A/N: Here's the final chapter of "The Naegis' Secret Diary!", covering Hope Arc. Please read, review, and enjoy!
The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: The Naegis' Secret Diary!
Chapter Fifteen: The School of Hope and the Students of Despair!
"Alright…we're almost at the end." Tsumugi muttered as they sat on Kiki's bed.
Kiki nodded and decided "Alright, time to see how this ends…" With a deep breath, she opened the diary, removed the bookmark, and began to read. "Once your Uncle Byakuya arrived with reinforcements and I finally got a chance to breathe…"
"Byakuya!" Makoto exclaimed with relief. "You totally saved my life!"
"Hmph…so what's the situation? And where are Asahina and Kirigiri?" Seeing Makoto's lowered eyes, Byakuya prodded "What is it? Am I missing something?"
"Kyoko…Kyoko's dead…" Byakuya's eyes momentarily widened in shock as Makoto explained "She…she sacrificed herself so I could stay alive…"
Byakuya clenched his fist, muttering "I see…we don't have time to waste mourning the dead, unfortunately. What about Asahina? And are there any other survivors among the Future Foundation?"
"Hina's alive, but she was wounded by one of the brainwashed soldiers."
"Brainwashed?"
"Yeah, one of the other survivors, Ryota Mitarai, is planning to brainwash the world with a video to spread artificial hope like a virus. He hypnotized the soldiers you sent to make sure nobody gets in his way."
"I see…that explains why they were aiming at you and me when I arrived." Byakuya realized.
"I…I have to stop Mitarai!" Makoto exclaimed. "Otherwise…"
"Say no more. You!"
"Yes, Sir!" One of the men in suits stood at attention.
"Go with Naegi, ensure that he makes it to Mitarai's location."
"Sir, Yes, Sir!"
"Thanks, Byakuya." Makoto smiled before he turned and ran down the hallway, flanked by Byakuya's guards.
"Well, at least Dad had an escort to protect him." Kiki sighed.
"Yeah, and thankfully, they haven't been hypnotized yet. Hopefully it stayed that way long enough for him to reach Mitarai."
Kiki nodded and continued to read. "I dashed as fast as I could, determined to stop Mitarai from enacting his insane plan. As we ran outside, however, we ran into some interference…"
Makoto and his security detail ducked behind cover, narrowly avoiding a hail of bullets from a battalion of brainwashed soldiers.
Crap, this isn't good, we're losing precious time! Makoto cursed. We have to do something about those soldiers, otherwise…huh?
Makoto saw the remains of a dust cloud as the echoes of screaming soldiers reached his ears. He stood up and gasped at the giant boulder that was now where the soldiers stood.
What the…where did that come from…no way…Nagito?!
Sure enough, Nagito Komaeda stood on a faraway cliff, waving to the former luckster. "Good to be back."
Nagito…you…you're alive…and you…you saved us…
"Makoto Naegi, sir!" Makoto turned to one of the guards who urged him "The enemy has been neutralized. We have to get you to Mitarai."
Makoto nodded and wordlessly began running, glancing back at Nagito's smile before he refocused his attention on the path ahead.
Hajime…you did it…you woke up your classmates, didn't you? And now you've come to aid us…I won't forget what you've done for us!
"So Uncle Hajime and the others from Class 77 came to Dad's aid!" Kiki breathed.
"Now that's what I call cavalry!" Tsumugi exclaimed. "With them there, surely your father must have gotten to Mitarai in time, right?"
"Let's find out…" Kiki glanced at the next paragraph and read "In the end, I wasn't the one to convince Mitarai to turn away from his insane plan. Your Uncle Hajime and the former Remnants of Despair reached him first. As I reached the entrance…"
"I sow death!"
Huh? Mitarai? Makoto wondered as he peeked in the entrance. It's Hajime and the others! They made it here first!
"If not for me, you'd have known peace. The years you spent in school would have been the happiest of your life! But no. I was a coward and ran away. So all of this is on my head!"
Mitarai…you don't need to blame yourself for what happened all those years ago! MAkoto stayed silent, opting to allow Hajime to handle this.
"If that's what you wanna believe, go right ahead. At least now we know why you're doing this. You'd rather the past be forgotten. Wipe the slate clean. I get it. Stand your ground."
"That's the idea." Ryota admitted. "That's what all of this is about. If it hadn't been for me, Junko Enoshima…would never have turned you!"
If not through you, then she would have found another way…trust me, she was a conniving, manipulative snake who deceived even the Ultimate Detective. Makoto closed his eyes, the loss of Kyoko weighing heavily on him before he shook the thought away.
