"One cannot have too large a party. A large party secures its own amusement."

- Jane Austen

Chapter 9

If anyone noticed Komaeda's red puffy eyes when they went downstairs, they wisely kept it to themselves. Though Hinata and Chiaki looked a bit relieved. Togami glanced up from his phone call and asked the other three if they needed a ride back to the dorms to get some of their stuff. All three nodded and started heading for the door.

At the doorway Togami paused and ruffled Komaeda's hair before informing Naegi that they'd be back. Komaeda touched his hair in shock and turned towards Naegi. Naegi simply smiled and shrugged. A shout from the heir got Komaeda moving to the car and a minute later they disappeared from the driveway.

Left to her own devices, Naegi decided to make herself a sandwich when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and winced. It was her sister. Putting the phone at a distance, Naegi clicked the call button and a second later the sound of her sister's loud voice made her flinch.

"BIG SIS! Are you ok?! Why haven't you answered your phone?" Naegi sighed and brought the phone to her ear.

"I'm alright Komaru. And my phone broke during a fall, I just got a replacement today."

"Liar! I heard from the principal who called mom and dad who told me! Wait, hold on, turn on your face time, I want to see you!" she did and a second later, the face of Komaru Naegi stared back at her angrily.

"You have a bruise!" Komaru exclaimed.

"A bruise?!" a voice shrieked from the background. Naegi's eyes widened as Komaru was suddenly shoved to the side only to be replaced by the equally angry faces of her parents. Oh crap Naegi thought.

"Makoto Naegi! Young lady, how dare you not call your parents after something so scary happened to you? Is that a bruise I see? Put some ice on that young lady!" her mother, Yukiko, ranted. By her side, Naegi's father, Kazuma, was trying to calm her down.

"Now now honey, all that matters is that our baby girl is okay. The principal also said that they've caught the man. I'm sure there was a perfectly good reason as to why she didn't call us immediately after everything settled down, isn't that right dear?" Her father's smile was scary. She gulped. She probably should have called them right after Togami had gotten her a new phone but it had honestly slipped her mind.

"Right you are dad. I had to get a new phone because mine broke. I was totally going to call you guys, honest." Her parents looked at her dubiously, but let the subject drop. Komaru suddenly popped up from behind her parents.

"Oh, are you coming over here during summer vacation? Togami's dad got us a good deal on this house, it comes with a pool!" she exclaimed waving her hands around.

"Hmm, I probably will, but probably around the last month. I'm having a huge sleepover with my friends for the next three days." She hesitated and hoped her face wasn't red. "And I'd like to spend some time with Togami." She finished quietly. Her family went silent. A second later, the sound of her mother and sister screaming in joy almost made her drop the phone. Her father looked like he wanted to cry.

"I have to call Osamu! He'll want to hear the good news!" her father exclaimed before disappearing from the room before Naegi could protest. She winced. She was going to hear about this from Togami when his father called him later. It's not like they were planning to keep their relationship a secret but both Naegi and Togami's fathers had an abnormal interest in their children's' love lives.

Whenever Naegi would visit the Togami family home, Byakuyas father made sure to list all the reasons why she should just get married to his son. At the sound of sniffling, Naegi turned back to the camera and jumped when she saw her mother crying.

"Mom! Are you okay?" she shouted. Her mother wiped the tears from her eyes, and smiled at her daughter.

"I'm just so happy for Togami. He's been so patient. I honestly wanted to shake you sometimes! You never even noticed!" Komaru took the phone from her mother.

"That's right! We honestly thought you wouldn't notice till you got to college!" A wicked grin sudden broke over Komaru's face. "So when's the wedding?"

"Wedding? You're too young! At least wait till you're eighteen!" her father said walking back into the room. Naegi groaned.

"Anyway," she said dragging the word. "I have to go now. You know, shopping to do and all that. Bye bye!" she clicked the end call button to the sound of her family protests and let out a sigh. Might as well go to the store and buy a few things she thought.

And with that, she locked the house and headed to the closest store in the area.


