Had you asked Hajime Hinata whether or not he believed in love at first sight a week ago, he would have laughed. Sure, he'd heard the stories. When you first talk to your soulmate, your heart glows, a bright throbbing color that matches that of the person you're destined to love. It was lame, it was dumb, and it was quite possibly the corniest thing he had heard in his entire life. Like... soulmates? C'mon. That kind of thing only happened in cheesy romcoms.

Some people called him a cynic. Hinata was fine with that. Excuse him for not believing in things that were super farfetched. His parents told him it was true, that it had happened to them when they were younger. Yeah, he had believed it. Back when he was like... five. But that was little kid stuff, like monsters under the bed and the tooth fairy. Hinata had never seen it in real life and, until he did, would continue to believe that it was a story told to entertain kids and hopeless romantics.

“Okay, Hajime. I was reading this book, see...” One such hopeless romantic began, leaning over at their table in the library to show him the page.

“Nagito, for the last time.” Hinata glanced at him over the top of his laptop, stopping his progress on the paper to give the white haired boy an annoyed glance. “I've told you before what I think of that 'glowing heart' stuff. It's just a thing for bleeding hearts.” He glanced back down at the glowing screen of his computer, the words blending together. He really didn't want to work on this essay.

“You're so boring, Hinata.” Komaeda laughed, leaning back in his chair and returning his eyes to the book. “It's a fun thing to think about, at the very least.”

“I think I agree with Komaeda on this one, Hajime.” Nanami glanced up from her game system of the day, upper body still slumped over the library table. “Sure it's super corny, but isn't that what makes it fun?” The device in her hands let out a pleasant chime, Nanami's eyes sparkling in response.

“You guys...” Hinata rolled his eyes, fingers returning to flying over the keys, typing out another paragraph for his paper. “It's just super cliché. There's like... fifty thousand movies and books and lord knows what else about it. It's such an overused trope and we've had this stuff practically shoveled down our throats since, what, we were toddlers? And how many times have we been told about it?” He sighed. “Maybe it's time to give the stuff a rest, y'know.”

“I suppose you're right...” Nanami mumbled, eyes focused on the screen. “But it's still fun.”

“Hmm...” Komaeda tapped his chin. “Perhaps. But maybe we don't believe it only because we haven't seen it in play yet.” He glanced down at the book, that smile of his lingering on his face. “Like, it says here that scientists are still unsure as to how and why the phenomenon arose, and for what reason.” He flipped the page, the sound ruffling through the otherwise quiet building. “They suspect that there's a chemical in the cells composing the heart that react when they receive a certain stimulus, expected to be the color of the supposed 'soul mate's' eyes.”

“Really now?” Hinata asked, somewhat interested in it now. Something about the words drew his attention.

“Aha, do I have your attention now, Hajime?” Komaeda laughed quietly, turning the book to show Hinata a page. There was a diagram displaying what looked like two eyes staring at each other. He could understand the gist of it, but the notes surrounding it were too small to make out from where he sat.

“Ah, can it.” Hinata rolled his eyes again, the tip of his tongue poking out from between his lips. “Just keep talking.”

“Of course.” Komaeda replied, swiveling the book back towards himself. “Let's see... ah, here.” At this point, Nanami was also glancing up every once in a while as well, clearly interested in the words. “It says that our scope on colors is rather limited, in a conscious sense. However, it appears eye color is as distinctive as finger prints to our brains, which hold a special sequence of nerves that only react once eye contact has been established between 'soul mates'.” Komaeda cleared his throat, glancing up to make sure the other two were still paying attention.

“Anyway, it also says that once eye contact is established, the sight of the other person's eye color triggers this string of nerves in our brain, which send a message to the heart cells. Some eyes are less sensitive to colors than others, leading to some rare cases in which multiple people react to each other. Other cases have shown that some people don't react at all, or don't even have this series of nerves. This has lead to speculation that some simply don't have a 'soul mate', making some researchers claim that this whole soul mate thing is a vestigial construct within our minds.” Komaeda stopped to tap his head, attempting to add to the sense of 'mystery' he was trying to portray.

“Anyway, once the signal is received, these cells release a chemical that reacts with the deoxygenated blood flowing into the heart. The chemical only reacts with deoxygenated blood, and only exists in the heart, which is why our heart is the only part of our body that glows.

“The glow is caused by the reaction between our blood and the chemical, which causes the blood to become brightly phosphorescent when not in the presence of oxygen. Or something.” He glanced up to find the two staring at him. “What? It's a new study. Facts are hazy.”

“Cool...” Nanami muttered, eyes flicking back down to her game.

“...” Hinata stayed silent, not wanting to admit his new found interest in the 'glowing heart' phenomenon, if only because of the facts. What could he say, he was a logical person. “Whatever.” Komaeda only grinned, apparently catching on to Hinata's feigned disinterest.

“...What time were we supposed to head out of here?” Nanami chimed in, glancing up from her device.

“Like, I dunno.” Hinata shrugged. “Like, four thir...” He glanced down at the clock on the bottom right of his computer screen. 4:47. His blood ran cold. “ty?...” Panic seeping into his veins, Hinata glanced down at his watch. It displayed the same time as his computer. “Oh shit.” Quickly saving his work, he shut the lid on his laptop as delicately as possible. They were hella late. “We've gotta go.”

“...Are we gonna miss the train?” Komaeda threw in, tossing the book into his bag and hoisting it onto his shoulder. He moved over to help Nanami gather up all of the stuff she had strewn around as Hinata shoved his laptop into his backpack.

“Shit, shit, shit.” Hinata muttered. The trio finished packing up, doing a minute long run through of all of their possessions. Once it was clear that they had everything, the three of them took off, sprinting out of the library. His feet skidding on the sidewalk as they made a sharp turn, Hinata was positive that the three of them must have looked like they sped right out of a comedy movie; their bags and jackets loosely hanging off of them and flapping in their wake, hair and clothes disheveled from running.

They arrived at the metro station around 4:57. The tram left in three minutes. Not wasting any time, the three sprinted down the hallway, clutching onto as many loose bits as possible. Hinata clutched his bag to his chest, holding onto Komaeda's wrist. The boy behind him held his jacket onto his body, his other hand focused on keeping Nanami on pace with them. The gamer herself had her arms full with her games and books, not having had enough time to put it them away.

