((Tio's POV))

I walked in and sat down at my usual seat at the front of the class. As usual, the only ones there besides me were Sonia Nevermind (Ultimate Princess), Mahiru Koizumi (Ultimate Photographer), Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu (Ultimate Gangster), and Hiyoko Saionji (Ultimate Traditional Dancer). Everyone else that was in our class wasn't here yet. Actually, they weren't here at all. No one ever comes to class anymore, because they don't think about studying. Our teacher was...a drunkard. He hardly ever showed up to class, so after a while everyone stopped coming. I sighed and stared into space, lost in thought. It's just not the same without everyone else here...

"Wow Tio, you look really upset!" Hiyoko said, smirking. "Are you alright? Did someone die or something?" "Hiyoko, that is not something you should tease or joke about!" Sonia scolded. "I'm sure Tio is perfectly fine. Right Tio?" I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm alright. Don't worry," I said. Sonia smiled. "That is wonderful to hear. I'm glad you are doing well." I smiled also. A few seconds later, the door to our classroom slid open and a woman with orange hair, a blue suit a round face, and a friendly smile entered. 

Who is she? I thought. Our teacher?  "Good morning, everyone!" she greeted. Then she frowned. "Wait...There's only five of you?" Sonia smiled. "Good morning to you, ma'am," she said politely. A few seats behind me, Fuyuhiko scoffed angrily. "What's this?" Hiyoko said, her eyes wide with wonder. "Some stranger just waltzed into our classroom!" Mahiru smiled brightly. "I'm sorry...Can we help you with something?" She asked. 

The woman standing in front of us smiled brightly. "I'm your new homeroom teacher! Chisa Yukizome! Isn't that great?" She said excitedly. Hiyoko smirked. "Oooh! This one looks like she'll be fun to break!" she said. "What do you think will go first? Her social life, her health or her sanity?" Ms. Yukizome smiled and flashed some pamphlets at us. "Do your worst, kiddo! I doubled down on health insurance before I took this job!" she said. Sonia smiled brightly. "Thou art nothing if not formidable!" 

Mahiru smiled at Sonia sheepishly. "That isn't...really how we talk." Fuyuhiko scowled and yelled angrily at Ms. Yukizome. "What the hell kind of a bait and switch are you trying to pull?! Kizakura's our homeroom teacher!" Ms. Yukizome smiled and put her hands together. "He's nursing a bad hangover, and is barfing as we speak!" "How lush..." Fuyuhiko murmured. At that minute, Mikan Tsumiki (Ultimate Nurse) came bursting into the room. "S-S-Sorry I'm late for class! I fell down!" She said timidly. Then, she screamed as she tripped in her usual revealing way. "Ugh! Not again! Why does gravity hate me!?" she exclaimed."No one can be a klutzy as this! Every single morning you end up on the floor!" Hiyoko yelled angrily.

 I frowned. "Give her a break, Hiyoko." I said. "It's not like she does this on purpose." "P-Please forgive me, Saionji!" Mikan said, crying. Ms. Yukizome patted Mikan's back gently. "There there...You'll be alright, dear," she said. "Are the others late to class as well?" "Truth be told, this may be all you get," Sonia said sadly. "Really? What are all your classmates so busy doing?" Ms. Yukizome asked. Hiyoko scoffed. "I dunno. It's not like I care anyway." 

Mahiru smiled in her usual way. "Not to sound flip,"she said. "but at the academy, no one cares if you miss classes. So long as you hone your skills and pass the exams, you're fine." Mikan was freaking out, explaining that she was only late because she fell. "Suck up," Fuyuhiko said angrily. Mikan whimpered and I sighed. This isn't getting us anywhere! I thought angrily. Suddenly, Ms. Yukizome smiled. "I guess this is your lucky day!" she said as she put on a pink lace apron. "'Kaaay..." Hiyoko said, slowly taking in what she just saw. Mahiru's eyes widened. "Wait so...You're an alumni?!" She said. 

