Chapter Text
Jin Kirigiri sighed as he steeled his nerves. This was a meeting he needed to have. It didn’t make dealing with the Steering Committee any easier, but it was important. Especially if he actually wanted a say in the future of what should be his school. With another sigh, he finally entered into the Steering Committee's conference room, where all of them were waiting.
“Kirigiri, what brings you?” The leader of the group, a man named Akihiko Ashikawa, asked the man in front of him.
“It relates to the recently proposed idea of an overseas branch of Hope’s Peak,” Jin decided to just bite the bullet. He did see the merit of the idea. While Hope’s Peak was a rather prestigious school, there had been criticisms aimed at the academy for years regarding the school’s claim of enrolling the best and most talented students in the world, yet only regularly inviting students from Japan, which led to a rather embarrassing scandal when a former Hope’s Peak Ultimate Swordsman lost a rather public bout to someone from Canada. An overseas branch would help, but there was still an issue. One that Jin had a plan for if the Steering Committee would let him implement it.
“And what about it?” Another member, Tadachika Tomita, asked for his fellows.
“I fear that we don’t know enough about the western world to make such an endeavor successful.” Jin admitted before holding up a hand to stop any questions. “However, I believe I have a solution.”
“Which is?” The third member, Wataru Wakaba, asked with genuine interest in his voice.
“A special third Class 77: Class 77 International.” Jin revealed. “I’ve had Kizakura scout some potential students. As the Ultimate Princess is already in Class 77-B and it would be too late to find another candidate for a local class, she would not be moved.” With that, Jin handed the files he had brought with him to the meeting over to the Steering Committee. The four members all read over them, taking turns looking over each. Their expressions were unreadable, but Jin saw the way their eyes would rise when they saw what each potential student was like and what they were capable of. Once they were done, the men huddled together, sometimes pointing at one of the files.
“We’ve come to a decision,” Akihiko declared once they had finished talking. Again, their expressions were unreadable.
“And?” Jin asked, trying not to let his nerves show.
“This is a brilliant idea,” Akihiko declared. His expression didn’t change, but Jin could tell his reaction was genuine. “However, we do have a few questions before we agree to send out the invites.”
“I will answer what I can,” Jin replied with a nod, mostly just pleased that they seemed to like his plan.
“Why is there no planned Lucky Student?” The last member of the Committee, Ugestu Uragami, was the first to speak up.
Jin shook his head. “As much as I enjoy the concept of the Lucky Student, it would be too complex to run a lottery across the entire western world when compared to just Japan.”
“How were you able to collect a potential class so quickly?” Tadachika spoke up this time.
“When the idea was first proposed, Kizakura and I decided to look into potential students of various ages. These are just the ones in Class 77’s age range.
“On that topic, would we potentially do a Class 76 International or a Class 78 International?” Wataru chimed in.
Jin shook his head again. “I think it’s best to stick with only one class to observe for three years, but if you want, we have more potential students if needed.” There were a few more questions afterwards, but Jin could tell the Steering Committee was impressed. He was just hoping. He was just hoping there wouldn’t be any problems with the incoming students.
“Welcome to Hope’s Peak, Class 77-I!”
Almost as soon as the meeting was adjourned, sixteen letters were sent out to bring Class 77-International together.
An up and coming fashion designer can barely believe her luck as she reads her letter, even with her parents and lovers assuring her. A change of scenery wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
A street artist is cheered by his family, all of whom know of his skills but also know he needs the affirmation of his talents.
A belly dancer embraces her uncle, the man who raised her, while eagerly planning how to break the news to her friends and boyfriend.
A future race car driver, who nearly made it to the track before his true age was discovered, proudly presents his letter to his mentor, who manages to give him a proud smile.
A neighbor watch member heads to his girlfriend’s home with his letter, only to be met by her with a matching letter. A kiss is shared and plans to tell friends are made.
A track star proudly shows off his letter to his family, none of whom he’s related to by blood. However, they cheer with the enthusiasm of a true family all the same.
An heiress to a famed robotic company proudly presents her letter to her father, who lets out a proud laugh and hugs her, proudly telling her he always believed in her.
An archer shows off his letter to the three most important people in his life-his prideful mother, his smiling girlfriend and his disbelieving twin brother.
A girl whose claim to fame was a homemade railgun proudly presents her letter alongside her boyfriend, who had been there when she discovered the letter. Her mother nearly falls out of her wheelchair trying to give her a hug, her father is near tears and her cousin offers a heartfelt congratulation.
A pair of twins, one girl and one boy, race to present their letters, each one praising them for a different talent, to their great uncles. Both men, who basically raised them, can barely hide their emotions as they race to hug their great niece and nephew.
The crown jewel of a famous circus proudly shows off her letter to just about everyone in the troupe. All of them can’t help but cry or hug her when they see it. The performer gleefully accepts them with her own teary hug.
A bass guitarist with a glamrock flair can barely believe the letter in his hands, even with his bandmates cheering around him. A part of him feels like he stole the letter from someone no longer present, but the other part knows he can make them proud.
A rehabilitation counselor is crying happily as she presents her letter to her equally excited father and girlfriend. She feels validated in her eyes, but wishes her mom was around to see it.
Finally, a boy with a talent for finding just about everything and raised by a community over a traditional family proudly presents his letter to everyone, his pride deserved in everyone’s eyes.
Sixteen letters sent out are soon returned as sixteen resounding yeses. Sixteen flights to Japan are booked.
Sixteen students with no idea just what the next three years would entail. And a school with no idea what was coming.