Just Lucky

“Oh, look Hajime, there’s a crowd gathering over there!” Nagito hisses eagerly in my ear, “let’s go check out what’s going on!”

I roll my eyes. “It’s most likely just some stupid gamble everyone’s crowding around. Let’s just go somewhere more private.” I suggest. He shakes his head back at me.

“Absolutely not! If the gamble warrants a crowd, something interesting is going on,” He declares, “come on, Hajime!”

He grabs my arm and begins pushing his way into the sea of Hyakkaou Academy students, coming to a stop as we near the front. Nagito reaches out to the person in front of us and taps his shoulder. Shuichi is the one who turns around.

“Shu!,” He whispers, “what’s going on here?”

“Hand Knife Trick,” He whispers back, “there’s this girl who keeps challenging whoever comes by but so far no one’s stepped up. Everyone here is just waiting around to see if anyone’s up to the task.”

Nagito’s eyes sparkle dangerously. “How do you play?” He wonders. Shuichi lets out a sigh.

“Keep stabbing between your opponents fingers for a total of sixty seconds. Not stabbing the hand means the stabber wins and getting hit is a win for the injured one.” He explains, earning a shudder from me.

“Such a messed-up game.” I murmur, shoving my hands in my pockets. Nagito on the other hand, has a completely different view.

“That sounds so exciting! I’ll do it!” He decides, beginning to move towards the very front of the crowd. He probably would have made it too if I didn’t reach out and latch onto his sleeve.

“No you will not! It’s too dangerous!” I insist. He pouts.

“It’ll be fun though!” He whines, “you’ll see.”

“I’d strongly prefer if you didn’t participate in this. Let’s go!” I hiss, tugging on his sleeve. He smiles slyly.

“Oh, are you worried about me, Hajime? That’s incredibly sweet, but, I’ll be fine! I have the money to pay my losses.” He assures me. I grit my teeth.

‘That’s not my problem with it, you idiot!’

“Stay here with Shumai.” He instructs, prying my fingers off of his sleeve. Once he’s freed himself, he pushes through the rest of the crowd.

Sitting at a small wooden table is a brunette with two long ponytails extending from her head. She has piercing red eyes that are fixated on the knife she’s fiddling with. Komaeda saunters up to her with a lazy grin sprawled on his face.

“‘Heard you were looking for an opponent.” He says. She meets his gaze.

“You want to play,” She replies, earning a nod, “have a seat.” Komaeda accepts the invite, pulling out the chair in front of her and sitting himself down. “I assume you know how to play.”

Another nod.

“You can stab at me.” He offers, triggering a face-palm from myself.

‘You idiot!’

Shuichi gives me a worried glance. “He can take care of himself, don’t worry. He’ll certainly be able to hold his own against Maki Harukawa.” He mutters.

“Sounds like you don’t believe in your accuracy.” Maki comments dryly. Nagito smiles back at her.

“Oh, no, that’s not it. I just didn’t want to risk you getting hurt,” He explains, “I’d be happy to stab at you, if you wish.” She stabs her knife bitterly into the table.

“Spread your fingers. For ten-million yen.” She commands. Nagito doesn’t need to be told twice. I watch as his pale fingers inch apart slightly on the wooden surface as a white-haired girl steps forward, comically-large timer in hand. She presses the button on top, starting the block.

Maki Harukawa stares down at his fingers, a look of intense concentration and determination on her face. She raises it into the air and brings it down, hitting the center-space between the first two fingers dead-on. And then the next set. And then the next.

As the seconds continue to climb up, so does the speed of the knife. I can’t bear to watch the scene unfolding in front of me and at the same time I can’t tear my eyes away.

Maki looks angry now, hitting the table hard with each motion of the weapon. Nagito on the other hand looks as calm as ever. He’s smiling, even.

No-it’s not just a normal smile. . .he looks utterly thrilled. Kind of like, this is one of the best things to ever happen to him. Shuichi looks over at me, having noticed my visible bewilderment.

“Nagito is unlike any other,” He mumbles, “sure, any other person would automatically hesitate to partake in such a risk but not him. He embraces gambles and risks, he gets high off of them. He’ll do whatever, as long as he gets to gamble. He has nothing to live for and he plays like it. Might as well when you have the money, right?”

I frown as the raven-haired boy turns away. “With luck like that he never loses; at least not that I’ve seen. He’s also a bit sadistic. He appears to love tormenting and destroying his opponents, although he hasn’t done it that much lately, at least, that’s what I’ve noticed. He likes to get in their heads.”

