NOTES

1. Warning: Innuendos

2. I refer to Fujisaki as a he because I don't think he identify as female. I think he's just a cross-dresser, not a trans

The Only Average, Damned

Chihiro Fujisaki's attention was often caught on something else beside himself. That particular day, for example; it latched onto the bounce of Naegi's ahoge. That thing has to be magical, he noted – with all the wisdom of an Ultimate Programmer; Naegi-kun really is a wonder.

Back then, Fujisaki would be too self-absorbed to notice small details such as this. There was a lot of insecurities back then; especially the one hiding under this skirt he was wearing. But time passed and he learned a lot of things. Now, it was hard to get over the fact that he was a boy without adding his skirt into calculation. This balloon skirt he wore was no longer a shield; it was just another part of himself – just like the death of Mondo's brother was a crucial part of Mondo's life and his rise to power in the local bike gang.

They all had outgrown those insecurities – and thus, Fujisaki would rather ponder upon how the law of gravity worked on that magical ahoge than talk about the dark times. So he turned to Ishimaru, who was in the middle of talking to Mondo, and asked the one million question:

"Why do you think Fukawa-san decided it's a good idea to kidnap Naegi last week and showed him all those boy-on-boy comic books? If you asked me, lesbians are way better," there; the question was out.

Ishimaru's neck visibly made a robotic turn toward his fellow 78th gen Ultimate. His face was that of horror – and you could practically read his thoughts on that face. Why? Why, Fujisaki-kun? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO CONFLICT ME WITH SUCH A QUESTION? But the disciplinary committee leader made no noise. Behind his head, Mondo's face contorted in similar ways– although his seemed more like; dude, sometimes I wonder what's in your head.

Fujisaki simply glanced sideways. Was it his fault if he enjoyed the conflicted look on people's face when they couldn't decide whether to treat him like a boy or a girl? He liked that unpredictability and the shock it gave people.

"Whatever that frickin' serial killer's kink is, it has nothin' to do with us. And Naegi is just Naegi that way, y'know. He's just... a trouble magnet. So it's not like it matters," Mondo grunted; eyes glancing wildly at the general direction of Naegi.

Naegi could be seen mingling among their classmates – to be exact, everyone was dragging him to play a game of card against Celeste (apparently, everyone wanted to see a game between the Ultimate Luckster and the Ultimate Gambler). Not far behind him, Miss Elegant herself, Kyoko Kirigiri, was lurking from her seat. If you squint heard enough, you'd notice her eyes watching silently from behind the little black book covering her face. Togami was somewhere near the front of the class; also watching silently from a comfortable distance.

Those three, Fujisaki noted, they really need to sort out their indisposition. Both Togami and Kirigiri are too prideful; and Naegi is just oblivious, if not too naive. Even with that fact, the three were still undeniably close in their own unique ways. Must be in the way they just stick close to one another when the situation asked them to. It's hard to explain; yet obvious.

Naegi was giving the series of cards in his hands a horrified look; and Fujisaki caught on how his ahoge seemed to wither slightly (despite the fact that everyone seemed to be cheering for him). There was no way both Kirigiri and Togami would come to his rescue unless he asked for it or unless they could do it without seeming like they want to. Poor Naegi would have himself being eaten alive by Celeste anytime soon. The gambler lady was known for her unforgiving nature when it comes to gambling; even when this was a game against Naegi – the source of everyone's hope.

As if on cue; the double door to their classroom was kicked open by no one else but the eccentric Chiaki Nanami (she probably thought she was in a game again). Behind her, Nagito Komaeda could be seen spreading his two arms dramatically; face looking as manic as usual. "Hello, the 78th Generation of Talented Students!" Komaeda called out, while Nanami calmly inspected the classroom from her spot.

It's funny how both Togami's and Kirigiri's head snapped to the newcomers' direction – you could even see the rare sight of panic in Kirigiri's face. The eccentric married couple was a regular visitor to their classroom; and it was known that they have a certain interest on Naegi. It's been awhile since they made their stop to this classroom though.

