WHAT'S UP FANFICTION?!
Yup. You guessed right. Pupla is at it again.
Anyway, first off, I would like to apology for being absent for this long. It took way longer that I expected, honestly... but I think the result is more than okay. You'll tell me in the reviews.
Secondly, I would like to make some shout outs: first off, as usual, KingKimii who listen to me all the time. Second, I would like to say thank you, to doomquer, wesst1 and jean010 for being also here. I particularly recommend their fics, if you're looking for some good stuff, 'Everyday Life with Ultimate Girls' from wesst1 and 'Be More Proactive This Time Around, Luckster' from jean010. I also recommend 'A More Realistic Hope' from DualStarduster. Good fics here.
Thirdly, this is considered as the last chapter to what I consider the 'Prologue Arc'. Now that the characters were all introduced (or almost everyone, for those who were paying attention... wink wink )), I will focus on the real story next chapter.
Anyway, enjoy!
CONQUERING HOPE CHAPTER 6:
ULTRA HOPE WARRIORS
"So, what do you kids want to do today?"
"Oh! Oh! How about seeing some soccer races? Or vaulting horses!"
"I-I would have preferred to see some sculptures with Onii-san, Masaru…"
"Nu-uh, Jataro-kun! Makoto-onii is going to buy some cute dolls for me!"
"A-Aniki, of course, you don't have to do this for me. B-but… I was hoping that, we could go to the library today… together."
"Whatever we do, Naegi-onii, Monaca will be pleased! As long as we're all together and happy, that's all that matters!"
Makoto only chuckled at all the attention had, and all the smiles he received. Truly, those kids were a blessing to him…
When they were not wrecking the home with their attitudes, that is. But nevertheless, they were his little angels.
"Onii-chan, you better not leave them alone for a single moment today!" Komaru decided to step in, glaring innocently at her brother. "I don't want anything bad to happen with my siblings!"
"C-calm down, Komaru…" Makoto sweatdropped, amused by his sister's teasing, before answering, "Nothing bad will happen. I swear."
"We trust you, Makoto." His father assured him. "I simply hope that you will all have a nice day together."
"You will tell us how your day was like, okay, dear?" His mother added with a sweet tone. "When you will be back, a special dinner will be served for you."
At this, the kids' eyes soon sparkled. Masaru was the first one to speak. "T-the special dinner?!"
"Y-you mean…" Jataro tried to speak. "T-there will be-"
"CHESTNUTS!" Kotoko cheered loudly and happily. "There will by chestnuts!"
"Of course there will," the woman spoke in glee. "There will be warm, just like you love them, dear."
"YEEEEAH!"
All the while the little girl was squirming in happiness, Nagia only looked at her, rolling his eyes… in a happy way. "Well, I guess that everyone has their likings…" before he felt a hand stroking his head. "W-wha-"
"And we have not forgotten about you, Nagisa." the older man told him, looking down at him with a little smile. "We also brought you some yakisoba for you. It's funny, your favorite food is very familiar to Makoto's, you know."
"P-Please don't say that! T-this is nothing more but a mere coincidence!"
"Aaaaw, don't be ashamed, Nagisa-chan!" Monaca cheered him up, slowly coming to him. "I'm sure Naegi-onii would be pleased too!"
Nagisa only turned away and blushed even more, before mustering. "S-she called me Nagisa-chan…"
But Masaru noticed it anyway. "Hey, the book nerd is blushing!"
"S-SHUT UP!"
"Alright, kids. That's enough." Makoto told them, making every quarrel stop before they could have begun. Then, he opened the door and asked them, Are you guys ready?"
"Y-yes, we are." Jataro was the one who answered for everyone, looking at their brother happily.
"Then let's go." He said with a smile. "We will decide on what to do on the road. Okay?"
"Okay!"
"Bye, Onii-chan!" Komaru told them as her brother went outside with the rest of her siblings. "Tell us what happened, okay?"
"I will!" he answered all the while laughing lightly, before he closed the door, leaving the rest of the family alone.
"Well, here he goes again." The paternal figure said. "Our son is going out much often than usual."
"That's what I thought too, darling." His wife added, while smiling softly. "He's growing up so fast by now… he's taking his flight slowly, but surely."
"I agree. He has made so many friends… I'm actually a little jealous."
"And this project he was working on at school, too. It's like he's slowly becoming an adult."
In all this, Komaru was listening to her parents, who were obviously proud of her brother. She turned to the side and quietly said:
"…and he probably is the only one who did grow up."
"Hey, speed up a little you bunch of slowpokes!"
"Ea… easier said than done, Masaru-kun… *puff*"
"I swear *puff* I'm going... to get you *puff*, you pervert…"
"Can you stop being stupid for one second, Masaru?"
"Now, now, everyone. Let's not quarrel again on Naegi-onee's watch, would we?"
Monaca's words seemed to calm down the group in their sprint, as Makoto, who was sitting just next to the wheelchaired girl, watched them running for fun. Earlier, the kids were about to make another scene before going into a bus, and Makoto who knew that it was bound to happen, made a lot in order to determine in which order the different activities will occur. Masaru was the one who was designed at first, followed by Jataro, Kotoko, Nagisa, and last but no least, Monaca. So they were now at a running stadium, doing some laps under Makoto and Monaca's watch.
And with no surprise, Masaru was the first one to arrive at the finish line. "HA! Lord Daimon Masaru have won! As expected from the Hero of the Warriors of Hope!"
"Do you have to *puff* shout it that loud?!" Nagisa who was second reprimanded him as soon as he arrived. "You could have at least wait for us!"
"Hey! That's not the race's objective, ya know." Masaru only smirked at the other boy's attitude. "It's not my fault if you're not as good as me!"
"So what? Will you stop being so proud?!" Kotoko shouted at Masaru, in a very annoyed way, despite her tiredness. "Just because you're the best doesn't mean you have to boast it out like that!"
"Y-yeah, that's not… *puff* very nice…" Jataro simply said, out of breath, as he sat next to Kotoko, since the two of them were the last of the four to arrive.
"Come on, you two! You can't blame me for being the best!"
Seeing that it would likely result in another argument, Makoto and Monaca decided to act, with the latter going towards Nagisa and Masaru. "There, there. It's not important to discuss that. We're here to have fun, everyone!"
"She's right. There's no need to fight over that, okay?" Makoto followed next, checking on Jataro and Kotoko, before eyeing Masaru with a neutral way. "But they are right in a sense. You shouldn't bust out your pride like that, Masaru."
"But-"
"Imagine that someday, you meet a kid faster than you."
Masaru was shocked at this, but Makoto followed anyway. "Okay, the chances are low, I'll admit, for I've never seen anyone of your age faster than you. But let's suppose someone like this exists." He went towards Masaru and bowed his head to see his eyes. "What do you think would happen if you were to be defeated after mocking them, by your logic?"
Masaru looked at his brother in disbelief, then bowed his head sadly. "U-uuurm… they would… mock me too?"
"Probably. Even though they would be wrong to do so, and even if I don't like it, they would probably do that." He then kneeled down to meet directly Masaru's head. "That's why you need to be more humble, to not do to others what you wouldn't want them to do to you." He smiled lightly. "Do you understand?"
The Lil' Ultimate P.E. looked at him a little surprised, then smiled at him sadly. "A-alright. I'll try. S-sorry, Nii-san."
"Don't apologize to me, okay?" Makoto answered, looking at the four other kids. "If you should apologize to anyone, then you should do it to the others. They are the one who tried to help you correct yourself, after all."
"O-okay." Masaru nodded, before turning to the others and saying. "Sorry, guys. I guess I got a little too cocky, uh?"
"I-it's fine…" Jataro answered, smiling lightly and awkwardly. "I-I'm just glad you're not being mean…"
"Well, you're still a pervert, but…" Kotoko hesitated, before smirking. "Okay then! If you become a better person - which means, not a pervert - then I'll forgive you in no time!"
"As long as you learn from your mistakes, then it's fine." Nagisa added, before he smiled lightly as well. "I'll look forward to it."
"Well, it seems like everything went perfectly after all!" Monaca cheered. "That makes Monaca so happy!"
As the five kids laughed together, Makoto smiled brightly at the scene. Those children were really important to him. Seeing them happy was really something that made his heart melt, and the fact that their lives before the adoption were cruel, it made him wish that their smiles last like an eternity…
"Uh, excuse me? Is this kid yours?"
And unfortunately for all of them, destiny has decided otherwise. The Warriors of Hope stopped laughing and turned towards the sound of the voice alongside Makoto. Apparently, the owner was a young man in his twenties, who had a hairstyle similar to Makoto's and who was wearing some kind of job uniform. And he was slowly coming towards them.
He was wearing some kind of badge… and Masaru seemed to recognize it immediately, as he began to shake in fear. "O-oh no…"
"Uh?" Everyone turned over him in a worried way. Jataro was the one who asked the question. "Uh? Masaru-kun, what's wrong?"
Kotoko was a little more direct. "What? You know this guy?"
"D-don't worry, kid, I won't do anything to you." The young man said, trying to seem as reassuring as possible. "I-I just… want to talk to the boy who's with you right now."
The man's eyes locked on Makoto who quickly understood the message. "Uh? Me?"
"Yeah, you. Are you… this kid's brother?"
Makoto felt Masaru quickly go behind him, and looked at him to see that he looked really uncomfortable. He then looked back to the stranger and told him with a serious face. "Yes. I am. Is something wrong?"
The man looked at both sides, as if he wanted to make sure that no one had followed him. Then, he looked back at Makoto and told him, "W-well, you see… I wanted to… you know, make sure the kid was alright. I-I know him a little, you know, and-"
"Did he caused any trouble?" Nagisa cut him off.
"Nagisa! Don't interrupt people like that." The Luckster scolded him lightly, causing the Lil' Ultimate Social Studies to flinch and look away. "S-sorry…"
Makoto looked back at the newcomer. "So? What's going on with Masaru?"
"W-well, it's not like he did anything to me, that's for sure!" the young man quickly said, before sighing lightly. "It's… my boss who's angry with him."
"Really?" The Luckster asked. "Why?"
"He said that… some brat was stealing all of his alcohol bottles in his shop."
Makoto widened his eyes in shock, for he knew about Masaru's backstory. And judging by the grip he felt on his trousers, he could feel that the young boy was beginning to get nervous. So he put a hand on his hair, trying to reassure him.
And the young worker noticed it as well, as he looked at Masaru in the eyes with a little smile. "Don't worry, he doesn't know that you're here. I just… wanted to make sure that you were okay."
"Yeah. I'm fine. And there's no way I'm going back."
"Uh?"
Everyone looked at Masaru, who was looking in a determined way at the young seller, trying to hold back his little tears. "M-Masaru?"
"This place and the people in it can rot in hell for all I care!" He shouted angrily. "This is nothing more but a bunch of bad memories for me now!" He gripped Makoto's leg tightly. "I'm in a better place now, and I'll never trade it for anything!"
Makoto looked at him in disbelief. "M-Masaru…"
The seller was also surprised at this outburst, but then said, "Don't worry. That's not what I intended to do. I would not do that… not knowing what happened."
Everyone looked at the Lil' Ultimate P.E., who was slightly shaking. Of anger or embarrassment, they could not tell. But Kotoko was the one who calmed him down first by putting a hand on one of his shoulders. "Hey, it's okay, dummy. Nothing bad's going to happen now."
"S-she's right!" Jataro joined her and went to the other side. "W-we're here for you! A-and Onii-san, too!"
"Y-you guys…"
"In fact, that's all I wanted to tell you. Protect this kid for me, okay?"
Everyone turned towards the seller surprised, but he did not stop there. "It's strange because I haven't seen you that much times, but… I feel like you took a weight off my shoulders." He explained while scratching the back of his head. "I couldn't do anything about the kid because of the boss, but… I just wanted to make sure that you were in better hands than back then. I wouldn't have forgiven myself otherwise." He then turned himself towards the Luckster and looked at him seriously. "So, can I trust you with this kid, or not?"
Makoto was a little surprised at this question, but returned the look. "Yes. Yes, you can trust me. For him and the others."
"Cool, man. Thanks a lot." The seller chuckled in relief. "Honestly, you look clean compared to some other people, but I wanted to be sure. We're never too cautious."
"You look nice, too!" Monaca answered with a smile on her face. "Monaca wouldn't have minded if Masaru-kun would have been adopted by you, you know!"
"Thanks, little girl." he answered with a smile, then looked at them. "So, how about some ice-creams? You're lucky, I have my stand near the lockers, and my pause is about to end anyway. What do you say?"
"I-Ice-creams?!"
"YEAH!"
"I simply hope that there is the mint flavor…"
"Surely there must be, Nagisa-kun!"
Seeing the four of the Warriors of Hope were more than happy about eating ice-cream, Makoto smiled. However, he noticed that Masaru was still a little hesitant. "Masaru? Are you okay?"
That made the athletic boy flinch, before he answered. "Y-yeah, Nii-san! I'm not crying!" wiped out the little tears in the corner of his eyes, then showed a big and prideful smile to him. "See? It's not some kind of stupid past that's gonna bring down Lord Daimon Masaru!"
Makoto blinked a few times in surprise, but then dismissed his former feeling to smile down at him. "Okay then. I'm just happy to see you're alright."
"Of course I am!" He shouted happily. "Now then, for those ice-creams…"
Nagisa smirked lightly. "Always happy when you're hungry, uh? As expected."
"QUIET, YOU!"
That little argument made everyone laugh, as they approach the young man's stand, which was near the lockers. "Well, looks like you're my first customers for the day! Pretty lucky, uh?"
"I guess we are," Makoto chuckled. "It's good to have some good luck for once."
"Right? I know the feels, man." the other boy chuckled back, before he went to his post, and asked the question. "Alright, what flavors would you like?"