"I'd erase the past if I could, but it's not in my power." Hajime admitted. "Some things…Some things have to be remembered. Nanami was real. I can't pretend like she never existed. We have her to thank for still being alive."
That's right. Makoto recalled. If her spirit hadn't spoken to Hajime back in the Neo World Program…Junko's AI would have won, and we'd all be trapped in cyberspace!
"Every day we survive's a gift." Nekomaru commented. "One we can use to undo all this shit."
"Do you not see?" Gundham pointed out. "Atonement is our destiny."
"Not mine, not by a long shot. Look at me! Look at what I've done! I'm beyond forgiveness!" Ryota denied.
It's never too late to atone, Mitarai. Makoto thought.
"As are each of us, but forgiveness is not what we're seeking." Sonia pointed out.
"Ya got that right." Kazuichi agreed.
"I don't understand." Ryota admitted. "What…? What am I supposed to do now?"
"Yes. You were wrong." The Ultimate Imposter spoke up, now resembling the former animator himself. "But then, so were we. You made mistakes. We made mistakes."
"No. don't do that." Ryota pleaded, stepping backwards. "Don't try to lump us together. I'm alone. The blame belongs squarely on me!"
A moment of silence passed, leaving Makoto wondering in suspense just how the standoff would end. Eventually, Hajime spoke up once more.
"Fine then. All the more reason to join us."
Ryota gasped, slowly looking into Hajime's heterochromatic eyes. "Are you serious?" He asked hopefully.
"There's no need for you to be alone. Not now."
"He's right." The Ultimate Imposter agreed.
"We'd be happy to have you!" Sonia smiled warmly at the torn former animator.
"The more the merrier, don't you think?" Kazuichi agreed with the former princess.
"Yeah, come join our team!" Akane offered.
"No pressure. Do what you want." Hiyoko advised.
"Those who join the path find the Lord of War quite loyal." Gundham told the indecisive Ryota.
"Oh, man! I like that one!" Nekomaru laughed.
"Definitely among his better non-sequiturs." Mahiru agreed.
"Quit sulking and get onboard." Fuyuhiko ordered.
"I agree. Come with us." Peko urged.
"My weiner thinks you'd make a fine addition!" Teruteru exclaimed, causing the others to sweatdrop.
That's probably aa reason for him not to join, Teruteru… Makoto deadpanned from his hiding spot.
"Ugh! Don't be gross!" Ibuki wretched in disgust.
"Ano, is it wrong if what he said makes me happy?" Mikan asked hesitantly.
"Li'l bit, yeah." Mahiru confirmed while Nagito smiled, waving his prosthetic arm at Ryota.
"I've always admired that shining talent of yours. Our team could use a guy like you."
Touched, The still indecisive former animator looked down at his phone with tears in his eyes. "Thank you, but I don't have the right to be part of a team."
"Being our classmate's got nothing to do with your rights." Hajime assured him.
"No kidding, dude." Kazuichi added as he placed his hand on Hajime's shoulder. "He's in the Reserve Course."
"Hey." Hajime shot back before Ryota looked up at them.
"You want me to be…? You're sure?"
"Well, come on. Classmate."
Makoto frowned as he saw tears finally trickle down Ryota's face. The former luckster let out a sigh of relief as he saw Ryota cancel the broadcast. Makoto turned away, allowing the crying Ryota and his classmates some privacy. He opted to walk towards the rising sun, finally allowing himself to truly smile.
At last…it's all over…
Makoto's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind him. He turned to see the reunited Class 77 walking out. Hajime turned his head as he walked by, smiling at Makoto who nodded back gratefully at him.
Thank you…Hajime…
"Ano, excuse me, Naegi?" Makoto turned to see Mikan standing in front of him, a nervous expression on her face. "Ano…I, ano…Ah!"
Mikan shrieked as she fell down, brushed aside by the enthusiastic Nagito, who shook the stunned Makoto's hands.
"Wow! It's a real honor! Forgive me, sir." Nagito apologized as Ibuki, Sonia, Kazuichi, and Gundham ran to help up the fallen former nurse. "We…We share the same good luck. No wait, that's not right. Yours far outstrips mine. Though I'm quite lucky to have you as a colleague. Sorry! Upperclassman, sir."
"Alright, time to go." Akane interrupted as she and Nekomaru carried Nagito away.
"Okay, Nagito, hold it together!" Nekomaru told his classmate.
