Hajime slowly took a seat on a bed within the nurse's office of the academy's main building. He unbuttoned his blazer and slowly peeled his dress shirt from his torso. As the fabric of his clothing left his skin, the scars across his flesh was unveiled to the Ultimate Nurse. She was smart enough to understand the cause of each one—though she did have trouble believing what she saw. The scars were no doubt made by slashes, stabs, bullets, fragmentation, and burns of varying intensities. She shook her head and refocused her attention, pulling the tweezers and needles from the tray after sterilizing them.

The brunet slowly extended his stained clothes to his brother, "Could you get me a different pair of clothes?" He took a breath, "You're the only one here who knows where our dorm is."

Izuru looked like he was about to argue, but understood that he didn't have anything to reply, "Fine." He took the clothes, making his way to the door, before hesitating, "Take good care of him, Tsumiki."

Mikan nodded, "I-I will." She set a tray of tools and another empty one down before looking at his back with a pair of tweezers in her hand, "This is going to hurt."

Hajime teetered his head, "Don't worry about it… Pain's an old friend."

She nodded, "Okay." She began the process of removing the glass from his skin. The clink of the glass landing in the empty tray and the wince or grunt of pain from the brunet. Her free hand gently glided over his scarred flesh, "You have a lot of scars…"

He shifted uncomfortably underneath her touch, "Y-Yeah…"

Another light touch against his skin, "Bullets… cuts…"

He shifted once more, "Just… don't tell the others…"

This time it was enough for her to notice, "I-I'm sorry!" She pulled back her hands, "Y-You… You must hate me now…"

Hajime shook his head, "I don't hate you. Everything's fine."

Mikan blinked, "R-Really?"

He smiled, "Yeah, you're fine." He took a breath, "Just no more poking my scars, please. They're a bit sensitive."

She nodded, "Of-Of course." She then leaned in once more and restarted the process, and after a moment or two of silence, she commented, "Y-You're very healthy."

Hajime shrugged, "Thanks…"

"U-Um, why do you have so many scars?"

"Traveling the world hold risks." He looked over his shoulder, "Don't tell the others, please."

Mikan nodded, "I… I won't!"

XXX

Izuru walked down the hall with a new dress-shirt and blazer underneath his arm. He walked past Chisa and the two students trailing behind her. His march came to a slow stop when he heard the familiar sounds of a particular video game.

He blinked, "Gala Omega?"

The shorter girl spun on her heel, "You know it!?" She closed the distance between them, "It's such an old game!"

The ravenet automatically stepped back, "Yes."

"It's a classic, don't you think?" She stepped forward, "It's a total classic, right?!"

Izuru shrugged, "Sure. I once played through it twenty times in a row." His mind continued the thought, "In an airport… after the flight got delayed…"

"Really?!"

He replied frankly, "Yes."

She smiled, "Ten is my limit!" She looked between her small console and him, "I've never met anyone besides me who could play that much before!" She tilted her head, "Hey, show me sometime. Promise?"

He shrugged, "Sure."

Chisa shouted from down the hall, "Nanami!"

Izuru nodded to her, "I'll see you around."

Chiaki waved as she walked away to follow after their teacher, "Bye."

With that the two parted, with Izuru finishing his trek to the nurse's office. He pulled open the nurse's office door. Within, Mikan was wrapping Hajime's torso with bandages as the procedure was complete. The brunet looked over his shoulder at his twin, nodding to him before looking back to Mikan. After tucking the bandage into place, she dusted off her hands, nodding in satisfaction. "There. All done."

Hajime smiled, "Thank you for your service."

Izuru laid the clothes on the end of the bed, "Replacement clothes."

The brunet slid off the bed, taking the clothing, "You two should get back to class."

Mikan tilted her head, "What about you?"

He unfolded his dress shirt, "I need to get back to my own class." "I'll see you when you get back to the dorm, Izu."

The ravenet nodded, "Right." He tucked his hands into his pocket, "It's too bad you can't stick around."

The brunet nodded, "Indeed."

Hajime smiled at the Ultimate Nurse, "Thank you again."

She smiled in return, "Of-Of course. Anytime."

"Don't strain yourself, brother."

Hajime chuckled, "No promises." He buttoned up his shirt, "Get along with your classmates."

Izuru smirked, "No promises."

The ravenet pulled open the classroom door, looking at his classmates. Mahiru was the first to ask, "Is Hinata okay?"

Mikan nodded, "He'll be fine."

A white-haired teen blinked, tilting his head, "Hinata?"

Izuru crossed his arms, "He's my older brother—from the Reserve Course."

