"I'm sorry" Nanami said," but I'm not Chiaki"
Hajime looked for the words to reassure her that it was okay, but it wasn't. Natsumi bit her tongue to the point of it bleeding in hopes to control her internal rage. They were both well aware of nanamis importance and right to live, yet they subconsciously wished for Chiaki to have survived instead of Nanami.
"Nanami!" Chisa said once she regained her heart.
"Mom" Nanami replied as her mother embraced her.
"I'm so glad you're safe" Chisa said.
Just in the middle of the reunion, a pitch black heart tried to slip away only to be caught by Munakata.
"What should we do with this?" Munakata asked as he held the heart suspended by his keyblade.
"I think we should analyze this anomaly" Chisa said before noticing natsumi and Hajime in their broken states," but that can wait till after we deal with these two"
"Natsumi!" Fuyuhiko shouted before pouncing his sister," what the hell are you doing here"
"I saved your ass" Natsumi said with a faint smile.
"We are glad to see you are unharmed" peko smiled as she ruffled natsumis hair.
"You can thank Hajime and..." Natsumi was trying to say only to loose her words along with her joy.
"You two must be exhausted" Chisa said," why don't you rest in one of our guest rooms, it's no trouble"
"I.." Hajime tried to refuse, yet couldn't when he saw Nanami staring at him.
"We'll accept" Natsumi spoke for Hajime.
"Alright then, I'll prepare the rooms" Chisa said.
"We'll share a room if that okay" Natsumi said almost making fuyuhikos blood boil at the implication.
"I understand" Chisa said.
...
Once the room was fixed up, natsumi and Hajime changed into some supplied pajamas. The room and pajamas were very comfortable, yet natsumi and Hajime couldn't sleep. In the end, they just ended up staring at the star filled sky of the night. Their eyes both locked on to the soft pale moon as it reminded them of her.
"So..." natsumi attempted to start a conversation," how are you?"
"What do you think?" Hajime asked.
"I know it's a stupid question, but we need to talk about it" natsumi said," now how do you feel?"
"Fine" Hajime sighed," I feel empty"
"Me too" natsumi said," but how do we deal with it?"
"I don't know" Hajime said," how did you deal with me abandoning you?"
"I..." natsumi stuttered, too scared to suggest something so cruel," I just did"
"You had to forget me" Hajime said," simple as that"
"No, we can't do that" natsumi said," after all that she did for us, we can't forget her on a whim"
"If I forget then it won't hurt when I look at Nanami" Hajime said," I won't feel this vile hatred for her"
"I get that nanamis appearance would get to you, but you can't hate her for it" natsumi said.
"I know, but I do" Hajime said," I try to ignore it but it's still there growing every time I see and think of her"
"I'm angry too, but we can't hate Nanami for something she has no control over" natsumi said," that would go against what she wanted"
"You're right" Hajime said," I should hate myself for causing all this trouble and falling in love with chiaki".
"Hajime" Natsumi tried to say only for Hajime to cut her off.
"I'm tired" Hajime said," I'm going to sleep"
"Fine" Natsumi said.
...
Nanami walked down the familiar castle hallway till she reached the guest room. She stared at the door only to feel a weight of guilt on her shoulders. Before she could knock, Chisa grabbed nanamis hand and pulled her away and far from the door.
"Why did you do that?" Nanami asked.
"I know you want to help, but they need time alone to process" Chisa said.
"I just want to say I'm sorry" Nanami said.
"That's a nice sentiment, but it's not the right time" Chisa said," just go to bed"
"Okay" nanami agreed
...
Nanami entered her room and laid on the soft and comforting bed. She wrapped herself in the warm bedsheets while she thought of Hajime and natsumi. The immediate change in their eyes when she told them who she wasn't. It was almost too much for her to bare. She rolled around in her bed in hopes to shake away those burdening thoughts until she felt something push against her chest. When she checked, she found a crystal pendant that she had no recollection of having. Delicately she removed the necklace from her neck when she sensed it wasn't hers. She placed the necklace down on her nightstand and looked at how it sparkles in the moonlight.
"I'm sorry, Chiaki" Nanami said before digging her face into her pillow and fell asleep.
...
Deep within her sleep, Nanami dreamed of a strange place. It was like the sanctuary she was in before, but purified of junkos presence. There she walked to find a courtyard with a lovely fountain surrounded by white roses. She walked up to the fountain in awe and looked at the falling water. As she did she noticed a figure that she first mistook to be her reflection. When she moved her head around the falling water her eyes came into contact with another.