Ms. Yukizome walked up the aisle as she spoke, passing my desk. "You're only young once,you guys. Trust me, you'll be adults before you know it,"she said. "How can you just blow off your classmates like they don't even matter?! You know what you are...?! YOU'RE A BAG OF ROTTEN ORANGES!!!" She pointed at us, her anger obvious. Everyone in the class gasped. Except for Sonia, that is. "A bag of rotten what now?" she said, confused. "Oranges!" Ms. Yukizome yelled. "All moldy and sticky and squishy!" Mikan squealed. "I-I'm sorry for being squishy!!!" She yelled. Hiyoko frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?!" she asked angrily.

Ms. Yukizome frowned. "I'm talking about redeeming your high school years!" she said. "Let's get out there and find your rotten friends! We're taking back your youth right the heck now!!!" Mahiru sweatdropped. "Umm..." Ms. Yukizome ran up to her desk and smiled. "Even rotten oranges can make a good marmalade if you make enough of them!" she said. "I don't think that's how marmalade works," Mahiru said. Then, she was shoved out of the way by Sonia. Her eyes were sparkling with delight. "I couldn't agree with you more! This is exactly the kind of camaraderie (friendship) I was hoping for when I transferred here, Ms. Yukizome!" She said. 

Ms. Yukizome took Sonia's hands in hers. "Come with me, dear child. It's time to fill these desks!" Sonia nodded and smiled. I smiled as well and stood. "Count me in as well, Ms. Yukizome," I said. "I agree that everyone should be here together. To study as friends." She smiled. "Then it's settled!" Fuyuhiko shook his head and scoffed. "Count me out. No one ever said I had to be friends with you sons of bitches," he said angrily. Ms. Yukizome ran up to Fuyuhiko's desk and stabbed it with a short sword, nearly missing his hand. 

Fuyuhiko's eyes narrowed, pure rage glinting within them. "Look at you...Big woman with a blade, is that it?" he said angrily. Ms. Yukizome smirked evilly. "If it'll fix that attitude, I don't mind engaging in some remedial subtraction," she said. I gulped. She was serious about this! Fuyuhiko growled angrily. "Can it, teach! You don't got the stones-!" She stabbed the knife in again. This time, Fuyuhiko had to dodge or risk losing his hand. "I-I was wrong! You've got the biggest pair in the room!" he said. Ms. Yukizome smiled brightly. "Isn't that sweet? I think we understand each other!" Fuyuhiko nodded, smirking slightly. "Hm. Crystal clear, in fact. Lead the way, ma'am," he said. 

Ms. Yukizome smiled. "Onward! To glory! The other rotten oranges await!" she said happily. Everyone else in the class groaned.

-Men's room-

Sonia gasped happily, her eyes sparkling like they were in the classroom. "Oh wow!" She said. "I'm in an actual Japanese Men's Room!" Fuyuhiko scowled slightly. "Yeah, that's great. Why'd we take a field trip to the can?" he asked. I knew exactly why. If we were here...We were obviously looking for him. Ms. Yukizome pouted. "Aww. And I was so sure he'd be here too!" she said.

 Suddenly, the room rumbled. Everyone gasped. "You guys...feel that just now?" Fuyuhiko asked. The room rumbled again and again, nearly knocking over a bucket of water. Fuyuhiko's eyes widened. "Hey...Whatever it is...It's definitely getting closer!" he said. "It's like Jurassic Park!" Sonia said. Hiyoko scoffed. "Whatever. It's just the pipes!" She said on the other side of the door. Then, the door and the outer wall of the bathroom were blown off. In the midst of it, his voice rang out. "MORE LIKE JURASSIC SHIIIIIIIT!!!!" He yelled.

