Prologue - Part 3
Hey...
Can you hear me...?
Hey, are you alright?
...You seem pretty out of it.
To be honest, I’m also... No, everyone else feels the same, too.
........
...Hey, are you listening?
........
Hey, are you sure you're okay?
Ah... I think so...
Alright, I’m glad.
........
Golden sand... blue sea...
Strong, bright sunlight blazing down... and a gentle sea breeze caressing my skin...
Why... am I here?
We were all supposed to be at Hope’s Peak Academy, but now...
...
...Ah! Where did everyone go!?
They split off to explore the rest of the island.
Explore?
Well... we’ve been told to live here, so we figured we should learn as much as we can about the place.
What's this island's name? Is there a way to escape? What about food and living arrangements?
And you... were you waiting for me to wake up?
I actually volunteered. We didn’t want to leave you here alone.
...
I guess I appreciate the thought, but was he really alone with me that entire time?
So, that stuffed doll... she said we’re on an island, right?
Yeah, that’s right.
........
I’m starting to feel ill again... This is all way too much...
This is... a security camera?
What the-!? Are they spying on us!?
I wouldn't say we're being monitored...
I think we're just being watched for our safety...
Well, it's a waste of time to think about it. Best not to worry!
Do you really think it’s okay to act so calm? We’ve been kidnapped!
Now, now, isn’t that kind of pessimistic? We don’t know for sure if this island is dangerous.
E-Even so, we still need to be cautious!
And you... as a man, you should be ready to protect the girls!
Um... I’ll keep that in mind.
He’s not taking me seriously, is he...?
But... Isn’t it a little awkward if I don’t know the people I’m supposed to be protecting?
Hmm... Everyone did exchange names before leaving, so I guess I already know the other girls...
...My name is Mahiru.
Huh? Just “Mahiru?”
...Mahiru Koizumi.
Judging by that camera you have, is it safe to assume your Ultimate Talent has something to do with photography?
Yeah... I’m the Ultimate Photographer.
The Ultimate Photographer, huh? I don’t know much about photography myself, but I’ve heard a lot about you!
A promising young talent who’s won all sorts of awards... yep, that’s Mahiru Koizumi.
...You know about me?
I... ah... I did some research about everyone before I arrived at this school.
This school is so popular, there’s message boards online dedicated to talking about it.
Whenever Hope’s Peak Academy recruits a new class, they tend to go a bit crazy...
If you wanna know one thing about me, it’s that I find this Ultimate stuff... really interesting. I’d even call myself a bit of a fanboy.
The... Ultimate Ultimate Fanboy. How does that sound?
A little weird, if I have to be honest.
But if it’s just a special interest, I suppose there’s nothing really wrong with it....
...Ah, I’m sorry. I haven’t properly introduced myself, have I?
My name is Nagito Komaeda. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Ah, along with my introduction...
I guess I'll also tell you about my talent so you know why Hope's Peak Academy chose me.
Well, even if I tell you, in my case, it's a pretty disappointing talent...
What do you mean?
I'm lucky.
Eh?
It's not a joke or anything... That's my actual talent.
I'm the Ultimate Lucky Student... At least, that's what I'm called anyway.
“Ultimate Lucky Student”...
Through a country-wide lottery, apparently only one ordinary student is selected at random to attend Hope's Peak Academy as the Ultimate Lucky Student.
And that lucky winner just so happened to be me.
Chosen by lottery? Is he for real?
And “Luck”? How can that even be considered a talent?
You look like you’re not really sure what to make of this.
O-Oh, no. It’s not that...
No, it's fine. I have mixed feelings about this, too.
I never thought an average, talentless high school student like me would ever enter Hope's Peak Academy...
At first... I declined. I told them I didn't deserve it. But they told me they really wanted me to attend...
Apparently this so-called luck of mine is a talent that even the school doesn't fully understand...
To research it, the school picks the Ultimate Lucky Student every year through an annual lottery.
Hope's Peak Academy is amazing if they can actually research something as vague as "luck."
Well, thanks to that luck, a guy like me was able to attend Hope's Peak Academy, so for that I'm grateful...
But on the other hand...I feel a little out of place here.
Ah, sorry. I have a bad habit of viewing most things through a pessimistic lens.
...Jeez. You’re awfully spineless for a guy.
Huh?
I guess the luck thing is kinda weird, but you should be more grateful.
Even if it’s out of pure luck, Hope’s Peak still wanted you... so you should man up and be proud of it!
V-Very forward... I appreciate the thought, but I don’t think you understand my entire situation.
I don’t understand... the entire situation?
Well, it looks like we’re done with our introductions.
Even though I don’t really know what’s going on, I think it’d be great if we got along.
........
He could do with toughening up a bit... but he seems like a decent enough guy.
If what he says is true, and the others trusted him to remain here while they explored...
That would mean the girls trusted him as well, right?
W-Wait, did you hear something just now?
There was a strange noise... I think it came from...!
Confused, I thrust my hand into my pocket.
I swear the mechanical sound came from in there...
W-What is this thing?
It looks like a smartphone or something... Why was this in my pocket?
Usami gave them to us earlier, remember?
Oh right... You’d already passed out when that happened.
W-Well then? What is it?
It's an e-Handbook!
Uwah!!
H-How... W-Where did you come from!?
Oh, did I startle you? I'm terribly sorry.
Teehee... I know how to apologize like a good girl!
Anyway, don't you think it's cool?
That handbook is absolutely vital for this school trip, so make sure you don't lose it!
Th...This thing is important?
I've asked everyone to use their e-Handbook to gather all of the Hope Fragments!
Did it say...”Hope Fragments”?
Um, on this island, you'll obtain Hope Fragments as you get along with your classmates.
As your relationship with everyone improves, you'll be able to gather more and more Hope Fragments!
Gather Hope Fragments so that the flower of hope achieves its full bloom.
Truly, that is the main purpose of this school trip!
Love! Love! [leaves]
H-Hey, wait!
...No luck, she’s already gone.
How did she do that...? How does this stuffed toy walk, talk... and suddenly appear out of nowhere!?
I can’t understand it at all! Who’s operating that thing, and how!?
These “Hope Fragments”... what are they for?
She wants them so badly, too. It’s like something out of a game...
If this feels like a game, that's rather comforting.
That means we aren’t going to be in any actual danger.
Don’t be so dense! Even if we’re not in any danger, we’re still lost on this island!
...Anyway, you don’t know anything about the other students, do you?
I think it’s best if you introduced yourself to them. It’d give you a chance to explore the island as well.
Huh... Yeah, I probably should.
I’ve already spoken to everyone... but I’d like to tag along with you, if that’s okay.
...If you must.
So, I’ve gotten myself a partner.
To be honest, I’m a little relieved. Exploring alone sounded a little daunting... not like I’d ever admit that.
Ah, I almost forgot to mention...
It appears that there’s a map of the island in our student handbooks.
If you use this, you should be able to find everyone easily.
Also, as mentioned previously, I know a few things about everyone here. So I can help introduce you to them!
Yeah, okay...
I suppose it’s time for me to introduce myself to everyone.