“He messed with me a little when we gambled. . .” I respond thoughtfully.

“I can’t say I’m surprised. You seem like just the kind of kid he would prey on. How much did you end up owing?”

I shake my head slightly. “Nothing, actually. He let me off the hook.”

His eyebrows lift. “Fascinating. I’ve never heard of him doing such a thing before. . .wow, you must have really caught his interest.” He muses.

“Is that why he’s been sticking around?” I reply wryly. He chuckles but offers nothing in reply. With a small huff, I turn back to the gamble currently occurring before us.

Maki looks more worn out now, still refusing to slow down. In fact, she appears to be pushing herself even harder. Nagito merely lets out a yawn, watching his opponent closely.

Suddenly, Maki raises the knife a little higher than usual and brings it down. . .right into Nagito’s ring finger.

I cover my mouth in shock while Shuichi winces on his behalf. Nagito lets out a yelp and then a low hiss of pain. I immediately move to rush to his side and inspect the wound but Shuichi holds me back.

After a moment of silence, Nagito looks up from his wound to stare into her eyes. “Ehehe. . .I win~”

With a huge scowl, Maki stands, ripping the blade out of his fingers. “I’ll bring you the money tomorrow.” She grumbles before storming off angrily.

The fluffy-haired boy tries covering his bleeding wound with his free hand, but it doesn’t do much for him. Shuichi and I hurry over to him while the rest of the crowd starts dispersing, having lost their interest.

“My God, Nagito, you idiot!” I exclaim, yanking the bleeding boy to his feet. Shuichi nervously eyes the stab-mark.

“Let’s just get you to the nurse’s office.

-

I place my books carefully in my locker and shut it to find Chiaki standing on the other side, making me flinch.

"Dammit, Chiaki, don't sneak up on me like that!" I complain. She grins.

"I just came to see if you wanted to walk home together." She responds. I sigh.

"Sure."

Chiaki links her arm through mine as we start making our way down the hall.

"So what happened with Nagito?" She asks. I grunt.

"He got himself stabbed in Hand Knife Trick." I reply dismissively. Chiaki wrinkles her nose.

"Ouch. Just in the finger though, right?"

"Yeah of course. What happened between you and Sonia?" Her eyes light up.

"She's wonderful! I wouldn't leave someone that amazing just because she's a Housepet that's for sure! We're having lunch together tomorrow!" She gushes.

"Sounds like you really like her," I observe, earning a nod, "kind of like more than a friend."

She snorts. "Yeah right. We just met today, Hajime. If that's going to be the case with anyone it'll be between you and Nagito."

I frown. "Huh?! Me and that maniac?! In your dreams. He's just sticking around. Which isn't a bad thing I mean he is entertaining." I explain. She grins.

"You used to say he was cute when we'd pass him in the halls, remember?" She teases. I roll my eyes.

"That's just before I knew how crazy he actually is!" I protest in a whine, "but that's not the point. Are you crushing on Sonia already?"

Her cheeks heat up. "I don't know. . .maybe?"

My mind flashes back to the ongoing bet between me and Nagito.

"Well of course you don't want to rush things. Take the time to get to know her, a couple weeks even. Don't rush into anything." I respond. She smiles.

“No promises.”

-

"Ugh, a science test, two English assignments, a math worksheet, and a history report," I mutter, "I'm going to off myself with a crimper." I slam my locker shut, emitting a loud groan. I steal a glance down at the watch on my wrist; I still have ten minutes until I need to head to class.

Maybe I should find Chiaki. Or maybe even Shuichi. Or even-

"Hajime, we meet again!~" A soft voice trills from behind me. I turn around with a loud sigh. Nagito Komaeda is standing behind me, one hand on his hip. He tilts his head, and smiles.

"How are you today?" He asks. I glare at him.

"What do you want? I'm very busy and I don't have time for your crazy antics." I respond coldly. He pouts.

"How rude. I just wanted to see you." He complains. I grunt.

"I don't have time for you. Leave."

I then brush past him, making my way down the hall. Not even five seconds later, light footsteps fall into step next to mine. My lip twitches in irritation.

"You can't get rid of me that easily!~" He sings. I don't reply. "you sound stressed today, Hajime. Is there something I can do to help you?"

"I just have a lot of school work, alright? Can you come back later?" I reply tightly. His eyes brighten.

