This Crazy School
The room seems to start spinning.
I lost. . .I lost?!
Ugh, why am I even surprised. Of course I lost. Chiaki was right, it’s impossible to beat someone like Nagito Komaeda. What I fool I was, challenging him. Next to him I am nothing, just dirt for him to trod on.
I sneak a glance at Komaeda. He’s staring back at me with a curious gaze, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. He tilts his head, flashing me a dazzling smile.
“I assume you’re not able to pay right now?” He says. A jolt of anxiety ricochets through my body.
“I-uh. . .no,” I mumble, “I can’t. Sorry.”
“I see. What does this make your debt now?”
I scratch the back of my neck. “Ah, I don’t know the exact number. Couple million yen, probably. . .ugh. I assume you’re going to be contacting the Student Council about this?” I trail off into a mutter. He hums thoughtfully.
“Mmm I’ll absolve our debt if you drop to your knees before me and lick my shoes.” He replies evenly.
“PARDON?!”
“. . .That was a jest. It was just a small game. Besides, I had fun so consider it paid.” He responds, waving his hand dismissively. I frown.
“Huh?! I. . .don’t understand. You kept taunting me about taking all of my money!” I point out.
“Ah, that,” He giggles, “no, you just looked so cute all flustered and intimidated! I simply couldn’t resist~.”
Pink flares up in my cheeks. “H-Huh?!” I stammer. He smirks at me.
“Come on, Hajime, say ‘ahh Komaeda-sama, please spare me!’” He teases.
“Stop!” I whine back, embarrassed. He chuckles, rising from his seat.
“Ah, I don’t know about you, but, I’m ready for more excitement. It’s time to find another gamble,” He decides, “Hajime, won’t you accompany me?”
“What?! I mean, why me?” I quickly correct myself. He blinks.
"Because I like you Hajime. I want you to come with me.” He answers. I purse my lips.
“Ugh, fine. I have nowhere else to be anyway, so I’ll come with you.” I decide. His face lights up.
“Really? Wonderful! Let’s get going!” He cheers back, grabbing my hand excitedly, “Oh, Hajime, let’s go and see what’s going on around here!”
Not yet releasing my hand, he races out of the room, stringing me along. He starts dragging me down the hall, an animated gleam in his eyes.
. . .This dude is seriously scary.
I have no idea how long we’ve been jogging for when an unfamiliar voice suddenly calls out to us: “Nagito!”
The white-haired boy stops in his tracks, releasing my hand, turning towards the sound of the voice. I automatically follow suit.
Poking their head around the corner is a raven-haired boy, eyes fixated on Komaeda. I sneak a glance at Nagito to check his reaction. He looks quite pleased at what he sees.
"Shuichi!" He calls back happily, gesturing for him to come closer. The pale boy quickly approaches us. His grey eyes switch to me.
"Who's this?" He asks. Komaeda latches onto my arm and squeezes.
"This is Hajime Hinata! Hajime, this is Shuichi Saihara, my friend." He explains. Shuichi extends a hand and I accept it.
"A pleasure," He mumbles before turning back to Nagito, "anyways, I was wondering if I could interest you in a quick gamble?"
His eyes light up. "Absolutely! What did you have in mind?"
-
"The game is Three Hit Dice. It's really quick and simple," Shuichi explains, "Hajime will roll the dice. Numbers one-through-three will be called 'Up' and four-through-six will be down. You and I will write down in advance what we think the outcome with be with the letters 'U' and 'D'. The person with the most correct guesses win."
Shuichi, Nagito, and I are situated around a table. The competitors are sitting directly across from each other while I sit in front, toying with the die between my hands.
Nagito grins. "Sounds great to me. What's the wager?"
"This is a tame one-round game so a tame wager. Two million?"
"Sounds good."
I take a piece of paper from my bag and rip it in half. I slide a half to both of them, additionally providing them each with a black marker.
"Make your guesses then." I say.
Shuichi stares hard at his paper, furrowing his brow, drumming his fingers against the table as he thinks.