The last corner, the turn that lead to the station platform, lay before them. The final obstacle. All they had to do was round that corner and they'd be home free. “C'mon!” Hinata managed, putting on one last burst of speed. At that last second, just as they were almost at that last bend, Komaeda pulled ahead of Hinata. He should have known disaster would strike.

Komaeda let out a 'whumph' as someone plowed into him, sending the pair careening into the wall parallel with the direction they were running. Hinata himself barely had the opportunity to register what happened before a different body impacted his side, making him lose his footing. He scrambled for something, anything, to prevent himself from falling. The only thing he managed to do was get tangled up with the other person on the way down, his shoulder colliding with the ground a moment later.

Hinata felt his eyes clench shut as he hit the wall, hearing the unmistakeable sound of two more bodies colliding and video game cartridges and papers scattering across the tiled floor. Nanami and a third person. Hinata could only hope that there weren't any more people coming their way.

He heard a female voice speak up, assuming it was the person who had ran into Nanami. “Uh oh, whoops! Sorry, sorry, sorry! I-” “No, no... It's fine...” Nanami responded, the both of them falling silent after a moment.

“Now we're going to miss the bus!” Another feminine voice wailed from directly above him. Hinata cracked his eyes open. He was rewarded with a shock of red hair and pale, freckled skin, the person's hands directly on his chest, using him for elevation. That's when he noticed it. A strange red light throbbing out of the corner of his eye. The otherwise empty station went quiet as Hinata managed to swivel his head towards the light.

The origin was... Chiaki Nanami. One of his best friends. She had a bright red light, pulsing gently in accordance with the rise and fall of her chest. Hinata gaped. No way... He was so mesmerized by the red light shining through his friend's shirt that he barely even registered the groan of the metro train as it pulled away from the station.

“...Hi.” The girl holding onto Nanami managed, her eyes still locked with the gamer's. “Name's Ibuki Mioda!” Her piercings glinted in the red light, giving her a strange appearance. Not that her multicolored hair and strange fashion sense made her any less strange. “Glad to finally meet ya!”

“Chiaki.” Nanami responded, staring breaking eye contact for a moment to stare down at Mioda's chest. The throbbing red light was there too, beating in time with Nanami's. “Chiaki Nanami...”

“Gah... what sorcery is this?” Hinata glanced in the other direction at a deeper voice, finding a dude about his age with a stranger choice of clothing than the other girl hoisting Komaeda to his feet. Both boys had a sky blue light coming from their chests, shining through their shirts. “The great Gundam Tanaka does not 'fall in love'.”

“Perhaps it doesn't have to be love?” Komaeda asked. Hinata could only stare. What were the odds...

“How likely is that?...” The voice above him asked. Hinata returned his gaze to the girl still on top of him, her gaze locked on Komaeda attempting to make cheesy conversation with Tanaka.

“Yeah. Two pairs of 'soul mates' meeting in the same place right in front of me?” Hinata chuckled, glancing up at the girl above him. “Because of something I didn't believe in until just now?”

“Oh of course. And involving two of your closest friends?” The girl looked down at him. Their eyes locked. Suddenly, Hinata found himself mesmerized, her olive eyes holding his attention like nothing else ever had before. A tiny jolt went through his body, the same thing evidently happening to the redhead. His eyes remained focus on her's, not even being drawn away by the violet glow shimmering just below his view.

“Oh.” He said. That was really the only thing he could think to say. Cynical Hinata, proven wrong once, twice, three times within the span of three minutes. “Uh...”

“Your name would be nice.” The girl said, blinking. “I'm Mahiru Koizumi.”

“Uh... Hajime. Hinata. Yeah, that's me.” Hinata could only stare at Koizumi, a girl he had just met and now found himself entranced with.

“Well, Hinata.” Koizumi began, finally realizing her position and pulling herself off of him. “I think I might have to start calling you 'Hajime the Unreliable' if I find out you have a habit of literally running into people like this.” At that, the absurdity of the situation sunk into Hinata. He and his two best friends had all apparently found their soulmates because they were late to their train. How lame was that? It was such a corny happening that he couldn't help it. He started laughing. A laugh from deep in his stomach that brought tears to his eyes and made him pound the floor with his fist. He continued to laugh as Koizumi helped him to his feet, placing a hand on her shoulder without thinking to steady himself.

Sonia smiled, staring happily down at the crystal ball before her. The cafeteria bustled around her and her new friend, barely paying the princess and the fortune teller any mind. Still, it was a rather exhilarating experience. Sonia had never been exposed to this sect of the occult before, not like this. Not first hand. This was new, this was exciting... this was hella tight!

“So uh... Sonia, right?” Hagakure reclined in his seat. “You said you wanted your fortune read?”

“Exactly!” Sonia nodded, placing a hand on her bicep and flexing. “I have learned much in my previous two years in Japan, and this is a very exciting turn of events. I was tickled to learn that a true blue, honest-to-goodness fortune teller was coming to Hope's Peak, and an Ultimate one, no less! It felt like a dream come true!”

“Haha, right on.” The fortune teller laughed, scooting his chair back and plonking his feet up onto the lunch table. Before he could say anything else, a loud shout drew their attention.

“Yasuhiro Hagakure! Remove your feet from the lunch table this instant! Especially when talking to a member of the upper class!” Sonia found herself staring down another freshman, one in a fresh pressed uniform. His hair was spiked up and his eyes were a piercing red. Sonia found herself grinning even as Hagakure groaned.

“Ishimaru, c'mon man, we were just hanging out. It's not like anybody over here is eating anyway...” Hagakure tried to plead his case, following Ishimaru's orders anyway.

“Unacceptable!” This 'Ishimaru' proclaimed. “You are displaying an attitude of disrespect to both our upperclassman AND school property!”

“Um... Ishimaru, was it?” Sonia cut in, raising a hand to get his attention. The boy immediately turned to her, delivering a sharp bow.

“That would be correct!” The boy said, still bowing. “Formally, I am Kiyotaka Ishimaru, Ultimate Prefect and student in Hope's Peak's 78th class, ma'am.” Ishimaru went ramrod straight, holding out a hand for her to shake. Hagakure snorted, pulling his crystal ball into his lap. Sonia examined Ishimaru's hand for a few moments before grabbing it and shaking.

“It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ishimaru. I'm Sonia Nevermind, Ultimate Princess.”

