The Daily Lives and Tribulations of the Brothers and Students of Hope

Hajime Hinata stepped away from the table, murmuring apologies, before he made his way to the front door. His phone continued to vibrate in his hand as he brushed between tables and slipped past waiters/waitresses. He continued to murmur apologies as his green eyes were pained with awkwardness and his hand raked through his brown hair. He sighed as he pushed open the doors and stepped into the humid, warm high of the New York streets. His black suit became a death trap in seconds as he answered the call.

Hajime brought the phone to his ear, "Yes?"

The masculine voice answered, "Hello, this is Jin Kirigiri, the Headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy." He wasn't elderly nor was he young.

The brunet's eyes narrowed, "Oh?" He popped the bones in his neck as he smiled slightly, "I'm sorry, but I thought Tengan was the Headmaster." He noted the looks he got from passersby as he spoke Japanese in the American city.

"Yes, he has stepped down as of late and had given me the mantle."

"I see…"

Jin finished, "And, as Hope's Peak is under new direction, I have called to personally request that you return to school."

The recipient tucked his hand into his pocket as he paced on the sidewalk, "By me, you mean Kamukura Izuru."

There was a pause for a moment before the Headmaster replied, "Ah, then you must be Hajime Hinata." He probably nodded on the other end of the call, "Tengan told me about you." He then added, "So that you know, Hope's Peak Academy will pay your tickets for your return. An email will be sent to you for that."

Hajime coughed, "May I ask why the sudden change?"

Jin answered simply, "I believe that my students should at least be on campus." He sighed before taking on an empathetic approach, "Look, I understand why either of you may wish to distance yourselves from our school." His voice became more confident as he assured, "But things will be different now, and the Steering Committee will not be aware of Izuru's return. Less the two of you bring about too much attention like that Nagito…"

"Who?"

The Headmaster chuckled, "Oh, I'm sorry, just remembering some paperwork that I must fill out." The older man sounded very tired in the statement before taking a breath and stating, "Please do make your return to the school for the upcoming year."

The brunet pondered for a moment before shrugging, "That's a week away, right?"

Jin replied, "Yes." He coughed, "Well, please do contact this number if you have any questions or if any problems occur during your journey." He seemed relieved that his students may return or, as he more than likely thought, his students would return.

Hajime bowed slightly even though he was on a call, "Thank you for the notice, Headmaster Kirigiri." He straightened with a cough as he continued to pace.

The Headmaster ended the call with, "Of course. Have a safe flight."

Hajime took the phone from his ear before tucking it back to his pocket, looking up at the cloudy night sky above, "Back to Japan…" He began to make his way back into the restaurant, "I guess we'll see." He pulled the reverse of his exit before making his way to his twin. His twin with long black hair and red-eyes… At least their faces looked the same.

Izuru looked over his shoulder, "Hajime."

His twin leaned close to his ear, keeping the matter private, "It was Hope's Peak. They want us to come back."

While his eyes remained neutral, a slight scowl came across his lips, "I thought Tengan agreed with our arrangement."

Hajime shook his head, "New management, apparently."

Izuru sighed, biting his cheek, "Bothersome…"

The brunet nodded, "Yep." He then added, "He promised that the Steering Committee won't know about us returning."

The ravenet blinked, "Really?"

Hajime shrugged, "Promises can be broken."

Izuru tapped his chin, "But the fact that one was made is… interesting…"

The brunet raised a brow, "Interesting enough…?"

The ravenet nodded, "To go home." He looked to the man they shared a dining table with, switching his language to the native one, "I'm sorry, Grayson. We will have to continue our planning from a distance. We've received an urgent request to return home." The man was obviously distraught but respected the two before him enough to accept the situation without too much questioning. After finishing their posh dinner with Izuru's associate, the pair left the restaurant and took a taxi to their hotel.

Hajime's phone buzzed before he examined the notification, "We're flying Economic."

The ravenet nodded, "Spending money on First-Class tickets could draw attention."

His twin shrugged, chuckling, "I'm not complaining." He looked out the window at the passing buildings, "How long has it been since we were home?"

Izuru held a reminiscent smile—a barely visible one at best, "Almost a year…" He looked out the window himself, "We've been busy."

The brunet shook his head, "You've been busy." He shrugged, "I'm just along for the ride."

"Sure."

Hajime scratched his cheek, "We barely spent a day at Hope's Peak when I think about it." He sighed, "I'm sorry, but… I still kinda respect the place."

"It's understandable. A place for people to cultivate their talent freely is an amazing idea." He scowled, "It's just too bad that the Steering Committee has so much charge of the place." He shook his head, "I knew we couldn't stay when I heard about the Reserve Course."