Back at the dorms, an impatient Togami was waiting for his friends to come back with their things so they could leave. He wanted to get back to Naegi already. He looked at his watch; only twenty minutes had passed. He was debating whether to leave them when his phone rang. He took it out and raised an eyebrow. It was his father. Perhaps he wanted to talk more about yesterday's incident he thought. Shrugging, he clicked the talk button and brought the phone to his ear.

"Byakuya! I heard the news! Why didn't you tell me I have a daughter in law now?! Kazuma and I will cover the charges for the wedding!"

Byakuya sighed. "Because I knew you'd start planning a wedding as soon as I told you. When it comes to the Naegi family, you always get overly excited. We're not getting married. Yet." He mumbled. On the other end of the line, his father chuckled.

"Of course you will. When a Togami falls in love with someone, that's the end. No one else ever catches our interest again. It's the reason I refuse to marry after your mother passed away. She was my only love." Byakuya knew that too. He'd known that the moment he saw Makoto, no one else could ever compare to her. He didn't want anyone else. Only her.

"Just remember to take care of her. Take it slow, you wouldn't want to scare her off. And I expect you two to come by the house during your break. I haven't seen either of you in months. I hope you made some friends at the very least?" his father questioned.

"I suppose you could call them that." He mumbled.

"Great! You may bring them along with you as well. We'll go out to eat, how's that sound?" his father sounded excited. Byakuya smiled a little. After all this time, he still found it surprising on how much he and his father had changed since meeting the Naegi family. His father actually smiled now, well only to those he was close to, and their father and son relationship had definitely changed as well. Byakuya wouldn't admit it out loud, but he was glad. He liked spending time with his father.

"I'll do just that father. I'll see you soon." He promised and hung up the phone.

Spotting three familiar heads, Togami opened the door and as soon as they were all inside, he informed Hideki to be on their way.


Later that night, Naegi was attempting to fall asleep with the help of her IPod. Tomorrow was going to be a very busy day after all. However, Komaeda's constant giggling made it a bit hard. She could see him practically vibrating with excitement from her position on the bed. She was about to say something when a pillow was thrown in his direction. Naturally, it missed.

"Enough with your giggling already! Some of us are trying to sleep!" Togami snapped from the couch. Komaeda let out another giggle.

"Sorry," he apologized. "I'm just excited about tomorrow! I'm so honored that I get to be part of this. Just being in the same room as the Ultimate Hope is wonderful enough, but to be in a room with all the other Ultimates for three days-it's too much!" he covered his face with his hands and let out a girlish scream.

Naegi looked at him wide-eyed. Togami's eye was twitching in annoyance. Chiaki was too busy on her PS Vita to notice and Hinata was looking for another pillow to throw. Naegi decided to speak up.

"Komaeda, you'd best go to sleep. You'll need all that energy for tomorrow. It wouldn't be good for you to miss all the fun if you're too tired." Komaeda gasped.

"That's right! Of course." He nodded to himself. "It's best I go to sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day after all. Thanks Naegi." And with that, Komaeda snuggled into his blankets on the floor and promptly fell asleep within seconds. The others gaped. Hinata groaned.

"Why couldn't he just do that in the first place? Jeez." He scratched his head and burrowed deeper into his sleeping bag under the piano. He yawned. "Night." He was asleep a few minutes later.

About half an hour later Naegi finally fell asleep to the sound of Lana Del Rey's Ultraviolence album in the background.


Naegi and her friends stood a few feet away from the schools dorms at eleven-thirty in the morning. The five of them waited in silence. Naegi and Togami were leaning against the limo, Chiaki was busy on her 3DS, and Hinata and Komaeda were playing a game of tic-tac-toe on the limo's hood.

They only had to wait a few minutes before Junko Enoshima and her sister Mukuro Ikusaba the Ultimate Soldier came out, the latter carrying two large suitcases and a small backpack.

"Good morning." Mukuro politely said. Junko clamped down on Naegi's arm and ignored the growl from Togami.

"Hey everyone! I brought donuts!" Everyone turned to the newcomers. Asahina was carrying a big box of donuts in her hands, Sakura Ogami at her side. Maizono was trying to pull her luggage and her karaoke machine with the help of Ishimaru and Owada while Fujisaki pulled up the rear.

