Masks

Hajime Hinata was probably the most unapproachable person at Hope’s Peak Academy. He wasn't a bad person or antisocial. It’s just that at Hope’s Peak people hung around their friends. Their friends that they have known for at least a year. Now, if Hajime had the choice to go back a year and be social then so he wouldn't be alone right now, he would. Being the lone wolf last year was not worth the loneliness this year.

He wasn't a lone wolf just for the heck of it, though. There was a reason. Everyone seemed to have on a mask. Hajime understands that people have secrets and that they don't like getting all personal, but Hajime also knows that a lot of high schoolers act like a totally different person around different types of people. People that do that have on a mask, Hajime decided.

Hajime also decided that he hated masks. He hated the mask, not the people wearing the mask, but because he could tell they were wearing a mask it made it harder for him to befriend them. He didn't want to be lied to by people as soon as he starts a conversation with them. Then their relationship would be based off lies. That's the reason he's alone most of the time.

Hajime has gotten pretty good at telling when people are lying. He grew up being lied to and learned at a very young age what lying could do. His parents lied a lot. His father lied about working overtime. His mother lied about everything being fine with the marriage she was in with his father.

Both of his parents wore extremely thick masks. It is because of them he doesn't like being around people with them.

Sometimes though Hajime met people that didn't have on a mask. Chiaki Nanimi was a person who didn't have a mask on and was honest about what she said. She was also one of Hajime’s few friends. Makoto Naegi was another maskless friend.

Hajime also has some friend that wear mask, thin and thick. He's only friends with them because they haven't lied to him yet. As long as they continue not to lie he will continue being friends with them.

Hajime can usually tell if a person has a mask on when he first meets them. After a conversation or two he can tell what kind of mask they're wearing. He can’t tell by just looking at them. That would be a little much.

The bell rung and Hajime stood from his seat and went to his classroom. Might as well end this school day as soon as possible.
•-•
Hajime didn't expect to meet a new person while following his after school routine. Well, he sees a new face following this routine almost everyday, but usually it isn't someone wearing a Hope’s Peak Academy uniform.

If Hajime is honest, he doesn't know how he hasn't noticed this person. They look kind and seem okay. You never know though, looks have deceived before. They’ll continue to deceive until you get to know the person.

The boy did look rather good though. He was pale with messy, swirly, soft-looking, white hair. He looked to be around the same height as Hajime. Hajime examined him for a few more seconds, it wasn't creepy. Hajime totally didn't look like a creep staring at someone while they were shopping. Okay, he might have looked a little creepy, stalker-ish. That's why he averted his eyes away from the boy and walked over to him instead.

Hajime for some strange reason wanted to start a conversation, that's something he never does. Especially with strangers. Maybe this guy was an exception from that.

Now he had to think of how to start a conversation. Hajime cleared his throat with a thought in his head of how this was going to play out. “Hope’s Peak?” Was all he asked and he gained the others attention. When he looked over Hajime decided to continue the question and make sure it was less vague. “You go to Hope’s Peak?” He asked.

The stranger nodded. “Yes, yes I do stranger that was staring at me,” The words left the guys mouth quietly but as Hajime heard them his ears turned hot. He’d been caught staring at this guy and is probably being thought as a weirdo right now. A light smile spread on his pale face. “Don't be embarrassed,” a light laugh left his mouth and Hajime smiled nervously.

“Okay,” Hajime said calming down. “I'm Hajime Hinata,” Hajime held out his hand.

“Nagito Komaeda,” the other shook Hajime’s hand.

They released their hands and Hajime asked another question. “How are you, Nagito Komaeda?”

A smile spread across his face and Hajime cringed integrally while having a second freak out. “I'm doing good,”

Hajime has never seen a bigger mask in his life.