"It's you" Nanami said.
Chiaki looked at Nanami before running away only for Nanami to follow her.
"Please don't run away" Nanami said," I need to speak to you"
"I have to disappear" Chiaki said," that's just how things are"
"No, I don't believe that" Nanami said," I'll find a way for you to exist"
"Why?" Chiaki asked.
"Because you deserve to exist with Hajime and natsumi" Nanami said.
"How are they?" Chiaki asked.
"They're still recovering, but I know they want to see you" Nanami said.
"I see" Chiaki said before the area started to shake.
"What was that?" Nanami asked.
"I'm going to disappear soon" Chiaki said before vanishing like a ghost.
"I'll stop that from happening" Nanami said determinedly.
...
The next afternoon, Nanami went to go see her father in his studies. When she found him, he was sorting through papers and writing all sorts of notes and plans. She was too nervous to disturb his work, but fortunately he noticed her and stopped what he was doing.
"What seems to be the problem?" Munakata asked.
"I want to see the heart doctor" Nanami said.
"Very well, I'll arrange an appointment" Munakata said," but why?"
"I just want to ask her some questions" Nanami said," also how are Hajime and natsumi"
"Last I checked they were still held up in their room" Munakata said.
"Okay" Chiaki nodded," I'll go check, but please schedule an appointment for as soon as possible"
"Should be easy considering we're royalty" Munakata smirked making Nanami laugh a bit before leaving.
...
On the way to finding her mother, Nanami bumped into fuyuhiko and peko.
"Hi fuyuhiko, peko" Nanami greeted," how are you?"
"We're doing fine considering we got our hearts back less than a day ago" fuyuhiko said," we were just going to check on natsumi"
"She's very fortunate to have a kind and loyal brother like you" Nanami said.
"Blood is thicker than water" peko said.
"That's just pekos way of saying thank you" fuyuhiko laughed.
"I see" Nanami smiled," could you tell me how they're doing when your done?"
"Sure thing" fuyuhiko nodded," but if that bastard does anything to natsumi I swear I'll beat his ass so hard"
"I don't think he's like that" Nanami said.
"Just a precautionary" peko said.
"I see" nanami said," well good luck with that".
...
Back in the guest room, Hajime was trying his best to sleep while natsumi watched over him. Just as he was starting to pant and cry, natsumi came to his bedside and stroked the side of his head in order to calm him down. Of course, fuyuhiko just had to pick that moment to barge in. He took one look at natsumi standing over Hajime and nearly popped a blood vessel.
"Did you fucking sleep with him!" Fuyuhiko shouted.
"No!" Natsumi shouted back," now keep your voice down. You're going to wake him up"
"Sorry" fuyuhiko said," you know I just worry"
"I noticed" natsumi smirked," what do you need?"
"We just came to check on you" peko said," how are you feeling"
"Honestly, not too good" natsumi said.
"Is it about Nanami?" Fuyuhiko asked.
"Sort of" natsumi said before explaining the situation regarding Chiaki.
"Shit" fuyuhiko said after listening," no wonder you don't feel well"
"Yeah, but I think Hajime is taking it worse than me" natsumi said," that's why I think I'll being staying by his side until we get shit figured out"
"Understood" peko said.
"I respect your choice" fuyuhiko said," just don't do anything stupid"
"Don't have to tell me twice" natsumi said before fuyuhiko and peko left.
"Huh" natsumi sighed as she looked at Hajime," what are we going to do?"
...
"How are they?" Nanami asked when she saw fuyuhiko and peko.
"Natsumi seems fine enough, but that other boy doesn't seem to be taking it well" peko reported.
"I should speak to them" Nanami said.
"Listen, I know you want to help because you feel guilty" fuyuhiko said," but you have to understand that your presence stirs up bad memories of them"
"Then what can I do?" Nanami asked.
"Just stay away from them" fuyuhiko said.
"Okay" Nanami said as she walked.
"Where are you going?" Peko asked.
"I'm just going to get some water" Nanami said.
"Gotcha" fuyuhiko said
...
In the kitchen, Nanami poured herself a glass and sat at the table. As she drank her water, she couldn't help but take out the pendant from last night. Looking at it made her heart ache, but she didn't really know why. Just as she lifted the pendant to a beam of light that dripped in through the window, Nanami noticed natsumi in the doorway. There was a long minute of silence as the two looked at each other.
