Once upon a time, there in the library of space and time, a man entered. Compared to the brilliant light sliding in through the windows, he was a shadow. Just as a shadow, he moved slowly. When he walked, his hair drifted in the wind behind him like a cloak of darkness. Though he had never known of this library before, he knew just how to navigate through the labyrinth of bookshelves. He didn't need to hesitate on any turns or multiple paths and chose the necessary one instinctively. Once he turned the last corner, he saw the person he didn't know yet required assistance from.
The girl had short light brown hair and earthy green eyes. Balanced on her nose were a pair of glasses that complemented the black and white coat she wore. More bizarre than the long bright red scarf she wore, were the pair of fox ears and tail she had. She was currently reading from a green book painted black. Upon him stepping forward, the girl moved her head up from her book and smiled.
"I should have known you would be able to come here" the girl said," Izuru Kamukura"
"You and this place are not of my world" Izuru said.
"Kind of, it's more like I am a celestial overseer" the girl said," and this place is where I observe your world".
"So my talent has naturally allowed me to cross even this boundary" Izuru said," though why now of all times?"
"It's really simple" the girl said," your heart longs for something and thus has led you here to get it"
Izuru stared silent and blank until the girl sighed.
"Surely an ultimate human that knows everything, can know what he desires most" the girl said," I'll give you a hint and say it's not just a little excitement"
"Can you resurrect the dead?" Izuru asked.
"Let's look and see" the girl said, prompting Izuru to follow her.
Izuru followed the girl through long stretches of bookcase corridors for what felt like hours, until they reached the heart of the library. There in a circular space with a galactic spiral on it, stood a simple plague holding a thin red leather back book. On the cover of the book, in gold letters, was the title "Guide for Librarians". Easily, the girl hopped in front of the plague and picked up the book before flipping through it's contents.
"Lets see, job description, warnings, maintaining web of fate.." the girl read off as she flipped the pages," here we are, reversing the fate of death"
Izuru's eyes widened as she began to read.
"Death is a natural and vital part of the web of fate, similar to life. To reverse and maintain the fate of death requires a great amount of energy and sacrifice, but it can be done. The change is hardly seamless and will cause distortions in the world that will form into two entities. It is the job of the librarian to oversee this changed fate with great precaution"
"I guess you get the gist so I'll skip to the next important part" the girl said before continuing to read;
"In order to supply the energy needed to reverse the fate of death, the ultimate sacrifice must be made. By the ultimate sacrifice, a person will offer up their entire existence and be completely overwritten from the world. Their life and being will be beyond unconscious and no one in the world will remember them. Yet, even with the ultimate sacrifice, the reversal of death will only last so long before it requires more sacrifices to sustain it. Sustainability can somewhat be achieved through sacrifices of memories, but will last longer with more ultimate sacrifices"
"If that is what must be done..." Izuru said," I will make the ultimate sacrifice"
"I see, so you are the rabbit in the moon" the girl said," in that you will gladly give your body and soul to the flames for it is the only thing you can do for the moon princess"
"It is only logical that you would know why I am doing this" Izuru said.
"I know all too well" the girl said," for just as you are the rabbit in the moon, you are also Schrödinger's cat"
"Alive, yet dead" Izuru said.
"Exactly" The girl said," though you are breathing, your heart is dead"
"You love symbolism and metaphors" Izuru said.
"Of course, for it helps to convey complicated emotions and stories in a different more subtle light" the girl said," above all, they help enrich our understanding of the things it is applied to"
"I see" Izuru said," I am ready to make the ultimate sacrifice"
"Normally I'd ask if you're sure, but considering how fast your processing is I'm sure you've already made a conclusion" The girl said," however I find I'm torn about this"
"It is what I desire" Izuru said.
"Very well, I promise to uphold this sincere wish" The girl said," Are you ready to begin the survival tactic?"
"Yes" Izuru said
Upon saying this, Izuru could feel his body combust. The flames burned both his flesh and his past. Despite this pain, Izuru remained as emotionless as ever except for the slightest hint of a smile. Hajime's tears swelled up in his eyes before his entire body disappeared in the flames. Aside from the red jewel, nothing remained of him, not even his ashes.
With a solemn face, the girl picked up the red jewel. She looked to see her reflection in its surface.
"You surrendered everything" the girl said," now I will fulfill your wish"
Flames flickered under the girl's feet before moving throughout her body. The flames changed her by making her older and her hair longer. Once she was changed, the flames moved from her and into the pendent, giving it a brighter glow.
