"New month, new intentions, new goals, new love, new light, and new beginnings."
― April Mae Monterrosa

Chapter 6

Komaeda woke up Tuesday morning to an empty bed and frowned. He yawned and stretched an arm out. Naegi's side of the mattress was still warm so she couldn't have been gone long. Komaeda got up and stretched a little more before he swung his legs to the side and attempted to leave the bed. Key word attempted. As soon as he took a step forward he tripped on something and went down on the floor.

Komaeda groaned and looked at the object that had caused his fall. A guitar was half sticking out of the bed. He gingerly got to his feet and picked it up before examining it. He didn't know much about guitars, but he was pretty sure it was an acoustic guitar. It looked to be in good shape; Komaeda didn't know Naegi played the guitar. The more you know he thought.

He placed the guitar by the desk and quickly made the bed, he was still a guest after all. Once that was done he started looking for Naegi. Scratch that. His girlfriend. Komaeda covered his face in embarrassment. He still couldn't believe that he had a girlfriend now. Komaeda's smile was so wide it hurt.

His mood instantly soured when he heard a sneeze and then a crash downstairs. Komaeda quickly ran downstairs only to find Naegi crouched down and picking up the broken shards with her hands. He let out a curse and went to her side immediately.

Naegi looked at him in surprise. "Shouldn't you still be sleeping? It's still early."

"I should be saying that to you," he countered. Komaeda peered at her face and put a hand on her forehead. "You're burning up! You should be in bed."

Naegi glanced to the side, "I was going to make breakfast," she mumbled. Komaeda's heart skipped a bit and a small smile appeared on his face. Komaeda quickly scooped her up bridal style, Naegi yelped in surprise, before he climbed the stairs and placed her on the bed.

"You stay in bed. I'll make breakfast," He said.

Naegi raised an eyebrow at him. "You can cook?"

"…It's edible," he mumbled.

Naegi giggled. "Okay, I'll stay in bed. Try not to burn the house down."

Komaeda looked at her seriously. "Don't worry, I have the fire department on speed dial."

Naegi didn't know if he was joking or not. Before she could ask him, he was already gone.

Okay, he could do this he thought. It was just making breakfast. Anyone could do it. Komaeda made his way to the fridge and after looking around took out some eggs, bacon and sausages. He'd made eggs before, sure the first few attempts they have come out black but he'd gotten better recently. At least he hoped so.

After sending Hinata a quick text to take care of Lucky and bring some medicine, Komaeda stood at the counter looking over the ingredients. After looking inside the cabinets, he finally found the pans and set them on the burners before setting to work.

When Komaeda made it upstairs with both plates on hand, he found Naegi sleeping with the TV on. She must have dozed off he realized. On the nightstand, her phone continued beeping with unanswered texts. After shaking her awake, he set the plate on her lap before he lay next to her and stretched out his legs. Naegi took a bite of her food and paused.

"Does it not taste good?" he asked worriedly.

Naegi chewed slowly and swallowed. "It's…good," she finally said. "Just wish there weren't any eggs shells."

Komaeda's face warmed. "Oh god, I'm so sorry! Here, I'll throw it away!"

Naegi lifted her plate away from him. "I never said it wasn't good. Besides," she took another bite of her food, "I heard eggshells are full of calcium so it cant be that bad."

Komaeda laughed and ruffled her hair before he dug into his own food. Oh. Wow. Naegi was being really nice. His food had…an interesting flavor but it still seemed edible so he made sure to eat everything on his plate.

After Naegi had replied to some of the text messages that she had received, she dozed off a little later, this time Komaeda let her sleep in peace. Hinata arrived a few hours later with cold medicine before leaving for work. Once he placed a wet towel on Naegi's forehead he curled up next to her and drifted off to sleep. He made sure to give her a spoonful of medicine every four hours.

The next day Naegi woke up bundled up in thick blankets and curled next to Komaeda who was watching something on TV. He turned to her when she began to stir.

"Hey," Komaeda whispered, smiling. Naegi curled closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better. The bed rest and medicine seems to have worked."

Komaeda grinned. "Well that's good, because you owe me some kisses."

Naegi poked his cheek. "Ha ha, nice try. I still have a runny nose so you'll have to wait."

Komaeda groaned. "That's not fair."

"It is if you don't want to get sick."

"Can I have just one?" he pleaded.

"Nope."

Komaeda gave her the best puppy eyes he could muster and Naegi groaned. She could already feel her resolve crumbling.

"Pretty please?" he tried again.