"I'll just go" Nanami said as she stood up from her chair.
"No, you don't have to go" natsumi said," actually, I want to talk to you"
"Oh, okay" Nanami said before sitting back down.
"So how are you feeling?" Natsumi asked as she prepared herself some tea.
"I'm healthy an unharmed" Nanami said.
"That's good" natsumi said.
"How are you and Hajime?" Nanami asked.
"I'll manage, but Hajime is going to take more time to recover" natsumi said.
"I'm sorry" Nanami said.
"Don't blame yourself" natsumi said," trust me, i know from experience that it won't help you".
"Oh, okay" Nanami said.
"Wants some?" Natsumi offered a cup of tea.
"Sure, thank you" Nanami accepted.
Nanami took her cup of tea and poured a bunch sugar into it. Watching Nanami, natsumi couldn't help but laugh.
"You must really like sugar" natsumi said.
"The tea is bitter without it" Nanami said.
"Yeah, I like my tea with lots of sugar, so I can relate" natsumi said while she poured lots of sugar into her tea.
There was some silence as the two drank their tea. Had Nanami not spoken up, they would have stayed silent for who knows how long.
"Umm...natsumi" Nanami asked.
"What is it?" Natsumi asked.
"Does this belong to chiaki?" Nanami asked as she offered the crystal pendant.
"...yeah..it did" natsumi hesitated to say," Hajime and I made it for her"
"Do you want it back?" Nanami asked.
"No, I think you should keep it" natsumi said," Chiaki already made us our own crystal charms".
Natsumi pulled out her necklace from under her shirt, revealing a tiger charm and an orange crystal charm on it.
"It's very beautiful" Nanami said.
"Yep" Natsumi said," well, I gotta go check on Hajime".
"I hope you two feel better" Nanami said.
"Thank you Nanami" Natsumi said," it was nice talking to you"
"Oh wait" Nanami said," before you go, I have something to tell you and Hajime"
"What is it?" Natsumi asked.
"Chiaki wanted me to tell you two that she doesn't regret meeting and befriending you" Nanami said," she wishes you two can continue to live and make more memories"
"I'll be sure to let Hajime know" Natsumi said before leaving.
...
Nanami walked back to her room with a heavy heart. Did she do the right thing by talking to natsumi? She honestly didn't know as she turned the knob of her rooms door. Nanami walked into her room to see two people waiting for her. One was a boy with short light brown hair in a doctors coat while the other was a girl with short blue hair and a red scarf.
"Hello" the boy said," my name is fujisaki and this is my master Miaya"
"If you don't mind me asking" Nanami said," why are you here?"
"Miaya is the heart doctor you requested" fujisaki said," and I'm her assistant"
"I see" Nanami said," nice to meet you"
"Alright, so what do you need?" Fujisaki asked.
"I was wondering if you knew anything about nobodies" Nanami said," specifically, what happens to them when a person regains their heart"
Fujisaki leaned down to listen as Miaya whispered into his ear. Once she was done whispering, Fujisaki faced Nanami.
"A nobody is the physical body left behind when a person loses their heart" fujisaki explained," when a nobody regains their heart the two entities become one"
"Could you separate the two?" Nanami asked," like let both the nobody and the original heart exist at the same time"
"It's very unlikely since nobodies are merely shadows of their former heart and therefore do not have strong personalities to become their own entities" fujisaki explained after listening to Miaya," why do you ask"
"Well, I recently returned from having my heart shattered and I'm afraid that I'm responsible for the death of my nobody" Nanami explained.
"How long was your heart shattered?" Fujisaki asked.
"I don't know" Nanami said.
"Do you remember anything from your nobody?" Fujisaki asked.
"No" Nanami said.
"Interesting" Fujisaki said before Miaya whispered to him again.
"Is something wrong?" Nanami asked.
"No, it's just that your situation is rather peculiar" Fujisaki said," would it be alright if Miaya takes a look at your heart?"
"Sure..I guess" Nanami said.
Miaya walked up to Nanami and stared intensely at her chest. She place a hand on Nanamis' chest and continued to stare. Following this, miaya laid her head on Nanami chest and listened. After that, Miaya walked over and whispered to Fujisaki.
"Based on Miayas' analysis, it would seem you have a bit of an extra heart" fujisaki said.
"Extra heart?" Nanami asked.
"Yep" fujisaki said," we hypothesize that it may belong to your nobody".
