Chapter 8: Free Time Events #3

-TOKO FUKAWA-

I decided to talk to Toko since it seemed she needed some company. I rang Toko's doorbell and she answered a few moments later.

"What do you w-want?", Toko asked.

"I just wanted to hang out with you. Is that okay?", I smiled.

"You want to s-spend time with me...? I don't know what you're p-planning, but... do whatever y-you want.", Toko grumbled. I spent some time with Toko, just talking about my day and other stuff... Until she went quiet for a bit.

"...", Toko stared off into the distance.

"Um, Toko...?", I mumbled.

"Wh-What? You have a question? You have a question f-for your classmate...!?", Toko questioned with an odd smile on her face.

"Well, I kinda asked before, but what do you like to do in your spare time?", I asked.

"I just w-write. I'm serialized, so I'm a-always really busy...! And when I'm not writing, I'm s-studying. I'm not an idiot l-like you...! Agh, d-dammit...! I had to go and open my b-big mouth again... You must hate me for s-sure now, right?", Toko muttered.

"Not really, those types of words don't really get to me... But I can't believe you actually write novels! And that people all over the world read them... So, where do you get your ideas from? Do you have real-life experience, or...?", I inquired.

"Are you stupid!?", Toko shouted.

"Eh?", I tilted my head in confusion.

"I t-told you, didn't I? I write romance novels...! How could I use m-my real-life experiences for that...!? It's all from my i-imagination! It's just delusions! Delusions let you fall in l-love as much as you want, even if you n-never do in real life! Or are you s-saying you can't write romance unless you already have lots of experience i-in love...?", Toko grumbled.

"N-No, I guess not...", I shrugged.

"It's okay. I'm used to p-people making fun of me... B-But... Someday, I'll show them! I'll get pretty s-someday and show them all...!", Boiling over like magma, Toko stormed off. I just sat there for a bit before sighing and leaving as well.

-AOI ASAHINA-

I found Hina near the pool, so I decided to go talk to her.

"Hey, Hina! You wanna hang?", I asked.

"Okay! You wanna go for a walk? I don't care where to. Although, no matter where we go, we're still stuck in this stupid school...", Hina sighed as we both walked around the school aimlessly. We made it back to the pool and began to talk... Hina went silent all of a sudden.

"...", Hina went quiet, a downcast look on her face.

"Is something wrong, Hina...?", I asked.

"... I've reached my limit... I'm stuck in here, can't do any sports, can't do anything! I'm sick of it! I wanna get out under the sun and do some laps! Run a marathon! I wanna do some real SPORTS!", Hina yelled out.

"H-Hina! Take a chill pill, okay!?", I advised.

"I can't do ANYTHING in here! If I can't move around, I'm gonna DIE, like a BUNNY RABBIT!", Hina grumbled.

"Don't they die of loneliness...?", I questioned.

"Whatever! I'm gonna die if I can't get some proper physical activity!", Hina complained.

"Isn't that a bit much...?", I deadpanned.

"You think I'm kidding, don't you? But I seriously can't sit still, ya know? Why else would I have joined six sports teams in school?", Hina sighed.

"S-Six!?", I gasped.

"Yeah! Track, basketball, softball, volleyball, tennis, and the big one... The big one...?...", Hina looked down with such a sad face.

"Swimming, right?", I questioned.

"Yeah, you got it... Gaah... I don't even care what stroke it is. Just get me in a pool under the blue sky...!", Hina reminisced.

"But isn't it hard to do that many sports, even for you?", I asked.

"If I can't move, I'll just shrivel up and die... And I need a challenge! More and more new stuff to try...!", Hina nodded.

"A challenge, huh?", I tilted my head to the side.

"What I really love about sports isn't winning, ya know? It's having to fight and struggle and give it all you get to reach the top. It's that excitement, that fear that you might suffer a heartbreaking loss. When you finally reach that goal, it's just... lonely. It's lonely at the top, ya know? So that's why I want to push myself as hard as possible when it comes to swimming. I want to aim for the very highest mountaintop!", Hina smiled.

"The highest mountain? I thought you're a swimmer?", I mumbled.

