Chapter 1
"Hello, Mr. Hinata, I'm calling from the Jabberwock University Hospital, to confirm your appointment for tomorrow at 2:00 PM to meet with the physician regarding your test results."
"Huh? Oh right, yeah, I'll be there."
"Go ahead and check-in with Neurology on the 2nd floor when you get here. Have a wonderful evening, Mr. Hinata."
"Thanks, you too." Click.
A strange mix of dread and optimism churned in Hajime's stomach and started to wonder whether hunger was partly to blame, as it was a little after 6:00 PM. Although they had disembarked and settled on the island once again about a month ago, he struggled with establishing domestic life and felt little desire to go to the grocery store. Rocketpunch was the kind of place where its name could never deliver on its promise, which could only remind him of this boredom he never could shake for long. The sudden pang of guilt set in: things were peaceful once again… there was no immediate Despair…no Hope brainwashing… Makoto Naegi was now principal of Hope's Peak as well as one of the chairmen for the Future Foundation, which ensured the employment of the entire 77th class, funding their enterprises as a part of the foundation. What could he complain about?
The familiar chime of a text resounded. Hajime's eyes skimmed over the screen: "Hey everyone…a friendly reminder that I'm having a soft opening for the restaurant tonight! Feel free to have a taste and bring your…soft openings ;)"
Hajime rolled his eyes in disgust. Pervert…you couldn't help yourself this one time for your business venture, Teruteru. His stomach grumbled in protest and finally he resigned himself to walking the five or six blocks to Teruteru's restaurant, Maman, the preparation of which Hajime only really noticed because of their white-blond, eccentric companion who was always willing to assist with cleaning and preparations. He wondered if he would make it tonight and then begrudgingly wished he would. Maybe some of that Ultimate Luck would win out.
The pervert's comments aside, Hajime couldn't help but admire the understated elegance of the quaint waterfront restaurant accented by the sunset. He grimaced, suddenly feeling far too informally dressed for the setting in his dark jeans, sneakers, short-sleeved Oxford shirt and tie. He wasn't quite sure why he still dressed like he was still in some private high school, but he felt weird in anything else unless he was at home alone. Hajime shrugged, exerting more effort to pull the cast iron door handle to enter the building.
"Mmm, Hajime, I wasn't expecting you to be one of the first to bite at my intimate little invitation…" The robust chef eyed him suggestively, running a comb through his pompadour.
Although his face flushed red, Hajime responded flatly, "I have some pretty violent talents, Teruteru. I'm not sure you want to test me."
The chef merely salivated, his eyes glazed over. "I wish I could, Mr. Hinata. But never mind all that, you must be hungry and my sous chef is whipping up just the comfort dish for you. Wine list?" His eyes glinted as he purred, "You're legal, right?"
"We're all basically the same age…you're the chef, bring a bottle of whatever you think is good, but you have to open it at the table. No drugging, okay? As if I can even trust you…"
Teruteru agreed in delight as he retreated from the table. Sighing in relief, Hajime's eyes roamed over the interior of the restaurant. Dark tablecloths, black-and-white photographs of the oceanside (likely courtesy of Mahiru), all accented by candles peppered throughout the restaurant and dim recessed lighting. Why is it so dark in here? He noticed Akane and Nekomaru downing oysters noisily in one of the corners. His eyes shifted slightly to the bar where Fuyuhiko and Peko were nursing some sake and chatting stealthily, betrayed only by occasional little smiles. In normal circumstances, Hajime would feel obliged to go over and catch up, but given the collective contentment and that they saw each other pretty regularly as it were, he opted to sit silently. As the minutes passed, he began to wonder when his good luck would kick—
"Hajime?"
The brunet young man looked up and smirked. Record timing. Intentionally disheveled white blond hair, pale glass green eyes, long dark green hoodie with red splotches, loose white t-shirt with the scarlet logo, dark jeans with a skull wallet chain…Hajime felt puzzled by how distinctly he could recall these details even if the guy wasn't right in front of him. His gaze must have lingered a little longer than he intended, as he noticed his friend's pale skin turn slightly red.
"You're staring. Do I look terrible today? I mean, I know I'm useless trash but—"
Hajime protested, "No! No…no, you look like, um, you."
Nagito Komaeda frowned slightly, as if deciphering the comment's intention.
The brunet continued, "No, you look…" Come on, Hajime, I'm sure 'Ultimate Bullshit' is one of your talents, right? Think of a complimentary word that doesn't sound suspicious… "You look well."
Nagito's lips morphed into that assuring smile, his eyes crinkling slightly yet still almost too large for his face.
"Thanks, Hajime. I think I'm finally starting to sleep a little more since we got back. You look great too, by the way."
Hajime felt grateful for the surrounding darkness, his cheeks burning for such an innocuous comment. "Er…thanks. Um…are you having dinner by yourself?"
The blond chuckled slightly, "I mean, everyone's been nice enough but…I don't think anyone can really deal with me for an entire dinner, Hajime."
