Intro. The beginning of Despair.
The massive high school towers over all other buildings in this bustling urban area. It's like the school stands at the center of the entire world. Hope's Peak Academy. It brings in top students from every field imaginable. A government-funded school of privilege. They say if you come here and manage to graduate, you'll be set for life. With hundreds of years of tradition, it sends the cream of crop into the workforce every year. It was built to raise hope in the nation's future. Which makes Hope's Peak a pretty fitting name. There are two things you need to attend this school… One, you have to already be attending high school. Two, you have to be the very best at what you do. No ordinary student could enroll here. The only way in is if you're scouted by the school itself. And standing there at the gate of the ultimate school filled with ultimate students… was me.
Before we go any further, I should probably introduce myself. My name is Junko Enoshima.
I'm not what you call the average student. Not even for a school such as this. Heck, a lot about me can be described as pretty unaverage. Or for those not wanting to be charitable… abnormal.
Abnormal on the outside, and likely on the inside. I won't bore you with the details. All you need to know is that I have constant high grades. Skills that some would consider as superpowers. And personal life… it's something alright. My hobbies tend to not exactly be the norm that most would expect, not even by the standards of the typical eccentric. Like for example if you asked me about what my favorite song was,or my favorite movie or TV show…They'd all be things you wouldn't see mainstream or even in dedicated forums. Things you'd have to dig real deep for. I don't even fit with the most eccentric people so I can't even say I'm the "Eccentric Protagonist" type. That's just who I am.
Sorry if that was rambly, figured I'd lay out some of my main traits since it's polite to introduce yourself.
But you know, if I have anything that could be considered "particularly special" even among that so to speak… I'd say I'm a lot more gung-ho than others.
I mean look at me. I am anything but ordinary. But still… Here I am, standing in front of a place that makes the unordinary… Ordinary. Hope's Peak Academy.
It's crazy to think I'm standing here. I wonder if I can even fit in in this place. It has this overwhelming presence… like it's trying to swallow me whole. But it's no wonder I would feel that way. What you have to understand is, well… I did a bit of "Preparation" that can, depending on who you ask, seem downright creepy.
Hope's Peak only invites those students who are truly elite in their field. It's such a popular topic, there are threads online dedicated to talking about the school's attendees. So to prepare, I looked up all of those threads. And all I saw was talk about "Ultimate" students, who were way beyond your average high schooler.
For example, one incoming student is the "Ultimate Nurse". I guess she's a high school girl who became widely known for her medical expertise. Kinda reminds me of… No, I shouldn't get off-track.
Anyways. There's also the "Ultimate Traditional Dancer". She's apparently an heir to some clan or whatever that is known for mastering the art of traditional dancing. Honestly sounds less impressive then the talk would lead you to believe…
Then there's the "Ultimate Gamer". She's been on the cover of tons of news organizations for her… Honestly legendary skills on nearly any game. Winning hiscores that take some some YEARS to even barely get in just a few hours. Probably has a crappy social life, but who am I to judge?
Oh, and they mentioned the "Ultimate Yakuza" too. The scary things about him is, he's the leader of the largest and most well organized Yakuza clan in Japan. Not a thing happens without this clan knowing. The fact this school lets him in makes me feel a bit better about myself honestly…
On top of that, there's the Ultimate Mechanic, Ultimate Lucky Student, Ultimate Swordsman, The Ultimate Photographer, Ultimate Musician, the Ultimate Cook, the Ultimate Team Manager, and more… Reading all of that makes me realize how utterly foreign I'd be. It was the contraries finest and most respected, top to bottom. I felt like a wild boar who wandered into an organized pack of hyenas. Or, um… something along those lines. And the reason for this is well… It has to do with how I got accepted, myself.
You see, there were a few students who I couldn't find any info on, no matter how much I looked. And I spent HOURS looking through every possible page that existed. With all these "Ultimate" students I'm the only one who has, let's say, a unique trait. …More on that later. Still, what about these other students who didn't pop up anywhere? Could they be just like me? Completely foreign and alien to all the other students? It's a nice thought, but unlikely… The thought was still kind of reassuring. I mean, I don't have the most… acceptable personality. But beyond that is an even bigger… elephant in the room, I guess. How is someone like me with my Ultimates supposed to fit in with everyone else?
…Hm? What's that? You think I misspoke? Nope! See… I'm one of a kind, in more ways than one. I don't possess just one Talent, but Two. I'm the Ultimate Fashionista and the other, uhh… You know what? I'll tell you guys later if I feel like it.
I was actually scouted out a year ago when rumors leaked about me having two talents. I was a little busy with a fashion tour at the time, so it was rescheduled to this year. That gave me a lot of time to work out the nerves I had from then till now… part of me wanted to decline. To not make myself publicly known as the freak who has two talents… but considering that graduation was a "Guarantee for success" later in life, and the promise that this could help find others like me and improve humanity as a whole by a considerable margin. Saying no suddenly became a ridiculous notion.
But then, actually standing there in front of the school… I started to feel lost, Like I didn't belong there. I could feel myself yet again losing my nerves. But I can't stand out here in front of the gate forever… Frozen in place, murmuring to myself, I looked at the letter of acceptance and the rescheduling letter that came not too long after that letter from a year ago, clutching tightly in my hand. It said there'd be a meeting for all incoming students in the main hall at 8 a.m. The meeting still isn't for a little while, but the early bird gets the worm… or in this case, moves to a new nest before the rain.
"Yeah. We practiced it over a dozen times… and we practiced it over several dozen more, and now it's time. Unto the breach!"
I gather all of my determination and energy and act like I rightfully belong there with a bit of… actually, a lot of fake confidence… I took my first step towards the main hall.
And so, with her first steps, Junko enters the school of Hope… she stood in the empty main hall and glanced around, getting her bearings of her new school, "This is where we're supposed to meet right? I guess I'm the first one in here."