A dark look crossed over his face, "Eh? Reserve Course?" His smile was maintained, "Must be awful to have a brother from that place."

Hiyoko spat, "What would you know?"

The redhead glared at him, "You don't even know him."

He raised his hand in defense and defeat, "My, my. I apologize. I didn't mean to offend any of you."

Izuru glared at the teen, "Just him, then?"

He chuckled, "You're just too sharp for me."

The ravenet looked around the room, "Who is he?"

Fuyuhiko shrugged, "Komaeda Nagito, the Ultimate Luckster."

"I see."

Nagito tilted his head, "And you are?"

Chisa spoke this time, "Your classmate is Kamukura Izuru, the Ultimate Everything."

He blinked, "Everything?"

Izuru met his eyes, "No talent is unique to me. I hold them all." He spat, "Including yours."

The Luckster bowed his head, "Ah, I'm sorry for insulting your brother. I'll trust your judgement."

The ravenet sucked his teeth, "Do whatever you want."

Mahiru stood, holding up her packed lunch, "Ms. Yukizome, I had plans to have lunch with my friend in the Reserve Course. Could I go?"

Chisa nodded, "Sure, go have fun."

The redhead nodded, "Thank you."

Nagito turned to her, "Why do you associate with them?"

She frowned, "I don't know what you mean. They're just like anyone else."

He spoke with a creepy smile, "The talentless cling onto the talented—like leeches."

Izuru spoke from his corner of the room, "Komaeda, was it?"

Nagito turned, "Yes."

The ravenet ordered, "Shut up." His lips sealed and his smile maintained. Nagito did what he was told.

XXX

Hajime pulled open the door to his classroom. It was lunchtime, so the desks were shifted and everyone. The brunet entered to mostly glares and one welcoming face. He could hear their murmurs and whispers, but distracted himself with dare he say, pleasant company.

He smiled, "Hey, Sato." He raised his brow, "Already lunch?"

Sato smiled, nodding, "Yeah."

The brunet shrugged, "I should've just walked over with Koizumi."

She gestured for him to follow, "Well, just follow me we have a place to eat."

He held up a finger, "Let me just grab my lunch." He jogged over to his desk before opening it. The smile faded before frankness replaced it. His packed lunch was ripped open. The rice was smeared into his desk's inner walls, his hamburger smashed, omelet scattered, and his octopus-wieners was effectively crushed. He blew raspberries, shaking his head, "What a mess."

Sato walked over; her eyes widening at the mess, "What the hell?" She looked around the classroom, "Who did this!?" There were snickers and averted eyes—she wouldn't find a culprit anytime soon.

Hajime shrugged, "Don't worry about it." He closed his desk, "I'll clean it up later."

She shook her head, "I'm really sorry."

He smiled, "You don't have to be, but I appreciate it."

She nudged his arm, "Come on, let's get out of here."

He gestured for her to walk ahead of him, "Lead the way."

Sato sighed out of frustration after they left the classroom, "I'm sorry about that. I should've noticed someone going through your desk." She shook her head again, "Must've been when I was out or something."

Hajime chuckled, "Don't worry about it, really." His mind finished the thought as he stared out a window, "Pain's an old friend…"

"You're weirdly okay with this…"

"Okay's a bit strong." He shrugged, "I'm just not letting it bother me. After all, they did it for a reaction."

"How can you tell?"

He blew raspberries, "It's not a direct attack—petty vandalism at best." He explained, "Something left in wait; not out in the open. To discover; not to see. Right now, they're looking for a stir—a reaction. To see what they can get out of me."

"And what happens if they don't get anything?"

He teetered his head, "Two things: they give up or they try for a more… direct approach."

"Direct?"

"They'll pick a fight."

"A fight?"

He shrugged, "Maybe? I kinda have my doubts, to be honest. They probably won't unless they feel like they have to prove something." He tilted his head, "You confronted people like them earlier, remember? Scattered as soon as you did."

"Right."

He twirled his finger, "Being confronted is different from being challenged. Confrontation is a moment of accusation and defense. A challenge is an attack followed by a retaliation."

"You've put a lot of thought into this."

Hajime blinked for a moment before deflating slightly and shrugging, "It's just something I had to pick up." He teetered his head, "If I didn't, I'd have to spend my entire life fighting, and…" He trailed off for a moment before joking, "And that sounds exhausting."

Sato shook her head, "You're… weird."

"Thanks." He nudged her playfully, "Nothing wrong with a little weird."

She slowly smiled at him, chuckling, "I guess not."