"Well-"
"How about one extra pistachio for me?"
…
…
…
Everyone blinked in surprise at the unexpected request… for it was not coming from any of the members of the group.
The attention slowly turned itself towards the voice… which was coming from inside of the lockers near the stand.
"KYAAAA!" Kotoko was the first one to react, by screaming. "W-what was that?!"
"A ghost!" Jataro joined her. "There's a ghost in the locker!"
"L-let's calm down, everyone!" Monaca tried to reassure her adoptive siblings, despite her own surprise. "P-perhaps there's someone in there!"
"She's right! And that someone shouldn't even be inside in the first place!" the seller said in a rather angered way. "Hey! Whoever hides inside, come out already! You have no right to be here!"
"Then don't let the lockers open. And you don't even own the place."
The annoyed voice answered as the locker's door slowly opens itself, under everyone surprised gazes, revealing a young man with an average build, around Shuichi's height, and a bored expression. He seemed to be as tall as Hajime, which was a… common point, in a certain sense. He has short black hair with a noticeable ahoge, and dark red eyes. He was wearing a standard suit-and-tie uniform. Both of his hair and uniform disheveled, giving him a slob-alike look. He was also wearing some kind of badge…
Something that Makoto has already seen before… but where exactly?
The Luckster then decided to ask. "W-who are you?"
"Just a dude who was enjoying a nap before you guys came along." the stranger answered. "Then, you mentioned ice-creams, and I thought 'why not?'"
"A… a nap?" Nagisa said in disbelief. "In a locker?!"
"You're a weirdo," Masaru added with the same tone. "This is way too weird for me."
"The world's a weird place, kiddo." He answered with his bored expression. "And dangerous too. Especially if you had a fragile relationship with your parents to begin with. There's a lot of people like them, ya know."
The Lil' Ultimate P.E. widened his eyes in shock, and began to shake again. And everyone else also recoiled in surprise, with the seller taking the first step. "Hey! Who do you think you are, saying things like that! The kid has some feelings!"
"I'm just stating facts here. No need to get pumped up for that." The stranger said all the while approaching Masaru who quickly hide behind Makoto, who watched the other guy kneeling down to the younger boy's level with cautious attention. The stranger looked at Masaru right in the eyes and told him this:
"What I'm trying to say is, grow up. Try to be tougher. Or else your suffering will only be worse. Heck, not just for your sake, but also for those you care about. Forget about that, and you'll end up crushed. Got it?"
He didn't even let Masaru answer, for he already stood up and look at Makoto and the four other Warriors of Hope. "That goes for you guys as well."
"Uh?"
"Life is full of garbage people, if I were to put nicely," he explained. "So you better step up your games, or else life is going to bite you back. Man of experience talking here."
"A-alright then. Thanks, I guess…" Makoto muttered, not sure if the boy was bothering to listen to him. Honestly, this guy was making him nervous. He didn't know if it was because of his messy hair, his disheveled uniform or his bored look with his red eyes, but this guy was making a pretty intimidating first impression, and he didn't need to look at the kids to know that they felt the same way around him. What a strange guy…
"Uh?"
And then, he noticed it. The badge had his name on it… and also the job he was apparently engaged in.
Hairpin Special Bureau Case Member;
Hijirihara Takumi.
"Hairpin… Special Bureau Case?" He said out loud. Then, his eyes widened in shock. "S-so you are-"
"Uh?" Everyone looked at him in surprise, not knowing what was going on. Monaca was the one who asked, "Naegi-onii, what is it?"
"Uuurm?" the boy named Takumi looked at his badge, then his eyes opened a little more, expressing his surprise. "Oh. So you noticed, uh?" He looked back at Makoto with his usual glance "You've heard about us?"
"Y-yeah," Makoto answered. "It was a… gift research for one of my friends."
"Alright. Pass me the details." the other boy answered with his usual tone. He then looked at the kids, which of course made them nervous.
"W-what is it?" Nagisa asked, trying not to look tense. "W-what do you want?"
"…"
The boy did not answer. Instead, he simply looked back at Makoto and asked, "Are those kids yours?"
"Uh?" Makoto flinched, before saying, "U-uh, yes, they are with me. Why?"
"Just to let her know that she probably will have to get you so she can prove her theories right."
"W-wait, what?"
"That was all I needed to tell you." Takumi suddenly turned his back on them as if nothing happened and began to leave. "Bye."
"W-wait!" Makoto yelled at him, surprised at his reaction. "What do you mean by 'she'? Who is it?!"
"You'll see." he simply answered, without even turning his back to face him this time. "Two balls for me."
The seller blinked at him in surprise, but complied anyway. "A-alright…"
In all this, Makoto and the kids stared at the worker in disbelief. Masaru resumed it all for them. "Man, he really is a weirdo…"
"S-so, how is, Onii-san?"
"It's pretty hood, Jataro. Keep doing it, okay?"
"Yeah! That's so cool, Jataro-kun!"
"Can't you make some epic hero next?"
"Don't force your way into him, Masaru-kun. He needs to concentrate."
"And don't shout like that. You're going to draw attention to us."
Nagisa's sentence reminded them that, even if they were inside a park, that did not give them any right to be too loud, for they didn't want to bother the other people inside. After the encounter with the odd teenager, they decided to rest on a park near the stadium. They sat in front of one of the replicas of the Hachiko statue, and since Jataro had some tools with him, because everyone brings their own bags, Jataro wanted to draw the dog by using the statue as an inspiration, which everyone else encouraged him to do…
Well, almost everyone.
"Yeah, yeah, drawing dogs is cool and all, but…" Masaru complained. "I just want to see some cool stuff! Dragons, giants, anything! I know you can do better than just a dog!"
"It's what he likes to draw, Masaru." Makoto told him with a gentle, yet reprimanding voice. "If he wants to draw a dog, then we have no right to stop him."
"Yeah! Besides, he does it so well!" Kotoko joined him. "Just look at it! It seems like a real dog!"
"T-thanks, everyone." Jataro mustered, looking down in order to show his evident embarrassment. "B-but I don't think that's so great…"
"Aww, come now, Jataro-kun!" Monaca joined everyone into the cheering. "You have some incredible talent, so don't be modest about it!"
"Y-you guys…"
"Hey! Why is he cheered for exposing his talent?" Masaru said, not looking pleased with what was going on in front of him. "Why wasn't I cheered back then?!"
"Because you were too proud of it," Nagisa explained. "You were looking down on us back then. Jataro is not. That's the difference."
"Alright, alright, I said I was sorry!" The Lil' Ultimate P.E. said in frustrated defeat. "I was just saying, that's all!"
"H-hey, it's okay, Masaru-kun!" The Lil' Ultimate Art tried to reassure. "I-if you want, I can make one of the heroes from Power Bears if you'd like, okay?"
Masaru thought about it for a moment, before smiling lightly. "Alright! It's settled then! I always wanted to see how you could draw bears in the first place! Besides, they're maybe not my favorite animals, but bears are so badass!"
"No, they're not! They are so ugly! And aggressive, too!" Kotoko complained. "I prefer dogs. Or cats! At least, they're cute!"
"Besides, I'm pretty sure that we wouldn't be able to have one in real." Nagisa added. "Considering their wild behavior… and their appetite, too."
"Each of us has our favorite animals, you guys." Monaca said happily, before looking at Masaru amused. "But I'm surprised that there are not your favorite, Masaru. I mean, you do have a bear's hunger at times."
"Wha- HEY! THAT'S NOT TRUE!"
That made everyone laugh at poor Masaru's expanse. Even Makoto couldn't help but chuckle at the scene. Yes, he loved to see them happy. Their laughs, their smiles, even out of embarrassment, were the proof that this hope of their hope they have obtained… thanks to that new life that has been offered to them.
"Hey, come on! Stop laughing at me!" Masaru complained. "That's not funny!"
"It is for me!" Kotoko giggled. "This is what you get from being a meanie!"
"I'm not a meanie, I'm just the leader!" The young boy answered, before turning over his brother. "Nii-san, tell them!"
"Alright, alright, got this, Masaru." Makoto said, before turning to everyone. "Okay everyone, I think you've teased him enough. He's sorry, so you don't need to do that."
"Sorry, Naegi-onii, but we just like to tease each other like that!" Monaca laughed happily. "That's how kids are!"
"I think that what he meant was that we don't want to disturb anyone," Nagisa explained. "I mean, there is that sleeping girl around here-"
"Don't worry, I woke up the moment you arrived. And before you ask, yes, it was a nice nap."
Everyone turned to the right to see a little girl with a small figure, with short light brown colored hair and light green eyes. She seemed to be as tall as Monaca, if only a little more. She was wearing a long jacket with black outlines that reaches her hips, a short skirt, puffy white socks and dark colored sneakers.
Makoto was the first one to greet her. "H-hello. Sorry, have we disturbed you?"
"Not at all. That was pretty funny to ear, actually." The little girl answered in a normal tone. "That kind of conversation is better than others, you know."
"I-I guess…"
"So, you were listening?" Nagisa questioned, looking at the girl with a mistrustful glance.
"N-Nagisa!"
"Yes, I was. As I've said before, I woke up the moment you entered the park, and I decided not to interrupt your conversation," she answered back immediately, not seeming angered in the slightest. "If human ears could retract themselves, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be awake now. I probably would have stayed asleep on the grass."
"There! You heard her! It's not her fault!" Kotoko scolded Nagisa yet again who was surprised at the girl's quick answer, before the Lil' Ultimate Drama approached the girl and told her, "I'm sorry for my bro's behavior! He's trying his best to improve, but the natural instincts always kick in in the end. Please don't be mad at him!"
"HEY!"
"It's alright. I know he didn't mean any harm." she replied casually. "I admit, my approach did seem a little odd."
"N-not at all! Y-you didn't seem weird!" Jataro replied awkwardly. "W-well, you did seem a little… sleepy?"
"I guess I did. I like to take nap a little everywhere," she said with the same tone. "You get used to everything after a while."
"Wait, you mean you would sleep in a locker too?!" Masaru exclaimed, looking outraged. "BAH! You sound like that creep from earlier!"
Now, the girl turned over him, looking interested. "Uh? A creep who sleeps in lockers?"
"Y-yeah. That was a tall guy." Monaca explained. "He looked so messy! He had red eyes, and… I think I remember he was a member of a society. Hairpin… Hairpin-"
"Hairpin Special Bureau Case?"
The kids blinked in surprise, and Makoto looked shocked. "Uh? How do you know?"
"I know the person you've met," she explained casually. "You see, I work with him."
Now everyone widened their eyes in shock. "W-what?"
"Really?!" Masaru widened his eyes in shock. "You mean… you're partners with that creep?!"
"I know he seems strange, but he's not that bad," she replied, still as calm as ever, then put her right hand in her right pocket. "And as for your first question… yes and no."
"Uh?"
"Yes because as I've said, we work in the same agency, but no because we're not on the same team. We work alone most of the times." She then gets out her hand… holding a very similar badge and showed it to the gang. "If you don't believe my words, then perhaps this can convince you."
Makoto looked at her, still in disbelief, but obliged anyway. And if it was a fake badge, then it was a very good replica.
Hairpin Special Bureau Case Member;
Katsuragi Mekuru.
"Wow…" Makoto muttered. "That's… really impressive."
"H-hey, if you don't mind," Jataro asked her nervously, "w-what is your job?"
"I'm an investigator. Or if you want me to speak more commonly, I'm a detective."
"A detective?! That's so cool!" Kotoko beamed in amazement. "So what do you do? Arresting villains or something like that?"
"My job consists more of solving problems." she answered. "But it does allow me to find out who the blackened is. Or are, in some cases."
Makoto seemed really surprised. So this kid was a detective? Like Kyouko? But… she seemed so young! How could she do something this hard?!
Yet, he decided not to speak. First of all, because appearances could be deceiving. She looked really young, but perhaps she was at least as old as him? This wouldn't be the first person whose young and petite appearance would fool. Besides, the kids also worked in some way. So was it really surprising in the end?
"This… this is very impressive." Nagisa said breathlessly because of his astonishment. "To think that a kid can have such an important place in the world…"
"Things like that happening are very low, to be honest. But I've learned to make the best of my abilities." Mekuru answered, before raising her finger. "But don't underestimate me. I may be only twelve, but that doesn't mean I'm incompetent."
Everyone minus Makoto gasped at this revelation. "W-what?! You are only twelve?!" Monaca exclaimed. "Y-you're just as old as us!"
"Well, we need every kind of people to make a world, do we not?"
…well, despite her age, she really seemed like a mature child. Then again, the Warriors of Hope did some jobs back then, so what was the difference?
But this name… Katsugari Mekuru…
This name was also familiar to him. But again, his memory failed him.
Mekuru then yawned slightly. "Sleepy…"
"A-are you alright?" Makoto asked her, seeing that she was getting sleepier… and who was also getting closer to him. Then…
"W-what are you- Hey! Careful!"
The Luckster had to catch her quickly, as she seems to fall on the ground. Now, here she was, in Makoto's embrace, under everyone's watch.
"H-hey! What do you think you're doing?!" Nagisa cried, scandalized by such a behavior. "Do you really think you can-"
"Nagisa-kun, calm down, okay?" Monaca scolded him lightly. "She seems so tired!"
"B-but-"
"No but!" Kotoko joined her. "We're not going to let in such a state!"
"Calm down, everyone!" Makoto shouted, calming everyone down as they turned towards him to watch him carry Mekuru in his arms. "Don't shout like that, okay? Maybe there is a reason for her to do this. And it's sudden, sure, but I was just surprised."
"Can you please… carry me?"
"Uh?"
