Chapter 9: Memory
Games. That was all that mattered to Chiaki Nanami. When she could play, what she could play, what she planned to play. If an esper ever read her mind, they'd be disappointed to find nothing but a jargon of combo moves and release dates. Once again, Chiaki walked the path to her school, her Gamegirl beeping with each button she pressed. After I play this, I'll start playing the new Persona 5. But before that, I have to stop by the game store on the way home to pick up Fire Emblem Echoes. After that, when I get home, I have to play — no — conquer that dating sim yamadaisthecoolest recommended…What was it called again? Hatoful Boy—
She had bumped into something. But that was strange, the spaceship on her screen was still moving forward, unaffected by the sudden intrusion.
"Oh, um…Sorry about that."
Ah. She hadn't bumped into something, she'd bumped into someone. In real life. She paused her game and looked up. Green eyes stared back at her in slight confusion.
"Ah…I'm sorry as well."
Chiaki moved aside to sit at the base of the fountain. She continued to play, eyes never leaving her console's screen.
"Is that Galaga?" The boy asked. Chiaki's ears immediately perked up. She finally lifted her head up to meet the eyes of the other person. Green eyes bore into hers. The boy was fairly nondescript, wearing a reserve course uniform. Chiaki quickly stood, tilting her head up to meet the much taller boy's face.
"You know it?!"
"Huh? Ah, yeah. It's a great game."
"Then, do you want to play with me?"
The bells chimed, signaling the end of class. Nanami quickly gathered up her things and uttered a quick farewell to her classmates. Nagito watched in fascination as the newly elected class rep nearly stumbled over her words and feet in her rush to leave. While it wasn't strange for Nanami to display an act of clumsiness, it was certainly quite rare. Nagito couldn't help but wonder what the gamer was up to to leave her in such a frazzled state.
"Lately, Nanami-san's been leaving in a rush after class ends."
Souda looked over him as he moved to gather up his things as well. "Eh. She's probably just in a rush to buy a new game or something."
"But she's been acting like that for quite some time. I find it hard to believe that a high school student would have so much money saved up, they could purchase a new game everyday."
"Really?" Sonia piped up, slinging her bag over shoulder. "My allowance would equate to 800,000 yen per week. Would that still not be sufficient to buy at least one new game each day? Are Japanese games really so expensive? Oh, as expected of the birthplace of !"
The majority of the class had their jaws to the floor at Sonia's statement.
"As expected of a genuine princess!" Souda gushed.
"Hmph!" Hiyoko let out a pout. "Just because you're a princess, doesn't mean you can brag about how rich you are! You don't see me or that tiny yakuza bragging about our allowances!"
Kuzuryuu slammed his fist on the table. "Hey! Out of everyone in this room, you're that last person I want to hear that insult from!"
Before the conversation could derail any further, Nagito decided to cut in. "Yes, well…Whatever it is that has our class rep so preoccupied, it's probably something - or someone - that makes her incredibly happy."
"Wait, someone"; Mioda ran up to Nagito's desk in a flash, face beaming with curiosity, "Do you think Chiaki-chan's got herself a boyfriend?!"
Silence filled the room.
"No." The young yakuza heir uttered, voice sounding threatening. "We are not spyi—"
The doors slammed open and Yukizome-sensei rushed in. "I heard everything!"
Kuzuryuu let out a sigh of relief. "Oh thank God you're here, Sensei. Listen, could you—"
"Let's spy on Nanami and her mystery boyfriend!"
Kuzuryuu slunk down his chair, sighing in defeat. "Why."
"I see them!" Mioda exclaimed excitedly as she pointed at Nanami and her mystery "extracurricular activity". Sainoji and Koizumi were quick to shush the boisterous musician. The rest of the class spared worried glances at their class rep, hoping she hadn't overheard them. Thankfully, she was too engrossed in her game to notice. The class let out a collective sigh of relief and moved to get a better view of the pair.