There's a really elegant clock over in the corner. I could spot it the very second I stepped in. It says 7:10 a.m. The meeting doesn't start until 8 o'clock. So that's about 50 minutes left. Honestly not surprising no one here yet. In my haste to get here before my nerves act up again I got here even earlier then the worm appeared- or rain for that matter. I have a lot of time before the meeting. Just standing around wouldn't really help anything.
I should take a look around the school. Maybe that'll distract me, seeing what surprises, if any, this school has for me. I *am* a student here now, and the one they have particular interest in so there can't be a problem with me exploring. At least it'll kill time, if nothing else. Trying to pretend that I'm a normal person, or as normal as this school seems, I took my first step into Hope's Peak Academy. It was my first step towards starting a new life at a new school.
…At least, that's what it was supposed to be.
Junko's vision swirls and distorts, becoming a mess of visuals and colors. Her eyes widened as her surroundings blur and twist before her, "What the–?!"
But the instant I took that first step forward. To my rare occurrence of surprise… My view became warped, twisted. It was like some kind of delusion, melting away and mixing together into something else completely. Spinning, mixing, melting away and then again spinning. And the next moment… everything went black.
And that's how it all began… How my life as I knew it came crashing to a violent end. …No, I didn't die! But It was blinding obvious though I couldn't process what actually happened at the time considering… well, you know. The reason I was brought to Hope's Peak Academy wasn't because of my Talents. It was so I could experience… Ultimate Despair…
Prologue. Welcome to Despair.
"...Nngh?"
Junko slowly awakes lifting her head from the desk it was laying on. Her blue eyes looking around her surroundings as her vision slowly clears up.
"Wha… What the..? Where am i?" I woke up with my head on top of a hard wooden desk. My body feels heavy… And not that kind of heavy. But like…sluggish and…ugh. I mean, it's normal for me to zone out when I'm bored or not interested or whatever, but…what was I doing asleep here just now? This classroom…I don't think I've been to a classroom like this yet… "What the heck is going on?"
Junko got up and looked around. Already she could tell she was in a school classroom. And her eyes catching the symbols on the front and the boards and texts around, she could immediately tell she must be in Hopes Peak. No doubt about it in her mind. But this looks… wrong in every imaginable way. She looks down on the desk.
"That's the desk I was asleep on. Ugh… I left some drool there? Ew!" "Better clean that up before–" "Huh…? There's something there…" Picking up the strange item, Junko sees it's a paper, "It's…an orientation guide..? A cheap ass pamphlet. With something… barely legible written on it." "The semester is about to start. Starting today, this school will be your entire world." "The hell?! Is this some sick stupid joke or whatever!?"
Looking up, Junko sees the clock. 8 a.m. How has an hour nearly passed already by now? She turns to her left and sees the windows… or what should be windows. From her initial observation she can tell that the windows were covered by metal plates, and they were bolted into place. She could already tell by looking that they wouldn't be removed no matter what she tried. So she didn't even bother with the idea.
"Still…who the hell bolts up windows with plates? Unless you're trying to keep someone out… or locked in…"
Sighing, Junko pinch the bridge of her nose before talking to herself for a bit, "Alright. Let's go over what might've happened… I got so nervous, I passed out in the main halland someone carried me here… yeah that has to be it. But wait, what about any of the other odd shit here? Like the metal plates… it's like this place is supposed to keep something out or in… or both. That makes no sense at all! Ugh, this is getting me nowhere… I guess the answers would be in the main hall… Best to check there. It's already past the meeting time, so someone else has to be there…"
With a sigh and a deep breath Junko left the classroom opening the door and walking out…where she is greeted by an odder sight, "And the hallway is utterly strange as well... Great. Fantastic. Just perfect." "I swear, next I'm gonna find a sign that says…oh i don't know a hotel or something…"
Walking around Junko spots a sign near a hall labeled as "Despair Hotel"
"...I DIDN'T MEAN THAT LITERALLY!"
With an annoyed sigh, Junko walked through the hallway towards the main hall.
"After finally arriving at the main hall…everyone was already there."
"Woah! Another new kid?" A tan girl asked out loud.
"Huh? Wait…are you all…?"
"Y-Yes… We're also n-new here. Today's… supposed to be our f-f-first day…" Another girl, one with bangs and a nurse outfit, stutters out.
"So counting her… that makes about 17. An odd number but I suppose it's a decent cut-off point…" A brown haired boy said. He wore a simple shirt and didn't have anything special about his looks.
"Standing before me were the "Ultimate Students" that had been hand-picked by this school. I looked at everyone here, taking each of their faces and getting a good understanding of them with cursory glances. There's definitely a sort of aura coming from them. And a weirdly… familiar one among the pack… Odd."
"Um…well hello. My name's Junko Enoshima. Sorry about not being punctual. Some shi– er, stuff happened and suddenly I was out like a light…"
"Huh?! Even you?" A pink haired boy asked, looking fairly freaked out.
"This is just like a mystery game…" A pinked haired girl said to herself.
"Indeed this isn't an ordinary circumstance. Quite extraordinary… in the negative sense…" A white haired boy spoke softly looking to be in deep thought.
"W-wait… are you all saying…?"
"Indeed. We all seemed to have passed out just like you." A rather large boy with a fancy white suit and glasses spoke.
"For the time being, I think we should take a moment to introduce ourselves and get to know each other." A tall girl with white braids and wearing a black uniform spoke up.
"I doubt introducing ourselves is a priority right fuckin' now…" A short blond haired boy said. His black suit is a contrast to the varying colors the other students wore.
"Getting to meet new players is a better way to cooperate. Especially in a mystery game." The pink haired girl spoke with a reserved yet friendly smile, "We should at least get to understand what our names are."
"Hmmm, I agree with her. Better to know each other before we dive too deep in the other stuff." A small boy in a cook uniform said.
"O-ok… well… as long as we're introducing each other by name… then we should also tell each other about ourselves as well…" The nurse looking girl said meekly.
"Ugh…I'm so lost. Just focus on getting to know everyone first… and then go from there. Not a great way to open up, but at least this puts me on equal ground to introduce myself without worry… I already looked up all of them extensively on that Hope's Peak Academy Thread, but I haven't got the faintest idea of their names… or hell even their looks. No time like the present to find out! I'll start with… these 5 to my left there."