Everyone's eyes practically followed the 77th students as they made their way to Naegi. "Yo, Makoto-kun!" Komaeda greeted as he landed himself on a seat beside Naegi. Meanwhile Nanami silently gazed on Makoto's cards from behind the boy. "You have yourself in trouble I see," Komaeda added, cheerful as usual.

"Pardon," Celeste intercepted, "This game is between Naegi and I".

"There's no such a rule," Komaeda answered. Nanami bent closer to Naegi, "I think you need to let go of this card".

"What!?" Celeste protested; but no one listened. The crowd around Naegi slowly stepped away until they were a distance away from Naegi and the troublesome two. Next you knew, you could hear Celeste screeching like a drenched cat as she started losing against Naegi, who had Nanami and Komaeda on his back. Nanami was a known strategist and Komaeda was a known luckster (which was beyond Naegi's own luck); it's impossible to win against those two.

After a while, it was obvious who the winner was. "Now that we've helped Makoto-kun win this silly game, we'll borrow him for a moment," Komaeda announced as he hooked his arm around Naegi's. Nanami silently led the way out of the classroom as Komaeda dragged Naegi with them. Fujisaki noticed how Ishimaru stood so suddenly.

"Those two," Ishimaru muttered in defeat as everyone silently gaped at the three's exit, "I thought they would stop making sudden visits to our class and randomly taking students with them".

"By that, you mean only Naegi," Mondo added. They silently agreed.

Togami could be seen making an uncharacteristic gape from his spot while Kirigiri slammed her black book on her desk – as elegant as she could – and stood from her seat. She actually walked out of the class briskly, hitting Hagakure on her way there and not apologizing. Witnessing this, Fujisaki was in the mood to gossip. Mondo raised his hands before he started though.

"Let's not talk about whatever troubles Naegi would have with that chick and Togami," the biker grunted, "I rather not guess what relationship those three have".

People-watching became less fun once Naegi left the classroom. He returned right on time for class and left with the married couple once recess came. On the first break, Fujisaki dragged himself to his lab in the Future Foundation's underground base. He then asked Mitarai to help him with fixing the drawer in his office.

"Why do you have to ask me to do this, Fujisaki-kun?" Mitarai mumbled once they stood in front of Fujisaki's drawer.

"Because you're the only one around, Senpai," Fujisaki smiled. He could see his senior's reluctance withering little by little. This was where his girlish feature became a convenience. So Fujisaki added, "Please".

Mitarai sighed, but complied anyway.

It was then that Matsuda made his appearance in Fujisaki's office; the cheap smacking sound his slippers made was epic. "You little perverted bitch," the neurologist grunted as he gripped the collar of Fujisaki's shirt.

"No fighting in the HQ," Mitarai warned from his bent position under Fujisaki's desk. Fujisaki was far too excited from being called a pervert to deny the accusation.

"I am!?" The programmer asked.

"Don't act innocent, you little prick. All this time I had my eyes on you. Everyone thinks of you as the naive kid, but from all that porn magazines in the office, I just knew you're not as innocent as you made out to be".

"... actually, those are Gekkogahara-senpai's –"

"Dressing like a girl, fooling us to believe that you are as pure! I caught on to your bullshits now, you little prick. All those times Yukizome-san blamed me for those dirty magazines will be over! I'll show them the true culprit!" Matsuda hissed, "You even had your soiled hands on the new student. A handjob in the library!? Really!?"

"I have?" Fujisaki's eyes sparkled, "Mitarai-senpai!"

Mitarai lazily looked up from his position under the desk, "Yeah?"

"I gave someone a handjob in the library!"

Mitarai tiredly nodded, "Good. Good for you, I guess". He returned to his work.

Fujisaki turned to Matsuda, "When did that happen again?"

"Do not act like you know nothing about it, you little prick. Who the fuck would spread that rumor about his dick?" Matsuda gritted his teeth. They stared at each other for a while, before Matsuda finally asked, "Is it true?"

"What?"

"Is his dick really bigger than Naegi's?"

"... Maybe". Honestly, Fujisaki had no idea.

Matsuda's face contorted to that of jealousy – which made Fujisaki slightly happy. He, Matsuda, and Gekkogahara were the three brains behind the rebuilding of the Neo World Program. Being the youngest and the least experienced of the three, Fujisaki often felt this petty competitiveness toward the other two.