Nagito's eyes narrowed in confusion the moment he laid eyes on Nanami's companion. "That's strange…Isn't that the uniform for reserve course students?"
"Huh?" Yukizome shifted slightly to get a better view. A look of recognition dawned on her face after laying eyes on the boy. "Oh, you're right. It's Hinata-kun."
"Sensei, you know him?" Tsumiki asked.
"Yes, I met him on the first day I started teaching you all."
"What's he like?" Owari asked, munching on a snack that she'd gotten from who knows where.
"Um, well, I've only spoken to him a few times, so I can't say much, but he seems like a nice boy."
"He has a nice body…" Nekomaru commented. All eyes turned to the manager. "…What?"
Souda couldn't seem to look at the taller teen in the eye. "Dude, you're not…Do you swing that way?"
"Swing what way?"
"N-no, like…Do you like guys."
"Of course I like guys! I am friends with many guys!"
"No, that's not what I—"
"The old man isn't checking that guy out, if that's what you mean." Owari interrupted. "He's talking about how that guy's probably built really well and would be a good athlete if he was trained properly."
"Oh. Oh. He-heh. My bad."
"Shhhhh!" Surprisingly, it was Mioda that silenced everyone. "Ibuki's ears are picking something up!" She crouched down behind a bush, craning her neck and putting both hands close to her ears.
As she said this, Nagito noticed the Nanami and the brunet —Hinata— were engaged in a conversation.
"Mioda-onee, what are they saying?"
Mioda cleared her throat, performing a perfect impression of their class rep's voice. "I win again." Mioda's voice then switched to a lower octave. The rest of the class wasn't sure what the mystery reserve student's voice sounded like, but given how spot on Mioda's earlier impression of Nanami was, coupled by the look of awe plastered on Yukizome's face, the rest of the class was inclined to believe that Mioda's impression had once again been flawless.
"Of course. You always win."
The class noticed the boy lowering his console, smiling despite his defeat. "Uh, can we play a different game now?"
Nanami placed a finger to her mouth in thought. "Then…what about Mario Kart? I was playing the Wii version with my classmates earlier and it was a lot of fun!"
Hinata smiled. "Sounds like you're really close to your classmates."
"Mm-hm! We're all friends! Ah, what about you, Hinata-kun? Do you have any close friends in your class?"
Hinata frowned, turning to look away. "No…None of us are really friendly with each other. We all just…keep to ourselves."
Mioda stopped and turned to her classmates. "We should stop. It sounds like it's getting personal."
Yukizome nodded. "I agree. Well, at least we've ascertained that Nanami's mystery boy is a good person. I'm sure they'll be a good influence on each other.
Deciding to bottle up their curiosity on how the pair's conversation would continue, the class smiled and settled on agreeing with their teacher. That guy - Hinata - seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, and most importantly, he made Nanami happy.
"I disagree."
All eyes turned to Nagito. He had remained quiet throughout, assessing Hinata's worth in silence. "A worthless reserve course student like that…He isn't worthy of someone as talented as Nanami-san."
Kuzuryuu rounded on him, grabbing the collar of his shirt. "Worth?! What right do you have to judge someone's worth?! Especially when you just came into this school by sheer dumb luck!"
Yukizome laid a hand on Kuzuryuu's shoulder and raised a finger to her mouth. "Shh! Let's head back everyone, alright?"
The class walked in silence, the earlier mirth now almost completely diminished. Finally, once they were far enough away, Kuzuryuu spoke up again.
"Hey, you."
"Hm?" Nagito turned, bracing himself for an onslaught of questions and the rough way the yakuza heir tended to handle people.
"Answer me. What about that guy wasn't 'worthy'. And don't just say it's because he's a reserve course student, or so help me I'll—"
"It would appear that you don't quite understand what being a reserve course student means." Nagito stopped and turned to fully face his classmates.
