Hajime frowned deeply. He opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself as a thought popped into his head. “If that is so, Nagito… Then that means I’m also deserving of this treatment. I’m not an actual ultimate either, hell, you’re more of an ultimate than I am! At least you can remember your talent…” He gave Komaeda a small smirk.  Looking the other in the eyes with triumph he ended his speech. “What do you say about that?”

“ that’s all based on a what - if though, isn’t it ? ” he hummed in thought for a moment before continuing, “ for all you know, your talent far outshines the talents of the others ... however. i know that my talent is worthless --- maybe even worse. ”

he shifts slightly to look at the ocean, listening to the waves hit the shore before he let himself go on.

“ it takes away the potential to let your talents shine as they properly should ... i was hoping by making myself a true stepping stone and ridding this island and the world of myself in the first trial, that i would finally serve my purpose. and that you all could finally show off as you were truly meant to ... ”

he laughed but the bitterness crept through as his eyes caught hajime’s again.

“ but you obviously saw how that went, didn’t you ? ”

He’d taken Hajime by surprise once again.  Scrambling to regain his composure Hajime barked back, “Worried?! No more than i am about anyone else!” He rubbed his hands on his knees, digging his nails into the rough texture of his pants. It wasn’t exactly a lie. He did care about the others but somehow… Komaeda was just different.

“A-and stop that!” All his embarrassment was forgotten as soon as Hajime had finally processed the first half of Nagito’s reply.  “Nagito, please stop putting yourself down like this! You aren’t garbage, where are you getting these thoughts from? You don’t deserve to be put down in this way, especially when it’s coming from you.” Hajime couldn’t stop. The words were tumbling out of his mouth at a rapid pace. So much for staying passive; he should have known it would be impossible.  He looked toward the ground after his unplanned refute of Nagito’s reply. Face burning. 

nagito blinked in surprise, unused to the other being so blunt about something so normal. that was just how he always addressed him --- it was automatic, like answering a hello. it was simply how he was and it was the easiest explanation. it also served as a reminder to himself and others exactly where he belonged. nothing of significance, only the bare truth.

“ that’s exactly how it is though, hajime. ” he said, simply, voice emotionless and eyes completely serious as he stared at the other, “ i’m human garbage. nothing but dirty ground to be walked on by you and the other ultimates. it’s not a put down if it’s the truth, right ? ”

he looked out at the ocean, going quiet for a moment before he kept going.

“ besides, it’s not like it hurts or anything. though ... ” his next smile was bordering on smirk, “ you must actually be worried to say something like that, hajime. ”

“Nagito?” He let out a surprised huff. “Why assume it was me? It could have been anyone. You hadn’t slipped away as unseen as you thought.”  Hajime stood awkwardly, taking in a deep breath of ocean air. The sun shone down on his dark hair; making it uncomfortably warm to the touch. The carefree vibe the tides pulled in almost calmed him, yet he couldn’t get over the juxtaposition of the cruel game they were currently forced to participate in.  Stepping forward silently he knelt down next to where Nagito was resting, a soft smile adorning his face.  Hajime hesitated before speaking, “This may be an odd question-” He ran his fingers through his hair, un-sticking it from his forehead. “-But are you quite all right Nagito?”  The question was enunciated clearly and passive in tone. Hajime still didn’t know what to think of the taller one nor what their angle in this killing game was and didn’t want to appear too concerned, lest it be taken advantage of.

he laughed quietly as he turned to look at the other --- could’ve been anyone, huh ?

“ i’m pretty sure you would be the only one seeking out garbage like me without it being a sneak attack. and the only one on this island would would try and fail at a sneak attack so badly would be souda but --- i think you and i both know there’s no way he’d try to pull it off alone. ”

he ( purposefully ) neglected mentioning his good luck ... he already seemingly bragged about it too much for such a worthless, hollow talent.

the second question caught him off guard though ... it’s a rare one. he can’t remember the last time anyone had directed an “ are you alright ? ” at him. still --- he lied, of course, with the same serene smile plastered on his face.

a soft sigh couldn’t help but escape his lips as he pressed his back to the palm tree near the beach. he’d been careful to slip away somewhere no one would be --- not just to avoid the stares which had followed him closely since trial one ( though those didn’t help ) ...

it was too noisy. far too noisy when his brain seemed to talk a mile a minute as it was. the noise pollution of the rest of the groups voices just piled on top of his & despite their silence upon him entering the restaurant ( he’d just wanted coffee ), they soon went back to their normal loud state. 

most of the time ... it wasn’t like this. but today, even the normal everyday noise was too much. he hadn’t even actually managed to get to the coffee machine before he just had to sigh and leave from where he’d stood, barely in the entrance.

this was a place he thought no one would look for him but judging by the noises of shifting sand, he guessed he was about to be proved wrong. a small smile flickered to his face as he kept his eyes shut.

                                  hope & luck combine to make something beautiful.                                   something whole & final,  fitting together like pieces                                          of a puzzle ( and in the end it’s LOVE ! )