Fuyuhiko & Akane

"Oh, come on! Let me do this one thing!" Fuyuhiko protested as he pulled the bucket away from Akane.

"It's my mess, I'll clean it!" Akane pulled the bucket back towards her, some of the soapy water spilling out and over her shirt.

"You helped me before! I'll do it this time!" Fuyuhiko snarled yanking the bucket back towards him.

After finishing the dishes, they went to finish cleaning up Teruteru's bloodstain and Akane's vomit. Both were too stubborn to let the other do the job. A predicament that looked like it would have no timely conclusion until the plastic bucket couldn't take the tug of war anymore and ripped apart, drenching them both with its contents.

They both stood there in shock for a time as if somehow by not moving the situation would fix itself.

"Well, shit…" Fuyuhiko sighed.


Mahiru

"Come on, Mahiru!" She slapped herself on the cheeks with the palms of her hands. "Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't you dare cry!"

She could feel the tears swell in her eyes. Unsure why she was crying; all she knew was that she couldn't stop it. She lowered her face under the shower head, this way, she wouldn't be able to tell.

...

Hajime leaned against the wall of the bathroom, sitting on the cold lino floor. He could hear the crashing of water from the shower behind him and the occasional struggle of Mahiru repositioning herself. He wanted to spend this downtime with Sonia, but she left after her fight with Mahiru, he hoped she was alright, and considered leaving to see her but quickly justified that wouldn't be a good idea. He found it odd, although this was only a short time by himself, he felt lonely.

Without warning, the shower turned off. Hajime was now only hearing the dripping of water off Mahiru's soaking wet body.

"Ah, Hajime. You still there?" Mahiru's voice sounded anxious.

"Yeah, I'm here Mahiru, what's up?"

"I uh… oh, here it is! Just looking for the conditioner, never mind!" She quickly turned back on the shower before Hajime could reply.

"Okay…"

Hajime collapsed onto his side and closed his eyes. While he didn't feel sleepy, it found it was easier to keep his eyelids closed rather than open. He couldn't help but think about what Mahiru and Sonia argued about, he didn't know they had such a history together while despair. He had memories with Mahiru as Kamukura, but never with Sonia as far as he could recall at least.

"You filmed what happened to me, didn't you?"

"Chiaki's parents' blood is on your hands."

'What happened between you two?' Hajime wondered as without realizing he drifted off to sleep.

Hajime was startled awake from the sound of sniffling next to him. When he looked up, he saw that Mahiru was sitting across from him, the shower was off, and she had a hairbrush in her hand.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Mahiru combed the brush through her hair vigorously, attempting to get the plethora of knots and tangles out.

"Hey no… I'm sorry. I don't know why I fell asleep." Hajime scratched at his head before sitting up.

*Sniff*

He heard Mahiru sniff again, he focused on her facial features and realized she had puffy, red eyes.

"You okay?"

Mahiru paused, the brush halfway through her hair before resuming. "Does it get easier?"

"What do you mean?"

"This overwhelming sadness. Does it go away?"

"Oh ah… yeah!" Hajime gritted his teeth.

Mahiru scowled, "I thought you were going to be honest with me?"

"Sorry," Hajime fiddled with his thumbs, he felt like a child being caught with his hand in a cookie jar. "I'm just scared. I… I don't want to lose you as well."

"You don't want to? Oh…Teruteru…" Mahiru whispered.

"Yeah."

"I… I would not do something so cruel." Mahiru gave a soft yet sad smile. "Please don't feel that you have to take care of me."

Hajime nodded, although it was of little comfort, he appreciated the sentiment. "It doesn't go away but… it does get easier."

Mahiru squeezed the brush between her fingers before vigorously brushing once again. This time however Mahiru winced. Removing the brush from her head a long and thick lock of her hair came with it. She rested it in the palm of her hand, letting it droop over the edges of her palm. She stared at it for a long time, as if studying it. "Will things ever go back to the way they used to be?"

"The way things used to be?" Hajime murmured. He looked out the window that Mahiru was sitting beneath. It was getting later now; the afternoon had begun. He thought back on his time on the island, remembering one of the first things he and Sonia talked about was when everything would go back to normal.

"Look at us Hajime, we have only been awake for a few hours, and we are already talking about romance."

Hajime smiled to himself, remembering that moment.

"Things will get more normal quicker than you think, they did for me at least."

Mahiru furrowed her brow unsure at Hajime's sudden and seemingly unfounded confidence, "what makes you say that?" Mahiru noticed that Hajime was smiling to himself, giggling, before realizing that he needed to respond.

"Hey, Mahiru!" Hajime spoke with glee.

"W-what!?"

"Knock, knock!"


Kazuichi & Yuki

"Duuuuuuuudddddeeeeee!" Kazuichi grabbed onto Yuki collar and shook him back and forth. "Duuuuuuuuddddeee! HOLY SHIT!"

Yuki continued to look on, trying to make sense of what he was looking at. The cabling for the alarm was concreted into the flooring of the storage building.

"Come on! This basically proves it right!" Kazuichi's eyes sparkled.

"Yeah, okay…" Yuki was still a little shocked at the development, although as he thought about it, he wasn't sure why he was so enamoured by it, "this is pretty damming evidence." He realized he was probably just excited because Kazuichi was excited.

"Alright! We gotta go tell the others about this!" Yuki yelled before dashing across the warehouse.

"H-hey! Where are you doing?" Yuki called out to him as he darted around the shelving.

"One sec… I just want to grab a couple things real quick… Hajime wanted a picnic rug, and I want to get Mahiru a present!"

"A present?" Yuki watched as Kazuichi continued to dash around the warehouse going through various boxes.

"Yeah, I don't know. Just a little 'welcome back' thingy."

"That's thoughtful."

"Meh." Kazuichi waved dismissively. "Aha! Here we go!"