When the smoke cleared, Ms. Yukizome was standing over us and Fuyuhiko and I were protecting the girls. "Is everyone alright?" she asked. "Yeah. Looks like!" I said. "It's like a bomb went off in here!" Fuyuhiko said, blocking his face, his right eye closed. One of the stalls opened and out of it stepped Nekomaru Nidai, the Ultimate Team Manager. He rubbed the back of his head and had a huge grin on his face. He laughed boisterously as he did so. "Sorry all! I had a bit of a log jam if you know what I'm saying!" he said. I smiled and shook my head. Thought so, I thought. Who else but Nekomaru? Only he can knock down the walls by going to the bathroom! 

Ms. Yukizome smiled. "No more damage than normal, Nidai," she said. "Yeah, that's my bad," Nekomaru said, smiling. When you gotta go, you gotta go!" Behind the stall he was in, there was a HUGE crater and the back wall of the bathroom was blown out as well. "Nature calls!" Nekomaru said, grinning more. Fuyuhiko coughed. "You didn't have to answer the call with a damn megaphone!" he said. "Sorry about that," he said, smiling and helping us up. I smiled. "Good to see you again, Nekomaru," I said. I missed seeing him in class. He's a really good person who would risk anything to help his friends. Even his own life! 

Nekomaru smiled. "Nice to see you too Tio!!!" he said loudly.  I laughed and rubbed inside my ear with my finger. 

-Dining Hall-

Sonia picked up a golden bell off the table and rang it. "May I please speak to the chef?" she asked. "Coming!!!!" a voice said. Soon, Teruteru Hanamura, the Ulitmate Cook, ran up as quickly as he could, a cloud of dust forming behind him. "Yes, my delectable hours-d'oeuvres (or-derve)? If I can tame your hunger, just say the word!" he said, smiling. "Well..." Sonia said. "I wouldn't mind some sort of a meat dish."

Teruteru's nose bled at those words. "Meat, you say? Do you prefer it tender or would you like it hard?" he purred seductively. I growled. Stupid pervert! That's all he ever thinks about! I thought angrily. When I looked up again, Teruteru was tied up and Ms. Yukizome was holding the ropes that hoisted him up. "Even Ultimate students just can't say whatever comes to mind...We'll work on that," she said. Then, Nekomaru started pulling on the ropes (which Teruteru was liking a little TOO well.). I sighed and shook my head. Yep. Same old Hanamura, I thought. 

-Outside school grounds-

Teruteru was cooking some meat while Mahiru fanned the flames and Fuyuhiko and I put more logs on the fire. All of this was to lure out the Ultimate Gymnast, Akane Owari, out of her hiding spot. We all knew she couldn't resist the smell of meat. "MEAT, GLORIOUS MEAT!!!!" A voice said loudly. Teruteru screamed. "I think she took the bait!" he said. "Go,Nidai! Hit it!" Ms. Yukizome said. Nekomaru screamed and there was an explosion. When the smoke cleared, Akane was tied to a wooden cross. "Another classmate brought back!" Sonia said, smiling brightly. "I'M GONNA KICK YOUR ASSES SO HARD!!!!!" Akane yelled angrily.

After we caught Akane, we went after the next classmate on the list. Kazuichi Soda, the Ultimate Mechanic. Sure enough, we found him on a huge machine that HE made. He blushed when he saw Sonia and smiled. "My angel has arrived!" he said happily as he jumped off of  his machine and walked up to her. "What a pleasant surprise!" Sonia suddenly backed up. "What? Does the oil smell bad?" Kazuichi asked. "I don't think it's the oil!" Sonia said as she got further and further away from Kazuichi. His eyes widened in horror. "Wait, so it's me!? Aw, man it is me, huh?!"