“Ah!” Ishimaru retracted his hand, nodding seriously. “I've heard of you, Miss Nevermind, if you don't mind me saying!” That drew a chuckle from Hagakure, who glanced around nervously and uttered a perturbed 'what?' when he noticed Sonia and Ishimaru staring at him. “You have a very prestigious talent.”

“Please, call me Sonia.” She requested, putting on a smile and tilting her head. “I agree, my talent is rather... cushy. Though I wish it was not so stifling at times... There are moments in which I wish I was able to do my own work. It's no fun simply... 'coasting' on my status alone...” At that, Ishimaru's eyes lit up. Sonia supposed she had said something favorably.

“I agree, wholeheartedly!” He proclaimed, nodding vigorously. “Success should be achieved through one's own hard work, not simply through natural talent and genius!”

“Hey um... not that I'm against you guys being friends or anything, but it feels kinda like I'm third wheelin' it here...” Hagakure said, a slightly reluctant look on his face.

“Ah, you are right! I think.” Sonia reached over the table and patted Hagakure's shoulder, turning to Ishimaru with a smile. “I am sorry for ignoring you. Perhaps we shall now discuss the time and place in which my fortune reading 'sesh' will take place.” Sonia glanced over to Ishimaru, not noticing Hagakure's panicked face in the process. “Are you perhaps going to get your fortune read as well, Ishimaru? I think it would be a fun experience if we went together.” Ishimaru blinked a few times before shooting an accusing glance at the fortune teller. Hagakure cringed, offering the prefect a hesitant shrug.

“...It seems that Hagakure has not informed you yet of his... exuberant prices.” Ishimaru began.

“L-Look dude,” Hagakure cut him off, holding up his hands defensively. “A guy's gotta make a livin' somehow, man.”

“We are students, Hagakure.” Ishimaru held up a finger, the digit directed towards the ceiling like a conductor's baton. “Our job right now is to learn everything that is required of us so that we might be able to achieve success in the future with the knowledge we obtain now. Not through the extortion of others.”

“...Extortion?” Sonia cocked her head. “But... certainly a fortune from the Ultimate Fortune Teller would be worth a great amount?”

“Thank you. That's what I'm always saying.” Hagakure grinned, clapping Sonia on the shoulder. “See, Ishimaru? This chick gets it.”

“Y-You should not be touching other students so easily, Hagakure!” Ishimaru demanded, face red. Whether it was because Sonia took Hagakure's side or because he wasn't on board with Hagakure touching her or, heck, some other reason, Sonia wasn't sure. “Especially a member of royalty.”

“Aww, c'mon man.” Hagakure groaned, slapping his forehead with his palm. “Lighten up a bit. She's totally cool with it.”

“Yes, that I am!” Sonia smiled, reclining in her chair like Hagakure did. That prompted a laugh from him and a sigh from the prefect. “Ah, Ishimaru. If you would like, I could pay for your fortune as well!”

“A-Ah!” Ishimaru made a strangled sound, face going red with surprise. “M-Miss Nevermind, I could never ask of you something like that!”

“Then I shall ask it of you.” She gave him a mischievous grin. “Would you please let me pay for your fortune? As your upperclassman, I won't take 'no' for an answer!”

“W-Well I mean...” Ishimaru looked conflicted. “I-If you say so... I am still conflicted about accepting money from an upperclassman.”

“Think of it as... a gift!” Sonia's eyes glinted excitedly. “From one friend to another!”

“So do I just... place my hands on the ball and my future will be made clear as crystal?” Sonia asked. The three of them - her, Ishimaru, and Hagakure – sat on a sunny hill near the Hope's Peak designated sports fields. From their vantage point, they could see students playing games, relaxing on school grounds, and talking to each other; as well as being able to observe things beyond the grounds, from cars scooting along the road to birds floating through the air on the day's gentle breeze.

“Nah, I'm the one that touches the crystal ball.” Hagakure replied, placing said divining object into the palm of his left hand, wiggling the fingers of his other hand over top of it.

“Ah, alright.” Sonia nodded. She hadn't been feeling very well lately. Not health-wise, but rather emotionally drained. Not all of the other students were as friendly as Hagakure and Ishimaru, often making jabs and comments about her status as a foreigner and her talent. Sure, she had gotten closer to many of them... but that didn't stop people outside of the school grounds, and even those in them for that matter, from saying what they thought behind her back. Still... today was a nice day, and she wouldn't let these negative feelings get in between the time with her friends.

“It's a pleasant day...” Ishimaru noted, taking a light sip of the tea he had brought along. Sonia held her own cup, though Hagakure had politely refused any of the drink.

“'Kay, who wants to go first?” Hagakure glanced between the two of them in that shifty, mystical sort of way that made Sonia want to laugh.

“What's that one game that people play to decide things?” Sonia asked, tapping her chin. “Mmm... right!” She turned to Ishimaru, mustering up all the energy that she could. “Rock, paper, scissors! Let's go!”

“Ah...” Ishimaru let out a curt laugh, his shoulders shaking lightly without spilling his tea. “If it's alright with you, Sonia, I'd like you to go first. You are my upperclassman, after all.”

“Okay...” Sonia pouted for a moment before returning the smile to her face and facing Hagakure. “I'm ready, then!”

“Alright. A warning first.” Hagakure stared Sonia down seriously. “My fortunes have a thirty percent chance of coming true, one hundred percent of the time.” Sonia nodded, the both of them missing Ishimaru's quiet mumble about 'dubious statistics'. “With that said, here we go...” Hagakure clenched his eyes shut, as though deep in thought, and graced the fingers of his free hand over the surface of the crystal ball. He let out a quiet hum, and Sonia stared in admiration. Suddenly, Hagakure's eyelids twitched, and he jerked back a little, eyes snapping open.

“Woah.” He blinked in surprise, both Sonia and Ishimaru staring at him in concern.

“Are you alright?” Ishimaru asked, gently placing his tea down onto their blanket and moving towards Hagakure. The fortune teller waved him off, dropping the crystal ball onto the blanket.

“Yeah... Just uh... didn't expect to see that there...” He rubbed his eyes, clearing his throat, glancing at Sonia. “So uh... you wanna hear the thing verbatim?” The princess nodded vigorously, prompting a sigh from Hagakure.