The young teenager turned his attention to the girl in his arms, who was looking at him in a tired way. "Please carry me… to Harue-san's hairdressing… saloon…"
And just like that, she fell asleep. In Makoto's arms. Makoto was surprised by this attitude, but he got used to it. After all, Himiko was the first one who really demanded to carry him so far. The only difference is that here, Tenko was not going to attack him on a misunderstanding… hopefully.
"Hey! I think I know that place!"
"Uh?"
The attention shifted on Kotoko, who beamed in happiness. "I know Harue-san! She was my hairdresser back then! I couldn't take any news from her!" She then looked at Makoto with stars in her eyes. "Can we please go see her? Pleeeaaase?"
Makoto only chuckled at the scene. "How can I say no such a face?"
"YAY!" she exclaimed in happiness. She then ran to the exit of the park. "Come on! I know where this is!"
"Okay, Kotoko, just slow down for us, okay?" Makoto chuckled back before turning to the rest of the kids. "Nagisa, can you please take Monaca's wheelchair for me?"
"Of course, Aniki." Nagisa said with a smile, before going behind the young girl's wheelchair, earning a giggle from Monaca. "Thank you, Nagisa-chan."
"I-it's nothing…" he muttered in answer, before he pushed forwards, followed by the two remaining boys… who were discussing discreetly something.
"Man, why is Nii-san so popular with the girls?"
"I-I don't think he did anything wrong, Masaru-kun. Besides, she's as old as us…"
"But still, I think this is so weird…"
"A-are you jealous?"
"S-shut up, they're already ahead of us!"
"R-right! Sorry!"
"Are you okay, Nagisa?"
"I'm fine, don't worry, Aniki. I can handle this."
"You can handle it, yeah, but with our help, Nagisa!"
"I-it's not a big deal, you know. I-I like to help you guys, so…"
"Exactly. There is nothing to be ashamed of, Nagisa-chan!"
"D-don't worry about me, Monaca-san…"
"By the way, Kotoko-san, are we there yet?"
"It's just near those buildings! Follow me!"
"Zzzzz…"
The little group was now heading towards their new destination, in order to… deliver a certain child who just fell asleep in his embrace out of nowhere. They had to take a bus in order to travel, and Makoto also had to confront some stares, but he shrugged it off, knowing that it meant nothing. Now, they were all following Kotoko, who knew this place probably because of her past affiliations…
And Makoto didn't know why, but… he felt pain at that fact.
Well, he did know why. It's because of what happened to her in her past. That made his heart ache in pain… but what he did not understand was, why did those memories had to come back now? Why did he have to remember the girl's many breakdowns and cries, when they were all together, happy to have a day to themselves?
Why did live had to be so cruel and unfair?
"Hey, Makoto-nii! Are you coming?"
"Uh?" Makoto blinked as he heard his name being pronounced afar. He lifted his head up to see that the kids were all waiting for him. He did not notice that he stopped in his tracks, and of course, it worried them.
"Y-yeah, I'm coming! Sorry about that!" He reassured them with a smile and took a step forwards-
POKE!
"Ouch!"
And of course, this had to happen. Someone had to collide with him from his left. And judging by the noise that ensued next, it looks like the person in question was carrying some things. That is what Makoto noticed when he regained his balance. Guess that carrying a child could help, contrary to popular belief. Then again… it was probably thanks to his luck.
"Ah crap! Oi, why did you stop in the middle of nowhere?!"
Makoto lowered his head to see the one he collided with, a blonde girl who was on her butt because of the Luckster, and who had her things just next to her. She seemed to be pretty tall, at least as tall as Nagito. Her hairstyle was very special to say the least, for she had a spiky ponytail, but there was also a pudding basin style hair that ended at her forehead. She also had a strand of her at her right side, and a brush was positioned at the level were the ponytail began. She also had a collar with a small bell on her neck. She was wearing the same kind of suit-and-tie uniform that Takumi had, and also the same badge that his own…
Which meant that they probably have found the person they were looking for.
"Just look at the mess you've made!" the girl angrily snarled. "Do you know how important this stuff is?!"
Makoto blinked a few times, before her words collided with his head. "Ah! I-I'm so sorry! I-I was looking for someone and-"
"Well, maybe you should look at your surroundings!" the woman interrupted her, picking her things up and not even looking at him. "Gosh, you're lucky that nothing broke under contact! If it did, I would have made you pay for this shit!"
"I-I really am sorry!" Makoto pleaded. "But I was looking for someone to look after… Katsuragi-san, I believe that's her name!"
Now that made her tilt her head up in shock. "Uh? You know her?"
And indeed, the little girl that she knew and who was called Katsuragi-san was in his arm, sleeping peacefully… well, at least, until now. "Fumuuuu… are we there yet?"
"Sorry, Katsuragi-san." Makoto apologized in a worried way. "I-I just bumped into someone nad-"
"Uuum?" Mekuru turned in front of her to see the surprised woman who was now looking at her… and recognized her immediately. "Ah, Harue-san…"
"Uh?" Makoto turned to the woman who was still in front of him. "So you are-"
"Wait, you asked that goofus to carry you?" the woman named Harue asked, looking surprised, but calmed down a bit.
"He seemed nice… and Hi-kun was not with me at the time…"
That made her sigh in frustration. "Urrrr… this guy is honestly a pain. Always sleeping in some kind of confined place, and leaving everyone alone… That makes me feel pity for the newbie."
"Uh? The newbie?" But just as Makoto was going to ask-
"Momiji-san! Momiji-san!"
The girl looked on Makoto's left side, before looking surprised… happily surprised. "No way! This is really you, kid?"
Makoto looked as Kotoko ran towards the woman and hugged her right leg tightly. "Momiji-san! That's really you!"
"Hey, don't hug me out of nowhere, you pink demon!" the girl named Momiji laughed happily while petting the girl on her head. "But seriously, I was worried, you know! It's been so long since you haven't messaged me yet! How is it going? Did anything bad happened?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Kotoko happily answered. "Now that I'm with Makoto-nii and the others, everything is okay?"
"Uh? Makoto-nii?" She looked at Makoto in surprise. "You mean this guy?"
"Yeah, that's me." The Luckster answered. "My name is Naegi Makoto. Pleased to meet you… and sorry for earlier."
Momiji smiled a little at this. "Alright, it's cool now… I guess. Just pay attention next time, 'kay?"
"A-alright…"
"So you are Kotoko-san's friend?" Monaca asked as Nagisa pulled her wheelchair forwards her direction. "And who you may be?"
"Oh? You want to know who I am? Well, I guess it can't be helped." She looked at everyone and took her badge in her hand so he could show it. "My name is Harue Momiji, and as you can see, I'm a Member of Hairpin Special Case Bureau! Nice to meet all of you."
"So, you work with Katsuragi-san as well." Nagisa said, intrigued. "Are you a detective too?"
"Ah, no, I'm not too into that kind of stuff." she replied, laughing awkwardly. "I mean, I too investigate times to times, but… it's not my top one priority."
"T-then what is?" Jataro asked nervously. "Kotoko-san told us that you were some hairdresser…"
"So she didn't forget about me, uh?" Momiji laughed lightly. "Well, yeah, that was one of my job… but I'm more than that. I'm a make-up artist, kids."
"A make-up artist?" Masaru asked. "So you do makeup for persons? How is that useful?"
"Oh, if you knew, little boy, I'm pretty sure you would not like it." She smirked evilly, spending chills on everyone's spine but Kotoko who only restrained her laughter. The older girl asked, "But I wonder, who are you kids? I've never seen you before. Are you Kotoko's friends?"
"Yeah! And guess what, Momiji-san? There's more!" Kotoko cheered. "They're also my brothers and sisters! Thanks to Makoto-nii!"
"Wait, what?!" Mojimi widened her eyes in surprise, before turning her head to Makoto. "What the heck happened? Care to explain?"
"Uuurm, well-"
"Why don't we go inside your shop, so we can discuss it?"
Everyone turned over Mekuru, who was still in Makoto's arms and who was still carried. "Besides… it's getting… cold…"
And just like that, she fell asleep again. Makoto then turned towards the teenager to ask, "Is she always like this?"
Momiji sighed in defeat. "You get used to it." She then smiled slightly. "Alright. Let's go to my saloon. I had some stuff to do there anyway. You'll tell me the details here."
"YAY! We're going back!"
The teenager was smiling at Kotoko before she said, "You know, I missed you happy antics. How about I give a nice shampoo for old times' sake?"
"YAY! I missed that so much, too!"
Everyone smiled at this scene. Kotoko seemed happy, so the group was happy as well, especially Makoto… even Masaru seemed really happy for her, oddly enough.
Mekuru smiled in her sleep. "Fumuuu… good times…"
"Aaaah, this feels so good! I missed that feeling and that smell so much!"
"Happy to go back home, don't ya? Don't worry, my pink demon, I'll take care of you alright!"
"Stop calling me that! I'm not a demon!"
"HA! Even your friend is telling so!"
"T-that's not nice, Masaru-kun…"
"Honestly, do you have to act so immaturely?"
"We're just having fun, Nagisa-kun! It's what makes part of us!"
"Hrrrm… soft…"
The kids discussed pretty enthusiastically, as they all waited at their own head washers, for Momiji was washing them, and this, under Makoto's amused watch. There was nobody except them in the saloon, for the teen had put a "closed" sign on the door, so no customer came.
"There. All done." Momiji said with a happy face, as she shut the faucets. "Now, take a towel, everyone. Let's make you all clean and new."
"YEAH!"
Makoto was amused at their happy faces. Looks like they were all having a good time… even Mekuru who, despite her sleepy state, managed to get up and follow the other Warriors of Hope who took their individual towels, as they washed their hair… only to see the messy result.
"Wha…" Masaru was the first one to react when he saw Nagisa and Jataro's messed hair... with a laugh. "PFAHAHAHA! You look so stupid now!"
"HEY! Stop laughing now!" Nagisa shouted angrily. "You look exactly the same!"
"I-it's not nice, Masaru-kun…" Jataro muttered, looking embarrassed.
"Masaru-kun! Stop being mean!" Kotoko scolded him.
"Calm down, everyone." Monaca tried to calm down the rest. "We don't want to cause some ruckus in someone's house, do we?"
"It's not really my house…" Momiji sweatdropped, before looking seriously at the young boy. "But she's right. I won't accept any kind of ruckus in my domain."
Makoto sighed at the sight. "We've already talked about this, Masaru. You don't have to be like that with the others."
"Alright, alright, sorry." Masaru was quick to apology this time, looking a little ashamed, before smiling at his adopted brothers. "But you guys know I just think you guys are funny with such a hairstyle, right?"
"We know. You probably act like this because of what happened to you."
…
…
…
Everyone looked at Mekuru completely surprised, and especially the kids. Masaru could not believe what he was hearing. "W… what are you-
"Please forgive my rudeness. My communication skills are not the best." Mekuru apologized in advance, before pursuing. "However, when we met, I couldn't help but noticed that… you had mental scars."
"M-mental… scars?" Jataro muttered, not sure to understand what she meant.
"As in traumatisms. Despite the happiness you showed, I felt like you were hiding some dark secrets." She then turned towards Makoto and asked, "I suppose that you already know about them?"
Makoto blinked in surprise, but only nodded. That was enough for Mekuru who turned back to the other kids. "I won't force you to tell me your secrets. After all, this is none of my business. But, I wanted to tell you that… your suffering is over. You have someone who cares about you."
The kids looked really astonished at her sentence, and especially Jataro, who looked nervous. Mekuru looked at him, and…
"I don't hate you, Jataro."
That shocked Jataro greatly. "U-uh?!"
"Why would I hate someone like you? You look very nice, even though you would not give yourself much credit." She said. "Just because some people say that they hate you doesn't mean you have to endure it. You can simply turn towards those who do love you, right?"
Jataro was so surprised, that he could not answer to her or wipe out the tears in his eyes, that Mekuru turned over Kotoko and said, "You're tough, Kotoko. You look very courageous. And after what happened to you, I admit… I am very admirative of that strength. But you don't have to endure everything all alone. Your friends are here for you… and me too, if you want."
Kotoko was as shocked as Jataro, but like with him, the other little girl ignored her to focus this time on Masaru. "Your behavior is not so bad, Masaru. You just want to be a hero for those around you… because you don't want anything bad to happen to any of them the way it happened to you. But you can trust your friends. They also have your back. That's what it means to be a hero."
Masaru widened his eyes in shock, as Mekuru turned her head at Nagisa. "You seems to be very intelligent, Nagisa. In fact, you look like one of the most mature children I've met. But you don't have to feel like it's a burden to correct the group. In fact, I encourage you to have fun with them more often. Have your own expectations before trying to succeed for others, and I can guarantee you that it will give you a way more satisfying feeling."
Nagisa could not believe what he was hearing. A complete stranger saw through him and tried to encourage him. That same person finally gazed towards Monaca. "I really feel bad for you, Monaca. But you have people who care about you now. You don't have to always smile if you don't want to. Your family is here for you… and I too, would offer a shoulder if you'd like."
Monaca stared at her in disbelief, before the girl began to turn around in order to address herself to the whole group. "I know you're all scared for your future, and I know I had no right to invade your private lives like that… but I felt like I had to do it. I know your adoptive brother said he will take care of you with the love you deserve, and I have no doubt about the sincerity of his conviction. But I want to see your wealthy development with my own eyes. I would like to know you better, so I can help you better. So…" she offered them a hand, and smiled sincerely.
"Would you like us to be friends?"
Silence followed next, as everyone looked at her, completely astonished by the fact that someone that they just met, said those wonderful and heart-warming words, and the fact that it was coming from a child was even more surprising. Her face seemed peaceful, yet determined. Which was the proof that she was sincere about this.
