Waiting outside in the courtyard, chiakis recruited friends and the remaining remnants waited. The remnants were all handcuffed to each other to prevent escape.
"I'm glad you all made it back safe" Chiaki said "come inside"
Everyone entered and followed Chiaki to the throne room. Once there, the captured remnants were seated in the center while the others surrounded them. Chiaki took one look at her friends before ascending the stairs. At the top, the opalite crown waited for her. Chiaki delicately picked it up before addressing her friends.
"First I want to say that I'm happy to see you all again" Chiaki said "but I can't ignore the negative impact junko had on you"
The crowd stayed silent.
"The reason I decided to become this queen of hope was so you would all be safe" Chiaki said "but I should have seen through junkos lie".
Chiaki then picked up the opalite crown.
"I don't want you to think that you're not worthy to be around me or that I'm some goddess" Chiaki said "I'm Chiaki nanami the class rep for the 77th class"
With a single thrust, Chiaki tossed the crown to the floor and shattered it.
"As a class rep it is my job to protect you and keep us together" Chiaki said "that's why I'm going to fight the despair that hurt all of you"
After the speech the room was silent until Nagito started to clap.
"Wonderful simply wonderful" Nagito smiled "your hope is shining so beautifully"
Chiaki then proceeded to descend the stairs. Slowly she approached Nagito, who was at the end of the chained remnants line.
"Gundam could you hand me the key please" Chiaki asked
"Of course" Gundam said.
Chiaki opened the palm of her hand where Gundam placed the key.
"Thankyou" Chiaki smiled
"It was my pleasure" Gundam said proudly.
With key in hand, Chiaki looked to Nagito. Her soft pink eyes stared gently into his eyes.
"Nagito I know we didn't spend a lot of time together, but we are still classmates" Chiaki said before her hand on his "I don't want you to get hurt rather I want to go back to those happier days so we can grow stronger as friends"
Then Chiaki smiled that serene smile of hers.
"So will you help me?" Chiaki asked
For once in a long time Nagito was speechless. Before he never imagined he'd meet someone like Chiaki, but he especially never dreamed he would be friends with someone like her. While they didn't have many interactions there was one he'd never forget.
It was a rainy day and sure enough Nagitos umbrella broke. He didn't really care, after all he was used to his luck cycle. What he wasn't use to was friendship. That was mostly his own fault for creating a false persona detached from empathy. Just as Nagito remembered his loneliness, a voice called out to him.
"Komaeda" Chiaki asked "what happened to your umbrella?"
When Nagito looked over, he saw Chiaki holding her umbrella over both of them.
"My umbrella was struck by lightning, but it's not something you need to worry about" Nagito said.
"But you could've gotten hurt or worse" Chiaki said
"I'm sure no one would care not even myself" Nagito said
"No that's wrong, cause I would care" Chiaki said "you're my classmate and my friend"
"You shouldn't care for a lost cause like me" Nagito said "just enjoy your other friends"
"No, I want to play with all my friends and that includes you" Chiaki said with her cheeks puffed.
"I guess there's no point in arguing with you" Nagito sighed "but you'll see I'm more trouble than I'm worth"
Together the two walked to class. Halfway through Chiaki tripped and twisted her ankle thanks to Nagitos luck cycle.
"I told you nothing good happens to those around me" Nagito said.
"It's not that big a deal" Chiaki said "at least it happened to me and not you"
"Why do you say that" Nagito asked
"I don't know" Chiaki said "I guess i wouldn't want to see my friends get hurt"
"You're too good for this world" Nagito said
"You think so?" Chiaki asked "I just want to help my friends because without them I'd still be alone"
The last part struck a cord with Nagito. He never knew Chiaki had been as lonely as he was. Perhaps that's why her hope shined so much, because she had overcome the despair of loneliness.
Even though Chiaki had twisted her ankle, she still tried to walk on her own.
"Doesn't it hurt?" Nagito asked.
"A little but I can bare it" Chiaki smiled.
"You shouldn't walk on it" Nagito said "here you can use me as a crutch"
"Are you sure?" Chiaki asked
"Of course" Nagito said.
"Thankyou" Chiaki smiled
Once Nagito came back from his memories he had tears streaming down his face.
"Yes I will do anything I can to help you" Nagito said
Chiaki smiled before unlocking his cuffs. Next Chiaki walked over to Sonia. Chiaki stared into Sonias Crimson stained eyes before smiling.
"Sonia you were always so nice and fun to play with" Chiaki smiled "I want to see that kind and playful side of you again"
Then Chiaki reached out her hand to Sonia.
"Will you help me make this world a better place" Chiaki asked.
Sonia stared into chiakis soft pink eyes before remembering.
