“Hello, fellow citizen!” Akihiko’s eyes snapped open. A teenage boy in an honor student uniform looked down at him with a serious look.

            “You must not sleep! The entrance ceremony will commence soon!” Hiding his surprise, Akihiko sat up and looked around to identify where he was. He was on bleachers in a gym. A podium upon a stage was on the opposite side of the gym. Multiple teenagers were scattered across the room.

            “Apologies,” Akihiko said smoothly. “Thank you for waking me. Who are you, if I may ask?”

            “My name is Kiyotaka Ishimaru! The Ultimate Moral Compass! Pleasure to meet you!” He shook Akihiko’s hand emphatically.

             Ah, so he’s the honor student type. So keeping politeness is the key. “I am Akihiko Momota, the Ultimate Child Prodigy. Pleasure to meet you as well.”

               Ishimaru’s face immediately changed. “Tch.” Huh? “I hate people like you.”

               “People like me?” Akihiko echoed. “Whatever do you mean?”

               “Geniuses.” He spat. “The whole bunch of you, acting high-and-mighty, not working hard…”

               Akihiko sighed. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I suppose. Well, I’m sorry my existence has you in such turmoil. I’ll stay for this so called ‘entrance ceremony’…” Although this is an odd one, to be sure, even for Hope’s Peak High School. “And we can separate and never talk again.”

               “Agreed.” Ishimaru walked away stiffly.

               I don’t understand what Hope’s Peak High School thinks they’re doing. There’s no teachers, steel plates on the windows, no students besides those of us here- Akihiko noticed a confused looking boy had just entered the room. Ishimaru was chewing him out. And him I presume. Poor boy. 

              Now that I have a moment alone, I should take a minute to organize my thoughts. Akihiko took a deep breath in and out. 

              I’m Akihiko Momota, the Ultimate Child Prodigy. I’m a ten year old high school student from Hope’s Peak High School. On my first day, I stepped inside…I stepped inside….

            Horror filled the pit of his stomach. Then what happened? Why can’t I remember? Akihiko shook off the unease and stood up.

             I don’t remember anything, but it’s no excuse to lose my head over. Although it’s possible this is a hostage situation and I suppressed my memories to forget the trauma of kidnapping. In that case- He gave a cursory glance around the room. Better acquaint myself with others here to increase the probability of escape of whatever this may be.

             Akihiko walked to a tall, muscular boy wearing a gang outfit that he realized belonged to one of the most notorious gangs in Japan- The Crazy Diamonds.

            Better approach him from the front. If I startle him, it could have disastrous consequences. He switched directions and approached the boy from the front. “Hello?”

          “Eh? What do you want, kid?” Akihiko couldn’t suppress a flinch. He’s scarier than I thought he would be.

           Then a perplexed look came over the thug. “What’s a kid doin’ here?”

           “Quite simple, senpai. I skipped grades. I’m the Ultimate Child Prodigy, Akihiko Momota.”

            “Don’t you ‘quite simple, senpai’ me! Ya think I’m stupid or something?!” He grabbed the collar of Akihiko’s shirt. “Mocking me is stupid, cuz you’ll see exactly why I’m the leader of the Crazy Diamonds, Mondo Owada, the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader!”

             Akihiko held his hands up in surrender, letting an awkward, uneasy smile paint his face, a bead of sweat running down his face. “I didn’t mean it like that, Owada-senpai. I knew you had to be smart and strong to be a part of the greatest gang, let alone the leader.” Owada released Akihiko’s collar. Akihiko finched, thinking Owada was going to hit him, but instead his hand clamped down on his head and ruffled his hair.

           “Hahaha! So you’re a fan, little man?”

           “What? I meant-“ Akihiko started, and then stopped. Better not anger him. 

            “So what brought you over here little man?”

             “Um…” Akihiko combed through his hair to fix the mess Owada made. “You know how there’s all these iron coverings on the windows? If it means we’re trapped here, having friends could help. And who better than a tough gang leader from Crazy Diamonds?”

             “You’ve got that right! Has that smart little brain figured out who brought us here?”

             Akihiko looked down. “I’m afraid not.” He said awkwardly. “I’m sorry…”

             “Nah, don’t worry about it!” Akihiko looked up. Owada gave him a wide grin and a thumbs up. “And if anybody gives you trouble for anything, just point ‘em to me! I’ll crush ‘em!”

             Akihiko nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Owada-senpai.”

            “Call me Mondo, we’re bros now, little man!” Akihiko relented, and waved farewell to go search for another to befriend. 

