Komaeda was expecting him, and was already in the tree, watching the fresh green leaves shudder in the warm May air. So frankly, he wasn't in the least surprised when he heard to back door slam, and watched the other boy zip up the fort like a rocket.
"Nagitooooo!" Hinata shouted, and Komaeda acted startled.
"Calm yourself, Hajime." he laughed, "What is it?"
"You won't believe it! My parents just told me I've been accepted to the Hope's Peak Reserve Department! Aaaahahaha!" He squeezed Komaeda tighter than the latter thought possible. He considered himself lucky not to have any broken ribs.
"That's unbelievable, Hajime!" He feigned surprise, "Who would have thought?"
"Just a few weeks ago they said it was too expensive… I guess they were trying to surprise me, hahah!"
Komaeda sighed happily. So they did keep their promise.
"And you know what that means?"
"What does that mean, Hajime?"
"Both me and the best person in the world get to go to Hope's Peak! This is more than I could ever ask for!"
"Who's the best person in the world…?"
"You of course, Nagito!"
"Oh my, what a title." He giggled. There was nothing he loved seeing better than Hinata's face covered in the largest smile he could muster. Said boy was running around the small tree fort room, ecstatic. Komaeda took it all in, it was definitely a sight to behold. So much hope…
"Both of us! Together! Ahaha!" Hinata continued to fanboy by the old poster, and wiped around. He charged forward and scooped Komaeda off the ground much to the latter's startlement. He dragged him in close and they shared a deep, long kiss. When they separated, Komaeda grinned with elation. "I can't wait to go with you, Hajime."
"Of course! We walk into Hope's Peak's gates, together!"
"I wouldn't want it any other way."
Komaeda watched as the other boy ranted on about the school. The academy needed Hinata, Komaeda knew. There wasn't a brighter source of hope in the world.
And maybe it was because of that hope… maybe that's why Komaeda felt so drawn to him. Maybe… maybe that's why he loved Hinata.