i think i'll try defying gravity

She listened to his next words… not being exceptional in one specific field. Well, that didn’t mean it was the end of everything, was it? And he’d at least made it to Hope’s Peak, so that in itself was something of an accomplishment. She wasn’t quite sure what turns of events or decisions brought him there, but she could at least respect that. 

While it's not the end of the world to be a master of none, it certainly feels like it. He's scored nicely on academic requirements (probably the only reason he was considered for Hope's Peak in the first place), but with talent, he's not one of the elite, talented people.

He's starting to understand why lots of people don't like school. It somehow manages to sap your pride in yourself.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just not positive enough. I don't know, though." Hinata's face moves into an unreadable expression.

Wow, what a show off. Heheh..Just playin’. I’m good at a lot of things too! Like singin’ and playin’ the guitar….And my looks. I’m pretty talented at swoonin’ the ladies. Heheh..

My name’s Leon Ku——

Ah, wait, my bad. You already know me. Uh, nice to meet you, Kamukura.

[ He gave an awkward smile before falling silent for a moment.]

…Uh…Do you need a tour around the school? I mean, you’re new, right?

New to you, perhaps, but not to the school at all.

Do you know me…?

[ He looked at his clothes, wondering if someone stuck a name tag on him before realizing something. Then, he laughed.]

Ah—! You must be one of my old fans, yeah? Back when I played baseball? Dude, I’m over that life!! But it’s great to know people still appreciate me and all! Heheh…

My name is Izuru Kamukura.

+ do not look_ do not smile_ he is not worth your time +

It’s the GRUDGE—-!

….

….Wait.. 

I suppose you could say that, yes.

Peko shook her head lightly, letting her red gaze go downcast towards her feet as she walked. “A nice person, you say.” She mused lightly before giving a sigh and shutting her eyes. “You mustn’t place such optimistic judgement on someone you’ve only just met…” What kind of person was she? She… didn’t have the privilege of having a personality. A tool… why even ask herself that kind of question? But before she could let her sink even further into her thoughts, she caught Hinata’s self demeaning comment. Opening her eyes, she tilted her head to look at him carefully. 

Everyone at the school was talented in some way or another, weren’t they? Was he the student chosen at random? But then, if she remembered correctly, the ‘good luck’ student in their grade had white hair and an oversized jacket. She pondered it for a few moments. Never a conversationalist or one to offer much comfort, she chewed lightly at her lower lip.

"If you say so," he says. "I'm being honest, though. I'm not normally so eager to give out compliments, so...take it while you can, I guess," he suggests, but not in an unfriendly tone. She seems to go deep into thought after he makes his comment, and he wonders why.

Hinata had found out that he was on reserve course by eavesdropping. He hadn't even been making an attempt to do so. All he did was walk by the admissions office and hear about it. Needless to say, it'd somewhat discouraged him, as he'd submitted his best work to be accepted.

"Yeah, we are...I don't really seem to be the 'go-getter' type, though, or one who really is known for being exceptional in anything at all. Maybe I can, though. Maybe you're right. I've been thinking a lot about my future, so maybe I'll find talent in that."

"C-can guide me over to the boy’s dorm floor?" Leon asked, a strain in his voice. He screwed his eyes closed tight and tried to bear with the pain piercing through his torso, "My…dorm is the fi—fifth one down…" He could take care of himself from that point on. After all, it wasn’t like something like this hadn’t happened to Leon before.

Now that he wasn’t so bent on trying to get up, Leon noticed something. The shouting and banging of the gates had died down. Curiously, he opened his eyes and tried to crane his head so that he could see what was happening behind him. His neck and head protested, but he ignored it. It had died down to an eerie silence and, from what Leon could see from minimal vision, the thugs were still there. They gathered around each other, in a circle, discussing something. They would spare glances down at the school and an uneasy feeling bubbled up in Leon.

Hinata glances at the money propped up against the door. He fights a internal war, trying to decide whether to grab it or whether to leave it be. Probably leave it be, considering how the thugs had quieted down but were still crowded around. Regardless...Leon had obviously fought hard for the money, so he begins heading towards it.

"Th—they shouldn’t be able to—to get on this property…." Leon’s voice is barely above a whisper and strained. "The fine’s too large…" The brutes outside the fence are threatening to beat him inside out, that he shouldn’t show that damned face of his back in the city or else he’ll be begging to die. Particularly, their hissing, mouths filled with venom, that if they find them in the city once more, they’ll mangle up so bad he’ll beg for death instead, that he’ll have some permanent damage on him. God forbid Leon wanted to know what they would do then. But for now, he tunes out their voices and tries his best to stand up as another coughing fit overcomes him.

He ended up flopping back onto the ground again, his limbs too worn out and his body experiencing the outcome of being past its limit. In the end, as much as it hurts his pride, Leon glances at Hinata, ignoring how tears freely stung his eyes from the overload of pain.

"That's great for them," he murmurs, half-sarcastically. He doesn't think he's felt pain like this. Regardless, the other was pretty banged up; more than Hinata himself was, for sure. He forces himself upward, balancing precariously on a hand. He quickly puts the other hand behind him too and shoves himself up, slowly moving his legs and standing.