"I can't believe I'm doing this." Hinata muttered, but he knew Komaeda wasn't to blame. After all, he had agreed with hardly a second thought. He was being so much more reckless than his usual self, and the thrill of sneaking in, and of being part of this amazing event, sent chills down his spine, and nerves pricking at his brain.

Before him was what looked like a normal building. Gray, relatively new, 7 or so stories high, and very, very big. But inside, he knew the Exorcist Convention was going on. Even outside, the area around the building was becoming busy with crowds of people. Many might have been simply enjoying their Saturday morning with a day out, but many were hunters. That man with guns clearly strapped under his jacked. That girl with eyes like darts and a defensive stance you only gained from facing monsters daily. A boy with a sword strapped to his back and scars torn across his face. Hunters, all of them. And the people around here were some interesting characters to be sure.

Without realizing it, he began walking towards the entrance, only to be pulled back by a hand on his arm. Komaeda laughed.

"Hinata-kun, we're not going in that way." And this time his smile was almost devious.

Hinata hesitantly followed his new friend through the thick crowd, for once not overwhelmed by the number of people. Instead he took note of them. Their hair styles, their clothing, scars, weapons, if any were visable, and his heart pounded in his chest with anticipation.

They reached the side of the building, a slim alleyway with wet dripping walls and pavement pulled up under his feet, just waiting to trip him and send him to the ground. As soon as he saw the rickety metal staircase, he had a hunch as to where they were headed.

"Uh, Komaeda-kun. We're not going up there, are we?" Hinata wasn't scared of heights, not really. But there seemed to be a distinct flaw in the staircase plan. The stairs didn't actually lead to the top of the convention building. They led to the top of the building next to it, a business building that was about a story taller than that of their destination. And, as the alley had widened the further down they traveled, the gap between them was easily 15 feet. He felt a pit in his stomach, and hoped Komaeda had a better plan than "jump".

The boy in question turned around, looking successfully innocent for someone about to break into a building.

"Oh, are you scared of heights?" He asked.

"Well, not really, but-"

"Then don't worry! I know what I'm doing." He grinned, and Hinata took a moment to wonder how exactly he new about this "secret entrance" anyway.

At least Komaeda was going up first. If the rusted metal did break, it wouldn't break under Hinata. At least, that's what he told himself. The metal whined under his weight, and sharp shards or rust threatened to slice at his shins, but all things considered, he climbed the stairs easily

The pair climbed until they could look down and see the crowds of people again, colors and shapes moving below, probably getting into the convention without having to risk their lives.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked finally, and Komaeda turned around, a few feet above him on the stairs.

"Hm? Doing what?" He murmured. "I want to go to this convention, just like you, I suppose." His voice was suddenly distant, less sincere than before.

"No, I think I meant, well," Hinata tried to put the words together. "Well you just showed up at in my house and asked me if I wanted to sneak into a demon hunting convention? I've just met you." And he by no means trusted Nagito Komaeda. He just… felt a bit of a connection with him.

"I suppose… I've been wandering aimlessly for a long time." The white hair boy answered, looking over the edge. Then he turned to Hinata and smiled. "Maybe I just think wandering with someone else will be a bit more fun!" And with that he started up the stairs again, leaving Hinata not quite satisfied with his answer.

They soon reached the top, a grated piece of metal with railing that looked less than stable. Next to them was the roof of a building. But not the building they were trying to get in to.

Hinata looked across the gap and felt a pit in his stomach.

"So what's the plan?" He asked nervously, looking down uneasily. Then looked up to find Komaeda climbing up the railing. "What are you doing?!" He yelled.

"Jumping. It's okay, I'll go first!"

Well fuck.

…How can he be so calm before jumping over a 70 foot drop?

He gripped the metal bar and watched, heart pounding. Calmly, Komaeda crouched on the railing, balancing both feet carefully on the bar. He stood up, shakily but confidently, and with a leap, propelled himself across the gap. Even midway through the air, he still looked so at ease, as though it were all in slow motion. With a jolt he hit the rooftop, sliding on the pavement a few meters before standing up and brushing his knees off.

"Come on Hinata-kun!" He called from the other side, grinning at his victory.

Hinata wanted to back out. He wanted to just walk down those stairs and give up. But for some reason, he didn't. He hesitated, his mind going slightly numb with fear.

"It's okay, Hinata-jun! I won't let you fall!" Komaeda's voice called again.

Mindlessly, he climbed the railing, forcing himself not to look down at the gaping alley below him. He could see the other side. It wasn't too far, not horrible. A reasonable distance for a person to jump. He adjusted his feet on the top bar, crouching and taking a deep breath, filling his lungs with what he sure hoped wasn't his last gulp of air.