"I thought nobodies didn't have hearts" Nanami said.
"While that is true for most, it seems your nobody is an oddity" fujisaki said.
"So could she separate from me and become her own person?" Nanami asked.
"It's possible, but she will need a lot of energy and will to manifest" fujisaki said.
"I'll do anything to bring her back" Nanami said.
"Alright, but first let me explain the risk" fujisaki said," you see, in order for your nobody to become their own individual, we need to disconnect and sever your hearts from one another"
"Okay" Nanami nodded.
"Fortunately we have a drug that can help you do that, but you will also need to delve into your heart and disconnect it manually" fujisaki explained," if you don't fully disconnect your heart and your nobodies heart, either one of you could suffer memory loss, changes in your behavior, or other mental disorders"
"I'll do it" Nanami said.
"Alri-" Fujisaki tried to say before Miaya pulled on his sleeve," oh right, we'll need your parents permission in order to initiate the procedure"
"My father should be in his study and my mother might be in the garden" Nanami said.
"I'll go get them" Fujisaki offered," just wait here with Miaya"
Fujisaki left the room leaving Nanami alone with the heart doctor. Nanami didn't really know what to do with the quiet doctor.
"So...how were you able to examine my heart?" Nanami asked.
Miaya didn't seem to respond as she pulled out a journal from her leather bag and started writing. When Miaya finished writing, she revealed the page to Nanami.
"It's just an ability I was born with" the writing said.
"That's really cool" Nanami smiled making Miaya blush.
Soon after, Munakata bursted into the room.
"Nanami you can not take this procedure" Munakata said," I forbid you"
"I'm sorry papa, but I need to do this" Nanami said just as Chisa and Fujisaki entered the room.
"Namami, I know you feel bad for what happened, but you can't risk your life" Chisa said.
"No, Chiaki risked her life countless times for me" Nanami said," I have to return her kindness".
"I will not allow you to risk your life for a nobody" Munakata said.
"Chiaki is not a nobody!" Nanami yelled," Chiaki is her own person"
The room went deathly quiet as Nanami stood determined against her parents. Munakata tightened his fist before Chisa tugged at his arm. Nanami softened her face as she faced her parents.
"Don't worry" Nanami reassured," I'll be alright just trust me"
Munakata stared at Nanami while biting his lip. Just as he was about to yell at her again, he softened and hugged her.
"Promise you will come back safe and sound" Munakata said as he hugged Nanami.
"I promise" Nanami said.
"Then I'll let you go" Munakata said.
"Me too" Chisa said.
"Thank you, mama, papa" Nanami said as she hugged both her parents.
"Alright" fujisaki said," I'll prepare the drug, just lie on your bed"
Fujisaki opened his leather bag and picked out a bottle of pink liquid and a vaccine. Nanami laid on her bed and took a deep breath. Once the vaccine was filled, Fujisaki turned to face Nanami.
"This may sting a bit" Fujisaki warned.
"I can handle it" Nanami said as she pulled up her sleeve.
Fujisaki held her arm in one hand while searching for a vein with his other hand. He found a good vein and injected the vaccine into it causing Nanami to flinch. After the dosage had entered her veins, Fujisaki withdrew the vaccine and bandaged the wound.
"You're going to feel numbness" Fujisaki explained," this is the drug working to put you to sleep"
"Yeah, I can feel it starting to take effect" Nanami said.
"We'll be right here for you" Chisa said as she held nanamis hand while Munakata held her other hand.
The drug streamed through her veins causing her vision to fade. With her last conscious thoughts, Nanami looked up at her parents and smiled.
...
Nanami fell deep into her heart until she reached the fountain. There Chiaki waited for Nanami on a pure white bench.
"Why did you come here?" Chiaki asked.
"I wanted to set you free" Nanami said.
"Free?" Chiaki asked.
"You see, our hearts are tied to each other like a chain" Nanami said," but if we break the chain, then we can both live simultaneously"
"But I don't have a heart" Chiaki said.
"No, you do" Nanami said," sure it's small, but it's filled with those precious memories you made with Hajime and natsumi"
"How are they?" Chiaki asked.
"They miss you so much" Nanami said," so please help me set your heart free"
"Fine, but what do I do?" Chiaki asked.
"Do you believe you are your own individual?" Nanami asked.
"Yes...I think" Chiaki said.
"Say it with confidence" Nanami advised.
"Yes" Chiaki said.
"Who are you?" Nanami asked.
