Chapter 15 – Hope Dreams Part 1
"Right now Byakuya I want those children out of that hell hole so lets think of something. Lets hope that no more deaths takes place before we got to them" said Naegi hopefully.
"Hope huh, did you see how they saw each other after the last class trial was over. I wouldn't be surprise if tomorrow they would stop talking to each other entirely. Even close bonds like Cj and Alisa's were severed in this trial. I don't see any hope, another killing will happen" said Byakuya. "You'll see, hope finds a way" Naegi grinned before hanging up.
Throughout the night everyone had their own dreams that reminded them of something important. My dream was...…
"Good job Alisa, no one has ever made a company this large at your young age. You are destined for greatness. Truly the Ulitmate Entrepreneur" my assistant complimented.
"Oh stop Taiyou, I haven't accomplished that much heheh. Cruez's Path still has a lot of potential to expand on" I said blushing uncontrollably. "It is nice to see that I didn't follow my brother and father's footsteps. I am so glad" I thought to myself happily.
"Forget the Togami Family, I am my own person" I said out loud. My assistant nodded in agreement and high fived me. Cruez's Path is a shipping company that I thought out of the blue one day. I decided to invest all of my savings in it and even bought shares from manufacturing companies. I built Cruez path to the world wide company it is now. Only in two years, I was so proud of myself. "My accomplishment must have shown my father that I don't need him" I naively thought. Taiyou and I were talking blissfully about our future together. I wouldn't admit it infront of him but I don't think I'd be this successful if it weren't for Taiyou.
"Someday I hope I can marry him under my father's nose" I grinned at the thought. Suddenly my room door was kicked open by my annoying brother Davis. I never liked his smug face or his awful attitude. It's like an impersonation of our father. "What are you doing in my house without permission?" I asked upsettingly.
"I am your flesh and blood. Screw permission I finally learned from my spies where you lived so I rushed over hear to tell you something funny" said Davis.
"Funny? You've never said anything funny from when you knew how to talk until now. Please leave, Taiyou and I are in the middle of a conversation" I demanded. Davis gave Taiyou a intense glare as if he's ordering him to leave the room.
I didn't want to put Taiyou in an awkward position to defy Davis so I told him to leave the room. When my brother and I were alone I asked "What is so funny you had to visit me personally instead of texting?"
"Well first off I am happy to hear that my sister no longer needs Togami Corporation to get by. Anyways I am here to spoil your fun. The reason why Cruez Path became such a big hit is because of father's influence" he said seriously.
His words cut me pretty deep. My brother is known for speaking only facts and that's scary. "Wha! I see so I didn't accomplish by myself" I said suddenly feeling depressed. "Why are you sad? Your father helping you is not a big deal is it? Do you hate him?" asked Davis.
…..
"Why did he interfere with my life again? Cruez's Path doesn't feel like mine if I am not the only one who put in the work damn it" I shouted to myself. Davis sighed and pinched me all over my face. "Well like I said I came here to spoil your fun. Later" Davis said waving goodbye. I waved back and slapped myself both on the cheek. "I will try again! This time I will make sure my father doesn't interfere!" I said determined.
One year later I opened three clothing store and they became popular almost immediately. I found that fishy so I called my father to see if he interfered. "Hey you didn't do anything this time right?" I asked.
"No I didn't. You have my word, do you own thing" said Byakuya.
I believed him and accepted the fact that my stores were a big hit. Couple months of observing my stores performance I overheard one of my employees talking. I listened keenly to what they were saying and I suddenly felt weak again. "This store is such a big hit because the owner is Togami's daughter. Everyone knows that The Togami Family is full of quality stuff to steal" said one man.
"Mhmm, that's true but you should keep your voice down. The Togami Family is close to extinction but they are as strong as ever. That man Byakuya is a genius for having a daughter like Alisa" replied the other man. I forcibly opened the door and dragged the two men by their ear. "Bastards! Pesants! Worms! Trash! I don't know what to call you! Get out and never come back here again!" I shouted angrily. The two employees left without saying anything but the next day they brought the union to my stores. They charged me for wrongfully firing someone.
I tried telling them that those two employees were thieves but they didn't listen to me because I was a kid. And because I was too young the Union thought it was for the best to relieve me from my responsibilities of Entrepreneur. My father had to step in to help me keep my stores.
"Because I am a Togami I will forever be helped by my father. Should I just accept it and support my brother to be the next heir?"
"Hell No! I bet if I changed my last name to Cruez, my mother's name things will be different" I fooled myself. Months later I changed my last name from Alisa Togami to Alisa Cruez but it didn't change squat. Eventually I just stopped caring. I enrolled Hopes Peak and got the title Super High School Level Entrepreneur. The title meant nothing to me that this point honestly.