How was it possible for him to be this adorable Naegi thought as she let out another groan and pulled him to her to kiss him. Komaeda snickered and brought her closer. After the third kiss Naegi waved him off and Komaeda pouted. They decided to spend the rest of the day in bed watching TV, and when they got hungry Komaeda wisely chose to order pizza.

The sound of the continuous doorbell interrupted their Game of Thrones marathon and both of them groaned. Komaeda got up before Naegi and made his way downstairs.

"Make sure you pause that!" he yelled back. Naegi's snickering reply was not reassuring in the least.

Finally reaching the door, he turned the knob and opened the door to be met with a tall stern-faced girl with her arms crossed. Komaeda's eyes widened in recognition, if he remembered right this girl's name was Sakura Oogami. Her long white hair was pulled into a ponytail making the scar across her face even more visible.

"You're not Naegi," a voice mumbled. Komaeda brought his gaze a little lower to be met with Asahina's narrowed blue eyes. She fully stepped out behind Sakura's back and crossed her tan arms as she gazed at him.

Komaeda finally found his voice. "Naegi is upstairs. She's sick."

Both girls' eyes widened before Asahina pushed him aside and stormed inside the house before she disappeared upstairs. Sakura offered him an apology for her friends' rudeness before she too stepped inside. She offered no other pleasantries as she stood with him in the living room while she waited for Asahina to come back.

Komaeda tried not to squirm in place. It was very quiet. One couldn't help but feel intimidated in the presence of Sakura Oogami, who was said to have won in a fight between even Sakakura Juzo. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye only to find her staring at him. Komaeda jumped.

"Is there something on my face?" he asked.

Sakura continued to stare; she seemed to be sizing him up. Komaeda stopped his fidgeting and returned her gaze. Whatever she saw in his gaze must have satisfied her because her tense muscles relaxed and she offered him a smile. Komaeda instantly relaxed, and he let out the breath he'd been holding.

"Where you the one taking care of her?" she asked.

"Yes," Komaeda said straightening. "I've never really taken care of someone, but I made sure to give her plenty of rest and gave her medicine."

Sakura nodded in thanks and they both stood there in comfortable silence. A minute later, a frowning Asahina made her way downstairs.

"Well, she doesn't look too bad so I guess you're off the hook." She said as she walked to Komaeda and looked him up and down. "Be honest, did you really assault Ruruka?"

Komaeda blinked and pinched his nose in annoyance. "No, of course I didn't. She only spread that rumor because I refused her advances."

Asahina looked at him in surprise and even Sakura looked at him in bewilderment. Asahina tapped her chin as she met Sakura's eyes. "It wouldn't be the first time she's made stuff up."

Sakura nodded in agreement before Asahina turned to Komaeda once more. "I'm sorry."

Komaeda arched an eyebrow at her. "Why?"

Asahina squirmed and twiddled her thumbs. "For believing those rumors. Ruruka just sounded so truthful that I instantly believed her." She glanced at him from lowered lashes, "But then Naegi started hanging out with you, and the way she smiled around you was so dazzling…I began to have doubts. Anyway, I'm really sorry for ignoring you along with the rest of the students. I hope we can be friends from now on."

Sakura nodded in agreement and offered him an apology as well.

Komaeda looked at them both in surprise and couldn't help but pinch himself to see if this was real. His cheek hurt; definitely real then. "Apology accepted."

"You guys are friends now!"

All three turned in the direction the voice had come from to see Naegi leaning her elbows on the stairwell. Naegi's eyes were a shade of green that was a mixture of the sky and grass as she stared at them and Komaeda let out a whoosh of air at the sight.

Asahina placed her hands at her hips before she started marching in her direction, "You should be in bed! You'll never get better at this rate!" Asahina let out a little shriek. "You're not even wearing shoes!"

Sakura chuckled at the sight. "She's right you know. You should at least put some shoes on." She tilted her head. "But her coloring does seem a little better."

Naegi nodded vigorously and Komaeda threw her a bemused look. Asahina was not deterred however, and in seconds she was herding Naegi back to her room. Komaeda and Sakura chuckled at Naegi's ignored protests before they too made their way upstairs.

Once Naegi saw them she beamed and patted her bed. Komaeda and Asahina took positions beside her while Sakura took a position on the floor. Once they were all seated Naegi looked at them all before she flipped the TV on and said, "By the way, Komaeda and I are dating now."

Asahina promptly fell of the bed while Sakura turned to Komaeda and offered him congratulations. Asahina got up from the floor and opened her mouth, as if to say something, but closed it. Then said, "Are you happy?"

Naegi interlaced her fingers with Komaeda's and her face softened. "Yes."

Asahina looked between the two before she nodded and settled herself next to her friend. "So, what are watching?"

