Neither of us wanted to go. But I thought it would be good for Nagito. I believed he would be happier if he was more integrated into his class.
Nagito and I were heading to the restaurant. Chiaki Nanami, the 77-B class representative, organised a party there with food and dishes coming from everywhere in the world. The Ultimate Cook prepared them of course. Nagito said that somehow Chiaki managed to make everyone in the class get along. Apparently, even the most anti-social ones like Fuyuhiko started to enjoy participating in meetings Chiaki organised. I guess I was right to believe he wasn't just bad and dangerous. However, Nagito still felt like he didn't belong with them. That is why I decided to come to a party with him. I was sure that he just needed a tiny effort to get along with them. I might not be the most outgoing person, but I know how to deal with people. I was sure I would be able to help him communicate with the others.
Chiaki came out of the restaurant and said:
"Hi everyone. It's ready now so you can all come in."
Someone rushed in and threw themselves immediately on the food. Can you even enjoy food if you eat that quickly? I learnt afterward that she was called Akane Owari. Nagito and I followed. Every table was covered in food from various origins. A lot of different smells were mixed together. I could even see a raclette fountain. How was that possible? Teruteru is such an impressive chef. I could see him standing next to the table representing France.
"Why hello there. I have never seen you before. Let me introduce myself. I am Teruteru Hanamura, but I am known as the Ultimate Chef. I see that you are interested in my raclette fountain. Impressive, isn't it? You just have to grab a potato and dip it… There is also a chocolate fountain over there. Chocolate has aphrodisiac properties, that's why there is a statue of Aphrodite on it. But if you want to try it, don't hesitate to come see me afterward. I'll make you try the tastiest meat in a more private place if you know what I mean."
"W-what? N-no thanks."
I fled as far away as possible from Teruteru. Did he put something in the chocolate fountain? I didn't really want to know.
I thought it would be safer if I stayed with Nagito. He was talking to Chiaki at that moment.
"So you haven't heard of it at all since?"
"Yes, that's odd. He didn't even sign in any game we used to play online. I'm actually surprised you know that much about Hajime."
"I don't. I'm just intrigued. I went to check on the Reserve Course students' files and I didn't find anything about Hajime Hinata. It's like he never came to Hope's Peak Academy."
"Hang on. How did you get access to these files?é
"Let's say I was lucky I got the chance to see them."
Fine. If you don't have anything else to tell me, I will go make sure everyone enjoy the party."
She seemed upset by what Nagito told her. I never heard of this Hajime Hinata. I'm surprised Nagito never mentioned him, especially since he had been investigating his disappearance.
"I wasn't completely honest. I found something. I need you to follow me." Said Nagito before exiting the building.
I joined him at the entrance of Hope's Peak Academy. The only other human souls around were still all in the restaurant.
"When I was walking in the corridors earlier, I found a bit of paper. Miraculously, the wind blew it and it ended up on my feet. It looked like someone tried to destroy it and it seemed it was something very important. I'm sure I wasn't supposed to, but I tried to read it. Most of it was torn and burnt but still I could read that Hope's Peak Academy has secrets we wouldn't have expected. They are trying to create the Ultimate Hope. That's all I could decipher unfortunately. I think this is serious. Maybe that is why they needed more funds from the reserve course, to create the Ultimate Hope."
He handed over the bit of paper. I tried to read but I didn't find any new information. I thought there was a picture of a person on it but it was impossible to see anything.
" I guess we should burn it. We shouldn't keep a file that we weren't supposed to read. I know that by experience. Anyway, there is nothing more we can learn from it. However, I'm not sure I understand the link with Hajime Hinata."
"After finding this bit of paper, I decided to check on Reserve Course files, since they are the main funding source, I had the intuition it was related. Unfortunately, all I found was that Hajime's file was missing. I wasn't expecting to find much. We are already very lucky to know what we know."
"What do you think is this Ultimate Hope?"
"I can't be sure, but since Hope's Peak Academy is all about talent, I suppose they must be working on a way to develop talent even more efficiently and bring more hope to this world! Wouldn't it be amazing? I really can't wait to see! I have the feeling that whatever this is, it could change the world!"
For some reason, I couldn't help feeling concerned. There are so many secrets. If something is kept secret, it's for a reason, and it can never be good.