Kitahara Ryou walked into the outdoor gymnasium, where the students of Class 75, 76 and the new students of Class 77-A and 77-B were already gathered. The hubbub of conversation momentarily stopped when he entered, drawing curious glances and whispers among those present.

He sat down in a corner, feeling uncomfortable under the the stares of the others. Although he was accustomed to the attention because of his fame
as an author, the atmosphere at Hope's Peak was different, more intense and filled with expectations. Ryou wished to remain unnoticed, but his recognition as the
Ultimate Literary Author seemed to precede him.

The stage was decorated in the colors of the academy's colors, the typical black, white and red. He wondered how th academy's coat of arms was designed.

Soon, the director, Kirigiri Jin, took the microphone to start the ceremony. Ryou watched attentively, but his mind wandered between the unfamiliar faces around him and the implications of his presence at the academy.

The principal's speech mingled with thoughts of the young man, who still did not fully understand why he had been chosen as Ultimate.
His ability to write narratives made him extraordinary? Was there something more at stake here?

The ceremony continued with the introduction of the teachers and the welcoming of the new students. Ryou felt like a fish out of
out of water, but he tried to stay relaxed.

Finally, it was time for the introduction of the Ultimates of Class 77-A and 77-B. Ryou listened attentively as each student highlighted their outstanding abilities. Among them was an Ultimate Toymaker, Ultimate Secretary, an Ultimate Animator, an Ultimate Chef, an Ultimate Trainer, the Ultimate Musician and many more. The diversity of talents astounded and intrigued him.

When the emcee announced his turn, that his number on the Class 77-A list, the boy felt all eyes converge on his person.

Without saying anything he stood up and walked to the center of the stage, facing the anticipation of the audience. With a sigh, he took the microphone.

"Uh, hello everyone. I'm Kitahara Ryou, the Ultimate Literary Author, according to the invitation letter. It's a pleasure to be here, I hope we'll get along and... That's it, I'm blank and sleepless," he said with an awkward smile. The reaction from the audience was a mixture of applause and murmurs, as well as a few chuckles.

The ceremony continued, but Ryou's mind was elsewhere as he listened to the speeches and watched his fellow Ultimates.

Hope's Peak Academy stretched out before him like an ocean of possibilities and mysteries, and he was about to embark on the journey that would change his life in ways he couldn't even imagine.

And that started with the teacher-led tour.

Knowing that the academy had a generous number of vacant rooms to be occupied by students pursuing projects was a welcome surprise, as was learning that they did not have a curfew for the Ultimates who resided in the dorms they provided.

As far as Ryou understood, there weren't many who lived in the dorms, which seemed to him because as the tour was going through the dorms, his attention was drawn to a room at the end of the hallway on the third and top floor. He was pretty sure that room had a story behind it if his shivering was anything to say. The poor lighting in the room might be a problem, but that was something he was willing to fix even if he had to pay for it out of his own pocket. Later he would be heading to the academy administration to discuss the issue.

By the time the tour concluded, not a quarter of the 77-A and 77-B classes were left, many going off to explore Hope's Peak on their own or go do God knows what.

Playing it down, Ryou headed back to his classroom, but not before quickly stopping by the cafeteria and asking one of the staff to refill his thermos of coffee. It wasn't healthy to have the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee in his system, but it was the only thing keeping him awake.

With nothing else to do until dusk, he set off for his classroom to at least introduce himself more personally to his classmates and not just a dry presentation in front of a crowd whose faces were blurring.

Kitahara was not a social butterfly but neither was he averse to interaction with other young people, in fact, one could say it was something he quite appreciated. No matter how small an interaction, whether it was a greeting, a request or a casual chat, they were things that could make the author's day a good one.

"...Wow, I was expecting something like that, but it's still...something."

Class 77-A, which was where he would be until the conclusion of his education in three years, was packed with personalities. Some of his classmates asked him about his talent and his works to which the boy alluded to his plotted narratives thriving in the occult, dancing in the macabre, his forte being a literary dance inspired by other people's and personal experiences.

Among these Ultimates, there were people he slightly recognized, such as Matsuda Yasuke, the Ultimate Neurologist. Ryou made a note to stay away from him, he seemed like someone irritable with whom he would easily lose his temper. If there was one thing he wanted to avoid, it was a physical confrontation, especially considering how the last one had ended.

