the Academy, so I could keep an eye on the committee and their experiments. To my knowledge, they never created another Izuru, but they could've simply moved the lab to throw me off the trail while I was locked away. But after that year, the UN Council met.'' Both boys looked solemnly at the floor. ''That's when war broke out, and a few months later your class was locked inside the Academy.''
Makoto had heard the hatch shut a few seconds before the Prodigy's sentence had finished and when he turned back, he saw Peko and Fuyuhiko in a tight embrace with the rest of the group exploring the room. He met Kyoko's eyes and she gave him a small smile. Makoto returned one of his own before looking back towards Hajime. The older boy gave him a knowing look. ''I'll finish this up real quick, I know you'll want to speak to her.'' Makoto laughed lightly, before encouraging Hajime to continue. ''As soon as Japan declared war on China, I knew shit was about to hit the fan. I began building this place as well as stocking up on food and general supplies. I'd say I stole about 6 years' worth of essentials.'' Makoto gave him a disapproving look, which Hajime responded to with a snort. ''I don't share memories with or control my other self, Makoto. The only reason I know about any of this is because Izuru kept a memoir. 'Sides, I didn't have any money, so thieving was the only way to prepare for what I already knew would come next. About a week or so before the bombs dropped, Junko Enoshima broadcasted a similar video to the one she'd shown at the UN. This one was exclusively for the people of Japan and it encouraged them to kill all Hope's Peak Academy students. It claimed that they were the reason that Japan was losing the war. Of course it failed to mention that every countries' governments had been corrupted by despair and had led to the collapse of almost all societies. I mean, Europe was destroyed long before Asia was, and our Prime Minister celebrated with swirls in his eyes on national television the day we nuked China.''
Anyway, the 78th class were coming back from a rare field trip under the new martial law state, which is why Junko released the video when she did. She knew it was the one time that I wasn't as close as possible to them. She knew that I wouldn't be able to save all of them. And I didn't. The bus was in Yokoyama when the crowds jumped it. I already predicted where they'd stop and was on my way. 16 people left on that trip.'' Hajime squeezed his eyes shut and contorted his face into a deep frown. ''I saved seven. Not even half. I would've thought that on the way to the shelter I could've kept them safe, but some died on the short journey from Yokoyama to Tokyo.'' Hajime went to pour another glass but thought better of it. ''Hajime Hinata was born again that day. Izuru comes and goes but he's unstable now.'' He placed a hand on Makoto's shoulder. ''That's why I hold you in such high aplomb. Even with all of my talents and my genius level intellect, I still lost to despair. The world ending was just the icing on the cake.'' His hand began to slip from its position but gripped it even harder than before as he began to speak again.
''But you won against despair with no talent and little support. You beat the Ultimate Despair in front of the few people in the world that could still watch it.'' He stood up sharply. ''The objective of the experiment that made me this was to make me the original Ultimate Hope. How ironic that it was right under their noses all along.'' He smiled ear to ear patting Makoto on the back. ''Now go speak with your girlfriend, buddy.'' Makoto turned bright red but nodded as he stood. ''Thank you, for telling me your story. I'm sorry for your losses.'' Hajime suddenly brought Makoto in for a large hug. ''you're the first person I've ever told about this. It was just…. good to get it out.'' He said as he pulled away. He started to walk away from the Luckster but stopped and spun back towards him. ''Almost forgot! The rest of our group will be coming over about 5, they're nice people so I hope you get along. Talk to you later!'' Makoto grinned to himself, only to stop as he felt a hand wrap around his. A gloved hand.