Hajime & Mahiru

"Interrupting cow w-"

"MOO!" Hajime shouted with absolute joy.

Mahiru stared at Hajime with concern, darting her eyes left and right as if to confirm what just happened with her surroundings. "Oh, that was the joke? Okay." Mahiru smiled with pity.

Hajime's entire being collapsed on itself in self-pity. "It's uhh… nevermind." Hajime covered his face with his hands utterly overcome with embarrassment.

That's when out of nowhere he heard it. Mahiru's laugh, it was high pitch and slightly hoarse. She coughed a few times but powered through as she continued to giggle into the palms of her hands. It was sweet and happy, nothing close to the person he was talking to moments ago.

All of Hajime's previous embarrassment left as he watched in awe at the sight in front of him. Mahiru's smile as she giggled was incredible. A look of pure and unbridled glee albeit because of Hajime's failed joke. He couldn't help but smile as well.

"Geez, if you can still make awful jokes like that, I guess things aren't all bad!" Mahiru now noticing Hajime's fixation, composed herself but maintained a small smile.

Time passed as Mahiru continued to brush her hair, slowly and now far more carefully, getting all the knots and tangles out. Hajime watched in silence, letting the reality that his friend was back dawn on him. Simply enjoying her presence.

"What do I say to Sonia?" Mahiru asked sombrely.

Hajime smiled, "It's Sonia. Just talk to her."

"What if she hates me? What if she doesn't forgive me?"

Hajime sighed but maintained a nostalgic smile, "Sonia doesn't seem like the type of person to hold a grudge, and I can always talk to her if necessary."

Mahiru fiddled with her thumbs, "you'd do that?"

"Of course!"

Mahiru continued to fiddle with her thumbs, he could tell she was anxious.

"What's up?" Hajime asked.

Mahiru squeezed her fingers together and bit at her bottom lip, Hajime realized that she was starting to shake, "I… I have so many questions… but… I'm scared to know the answers."

Hajime looked down dejectedly, there wasn't much he could do. Eventually, she would have to learn the truth of their situation. After an awkwardly long time, Mahiru asked her first question.

"Teruteru… he's dead. Is… anyone else?"

"No but…" Hajime hesitated considering the best way to explain their situation, Mahiru flinched hearing his hesitation, now terrified of what he was going to say. "A lot of us are still asleep. After they died in the killing game, they uh… sleep now. We still have to wake a lot of people up, you were the third."

"Did Hiyoko!?" Mahiru's face pleaded for confirmation of her friend's safety and success, but as Hajime didn't answer right away, she understood what had happened.

"No…" Mahiru covered her mouth as if trying to stop herself from screaming. "It can't be…"

"Hey, we'll get her back! We're not stopping until everyone is awake, okay!?" Hajime reasoned, but Mahiru's sadness was quickly surpassed by her anger. "Who!? Who killed her!?"

Hajime wasn't sure if the answer to that question would help, as he redirected his gaze away from her.

"Where!? Where is she!?" Mahiru panicked attempting to stand up but falling over in the process, her legs not ready for the sudden shift in weight. She collapsed and landed with a thud, her hands narrowly stopping her face from hitting the floor.

"Mahiru!"

Hajime dashed to her side, but she brushed him off, determined to do it herself. With her legs literally shaking as they struggled to support her weight. She clenched her teeth in determination and pain as she struggled upwards. At last, she reached her goal and was standing on her own, although not for long as her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the floor once again, panting from the effort.

"Are you okay?" Hajime asked sheepishly.

"How do you explain it, huh!? We weren't despair in the killing game, yet people still participated! How!? How can we still claim to be innocent after that!?" Tears were beginning to form in the corners of her eyes once again, her frustration and anger taking form.

"I… uh…" Hajime backed up a couple paces bumping against the wall behind him.

"Stop stuttering when you speak and answer me! Who killed Hiyoko!? WHO KILLED ME!?" Mahiru yelled as she clutched at Hajime's shirt, yanking him lower. Her voice still crackly and struggling as she spoke, yet it didn't faze her.

"No one killed in cold blood. There was a moti-"

"Bullshit! Why would someone kill Hiyoko! Why!? Why… why… what did she ever do… what did I ever do… you're all monsters!" Mahiru now directed all her anger towards Hajime. Hearing Mahiru like this as well as being compared to a monster once again tore him apart as he struggled to keep himself composed and comforting.

"You fucking monsters! Killing a defenceless girl! You all-" Mahiru continued to shout and rave, yelling and swearing. Calling them evil and Hajime felt a part of him begin to snap. One that loved his new family so much and couldn't bear hearing someone talk so awfully about them.

"I'm sick of your shit! Where do you get off judging us all for our actions!?"

"Defenceless girl? She was a teenager like the rest of us!"

"Why did you have to say all those things to Sonia?! She doesn't deserve it!"

Hajime was about to yell and scream back. He was about to say all the things he was thinking, but just as he went to something caught his eye. Mahiru's bald spot where her hair just came out. Slightly bloody and pale skin could now be spotted around the sea of ginger hair. A reminder of what had just occurred, Mahiru had been through all this torture and torment just like them. Only minutes ago, she woke up to find that she aged years in the blink of an eye. Seeing that her body was broken and fragile never to fully recover, not even being able to stand on her own.

Hajime recalled his own experiences after just waking up and how hard it was. How he also ranted and raved about being monsters after falling back into despair. Yet Sonia helped him and comforted him, she didn't insult him or berate him for feeling that way. She… helped him.

Hajime realized he was the one being far too judgemental. He smiled a warm and loving smile, which seemed to piss off Mahiru further as she continued to berate him. Finally, Hajime leaned down to her level and hugged her. She resisted trying to push him off.