The rest of the class stopped in their tracks, curious to hear Nagito's response. Yukizome looked at her students anxiously, probably trying to find a way to diffuse the situation. Nagito felt bad for troubling such a kind teacher, but he felt he needed to educate his talented classmates on what set them apart from others.
"Reserve course students…they're even lower than regular human beings. They're unsatisfied with how the world's view on the elite has shifted, so they pay absurd amounts of money so that they can keep up with this new class of elite. That guy…he mentioned that his class isn't close. That shouldn't come as a surprise. All of those students are aiming for a spot in Hope's Peak to open, after all. They're all competing with each other; and for selfish, self-entitled people like that, the notion of even making friends with low-lives like themselves is unthinkable. They're weak, yet won't accept it, so everyday, they-"
"That's enough!"
Yukizome had her hands on her hips, brow furrowed in anger. "Everyone, dismissed! Komaeda-san, you're coming with me!"
The class immediately obeyed, slightly stunned by their usually mild mannered teacher suddenly raising her voice. The former SHSL Housekeeper waited patiently until all of her students dispersed before motioning for Nagito to follow her back into the main school building.
"Komaeda-san, please take a seat."
Nagito complied. Yukizome took a seat across from him. The atmosphere felt heavy and his teacher wore a concerned frown, clasping both hands in front of her and worrying her lip. Finally, she let out a sigh and spoke.
"Komaeda-san, what does talent mean to you?"
"Everything. It is the shining, brilliant hope of the next generation. It is what determines the future. It is what brings people together. After all, talented people are ultimately the people we all turn to, the people we follow."
Yukizome nodded, eyes downcast. "You're not completely wrong. But I have to disagree with you on your first point. Talent isn't everything. People can live out their lives without being the best at what they do and still be happy."
"Of course they can live out their lives happily." Nagito said with a scoff, "They're normal people. Normal people who have never been exposed to the greatness of talents don't realize just how empty their lives are!"
Yukizome shook her head. "Komaeda-san, what you're saying…That isn't right. That's not what hope is. Happiness can't be found simply through talent. Nanami-san…She found someone she cares about, and even if he lacks talent, that doesn't make him any less worthy of her attention than someone who is talented."
Nagito remained silent for a while. Yukizome fiddled with her fingers anxiously as she waited for her student's response. Finally Nagito, let out a sigh of defeat.
"I suppose there's no point in arguing with you when it comes to love. I believe that someone who's as devoted to the one they love as you are would probably be more well versed in such a topic compared to me."
Yukizome could feels her face heating up. She brought her hands up to her cheeks, smiling in embarrassment. "Eh…Is it that obvious?"
"You have pages in your notebook filled with nothing but 'Mrs. Chisa Munakata."
"Ehhh?! You saw that?!"
"You need to be more careful with your things," Nagito said with a chuckle; "you know how nosy your students tend to be."
Yukizome let out a chuckle as well, finally letting her hands down and relaxing her tense muscles. "Well…so long as you understand now." She stood up, making a "shoo" gesture with her hand. "Now then, off you go!"
Nagito smiled as he stood and bowed slightly before exiting the room. Once the door was closed, his smile faded. I'm sorry Yukizome-sensei…But I just can't agree with your viewpoint. With clenched fists, he made his way to the classroom of the 77th class. Maybe Enoshima would offer much better insight.
"…I killed?"
"Ah, so you don't remember. It was quite the spectacle. Possibly the most gruesome execution I've ever seen. We were all powerless to stop it. Well…except for you. But you didn't do anything and-"
"No. No."
Flashes. Blood. Nanami. Screaming.
"Yo-you're wrong. Th-that's-"
Nanami. Being stabbed. Again and again. Blood everywhere."
"I'm sorry, Kamakura-kun, it's the truth." He let out a dry chuckle. "And you know what els-"
Slap.