I was attending the East Russian Branch trying my best to be as far away as I can from my family. While attending Hopes Peak I met a lady I had utmost respect for. Kyoko Kirigiri The detective who's never failed catching the culprit ever. She entered my classroom one day saying "I deduced that one of the kids inside this classroom is murderer of Marco Pietta. It's best to confess because none of you is leaving this room". The whole classroom went into a panic with shouting from every angle. While all my classmates were panicking I asked Ms Kirigiri "What made you thing the killer is one of my classmates?"
Ms Kirigiri took half a minute before she replied to me. I almost thought she was ignoring me until she said "The killer did a sloppy job. He/She left their fingerprint behind".
"Oh, so why don't just check our fingerprints instead of waiting for a confession?" I asked curiously.
"If you confess I might be able to lessen the culprit's sentence. You are all children here" Kirigiri answered.
"When the murder take place?" I asked. "Yesterday" she responded. Everyone was at school yesterday so I couldn't narrow down the list but there is one thing that bothered me. One of my classmate Fredrick left school immdediately as it was over. He never did that before yesterday, he normally plays soccer with the rest of his friends after school. I kept what I knew to myself and went back to my seat. When I sat down I could see the malice coming from Kyoko when she looked at me. "Does she know I'm hiding something?" I wondered started to sweat. I stopped looking her direction and rested my head on the desk.
Four hours later Fredrick ended up confessing to Ms Kirigiri about his crime. A week later after Fredrick was sent ten years in prison Ms Kirigiri gave me a surprise visit and offered me " Become my assistant Alisa. I am looking for someone to give my title for a while now"
…..
I was speechless so I let out a squeak instead of words. "Is that a yes?" Kirigiri asked confused. I was going to accept but then I remembered. "You and I my father are long time aquaintences right? You were in a killing game with him and not to mention classmates at Hopes Peak. Are you asking me because you think a Togami is worthy?" I questioned.
"The hell does Byakuya reach into this. How does he matter? I am asking you if you want to become my assistant that's all. My family is typically the kind that saves the world behind the scene but I don't let it get to my head. Neither should you" Kyoko answered strongly. Kyoko walked away disappointed but I ran after her.
Her words felt like an eye opener. " I was trying to ignore my family but I never realized that I was too focused on them". I eventually became her assistant after begging her multiple times.
" I am me, Me is a member of the Togami Family. Me is a member of the Cruez Family. I am Kyoko's disciple now so I have to keep a clear head. Can't make her see me going crazy" I laughed to myself.
I woke up from my deep slumber and yawned. I did some stretches and thought about the dream I just had. "I didn't realize that I was dreaming. Why did I dream that now?" I wondered to myself.
(Protagonist Change: Alisa Cruez >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shawna Matar)
"Shawna! Why weren't you at your mother's funeral?!" my father shouted furiously.
" Going there wasn't going to bring her back. I already paid my respects here so leave me alone" I replied playing video games. My father grabbed me by the hair and threatened my life.
"Listen bitch your mother isn't here anymore. No one is hear to stop me from doing whatever I want with you. You better fix that attitude of yours!" he shouted. His voice was so high it was like he was trying to deaf me or something. I dropped my game console and said "Yes dad".
He slammed the door behind him still furious but I didn't care. Ever since my mother died I already told myself I was not going to live under the same roof as my father. He always wants push me beyond my limits. Take me out of my comfort zone and hates it when I am not studying. A lazy and worthless girl like me can't reach his expectations and I know it so I am not going to try. "I would hate to be like mom!" I said softly.
Memories of my mother started rushing into my head one after the other. Of all those memories only a few of them showed her being happy. She was either always gloomy, upset or crying. "What a miserable life you lived. I am so sorry Mom" I sighed to myself. I went back to playing my video games. It was the only thing keeping me sane since my mother died. Just forgetting about everything and play the damn game. I know it's toxic but what do you want me to do.
.....
No matter how many games I played I just couldn't shake off that one scene from my head. The scene when I entered my house to see my mother drowning herself in the kitchen sink. "If my father ever knew that I let her kill herself I would be murdered in the bushes for sure" I thought horribly.
"She was always so miserable. I knew it was a matter of time she would go through with it. I can't blame her. After what she witnessed at Hopes Peak"
"Only if she hadn't join the Reserve Course. What the hell Mom! Was Hopes Peak really that important for you to sell your life away. The tragedy the fell upon Hopes Peak where every Reverse Course Student commit mass suicide. They were brainwashed by that Despair Bitch who I shall not name" I said to myself. No matter how much I try to focus on the game these thoughts just started swelling up inside my mind.