“Alright well...” He ran a hands through his dreads. “Right. So here's what I saw...” Hagakure leaned forward, planting a hand on his knee. “You'll return to your country and take over after... after your parents die.” Sonia brought her hand up to her chest. That was to be expected, but it still felt strange to hear. Hagakure continued. “Many won't agree with how you rule, but your reign will be otherwise uncontested. I also saw... an island and some kid with brown hair?” He tapped his chin. “I think that's it.”

“Brown hair?” Sonia cocked her head. “Like... Naegi, from your year?”

“Nah.” Hagakure shook his head. “I woulda known if it was him. He looks... a little younger than you? Dunno who he is though.”

“Yes well...” Sonia sighed, startling both Hagakure and Ishimaru by getting up. “I believe I should get going.” Her fortune, as accurate as it seemed – at least the beginning – unsettled her. Was she really destined to settle into the niche that had been carved out for her? Was her time at this school really simply a formality? She needed to think about this... “I shall see you guys tomorrow.”

The two boys watched as Sonia walked away, grass shifting quietly under her feet. Hagakure blinked in surprise, Ishimaru staring quietly. Neither knew what to do, so they could only watch as Sonia disappeared from their sight.

“...We should go check on her.” Ishimaru muttered, once again setting his drink down. “She seemed upset. Perhaps-” Hagakure shook his head.

“I think we should just let her simmer down. She's seemed pretty... wound up lately. Maybe she just needs a bit of alone time, y'know...” The fortune teller's concern was betrayed by his voice. “We have been hangin' with her a lot lately.”

“...Perhaps.” Ishimaru repeated, settling back down on the blanket and sighing.

“So you want your fortune now?” Hagakure asked, raising an eyebrow. Ishimaru nodded, letting Hagakure go through his routine once again, this one calmer than Sonia's. After a minute, Hagakure's eyes opened back up and he began.

“You're familiar with Oowada...”

“Mmmhmmhmm...” Sonia chuckled lightly, staring at the TV before her as she admired what remained of a crushed, pink gemstone. She was back in Novoselic, watching her favorite and only authorized broadcast. Tokyo Despair Network, broadcasting live from the site of Hope's Peak Academy, former teaching institution and current location for the biggest 'Mutual Killing' game yet. The remains of the jewelry in her hand had left tiny cuts on her fingers in one last act of revenge, but she ignored them in favor of the television.

The princess watched, a childish giggle bubbling up from her throat, as the second trial finished, Monobear's creaky voice squeaking through the speakers. “It's punishment time!” Her fingers drummed against her chin as she watched the screen change, showing Mondo Oowada being dragged away, the screen captioned 'Mondo Oowada has been found guilty'.

“Excellent...” She sighed, reclining on the throne. Things had been so peaceful ever since she had declared martial law. And with her parents... 'out of commission', she was free to do whatever else she pleased with the country.

Licking the torn piece of cloth, she wiped off the dirt and blood from his scraped knee. The boy was trembling, breathing all sharp and shaking, but in the very he wasn’t crying as she cleaned it and then tied her cloth around his knee in a makeshift bandage before straightening herself back up and throwing him her hand.

“Come on,” she said as he blinked up at her stupidly. She did note that the eye color was unique—a mix of gray and green, like flowery moss on a tree in pictures her mom once took. “Let’s get’cha to the nurse.”

“...Um...” He looked back down. His voice was so quiet, it was almost inaudible. Sighing heavily, she pressed.

“What is it now?”

“You’re always doing this for me...” He met her gaze again, surprising her with just how wide and how bright those eyes really were, especially with sincerity in his gaze. “Thank you, Koizumi-san.”

She hadn’t realized he knew her name when she didn’t know his. Just that was enough to have her faltering, stammering, face reddening in ways that outmatched her hair.

“U-Um... Um, um, um...”

“It’s Komaeda. Komaeda Nagito.” The smile on his face was sad. “I’m not surprised you don’t remember.”

“I-I’m...sorry...” Koizumi dropped her head meekly, shrinking in on herself and shamefully fiddling with her fingers. “I didn’t think...you knew either...”

“We don’t really talk a lot, do we?” he asks, cheerfully, clearly making a sad attempt to cheer her up. “All I do is trouble you, after all. Like now.”

Koizumi perked up, seeing that bittersweet expression on his face, the hint of melancholy in those almost minty-tinted irises, and quickly, she snatched up his hand.

“Komaeda,” she tests his name on her tongue. His family name. Distantly, she wonders how his given name would be, even though she can’t bring herself to try it—at least not now. “Let’s talk after we get you to the nurse. There might...be things to talk about?”

“Okay!” he agreed, with so much brightness she was almost blindsided by it, and with trembling lips, she stretched them into a smile across her face and tugged.

--

Honestly, it had always been like that with Komaeda. He’d get into trouble, most likely injured as a result, and she’d be unable to just overlook it. It was...troubling. Troubling in other ways as well.

Part of the reason she fusses over him so much is because no one else does. Komaeda’s always been isolated from the rest of the class, being someone who usually eats at his desk rather than with friends and because he had the weirdest misfortunate habit of being sick when people are assigned group projects, he usually worked alone as well. The only other person who spoke to him more than her was the class president and that was only to give him his work, not much if anything else.

Some of the other students liked to gossip about him, this kinda unsettling loner kid, and her friends even teased her about worrying or frowning in his general direction.

“You’re so nice, Mahiru-chan, worrying about someone like that,” some of them would say and she wondered just what exactly that meant. And then there were other things. Like the entertaining idea that maybe she was just attracted to someone like that.

“You’re pretty much the only girl he talks to so if he likes anyone, it’d be you.”

It’s that simple? She wondered, looking towards him with that statement swirling around in her head. Sometimes, he’d notice her stare, and rather than avert his eyes shyly like she would and often wanted to, he smiled so brightly and waved.

She did wave back, smiling tentatively, and her friends giggled more and more.

--

Still, she does decide, at some point when they’re both assigned cleaning duty to bring the subject up.

“Komaeda, how do you feel towards me?”

“Happy.” His answer is almost deceptively simple and chipper in tone. He’s tidying up the corners of the classroom first—a cleaning tactic she too starts with. “That Koizumi-san is always looking out for me in spite of everything makes me really, really happy. And grateful, of course! I’m always thankful towards you, Koizumi-san, even now.”

“Even now? It’s not like I’m going out of my way for you at this moment or anything...” she pointed out, to which he laughed.