She gestured to the door ahead of them before he stepped to open it for her, "Thank you for worrying about me and for me, but things will be fine and so will I."

Sato nodded, "You're welcome." She came to a stop on the other side of the door, turning to him, "But, hey, you've been a good friend to Mahiru, and I think you're pretty nice for a guy, so if you do need help, you just have to ask."

Hajime smiled, "I'll keep that in mind."

They walked into the quad outside the school, finding a familiar redhead sitting on a bench underneath a tree. "Hey, guys!"

The brunet waved, "Yo."

Sato jogged over to her, "Hey, Mahiru."

The redhead smiled at her before tilting her head and looking at the brunet, "How's your back?"

Hajime tucked his hands into his pocket, shrugging, "Itchy, but I'll live."

Sato tilted her head as she sat beside Mahiru, "Your back?"

He shrugged again, "A minor injury."

Mahiru shook her head, "A truck crashed into some road railings, almost hitting one of my classmates. Hinata pulled him out of the way, but he got showered with glass."

He shook his head, waving off the incident, "And I was put into the care of the Ultimate Nurse and got treated. I'm fine."

Sato looked at him incredulously, "Do you have a habit of downplaying stuff you get put through?"

His face contorted as he thought about it for a moment. He teetered his head, pitching up his voice, "Kinda. Maybe… Possibly."

The redhead turned to her friend, "What do you mean?"

The green-haired girl shook her head, "His lunch got smashed into his desk."

"What?"

He waved his hand, "I'll clean it up later."

Mahiru was now the one looking at him incredulously, "That isn't the problem."

Hajime shook his head, "It'll be fine." He plopped on the other side of Mahiru, "Please let's just enjoy lunch."

Sato raised a brow, "And, how will you?"

The brunet shrugged, "I'll just imagine food."

The redhead shook her head, picking out an omelet from her lunch, "Here." She held it up to him, gesturing with her chin, "Ah."

There was some warmth to her face and so did his. "T-Thanks." He looked off to the side, chewing away, "It's delicious…"

She turned back to her lunch, "Thanks."

Sato looked between the two before taking a breath, "Well, there is the cafeteria."

Hajime nodded, pondering, "Uh… Do I have any money on me?" He dug through his pockets, finding nothing, "Na-da…" He raised his hands, "Really don't worry about me."

She blinked, "Y-Yeah…"

The brunet shook his head, "And the omelet was great, but just enjoy your lunch. I'll just have a big dinner tonight."

Mahiru frowned slightly, shrugging, "If you say so."

Sato coughed, "Well, uh… you mentioned something about a truck crashing? No one else was hurt, right?"

Hajime shrugged, "Just me, luckily." He turned to the redhead, "Did you figure out what was wrong that driver, though?"

She shook her head, "They weren't even there. Soda pointed out that a few of its wheels came loose, so the driver must've bailed before the crash."

The green-haired girl blew raspberries, "Crazy coincidence."

Mahiru shrugged, "Soda actually said it might've had something with that classmate we were looking for." She frowned, "Komaeda Nagito. He has like Ultimate Luck and somehow that caused the crash? Soda mentioned that this type of stuff just happens around him all the time."

Sato tilted her head, "Ultimate Luck?"

She teetered her head, "Yeah, apparently, they do a roulette of some sort and randomly select someone in Japan to attend Hope's Peak."

The brunet tilted his head, "Random selection, huh?"

Mahiru shook her head, "I don't like him. He's weird… and… rude."

Hajime blinked, raising a brow, "Rude?"

She looked at him before looking away, "Yeah…" She didn't look in Sato's direction either, causing both of them to share a look.

Sato tilted her head, "Did he say something?"

The redhead pushed out a smile, "Don't worry about it." She looked between the two, "It was just rude and annoying. Forget about it."

Hajime nodded, "Alright."

The green-haired girl nodded, "Yeah, no problem."

"My classmates are pretty amazing, though. There was Owari Akane, Ultimate Gymnast; Mioda Ibuki, Ultimate Musician; Pekoyama Peko, Ultimate Swordswoman, and Nanami Chiaki, Ultimate Gamer. Akane seems a bit… wild, but she doesn't seem that bad. Ibuki's really energetic, and Peko seems really cool. Chiaki's quiet but I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to her yet."

Sato smiled, "Swordswoman, huh?"

"Yeah, she's kind of intimidating."

"I wonder what it's like to see her in action."

Hajime spoke almost knowingly, "Yeah, she's a real killer I'm sure."

Sato raised a brow, "What about… Akane? What do you mean by wild?"