"Is it just me or is he getting creepier with age?" Hiyoko commented.
"Hope we meet again." Nagito called as he waved at Makoto.
Once they had left, Makoto let out a chuckle as he wondered I wonder what Mikan wanted to tell me…? Makoto shook the thought from his head as stared up at the sunrise. Well, the danger's passed, and daybreak has broken…I should get back to the others…
With that, Makoto turned away from the beautiful horizon, determined to find his friends.
"So in the end, it wasn't your father that stopped Mitarai, it was Hajime Hinata and his classmates! What a plot twist!"
Kiki rolled her eyes before she commented "In the end, all Mitarai needed was a place to belong…and that was something the rigid structure of the Future Foundation could never give him."
"Yeah, and they were able to convince Mitarai to stop his video before it could play. Still, I do wonder what Mikan wanted to tell your father…"
"Well…" Kiki's eyes widened in realization as she connected the dots. "Maybe…she wanted to tell him that Mom was still alive. She was the Ultimate Nurse, so maybe…maybe she revived Mom somehow!"
"You think so?"
"Let's keep reading and find out." Kiki decided as she turned the page. "I made my way back to the landing platform where this all started. Everything had come full circle as I reached a tent that your Uncle Byakuya, Uncle Hiro, and Aunt Hina had set up. When I got there…"
"Makoto!" Hina called cheerfully.
"Makoto, hey!" Hiro greeted cheerfully.
As he approached the sitting former swimmer, Makoto asked "How're your injuries? Better?"
"Typically what I would ask, but okay." Byakuya muttered.
Makoto chuckled before he spotted a tablet in Byakuya's hands. "What's that?" He asked curiously as he approached the Acting Director of Division Fourteen.
"The 77th class is broadcasting a video to the Future Foundation." Byakuya explained as they all huddled around the tablet, curious as to what their former upperclassmen had to say.
"Hope you got a little kick out of our little game." Hajime spoke as he and the others were shrouded in a background of crimson. "You understand now, we assume. The Future Foundation is boring. You want your happy endings, your perfect, ideal world. Your heroes saved at the last minute by some deus ex machina. Where's the fun in that? Good thing we're here. If we had a mission statement, it'd be to make life more interesting. Let's face it. This world may need a little despair."
"Ugh." Hina wretched. "Sounds like Junko."
"They were the bad guys all along?!" Hiro panicked. "So, why'd they save us?! Man, my brain hurts!"
"I don't know what's more offensive, your voice or your breath." Byakuya muttered. "Well, people now believe the Remnants of Despair were behind the Future Foundation's Mutual Killing Game. No one ever need be troubled with the knowledge that our late Chairman was responsible. By and large a positive thing."
Hajime and the others…they…they took the fall so the Future Foundation could survive. Makoto realized as he lowered his eyes in sorrow. They deserved better than that…
"They did this for us?" Hina questioned. "Wow. That was nice of them."
"Yes. Well done, Makoto." Byakuya congratulated before Makoto shook his head.
"Thank you, but I didn't do anything. In the end, those guys were the heroes."
Byakuya smirked, commenting "You sound as though heroes are made in a vacuum. I don't expect our friends would've gotten far without hope. And hope is contagious. Is it not? Even when the cost is dear."
Kyoko…I wish you could have been here to see this… Makoto thought as everyone frowned in sorrow, mourning the loss of their classmate, friend, colleague, and comrade. No…she wouldn't want us to be sad… Makoto shook his head, clearing the melancholy thoughts as he suggested "Come on, guys. Let's see Class 77 off, shall we?"
"Wow…they could have been lauded as heroes against a corrupt organization, and yet, they willfully chose to cover it up and take the fall!" Tsumugi breathed in amazement.
"Yeah, they really deserved better…I guess that's why Dad worked so hard to pardon them after he reopened Hope's Peak Academy." Kiki realized. "Still, we never found out what Mikan wanted to tell your father. Do you think it was that your mother was alive?"
"Well, there's only a single page or two left, so let's find out." Kiki turned the page and continued "We had spread out amongst the landing platform to see off Class 77 before they returned to Jabberwock Island. As the boat blew its horn…"
"Bye! Thank you again, guys!" Hiro called.
"Bon voyage!" Hina cheered as the two of them waved.
Makoto stood silently, watching the boat leave before a familiar voice echoed in his ears. "This is your time, Makoto Naegi."
"Munakata." Makoto gasped as he turned and looked down at Kyosuke, now dressed in an overcoat.