“You don’t really need to, Koizumi-san. Just spending time with you regardless of the reason is nice.” Humming, he started moving to work on the next corner of the room. “Your presence is calming, after all.”

“Just flattering a person in every other sentence is suspicious, you know,” Koizumi said, narrowing her eyes at him. “Especially if it’s coming from a guy, since that’s just not normal behavior.”

“Oh no, please don’t get the wrong idea!” Despite the exclamation, he was still smiling at her over his shoulder, waving his hand in a ‘not at all’ gesture. “I don’t mean anything unsavory, Koizumi-san.”

I don’t think unsavory is what came to mind... More like, it’s just strange.

Maybe she’s being too harsh on him. Even as they gotten older, Komaeda’s remained that troubling kid on the swing set, staring at the ground he was digging his heels into rather that the scrapes on his knees. He still ended up with injuries from time to time—most likely from the other boys, because they can be such brutes at times—and very rarely did he ever let the pain he must have felt as suggested by those injuries show in his expression.

Sometimes she wonders what that would suggest about his home life—but from what Komaeda’s mentioned passingly once or twice, his parents rarely seemed to interact with him because they were always so busy. He never seemed bothered by that, either.

Was there anything that bothered this guy with such a constantly calm smile?

“Komaeda...”

“Ah, there’s a spider here,” Komaeda commented, casual and light. “I’m going to go open the window so that it can go outside.”

“Um...” she hesitated, and he walked over to that window to push it open without missing a beat. He seemed to brush something out of his hand—he could have gotten bitten; why are boys so reckless anyway—and then Komaeda sighed, brushing white curls back behind his ear. Koizumi perked up, suddenly, placing her broom aside.

Using her index fingers and thumbs to make a frame, she took in the kind of image Komaeda looking distantly out the window made. How the rays of the sun hit his face in hair, casting a warm tone and a seemingly healthier hue to both. Komaeda was always so pale, so light in his features like a doll, but here, with the way Komaeda stared at the leaves of the trees, filtering sunlight through, with a light to his eyes that she couldn’t quite read, she found herself utterly fixated on this person.

This guy, who noticed what she was doing, and just as she flinched, face going red, she was still viewing him through those makeshift lenses as he smiled warmly.

“Koizumi-san, your mother’s a famous photographer, right? I remember when she talked with the rest of the class on career day.”

Komaeda’s parents hadn’t been able to attend. Even more sheepish thinking that, Koizumi simply nodded, dropping her hands to fiddle with them more normally.

“Do you like taking pictures as well, Koizumi-san?” he was still acting all cheerful and conversational. She was starting to feel like it was a teacher asking her these questions and it was really kind of bothersome. “Ah, of course, if you don’t feel comfortable answering, you don’t have to.”

Of course, when he says stuff like that, it really doesn’t help...

“I do.” Koizumi tried making it sound simple enough, raising her chin and trying not to sound too nervous. “What of it?”

“Oh, I don’t mean to imply anything, Koizumi-san,” Komaeda said, quick with a wave of his hands. Still, that smile remained. “I just thought it was an interesting topic to bring up. Photography really suits you, I think.”

Doesn’t it?

“I really like taking pictures,” she clarified, sighing. “Mom takes pictures of all kinds of things—plants, animals, people, places—but I just want to take pictures of everyone’s smiling faces, and maybe even capture moments with those I care to look more clearly and fondly back towards.”

“Oh, really?”

...That kind of response pisses me off.

“Yes, Komaeda, really.”

“Well, you’ll surely be good at it,” Komaeda replied as smoothly as even, shutting the window as he did. “I can’t wait to see the kind of pictures you take, Koizumi-san. They’ll certainly be great.”

You really shouldn’t sound so certain about that. “Thanks... I guess...”

“Eh, what’s with that tone?” He was looking at her with a sort of wide-eyed innocence, even as she wondered the same thing. “Don’t tell me you doubt yourself, Koizumi-san!”

Koizumi gripped the broom tightly in her hands. “It’s just strange how much faith you have in me, Komaeda. Almost like you...like me or something.”

“Well, I do.” Komaeda always talked like it was so easy in spite of the word coming out of his mouth. He was even still looking at her all curiously, childishly, and she felt the urge to whack him for it. “Koizumi-san is very kind, why wouldn’t I like her?”

“T-Then,” she scoffed if only so that her stammering coupled with her face reddening didn’t look so embarrassing. She could pretend it wasn’t. She could. “Shouldn’t you have said that you liked me when I asked how you felt if you’re just going to admit it that bluntly now?”

“Ah... Huh?” He seemed confused. “I thought that was...obvious...?”

“Just because something’s obvious doesn’t mean you shouldn’t outright say it—especially if it’s something someone wants to hear!”

“I...like you, Koizumi-san?”

“Why are you saying it like a question?!”

“I like you, Koizumi-san!”

“That’s too forceful! Be more considerate of girls! If you’re coming across too strongly, they’ll feel pressured!”

“...Um...” She felt almost vindicated at the sight of a blush rising on Komaeda’s cheeks. It stood out more on him than it did her since he was so pale. But, with a tinge of bitterness, she also found it looked nicer because of that contrast of pinks and whites. Especially with the way those soft minty-gray eyes flickered towards her own, Komaeda keeping his head low before saying, as clear and as steadily as he could, stumbling only at the start, “I...like you, Koizumi-san.”

Wait... What?

The situation she got herself in finally washed over her, and she felt her face go an almost unbearably hot as she stammered, “I-I... I like you, too...?”

No, wait. Try that again. It’s only fair. “I like you too, Komaeda.”

“It’s no surprise you’re better at that than I am,” Komaeda laughed, but this time it was awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Ah, but, sorry Koizumi-san.”

“Eh?” she perked up, completely at a loss. “For what?”

“Well, I can’t really believe this is happening,” he rambled on, light and giggles a bit wheezy. They sounded almost painful. Frowning, Koizumi found herself walking closer as he went on and on, “I mean, someone like Koizumi-san liking someone like me? It’s probably just a joke—but, no, Koizumi-san’s too kind for that... Maybe a dream? Ah yes, a dream! It has to be a dream! And any moment now, I’ll wake up—probably in the bed in the nurse’s office again—though, I don’t think even my wildest dreams considered the possibility of Koizumi-san saying that she...”