"Yeah… A damn scam for desperate kids with deep pockets…"

"Or very loving parents."

A bout of silence floated about the cab before the brunet spoke, "So… Why're we going back?"

The red-eyed teen crossed his legs, leaning against his door, "I need to meet this new Headmaster." His eyes narrowed, "He's keeping secrets from the Steering Committee."

His twin added, "Or pretending to."

Izuru straightened, turning to his brother, "What was his name?"

"Kirigiri Jin."

"Kirigiri?"

"Famous name?"

The ravenet nodded, "A family line of skillful detectives." He raised a brow, "Does he know about me… everything?"

Hajime nodded, "Yeah." Though, after a moment of thought, he clarified, "Or I think so. He mentioned that he understood why we were avoiding the academy, but… you know."

"He could be speaking of truths or lies. Or half-truths and half-lies." He leaned back once more, "We shall see." He murmured to himself, "If his words are lies, we know who fed them to him."

The brunet raised a brow, "And if he is lying or only knows lies."

A frank and plain answer was his reply, "We're leaving." He shook his head, "A man foolish enough to believe the Committee cannot truly lie to it."

His twin nodded, tapping on his phone, "Got a destination so I can plan ahead?" He shrugged, "Easier to book these things and cancel than try and get them in last minute."

Izuru stared out the window, "I believe… Silicon Valley would be a… fun time."

The brunet nodded, rubbing his chin, "Hmm… I think Hotel De Anza does free cancelations…"

A thin, missable smirk drew across the ravenet's lips, "Planning on staying?"

Hajime spoke frankly in return, "I need to be prepared for your swaying interests, Mr. Whimsical."

XXX

The twins hopped on the first plane out of the United States, leaving during the night and arriving in Japan during its day. They made their way to Hope's Peak Academy from the airport. And then, from the front gates of the academy, they ascended to the Headmaster's office. They made their way through the maze-like halls, avoiding any early-rising students as they did so.

Izuru looked around, "To be here again…" He sighed, "I'll admit, I'm disappointed." He shook his head, "It's almost as if nothing has changed."

Hajime smacked his brother's shoulder, "A lot's changed, little brother."

The ravenet blinked, "I suppose…" The lightest of smiles graced his lips, "It has."

The brunet chuckled, "I would hope so."

"Tch… 'Hope'…" He shook his head, "What a mutilated word…"

They turned down the hall, walking towards the Headmaster's doors. "So, if things go South, we leave for the U.S. again?"

"Yes."

Hajime nodded, gesturing to the doors, "After you."

Izuru stopped before the door, looking at its frame intently.

His brother raised a brow, "What is it?"

The ravenet knocked his knuckles against the door, "The room's soundproof."

Hajime shrugged, "That's somewhat understandable, I guess." The door clicked as he added, "But… It's still kinda weird…"

Izuru pushed open the doors, "Hm…"

The office was well-organized with tall shelves and cases of books and files. A large window took up most of the far wall. With a desk and a man in between them and that window. The man had dark hair and wore a similar suit to the pair, organizing papers on his desk. He blinked, looking up at them, "Ah, Mr. Kamukura." He set his work to the side, "Please come in." The pair stepped in as he added, "Mr. Hinata, can wait outside."

Hajime took a simple step back, sliding the door shut, but his brother's hand landed on the door, stopping him, "Hajime's family. He stays."

Jin sighed, "Please, I understand your mindset, but this is a sensitive matter."

The ravenet remained steadfast, "Then there's no better ears to hear it."

The Headmaster sighed, rubbing his brow, before gesturing to the other chair in the room, "Then please, take a seat as well."

Hajime took a seat next to his brother after shutting the door behind him, "Sorry for the inconvenience."

Jin looked between the two, "So," He reached underneath his desk, activating something that locked the doors, "To the truth." He leaned forward, resting on his elbows, "I'm sure you have questions, and I am prepared to answer as much as I can with what I know."

Izuru started simply, "Do you know the truth of my disdain for this place?"

The Headmaster nodded, "The Hope Cultivation Plan." He sighed, "I wasn't fully knowledgeable to the… actions of the Steering Committee when securing a subject." He took a breath, "Originally, I knew the goal and that one subject was successfully tested. I didn't know what they did to you, and…" He looked to Hajime, "Who they stole you from." He nodded, "And I'm sure the both of you understand why bringing the Steering Committee to justice is… too difficult to accomplish currently."

The ravenet murmured bitterly, "No evidence exists."

Hajime rubbed his arm, "Or, at least, not enough to get through their army of lawyers."