"Now, let us prepare to make the ideal world" vulpine said.
...
'Wake up' a familiar voice called out.
"Vul..pine?" Chiaki weakly asked as she began to regain consciousness.
"That is half of who I really am" the voice said in her head," the other half, me, has always been with you in this world"
"What was that dream with the boy who had long black hair?" Chiaki asked.
"That was a memory of mine" the voice said," and what led to the creation of this world"
'I must be going crazy' Chiaki thought while she looked around the hospital room she was in," why am I in the hospital?"
"This is where my other half maintains the world" the voice said.
"What do you mean by the world?" Chiaki asked.
"Well, before that agreement with the boy in the library, the world was as it was supposed to be" the voice said," but now the world has been modified to fulfill a specific function"
"Which is?" Chiaki asked.
"To protect and maintain your life" the voice said.
"My life?!" Chiaki blinked," why?"
"Do you really want to know?" The voice asked.
"Yes, please" Chiaki said.
"The truth is your fate was to die by Junko's hands and turn all your loved ones into despair" the voice said," the voice said," without divine intervention, the world would be vastly chaotic compared to the world you know"
Chiaki's legs gave out and made her fall back into bed. Now she knew she must be going insane or at least dreaming.
"I'd explain it more, but we have to save the others" the voice said.
"Mom" Chiaki remembered.
"Not just her" the voice said," if we don't hurry, those closest to you will be consumed by the flames of erasure in order to make the ultimate sacrifice for you"
"I can't let the happen!" Chiaki said after remembering the pain that boy felt from the ultimate sacrifice.
"Good" the voice said," then listen to my directions and I will guide you to everyone"
"Thank you" Chiaki said.
"You're welcome, Chiaki" the voice said.
...
Chiaki ran through the seemingly abandoned hospital until she was guided to the entrance of an operating room. There the two children stood guard as the surgery light above the door was on. Chiaki approached the children.
"I need to get through" Chiaki said.
"Do you really want to?" The girl with white hair asked.
"If you do, you'll be punished" the boy with black hair said.
"I don't care!" Chiaki said," now let me through"
"It's your decision" the white haired girl said while moving to the side.
"But don't say we didn't warn you" the black haired boy said before moving to the side.
Chiaki walked forward and burst through the doors. Inside the operating room Chisa, Junko, Nagito, and Munakata each laid unconscious on operating tables.
"Everyone" Chiaki said in almost a whisper while color drained from her face.
"The ultimate sacrifice has already begun" the voice said," but you can still save them"
"How?" Chiaki asked.
"Say the enchantment" the voice said.
"Survival tactic!" Chiaki said as soon as it miraculously entered her mind.
In a flurry, Chiaki found herself in the strange space among the stars. She was wearing her fox themed outfit, but her eyes were not green. Chiaki looked around to see the two mechanical vehicles were stopped dead in their tracks. Chiaki looked to see those she wanted to save were at the top of the stairs. They were each slowly being consumed by flames yet they seemed consciously at peace with it.
"Everyone!" Chiaki called out.
While the others didn't move, their eyes did widen and look in Chiaki's direction. Chiaki took the first few steps forward and began to climb the stairs. Upon doing so though, she was struck on the side by a shard of broken glass. Chiaki felt where the shard struck and moved her fingers back to find they were stained a little by blood.
"What is this?" Chiaki asked as she shivered a little.
"A defense mechanism", the voice said," all of their true broken memories are working to keep you from intervening"
"This won't stop me" Chiaki said with determined eyes while she looked ahead to the top of the stair case," I'll save them, no matter what"
Chiaki walked another step forward to be struck by twice as many. She could feel her flesh be sliced seamlessly, but she continued on. Again, twice as many shards struck her. Soon the holes in her clothes became bigger and bigger while more blood trickled out and floated in the space behind her. Just as she was a quarter of the way there, she began to see more shards accumulate on her path. She started to hear the other's distraught voices and pieces of their despairing memories play out in the reflection of the shards.
"I'm so empty without you, Chiaki" Chisa's voice echoed.
"I wish you were alive again, Chiaki" Junko's voice echoed.
"It's impossible to find a hope greater than yours, Chiaki" Nagito's voice echoed.
"I hate this rotten despair" Munakata's voice echoed.
"Everyone" Chiaki said as she walked and got struck with more shards," I can't let you do this"
She was halfway there when she was struck in a familiar place in her chest. The shard shot clean through leading Chiaki to fall to her knees. In an instant, the memories from that dreadful day struck her as swiftly and painfully as those spears did. Chiaki shook violently and held herself in her arms for some semblance of safety.