Komaeda trailed off. They were standing real close to one another now, her stare intense and exasperated. Komaeda’s blush darkened, his smile trembling at bit, making Koizumi scoff into her hand at how unexpectedly cute the sight is.

“Koi...zumi-san...?”

“I can hit you,” she offered, “to show you’re not dreaming if you want. I kind of want to.”

He blinked at her, reeling, and then nodded slowly, shutting his eyes to prepare for it. Annoyingly, she thought he looked more like he was preparing for a kiss rather than a slap. She’s more annoyed with herself for thinking of it.

This guy...

Taking in a deep breath, she swing her hand back only to still before it reached him, instead resting her fingers against his cheek more carefully.

He’s always worrying me because he’s so troubling at time...

Komaeda’s eyes fluttered back open, dazed and a bit confused. “Koizumi-san?”

I really, really like him.

“See?” she asked, trying to play it off as casually as she could with her entirely red face and her hand brushing against his cheek to cup his face against it, thumb running over the curve. “I’m the real thing after all. I could have told you that but—boys can be so dense.  You, especially, sometimes.”

Komaeda stared blankly back at her, unresponsive for a few moments. Koizumi does tense, wondering if maybe she should just pull away—this is getting to be rather awkward—but then she flinches when, with a sigh, Komaeda nuzzles into her hand.

There’s a smile slipping across his lips, his eyes falling back shut, and with that pink tint still to his cheeks, the word that came to her mind for describing it was bliss. Happiness. She could only swallow, heart pounding just a little bit harder.

She stares at him hard, even more intensely, part of her hoping it’s enough to imprint this moment onto her mind permanently. It’s such a nice moment—it’s unfair to not be able to save it—

“So,” she says, stilted and unsure. Komaeda again flickers his eyes open, that smile falling from his face, but he’s more expectant. Patient. Maybe even as nervous as she was?

And wouldn’t that be nice considering how this guy normally is—

“Since we like each other... The next step is you asking me out, right?” Koizumi pulls her hand back, fingers tingling as she tried to not wipe her clammy palm on her skirt. She kept her chin up; keeping the steadiest and sternest expression she could muster. “I mean, that is what’s supposed to happen.”

“Eh, well, as happy as I am Koizumi-san returns my feelings—I don’t think I can say something like that...” He does have the decency to look ashamed, to her aggravation. “If I do, the windows could just break without warning before you say yes.”

“Fine!” Koizumi threw up her hands in exasperation. “Then I’m asking you out! Let’s walk home together! Why not!”

“That’d be great!” You’ve got to be kidding.

Komaeda was beaming again, except he also looked nervously at the windows like they might actually break. Somehow though, she quirked a smile as she sighed, turning on her heel and saying over her shoulder, “We have to finish cleaning first, Komaeda. After that, we’ll leave together.”

“Yes, Koizumi-san!” His agreement was still bright. She felt herself blushing again but quickly brushed it off. That would have been it, except...

“How about we...use first names... N...Nagito?”

“Sure thing, Mahiru-san.”

He didn’t even miss a beat... “Urgh...”

“Ah, did I say something wrong, Mahiru-san?”

“No... No. No, Nagito, you’re...fine. I guess... Now back to cleaning! We’ve wasted enough time as it is!”

“Oh! Sure thing, Mahiru-san!”

...In the very least, he does sound like he enjoys saying it... she thought grumpily with a groan. But, oh Mahiru, what have you gotten yourself into?

Maybe it’s because he was such a troubling person—and so worrying! Maybe she had gotten protective of him somewhere down the line or she ended up worrying so much that it just because commonplace for him to be on her mind. And, yeah, maybe he was a bit too attractive for his own good in spite of the trouble he always got into, but that’s hardly a reason to be as attached as she was.

He really was a really worrying person. She did worry a lot. She was probably going to be worrying a lot more now that they’re dating. Dating. Her and Komae—

Nagito. Her and Nagito.

Nagito was humming to himself as he was moping, the tune sounding like something she remembered from a classical track or something. He noticed her staring and smiles like he always does, but it’s brighter, more enthusiastic and she wonders if he’s really that excited for a simple walk together.

He managed to, somehow, become someone shining so very brightly that it was as though the entire world had gone dead silent, all so his speech about hope could stand out all the more. Finally, in this dark world of despair, there was a light of hope bright enough to bask in.

Just his fingers on the screen was enough to have him shaking, eyes locked onto that person he once was sure was a nobody—with his mousy brown hair and unassuming stature—resolute and defiant to the point where even she couldn’t handle it. Yet it was still him, still the Naegi-kun who he had politely yet distantly interacted with a few times between classes. Still the same person who sent them both tumbling down the stairs together and had their first conversation with on the way to the nurse’s office, joints and head aching, but still smiling at one another, most likely to not worry the other.

“Naegi-kun...” He was giddy, practically pressing his forehead to the screen in spite of how much it hurt his eyes and how little justice it must have done to the grand, incredible scene before him. “Naegi-kun, Naegi-kun...”

It wasn’t enough. If only he were there in person. But it was still so bright, so brilliant, so beautiful—

But, when he watched the execution of Enoshima Junko, smiling with her victory sign in the air as she was crushed to bits, it was like he once again fell into that black.

--

Why did he follow her in the first place? Had he truly fallen in despair?

“No, I wanted to destroy her myself—I hated that girl more than anything. Please don’t misunderstand.”

But he had still done horrible things for her sake, not hope’s sake. Maybe he had fallen after all—someone like him—it’s not that big of a surprise.

“I could never be SHSL Hope after all...”

Then what about Naegi?

“Naegi-kun? I thought he’d be the first to die.”

But Maizono didn’t kill him. She didn’t even succeed in framing him. Naegi managed to figure her out—her and Kuwata. And then he proceeded to figure everything out, all until that wretched Monokuma cheated and tried to frame Kirigiri...

“That Naegi-kun took the fall for Kirigiri-san truly was a wonderful thing! Such a brave act! As expected of a stepping stone! Good work, Naegi-kun!”

But Naegi didn’t die then and there, did he? And it wasn’t Kirigiri who defeated her in the end, was it?

“...Not a stepping stone, but... SHSL Hope...? Naegi-kun? A SHSL Lucky?”

Naegi’s luck may have saved him once, but it wasn’t luck that triumphed against her. It was his determination, his optimism, his...hope, right? Right?

“Naegi-kun...is just a normal guy... There’s nothing special about him and yet...”