"You want to see me again? Okay!" He turns to walk away but then hesitates, "oh, Shuichi wanted me to invite you and Chiaki to lunch today."

I shut my eyes briefly.

Lunch? With Komaeda? Well. . .I suppose it's better than me and Chiaki sitting by ourselves. And it's better to eat peacefully with him rather than be dragged to another reckless gamble, right?

My eyes open.

"Fine. Sure. I'll pass the message along." I reply. He smiles.

"Excellent!" He chirps, "then we'll see you in the cafeteria at lunch! Bye Hajime, love you!"

Before I can cough out a reply, he spins on his heel and darts away. Ugh, I don't think I'll ever be able to understand him.

I pull out my cell phone and shoot a text to Chiaki, telling her about our lunch plans. She replies back with a simple thumbs-up emoji.

I sigh. Well, at least there's a sliver of excitement in my life right now.

-

"I hope you don't mind, I invited Sonia." Chiaki whispers into my ear, leaning away from her blonde friend. I reach for an orange.

"I don't mind, of course. I'm sure Shuichi and Nagito will be fine with it too." I whisper back. Sonia cocks her head curiously.

"What are you two whispering about?" She asks. Chiaki shakes her head at her.

I turn away from the lunch line, scanning the room for Shuichi and Nagito. In the back corner I see a cloud of fluffy white. That must be them.

"I didn't expect someone to sit with me after I got this status," Sonia sighs happily, "I'm so incredibly grateful."

"Where do your friends normally sit?" I ask. She shrugs.

"They like to leave campus for lunch. They're long gone by now." She answers.

"Just rejecting your friend because of their status. . .it's awful. I wish they'd change the system." Chiaki comments sadly.

"The rest of the school doesn't think like that. Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about it." I say. Sonia perks up.

"The Student Council Election for this year is coming up! Perhaps if one of us can get in office we can make some changes!" She suggests. I shake my head.

"That would never work. None of us are talented enough to get the votes." I respond. Chiaki's eyes widen.

"But we know someone who is! Hajime, let's get Komaeda to!" She suggests excitedly. I frown.

"He would never do something like that." I reply immediately.

"I'm sure he'd be fine with it as long as he gets to gamble a lot," Chiaki replies thoughtfully, "it wouldn't hurt to inquire."

We start walking towards the lunch table.

"But would he be interested in what would pretty much be taking over the school. . .?" I ponder, "well, he did say once he wasn't a big fan of the Housepet system. . ."

"I'm going to ask him." Chiaki decides, picking up the pace.

"Hey! Wait!" I shout, hurrying to catch up with her.

"Hi guys!" Chiaki chirps, settling herself across from Shuichi and Nagito. I groan, sitting on her right side across from Nagito while Sonia sits on her left.

"You actually came!" Nagito responds happily. Shuichi smiles politely, picking at his salad. Chiaki eagerly leans forward in her seat.

"So, we were just discussing the upcoming Election." She begins.

"Nanami. . ." I mutter in a warning tone. Nagito's eyebrows lift.

"That's fine, don't let us stop you. It certainly is a fascinating process, perfectly fitting for a school like ours, huh? I wonder if the President will retain her position or some promising up-and-comer will overtake her. . ."

Chiaki grins. "That was our hope. Nagito, you once said you hated the way this school runs, correct?"

Nagito leans back slightly. ". . .Something like that." He replies hesitantly, as if he knew where this was going.

"And you're incredibly talented when it comes to gambling! So, we were thinking-"

"You were thinking." I interrupt. She rolls her eyes.

"I was thinking that you could try to become the next president!"

Nagito's eyes widen. "Me?! You must be mistaken."

Chiaki slams her hand on the table. "You're our only hope! We all want a change for this school and you're the only one out of everyone at this table that can actually accomplish it! Please!" She pleads.

Nagito's eyes narrow. "You've only known me a few days and you're ready to stake all of your trust in me? How do you know I wouldn't do something more devious than Celestia Ludenberg?" He points out.

"I like to believe in people. Even a stranger such as yourself. We're counting on you! Please!"

"Didn't you just come up with this idea two minutes ago?"

"I don't care. Yes or no?"

Sonia fiddles with her Housepet tag. "Please, Komaeda. we're not even human with these markings and it's not right." She says sadly. I rest my chin in the palm of my hand, watching him intensely. He stares right back at me, face unreadable.

After a moment, he turns back to Chiaki, opening his mouth.

". . ."