Warning:
This story contains spoilers.
This story also contain dark themes.
—-
On the ship deck, a young man dressed in a black business suit stood, who waited patiently as he rested on the ship's railings. The sound of waves crashed around him. The cold wind blew, tousling his dark brown hair. His pair of eyes, one red and the other a light olive green, held an adamant gaze at the illuminated island that was laying in the distance. The nostalgic sight gave him a soft warmth in his heart, causing him to give out a small smile.
He was finally heading back home—Jabberwock Island.
It's been two months since his last stay on the the island. Work has been calling him to travel a lot. His main job was to help the Future Foundation and to maintain the peace in Jabberwock Island. He had the responsibility to report to the foundation on the status of the island and it's inhabitants, who were previously known as the remnants of despair (himself included). It's been around three years since he and the other survivors of the Neo World Program, restored their remaining classmates who were asleep.
It's a miracle that they all survived were the words of the leader of the Future foundation. It put the whole foundation in a state of surprise but also in fear. They were afraid that some of them would return to their past states, that's why Hajime took on the role to update them on his classmates's well-being.
Bzzt Bzzt!
A small vibration came from his coat's pocket that disrupted him out of his thoughts. He took his phone out and swiped the screen. It was a message from Naegi, the leader of the Future Foundation.
"Good evening Hajime! They will be waiting by 6 in the morning at Jabberwok Island's dock. We hope you and your companions would have a memorable time!"
A smile spread across Hajime's lips and was instantly hit by last week's memory.
He was outside the conference room in one of the branches buildings of the Future Foundation. He was finished giving a report to the body of representatives of the foundation. As he was adjusting his tie, he saw Naegi approaching him.
"Hey, great work back there! You guys have made a lot of progress on the Island." Naegi said, giving him an encouraging smile.
"Thank you. I owe it all to them, everyone's been contributing a lot on the island." Hajime replied.
"Yeah, you guys have been really working hard. You've also been helping us a lot."
Hajime nodded and gave him a smile.
"And for that, the team and I have decided to give you a token of gratitude for all the work you've done." Naegi said, grateful for Hajime. "We'd like to give you an all-expense-payed trip to a ski resort. It'a located at a small snow-covered town. It's a few days away from Jabberwock Island via ferry. We'd like to invite all of your friends but due to some complications you can only bring two people with you." Naegi said with an apologetic look.
Two people instantly popped up in Hajime's mind. His boyfriend Komaeda and his best friend Chiaki.
"Thank you so much Naegi. I'am grateful. Please thank the team for me as well." he said, giving a bow. Hajime hid the thrill that was trying to sip out of his body. He could spend time with two of his favorite people in the world without having to deal with work.
"It's the least we can do! The ferry will pick you guys up a few hours by the time you arrive at Jabberwock Island." Naegi informed him. "The trip plus the traveling time would take 3 weeks in total."
"Okay. Thank you again." Hajime bowed again, with a smile on his face.
"For the rest of your friends, we were thinking of giving them something else as a token for their contribution. But we haven't decided on what that thing would be yet." Naegi said with a sheepish grin.
"That's not a problem. We are all looking forward to it."
Hajime pulled back out of the memory.
He couldn't wait for the trip ahead of them. He couldn't wait to see his white-haired boyfriend again.
"Komaeda…" Hajime whispered at the nearing island.