"Of course...that's my fate" Chiaki said," I was supposed to die in that dark and isolated place"
"Chiaki..." the voice tried to console her.
"But" Chiaki said before finding the strength to get up," there was more to my fate"
Chiaki stepped forward with a soft pink flame of determination in her eyes. Again she was struck by the shards and, though she flinched, she still kept walking up the stairs.
"I was supposed to inspire everyone, just as Miss Yukizome inspired me" Chiaki said," I was supposed to help unite everyone"
More shards tried to struck her, yet Chiaki pulled through.
"And... even when it was impossible" Chiaki said," I was supposed to be there for the ones I loved"
Miraculously, the striking shards lessened until none struck her. A few tears formed in Chiaki's eyes as she reached everyone.
"Because..." Chiaki said before forming a smile," I love you all"
A single tear rolled down Chiaki's cheek like a falling star. Once it hit the ground, the flames seized and left the four to look at Chiaki. She looked so pitiful with her clothes ripped to shreds and her body covered in scratches, yet her face was as soft as the full moon.
"Please" Chiaki asked," don't do this for me"
The others looked up at Chiaki with broken eyes. In their broken eyes, Chiaki could see her image reflected as if she was an angel with wings of light.
"I know you are all hurting, but you can rise out of the despair again" Chiaki said as wings made of fire sprouted out from her back," after all, the cycle of hope and despair is as eternal and vital as destiny"
Chiaki's wings of fire continued to grow till they wrapped everyone in a warm embrace. Though the fire was so close, it didn't burn or scar, but felt as comforting as the warmth of the morning sun.
"All of you have sacrificed so much for me" Chiaki said,"it's time I do the same. Don't you agree Vulpine?"
Following the question, everything was consumed by shadow. Chiaki's wings of fire were blown back but persisted in remaining lit. From the void of darkness, a nine tailed pure shadow kitsune emerged. Though the beast was very big and threatening, Chiaki refused to look away, even when it bared its teeth.
"I have to return something to you" Chiaki said," will you accept it?
The shadow kitsune bowed its head before melting away and revealing Vulpine in its place.
"Why are you doing this?" Vulpine asked.
"This world you created, it can't go on forever" Chiaki said," soon all my loved ones will make the ultimate sacrifice all to temporarily stop my original fate"
"If you do this, you will die by the hands of Junko and those dearest to you will spread her despair" Vulpine said.
"I know. That's why it takes so much to maintain my life beyond that fate" Chiaki said," but I believe there is a reason as to why this has to happen"
"I see, your determination is brighter than ever" Vulpine said," I will accept my other half"
"Thank you" Chiaki said.
Chiaki placed a hand over her heart before it started to glow. She began to wince in pain as she wrapped her fingers around the light and started pulling it out. The light glowed even brighter outside her body until it was revealed to be half of a burning ball that beat like a heart.
"It's been so long since I saw the other half of the Vixendrum" Vulpine said as Chiaki placed the burning ball into her hand.
Vulpine lifted the burning ball to her chest before pushing it inside. Upon doing so her whole body was consumed by fire. Within the fire, Vulpine changed. Once the flames dispersed, the girl with fox ears was in Vulpine's place.
"Thank you for restoring my heart" the girl said," but I have to ask you one more thing before I can fulfill your request"
"What is it?" Chiaki asked
"You have to let those most involved in this world, agree to let you return to your original fate" the girl said.
"Okay" Chiaki said," I can do it"
"Good luck" the girl said.
The girl clapped her hands to unleash a bright light. It was so bright, Chiaki had to close her eyes while everything around her changed.
...
When Chiaki opened her eyes, she was sitting by the window in a familiar hospital room. Sunlight delicately trickled in and brightened the room, allowing Chiaki to notice the person sitting in a chair next to her.
"Mukuro" Chiaki said surprised to see the freckle faced girl was completely healed without scars or bruises.
"So I was right" Mukuro said as she looked out the window.
"Yep" Chiaki said while looking out the same window.
Some time passed as the two girls looked out the window in silence.
"I'm sorry" Mukuro said, fragmenting the silence," I've done so many horrible things even when I came to this world"
"But you didn't do it out of malice" Chiaki said," you did everything for your sister, right?"