Hajime felt a pain in the pit of his stomach, remembering that even though his friend had received a lot of support and encouragement since he had awoken from the Neo World Program, he continued to be uncomfortably self-effacing in conversation. Hajime's only response, which seemed to be more of an Izuru Kamukura pragmatic confidence thing, was to directly counter Nagito's negative self-talk.
"Nagito, you're an important member of the team and I want to catch up. Sit down and have dinner with me." Of course, the Hajime Hinata part wanted to scratch his neck and hide under the table after saying something so unveiled. "Err…if you want…"
Nagito's smile deepened, his eyes softening slightly in a way that only made Hajime blush harder. "Hajime…"
The brunet nodded to the chair opposite himself, and the blond's robotic hand pulled out the chair before he quietly sat down.
"Oh, you have a date, huh, Mr. Hinata? Maybe I can wrap things up quickly and we'll make it a threesome." Before either of the young men could rebuke him, the chef placed two wine glasses, made a semi-lewd display of uncorking the wine bottle to Nagito's rare annoyance and began to pour for Hajime until the latter interrupted.
"Pour for Nagito first and let him taste, he's the lucky one."
"I dunno, Hajime, my taste in the finer things is probably lacking—"
"Just make sure it's not vinegar, okay?!"
Teruteru poured a couple of ounces, leaving the bottle at the table. Nagito took a small sip, eyes closed, and released a pleased sigh before smiling fully, his pale lips and white teeth slightly tinged with the red wine. Hajime barely reeled his thoughts back in at the sight, awaiting the verbal review.
"So…?"
"Hajime…if this wine was any better, I think I'd be worried about losing a few of our friend's lives right now. But, don't take a lowly bug's opinion, I'm not a big drinker anyway."
The brunet rolled his eyes as his companion filled half the glass with the garnet-colored liquid. He gingerly took a sip, noticing the sweet and bitter flavors dancing on his tongue until he swallowed, a sudden warmth filling his chest and throat. He took another swig, the sensation similar, perhaps more intense, the heat spreading to his face this time as Nagito chuckled.
"Are your friends dying, too, Hajime?"
He glowered at Nagito as he muttered, "I can't believe you still talk like that, after everything we—" Hajime's eyes widened as he bit the inside of his cheek.
Nagito's smile fell as he leaned in. "What? Go on, what were you saying? I mean…I guess you don't have to tell me…I know that I'm trash."
I need to be careful with this wine…I shouldn't talk about what happened during his… not yet anyway…
The brunet hastily redirected, "What are you up to tomorrow, Komaeda?"
The blond's expression brightened again. "Hajime, you want to know what I'm up to? Wow, I feel honored…um, I just have an appointment tomorrow at the hospital."
Wow, that is lucky.
"What time? What department?"
Nagito shrugged, "Three in the afternoon with Neurology. Why?"
Hajime's eyebrows drew together, concerned, as he asked, "Did something happen?"
Nagito's hands came up, spreading in that familiar "don't worry" fashion as he smiled, "No, they did some routine CT and MRI scans a couple of days ago. I think they just want to go over the results."
Hajime's heart beat raced as the palms of his hands became clammy. What if…what if something actually did change…no way…
"Uh, Komaeda? I have a doctor's appointment too, right before yours…did you want to go together?"
Nagito cocked his head in a more cynical expression. "Heh. I dunno, isn't it kind of weird to go with each other to the doctor?"
Hajime scoffed, "It's not like we're having a kid! It's just a chance to hang out and chat, that's all. Maybe you'd want to talk about it?" Way to not make things weird, Hinata…where did that pregnancy thing come from?
Nagito shifted into a graceful, effervescent smile, "Well, when you say it like that, I think it would be fun. You've always been a good listener."
The rest of the evening between them was relatively quiet and lighthearted, with frequent people-watching as the rest of the 77th class arrived in staggered waves of two or three, waving to them before dining in their little groups. Hajime smirked as he noted how much more high school-esque this feeling of separation was. Teruteru personally served them beef and potato stew based on his mother's recipe, claiming it was "on the house", and it was easily the most satisfying meal they had since returning to the island, despite all the innuendo. Surprisingly, the wine was an ideal pairing and the young men killed the bottle by the end of the meal.
Nagito grinned, his teeth and lips edged in darker red now. "Hajime, are you alright?"
Hajime's eyelids drooped inconsistently as he groaned in acknowledgement.
"Come on, Hajime." The blond extended his organic hand, which the brunet timidly accepted, feeling himself struggle to maintain balance, reaching for the table to steady himself. I'm not THAT much of a lightweight, am I?
"Hey, bastard! Are you getting home okay?" While Hajime couldn't bear to face the source of the voice, he knew it was dripping with Ultimate Yakuza bluntness. Thankfully, or embarrassingly, Nagito waved and smiled on his behalf as they left the restaurant.
