Naegi awoke to the sound of his alarm ringing. His head shot off his desk in surprise as it blasted in his ears. He slammed his hand on it and blinked tiredly, still half-asleep and disorientated. He blinked and took a few deep breaths, trying regain his focus. He eventually realised he was sat at his desk still in his clothing from the previous day. His desk was strewth with books and papers. His and Enoshima's homework, he realised, he must have fallen asleep working on it.

"Makoto, breakfast is ready." He head his mother shout from downstairs. He groaned tiredly, stretching his arms and flexing his joints. His back was all stiff from sleeping slumped over in a chair.

"I'll be down in a minute." He called to his mom, deciding it was best to change clothes since the ones he was wearing didn't smell very nice. Besides, his jacket still had paint on it from yesterday. So he took a quick shower and put on a fresh shirt and pants. He then rushed down to find his sister eating cereal at the kitchen table and his mother placing a plate of toast covered in his favourite strawberry jam in front of the seat opposite.

"Thanks mom." He said, sitting down and biting into one of the slices. He moaned happily at the warm, sweet taste.

"Sleep well brother?" Komaru asked.

"Yes, and you?"

"Yeah, got anything exciting planned today?" She asked.

"No," Naegi replied sheepishly. "Just school and homework."

He frowned, remembering it wasn't just his homework he had to do.

"Everything okay Makoto?" Komaru asked.

"Oh yeah, fine." He smiled at her.

He shoved the last bite of toast in his mouth and took his plate to the dishwasher. It was getting quite late so he quickly ran upstairs to grab his stuff. He shoved it in his school bag and bounded back down the stairs and out the door. He began his normal walk to the bus stop, giving himself a little pep talk in his head. Being able to remain optimistic despite the bullying from Enoshima and her friends was about the only part of himself that he liked. When the bus pulled up Naegi greeted the driver warmly just as he always did. He then walked down the isle looking for an empty seat just as he always did. He got tripped over by Enoshima just as he always did. Everyday it was the same thing, but he smiled and carried on anyway because Naegi always had hope for the future.

Today the only empty seat was beside Kuzuryu who wasn't in the mood to talk so Naegi spent the next ten minutes sitting in silence. He practically sprinted out of the bus when it finally arrived at school. Luckily it was pretty crowded in the courtyard so he was able to avoid Enoshima and her friends pretty easily and make it to his locker unscathed. He was pleased to discover there were no nasty surprises waiting for him when he opened it this morning and he quickly grabbed his books for his first classes. As he was walking to his home room he thought about yesterday. It seemed the new kid, Hajime Hinata, had made friends with Komaeda, Naegi smiled happily at the thought, the lonelier people in this school deserved a good friend by their side in his opinion. He would make friends with all of them if he could but he knew Enoshima would make their lives even worse if he did so he kept to himself. He never understood her need to destroy his life. As he sat alone in the back of his home room class that morning his mind took him back to the day the two of them had first met. They were incredibly young, only in the second grade…

Naegi was incredibly nervous as he stood before the class. His family had just moved to Tokyo and today was his first day at Hope's Peak Academy Prep School.

"Class, this is our new student Makoto Naegi, please make him feel welcome." The teacher introduced. Naegi waved shyly at his new classmates. Some of them smiled and waved back and Naegi found himself relaxing ever so slightly.

During the break when all the kids went outside to play Naegi joined everyone in a game of tag and pretty soon forgot all about his nervousness. He was running from the person that was "it" and laughing happily when suddenly a foot tripped him up.

"Oops." A high-pitched voice said, snickering. Naegi looked up to see a young girl with pink pigtails and sky blue eyes. She had a cruel smirk on her face as she looked down her nose at the poor boy sprawled in the dirt. A few of the students around them laughed nervously while others came over and asked Naegi if he was alright.

"What did you do that for Enoshima?" A young brunette, who Naegi would later come to know as Akane Owari, asked the girl with the pigtails. Naegi gasped and jumped back to his feet. Enoshima? As in Junko Enoshima the Ultimate Despair? Naegi stared at her in complete awe, he hadn't noticed it before, too preoccupied with having his face in the dirt, but now he recognised the beautiful little girl from her tv and magazine appearances.