"I'm talkin' about the gold medal, of course! Aim for the gold, even if it means I'm a super gold spaz!", Hina announced. I was kinda weirded out that she called herself that, but I brushed it off.

"Well, if that's what you want, isn't that all the more reason? If you have a goal, why are you standing around making excuses?", I asked.

"Excuses...? Hey! When did I ever make any excuses!?", Hina growled.

"Sure, maybe we're stuck in this dump, with no way out. But if you wanna work hard, shouldn't you try to see what you *can* do in here?", I pointed out.

"Nng...! Th-That's a challenge! You just made an official challenge! But... I think you're right. If I want to get that gold medal, I have to make every effort I can. I want to become a "genius of effort"! I bet Ian Thorpe said something like that! Yeah! I can't go around making excuses, just cuz we're stuck in here! Alright! I think I'm gonna go do some push-ups in my room! Like maybe around a thousand or something!", Hina ran off to do her thing. I smiled with a sigh. I was just glad she was back to her upbeat nature.

-YASUHIRO HAGAKURE-

I found Hiro hanging out in the kitchen, so I came up to him with a smile.

"Did you need something, Kuno? *Gasp* It better not be my life! Don't kill me! Afterlife, protect me! Kuno, kill someone if you must, but don't kill meeee!", Hiro pleaded.

"Ah, no. I just came to hang out.", I deadpanned.

"Well then, why don't we have a heated discussion about cosmogony!", Hiro offered. I learned all about Hiro's theories on the origin of the universe... until Hiro opened up another offer.

"So! You ready for the next round of reading!?", Hiro offered.

"No thanks... Actually, how do you do your fortune-telling, anyway? I saw you doing palm readings and stuff, and you didn't use any tools or anything...", I mumbled.

"Wow, I didn't know you knew about divination tools! Sounds like you know your way around the spirit world!", Hiro praised.

"Um, not really...", I shrugged.

"Now that I know you're an expert, I have a question for you! A correct answer gets you another discount!", Hiro nodded.

"Um, I said I don't want a reading, discount or no.", I repeated.

"There are 22 cards known as the Major Arcana, and 56 cards known as the Minor Arcana... Generally, the cards from the Major Arcana are used for divination. Do you know what I'm talking about!?", Hiro asked anyways.

"Those are tarot cards.", I answered.

"Ahh, gloriously correct! I will now tell your fortune for measly six hundred bones!", Hiro exclaimed.

"Bones...? I've had enough fortune-telling for one lifetime...", I sighed.

"I see... Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me!", Hiro nodded.

"I'll put that in mind. Anyway, getting back to what I asked you about before... If you don't use any tools or whatever, how do you do your fortune-telling?", I questioned.

"Well, don't be fooled. I have my own my own techniques. For example, I employ numerology!", Hiro explained.

"Numbers...?", I mumbled.

"It uses a mathematical formula to predict the future based on birth dates, letter numbering, all that.", Hiro shrugged.

"Uh, I didn't see you using any of that.", I pointed out.

"Well, it's more of an inspirational style of fortune-telling! Some kind of unknown power just acts through you, and suddenly, bam! You've got the info!", Hiro explained.

"Um, that's intuition!", I exclaimed.

"Don't try and describe it using such a cheesy word!", Hiro scolded.

"Well, if it's not intuition, then it's some kind of supernatural power.", I deduced.

"Don't compare my clairvoyance to some occult bullcrap! I hate the occult! Take that crap somewhere else! Yup! Now here's some good news. Act now, and I'll throw in an extra bonus on your reading! I used white magic to record a CD of spirit messages I received from the luxury suite of heaven! Five seconds of this baby, and you'll be witnessing miracles and communing with angels for days!", Hiro offered.

"... And you said you hate the occult?", I asked with a sigh.

"Hey, business is business!", Hiro retorted.

"I'll... think about it.", I mumbled and left.

-CELESTIA LUDENBERG-

I found Celeste in the dining hall, drinking some tea. I walked up to her with a small smile.

"Well, if isn't the D-rank Kuno. Is something the matter?", Celeste smiled.