Hajime paused. He looked up, and looming over Komaeda… was Naegi, arm raised and expression furious. This was the first time he had ever seen the younger boy wear such an expression. Komaeda was stunned to silence as well, looking up unblinkingly at his underclassman. Naegi turned to Hinata, and the former Despair could feel his back unconsciously straighten.
"Hinata-kun, take Nanami-san with you and leave. I need to speak with Komaeda-senpai. Alone." His gaze softened as he spoke again; "I promise, I'll tell you the rest later."
Hinata nodded silently, grabbing the laptop and exiting without a word. His gut told him it would be best to leave this in Naegi's hands. It was then that he realized the phrase "Beware the nice ones" fit the shorter brunet perfectly.
Makoto turned his full attention back to Komaeda once the door closed.
"You went too far,"
"I was only telling the truth."
Makoto closed his eyes and took deep breaths. His sister wasn't kidding when she'd warned him how difficult Komaeda could be. Watching him from a screen was one thing. Actually trying to hold a civil conversation with him was an entirely different thing. Makoto let out a tired sigh.
"Do you not think of Hinata-kun as your friend?"
"Of course not! Trash like me have no right to call myself the friend of someone so great!"
Makoto looked at him sadly.
"Komaeda-senpai…Do you think of me as a friend?"
Komaeda looked floored by the mere suggestion.
"There's absolutely no way! For someone like me to-"
"Please stop talking about yourself like that. Komaeda-senpai, I'd really like to be your friend. And I'd really like it if you could learn to get along with the others, especially Hinata-kun."
"…Why 'especially' Hinata-kun?"
Makoto paused. Komaeda had addressed Hinata by his real name. Not Kamakura. Alright, that's progress…
He drew closer to Komaeda, gaze determined.
"Komaeda-senpai, why won't you let yourself be happy?"
Komaeda looked back, confused.
"What are you talking about, Naegi-kun. I'm always happy!"
Makoto shook his head sadly.
"No. No, you're not. Because you won't allow yourself. I don't know why, but I'd like to help in any way I can."
Komaeda's expression shifted, gaze sharpening.
"Because I'm as much responsible for Nanami-san's death as HInata-kun."
Makoto shook his head. "Komaeda-senpai, you and all of your classmates were manipulated by Enoshima-san. You can't take all of the blame upon yourselves. And even so, I'm sure Nanami-san wouldn't want you to continue to agonize over her death. She'd want you to be happy."
Komaeda smiled sadly. "You really are hope. For a second, you almost inspired me. Almost. But I'm still despair. Despair that admires hope more than anything."
Makoto let out a tired sigh but relented. He had a feeling Komaeda would be the most difficult to reform.
"I'm sorry you feel that way. I'll check up on you again tomorrow."
Makoto walked away, pausing just before reaching the door.
"And I'm sorry for slapping you."
Komaeda smiled.
"It's alright. I barely felt it."
Makoto puffed his cheeks a little at the jab, but felt a bit of relief. Bringing pain unto others wasn't something he enjoyed doing.
Hajime walked down the hall, feeling a bit light headed after absorbing all of the information Komaeda had mercilessly thrown his way. His grip on the laptop he held tightened.
If Nanami was real…I need to remember…Back then, what-
"It's Hajime-chaaaaaan!"
Hajime instinctively dodged, lifting the laptop above his head as an extra safety precaution.
The person that had attempted to assault him paused, turning to him with a pout. Hajime gasped.
"Mioda?"
She grinned and pointed a thumb to her chest.
"The one and only! And you must be…"
She trailed off and took a few steps closer.
"Are you another twin of Hajime-chan's, or are you the real thing?"
"Uh…It's really me."
"But I don't remember Hajime-chan having red eyes. Are you sure? Hey, Shinji-chan!"
Hajime turned and his eyes widened in surprise, taking in the sight of an older, taller Sainoji. She returned his gaze with a deadly glare. Yup, that was her alright.
"You don't have to yell, Mioda. What is it?"