Ms. Yukizome put a hand on his shoulder and smiled, a gas mask on her face. "So many different fish in the sea, my dear boy," she said. Kazuichi growled and turned to her. "I ain't throwin' in the towel yet!" he yelled angrily. Then he screamed, "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"

-Animal Shed-

After we calmed down Kazuichi and explained everything to him, we went to the animal shed. (Though now, it looks a lot more like a sacrificial altar than an animal shed.) I hate coming here, I thought. Coming here means coming face to face with...Him. "Hello! Hey Tanaka! We know you're up the- ah!!!!" Ms. Yukizome screamed as bats flew down the steps at us. A few minutes after that, we heard an evil laugh. And out of the shadows...Stepped Gundham Tanaka, the Ultimate Breeder. "Speak the name of evil and he shall appear," he said, smirking. "You gaze upon Tanaka the Forbidden One! My Four Dark Devas of Destruction serve me at every turn! Mark my words! One day, I will stand astride this corrupted planet!" 

-Music Room-

We had to cover our ears as we entered the music room. There, strumming a guitar with a flamethrower attached to it was Ibuki Mioda, the Ultimate Musician. She was pretty good when it came to heavy metal. Not so good when it comes to pairing song titles with music. After she finished, Nekomaru's face was contorted in pain as he covered his ears, Teruteru was foaming at the mouth, and Mikan looked like she was about to faint. 

Ibuki's eyes widened as she saw us. "Whoa. Didn't know I was playing for a crowd," she said, smiling in her usual way. "Death metal barbecue, huh?" Kazuichi said, looking slightly impressed by it. I smiled. "Another hit, Ibuki," I said. "Remind me to call you if I ever want music and barbecued food." She smiled more. "Thanks, Tio. What can I say? Music is a gift to me." She then flashed a thumbs up at us. "Let's stick it to the man!" she said. Ms. Yukizome did the same. "By attending class!" she added. Kazuichi frowned. "Cool poses. Can we go now?" he said impatiently. 

Miss Yukizome nodded. "Yep! On to the next one!" she said.

-Dojo-

We walked into the dojo and, sure enough, sitting on the ground in a meditative pose, was Peko Pekoyama, the Ultimate Swordswoman. She was more skilled with a sword than anyone else I knew. She knew how to turn a bamboo sword into a very deadly weapon. Mess with her and she'll make sure you regret it! But she also has a slight gentle side to her. At least...She does when it comes to Fuyuhiko.  I don't know if she likes him or if she feels that it's her duty to protect him, but she's serious about it! I thought as I watched her meditate.

Ms. Yukizome quietly sneaked up behind Peko. Peko immediately sensed it and struck her sword upwards. She immediately stopped her assault when she saw Ms. Yukizome standing there. Ms. Yukizome smiled brightly. "Sorry, Pekoyama. But class has already started today," she said. Peko nodded. "Forgive me," she said. "I so easily lose track of the time." "I know your job's important," Ms. Yukizome said. "But you still need to go to class." She's sounding less like a teacher and more like a mother, I thought. Not that it's a bad thing.

Fuyuhiko gasped, then scowled. "Hey teach! How do you know about tha-?!" He was interrupted by Ibuki, who stuffed a piece of skewered meat into his mouth. Ms. Yukizome smiled. "Alright! We're down to our final few guys! Think of the growth we'll experience as a class!" she said happily. Mahiru smiled. "Our new teacher seems very...motivated," she said. Hiyoko pouted in her usual way. "Oh, this sucks! I'm perfect as is!" she said. Teruteru smirked slightly and got another nosebleed. "Part of me is growing right now!" He was then slapped into a wall by Ms. Yukizome, who borrowed Peko's sword for the blow. "Now now, Hanamura," she said, smiling. "That went a little overboard."

She turned to us and pumped her fist in the air. "Onward! Luck is on our side!" I counted on my fingers everyone we'd gotten so far. First Nekomaru, then Teruteru, then Akane, then Kazuichi, then Gundham, Ibuki, and lastly Peko, I thought. Judging from that, the only ones left are Ryota (Ultimate Animator), Nagito (Ultimate Lucky Student), Midori (Ultimate Debator), and Chiaki (Ultimate Gamer). I blushed at the thought of seeing Chiaki again. My first day here, I'd bumped into her and we bonded over a murder mystery game called Trigger Happy Havoc. And we've been close ever since. Maybe this time when I see her...I can admit my feelings to her, I thought. 