Jin nodded, "Yes." He elaborated, "I wasn't a member of Hope's Peak Academy at the time when I had first heard of it. It was when I infiltrated as a staff member that I was able to investigate the full nature of the program." He scowled, shaking his head, "So many hands tied… Lies told… And lines crossed… Far too many." He teetered his head, "I had to keep my awareness a secret, of course. Feigned ignorance when they briefed me about the program during my initiation as Headmaster."

The brunet shook his head, "Is our only hope age at this point?"

The Headmaster chuckled, "Perhaps." He frowned, "It's too bad. They've brought so much to the world. If only their intentions matched their results."

Izuru shrugged, "If only."

Jin looked amongst the pair, "Any other questions?"

Hajime raised a brow, "Do you expect us to stay on campus?"

He answered, "I would prefer it." He explained, "The Committee has wandering eyes. You two entering and exiting the school may attract attention."

"Do you want us to live in the student dorms?"

The Headmaster shook his head, "No." He smiled knowingly, "From what I've gathered, that may be too many people for your… preferences."

Hajime chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head, "You know about that?"

The man nodded in response, "It was a well-hidden incident, but your connections aren't that skilled."

The twins shared a look before speaking in unison, "Good to know."

Jin's smile faltered slightly as a bead of worry trickled down his face, thinking, "I feel like I shouldn't have said that…" He coughed, leaning back in his seat, "Well, I have begun to prepare a place for you two to stay on campus." He elaborated, "There's a bit of an out of control forest started up by the Ultimate Botanist. It overgrew an abandoned dorm project. I've spent the last summer, preparing it to be livable." He frowned, "It's not complete, though. I apologize for that. It is hard to bring crews in and out of the premises without attracting too much attention." He chuckled, "Keeping you two secret may be my most difficult task as Headmaster."

Izuru raised a brow, "You've been preparing for our arrival."

"Hoping for your arrival."

The brunet shrugged, "You had a summer. What isn't complete?"

He shook his head, "The roof and the walls. The interior was strangely the first thing the crews completed." His face contorted, "I hate hiring these smaller crews. I have no idea what they're thinking, and they barely care."

The ravenet replied, "We can handle the rest."

The Headmaster blinked, "Oh, really?"

"If it's that simple, then yes."

Hajime nodded, "I can bring in resources too. I'll just need clearance."

Jin smiled, nodding, "You'll have it."

Izuru interjected, "I do have one more question."

"Yes?"

His eyes narrowed, "Why invite me back?" He shook his head, "It isn't to make amends; you would've left us alone if that were the case. It isn't a new school policy. No added security to ensure that students remain on campus. Only patrolling staff to keep out the Reserve Course students." He finished, "So, why?"

The Headmaster lowered his head, "It's complicated…"

Hajime murmured to himself, "I've sung that tune before."

Jin sighed, "Nothing is set in stone. There's only a feeling in my gut that won't leave." He shook his head, "I won't worry either of you with my paranoia. If what I think comes to pass, I will tell you both everything."

Izuru sighed, replying simply, "An acceptable answer. For the time being."

The Headmaster nodded, "Now, there is a matter of how to keep you two a secret." He explained, "The Steering Committee hasn't been informed of either of your returns. To them, you two are still 'studying' abroad and are far away from this place. Your names are on rosters, but only the particular classes you two are attending. Those rosters have gotten special digital treatment. Encrypted—only trusted staff will know of your existence." "Mr. Hinata, you will be attending Reserve Course classes-"

The ravenet glared at him, "No, my brother will attend classes with me."

"Having a talentless student attend the main course will prompt too many questions." He shook his head, "If the Committee gets word, they will investigate, and they will have reason to keep you on campus."

The brunet blinked, "How would that work?"

Jin sighed, "To inquire about favoritism to you. And they're clever enough, to get you and I arrested for all sorts of things."

Izuru crossed his arms, "Then we won't remain on campus. We'll live in the city."

"I want to keep you two on campus because it will be easier to hide you both. I don't have pull with the local police. I don't have any connections. I don't control the train security. I don't have influence over the street cameras or news outlets." He sighed, "I have the campus—that's it."

The Ultimate Hope turned to his twin, "Our connections are quiet." He shook his head, "We'll have to wake them up. See which one's are still kicking. Replace the ones we've lost." He shrugged, "Things are up in the air for us right now."

"Tch…" He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "And this… gut feeling of yours, we are to simply trust it."

Jin sighed, "While I wasn't a detective for the longest of times, I still experience in that arena." He shook his head, "I simply must prove myself wrong. Once I do, you two may leave without any complications on my part."