"You- you're the Ultimate Despair…" Naegi whispered in amazement.

"Yeah, and you're just some plain nobody." Enoshima laughed. "Seriously, have you seen the way you look, with that generic hairstyle and eye-colour, plus you're always polite and only do what everyone else wants to do," she laughed even harder, "you have no originality at all!"

Almost everyone joined her in laughing at Naegi's expense. Some because they actually agreed with what she said but most because they didn't want to get on her bad side. Naegi's face was horribly red and he looked as though he might burst into tears at any moments. He wanted desperately to escape from this but the other children had surrounded him. One of the boys stood close to him gave his back a shove with both hands causing Naegi to stumble forwards. Straight into Enoshima. She grabbed him by the shoulders and looked into his watery eyes with sadistic pleasure when suddenly her big blue eyes seemed to widen in shock. Then Naegi was on his back in the dirt and dust being kicked by hundreds of little feet.

Naegi sighed heavily as the bell rang, picking up his bag ready to go to his next class. He didn't know what he'd done that day to make Enoshima hate him so much but whatever it was he'd been paying for it ever since.

When he arrived at his next class he was surprised to see his usual seat was occupied, he was even more shocked to see the one sitting there was the boy with the angry eyes and spiked hair he'd run into yesterday, Hinata. The only free seat was next to Hinata so Naegi sat there, smiling and saying hello to his new classmate.

"Oh, I remember you, Naegi right?" Hinata asked. Naegi nodded.

"Sorry for running you down yesterday." Naegi laughed sheepishly.

"It's okay. I um… Haven't seen you in any of my other classes."

"Oh, well I'm actually a year bellow, I was moved up into this class because the teacher's said I was 'performing well'" Naegi laughed awkwardly. Praise always embarrassed him.

"Really? Cool, you must be pretty smart then."

"Ah… Not really, I just, notice things…" Naegi said awkwardly. It was true, Naegi noticed things, particularly about people. It was like this special gift he had, to understand others. Which was probably why he'd been moved up a year in this psychology class. Though he didn't have a very high opinion of himself so he felt pretty embarrassed about being moved ahead. Fortunately, he was saved further embarrassment by the arrival of the teacher. He focused on his work for the next hour, only occasionally talking to Hinata about stuff relating to the lesson. It wasn't long before the bell rang and it was time for them to part ways as Naegi's next class was with his own classmates.

"Hey." Hinata said, as they were packing up their stuff. "I noticed you were sitting alone yesterday at lunch, maybe you could join me and Komaeda?"

"Oh, that, uh, that's really not a good idea."

"Why not?"

Naegi looked down sadly.

"Junko Enoshima hates me and she hurts anyone for being friends with me so—"

"What?" Hinata exclaimed. "Why would anyone do something like that? Just to stop you from having friends?"

"I don't know, she's just always hated me."

"Well, I don't care, I think you should join us."

"Oh, no really it's okay, I have to go now but it was nice talking with you Hinata."

Naegi rushed out of the room before Hinata could even open his mouth. He appreciated Hinata's kindness, he really did, but there was no way he could let Enoshima hurt him the way she'd hurt Naegi so for Hinata's own safety he'd steer clear.

When lunch finally did role around Naegi spent it in one of the classrooms, quiet and out of everyone's way. He was afraid if he went to the cafeteria then Hinata might insist on sitting with him. He'd been so kind and so determined to stand up for what was right but Naegi knew Enoshima would do awful things to Hinata, as she had done everyone else who'd ever tried to be friends with Naegi, if she found out. Naegi couldn't let that happen.

Meanwhile, Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Despair and queen of Hope's Peak Academy, was sitting at the centre table of the school cafeteria just like she always did, feeling bored as hell. Her favourite punching bag, Makoto Naegi, had failed to show up for lunch and her second favourite, Nagito Komaeda, was absent also. She thought about teasing that wimp Fujisaki, or messing with the new kid, Hina? Hitana? Or something, but she wasn't really in the mood for that. She much preferred messing with Naegi, the reason for which was a secret she'd held close to her chest for years.

