Chapter II: Meetings:

*Start recording*

Well, Jin, he's here.

I can see that. Has Sota reported back to you and the remaining members of the selection committee?

He has. The child figured out hope's secret rather easily. He also grasped its purpose.

I am impressed. Though, given his talent, I suppose I should not be.

He and Sota seemed to get along well. Perhaps we can use the Greeter as a useful information source.

Do you think that is wise, Shoma? Would the boy react well if he found out he was being watched?

That is only a relevant fact if the boy finds out. And I, for one, trust Sota to be discreet.

If you are certain, then I will trust you. What are our next moves beyond that?

We watch and wait, Jin. The time for action has yet to come.

*End Recording*

Makoto's eyes scan the walls of the room, searching for people not currently involved in conversation. Eventually, he catches sight of two people, a boy and a girl, standing in the back of the room and looking nervously around. They look very similar, both of average height with brown-blonde hair. The girl is wearing clothes which seem to shimmer in the light from the windows; even from across the room, Naegi can tell that they are extremely well made. The boy is wearing a leather jacket and what looked to be leather gloves with metal plates sewn on. Makoto's eyes widen slightly, and he approaches. As he comes close to the pair, their eyes flick up to his, almost at the same time.

"Hello, my name is Makoto Naegi."

"Hi, Makoto," the girl responds, "I'm Chinatsu Akiyama. And this," she motions to the boy, "this is Yousei, my brother. "

"Well met, Chinatsu. My apologies for interrupting your conversation, but I had a question for Yousei."

Yousei looks up, his expression becoming resigned.

"Is it about the gloves I'm wearing? Because you are the 4th person to ask today."

Naegi shrugs sheepishly.
"My apologies. However, in my defense, they are rather...unique. What are they?"

"A necessary piece of my talent, of course. What else?"

Naegi takes a step closer, and now looks rather intrigued.

"Interesting. And what is that talent?"

"I am the SDHS Snake Charmer. These gloves have the wonderful property of not being pierced by snake fangs."

Naegi's eyes widen.

"Really? That's quite a unique talent."

Yousei smiles.

"That it is. What's yours?"

"Mine? Nothing so interesting. I am the SDHS rationalist."

Yousei laughs, while Chinatsu groans and puts her head in her hands. Naegi turns to her, eyes widening.

"What's wrong with that talent? There's clearly a story here."

"It's really nothing much," Chinatsu responds reluctantly, "Its just that I've lived 15 years of my life with a rationalist, and I'd prefer not to spend the next 4 with another."

"By which she means me." Yousei cut in, " And I, for one, am excited to meet someone else who fits that designation."

"As am I, " Naegi responds, "On another topic, Chinatsu, what's your talent?"

Chinatsu smiles and stands up, as the fabric of her clothing shimmers and changes color.

"I'm the SDHS Weaver. Can't you tell?"

"That does make sense. Are you two siblings?"

Both Chinatsu and Yousei nod.

"Twins, actually," Chinatsu responds, "78th class. How about you?"

"I am in the 78th as well. If the remainder of our class is as interesting as you two, this is certain to be an enjoyable year."

"Thanks," Chinatsu replies.

Suddenly, a voice begins to play over the PA system on the wall.

"All students: the orientation assembly will be beginning in 5 minutes. Please immediately head to the gymnasium for orientation."

The screens shut off, and Naegi turns back to the Akiyamas.

"Well, it seems it is time for the year to begin. We shall speak more later?"

They nod, and Naegi walks away, joining the group of students who are filing into the gymnasium. After entering, the group spreads out, and students begin to fill the bleachers. Naegi searches briefly for an open spot before finding one next to a purple-haired girl who looked about his age. As he sits down next to her, he notices that her gloved fists are clenched. However, her expression is calm and emotionless.

'Strange. She clearly seems to be concealing emotion, but why? Well, there's no better way to find out than through conversation.'

Kirigiri glances up from her seat as a male sits down next to her. He seems to be about her age, but she can't quite tell. He has reasonably good posture, but his clothing blocks her from recovering much evidence in that area. As he sits down, his eyes flick to her gloves and briefly widen. That, combined with his features, mean that this boy must be...

Makoto sees the girl briefly look him over before she begins to speak with a soft, clear voice.

"Hello, Makoto Naegi. Welcome to Hope's Peak."

"Impressive," he responds, his voice one of measured surprise, "Now, since you seem to have found my name so easily by observing me, might I have yours in exchange?"

"I am Kirigiri. Kyouko Kirigiri."

"Any relation?" Naegi asks curiously.

Her eyes narrow.

"Yes. He is my father," she responds, her voice now showing signs of suppressed anger, "Do not ask any more questions about him."

"I shall not," Naegi responds, now slightly perturbed. "Might I ask what your talent is?"

"Certainly," she replies, "I am the SDHS Detective. And you are the Rationalist."

Naegi inclines his head.

"That is correct. I was about to ask how you knew who I was, but you've made that rather obvious. Did you research every student before coming here?"

"That information isn't something I am inclined to give away."

"Then I shall figure out another way. Which class are you in?"

"78th, as are you."

"Yes, yes, I get it, you know a lot about me," Naegi replies exasperatedly, "What does this prove?"

"That you can't deal with an imbalance in knowledge that isn't tilted towards you," Kirigiri responds, her expression now slightly mirthful, "and that you aren't great at detecting directed conversation."

Naegi gapes briefly, and then laughs.

"I apologize for underestimating you, Kirigiri. I shall avoid doing so in the future."

Kirigiri smiles slightly.

"Ensure that you do. Many criminals throughout Tokyo and the peninsula can attest to the consequences of underestimating a Kirigiri."

"I can imagine."

Before Kirigiri could respond, the lights in the gymnasium dim, and the headmaster steps out to the podium set up at the front. As he approaches the microphone, the room quiets gradually. He stands at the front until the room becomes silent, and then begins to speak, his voice jovial.

"Welcome, students! Now, I'm sure you all want to get set up as fast as possible, so I'll keep this brief. All new students should pick up an electroID at the table in the back, along with an orientation booklet. As for your room assignments, you know the drill: 1st years are on the ground floor, everyone else is upstairs. Find the rooms with your names on them. Without further ado, I welcome you to the 75th year of Hope's Peak!"

A/N: Here's the next chapter, and the second to last chapter before the plot becomes more structured and arc-y. The three OCs in this chapter(Shoma and the Akiyamas) are my own conception, though the talent ideas for the Akiyamas come from a friend of mine(FFN name: Lavender Dove). I'm not sure when the next chapter of this will be out, though it'll probably be some time next week.

Please review!