Naegi succeeded where all those talented failed. He had seen so many of the talented fall before her, but Naegi never wavered in their confrontation. Naegi shone with a light he had been waiting his entire life for. The same Naegi who had been his amicable underclassmen.

“Naegi-kun...”

SHSL Hope...

--

SHSL Hope.

SHSL Despair.

Which was he again?

Ah, right. Despair.

Despair, Despair, Despair, Despair, Des—

He bit hard into the cloth he shoved into his mouth, tightening the restraint keeping his hand flat against the table. Staring hard at his wrist, he readied the blade.

I can’t become SHSL Hope. I’m not normal like Naegi-kun is. But if I can take her power as SHSL Despair—ah, well, I wonder if a wretch like me could truly compare to a wretch like her.

At some point in his life, hadn’t he used this hand to support Naegi before? And, when they had fallen together, and Naegi was apologizing profusely for knocking him down, hadn’t this been the hand that he used to take Naegi’s to help himself up?

Any normal person would be horrified by his actions. Part of him wondered if Naegi would also worry. Someone as kind as Naegi—he’d be pained, wouldn’t he, that Komaeda would do this?

Then again, it’s not like I’d be in Naegi-kun’s thoughts anyway—she already wiped me away from his memories like the worthless trash I—

He wasn’t even thinking anymore as he brought the blade down.

--

In a world as dark as his, he really has not much use for his thoughts anymore. Even with the defeat of her, he finds himself yearning more and more for that blinding light even as the world is steadily regaining its healthier hues. It should affect him, move him to tears even, but he’s still on autopilot as he moves through the building, loosely gripping a war knife in one hand and letting the other dang uselessly by his side, clad in a tacky mitten.

The only lilt comes from the giggling of the bear units, their muttering and blandly programed quips. Not to mention the squeals they make when spotting someone new to claw, to kill. He’s trailing around the corner and already one giddily spots him, charging and exclaiming.

Not missing a beat, he shoves that knife deep into the bear’s red eye, stilling it in its tracks, shoving it to the ground with his foot as he pulls the blade back out and sighs.

“They’re still everywhere, huh...? It’s like she really won’t die, even though it’s not like I can ever see her again...”

But at this point, he’s just drifting as well, numb to everything but the pain in his arm. Even now, he’s still fruitlessly fighting her, but at least at this point, he knows she can be defeated. He just has to persevere until the moment her world of darkness completely dies out.

It’s strange then, isn’t it, that he feels like he’s still stuck in that fog that came about when the world fell. Even though he’s seen her fall—has gazed at Naegi-kun with nothing sort of reverence and wonder when she was scrambling back and stammering.

Naegi-kun. Naegi-kun.

He might never get to see her again, but Naegi-kun on the other hand...

Ah, but what am I even thinking? He wondered giddily, shakily stumbling over the sparking, unmoving body of the Monokuma unit. It’s not like someone like me even deserves to breathe the same air.

But his luck works in such funny ways, doesn’t it? With all the trouble he went through just to get this far, at some point, one way or another, there had to be a form of compensation.

Sometimes that form would be the very familiar brunet he spots across the other side of the corridor, going still and dead silent save for his breathing and the giggling of that bear—the ongoing sparking of the unit he stopped—and letting the knife slip from his fingers to clatter against the tiles.

Naegi, he noticed, was holding one of those megaphone guns, dressed in a refined suit. Future Foundation, he recognized, vaguely remembering hearing that it was them who picked up the survivors from that broadcasted mutual killings. Naegi was being careful, had an expression of unease, and was looking and listening for those bears...

When those soft hazels fell on his paralyzed form hopelessly standing there.

Naegi may have said something, but he didn’t hear it, all he could see was just how bright—how blinding Naegi was, even with only the dull broken lights of the building overhead. How his own worthless gray-green eyes just couldn’t stand it to the point they tore away and he found himself running, fleeing from the Naegi who had inhabited his thoughts for months now.

The same Naegi he had lunch with once. There had been an accident involving his own, but Naegi offered to share his. That was probably one of the most pleasant conversations he ever had in his life. Even though Naegi wasn’t anything special, he could have been moved to tears.

His feet are slamming against the tiles and he’s scrambling as he runs, panting and heart pounding like a terrified rodent. Like a rodent that typically hid in shadows—one that wasn’t used to the light. He had been living in a dark world of despair for so long that Naegi’s hopeful light was simply just—

Far too much

It’s pathetic how he’s hiding, curled up in one of the corners where it’s a dead end, pulling his hood over his head and shaking as he’s sitting, knees close and holding that covered hand close, rubbing over it with his own, whispering to his heart to just be still.

Monokuma’s laugh still rings across the building, still taunting him—she’s still taunting him...

“H...H-Hey...?”

Komaeda flinches, turning slowly to him, leaning against that corner and panting. Exhausted. He hadn’t seriously ran after him, had he?

Ah, not good. Not good not good not good—

“A-Are you...” He manages to raise his gaze, still tired but still clearly worried. “Are you alright?”

Someone like me being in this valuable space—the misfortune from before won’t balance this out at all! If anything, it’s going to be catastrophic—

“I’m not... I’m not going to hurt you...” Slurring his words a bit, shaking a bit too. “I’m here to help. I promise.”

He—Naegi-kun—

“Come on.” He was offering his hand, he was smiling at him so warmly and so gently. “Let’s get you somewhere safe.”

He’s overflowing with hope.

It should have been too much for him to handle. And yet, Komaeda found himself taking that hand, letting himself be pulled up to his feet, and keeping that covered hand close as his head hung low, trying so hard not to shakily smile.

Ah, but, it’s not like Naegi-kun knows...

“Right,” Naegi began, tugging his hand a bit. “So let’s get...” For some reason, he trailed off, his tone turning questioning. “...going?”

Slowly, his hand was released and just as Komaeda meekly raised his gaze to meet Naegi’s, he saw, so very painfully, how hazels widened with something that could only be recognition.

“Komaeda-kun,” he says, disbelieving. “You are... Komaeda-senpai from HPA, aren’t you? D...Do you remember?”

Too much. Far too much.

And yet it was like for once his world truly was bright, his own face lighting up with a smile falling into place as he exclaimed, full of the happiness he hadn’t felt in ages.