The brunet replied, "We first met her when she leapt from the rooftop of the main building." He shrugged, "Stuck the landing, though—which makes sense when you think about it."

Mahiru tilted her head, "Yeah."

The green-haired girl tilted her head, "Is the Ultimate Musician in a band?" She scratched her cheek, "I mean I must've heard of her."

The redhead chuckled, "I don't think so unless you listen to metal."

"Metal?"

Hajime smiled, "Well, have you ever heard of Black Cherry? She used to be a part of that band before she left for her solo metal career."

Sato thought for a moment before snapping her fingers, "Oh, Black Cherry! I remember them!"

Mahiru nodded, "Yeah!" She turned to him, "She was in that band?"

"Yeah, lead guitarist."

The green-haired girl twirled her finger, "I remember going to one of their concerts."

The brunet tilted his head, "Yeah?"

She nodded, rubbing her chin, "Yeah, they had some two-boy… cover-band open for them, I think."

Hajime slipped and nearly fell off the bench before coughing and repositioning himself.

Sato blinked, "You okay there?"

He coughed, "Y-Yep."

"They sang a song in entirely English, but I didn't understand a single thing they said."

Mahiru coughed, "Weird…"

The green-haired teen shrugged, "Yeah, but I think a bunch of people liked it when I was there. They had an audience, I guess."

The brunet looked off to the side, "Y-Yeah… I guess they did…"

She shook her head, "I barely remember their name." She tilted her head, "What was it?"

Mahiru interrupted, "Well, I don't think it matters."

Sato nodded, "Yeah, I didn't like them much anyway."

Hajime shrugged, "Yeah. I mean a cover-band's probably faded into obscurity by now."

She nodded, "Yeah, probably." The redhead could see the relief in the brunet's face as he let out a slow breath.

He blinked, "Ultimate Gamer? I didn't meet her."

The redhead shook her head, "Neither did I really." She shrugged, "Her nose was in her game-console."

The brunet nodded, "I see." He blinked when his ears caught something. He raised his eye level, looking at the walls surrounding them, "Would you look at that…"

Mahiru followed his gaze, "What?"

Sato did the same, "Huh?" The two found the sight of a shocked Reserve Course student in the window above, ducking out of their view.

Hajime stepped underneath the window, shouting, "Hello!" He smirked as he adopted a sophisticated accent, "May I ask what you are doing with that slingshot? I'm pretty sure you'd get in trouble for having that on campus." The student stumbled, running from the view of the windowsill, "Wait, where are you going? I thought we were going to have a wonderful window conversation! Sir? Sir, please!" He let out a chuckle as he dropped the accent, "I think he's gone, guys."

The green-haired girl stood up, "Was he going to shoot at us?"

The brunet crouched, picking up something from the ground, "More than likely." He fiddled with whatever it was, "His ammunition is the more worrying thing, though." He straightened, tucking it into his pocket, "If this hang-out is going to be a regular thing, finding a more private spot would be safer."

The redhead blinked, "Where?"

He strolled back over to them, "Don't talk about it here." He whispered, "Too many ears."

Sato shook her head, "Well, we're done with lunch anyway."

Hajime nodded, "This was nice." He chuckled, "Wouldn't mind a sequel, if I'm invited."

Mahiru smiled, "Yeah."

The two cleared their packed lunches and readied to depart. Hajime pulled out the sharpened pencil from his pocket. The ammo for the slingshot—impeccably sharp. As if it was made to be this way with the blade of a pencil sharper not the device itself. Its size was comparable to a bullet, perfectly fitting in between his fingertips. His gaze slowly drifted back to the window.

The redhead tilted her head, "Hey, Hinata, did you finish editing any of your other videos?"

His expression revered before he shrugged, turning back to her, "Yeah, one or two…"

The green-haired girl raised a brow, "Videos?"

Mahiru smiled, "From his trip."

Sato nodded, "Ah."

Hajime tucked his hand into his pocket, "Yeah, I can pass it to you whenever you want."

"What are the videos of?"

The Ultimate Photographer answered, "The last few were about a boat trip."

He shrugged, "Yeah. The program pushed me and Izu onto a cargo boat to 'experience' the job of shipping cargo, I guess."

The redhead nodded, smiling, as she turned to her friend, "It's really nice. Singing sea shanties with the security team and playing a bunch of dumb tricks on each other." She turned back to him, "You were really close with them."

He chuckled, "Like a family away from home…"

Sato tilted her head, "Do you think I can see them?"

Hajime nodded, "Yeah, I burned them onto discs, so I'll just pass them over to you tomorrow."