"Yes" Mukuro said," she's the only thing I have in both worlds"
"I never had any siblings, but I've heard of the special bonds they have" Chiaki said," like no matter how much they argue or fight, they'll always come back to each other thanks to the blood that connects them"
"That's a pretty optimistic way of looking at it, but it's still fairly accurate" Mukuro said," no matter where I go or how much we fight, I always go back to Junko"
"You're really loyal" Chiaki smiled.
"I'm just desperate for love, no matter where it comes from" Mukuro said.
"It's something each of us need, so you don't have to be ashamed" Chiaki said.
"I remember all the awful things I did for my sister's love" Mukuro said," I even lobotomized Chisa Yukizome."
There was a a sharp minute of silence.
"Like I said..." Chiaki spoke up," you didn't do it out of malice. You did it for your sister's love"
"How can you do that?" Mukuro asked," how can you talk with someone who had a hand in your death, yet not show how angry you are at them"
"What would be the point?" Chiaki asked," all those awful things happened and, as much as I wish they hadn't, I have to accept that they did in order to move on"
"You really are the ultimate hope my sister praised you to be in both worlds" Mukuro said.
"That makes sense" Chiaki said.
"So, does this mean you are going to surrender to your original fate?" Mukuro asked.
"I wouldn't say I'm surrendering, it's more like acceptance" Chiaki said.
"I really wish you were Junko's friend" Mukuro said," maybe then she would have given hope a chance over despair"
"That would be nice" Chiaki said," then I could have met you and given you more of the love you needed"
"Chiaki, I'm so sorry" Mukuro sniffed as tears formed in her eyes.
"Don't worry" Chiaki said before giving Mukuro a warm embrace," I'll still exist in some way, so I'll watch over you like all my other loved ones. Who knows, maybe we'll meet again in the far off future"
"If this is how you feel..." Mukuro sniffed," then I'll let you do this"
"Thank you, Mukuro" Chiaki said with one final squeeze.
"You're welcome" mukuro said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
...
When Chiaki blinked, she found herself in a familiar yet alien house. She was standing in the family room, but she could see the washed and neatly stacked plates from that night's dinner in the kitchen. None of the furniture was changed, even the photographs from the soon to be ended world. Though she knew her fate would be returned and the photos would fade from existence, Chiaki couldn't help but look at one particular photo. It was a picture of Chisa, Munakata, and her together at the zoo as one happy family. Behind them, in the enclosure, was another happy family of lions.
"I really cherished that day" Munakata said.
Chiaki turned around to see her adoptive father standing behind her.
"It was really fun" Chiaki said," I remember the photographer said we looked just like the family of lions"
"Chisa wanted us all to roar to see if the lions would notice us" Munakata said.
"Then the cub came over" Chiaki smiled," it was so cute"
"Not as cute as you were" Munakata said.
Chiaki laughed a bit before an uneasy silence formed.
"You know, I never really had a memory like that with my biological family" Chiaki said.
"Neither have I" Munakata said," my parents were always busy with work, never noticing me unless I achieved something great"
"I think you were an amazing father" Chiaki said," just like that lion that watched over and protected his pride"
"You were an extraordinary daughter" Munakata said," always compassionate and determined to help lead others"
"Well I have to thank her for that and you too" Chiaki said.
"Do you really want this world to end?" Munakata asked.
"Not entirely, but it has to eventually" Chiaki said," but who knows, maybe you'll remember me somehow"
"I truly hope so" Munakata said before hugging Chiaki," if this is what you want, then I'll allow it. That's what a father would do for his child."
"I'll never forget you, dad" Chiaki said as she hugged back," I love you"
"I love you too" Munakata smiled and held her tight," my strong little cub"
...
The next time, Chiaki opened her eyes, she was in her old classroom. She stood elegantly amongst the desk and chairs compared to nagito who was hunched over his desk while he sat.
"I should have known..." Nagito said," I should have known my luck would eventually break the beautiful hope I had"
"Your luck is not purely to blame" Chiaki said.
"Then I guess it's just me in general" nagito said," after all the times I said I would protect you and help your hope flourish, I was the one that led you into that trap that would end up killing you"
"I chose to follow you for my own naive reasons, so please don't take all the blame like you always do" Chiaki said," you can't really learn from your mistakes if you're focused on punishing yourself for them"
"If only I wasn't like this" Nagito said," then maybe Junko might've killed me instead"
Chiaki walked up to his desk and slapped him. This didn't pain him at all until Chiaki delicately held his face up to her.