I look at Komaeda. He's looking up at the ceiling, thoughtful and excited, as he decides on what letters to write. After a moment, he grins and jots down his answers on the slip of paper. Shuichi frowns at him before slowly and cautiously writing down his own answers. Once they finish, they fold their papers and slide them towards me.
"...Right. Okay, so I'm going to throw the die now." I say. Nagito nods back encouragingly. I rattle the die in my clenched hand before twisting my wrist and throwing the die.
"Three." I read out. I glance down at the papers, marking them appropriately. Shuichi got it, Nagito did not.
I give Nagito a nervous look. He however winks back at me, giving me a sweet smile. I turn away, cheeks dusting with a bit of pink. "Throw it again, Hajime." He orders calmly.
I throw it. It's a four. I look at the papers. Nagito got this one, Shuichi did not.
Alright, final one. Nagito picked Up and Shuichi picked Down.
"For two million yen." I warn, tossing the die. It lands on it's side, spinning around, making the number indicators temporarily illegible.
It bumps to a stop a second later.
It's a Two.
Shuichi looks down, and grins. "...And still unbeatable, Nagito Komaeda." He says, reaching into his pocket to pay his loss. Nagito shrugs.
"Ah, sorry." He replies, accepting the money.
I don't understand. I've heard the rumors of Komaeda mentally destroying his opponents and claiming all of their money for his own but he's being so nice here. Maybe it's because Shuichi appears to be a close friend of his..?
I stand. "Well, I'm going to head home then. Uh...thanks for gambling with me, Komaeda." I mumble. Nagito's smile falls.
"So soon?" He asks. I scratch the back of my neck.
"Well, yeah, I really should be getting home. It's my night to make supper, so..." I respond sheepishly.
"Oh. Alright. I'll see you soon, Hajime!" He says, perking up.
"-Yeah. See you."
I turn and walk out of the room, letting out a heavy sigh.
-
"Hajime! Thank god, I was worried you died!"
I roll my eyes, folding my arms over my chest. "Relax, it was just a simple card game, nothing that interesting." I assure Chiaki. She frowns at me, slapping my arm lightly.
"Idiot! I can't believe you did that! It's a miracle you're not a Housepet right now!" Chiaki scolds, glaring up at me. I hold my hands up in self-defense.
"It wasn't even that much! Besides, I don't like how you just assumed I lost." I huff. She cocks an eyebrow.
"Didn't you?"
"...Yeah, fine, of course I did. He's unbeatable all right. He's really talented. He's. . .really something special."
"Talented? Special? Are you praising me?!"
As soon as that new voice joined the conversation, a pair of arms wrap around me, and squeeze. I would be terrified for my life unless I hadn't recognized the sweet voice of Nagito Komaeda.
"Hi Hajime! I missed you!" He chirps into my ear.
"Nagito?!" I exclaim, shocked.
Chiaki is staring at us, wide-eyed and bewildered. Meanwhile Nagito continues to latch on tight to me.
"Nagito, get off of me." I mutter finally. The fluffy-haired luckster pouts but never less complies. He then smiles at Chiaki.
"Hello there! I'm Nagito Komaeda." He says politely. Chiaki lifts her eyebrows.
"I've heard of you." She responds stiffly. Nagito frowns.
"Ah, Chiaki's just mad I called out-"
"A reckless loser like me?," He finishes, "No need to worry, Miss Chiaki, I let him keep his money."
"How much?" She demands. Nagito smiles lazily.
"Fifteen million."
"WHAT?! Hajime Hinata, you utter fool! What if you fought against someone who wasn't as generous?! You reckless idiot!"
"That makes two of us." I mutter back, giving Nagito a sideways glance. He winks at me. "What are you doing over here anyway?"
He pouts. "How rude! I just wanted to see my Hajime!" He sniffs.
"Not yours." I mutter.
"We shall see!~" He sings back, "anyways I'm actually here because I was hoping you'd accompany me to some lunchtime gambles later."
"Huh? Why me?"
He shrugs. "Because it was fun having you around yesterday. Or would you perhaps prefer to gamble against each other again?!" He replies, eyes lighting up. Chiaki pushes me away from him.