Looking at the large boy with a fancy looking white suit, blond hair and blue eyes, she went up to him.
"My name is Byakuya Togami. You may rely on me for assistance or guidance."
"Huh… I think I heard of this dude. The Ultimate Affluent Progeny… No idea what the roundabout way of saying Prodigy is for, but he mainly got that because of being born into the Togami name. A bunch of rich folks with enough money to last to the end of the world. He seems… larger than I imagined. Then again, maybe that's because being rich allowed him to eat however much he wanted and still made himself look good."
"I take it you're not sociable with others?" Bayakuya asked.
"Ah…uh…yeah….I'm not a people person…"
"That's alright. Just be careful, some may take your lack of social skills with offense" He warned.
"Yeah…I'll keep that in mind."
"He's surprisingly… nice for someone of his status. I might actually grow to like him."
Junko turned and looked at the next person. A tanned woman with black hair.
"Hm…? What was you name again?" The woman asked.
"Oh, uh… It's Junko. Just said that a few moments ago…"
"Oh right, sorry. The name's Akane Owari! I'm the Ultimate Gymnast! Nice to meet 'cha!" Akane said with a cheerful smile.
"Huh, the Ultimate Gymnast? If I remember correctly she's crazy fast and agile… And if what those talks are to be believed… She's crazy in love with food."
"Hey by the way, you know where the kitchen is in this creepy? I could go for some nice food to eat to calm my nerves! …Oh yeah, and my stomach! That's important too!" Akane said with a slight drool.
"...Ok yeah, those talks were right on the money."
Leaving Akane to her food fantasies, Junko steps away and turns to the nurse looking girl that has occupied her mind for awhile now
"H-Hello… My name's… Mikan Tsumiki… Um… if you need a-any medical assistance… I-I'll be glad to help…!" The nurse girl stutters out. Her arms swayed showing two heart monitors affixed on them. And two straps of syringes filled with medicine.
"Mikan…? That name sounds like the name of my old friend from way back in middle school. Who wanted to become the "Ultimate Nurse". Wait… There's no way that's-"
"U-Uhm… I-I'm sorry to ask… but you said your name is Junko, r-right?" Mikan hesitantly asked.
"Yeah… Junko Enoshima."
Mikan's eyes seemed to beam in excitement as her demeanor relaxed and became more comfortable.
"J-Junky!" Mikan said happily.
"Junky..? N-No way! Mikan, is that actually you?"
Mikan giggles slightly, "Hehehe… Yep. I actually got myself invited into Hope's Peak… I didn't think I'd see you again…"
"Neither did I! Damn girl not only did you get into Hope's Peak but you're also rocking a new look!"
Mikan blushes, getting embarrassed, "A-Ah, well… About that–" Mikan begins to speak before getting interrupted.
"Will the two of you hurry up?! Getting to know each other shouldn't take all day!" The small black suit boy yelled out.
"Eep! S-sorry!" Mikan yelled, afraid and feeling guilty.
"Hey, no worries. Let's catch up later, alright? It was good speaking with you Mikan. Glad to have someone I know here."
Mikan smiles and cheers up a bit, "Yeah… let's do that." She nodded as Junko parts with her.
Junko then approaches the next person. That being the boy with pink hair and a yellow suit.
"Oh hi! Name's Kazuichi Soda! Nice to meet ya!"
"Kazuichi Soda, huh? I believe he's the "Ultimate Mechanic". From what people said in the forums, he can take apart and build anything with ease. I wonder how creative he truly is."
"So what do you think happened here? My money's on this being some sort of weird way they initiate new students." Kazuichi mused.
"I'd honestly be both thrilled and annoyed if that's the case… I just have the feeling that this isn't going to be that simple."
"Yeah maybe… but l-let's not think too negatively about our situation." Kazuichi said, sweating a bit.
"I get that, man. I really do. But I'm too much of a realist to believe it'd be that neat and simple."
Taking a step from him Junko went to a smallish boy with brown hair, a white cooks outfit with a brown tie. And pants colored brown and gray.
"Why hello there. I don't belive we have been introduced yet. I am Teruteru Hanamura, the Ultimate Cook. Though please, call me the Ultimate Chef is you prefer~"
"So this is Teruteru, The Ultimate Cook. Said to make food so good it rivals those of chefs across the country."
"By the way, you have a very exquisite chest size~ By far the best that I have seen so far." Teruteru remarks, "Though between you and me, Akane's are no slouches either~"
"Wha–?! Ew! Stay away from my boobs! They aren't for you, or anyone for that matter! And that goes for the rest of me!"
"Ah, oh well. I wonder if you'll change your mind when you have my cooking~ Hmhmhm, wishful thinking, I know. But a man can dream, can't he?" Teruteru replied.
"Great… A pervert Chef… Fantastic…"
Junko hurriedly steps away from Teruteru and looks at the next group.
"Alright… time to talk to the next group of 5."
Junko approaches a girl with colorful hair and that color translates slightly to her outfit.
"Uh…heya-"
"Hey, come on, put more energy into greeting someone! Like this! Gimme a I and a B and U and a K and another I and then gimme a M and a I and a ODA! Put it together and what do you get? Ibuki Mioda!"
"Woah! Eccentric much? That's… actually kinda refreshing, having that high energy. And it makes sense. This girl Ibuki is the "Ultimate Musician", known for her music. Probably more rocky type music than anything, given the personality so far."
"Heh well if you want energy… Name's Junko Enoshima! Pleased to meet ya!"
"And that's what Ibuki is talking about! Nice to meet you, Junko-Chan!" Ibuki said happily, causing Junko to give a wide smile.
"Likewise. It's not often I meet someone I can sorta get down with energy wise."
"Well then, let's be the best of friends while we're here! That's a promise!" Ibuki said with a smile as Junko giggled.
"Ooh I like her~!"
