"Humble mortal," Gundham greeted me as I entered our classroom. Jumping back in surprise, I laughed off the scare and stepped over to him.

"Ah, good morning, Gundham."

"It would seem my Dark Deva knew exactly what he was doing yesterday," he claimed, holding San-D proudly in his hand.

"I'm...sorry?"

"Oh, good morning, Hajime," Nagito greeted as he walked into the classroom. Glancing between Gundham and myself, his smile faltered slightly. "I'm assuming he told you about Byakuya?"

Was that what Gundham was trying to tell me? Honestly, I wasn't sure, but I didn't want to be rude and say anything that let him know I didn't understand him.

Nagito chuckled as he placed his bag at his desk. "Byakuya was hoping to talk to you after school today. If you have the time, that is."

Instantly, his glare resurfaced in my mind. Had I really done something to upset him? Was he going to make me pay for that dessert after all? I really couldn't afford it.

"Oh, no, don't worry," Nagito quickly consoled. "You're not in any trouble, I promise. Byakuya doesn't like talking to people he doesn't like, so the fact he's asking for a meeting with you is a good sign."

"Very good indeed, mortal," Gundham smirked.

"Umm..." It still seemed shady to me that Byakuya would want to talk to me. Even if he didn't like talking to people he didn't like, I still upset him by calling his Ultimate Club a Host Club, and he was glaring at me the entire time I was in the café. I couldn't help but be worried about what he wanted from me.

"Don't worry," Nagito smiled, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I'll stay right next to your side the whole time if that will help."

Exhaling, I smiled. "That actually would be nice. Thank you."

His eyes bulged for a second, but his smile grew even wider. "Happy to help."

Throughout class, I tried to ignore any worries I had about my meeting with Byakuya after school. When I met with Makoto at lunch, he claimed to not know anything about a meeting with Byakuya, but he said the same thing Nagito said: if Byakuya was asking for the meeting himself, then there was nothing to worry about. That brought me at least some comfort.

After school, I waited outside the bathroom for Nagito to change into his café uniform. He knew Byakuya would instruct him to change before he could sit in on my meeting with him, so he wanted to make sure he was prepared so he wouldn't have to leave my side. It was very sweet of him, and I was glad he was so willing to help me out. I didn't feel as nervous thanks to him.

"Is there anything I should know about meeting with Byakuya?"

"Not really. He is an affluent progeny, so he's a very good business man. He's the reason the café at school here has become so popular. I think calling it a Host Club diminishes it, so he chooses to call it an Ultimate Club, because then it holds some sort of value to it. It's more a pride thing, I guess."

"So, just never call it a host club in front of him."

"Despite it being exactly that," Nagito chuckled.

When we entered the Hope's Peak Café, everyone was still in the middle of readying for opening. Since the café didn't officially open until three, we had time.

Byakuya sat in the back lounge area with Makoto. The two seemed very happy as they talked, so I had to hope that the meeting would go well. Nagito led me over to the two and sat on the arm of my chair.

"Good afternoon, Hajime," Byakuya greeted, his stoic exterior returning. "I hope your day was well."

"Oh, uh, yes," I quickly nodded.

Toko walked over with a tray of tea. After setting it up, she nodded before walking away.

"Please enjoy," Byakuya said, addressing the tea. Nagito stood up from the chair and began to pour a glass for the three of us before sitting back on the chair's arm.

"Is everything okay?" I questioned as I grabbed my teacup.

"Yes. I merely have a proposition for you."

"Oh?"

"I'm not one for dragging out the logistics, so I will cut straight to the chase. I want you to become one of my Ultimates."

Choking on my tea, Nagito rubbed my back as I coughed. In the corner of my eye, I noticed Makoto smirk. He must have already known and didn't want to tell me sooner.

"It seems the students here enjoy your presence. A lot of our customers who came yesterday wanted to know if you were becoming an Ultimate, wanting to indulge in your company."

"I'm sorry. I know I get along with my classmates, but is that really worth me become an Ultimate?"

"In our case, we believe it will do more good than harm. We'd of course have you shadow Makoto, thus earning yourself your own reputation as a reputable Ultimate before we'd have you go solo," Byakuya explained. "After examining you with Ms. Owari and Mr. Nidai, we know you have the charisma needed to become an Ultimate."

"I'm sorry," I exhaled, "I'm just so confused right now. I mean, everyone knows I'm a lottery winner. If they truly wanted to...indulge in my company, why wouldn't they just ask me to hang out after school and grab some food?"

"Being an Ultimate is more than that," Byakuya explained. "They're paying for an experience. They want to be indulged in a conversation that they want. They want to be treated a certain way and enjoy spending time with someone who makes them feel happy when they leave."

It really was just a Host Club.

"Byakuya?" Makoto questioned. "Mind if I talk to him alone for a moment?"

Byakuya nodded and stood up. "Come, Mr. Komeda, we need to finish getting ready."

Nagito bit his lip as he looked back at me, but I smiled and shooed him off. I was comfortable being alone with Makoto.

When I glanced back at him, he was smirking. "What's going on with you and Nagito?"

"Huh?" I exclaimed. "N-nothing. He was just having my back cause I was worried about meeting with Byakuya."

"I get it," he chuckled. "He can be a bit intimidating, but once you're in his good books, there's nothing he wouldn't do for you. He's only standoffish for appearance sake." Taking a sip of his tea, he waved his hand in disinterest. "Honestly, if you don't want to be an Ultimate, no one will force you. I just figured you'd have questions you'd be too shy to ask in front of them."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why did you become an Ultimate, anyway?"

"I got along with my classmates as well. Byakuya was one of them, and he told me about his Ultimate Club. They were looking for "the average guy" type who didn't seem too intimidating, and I was hoping to make some more friends, so I figured why not."

"What type would I be then?"

"That would be for you to figure out. My clients are usually those who are seeking support or just don't want to go home and be alone. All you have to do is be friendly, and they'll love you."

"What exactly would I have to do? I mean, selling an experience?"

"It's what you did with those two the other day," he said, pointing to the table I sat at with Akane and Nekomaru. "So long as you're yourself, people will be drawn to you. You're like the boy next door."

"I am the boy next door," I deadpanned.

"I mean, you're one of the least intimidating people I know, and you're always supportive of our friends and polite to just about everyone. The only times I've ever seen you get mad at someone was if they pissed Chiaki or Komaru off. If you be your loveable self to your clients, they'll love you."

"I don't know," I sighed. "I'm just a bit worried is all. What if things start out okay but eventually get really crazy or something?"

"You already know Gundham, but that girl over there is Peko," Makoto said, pointing to a girl with long, gray pigtails and glasses. "They both double as security, but to keep the atmosphere more friendly and welcoming, they also work as servers, just not as much as Nagito or Toko. They'll have your back. Plus, Byakuya would crush anyone who tries to mess with you, so you're all good."

Makoto stood up, and I did, too. "Again, you don't have to agree. No one is forcing you to do this. If this does interest you, though, you should give it a chance. It will be good behavior lessons for life after high school. Talking with certain people, learning table etiquette. This club is helping me become a more suitable man for society."

"For Kyoko," I smirked, and he blushed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Is it that obvious?"

I chuckled before exhaling. "This whole thing seems a bit weird, but it's also interesting. Could I give it a trial run? See if I actually like it?"

"I think that could be arranged," Makoto said, waving Byakuya over. School was about to become a lot more interesting.

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