''What do you think?'' Kyoko asked quietly as she watched the Ultimate Ultimate bring Byakuya over to the bar. ''He's mentally unstable, traumatised by watching the deaths of those he thought he could save and is the most dangerous person in the room.'' Makoto replied regretfully. A moment of silence hung over the couple. ''Buuuuut?'' Kyoko said expectantly. ''He's a nice guy and seems genuine. I have no reason to believe that he was lying. He does seem like he wants to keep as many people he cares about alive as he can. You'll have the opportunity to question him when he tells you his story.'' Kyoko seemed content with his interpretation. ''Before you ask, I think all of the people we've met so far are good trustworthy people.'' Kyoko hummed in accordance. ''We'll just have to see what the other three are like when they come in what… two hours?'' He said as he squinted to make out the clock. Kyoko hummed again and began to drag him to one of the couches in front of the TV. They sat down next to each other, Kyoko lifting her legs to rest on his lap. She giggled as he voiced his disapproval at being used as a cushion. He chose to let it slide and keep himself occupied by watching Chiaki and Hina play peek-a-boo with Hiyoko.
The two or so hours passed, and Makoto realised that he and Kyoko had both fallen asleep on the couch. A knocking on the hatch had woke him up, and he turned to look up at the hatch. It was open, but he chose to turn his attention to Kyoko instead. She hadn't slept at all of late, so she had obviously passed out. He gently shook her awake, and she sat up groggily. ''They're here,'' Makoto said softly, not wanting to be too loud as she'd barely been conscious five seconds. She gave him a singular nod before swinging her legs round and down onto the carpeted floor. Makoto watched her carefully as she stood, just to make sure she didn't fall in her wobbly state. He stood up as well, just as the hatch shut with a clang. He recognised the sounds of someone hurrying down the ladder. When he turned around, Hiro and Hina were already conversing with one of the three new arrivals, and Byakuya was begrudgingly speaking with Toko and a man or equal height to the Heir. ''Hi.'' He heard from his left. He rotated to be met with a girl with short, red hair.
''I'm Mahiru Koizumi, the Ultimate Photographer. You're Makoto Naegi, right?'' She wore a green skirt and white blouse, with overalls originating from the skirt's waistline. Her bright green eyes stared at him expectantly. ''Yeah, it's very nice to meet you, Mahiru. I've heard great things about you from Hajime.'' The redhead's cheeks tinged pink slightly. ''H-Hajime spoke about me?'' She asked sheepishly. Makoto could already tell what was happening here. ''Not you in particular.'' He rushed out. ''He said all three of you were good people.'' Mahiru nodded and a few seconds of awkward silence followed. ''Anyway!'' Makoto blurted out to break the silence. ''This is Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective.'' ''It's nice to meet you. I hope we can get along.'' Kyoko bowelled slightly, returning a similar greeting to her partner's. ''I'd love to chat more, especially about Enoshima and stuff, but I have to go speak to your friends. I'll speak to you later, yeah?'' The Photographer said with a sweet smile as she walked away. Makoto gave an annoyed look to the lavender-haired girl. ''Could you please attempt to be more… warm to people?'' He asked, knowing the likely answer. ''Pfft, as if.'' The Sleuth replied sarcastically. ''You hate awkward conversations. If anything I saved you from more nervous dialogue.'' Makoto sighed as they walked up to the tall, black-haired boy.
His hair went up in a swirl similarly to Hina's but had grey streaks in the swirl that continued into one stripe throughout his hair. His eyes were heterochromatic; one was red and the other was grey, though Makoto couldn't tell if it was a contact or not. He donned a long black trench coat that travelled all the way down to the start of his boots, which were also black. His left arm was covered in bandages, and his other was almost completely exposed sav for a few rings on his fingers. He was sickly, almost deathly pale and seemed to be more confrontational up close. They came to a stop in front of him, unsure of how to introduce initiate conversation. ''Uh, hi, I'm Makoto Naegi. This is Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective.''