Mahiru fiddled with her packed lunch, "Well, I better get back to class."

The Reserve Course students waved as the green-haired girl smiled, "See you at the gates."

The redhead waved in response as she made her leave, "Bye."

Sato and Hajime made their way down the halls of the Reserve Course building. The sun was setting, and the day of lessons and assignments was over. The two were leaving their class together. She was ready to meet up with Mahiru today and he was ready to either see his brother or walk to the dorm alone today. Though, sometimes he was invited to walk with the girls on occasion.

She shook her head, "Do you know who that guy was?"

"Hm?"

Sato scowled, "That idiot with a slingshot. He fucking aiming at one of us."

Hajime frowned, nodding, "Yeah…"

"If he hit Mahiru…"

His jaw clenched for a moment before shaking his head, "I don't like it either." He scratched his cheek, "Sitting idlily may not be the best choice… or maybe it's the only choice…"

"Well, we can't eat in the quad anymore."

The brunet then suggested, "How about the roof?"

She shook her head, "The doors to it are locked—it's where the school stores a bunch of stuff."

"Locks can be picked."

Her face contorted, "I don't know about that."

He took a breath, "There are jackasses are here. There might be more people like Komaeda over in the main building. Picking somewhere no one goes is for the best." He put a hand on his chest, "I'll handle the lock. You have lunch there." He smirked, crossing his arms, "And invite me once or twice."

Sato nodded, "Okay." She smiled, "Thanks."

Hajime shrugged, "Hey, it's no problem for a friend."

The two stepped out of the Reserve Course building and blinked when they saw a group of Main Course students waiting for them. Mahiru and Izuru were amongst them with the redhead waving them over. The brunet recognized the entourage with them: Mikan, Ibuki, and Hiyoko.

Hiyoko smiled, "Hey-hey, Sato."

Mikan fidgeted with her hands, "H-H-Hi."

Ibuki laughed, waving energetically, "Howdy there!"

Sato nodded, "H-Hello."

The redhead smiled, "Sorry. They wanted to come along."

She shook her head, "It's fine."

Ibuki tilted her body, "Hajime!" She tilted her head, "How's your back?"

Hajime chuckled, shrugging, "Patchwork's holding up." He nodded to the Ultimate Nurse, "Thanks for that, by the way."

She nodded in return, "Y-Y-You're welcome…"

Hiyoko threw her hands up, "We're going to karaoke!"

Sato turned to the redhead, "Really? Are you sure?"

Mahiru nodded, "Yeah, I was able to find sometime."

Izuru tucked his hands into his pockets, "Have fun."

Hajime nodded, "Yeah, see you guys."

Ibuki tilted her head, frowning, "Aw, you guys ain't coming? Ibuki wanted to hear you guys sing again."

Sato blinked, "Again?"

Mahiru laughed, stealing the conversation, "Well, this should be a girls' night anyway."

Hiyoko nodded, "Yeah!"

The Ultimate Musician saluted, "Aye-aye!"

Mikan smiled, "O-O-Okay…"

The short blonde waved at the nurse, "Not you, pig-barf, you can go."

"E-Eh?"

The redhead shook her head, "She's joking."

Hiyoko crossed her arms, "No, I wasn't."

Hajime walked backwards after his brother, waving, "Have a nice night!" He was met with an array of goodbyes from the group of girls before turning to walk alongside his brother. "Too bad we can't go."

Izuru shrugged, "You still can if you want."

"Nah, did you hear them? It's a girls' night sort of thing."

"Well, this is your chance to be one of the girls."

The brunet chuckled, "I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate that right now."

"I thought you hated singing, anyway."

"I do, but, you know, friends' company is always nice."

Izuru nodded, "Hm." He blinked before reaching into his blazer and pulling out an album case, "Oh, Kuzuryu asked for us to sign this."

Hajime blinked, slowly taking the case, "Sign…?" He scowled at the image of the younger versions of himself and his brother—the album of 'Yin & Yang'. "Motherfucker."

The ravenet chuckled, "You seem so upset with yourself."

"Why are we acknowledging this?"

"Kuzuryu asked."

The brunet's mind traveled, "That's it…?" He sighed, "Have a pen?"

Izuru pulled a marker from his pocket, passing it along, "Here."

Hajime tapped the marker against his lip, "Should I sign my name or Yang's?"

"Both."

The brunet passed his back to his twin, "There." He rolled his shoulder, "So, what is it for? I doubt Fuyuhiko's a fan."

"His younger sister, apparently."

"Wonderful. Hope I never meet her."