"The burden of being the hero now belongs to you. You'll forever be the man who fought the Remnants and won. That is the hope the world needs."
Makoto closed his eyes and bowed his head, vowing "I'll be that hope." Even if it's not the exact truth…someday though, once the world is righted, I'll tell everyone the truth, and make sure Class 77th can live normal lives in the outside world.
"Can you bear the weight?" Kyosuke questioned.
"Yeah. I think carrying that is the least I can do. Heh. The Remnants have their bag of rocks, I have mine."
"That's all well and good, but what will you do with it?"
"I'm not sure." Makoto admitted. "Guess we'll see."
"Best of luck." Kyosuke finished as he turned away and left the former luckster.
"Where are you going?"
"I have my own cross to bear."
As Munakata walked away, Makoto turned back to stare at the rising sun, watching the boat disappear into the horizon.
Hard as we try, none of us can see the future. The horizon we walk toward is always obscured. The future's always hazy. Hope and despair mingle. We can't always tell which is which. It's strange. Sometimes terrifying. Still though, if all you do is sit and wait, nothing happens. The trick is to take it one step at a time. See, you don't have to know the future to move forward. Just walk with your memories. Look up at the sky and say to yourself, There's always hope for tomorrow.
Makoto frowned, melancholy emotions seeping into his heart as he looked at the blood still smeared on his palm.
"Kyoko…"
"Makoto…"
Makoto gasped at the weakened, yet familiar voice echoing in his ears. No…it can't be…
Barely resisting the urge to tremble, he turned around, eyes widened at the sight of Kyoko Kirigiri. Half of her skin was still covered in purple, and she looked absolutely exhausted, but nevertheless, she was undeniably alive, and conscious.
"Kyoko…" Tears welled in his eyes as he saw her radiant smile in the distance.
"Makoto…"
"Kyoko!" Makoto cried as he ran over to her, tears of joyful disbelief streaming down his cheeks as he wrapped his arms around her in a desperate hug. "Kyoko, how? How are you still…You're…you're…?"
"Alive…yes…Kimura…made…an antidote…for the…poison…It…put me in a coma…Makoto…I'm sorry…I didn't tell you…"
"Don't talk, Kyoko!" Makoto cried as he felt her knees wobble. "Save your strength, you can tell us all about it when you're better. Right now we need to get you medical attention."
"Makoto…I'm…what?!" Kyoko gasped as he lifted her into her arms, carrying her bridal style.
"Shh…" Makoto soothed. "You gave your life to protect me…let me take care of you, please…"
"Makoto…" Kyoko sighed in defeat and snuggled up against his chest, smiling at the sound of his heartbeat. "Alright…I won't complain this time."
Makoto nodded just before Hina and Hiro came rushing over. "Makoto, what were you crying about? Is something…KYOKO?!" Hina shrieked in disbelief.
"IT'S HER GHOST! OHHH NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Hiro screamed, causing Kyoko to wince.
"I'm not a ghost, I'm real, and you're both hurting my ears…" Kyoko muttered, causing tears of joy to stream down Hina's cheeks.
"Kyoko!" Hina wailed, though she tried to keep her voice down a few decibels. "How…how did you…?"
"We'll explain later." Makoto interjected. "We need to get Byakuya to order a medical chopper and fly us to HQ so we can get her proper medical care."
"Right, let's go!" Hina agreed enthusiastically. "Hey, Byakuya!" Hina called as she ran to the green tent.
"Hey, wait for me!" Hiro ran after her, causing Makoto to shake his head in amusement.
"What do you mean we need to fly out immediately?" A disgruntled Byakuya questioned as Hina and Hiro dragged him by the wrists.
"Just come and see!" Hina insisted.
"Yeah, Makoto's got her in his arms as we speak!"
"Her? Who are you babbling abou…WHAT THE HELL?!" Byakuya's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the conscious Kyoko in Makoto's arms.
"Good to see you too, Byakuya." Kyoko weakly smiled as Byakuya regained his composure.
"Hmph, I see you managed to cheat your untimely demise, Kirigiri." Byakuya commented, the slight curve of his lips betraying his joy at seeing her still alive.
"Byakuya, we'll explain how she survived later. Right now we need to fly to Future Foundation HQ so she can get looked at by a doctor." Makoto insisted urgently.
"Hmph, very well, fortunately the helicopter I arrived here with is still operational. You there, get ready to take off for headquarters!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" The nearby soldier saluted before they made a dash for the helicopter.