"What the hell is wrong with you! Murderer! Psycho!" She struggled against his grip, but as she continued, her fighting and yelling slowly ceased as the sounds of her cries became more and more apparent.

"I'm sorry, Mahiru. I'm so so sorry." Hajime kept repeating this again and again. Although it felt a little odd to say with how short of time he had actually known her, he thought it appropriate to make sure she knew just how much she's cared about.

"We love you, Mahiru, we all love you and care about you. Everything is going to be okay."

Mahiru whimpered into his shirt, as her voice got quieter and smaller, her anger subsiding. "Ass… jerk… dummy..." Mahiru's voice finally gave out as a tiny moan left her throat. No longer obliging to her demands as it begged to recover.

"It's okay… you don't have to say anything. You're okay." He caressed her hair, feeling her smooth and damp hair beneath the palm of his hand.

Some time passed as Mahiru slowly calmed down. Hiccupping and coughing often between her cries. Once she finally calmed down, she hugged Hajime back, even tighter than he was hugging her. She leaned her head back and attempted to speak, but only a small squeak left her throat like a broken toy. She furrowed her brow, frustrated about what to do, eventually getting his attention and mouthing the words "I'm sorry."

In reply, Hajime buried her face back into his shoulder and patted the top of her head. "You have nothing to apologize for. I know you are hurt and confused right now, but things will get better. I promise, and we'll all be here for you every step of the way."

"T-th-nk -u…" Mahiru struggled to whisper.

Hajime realized just how unfair he was being. He wasn't surprised she needed to vent and yell, letting out all her frustrations and anger. It was unhealthy to keep it bottled up, and he was glad she let it all out. He leaned back against the wall, still supporting Mahiru's upper body with his and took a deep breath.

"Everything's going to be okay," Hajime said out loud. More to himself than Mahiru as he rubbed her shoulder and closed his eyes. Once again, he convinced himself he wasn't tired and was just resting, but like last time he quickly fell asleep.

Fuyuhiko & Akane

"You idiot!" Akane shouted now shaking out her shorts in a futile attempt to get them dry.

"It's your fucking fault! Just let me do this one thing!" Fuyuhiko retorted.

They both patted down their clothing, angry at each other.

"Why do you always have to be so damn stubborn!"

"You're one to talk!"

Akane watched as Fuyuhiko scowled at her before his gaze softened looking behind her. She turned around to find Sonia leaving the research building. She had her arms crossed with a distant stare on her face, clearly deep in thought. She didn't seem to notice them as she approached, merely walking with no particular destination in mind.

"Sonia?" Akane asked, curious at her current state.

"Oh?" Sonia looked up and around as if suddenly realizing where she was. Sonia forced a smile before greeting them, "hello."

"What happened?" Akane asked, now distracted from her argument with Fuyuhiko.

Sonia saw Fuyuhiko's blank and pale expression, scared of what she would say. "Mahiru is awake and well. Hajime is with her currently."

Akane and Fuyuhiko breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she was okay. Their attention now directed towards Sonia's wellbeing.

"Why the long face?" Fuyuhiko asked as he bent over, picking up pieces of the broken bucket.

Sonia inquisitively studied what he was doing but quickly dismissed it. "We… did not get along."

"Huh?" Akane shouted. "Sonia actually got in a fight with someone!? Is that even possible?"

"It seems so…" Sonia attempted to smile but could no longer hold back her frown. With a sigh, Sonia passed Akane and Fuyuhiko sitting nearby on the steps of the restaurant. She planted her chin onto the palms of her hands and looked off into the distance.

Fuyuhiko and Akane exchanged glances as they tried to figure out what to do. Both uneasy at the usually optimistic and hyper Sonia's now down trotted demeanour.

Seeing Sonia deal with actual issues while they fought over something so trivial made them both feel like idiots. As they wondered how to help Sonia, Fuyuhiko came up with a solution to both their problems.

Fuyuhiko got a devilish grin and flicked his nose with his thumb, taunting Akane. "You know what… I'm sick of your shit Owari. How bouts we have ourselves a little competition?"

Akane widened her stance now facing Fuyuhiko fully. He could have sworn he saw lightning leave her fingertips. "Oh yeah!? You're on! What are we doing!?"

"The first one in the pool has to go get a new bucket and clean this shit up."

"You're going down baby gangsta!" Akane shouted as she charged towards him.

"Oh yeah!? BRING IT ON!" Fuyuhiko was ready to charge, but before he did, he pointed towards Sonia, "you're ref, got it!?"

Sonia now broken out of her trance watched as the two charged at each other trying to grapple at each other's legs.

"Oh my! Is this what is known as sumo wrestling?" Sonia jumped up with joy, now fixated on the competition in front of her.

It seems Akane understood what Fuyuhiko was trying to do as she played along, making an incredibly long an intricate fight commence. It transitioned from grappling with each other to martial arts to kickboxing. The whole time Sonia cheered and clapped, awestruck by the battle in front of her. In the end, it looked more like pro-wrestling than anything else.

The performance ended with Akane spinning Fuyuhiko around in circles by the ankles. Fuyuhiko was screaming in horror the entire time. She let him go, and he flew into the pool, making a massive splash as he landed.

Sonia cheered running up to Akane and lifting her arm into the air, "We have a victor!"

"BOOYAH!" Akane pumped her fist in the air.

Fuyuhiko raised his head out of the water and spat out water in an arc in front of him, a horrified look cemented on his face. "Oh fuck… I thought I was going to die…"

"Haha, maybe went a smidge overboard." Akane teased. "Good game!" Akane leaned down, offering Fuyuhiko a helping hand.

"Heh, well played." Fuyuhiko reached for her hand but saw his opportunity. He held out his other hand, indicating Sonia to help as well. Sonia obliged grabbing hold the moment he did Fuyuhiko propelled himself forward dragging both of them into the water with him.