No one dared to move. Then…
Kotoko ran towards Mekuru, and gave her… the tightest hug she could do, as tears poured down from her eyes… happy tears.
"Thank you… thank you… thank you..." The pink-hair girl continued to cry, as she continued to embrace Mekuru, who also felt Jataro join the hug with them. It didn't take time for the three others to join them, crying with joy… the joy of being understood.
In all of this, Makoto stared at the group in surprise, before smiling warmly at the scene. Seeing his adopted siblings, meeting someone who had understood them despite the fact of not knowing them personally, was truly a scene that he would remember and cherish. They meant a lot to him. He didn't know how this little girl knew their backstory, but… he wanted to believe in the sincerity of her conviction. And he would believe in it.
Because he could feel the hope she was giving them. And this what was important, in the end.
The Luckster felt a hand on his own, and turned in surprise to see Momiji… trying to restrain her tears. "C-come on. Let's give them some space. They need it."
Makoto hesitated a brief moment, then smiled and nodded. "Right."
And discretely, they went to a storage room just next to the head washers. Once they entered, Momiji closed the door and took a tissue to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I-I'm sorry. I-I just can't resist that kind of scene. It's just… too beautiful."
"I agree. This is the first time I've seen another kid trying to befriend them." Makoto sighed happily. "I mean, they are considered as troublemakers in their classes, so…"
"I can imagine. Finding someone who understands you is, like, the best thing that can happen to you." the hairdresser said, calming down a bit, before looking at the ground sadly. "Your kids must have been through a lot. I mean, I didn't meet Kotoko very often, but… I could feel that something was wrong. But I couldn't do anything."
"Uh? Really?" Makoto looked at her, surprised. "Why?"
"We knew that something was wrong, but without proof… we couldn't do anything." She admitted shamefully. "Besides, since I could only approach her during her preparations because of my job, so my hands and feet were tied."
"I… understand." Makoto nodded sadly. "Nobody deserves this… kind of treatment. Especially not kids like them."
"Well, this is something we can agree on." Momiji nodded. "Those other kids… were they…"
"Yes. Them too." the Luckster nodded, then smiled slowly, but sadly. "I'm just happy I was here at the right time for them. I can't begin to imagine what would have happened if… if I were too late."
"Guess I have to thank you for what you did then." the girl smiled at him. "Not only for Kotoko, but for them as well."
Makoto lifted up his head surprised, but then smiled in a determined way. "You're welcome. I did what I had to do. And I'm proud of what I did. I think I can say it without shame."
"There's no shame to be, goofus." Momiji smirked happily. "I'm happy to see that those kids are in better hands now."
"I'll take care of them. You can count on me for that." Makoto affirmed, before opting for a thinking face. "Still, I wonder, how did Katsuragi-san figure out about them?"
The girl looked at him curiously. "Oh? You mean you don't know?"
"Uh?"
"You've never heard of the Sleeping Mekuru?"
"What? The Sleeping Meku-"
And then, his mind clinked in. He remembered. "Wait… you mean… she IS the Sleeping Mekuru?!"
"Yup. The one and only." Momiji smiled at her reaction. "So you do know about her."
"Well, I've heard about her alongside two friends of mine," Makoto explained. "A child who solved 100 cases just by sleeping… this is amazing!"
"You said it. I couldn't believe it either when I saw it." the hairdresser explained. "My guess is that she guessed what happened just by sleeping in your arms."
"This… this is just so incredible." Makoto muttered, clearly amazed by this revelation. "This must be why she is working here with you guys. But… for a child to have such an ability… this sounds so… unreal."
"Welcome to my world, buddy." she laughed lightly, before asking her. "But, I've got to ask, how did you know the agency before? I'm kind of curious now that I think about it."
"Oh, well," Makoto explained, "it was… a gift research for one of my friend."
"Gift research?"
"He said he wanted to be a detective in the future, like his uncle," he explained, "so I thought about… giving him an opportunity, you know?"
The girl smirked slightly. "A job proposal as a gift? That's original, if you ask me."
"O-oh?" Makoto laughed nervously. "I-is that so?"
"Not like this is a bad thing, mind you, but… it's the first time I've seen someone do that for a friend." Momiji smiled. "You must care about the guy."
"I do. I want to make sure that he will have a good future." He smiled. "His name is Saihara Shuichi, by the way."
"Saihara Shuichi…" the hairdresser mused to herself. "I think I've heard his name before. In the agency, I mean."
"Really? Well, I'm glad that he's popular, I guess." Makoto smiled softly. "He did solve some cases, but he says that it's just because of luck…"
"So? Even though it's luck, a case solved is still a case solved." the girl affirmed, looking seriously at him. "I count on you to tell him that for me, okay?"
"No problem. I'm already on it." Makoto smiled at her in agreement. "Even though he still think that he won't be as good as Kirigiri-san-"
"Wait, KIRIGIRI?!" Momiji shouted in surprise. "The same family of detectives that are known as the best of the bests?!"
"W-well, yeah. I-I didn't think it was this surprising." Makoto admitted while sweatdropping. "She is the Ultimate Detective, as you probably have guessed. Compared to her, he was picked at a lottery. That explains why he is the Ultimate Lucky Student in his class… just like me."
"UH?" Now Momiji was surprised at this. "Wait, you're also a student at Hope's Peak Academy? AND you're a friend with one of the Kirigiris?!"
"Yeah, I know, I really look average." Makoto laughed awkwardly. "But yeah. I'm a student at the school."
Then, Momiji's face illuminated itself, as if… she remembered something. "Wait a minute… that's it!"
"Uh?"
"You were that kid in that Andou chick! I knew I've already seen that face before!"
"Wait, what?" Makoto was surprised at what she was saying, then thought about it. "Wait… so you also are-"
And then… he remembered as well. "Oh… Oooooh."
"I see, you've forgotten about me too, uh?" Momiji laughed. "Well, can't really blame you. We never interacted before, because you were too busy with her anyway. God, that must have been quite the ride with her…"
"S-she was not that bad…" Makoto sweatdropped at the mention of Ruruka's name, then smiled at her. "But yeah! I remember now! You were in the same room as us when I reunited with my own group!"
"Bingo! I was there!" Momiji winked. "I was a classmate of her and as you can probably guess, I was known as the Ultimate Make-Up Artist!"
"Aaaah, so that explains everything!" Makoto beamed, before asking curiously. "Well, I did not think that a makeup artist would end up in a detective agency."
"Well, what can I say? I had to find a job to live, and my talent was needed there, so… yeah! I took it! Besides, it's only a time-to-time job, so I don't work here all the time! This saloon does belong to me, so consider this as my real job!" she said all the while scratching the back of her head, before closing her eyes in a serious way. "But trust me, the detective part is more serious and difficult that you can think of. Just thinking of it… it still creeps me out, sometimes."
Seeing that the Make-Up Artist was slightly shaking at the last sentence, Makoto started to get nervous. "Uh? What do you mean?"
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Makoto-nii! Can you please come? We've got a big announcement for you!"
The two of them looked at the door surprised, before looking back to them as Makoto seemed amused. "Kids."
"Yup. Definitely." Momiji mused, before saying. "Let's join them."
"Alright." The Luckster said, before opening the door, followed by his new friend-
"Alright, Nii-san! Now, prepare to be amazed! For us, the Warriors of Hope… had found a new member of our cause!"
Masaru's declaration made the two teenagers stare at the kids, as all of them were on a perfect line. Momiji was just too curious to stay silent. "The… the Warriors of Hope?"
"Yeah, Momiji-san!" Kotoko explained happily. "Our goal is to fight any kind of despair that stands in our way! With our supporter Makoto-nii, nothing can stop us!"
The Make-Up Artist looked at Makoto all the while smirking. "Really? A supporter?"
"W-what can I say?" The Luckster laughed awkwardly. "They really want to show me how much they want to become like me…"
"And we will become as strong as Nii-san! Anyone who tries to stop us will be crushed by our hope!" Masaru declared proudly, before introducing himself. "I'm the super duper leader that unites the Warriors of Hope with a bang! Daimon Masaru! My special subject is P.E., so they call me Li'l Ultimate P.E.! I'm the P.E. King who can do every exercise ever! Running nonstop 24/7/365 is easy as pie! Oh, I almost forgot! My job in the Warriors of Hope is the Hero! And as Hero and the leader, I'm gonna be the savior of this town!"
"Wait, Lil' Ultimate?" the girl questioned. "So they enroll kids too?"
"It happened two years ago." Makoto explained. "They created the Elementary Course in order to… you know…"
"Oh. Yeah, I got it." Momiji said, understanding what he meant, and not liking it. "The nerve of those old hags…"
"C-can I introduce myself?"
Jataro's nervous voice made Momiji and Makoto flinch as the latter noticed that the boy was getting… well, nervous. So, Makoto smiled at him. "Of course, Jataro. We're all listening to you."
"A-alright. Thank you." he said, and took a deep breath… before stopping himself. "Ah—wait... can I practice my introduction beforehand?"
"Uh?"
"You know how when you stare into moving bicycle spokes, you get all scared?" he began. "Like, for some reason, you imagine how painful it would be to put your hand in…" he then stopped, and then coughed a little before continuing. "Oh, um, my name is Kerumi Jataro. And bird skin isn't yummy no matter how you cook it. I'm really good at arts and crafts, so they call me Li'l Ultimate Art. If it's arts and crafts, leave it to me. I can remove nails, and varnish, and things...I do the Priest thing for the Warriors of Hope...Oh, and also, I wonder if aliens exist."
Momiji couldn't help but chuckle. "Ooooh, you've got difficulties to express yourself, uh? But it's okay. You looked so cute!"
Jataro was getting embarrassed. "W-what?!"
"She's right, you know." Mekuru looked at him and smiled gently. "That was cute, in a sense. Just like you."
"P-please don't say that!" he hid his face in his mask to hide his blush. "I'm not cute! I-I'm really not!"
"Oh, come on, Jataro-kun! We've already discussed this! Stop being so modest and accept the compliment already!" Kotoko scolded him gently, before turning her daze towards Momiji and asked, "So, Momiji-san, are you ready for my introduction?"
"You bet I am." The Make-Up Artist smiled at her. "Bring it on."
"Okay then: Here I go!" The Lil' Ultimate Drama cheered, before beginning her sentence. "My name's Utsugi Kotoko, and I play the role of Fighter. Oh, and I'm also called Li'l Ultimate Drama! My favorite food is peeled chestnuts. My least favorite food is unpeeled chestnuts. Kyahaa! Aren't you surprised? They're both chestnuts! And hey, did you know!? Kangaroos can jump backward! And, and! And believe it or not, snakes have ears! Ewww!"
The girl only laughed at her sentences. "Hahaha, that was original, I'm telling you! Good job! Did you do it yourself?"
"Yup yup! I did this on my own!" Kotoko smiled proudly. "Impressive for a girl, uh?"
"You got too carried away, Kotoko." Nagisa said, killing her good mood. "The first part was good, but then it was just off-topic."
"Hey! You don't have to be so mean!" Kotoko pouted in annoyance. "If you're not happy with it, then show me how to introduce myself properly!"
"That was just what I was going to do. Now, watch and learn." he replied, before looking at Momiji. "My name is Nagisa Shingetsu. In the Warriors of Hope, I act as the vice leader and Sage. I am also known as Li'l Ultimate Social Studies. Of course, Social Studies is but one area of my expertise. I excel in all scholarly pursuits. I was labeled as such because I was raised to be among society's elite. And... I suppose I am a babysitter of sorts for the Warriors of Hope... Monaca excluded."
"Ooooh, a serious kid, aren't you? I could already see that, but now that explains some things." Momiji whistled impressed… before smirking at him. "Also, only Monaca don't have to be taken care of?"
"T-that's not what I meant," Nagisa explained, getting embarrassed. "She-she probably is the most intelligent person in the group… a-and also the most mature."
"Oooh, that's so nice of you to say, Nagisa-chan!" Monaca laughed happily. "Monaca is so touched! But Monaca knew that you would say that about her. You're Monaca's Nagisa, after all!"
That earned a laugh from everybody else, and a bigger blush on Nagisa's face as he turned his face away. "W-why don't you introduce yourself, Monaca?"
"Alright! This is just what Monaca was going to do!" Monaca cheered happily, before starting. "Monaca is called Monaca! Monaca's a Mage in the Warriors of Hope. Monaca is known as Li'l Ultimate Homeroom while she is in elementary school. You might think there are no Ultimates and Commons in a class like Homeroom, but there are! For Monaca, her skill isn't really about uniting people, it's about getting them all to help her. Believe it or not, Monaca brings together a lot of wonderful people... It would be nice if you could be a wonderful person for Monaca, too…"
"…wow. You're that kind of people, aren't you?" Momiji sweatdropped, before she widened her eyes in surprise. "Wait… Monaca…"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Aren't you… a member of the Towa family?"
That made her tense at the mention, and Nagisa was quick to interfere. "She does not see herself as a member anymore." he growled. "Not after what her brother did to her."
"N-Nagisa-chan…"
"He's right. She doesn't consider herself as a part of the family." Makoto quickly joined them, as he took Monaca's hand in his own and looked at her. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Y-yes, Naegi-onii! M-Monaca is going to be fine!" Monaca quickly tried to reassure him, even though the Luckster could clearly see that she was giving her all not to break. She then looked at Momiji all the while trying to keep her smile. "W-why? How do you know about Monaca's relative? W-we are not… on the best terms, if you want to know."
"Yeah, I saw that." Momiji sighed, before admitting sadly. "Look, if I was asking, it's because… I've heard someone with that name talk about you. Towa Haiji, I think."
This time, Monaca's voice completely disappeared. "W… what?"
"He looked pretty happy about it. Seriously, the guy looks like an asshole, if I were to be honest." she groaned frustratedly. "And… I think he's still around here."