Komaeda grinned at her. "Game of Thrones."

Sakura and Asahina's eyes sparkled in interest before they leaned back to enjoy the show.

When Monday finally rolled in, Komaeda was a nervous wreck. School was back in session and he couldn't help but be worried. People would definitely notice that he and Naegi were dating now. He just hoped they didn't start bullying Naegi because of it. Naegi just said that they'd handle it when the time came.

Together-they'd deal with it together.

As soon as he and Naegi stepped inside the school grounds, Komaeda felt the attention of the study body on them, or more precisely, on their joined hands. Some people stared, while others tried to pretend they weren't by looking down at their books. Komaeda could have sworn he saw a girl faint at the sight but maybe that was just a trick of the light.

Naegi squeezed his hand in comfort and offered him a smile, more than a few heads turned at the gesture and gaped. Naegi didn't seem to notice as she led them into the school building and stopped by her locker. Komaeda leaned back while she took out her books when and arm slapped him on the back.

"Hey guys! Did you know you're being gawked at?" Asahina said as she stopped before them. Sakura appeared a second later and glared at the girls that were whispering amongst themselves. The girls huffed and turned on their heels but a few other students lingered despite Sakura's fierce glare.

Naegi just shrugged and got on her tiptoes to give Komaeda a kiss on the cheek. "They're just jealous."

Komaeda blushed and reached out to brush his fingers over hers.

Asahina stomped her foot and said, "Ugh, stop making faces at each other! You'll make me jealous!"

The other three just chuckled before the bell rang and they parted to their respectful classes.

"I'll see you later-during lunch?" Naegi asked before she left.

An unnecessary question, but he nodded nonetheless.

Naegi beamed and sent him a last wave before she followed after her friends.

As Komaeda turned in the direction of his classroom, he couldn't help but feel that things were going to be okay.

As soon as Komaeda stepped inside the classroom, the chatter instantly stopped and everyone turned to stare at him. He calmly made his way to his desk at the end of the room and took out his materials.

"Is it true?" someone asked him.

Komaeda looked up to see Nanami Chiaki in front of him. She still had her game console in her hands, but her attention was on him.

Komaeda titled his head." Is what true?"

"About you and Naegi dating." She clarified.

Komaeda looked for any sign of malice but found none and instantly relaxed. "Yes, its true."

Chiaki smiled and took the seat next to him. "I'm glad. I was wondering when you'd start going out." She said as she turned back to her game console.

Komaeda blinked rapidly. "You knew?"

Chiaki nodded distractedly. "Yup, it was pretty obvious. I played a game like this before, so there were only a few routes you could have taken. It seems you chose the right route and got the girl at the end."

Komaeda couldn't help the widening of his eyes as he chuckled. "You approve?"

Chiaki turned to him, "Oh most definitely. Congratulations."

Just then the door to their classroom opened and in walked their teacher, Ms. Yukizome, carrying a few papers. Everyone took a random seat as she turned her large green eyes on them and she smiled in approval.

"First of all, I'd like to welcome you all back from your little vacation. Secondly," she turned to Komaeda and her smile turned mischievous, "Congratulations on your new relationship Mr. Komaeda, I wish you both happiness."

Komaeda tried not to squirm in his seat as the eyes of his classmates landed on him. A lot of people looked shocked while others like Saionji looked at him in anger.

"Thirdly," Ms. Yukizome continued, "We have a new student joining us. Come on in sweetie."

The door to the classroom opened and in walked a boy with short, spiky brown hair with an ahoge and green eyes. He was wearing a simple white shirt and black skinny jeans, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He walked to the front of the classroom and said, "Yo, the names Hinata Hajime. Hope we can all get along."

A few of the students started whispering amongst themselves while Ms. Yukizome tried to calm them down. Hinata surveyed his new classmates before his eyes settled on Komaeda and a grin spread on his face. Hinata took a step forward and took a seat on Komaeda's left side.

"Don't you want to sit somewhere else?" Saionji asked a few seats away. A scowl was on her face as her orange eyes looked at Komaeda in disgust. Koizumi and Soda nodded from their seats.

"What's wrong with where he's sitting?" Mioda asked as she tilted her head in confusion causing her multi-colored hair to hang over her shoulder as she looked at Saionji in confusion.

Saionji huffed and crossed her arms. "What's wrong? Haven't you heard? This guy is a molester and a stalker!"

Nidai frowned. "That's just a rumor though."

Tsumiki nodded nervously. "Besides, Komaeda is very nice. I don't think he'd ever do something like that."

Soda got up from his seat and pointed at Komaeda, "Ruruka said he assaulted her and was stalking him though!"