"HA, HA! TAKE THAT Y- *GURGLEGURGLEGURGLE.*" Before Fuyuhiko could finish his taunts Akane dunked his head underwater as Sonia removed her bow, now accepting that this was happening. She quickly accompanied Akane in her attempted waterboarding.

After some time of splashing, dunking, piggyback riding and regular swimming, exhausted the three of them sat on the steps of the pool, panting for breath. Sonia held onto her knees, regaining her breath, but when she looked up, she found Fuyuhiko and Akane smiling at her.

"Feeling better?" Akane asked.

"Hmm?" Sonia began wringing out her hair, getting the majority of the water out.

"Are you feeling any better now?"

Sonia looked puzzled for a moment wondering what exactly Akane was asking; finally, she realized. Her mouth went agape, and her eyes wide in surprise.

"You… you did this for me?"

Both Akane and Fuyuhiko chuckled before smiling at each other, now confirming each other's intentions.

"You guys…" Sonia let out a small and happy yelp. "You are such amazing friends!" Sonia put an arm around each of them.

Fuyuhiko awkwardly looked away, trying not to show his embarrassment as he did his best not to resist the interaction and patted her on the back. "Yeah… yeah…" Fuyuhiko groaned.

As Fuyuhiko was let go, he took this opportunity to escape from any more physical interaction as he started briskly walking away. "I lost, so I'll go grab another bucket and clean up, I'll be back in a bit!" He ran his words together as he increased in speed. While Sonia was oblivious to his obvious escape, Akane chuckled. "What an idiot."


Hajime & Mahiru

Hajime dragged his heavy eyelids open to find Mahiru staring at him, he jumped a little but quickly composed himself. "Were, you…" Hajime began to question.

"Watching you sleep? Yes." Mahiru gave him a sly grin.

"Yeah alright, it is creepy."

Mahiru jabbed him in the ribs, "see! Told you."

They both smiled at each other.

"Well before I fall asleep again…" Hajime rustled through the backpack, "here." Hajime pulled out a white singlet, a pale green skirt and a yellow cardigan, "Sonia picked these out for you. Although there isn't much choice, so I hope you don't hate them too much." Hajime placed the clothing onto Mahiru's lap. She lifted each item of clothing and tugged at the fabric, checking it for any holes or signs of wear, nodding after checking them all.

"Thanks, these will work. Now… shoo shoo!" Mahiru flicked her fingers towards Hajime, gesturing him away.

Hajime rolled his eyes, "I'll wait in the other room. Let me know when you're done." As Hajime went to leave, he felt Mahiru tug at his shirt.

"Wait a second."

He turned back to find Mahiru fiddling with the buttons on the cardigan, bright red in the face.

"What's up?"

"I umm…" Mahiru sighed. "Do you have… you know?"

"What?"

He heard Mahiru growl under her breath before whispering, "underwear…"

"OH!" Hajime chuckled, "yeah sorry, probably don't want to go commando, aye?" He zipped open a different section of the bag, before losing his any semblance of confidence and shyly pulling out a blue bra and matching panties. He awkwardly tossed them over.

Mahiru quickly hid them under her other clothing and nodded, "thanks…"

Now feeling the awkward tension, Hajime grabbed the bag and promptly exited the hallway into the adjacent bathroom. He realized that it might be kind of weird getting changed in a hall but figured it was too late now. He slid down the rough wood of the door into a sitting position.

Determined not to fall asleep this time, he twiddled with his thumbs making sure to keep his eyes open.

After a few minutes, Mahiru called out, "Okay… you can come out now."

Hajime sighed with relief that this situation was over and hastily opened the door. He found Mahiru leaning against the window looking out across the ocean. Dark clouds were now visibly approaching. Her expression could only be described as melancholic as she focused on the darkening horizon. When he approached, she gave him a brittle smile and handed him the neatly folded hospital gown that she was previously wearing.

"Do I look any better?"

Hajime looked her up and down, head to toe. Long red hair, the same rosy cheeks, freckles and olive-green eyes. Now accompanied by her buttoned-up cardigan and skirt. "You look like the same Mahiru Koizumi to me."

Mahiru lightly chuckled, "that a good thing?"

Hajime nodded, "I think so."

Mahiru ran a hand down a lock of her hair before protruding her bottom lip and blowing air upwards. Her bangs lifting before falling back onto her eyebrows. "Wish my hair was shorter though, I could really use a haircut."

"Same here." Hajime turned his head to the side and using his index finger, bopped his small ponytail up and down.

Mahiru stifled laughter with a look of delight on her face, "You have a ponytail! I didn't even notice!"

Hajime let out a begrudged sigh.

"Oh no! Come on, I was just surprised. You look cute."

"Cute? Is that a good or a bad thing?"

Mahiru shrugged while she giggled to herself.

Hajime shook his head, "shall we go then?"

"Alright."

Hajime put on the backpack and started helping Mahiru down the hallway. Having her limp while her arm was around his shoulders.

"I still don't know who's awake or asleep, I've got so many questions," Mahiru said as they approached the stairwell.

"Yeah… guess I never got around to answering any, huh? Well let's go meet with the others, and we'll do it there, that sound alright?"

Mahiru took a deep breath and nodded, "sure."

As they exited the research building, they heard chatter and stifled laughter, eventually coming to see Akane and Sonia sitting on the steps of the pool, with their bare feet caressing the edges of the water. Their backs were towards them as they approached, Hajime faced Mahiru to see her eyes light up.

"Akane!" Mahiru called out, waving.

Sonia and Akane turned around, seeing them approach, Sonia quickly averted her gaze as her posture tightened. Akane, on the other hand, waved back with a delighted grin.

"Yo, Mahiru! Get over here, girl!" Akane yelled.