“Heh.” Owari adjusted her her feet, the movement kicking up a bit of the baseball diamond's dust. The gymnast rolled her neck, her vertebrate popping like a string of firecrackers. “You're fast. And you hit harder than I thought, squirt.” She rubbed at an abrasion on her forearm, feeling the raw skin there. It would bleed. And that made her grin. “But you can't hit as hard as me.” Owari clenched her fists. “You fight like a bug or something.”

“Well you fight like a barbarian.” Saionji held her upper arm, frowning. That was the one good hit Akane had gotten on the dancer, all of her other swings having been complete misses or glancing blows. Owari would admit, Saionji was a better fighter than she expected. The girl, though not as small as she used to be, was lightning quick on her feet and pretty damn graceful too. That was to be expected of somebody whose talent was dance related – she couldn't be bothered to remember the actual thing right now – though perhaps there were other contributing factors.

Whatever. Owari lunged forward, fist cocked back. Her footsteps threw up dust, the soles of her shoes clomping against the ground. Like a charging bull, Owari was a moving muscle mass, most of her strength put behind this single swing. Hiyoko narrowed her eyes, feinting to the left. Not this time. Akane leaned back, transferring her weight to her legs and skidding across the ground. Her right leg swung out in a large arc, barely catching Saionji's foot.

The attack clipping her foot caused the dancer to pitch forward, heading straight for the dirt. At the last second she tucked her head in, transferring her momentum into a roll that sent her a few solid feet away from Owari. The gymnast continued to move in the wrong direction, even as she dug her heels into the ground and nearly toppled to the ground. Still, Akane managed to rebound, rolling from her heels to the balls of her feet, catapulting in the opposite direction towards Saionji.

This time, Saionji's dodge was wholly successful, escaping from Owari's next swing by ducking under her arm. She then delivered two swift punches, one striking Akane straight in the armpit and the other landing on the shoulder blade of the same arm. There was just enough power to send Owari spinning, which was probably the intended effect. Still, the gymnast simply bent one of her legs, using her impromptu swing to her advantage by extending the other, creating a savage kick. Saionji one again ducked, the only part of her getting hit being a stray strand of golden blonde hair. Her arms went around Akane's leg and tugged.

Had they been fighting almost anywhere else, that tug would have been nothing. Unfortunately, they were fighting on the baseball diamond. Which meant slippery dirt absolutely everywhere. The foot that was still on the ground, even with its favorable position, did not hold enough traction to avoid being shifted forward without Akane's torso being adjusting enough to compensate. So she toppled backwards, head thumping painfully against the dirty ground as Saionji loomed over her, the smaller girl's foot planted on Akane's chest.

“...” The pair stared each other down for a few moments, Owari's head still spinning from the impact. Then Saionji removed her foot and crossed her arms. “Get up, idiot. It's getting late, we're done here.”

“Pfeh.” Owari snorted, pulling herself into a sitting position. “What's wrong? Nothin' clever to say? No remarks about how I should eat some mud or that next time you'll break my fingers?” To be honest, she was disappointed. Half the fun with Hiyoko was hearing her say some stupid stuff that didn't mean anything other than she was mad.

“Oh shut up, you skanky airhead.” Was the blonde's response as she grabbed the water bottle she had brought to their skirmish, taking a long drink before continuing. “Jeez, I try and be nice for once and this is how I'm treated? I guess I should have expected less from a weirdo masochist that enjoys getting the shit beaten out of them.”

“There it is.” Owari replied, grinning. She finally managed to haul herself off of the ground, brushing as much dirt as she could from her white shirt. Perhaps she should have worn something darker. Speaking of clothes... “What's with the getup anyway?” She asked, motioning at her sparring partner.

“...What?” Saionji asked, evidently annoyed. She had a small towel, just like the one old man Nidai used, draped around her shoulders, which she used to dab up a touch of sweat on her neck. “Is there something wrong with it? Is that why you lost, you creep? You were too busy looking at me to be focused on fighting?” Owari gave Saionji a serious look over for the first time that day. Nothing big for a normal person, just a pair of exercise shorts and a black tank top, but it looked strange on the dancer.

“Nah. It's just you almost look kinda normal without that dumb kimono on all the time.”

“Wh-?!” Saionji made a choked off, offended sound. She puffed out her cheeks and glared at Akane. “For your information, you uncultured idiot, my kimono's authentic and probably more expensive than anything you'll ever own in your entire worthless life.”

“Whatever.” Owari replied, thumping the side of her head. A puff of dust came out of her ear, and she nodded, satisfied. “I'm just surprised someone as small as you knows how to fight.” Akane turned back towards the school, marching off. “I'm gonna get something to eat.”

“H-Hey!” Saionji scampered after her, matching her stride once she caught up.

“...What?” She glanced over at Saionji, uninterested. “We're done.”

“Well...” It looked like the shorter girl didn't have a reason – or at least, a reason she understood – for catching up to Akane, so she continued walking. Hiyoko continued to match her pace. Did this chick like... want something from her? Akane glanced back at her. Normally she wouldn't give the time of day to anyone that wasn't her redheaded friend or that chick with the crazy hair. So what was her deal now?

“For real though.” Owari narrowed her eyes at Saionji. “You're like... here still. Why? It's botherin' me.” Something about the statement hit Saionji enough to prevent her from speaking for a moment.

“Is there something wrong with me walking in the same direction as you, huh?” She finally replied. “Are we not going to the same place?” Saionji rolled her eyes and huffed, muttering to herself. “God, do you have to be so brainless all of the time?”

“...” Owari stared curiously at Saionji for a couple more seconds before shrugging and turning back to the path before her, Hope's Peak looming quietly in the twilight. “You're saying a lot of stuff.”

“That's what happens when people open their mouths.” Hiyoko responded. They walked together all the way to the school's foyer, where Owari was finally ready to split up and get some peace and quiet. Unfortunately, Hiyoko had one more thing to say to her. “Hey.”

“God, what?” Owari stopped walking, glancing over her shoulder at Saionji. The blonde looked... nervous almost, but Owari brushed it off as her being her.

“Oh, shut up and let me talk, you loghead! Are you always this rude?” Hiyoko rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Jeez. I was just gonna ask if...” She stopped to clear her throat. “If you wanted to... I dunno, do something like this some other time.”

“Pff.” Owari snorted, letting out a laugh. “Now we're talkin'. Same place, same time. I'll kick your butt a second time.” And with that, Saionji was left standing in the foyer by herself.