There was a blue-haired girl whose name he couldn't remember, but he was sure she was a Togami, the Ultimate Secretary... who in 20 seconds had proposed to him to sign a contract with the Togami Conglomerate and that they could discuss the details next year when the family heir would enter Hope's Peak...

'This will come back to screw me later, won't it?'

There was also a weird-haired guy who I was sure was the Ultimate Botanist. He looked nice.

He was unfamiliar with the rest, though he did notice a girl with heterochromia and a bunny hoodie over her uniform who shot him looks every so often. He could perceive that her face was flushed... Maybe she found him handsome? Or was she shy? A mixture of both?

Ryou wasn't such a prude as to deny that he was now interested in talking to her. His mind told him there were two possible responses to her looks; the girl was either a fan of his writing or she reminded him of someone.

He hoped it wasn't the second option, that was the only reason he had ever blushed in his life.

However, none of this mattered if they didn't even exchange a word, and if he assumed right, she was someone shy so he would have to be the one to take the initiative. It's not like it was the first time it had happened.

'Well, what have I got to lose trying to make friends?'

No sooner had he stood up than without warning the door to the classroom opened. There stood a girl with short gray hair, tired eyes tinged with a dull lilac, very pale skin and wearing a flashy mouth mask.

The young author could identify her by her statements and presence in the pharmaceutical industry. She was Kimura Seiko, the Ultimate Pharmacist of Class 76.

"P-please come out in order... There's been an accident in the chemistry lab!"

"It's the first fucking day," he said in a voice a little too loud.

Seiko flinched at Ryou's tone and the young author regretted it, beginning to feel the stares of his classmates on his person. However, he didn't regret his words, even if the guy who during the welcoming ceremony introduced himself as the Student Council President was giving him a death glare. Surely he saw it as an insult to his senpai.

No, his regret was in having made Seiko anxious.

'You have a knack for intimidating people even when you don't want to... I guess my uncle wasn't wrong.'

Not wanting to put this off, he walked out of the classroom along with the others and immediately began to feel his nose itch and the smell of lemon invade his sense of smell. The Class 77-A classroom was between a multi-purpose room, the Class 76 classroom and down the hall, was the chemistry lab.

His classmates left on their own, while Ryou was left waiting for Seiko to leave the room. Rather than an apology, he was now curious about this accident, though it shouldn't have been anything that serious if the security personnel were still not here shouting left and right for everyone to evacuate the building.

The Ultimate Pharmacist came out when she thought no one was left and before she could sigh with relief and return to the chemistry lab, she encountered a terrifying person.

"AAH!"

Seiko startled and her mouth mask loosened, falling to the floor and exposing her mouth. Ryou just raised an eyebrow as he reached out and caught the mouthpiece to keep it from touching the floor and becoming useless, at least by the Ultimate Pharmacist's standard.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," he told her with the best smile his tired self could muster. "I just wanted to apologize for making you anxious... and now for scaring you, I guess."

"I-it's okay... You're right, it's only the first day and there are already accidents..." Seiko said with a pessimism that didn't take Ryou by surprise.

"Eh, I couldn't expect anything less from this school. In fact, I admit I'd be a bit disappointed if nothing had happened." With that said, Ryou held out his hand and offered the mouth mask to the girl.

Seiko nodded a shy thank you as she retrieved her mask. Even as she put it on, Kitahara could tell that the Ultimate Pharmacist's expression denoted some insecurity, as if she was unaccustomed to uncomfortable situations.

"May I join you in taking a look at the 'accident', senpai?" suggested Ryou, seeking to break the ice. "I'd like to help with the cleanup, consider it part of my apology."

Seiko nodded again, grateful for the distraction from the initial awkwardness.

"C-come on, it's not that big of a deal not to accept help..."

The two made their way to the chemistry lab, where some of the janitorial staff and, to Ryou's surprise, the Student Council President were already there.

Ryou peeked through a window and could see the sorry state of the lab.

The lemon scent was much stronger than in the hallway and all from a container of experimental disinfectant that had overflowed to leave a table and part of the floor covered in it. It was like a grayish slime that every so often bubbled up and released an intense citrus smell.