Heading off from Ibuki, Junko went over to the next two people. One with a black and white suit, and the other wearing a black schoolgirl uniform.
"Ugh… Do I have to introduce myself?" The short one. A boy with hazel eyes and short blond hair said.
"It's best to get to know one another now so we know who we'll be dealing with for the next while, " The tall one said to the boy. A woman with red eyes, Long white braided hair and a bamboo sword.
"Alright… Name's Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu." he introduced
"And I am Peko Pekoyama." The woman said
"Wait… Fuyuhiko… Kuzuryu? That guy's definitely the "Ultimate Yakuza"! Jezz… gotta be careful with him. He commands the largest Yakuza clan in Japan and could bury me alive if I anger him. And Peko? That's definitely the ultimate swordsman– I mean, Swordswoman! Sorry! The "Ultimate Swordswoman", who makes great use of swords. Katanas, broadswords, rapiers, you name it. Even that bamboo sword she's holding can be lethal in her hands."
"Well what the hell are you staring at huh?" Fuyuhiko asked.
"A-Ah! Just uh… thinking. It's uh… surprising for a Yakuza to be here."
"Tch…" Fuyuhiko turns and faces away as Peko looks at Junko.
"Don't mind him. He gets testy at times. Hopefully we can all get along." Peko said.
"That'd be nice."
Junko left a bit quickly to avoid angering Fuyuhiko anymore than he already was. And bumps into a white haired boy with a green jacket of sorts.
"Ah sorry. Wasn't looking where I was going." He said.
"Oh n-no no it's my fault. I was trying to move on quickly to meet the others… On that subject, you are…?"
"Hm? Oh, sorry. I'm Nagito Komeda."
"Nagito…? Huh… I think I heard of someone mentioning him. Or well, mentioning students like him who got in by luck. A lucky raffle where the students who get in from it being the "Ultimate Lucky Student" must be a shot to one's confidence."
"So I supposed you're the Ultimate Lucky Student huh?"
"Oh, you heard about that huh? Wonder where you found that out… Well yes I do possess a sort of 'Talent' of luck. I honestly thought about refusing as someone like me doesn't belong here… but I gave it more thought and eventually decided to join." Nagito said with a slight smile.
"Hey I personally think luck can be a valid talent, even if others don't."
"Oh? That's kind of you to say! I do hope we get along well together" Nagito said as he walked off.
"Hmm… Well that's two people I can relate to at least…"
"Ok next are… these five towards the center of the room."
Junko went up to a boy with a dark cloak and a blackish hair mix with either brown or white, Junko couldn't really tell.
"Uh….Hey there."
"Hmph… Foolish mortal. You stand before the great Gudham Tanaka. Quake in fear, for one day the Tanaka empire will rule this mortal world!" Gundham said with bravado and some… oddities to his phrasing.
"...Um, what? Gundham… that's the… "Ultimate Breeder", I believe? So what, he breeds animals? Ew that sounds like a pervert with extra steps. …Okay, now I just made it sound worse."
"Well… Gundham… nice to meet you… I hope… we get along…"
"Hmph… I doubt you'd understand me. But I'll permit your efforts to align yourself with the soon to be Overlord of the world." Gundham said, turning away from Junko.
"Ok? He is hard to get a read on. Should be interesting… maybe."
Junko went to the next girl with long banana-like pigtails and a traditional looking Japanese outfit.
"Hmph! This totally blows…" The girl complained.
"Yeah. Being stuck here is kinda… Not great."
"That, and Mr. Ants don't pop up on the floor for me to squish like, well… Ants! Totally sucks big time!" The girl said, pouting.
"What was that about ants? …Actually, don't answer that. Who are you again?"
"...Oh yeah, introductions. Junko, right? I'm Hiyoko." Hiyoko replied curtly, crossing her arms.
Hiyoko? As in Hiyoko Saionji? That's the "Ultimate Traditional Dancer"! That girl is famous for her dances and being heir to the Saionji clan name!"
"Crazy to have a Saionji clan member here."
Hiyoko gave Junko a death glare, "I wouldn't even joke about that name in front of me if I were you!"
"Huh? Why?"
"The Saionji name sucks. My family are nothing but a bunch of losers who rather force their child to live up to some stupid legacy and put her in danger… Selfish pricks, all of them!" Hiyoko said with venom laced in her voice "I didn't want to be A traditional dancer in the first place! I'll show my family and the world around me that I can be the Ultimate… something else! I just have to find that something, that's all!"
"O-Oh… uh… Okay. I'll keep that in mind."
"Huh…so she doesn't want to be her Ultimate to be a traditional dancer but something else? Is that even possible now that she's here? Probably would take a lot of convincing, current situation or otherwise."
Junko backed away from Hiyoko and went to the next person.
The next person Junko went to… was a big bulky looking man. Short black hair, lots of muscles, and looks like he could lift weights and hold a bench of people at the same time.
"...Hi there-" Junko spoke up.
"SPEAK LOUDER! SPEAK CLEARLY WITH CONVICTION!" The man yelled out.
"A-Ah… s-sorry!" Junko said, her ears stinging from the man's yell.
"THAT'S STILL TOO QUIET!" The man chastised.
"AH! HI! MY NAME'S JUNKO ENOSHIMA!" Junko yelled frantically.
"Hahahaha! Now that's more like it! And I am Nekomaru Nidai!" Nekomaru introduced himself, smiling.
"Owww… my ears! Uff… Nekomaru? That's the Ultimate Team Manager, no doubt. Does he have to be so loud, though? And why do I have to match it?!"
"Well I hope we get to know each other very well!" Junko yelled to avoid having her eardrums busted
"Heh heh! Likewise!"
Leaving Nekomaru to talk to someone else (preferably someone who won't blow out her eardrums), Junko then goes in front of a redhead in a beige & green dress, holding a camera up to her face, akin to a predator waiting to pounce on its prey.
"Say cheese!" The girl said flashing Junko with a camera.
"Ah! Geez, at least warn a girl! Just because I'm a Fashionista doesn't mean I'm ready 24/7 to have pictures taken without warning!"
