As Hinata walked to school on his second day at Hope's Peak Academy, he was even more determined to befriend Komaeda. Hinata had always had difficulty making friends and it seemed Komaeda did too. Hinata couldn't understand why everyone was so afraid of someone like him. At worst Hinata found Komaeda to be self-conscious and a little strange but he was sure he'd be a cool guy if he got to know him, and that's what he was going to do. As soon as he entered the school building he headed straight to where he'd met Komaeda yesterday, hoping it wasn't a one off and Komaeda usually spent his mornings at the other end of the corridor from their homeroom. He almost sighed in relieved happiness when he rounded the corner to said corridor and saw a mop of white hair attached to a pale boy in a long green jacket leaning against the wall.

"Hey." He said, smiling as he stood in front of Komaeda. The young Hope looked up, startled.

"Hinata? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to hang out with you before class." Hinata said simply, bluntly, thus was his style. Komaeda was visibly shocked by his words, almost frightened even. Hinata did his best to ignore this and leaned against the wall opposite, smiling. "So, what are some of your hobbies?" He asked, that seemed like a safe, conversation starting question. Komaeda just stared at him, seemingly shocked silent.

"Hinata…" He began with a sigh. "Please, just— Don't do this."

"What?"

"This!" Suddenly the pale boy was hysterical. "Don't try to be friends with me it'll only end badly it always does!"

"I don't care."

Komaeda's eyes widened at Hinata's words and the certainty in his voice. Was this hot-headed yet kind Despair really that determined to be his friend?

"Why?" Komaeda's voice came out so soft, so thick with emotion. "Why would you so desperately want to be friends with someone like me?"

"Because I don't believe what everyone says about you. You know people always use to say it was best to avoid me because I was scary and short-tempered, which I suppose is true but I'd always hoped at least someone would give me a chance, because, well, everyone deserves a chance, even you Komaeda."

Komaeda turned his head away, silently. Hinata waited patiently for him to speak but instead he began to chuckle, a harrowing, terrifying laugh.

"What you say… can you be certain of your words?" He asked, he looked at Hinata with a smile that made his blood run cold, eyes red-rimmed but empty. "You don't know me, I could have killed for all you know, or perhaps I'm dying myself. How can you be certain I deserve a chance?"

He was leaning towards Hinata now, almost challengingly. Hinata was taken aback by his sudden change of character. Was this was why people were scared of him? Was he really crazy? Hinata shook the thoughts from his head. If that was true then he would find out for himself because once he set his mind to something he committed and right now he was committed to understanding and befriending Komaeda.

"Maybe, I guess I don't know you well enough to know if you're that kind of person. But I'd like to."

Komaeda stumbled, not expecting that response. He ducked his head so Hinata couldn't see his expression though his shoulders seemed to be shaking ever so slightly.

"You… That… You would…" Komaeda stuttered.

Suddenly the bell rang causing them both to jump. Komaeda took the opportunity to rush down the hall to their homeroom. Hinata followed soon after, making sure to sit next to Komaeda much to the other's frustration. Komaeda realised Hinata was not going to be easily deterred. Part of him was happy, it had been so long since anyone had been willing to be his friend, but another part of him was terrified, being friends with him was suicide! You'd be shunned and possibly harassed by the rest of the school. He couldn't let that happen to someone as wonderful and kind as Hinata. No, Komaeda vowed then and there that no matter what it took, he was going to push Hajime Hinata away from him.