Chapter 59: Those That Were Left Behind Part 2

He was just an average person; with average academic scores, average looking face, average physical capabilities, average amount of friends, and average goals in life.

That was who Naegi Makoto is.

So imagine his surprise when the day after he graduated from middle school, he got a letter of recommendation and scholarship from the most famous school in the city, Hakoniwa Academy! Famous for its scholarship students and independent advocates, the school was known for producing exceptional individuals who would go on to make a difference in the world.

Confused yet filled with excitement, Naegi accepted the offer, not thinking much of the title given to him written in the recommendation letter – "Ultimate Lucky Student".

The first day of school....was alright–ish. Makoto found himself lost in the sea of confident and ambitious students. As he navigated the halls, he couldn't help but feel out of place among his talented peers. He witnessed stunning performances of the Ultimate Dancer, heard captivating speeches from the Ultimate Orator, and observed mind-boggling experiments conducted by the Ultimate Scientist.

Feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, Naegi started to doubt his place in such an extraordinary environment. Maybe there had been a mistake. Maybe he wasn't meant to be here among the elites.

But then, he met Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective in some strange incident. I mean, sure she wasn't a people person and comes off as some cold and emotionless person. Still, they quickly became friends, and Kyoko unexpectedly encouraged him to believe in his potential.

With Kyoko's support, Naegi began to find his confidence. He realized that being average didn't mean he was insignificant; it simply meant he had untapped potential waiting to be unlocked. He decided to work hard and make the most of his time at Hakoniwa Academy.

Naegi threw himself into his studies, determined to prove himself. He sought guidance from his teachers, attended extra classes, and diligently worked on assignments. Slowly but steadily, his academic scores began to improve.

But it wasn't just academic success that Makoto found. He discovered that he had a talent for bringing people together and creating a sense of unity. His kindness and empathy drew others towards him, and he formed meaningful friendships with classmates from different disciplines and backgrounds.

As the months went by, Naegi average face and physical capabilities became irrelevant. What made him stand out was his ability to understand and support others. He became a source of comfort and encouragement for his friends, always cheering them on and believing in their dreams.

Just when Naegi thought he had found his place in the academy, he stumbled upon a series of mysterious events. Strange disappearances, unexplained occurrences, and rumors of a hidden side to Hakoniwa Academy filled the air. It seemed like there was a secret lurking beneath the surface, threatening to disrupt the harmony Naegi had found.

Intrigued and concerned for his friends' safety, Naegi took it upon himself to uncover the truth. He rallied his friends, with the help of, surprising in his part, Junko the Ultimate Fashionista, who he had briefly befriended, they formed a tight-knit group determined to solve the mysteries of Hakoniwa Academy.

It took them at least several weeks before they discovered the secret inhumane projects the chairman and several boardmembers of the school were performing on students. The Flask Plan especially was disturbing, as it involved using students as subjects in unethical experiments to enhance their abilities.

Determined to put an end to these atrocities, Naegi and his friends devised a plan to expose the truth to the entire student body and the whole world. The chairman and the boardmembers would be exposed for then it would be a happily ever after for everyone.

..... At least, that was how it was supposed to go.

"Everyone..." Naegi murmur under his breath, grinding his teeth, as he tightly grabbed the iron bars of his prison cell.

His friends were gone, lost in the chaos that erupted during their attempt to expose the truth. Makoto himself had been framed for the chairman's murder, a crime he didn't commit. The evidence was stacked against him, and no one seemed to believe in his innocence.

All because of one person he thought he could trust.

"Naegi-kun~ Hi! Long time no see. Oh, wow. It looks like you've seen better days, huh?"

'Junko!' Naegi's eyes widened as the Ultimate Fashionista, no, the Ultimate Despair Student waltz through the door of his prison cell, grinning maniacally.

"Junko... Why? Why would you betray us like this?" Naegi's voice trembled with a mix of anger and despair.

Junko laughed gleefully, her eyes filled with twisted delight. "Oh, Naegi-kun, don't you see? Despair is so much more exciting than hope. And what better way to bring despair than to shatter your hope, your friendships, and everything you hold dear?"