Then , copying Komaeda, he pushed off the edge and into the air.

In the first few seconds, he took note of a couple things. One, his destination was a story below the ledge he had jumped from, which should make for a higher success rate, but a harder landing. Two, Komaeda was standing on the edge, keeping a close eye on his progress, with an active stance, as though somehow he could help Hinata succeed.

And three, it looked like he was falling too fast to make it.

His heart pounded harder as he realized this, suspended helplessly in the air, and in his fear, he made the deadly mistake of closing his eyes, as if squeezing them shut would transport him someplace else, make it so he wouldn't die when he hit the hard stone awaiting him. He hoped he had at least done some good as a demon hunter.

He hit something very soft, very hard. Still in shock, he waited a few moments, taking careful breaths, before opening his eyes. When he did, he saw green. A green jacket, and a genuinely concerned face looking down at him. Surprised, he pushed himself out of Komaeda's arms.

"Uh, sorry." He mumbled, still confused. "How…?" He didn't bother to finish the question. He made it. He must have miscalculated the jump. It was the only explanation he could think of.

"Are you alright?" Komaeda asked, helping him to his feet. "I didn't realize it would be so difficult. I usually get by with just my luck, useless as that may be." Hinata gave the boy a look. You didn't realize jumping 15 feet and endangering your life would be difficult? Luck? He thought. He began to wish he had just refused the offer. Then he wouldn't be at the top of a 7 story building with nowhere to go but forward.

"What now?" He asked, looking around. The edge of the building was right in front of him, and he took a quick step back. There wasn't much up there, besides dirt and the occasional electricity box. And… was that a trap door in the ground?

Komaeda confirmed his thoughts by approaching said door and crouching down, reaching towards the handle.

"Do you really think such a big company would leave a door unlocked?" Hinata stood over him, watching.

"If we're lucky." He responded, an almost cheeky tone to his voice. He tugged at the handle and pulled at a couple times, the hinges whining from lack of use. And with a loud noise, it began to open under Komaeda's strength. Seeing this, Hinata crouched down to help, and the two of them pulled the metal door up high enough that they could fit through.

"See? Lucky." Komaeda smiled, climbing into the building and leaving Hinata a bit dumbfounded once again.

He followed the boy down a few flights of stairs that looked dirty and rarely used, with a cold damp smell to them, then through a solid door labeled "floor 5". It was much cleaner on the other side, business-like and brightly lit.

"Where-" Hinata started, but was cut off by a sharp look from Komaeda and a signal to be quiet. He could hear people talking, incoherent mumbles that he couldn't pinpoint. Abruptly, the boy pulled him around a sharp corner, then another, leaving Hinata praying that they weren't just getting hopelessly and illegally lost.

With one more turn, He saw an elevator, and let out a silent sigh of relief as Komaeda pressed the "down" button and glanced around the hallway. Afraid to speak, Hinata just gave an inquisitive look until the elevator doors slid open and the pair entered.

"Why not just take the stairs?" Hinata asked as Komaeda tapped the "1" button and the elevator began to move.

"Those stairs lead to a different part of the building. This way, we'll end up right in the middle of the convention." He responded, still so charming and devious. "After all, this building is the OOH headquarters. We're lucky that we didn't get caught!" And you didn't think to tell me that? Hinata just sighed. Should he even bother to ask how Komaeda new which stair lead where? Just as he thought to respond, the doors slid open once more to reveal the Convention in all it's glory.

If Hinata thought there were interesting characters outside the building, then the people inside went far beyond interesting. He had never seen so many different weapons in his life, everything from guns to maces, all clearly laced with magic and spells. He stepped out of the elevator taking in the crowd, the tables and tables filled with books and swords and strange glowing orbs and cubes that did who-knows-what. He could hardly breathe, seeing everything he didn't have, everything he wanted to know and be apart of. The atmosphere was amazing unique. Friendly in a way, a community, everyone together as, for once, they were around others who do the same thing as them, who share their gift and curse.

He wanted to see every inch of it.

"Komaeda-kun-" He turned to where his friend was only a second ago to see empty space. He swallowed hard, suddenly unnerved by the thought of exploring the entire building by himself. Had Komaeda ditched him? Or had he merely wandered off without realizing Hinata wasn't following?

As he contemplated which course of action to take, he felt a hand on his shoulder. As Hinata turned around, he found himself face-to-face with a wide grin, pointy teeth, and some very, very pink hair.

"Haven't seen you around here before, have I?"