Sonia Nevermind turned her blue eyes on him and shook her head in disappointment. "This coming from the mouth of a girl who's lied time after time? Honestly Soda."

Soda shrank in his seat and Teruteru and Tanaka put a comforting hand on his shoulders. Owari looked bored and Mitarai was looking at his classmates nervously. Pekoyama just stared in silence as she looked at her master who was eerily silent.

Hinata rolled his eyes at Saionji and scoffed. "I've known Nagito for a long time, and I know that he wouldn't do something like that. So whatever you heard, it's bullshit."

Komaeda looked at him in gratitude.

Ms. Yukizome turned to him. "Mr. Hajime! Language!"

Saionji bared her teeth at him and Hinata just glared in return. After a while, Saionji scoffed and looked away. Everyone instantly relaxed and Ms. Yukizome clapped her hands to get their attention again before finally starting class.

When lunchtime finally rolled around, Saionji left in a hurry but not before giving Hinata a vulgar gesture, which he happily returned with a smirk.

Komaeda shook his head at his friend in amusement and even Chiaki giggled. Hinata turned his attention to her and his eyes widened before a blush adorned his face. A similar blush appeared on Chiaki's face before she introduced herself. Komaeda had to pinch his friend to get him to talk, but when he finally did all he could do was stutter.

Taking pity on him, Komaeda turned to Chiaki and said, "This stuttering fool's name is Hinata Hajime. I assure you, he knows how to talk properly, it just takes him a while."

Hinata glared at him and Chiaki giggled.

Komaeda got up from his seat and started tugging a protesting Hinata to the door. "There's someone I think you'll want to see, so you're coming with me. Chiaki you're free to join us if you want."

Chiaki beamed and followed after them. Only then did Hinata stop his protesting.

Komaeda snickered.

As Komaeda led Hinata and Chiaki to the roof, Hinata couldn't help but grimace at the food he'd gotten from the cafeteria.

"This is edible, right?"

Komaeda and Chiaki looked at their own lunch and grimaced. "Probably," they said.

When Komaeda opened the roofs door, Hinata and Chiaki squinted their eyes at the bright sunlight and blinked rapidly. Once their eyes had adjusted, Hinata looked around, and as his eyes settled on Naegi he grinned.

Naegi returned the grin and got up in a hurry before she squealed. Both Hinata and Naegi hurled for each other as they flung their arms around each other. Then they were laughing, and Hinata wiped Naegi's tears before they embraced each other again.

"You grew your hair," Hinata said grinning from ear to ear. "You took my advice after all."

"You grew yours too! You even spiked it-how typical-always trying to be cool," Naegi replied.

Hinata scoffed and pulled at her ahoge, "Still copying me, I see."

Naegi rolled her eyes and pulled Hinata's own ahoge, "Please, if anything you're copying me!"

Naegi looked back at Komaeda and Chiaki who were looking at them both with raised eyebrows. "I didn't know you guys knew each other."

Chiaki cleared her throat. "To be fair, I just met him a while ago."

Komaeda scratched his cheek, "I kind of knew him for a while." At Naegi's glare, he lifted his hands, "I found out that you knew each other a few weeks ago."

Naegi pouted as Hinata chuckled.

"I wanted to surprise you," Komaeda said as he took her hand in his. "Did it work?"

Naegi stuck her tongue out at him but squeezed his hand.

Hinata looked back and forth at them before he elbowed Komaeda in the ribs. "You guys are a couple now? Why didn't you tell me?"

Komaeda winced and wisely moved away, "I wanted to surprise you?"

Hinata huffed but let it go.

Chiaki giggled beside him. "I hope you don't mind me joining you for lunch."

Naegi beamed at her and pulled her along to sit on the floor. "Not at all, we can always use more girls around here."

Hinata snorted before he and Komaeda sat down besides them. A minute later, Sakura and Asahina came and joined them for lunch.

Even Junko came to eat with them to Naegi's surprise. As soon as the blonde's blue eyes landed on Naegi, she sat down and clutched her arm. "I won fifty dollars thanks to you!"

Asahina and Sakura said the same thing.

"What did you guys bet on?" Naegi asked them.

Junko started inspecting her nails. "Oh you know, the usual. Whether you and Komaeda here would get together during our little vacation. Most of our classmates won, except for Hagakure but he's an idiot so whatever."

Naegi grappled for words but gave up after a while and just stuck her tongue at them before leaning on Komaeda's shoulder.

After that, the chatter resumed and as Komaeda took in the open sky above them, brilliantly blue as any other day, he felt contempt and thought that things were going to be all right.