HOPELESS {SDR2 READER-INSERT}

AIRPORT

"An airport? Maybe we'll be able to leave!" You shout enthusiastically, Ibuki's cheerful attitude had rubbed off on you.

"There's airplanes! Maybe we could use them to escape." You point over to the window, but quickly, your dreams of leaving the island were crushed.

"Nah, that's impossible." A boy with bright pink hair tells you.

"How come?" You asked him.

"If they were damaged, I could fix 'em, but it looks like these planes are just for show..." The pink haired boy sighs.

"Just for show...?" Hajime makes his way into the conversation.

"The engines have been completely removed. Nothing I can do about that." The boy explains to Hajime, that was when it clicked.

"So, are you a mechanic?" You ask, the boy grins and gives you a thumbs up.

"Names Kazuichi Soda. I'm the Ultimate Mechanic. Nice to meet ya." He introduces himself, you quickly do the same, simply saying your name and talent.

"As expected from someone called the Ultimate Mechanic, Kazuichi is a savant when it comes to fixing machines. If he says it's impossible to fix this plane, it's truly beyond repair." Nagito tells you and Hajime.

"Even so...to actually remove the engine, whoever's keeping us here must've planned this to a T." Kazuichi scratches his cheek, you nod in agreement.

"Doesn't that seem strange to you?" Hajime asks Kazuichi.

"Yeah, it's pretty strange, but I think it's an acceptable level of strange, y'know?" Kazuichi laughs, all hope of anyone agreeing with Hajime is crushed in that moment, you saw that in Hajime's face.

"Think about it... It's not like we're being forced to do something dangerous or anything..." Kazuichi explains, you think for a moment, quickly realising what Kazuichi said was true, you were all totally safe on this island, it even said in the safety precautions for the school trip.

"Yeah, it said in the school trip guidelines in the e-Handbook!" You chime in, Hajime furrows his eyebrows as he takes the e-Handbook out of his pocket and quickly reads the first rule.

Rule 1:
Extreme violence is prohibited on this island. Please live peaceful and relaxing lives with your fellow students.

"It looks like we're being kept safe, so why wouldn't this be like any other school trip?" Kazuichi asks.

"There's nothing dangerous on this island... Spend these peaceful and relaxing days nourishing hope... Just as Usami said earlier. It seems these rules are in place to help us do that..." Nagito makes his way into the conversation.

"Are you saying you believe what that thing told us? She forced us to come here, you know!?" Hajime shouts at the three of you, causing a boy standing in the corner of the airport to look over.

"Don't be such a pessimist... You should look at this situation with a bit more hope, you know?" Nagito scolds Hajime for his pessimist ways.

"Yeah, it's not like she tried to kill us!" You tell Hajime, Nagito and Kazuichi nod in agreement, Hajime still seemed unsure.

"Well, I guess it's okay if we just enjoy out vacation and see how this whole thing plays out, right?" Kazuichi grins, you and Nagito nod.

"Heh-heh! If you stare closely at that strange-lookin' bunny girl, she might start lookin' pretty cute!" He makes a quick joke as the three of you say your goodbyes to Kazuichi and make your way over to a boy standing in the corner of the airport.

"Stop right there. If you value your life, do not come any closer." The boy puts his hand out, stopping you, Hajime and Nagito from coming closer to him, you furrow your eyebrows, avoiding his hand and, daringly, stepping closer.

"Hmph, I said stay back! Oh, very well... I shall accept that courage of yours." The boy crosses his arms and looks to the side.

"Kehehe... Would you like to know my name? Others may see your courage as recklessness... However... I welcome it." The boy tells you, you and Hajime nod slowly.

"In honour of your courage, I shall reveal to you my name. May you never forget it as long as you live! You may call me... Gundham Tanaka! Remember it well, for it is the name that will one day rule this world!" The boy, Gundham finally tells you and Hajime his name.

"Well, Gundham, I'm {Y/N}, and this is Hajime." You introduce both yourself and Hajime.

"Now then, it is my turn to ask questions. Whose master are you?" Gundham asks you and Hajime, the two of you stare at him with a blank face.

"Eh...?" Hajime makes a noise of confusion.

"Which tribe did you make your pact with? Answer me!" Gundham's voice suddenly rises which causes you to take a few steps back from him.

"... Huh? What do you mean, "pact?" Hajime questions.

"Answer me now! Though I shall cast you into a watery grave once you do!" Gundham shrieks, Hajime's eyes widen with panic.

"Then it's best if I don't answer!" Hajime replies quickly.

"I think he's asking... If you used to have a pet..." Nagito laughs awkwardly.

"I had a dog before I came to Hopes Peak." You answer simply, Gundham nods understandingly and turns to Hajime.

"No... The only animal I've taken care of was a hermit crab we passed around in elementary school." Hajime says quietly, the shock on Gundham's face grows.

"So, a mere insect! Hah! Your Magic Essence caps at a lowly five! Trash!" Gundham laughs at Hajime.

"T-Trash, really..." Hajime seemed offended that his Magic Essence caps at a five. Not just any five, a lowly five.

"Hmph! Is it wrong to call trash "trash"? Trash like you should not dare to speak to one as grand as me! Who do you think I am? I am the great and powerful Gundham Tanaka, Supreme Overlord of Ice!"

You had no idea, what he was really talking about, so you just nodded to seem like you understood what he was saying.

That was when you noticed four hamsters, two on Gundham's hands, one sleeping on his scarf and a fat one on his shoulder.

"H-Hold on a minute! Something strange just came out of your scarf!" Hajime jumps up, you nudge his arm.

"They're hamsters!" You scold Hajime for referring to the hamsters as "something strange."

"Taming evil by using myself as a bed... Truly, this is the secret art of the Tanaka Empire!" Tanaka crosses his arms and smirks.

"It's like something you'd see on a nature show. I guess he totally fits the bill of Ultimate Breeder..." Nagito awkwardly jumps into the conversation.

"One of my Four Dark Devas of Destruction, Mirage Golden Hawk Jum-P, has this to say: "We're not used to going easy on our enemies...so don't make us angry. You wouldn't like us when we're angry." Fuhaha...!" Gundham laughs, his hamsters squeak in unison.

"Um, yeah... I know he seems a little odd, but apparently he did splendidly as a member of the Breeding Club. I've heard he can tame any animal and even managed to succeed at proliferating an endangered species. Rumour has it he can speak to animals... Well, that's probably just a joke." Nagito explains to you and Hajime.

You said your goodbyes to Gundham and left the airport, thinking how strange it was to be raising hamsters in a scarf.