"And now you even get what you want. I suppose you're happy that the principal wants you to be in charge of the new student's training, huh?" Matsuda hissed. Fujisaki's eyes widened.

"What?"

"Be happy, but I'm warning you. The troublesome two from the 77th Gen wouldn't let you have your freedom with the new kid," Matsuda let go of Fujisaki's collar with a rough push, "I'm warning you".

The neurologist left without further words, leaving Fujisaki excited on his own. Not that he could express his excitement to anyone in the Future Foundation HQ; only he, Matsuda, Gekkogahara and the people who still worked in the school knew about Hinata's transfer to the talented course. The principal wanted to keep it secret for a while until they could get Hinata to adapt to the Neo World Program.

Of course, some of the Foundation's member had an idea of what the Principal was up to, especially Munakata and his cronies. It was exactly why the Principal wanted to keep Hinata's transfer a secret after all; he knew some people would be so against it. It was their job, the three people working for the Neo World Program reprogramming, to help Hinata to do his role in the program and prove that there was still hope to restart the program, even when they have to use a reserve course student's help.

"What was that you're discussing with Matsuda?" Mitarai asked from under the desk.

"Oh nothing, nothing," Fujisaki answered happily, "It's really nothing".

"WHAT!?"

Owada's manly shriek stole the attention of the whole 78th gen's classroom – earning him an ugly glare from Celeste as the young lady hissed a sharp, "Excuse me" behind her cup of tea. Owada's only action to excuse himself was lowering his head and turned down the volume of his voice as he resumed his discussion with Fujisaki and Ishimaru.

"Are you sayin' yer goin' to meet that new guy the 77th been lookin' after?" The gang leader exclaimed; eyes looking wildly left and right. Ishimaru kept his frozen posture right beside him – too shocked to say a word.

Fujisaki quickly went down from her spot on the desk to the floor so he could hush his friends. "Tone it down! This is still a secret!" He then smiled, "But yes! Matsuda-senpai told me in the HQ and the Principal just texted me to inform the good news! Apparently, the Principal told me Matsuda-senpai has given up on training the transfer student on his own... something about the married couple messing with his plan".

"B-but, aren't you also in charge of Naegi's training? The 78th's...," Ishimaru murmured absently, "A-and the 77th's... Together... That's like... That's like a very valuable opportunity".

"Man, are you kiddin'?" Owada's brows met, "This is the 77th's new guy we're talking about. There has been rumors, I'm tellin' you; rumors!" He then stood closer to his two friends, "Everyone has been talkin'. He's a ladies' man and has the power that could put Kuzuryu's torture chamber to shame. There's pictures and everythin'. I mean, that's messed up!" Owada shook his head, "I even heard he got himself kidnapped by that perverted cook – what's his name again? Hamura something?

Ishimaru paled, "I've actually never heard about this from the Ultimate Imposter in our monthly report."

"Dude, there's a lot happening behind your back," Mondo sighed.

"We shouldn't have trusted the new guy with the 77th! They're a group of misfits!" Ishimaru exclaimed. The 77th gen was known to be much louder and more rebellious compared to the 78th. It's not only because they have a trickster among them (and that being Komaeda), they also have a yakuza leader, a bunch of loud-mouthed people, and Komaeda (yes, the guy needed to appear twice in this sentence). It's not rare for the 77th to have problems among their selves. Just months ago, there was that case involving the Kuzuryus', a reserve course student named Sato, and the 77th gen. Let's just say, no permanent consequences were made, but there were some serious damages back then.

Ishimaru shifted in his spot, "And you forgot something. That transfer guy," the moral compass muttered with trembling voice, "He reviews his studies before class," Ishimaru paused for more drama, "Every day".

Fujisaki wow-ed. "That's...," he mumbled, "... that's amazing".

"Our Naegi can't even do his homework properly," Owada complained.

As if on cue, the 78th gen's luckster's chatter could be heard from outside the class. There, by the entrance to the class, Naegi stood with Komaeda and Nanami. The three obviously got along well despite the fact that no one else in the 78th gen could approach the 77th gen's students easily. The two classes are just different to one another.

