lost hope

【ネタバレ有】ロンパログ | chi*ko [pixiv] 

Judging by his next sentence, he didn’t seem to think he did. “But it’s always nice, to have friends to talk to. Even if you are independent, I think you can still make friends. So, even if you don’t feel like you have many now, you shouldn’t hold back from trying to make more in the future. Because I’m sure there’s people that would love to have you as a friend, and they’d be really missing out if you never talked to them!”

"But! Perhaps you truly are something of another talent," he stated, bouncing back up with a certain positive gleam in his eyes, which soon became an uncomfortable and eerie gleam as he went, "It must be. Ahh, the hope radiating from you is quite strong, this talent must be something that is truly beautiful. Possibly even as beautiful as hope itself," his hands were out to the sides now, palms open. A smile painted across his pale and tired looking face, genuine happiness is what it showed, though.

"H-How did you do that, Sora-san?"

"Now, now, you're not worthless. Super High School Level Balance is actually an amazing talent, Sora-san."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean…" Somehow, the way Komaeda phrased that was a bit too irritating, but Hinata didn’t want to allow himself to be so easily riled up. Hearing Komaeda’s choice of literature, however, really struck Hinata. "You like a lot of prose, huh…the mystery and horror suits you real well, though." I twas the perfect chance to rebuttal the snide remark of the other, and Hinata took that chance.

"My, nice rebuttal. I meant it as a compliment, but whatever. Ah, but it's not like you'd care if you offend someone who you think is worthless, hm? Constantly being cautious and hateful towards me, treating me lower than human. Huh, funny really, coming from someone as untalented as you."

Komaeda’s explanation did seem to make sense. It would be impossible to get all the information you need about a person just from your initial meeting. Naegi nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. But that’s why you shouldn’t be biased by what you first think. You could end up missing out on someone who could end up as a really great friend, that way.”

"H-How did you do that, Sora-san?"

"It's wise to stay away from me. You could get hurt. Or you could die."

"H-How did you do that, Sora-san?"

"By obsessed I think you mean infatuated, Sora-san."

"All’s well Komaeda-kun, you seem a bit jumpy today, is anything wrong?"

"A-Ahah! Being in front of someone with such high authority would make one jumpy."

"Ehh? You don’t seem like trash, to me." Komaeda’s description of himself seemed kind of harsh. Even if he wasn’t a ‘Super High School Level’ this that or the other, nobody deserved to think that lowly of themselves. "I’m sure you have things that you’re good at, as well as bad at, just like everyone else. Some people have just… found what they’re good at and passionate about really early on. I guess that’s what makes someone ‘Super High School Level’, right?"

"Someone who analyzes -- like myself -- can possibly form an accurate representation of the person you meet. Ah, but! Most of the time it's inaccurate, for everyone, really. You barely scratch the surface of the person in front of you, yet you already paint a picture of them and their personality. Quite intriguing, don't you think?"

"H-How did you do that, Sora-san?"

"That's my line."

"We have a talent that they have not discovered yet," he titters before beginning a self-depreciating statement, "Heh! Mine would probably be SHSL Trash, though."

"Well…I do like to read about fantasy and Sci-Fi…I don’t really have a favorite genre, to be honest? I think I’d read anything that would catch my attention." It was indeed a tricky question to answer, but Hinata only spoke what came to mind.

"Ahh, not surprising at all. You seem like the kind of person who's eyes would marvel in the world of fantasy," Komaeda clasped his fragile lookin hands together before tilting his head and smiling at Hinata. He certainly seemed like he was enjoying himself. Well, of course he was. He always enjoyed talking about books, "To keep the conversation going, I must say many genres are my favorites, but certain genres do certainly stick out. Sonnets, poems, mystery, and horror, to be exact, Hinata-kun."

"But! Something good will always come! Even in the darkest of despair, you must have hope! You know that right?" Oh my, he's starting up.