Disclaimer: I do NOT own Danganronpa or any other franchise references in this story. Danganronpa is a creation of Spike Chunsoft. All I own is Ryuuto, the Primals, and other unidentified villains.

Chasing Dreams: Zero

Ryuuto never asked to be pulled into this situation.

Invited to Hope's Peak Academy? He would have turned it down instantly if it wasn't for the insistence of his family.

Oh, right. Bet you're all confused about what's going on. Let's backtrack, shall we?

Let it be known that Ryuuto would never refuse to heal or assist a human being.

"So, you can heal them, right?"

"It's just a minor wound, Sister Felicity. Of course, I can." Kneeling before the child, who was his brother in-all-but-blood, Ryuuto smiled softly. He put his hand out, as the child, Michael, revealed their wounded knee. "What caused this, kiddo?"

"I tripped. I didn't listen to you when you said to stop running around the house…" Michael said in a reserved tone, worried that his older brother would be disappointed. "I'm sorry."

Instantly, Ryuuto ruffled up the kid's brown hair, still smiling. "Don't be. We all make mistakes. Think of this as a learning experience." Ryuuto's expression changed from relaxed to serious within a second, red and yellow-green eyes narrowing in focus. "Now, stay still. This will sting a bit." Ryuuto moved his hands to Michael's knee, as a faint green glow surrounded the two. The child winced, holding Sister Felicity's black robe for support. Within seconds, the wound closed up, leaving no traces of there being a wound previously aside from the blood. "All done kiddo. You should get cleaned up though."

Instantly, Ryuuto found himself on the receiving end of a tight hug from his little brother. "Thanks, big bro! You're the best Priest ever!" Ryuuto chuckled at that, returning the hug without a second thought.

"I'm not sure about that, but if you say so kiddo." Ryuuto returned to patting his little brother's head, before noticing the blue eyes of Sister Felicity motioning for them to leave. He was confused, didn't she call him here for this? He let his little brother go, telling him to go play with the other children, before following Sister Felicity. "What's going on?"

"We have visitors. From Japan." She responded quickly, leading him to a nearby diner. "Normally, as you know, we'd reject visitors unless they have a real purpose being here."

"My powers." It wasn't a question, more of a statement. It was a 'necessary precaution', as the nuns and matrons often told him. He could handle himself, but after helping out local London with his blessings, he effectively became a myth. A legend of sorts. It was because of him that the neighborhood of Morrowfield became more unified, at least that's what Sister Felicity said.

The blonde nun nodded in response. "But this time, I think it's in your best interest to meet up with this visitor." Ryuuto glanced at Felicity, confused, but listened to her regardless. Sister Felicity had essentially raised him, after all, so he trusted her. He opened the door to the diner, letting her enter before him, and then followed quickly. "Ryuuto, meet Koichi Kizakura."

Ryuuto stared at the man before him, taking in his appearance. Ragged blonde hair, blue eyes. A thin mustache was accompanied by a goatee. He wore a white tuxedo, with a green undershirt and black vest top, with a blue-gray tie. He also wore a white hat. Possible tendency to be lazy, a voice whispered in his head. He didn't know why, but Ryuuto felt like that could be true.

It took a moment for his brain to register a hand being extended out to him, likely for a friendly handshake by the position. He immediately grasped the hand, shaking it. "Ryutensei James Henderson-Shock, but I prefer Ryuuto. It's an honor to meet you, Mister Kizakura."

"Koichi's fine, kid. Take a seat." The man sat down, and Ryuuto followed, noticing immediately that Felicity was missing. Koichi seemed to follow his gaze. "Oh, yeah. She left just a few seconds ago while you were staring."

Ryuuto grew flustered, not dealing well with being caught and put on the spot. "Ah, sorry about that. My mind tends to trail off when meeting new people. It's a bad habit of mine." Koichi only laughed good-naturedly in response.

"Nah, you're fine. Everyone's got their weird quirks, right?" Koichi then straightened up slightly. "That reminds me of why I wanted to talk to you."