"Please don't say that. Don't even think of your life as that disposable" Chiaki said," I couldn't bare it if my friend died like that"
"How can you call me a friend?" Nagito asked.
"Because you're my classmate and I honestly like you" Chiaki smiled.
"You are too kind, class rep" nagito sighed as he withdrew his head.
"I have to be, for my friends that need kindness" Chiaki said.
"Why can't you just live in this ideal world?" Nagito asked.
"I can't trap everyone in my dream separate from reality" Chiaki said.
"I wouldn't mind" Nagito said.
"I know, but it has to be this way" Chiaki said before looking at the twilight outside the window," eventually, you'll find a new dawn of hope once the night passes"
"I don't want it" Nagito said," if it's not you, then what's the point?"
"The point is it will be something different" Chiaki said," it may be hard to accept, but it will help you move on"
"I refuse to forget you" Nagito said.
"I know" Chiaki smiled," just don't let my memory get in the way of you discovering new sources of hope. Okay?"
"I'll try, but I doubt it will be easy" Nagito said," I might go insane before I find a new hope"
"True, but doesn't that make the eventual discovery of new hope all the more satisfying?" Chiaki asked.
"I guess you're right" Nagito said," as expected from our wonderful class rep"
"I promise that no matter where I go, I'll always be watching over you and everyone while also cheering you on" Chiaki said.
"So you'll graduate from our class rep to our guardian angel" Nagito said," I should have expected as much"
"Yep, so don't be afraid" Chiaki said.
"Thank you, Chiaki" Nagito smiled.
"You're welcome, Nagito" Chiaki smiled and gave him a hug," and thank you for all your help and loyalty in this world. I'll never forget it"
...
Chiaki opened her her eyes to a considerably darker room that she was sitting in. Actually it was a cold steel elevator like a cage. The frighteningly familiar place made her shiver until she noticed someone sitting in a chair across from her.
"..." Chiaki didn't know what to call the person in front of her.
"Cold, frightened, and betrayed" Chisa said as her head was lowered," is that what you felt while trapped here?"
"I'd be lying if I said no" Chiaki said.
"What did you think of me when I betrayed you?" Chisa asked.
"I honestly didn't believe it was you" Chiaki said," I thought something horrible must have happened, all because you risked your life to save me"
In an instant Chisa got out of her chair and embraced Chiaki. Even in a cold and dark place such as this, Chiaki could still feel Chisa's motherly warmth and light.
"What happened to me was not your fault" Chisa cried," I consciously chose to risk my life so no one would hurt you... yet I broke my own promise on the same day"
"I'm the same, so I think I can understand now" Chiaki said.
"I really wish I was your mother" Chisa cried as she hugged tighter," then I could have been there for you even more"
"That would have been wonderful, but I'm happy with the time and memories we had," Chiaki said," because without all those years of loneliness, I don't think I would have been as grateful for your advice and my friends"
"True, the time and memories we shared together, though short in the grand scheme of things, are things I will remember and cherish forever" Chisa said," but it's still so difficult to let you go without being rightfully repaid for your kindness and virtues."
"Knowing that I helped impact the lives of those I care about and that I'll live on in their hearts is reward enough" Chiaki said.
"You're such a good girl" Chisa cried," I want you to always know that I am very proud of you"
"Thank you" Chiaki said," you should also know everyday that you really helped me become who I am through your encouragement, devotion, and courage. So whenever you think of me while I was class rep, remember that you really helped me find and utilize my true potential"
"Of course, my perfect little class rep" Chisa said before giving Chiaki a kiss on the forehead," I love you so much"
"I love you very much too" Chiaki smiled," mom"
...
Even though Chiaki was taken somewhere else, she could still feel the warmth and light of Chisa's long embrace. Chiaki looked to see she was laying on the same floor where she originally died. Junko laying on the floor vertical to her, yet their heads were close to one another.
"Do you hate me for what I did?" Junko asked in a melancholy voice," not just for killing you, but also torturing you, lobotomizing Yukizome, throwing all your friends into despair, and using all your loved ones to spread the tragedy?"
"Yes" Chiaki said," at least initially, until I saw who you really were"
"What do you mean?" Junko asked.
"Even though you were surrounded by others, you were alone solely because you were different" Chiaki said," A vixen in a world full of sheep you called yourself"
"I remember" Junko said," even in the real world, that's how I felt"
"Had I not come to this world, I would never have known your feelings were similar to mine" Chiaki said.
