Just Lucky

"Sorry Chiaki, I don't think I'll do that. It's too much pressure for someone like me." Nagito sighs, drumming his fingers on the table. I clench my fist on my lap, focusing my gaze on my legs as Chiaki's face falls.

"Oh, come on, please? Just take some time to think about it!" She pleads. Sonia sighs.

"Chiaki, stop, he already said no. We must not ask again." She murmurs. Chiaki pouts, sinking down in her seat, folding her arms over her chest.

"Well. . .too be fair to them, you didn't give it much thought. You just dismissed it easily because you don't believe in yourself. I think you should at least take some time to think about it." Shuichi pipes up.

"The Election starts this Friday! You want me to make such a huge decision before then?" Nagito complains, throwing his hands up.

"Nagito," I mutter, "I think you should go for it. You're the only decent person capable of taking over the horrid Celestia Ludenberg. . .consider it."

His eyes widen. "Hajime. . .um, alright, fine, I'll give you guys my answer tomorrow, if you want." He relents. I smile back at him.

"Thank you, Nagito." I say. He's eyes seem to briefly sparkle.

"Y-Yeah!"

-

I feel like smacking my head against my desk.

I've been in my room for three hours and I still can't focus on my work! I can't get my mind off of Komaeda or Sonia and Chiaki, or the upcoming Election. It's all just adding to the pre-existing stress I have going on in my life, with the heavy school workload and getting the money to pay my debts.

Because in the end I'm just a kid in a messed up school with one friend and one crazy guy, just trying to survive until graduation. And it's definitely too late for a transfer now, besides from the fact that going to Hyakkaou Academy has been my dream since I was young; how was I supposed to know about these crazy people and insane systems?!

Ugh, I feel like a breakdown like this was long overdue. But can you really blame me?! My first year I didn't try to gamble unless I had to, let alone bother with the Election! I just tried to get my schoolwork done and be happy! But that was when Celestia Ludenberg took over and destroyed the school.

So that's why this Election matters to me-to all of us. And what am I doing?-staking all on a zealous, fanatical gambler, who's just concerning in general. And he hasn't even agreed to gather votes yet, if ever.

I push away from my desk, ignoring my homework for now, flopping on top of my bed. I curl myself into a ball, cradling my head in my hands. I let out a loud groan, curling my toes.

The Election kicks off in two days, and will last for thirty. Nagito Komaeda, please. . .

I drift off to sleep, eyebrows crinkled with worry.

~

"Hinata, come here~"

I look up from my book, glancing over at Komaeda sitting at the desk next to me. He's smirking at me, fiddling with the box of pocky in his hands. I frown.

". . .Why?"

He pulls out a piece of pocky. "I have a gamble for you~" He coos. I scratch the back of my neck.

"What kind of gamble. . ?" He snickers.

"Come sit in my lap and I'll tell you."

"Huh? No way!"

He pouts. "Please Hajime?" He pleads. I sigh.

"Fine."

I slowly and carefully cross the room and gingerly settle myself on his lap. He smiles, grabbing my arms and placing them around his neck.

"Here's how this is going to go," He breathes softly, "we'll nibble on both ends until we reach the middle. First person to bite down owes 300 million~"

My cheeks turn bright pink. I can only choke out a single "'Kay," barely computable.

He takes a piece of pocky, and places it between my teeth. Flustered, I squeeze my eyes shut. My excited yet nervous feelings intensify as I feel him gently take the other end in.

We slowly begin to inch closer to each other. The sweat is pouring down the back of my neck, he's so c l o s e, I-

~

I bolt straight up in bed, gasping and panting loudly. My face is burning hot.

Did I just have. . .a romantic dream about Komaeda?!

Ugh, how gross of me. Atua have mercy. Well, I guess that's on me for falling asleep thinking about that weirdo. . .

I roll out of bed quite lazily. I dress myself quickly and hurry outside to wait for Chiaki to pull up in her car. Ah, I still feel nauseous, ugh!

It isn't long before the familiar sound of a car honking rings out as Chiaki pulls into my driveway. I sling my bag over my shoulder and hurry down to meet her, shivering slightly at the chilly autumn air. I slide into the passenger's side, collapsing into my seat.

"Hey Hajime." She says with a nod, pulling out of the driveway. I grunt back at her. "You look a little flushed, are you developing a fever?"

"NO!" I shout back, far too quickly which definitely arose suspicion. She frowns.

"Alright then, I'm sorry. . .I think?"

I groan. "I'm sorry for that. I'm just a little frustrated and exhausted I guess." I mutter. She smiles.

"I understand. I am too. But hopefully we'll meet up with Komaeda and get some good news today." Chiaki replies cheerfully.

"You're certainly optimistic," I observe dryly, "although I highly doubt he's going to intentionally gather votes for presidency."

"I believe he will. He'll realize how important this is and fight back." She promises. I cock an eyebrow, snuggling into my seat.

"Whatever you say.

-

"I don't think we're going to find him before lunch." I sigh, leaning up against a locker. Chiaki rolls her eyes.

"I'm sure if you actually put an effort into searching you'd find him. You're already a Komaeda magnet." She responds. I snort.

"Yeah right," I reach into my locker, grabbing my science textbook, "I've got to get to first period."

