Normal Girl

A New Habitat, Unfamiliar

"My talent is... ultimate hope."

"....are you serious?"

'IS SHE KIDDING?! SHE BETTER NOT BE KIDDING. I CAME TO HOPE'S PEAK EXCITED FOR THE HOPE THE SCHOOL ENCOURAGES BUT TO MEET SOMEONE WHOSE ENTIRE EXISTENCE IS HOPE, THE MOST PRECIOUS THING IN THE WORLD?! AND THAT SOMEONE ALSO HAPPENS TO BE AN EXTREMELY CUTE GIRL?!?!!'

I didn't realize until I saw tears start forming in her eyes, that my response could be severely misinterpreted.

"I knew it! I knew you'd think it was a stupid talent! I knew I never should've accepted the admission letter from Hope's Peak and come to this school," she said, starting to cry.

"Wait, wait, wait! That's... aheh... that's not what I meant! I didn't mean anything bad! I promise! Hey, look at me," I grabbed her hands and tilted her head up to look at me, wiping her teary face, "I think that's the most wonderful talent ever. It's the best ultimate talent I could ever imagine. Hope is the most precious resource in the world; it's part of the reason I even was interested in Hope's Peak Academy in the first place! This is the greatest day of my life to have met you!" I'm sure that by the end of my little monologue, my eyes were doing that weird thing they always do when I start talking about hope, but I was just so happy and enthralled in (Y/N)'s whole existence that I didn't even care.

"You really... you really think so?" she said sniffling.

"Without a doubt in my mind," I said, unable to hold back my smile at her. She smiled back at me, wiping away any remaining tears from her face, laughing, and apologizing quietly for getting emotional which I didn't mind or judge her for at all.

"So... now that you know my name and ultimate, what's yours? Though I can't promise I'll stop calling your pervert," she said giggling.

"I'm Nagito Komaeda. As for why Hope's Peak Academy chose me, well, it's a pretty disappointing talent. I'm called the Ultimate Lucky Student. It's no joke, either. I'm sure you already heard from Makoto Naegi how the lucky students are chosen by lottery, so I won't waste your precious time explaining further," I explained, "You look troubled, (Y/N). I'm just lucky, seriously."

"No, not at all! I was just thinking it's just a bit strange that the school would have two Ultimate Lucky Students, right?" she said.

"That is a good point," I pondered, touching the bend of my forefinger to my chin, "Well, actually, I did try declining their offer at first, but they insisted I attend, saying this so-called luck of mine was something even the academy doesn't fully understand. To research it, they pick one lucky student for each class through the lottery. I think it's pretty amazing if the academy can research something so vague as 'luck.'"

"I feel the same way about my talent. I mean, sure the school's entire purpose is to research and cultivate hope, but things like hope and luck are so relative. It's an extremely ambitious goal, in my opinion. I guess that's why I was so surprised when I got my letter from them, and I tried declining the same as you did."

"Oh well, I'm sure a school as impressive and powerful as Hope's Peak has some sort of secret method of researching our talents that an average, talentless high school student like me could never hope to understand. You know, before coming here, I was worried I would feel really out of place here seeing as a guy like me was put on the same level as ultimate students like everyone else, but... after meeting you, I feel like at least someone will understand. You make me feel less alone! For that, I am grateful. Anyway, please use me as a stepping stone to shine even brighter; it's the least a hopelessly unremarkable guy like me can do. I will do everything I can to help you and our fellow students reach new heights with everyone's ultimate talents... especially yours."