The Dull Amongst The Bright

The walk with Chiaki is mostly silent except for Sayaka's remarks about how cute Chiaki is and Chiaki's embarrassed responses to the compliments. Chiaki leads us to the front gate of a large grey building. Students wearing black and white uniforms are walking out of the building. They all seem so down and upset.

A boy with spiky brown hair walks up to us with a confused look, "Hey Chiaki"

Chiaki looks up from her game and smiles cutely, "Hey Hajime! I wanted to introduce you to some people I met from the new freshmen class!", She points to me, "This is John Doe and this is", she points to Sayaka, "Um, I'm sorry I never got your name"

Sayaka giggles, "I'm Sayaka Maizono. It's nice to meet you, Hajime", she extends her hand towards Hajime

Hajime hesitates beck shakes her hand, "Y-Yeah, it's nice to you too", he turns his attention to me, "I'm Hajime Hinata", he extends his hand towards me.

"Sorry dude, I can't really shake hands due to my injuries", I explain, "But it's really nice to meet you! Chiaki told me a bit about you"

"I'm surprised you guys would wanna meet a guy like me, considering I'm just a Reserve Course scrub", Hajime sighs.

Chiaki puffs her cheeks and glares at him, "Stop talking like that! How many times do I have to tell you, it doesn't matter if you're a Reserve Course! You're special in your own way"

Hajime puts his arms up and laughs softly, "Okay, Okay, I'm sorry Chiaki!"

I can tell that these two have a pretty good relationship. Hajime seems to have some type of confidence issue, most likely from being a Reserve Course student. I hope he doesn't think I look down on him for it. Despite being from different departments, we are still fellow classmates attending Hope's Peak.

"What the hell are you doing here?", I hear a familiar and anger voice yell.

I see Natsumi walking up to us, clearly unhappy to see me.

I smile, "Nice to see you too, Natsumi"

Hajime looks confused, "You two know each other?"

"This was the shithead I was telling you about!", Natsumi yells while glaring at me.

"You mean the guy you were ranting about?", Hajime mumbles.

"Wait, so you're the guy that saved Natsumi?", Hajime asks with wide eyes.

"Sadly yes", I fake sigh.

"Hey!", Natsumi looks like she's about to kill.

"So Hajime, are you and Natsumi friends?", Sayaka asks.

"Don't make me laugh! Like someone with amazing talent like me would be friends with this boring loser", Natsumi laughs while Hajime just sighs.

"Aren't you a Reserve Course student too, Natsumi? That means you also don't possess a talent, right?", I ask with an annoyed tone in my voice.

"No, I totally possess a talent! Just ask my big brother, I'm the Ultimate Little Sister. The school just ran out of room so I wasn't recruited", Natsumi explains with a cocky smirk.

"Bullshit! There's no way that such a stupid talent like that could exist!", I yell.

"Says the Ultimate Boyfriend! You're talent is just as stupid!", Natsumi yells back as she gets in my face.

"At least mine is real!", I fire back.

"Geez, you guys sound like a bickering middle aged couple", Chiaki sighs.

"You sound like my brother", Natsumi crosses her arms and frowns.

"Speaking of which, did you tell Fuyuhiko that we're dating or something? Cause he won't leave me alone about it", I groan.

"What?! Of course not!", Natsumi yells as a blush begins to form on her face.

"Hmmm, he may have heard Toko's rumor about what happened between you two", Sayaka says while putting her index finger on her chin and looking up, like she's thinking.

"What? Rumors?", Natsumi asks with a shocked look.

"People from my class have been spreading rumors about what happened yesterday", I sigh.

"Toko's rumor said that after John defeated the attacker, he turned to Natsumi and the moment you looked into each other's eyes, you instantly fell in love . Despite his injures, John carried Natsumi in his arms and brought her to safety. And once you two were safe you stared into each other's eyes and passionately embraced while confessing your unyielding love for each other", Sayaka somehow manages to say all of that with a straight.

"I'm gonna fucking kill that bitch!", Natsumi growls as her face is red with anger....or maybe embarrassment.

"That's probably why Fuyuhiko thinks we're dating", I sigh and shake my head.

"Anyway, Natsumi, Hajime, could I ask you guys a few questions? I'm curious about the Reserve Course", I explain.

"Well, I guess I could answer a few questions", Hajime smiles slightly.

"But we were supposed to go to the arcade", Chiaki pouts.

