The Ultimates

Two

I'd heard about the Hope's Peak Café, but I'd never eaten at it. It was for students only, run by its students. The cook was the son of a famous chef and learned everything his father knew. Running the kitchen in the café was supposed to be a way for him to learn more about the entrepreneurship of running a kitchen. I'd always wanted to try something from the café, but the food was very expensive. If it were any other day, I would have instantly agreed to a free item, but since I was having dinner with one of my neighbors, I didn't want to spoil my appetite.

The café itself was very lively. The walls were cream, the tables and chairs white. There were multiple lounge areas with couches and chairs, and the kitchen had an open window for everyone to see inside. I recognized third-year Teruteru as the chef, and he seemed busy cooking up a storm.

Sitting at one the tables near the kitchen was Makoto, sitting and talking with three other girls. When he glanced up and spotted me, he waved before continuing his conversation. If talking and eating in the café was his "after school club," it made sense why he was so popular. The café was quite popular, so he must have made friends with a lot of the students who came.

"Hello," a woman with long, braided pigtails questioned as she walked up to us. "Did you make reservations, or are you a walk-in?"

"Fear not, Ms. Fukawa. Mr. Hinata found my Deva, and I have offered him a free item as a thank you."

"Oh, my apologies," she said before walking away.

"That's Toko," Nagito said as he stepped up to my side. "She's the boss's right hand man."

"I see."

A tall man with blond hair and glasses stepped over to Makoto's table. All the girls groaned before standing up. Makoto waved goodbye to all of them while he remained seated. Was he about to begin his club activities? Toko spoke to the blond man, and the two glanced back at us. He walked over to the three of us, seemingly glaring only at me.

"Gundham, I've told you that if you are going to give away our food on the house, you have to clear it with me first."

"He found my Deva."

Sighing, the man held out his hand to me. "My name is Byakuya Togami. Welcome."

"Oh, uh- Thank you," I said, shaking his hand.

"You're the first-year lottery winner, are you not?"

"He is," Nagito replied, patting my shoulder. "He's in mine and Gundham's class."

"Welcome to the Hope's Peak Café. Unfortunately, unless you make a reservation first, we do not allow any dining with our Ultimates."

"Ultimates?" I questioned.

"Some of our classmates enjoy dining in with some of our Ultimates," he explained, addressing the room. "For one hour, they will eat and drink tea, enjoying a lively conversation-"

"Oh, it's a host club."

Byakuya tensed, gritting his teeth as he stared back at me. "It's not a host club."

"No, what you just described is a host club."

"We only allow Ultimates to dine with our guests. The rest of the time, this serves as a school café."

"Yeah...like a host club."

"Hajime," Nagito awkwardly laughed as he grabbed my arm, "it's better not to argue." He leaned in to my ear and whispered, "It totally is, though."

Nodding, I smiled back at Byakuya as he composed himself. "So...how did this...Ultimate club come to be?"

"Here at Hope's Peak, we have a handful of very charismatic students that the student body tends to look up to and admire. They wish for a way to get closer to them and spend time with them, so by becoming an Ultimate, they are allowing the student body a chance to enter their lives if for a short period of time." He pushed his glasses up on his nose and smirked. "You'd be surprised what people are willing to pay for such an experience."

Glancing back at Makoto, I snickered, covering my mouth before I could laugh too loud.

"What?" Byakuya snarled.

"I'm sorry," I said, holding in my laugh. "It's just...Makoto is one of your ho- Ultimates, right?"

"Yes," he slowly answered.

I let out a loud laugh. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I grew up next to him, so I can't imagine him being one of your Ultimates."

"Hajime," Makoto exclaimed as he slammed his hands on the table, "I know you're laughing at me, but I'll have you know I can be very charismatic."

"Sorry, senpai."

"Stop calling me that," he groaned.

Chuckling, I followed Byakuya as he led me to a table near the kitchen window. As I sat down, I heard some of my classmates call out to me. "Yo, Hajime!"

Glancing towards the door, I smiled and waved at Akane and Nekomaru. "Hey, guys."

"Yo, I didn't know you were an Ultimate," she commented. "I'd totally pay to dine with you."

"Oh, no, I'm not an Ultimate," I quickly stated and gestured to the seats in front of me. "If you want to join me now, I'm okay with that."

"Sweet!"

Akane and Nekomaru sat next to me, and we continued our conversation from our break. Out of all of my classmates, Akane and Nekomaru were the two I got along with the most. When they found out I knew Olympic Gold Medalist Aoi Asahina, they were instantly impressed. However, after a few average conversations, we found we had a lot in common.

The food at the café was insanely good, as expected of a Hanamura. I was so glad Nagito didn't let me pass on this opportunity. I would have regretted it otherwise.

As Akane, Nekomaru, and I talked, I noticed a lot of commotion by the entrance doors. A lot of my classmates stopped by and waved at me, but there were also a lot of people excited to be eating with the apparent Ultimates.

On a few occasions, I noticed Byakuya, Nagito, and Toko all look back at me and stare. I wasn't sure if I annoyed them all somehow. The only thing easing my nerves was the calm expression on Nagito's face. If it weren't for him, I would have assumed I was in trouble. I would have probably had to pay for this slice of cake, and I did not have enough money on me to pay for it.

When I finished my food, Akane and Nekomaru had to leave to train. I wasn't sure what to do about the check, but Gundham thankfully walked over and explained everything was taken care of. As I left the café, I still felt Byakuya's piercing glare on me, and I quickly scuttled out.

"Hajime!"

Turning around, I spotted Nagito running up to me. He placed his hands on his knees and exhaled. "Sorry. I'm not exactly in the best shape," he chuckled as he stood upright. "I'm sorry if Byakuya was making you uncomfortable during your meal. I swear, he wasn't angry or anything."

"Oh...thanks," I smiled.

"I do hope you'll come back sometime."

"I don't think I could afford the food here on a regular basis."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't mind treating you sometime," he giggled.

"That's very sweet, Nagito, but I couldn't ask that from you." His smile dropped, and he stared back at me, his mouth agape. Trying to smile back at him, I said, "I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Once I turned the corner, I exhaled. What a weird club.