Celeste and Kirigiri showed up a minute later with Yamada and Kuwata dragging their luggage as well. The harsh panting behind the tree alerted them to Toko's presence and Hagakure appeared with a bunch of bags with junk food and a small backpack with his clothes.

"This is going to be frickin awesome!" Hagakure shouted.

"Damn straight!" Owada shouted.

The loud noise of an engine made the 78th class jump in surprise. As one they all turned to see one of those fancy school buses that came with TV's and a bathroom come to a stop a few feet from them. The door opened and Kuzuryu jumped out, Pekoyama in tow.

"The rest of the 77th class is here bitches! Let's get this show on the road! Anyone else need a ride? Sonia got us this huge bus so there's plenty of room left!"

Most of the 78th class clamored into the bus with the exception of Ishimaru and Owada who opted to ride in Owada's bike. Naegi could have sworn she heard Junko mutter something about getting together already but she wasn't sure.

Once everyone was safely inside a vehicle, Togami gave the order to Hideki to get moving and the other two vehicles followed behind.


"Holy crap!" Kuzuryu and Owada exclaimed as they surveyed Naegi's house.

"Quite a beautiful home Naegi." Sonia Nevermind said under her umbrella. Her blue eyes shone with approval. Koizumi appeared next to her and started taking pictures of everyone.

"Can the fish be fed?" Fujisaki asked looking down at the fish in the small pond. Everyone else was commenting on how nice her house was and looking at their surroundings.

"Who cares?" Junko exclaimed. "What I want to know is where I'll be sleeping!" At that everyone turned towards Naegi. She squirmed.

"Well, my room is already full so there's three other rooms that can fit five people and the living room that can probably fit around eight or nine people. Unfortunately, the rest of you will have to sleep outside." She finished regretfully. Sonia raised her hand.

"I brought one of those big tents used for camping. I'm sure at least ten people can fit there. I too shall be sleeping in the tent, I wish to experience this."

"All right guys, show of hands. Those who want to sleep inside, raise your hands." Naegi said. Junko, Mukuro, Celestia, Saionji, Fujisaki, Kirigiri and Toko raised their hands. After hesitating, Mitarai and Tsumiki shyly raised their hand as well.

"And everyone else wants to sleep outside right?" everyone else nodded. "Okay, then. Those who are staying inside, come with me. I'll show you to your rooms." Once they set their things in the rooms, everyone went outside to help Sonia put the giant tent up. Even with everyone working together, it took them quite a while. Nidai the Ultimate Team Manager pumped a fist in the air.

"We should do morning exercises in the mornings!" At his side, Owari the Ultimate Gymnast let out a shout of her own. Asahina and Sakura both agreed as well.

"Aww, man." Soda the Ultimate Mechanic let out a massive sigh. "I came here to relax and have fun not be tortured." Hagakure nodded his as well. Teruteru the Ultimate Cook and Toko both refused to join in the morning exercises.

"As fun as it'll be to see the ladies sweat so much that their clothes become transparent, I'm afraid I'll have to refuse. However, leave the cooking to me!" Teruteru exclaimed. Saionji the Ultimate Traditional Dancer scoffed and turned an angry glare in his direction.

"As if I'll let you to cook unattended again. Last time you put something in the food! I'll make sure to keep an eye on you!"

Tsumiki the Ultimate Nurse shyly raised her hand. "Umm, I'd also like to supervise if that's ok." Saionji turned an angry glare at her.

"What? You think I can't do it on my own? Huh? Is that it? Well, speak up!" Tsumiki cowered behind Tanaka the Ultimate Breeder.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I just wanted to put a few vitamins in the food! I'm sorry!"

Kuzuryu let out an angry growl and Pekoyama took a step forward and thrust her sword in their direction.

"Enough already! Just let her help out dammit! You guys are giving me a headache!" Kuzuryu groaned out.

"Anyway," Junko drawled. "I'm hungry! What are we eating?" Seeing her chance to intervene, Naegi piped up.

"You guys have two choices. We can have a barbeque or we can order something. Your choice."

"Barbeque!" Soda and Hagakure exclaimed. Togami's eye twitched in annoyance. It looked like those two had bonded.

