Chapter 101 "I'm counting on you, Hinata."...

Hyuga Hajime has finished explaining Junko Enoshima's situation for now.

Hajime Hyuga's explanation was very concise, but even so, the series of events that Junko Enoshima personally did or indirectly caused could not be explained in a few words. After all, some things... are indeed not easy to gloss over in a few words.

So even though Hajime Hinata tried his best to use concise language to tell the story of the future, it still took quite a bit of time to finish telling the whole story by ending with "...after that, Naegi became the new principal of Hope's Peak".

After realizing that their conversation might take longer than they expected, Tsukino and Chiya, who were talking about "Enoshima Junko," went to pour Hinata Hajime a cup of yogurt. —Anyway, the dorm room wasn't that big; pouring a cup of yogurt wouldn't stop Tsukino and Chiya from continuing to listen to Hinata Hajime.

Since we met at the beginning of the semester, we've been friends who've been through life-or-death crises together, so we're naturally not too formal with each other.

At that moment, having finished explaining everything, Hajime Hinata picked up his cup and took a sip of yogurt.

The rich, smooth, sweet and sour liquid glided across the tongue and flowed down the throat; taking a few sips when the mouth was dry was truly a pleasure. Even though it was an perfectly normal action, watching this scene, Tsukino and Chiya couldn't help but think, "Ah, this person really is human after all."

There were only two people in the room, so Hyuga Hajime naturally noticed Tsukino and Chiya's gazes immediately. After their eyes met for a few seconds, Tsukino and Chiya spoke before Hyuga Hajime could put down his cup and say anything.

"I'm a little curious." Tsukino and Chiya sat on the bed, still holding the daifuku that Hinata Hajime had brought earlier. "Hinata, what kind of state are you in right now?"

Yesterday, in the old school building, Hinata said that he was "Hinata Hajime who possessed a portion of the future memories and the abilities of Kamikura Izuru". However, after hearing Hinata Hajime describe the future, Tsukino and Chiya had a different thought.

In the future that Hinata Hajime described, he did not lose his personality after leaving the virtual world with his companions. Instead, he gained the talents of Kamukura Izuru while retaining his Hinata Hajime personality.

Isn't this very similar to the present?

Is it possible that, actually, last night, the original Hyuga Hajime's personality had already disappeared, and what has taken its place is not the "Kamikura Izuru" personality, but rather—

What about Hajime Hyuga in his final state in the future that Hyuga described?

"Don't worry." Tsukino and Chiya didn't say it explicitly, but Hinata Hajime understood what he meant.

"Under the circumstances at the time, the future version of me with integrated personalities did not form a truly conscious projection in my mind. The current me is indeed as I said at the time, possessing new memories and talents, but in terms of personality, I am still the original me."

Hajime Hinata explained.

“I wouldn’t lie in a place like this, because there’s no need. If my current personality had disappeared last night, I would have openly admitted it.”

"Furthermore... neither you nor Tsukino know the future me, so we don't know. But there are still some differences between him and me. Perhaps this is the difference between 'seeing memories' and 'real experiences'."

"Don't let my current appearance fool you. Although I now possess those talents and memories, in reality..." Hyuga Hajime smiled, "I'm still a bit lost."

Compared to the composed demeanor he had displayed since last night, this smile seemed to carry something else. He shook his head with a slightly helpless smile and let out a low sigh.

"However, now that things have come to this, and I have successfully acquired the talent and memories, I will not remain indifferent. I must do something."

Is this what they mean by "everything has a price"?

If given the choice, who would want to pay that price?

Tsukino and Chiya did not continue to dwell on this topic.

Asking to this extent is sufficient, and Hyuga Hajime's reply was also very clear.

What's done is done, and what's past is past. Although Tsukino and Chiya still felt a bit conflicted when facing Hyuga Hajime, they had to admit that, given the current situation, this was the best possible outcome.

He preserved his integrity and gained his talents, though it all came somewhat unexpectedly. The future seemed incredibly heavy, as if many things that had seemed so vague had suddenly weighed on Hyuga Hajime, who had been completely unaware of them just the day before. But…

At least in the future... they will do their best to prevent things from repeating themselves and becoming so tragic.

*******

Previously, it was Hyuga Hajime who talked about things related to Enoshima Junko, but now it's Tsukino and Chiya's turn to talk about Aurora.

Things are different now. When Hyuga Hajime looks back on his time with Tsukino, Chiya, and Ohma Kokichi, he quickly realizes many clues that he had not noticed before.

Whether for the safety of his friends or out of wariness of Aurora, Hinata Hajime wanted to know about the doll and more strange things.

Because of the cloth strip incident that happened in the preparatory school building, Hajime Hinata later personally looked up some information about the supernatural... However, the only investigation methods he knew at the time were browsing paranormal forums and buying the magazine "Monthly OOPARTS" that Tsukino had mentioned to them before.

The above information is enough for Hyuga Hajime to have a certain understanding of the existence of supernatural beings, but he still knows too little about supernatural beings like Aurora, who are different from the Cloth Man and the Multifaceted Man in terms of strength.

Now he knows more ways to investigate information that is difficult for ordinary people to obtain. But... isn't there an even more efficient way?

