Just Lucky

I'm at his side in an instant.

"Really?" I say, reading the note over his shoulder. And sure enough listed is a time ten minutes from now, a location, and a signature from Miss Celestia Ludenberg.

"Yeah," He says and then frowns, "and it's about time too! The Election ends tomorrow at noon!"

I nudge his shoulder. "Better late than never. . .but are we sure this isn't a trap?"

He rolls his eyes. "Hajime, it's fine. Nothing is going to happen to me or anyone. Why don't you come along with me if you're so worried?" He offers.

I tilt my head. "She won't be mad if you don't come alone?"

He shrugs. "I was hoping to bring one or two of you along for moral support anyway, so it's fine."

"I'll come." Chiaki offers, stepping forward.

Nagito's eyes widen. "Really? Thanks, Chiaki!"

I frown. "Should we get going now?"

Nagito glances at his watch and nods. "Yeah, we better get going."

-

The hallways are empty and dark at night-especially when the majority of the student body is gathered in the gymnasium. Nagito walks on ahead of Chiaki and I, each step filled with determination and purpose.

Finally, we're going to have Nagito's match against Celestia; we've successfully kept him safe until then! I guess they really were empty threats, huh?

"Hey. . .Do you guys hear something?" Chiaki asks suddenly, glancing around. Nagito and I both pause in our tracks listening carefully but coming up with nothing.

"Probably just a mouse." Nagito muses before continuing on down the hall, both of us hurrying to catch up to him.

We walk in silence for a few moments before I hear a bit of rustling in the distance, making me freeze in my tracks. Nagito turns to me with a curious glance.

"I hear something now." I murmur. Chiaki's eyes widen.

"You hear it too?"

I nod. Nagito sighs, folding his arms over his chest. "What am I listening for?" He asks.

"Rustling." Chiaki and I reply together. Komaeda tilts his head, listening intently.

The sound changes suddenly, changing from rustling to. . .footsteps? Wait. . .

I whirl around suddenly and see a figure slowly approaching us. They're wearing a dark black suit, and have features such as long black hair tied back in a ponytail and piercing red eyes.

Izuru Kamukura. . !

They pull something shiny out of their jacket pocket-iS THAT A GUN?!

I open my mouth to warn Nagito and Chiaki-but it's too late. Izuru takes aim and fires at Nagito. I do the first thing that comes to mind: I dive in front of the bullet's track.

A sharp pain fills my knee, making me cry out as I fall to the ground.

NAGITO POV

I whirl around at a sudden cry of pain. On the floor is Hajime clutching a fast-bleeding knee and howling in pain. Chiaki is by his side immediately, trying to calm him down.

I glance up towards the end of the hall and see a figure retreating down the hall. I move to go after him but Chiaki laces her fingers around my pants leg, stopping me in my tracks.

"Let them go, it's not worth it." She says firmly. I drop to my knees in front of Hajime, reaching to examine his knee.

"Damn, Hajime, you got fucking shot for me!" I exclaim.

"Nagito. . ." He rasps hoarsely, "Ah! Wow this is the worse pain I've ever felt, fuck, aha. . ! You've. . .you've got to gamble with Celestia! Or else this will all be in vain, y'know?"

My eyes widen. "I. . .I can't just leave you like this!" I insist.

"Nagito," Chiaki pipes up, "I'll take care of Hajime. He'll be fine, I. . .I can get him to the hospital. . .probably. So go see Celestia before Izuru comes back!"

I exchange a worried look with Hajime, who's struggling to hold in tears as he lets out silent screams of pure agony. "Hajime, will you be alright?"

"No," He grunts back, "but go!"

I climb back on my feet, shooting one last worried glance at Hajime before taking off down the hall.

-

I raise my fist and pound harshly against the door. This has gone too far. My darling got injured trying to shield me and now I'm more than willing to get blood on my hands.

The door is slowly opened by a neutral-faced Kyoko. I glare at her, shoving her out of my way as I enter the room. Celestia is sitting in a throne-like chair fiddling with a gun. By her side is Kirumi Tojo, ready to oversee the last official gamble of this year's Election. My only hope (other than Hajime of course) is that she'll remain completely neutral like all members of the Election Committee should.

"Celestia." I say coldly, causing her to look up, "You've massively pissed me off now. And now I'm going to finish you off."

She smirks. "Is that so? Well then, let's settle this right now."

I stepped closer to her. "What are we going to play?"

She twirls the gun around her finger before pointing it at me. "Russian Roulette."

I smile. "Awesome. That's my favorite game. I've never lost."

"Heh. . .neither have I. This should be interesting."

I take a seat across from her and we both turn to Kirumi. "It's been agreed that essentially this is a gamble for the actual presidency-no votes need be staked." Celestia tells her, Kirumi dutifully nodding back.

"I'd like to add another condition," I say, "the loser, if they survive that is, has to leave Hyakkaou Academy."

Celestia nods thoughtfully. "Very well. Then let's begin this life-threatening game of chance. Kirumi?"

The Committee Member clears her throat. "Russian Roulette," She explains, "only one chamber will be loaded and then spun so no one knows where the bullet is. However for legal reasons I'm changing the rules to increase chances of survival. They can aim anywhere they want below the neck. If the gun fires in your hand you lose and you're gone. Winner is the next President, simple enough?"