"This is a real mess, how could this have happened?

"I-it was a silly mistake," Seiko confessed nervously. "I made a mistake mixing the chemicals and, uhm, well, you see the result."

Ryou's brow furrowed, learning that Seiko had been the first near disaster.

"Are you okay, senpai? I mean, you were the first to expose yourself to this..."

"Yeah... I'm fine. I-it's not uncommon to make mistakes when it comes to trying new products. I just needed some fresh air to recover... W-what are you so worried about?"

Ryou grimaced a bit apologetically.

"As a writer, I have a tendency to obsess over details. I imagine a lot of possibilities around every corner... And by imagining those possibilities I end up worrying about people. It's a professional flaw, I guess."

"... Even if it's someone you've just met?"

"Uh, yeah? It's like if you saw a little girl looking for her puppy and you saw that dog a little while ago. The logical thing to do is to lend a hand."

Under her cover, Seiko smiled weakly but sincerely. Neither she nor Ryou were aware of the faint blush spreading across the girl's cheeks.

"... Heh, you're right. Though the way you put it, it seems to be a story you lived."

"W-well, there's no point in denying it," he confessed, getting down to business. "I'm always imagining the possibilities of what I do or happens around me because my mind is looking for a story."

"... So I wouldn't call it a 'professional flaw'."

"Huh?"

"I'd say it's your way of helping people," Seiko said without a hint of shyness.

Ryou gaped, his mind searching for an answer to his senpai's unexpected statement... But nothing, he was once again blank. As a bonus, his face may not have turned red, but his mind was racing at the speed of an F1 driver.

In absolute silence, he approached the scene and began to help with the cleanup trying to distract his brain.

As they worked, Ryou noticed Seiko casting curious glances at him every so often.

"Looks like we have some unexpected help here," joked one of the students, an Ultimate from Class 75, appreciative of Ryou. "Almost all the incoming kids used this mess as an excuse to skip class."

"Well, helping clean up with a mop makes me nostalgic and... inspires me. I guess, heh," Ryou replied modestly.

Murasame Sōshun, the Student Council President looked at him suspiciously, but he ignored the look and continued with the cleaning. Seiko joined him, and together they managed to restore normalcy to the chemistry lab.

Finished with the task, Ryou approached Seiko with a smile.

"Well, it looks like the first day has been more exciting than expected. I must thank you, senpai."

Seiko nodded, grateful for Ryou's help and for the opportunity to put the initial incident behind them. The two returned to their respective classrooms, where the initial tension seemed to have dissipated somewhat.

With the return to the classroom, he ran into some of his classmates who had also returned after the small incident.

The rest of the day passed between personal introductions, Day 1 friendships, and some activities to encourage interaction among the students of Class 77-A.

Ryou participated in a few, but his mind kept wandering back to the room that had caught his attention during the tour. The lack of illumination took away some of the peace of his mind, and he worried that the problem would become his new obsession. The last time it happened, he had gone almost 72 hours without sleep.

At the end of classes, as the students dispersed to go back to explore the academy or rest in their rooms, Ryou went to the administration offices to make a request for an additional lamp for his dormitory. He knew it might seem like a trivial detail, but to him, proper lighting was crucial to his well-being.

While waiting in the office, he again encountered his senpai, Kimura Seiko, who was also doing some paperwork related to his re-enrollment.

Upon seeing her, Ryou smiled at her, and Seiko did the same.

"Hello, Kimura-senpai. It seems we are also partners in the art of doing formalities on the first day."

Seiko laughed shyly.

"I-I just wanted to make sure everything was in order. This place can be a little busy and sometimes they have problems with y-your paperwork."

Ryou nodded in agreement.

"I see. Then we're all in the same boat. If you need help with anything Kimura-senpai, feel free to let me know. I've gotten involved with the bureaucracy a few times, albeit against my will..."

Seiko was grateful for the offer and, at that moment, a member of the administration staff called Ryou to attend to his request for additional enlightenment.

After making sure everything was in order, she said goodbye to the Pharmacist and headed back to his room.

The additional lamp was installed when he returned to his room, and he was relieved to see the light illuminating every nook and cranny. It was a small detail, but it made him feel more comfortable in these new surroundings.