"I was a bit bored of sitting in my room. So, I decided to talk about the most interesting person here at the moment, you. Of course, I mean that in a good way!", I laughed. Celeste laughed and we began to talk with each other... Until she began to mumble to herself.

"Celestia Ludenberg. Celestia... Ludenberg...", Celeste kept mumbling.

"Uh, Celeste? You good there?", I asked.

"No matter how many times I hear it, I never tire of hearing my own name. Isn't it so splendidly charming?", Celestia sighed with a small smile.

"I was gonna ask you about that if you don't mind me asking? Um, why *that* name?", I questioned.

"...Why?", Celeste tilted her head to the side.

"I mean, is it from something? Why'd you pick it?", I asked.

"I did not *pick* it. My name was given to me by my mother and father...", Celeste explained.

"That... can't be your real name, can it?", I tilted my head in surprise.

"It is, indeed, my real name. Make no mistake about that.", Celeste nodded with a smile, yet her voice sounded like she was forcing it.

"Okay, so your parents gave you that name? Where are they from?", I asked.

"That's right. My father is French nobility, and my mother is part of a German family of musicians.", Celeste spouted out an obvious lie on the table.

"So, were you born in France or Germany?", I questioned.

"Tochigi. I was born in the capital of Tochigi, which is known for its delicious gyoza. Do you know of which city I speak?", Celeste asked. I was still a bit surprised that she mentioned something believable, almost as if *that* was a lie too. I gathered my thoughts and answered.

"That's Utsunomiya.", I stated with a still shaken look.

"That is correct. You have proven you are roughly as intelligent as an elementary school student.", Celeste giggled.

"That's harsh.", I blanked comically.

"You may be surprised to learn that I absolutely adore gyoza. I love its stench, its base vulgarity. So as you can imagine, I'm quite disappointed that I will ever taste my hometown's gyoza again.", Celeste sighed.

"Well, once we get out of here--", Celeste cut me off.

"We will never get out of here. How long will you continue with this ridiculousness? You should give up. If you don't, it can only lead to murder...", Celeste ended the conversation on that chilling note and left.

"*sigh* Leave it to Celestia Ludenberg to make your day just a little bit unsettling.", I sighed as I picked up the rest of the tea set to clean up.

-SAKURA OGAMI-

I found Sakura at the front of the locker rooms. I walked over to her to see her mumbling to herself.

"I don't like this atmosphere...", Sakura sighed.

"You look stressed, Sakura. Want to do something to get your mind off of it?", I smiled.

"Are you saying you're ready for another lesson? Very well. Prepare yourself, and come with me.", Sakura nodded with determination as she put me through a tough but rewarding training session. I could feel myself getting stronger by the second... After that, I sat down on the floor as Sakura sat across from in a kneeling position with her back straight.

"I suppose I don't mind talking with you a little more.", Sakura nodded.

"Oh, then... can I ask you something?", I asked.

"What is it?", Sakura urged.

"It's about what we were talking about last time. You said there's someone out there stronger than you?", I remembered.

"...", Sakura went quiet for a bit.

"Is it a guy, or a girl?", I asked.

"It's a man.", Sakura enlightened me.

"Is it your dad?", I asked.

"... The family dojo has been passed down from generation to generation for the past three centuries.", Sakura explained.

"Wow, that's one heck of a history... Not even my family go that far back in inventions!", I smiled.

"I was born into my family as an only daughter. Male or female doesn't matter. It's my duty to protect our legacy. And because I am a woman, I must be even stronger than if I were a man. Some would say that a woman is incapable of becoming the strongest human alive. I want to prove them wrong. Which is why I subjected myself to such feverish training under my father's instruction. Surpassing my father was certainly important to me. But that was just a matter of time.", Sakura confessed.

"What do you mean...?", I questioned.

"I was 14 years old when I first beat my father in a sparring match. After that, I never lost to my father again.", Sakura looked away for a bit before turning back to me.

"Wait, that means you surpassed your father!", I gasped.