"So the freak corner's missing a few people today." Celestia noted, looking over at the section of the cafeteria reserved for outcasts.

"Yes, I'm so disappointed. Naegi knows he should be here for me to make fun of, how dare he stand me up like this." Enoshima complained childishly.

"What did you have planned today dear sister?" Ikusaba asked.

"Well…" Enoshima mused thoughtfully. "I was just going to improvise something, it's never fun if I know everything that's going to happen."

"Well, maybe we could come up with something," Celestia suggested.

"Yeah, something that would really crush his spirit." Saionji said, snickering.

"Naegi's so optimistic about everything, it'd have to be truely devastating for his spirit to be broken." Said Ikusaba.

"Well you know, the best way to break a man's spirit is to break his heart." Celestia said with a laugh.

"Ooh…" Enoshima hummed. "That sounds fun."

"So w-what we g-g-get him to fall-l-l in love with one-e of us t-then break his he-he-heart?" Tsumiki asked.

"Exactly." Enoshima smirked. "Only question is whom?"

"How about we each ask him out, I'm sure he'll say yes to one of us." Said Celestia.

"Won't that make him suspicious?" Maizono asked.

"Naegi? Please, he doesn't have a suspicious bone in his body." Said Togami.

"I'm uh… Not so sure about this, it seems a little unnecessary…" Maizono said nervously.

"Yes." Kirigiri cut in. "I agree, you might be going a little too far."

"Oh come on guys, Naegi's a loser, who cares?" Celestia said.

"Yeah, Naegi needs to be taken down, and you two are going to help me with it, aren't you?" Enoshima threatened, looking between Maizono and Kirigiri challengingly. That was end of the argument, nobody, not even an idol like Maizono or someone as stone-cold as Kirigiri, had it in them to stand up to Junko Enoshima, the Ultimate Despair. So it was agreed, every girl in the popular group would ask Naegi out in the hopes he'd say yes to one of them.

"Naegi." The young man in question raised his head to find out who'd called him as he waited outside his next class. He found Hinata stood next to him. "You didn't come to lunch."

"I'm sorry, I uh… Well…" Naegi stammered nervously, placing a hand behind his head.

"Enoshima really has you scared doesn't she." It wasn't a question.

"She's hurt people, for getting too close to me. I can't let you go through that."

"You shouldn't have to go through it either."

"You should go, or else you'll be late."

Hinata looked like he wanted to say more but in the end he just sighed and headed off down the corridor.

"Naegi."

Naegi turned away from Hinata and saw Maizono stood in front of him, smiling sweetly.

"Um… Yes Maizono, can I help you?"

Naegi was nervous. Maizono had never bullied him directly but she was still a part of the popular group.

"I was wondering, would you maybe like to go out for dinner tonight?"

Naegi blushed profusely.

"Y-You mean l-l-like a date?!" He stammered.

"Yes. Look, I know I've never been that nice to you, I'm sorry for standing by and watching Enoshima treat you the way she does but I've always had this kind of crush on you." Her cheeks were a slight pink now and she was biting her lip nervously. "I know you have every right to hate me but I was wondering if you could give me a chance?"

Naegi continued to blush and stammer incoherently. He started to think he must have fallen asleep in class and was having a weird dream. One of the most popular and sort after girls in the school was asking him on a date! Him! Makoto Naegi the biggest loser in school.

"Well?" She prompted.

"Uh… I um… Are you serious?"

"Yes." She replied staring determinedly into his eyes. "I really like you Naegi."

"But- But I'm me. I'm nobody."

"No you're not, I'm sorry I've never said these things before."

"Maizono, if Enoshima finds out about this she'll destroy you."

"I don't care."

"Look," Naegi sighed, finally regaining control of his senses. "Even if I was willing to risk it, I'm afraid I can't return your feelings. I'm sorry."

Maizono looked taken aback.