"How could they be similar?" Junko asked," while your loneliness made you hide in your shell, my loneliness led me to punish the entire world"
"True, but just because I was silent didn't mean I never resented others for my loneliness," Chiaki said," you were strong and had the resources to punish those that didn't accept you, but all I had were my games"
"Are you trying to say you would have punished the world if you could?" Junko asked.
"I'm sure we're not the only ones who felt this way" Chiaki said," because when you're alone in a world full of seemingly happy people in harmonious groups, it's hard not to be jealous or resentful towards them"
"How did I not see my own source of misery?" Junko asked.
"You did, but you just didn't want to acknowledge what could be fixed so easily yet so hardly" Chiaki said," I was like that before Miss Yukizome inspired me to pull through"
"If only I had someone that inspirational" Junko said.
"You have me" Chiaki said as she got up so Junko could see her smiling face.
"But once you go through with your original fate, I'm going to forget our friendship entirely" Junko said," you'll be like a stepping stone to me"
"I won't forget" Chiaki said," plus who knows, maybe you'll feel just a tiny semblance of our friendship whenever you eat an apple"
"I guess I can only hope" Junko said.
"Yep" Chiaki said.
"I guess since I'm going to forget everything about this world, I should probably tell you" Junko said," I love you, Chiaki"
"I should have figured that out sooner" Chiaki said.
"Well, I didn't want to worry you even more while you were going through all sorts of things like almost dying a lot" Junko said.
"That was very considerate of you" Chiaki smiled," unfortunately, I don't know if I can reciprocate those same feelings"
"No worries, I'm going to forget about being friend zoned anyway" Junko said.
"Still, you were my most precious friend in this world" Chiaki said.
"I can live with that" Junko said," before I started to really love you, you were my most precious friend in this world"
"I'm honored" Chiaki said.
"Same here" Junko said.
"Oh, Junko, you're crying" Chiaki said.
"Yep" Junko sniffed," but these are happy tears"
"Are you sure?" Chiaki asked.
"Yep" Junko said as more tears welled up in her eyes," I'm happy you can be so kind and hopeful even after you revert to your original fate, because that means you're guaranteed to become a beautiful angel in heaven"
After she managed to spit out the last few words, Junko completely broke down into tears.
"Thank you Junko" Chiaki said before giving Junko a big hug.
"No... problem" Junko sniffed and cried.
For a good long while, Chiaki hugged Junko until all her tears were dried.
"Good bye, Junko" Chiaki said.
"Good bye, Chiaki" Junko said.
...
Finally, Chiaki opened her eyes to her last stop before her final destination. The spot at the school fountain, she once shared with Junko, now she remembered sharing it with someone else. She remembered her true fated one in an instant, it also made her cry from how bittersweet their bond was. Of course, when she turned to look and see who was sitting next to her on the bench, she found him but not in the form she mostly remembered him in. Though she had only seen him twice in her life, something about his form and aura was so calmingly familiar.
"Now I see" Chiaki said," you've been with me every second I lived in this ideal world"
"That is correct" the boy said.
"What was your name again?" Chiaki asked.
"Izuru Kamukura" the boy said.
"I'd ask what happened to the person you were originally, but I don't really have the luxury of time" Chiaki said," in that case, I want to use this time to thank you"
The boy looked at her with his piercing crimson eyes.
"When I was dying, I didn't really expect my wish to come true" Chiaki said," yet through this ideal world I got to spend more time with the ones I loved, and it's thanks to your sacrifice"
"Are you curious as to why I did it?" Izuru asked.
"I already know thanks to that dream" Chiaki smiled," you brought me back because I reached you in a way nobody else had before. Am I right?"
"Yes" Izuru said," unlike everyone else in the world, you have a profound affect on me"
"I think that's the case for everyone with their fated ones," Chiaki said," after all, love is a complex emotion that goes beyond simple attraction"
"I know this now" Izuru said.
"Thank you for granting my dying wish" Chiaki said as she laid her head on his shoulder," I'm truly grateful"
"What good was this ideal world if it failed to achieve its main purpose for existing?" Izuru asked.
"I don't think it failed" Chiaki said," sure I'm going to return to my original fate, but this world offered me the things I needed to experience before helping me accept my fate"
The boy was silent after her genuine words.
"Even though you weren't there physically to play games with me, I could still vaguely feel your presence while I lived and dreamed in this ideal world," Chiaki said," I hope I can be like that for my friends once I pass on"
"You will" Izuru said.