Once they were all settled, the pilot activated the rotors and lifted the vehicle into the sky. Makoto looked down at his lap to see Kyoko had fallen asleep, a peaceful smile stretched from ear to ear. Her arms were wrapped around his torso as her ear was pressed against his heart. The former luckster smiled lovingly at the love of his life miraculously returned to him.
We'll have plenty of time to talk…plenty of time to laugh and cry…we'll have the rest of our lives to spend together…for now though…she needs to rest and recuperate…we all do, but especially her. As long as I know she'll be there tomorrow, I can wait…to tell her these words someday…I love you, Kyoko Kirigiri!
"…That was…so beautiful…" Tsumugi sniffled, tears trickling down her cheeks as Kiki closed the diary one last time.
"So that's how she survived…Seiko Kimura created a way to stave off death…and Mikan brought her back to life…" Kiki felt a sudden wave of gratitude for the nurse that had delivered her and her siblings into the world.
"So…now we know the story of the Final Killing Game…" Tsumugi mused before she turned to her best friend. "So…what will you do now that you know the truth?"
"…First, I have to apologize to my mom for what I said back in middle school. I know I was overwhelmed and I lashed out at the time, but I still went too far back then, and now that I know that she was willing to die for Dad…I can't just pretend that whole episode didn't happen."
"…I understand." Tsumugi nodded in comprehension. "Still, I don't see why she wouldn't forgive you."
"…Other than that, I don't know. My parents fought to give me a life better than they had, so I guess…Ijust need to live out my life as a high school girl."
"Ah, goodbye adventure, hello tests, homework, and boys!"
The two girls giggled before Kiki yawned. "Alright, I think it's time I hit the hay." Kiki admitted. "I'll apologize tomorrow when my parents pick me up and take me home for the weekend."
"Okay, guess that's my cue to leave, then." Tsumugi stood up and smiled at her fatigued friend. "Sweet dreams, Kiki."
"Yeah, you too, Tsumugi. See you at breakfast."
Tsumugi smiled before she turned and walked out the door. Once it closed behind the cosplayer, Kiki opened her bedside drawer and deposited the diary within it. Once she shut the drawer, the tired teenager yawned and crawled underneath the covers. She curled up and closed her eyes, smiling as she drifted off into happy dreams.
"Alright, Kiki, ready to go home?" Makoto asked as the trio approached the car.
"One moment, Dad…Mom, can we talk for a moment?"
Kyoko furrowed her brow in confusion before she nodded. "Okay, is there something that can't wait until we get back to the house?"
"This won't take long, I promise." Kiki bowed her head and bit her lip, unnerving her parents. "I…"
"Kiki!" Makoto and Kyoko exclaimed in shock as the girl ran up and embraced her mother.
"Kiki, what's wrong?" Kyoko asked in concern, which only amplified as she saw a tear trickle down her shirt.
"I…I'm sorry…for what I said back in middle school. I…I never should have said I hated you! Me being upset and angry was no excuse, especially when I know now that you loved Dad so much that you were willing to die for him! Can you…can you ever forgive me for doubting your love for us?!"
"Kiki…" Kyoko smiled lovingly at her daughter as she returned the embrace, stroking her long auburn hair soothingly. "I never blamed you for reacting like you did…you know that, right?"
"Yeah, but…"
"Kiki…" Makoto interjected with a smile, causing her to look up from her mother's breasts. "Ryota Mitarai lost his senses because he put too much of the blame of the past on himself. Don't make his mistake. We forgave you a long time ago, and we've moved on from it. Learn what lessons your mistakes teach you, but let them go."
"Dad…but I…"
"We love you, Kiki. That will never change, no matter what." Kyoko assured her eldest daughter, pressing her lips gently against the girl's temple. "Don't despair; you'll worry your brothers and sister if you keep frowning like that when we get home."
"…Okay…" Kiki smiled as she separated from her mother and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'll…keep moving forward."
"That's my girl." Kyoko smiled. "Alright, let's go home, shall we?"
Kiki giggled as they all got into the car. Makoto turned the key in the ignition, making the engine roar to life before he drove them out of the parking lot. The two parents smiled at their daughter's reflection in the rear-view mirror. Kiki for her part smiled as she stared down at the diary in her hands.
Mom and Dad lived through hell…twice…and both nearly died on multiple occasions to bring hope back to the world. But now…they've given me a future…a hopeful future. I won't squander it by falling into despair because of the trauma they endured in the past. I'll keep on moving forward with a smile of optimism…just like Dad did…and just like Mom wanted for both of us…