Requested by u/RePo_Net on Reddit

Aw…I lost…and I almost beat my high score as well…

Oh well…Hey! You there! Did you need something?

Oh, you noticed? I was beginning to think you hadn’t seen me.

You’re one of the kids from the Hope’s Peak Elementary or something, right?

Just so you know, I blame you for making me lose my focus…

You make it sound like I should care…

Yes. My name is Nagisa Shingetsu. I’m referred to as the Lil’ Ultimate Social Studies.

Of course, that is merely one area of my expertise. I excel at all scholarly pursuits, and am raised to be amongst society’s elite.

And…in all honesty, I suppose you could call me a babysitter of sorts for my class. Or more accurately, I’m sort of the class representative…

Wow…You can really do all that? You’re amazing, for a pre-schooler that is.

Who are you calling a pre-schooler! I’m 12 goddammit!

Oh…my bad. You look younger than that…

But you’re a class rep too huh? It’s nice to meet you.

Class rep…“too?”

Yeah. I’m Chiaki Nanami, the Ultimate Gamer. Video Games are my hobbies, and I’m a fan of all genres. I also enjoy games no matter how terrible they are.

I’ve also been voted to be class rep…for whatever reason…

U-Ultimate…Gamer?

Is something wrong?

N-No I just…I was just passing by and saw you…

And I was…curious as to what you were doing.

I presume you were busy playing a game so I’ll let you get back to it…

Hold on a second…before you go…

Something isn’t right…you’re acting odd…

Did I say something wrong? If so, I apologise…

Wait…did you wanna play with me? If so I have a spare console for you to-!

N-NO! A-Anything but…that…

I’m sorry but I really need to-!

Wait, don’t go! Clearly I’m just upsetting you even more but…what am I doing wrong?

I won’t force you to do something you don’t want to, but if there’s a problem, just tell me…

…

If I tell you, will you promise to keep this information under wraps?

Not many people know the full details of our situation.

Situation? Wait…

Are you perhaps one of the kids at Hope’s Peak Elementary who’s undergoing therapy?

I heard about it from Ms Yukizome…

Yes, that’s right…but…my personal experience isn’t something a gamer would really want to hear…

but if you really want to know, then I suppose I can tell you…

To tell you the truth, I’m here because of my parents…

Your parents?

Yeah…The thing is…there is a reason that I’m so smart despite my age…

As the Ultimate Gamer, I don’t doubt you’ve played several games where you have to raise a virtual pet…right?

Yes, I’ve played several. Why do you ask?

Because the way you train those pets…it’s exactly how my those demons that called themselves my parents treated me.

I wasn’t their child to them, just some kind of virtual pet!

My whole life before now was nothing but studying, studying and more studying…

That’s…! Did you ever get any sleep?

Why would I when analeptics exist?

And I wouldn’t ever faint. They stuck an IV in my arm…like they were restoring my HP.

And if I ever showed any kind of resistance, they had “Items” that would neuter my spirit…

Since I was a child, I’ve been treated like some character in a video game! As if my parents were forcing me to level up until I evolved into something better!

My whole life has felt like one giant Video Game, and it’s been a Nightmare up until now!

Not that you’d understand! Video games are the world to you after all!

…

…

I…I’m sorry…

Nothing that happened to me is your fault…I don’t know why I’m taking my frustration out on you…

No, I brought back some past deep trauma you’ve experienced…I’m sorry…

But…if this is so personal to you, then why’d you tell me?

I know I asked, but you could have just told me if you didn’t want to talk about it…

Well…maybe I did, but just didn’t realise it…

Huh?

You’re not a therapist or anything but…I suppose it’s because you’re a class rep…

I highly doubt you would have been elected for no reason…you must be at least a little trustworthy…

It’s not like I have a fear of video games..I just don’t like thinking about them…

…

Nagisa? Could you come here a second?

I wanna take you somewhere…

Huh? Take me somewh-

WHAAA!?! Hey! Put me down!

H-How the hell are you doing that!? You don’t look that strong!

I’m not strong. You’re just very light…

Stay still, you can ride on my shoulders.

Stop treating me like a baby!

Nanami! Put me down! Ah! Hey!













Ugh! Finally! What part of put me down don’t you get!?

Don’t worry about that, just look…

What? Look whe-?

Woah…that’s…a really pretty view…

Yeah, you can see the sunset perfectly from here.

Listen Nagisa. I may be the Ultimate Gamer, but even I can distinguish Video Games from real life.

Life is short, and yours has been wasted up till now.

But you’ve got at least another 68 years ahead of you that you can use to turn it all around.

Promise me you’ll do that, and I’ll agree to help you anyway I can, ok?

…

Tch…you just met me and you’re already going this far to help me out?

I…don’t understand but…thank you…