"Thank you," Chiaki said before getting up," I think I'm ready to go now"
Chiaki felt a tug on her arm. When she turned around, she saw Izuru was holding her back like an anchor to the physical world.
"You know, at first I thought your eyes were intimidating, but now I see they're hollow," Chiaki said as she caressed his cheek," I hope you can find something to fill them with"
Before Izuru could say a word, Chiaki kissed him on the cheek she caressed.
"I'm sure you will," Chiaki said as she began to turn transparent," it will take time, but you'll find hope again"
"Chiaki!" Izuru said as he tried to hold onto her again.
"Don't worry about me" Chiaki said," I'm not scared anymore and I'm satisfied with the short yet wonderful life I lived, so don't worry so much about me"
Izuru stood frozen from Chiaki's kind words as she faded away like the sunlight in the twilight.
"Chiaki," Izuru said softly," I'm sorry"
...
Just as the morning sun was beginning to rise higher and higher into the sky, the girl with the fox ears stood on the roof of the hospital. The girl with white hair and the boy with black hair stood together behind her.
"It's time to return the world to its original destiny," the girl said," do you accept this?"
The two children nodded in unison.
"Very well," the girl said as she walked towards the sun.
Upon doing so, the girl transformed into a large scarlet fox with nine tails. The two children also transformed into cats and then into the white tiger with blue stripes and the black tiger with red stripes. Both tigers roared in unison, causing clouds to form and accumulate above. The fox lifted her head to the sky before making a cry.
Upon this cry, rain began to fall, yet the sun was still visible. Due to the light of the sun, the clouds and raindrops were given a golden glow as if they were of a celestial nature. Where ever a raindrop landed, the world reverted to its original state. No living thing could escape the divine sun shower and its revertive powers. As the Tigers were showered in the rain, they began to melt away like paint, but they did not fight their fate. Soon any trace of the tigers were gone as the world and people were almost entirely back to their mid tragedy state.
...
Izuru woke up from his sleep in a desolated building. When he looked out the giant gaping hole in the building, he saw a sun shower. For once in a very long time, the scarlet red sky full of smog seemed to be lighter and cleaner with help of the sun and rain. Of course, Izuru did not care. No matter how aesthetically pleasing the sight was, it did not matter to him. Yet, it did remind him to do something. Seeing as he had found a wild daisy and camilla the previous day, he planned to make the treacherous, albeit easy journey to a familiar place. There he would place the flowers in a vase just for one person. Upon thinking of that person, Izuru felt an odd warmness in one of his cheeks. He raised his hand to his cheek and stared out at the landscape being showered by the celestial like rain.
"Interesting" Izuru said.
...
Out in the chaos, the remnant of despair formerly known as the ultimate luckster wandered through the devastated landscape. As expected from his bad luck, it was raining and he didn't have an umbrella on hand. On the bright side, this was no normal rain that was dark and depressing, but rather a sun shower that glowed like the light of a thousand jewels. Had he not been hollowed out by despair, maybe he would have enjoyed it more.
The luckster continued to walk through the desolate city until his eyes caught something. Amidst the rubble was a humble white daisy. Compared to its surroundings, the daisy was like the twinkling of one star in a night sky. Delicately, he picked it up with his right hand. As he looked at the daisy's pure white glow, he felt a strange pain in his chest that almost seemed familiar.
"Daisies are symbolic of hope," Nagito said," yet did I ever give her one?"
Seeing as the daisy was so lovely and bright, he placed it in his chest pocket so close to his heart along with something more metaphysical. Daisy in his pocket, Nahito continued forward yet aimlessly through the world of the tragedy.
...
In the hope's peak academy shelter, Junko waited impatiently for her sister. As she did, she tapped her feet.
"Sorry Junko" Mukuro said as she walked into the dorm room with two trays of food.
"At least you know that you messed up" Junko said," now gimme"
Mukuro handed Junko one tray of food before Junko unapologetically wolfed down the main course on it.
"So, anything new and exciting going on today?" Junko asked as she chewed.
"No, everything's normal, but I think it's raining right now" Mukuro said.
"So just another typical Monday" Junko sighed," man these people are boring"
"They're not all that bad" Mukuro said.
"Whatever" Junko said as she prepared to bite into an apple," they're like a bunch of sheep compared to me"
"I know" mukuro said," does that include me?"
"You bet" Junko said as she chewed.
"I see" Mukuro said until her eyes widened," ah, Junko... are you... crying?"
"Huh?" Junko blinked before she wiped one of her eyes to find tears in it," the hell?"