"Absolutely not, you're not gambling with him again!" She tells me firmly.
"Aw, don't worry Miss Chiaki I'd take good care of him," He quickly assures her, "I won't let him become a Housepet."
"Still."
I stare at my feet. "You just want me to come with you right? Fine then, doing it once won't hurt." I agree with a sigh.
"Really? Thank you Hajime!"
"It's really nothing."
"Where shall I meet you come lunch time?" He wonders.
"Here I guess." I reply, shrugging.
"Got it! I've got to get going now unfortunately. See you later then, Hajime!"
And with those words he happily trots away from us. Chiaki turns to me with a scowl. "I really don't like you hanging out with that boy." She sighs. I chuckle.
"You sound just like a worried mother, Chi." I say back. Her eyebrows crinkle.
"I'm always worried about you."
I smile at her. "I know. I appreciate it. But I can take care of myself." I promise. She purses her lips.
"Hanging around someone as crazy as him. . .nothing good can come out of that." She murmurs. I tilt my head.
"Probably, but. . ." I smile, "I'm curious to see where it goes."
-
"Watch it you disgusting, trashy Housepet!" A brown-haired girl laughs, shoving a blonde girl against the locker next to us. Chiaki flinches.
"Ah! Oh no!" She exclaims, rushing over to help her to her feet. The blonde-haired girl groans, rubbing the back of her head. "Are you okay?" Chiaki asks, extending a hand.
Well, I can't say I was expecting this. But then again, what should've I been expecting, waiting around in the halls during lunch hour?
"Fine. . .thanks." The blonde replies, accepting her hand gratefully. Chiaki easily hauls her to her feet with a caring smile. She sighs sadly, smoothing down her skirt.
"That was cruel what just happened! You don't deserve to be treated like that!" Chiaki insists, fuming. Sonia shrugs back, fiddling with the tag around her neck.
"You don't get much of a choice labelled like this." She responds.
Life as a Housepet is awful. Everyone treats you like dirt. People you thought were your friends turn their back on you. Oftentimes you even get treated like a servant. It's truly an awful sentence.
"What happened?" Nagito asks, coming up from behind. I gesture to Chiaki and the blonde.
"A Housepet got shoved harshly against a locker in front of us," I explain, "Chiaki is just helping her out.
Nagito frowns. "That's horrible! Ugh, I despise this Housepet system, it's unnecessarily cruel." He comments.
"I'm Chiaki Nanami." My friend tells her. The blonde smiles slightly.
"Sonia Nevermind." She replies.
"Pleasure to meet you! This is Hajime." My peach-haired girl says, dragging me over. I offer her an awkward wave.
"Hello Hajime." She says politely.
"Hello." I echo. She turns her eyes towards Nagito.
"Is this the Nagito Komaeda?" She wonders, eyes sparkling. Nagito chuckles nervously.
"Well, that is my name but I'm nothing special. . ."
"You're a gambling demon! I'm such a huge fan! The way you destroy every opponent in your path is extraordinary!" She gushes, "Ah, forgive me. A Housepet such as myself daring to-"
"Stop," He cuts her off gently, "your status doesn't concern me. I should apologize for talking to you."
"I'm thirsty." Chiaki mutters.
"Ah, me too!" Sonia agrees.
"Perhaps you two should go off together and get a drink." My fluffy-haired companion suggests, a sly look on his face. I raise an eyebrow at him but he just shakes his head back at me.
"Good idea!" Chiaki agrees immediately. Sonia smiles shyly.
"Alright."
Chiaki reaches for Sonia and together they take off down the hall. I turn back to Nagito who's grinning like an idiot.
"What?" I demand. He lets out a happy sigh.
"Oh, nothing. I just think they totally hit it off," He giggles, "I won't be surprised if they're dating by the end of the week."
"I highly doubt that."
His eyebrows lift. "Wanna bet on it?" He asks mischievously. I roll my eyes.
"Sure. But only because you're wrong." I reply.
"Hundred thousand says they do." He challenges. I snort.
"Fine. You're on."
We shake on it. He smiles.
"Now, shall we go see what's going on around here?"