"Aha, sorry. I just wanted to take a picture of you to remember you. You're the Ultimate Fashionista, correct?" The redhead asked.
"Uh…yeah that's me. Junko Enoshima. Ultimate Fashionista. And you are?"
"Oh sorry. I'm Mahiru Koizumi."
"Mahiru…yeah that's the "Ultimate Photographer" right there. That explains the sudden flash… great and well known for taking very amazing pictures. Might do a proper photoshoot with her sometime."
"Well it's nice to get acquainted. Uhm… hope we get along well, despite our situation."
"Same here." Mahiru said with a nod.
Junko leaves as she scans the room.
"Alright just these few left and that'd be everyone."
Junko walks up to a girl with pinkish hair and light pink eyes wearing a white button up shirt with a dark green jacket over it and a light yellow skirt. She was playing a game, which Junko recognizes from the sounds of it.
"Galaga? I think I've played that game a few times."
The girl perks up and looks at Junko with interest
"You play it as well? How far are you? What's your high score?" The girl asked excitedly.
"Oh, well… I've gotten far enough to have won a few times. My high score is…hm..i think it's…5k? No, 3k i think.
"Oh wow! You played it alot didn't you?"
"Yeah, I found many of the exploits and workarounds to deal with harder parts."
"Oh that's impressive! Oh. My name's Chiaki Nanami." Chiaki said after she calmed down.
"Chiaki Nanami, the "Ultimate Gamer." That's who all the news stations were talking about. Her skills are legendary and her high scores are irrefutable proof."
"Well it's fun to meet the Ultimate Gamer herself! I'm something of a gamer myself. Er, well… the games I've played tend to be near unheard of, or ones you'll judge me for liking."
"Hey don't be like that. I'm interested in all the games you like to play! Even if they're 'bad' games" Chiaki said, smiling.
Junko gave a smile and nod and went to the boy that's next to Chiaki.
"Sup? Uh…what's your name?"
"Oh…Uh I'm Hajime Hianta…" Hajime replied quickly and straight to the point.
"I don't remember seeing anything about him… must be a new kid who's flown under the radar. I wonder what his talent is."
"So uh… if you don't mind me asking. What's your talent?"
"O-Oh. I, uh… don't remember. The stress of this situation is possibly causing me to blank out on my talent… Once I've calmed down a bit, or if something comes up, I should remember." Hajime said nervously.
"Hey, don't sweat it! This is an odd situation…for all of us. Take all the time you need."
Hajime nodded, smiling slightly, feeling a bit relieved by Junko's kindness as he went to talk with Chiaki. Leaving only one last person for Junko to speak to
"Neat kid. He's probably nice to hang out with on occasions."
Junko went up to a dark brunette girl, with traces of green in her hair. The girl seems very fairly shy, introverted, and generally just not a social person.
"Um… Hey…"
"...Mm? O-oh sorry! Uh… Hello! My name is Komaru Naegi." Komaru introduced herself polite yet nervously
"Huh, another one I haven't heard of… probably the same deal with Hajime there. Still can't hurt to ask."
"Sorry if this is too soon, but what's your Ultimate, Komaru?"
"O-oh… uh… I prefer to keep that to myself…" Komaru said, sweating.
"Why? Are you embarrassed of it or something?"
"I just… I prefer not talking about it right now…" Komaru insisted.
"Alright alright, I getcha."
"Must be a talent she really is ashamed to admit having. Honestly, don't blame her. Still i hope she comes to trust us enough to tell what it is"
"And with that, I've met with everyone, and everyone met with one another. For Ultimates they all seem to possess traits that's specifically tuned to them alone. Neat"
"With introductions out of the way. It's time to discuss our situation." Byakuya said.
"I agree, we need to understand what's going on here with us." Junko acknowledged.
"W-Well… Junko, you said you just… fell asleep. Or… passed out, right?" Mikan asked hesitantly, "That's… what happened to all of us as well."
"Woah, what? Seriously?!" Junko asked, bewildered.
"Yeah. Each of us came to the main hall, and just passed out! What the heck caused thay?!" Hiyoko asked indignantly.
"That makes no sense… all of us getting knocked out at the same time…? That's… a mathematical impossibility for one."
"That's why it's having everyone kinda… on edge." Kazuichi spoke out.
"By the way, did you see how the windows were in the classroom you ended up in? Along with the halls?" Chiaki asked.
"Yeah… bolted shut by big metal plates. That's not normal!" Junko pointed out.
"A-And… I don't even have my stuff on me." Komaru said softly.
"Neither do I have my typical stuff." Teruteru said.
"And the main hall here… blocked by a giant hatch like door." Hajime points out "It wasn't there when I came in at first."
"Maybe…this is some big scheme we're all caught in?" Komaru asked.
"Like a kidnapping? Someone grabbed us and hauled us to a lookalike of Hope's Peak?" Hiyoko asked sweating
"N-No way. This is definitely some sort of elaborate. If not a very great introduction procedure." Kazuichi chimes in confidently, "We just wait here and the teacher will show up, I'm sure of it!"
"You really think this could be a surprise for all of us?" Nagito asked curiously, "I'd be fortunate, for one…"
"If that's what this is, someone's getting an earful from me!" Hiyoko huffs, crossing her arms.
"The tension in the room… It seems to be fading off. And honestly there was a good reason for it. But of course, it couldn't last long. As then… it began."
Ding Ding, Bing Bong
"Ahem! Testing, testing! Mike check, one two! This is a test of the school broadcast system!" A mysterious voice spoke out, "Am I on? Can everyone hear me? Okay then…!"
"That voice… It sounded so cheerful and playful. In any other place it'd be fine, normal even. But here? It was… Wrong. Off. Out of place. It gave me only dread hearing it speak."
"Ahh, to all incoming students! I would like to begin the entrance ceremony at… right now!" The voice proclaimed, "Please make your way to the gymnasium at your earliest convenience. That's all. I'll be waiting!"