"She could have lived a way better life if she never went to that damn school" I sighed.
At this moment I threw away my game console and found inspiration to ruin Hopes Peak Academy. "The World doesn't need Hopes Peak in the Grand Scheme of Things. I should just get rid off it!"
Games was basically my entire life so I decided to study how to create games. I started off making small puzzle games to simple movement games till I created video games on my own. I am the first in history to create a video game in my team without any help. My father was surprisingly supportive. At first I thought he wanted me to become someone I didn't like but later on I realized he just wanted to mold me properly so I decided to stay with him after all.
Eventually I told him about my inspiration to destroy Hopes Peak. "So that's why you are excelling. Because you want to avenge your mother. The only reason why your mother is not dead now is because she fled school before the day of the tragedy to spend a night with me. If it weren't for that you woudn't have been born" he mumbled to himself.
"Shawna I am proud of your achievements with your games but please be sure not to be alone on this crazy plan you are hatching up. You can't do everything by yourself" my father advised.
"Of course I can, I have been doing everything alone so far. I made games alone" I said confidently. At school it was clear to see that I was the best of the best. Everyone in my branch were all athletes in their own right. I was basically the black sheep of the school but I managed to make friends. And with those friends I decided to listen to my father's words to Not doing everything by myself.
"I should form a group that feels the same way as me. I don't want to destroy Hopes Peak on my own" I said to myself seriously. "I must try my best not to be alone!"
I opened my eyes shocked by my words. "It was just a dream" I said breathing heavily. Before I knew it I started crying uncontrollably about the big fool I am. "My father's last words was to never be alone but look at me. I have been acting up so that people could stay away from me. I've been doing the exact opposite of what I wanted. I want friends damn it, friends who share my goals" I cried to myself. I buried my face into the pillow and cried as loud as I could.
(Protagonist Change: Shawna Matar >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shawn Bills)
"Congratulations you have been chosen to become the Super High School Level Lucky Student" I read. I was surprised to receive a letter from Hopes Peak. At first I hesitated about accepting their invite on going to the South American Branch. I know only students who are the best at what they do can attend. Lets not forget what happened years ago with Junko Enoshima.
My big brother convinced me to accept the invitation saying " I will be set for life If I go". I agreed with him but somewhere deep down didn't want me to go. "Attending a school just because I was lucky doesn't sit right with me. I want to be great too if I am going to attend" I told myself.
During my first year of being in Hopes Peak I was an eyesore by everyone who had talent as expected. All of my classmates look down on me and some even try to make me there puppet. I wanted to be a better person in Hopes Peak so everyday after school I practiced like my life depends on. I wanted to be some sort of athlete that could be on par with the Ultimate Athlete Zoey Leopard. She was my goal, to be a great all round player. I did push ups, sit ups, run laps, meditate, jumping, squats and even played sports with the best of the best.
The bright side about being around people who are superior is that you improve faster with their influence. If you practice with the best soccer player in Japan then you are going to get better drastically to compete with him. It's just how the body works. On Festival day I finally proved to myself and to everyone in the entire school that I am not just lucky student. I defeated the Ulitimate Soccer Pro in his own field. It was a close match but a win is still a win and ever since that day I learned how to erase my lucky title.
It rarely occurs but if you beat an Ultimate in his or her area then you can take that person's title if I wanted. It goes without saying I took the Ultimate Soccer Pro title without hesitation. Then in my second year I challenged Basketball Star and Baseball Geek to crowded match.
I lost to the Ultimate Basketball Star at first but I surprisingly won against the Baseball Geek who is said to be better than international level players.
People ask what is my secret to jumping up the ranks and the answer I normally tell them is to practice. What else can I say? That's all you need to do.
"Half way in my second year I became the student with the best scores at my branch. I was shocked and not shocked at the same time. I felt like most of my schoolmates aren't working hard at all. They are just cruising around and still getting their job done. I on the other hand have to consistently practice and study or else the talented will just surpass me again.
It was a struggle but I managed to maintain my position as number one by striving for more. I have never met a person who is more hardworking than I am at Hopes Peak. I ended thanking my brother for convincing me to attend Hopes Peak because If I didn't attend I know I wouldn't reach the level I am right now.
Since I was the best in the whole school and got a great physique because of my exercises girls eventually started to swarm over me. "I can understand why they like me, I was sweet, handsome and smart hehehehe" I giggled. One day I dated a girl who was ironically the new Ultimate Lucky Student. Her name was Sasha Mills and she looked like she was in constant depression.