"I know, I know I've not exactly been nice to you but give me a chance to—"

"no that's not it!" Naegi interrupted. "I just don't have those feelings for you, I'm really sorry. But hey, you deserve someone better any way."

He smiled at her and headed into his class, leaving the young idol to stare after him with her mouth hanging open in shock.

Naegi flopped down on his desk feeling incredibly worn out after that very strange and very distressing ordeal. One of the most popular girls the school said she was interested in him? One of the most unpopular guys in the school? Scratch that, the most unpopular guy in the school.

"Naegi."

Naegi looked up at the sound of his name to find Celestia stood in front of him. He tensed up immediately, unlike Maizono, Celestia had often partaken in Naegi's torment.

"Listen, I just wanted to apologise for the way I've treated you. The truth is I've always wanted to be your friend Naegi but you see Enoshima… She knows things, things about me no one can ever know. I have no choice but to play along, not that it excuses my actions, I just—" She broke off looking distressed. Being the expert actress that she was Naegi was almost convinced she was telling the truth, but Naegi with his mysterious sixth sense for understanding people was suspicious of her behaviour.

"Look Celeste, I understand that a lot of people don't want to be around me because of what Enoshima will do to them, and I don't want her to hurt them either so it's probably best if you just continue following her."

"In school yes, but that doesn't mean we couldn't hang out other times does it?"

"Huh?"

Naegi stared at her in confusion. He'd never expected Celestia to be so determined just to spend time with him. Plain, boring, loser Makoto Naegi.

"We could meet in secret if you like."

If Naegi didn't know any better he'd think she was flirting with him.

"Look Celeste, I appreciate the offer but there's still a risk of Enoshima finding out, I don't want to put you through that."

A part of him meant what he just said, but another part was kind of scared of Celeste. He had a sense she wasn't being completely honest with him. She seemed to get that Naegi wasn't going to be swayed and went over to her usual seat. Celestia Ludenberg was many things but one thing she wasn't was a sore loser, she could see there was no way she'd be the one to convince Naegi to date her. In all honesty she was quite relieved, dating wasn't something she liked to do period, never mind with someone like Naegi.

Meanwhile, Naegi was feeling incredibly worn out from his two encounters. He was beginning to wonder if this was all just a strange dream. He could barely concentrate as the teacher did the roll call and ended up missing her call his name. She had to yell to get his attention and naturally everyone laughed as he blushed and mumbled a quick "here". He tried to clear his head and spent the rest of the lesson taking notes and focusing on learning. The next few lessons repeated in the same manner, bar the unusual confrontations at the beginning and by the time he was outside, having evaded Enoshima, and waiting for the bus he'd completely forgotten about it. Unfortunately for him, the girls hadn't.

"Well, I failed." Maizono said, as she and the rest of the popular group gathered round Enoshima's locker.

"Me too, though to be honest I'm relieved, I really wasn't looking forward to the idea of dating that short wimp." Celeste added.

"Well, he definitely wouldn't date Enoshima." Kirigiri stated calmly. "No offence." She added, though she didn't sound like she really meant it.

"It's fine." Enoshima assured, "I'm well aware he wouldn't be interested in me, despite my beauty Naegi's hardly going to go out with someone who's tormented him for years." She sounded almost proud as she said this, as if ruining Naegi's life was a noble goal and one she was happy to pursue. "Mukuro, Kirigiri, Saionji and Tsumiki will have to try next week."

"Why next week?" Saionji asked.

"Because even someone as trusting as that loser would be suspicious if everyone asked him out at once in such a short amount of time."

"You seem to have really thought this through." Kirigiri commented.

"Of course, there's two more years left until graduation and I want to make certain Naegi's spirit is broken before then, thus everything must go perfectly."

"Why do you hate him so much anyway?" Asked Maizono.

"It's to do with an incident that happened in our childhood and that's all I wish to say about it." Enoshima replied then promptly grabbed her stuff and strutted off down the corridor without so much as a goodbye. Ikusaba hurried to catch up with her while the others simply stood around to contemplate her words.