She hastily paraded over to Mahiru, embracing her in a big bear-hug and lifting her into the air.

"AHAHAHAHA!" Mahiru's joyous laughter was intoxicating, as Hajime couldn't help but let out a stifled laugh.

"Look at you! You're looking great!"

"Thanks…" Mahiru scratched the back of her neck, "not too much damage done."

Akane suddenly swept Mahiru off her feet, carrying her in her arms towards the pool.

"Hajime wasn't too much of a creeper, was he?"

Mahiru giggled, "no, he was good." She looked over Akane's shoulder to see a smirking Hajime tapping his foot and rolling his eyes.

"Since when have I ever been creepy!?" Hajime called out as he went to follow.

After a few paces they arrived at the pool Akane placed Mahiru down next to Sonia. A noticeable tension between them was visible as they both turned away from each other.

"Oh, right…" Akane muttered under her breath.

"Sonia…" Mahiru started.

"Yes?"

"I'm… I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have said those things."

Sonia's visible tension dissipated hearing Mahiru's apology, she turned her body slightly to face her more.

"I'm sorry too, I should not have said what I said either." A silence followed as Hajime and Akane exchanged looks of worry. Akane elbowed Hajime to get his attention, she whispered in his ear. "What even happened between them."

Hajime shrugged, "not my place to say."

Akane dropped her shoulders and sighed.

"Can we… forget I said any of that and start again. You… you mean a lot to me; I don't want to lose our friendship." Mahiru stuttered.

Sonia didn't move, her back still facing Mahiru. "Do you… do you despise me? For the things I have done?"

"No, no! Sonia, no! I… I was confused and… hurt. I felt like we were responsible for those things, but not anymore. H-Hajime convinced me."

Sonia slowly nodded, "Thank you, but now I cannot help but wonder if Chiaki hates me…"

"She loved you, you both spent so much time together."

"But her parents…"

Mahiru looked toward Hajime for assurance, he nodded.

"Were killed by Junko Enoshima, we were controlled like puppets," Mahiru said as if reading off a script, Hajime could tell she didn't fully believe the words she was saying.

Sonia turned her whole body around, a desperate pleading in her eyes; "you really think so?"

Mahiru gulped swallowing her doubt, "yes."

Sonia looked at her in awe before sighing with exasperation, "I am sorry, you just woke up. Come." She held out her hand and sat Mahiru closer to her. "We shall discuss everything and anything until our voices are hoarse!"

Mahiru smiled with delight, "My voice already is, but I still have a lot of questions! Sounds like a plan!"

Akane jogged over and sat down next to them. Hajime breathed a sigh of relief, he hated conflict between them, although he realized just how much in-fighting was to come.

"Hajime, join us!" Mahiru called out, "you can't leave yet! You still haven't answered any of my questions!"

"He has not? Hajime! What have you been doing this whole time!?" Sonia cried out.

"Oh… ah… sleeping for the most part." Hajime bowed his head and clapped his hands together, bowing slightly, "sorry."

As Sonia went to tell him off a distant echoing yell interrupted her.

"MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Everyone stared toward the direction of the distant cry to find Kazuichi and Yuki, running toward the group.

Mahiru chuckled, "oh jeez… this idiot is awake, huh?"

As they got closer, Hajime noticed another figure in the distance behind them holding a bucket, slowly approaching with nervous steps.

Once Kazuichi and Yuki finally caught up, Kazuichi gave a thumbs up and winked, "What's going on dude!"

Mahiru smiled, "Hey, good to see you guys. Also, nice beard Kazuichi!"

Kazuichi smiled and stroked the mane of hair protruding from his chin, "I look dignified right!?"

"I don't know if I would say that…"

"Hello Koizumi, it is nice to see you again." Yuki bowed his head.

"Hey… um… Mitarai, no? Togami?"

"Those were people I was disguised as. I go by Yuki now."

"Oh! Yuki, huh? That's a cute name, also call me Mahiru."

"Oh really… thank you…" Yuki blushed a little at her forwardness. "You look good with long hair."

"Really?" Mahiru curled a lock around one of her fingers, "thanks, but I really want to cut it when I get the chance."

"Me too!" Kazuichi scratched furiously at his beard, "Sure, I look great with this, but it's itchy as hell."

"Yeah, I need to shave my beard too…" Hajime sarcastically said as he flicked the bottom of his chin with his fingers. It only having the occasional small black hair poking out in random places.

"Oh jeez, that's embarrassing Hajime…" Mahiru stifled laughter.

"Hey!" Hajime snapped, "I can grow more facial hair than you!"

Everyone rolled their eyes at the terrible joke except for Sonia who laughed uproariously.

"I mean, I used to cut my sibling's hair all the time. I can give you all a hair cut if you want?" Akane offered.

"Oh shit! Really?" Kazuichi said.

"Yeah, sure. Never cut beards before, but you just need it short enough to shave, yeah? I can do that."

"I want a goatee!" Kazuichi yelled.

"You are not getting a goatee." Mahiru shook her head.

"Awww, why not!?"

"It would look awful! You're creepy enough."

"I mean that's great and everything, but we don't have any scissors…" Hajime sighed.

"Fuyuhiko has a razor, remember? We can just use that." Akane dismissively flicked her hand behind her shoulder.

Mahiru froze, "who?"

"Me." Fuyuhiko suddenly appeared at the other end of the pool, pulling the razor out of a pocket of his cargo shorts. He slowly made his way around the pool, Mahiru followed his every movement, staring until he eventually arrived next to the group.

Fuyuhiko looked toward the floor and gulped. "Hey… Mahiru."

Mahiru was still frozen, carefully examining Fuyuhiko. The silence was unbearable as Mahiru continued to glare. He averted his gaze every time she looked him in the eye. No one moved, no one wanted to breathe, as they felt unbelievable tension surround them.