           Deep in thought, he bumped into a girl with large breasts, tan skin, and blue eyes. “Sorry,” he said quickly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me-“ he was interrupted by a loud squeal from the girl. 

         “AHH! You’re. So. Cute!” She gave him a big hug. “What’s your name?”

          “Mfffmmdjjsdfjf.” Akihiko mumbled into her chest. 

          “Hina-san, let him go, I do not think he can breathe.” A deep voice said. Sheepishly, the girl called Hina let go of Akihiko. He panted, trying to catch his breath. The one who had spoken was a tall, muscular girl. He would’ve thought she was a boy if not for the girl’s school uniform and the slight feminine tone to her voice.

         He nodded in thanks to the muscular girl and said, “My name is Akihiko Momota, the Ultimate Child Prodigy. Pleased to meet you.” Hina squealed again and turned to the other girl.

          “Sakuraaa, can we keep him?” Sakura shook her head.

          “You cannot just abduct young children at your own whim, Hina-san.” She looked towards Akihiko and stuck her hand out. “Pleasure to meet you, Momota-kun. I am Sakura Ogami, the Ultimate Boxer. You may call me Sakura. And this is Aoi Asahina, the Ultimate Swimming Champion.”

          Akihiko nodded in acknowledgment. “Call me Hina! And also, how old are you?” Hina asked.

          “Ten. I technically could be in university right now, but I decided to slow down.”

          Hina’s eyes widened. “Wow! Maybe you can help me with math then. Whenever I see zeros I think about donuts.” She drooled. “Doonuts.”

          Akihiko glanced at Sakura. She shook her head as if to say, don’t ask.

          “Well, Hina-senpai, Sakura-senpai, I would like to meet some more people now. Talk later?”

           Hina grinned widely. “Obviously!” Sakura nodded at him. He waved and walked to this girl he had seen on television. The ordinary looking boy from earlier was beside her.

          “Hello? You’re Sayaka Maizono from that pop group, right?” Sayaka nodded cheerfully.

          “Yep! I’m the Ultimate Pop Sensation. Call me Sayaka! And this is a friend from elementary school, Makoto Naegi.” She turned to him. “What was your ultimate again?”

         Naegi sweated. “U-ultimate Lucky Student.” When he saw Akihiko’s face he nodded. “Yeah, I know. Apparently Hope’s Peak draws a lottery every year, and whoever is picked is the Ultimate Lucky Student and is admitted to the school. I’d rather be there for being special than by chance, but…it’s a good opportunity though.”

          “You’re special, Naegi-kun! How else would I have remembered you so well? You’re so nice, too!” She smiled brightly at him. 

          Naegi blushed. “Thanks, Maizono-san.”

         “Any time!” She looked at Akihiko. “Are you the Ultimate Child Prodigy? You look a little young to be in high school.”

          “You’re right, Sayaka-senpai. You’re the first person to guess I skipped grades.” Akihiko grumbled in annoyance. “Everyone else is like, ‘oh my gosh, so cute’ or ‘are you lost? the elementary school is that way’.”

           Sayaka giggled. “I’m just smart, that’s all!” She tapped her head with a finger. “Girl’s intuition.”

            “Of course. Only natural of someone that beautiful.” Akihiko said smoothly.

             “Aww, you’re a charmer!” She elbowed Naegi teasingly. “You better work on your game if you want a chance with me before he grows up.”

             Naegi turned a furious red and looked down, mumbling incoherently.

             Ignoring the comment, Akihiko quickly changed the subject. “Is there anyone here I should talk to next? I’ve talked to Hina-senpai, Sakura-senpai, Mondo-senpai, and Ishimaru-senpai.”

            “Hmm, they’re all pretty weird so I’m not sure. Just avoid Yamada.” Naegi said. He pointed to a large boy in glasses and a weird look on his face.

            “Huh? Why?”

            “He’s a bit of a pervert. The porn fanfiction writing otaku who supposedly ‘is only interested in 2D girls.’”

             “Ah,” Akihiko said eloquently. “Noted.”

             “I’d say probably that girl over there.” Sayaka pointed to a girl in a goth outfit quietly sipping tea.

            “Where did she get the tea from?”

            “Who knows. She’s a bit…eccentric, but she talks with the same level of polite, careful intelligence as you. I’d think you two would get along well.” Sayaka said brightly. Akihiko thanked her and walked over to the goth girl.

             “Hello.” Akihiko said politely. “Where did you get the tea? I’m rather parched myself.”

