The Ultimate Hunt

1.

I was just about to finish my Senior year today. It was supposed to be the last day of school, the day everyone looks forward to because it means summer is right around the corner. But in our world, this day also comes with a terrible tradition taking place every year.

The last day of the school year wasn't just about celebrations or saying goodbye to friends. Today was also the day when sixteen students would be chosen for the Killing Game. The unlucky ones who got picked would be taken away, while the rest of us would stay behind, trying to ignore how some of our classmates or friends were destined to die. 

The selection process was held in a grand ceremony, the entire school gathered in the massive auditorium to mark the end of the year. But instead of focusing on summer plans, we were all nervously waiting to hear the names of those chosen for The Hunt.

While the sixteen chosen students would be escorted out of the Ghetto and taken to the place where the games began, the rest of us would sit through the end-of-year ceremony. The teachers would speak about our progress and future, how we were supposed to serve the world, but their words always felt like bullshit because we all knew that, at any moment, our lives could be stolen away by a simple lottery. Everyone lived in fear of getting pulled into the death game with a no way out. 

All I wanted was to get through this day, to be one of the ones left behind and finally leave this school and its people. 

I had made it this far. After today's ceremony, I would finally be free. From this place, from my talent, from myself.

I walked down the hallway, heading to the auditorium where the end-of-year ceremony would be held. I passed by dozens of other students on my way, all wearing the same uniforms. Some wore them neatly, every button in place, trying to fit the mold perfectly. Others didn't bother; shirts untucked, ties loose, like they didn't care about anything at all. And then there were those who wore extra accessories, little additions that showed off their unique talents, it was their way to express themselves and feel confident.

I couldn't care less about that though. Even if I wanted, I wouldn't be able to assign a specific style due to my Ultimate. I mean, what kind of stuff could a strategist wear? 

I kept going, my footsteps quick, eager for the entire ceremony to just start and be over with. The sooner we could get this day behind us, the sooner I could leave. But before I could reach the auditorium doors, I heard a familiar voice call out from behind me.

"Hey, Chara."

I stopped and turned around, my eyes landing on Hanako, the Ultimate Inventor. He was the only person I really interacted with here, though we weren't exactly close. Just... occasional conversations, nothing deep.

Hanako stood there, now taller than me compared to our freshman year, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He had that same casual, relaxed look he always wore, like nothing really bothered him. His uniform was always a mess, his tie loose, and there were usually a few gadgets or tools poking out from his pockets, signs of his Ultimate.

I gave him a quick nod and looked up at him. "Hi."

That was about all I had the energy for.

''How's the mood for the lottery? It must be pretty thrilling, especially for us, hm? I mean, imagine one of us getting chosen and forced to go right before our graduation,'' Hanako said with his usual grin plastered across his face. He always had that carefree look, even when talking about something as messed up as The Hunt. It concerned me sometimes, but I never questioned it. Everyone here was weird in their own way. I wasn't exactly a saint either.

''I'd rather not imagine it,'' I muttered, letting out a sigh. The thought alone made my stomach do flips. I turned and started walking into the auditorium. Hanako followed, keeping pace with me as we made our way to our seats.