I slept so well, and the sun is shining! They removed the tins of paint from the shelf. I guess they noticed they were nearly completely empty… Well there is no reason to worry! I left no evidence of my crime! I won't have to participate in any trials!

I sat alone in the restaurant like I always do. Before I could start eating, I heard a familiar voice:

"Can I sit here?"

"Sure, I don't see why not… it's not like I owned the table anyway."

I thought I socialised enough for the year. I guess I didn't have a choice. As he sat down, I noticed his hair was whiter than yesterday. He still had the same serene emotion and slight smile on his face.

He stared at me in silence. And suddenly he started speaking:

"You know, I would understand if you don't want to eat in front of someone like me."

"What do you mean? I don't really mind you. I'm just not used to eating with people…"

I noticed that his face had changed. He was now looking down. Did I do something inappropriate? I don't think I did anything that would have made him believe I didn't want him sitting in front of me.

"I know that trash like me should know its place. But, I feel something pure emanating from you. I cannot resist such beauty."

After saying that, he looked up to my eyes with a stare so intense that I felt like he was trying to dig in my soul. I remained still, too intimidated to move. He nearly scared me. I had never seen a look like that one before. The person I was facing at the moment didn't seem to have anything to do with the outgoing guy with a comforting smile I spoke to yesterday. I let him continue his speech.

"You are one of the most talented students of this school. Somehow, you naturally outshine the other students. Not that they are less admirable. I admire every talent and everything that makes Hope's Peak Academy the most incredible school. Even though I don't have my place among the ultimates, I want to help you become the best embodiment of hope. I'm interested in you particularly because even if you seem to acknowledge your talent, you don't know what's your worth and something is missing in you to make you the Ultimate Hope. I know that when you will find it, hope will shine through you, brighter than ever, and this world will illuminate! I'm aware that I am trash compared to anyone else in this school, but I'd like to become a step ladder for your ascension toward hope. Thus, I want you to use me as you will. I won't take any credit for your achievements since I am aware that I don't deserve any. Maybe someone like me shouldn't ask for this much, but, even if I'm worthless untalented trash, I want to be useful for Hope's Peak Academy. I want to be useful to you. Now I will let you decide if I'm good enough to be used as a step ladder for your ascension."

He seemed truly devoted to hope and Hope's Peak Academy. Maybe too much. I'm not sure I can trust him. I don't usually trust people anyway. I didn't know how to react to this. I felt even more nervous since I'm not used to dealing with this kind of situation. I was trying to hide that in my scarf. I was not sure of what he expected from me. I'm just a regular student. I simply don't mix with people. I'm a loner. And I'll always be. I was right about his low self-esteem. And I'm pretty sure he feels lonely and outcast as well. I can easily recognise these feelings since I'm so familiar with them. Maybe it was just his way to ask for my friendship. I could give him a chance. What do I have to lose? I can always go back to my lonely life any time.

I nervously said:

"So… you seem very devoted… and y-you're a bit harsh toward yourself as well. You appeared to be quite smart at that's not something I would say to anyone… and hmm… Well it's just what I think… I'm not sure you want to hear that... What do you want me to do? I'm a bit confused… Do you… maybe… you just want to be my friend?"

"Huh? I can be that… unless you think I'm not worthy of your time…"

Sounds like I was right. Sometimes it's hard to ask for simple things. Like friendship. It is simple. It's just a matter of trust and respect which leads to attachment. It should be simple.

"I guess you are worthy enough."

For some reason, I felt like I should give him a chance. Still, I felt like I shouldn't let my guard down. I could use a friend, and if things don't work out, it's not like I had anything to lose.