Therefore, Hinata Hajime chose to take this opportunity to directly ask Tsukino and Chiya.

In this way, not only can you learn detailed information about Aurora and the supernatural, but you can also discuss these matters directly with Tsukino.

After Hyuga Hajime expressed his desire to know the relevant information, Tsukino and Chiya did not refuse. He nodded and told them what he knew.

The Death Mark incident that caused amnesia and death in the past, the Mark people who gathered at Kujo Mansion, the dolls who were the culprits, the investigation of the dolls, the Sibito incident at Konoeen Academy, and... the whole story of how Tsukino and Chiya met Aurora.

"I see... These are puppet-like monsters that can only be sealed away and there's no way to destroy them yet." Hyuga Hajime pondered. "Are Tsukino and Mr. Hachishiki, whom you mentioned earlier, still overseas?"

"That's right, and it should be due to a spiritual barrier. I can't contact them right now."

In other words, if you, Hinata, were to try to reach them recently, it might be difficult.

Tsukino and Chiya threw the remaining skewers after finishing their dumplings into the trash can: "But I believe that with their abilities, they will definitely be able to return safely from this trip, although I am not sure about the exact time of their return."

"However, I know the contact information for an editor at OOPARTS magazine."

As Tsukino and Chiya talked, Tsukino glanced at the phone she had placed on the bed.

“I can recommend her to you later if you need her. She was also a former Indian. I don’t know many former Indians, but she still keeps in touch with several other Indians, including Yasuoka Miyako.”

The Death Mark incident was certainly not a good thing for those involved, but it was also this unexpected disaster that led to many people who were originally unrelated forming a wonderful bond and giving birth to precious friendships.

"Yasuoka Tsuwako?"

Hajime Hinata remembered the name. After a moment's thought, he quickly recalled an elegant figure from his memory.

“I’ve seen her on TV before… I remember she was a famous fortune teller who ran a shop in Ginza. Oh, I see… So she’s the psychic you mentioned in the Death Mark incident.”

Hyuga Hajime suddenly remembered someone from his memories.

The next freshman is Yasuhiro Hagakure, who possesses the talent of "Ultimate Fortune Teller".

Although both are fortune tellers, the teacher Yasuoka mentioned by Tsukino and Chiyo is different from Hagakure. In terms of age and seniority, this lady is equivalent to the grandmother of both of them. As an elder who graduated many years ago, she naturally has no competition with Hagakure for admission to Hope's Peak.

While it's true that the undergraduates at Hope's Peak are all exceptionally talented, not everyone with outstanding abilities is connected to Hope's Peak. Furthermore, psychic abilities are something Hyuga Hajime has never encountered before... to be honest, he's quite curious.

Besides, as expected. Hyuga Hajime warned himself in his heart that even if he had the memories of the future and inherited the Ultimate Talent, he could not be too careless.

Supernatural abilities, psychic abilities, supernatural phenomena… these are not to be underestimated simply because one possesses a top-tier talent. He cannot truly relax until he has truly resolved the potential crisis caused by Enoshima Junko, as well as the current Night Parade of One Hundred Demons brought by Aurora.

“Professor Yasuoka should have some spiritual tools,” Tsukino and Chiya said. “The editor-in-chief of the editorial department also has them, but he’s currently at sea with Mr. Hachishiki and the others. Besides, I don’t know much about spiritual abilities… so if you need them, you can try contacting Professor Yasuoka.”

The spirit artifact he possessed was a hidden god drum, a gift from Yachiko, who was neither human nor a monster but a demon, just before the start of the school term. However... the situation was already chaotic enough; there was no need to drag monsters, who had nothing to do with this kind of trouble, into it as well.

“I understand.” Hyuga Hajime nodded in understanding. “Well then, we’ve covered most of the matters concerning Enoshima Junko and Aurora. Now, our main task is to resolve these two issues.”

"The events of these two parties are close in time, making it difficult to attend to them at the same time, and they are also prone to interfering with each other."

"So, my idea is..."

"Leave the matters concerning Junko Enoshima to me for now. This includes the Kamukura Project, the school massacre, and those who haven't met a tragic end or become monsters yet." Hajime Hinata said firmly. "Tsukino, you can focus on tracking down Aurora and the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) that it triggered."

Hyuga Hajime's voice wasn't raised, nor was it particularly deep. Yet, it was precisely this unhurried and steady tone that conveyed an undeniable weight.

“I will not let anything like that happen again. So you and Tsukino don’t need to worry about things related to ‘despair’ affecting your actions in the future. I will handle those things.”

This person...

Tsukino and Chiya did not reply immediately.

Looking at his friend, the black-haired boy suddenly realized with certainty that Hinata Hajime's reliable demeanor was definitely not entirely due to his current Ultimate Talent.

Rather, it's because he is a very reliable person. This has nothing to do with whether he has talent or not; Hyuga Hajime himself is trustworthy and worthy of being entrusted with important tasks.

So in that future, he was able to regain his original personality in the virtual world and finally win a future of hope with his companions.

That's really amazing, Hinata.

“Okay then,” Tsukino said to Chiya, “I’m counting on you, Hinata.”