"What's wrong? You bored?" I asked curiously.
Sasha nodded " No it's not that it's just that I am thinking about leaving Hopes Peak. It's only half way through my first year and I am already tired. I can't stand being the black sheep. It's unbearable". I understood where she was coming from so I felt like it was my duty to help her out. "That's why you asked me out on a date. To give you tips" I said with a smile.
"No I just like you is all. It is too late for me to suddenly become great. I was scouted by luck, pure luck. How awful" Sasha sighed depressingly.
"Yep it feels awful at first. What I did was train to take a title of another. I am not recommending that to you though. After stealing multiple titles from people and strip away what made them special I realize that I am a bad person for doing it. What are you hobbies?" I asked.
"Hobbies? I don't really have any. I love to read but that's it" Sasha stated. "Read huh, like what?" I asked.
"Anything, I love fictional stories of all genres and history books but what does my preference have to do with anything" said Sasha. "You love to read books. Since that is what you like doing I suggest you do it to the best of your ability then see what happens" I advised. "Huh, you can't be serious. It's not like they are going to make me a Ultimate Reader or something" said Sasha doubtfully. "Come on have a little hope. You have nothing to lose. You've hit rock bottom with only one direction to go. Sasha I believe you can become something great if you set your mind to it. I am proof of my own statement" I assured. Sasha gulped and said " I am hungry, let's grab a bite". I nodded in reply and we went to a restaurant together. Before we went our separate ways we exchanged numbers with each other.
After our first date we both already know we aren't made for each other so we settled as friends. Two weeks later I haven't seen Sasha since and because I was so preoccupied with keeping my grades and performances up I couldn't find time to text her.
Suddenly I saw Sasha in the cafeteria talking to the dining lady. I wondered what they were talking about. After Sasha finished her conversation with the dining lady I walked up to her and asked what that was about. "I was giving her advise on our meals. Meat is way too heavy for breakfast in the morning. We should eat something lighter" she said strictly.
"What brought that on all of a sudden?" I asked.
She pushed a book on my chest and told me to read it carefully. I nodded yes and reply and she ran to her classroom. Later on after school I found time to read the book she gave me and it was bout healthy meals. I stopped reading half way through because I got the general idea of what it was trying to say.
"Just keep on reading Sasha. If it's what you love I am sure it will reward you" I cheered.
One week later I saw Sasha again with other Ultimates who were mechanics, engineers and technicians. It looks like she was getting advice from them about electronic for whatever reason. The week after I saw with a Biology teacher doing a bird experiment. Extracting blood from the poor fellow. "She's all over the place" I thought to myself.
When our second year was finally over I heard the news about Sasha Mills becoming The Super High School Level Author. She used the advantage of being in a school with tons of knowledgeable and talented kids to her advantage and wrote educational books that were easy to read. All of the text books Hopes Peak Academy have been using are all replaced with that Sasha wrote herself.
I gave Sasha a call when I heard the news and she quickly asked me out on a date again. I accepted since I wanted to see her anyways. On a Saturday we headed to the park where we just sat and talked. " I am glad to hear you are an Ultimate now"
Sasha clinged to my right hand and said "Thank you, if it weren't for you I wouldn't be in Hopes Peak right now. I am in your debt".
"No debt. You did all this on your own. All I did was tell you to do the thing you love doing" I said blushing at her body pressing on to mine. "Say, could we give us a chance. I don't think I will ever find a guy like you. I was so deep in despair but you brought me out in just a few words. You are a gem" Sasha complimented. She looked straight in the eyes waiting for my answer.
"I gave you hope huh. Guess it's a gift hahahaha" I joked.
She continued to stare on my waiting for my actual answer. I cleared my throat and replied "Sorry Sasha you and I are best as friends". Sasha smiled and said " I already knew you were going to say that. You look like the type who hunts for the very best hehehe. It was worth a shot though".
"Just keep doing what you do. Fill hope into others just like you did me. Promise me okay, you are a gem that must shine for everyone to see" Sasha said shedding some tears. I hugged her tightly and replied "Of course I will. Promise"
I woke up with tears in my tears ready to fall. "Fill hope in others. That's what I must be doing, not being upset about the deaths that aren't they're fault. I can't believe I almost fell to the wrong side." I said slapping my cheeks.
I looked up at the surveillance camera in my room and said "Sasha don't worry I remember our promise. If you are watching this I am sorry for my little change. It was just stressing is all. Back to corporation".
