Author's Note: I wish I could take credit for the idea behind this story, but like most good ideas, someone else had it first. An alternate take on the series where Zenkichi and Kumagawa met as children was used by sadistic lunatic in "All the Omniverse in One Girl". Forewarning, this is a For Want of a Nail fic, so some characters will behave differently from their canon counterparts, though I hope I stay true to their cores and that they remain familiar and engaging. Any and all feedback is welcome and appreciated.

Disclaimer: Medaka Box is the property of Nisio Isin and Akira Akatsuki. The author is making no profit by this work.

World As Myth

Arc One - Kuudou Hinokage's Successor

Prologue: Is That The Truth?

The 150 Year Prologue

"Is that the truth, Hanten-kun?"

"Yes, Najimi."

"Well, I'll have to visit the Shiranui Village then."

-ooo-

The 15 Year Prologue

"Is that the truth, Kajiki-san?"

"Yes, Fukurou-san."

"Well, I'll have to visit the Shiranui Village then."

-ooo-

The Prologue

Hakoniwa Academy. A not-quite-normal school of not-quite-normal students. Whether they be seniors returning for their last year:

「This is my year, Tanzaku-chan! Starting now, I'm going to be the voice of Hakoniwa Academy!」

"Captain, please! Remember what happened the last time you had a microphone!"

「Don't worry Tanzaku-chan! That was when I was still a freshman. I've learned how to hold myself back since then.」

"Really?"

「Really! Even if six hundred human hearts get shattered, there'll be at least five people still standing.」

"Captain!"

Transfer students looking for a place to call their own:

"And this is our clubroom. It probably can't compare to a school as prestigious as you're used to, but nonmembers aren't allowed inside, so it's a quiet place to work at least."

"It's fine. Now get out."

"What? What do you— Urk!"

Naïve freshman, still idealistic, soon to discover how far their idols have fallen:

"Harigane Onigase, right?"

"That's right, Sempai! Harigane Onigase, freshman of Class 3. My motto is 'Rule with an iron rod'! May I say it's an honor to join the ranks of the Enforcers!"

"Wah, so serious. You should take it easy, Onigase-chan. Why don't you come join us for karaoke?"

"Um … Sempai?"

And future best friends meeting by chance for the first time:

"Hey, hey! So I take it that this is a challenge, seeing as you dropped an eraser in front of me? Kah! It seems like you don't know about the man who they called 'Erase Man', the one who mastered the skill of the silent eraser. All right then! Challenge accepted! I'll bring my own eraser tomorrow! I'm Zenkichi Hitoyoshi! Who are you?"

"Pfft. Oh my, you are a strange one, are you not? Hello, 'Erase Man'. Well, let us try and get along with each other. My name is Hanhaba Shiranui."

Hakoniwa Academy. A school where Normal meets Abnormal.

"Is that the truth? You want to join the Student Council, Second Year Koga-san?"

"Kurokami-san … please do something crazy with me!"