"...W-What the…what the hell was that?" Komaru asked looking disturbed by what she heard
"Well if you excuse me." Nagito said leaving.
"Hey where are you going?!" Komaru demanded.
"Yeah… Y-Yeah, like I said! Just an entrance ceremony with poor taste!" Kazuichi tried to sound confident, but his shaking fear was leaking out to defeat his confident tone "A-And for a second I was almost s-scared for real… Well I'll be h-heading off and see wh-what they have in store for us." Kazuichi then left in a hurry.
"They'll get a heavy talking to and a beat down if I find their excuses lacking!" Hiyoko threatened as she headed off.
"Hey wait up! I wanna see what they might show~!" Teruteru called out following them.
"A gym? Finally! See you all there!" Akane said, running off.
"Against my better judgment, I'm going there too." Fuyuhiko said heading off.
"I'll follow behind." Peko said following Fuyuhiko out.
"Nearly everyone took off to the gym immediately. But I was still frozen there… That uneasy feeling that came with that announcement. It wouldn't go away… and for good reason. Those who stood behind felt the same."
"T-This feels… off…" Mikan uttered
"Yeah… The announcement was completely out of nowhere." Komaru stated.
"Indeed… but staying in one place won't get us anywhere. Might as well start the game with all players." Chiaki said reluctantly.
"Yes. We won't learn anything without moving forward. So I say we head out." Bayakuya said pointedly.
"They're right… I hate it but they're right. Still, I really have a bad feeling about all of this… Well, not like we have any choice I suppose…"
"They said the gym… so let's go, I guess." Junko said reluctantly.
As Junko and co arrive at the Gym entrance they are greeted by trophies, a few flags with most having the Hope's Peak emblem on them, and other items. In the room were the other students who were waiting around.
"Ugh. This place has been such a pain already…" Hiyoko sighs out, "Being as annoying as my family honestly… if not worse!"
"I-It's so strange to n-n-not see anyone around here… not in the halls… or anywhere else…" Mikan stutters out
"That's… Th-That's really bad right?" Komaru asked.
"I… I'm sure it's just an act to spook us! It has to be!" Soda said firmly, as if he was convincing himself.
"Well… there's not much else to do but to enter the new level…" Chiaki said softly.
"Ugh, quit it with that video game talk… But you're right. Let's get this done already." Hiyoko huffs
Hiyoko headed inside the gym first followed by Byakuya and the others. With Junko being the last to enter.
"Still filled with alot of dread, I unfortunately but without much other option did what the announcement said, and went to the gym. And what I saw… I couldn't believe it…"
Junko entering the Gym proper is greeted by a… almost fairly normal looking entrance ceremony.
"Woah… An actual entrance ceremony setup."
"See?! It's totally a normal entrance ceremony thing!" Kazuichi said with a shaky tone of vindication.
"Kazuichi had a point, if that makes him feel better. But at the same time… the fact this looks actually normal highlights how *abnormal* everything else is, including us."
"Hey there, howdy, Hello is everyone here? Good! Then let's get things rolling!" A voice yelled out. And in front of all the students, on the main podium of the gym... Popped out a black and white bear who landed on the podium near a microphone.
"Huh? A…bear?" Chiaki asked.
"I'm not a mere teddy bear! I… am… Monokuma!" Monokuma declared, "And I am this school's headmaster!"
"...Ok what?! This… this is the absolute weirdest thing I've ever seen! Right before my very eyes…! It… I… this makes no goddamn sense!"
"Nice to meet you all!" Monokuma said cheerfully.
"That cheerful disposition… and carefree attitude compared to everything… was just wrong! And everything I felt till now became utter and total fear!"
"A… t-talking bear?!" Teruteru asked, bewildered.
"Calm down! It's… it's obviously holding some speaker…!" Kazuichi said, worry and fear evident in his voice.
"I told you already, I'm not a bear or teddy bear… I'm Monokuma! And I'm your headmaster!" Monokuma said angrily.
"HOLY CRAP, IT MOVED!" Teruteru said with terror.
"Ugh! Calm down you perv. It's probably just remotely controlled by some loser." Hiyoko said, sighing in annoyance.
"How dare you compare me to a child's, or as you put it, 'loser's' plaything. You've cut me deep. Deeper than the Mariana Trench… My remote control system is so complex, even the folks at NASA can't recreate or even comprehend it! Ah, but don't make me say stuff that might destroy NASA's dreams. I just couldn't BEAR that!" Monokuma said switching from Depressed to happy to angry.
"'Bear' that? Really? A pun for one like you… is quite pathetic." Byakuya said scathingly.
"Now then, moving on! We must hurry and get this started…" Monokuma said ignoring Byakuya's remark.
"Giving up just like that? No more… bad bear puns?" Komaru asked shakily.
"Quiet down now, quiet down. Ah, ok so…!" Monokuma said, seemingly getting his thoughts in order.
"Hmph! Already abandoned his gag." Nekomaru said with a pointed look.
"Everyone, stand at attention and bow! And… good morning!" Monokuma yelled out.
"G-Good…morning?" Kazuichi said, confused and uncertain.
"Don't play into its delusions, pinky." Fuyuhiko shot angrily.
"Now then, let us commence with a most noteworthy and memorable entrance ceremony! First, let's talk a bit about what your school life will be like. Now, ah, make no mistake. You few students, so full of potential, represent the hope of the world. And to protect such splendid hope… You will all live a communal life together solely within the confines of this school. Everyone will live in harmony together, and adhere to the rules and regulations of the school." Monokuma announced to all the gathered students calmly, clearly and seriously.
"W-what..?"
"Ah, now then… regarding the end date for this communal life… Actually, there isn't one! In other words, you'll all be here until the day you die! Such is the school life you've all been assigned." Monokuma stated nonchalantly.
"What did he just say?! Until we die!?" Ibuki asked, startled.
"Oh, but fear not! We have quite an abundant budget, so you won't lack for all the common conveniences." Monokuma added as if that's what everyone was concerned about.
"T-That's the least of our worries…!" Mikan said out loud.