"Yes. I have already surpassed my father. I'm not sure I did the right thing. My father also had the desire to become the strongest human alive. But I can't look back. I can only move forward and try to claim that title for myself. That is my destiny. Well, that's all for now. That was enjoyable. Goodbye.", without another word, Sakura left me there alone. I was a bit stunned and impressed at the same time.

"That... was so cool! Wait... I never got to know who she hasn't surpassed yet. Oh well, another time!", I smiled and ran off with glee.

--BYAKUYA TOGAMI-

APPEARS LATER IN THE STORY

-HIFUMI YAMADA-

I was walking around the hallways when I bumped into Hifumi.

"Ah, Miss Sawa! Funny meeting you here! A salute to you! Salute! I just saluted, did ya see!? That was the Hifumi Ultimate Salute! Zam!", Hifumi saluted me. I calmed him down and asked if we could pass some time together. He began talking about how "Cosplayers these days are totally ignorant" and all of the stuff I didn't really understand. I just let him talk to not look rude and tried following along... Suddenly, Hifumi deflated with a gloomy look on his face.

"Kuno...", this was the first time I heard him say my first name and he looked really bad.

"H-Hey, are you okay?", I asked as I quickly went to his side.

"It... hurts...!", Hifumi groaned.

"What hurts!? Are you okay!?", I frantically asked.

"Gh--! Gh-gah-grh-guh!", Hifumi groaned, his face pale and sweaty.

"You're sweating. I'll go get you some medicine! What kind do you need!?", I asked. Hifumi went quiet before answering.

"Coke...", Hifumi mumbled.

"...What?", I deadpanned.

"Coke! Diet Coke! Bring me some Diet Coke right noooooooowww!", Hifumi yelled, pulling a 180 on me.

"I don't think there's any Diet Coke at this school...", I sighed.

"I-I know... I've looked all over... And now I'm going through Diet Coke withdrawal! Kh--! If only I'd mastered the hypno-eye technique... Then I'd take over Monokuma's brain and use him to go get me some Diet Coke! But I never did learn that one... You got lucky this time, bear... So, uh... I can't take it anymore! I would literally murder everyone in here for a can of Diet Coke!", Hifumi yelled with odd determination.

"H-Hey, don't say stuff like that! Look, we can find something else, just calm down!", I scolded.

"You can say that cuz you don't understand the glory and splendor of Diet Coke! Diet Coke is... a friend to all mankind... A single sip and your body melts like butter! It's the kind of high nothing can match. It clears my mind, and even the most boring conversation sounds like a cinematic masterpiece! Kh...! I knew I was going through withdrawal...! Am I hallucinating now!? Kyaaaaahhh! Away, vile spirits! I cast thee out!", Hifumi yelled at nothing.

"Jeez, what am I watching...?", I questioned.

"Nng... Here come the auditory hallucinations. That voice...! Ah! Princess Piggles! It's you!", Hifumi pointed at me.

"N-No, I'm not her! Not at all! It's me, Kuno Sawa! Snap out of it, Hifumi!", I shook Hifumi furiously.

"The princess told me to snap out of it...!", Hifumi sighed.

"You can't let Diet Coke beat you!", I yelled.

"You're right, I won't lose... I'm a strong boy! I can endure this! For you, my princess! Now let's play tag! Hooray! Hooray! Tag, you're it!", Hifumi gave me a soul-crushing hug and ran at the speed of sound. I just stood there for a second, too stunned to form words. I tried piecing together what just happened, but my mind ruled it out as "Too traumatizing to remember, stop it." So, I left it at that and walked away. I was sure Hifumi was going to be fine. Definitely.

-MONDO OWADA-

I walked into the gym area to find Mondo testing out some of the equipment.

"What up, tough guy?", I greeted him with a smile. Mondo turned to me with a small blush but quickly dropped it for his more "I'm pissed off" look.

"Something wrong?", Mondo asked.

"Nothing really. I just wanted to hang out.", I laughed.

"Sh*t, Kuno. Normally I don't hang out with chicks this much, know what I mean? But I got some time to kill, so whatever.", Mondo sighed. We spent some time together, talking about random things that never really fit into normal conversations... After talking about the weird pronunciation of the word "knife" for a bit, Mondo caught my attention.

