Hikaru on page 4, Shiori on 7, Sakurai twins on 8, Raku on 9, Miyu on 10, Satoru on 11, Shu on 12, Rena and Nazuna on 13, Hiroyuki on 14, Reika on 16, Miharu on 17, Toru on 18, Usagi on 19

Cafeteria

We step into the cafeteria, not far from the warehouse. The futuristic hall, tinted a pale yellow, holds a large rectangular table surrounded by a dozen chairs. A monitor is mounted here as well---it seems they are everywhere. What for?

???: Hello.

The voice, cool and composed, draws my attention. Standing there is a tall woman with striking features. She has vivid pink hair tied into a bun, and she wears a kimono modernized into a stylish ensemble. She is confident, straight-backed, and elegant like she owns the room.

Hikaru: Hey, you’re the Ultimate student too, right?

???: Of course.

Her reply is immediate.

Rena: Call me Rena. I’m the Ultimate Dancer from Michigan. It’s nice to meet you.

Yui: Michigan...That’s in the U.S., isn’t it? So, you moved here?

Rena: No, I’m just an exchange student. But I really love it here. Honestly, it’s definitely an option for my career to move to Japan as a base for my activity in the future. I’ve been enjoying interaction with Japanese fans, and l’m gonna do a live performance in Japan very soon.

Yui: A performance...that’s amazing.

Rena: If you’re interested, you should come. I’m not sure if there’s an extra ticket to spare, but I promise I’ll make it a success and hold another one. So no worries.

Yui: th-That’s...incredible...

There is not anything else I can say. I feel less like a student meeting a peer and more like a reporter interviewing a professional. Yes, she is a real professional, which is outstanding and overwhelming for me. Her world is so far from mine that I hardly know how to respond.

???: Hey, lookin’ like y’all havin’ fun? Mind if I hop in?

From the kitchen comes a cheerful voice.

Hikaru: Of course not! C’mon!

A boy shows up---a mop of messy black hair, oversized round glasses, and freckles on his nose---his looks are simple and folksy. He skips toward us with staccato rhythms in his springy steps.

Nazuna: Hi! Name’s Nazuna. I like listenin’ to music. Nice meetin’ y’all!

He beams a wide smile and gives a playful bow.

Yui: Are you, perhaps, another one of the Ultimates?

He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he tilts his head.

Nazuna: Oh? So that mean all three of y’all the Ultimates too?

Yui: Yeah, apparently so. I’m Yui Yotsuba, the Ultimate Lucky Student. I don’t really have a talent, but I was chosen by a lottery.

Hikaru: I’m Hikaru. Supposedly I’ve got some kinda talent. Whatever. Nice to meet ya!

Rena: My name’s Rena. I’m the Ultimate Dancer taking part in some contests. Good to meet you.

Nazuna has an ambiguous expression on his face, as if he is surprised, yet also somehow relieved.

Nazuna: Wow, three Ultimates in one spot? That’s wild. Hee-hee, I feel better tho. Hey, I’m also called the Ultimate Musician. Guess that make us comrades, right?

He claimed earlier his hobby was listening to music, didn’t he? It is a lot more than that.

Hikaru: Musician...! What exactly do you do??

Nazuna: I play instruments, make songs and whole lotta stuff. They say all that’s my talent, so they slapped me with this vague title.

Hiruma: So, like an all-rounder, huh? That’s sick.

Nazuna: Nah, ain’t like that. Truth is, I can’t play nothin’ without my folks’ helps. Without ’em, I wouldn’t be jack. So the Ultimate don’t fit me at all.

Nazuna laughs, but then he glances away for a moment. For all his cheer, there are glimpses of unstableness in him. Talking with him makes me uneasy too.

Rena: ...Wish we could just go home already,

Rena changes the topic, shrugging her shoulders.

Rena: At the very least, we need to know what day it is.

Yui: y-Yeah, my family must be worried, and so are yours.

I agree. When my parents notice that I won’t come back home, they will go to the school, maybe even the police...or they’re out searching for me by themselves. My heart tightens with guilt.

Nazuna: ...Guess my homework due yesterday is waitin’ on me too.

Nazuna mutters.

Hikaru: Forget it, deadlines mean squat in this mess---wait, yesterday?! Man, you better care! Hey, ya never take it seriously...