"Uh, Hajime? My place is a couple blocks from here…why don't you come over for a bit? It's pretty clean, that's one of the things I'm decently good at, and I know I'm pathe—"
"Lessgo", Hajime slurred, his head jerking in the direction the blond indicated, the latter smiling shyly as he led them through the quiet streets, only interrupted by the sound of crashing waves.
They finally arrived at a very clean, sparsely decorated first floor apartment. Hajime squinted, holding the doorframe for stability, "Komaeda, you could've afforded one on a higher floor with a view of the water, right? I thought you liked the beach."
The blond smirked as he beckoned his friend inside. "I didn't think having a balcony higher up would be necessarily safe for someone like me or if I had guests, you know?"
Hajime shook his head as he felt a shiver ascend his spine. Even when inebriated, he couldn't shake the unpredictable lining of Komaeda's words, especially when they were delivered so pleasantly.
The blond sat down on the couch, frowning slightly. "You're making a really scary face, Hajime. Is something wrong?"
Shrugging, Hajime joined him and protested, "No, just thirsty, not feeling well…drank too much, I guess. Who knew Teruteru could import such good wine…"
Nagito quickly entered the small kitchen, retrieving a large glass and a pitcher of ice cold water. He gave his guest a healthy pour before setting the pitcher down on the coffee table.
"No orange juice?" Hajime inquired raspily.
Nagito scoffed as he lowered himself onto the couch, "That's way too acidic for preventing a hangover. Drink up."
The brunet let out a disgruntled groan before downing the contents of the glass, reaching forward to the pitcher to pour more, but miscalculating as his wrist began to twitch and he nearly dropped—
Nagito's warm hand wrapped firmly around his wrist, the robotic one supporting the base of the pitcher before the water could spill. "I think you should let me do the pouring tonight, Hajime."
Hajime's eyes trained on the blond's pale green ones that resembled the ocean water in the late afternoon, the grey-green marbles he played with as a kid and later kept on his desk for luck on test days, the mist that disguised the forest when all of them went hiking together on the island…What the hell am I thinking about?
"Hajime, I was wondering—"
"What?! What, I didn't say…what are you talking about?"
Nagito gently chuckled, handing him another glass of water.
"You're so paranoid! You just looked like you were spacing out. But since I have your attention, you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but…" His eyes shifted downward and he held his chin, musing. "Um, in the restaurant, you talked about how everybody did something that should have changed the way that I…talk I guess?"
Oh fuck…c'mon, I'm still pretty drunk…play drunk, Hajime.
"Ehhh, did I say that? We both drank a lot, I'm sure you misunderstood…"
"Hajime."
The blond's hand became anchored to Hajime's shoulder as his voice became quiet. "Hajime, I'm asking because…from the bits and pieces I remember from school and from Neo World Program…it's like I have a different operating system, like the choices I make when I talk to people or the ideas that come up for me…they're not familiar."
Nagito's eyes darkened as he wrapped his arms around himself, his pale face contorted in thought. He continued, "I'm lucky that Future Foundation gave us all this information about when we were…" His face wrinkled in disgust. Ultimate Despairs, yeah, I know. "And I know we won't make the same mistakes, but something else has changed and I can't shake it."
He's not wrong…probably. But how do I…?
The brunet pinched bridge of his nose. "Komaeda, all of us are very different from our time at school, okay? I'm sure everybody feels like you do on some level, except you actually think about it a lot more than most of us…"
The blond parted his lips slightly as he looked up. "But you still think about it a lot, don't you, Hajime?"
Suddenly parched, Hajime took several gulps of water. He paused, maintaining his friend's gaze before responding, "Yeah, I guess I do. Do you feel better now?"
Nagito broke into a slow smile, his eyes suddenly full of something Hajime couldn't quite pinpoint but nevertheless, it caused a strange warmth to spread across his skin. Then, it happened so suddenly, a flash…
The same look was plastered on Nagito's face as he stood facing Hajime in some sort of library or museum, with Monokuma portraits and figures present. His lips parted slowly, the smile maintained.
"Please, don't forget…from the bottom of my heart…I am truly in love with the hope that sleeps inside you."
Wait…what? When did that…how could I forget something like…did he really say that to me?
"Hajime!" Nagito's hands braced on the brunet's shoulders as the latter's eyes fluttered open.
"I- I just…never mind, I should get going—"
Nagito's grip tightened as he insisted, "Look Hajime, you keep drifting in and out, and plus, it's kinda dangerous to go out at this hour. Even if I'm worthless trash, I wouldn't want my guest to take any unnecessary risks. Go ahead and take my bed, and I'll take the couch."
Hajime resisted as he said, "No, I can stay on the couch—" but the blond gently pushed him onto the bed, lifting the sheets as an invitation to his guest to pass out.
"C'mon, Komaeda, it's fine, just let me go home…"
As Hajime felt his eyelids grow heavy, he began to wonder if Teruteru had indeed attempted to drug him and whether or not Nagito would assist in the investigation.