"Sounds good to me."

"Should be fun." Celestia agrees.

"Then we'll begin." Kirumi sighs. She loads a single bullet into the chamber before spinning it several times. She then produces a coin. "We'll flip to see who goes first. Call it in the air, Miss President." She directs before tossing it up into the air.

"Tails." Celestia responds evenly. The coin settles on the floor, revealing the symbol "Tails." Celestia grins, taking the gun and pointing it at my chest. "Now then, let's begin-this THRILLING GAME OF RUSSIAN ROULETTE!"

She pulls the trigger.

HAJIME POV (SOME TIME LATER)

I let out a groan as I rest my head against my pillow. The five of us have been in this hospital for a while now. The doctor had just left having begun to treat my knee and give me painkillers.

Kokichi has settled himself on Shuichi's lap in the corner of my room. Sonia had gone out to get some snacks and Chiaki wouldn't stop hovering over me.

"Guys. . .I'm sorry. If I had been smarter then we could've been back at the Dance having a good time. If it weren't for my stupidity, than-"

Chiaki holds up her hand, effectively shutting me up. "Stop that," She commands, "if it weren't for your bravery, Nagito would have been in a life-threatening position right now and Celestia would automatically continue her hellish rein over our school. . .probably. Now we've still got a shot."

"And Nagito will surely reward you for this!~" Kokichi agrees mischievously.

"Here you are!" Sonia announces, coming back into the room holding bags of chips and chocolate bars from the vending machine, "I am positively starving!"

She tosses a bag of potato chips at me and I accept it gratefully. "So what did the Doctor say?" The blonde asks, sitting down at my bedside.

I sigh. "She says it's going to be a lot of rest, recovery, and physio but luckily the bullet didn't lodge in my knee too deep so I'll be able to walk on it again in the future. They'll give me some crutches and let me out soon enough." I explain.

"At least it is not as bad as it could have been!" She chirps optimistically.

"Indeed," I agree dryly, "now no more badgering! I'm in a lot of pain and hungry as heck!"

NAGITO POV

B A N G !

The barrel she fired was empty. Such luck!

I don't waste any time. I reach forward and snatch the gun from her hand. I aim it towards her heart and grin. "A one-in-five chance of survival. . .do you think you'll be lucky this time?" I ask her casually.

She shrugs back at me. "Surely I've survived much worse, Komaeda. Stop delaying, and shoot the gun."

I smile. "With pleasure!"

And then I fire. No bullet. The chances of getting hit have increased even more.

I cross one leg over the other, sucking in a breath of excitement. 1/4!! I then hold the gun out to Celestia who accepts it daintily. She doesn't waste any time turning it around and immediately firing it at me.

Nothing comes out. 1/3 ehe!~

It's my turn again now. I examine the gun in my hands briefly before aiming at Celestia's thigh. It's courteous to aim for somewhere a little safer now that chances are higher, no?

BAM!

. . .Ugh, nothing.

This next shot now will determine who the winner is, now that there's a fifty/fifty chance. It all comes down to luck now.

Celestia points the gun at me again, letting out a heavy sigh.

And then she pulls the trigger.

HAJIME POV

"How are you faring, Hajime?" Sonia asks softly.

I groan. "A little better now, but it still hurts. I mean, the painkillers took the edge off but it still quite hurts," I glance at the door, "Is Komaeda coming?"

She sighs. "I'm sorry you're in pain."

"I've texted Komaeda to get down here as soon as he's done with Celestia." Shuichi announces. I let out a breath of relief.

"Good, I need him."

"What about your family?" Sonia asks. I shrug helplessly.

"They're out of town. I'll tell them in the morning, I guess." I decide, trying to readjust myself so that I'm more comfortable.

Suddenly, a nurse pokes her head through the door. "Hinata, you have a visitor." They say before a figure pushes their way past them and into the room.

Standing there awkwardly, is Ibuki Mioda. Half of her hair is pulled back and they're wearing heavy, dark eye-makeup. She dons a black and red tutu, strapless, asymmetrical dress and calf-high black boots.

They give me a worried look and slowly come a little closer to me. We both regard each other silently for a few moments before she opens her mouth and speaks.

". . .Ibuki would like to apologize to you and Komaeda Nagito on behalf of the Student Council. The rest of us had no idea Kyoko and Celestia were planning that." She sighs.

Chiaki opens her mouth to give them an earful but I quickly wave her off. "It's okay, Ibuki. I don't blame you or the others." I assure them. She smiles with relief.

"Ibuki is so glad to hear you say that," They giggle slightly, "Ibuki and the others would like to pay for your treatment."

My eyes widen. "Really? You sure?"

Ibuki scratches her arm. "It's the least Ibuki and Co. can do. And Ibuki will tell you a secret. . .Ibuki wants Komaeda to be President now. Ibuki thinks Celestia lets the power get to her head." They admit.

I nod in agreement. "I never thought anyone would go this far." I agree, gesturing to my leg for emphasis.

"Again, Ibuki is so sorry."

"Like I said; it's not your fault," I glance out the window;

"I sure hope Nagito is doing better than I am. . ."