It had been months since Sonia had left her kingdom of noveselic. Despite this she wasn't homesick rather she was happy to be in school. Yet she felt like she stuck out due to her title and foreign culture. This was furthered by the girls that picked on her when she mispronounced a common phrase. Just when Sonia was giving up hope, Chiaki stepped in.
"So what if she made one mistake" Chiaki said to the girls "she's still really good at speaking a different language"
Once the girls left Sonia couldn't help but hug Chiaki.
"Thankyou for looking out for me" Sonia said
"We're classmates and classmates look out for one another" Chiaki smiled
"Don't you feel intimidated by my talent?" Sonia asked
"Why should I?" Chiaki asked "it's not like it's the only thing that's interesting about you"
"You think I'm interesting" Sonia asked
"Of course, I've never met anyone so knowledgeable on Japanese dramas before" Chiaki said "you know all of these interesting things about my culture that even I didn't know about"
"You're so sweet Chiaki" Sonia teared up a bit.
Before Sonia came to Japan she was nervous that she'd always be a princess and never get to do normal stuff. Yet here she was talking to another girl as an equal.
"I was thinking for one of our class get togethers we could go see a Japanese drama" Chiaki said "could you help me find one"
"It would be my honor" Sonia smiled
Sonia gasped after the memories rushed back to her. Tears streamed down her cheeks before she held chiakis hand.
"I will do everything in my power to help my friend" Sonia said.
Once Chiaki unlocked Sonias cuffs, Sonia embraced Chiaki in a warm hug. After the hug Chiaki moved on to the next remnant; Teruteru.
"Teruteru you were always so passionate when you cooked a meal" Chiaki said "I want to create a world where you can do that again and we can all eat your passion filled food together like before"
Chiaki extended her hand to him.
"So will you help me make that world" Chiaki asked.
Teruteru looked at the hand before him before remembering.
It had been months since he came to hopes peak and already Teruteru was homesick. He missed the smell of his moms cooking and was worried about her health. It wasn't fair that she was stuck working while he was goofing off. Then, as if she could sense his despair, Chiaki was there.
"What's the matter Teruteru" Chiaki asked
"Ah just a lil homesick but you don't have to worry none" Teruteru said
"Of course I should worry" Chiaki said "homesickness is a status ailment"
"I know but it's not like I can do anything about it" Teruteru said
"Have you tried calling home" Chiaki asked
"Yeah but my mama's always too busy to pick up the phone" Teruteru said
"I know we can have our class trip in your hometown" Chiaki said
"You'd really do that" Teruteru asked
"I'm sure the others will understand" Chiaki said "besides I'm sure they'd love to eat at the original hanamura diner"
"You are too kind" Teruteru said.
"Consider it payment for all the food you cook for us" Chiaki smiled.
When Teruteru came back from the past his eyes were wide open. He reached out to chiakis hand.
"I swear on my chefs hat I will do my best to help you" Teruteru said.
Shortly after Chiaki unlocked Teruterus cuffs and approached the next remnant of despair; peko.
"Peko do you remember when you spoke for yourself" Chiaki asked "I want to create a world where you can be anything besides a tool"
Chiaki offered her hand causing peko to reflect on her precious memory with Chiaki.
That day Mahiru noticed peko didn't smile. Peko had always been aware of it but now everyone in the class knew. It wasn't her fault she was a tool and smiling would only hinder her job as one.
"Um peko, if you don't mind me asking, why don't you smile" Chiaki asked
"I have no need for smiles" peko said
"But how will you show everyone you're happy" Chiaki asked
"Why does that matter" peko asked.
"Well it reassures me if you smile cause then I know I'm doing my job" Chiaki said
"Then how's this" peko asked as she tried to form her lips into a smile.
"I'm sorry but I feel it's fake" Chiaki said "I know"
Then Chiaki squished her puffed up cheeks together. At first it didn't work, but then peko noticed how chiakis face made her look like a bunny. Thoughts of fluffy bunnies skipped around in pekos mind. Just thinking of their fluffiness was enough to put her at ease and make her form a tiny smile.
Suddenly the thoughts were interrupted by a camera flash. When peko came back to reality she saw Chiaki holding a phone.
"I'm sorry but I took your picture" Chiaki said "but look how good it looks"
Chiaki handed the phone to peko to examine.
"What's so great about it?" Peko asked "I'm hardly smiling in it"
"That doesn't matter" Chiaki said "what matters is that it's your true smile that's all yours"
Peko was silent for while as she took in chiakis statement.
"If you want you can delete it" Chiaki said.
"No you can keep it" peko said "but could you send me a copy"
"Of course" Chiaki smiled.
Peko didn't show much emotion after regaining herself, but Chiaki could sense pekos lip quivering.
"I swear on my honor as a swordswoman that I will help you" peko said after firmly gripping chiakis hand.