"It's Koizumi…" Mahiru's voice was more profound than usual.

"R-right… s-sorry." Fuyuhiko stumbled on his words.

Using the metal bar of the stairs leading to the pool, Mahiru stood up. Using it to help support her weight, she now stood face to face with Fuyuhiko.

"You want to tell me what happened?"

Fuyuhiko struggled to breathe, his vision going blurry. He couldn't comprehend how he was meant to admit to her what happened.

Akane noticing this spoke up, "hey, Mahiru… I'll explain it. You two were arguing and…"

Mahiru raised her hand with a quick slicing motion, showing the palm of her hand toward Akane. "Stop. I want to hear it from him."

Fuyuhiko's face was pale and his palms sweaty.

"We were arguing, then what? I don't remember, because… oh, that's right, I died. Enlighten me, Kuzuryu."

Fuyuhiko trembled, only just managing to stand on his own two feet. "I… I… I'm sorry."

"That doesn't answer my question!" Mahiru snapped, "What the hell happened!?"

Fuyuhiko just stood there, like a deer in headlights, unable to act. Mahiru's anger was eating away at him.

"Tell me!" Mahiru yelled.

"I… I… I…"

Mahiru slammed her fist on the metal railing, making it rattle. "Please, help me understand!"

Fuyuhiko closed his eyes and concentrated, he pretended he was somewhere else. His happy place, but where that was, he wasn't sure. He had no close attachment to anywhere in particular. But after some time, an image started fabricating itself in front of him. Not of a location but a person. He wasn't surprised, he had always felt safe and happy with her.

Fuyuhiko took a deep breath and spoke.

"I wanted you dead. I was frustrated and angry that you were calling me out. Pekoyama, she noticed this and acted. She killed you for me. In the end, she died, and I lived."

"She… Peko…" Mahiru's expression changed from anger to betrayal. Her entire relationship with a person she thought she knew crumbling in front of her, all a façade.

"She was my bodyguard, brought up by the Kuz-"

"Shut up!" Mahiru snapped. She didn't want him distracting her as she still came to terms with the revelation.

"Mahiru…" Hajime muttered, but she ignored him.

"And Sato… that was you, right?" Mahiru's nostrils flared her anger now returning.

"Yeah," Fuyuhiko answered blankly.

Mahiru nodded. She covered her face with her hands and rubbed it up and down. Doing her best to resist the urge to punch him. Doing her best to control her rage. Fuyuhiko expected her to swear, maybe hit him, maybe run. What he didn't expect was the calm and collected response she gave, one that hurt him far more than a punch would.

"You're everything I thought you were."

Fuyuhiko eyes bulged as he attempted to come to terms with this newfound guilt. "I know."

"Okay." Mahiru closed her eyes and took multiple breaths in and out. She had never felt this kind of anger in her entire life, this feeling of hurt and betrayal. "This is how… 'this'" Mahiru pointed at Fuyuhiko then herself, "is going to work. From what I've gathered we're going to be on this island together whether we like it or not. So… don't talk to me. Don't look at me. I no longer exist to you. I don't care what you've been through. You killed my best friend." Fuyuhiko was about to say something, but Mahiru quickly yelled over him.

"AND I DON'T GIVE A SHIT THAT SHE MURDERED YOUR SISTER! Two wrongs don't make a right. Or are you saying it would be justified for me to kill Peko since she killed me?"

Fuyuhiko's fists tightened.

"No? Didn't think so." Mahiru shook her head. "Then once all this is over, we go our separate ways, and I never have to see your face again. Got it?"

"Yes…"

"Great. This was the last time we will ever talk, so go do whatever it is you do. What? Rob someone? Blackmail? Extortion? Maybe go kill-"

Akane placed her hand on Mahiru's shoulder, her presence looming over her, "that's enough."

Mahiru paused, surprised at Akane's sudden intervention. She composed herself and sat back down.

Akane smiled grimly at Fuyuhiko, trying to offer the little comfort she could provide. "You have the bucket now, yeah? Why don't you go clean that stuff up now?" Akane looked at him, a clear begging in her eyes. "I'll catch up with you later."

Fuyuhiko nodded, picking up the bucket and a nearby sponge. He started walking to the stain of blood and vomit nearby, he whispered "I'm sorry" as he left. Mahiru ignored him.

The rest of the group was left in extremely awkward silence. For the first time, they felt that the group was fractured. A feeling nobody liked as it would be difficult to support both Fuyuhiko and Mahiru. When any relationship or friendship is broken up, whether they like it or not, mutual friends usually wind up picking a side. If it's deliberate or accidental, it ends up happening none the less. They all hoped it wouldn't come to that.

"So… haircuts?" Kazuichi questioned, desperate to end the awkwardness.

What Kazuichi didn't see, nor Mahiru, was Akane staring daggers at the back of Mahiru's head. Her expression not that of anger but disapproval.

"Yeah, haircuts, right." Akane took a deep breath doing her best to calm herself down.

The group did their best to gather any enthusiasm they had left and after grabbing Fuyuhiko's razor, headed for the beach.


While each person got their haircut, everyone discussed what happened in the killing game and island, catching Mahiru up with everything she had missed.

First up was Kazuichi. Akane trimmed his beard down as far as she could and cut his long hair back to the partial mullet that he was used to. She agreed that a goatee was a terrible idea to his immense disappointment.

Next was Sonia who wanted the ends of her hair evened, giving exact measurements and cutting styles which Akane did her best to replicate.

Hajime got his ponytail removed to his pure delight. Eventually regaining his old shaggy hair, he loved so much.

Yuki got his hair cut into a slick, combed back look.

Last up was Mahiru. Since they were done talking, they took the opportunity to enjoy the final moments of warmth before the storm arrived as they played around in the ocean. The sun was starting to set in the distance.