Izuru went silent as his frustrations turned quiet, returning his aura of calm. His mouth moved but words didn't leave. And then, he scowled, raising his head and crossing his arms, "The Reserve Course is an insult to everyone in it!" He scoffed, "A place for fools."

"This isn't meant to be a slight-"

Hajime raised his voice, "It doesn't matter!" He shook his head, "In the end, being here will benefit us in the long run." A look of thankfulness was passed from the Headmaster to Hajime.

For the briefest of moments, a smirk crossed over the ravenet's face before he stood, pulling a frown onto his face, "I will accept these conditions for a limited time. However, don't expect me to act the way you want or to do what you want." He spoke, turning away from the man, "For instance, I will not wear that uniform ever again."

The Headmaster nodded slowly, "I understand." As the Ultimate Hope made his exit, Jin turned to the other of the twins, "Thank you, Mr. Hinata."

The brunet made his way to the door before looking over his shoulder with a light smile. "No problem."

Once the doors slid shut, he blinked, "Why…" He leaned back in his seat, "Why do I feel like I've been made…?"

XXX

Mahiru Koizumi looked at the list of names and their class-placements. She and her friend, Hiyoko Saionji, were one of the few students to view the board. Few students of the Main Course actually attended their classes after all. She was starting her second year and still barely knew anyone her age. Well, except one…

Hiyoko leapt onto Mahiru, hugging her and smiling, "Yay, we're in the same class again!"

She smiled in return, "Yeah." Her eyes wandered to the list, "A class of seventeen… That's a bit weird, but not too crazy I guess." They narrowed, "Wait… Kamukura Izuru?"

The shorter girl raised a brow as she parted from the redhead, "Do you know them?"

Mahiru nodded, "He beat me in a photography competition back when I was in Junior High."

Hiyoko blinked, tapping her chin with her yukata sleeve, "Someone beat you?"

The redhead shrugged, "Y-Yeah…" She fiddled with her camera, "He was really good." She chuckled, "His brother was nicer, though."

The blonde tilted her head as they parted from the listings, "Eh…"

After attending Hope's Peak's opening assembly, Hiyoko and Mahiru made their way through the near empty halls of the main building. It was always a bit strange to walk through an academy this big and to find it mostly empty. There weren't that many students wandering the halls. Those who were consisted of mostly first years or possibly third years. Even the student council skipped out on attending their classes, only really showing up for their meetings.

Mahiru pulled open the door to the nearly empty classroom. A podium at the front, an arrangement of seats and chairs, and a single student. Or, presumably, a student. His head was on his desk; supported by his arms as his long-black hair covered flowed over his back. He didn't wear the standard brown uniform of Hope's Peak, wearing a personal black suit. She could hear his faint snores from the doorway.

Hiyoko seemed slightly disgusted, "Who's that?" They made their way into the room with Mahiru simply shrugging for her response. There was a slight breeze drifting into the room from a window that was slightly cracked open. "Sleeping on the first day, huh?" She shrugged, "Can't blame him, I guess…"

The redhead took a seat at her chosen desk, "With hair like that… That might be Kamukura…"

XXX

Hajime bowed before the class of Reserve Course students, "I'm Hinata Hajime. I haven't been around for a long time, so I'm in your care." His polite smile was in stark contrast to the classroom he stood in. Even the way the sunlight entered the window was different. The Reserve Course was… lifeless.

The homeroom teacher pushed up his glasses, "Mr. Hinata has just returned from a studying trip aboard." He shrugged, "He will need assistance in catching up to our lesson plan." He waved his hand lazily, "I'll leave him in your care." He turned back to the blackboard, "Take a seat."

The brunet nodded, "Okay…" He made his way to an empty seat towards the back of the classroom, "Welcome to Hope's Peak Academy…" He leaned back in his seat before looking out the window and towards the academy's main building. "Wonder how thing are going for you, little brother…"

The bell rung, the homeroom teacher left, and the small break between classes began. Students stood up to talk to each other and others went completely silent, napping away. Hajime sat at his desk in silence as the clock ticked away, fiddling with his phone. He slowly took in a breath through his teeth before letting out a long sigh. "God, this is boring…"

A girl with curly, dark-green hair made her way towards his desk, "Hinata, was it?"

He blinked, "Uh, yeah, um…"

"Suzuki Sato, but just call me Sato."

The brunet extended his hand, "Please do the same to me. Hajime's just fine."

She took it, "Okay." She shrugged, "Well, I just wanted to offer that if you needed any help with the assignments or anything, I could help you out."

