Chapter 5. Hinata in the back row by the window.

Tsukino and Chiya had actually been curious about the answer to the question they had asked not long ago for a long time.

Undeniably, Tsukino and Chiya were quite interested in Ohma Kokichi, whom they had taken in. After all, it's impossible for someone who has taken in a stranger to be completely indifferent to that stranger...

Whether you care about the other person's background, why they ended up in a situation that looks like they're trying to scam someone, or something else entirely... it's all "caring".

However, after the purple-haired boy they found woke up, and after spending some time together, Tsukino and Chiya realized the sad truth that "this guy is a complete liar."

...Or to be more precise, it would be strange if they couldn't see this fact. From their first encounter until now, Ouma Kokichi has never hidden his habit and skill in lying, telling one lie after another, so much so that Tsukino and Chiya's "concern" has not materialized at all.

Although Qianye didn't really care... the reason he picked the person up was simply because he was a good person with normal empathy who couldn't bear to see someone die.

Although slightly disappointed that their curiosity hadn't been satisfied, Tsukino and Chiya quickly put the matter out of their minds. He wasn't some kind of pervert who needed to thoroughly investigate Ouma Kokichi's background to feel happy.

Just recently, the usually mysterious Ohma Kokichi enrolled in Hope's Peak Academy's undergraduate program, which rekindled some of Tsukino and Chiya's long-dormant curiosity.

After all, it's always hard to tell whether what Wang Ma Xiaoji says is true or false, and there's no trace of the so-called "evil secret society with more than 10,000 members" in newspapers or on the internet.

If it weren't for the fact that people can't just appear in the world out of nowhere, but must have a place of birth, Tsukino and Chiya almost suspected that this mysterious purple-haired boy had suddenly appeared out of thin air one day.

He is like a ghost detached from this world. Even though he seems so close now, he could disappear like a phantom at any moment. No one knows where he comes from or where he is going.

But now, quite suddenly, the name Ohma Kokichi has become associated with "Ultimate High School" and "Hope Peak Academy".

When they first heard the news, Tsukino and Chiya felt as if their unreal existence had been pulled back to reality. What Ohma Kokichi had said about an "evil society" was so baffling that it was hard to fully believe, but the list of new undergraduate members released on the Hope's Peak website couldn't be fake.

Hope's Peak Academy...

That's why Tsukino and Chiya asked that question.

Before asking the question, Tsukino and Chiya had all sorts of guesses about the answer that Ouma Shokichi would give.

For example, there are official statements like "Hope's Peak Academy is a school that cultivates top talents in all fields of society..."; confused statements like "I don't know, he told me to go so I went"; statements for fun like "I don't have any opinion, I'll come if it's fun, and drop out if it's not"; statements that answer questions with questions like "Why are you asking this?"; or statements that turn the tables like "Huh? You're so concerned about the school I go to, do you have a crush on me?" etc.

But... should he say that this boy truly lives up to his reputation as Ouma Kokichi? He always manages to give answers that Tsukino and Chiya never expected.

Is it a case of mutual destruction? I've learned that.

So, unsurprisingly, this answer is just another one of the many lies told by this person.

...

……is that so?

Tsukino and Chiya glanced at Ohma Kokichi, who had started eating rice balls after answering the question, then lowered their gazes and stared blankly at the empty plate in front of them, seemingly lost in thought while waiting for the other to finish breakfast, or perhaps not thinking about anything at all.

*******

Hope's Peak Academy.

Tsukino and Chiya stopped in front of the school gate.

Is this the kind of school that is gradually being regarded as a "symbol of hope" in today's society? But looking from outside the school gate, it seems no different from other schools.

...No, the term "symbol of hope" is probably a bit of an oversimplification. Because "hope" and such don't seem to have much to do with preparatory subjects.

At Hope's Peak, undergraduate and preparatory courses are completely separate, and dormitories are naturally located in different places. Undergraduate students can freely enter and exit the preparatory course, but preparatory course students cannot go to the undergraduate course unless there are unforeseen circumstances.

This isn't entirely incomprehensible, given that many of the undergraduates at Hope's Peak are already well-known in society, some even considered celebrities. Allowing just anyone into the undergraduate program could potentially lead to disastrous consequences. Since Hope's Peak has brought together these "Ultimate" individuals who have already shone brightly in various fields, it's naturally responsible for protecting their safety.

In short, no matter what, he and Wang Ma Xiaoji will have to part ways again for the time being.

"Well, it's time to say goodbye." Ohma Kokichi waved to Tsukino and Chiya. "Tsukino, remember not to miss me, because I'll definitely forget everything about the past as soon as I get to my new school!"

Tsukino and Chiya sighed softly, "Well, that's a bit disheartening."

Wang Ma Xiaoji looked bewildered: "Huh? Who are you? Are you talking to me?"

Tsukino and Chiya were silent for two seconds: "Isn't this a bit too fast to forget?"

The purple-haired boy put a finger to his lips. He wasn't looking at Chiya, but rather up at the Hope's Peak Academy plaque: "Hehehe... This is the school responsible for giving the title of 'Ultimate' and bringing together all the 'Ultimate' students. Looks like I might encounter something fun. The days ahead might not be so boring~"

"While standing at the school gate with anticipation and excitement for the new semester might seem youthful, it's not exactly suitable for a wicked leader like me. So, I'll pass this time. See you another time, you idiot guy who's standing here like a fool!"

Tsukino and Chiya both looked up at the plaque, not in a hurry to leave. He selectively replied to the parts he could hear: "Yeah, Ohma, see you later."

*******

The second day was the official start of school.

Although Tsukino and Chiya arrived at the classroom quite early, they found that there were already quite a few students inside when they entered the classroom.

Everyone was very enthusiastic because it was the first day of school.

Tsukino and Chiya searched for their preferred empty seats.

Hope's Peak Academy starts its semester later than other schools. This is because one of the school's requirements for undergraduate students is that they must be current high school students. This also means that many students in the preparatory courses have studied at other high schools for a period of time before enrolling at Hope's Peak Academy.

So now, many students who are having friendly exchanges in their new classes are talking about "which high school you went to before?" Tsukino and Chiya have overheard quite a few of these conversations when they pass by.

In the end, Chiyo chose a seat on the right side of the back of the classroom, near the window...

Unfortunately, his favorite spot was already taken.

Sitting there was a boy with brown hair. He didn't join in the conversation with the other new classmates for the time being, but instead tilted his head to look out the window—in the direction where Hope's Peak undergraduate program was located.

"Hello?" Tsukino and Chiya thought for a moment, and with the idea of ​​building a good relationship with their future classmate, they took the initiative to strike up a conversation with this boy who had great taste in choosing his seats. "Um, I'm Tsukino and Chiya, and you are?"

The sudden sound from nearby snapped the boy out of his reverie. Still lost in thought, his green eyes held a hint of confusion.

However, he responded very quickly.

"Ah... hello. I'm Hajime Hinata."

A note from the author:

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Qianye: Fighting each other, huh? That's interesting (not really).