Mahiru sat in front of Akane on a slight decline on the sand so she would have leverage. She began cutting away at her the edges of her hair, the blade now slightly dulled from all the use.

"I respect the decision you made; I think distance will be good," Akane admitted.

"You think so?"

"I do, but…"

"But?"

"He's a different guy now. I hope you'll give him a chance to prove that."

Mahiru looked down the beach at her friends playing in the ocean. Specifically, she focused on Hajime. He was giving Sonia a piggy-back as they battled Yuki giving Kazuichi a piggy-back. Both teams were trying to knock the other person off. She could just make out the sound of them shouting and laughing over the crashing of the waves. She felt a little guilty, but she couldn't help but stare at Hajime's bare chest and felt a tinge of envy at seeing Sonia being so friendly with him. She quickly dismissed those thoughts and started considering what Akane said.

She could tell that Hajime was different, he was more confident, friendly, funny, maybe he had always been that way. She never got to find out because she was killed, which upset her to realize.

While she was embarrassed to ask, she justified that it was loosely related to what Akane said.

"Since when were Hajime and Sonia so close?"

She couldn't see it, but she could feel Akane rolling her eyes, "oh, you have no idea. It's been kind of annoying actually. They were the first two to wake up, so they've spent a lot of time together."

"Oh…" Mahiru felt… she wasn't sure how she felt, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling. "Hajime's changed."

"Yeah, he's not a little bitch anymore. HAHAHA!"

"Jeez, Akane." Mahiru couldn't help but chuckle. "Look. I've been awake for only a few hours, just give me some time. I'm still working through all this. If Kuzuryu has changed anywhere close to how Hajime has then…"

"Yeah?"

"I'll consider talking to him. But I don't know if I can ever forgive him for what he's done."

"Thank you." Akane rubbed both her shoulders. "Looks like we're all done."

"Already!?" Mahiru snatched a small makeup mirror that Sonia brought and checked her reflection. Her hair was now back to being a short bob cut, just how she liked it. She could also see Akane's massive grin in the reflection behind her.

"You like it?"

"Yes, I do! Thanks, Akane. I really appreciate it." Mahiru smiled back in the mirror's reflection.

"Alright!" Akane patted her knees and got up with a heave. "I gotta go and see how Fuyuhiko is doing."

"Oh…" Mahiru drooped her head and started fiddling with the mirror. "You… close to him?"

Mahiru shifted her head back and forth, left and right, to-and-fro. "Hmm, yeah, I think so. We're at least a lot better friends than we used to be."

Mahiru shyly nodded.

"As I said, he's a changed guy. Peko's death. It had a big effect on him. A positive one."

"A changed guy, huh?"

"You don't believe me?"

"No, not yet anyway."

"Fair enough, like I said, distance will probably be good, for a time. Don't rush things, y'know?"

Mahiru forced a smile and nodded.

"But listen. At the end there… when all you did was insult him. That wasn't on. You're better than that."

Akane's words cut surprisingly deep. Mahiru felt tears start to swell in her eyes at the thought of Akane's disappointment in her.

"I-I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Oh yeah, one last thing."

Akane waved down Kazuichi and pointed at Mahiru, he gave the thumbs up back before being bowled over but Sonia and Hajime.

Akane smiled at Mahiru, "He told me something while I was cutting his hair, he's got something for you."

Mahiru gave Akane a sceptical look.

"It's a good thing, I promise. Anyway. It's good to have you back."

Seeing Akane being so caring to the point of even voicing her concerns made Mahiru realize something, she couldn't help but get a giddy grin at the realization.

"You've changed to Akane."

"I have!?" Akane shouted as if this indeed was ground-breaking news.

"The way I've seen you talk with everyone, help everyone, support everyone. Your kind of like… a mother."

Akane took a step back and cringed. "No! No, shut up, I'm not anyone's mother."

"Hmmm…" Mahiru scratched at her chin, thinking, which concerned Akane.

"What?"

"I've got it!" Mahiru cheered. "Mammakane! That can be your nickname!"

Akane screamed in horror, garnering the attention of everyone else at the beach. "DO NOT CALL ME MAMMAKANE!" She quickly realized the mistake she made as she saw Hajime and Kazuichi start stifling laughter.

"Hey sorry, we're back Mammakane!" Kazuichi called running towards the pair.

"Yeah, sorry we took so long Mammakane!" Hajime jested.

Akane grabbed Mahiru by the collar and pressed her face up against hers. She prodded at her chest with her index finger. "I won't forget this Mahiru!"

Mahiru replied with howling laughter. Akane sighed, realizing that the damage had already been done. She picked up the razor and started walking off.

"Mammakane where are you going!?" Kazuichi called out.

"Mammakane, come back!" Hajime cried.

"Oh, Mammakane, Mammakane please return to us post-haste!" Now Sonia had joined in.

Akane flipped them off as she left, muttering profanities.

"Enjoy your swim?" Mahiru asked as they started to dry themselves off with towels they brought down from the cabins.

"It seemed we were no match for Hajime and Sonia's tactics I'm afraid." Yuki sighed.

In perfect sync, Hajime and Sonia high-fived before cheering "UNDEFEATED!"

"Just cause I got distracted by Mammakane! That's the only reason you won!" Kazuichi protested.

"Oh yeah!?" Mahiru placed a closed fist on the palm of her hand. "Akane said you have something for me Kazuichi?" Mahiru tilted her head inquisitively, uncertain at what he could possibly have for her.

"Right!" Kazuichi dived towards his backpack and started digging through it. "Let's see here… oh man, I hope it didn't get damaged on the way here." Mahiru looked around at the group who smiled back, it seemed they knew what it was. Which made her even more curious.