Hajime nodded, smiling politely, "Thanks. I'll be sure to talk to you if I get caught on anything." His phone vibrated on his desk before his hand swiftly picked it up. Yet, the smile never left his face as if it didn't happen. "Sorry."

Sato blinked, "It's fine. Go ahead."

The brunet looked at the screen before answering it, "Jin… You've caught me at a bad time. I'm in class."

The Headmaster replied, "Yes, I apologize. This is the only time I can contact you with my filled schedule." He explained, "I needed to contact you about your dorm-resources." He also added, "And thank you from refraining the use of my title. I'm sure if people knew that we had one another's number there'd be issues and dangerous questions."

"It's no problem." The teen's mind wandered, "I hold so much power right now… I could say whatever I want…" He sighed externally, "That would cause too much trouble."

Jin and Sato unknowingly asked at the same time, "What would?"

Hajime shook his head, "Nothing." He refocused his mind on his phone conversation, "What about them?"

The Headmaster replied, "I will be sending the necessary clearance forms to you, but I was hoping that you have a secured line for me to send the data through."

"I'll text it to you."

"Thank you." The teen could hear someone knock against the Headmaster's door before he spoke once more, "If you'll excuse me."

Hajime nodded, "Bye," before ending the call and tucking his phone away.

Sato leaned against his desk, "What was that about?"

He shrugged, "Just a package of stuff I forgot. My stepdad's picking it up."

"Oh, stuff from your trip?"

He chuckled, "Yeah." He waved his hand, "Nothing too fun, I'm afraid." He tilted his head with a smile, "Barely had time to get souvenirs."

She then asked, "Where did you go?"

Hajime replied aloud, "A few places, but New York was the most prominent," while he finished the thought internally, "For like the last month…"

"Really?" She shrugged, "You know I never knew that the Reserve Course did abroad studies."

"Yeah, there's no real form to enter. I think it's a random selection thing." He twirled his finger, tilting his head, "Or, who knows, maybe it was one of those digital scores about social or economic status."

"You don't know?"

The brunet rubbed the back of his neck, "It's a secretive affair, yeah…"

Sato shrugged, "Weird."

Hajime chuckled, "Indeed." His mind relaxed, "Thank god… I was running out of stuff to say…"

XXX

Mahiru looked over her shoulder as she made her way to the Reserve Course's front gate. It was a habit she had formed over the last year to meet with one of her friends. The newest addition to this habit was Izuru Kamukura who had been walking a fair distance behind her ever since she left their classroom. She doubted that he was following her, considering that his head-on gaze didn't even seem to acknowledge her. Though, that didn't comfort her as his mere presence was discomforting.

They both came to a stop at the Reserve Course's front gates. He stood silently with his hands in his pocket and his eyes closed. She stood off to the side of the gates as he remained at its center. The building's bells rung and a trickling of its students made their exit. Several students aimed glares at her and him—her for her uniform and him for his seeming obnoxiousness.

She fiddled with her camera, "I can't imagine him waiting for anyone…"

A friendly face waved to her, "Mahiru!"

The redhead smiled, "Hey, Sato."

The green-haired girl looked at the ravenet, "Who's that guy?"

"One of my classmates. He's-"

Another voice entered the relatively quiet air, "Aw, waiting for little old me?"

Izuru looked up at his twin brother, "Evidently."

Mahiru blinked at the brunet, "Hin… Hinata?"

Sato blinked, "You know him?"

"Y-Yeah, we met once at a photography competition."

Hajime's gaze shifted in their direction before his head did a double-take. He smiled, "Oh, hey." He smiled warmly as he made his way over to her, extending his hand, "Koizumi."

She nodded, taking his hand, "Hinata Hajime, right?"

He looked between Sato and Mahiru, "So, you two know each other?" He chuckled, "Small world." His smile and warmth was in stark contrast to his brother with his darkly yet neutral presence.

The green-haired girl's face showed the effects of the aura, "Seemingly so."

Izuru began to walk away, "We have a matter to attend to."

Hajime's smile turned apologetic, "Ominous way to talk about a family dinner." He waved at the pair, "I'll see you around hopefully."

Mahiru waved, "See you."

Sato nodded, "Be seeing you."

X|X|X

AN: So... I'm earnestly nervous about entering this fandom. I love the games. I had issues with the animes. I've been wanting to write something for Danganronpa for a long time, but I just wasn't sure how to approach it. So, this is my best. I'll do my best to work with the criticisms given. I can't promise that the characters will be entirely faithful because I'm putting them in new scenarios that haven't really been depicted too often.

(No Real Posting Schedule | At Least, a Week Between Chapters Probably)

Thank you for reading and criticize away

P.S. I won't be doing many or lengthy notes for the most part