Hajime chuckles, "Sorry Chiaki, maybe we'll go tomorrow"

Natsumi sighs, "Fine, but this better not take forever"

The five of us walk to a large fountain that's surrounded by benches. As we walk Sayaka leans against my arm. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Natsumi glaring at us.

Is she jealous? No way, I must be overthinking it.

As we reach the benches, Chiaki, Hajime and Natsumi sit on one bench, with Hajime sitting in between the two girls. Chiaki is absorbed into my game, so she's barely paying attention to anything we say or do. Me and Sayaka are standing infront of them.

"I wanna start by asking what made you interested in the Reserve Department in the first place?", I ask plainly.

"It's the same reason most of the students in the Department. I've admired Hope's Peak since I was little. But I didn't meet the requirements to get scouted for the Primary Department. This was the next best thing", Hajime sighs.

"I'm only here because they ran out of room in the Primary Department", Natsumi crosss her arms.

So most Reserve Course students are students that admired Hope's Peak but couldn't get into the Primary Department. I think I understand why those kids looked so sad now. Their probably reminded of their failure every time they enter and leave that building.

"Is there anyway for a Reserve Course student to get transferred to the Primary Department?", I ask.

"I wish...", Hajime mumbles.

"Well if you're like me, then you just need someone to drop out of the course so that there's room for you", Natsumi explains with a sly grin.

You need someone to drop out? Is that why you did what you did Natsumi?

"Is that why you bullied Mahiru?", I ask with shocked face.

Natsumi smirks, "Well, I knew Mahiru would be the easiest one to scare out of the school. I just didn't expect Sato to go all crazy and try to kill me over it"

You.......you really are nothing but a bad person, are you? I thought that you might have just been misunderstood. But there's no denying it....

"You disgust me....", I say softly as I feel my body fill with anger.

"What did you just say?", Natsumi asks as she stands.

"Hey Hajime?", Chiaki says while still staring at her game.

"Huh?", he looks over at her.

"We should go. Things are going to real noisy", Chiaki says as she stands.

"My thoughts exactly", Hajime says as he gets up.

The two of them quickly leave.

"Did you really harass Mahiru just because you couldn't accept the fact that you have no talent?", I ask quietly, trying not to lose my temper.

"I do have a talent!", Natsumi yells.

"Stop lying to yourself!", I snap back, "Why can't you just accept it?! You don't have a talent and you never will! Just get over it and fucking grow up, Natsumi!"

Natsumi is completely silent. Her whole body is shaking and her eyes are begin to water.

Damn it, did I take things to far?

"I-If I don't have a talent.......then that means big bro is gonna leave me behind", Natsumi whimpers.

My eyes widen, "What?"

"If I don't get into the Primary Department.....then Fuyuhiko is going to abandon me", Natsumi says through her tears.

I'm a moron. I'm such a moron.

I walk up to Natsumi and, despite the pain, I wrap my arms around her and pull her close.

Sayaka looks shocked, "John..."

I take a deep breath and whisper into Natsumi's ear, "Your brother isn't going to leave you behind. He cares about you more then anyone else in the world"

Natsumi begins to cry into my chest. I just hug her tighter, "I promise you, Fuyuhiko isn't going anywhere without you"

"H-How do you know?", Natsumi says through her tears.

I smile softly, "Cause big brothers are always there for their little sisters"

My arms feel like they are on fire, but I don't let go of her until I know she's done crying. Once she is, I slowly let go of her. Natsumi looks up at me with her now blood shot eyes and redden cheeks.

"I-If you tell anyone about this....I'll fucking kill you...", she says shyly.

I chuckle, "I won't tell a soul"

Natsumi looks at Sayaka, "Hey, you"

Sayaka jumps, "Y-Yeah?"

"Close your eyes", Natsumi orders.

"Why?", Sayaka tilts her head.

"Just do it!", Natsumi yells.

"Okay, geez!", Sayaka covers her face with hands.

In a quick motion, Natsumi grabs the collar of my shirt and pulls me in for a kiss. She slams her eyes shut as our lips make contact. My eyes are wide in shock.

She breaks the kiss and pushes me away, "T-That was for saving yesterday", Natsumi looks away shyly.

I stare at her in shock as she quickly runs away.

Maybe, I was wrong about Natsumi after all?

"Can I uncover my eyes yet?", Sayaka asks with an annoyed tone, "This is dumb!"