"Y-Yeah… what the fuck? You're saying we all have to live here forever? Me and… everyone here!?" Komaru asked while looking pale, "This… This is a mean joke right?"
"I'm not joking with you! I am no liar, of that you can be 100% sure. Ah, and just for your information, you're completely cut off from the outside world. So you don't have to worry about that dirty dirty land beyond these walls again!" Monokuma stated firmly.
"C-Cut off…?" Junko asked with fear ebbing in her voice, "So all the metal plates that we saw in this school… They're to keep us imprisoned here?!" She asked, horrified.
"That's exactly what they're there for. No matter how much you may yell and scream for help…help will not come. So with all of that in mind, feel free to live out your life here with reckless abandon!" Monokuma said boastfully.
"Y-You…! What… THE FUCK?!" Hiyoko yelled out, "This is definitely a horrid joke!" Hiyoko said, crossing her arms.
"I'm with banana pigtails here! Cut the shit out, you stuffed robot!" Fuyuhiko yelled as well.
"You keep saying this is a lie, or a joke. A bunch of skeptics, all of you. But I guess you can't help it, huh? You all grew up in an age where you're taught to doubt your neighbor… Well, you'll have plenty of time to find out whether or not what I say is true. And when that time comes, you'll see with your own eyeballs that I speak the undeniable truth." Monokuma said in a mocking manner.
"Having to stay here forever… not my idea of a great time." Ibuki said looking down dejectedly.
"Come, now. What's the matter with all of you? You decided of your own free will to attend Hope's Peak Academy, didn't you? And now, before the entrance ceremony is even finished, you've already decided you want to leave? Oh but you know… I guess I forgot to mention one thing. There *is* one way for you to leave the school…" Monokuma said sinisterly
"Really? What is that one way?" Gundham asked curious yet skeptical
"As headmaster, I've crafted a special clause for those of you who would like to leave! I call it the Graduation Clause! Now let me tell you about this fun little rule. As I mentioned, in order to maintain an environment of harmony here, we rely on a communal lifestyle… And if someone were to disrupt that harmony, they and they alone would be allowed to leave the school. That, my students, is the Graduation Clause!" Monokuma said cheerfully, smiling without a care in the world.
"And what exactly do you mean by "disrupt the harmony"?" Byakuya asked pointedly.
"Puhuhu…Well, you know… If one person were to murder another." Monokuma simply said.
"M-MURDER?!" Junko said, shocked beyond belief.
"Stabbing, strangling, bludgeoning, crushing, hacking, drowning, igniting, how you do it doesn't matter. You must kill someone if you want to leave. It's as simple as that. The rest is up to you. Give it your all to achieve the best outcome in the worst way possible." Monokuma said smirking devilishly.
"A chill shot down my spine and very being… "You must kill someone if you want to leave" The second those words left that…thing's mouth, my blood became cold as ice."
"Puhuhu. I bet that got your brain juices flowing! Beats the heck out of a human catching a salmon, huh? Like I said before, you guys are the hope of the world. But you know… Taking that hope and seeing it get murdered creates a darkened shadow of despair. And I just find that so… darn… exciting!" Monokuma said cackling sadistically.
"W-what the hell?! What are you on about!? To kill each other… it's…! That's just…!" Hiyoko said at a full loss of words.
"To kill each other is to kill each other. I'm sure there's a dictionary here somewhere if you need it." Monokuma replied in a mocking inquisitive tone.
"We know what it means! That's not the problem here by a mile! Why do we have to kill each other at all!?" Mahiru demanded from the robotic bear.
"This is absolutely nonsense! I-I've had enough! Just let us go already, dammit! No more blabbering nonsense!" Kazuichi yelled anger and fear mixed in his voice.
"...Blabbering?" Monokuma asked in a still voice. "Blabbering, blabbering, what do you mean blabbering?! Stop blabbering on about blabbering on!" Monokuma said, his voice seemingly getting angrier as it spoke. "You guys just don't get it, do you?" He asked in a cold angry stance "'Let us go, let us go' You keep on saying the same thing over and over and over…!" Monokuma repeated anger rising in his voice with each repetition "Listen. From this moment on, this school is your home, your life, your world. Got it?" Monokuma asked with a deathly glare. "And you can kill as much as you wanna kill! So go ahead, go on a kill-kill-killing spree!" Monokuma finished with a yell.
"O-Ok, how much longer are you gonna keep this act up?" Nekomaru asked with a relaxing smile
"Eh?" Monokuma asked, confused.
"The whole "making us pass out at the gates and boarding the school shut so we couldn't leave" thing. You got us good with that." Nekomaru said pointedly, "But the part about us having to kill each other in order to leave? Yeah, the pranks have gone a bit far now. You can reveal the trick now."
"Reveal the trick?" Monokuma asked, confusion and curiosity erasing his anger.
"Well… yeah! This has to be a trick right?" Nekomaru said before giving out a soft laugh, "Haha, I mean… In what universe do we attend a school where we can't leave without–"
"Ugh, not you too, lungs for brains! Move it! I'll deal with this myself!" Hiyoko shouts in anger.
"Shoving past Nekomaru, Hiyoko places herself in front of Monokuma, her voice like a thunder of a very PISSED woman"
"OK LISTEN WELL! WHAT KIND OF ASSHOLE ARE YOU?! THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR! WHAT SHITTY JOKE IS THIS?!" Hiyoko screamed at Monokuma.
"Joke? What, like your hairstyle?" Monokuma asked mockingly.
"YOU…! YOU SON OF A…!"
"Hiyoko roared out, and then suddenly… BOOM! It was the sound of the floorboards as she kicked off and launched herself into the air. She flew at Monokuma, fast and straight as a bullet. She had locked on her target and was going for the kill."
"Gotcha, you little piece of shit! I dunno if you're some stupid toy, stuffed animal or whatever the fuck else! If you don't let us out of this horror house, you'll be torn and squished to shreds and parts!" Hiyoko said threateningly.