She sighs. "Fine. But we're sitting with them at lunch again. And Sonia." She tells me. I press my lips together.

"You two have practically attached at the hip since you guys met. What's going on there?"

Her eyes sparkle. "Sonia. . .pretty." She mumbles. I roll my eyes.

"Whatever," I slap my locker shut, "later, Chiaki."

"Right."

-

Is. . .Chiaki holding Sonia's hand? Ugh, one thing at a time, Hajime.

I clutch my lunch tray tight in my hand, watching them approach. "Hello Hajime," Sonia greets me politely, "are Shuichi and Nagito in the cafeteria yet?"

I shrug. "I'm sure they're in the same spot as they were yesterday."

I wait patiently as they fill up their respective trays with some lunch and pay at the counter. I roll my eyes as they each balance their trays in one hand, grabbing on to the other with their free one.

"You two." I mutter, starting to walk, them following close behind. They merely giggle in response.

In the back corner I see Shuichi and Nagito sitting in the same spot as yesterday. Shuichi looks quite pleased with himself while Nagito looks slightly annoyed. I approach them, forcing a smile on my face.

"Hey," I greet them, "can we sit here again?"

Nagito looks up at us. "Please sit." He replies. We sit in the same spots as we did yesterday, me directly across from Nagito. Chiaki eagerly leans forward in her seat.

"Let's just cut straight to chase," She begins, "Nagito, what did you decide? Will you be trying to overtake Celestia in the votes?"

"Ah-um. . ."

His eyes shift nervously from Sonia to Chiaki and then finally to me. We lock eyes for a second before I rapidly avert my gaze. His body stiffens as he then stares down at his lap.

"Shuichi was pestering me all day yesterday," He begins, "I was originally just going to participate to gamble but then he started talking about the greater good and riding the school of it's despair days and I simply could decline to that."

Chiaki's eyes brighten. "So you'll try?!" She exclaims. He nods slightly.

"I'll try," He confirms with a slight smirk, "ehehe. . .this is going to be really fun~ however I have one condition."

Chiaki frowns. "What is it?"

His smirk deepens and his eyes glimmer deviously. "Hajime has to kiss me."

I very nearly spit out my food.

"What?!" I sputter.

"Come on, it's just a little kiss~" He teases, leaning forward. Well, I guess it didn't take long for his confidence to return.

"A-Absolutely not!!"

He pouts. "Please?"

"Hajime it is not that bad. Just kiss him on the cheek. I kissed Chiaki on the cheek earlier." Sonia pipes up, making Chiaki blush slightly. I turn back to Nagito.

"Hundred thousand yen." He mouths, glancing at the two girls next to me. I roll my eyes.

"Ugh-fine, let's get this over with. Come here." I grumble. He leans across the table, smug smile on his face. I reach forward, placing a soft kiss on his cheek before rapidly retreating, covering my face in embarrassment. Nagito laughs in return.

"I wouldn't exactly classify that as a real kiss, but. . .I'll allow it. A deal had been struck!" He declares. Chiaki claps her hands together excitedly.

"Yes! You would make a splendid president, Nagito!"

He scratches the back of his neck. "I'd have no idea what I'd be doing. I'd just be doing that because I already like you all so much."

What?! Why'd he look at me when he said that?!

"I'm going to demolish everyone who stands in my way. Students, council members, the president herself. . ." He says darkly, eyes seeming to swirl a little. I shiver. Where did this come from all of the sudden?

I haven't really seen his darker side in person yet. He. . .really is kind of intimating. . .

He giggles a little.

"Every last one. . ."

-

"Good afternoon, fellow classmates and Housepet. My name is Celestia Ludenberg, current president. The Student Council has called this assembly today to discuss the Election."

I slump down in my seat. I already know how this sadistic process works, I don't need to hear it again.

Friday had arrived, the official start of Election season. I'm seated next to Chiaki in the auditorium for the official Election Beginning Assembly, although I'd much rather be at home taking a nap or catching up on some school work. I'm so exhausted. . .

"I will call upon Vice President Kirigiri to explain how it works."

A lilac-haired girl stands up from her seat and approaches the podium, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Celestia smiles at her before taking a seat a little off to the side, gesturing to a tired-looking Housepet to bring her her tea.

Kyoko clears her throat.

"Good afternoon. For thirty days, instead of normal money chips, we will gamble with vote chips; everyone receiving one at the beginning. They'll be distributed in class next period. Everyone is a potential candidate. At the end of the thirty thirty days, the one with the most vote chips at the end is the winner and the next president. When any gamble with votes happen, a member of the Election Committee must oversee it," She explains to the crowd, "are there any questions?"

When no one raises their hand she smiles, satisfied. "Very well. Best of luck to all of you."

I lean back in my seat. "Why can't we just have a normal election like other schools?!" I grumble. Chiaki sighs.

"You've known this school was ridiculous for a long time now, Hajime, just accept it." She replies.

"Chiaki, shh!" I groan, shifting around in my seat, trying to get more comfortable.

"I know you're stressed," She mumbles, "but it's going to be okay. We'll figure everything out."

"Tch."

And so, what would turn out to be one of this school's most craziest elections had begun.