"I'm Chiaki" Chiaki said.
"Good, now summon your true keyblade" Nanami advised," the one that represents your true heart"
Chiaki closed her eyes as she raised her hand out. Thoughts of natsumi and Hajime flooded her mind. Following this, a new keyblade formed in her hand. This keyblade was like a sword with three streaks of green, pink, and orange. Dangling at the end was the crystal pendant Hajime and natsumi made her.
"You see" Nanami said," this shows you have a will separate from mine"
"I see" Chiaki said.
"Now let's break the chain together" Nanami said as she lifted her keyblade.
...
Nanami remained fast asleep as a tiny shimmer of light floated out from her chest. Everyone stood back as the light floated to the crystal pendant Nanami had left on her night stand. The light glowed and struggled to form into a familiar figure. With one last push, the light successfully formed into a full size girl. The light faded to reveal a girl with long pink hair in a simple white dress. For a moment the girl forgot to stand as she almost fell over, but quickly regained her ground. She looked at her hands and moved them around before facing everyone.
"Chiaki?" Chisa asked.
"Yes" Chiaki said.
Soon after, Nanami woke up. Nanami took one look at Chiaki and smiled.
"Let's go find Hajime and natsumi" Nanami said to which Chiaki nodded.
...
Together, Nanami and chiaki walked down to the guest room. When they arrived they found no sign of natsumi or Hajime. Nanami looked around the castle until she found fuyuhiko.
"Fuyuhiko, where did Hajime and natsumi go?" Nanami asked.
"They went down to the beach- woah who's your twin sister?" Fuyuhiko spoke.
"Chiaki, you go on ahead" nanami said to which Chiaki nodded and ran off.
...
Down at the beach, Hajime and natsumi watched the rising tide. Hajime was still depressed as he looked at the sea with longing eyes. Natsumi could only stare at him pitifully, knowing full well the pain that was eating away at him.
"Isn't the sea nice?" Natsumi asked.
"I guess" Hajime said.
"Nanami told me chiakis last words" natsumi said," she said she had no regrets and she wants us both to keep leaving and making memories".
"That's just like her" Hajime said," but I doubt I can"
"Yes, you can" a familiar voice said.
Natsumi and Hajime turned to see Chiaki standing behind them in her white dress. At first they blinked and wiped their eyes to make sure they weren't seeing things. Once they confirmed it was her, they both rushed up to her and embraced her. They ran so swiftly that they nearly knocked her over causing Chiaki to laugh.
"I missed you guys too" Chiaki smiled," so let's make more memories together"
...
The next day, the trio patched up their old boat, now renamed memento, and prepared to take sail. Of course some came to see them off.
"Stay safe out there" fuyuhiko said to natsumi," and don't let that haji guy take advantage of you"
"Trust me, Hajime is just a friend" Natsumi said.
"Also remember to eat a balanced diet" peko advised," you don't want to get scurvy"
"I know" Natsumi said before hugging fuyuhiko and peko," you two better admit your feelings for each other before I get back".
Instantly fuyuhiko and peko started to blush making Natsumi laugh. Meanwhile Hajime and chiaki said goodbye to the royal family.
"Thank you very much for all your hospitality" Hajime bowed.
"It's the least we can do after everything the three of you have done for us" Chisa smiled.
"Are you sure you don't want to become knights?" Munakata asked.
"No, I think we'll just explore on our own if that's okay" Hajime said.
"Very well, just know that Chiaki can easily bestow the power of the keyblade onto you and natsumi" Munakata said.
"I think they're fine, papa" Nanami said," anyways, I hope we can meet again in the future"
"We'll make sure to visit" Chiaki smiled.
"Goodbye for now then" Nanami waved.
As the trio boarded the boat, Nanami looked up to her father.
"Hey papa" Nanami spoke," I think I want to see the worlds in the future too"
"I always knew that day was coming" Munakata said," but I think that it will be good to check on the other words as a full unit"
"Thank you papa" Nanami said.
...
Once the trio was on the boat, Hajime pulled out his map.
"Where to first?" Hajime asked.
"I'd like to check out those floating islands you mentioned" Natsumi said," and we can always go back to the world of beast, so I can beat you at wrestling again"
"Why don't we go to twilight town and get some sea salt ice cream?" Chiaki offered.
"I like that idea" Hajime said," what about you, Natsumi?"
"Let's do it" Natsumi said.
"Then we're headed to twilight town" Hajime smiled.