"Oh! Yeah, Sister Felicity said it was in my best interest to meet you. Why's that?" Ryuuto questioned, genuinely curious.

"Well, I'm a scout for Hope's Peak Academy. We'd like to formally invite you to our prestigious school." Koichi said with a grin, sure that he found another talented student for their school.

Ryuuto stared blankly for a few moments before standing up and sighing. "Count me out."

Instantly, Koichi's eyes bugged out as he grabbed the jacket sleeve of the teen before him, trying to stop him from leaving. "Hey, wait a moment! What do you mean 'count me out'?! Don't you understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?" Ryuuto tugged his arm out of the man's grasp effortlessly, a hand moving through his spiky lavender hair.

"Listen… Morrowfield's grown to depend on me, just like I depend on them. I provide them with safety, easier lives. They provide me with love and support. Its a two-way street. I can't leave them behind." He shook his head sadly. "Honestly, I'm honored that Hope's Peak wanted me to attend, but I seriously can't go."

Koichi sighed but didn't seem disappointed. He seemed resigned at best. "Yeah, I expected something like that." The man reached into his suit, pulling out what seemed to be a business card. "This is my number. Call me if you change your mind."

"People don't typically refuse the invitations, do they?" Ryuuto asked though it was more of a rhetorical question. Koichi stood up, dusting his suit off.

"Nah, but its never a bad idea to be prepared for anything." Koichi shrugged in response before they shook hands again, the Scout then leaving the diner moments later. Ryuuto sighed, as he returned to the orphanage.

"So, what happened?" Felicity asked him later, as Ryuuto took a sip of his freshly brewed tea.

"Got invited to Hope's Peak Academy." At those words, Felicity's eyes brightened.

"And? What happened?!" The nun was barely able to keep her excitement out of her voice, which caused Ryuuto to go silent out of nervousness, instead choosing to take another sip of his tea. Felicity's eyes narrowed. "Ryuuto… don't tell me you refused."

Instantly, Ryuuto looked away, unable to look Felicity in the eye. He visibly wilted as her glare increased in strength. "Alright, alright! I did! I refused!"

"Why?!" Felicity snapped instantly, with Ryuuto growing a backbone from the question.

"You know why, Sister Felicity! I'm the only thing protecting Morrowfield from-"

"We don't need your protection, Ryuuto! We just want your happiness! You need to get a real education, to get yourself out there!" Felicity interjected immediately, causing Ryuuto to go quiet. Felicity took a deep breath, as she got up and placed a hand on her the man she called a son's right cheek. "You've helped us enough, son. You need to help yourself now."

Sister Felicity, no; his Mother had a point, he supposed. But… "I don't know if I can leave. This is the only home I know. It won't be the same without the kids, the matrons… without you." Ryuuto said softly.

"It won't be forever, my boy. But you can't just hole yourself up in here for the rest of eternity. You need to make some real human connections. Live a more exciting life. Get yourself a girlfriend."

"The last one seems out of place," Ryuuto commented, though he couldn't help but smile. He then put his cup of tea down on the table before him. "I… I'll attend Hope's Peak. But only because I know you'll pester me until I do."

Felicity smirked unapologetically. That was the truth, and she would have gotten the other matrons and the kids to help. "Go call that man, then. He gave you a way to contact him, right?"

"Yeah…" Ryuuto sighed, pulling out Koichi's business card. "I'll call him then."

Later, Ryuuto stood before the Hope's Peak Academy Scout, a bored look in his eyes. "Alright, old man. What's my title?"

Koichi smirked, knowing that one way or another, the kid would have come back to him. His streak of bringing in Ultimates wouldn't be broken yet, it seemed! "We've found it extremely appropriate to give someone of your caliber, the Priest who can perform miracles with the help of his God, the one who-"

"Get on with it," Ryuuto growled impatiently. Koichi sighed, he tried to make things more entertaining and got verbally attacked for it. Whatever.

"Congratulations, Ryutensei James Henderson-Shock. You've been accepted into Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Priest."

Why did Ryuuto suddenly feel like he sold his soul? 'Alpha help me.' He thought to himself, concerned.