"I won't let you get away with this!" Naegi's voice shook with determination as he inexplicably slammed his head over the cell bars, blood dripping out of his forehead. "I will expose your true nature to everyone. I will save my friends and bring an end to your reign of despair."

Junko's expression turned mocking as she leaned closer, her voice dripping with malicious intent. "Oh, Naegi-kun, how adorable. You still believe in hope, even in the face of ultimate despair?" her face twisted in disgust, "I really hate that about you." then she smiled. "But your stubbornness and persistence is what I like about you, it's why you're still alive. That, and I want you to take part in a little...social experiment I'm working on with another colleague."

"What do you–"

"Ah, ah, ah, ah! No spoilers!" she waived her hands. "But, I can at least give you a hint. Well, a very major one at that." Without explaining further, she pulled a remote control out of her jiggly breasts and turned on the television on the high wall, which strangely showed a red ominous symbol that made Naegi's head ache.

Unfortunately, what showed next in the television was much, much worse.

The whole world had been thrown into complete chaos, destruction, and ultimately....despair.

Bzzzt—

The screen flickered, and Junko's voice echoed through the prison cell. "Welcome to the world of despair, Naegi Makoto. Prepare yourself for the ultimate test of hope versus despair."

Naegi watched in horror as cities crumbled, people screamed in agony, people going insane, and chaos consumed everything in its path.

Tears welled up in Naegi's eyes as he realized the enormity of the situation. His friends were suffering, innocent people were dying, and he was trapped in a prison cell, powerless to stop it.

But Naegi wasn't one to give in to despair easily. He wiped away his tears and straightened his posture. "I won't let you win, Junko. I will find a way to get out of here, and I will save everyone, including you."

Junko cackled manically, her laughter echoing through the prison cell as he turned to leave. "Oh, Naegi-kun, you're such a hopeless optimist. But that's what makes this game so interesting. Let the battle between hope and despair begin!"

And with that, the screen went black, leaving Naegi alone with determination burning in his eyes. He would find a way to bring hope back to the world, no matter the cost.

.....

"Hmm. So that's the boy you were obsessing about this entire time?"

Junko frowned. "I do not obssess, Kumagawa-kun. I simply find Naegi-kun's persistence and determination intriguing. He's quite the unique specimen in this world."

Stepping out of a dark alley, was a dark haired boy with an average lanky build wearing a standard men's uniform of Suisou Academy. Kumagawa Misogi, the "Born Loser" smirked. "Oh but you are so, so wrong. I could think of one person at the top of my head that's as hopeful or even more than that kid."

Junko snorted, coldly flipping one of her twin tails. "Let me guess, that Zen-whatever guy that Gun captured–ugk." blood dripped out of her mouth.

She didn't manage to finish what was saying as a large screw was suddenly jammed into her back, piercing through her heart.

Kumagawa smirked, his expression dark. "Wrong again, Junko-chan. The one at the top of my list is someone even more...special." He turned his attention to the police station and snorted. He was just a faker compared to her. The image of a familiar purple haired girl flashed in his mind. "Someone who has defied the odds and risen above their circumstances. Someone who has inspired others to achieve greatness. Someone who embodies hope, even in the darkest of times."

He grinned maliciously, "And I can't wait to see how she'll fare in your game of despair, Junko-chan."

'Medaka-chan, will you finally rehabilitate me or will I take your head and finally become a winner in life?'

"You...." Junko glared at him, blood flowing out of her body like a stream.

Kumagawa rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I might be scum but....haaaah. A deal's a deal after all, as long as you keep your end of the bargain and those magicians, I won't let any of you die, yet." he snapped his fingers and the screw and Junko's injuries disappeared, as if they were never there.

Junko stood there, panting heavily, her body shaking with anger. A glowing purple black mark appeared on the right side of her neck, a snake eating its tail and forming an infinity symbol. "You...you're a dick you know that?"

Kumagawa chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Maybe. But that's what makes me so much fun to be around."

And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Junko behind, seething with hatred. The game between hope and despair had just gotten a lot more complicated.

....

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