With the room now more welcoming, Ryou sat down in front of his desk, turned on his laptop and began to reflect on the day. Although he had had a few setbacks, he was intrigued by what his time at Hope's Peak had in store for him. Ultimately, the highlight was the interaction with Kimura Seiko and he may have been jumping the gun, but if he had any luck, perhaps a friendship could emerge.

As he sank into his thoughts, he decided that, despite his insecurities and misgivings, he would give this new stage of his life a chance.

... ... ...

... ... ...

That night, the author fell into a restless sleep.

As the shadows danced relentlessly in his mind, he found himself in a labyrinth with no beginning and no end.

The walls were covered with incomprehensible words and whispers echoing from every angle. The feeling of being trapped enveloped him, and each step he took took him deeper into blackness.

Suddenly, the shadows, words and whispers came to life and twisted into grotesque shapes. Inaudible voices told him secrets and sinister laughter permeated the air.

Ryou felt anxiety grow with each step, his heart pounding as he was completely enveloped in this gloomy dreamscape.

Whispering, a mysterious and inexplicably familiar voice echoed through the place, filling the room with its putrid echo.

"Kitahara Ryou, master of words. Have you ever seen the mistake in the double edge of what you write?"

Ryou looked around, searching for the source of the voice to no avail. However, he could not ignore the feeling that he was being judged, with an unseen presence taking note of his answers to render a verdict.

"The double edge? The mistake?" he asked, trying to remain calm. "What are you talking about?"

The grotesque forms stirred and converged into a single point, revealing a figure that materialized in front of him. A faceless entity, with ethereal human form and a face that defied any logical description.

"Your words have the power to create and destroy, to inspire and disturb. You have woven stories that have taken your readers into unimaginable worlds, but have you stopped to consider the consequences? That your creations can be so much more? That this talent of yours with words can defy the fabric of reality and blaze a trail through impossible situations?"

Facing the uncomfortable truth that lay in the depths of his own narratives, Ryou tried to come up with an answer only to realize... his tongue had been replaced with an endless supply of something he could only describe as tar.

"Every pen carries with it the duality of the one who wields it. Your writings are like a sharp sword that cuts through the layers of reality. Do you not fear the impact of your words?"

The judge of this nightmare moved gracefully as he continued his interrogation and Ryou was forced to ponder the purpose behind his stories. The pressure in the room builds at each unanswered question.

"Answer me, Kitahara Ryou."

Author and Entity looked each other straight in the eye.

"Will your words be able to save those you love?"

... ... ...

... ... ...

"AAAGH!"

He awoke abruptly, his body drenched in sweat and his breathing labored.

"What the hell...?"

His room was almost plunged into darkness, illuminated only by the dim light of the lamp on his bedside table. Although he was aware that he was in his dorm room at Hope's Peak Academy, the nightmare had left his heart racing at the possibility of still being trapped in the dreamlike maze.

Ryou knew where the nightmare came from.

Nyctophobia, his fear of the dark, had been the culprit.

He was well aware that the darkness was not his real enemy, but it seemed to have a power over him, always attacking him at the most inopportune moments. He got out of bed, turned on all the lights in the room.

He looked around, feeling the anxiety gradually diminish.

The light became hIS anchor, destroying the shadows and giving hIM back a sense of security. Although he knew it was an irrational phobia, Ryou couldn't shake the feeling that the darkness was hiding something lurking in the corners of his own mind.

He decided to distract himself by grabbing his laptop and starting to write, determined to turn this nightmare into part of his next work. It was an opportunity he could not miss.

The bright screen and creative activity acted as a balm for his anxiety. Writing had always been his refuge, even in the worst of times. As the words flowed, the boy reflected on his nightmare and what it entailed.

His judge and executioner had been the shadows, the darkness itself. On the one hand, he feared it, hated it, and on the other, he found inspiration in it for his stories. Writing was what allowed him to face and control fear, transforming it into a captivating story.

As time went by, night gave way to dawn and he managed to overcome that which tormented him.

A new dawn greeted Kitahara Ryou, ready to turn the Ultimate Literary Author's inner world upside down with a wild card.

... ... ...

... ... ...

Somewhere outside Hope's Peak, in a generously sized apartment, a girl rudely hit her alarm.

Mioda Ibuki woke up with a feeling it was going to be an interesting day.