"Hey, Kuno... Listen, there's somethin' I gotta ask you...", Mondo asked in a very serious tone.

"Fire away.", I said as I turned fully to face Mondo.

"Just listen. So... are you a dog person or a cat person?", Mondo asked.

"Uh... Where did that come from?", I asked with a raised brow.

"Just tell me before I... I walk off on you right now! I'm a dog person, by the way! So what are you!? C'mon, tell me!", Mondo yelled.

"Well, I'm a dog person, too... I don't own one, but a bunch of homeless dogs live around our place, so I feed them leftovers every day. I can't take one in since my dad is allergic to fur.", I shrugged.

"Really? You're not just sayin' that, right!?", Mondo questioned.

"It's true. I mean, cats are nice, but dogs are mankind's best friend!", I laughed.

"Right!? Cats are okay, but dogs are WAY cuter! So, how old are the dogs?", Mondo asked with a huge grin that could make the toughest of people melt at how adorable it was. I blushed and smiled at him as I answered.

"Well, most of them range from 5 to 8 years old! They are all different breeds and somehow get along really well, like they agreed not to fight or something, haha... But, one of them passed away a few months ago...", I sighed.

"O-Oh... I know how that feels man... It's tough to lose a dog you love so much. I totally know how you feel!", Mondo pet my hair to try and comfort me a bit.

"So you used to have a dog, too?", I asked while yawning. Whenever someone comforts me, I become sleepy in an instant. Mondo smiled at my reaction and kept going.

"Yeah, Chuck. A Maltese. He died when he was nine... He was so smart, man. He'd bring in the newspaper every morning.", Mondo reminisced.

"Aw, that's so cute! And cool!", I gushed.

"Right? And then he'd beg me to take him for a walk. He'd look up at me with those eyes of his, and wiggle that little butt... Gah! I don't wanna remember this sh*t! Ugh... this seriously sucks! D-Don't look at me with those eyes of yours, those puppy eyes! Ah, goddammit...! I gotta go! Ngaaah...! Chuck! My baby boy!", Mondo left in a state I have never seen him in before.

"Now I feel bad... I had no idea he loved dogs that much...", I mumbled as I walked away.

-KYOKO KIRIGIRI-

I walked into one of the classrooms to see Kyoko looking around. I hopped towards her with a smile.

"Hiya, Kyoko!", I greeted the stoic girl, wishing to get a small reaction out of it.

"What's the matter? Why are you bouncing around like a little rabbit? Don't you have anything to do?", Kyoko smirked at me, which was unexpected but nice in a way.

"Oh, I just want to hang out with you. Do you mind?", I asked while slipping into a seat next to Kyoko's.

"There's no reason to decline. And I'm not the type to decline, anyway. Besides... I find myself more and more intrigued by someone like you.", Kyoko went a little pink as she muttered that sentence, but I caught it. I let a goofy grin slip itself onto my face.

"Thank you! That was the nicest thing you have said to me! Well, enough sappy stuff and let's chat!", we both began talking about the circumstances around us... Until Kyoko went quiet.

"...", as quiet as mouse, Kyoko was.

"Um... Kyoko?", I tried to catch her attention.

"If you're expecting a conversation, don't. There's no need for it.", Kyoko suddenly said.

"We... were just having a perfectly normal conversation though... And, don't you think talking is important? If we're gonna get out of here, we all need to be on the same page... And to do that, we need to know each other.", I explained with a pouty face.

"You could certainly make the argument that forming firendships may help prevent killings. But are you asking for some kind of deep connection?", Kyoko asked.

"Maybe...? I don't know.", I shrugged in defeat.

"You could just be deceiving us, pretending to be everyone's friend so you can gather information.", Kyoko glared while uttering that sentence.

"W-Wait, that's not--!"

"Well then, let's do a quick test, shall we?", Kyoko offered.

"A test?", I tilted my head in confusion.

"If you're as gung-ho on friendship as you claim, this should be an easy question.", Kyoko explained.

"Well, okay then. Hit me.", I nodded.