"Are you okay?" Mukuro asked.
"I don't know" Junko said as she felt a small tug in her chest," but... I like this despairingly mysterious feeling"
"Any idea what could have caused it?" Mukuro asked.
"I said mysterious for a reason" Junko said," now let me enjoy this"
"Yes, Junko" Mukuro said.
...
The sunshower continued till it even spread to the future foundation headquarters. There Munakata worked diligently on his paperwork until Chisa entered carrying a basket.
"How's the paperwork going?" Chisa asked.
"It's plentiful as usual" Munakata said, not even looking up from his work.
"You're so busy, like an ant" Chisa said," granted I think you're most like a lion"
"Why a lion of all things?" Munakata asked.
"I don't know, just a certain feeling I get when I see you working hard" Chisa said," you've been so busy, did you even see the lovely weather behind you?"
Munakata sighed before getting up at looking out the window behind him.
"It's a kitsune wedding" Munakata said.
"Why do you call it that?" Chisa asked.
"They say that when it rains while the sun is still visible the fox yokai choose to hold marriage ceremonies during it" Munakata explained.
"How romantic" Chisa said," you're so traditional"
"I was simply raised that way by my father" Munakata said.
"I bet you would be a great father" Chisa smiled.
"Just as you would make a great mother" Munakata smiled.
"Oh you" Chisa said before putting the basket on his desk," anyway, since we're together, let's share this"
"What is it, apple pie?" Munakata asked.
"How did you know?" Chisa asked.
"It was just a craving" Munakata said.
"Well, good thing we both had the same craving" Chisa said as she set the pie, plates, napkins, and silverware out on the desk in an orderly fashion.
"Oh, you brought an extra set" munakata said as he looked at the extra plate, napkin, and silverware that was neatly arranged in between the two on the side.
"Hmm, I can't imagine it was a mistake" Chisa said," maybe my house keeping skills are getting rusty. I'll put it back"
"No, it's fine" Munakata said.
"Okay" Chisa said.
Once the two had their plates full, they clasped their hands together.
"Thank you for the meal" the two said before eating.
...
The girl with fox ears sat on a staircase in the library beyond space and time. She looked up to the sky lights above as her fox tail swayed a bit.
"I'm sorry I couldn't permanently reverse your fate" the girl said.
"It's okay" Chiaki reassured as she sat a few steps above the girl," I know a part of you believed that would happen"
"I thought If I separated that part from myself, then my confidence would allow me to succeed" the girl said," but my other half only worked against me"
"Still, I appreciate all the personal sacrifices you made" Chiaki said.
"Those tigers could really bite and claw while they were hungry" the girl asked.
"Good thing you healed from that" Chiaki said.
"And that I have a high pain tolerance" the girl said.
"Why did you agree to help Izuru reverse my fate?" Chiaki asked.
"Part of me really didn't think you deserved to die so cruelly" the girl said," especially when you were so sweet and inspiring"
"I know" Chiaki said," I guess by having your other half with me all the time and you as my doctor, I got a better sense of who you were"
"Sorry if I came off as mysterious" the girl said," I'm better at keeping secrets over telling lies"
"I think I migh,t be like that too" Chiaki said.
"So, how do you feel about fate now that it's affected you and the world so much?" The girl asked.
"I think... it's still important" Chiaki said," I like fate now because it has gifted me with wonderful things that I don't think I would have treasured as much if I lived a longer and more privileged life. Sure I can see how it would be hated by others for causing them pain and hardship, but maybe if they saw it in a different light, they could learn to be stro,nger from the pain and hardships, maybe even appreciate those pains and hardships."
"Does that apply to the tragedy?" The girl asked.
"Of course" Chiaki said," I won't deny the tragedy has and will cause many hardships and suffering, but I'm sure that it will inspire growth too. Like the warm dawn after a freezing winter solstice"
"I see, you've taken to using metaphors," the girl said.
"Isn't that how we convey greater emotions and ideas?" Chiaki asked while smiling.
"True" the girl laughed.
"Well", Chiaki said as she stood up," I should probably getgoing"
"Agreed", the girl said.
"What was your true name again?" Chiaki asked.
"It's Vixen", the girl said.
"Well then Vixen" Chiaki smiled," Thank you for helping me accept my fate through this little journey"
"You are welcome" Vixen smiled back.
"Good bye" Chiaki said as she walked through a red curtain to an unknown destination.
"Goodbye," Vixen said as a single tear rolled down her cheek.