Monaca's shaking only grew stronger, as she took her hands on both sides of her head, small tears beginning to appear in her shut eyes. "No… no… no…"
Makoto could only look as she took her hand off his own. He hated to see her suffer… but she seemed not listen to him. "Monaca…"
"Monaca-san! Please hold on!" Kotoko went towards her and looked at her sadly. "We're here!"
"W-what do we do, guys?!" Jataro was panicking at this point. "M-Monaca-san is crying!"
"Thanks, Captain Obvious!" Masaru shouted, frustrated by the situation. "Man, why did that creep had to be here?!"
"Monaca…" Nagisa tried to comfort her. "Please, we want to-"
He interrupted himself when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked at his left side to see Mekuru approaching Monaca. "Don't worry, I got this." She told him without looking at him, then advanced her head towards Monaca's and took her hands on her own.
"Mo-nee-san."
Monaca opened her eyes in shock, as if she did not hear what Mekuru said. Said girl asked, "I know you are scared. I know you all are. But I said I would help you, and that's what I'm going to do. So please listen, okay?"
Everyone stared at her in shock, as the sleeping investigator put Monaca's hands on her wheelchair and put her own hands on her cheeks.
"You said you were not a part of your brother's family. But I can see that you still are afraid of him. Which I understand perfectly… but it's okay. You don't have to be alone now. You can count on your big brother, you can count on the others… and you can count on me, Katsuragi Mekuru. The Spy of the Warriors of Hope." she affirmed to her all the while smiling. "My mission will be to report any kind of information to the group in order to protect everyone… and to confront our fear together… as a family of fighters. Does it sounds good to you?"
All the people inside of the saloon stared at the young investigator in shock… but also in admiration. Monaca was surprised… but she was touched. The happy and honest smile came back to her face as tears went down as she said. "T-thank you… thank, Katsu… Mekuru-san!"
"The pleasure is mine." was the girl's simple answer. But this, combined with her smile, was enough to Makoto and the other Warriors of Hope to join her.
"She's right, Monaca." Makoto said, rubbing her hair. "You don't have to do this alone. We're all here for you."
"Heck yeah! That meanie doesn't know what he's missing!" Masaru cheered proudly. "He won't have an amazing sis like we do!"
"Y-yeah, they're right!" Jataro joined, trying to surpass his own shyness to cheer Monaca up. "I-I think you're cool too, Monaca-san!"
"Heck yeah! You're a super duper sister, you know!" Kotoko hugged her right side. "Life would be so boring without you!"
"You are cute, intelligent, and kind, Monaca." Nagisa finally said, with a genuine smile on his face, as he took Monaca's left hand in his. "That's why me, Aniki and the others… we will make sure to give you the happiness you deserve."
Monaca's tears continued to flow uncontrollably. She could only mutter continually, "Thank you… thank you…"
"You… you guys really want me to cry today, right? Because if that's what you want… you had it." the Make-Up Artist said, all the while taking another tissue in order to wipe her tears. "Damn it… you managed to make me cry twice today, kids. Sorry, I must look dumb."
"Not at all, Harue-san. It's okay, really." Makoto looked at her in a reassuring way. "That proves that you care."
"Y-yeah, I guess." she calmed down a bit, before eyeing them in a worried way. "But… what are you going to do about it? I mean, he's probably still here, so…"
"Where is he?"
"Uh?"
"Where is Haiji? I want to see him."
Everyone was shocked and looked at Monaca, who stopped crying, locking determined instead. Makoto was probably the most shocked of them all. "M-Monaca?"
"I want to see him… I want to my half-brother again…" Monaca explained slowly and calmly. "So I can show him."
"Uh?"
"Don't worry, Naegi-onii! I'll tell you once we're here, okay?" Monaca said happily as she turned towards him with a confident face. She then turned back to Momiji and asked, "So, where is he?"
Momiji stared at her in surprise, but then pointed to one of the groups of buildings near their positions. "Last time I saw him, he was directing towards this direction."
"Uh?" Makoto looked at the window to see a big informatic center on the right, which was apparently, Monaca's brother went… before noticing the other group of building, which had a particular name on it.
Hairpin Special Case Bureau.
"Wow!" Makoto exclaimed. "So this is your headquarters?!"
"Uh?" the Make-Up Artist stared at him in confusion, before looking where Makoto was staring. There, she understood. "Ha! Yeah, it's here! My job is near it, so I don't need to walk too much." She then sighed. "I already have so much distance between the agency and my home, so any more meters would have killed me for sure…"
"T-that must be a pain for sure…" Makoto laughed awkwardly before his eyes widened in shock. "Ah! That's right!"
"Uh?"
"That is the same building than in the photo! I'm sure of it!" he explained, before putting his hand in his hoodie pocket and took the proposal job he had put in since Shuichi's birthday just in case. He looked at it, and smiled. "Yes! That's it! The photo correspond exactly! I can't believe I didn't remember that earlier!"
"Uuurm?" Momiji took a look at the sheet he was holding, before widening his eyes in realization. "Ah! So you weren't kidding about the whole research thing!"
"N-no, I wasn't…"
"Yeah, I remember that paper. We created that because we needed some help." Momiji explained, sighing as she explained. "We're not too popular, but violence has increased lately, so we came up with this just at the beginning of the month."
"That does correspond at the time where I looked on the website." Makoto explained. "I wonder, is there any new recruits lately?"
"Not much, unfortunately. We're quite in a tight spot, to be honest." Momiji sighed again. "And all the newbies have to pair up with Hijirihara-kun, so…"
At this, the kids who were listening decided to react. "Eeeew! That creep again?!" Masaru shouted in disgust."
"T-the newest detectives have to work with him?!" Jataro followed, more shocked than Masaru. "B-but… he's so intimidating!"
Mekuru mumbled, "He's not so bad…"
But nobody heard her. "Yeah, we get that a lot." The Ultimate Make-Up Artist laughed awkwardly. "So far, the newbie is the one who lasted the longest with him, which means… one week."
"One week?" Nagisa narrowed his eyes. "So you mean the others gave up because of him?"
"Exactly. The others were so creeped out by the guy that they quit because of him. Well, the majority did. And maybe he is a part of why we are not many at the agency." Momiji sighed for another time. "Honestly, the newbie has a lot of determination. That's probably why she hasn't quite yet. It's… kind of admiring."
"YAY! Girl power!" Kotoko cheered in joy. "That proves that women aren't weak!"
"Well said, Kotoko-san!" Monaca joined her, before eyeing the informatics center. "So, he went there?"
"Yeah, last time I checked." the girl answered. "But he's probably no here anymo-"
"He's still in here."
"Uh?"
Everyone turned towards Mekuru who was looking determined. "He is still inside the center. I know it." She looked at Monaca with the same look and said, "I'll go with you to help you. Let's confront your half-brother together… alright, Mo-nee-san?"
Everyone seemed surprised yet again with her resolution, but Monaca nodded happily at this. "Uum! As expected from our new Spy!" She then eyed Makoto with the same determined look as Mekuru and said, "Let's go, Naegi-onii!"
Makoto stared at her in surprise, but smiled at her. "Alright. I'm here, Monaca. We're all here. Don't forget that." He then opened the door and turned over everyone to ask, "Are you all ready?"
"READY, READY, READY!"
"YEAH! LET'S PUNISH SOME DEMONS!"
"I-I'll try my best, Onii-san!"
"Let's do this, Aniki."
Everyone's answer was enough for him as he held the door opened, so the other kids could get out. He then greeted goodbye with Momiji. "Goodbye, Harue-san! I wish you good luck with the rest!"
"Thanks! Good luck to you too!" The Make-Up Artist waved goodbye as well. "Goodbye, Kotoko! Take care! And you kids as well!"
"Bye, Harue-san! See you soon!"
"Byyye!"
Once Nagisa and Monaca get out, the Luckster closed the door. Momiji watched as Mekuru approached him… and fell in his arm again. Apparently, she wanted him to carry her again… that was a funny sight.
When she saw them getting far enough, she turned her back on them… and picked up her phone which was in her pocket.
TIP! TIP! TIP! TIP! TIP!
The sounds of fingers tapping on a phone screen could be heard in the empty saloon, as the girl returned to the storage room, the phone next to her left ear, and just when she closed the door…
"Yeah, chief? I don't disturb you now, am I?"
As soon as she said those words, she went directly towards a wall, which seemed completely normal… except for a small bull's eye on it, which was barely noticeable.
"I wanted to tell you, those you were looking for passed in my saloon a few minutes ago. They just left."
She stopped right in front of the wall, waiting.
"Don't worry, they're at the informatics center near the agency now. Katsuragi-san is with them, and she told them about some personal acquaintance of one of the kids. Haiji Towa, to be more precise."
A short period of time when only silence could be heard followed…
CLANK!
Before the sound of a door being unlocked.
"Yeah, I think that the kid has some kind of grudge. Not like I blame her, honestly. Anyway, they're all together. And besides, someone is with them. His name is Naegi Makoto."
A small iron handle appeared on the wall.
"It's a short boy with an ahoge and a hoodie with a mask gas symbol on it. Don't worry, you won't be able to miss it."
She turned the handle several times, before opening it.
"Yeah, I've got them with me. I'm just about to retrieve them."
She took a look at the gap in the wall, which was, in fact, some kind of hidden safety-deposit box, in which were some documents… with familiar faces.
"Sorry, I couldn't tell them. I didn't want to suspect me of anything. I think I would have scared the kids, honestly."
She took her hand inside and took the sheets, before retiring her hand from inside and closed the box. As soon as she did, the handle disappeared inside the wall, and the gap closed itself, making the wall looking normal again, as if nothing happened.
"Alright, ma'am. I'll be waiting here."
She then waited for her corresponding to end the conversation, before eying the documents in hand… which had some particular photos on it.
The photos of the Warriors of Hope.
Momiji sighed. "Welp… time to prepare things, I guess."
"Wow… that place is so huge!"
"Yeah! Look at all of those screens and computers!"
"A-and there's a lot of people, too…"
"Are you sure he is in here?"
"I am. I know this is difficult for all of you, Na-nii-san, but trust me, okay?"
"Okay, Mekuru-san! I'm trusting you!"
"Alright, kids, don't be so loud. We don't want too much attention on us, okay?"
"Okay, Nii-san/Onii-san/Makoto-nii/Aniki/Naegi-onii/Ma-kun."
The group was exploring the center, as they observed every nook, looking for the person in question. And considering that the center looked big enough, it didn't seem to be an easy task…
"And this, ladies and gentlemen, was the end of the conference! I hope you all enjoyed it, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to feel free to ask our engineers!"
The cheers and claps attracted the group's attention. At the end of one of the large corridors, it seemed like a conference was held… and apparently, it just ended.
"Aaaaw, that seemed to be cool!" Masaru complained. "That's really too bad!"
"I-I don't think you would have understood anyway, Masaru-kun…" Jataro sweatdropped nervously.
"HEY!"
"He's right, you dingus!" Kotoko laughed. "So don't worry, you haven't missed anything important!"
"I would have like to see what this meeting was about, to be honest," Nagisa stated. "It could have been interesting…"
"Well, let's hope the program will be rerun then, Nagisa-kun!" Monaca turned her head towards him to smile at him, making him slightly blush and look away.
"Oh, we don't have to wait for that. I know what that meeting was for."
"Uh?"
Mekuru's sentence made everyone look at her, as she explained. "There is a person that can help us, if you'd like to know what was being talked about. And I believe he is very near us."
Makoto blinked a few times. She fell asleep right when she felt in his embrace yet again, so she must have used her abilities during that time… but it still surprised Makoto that such a child had an ability like hers. It seemed so… unreal, even with the same words repeating themselves again and again in his head.
He decided to ask her anyway. "What do you mean by that? Who could this be?"
"I am talking about Fujisaki Taichi, of course."
Makoto widened his eyes in shock. "Uh? You mean Fujisaki-kun's dad?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you just say my name?"
Everyone turned over to see said man, Taichi Fujisaki, coming near them with an embarrassed smile. "Oh, you're one of Chihiro's classmates, right? And I see that you brought some company today."
"H-hey there, Fujisaki-san." Makoto greeted the man politely, before designing the kids around him. "Everyone, this is one of my classmates and friends' father, Fujisaki Taichi. Sir, those are my siblings."
"HEY, SIR!" the kids cheered.
"And I'm not, but I'm a friend of them." Mekuru greeted politely. "A pleasure to meet you."
"Well, the pleasure is mine." Taichi laughed. "It's pretty surprising to see kids in this kind of place you know. I mean, I don't even see my own son outside." He then smiled to himself. "He just likes to keep being inside his own room at home… even if he is getting outside more often now."
"What are you trying to say? That us kids cannot understand anything at all?"
Everyone turned to the Lil' Ultimate Social Studies, who narrowed his eyes towards Chihiro's father who looked surprised and nervous at the kid. Makoto was quick to react. "N-Nagisa! Don't say things like that!"
"I'm sorry, Aniki, but I had to ask." Nagisa continued, without even looking back at his brother. "What do you meant by that?"
"O-oh, nothing bad, really!" Taichi laughed awkwardly. "I-it's just that… I don't usually expect kids to understand complicated things like informatics, you know."
"W… what?"
"Uh?" The adult blinked in surprise when he saw Nagisa beginning to shake, with a trembling look. "W…why don't you expect us kids to understand? Why won't you-"
"Nagisa."
The kid stopped as Makoto put Mekuru down and hugged him from behind, making the kid widens his eyes in shock.
"I know what you are thinking. But that's not what he meant." the Luckster said. "But this is not what he wanted to say. What he was trying to say is that, kids shouldn't be focusing on such complicated things. He didn't mean to offend you." The older boy looked at the adult with a smile and asked, "Right, Fujisaki-san?"