"Are you ready? You consider Hina one of your friends, yes? If that's true, what is her ultimate ability?", Kyoko quizzed.

"Psh, that's easy! Hina's The Ultimate Swimming Pro!", I smiled.

"Well... asked and answered. Then your pleas of camaraderie are true.", Kyoko nodded.

"Of course!", I nodded with pride.

"Yes, of course. Such a foolishly open person as you could never lie. Everyone would know right away. Okay then, as promised... What would you like to know about me?", Kyoko asked.

"Oh, right... What school did you attend before coming to Hope's Peak?", I asked.

"Before I came here...?... I guess I was living abroad.", Kyoko answered.

"Was it an exchange program? Or do your parents work overseas or something?", I questioned.

"... My parents? I suppose?", Kyoko seemed to question what she was saying, and it struck me as odd.

"Um, what does your father do?", I asked.

"... Foreign government? Top secret clearance...?", Kyoko mumbled. She shook it off and kept talking.

"I kept up my end of the deal. This should be enough, right? I'm leaving now.", with that, Kyoko got up and took her leave, leaving me there to contemplate her odd behavior.

-KIYOTAKA ISHIMARU-

I walked around the halls until I saw Taka... being Taka, talking to himself in a not-so-quiet voice.

"When you see someone naked, you can tell at a glance whether they're trustworthy or not. Which is why it's necessary for us to bare ourselves to each other! So show me what you've got! Show me everything!", Taka yelled at no one. Was he... trying out conversations? Cuz it was not working.

"I don't think the person you want to talk to would be too compliant with that order, Taka. How about we have regular conversation, yeah?", I asked, trying not to laugh my butt off.

"Do you want to show your soul to me, Kuno? Alright! When the body is naked, so is the soul! So get to strippin' down!", Taka cheered. I spent the rest of my ten minutes of peace trying to explain how it was not okay for me to go naked all of a sudden... After that argument, Taka began to grumble.

"I'm weak, Kuno... So very weak...", Taka sighed.

"What happened...?", I asked.

"Haven't you realized? This school is missing something of utmost importance! Textbooks! Classes! I'm just gonna come right out and say it... I'm freaking out! As we speak, we're being left in the dust by other students our age! I'm totally freaking out! Kuno! What should I do!? If I keep involuntarily skipping class like this, I'm gonna reach dunce status in no time!", Taka was in tears at this point.

"Hey, how about you just take a deep breathe and calm down? You were always on top of your class at the school you used to go to, right? I mean, you're basically a genius! So even if you involintarily miss classes, it's not the same as just some ordinary kid ditching...", I smiled. but Taka looked stiff all of a sudden.

"... Genius? Don't say that...", Taka muttered.

"Huh...?", I was a bit confused by his sudden change in tone.

"I'm no genius. I'm a normal person, just like anyone else. I'm from a middle-class family, you know? Actually, they're not even middle-class... That's why I have to push so hard! I have to knock down that wall! It's not geniuses that change the world. It's ordinary people who make every effort they can. And to prove that, I have to keep on making effort after effort after effort! So don't call me a genius! Don't lump me in with those lazy clods who don't put in any effort!", Taka yelled.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.", I mumbled. He made a fair point, and it made me feel bad for doing that. Taka looked taken aback and sighed.

"No, *I'm* sorry. I got a little carried away... I should have never yelled at you. But I only said all that because you and me are the same. You and me, we're just normal people. We know what it means to have to make an effort. That's why I want you to know exactly how I feel...", Taka nodded.

"Hey, I understand. You just wanted to vent. I don't mind, we all make mistakes.", I smiled at Taka with a hand on his shoulder and a small smile. Taka blushed a bit but tried to keep a straight face, which was absolutely adorable.

"A-And that's why I'm so passionate about my work on the morals committee. I want to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to give it everything they've got. That's why I put all my blood, sweat, and tears into creating that kind of environment. I want everyone else to understand that, too. In the end, you can't succeed if you don't try. Anyone who says differently is selling something. Effort is everything! That's the only way to fix anything in this world! And I have to prove that to all the ordinary people out there so they'll keep on trying! I have to become the ordinary man who can surpass any genius! Those are the feelings I carried with me when I entered Hope's Peak Academy... But now that I'm trapped in here, I've been robbed of the opportunity to make that effort... So now what am I supposed to do...?", Taka asked with a sigh.

