#introduction arc

*One week after the last post*

Grace: Just to give a quick update, we will still be going on our little trip to Enceladus. I know the Reserve Course has essentially surrounded the campus due to you-know-what, but the schedule has not changed. Headmaster Kirigiri talked with a MIRA representative, and they said that Hope’s Peak can’t pull out of the contract even if they wanted to. 

Attached below is a mini-survey-of-sorts MIRA wants each of you to sign. It has to do with assigning a spacesuit to each of you kids for the trip. What size it should be, and what color. 

[INSERT SURVEY LINK HERE]

Chiaki: Can I forward this to Hajime?

Grace: Yes, please do that. 

Kaz: Is he still even going? I thought he’s out there with everyone else.

Chiaki: No, he’s… he seems torn up by the leak. But he’s not participating in the parade.

Fuyuhiko: Can’t we just call this what it really is? It’s a fucking riot.

Seb: Protest, Fuyuhiko, it’s a protest. Riots involve wanton violence, and the Reserve Course hasn’t committed any AFAIK. 

Grace: Yes, it is. It’s just… Eugenics? In the twenty-first century? I thought only some Republicans still believe in that…

Adrianna: ‘Scuse me, but what’s this Eugene thing?

Grace: … *sigh* Eugenics is a… uh, “science” from the late 19th century that involved deliberate breeding for “genetic purity.” And I say that in airquotes, because it was used to justify Jim Crow and other racial policies the world over without giving solid evidence. And it *might* have inspired the Nazis to do the Holocaust…

Seb: Okay, but wasn’t eugenics about race? Where does talent come into the picture?

Grace: Seeing what? I just got here. I’m just wondering what’s got my students all riled up?

Seb: Just… take a look. *hands the teacher his laptop*

Fuyuhiko: You know anything about this shit?

Grace: Looks like a research paper… hold on…

Impostor: Well? We're waiting on an answer.

Adrianna: Hey! You’re reading so fast I can’t keep up!

Seb: I’m skimming, not reading. Doesn’t help that you’re all looking over my shoulders right now. 

Adrianna: Okay… then what are you getting, Einstein?

Seb: I’m seeing a lot of mentions of taking subjects out of the Reserve Course, surgery, alterations to the muscles and tendons, brain alterations, talent implementation, erasure of the subject’s memory and personality… the usual.

…

Nicholas: WHAAAAAAATTTTT!?!?!?!?!?!?

Kaz: whatthefuckwhatthefuckwhatthefuck–?

Hiyoko: Is this some sort of prank? ‘Cause it’s not funny!

Chiaki: No… the school’s insignia is all over this file. 

Fuyuhiko: So you’re saying this shit’s real!? 

Mikan: uwah… I-isn’t this illegal? W-why would the school…?

Seb: Looking it up now… Huh.

Adrianna: What? 

Seb: There’s a bunch of comments below the file link. The most popular is “This is what our tuition is going towards? Someone get the pitchforks.”

Fuyuhiko: You wanna bet this is what’s got the Reserve Course actin’ funny? 

Mahiru: Please, don’t. 

Fuyuhiko: I didn’t mean that literally and you know it!

Ibuki: Well, what’s in it? It can’t be THAT bad, right?

Chiaki: …

Ibuki: …right?

…

Marco: …how the fuck did you reach that conclusion? Soshun and everyone is fine and dandy. 

Seb: So is Karen. I saw her this morning on my way to the classroom.

Hiyoko: And Abby was with me this morning in our dorm. What the fuck is wrong with you?

Ryota: Huh!? Who said that!? A-and what did they call me?

Hiyoko: Pixie girl here was just proposing her boyfriend take the gorilla’s seat. 

Grace: Oh, you mean Hajime? 

Kaz: You know this guy?

Grace: Well, Chiaki brings him into the classroom every other week to play games with her, or if it’s raining or snowing outside… which has been almost every day for the past month, given the weather.

Chiaki: I wanted to take him to my room, but Reserve Course students aren’t allowed in the dormitory wing.

Marco: Why am I not surprised…

Grace: Marco, you know they’re allowed into Main Course classrooms if they have permission… besides, Mr. Hinata’s got… a few self-esteem issues, but he’s a good kid… like I know you are. I wouldn’t mind if he came with us. ... I-I’m assuming you all agreed to let him–

Ibuki: YEP!!!

Kaz: Eh, fuck it, why not. It’s not like our other options have a month of spare time.

Fuyuhiko: Tch, whatever. Not like I give a shit. 

Seb: uh… guess we’re going with him, then. Assuming the Headmaster allows it.

Grace: Kirigiri said that sixteen students had to go on the trip. Something about contractual obligations…

…

Grace: That means yes, we’re bringing someone from outside our class. Even if they’re in the Reserves.