Chiaki smiled before unlocking pekos cuffs and moving on to the next remnant; The imposter.
"Mita-I mean whoever you call yourself" Chiaki said, "I want to build a world where you can be your true self"
Chiaki extended a hand to him.
"Will you help me?" Chiaki asked.
The imposter stared at the hand before him. As he did his mind drifted back to a particular memory.
It was another typical day for the imposter. Today he would pretend to work on anime alone as part of his ryouta mitari impersonation. He figured no one would mind him working in the back of the class, but someone did.
"Hey Mitari don't you want to play" Chiaki asked
"I'm fine" the imposter said
"But isn't it lonely working alone and away from everyone else?" Chiaki asked.
"I'll admit it's lonely but I doubt anyone really cares" the imposter said.
"I care" Chiaki said
"Why?" The imposter asked," because I'm Ryota mitari?"
"No, I care because no matter who you are you're my classmate" Chiaki said," besides games are more fun when you play them with different people"
"Fine, I guess one round wouldn't hurt" the imposter smiled.
The imposter regained his composure before taking chiakis hand.
"I will help you" the imposter said.
Chiaki smiled before unlocking his cuffs and walking to the remnant next to him; Mahiru.
"Mahiru you use to always take photos that preserved everyone's happiness" Chiaki said,"I want to bring back that smiled filled world so you can be free to take the photos you want"
Chiaki extended a hand to Mahiru.
"So will you help me make that dream a reality" Chiaki asked.
Mahirus eyes shuttered as she recalled a precious memory.
Mahiru waited at the school fountain some time after sato died. She clenched an album containing all the photos she took with Sato. Just thinking back to sato made mahiru burst into tears.
"Mahiru are you alright?" A soft voice asked.
Mahiru looked up to see Chiaki.
"Oh, what are you doing here?" Mahiru sniffed.
"I'm waiting for someone, but that's not the most important thing at the moment" Chiaki said "what is important is figuring out why you're crying"
"It's my friend sato" Mahiru said "they confirmed she was dead"
As soon as she said that Mahiru started crying again. Chiaki stayed silent allowing Mahiru to cry all her tears out. Then Chiaki handed Mahiru a handkerchief.
"I'm sorry for crying so much" Mahiru said.
"It's fine because you needed to let your emotions out" Chiaki said
"I guess that's true, but is this how it's going to be" Mahiru said "will I always feel awful when I think of sato"
"From time to time, but eventually you can look back and smile at the memories you made with her" Chiaki said "isn't that why you take photos"
"I guess" Mahiru said as she opened the album.
"See each photo captures a moment of satos life" Chiaki said pointing at one of the photos "the majority of the photos show her smiling but there's also some other photos to preserve her memory"
"You're right" Mahiru smiled
"I'm sure if you hold on to these memories of your friend then they'll never disappear and you won't ever be alone" Chiaki said.
"Thankyou" Mahiru smiled
"Anything for my classmate" Chiaki smiled back.
Words could not express the relief Mahiru felt. It was as if a heavy weight had be lifted from her chest. Slowly Mahiru grabbed chiakis hand.
"Thankyou Chiaki" Mahiru said "I want to help you after everything you've done for me".
"I'm glad" Chiaki smiled before unlocking mahirus cuffs. Then she moved towards the next remnant; Souda.
"Souda I remember when you used to build all sorts of things and shared them with others" Chiaki said," I want to recreate that world so you can continue to build"
Chiaki extended her hand out to souda.
"Will you help me?" Chiaki asked.
Her words resonated wit him and made him remember.
That day souda had his hands full of tools, equipment, and all the other essentials for a mechanic. He had so much stuff that he couldn't see the floor. Unfortunately he couldn't see the wrench he dropped on the floor. A few seconds later and he tripped over the wrench and dropped everything he was holding. It took souda a little while to get back on his feet. Just as he started to pick some stuff up, Chiaki came onto the scene.
"Souda are you alright?" Chiaki asked," I heard a crash"
"Yeah I'm fine, I just tripped" Souda said as he tried to collect his tools.
"Here I'll help" Chiaki said as she picked up a blueprint.
"Wait don't look at that" Souda said but he was too little too late.
"Is this a rocket ship?" Chiaki asked looking at the blueprint.
"Yes" Souda admitted," go ahead and laugh"
"Why would I laugh?" Chiaki asked.
"Cause it's a rocket ship" Souda said.
"So? Rocket ships are cool" Chiaki said," I'm sure you could make a really cool rocket ship"
"I guess it kinda makes sense that you would like rocket ships" Souda said.
"Of course I love game where you can design and build your own rocket ship" Chiaki said.
"Fine I guess you can know that I'm trying to build my own rocket ship" Souda said," but don't tell the others"
"Why would I do that?" Chiaki asked.