That's what I always tell myself, though. "Maybe this time" becomes my catchphrase when it comes to telling Chiaki how I feel about her. Ever since my first girlfriend Aiko saved my life and died right in front of me, I've been afraid of loving anyone else. I can't let that happen to Chiaki. If it did, my heart would be broken beyond repair. I shook the "maybe this time" thought from my mind. Gotta focus on finding the other students right now, I thought. 

-Hope's Peak Outskirts-

Ms. Yukizome looked at her roll sheet again and again. All the while looking over a single name. Nagito Komaeda. She frowned slightly. "I know that boy is around here somewhere," she said. Kazuichi frowned angrily. "I don't like him!" he said. "Whenever he's around, my day goes south!" Suddenly, a truck that lost its wheel came barreling down the road and struck Kazuichi full-force. He screamed as he was launched into the air. "Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!" The entire class (minus Gundham) gasped. "SODA!!!!!!!!!" We yelled in unison (again, minus Gundham). We went looking for Kazuichi and instead found him buried inside a mangled soda machine, and Nagito smiling, looking no worse for ware as a bunch of soda cans fell at his feet. 

Ms. Yukizome picked one up and offered it to Nagito, smiling brightly. "Hello," she said. I looked near Nagito, expecting to find Midori. When it came to our class, that's how it always went. Midori spent most of her time hanging out with and talking to Nagito. Only I knew her motive behind doing so. The truth was...She was in love with Nagito, but didn't know how to tell him. She was just like me, in a way. Anyway, after looking everywhere near the soda machine, I had no luck. So I walked up to Nagito. "Nagito?" I said.

Nagito looked up and smiled. "Ah, Tio! Have you taken some time out of your day to talk to a nobody like me?" he said. I frowned. I hated when Nagito wallowed in self-pity. "Midori wasn't in class today. Have you seen her?" I asked. Nagito smiled sadly. "Not since this morning," he said. "It's a shame. I really enjoy her company." I see, I thought. I turned to Nagito again. "When you saw her this morning, did she say where she was going?" I asked. He nodded. "Yep. She said something about meeting an old friend of hers." 

I sighed with relief. At least she was okay. 

-Hope's Peak Academy:Classroom 1-B-

Nagito laughed after Ms. Yukizome explained everything to him. "Hold on!" he said. "You wanted to meet a nobody like me? What a wonderful teacher you are!" Ms. Yukizome smiled brightly. "Oh come now. You aren't a nobody," she said. "You're a rotten orange!" Nagito smiled and laughed sheepishly. Fuyuhiko scowled. "That wasn't a compliment, dimwit." 

Ms. Yukizome smiled brightly. "Now listen up! Three more and we're finished! Homestretch, you guys! Gimme some hustle!" she said. Hiyoko gasped. "Huh?! I'm not taking another step! My legs feel like they're about to fall off!" she complained. Mikan ran to her desk, worried about her. "Oh my god! They can do that just by walking around!?" she said. "It's a figure of speech, dumbass!" Hiyoko retorted angrily. 

Ms. Yukizome wiped her finger across the windowsill with a sigh. "Fine. If the rest of you are going to complain, I'll go wrangle your last two classmates if you'll give this room a good cleaning," She said. Soda groaned. "For real?! Haven't we suffered enough today?!" he said. Ms. Yukizome pulled two short swords from her apron and smiled sweetly as she crossed them over Kazuichi's desk. "You wanna talk SUFFERING?" she said darkly. Kazuichi shook his head repeatedly. "No! We're good! We're good!" he said. 