(Protagonist Change: Shawna Bills >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Terry Oda)
I arrived at Jabberwock Island to report to my Master Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu. I knocked on his cottage waiting for him to open the door. Once he did I bowed down and greeted "Good even Fuyuhiko! I failed my assassination attempt sorry. Now the politician knows to stay on his guard" I said waiting for my yelling.
"The hell! You serious Terry. Damn it your teacher will have to deal with this again" Fuyuhiko sighed annoyed.
"And by the way brat who are you calling Fuyuhiko! I am your boss so call me boss damn it. Even If I wasn't your boss call me mister since I am older" Fuyuhiko lectured.
"Sorry Fuyuhiko, I won't do it again" I apologized.
He looked at me as if he was about to kill me so I left his cottage before he got a chance to. I know no matter how many mission I fail Fuyuhiko will never have me beheaded because I know how soft he is deep down. Everyone does, Peko Sensei is the one people truly fear.
I stroll around the island and saw Nagito and Gundham being chased by a bear. I could sense the bloodlust coming from the bear which struck me as odd. Gundham is the Ultimate Breeder and I have seen him tame bears in the past so why is this one attacking.
"Must be something that skinny guy did" I thought to myself. I swooped in and beheaded the bear before it slashed at Gundham. After killing the bear I asked if those two were okay but instead Gundham started attacking me out of nowhere.
"Stop it, all I did is save you" I complained.
" Didn't have to kill the bear though. You are a monster" Nagito stated. I ran away leaving Gundham in the dust before he could catch me. I was ready to take my boat and leave the island but my teacher stopped me.
"Stop right there Terry! I have to talk to you" said Peko seriously.
"About what missy, I gotta go before Gundham kills me" I said in a hurry.
"I taught you everything I know and you learned them well but you still have a body count of zero. At first I thought you were stupid, reckless and terrible at assassination but it seems that's not the case. I tailed you on that last mission and you had the politician on the floor in front of you but you didn't kill him. Not a single scratch. Someone as soft hearted as you can't be in Kuzuryu Clan" said Peko. "Our leader is soft too, what is his body count?" I asked.
"Spoiled brat! You don't need to know that. Any killing that Master wants he gets people to do it for them" said Peko.
"Then I wish I was him because I don't like killing. I know that's why you taught me to wield a blade but I hate it" I said bluntly.
"Terry you have to make a choice. Kill that politician and be a rightful kuzuryu or be exiled. Your choice, you have until next week" said Peko walking away. I took her words to heart and tried to prepare myself for killing. "I can't afford to be exiled. Mafia may not be the best option but I don't want to lose it now. I invested too many years enough as it is".
I went back to the Policitian's house and as expected there were guards everywhere this time. I closed off all my thoughts and pictured the guards as animals. I have no fear of killing other creatures. I killed most of the guards at the rear entrance and entered the house silently.
The Politician was in the kitchen pouring some water so I stabbed him from behind then covered his mouth before he screamed out from the pain.
"I am sorry! I can't afford to lose my home because of a stranger" I cried while thrusting my sword in the man's back.
"God will hate you for eternity. Bad son!" the man said softly before dying.
"Bad son? Damn it, I am bad now huh" I said upsettingly.
A week later I went back to Jabberwock Island where Gundham beat the shit out of me before I could have a word with my master. After the painful beating Fuyuhiko and I got a chance to talk.
"I killed the Politician like you wanted Boss" I said sadly.
"You don't seem too happy about it" said Fuyuhiko.
"Of course not. I was running away from killing someone. Killing is bad and I know it" I said trembling all over.
Fuyuhiko sighed and said "You're just a kid. You can do bad things for a good cause and you can do good things for a bad cause. Who the hell said that you have to be good people? When was that ever a rule to follow?"
"Quit your whining, what you did is save a whole community from starvation you idiot. If you have read all of my report then you would have known that. Killing for good and killing for bad are too different things" said Fuyuhiko.
"Bottom line is that I still took a life. What gave me the right?" I asked confused.
"Right? You gave yourself the right. Isn't that why you wield you sword. Don't think too deep about it. Gotta have some balance here. If you are too good then do some wicked shit asap. You aren't special. You are too bad then do some good shit like cleaning my room" said Fuyuhiko.
"Ok I understand" I sighed.
"Yeah, come clean my room" Fuyuhiko ordered.
I jumped out of bed and shouted "Like hell I am going to clean your messy room up. It's full of candy bags in every corner". I looked around me and realized that it was just a dream heheh.
" Doing bad things for a good cause. Would killing someone for my escape be a good cause?" I wondered to myself.
"Why am I dreaming this now?"