Taichi looked at him surprised, before nodding in agreement. "Y-yeah. I-I'm sorry if I offended you, but this was not my intention in the slightest. Can you please forgive me?"
Nagisa looked surprised at this, but then bowed his head in shame, no longer shaking. "I-I should be the one to ask for forgiveness."
Makoto looked down at him curiously. "Nagisa?"
"I-I was rude of me to ask you that. I understand that now." he explained, in a very saddened tone. "But… I've let my emotions get in the way. Because of my past, I let my anger and pride take the best of me… I really have a lot of progress to make."
"Uh?" Taichi looked at him, not expecting this kind of mood change. "W-what are you…"
"Nagisa was raised to be on the top of every kind of every kind of classes." Makoto explained, looking at him sadly. "That's why he doesn't like when someone looks down on him because he's a kid."
"O-oh. I see." The adult said, before kneeling down to the Lil' Ultimate Social Studies and patted his head, earning the kid's confused gaze. "Hey, it's okay. I don't know the details, and you're probably not willing to share it with me… which is completely fine, honest! After all, stranger danger!" he laughed awkwardly, before smiling. "But, if you'd like… I can teach you what I know, just like I did with my son. Does it sounds good to you?"
Makoto smiled. Now this was the kind of paternal figure he could approve on.
Someone like Chihiro's dad who would help his son in any way possible… even with his own shy personality.
Chihiro was lucky to have someone like him by his side. It made the Luckster… almost envious.
Nagisa was still confused, before he looked up to his adoptive brother. "A-Aniki, is that okay with-"
"Of course I am, Nagisa." Makoto cut him off with a smile, knowing what he was going to say. "If you're fine with it, then I am too."
A blush appeared on Nagisa's face, before he smiled, embarrassed again… except that he didn't reject it this time. "T-thank you, Aniki." He then regained his composure, but he looked way nicer this time. "I apologize for my behavior. It was uncalled for."
"It's alright, really." Taichi brushed it off with a smile. "Besides, it takes a lot of courage to say sorry."
"And a lot to also say that you are wrong!" Monaca smiled at him. "Not everyone is capable of doing something as courageous like that, Nagisa-chan!"
The Lil' Ultimate Social Studies blushed even more and looked away, putting the scarf at the level of his nose in order to hide it vainly. "I-it's not that great…"
Which of course, amused Masaru and Kotoko. "Hahaha! Just look at him!"
"He can't take a compliment of Monaca-sn without blushing!"
Jataro was not helping either, as he was restraining himself to laugh. "I-I think he's cute when h act like that…"
"Wha- CUT IT OUT, YOU THREE! THIS IS NOT FUNNY!"
The laughter was, of course, joyful, as Makoto, Mekuru and Taichi looked at the Warriors of Hope with a happy expression on their faces. After all, seeing five friends quarreling about an obvious crush (even for Monaca, even though she had preferred to stay quiet in order not to humiliate him or hurt him) was always heartwarming…
But the laughter, of course, was drawing attention on them.
One particular person advanced towards the group… and Mekuru noticed it immediately, as she took Makoto's hand. "Ma-kun."
"Uh?" the Lucster looked at her, a little surprised. "What is it?"
"He's here." the young investigator aid, looking serious all of sudden. "He's coming to us?"
"W-what?" Makoto blinked in surprise. "Who?"
"Well, well, look at that. Enjoying your time here to harass me?"
Everyone's laughter ceased instantly as the voice spoke, especially Monaca, who looked particularly tense just when she heard it. All of them turned towards the origin of the voice, who belonged to a tall man with long, disheveled black hair and lavender eyes. He was wearing a buttoned-up shirt adorned with a detailed red rose pattern, a heavy black and red hooded jacket with beige fur trimming, and ripped black jeans.
And judging by his expression, you could tell that he was not happy that the group was at the same place as he was. And a lot of people was witnessing the scene, looking either curious, or feeling pity for the group of people.
Makoto looked at him nervously, before widening his eyes in shock. "W-wait… i-is he-"
"Yes. It's him." Mekuru nodded, still with her serious. "This man is… Towa Haiji. The vice-president of the Towa Group… and Mo-nee-san's half-brother."
The Luckster nodded slowly. So this was Monaca's half-brother…
"I came here for an important reunion for the Towa Group's future, and I was asked by my father to go for him, so I was planning to be the less stressed possible today." he explained with a grumpy tone, not without eyeing Monaca with an angry look. "And who do I see? That alien of a half-little sister, playing with some of her 'friends'."
The emphasis on the word 'friends' made the Warriors of Hope tense, as Monaca only looked at her half-brother with an… indescribable look. Makoto looked at the wheelchaired girl with worry in his eyes. "Monaca…"
"H-hello there, Towa-san." Taichi tried a friendly approach. "Y-you don't have to worry about any of them. We-we were simply discussing about-"
"Sorry to sounds so rude, sir, but this has nothing to do with you." Haiji shut him down coldly, not even bothering to look at him. "So, I suggest you stay out of it."
"O-okay…" the adult nervously obliged, as Haiji look at the Luckster… with an annoyed look.
"And you."
"Uh?"
"Yeah, you. The short ahoge guy." Haiji scolded him with his look. "Are you with that brat?"
Makoto didn't need to ask who he was referring too. He decided to look at him with a more serious face. "Yes. She is."
"Why is she here? She's the last person I wanted to see right now."
Makoto narrowed slightly his eyes as the words left the man's mouth. He was certainly not holding back on his sharp an hurting words…
The Luckster sighed before saying, "She wanted to come here. Isn't that enough for a reason?"
"No, it's not. Not when it comes to her." he answered sharply. "When it involves her, nothing good can came out of her mouth. So, do I have to repeat the question?"
Makoto slowly greeted his teeth in anger. He doesn't remember feeling like this in the past. That person, who was a member of Monaca's family, who probably abused her, both physically and mentally, and who made her break in the first place… was still bitter, even discussed, because of an innocent girl. When he should have been a brother... he behaved like a complete monster, at least for him.
It may be the first person that he was feeling close to hate. Even persons like Junko, Ruruka, Natsumi and Kokichi were no match compared to him.
"Monaca wanted to see you again, Towa-kun. It's not forbidden now, is it?"
Everyone turned towards Monaca, who looked surprisingly happy about her half-brother presence… who was not sharing the same feeling. "Tch! I figured as much. You're here to spit on me again, aren't you?"
"Not quite. Monaca just wanted to tell you something important." the Lil' Ultimate Homeroom answered, not changing her mood. "Don't worry, though. It won't take long."
"Good then. I didn't plan on spending my time on you. Make it quick." Haiji scoffed. "And let me warn you: if this is about coming back, then don't even count on it."
"Oh, that's fine. I didn't want to come back in the first place."
"Uh?"
Everyone looked at her in a surprised way. They were taken aback by what she said, because not only she did not refer herself in the third person… but she looked at Haiji in a pure determined way. Something that he has never seen coming from her.
"I won't come back to your family again, Haiji." he said, with the tone as determined as her face looked. "I won't because I have my own family now. I have people who care about me. I have siblings to play with and who shares my pain on different levels. I have parents who treat me like I always wished. And most importantly…" she then looked at Makoto with the purest and honest look on her face.
"I have a brother who takes care of me. A brother to who I can confess every little secret I want to share… and with I have a relationship I longed for."
Makoto felt his heart melt once again as his eyes slowly widened in shock. "M… Monaca…"
But she did not let him time to think as she turned back at Haiji with her previous seriousness and said, "So you can sleep on your two ears. I have no intentions to come back to your family. But in exchange, I will ask you not to interfere with mine. Because I don't want you to destroy the happiness I have earned."
Haiji looked a little more surprised at her determined look, and his stare was less aggressive, but some hostility was still present. "Really? How can I trust your word for sure?"
"Because I'm here."
This time, everyone looked towards Makoto, who just like Monaca, was looking determined at Haiji who was not expecting this, by the look on his face.
"It is my responsibility as her big brother to take care of her with the love she deserves. Therefore, I will make sure that she has no reason to come back to you. Not when I see her genuinely happy to be around some people she can actually call a family. And the same goes for my other siblings." he said, narrowing his eyes slightly at Haiji who was not expecting that from him, judging by his look. "So, if I learn that you tried to hurt my little sister or anyone else under my wing… I won't hesitate. I will do what I have to do at the moment. And no title of yours will prevent this to happen."
Haiji's hostility came back right after the Lucskter finished his sentence, as he was about to advance towards him menacingly. "Y-you-"
"I wouldn't try anything, if I were you. Do I need to remind you that you are in a public place?"
Whatever the older man was going to do was interrupted by an upcoming voice. A serious, cold… and a feminine one. Haiji looked behind him in a very agitated, and everyone looked at where he was looking: a tall, slender woman who had a serious and professional look to her. She was at least as tall as Byakuya. She has black hair which she keeps held up in a bun using hair pins and has yellow eyes. She wears glasses and dresses in a black jacket and white dress shirt… and she also had a certain badge just above her… considerable chest. And Makoto noticed it immediately. "U-uh? Y-you…"
"Well, excuse me for trying to persuade some people not to get into my family's life." Haiji tried to recompose himself, not to avail, because he sounded more rude than normal. "Especially if those persons are being rude."
All of the Warriors of Hope minus Monaca and Mekuru cried in a scandalized way. "HEY!"
"Does that means that you are forced to make a scene?" the woman scolded him with her serious gaze. "Must I remind you that my agency was the one who allowed this meeting to happen in the first place?"
Now that surprised Makoto and his adopted kids. "Uh? You mean-"
"Oh, come on, don't give me that crap!" Haiji shouted, clearly getting annoyed. "It's not my fault if that brat here-"
"You are on my property, Towa Haiji. Therefore, you must respect my rules, and mine alone. And you don't disrupt the order in my center." she cut him immediately. "If you are not agreeing with those simple terms, then I suggest you and your team take your leave… now."
Haiji and Makoto couldn't believe their own ears. In fact, nobody in the room who had heard the conversation, which meant everyone, had their eyes widened in shock. Towa Haiji, one of the most important figures of the Towa Group, which was basically one of the biggest informatic conglomerates in Japan, was just shut down and ordered around by some kind of police officer… Only a few of them knew about her identity, and it was the workers.
But nevertheless, Haiji, of course, took it badly, greeted his teeth in anger and scoffed. "Fine! Might as well not raise my blood pressure with you guys. I'm leaving this place now."
He took some few in direction of the exit, which made his team who was watching blink in surprise. "T-Towa-san?!"
"But remember this!" he then showed his enraged face one last time. "If you don't have any contracts in the future, then you will only have you to blame!" He then showed them his back, and shouted a frustrated groan. "Have a good day!"
And with this, the Towa vice-head took his leave, and he was quickly followed by his reportage team who was on his tail. The slender woman sighed at this outcome. "I guess this was to be expected…"
"Uh?"
"Eh, not like I blame you, chief. This one was a prick anyway."
"WOW!" The Luckster shouted in shock with his kids, surprised at the voice who was behind them. He turned behind him to see-
"Wha- Hijirihara-kun?!"
"Yo." Takumi greeted simply, putting his hand up. "You remember my name, uh? You're promising."
"Don't scare him like that! That's how you scare newbies all the time!" another voice shouted from his right size.
Kotoko widened her eyes in shock a she turned to the owner of the very, very familiar voice. "M-Momiji-san?!"
"Hey there, little demons!" Momiji greeted them with an awkward smile. "I bet you weren't expecting to see me again, uh? Hahahahaha…"
"H-hey there, Harue-san." Makoto greeted, still surprised by what happened. Then, he saw he was approached by the slender woman, who was looking down to him with… an analytic look. As if she was trying to find any possible threat in him. But considering that he had the same treatment from Kyouko, Peko and Maki before, he was less intimidated… or at least, he thought so. "Uuuum… hello? Can I help you?"
"Naegi Makoto, I presume?"
Now that surprised the Luckster greatly. "Uh? Y-yeah, that's me. H-how do you know my name?"
"One of my agents phoned me earlier to describe you physically." the woman said in her usual tone. "She also told me that you would have agent Katsuragi with you."
"O-oh?" Makoto was surprised, turning to Momiji who laughed nervously. "H-hey, s-sorry about this, buddy! I-I thought that Hijirihara told you about that earlier, so…"
"Uh?"
"I did tell him." Takumi was quick to open his mouth. "When I was at the stadium, I told him that she was going to come for him."
"U-uh?" Makoto stared at him in disbelief. He thought about it and then widened his eyes in shock. "S-so that's-"
"That's what you meant earlier?" Nagisa scolded him for Makoto. "You could have been more specific."
"Yeah! So we would have time to be prepared!" Masaru complained. "What do you guys want anyway?!"
"Enough."
The two boys shuddered in fear, as they turned to see the woman who was staring at everyone with her gaze.
"Now is not the time for any of us to make any kind of spectacle. I came here to discuss important matters." She said with a scolding tone. "Therefore, our priority is not to goof around, and I'm sure all of you would agree."
Everyone was silenced and slowly nodded, before the woman turned around those who were watching. "And the same goes for all of you. Instead of focusing on some nonsense, you should all focus back on your tasks at hand. Was I clear?"
The answer was almost instantaneous. "Y-yes, ma'am!"
And just like that, everyone went back to their posts. Makoto looked all around him in surprise, before eyeing the woman in front of him. "Um, so… do I have to understand that you are the… responsible of the agency?"
"Indeed. Apologizes for not being able to introduce myself earlier." She said, before beginning. "My name is Dougami Ikue, and as you have guessed," she then pointed to her badge, "I am the director of Hairpin Special Case Bureau…" he looked him in the eyes. "And I was looking for you."