Ms. Yukizome smiled and waved at us as she headed out the door. "Alright! Have fun, you guys!" she said as she disappeared from our sights completely. "Sure, pull swords on the guy who got hit by a truck!" Kazuichi complained. Mahiru smiled. "I think she's pretty cool, all things considered," she said. "SHUT YOUR MOUTH, SHUTTERBUG!" Kazuichi yelled angrily. Soon after, everyone murmured in agreement on cleaning the room and we got started. 

((Midori's POV))

I smiled brightly as I carried the homemade lunch boxes to the fountain near Hope's Peak Academy. There, I'd meet with my best friend from middle school, Hajime Hinata. He was...The only friend I had who didn't use me for my talent. I remember the first day we became friends like it was yesterday...

-Flashback-

I was walking to my debate class at my middle school when some bullies cornered me and started beating me up, throwing insults at me left and right. "Great debater my ass! You just won all those debates by luck!" one said. "So you win every single debate you're in...Big deal! The only reason you have those friends on the debate team is because they need you!" another added. "If it weren't for you being gifted at debates, you wouldn't have any friends!" On and on and on it went. After they left, I dragged myself to my class.

As the school year went on, it never got any better. Truth be told, I was thinking about killing myself. I had plans to go through with it that night. And I thought the world would be better off without me. I sat down and ate my lunch alone, as usual, and thought about the different ways I could do it. Some way that would take away my pain quickly. I was debating between slitting my throat and drowning myself when I heard someone's voice. 

"Excuse me? Do you mind if I sit here?"  I looked up and saw a boy exactly my age. He had brown hair, green eyes, and a friendly face. I shook my head. "No, go right ahead," I said. He took a seat, saw how upset I was, and looked at me, concerned. "Hey...Are you alright?" he asked. "You look like something's bothering you." I shook my head. "It's nothing," I said. "Maybe if you talk about it..." he said. "It's nothing! Just drop it okay?!" He put a hand on my shoulder. "I'm just worried about you..." he said. 

I looked down and sighed. "You don't have to worry about me...You...won't have to be bothered by me anymore anyway....Not after tonight," I said. "Why?" he asked. Then, he understood. "Don't tell me you're planning on-!" I nodded slowly. "Why?! Why would you want to throw your life away like that?!" he asked. "...No one gives a damn about me. Not even my parents. They're so controlling, they expect me to get a career in debating when I grow up. They say I owe it to my little sister, since it's my fault she died," I said. "Well then...What about your friends? I'm sure they'd be sad if you died," he said.

Tears fell down my face as I remembered everything those bullies said. "I...I don't have any friends. At least...They aren't friends with me for me. They're only my friends...Because I win all of the debate matches we have," I said. The boy's eyes widened at that for a while, then he smiled. "Well...You've got a friend now," he said. "I do? Who?" I asked. The boy smiled. "Me." I looked away. "Why? Why do you want to be friends with me, if it isn't for my debating skills?" I asked. The boy smiled again. "Because you're a nice person. Too nice to throw your own life away like this," he replied. Then, he put his hand reassuringly over mine. "If you ever need anything...Just let me know. I'll always be here for you. As your friend."

For the first time since I started school, I smiled brightly. The boy smiled as well and gasped. "Oh! I forgot...Sorry, I've never been good with introductions...." he said, rubbing the back of his head. I giggled a little at this and he held out his hand. "I'm Hajime Hinata," he said. "What's your name?" I smiled and took his hand, shaking it. "I'm Midori. Midori Reiko," I replied. Hajime smiled more. "Do you want to hang out for a bit after school?" he asked. I nodded. "Sure. I'd love to," I said. I was happy. Happy to have a friend who actually cared for me. A friend who liked me for who I was, instead of what I excelled at.  And as the bell rang for my next class, Hajime and I walked together to my next class. 

And from that day forward, we were inseparable.