But then they saw Komaeda and Nanami making their leave while Naegi returned inside the classroom. As the latter walked by Fujisaki's desk, Mondo called out to him. "Yo, Naegs. Done mingling with the upperclassmen? You popular brat".

"What? Oh, no! It's nothing like that," Naegi raised his two hands, "We just met often in Jin's place, so I talk to them a lot".

He's just fun to tease. "Usually you hang out with them until the bell rang," Mondo added.

It's interesting how Naegi furrowed as though he just noticed that detail. "You know what, you're right. They suddenly told me they have something to do. Probably has something to do with the Neo World Program, I heard the 77th Gen has been busy with it," Naegi's eyes darted to Fujisaki as if asking for clarification. Fujisaki shrugged; he knew nothing about it. Naegi shrugged back and left to make his way slowly to Kirigiri's desk. You could hear him making small talks to the girl, which instantly made the grim look on Kirigiri's face go away.

Then Togami would make his way there as though he just happened to stumble to their discussion. He would insist not taking a seat, but he would maintain his spot around Kirigiri's desk and mingle with the two. When that truly happened, Fujisaki, Mondo, and Ishimaru uncomfortably casted their glances away from those three. When Naegi interact with Kirigiri and Togami, he became weirdly unapproachable somehow.

"Well, you still have to be careful. It is rumored that the married couple is close to the new kid," Ishimaru warned, "You never had a lot of problems with Naegi because... well, Kirigiri-san and Togami-kun are mostly calm. But, the 77th Gen is..."

"It's still just a rumor, though, right?" Mondo disrupted, "We're talkin' bout the married couple here. I know I've seen them talk before, but... I dunno man, I'm not sure".

Fujisaki pondered upon this idea when his eyes went to the window facing the front yard right beside him. Down there, right at the huge fountain in front of the entrance to the talented course's building, you could see Nanami and Komaeda playing on a handheld console. The fountain was known as Nanami and Komaeda's reserved spot; they often made a scene there that make people think they were dating.

He then saw Nanami leaving the fountain to return inside the building. Komaeda could be seen playing a game alone by the fountain, when a brown haired guy appeared from the direction of the parking lot. Eventually, the newcomer caught Komaeda's attention; causing Komaeda to call out to him. Next Fujisaki knew, the brown haired newcomer joined Komaeda by the fountain. There was no doubt who this brown haired person was; the spiky hair and the pointy ahoge on top of his head were obvious clues.

Interesting, Fujisaki thought to himself.

"But who cares about the married couple gettin' in your way. You still have a slight chance to see both Naegi and the new kid in the same room!" Mondo whispered sharply, "That's like... two ahoges in the same room".

Fujisaki's eyes twinkled at the realization. He gasped in the most dramatic fashion, "Oh my Gosh!" His eyes rounded a he turned his head back and forth between his two friends, "That is so true, guys! Imagine all the possibilities!"

"Everyone has been talking about having Naegi-kun and the new student meet. In fact, everyone has been looking forward to it," Ishimaru explained, "To be the first to see them interact is like... extremely lucky".

"Well, you're lucky. You'll be seein' those two meet. Do you even realize how fuckin' huge that is?" Owada grunted at Fujisaki, "Man, I mean, two ahoges in the same room. That's like...," he scrunched his eyebrows, "Like everyone's wet dreams combined".

Fujisaki jumped in realization. It just came to him that indeed, he'd have two ahoges with him. Not one; two! TWO!

"Uh... Fujisaki-san".

"Yes, Ishimaru-kun?"

"... you're bleeding".

Fujisaki checked the back of his skirt.

"Not there, dumbass! It's your nose!" Owada added.

"Oh," the cross-dressing boy touched his nose, "Ah, I'm just a man after all". Everyone's a real man when it comes to ahoges.

8.30 pm Am I expelled?

Hajime had been worrying about the possibility the whole night. He ended up arriving late to school and sighed lifelessly when he noticed Jin hadn't replied to his text. Jin must be briefing the whole academic staff that the transferred student is a huge failure, he thought to himself depreciatingly. I better prepare myself today, he added as he dragged himself to the school building, for the bad news.