"Taka...", I was speechless for a bit.

"Sorry, Kuno. I didn't mean to make you listen to my pathetic complaining...", Taka apologized.

"No, it's not pathetic! I can see why you are upset. You obviously feel really strongly about this. I really hope you don't give up hope and start to lose track of what you want to do. If you really believe that effort is what matters, then you *can't* give up, right? Because if you can't make that effort, then what do you have left?", I encouraged. Taka was stunned into silence for a bit.

"... I think until you said that just now, I'd totally forgotten what I was here for. The foundation of effort is the will to never give up. You're right. I have to try, no matter the situation. Even without classes, without assignments... I can just look back at what I've learned already and reinforce those basic principles!", Taka nodded with newfound determination.

"Yeah, that's a great idea!", I smiled.

"I'm glad we had this talk, Kuno. Wow, I feel so much better getting all that off my chest! As my way to say thanks, next time I buckle down for a study session, I'll make sure to invite you! Let's work together as fellow ordinary people to show those geniuses who's boss!", Taka laughed as he suddenly gave me strong hug. I did not expect that and let out a small "eep!" before he let me go and ran off. My face was beet red and my head was spinning. I sighed after calming myself down.

"That guy is gonna be the death of me... Heh.", I breathed out a laugh and walked away.

-CHIHIRO FUJISAKI-

I found Chihiro in one of the small classrooms, so I decided to hang out with her.

"Hi, Chihiro!", I greeted her with a smile.

"Hello there, Kuno. Ehehe... how nice to see you here.", Chihiro giggled.

"Well, it's nice to see *you*! Wanna hang out?", I asked.

"Eheh... yay! I really like talking to you.", Chihiro smiled. We talked all about our talents and the things we like... Until Chihiro began talking about something else.

"Um, if you don't hate the idea... would you like to talk some more?", Chihiro asked in such an innocent way that it made me melt on the inside.

"Of course! I'd love to learn more about you.", I nodded.

"Okay. But... what do you want to know?", Chihiro asked.

"Well, let's see... What kind of program are you working on now? I bet it's pretty amazing.", I smiled.

"Oh! Actually, I just started the research process for something... You remember that database software I told you about? I'm retooling it into something a little more complex. But I signed an NDA with the company that hired me, so I can't really go into the details...", Chihiro explained.

"Yeah, they probably didn't want anything leaked, huh?", I agreed.

"It's not that I don't trust you or anything! I just... made a promise, you know? S-Sorry...", Chihiro apologized, close to tears.

"N-No, it's okay! I understand the feeling! My clients with special orders also don't want their special designs copied, so I get it.", I panicked.

"Oh, but... maybe I can give you a little hint. It has to do with simulating human thoughts.", Chihiro explained.

"You're developing an A.I, aren't you?", I guessed.

"Ah! You figured it out! Was my hint too easy...? Ahh, what am I gonna do? If they find out I broke my promise, they might...", Chihiro began to cry.

"Don't worry! I'm not gonna say anything to anyone. My lips are sealed shut with ten different zippers!", I assured.

"Y-Yeah, I know... I know I can trust you. Okay, I guess I can tell you about it. I'm working on a type of artificial intelligence the world has never seen before. It's what we call a strong A.I. It's designed to think like a human, to prcess any mental task we can.", Chihiro explained.

"A stong A.I...?", I echoed.

"You see, in the field of artificial intelligence, there's strong A.I and weak A.I. Weak A.I isn't meant to match human intelligence. It's simply a type of problem-solving software. A weak A.I isn't actually thinking. It's just executing actions programmed into it. Strong A.I, on the other hand, is a program that can achieve true self-consciousness-full ego awareness. In other words, a strong A.I is a complete entity, a computer program capable of becoming aware. But it's always just been a hypothesis. Plenty of experts don't think it's even possible.", Chihiro shrugged.