"Is everyone else okay with that?" Naegi asked the rest of the group. When no one opposed, Naegi asked the guys to come help her out with the three grills in the garage. Everyone else wanted to go to the store and pick out more food.

"Meat!" Nidai shouted as he and the rest of the athletic people in the group followed after him to the store.

"We're going to need more chips!" Hagakure exclaimed.

"And nachos!" Soda chimed in. Hagakure looked at him in surprise.

"Dude, let's be friends!" Soda gave him a high-five and the two left.

"I'd better go and buy some vegetables then. Not all of us want to get fat." Kirigiri said as she Junko, Celeste and Maizono joined her to the store.

"I'd like some ice cream." Naegi nodded to herself. "And you don't like sweets, so something salty, right guys?" she asked Togami and Komaeda. Togami nodded and Komaeda looked touched. Hinata and Chiaki were okay with ice cream.

"I'll take that as a yes. I'll be back then." She turned only to be pulled back by the scruff of her sweater by four strong hands.

"We're coming too." They said as one. Naegi beamed.


It was almost three in the afternoon, when everyone else finally returned from the store. Kuzuryu and the rest were occupying a grill and waiting for others to get started.

"I've got the meat!" Nidai hollered as he all but shoved the bags to Kuzuryu's arms. Kuzuryu grunted with the new added weight but with the help of Pekoyama he managed to stay upright. Tanaka surprised Naegi when he shoved an American Eskimo dog in her arms. She gaped.

"It's a thank you gift for inviting me. Don't worry, he's friendly." He explained before walking off to get some food.

"Is that a dog?" Togami asked as he passed by. Naegi nodded wordlessly.

"Oh well." She shrugged. "Party time!" she screamed. The dog sent out a shout of his own.

Mioda the Ultimate Musician had brought her own set of speakers and put some music on. Soon You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC was blaring out and everyone cheered.

Naegi and Hinata both started dancing right then and there. If one could call what they were doing dancing Togami thought. There were a lot of hand gestures though. The food was passed out and others even joined Naegi and Hinata in the "dance floor."

The only ones that opted out were Kirigiri, Celestia, Chiaki, Sakura and Kuwata. Although Sakura did tap her foot when Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder came on. Toko, insulting him all the way, was dragged to the dance floor by Hagakure. Yamada was too busy drawing and scarfing down his food to be bothered.

When Safe and Sound by Capital Cities started playing, Naegi dragged Togami and Komaeda to the dance floor. They stood there awkwardly before they gradually loosened up. It was just them swaying their hips but it was something. Chiaki put away her game and joined them.

Naegi and Hinata looked each other in the eye and started doing the hustle. Togami let out a surprised laugh. Soda and Hagakure started doing The Single Ladies dance and that just got everyone to start laughing.


It was almost seven in the afternoon and Naegi felt dizzy. A glance around the field told her that she wasn't the only one. She went up to Junko and gripped her arms.

"Tell me you didn't spike the drinks." She slurred. Junko gave her a smirk.

"Just a little." She laughed.

Soda and Hagakure were both passed out on the floor cuddling. Naegi paused, took out her phone and took a picture of them before checking on the others.

Komaeda and Togami were both sitting on the floor playing strip poker. At least she hoped that's what it was. They both looked a little dazed though.

Nidai and Owari were wolfing down the remainder of the meat. They looked fine.

Kirigiri and Celestia were playing cards. Kirigiri looked fine but Celestia looked a little red in the face.

"All right, everyone! I've got water! Everyone needs to get one!" Saionji yelled out as she Tsumiki, Hinata, and Sonia came out carrying water bottles for everyone.

Once everyone seemed to have sobered up, they all gathered blankets and laid them on the grass for movie night.

Mitarai had brought his screen projector and he and Fujisaki were setting it up for movie night. The rest were debating on what movies they should watch. Soda and Hagakure had brought their own collection. In the end they decided on Easy A and The Hangover till it was time for bed.

It was definitely a great start for a sleepover Naegi thought as she settled down in bed. The American Eskimo lying down by her feet. She hadn't decided on a name yet. She couldn't wait for tomorrow she thought as sleep finally came to her.