The non-ultimate was so deep in his thought that he almost jumped when someone greeted him as he passed the fountain. "Good morning, Hinata-kun!" Komaeda waved from his sitting spot on the fountain before he added accusingly, "You're late! You even skipped the morning classes."

Hajime wasn't given the opportunity to reply as he was dragged by the taller teen to sit on the fountain. "Chiaki is getting another set of console in the classroom," Komaeda informed, "She's taking a long time though".

"Komaeda..."

"And I've been sitting here for ages! Can you believe it?"

"Komaeda..."

"What's taking her so long anyway?"

"Komaeda!"

Komaeda stared, "What?"

"... aren't you worried?" Hajime muttered, "We could be expelled".

Komaeda sighed worriedly, "I know. I've been telling her. She should stop bringing more than two".

"What?"

"The consoles, right?" Komaeda shook his head as though he was exasperated about the whole issue, "I mean, I know she's the gamer, but she also has that promise she made with the board members not to bring more than two consoles to school. But no worries, I'll make sure Jin would let it go".

Hajime staggered, "I was talking about the incident yesterday". When Komaeda kept his silence as though expecting Hajime to elaborate, Hajime added, "We destroyed the school property".

Komaeda spent a couple of second to wait for Hajime to spell out the problem. "Oh," he said then, "You mean that's all?" Another momentarily pause, "You're so silly, Hinata-kun! Why would someone be expelled for that?"

Why would someone not be expelled for that? Hajime thought to himself. It was then that he saw Nanami walking to their direction from the main course's building; and the first thing Hajime did once she made a stop in their location was to spew all of his troubled thoughts. "Nanami, I think we're going to have some trouble with school".

"Don't worry. I only brought two today," the girl threw the newly purchased Nintendo switch to Komaeda's lap.

"But I'm sure -," that's the least of our worries, Hajime meant to say; but his words were disrupted when he heard a greeting for himself not far from their right. The trio snapped their heads simultaneously; meeting frozen stiff Souda and Nidai who seemed like they were making their way to the school building.

Crap! Hajime exclaimed to himself silently. The awkwardness wafting from their side and Nidai's was impossible to ignore. Souda robotically craned his head to the bulkier guy beside him before he glanced to the trio sitting on the fountain. "Uhh...," the mechanic started absently. His eyes landed to Hajime; "Morning...," then to the two sitting on Hajime's sides, "... Hina-".

Then, the mechanic's eyes widened as if he concluded that Nanami and Komaeda had created some troubles yet again.

The silence broke when Nidai finally roared with laughter. "Oh! That yesterday was a good one!" the team manager slapped Hajime's, Komaeda's, and Nanami's back one by one so harshly that they almost fell to the ground from the force. "Too bad we can't resume our training. Matsuda informed me that he's no longer in charge of Hinata's training. Too bad, really! Too bad!"

Hajime witnessed how Komaeda and Nanami spontaneously stared at each other as if they could reach each other's mind before their gaze slowly turned somewhere on the second floor of the talented course's building. When Hajime followed their gaze, he swore he saw a brown haired girl looking back at them from the second floor window. The girl flinched once she noticed someone caught her peeking. She then disappeared from view.

Somewhere in the Future Foundation HQ, Ryota Mitarai was cornered by Munakata and Sakakura. He practically had his back to the wall as he tried his best to hold himself in front of the two Future Foundation's members. "I told you, I heard nothing! I was busy fixing Fujisaki-kun's drawer!" He repeated for the numerous time ever since the interrogation started, "I swear!"

"Don't lie!" Sakakura roared before punching the wall right beside Mitarai's head.

"A-all I heard is something a-about a handjob," Mitarai stuttered, "O-or maybe I misheard that, b-because there's no way Fujisaki-kun could -"

"The handjob," Munakata said suddenly - so coldly - as though muttering the mere term held no ridiculousness whatsoever. "I knew it, they were talking about the new student".

"B-but -"

"As you suspected, the neurologist is not innocent in all this. He knows something," Sakakura chimed in.

"W-what's this about a handjob, really?" Mitarai tried to question.

The two men ignored him

TBC