"It sounds like sci-fi, honestly... And you're working on something like that?", I asked.

"Well like I said, right now I'm just researching it. I've made lots of progress on the programming side, and the intelligence development... but when it comes to actual awareness, it's still a long way off. It might even be impossible...", Chihiro elaborated.

"That so...?", I was surprised by just how much she knew about all this.

"I'm not sure how to put it, but... No matter how well designed or complex a program is... No matter how closely the software can simulate the workings of the human brain... I don't think that's enough. If the program is only *simulating* thought, it will always be lacking something.", Chihiro sighed.

"Like what?", I questioned.

"Well... I guess you could say... a soul. If you could somehow pour your own soul into the software, maybe then a strong A.I could be created.", Chihiro explained with a hopeful look.

"A soul...", I mumbled.

"Yeah, I know. It's not a programming term. I'm not even sure how that would work on a technical level. S-Sorry, forget I mentioned it... Anyway, all I have right now is the theory. There's still lots of research left to do. I wasted your time on another boring topic. I must have bored you to death, huh?", Chihiro muttered.

"No, not at all! It was really interesting to hear about it.", I smiled.

"You mean it...? Okay! Next time we talk, I wanna hear about you!", Chihiro cheered.

"Well, I'm no tech wiz, so I *really* must be boring to you.", I chuckled.

"No excuses! It's your turn next time!", Chihiro beamed. I thought it was the cutest thing ever and couldn't help the blush creeping up on my face.

"O-Okay!", I nodded with a goofy smile.

"Ehehe. Yay!", Chihiro skipped away with glee, while I was left there to drop to the floor and fangirl with delight.

-MAKOTO NAEGI-

I walked to Makoto's room and knocked on the door. He opened the door a bit and smiled when he saw me.

"Kuno? Is there something you need?", Makoto asked.

"Just came to talk. Wanna go to the library?", I offered.

"Sure, sounds nice.", Makoto nodded as we went to the library and began talking about our lives outside the school walls... Makoto suddenly had a sorrowful look on his face.

"Something wrong, Makoto?", I asked.

"What *isn't* wrong, Kuno? We're stuck in this school with no way out, I just lost three friends to that bear, and I don't even know if I'll make it out of here alive.", Makoto sighed. It was odd, seeing him so downcast, but I couldn't blame him.

"Oh... Hey, how about we do something to get your mind off of all this?", I smiled.

"Like what...?", Makoto asked.

"Um, ask me something personal! Go on!", I urged.

"O-Oh, um, alright... This is a hypothetical question... Upon dying, you are given the choice to re-live your life or getting a new life from scratch. Which would you choose?", Makoto asked.

"Oh, that's... actually hard to answer. On one hand, I want to choose my own life because I adore my life! I grew up with a wonderful family and friends, I do okay in school, and I have my own business. I don't want to change any of that, I made it after all. I poured my blood, sweat and tears into what I do, for the sake of my family, and I love it. On the other hand... Sometimes, I have some pretty rough times in my life that make me wish I could just... disappear. Like, watch the rest of the world live their lives as I just watch in peace. Away from the chaos, away from all that. Sometimes, I get this feeling that I'm just... nothing. Nothing in the grand scheme of things, you know?", I sighed.

"Hey, don't say that!", Makoto scolded.

"Huh...?", I tilted my head in confusion.

"Your life is important! You do have something to offer, you know that and I know that too! I saw one of your pieces and it looked absolutely breathtaking! Not only that, you make home equipment, too! Do you know how many homes you offered your services to? How many weapons you made to protect someone? You do bring something to the grand scheme of things!(A message from Author-Chan~! ^-^)", Makoto said with such determination.

"Makoto...", I was stunned.

"Ah, s-sorry! I began to ramble and I--"

"Don't be sorry. Just... Don't.", I smiled.

"Huh...?", Makoto looked confused.

"Heh, and here I thought I was supposed to be cheering you up. You're... special, Makoto. Don't forget that, okay? Promise?", I put my pinky finger out.

"... I promise.", Makoto smiled as he wrapped his pinky finger around mine.

END OF CHAPTER 8