"So like, you have green eyes, but this Hajime-chan has red eyes. Are you sure you two didn't switch?" Mioda gasped, putting both of her hands on her cheeks. "Are you two having a twin identity crisis?!"
The pair uttered a confused "Huh?" in unison.
Sainoji let out a frustrated sigh. "Ugh, can you three finish up your dumb comedy routine and get me some aspirin already? I feel like my headache's getting worse just listening to you lot."
Koizumi lay a calming hand on her friend's shoulder and offered a smile. This seemed to simmer the dancer down. Koizumi turned her attention back to the trio, eyes drifting to the laptop still held aloft by Hajime.
"Hinata-kun…What are you doing with that laptop?"
Hajime blinked, then let out an awkward chuckle, finally lowering his arms.
"Oh, right…Uh, Nanami, say hi to everyone."
He flipped the laptop around so that the gamer was facing everyone. Before she could say anything, Mioda let out a high pitched screech.
"Noooo! Chiaki-chan played so much video games that she got trapped in one!"
"Calm down, Mioda! Nanami, is…Well…Actually, it's kind of a long story. Why don't I fill the both of you in while we walk?
They entered the cafeteria, where everyone else was already waiting. Sonia stood up excitedly and ran up to her friends, quickly followed by the rest of their classmates with varying levels of excitement.
"Woah, Sonia-chan, you cut her hair!"
Sonia chuckled. "Yes, does it look good?"
"Totally!"
"Pffft. Looks like the tiny yakuza didn't grow at all."
"You little."
"Cut it out you two."
"Yes, gladly."
"Peko-chan, that's not what I meant. Please put the sword away."
"Aaaaah, Koizumi-onee she's still swinging it!"
"Hah! You're taller than her and you're still calling her 'onee'?!"
"Shut up, Souda-onii- Pfffft, Are those glasses?! You look like a nerd!"
"I do not." The mechanic turned to Hajime, expression worried. "Do I?"
"Huh?" Hajime snapped back to attention. "Um, not really."
Souda let out a sigh of relief. "Ok, good."
"Glad to see you're all getting along just fine."
Kirigiri entered the room, followed closely by Togami, both as calm and poised as ever. Mioda, not so much.
"Ahhhhh! Another Byakuya-chan!"
Hajime placed a calming hand on the musician's shoulder.
"Mioda, I told you, that's the real Togami."
"Huh? Oh, right. Hmmmm."
Mioda approached Togami, breaching his personal space. Offended, the scion gently pushed her back.
"I dunno. I liked you better when you looked like a pig. You looked cuter!"
"Yeah!" Sainoji chimed in. "It was easier to make fun of you when you looked like that!"
"Need I remind you that I never looked like that?! That was not me, but an impostor!"
Shinji fidgeted nervously upon hearing the remark, inching farther back and hiding behind Hanamura. The chef, to everyone's surprise, did not make any disturbing comments at the other boy's closeness. Naegi's influence must have been rubbing off on him. Instead, he lay a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Kirgiri sent a glare in Togami's direction. The blond coughed awkwardly into his hand before addressing his former lookalike.
"I did not intend to make you feel uncomfortable."
That was probably the closest the scion could get to apologizing. Shinji's expression shifted to one of relief.
"No, it is alright."
"Hmmmmm." Mioda's musings quickly cut the tension in the air. "Alright then, who's this?" The musician asked, swiftly changing the subject. She drew closer towards Kirigiri, studying her.
"Ibuki doesn't remember seeing you in the virtual world."
Kirigiri mimicked her classmate's earlier actions towards the older girl's breach of personal space before responding.
"That's because we had never met in the game."
"Ooooh, now I remember. You guys appeared when Hajime-chan and the others beat the final boss!"
"That is correct. Then I trust that Hinata-kun was able to fill you in on all of the necessary information?"
"Yup, yup!" Mioda suddenly grabbed hold of Kirigiri's hands and began shaking them vigorously.