-End flashback-

As soon as I got to the fountain, he was right there, standing and staring at the main building of Hope's Peak Academy, as he usually did. "Hajime!" I said, smiling and waving at him. He smiled. "Hey, Midori," he said. I could tell something was wrong with him. He didn't seem as excited to see me as he usually did.  "Hajime...What's wrong?" I asked. He faked a smile. "It's nothing," he said. He's only saying that so I don't worry, I thought. I scowled and put my hands on my hips. "Don't you dare lie to me, Hajime Hinata," I said. I only used his first and last name when I was truly angry with him. 

"I'm fine, Midori. Really," he said. "It's just..." Then, he trailed off. "Just?" I said, urging him on. "I wish I could be in the Main Course. I wish that I had...a talent. Something that made me special...instead of ordinary," he said. I sighed. I knew exactly what was wrong with him. Ever since enrolling in Hope's Peak Academy, he wished he could have a talent, just like I did. People teased him day in and day out about it. Saying he was worthless, that he'd never amount to anything...All that teasing reminded me so much of when I was in middle school. Only now, it was poor Hajime getting the brunt of the punishment. Well, he was there for me when I was getting bullied, I thought. Now it's up to me to help him out! 

"Hajime...You don't need a talent," I said, smiling brightly. "You're perfect just the way you are." He sighed. "If only I could see that about myself..." he said. "Instead, I see a worthless nobody. Someone who...isn't worthy to be friends with someone like you." "Hajime..." I said. "Midori, you're the Ultimate Debater," he said. "You can make something of your life. You could be a politician or a lawyer. You'd be perfect for that. But me....I can't do anything." "That's not true, Hajime! Besides...Having a talent like mine...Isn't all it's cracked up to be," I said sadly. "You remember how it was in middle school, right Hajime? The only reason people wanted to be friends with me is because of my talent. As excelled as I was at debating, the one thing I wanted more than anything, was a friend who liked me...for me. "

He smiled. "I know. And just like you did, I have something I want more than anything, too. The one thing I want...Is to walk through the gates of Hope's Peak Academy's main building...Like I belong here," he explained. "Think about it, Midori...If there were someone better at debating than you were...it wouldn't be fun anymore, would it?" I smiled. "If there were someone better at debating than I was, I'd gladly hand my title over to them," I said. "Because while I am happy that I got into Hope's Peak Academy, I'm not happy that my parents expect me to live my future the way they want. I'd be happy...just being me. There's nothing wrong with being normal, Hajime...You just...hold your head high and act like the best friend I know you are! Alright?"

Hajime smiled and nodded. "Alright. I'll remember that. Thanks Midori." I smiled. "Oh! I almost forgot! Here!" I handed him the lunch I made him. "Thank you, Midori," Hajime said, smiling brightly. I smiled also. "Oh shoot! I gotta get to class before Mr. Kizakura busts me! See you later, Hajime!" I called as I ran back to the Main Building. I'm sure Hajime will be fine. As long as he remembers how important he is as a friend, I thought. He doesn't need a talent to prove anything to anyone. Least of all to me. 

((Tio's POV)) 

I smiled as Ms. Yukizome walked in with Ryota, Midori, and Chiaki. The three sat at their respective desks and looked straight ahead. Well, two of them did, at least. From what I saw, Chiaki was still absorbed in her game. Gala Omega. One of her favorite games. "Just look at you all, sitting in your little tidy rows! Also, good job! The room looks immaculate!" Ms. Yukizome praised. Ibuki smiled brightly. "I can be kind of a badass when I give half a damn," she said. Nagito smiled as well. "Cleaning is one thing I'm pretty good at!" he said. Ms. Yukizome smiled and nodded. "Great! Then we'll pick up here tomorrow!" she said. 

Gundham folded his arms and frowned. "That's a good presumption. So long as one focuses on their talent, I heard we were free to skip class as we deemed fit." "Freak-face is right," Akane said. Ms. Yukizome sighed. "Technically, you're right. The rules say you can leave whenever you want, but...There's more to life than being good at something! This time with your classmates will build character. Think of the memories you'll make! Just this once, let's put something else front and center. Like your hope," she said.  I flinched. She said Nagito's trigger word. No matter what mood he was in, Nagito would always snap to attention or appear out of nowhere when someone said the word "hope". It never fails, I thought. 

