The Ultimate Unknown

Five

Hajime POV

As usual, I waited patiently at the bus stop for Ena. This is our little routine now, and it's crazy how comfortable I became with it so quickly.

It didn't take long for the bus to come this morning, and I saw my close friend step off the bus - looking way more refreshed than she did yesterday.

"Good morning Hajime" she said happily.

We started walking towards Hopes Peak Academy, each of us carrying our bags in our hands. Ena was especially talkative this morning. I tried keeping up with her but I was too lost in my thoughts.

When we entered the gates of the school, I noticed the usual stares and whispers of the students who saw us together. I looked at my watch and noticed that we still had a couple of minutes before class started. Instead of heading straight to class, Ena and I continued talking with one another.

"Haji..." Ena said softly.

"Huh?"

"I wanted to tell you about the feeling I had yesterday while coming to meet you at lunch. I was walking and it suddenly felt like someone was watching me. I don't know how to describe it, but when I looked around I didn't see anyone, but I'm certain that I felt something because of the way my body reacted to the situation."

I frowned and thought for a second before saying "Well, maybe it's someone from the administration? Or someone who's working undercover to watch you. I mean, you did say the school is still gathering information on your talent."

Ena bit her lip anxiously and said "I really hope that's the case, the whole situation freaked me out"

I smiled softly and placed my hand on Ena's head. "Don't worry, if anyone bothers you then just tell them that your scary reserve course boyfriend is not afraid of them....I'm kidding of course."

Ena smiled cheekily with her cheeks showing a light pink tint. She then checked the time and decided that we should both head to class. She hugged me tightly and then ran off up the stairs to her school building. I watched her for a second before turning on my heels, heading in the opposite direction to the reserve course building.

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My seat was at the back of the class next to the window. I stared outside with a bored expression resting on my face. The only thing I could think of was Ena, and it's been this way for the past couple of days. Ever since we became friends, I haven't felt as lonely as I was before. I almost feel as if I have a purpose, but in reality I know that's just a lie - I'm still the same, boring, talentless person that I was before. I'm not worthy of hanging out with someone like Ena. Or...maybe I am? When I talk to her, it's like I'm talking to a regular person, not someone who bares a talent. As much as I don't want to, I definitely envy her. The way she gets to walk around freely with the elites and not even know her talent. What about me?

My whole life I've been working to meet my goal of being accepted into Hopes Peak, only to just be put on the sidelines as a reserve course student. All Ena did was submit a application like the rest of us, and she got in freely without any second thoughts from the administration.

I don't hate her. I don't. I can't hate her. She's so sweet and she's quite cute. She gave me a chance....but at what cost? We only agreed to be friends because we both had no one to turn to. We were both at our weakest points and had no choice but to turn to each other.

I try suppressing these envious thoughts and feelings when I'm around her, but sometimes it's hard. Sometimes it feels like I can't speak. It's as if something hardens in my throat and I have trouble swallowing it down.

Why am I so useless to her? Why-

My thoughts were interrupted by a girl with blonde hair and grayish-olive eyes.

"Hey dumbass, are you okay?" she asked. "You look troubled."

I immediately straightened my posture and forced a smile on my face. "Sorry I was just thinking." I responded.

"You're the guy people have been seeing with that Ultimate girl right?"

I sighed heavily.

"Sorry, it's none of my business to ask." She then looked off the to the side with a snotty grin. "I'm Natsumi Kuzuryu"

"Hajime Hinata."

"You shouldn't waste your time sulking about getting into Hopes Peak, I know that's what you were just thinking."

"There's no point in thinking about that, it's never going to happen."

"Ha, well I don't know about you but my way in is almost guaranteed. My brother, Fuyuhiko, is a Ultimate at the other school, and I'm almost certain that when there's a open slot available- I will be the one in line to fill the spot."

"You sound so certain" I said calmly.

"I am. I don't care what it takes, I will remove any bitch that tries to block my way from getting into that school."

(Natsumi seems bent on getting into Hopes Peak...maybe we aren't so different after all, except her intentions seem to run a lot deeper than mines)

After some time of talking with Natsumi and getting by the rest of the day, I found myself standing at the gate waiting for Ena. I started thinking about my conversation with Natsumi, and how interesting it is to know that there are other students at my side of the school who are fighting this battle between the talent and talentless. Natsumi truly believes that she will get into Hopes Peak, she feels as if she has to for the sake of her brother, she doesn't want to be someone he looks down on.

I think I can vaguely understand that feeling, that feeling of longing for acceptance and recognition. I know I'm capable of it - but what am I lacking that the administrators are looking for?

The feeling of my phone vibrated in my pocket, causing me to lose my train of thought. On my phone popped up a message from Ena:

'Sorry for the late notice Hajime, but I left school early because I wasn't feeling all too well, so I won't be able to walk with you today. Please forgive me!!'

As I started to reply to the message, I felt a bump against my shoulder. I looked to my left to see a short, pale hair girl with a white spaceship clip in her hair. In her hands seemed to be a gaming device of some sort that she seemed to be deeply into. Her head was still pressed against my shoulder, and I could feel her hands moving fast on the device she was playing with. A moment later, the sound of the game she was playing let out a musical note that alerted her that she won. She then lifted her head to let out a breath she was holding, she then hesitated and seemed confused once our eyes met with each other. We stayed like this for a while until I finally said:

"U-Um, are you okay?"

"Yeah" she replied, then she walked away, focusing back on her game.

I watched her go, still confused with the encounter I just had. She was obviously a Ultimate student, maybe Ena knows her?

I quickly replied to Ena's message by letting her know that I was coming over briefly to check on her.

I swallowed back any envious feeling I had towards her and then let out a gentle sigh.

Despite my jealously, I genuinely cared for her so much. She was truly my current and only best friend. I thought about how Natsumi strived to be the best for her brother.

I want to be the best for Ena.

I'll go through any measure to reach that goal.