The boy looked them both up and down. He furrowed his brow before he spoke. ''So you are the powerful pairing that defeated the malevolent wench within that evil Academy.'' He smiled coolly, before reaching into his jacket. His hand emerged with four hamsters hanging onto it, each seemingly striking power poses. ''I am Gundham Tanaka, the Ultimate Breeder. I am one of the most powerful mages on Earth.'' He pointed to his pets, which Makoto assumed where the results of his breeding. ''You are worthy of being in the presence of my Four Dark Devas of Destruction. I look forward to seeing how you cope in this world and to see if you truly are the Ultimate Hope.'' He gave a strangely humbling thumbs-up before turning attention to Aoi and Hiro who he had seemingly sensed behind him. ''Sometimes I wish you hadn't given me that title.'' Makoto referenced to the girl to his left. ''It was accurate. You instilled hope in all of us, as well as the people watching across the globe.'' Makoto chewed at the side of his cheek as he considered Kyoko's claim. ''Hello!'' An excited voice called out next to him.
The voice belonged to a girl. A very strange one at that. She wore her black hair in two horns and a ponytail, with the bangs at the front being dyed pink and blue (though the colour was fading). She had a typical sailor-like school uniform, with the blouse being pink and the skirt being blue. He assumed this was to match her bangs. Her nails were also painted this hot pink and blue, with the colour alternating as it went along each finger. Her legs were almost completely bare save for a pair of black sandals. Her toenails were also painted in the same alternating pattern. ''Why are you two staring at Ibuki's feet?'' She asked playfully. ''You two aren't fetishists or anything right?'' She asked in a worried tone, though it was obviously comedic. ''No, we're not.'' Kyoko finally spoke up before pausing to stare again. ''Do your legs not get cold?'' She asked, almost bewildered by the girl's choice to go out without any cover on a winter evening. ''Of course! Ibuki is in fact extremely cold!'' She bellowed with an excited giggle. ''Then why do you- forget it, I'm Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective. This is Makoto Naegi, the Ultimate Hope.'' She added extra emphasis on 'hope' purely to annoy him, but he couldn't get annoyed in front of a stranger.
''Yay! You two are awesome! I am Ibuki Mioda, and I was the Ultimate Musician!'' The Rockstar said with renewed enthusiasm. ''I am so stoked to meet the two smarterest people in the world!'' Makoto couldn't tell if she said that to be ironic, or if she actually thought that it was a word. Either way he found himself smiling. The only person he knew that could rival or beat his level of joy and enthusiasm was his sister, and he didn't want to think about her right now. Not when it was almost impossible to imagine her alive. He shook off his sad thoughts and smiled as brightly as possible at the Musician, who squealed in excitement before wrapping her arms around the two of them. ''You two are exactly like how you were on TV! Ibuki loved you on TV, so it's coolio to see you in person too!'' She ranted as she kept her arms locked around them in a tight hug, her voice muffled due to her face being buried onto Makoto's jacket. She let go and pulled away as quickly as she had been upon them, a huge grin appearing on her face. Even Kyoko was having a hard time not returning Ibuki's infectious smile, though she contained it to a muted smirk. Ibuki went to speak again but was cut off by Byakuya clearing his throat.
''Now that we're all here and have acquainted ourselves, I'd like to start out first agenda for this evening.'' He strode over to the dining table before taking at seat at its head. He motioned for the rest of the group to join him at the table, which all but Hajime, who was rocking his daughter gently behind where Chiaki was seated, did. ''I'd like to ask all of your opinions on what Enoshima's punishment should be.'' Makoto instantly began looking around the room for the Mastermind. Her spotted her in the armchair closest to the TV. She had one of her own magazines in her hand but was asleep with her head resting on the chair's armrest. The Luckster and The Detective gave each other a knowing glance. She definitely wasn't asleep. However, Byakuya continued, drawing their attention back to the Affluent Progeny at the end of the table. ''It is my opinion that she should at the very least be incarcerated for her crimes.'' ''No.'' An emotionless voice grumbled furiously from behind Chiaki. The table all turned to meet Izuru's red eyes, a tell-tale sign that Hajime was no longer home. ''We will kill her.''