"Here we go!" Kazuichi pulled out a small Polaroid camera. It looked brand new, shiny with a glossy rose gold colouring to it. "I made sure to grab some film as well. I think it should work?" Kazuichi went to hand it to Mahiru who backed up a couple of steps. A frightened expression on her face.

"What's wrong?" Kazuichi asked with a certain sadness to his voice.

"I uh…" Mahiru gulped. "Haven't used a camera since… I was uh…"

Hajime walked forward and grabbed the camera from Kazuichi. He looked Mahiru in the eyes, and with a calm, soothing voice, similar to that of which he used earlier, he spoke. "That wasn't you, you're an amazing photographer."

Mahiru gritted her teeth and looked away, still unsure of what to do.

"Don't you want proof?" Hajime asked. "Proof that we are here, free of despair. That we spent time on this island together and that we tried. Maybe one day we will be able to look back at your pictures and smile."

Mahiru breath was taken away from Hajime's impromptu speech, her cheeks now a slightly rosier colour of red. Slowly and timidly, she reached for the camera and took it out of Hajime's hands. Feeling the cold metal surface of it and its weight was comforting somehow. She realized she always felt best when holding a camera in her hands.

"Thank you, Hajime. You're very sweet." Mahiru smiled.

She fiddled with a few buttons and checked through the viewfinder before nodding in confirmation.

"Alright, I think it works. Only one way to find out. Who wants their picture taken?"

Sonia's eyes lit up. "Oh, please, Mahiru! May you take a picture of Hajime and I?"

Mahiru giggled, "well when you ask like that, I can't say no."

"Oh man…" Hajime sighed. "I don't want my picture taken I probably look terrible right now."

"Nonsense!" Sonia dragged him by the hand a few steps over, so the ocean and setting sun was behind them.

"Oh fine…" Hajime gave up, it was hard to protest when she was this excited.

"Alright…" Mahiru got up into a kneeling position and made hand gestures while looking through the viewfinder. Getting them to move around to make sure their positioning was perfect. "Okay, that should do it! Say cheese!"

"Cheese!"

"Cheese!"

*Click*

"Oh shit! I don't think I was looking at the camera!" Hajime yelled. "Can we get a redo?"

"It's a Polaroid camera, you idiot! There are no redoes." Mahiru rolled her eyes and laughed.

"I am sure it will look fantastic, Hajime!" Sonia insisted.

After a few moments, a small white square popped out the bottom of the camera. Mahiru flicked it up and down a few times, drying the ink before looking at the result.

Her excited expression vanished, now looking at it with a combination of sadness and frustration.

Now concerned, Sonia quickly ran over. "May I see it?"

Impulsively Mahiru recoiled from her, hiding the picture against her top.

"W-what's wrong, is it that bad?" Sonia asked.

"Ah…" Mahiru looked at the picture again. She stared at it for a long time, carefully trying to discern an interpretation for the photo that wasn't what she thought. But as she looked at Hajime's expression, she was reminded of what he had said earlier today.

"I am asking you, no I'm begging you Mahiru. Please don't take her away from me."

Mahiru tried to justify why he said that. Maybe she was just an excellent friend, or he cared for her a lot more than the others, but she knew… it was... more than that.

'God… I'm an idiot.' Mahiru sadly smiled at the photo. 'At least he's happy.' Mahiru thought.

"Hey Kazuichi, you got a vivid?" Mahiru called out.

Yuki scoffed. "Why would he have a-" Kazuichi reached into the front pocket of his bag and pulled out a vivid. "…Nevermind." He tossed it to Mahiru.

"That okay?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Mahiru quickly wrote something below the photo before handing it over to Sonia with a satisfied sigh and a wink.

Once Sonia had the picture in her hands, she took a deep breath before looking at the result. A delighted smile instantly appeared on her face, accompanied by red cheeks.

Hajime sighed. "Oh no, is it that bad. Do I look stupid?"

Sonia shook her head, her smile even more prominent.

"Then what is it?"

Sonia clutched the photo to her chest and closed her eyes, overjoyed with the result.

"Oh, come on, let me see."

Sonia shook her head again.

"Why not?"

Sonia faced Mahiru, her smile transforming to one of gratitude. "If it is alright with you Mahiru, may I keep this photo?"

"Of course!"

"Sonia!?" Hajime asked now baffled by her reaction.

She replied with a cheeky grin and a giggle before running off.

"Sonia!" Hajime called out. Sonia ignored him, now running toward her cabin to keep the photo away from prying eyes. She wasn't sure why, but she really liked the idea of this one thing being exclusively for her eyes only.

"What's got her like that?" Hajime asked Mahiru.

Mahiru shrugged, "You're not one for subtlety, are you Hajime?"

"What are you talking about?" Hajime ran his fingers up and down his face, seeing if he had something on it.

Mahiru patted him on the shoulder, "good luck!"

"What the hell are you on about?"

Feeling satisfied with his confusion, Mahiru sat back down and looked out toward the horizon.

'Maybe… maybe one day someone will look at me like that.'


Authours Notes:

Hello hello! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you're a little confused about the ending, let me quickly clarify something. I got some artwork commissioned by the very talented artist, Koiboi of the picture in question. At the end of the chapter, the photo that 'Mahiru took' is meant to be there, unfortunately, due to the constraints of the website I can't post it here. So here's a quick description:

Sonia is smiling at the camera with Hajime next to her, the setting sun behind them. Purples and blues, illuminating the environment around them. Hajime was not looking at the camera, however, distracted by Sonia for a brief second he is seen staring dreamily in her direction. Completely oblivious to anything around him, like in that one moment, she was the only thing that existed. Beneath the polaroid, what Mahiru wrote reads: "You're lucky."

I'm so sorry about that! If you want to see the amazing artwork you can find it on AO3, if you have any problem finding it, please don't hesitate to message me.

Thank you so much for reading!