"So you can all laugh at my silly dream" Souda said
"I would never do something like that" Chiaki said," besides if I told the others it would ruin the surprise when you finally build it"
"I guess I'll trust you then" Souda said," but if you betray me then I'll understand"
"I promise I won't ever betray you" Chiaki smiled.
After the memory ended, Souda took chiakis hand.
"I'll help you out anyway I can" Souda said.
Once again Chiaki smiled as she unlocked soudas cuffs. Souda shook his wrist as Chiaki walked to the next remnant; hiyoko.
"Hiyoko remember when you use to dance, not just for us, but for yourself" Chiaki asked," if we rebuild this world then you can dance for yourself"
Chiaki extended her hand out to hiyoko.
"Will you help me" Chiaki asked.
At that moment hiyoko reflected on their past interaction.
After bullying Mikan again, hiyoko expected to go back to her room. However today was different as Chiaki soon proved it.
"Hey hiyoko can I talk to you?" Chiaki asked after waking out of the classroom.
"What do you want?" Hiyoko asked with a tone of annoyance.
"I was just worried for you" Chiaki said,"I don't think you should bully everyone"
"What are you on their side" Hiyoko asked
"No, I'm on everyones side and that includes you" Chiaki said," if you keep pushing people away then eventually you'll be all alone and that's not fun at all"
"So what if I'm alone at least I won't be around you psychos" Hiyoko said.
"See you're trying to push me away but if you do that you'll became lonelier and lonelier" Chiaki said," believe me you don't want to be alone".
"Fine I'll play your stupid games" Hiyoko said" but don't think I'll enjoy them"
She said that, but secretly Hiyoko was kind of happy to have someone she could trust, that wasn't just Mahiru.
The moment Hiyoko came out of her daydream she wailed like a banshee. Hiyoko cried genuine tears which was a rare sight to see.
"I'm sorry Chiaki" Hiyoko sniffed," I'll do the best I can"
Chiaki smiled and patted Hiyoko on the back before unlocking the cuffs. Then Chiaki moved to the final remnant; fuyuhiko.
"Fuyuhiko I know you've been through a lot and I'm proud that you were able to overcome that ordeal" Chiaki said," so let's overcome this new ordeal together"
Chiaki reached out her hand.
"Will you help me" Chiaki asked
That ordeal Chiaki mentioned was one fuyuhiko could never forget. However he didn't face it alone.
He had done something reckless and stupid. All because his sister was killed. It filled him with a rage that blinded his usual morals. Now here he was trying to pretend as if nothing happened. Aside from peko, he though no one would notice. He was wrong.
"Fuyuhiko are you doing alright?" Chiaki asked," you looked unfocused today"
He could've lied, but he was too tired.
"What would you do if someone close to you got hurt?" Fuyuhiko asked.
"I'd be sad, but also a little angry" Chiaki said
"What if some random person that you never met hurt someone close to you" Fuyuhiko asked," What would you do then?".
"Well first I'd try to understand the situation" Chiaki said," If I just jumped in with my emotions I think I'd end up doing something I'd regret"
"Yeah that's a pretty good answer" Fuyuhiko said," if only more people thought like that".
There was a pause of silence.
"I'm such a mess" Fuyuhiko said," if my sister were here she'd probably tell me to get my shit together"
"I bet she's cheering you on from somewhere" Chiaki said," if you don't forget about her then she'll always be with you"
"Yeah, you're right" Fuyuhiko smiled," ya know for a gamer girl you're more like a therapist"
"You think so" Chiaki asked
"No doubt about it" Fuyuhiko said," Any person would be a fool to throw away your friendship"
"Thanks Fuyuhiko" Chiaki smiled," you're really sweet like milk"
"Hey don't compare me to that crap" Fuyuhiko said furiously.
This spurt of anger only made Chiaki laugh.
Fuyuhiko came back from his memories with a smile.
"I see no reason to disagree" Fuyuhiko said before shaking chiakis hand.
Once Fuyuhiko was freed from his cuffs, the 77th class was truly reunited as they partook in a good ol fashioned group hug. To celebrate their milestone, the group threw a party. Everyone had so much fun and it seemed like things were looking brighter. Chiaki watched as her friends laugh and smile.
Eventually Chiaki got tired and decided to turn in early before anyone else.
"Here I think there's a master bedroom you can sleep in" Chisa said,"once the parties over I'll join you"
"Thanks Chisa" Chiaki smiled
Chiaki entered the bedroom full of sleepiness. She was so tired she almost face planted into the bed. However she noticed the balcony door was open. As soon as realized it, someone snuck up behind her and chloroformed her, again. Slowly her body went limp and her vision blurred. The person held her delicately as she passed out.
"I'm sorry" a familiar voice said.