"Thanks so much for saving us!"
She let go and quickly switched over to Togami. The blond wore a minuscule smile in response.
"If there's anyone you should be thanking, it should be Naegi, he's the one who convinced us that you were all worth saving."
"Oh yeah, Hajime-chan mentioned him too! So where is he? Ibuki-chan would love to thank him! So does Hiyoko-chan!"
"Hey, don't decide things for me! But…I guess I do owe him…"
Kirigiri's expression became strained. "He's…a bit busy at the moment, but don't worry, you'll meet him soon enough. For now, why don't you all catch up with each other?"
"Oh, that's a great idea! Ibuki wants to know more about our saviors too!"
"When she said 'catch up', she meant among yourselves." Togami deadpanned.
The bespectacled blond felt a slight push on his back. Sainoji peeked behind him, smiling mischievously. "Oh no you don't, bean pole. You're going to have to sit through group therapy with the rest of us!"
"Bean pole?!"
Kirgiri put a finger under chin in thought. "Group therapy…that's not a bad idea."
"Kirgiri, you're taking this seriously?!"
"Alright!" Mioda yelled, settling herself in the center. "It's time to unload our emotional baggage!"
Hajime took a seat in the oddly shaped clrcle his friends had formed, placing the laptop securely on his lap. He faced it forward so that Nanami could see all of their friends' faces. The brunet felt himself smile and relax again for the first time since his conversation with Komaeda.
In the otherwise quiet night, the sounds of footsteps against sand and soft whispers could be heard.
"Are you sure coming here was a good idea?" asked a cautious boy with blue hair.
"Of course! I'm sure Mako-onii will be thrilled to see us!" exclaimed an the lone girl decked in pink and frills.
"Yeah! He might even give us lots of candy as a reward!" an energetic redhead chimed in.
"B-but what will Komaru-nee say?" a bashful brunet asked, quickening his pace.
"Aw, she'll be fine with it. If anything she'll be just as thankful! We're helping her precious big bro after all." The girl hummed excitedly to herself, ignoring the brunet's worried mutterings.
"I dearly hope you're right." The blue haired boy said with a sigh.
"Of course I am. Someone as cute as me can only be right 99.9% of the time."
"And the other .1%?"
"The time I thought siding with that pickled haired brat was a good idea."
"…Right."
Omake
"Hajime-chaaaaan! It's an emergency!"
Hajime rushed into the hallway, his friends following after him.
"What is it Mioda?!"
"Why didn't you tell Ibuki?"
Hajime felt his heart sink. Did she know about-
"Why didn't you tell Ibuki you had a son?!"
What.
Mioda faced him, pushing a frazzled Naegi in front of him.
"Mioda, what are you talking about? He's not-"
"Nu-uh! You can't fool me! He may have Nagito-chan's face and voice, but he's got your hair and eyes! Even your cute antenna thing!"
Souda let out a gasp. "Holy crap, she's right! Why didn't we realize it sooner?!"
Hajime could feel his face heat up in a mixture of embarrassment, anger, and pure horror.
"Wait, are you all forgetting that we're both men?!"
Sainoji shrugged her shoulders. "Eh. After what we've been through, I feel like a man getting pregnant is the least weird thing we've had to deal with."
That…was actually a pretty good argument. Why did the least agreeable person in the room have to point it out?
"Hinata-kun." Kirigiri approached him, face set. Finally, someone reliable to clear this horrific understanding.
"Oh, Kirigiri. I'm so glad-"
Kirigiri took his hands in hers.
"I promise I will take good care of your son."
Only one word rang throughout Hajime's mind.
Whhhhhyyyyyyy.
A/N: Sorry for all the late updates. College is hard.
Also, just to clarify some timeline stuff for this fic, Hajime and Chiaki met in their second year of high school instead of their first, which is why Junko's already there. Also, Chiaki's death is going to go about differently...