"Waagh! Violence against the headmaster is in violation of the school regulations!" Monokuma yelled out.
"I don't CARE what you are! Your games end NOW!" Hiyoko began saying.
Beep beep beep beep! A beeping sound emitted from Monokuma
"What? No remarks now?!" Hiyoko said, smirking.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep! The sound got faster and louder.
"The hell is that beeping?! Talk now!" Hiyoko demanded, angry.
"Throw it! Now!" Chiaki yelled out.
"Wha–?" Hiyoko asked, confused.
"Throw it or you'll die!" Chiaki yelled urgently.
"Can't say if her tone in her words stunned Hiyoko into silence or what, but without a word she did what she was told… She threw Monokuma, and…"
BOOM!
"OW! FUCK! SHIT! The ringing of that explosion is super painful! And gunpowder smell…? Sure explosions are one thing in movies, but real life? I-I never seen something like that… ever!"
"T-T-T-T-T-Th-Th-Th-Th…!" Hiyoko stutters, unable to speak or make words of any kind "Th-That wasn't a prank… it blew up!" Hiyoko finally spoke, shocked beyond words.
"Well… that means the teddy bear's destroyed right? So… we're good now." Hajime said to try and calm Hiyoko and everyone else down, his hesitant tone suggesting he was not believing his own words.
"I TOLD YOU, I'M NOT A TEDDY BEAR! I'M MONOKUMA!" Monokuma yelled out, appearing suddenly from the ground.
"A-another one?!" Fuyuhiko asked bewildered
"You… you bully! You tried to kill me!" Hiyoko yelled furiously.
"I'm the bully here? You're the one who broke one of the school rules with that stunt you just pulled, banana brain." Monokuma said with cold dark fury, "I'll let you off with a warning this time, but you'd better be careful from now on." Monokuma warns darkly, "Any naughty boy or girl who violates my rules won't get off with just a swat on the butt." Monokuma said simply.
"H-Hold on… does this mean there's… m-more Monokumas here or something… just around somewhere?" Komaru asked
"Monokumas have been placed all throughout the school, yes." Monokuma answered simply, "And in case you're not aware, do note the surveillance cameras installed everywhere." He added, "If you're caught breaking any rules, well… You all just saw what happened, right?" Monokuma asked to make sure everyone was on the same page, "Puhuhu… Like I said, I won't be so forgiving with my punishment next time. So don't let it happen again!" Monokuma finished with a happy look yet his words and tone held a dark threatening edge to them.
"That's not a punishment… that's just… homicide!" Mahiru yelled out.
"Now then, lastly… To commemorate your joyous entry into our school, I have a little something for you." Monokuma said, getting something out into his hands. Which looked to be cards of some sort, "This is our official student handbook! Pretty cool, huh?" Monokuma asked, showing the handbooks off to everyone. The handbooks seem digital and computerized in nature. "As you can see, it's fully digital. So naturally, we call it… The E-Handbook!" Monokuma finished explaining about the E-Handbook.
"..." Junko was silent as she just stared.
"Ahem. Yes, well, moving on… This handbook is absolutely vital to a healthy school life, so don't lose it!" Monokuma said, making sure everyone understood. "When you start it up, it will display your name. Always make sure you have the right one!" Monokuma informed us, "Now this is not your everyday notebook. It has so many more uses than that!" Monokuma said, chuckling with a happy smile hidden partially by his hands, "Also, it's completely waterproof. Splash it, wash it, drown it, it'll keep on ticking." Monokuma added with a sunny disposition and smile.
"And thanks to its space-age design, it can withstand an impact force of up to ten tons! Very resistant!" Monokuma continued, sounding almost as impressed about that himself, "It contains all of our school regulations, so make sure you review them thoroughly," Monokuma pointed out, silently reminding everyone about what happens when you don't follow the regulations, "Rules restrict, yes, but they also protect. Society, for example, would be utter chaos without laws. The same thing applies here! Which is why it's crucial we have strict punishments in place for violators." Monokuma said cackling.
"Okay, well…that brings our entrance ceremony to a close! Please enjoy your abundantly dreary school life! And…see ya!" Monokuma concluded and disappearing.
"...Yep. Just after all that… he was gone. Leaving everyone in a state of shock."
"So… how do we even describe what we just experienced…?!" Teruteru asked, sweating bullets.
"I… I don't understand… anything…" Hiyoko said her confident, angry demeanor was gone, replaced with fear and nervousness.
"Live here… or kill…" Peko pounders morbidly, "Those are our only choices?"
"Everyone, we need to calm down and relax… and think about this. Let's first go over what we just heard." Chiaki said, getting attention from the group onto her "Based on what this… Monokuma said, we have only two choices. The first choice is to be stuck on this level– I mean, be stuck in this school in this "communal" life until we die. And the other… c-choice is…" Chiaki said softly summarizing what Monokuma said.
"We kill each other. That's what he said right?" Fuyuhiko asked to make sure everyone was on the same page of what they heard.
"But… to kill…" Hajime said hesitantly unable to comprehend it
"We were abducted and stuffed into a place that looks like a school? And we're supposed to KILL each other?! What the… WHAT THE HECK!?" Teruteru yelled in absolute pure fear.
"I-It has to be a lie… this has to be fake. It's completely ridiculous!" Nekomaru tried to assure everyone.
"Unfortunately right now it doesn't matter what's real or fake…" Bayakuya began talking, "What matters is… Someone among us is seriously considering this." He said looking at everyone.
We… we… no one could respond to that. Completely silent, I looked around at the others. They… we were all staring at each other. Trying to gauge each other's thoughts. I could taste the hostility in the air. And that's when I realized immediately. The rules Monokuma laid out to all of us. "You must kill someone if you want to leave." Those words planted in everyone, even me, vicious thoughts deep within all of us. We were now all suspicious of each other. We have to wonder, "Is someone going to betray us?"
And that was how my school life began. This school, which has come to raise mine and everyone else's hopes so high… it's *not* a school of hope. In actuality… It's a school of despair.
Prologue, Welcome to Despair. END