Sure enough, Nagito gasped. "Hope..? That would be amazing!" he said. "Don't you think so too, Midori?" Midori blushed at having attention from Nagito and smiled. "Y-Yes. I think it would be best if everyone at least gave this new plan a try. I...did miss seeing my friends," she replied. One by one, everyone smiled and agreed with Ms. Yukizome's plan. I smiled. It was wonderful to see all of my friends in the same room talking again. I missed this. More than anything. Friends being together, making memories, and talking instead of isolating themselves from each other and hardly showing up to class at all.  This is exactly how it should be, I thought. 

I looked back at Chiaki and she lowered her game screen and smiled at me. I blushed and looked away. Get it together, Tio! I thought. You've got bigger things to worry about. Like what Mr. Munakata told you. You can't forget why you're here. To protect Akemi. I looked back at Chiaki No...Not just her. You have....someone else you need to protect too. I blushed again and headed out when the final bell rang. "Oh. Hey, Minako! Can I talk to you a minute?" Ms. Yukizome said. 

I nodded and sat at her desk as I watched everyone else file out of the classroom. "You wanted to talk to me, Ms. Yukizome?" I said. She smiled. "I just wanted to say thank you for your help today," she said. "Also...I'm really proud of you for what you're doing for your sister. Doing all of this to protect her? How sweet. She's very lucky to have a caring big brother like you." I gasped. "How did you-?!" She smiled. "A little birdie told me," she replied. I get it...She must know Mr. Munakata, I thought. So of course she knows why I'm here. 

"Thank you," I said, smiling. "She means so much to me. If something happened to her, I don't know what I'd do." Ms. Yukizome smiled. "But...There's someone else you want to protect too, isn't there?" she said. I blushed deeply and rubbed the back of my neck. "Well...Yeah, sort of," I said. "It's Nanami, isn't it?" Ms. Yukizome said, smiling brightly. Wow...For a teacher, she's good at reading people! I thought. "Yes, but...How did you know it was her?" I asked. She picked up a picture from her desk and gazed at it reminiscently. "I was young once too, ya know," she said. "I know what it's like to be in love with someone. Besides, I saw how you were blushing after looking at her. That's definitely a sign that you love her!"

I blushed deeply. Having a teacher tell me this was...a little embarrassing. "Ms. Yukizome, with all due respect...I intend to tell Chiaki how I feel. I just...don't know how," I admitted. She smiled. "Don't worry...When the time is right, you'll know," she said. I smiled brightly. "Now go. I'm sure your little sister is waiting on you," Ms. Yukizome said. I nodded. "Thanks, Ms. Yukizome," I said. "See you tomorrow!" With that said, I left the room, quickly changed out of the uniform I was in, and brought my motorcycle around to the front of the school, where Akemi was waiting. 

I smiled. "Hey Emi! How was school?" I asked. She smiled. "It was fine," she said. "Taka helped me out a little with my homework, and Mondo and I even had lunch together." I smiled. "That's great! You're one step closer to telling him how you feel, Emi!" She blushed deeply. "Big brother!" she said, putting her hands on her hips. I smiled. "Sorry. We'll talk about it more at home, alright?" I said. Akemi smiled and nodded as she climbed into the sidecar. 

I revved the motorcycle and we were off. As I drove Akemi and I home, I thought about what Ms. Yukizome told me earlier. "Don't worry. When the time is right, you'll know."  I looked up at the sky as I parked the motorcycle at our house. Maybe she's right, I thought. Maybe I should tell her how I feel. As soon as the time is right, I'll tell her. I swear it! With thoughts of hope and Chiaki and I being together circled my mind. And once my head hit the pillow, entered my dreams. 

To be continued...!