             The girl looked up, scrutinizing Akihiko carefully. “And who might you be, young man?” She had a light German accent.

              “Akihiko Momota, the Ultimate Child Prodigy. And you?”

              “Celestia Ludenburg, the Ultimate Gambler. Pleasure. If you’d like, you may have some of my tea. I carry some with me at all times.” Celeste took out a small thermos and a teacup from within the folds of her dress. She poured Akihiko a cup and handed it to him. “It’s my favorite type of tea, milk tea.” A hint of pride was evident on her face.

                Akihiko took a small sip. Not bad, actually, considering I don’t know how long she’s had the thermos in her dress. He made a small noise of satisfaction. “Delicious.”

                Celeste hummed, impressed. “It’s rare that a child as young as you…eleven? Twelve?”

                “Ten.”

                Celeste started again. “It’s rare that a ten year old child such as yourself have such an impressive palate for tea.”

                 “Thank you, Ludenburg-senpai. Being considered a child prodigy meant I often attended dinners which were preceded by tea.”

                 Celeste waved a hand. “Call me Celeste. It’s distasteful to be called Ludenburg-senpai. It sounds unnatural.”

                 Akihiko nodded. “Yes, Celeste. By the way, do you know of anyone here who is of high intelligence here besides you and I?” I am not really much of the high-and-mighty type, but she seems to think herself akin to a princess of sorts. It’s preferable to adjust my mentality when I need to with people. 

                 Celeste set her teacup down and folded her fingers delicately. “There is one man. The heir apparent to the Togami Corporation, Byakuya Togami.” She gestures to a long legged boy with sandy colored hair and glasses. 

                 Akihiko finished his tea and put his teacup down as well. “Is he pleasant to talk to?”

                “Tch.” Celeste wrinkled her nose slightly. “Not in the slightest, which I suppose should be expected due to his title of the Ultimate Affluent Progeny. But if you want someone intelligent, he’s the one to talk to. I wish you luck.” Celeste wiggled her fingers in some semblance of a wave and walked off.

                …Alright then. He walked over to Togami with a placating, friendly face. “Hello, I presume you are Togami-senpai? Of the esteemed Togami Corporation?”

               Byakuya looked down at him with a disgusted look on his face. “Indeed, peasant. What do you want? I’d rather not be seen breathing the same air as you for too long,”

              “I was just rather curious if you knew who may have abducted us. Being as prestigious as you most certainly are, it’s not unlikely for you have made quite a few enemies along the way.”

             A glint of interest appeared in Byakuya’s eye. His lips curved slightly upward. “Hmph, finally someone with the capacity to carry an intelligent, adult conversation, albeit being a poor, snot nosed child. Although I cannot think of anybody with the resources to fund such a large abduction, it certainly doesn’t rule out the possibility. And most people here,” he scoffed. “Don’t seem to have the wealth to warrant being kidnapped.”

            “I…suppose.”

             “What is your name, anyways?”

             “Akihiko Momota, the Ultimate Child Prodigy.”

              “Pleasure.”

              “Likewise.”

              “Now, leave me alone unless you find out something useful.”

             “Alright.” Without blinking an eye, Akihiko turned around and walked to a short young girl by herself looking nervously around.

              “Hello,” Akihiko said, smiling to put her at ease.

              “Eep! You scared me!” The girl jumped. His smile went away. “S-sorry,” the girl bowed apologetically. “I get nervous easily. I’m Chihiro Fujisaki, the Ultimate Programmer. I-I hope we can be friends!” She smiled hopefully.

              “I’m Akihiko Momota, the Ultimate Child Prodigy. I would like to be friends as well.” 

             Chihiro gave him a bright smile. “Yay, thank you! By the way, I’m curious. As an ultimate child prodigy, do you know anything about programming?”

             “Unfortunately, I only know the basics. Would you be willing to teach me?”

              “Of course! That sounds like so much fun!” They stood in comfortable silence, then Akihiko spoke up again.

              “Have you spoken to everyone here yet?” 

             Chihiro scratched the back of her neck. “N-not really. I’ve only talked to a few. Everyone seems so scary…”

             “If you’d like, I could help you.”

              Chihiro shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but I think it will be easier to get to know people by things happening. Sorry, but you can go ahead and continue talking to people if you’d like!”

               Akihiko nodded. “I’ll see you later?”

              “Yep!” Chihiro waved as Akihiko walked away.

              “Like, who do you think you are? Don’t you know who I am?”