"Uh?"
"U-uum, excuse me, miss, but…" the woman turned down to see Jataro looking nervously at her. "I-is this really important? A-and grave? O-Onii-san haven't done anything, right?"
"Not directly, but I simply would like him to answer some questions, if you desire to know." Ikue answered with her usual tone, if only a bit softer this time. She then turned over Makoto and said, "I would have thought that Katsuragi here would have told you already."
Makoto looked at Mekuru in curiosity, but the little girl just looked away in shame. "Sorry… I didn't want to put some pressure on you."
"Hey, it's okay, Mekuru-san…" Monaca told her with a smile. "But from now on, no more secrets, okay? We won't be able to trust each other if you keep secrets from us, right? Besides, it's a Spy's role to tell us about the news in the enemy territory, right?"
Mekuru blushed a little at that. "O-okay. I promise…"
But Ikue was curious at that. "Spy?" She looked to Makoto with the same expression as before, and asked, "I suppose there is a story about this? I do not doubt that my investigator here has made a mistake, but I would like to hear your version of the story."
"A-alright." Makoto nodded. "S-so, where do you want to talk?"
"Follow me to my office." she answered. "A more discreet place is better for the kind of conversation we are going to have."
Makoto looked nervously at her as she was already going out of the center. He only hoped that everything was going to be okay…
"Good luck, Nii-san/Onii-san/Makoto-nii/Aniki/Naegi-onii!"
"Yeah, thanks. See you soon, kids."
The kids and their adoptive brother exchanged goodbye for the moment, as the Luckster followed Ikue into her office. As you can probably guess, they were inside the agency, who looked like any kind of work company's inside: a room full of desks with computers on it, where people discussed work matters… or personal matters, that, Makoto had no idea, and for once, it wasn't his top priority right now. What was his priority was to listen to whatever the woman wanted to tell him.
The agency's boss sat down on her own chair and designed the one in front of her. "There. Take a sit."
"T-thank you." Makoto obliged, looking at Ikue with a sympathetic face. "So, uh… if I understood well, you wanted to talk to me about something important. What is it?"
"It's quite simple really." Ikue answered. "But, before I answer that question, I wanted you to answer mine."
That surprised Makoto for sure, but he decided to go along with it. "Oh? W-well, sure. Ask away."
"How would you describe your relationship with those children with you?"
Makoto opened his eyes more, clearly not expecting that kind of question. "Uh? You mean… as in, how I feel about them?"
"Yes. I would like to see what you think." She then narrowed her eyes. "And I would like you to be honest with me on this one. It would be very inappropriate to try to think of a lie now, as well as useless. Because let me warn you in advance, I can sense when someone is lying straight away."
Makoto unconsciously gulped at the stare that Ikue was giving him. Sure, it wasn't the first time that he received that kind of treatment, and he was sure that the woman had the best of intentions, but… he could actually feel like a wrong step from him would be a fatal mistake with this kind of person. No wonder why she was the head of the agency. There were probably only a few people that would stand up against such a stern stare.
He inhaled some air in order to calm himself down before beginning. "Well… they are my siblings, of course. People I deeply care about and want to protect as much as I can… why?" he looked at her in an intrigued way. "I know now that this meeting is concerning them, but… is there something wrong?"
The woman looked at him with the same look, taking time to understand every word that came out of his mouth. Then, she sighed. "As a matter of fact… I am not really sure."
"Hm?"
"It had come to my attention that those children are now attending Hope's Peak Academy's Elementary Course." She explained. "Can you confirm that?"
"Yeah. I can confirm that." Makoto answered. "I pick them up every day, when I finish my own classes."
That picked up Ikue's interest. "Uum? So you are a student of Hope's Peak Academy as well?"
"Yes, miss." the Luckster answered, before laughing awkwardly. "But it's not like I have an amazing talent compared to the rest of my friends. I'm the Ultimate Lucky student in my class, so…"
"…I see. So you were chosen by the lottery system of the school." the boss said, understanding what he said, before coming back to the initial topic. "And I assume that you are the one who takes responsibility for them?"
"W-well, yeah…" the Luckster explained. "I mean, my parents are the one who financially supports them, but I'm the one who decided to take them under my wing. You can check the finances of my family for them if you want to confirm what I'm saying."
"I will definitely check on this." Ikue affirmed, before looking at him. "But tell me… did you have any trouble with them?"
"Uh?"
"Have you received some complaints about their parents? Because those persons are not really your siblings, are they?"
Makoto was a little shocked at this, but then sadly sighed. "Well, no, you're right. They have been adopted by my family."
"Did they original families were… not safe for them?"
"No. Not if I believe their words." Makoto narrowed slightly his eyes. "I won't say in details what happened to them by respect of their privacy, but…" He slightly clenched his hands into fists. "They were bad persons. They were supposed to take care of them as their own sons and daughters… but none of them did. They used them to their own goals, and they abandoned them when they thought they weren't worth it. If I have not been there… I don't want to think about what would have happened." He smiled faintly at this. "I'm just… happy I could do something about it before it was too late."
"Which brings me back to my question," Ikue asked again. "Didn't you have any problems with them? Did they show any kind of… desire as for having them back?"
Makoto's smile faded away immediately after hearing that. His fists tightened even more, even. "No. Not a single threat… and that's the worst part."
Ikue looked at him in a curious way. "How come? Would you like to explain?"
"If they had tried anything to bring them back, it may have meant that… they regretted their actions and wanted to rectify their mistakes." Makoto explained with a heavy breath. "I know this may sound really stupid, but… I have a tendency about… believing that everyone can be a good person if they tried. That it wouldn't cost anything to them just to try."
"But that's not what happened, did it?"
"No. We never received any kind of threat from any of them. "Makoto greeted his teeth in anger. "It was as if… as if they were just trash for them. Trash who simply needed to be replaced by another puppet… and that part absolutely disgusts me."
Silence was heard in the room for the next short moment. Makoto could hear his own ragged breath. The memories of his siblings crying out of pain and sadness… it was just too much. He was known as a patient and passive young man, and it would take a lot to push it to his limits, but when it did… he wasn't sure how he would react. And that scared him.
"Well, this confirms my theories, then. I guess that those children were lucky to have an adoptive brother like you."
"…uh?" Now Makoto lifted up his head in confusion, looking at Ikue and not knowing what to say. The woman then took some documents who was on her table and handed it over Makoto. "Here. Take a look at it, please."
The Luckster obliged, took the documents and looked at them. And what wasn't it his surprise when he saw the head of his siblings on the papers. Masaru, Jataro, Kotoko, Nagisa, Monaca… they all had their own documents, and each of them was entitled as such:
'Kid Development Case.'
"K-Kid Development Case?!" Makoto couldn't help but say in a rather loud voice. He was not expecting this kind of thing. He knew that the meeting was regarding the kid's issues, but… he clearly didn't expect this kind of thing to happen. "You… you made an investigation on them?!"
"Yes. We have been looking over those children for some time now, but we never had any kind of occasion to talk to them or those who are supposed to take care of them… that is until you showed up in my… territory, should I say." Ikue explained.
"Y-your territory?" Makoto asked in a dumbfounded way, then widened his eyes in realization. "O-oh, right! The agency is just near Harue-san's saloon!"
"It seems like you understand now." she said. "I asked her to bring me the documents you see here. And judging by your surprise, I assume that she did not tell you."
"N-no, I don't recall her doing that…" Makoto sweatdropped as the memory flowed in her mind. "I-I guess she was just so happy to see Kotoko again that she forgot to tell me…"
That made Ikue sigh. "I guess I will have to talk to her about this." She then regained her normal composure. "Anyway, you should probably take a look at those documents. There may be some pieces of information you would like to know."
"O-okay then…" Makoto obliged in a nervous way, preparing himself for whatever was inside those documents. He took a look… and was astonished to find indeed, some news that he did not expect were here. One of those, in particular, kept his attention.
It was the information about his siblings' family. And he couldn't help but feel… nervous about it.
"You may not have heard about it, not that I blame, after all, someone like this must be tragic and hard to see," Ikue started, "but… I thought you might see that yourself."
What was she talking about, you may ask? Well… the Warriors of Hope were not the only one who had photos on this document. Thee were also the parents of those kids who were pictured… but it wasn't all for them. Most of the pieces of information were also there. Their age, height, weight, job… and also what happened to most of them.
"As you can see, most of them are either dead or have been arrested." Ikue voiced what was in the documents, her voice not shaken in the slightest. "If you want to know how we began, some people started to notice the disappearance of those children at their usual places, so they contacted us to find them. If my memories are correct, it all begins around June and July. We had decided to take it slowly, as we didn't have any concrete evidence at the time."
Makoto was still looking at the papers in surprise, but asked away. "R-really? W… If I may ask, where did you begin, exactly?"
"With the Kerumi family. Most of the people stated that they did not see the child for a while." she began to explain. "As you can see on his dedicated page, we quickly made the link between the child and her mother… but her reception, if you can call what she did an actual reception, was more than… aggressive. She refused to let my coordinates ask her simple questions, and the next day, when I tried to talk things with her… she was already gone."
"G-gone?!"
"In short, she left the house. She decided to move to another country in order to avoid suspicion." she sighed yet again. "But we knew that she was not taking care of her children anymore, because when we saw her expenditures, we quickly understood that they were not dedicated to his well being… and the fact that the ticket she bought was a one-way… which means that she probably never had any kind of coming back for her son."
Makoto's hand began to tighten around the documents in anger, and it was slowly, but surely rising. "Is that so…"
"It's at this period that we also noticed that he was attending Hope's Peak Academy." Ikue continued. "We decided to check his scholar data as well, and that's when we also interested ourselves in the other children's cases… and that's when we also discovered some interesting things about their families."
"I-I can see that…" Makoto muttered, looking at each part of the documents dedicated to them, and even if he did not like them… he had to admit, what happened to them gave him shivers to his spine.
"The first one with who we made connections as the Daimon family." she began. "When we looked into his data, we also wanted to interrogate his father about his situation… but if you look at the documents, I think you can again what happened."
"Y-yeah, I can see that…" the Luckster sweatdropped in nervousness. Death by heart failure, it said. And the man was a heavy drinker… just like Masaru told him. And those injuries he had seen on his skin… he could imagine what kind of suffering the young boy had been through.
"The same fate happened to the Shingetsu parents and the Utsugi mother." Ikue followed. "Except how they died, of course."
"T-that doesn't make it any better for me…" Makoto admitted as he looked at their part. The firsts were found hanged in their place of residence, the latter was found… mauled to death at her working place, something that made Makoto sick to the stomach. "M-mauled to… death…"
"You may not know about this, but an idol's life is pretty difficult." Ikue told him. "And since the young Utsugi was an actress, well… her life was very close to one of an idol. If you don't bring what the fans want, or if someone else asks them to… they can be your worst enemies. Those who can make you stop everything… by will or by force."
If Makoto was sick to his stomach earlier, that feeling was making his way to his head. And the chief could see it, because his face began to grow paler.
"I'm sorry to show you this, but I had to. It was in order to let you know about the situation." she apologized.
Makoto looked slowly at her, and nodded to her. "I-it's fine. Y-you did well to talk to me about it." He then looked back at the documents. "P-please go on."
Ikue was silent for a short moment, then continued. "We tried to ask the father, but… the result was the same as young Kerumi's mother. He left the country… with someone else. Probably some other woman he was frequenting."
That made Makoto slowly angry again. "I-I see…"
"Same thing can be said for Towa Monaca's mother."
Now Makoto tilted his head up to look at her in the eyes. "W-what?"
"As I've said, she also went somewhere else. However, unlike everyone else, she took the freedom of erasing most of her existence on the Internet." Ikue explained. "Apparently, she also refused to have any interaction by advance, so she left. The thing is, we don't know where she is now. Unlike with the others, she also erased the place where she went. She probably did not want to go back to her decision, just like the two others."
"Well, I can't say I'm happy with it, but… I don't think it's a bad thing either."
Ikue looked at him with a tiny inch of surprise. "How come?"
"Well, on one hand, those persons, at least those who are still alive, are not feeling any kind of remorse for their actions, and I don't think they ever will. And as for those who died, we'll never know if they ever did have any intentions of just apologizing…" Makoto explained, with his hands forming into fists again, "and as you know, thinking about those people, living their lives as if nothing ever happened, while their own child is suffering because of them… it makes me want to poke, in all honesty. Apologizing wouldn't have excused what they have done to my siblings, because it's still unforgivable to do that to mere kids, but… it would have shown that they decided to change and to care about them. But since we didn't have any threat… I guess that will never happen."
Ikue stared at him, with the same look on her face, but who almost looked surprised. She saw him sigh before he continued his statement. "But, on the other hand… if they decided to leave the country without wanting to return… then that means they won't hurt them again." He looked at her with a serious and determined face. "Yes, I feel a little bad about what happened to them, and I would have liked if those alive at least apologized… but at the very least… I can be sure that they won't hurt my siblings again. Those scars they now have will probably never fade away, but… I will make sure that they have the love they deserve from now on. No kids should go through this. Nobody should go through this."
Ikue stared at him, seeming almost shocked at his little speech. Then, after some kind of silence, she closed her eyes and sighed. "Your determination is quite admirable, I must admit. But unfortunately, as you probably guessed… things like this happen to everyone. I know what I am talking about. I've seen a lot of people hurt before, a lot of unfairness in my life… and most of them were suffering because of other's selfish desire."
"I know. I can't save everyone. Even I know that this is an impossible thing to do." Makoto said, looking a little sadder. "But that doesn't mean I can't at least try to help those people. I guess…" he smiled sadly then. "I guess this kind of trait is a part of me."
