' ' The Incident. ' ' - Komahina

Before the Incident.

Hope's Peak Academy. Yeah, that's my school. As a junior, some could say I just click good with everyone and anyone there. Others could say it's just popularity. I say everyone's just easy to get along with. If you look past the bad things in people, you can be anyone's friend. That's what I believe. I try to talk to everyone, from jocks to goths. And because of that, I guess that's how I earned the title of "the most popular kid in school."

I sit still in my chair, paying attention to the teacher and looking at the board. Someone taps my shoulder, and that someone being Chiaki Nanami. She's my best friend, my first one at least. Many people think me and her are dating, but it's not like that. It's never been like that. Me and her first met back in our freshmen year.

I look at her, as she passes me a crumpled note. Taking it, I unwrinkle it, reading the words starting up from the top towards the bottom.

'Do you like someone?'

'Yeah, I do.'

'Who is it? ;)'

'Nobody you need to know.'

'Just tell me bro. Is she hot?'

'Someone in our class, I guess...'

'Oh. I guess my thoughts on you being gay were right.'

'Huh? Who says I'm gay?'

'Me.'

'Okay?'

'So, who is it?'

'Not telling. You'll just tell everyone.'

'I bet it's Hajime Hinata.'

'Why would you think that?'

'Because he's the only person you ever talk to.'

'Fine. I like the most popular kid in the whole school, big deal. I mean, who doesn't?'

'Knew it.'

And that would be the whole conversation. Who wrote this? I couldn't recognize the handwriting.

I turned back to my best friend, Chiaki Nanami. On my desk, I wrote on the back of the note, 'Who's note is this?' Crumpling the paper back up, I passed it back to her. When she noticed the ball of paper, she immediately opened it. Nanami would turn around and point towards a kid with a green hoodie on, flushed bright pink and the one and only, Kazuichi Soda.

Oh. The quiet kid? He was one of the certain kids I tried my best to avoid. I mean, I was always nice to him when we did speak but tried to make our conversations as short as possible. I just... avoided him for reasons.

I shook my head, turning around to pay attention to the lesson. Looking at the teacher, I felt someone look directly at me. Like, staring at me from behind. The quiet kid, I'm sure. If I recall, he told me once his name was Nagito Komaeda. Just something about being around him scared me. Komaeda always glared at the people I was talking to. And when I did speak to him, it's like his ability to blink just stopped working. Creepy.

So finally, around that time, the bell rung. Students stood up, gathering their own items. Some began to even leave the classroom. I followed them behind, hearing a few "Hellos" and "Heys" directed at me. I plastered a smile on my face, starting small talk with the people following me towards my locker.

"Hey Hajime! Wanna go out with my friend this weekend? She's single, and super cute!"

"Hinata! Hinata! Are you free this Saturday?"

"What's up bro? Wanna go to the movies with me and the homies Friday?"

"Hey! You should go to the park tomorrow! The football team and I are all playing Football!"

I finished grabbing my things and shut my locker. One at a time, the crowd seemed to wear down. Some headed to their next class, while others continued to follow me to my own. Chiaki would stay by my side, like she always would.

And then there'd be five people left. No wait, six people.

"EW! Who invited Komaeda?"

"Go away! Nobody wants you here."

I turned around. Speak of the devil.

Chiaki stood next to me, gripping onto my arm. Nagito looked annoyed at this, but quickly hid it with his normal expression. I guess being bullied was the norm for him.

"Hinata! Tell Nagito he needs to go away!"

I hate when this happens. When one friend expects me to side with another, it makes everything harder. He stood there, awkwardly holding his bookbag in his hands.

"Nagito can hang out with us. I don't see why he can't."

His eyes lit up.

"Seriously? Y'know, whatever. It's your call."

"Guys, it's fine. See, we're already at class anyways." I'd try to reassure them, so they wouldn't be annoyed with me.

I opened the door, letting the cool hallway air into the room. I walk to my usual spot, the desk that was located at the back corner of the room. This was my last class of the day, so after this would be lunch. And since it was Thursday, I only had to bear one more day of school until the weekend. Chiaki sat at the desk next to me. And if I think about it, she was always with me. In every class, in between every class, even after school, she was right there.

Nagito sat in the front row of the class, near the exit door. Students filled the classroom up, until the teacher would walk in.

"Alright class! For today's lesson, we'll be learning about world history. Before we begin, does anyone need to use the bathroom?"

I mentally facepalmed. But even with such an embarrassing question, someone actually raised their hand. And that someone was Nagito.

"Uhh... can I go?"

The whole class burst out into laughter, and I couldn't help but laugh too.

"Yes, you may. Anyone else?"

But before Komaeda left, he brought his backpack with him. Strange.

Nobody responded, so the teacher began to speak again. Her words were like white noise, so I didn't bother listening. I laid my head down and shut my eyes. Though, the sunlight would bother my rather peaceful attempt at a nap. It glared from an angle that it only shined on me, since I was right next to the window. I mumbled some curses under my breath and arose from laying on the desk. I leaned back in my chair, as I silently watched the teacher.

I wasn't listening, but more like observing. Her hair was in a messy ponytail. Not only that, but I noticed a small chunk of food stuck in between her teeth. Disgusting.

Suddenly, a loud alarm went off throughout the room. The intercom came on, and a familiar voice said, "Attention all students and faculty. We seem to be in a... lockdown. Please lock your classroom doors. And uh... this is not a drill." The male chuckled, cutting off the audio.