"That is… an honorable trait, even I have to say. Trust me when I say this, it's something rare nowadays." Ikue said, without any kind of expression on her face. She then looked at him and asked. "I still have one question, though. If you don't mind, that is."
Makoto looked at her with a curious face. "Yes? What is it?"
"How do you know those children? What made you… take the first step for their safety?"
Makoto stared at her in surprise, not expecting this answer. Then, he sighed… and decided to talk. "Well… during my first-year at Hope's Peak, which means last year, one of my assignments was to look after the good cohesion of the class along the teacher time to time. Unlike the others, I don't have specific tasks, considering that… I don't consider my talent as… an actual talent, you know?"
"So you do what the other students cannot do?"
"Y-yeah, something like that." Makoto sweatdropped. "I-I mean, I was not the most talented person with the kids, but… considering the others could not do it because of their talents, well… I think you get the idea."
"Yes, I do. Please go on."
"Okay." Makoto coughed a little as the woman listened to him. "So, as I was saying, I was assigned to take care of the Elementary Course in order to see if everything was alright… and I immediately noticed that they were some troublemakers in one of the classes in particular."
Ikue sighed at this. "It was the children, wasn't it?"
"Yes. They were. They were known as very… agitated in their classes." he sweatdropped again. "I had more trouble with their class because of that."
"And? How was the first contact?"
Makoto sighed lightly. "Well… it wasn't easy for sure. When I presented myself to them, they weren't really… trusting towards me. Of course, I understand them, because after all, 'stranger-danger' as they say. But… I had no idea why, back then."
"Of course. They wouldn't trust anyone so easily."
"Yeah, I figured that much. But still, I had to try to know them better. So, while I was during my tasks with the classes, I always took some time to talk with them, to try to help them, and… I guess that for some months, it became quite the habit, I suppose. I became… attached to them, and I think that they started to like me, too."
"I see. So it was something that you worked for the year…"
"Yeah, and then… there was something that happened last winter."
Now Ikue's interest was picked. "Uum? An incident?"
"Yeah, an incident happened at school. And we were all together when it happened."
The woman narrowed her eyes, waiting for the young man to talk. "Do tell."
"Well, it happened sometime during some event for Christmas, you see." Makoto began. "The school had organized yet again another event in order to… you know, try to celebrate it. And since it's something you have to to do with your family, they decided to open it to the public. So we could pass the holiday with our family and all."
"Then it must have been problematic for the children, yes?"
Makoto sighed sadly again. "Yeah. I've noticed that they were all alone for some time, the few times I saw them… because most of the time, they couldn't be found, so I decided to look after them… and I knew where they were. They were in one of the oldest room in the school, who had not been rearranged for a long time. You could tell, there were some cracks in the wall. And indeed… they were here, trying to plot something… again."
"I see. Typical of children of this age, I suppose." Ikue sighed yet another time, before seeming to realize something. "Wait… wasn't here a rather strong snowstorm on that day?"
"Y-yeah, there was. It was pretty sudden, honestly. I remember being freaked out when I noticed it." Makoto laughed awkwardly. "In fact, most of did not expect this to happen. It was… a pretty bad turn of luck."
"Indeed. I still remember I was at my house on that day. And it was not announced at the weather forecaster. Another proves that the proverb 'expect the unexpected' was not written for nothing."
"I-I agree…" Makoto finished his laugh. "Besides, their dorms were inside of the school, just like any other students. Because, for the kids who had nowhere to go, there was a special dorm for them… but I didn't know it at the time, so I decided to look at where they usually were for their prank preparation."
"Yes. I understood that part." Ikue nodded. "What happened?"
"Well…" Makoto began, with some nervousness in his voice. "Let's say that one of my friend's… antics put us quite in the tight spot that evening."
"…?" Now Ikue was looking at him with an eyebrow raised. "Antics? Was it also a prank?"
"Y-yeah… but it turned out to be a little… dangerous."
Makoto didn't know if it was because of the nervousness of his voice or because he mentioned a friend's responsibility, but he was sure he could see that the anger was getting on her face. But this time, it wasn't the eyebrows that alerted him. It was her eyes.
But he decided to continue anyway. "That person caused an incident… and it created a whole… letting the freezing air enter the room."
"So that stranger put you in danger, you and those kids? What for?"
Makoto was surprised at her tone which was not even hiding her anger this time. The woman who was stoic and calm just expressed her anger, in her voice and on her face… and that surprised Makoto because he did not expect that at all coming from her. "U-uuum…"
Fortunately, she realized that by looking at his face, and recomposed herself, sighing in defeat. "…forgive me for that little slip out. I… simply do not like to ear when someone messes with people's life."
"I-it's okay. I-I guess I understand how you feel." Makoto tried to reassure her the best he could. "I-I was too to that person before, but… I can assure you, they've changed their ways."
Ikue stared at him with an indescribable look. "…they? I suppose you don't wish to tell me that person's name, so nobody will have problems?"
"I trust that person now. They don't want to hurt anyone now." Makoto tried to persuade her. "Besides, I'm telling you, they are good people now. You can trust my word."
Ikue stared at him for a little while, before sighing and closing her eyes. "…fine. But that doesn't mean that I like that. You will have to take a good look at that so anything like this won't happen again, understand?"
"Y-yeah. Y-you can count on me." Makoto sweatdropped at her authoritarian tone at the very end. He figured that she meant well, because of her anger, she said in a forceful way. He then coughed a little, and then followed. "Anyway, yes. I was trapped with the kids inside of the old room, with no way to get out and no way to cover the hole."
"Because the exit was blocked?"
"Yeah, and also because the room was almost empty, and there was no real object to cover it up. Nothing concrete, at least." Makoto explained, while beginning to laugh nervously again. "So… in order to protect them…"
Ikue was starting to stare at him in curiosity. "Yes?"
"I used my own body in order to block the snow."
"What?!"
This time, that clearly took her by surprise, and she did not even bother to hide it anymore. She still managed to restrain her body to move, but the feeling was definitely here, in her eyes especially. And this time, Makoto was prepared for that… a little. That still astonished him, but this time he was more prepared for her.
"Are you telling me that you risked your life because of someone who decided to play at someone else's expanse?!" she almost yelled. "This is simply wrong, and too risky! What were you thinking, doing something so reckless?!"
"I-I know, I know! But there wasn't any other choice for me!" Makoto was quick to answer. "Yes, it was wrong, but it still happened! Aren't you the one who said that things like this happened all the time?"
That seemed to take her aback, as she calmed down a bit, but not completely. "You could have been sick after this."
"Oh, I got sick. Just after we were rescued, I could leave the school's infirmary for at least… three days, I would say?" Makoto laughed awkwardly, before smiling. "But it's okay! I was with my friends and family to keep me company!"
Ikue was still not happy with this, but sighed in defeat. "If you say so."
"And I guess… that's when the kids really started to like me."
The boss looked at him curiously again. "Um? What do you mean?"
"They didn't understand why I do what I did." Makoto explained. "When I covered the hole with my body… they freaked out. They told me to get up, but I refused. They asked me why I was doing this for strangers. And you want to tell you what I answered?"
Ikue took a moment before shaking her head.
"You guys are important to me." Makoto answered with a smile. "I don't want you to suffer all alone because of whatever happened. I'm here. Isn't it a big brother's role to protect those he cares about?"
Ikue opened her eyes more slightly, a little taken aback by this little speech. "So… you already considered them as a part of your family?"
"Basically everyone in the academy is a part of my family in my eyes, ma'am." He smiled before blushing and scratched the back of his head. "Well, the majority, at least. I can't be on good terms with everyone, I know that."
"So you are that kind of people, aren't you?"
"Uh?" Makoto looked at her to see… one side of her mouth very slightly touted, as if she was… smiling. Not like it was ugly, but yet again… it was unexpected.
But it quickly disappeared in a fraction of a second. "So, this is when things really started for you?"
Makoto stared a little while at her, before giving his answer. "O-oh, yeah. It's at this moment that we got even closer. We passed the entire three days with each other, and from that point, they always greeted me with a smile. Masaru would tackle me to say hello, Jataro would always try to improve himself to approach me and smile without flinching, Kotoko was calling me a slowpoke, Nagisa… just smiled, which as more than enough for me, and Monaca was always the one who helped with the different activities together. I was still assigned to take care of them, so might as well make the most of it, right?"
"I can imagine. So you became really close to them at this point, uh?" Ikue stated in her usual calm tone. "Is that at this point that you managed to have a better glance at what was their past like?"
Makoto winced a little at the thought, but nodded. "Yeah. That's also where it really began. I mean, I already knew that something was wrong, because of some occasional… incidents, will I say." he sweatdropped before continuing. "But… yeah. They became much safer with me. And they trusted me to tell me some… details of their lives. Granted, they were still too afraid of it to tell me the entire story, but… I don't think I needed to. My mind did the job for me."
"I see…"
"And I also think that's how… I managed to stop them from doing the irreparable."
Now then, Ikue looked at him with interest again. "The irreparable? By that, do you mean-"
"Yeah. They were plotting on… ending it all."
Ikue stared at him, almost in shock, then sighed for God only knows much time she did. "…unfortunately, in those kinds of conditions… this is a frequent thing in Japan. Even though I think this is quite regrettable… I have also made many cases with kids doing the same thing."
"It doesn't make it any better, that much we can agree on." Makoto nodded. "And that almost happened to them too… if I weren't there for them. Quite literally, in fact."
"I'm listening."
"It all happened at the end of the first year. We all waited for results, for our admission in our second year. All of my class managed to pass with some aid… miraculously for some of them." Makoto sweatdropped at that sentence. "Same goes for all of my classes… but just because everyone managed to pass on, doesn't mean everyone was happy."
"I take that the kids weren't?"
"No. Even though their results were good, and even greater than back then… they were mortified. And it didn't take long for me to see why." Makoto looked at the documents in sorrow. "And since you've read the documents… well, I think you got the idea."
Ikue stared at him. "The abuse got worse?"
"Yeah. And what's more… they weren't sharing their happiness. They didn't like that the kids were happy on their own… just like that Towa dude back then." Makoto growled, before calming down almost instantly. "Anyway, they seemed really odd when I came for them. Of course, they tried to smile, but… I could still feel the sadness. The despair, even."
Ikue looked at him curiously. "…you seem to detect quickly when someone is in this kind of position, don't you?"
"Well, I guess." Makoto scratched his cheek. "I wanted to talk things out with them, but… well, let's say that my family also wanted to share the happiness they felt for me."
"So they took you somewhere else?"
"I couldn't see the kids for a little while on that day, yes. They didn't know about their conditions, so they couldn't understand what was going on unlike me… But I managed to find them." Makoto gulped. "On the roof of the academy, on its backside. So no one could see them."
"And I assume that you managed to stop them?"
"It wasn't easy. There were clearly not expecting me to show up during their little planning. Fortunately, they have not tried anything yet, so there was still time." The Luckster then sighed lightly. "And then… here's what happened…"
"N...Naegi-onii? W-what are you doing here?!"
The hesitant voice of Monaca suggested the Luckster that she was not expecting him to run into her and her friend's location like that. In fact, they shared the same surprised look at them… as well as the feeling of growing fear. And unfortunately for them, Makoto sensed it.
"S-sorry to burst in like that, but… I was looking all over for you!" Makoto tried to reassure them, before asking, "Are you guys okay?"
Kotoko was the one who tried to take the first step, trying to do with her usual sweet tone, but with a little salt on the end as usual. "Y-yeah, of course! Why wouldn't we be fine, you dummy?!"
"What are you guys doing here? Shouldn't you be with the other kids or at least with some friends?"
That question made them really nervous. It as Masaru's turn to seem more hostile than usual. "H-hey, that doesn't concern you! We've got the right to be alone by ourselves!"
"I-I can't argue with that last part, but…" Makoto looked at them with a kind, yet worried smile. "You know I was assigned to take care of you guys, right? So I have to make sure that everything is alright with you guys!"
"T-thank you, b-but we're fine! See?" Jataro tried to reassure. "I-it's not like we were going to do anything… bad…"
The other kids looked at him, and the poor hooded kid realized that he might have said too much, covering his mouth and looking away in tears. Makoto took notice of it and tried to reassure him. "O-okay, Jataro! I-I believe you, but… that doesn't change the fact that you should probably be with us right no-"
"What do you know?"
"Uh?"
Makoto could not help but feel a little intimidated on top of being surprised when Nagisa spoke, for it was as if… he was scolding him. And judging by his face, that was a confirmation, since he seemed very angry. Or rather, frustrated.
"What do you know about us, uh?" He almost shouted. "What makes you think that you can tell us what to do like that?! You're not our… our…"
"Your dad?"
The fact Makoto finished his sentence made everyone flinch, as if he touched a sensible point. But that did not stop Makoto to talk anyway, giving them a sympathetic look. "I know that… but I think this is best for you guys, you know. I'm really worried right now… and the fact that you tried to talk back is not helping."
"S-so what?! We told, there's nothing wrong!" Masaru shouted, slowly but surely losing his cool. "Who do you think you are, bossing us around, uh?!"
"This is only an advice that I'm giving you, Masaru." Makoto explained, not backing off, knowing that it wasn't a thing allowed at the moment. "And I seriously think you should consider it. You don't look really happy right now. More like… depressed."
"W-we're not! Why would be, uh, you dingus?!" Kotoko spoke next, sharing the same emotions as the others. "Why would we hang out with the others in the first place, uh?!"
"Because like this, you can share what you feel with the others." Makoto answered, trying to smile. "You know that you have at least me to talk to, right? You don't have to keep everything for yourself."
"W-we knows that, but…" Jataro muttered loudly enough for everyone else to understand him. "I-I don't think anyone else wants to hear us…"
"Are you sure about this?" Makoto asked, beginning to take a glimpse of what he meant yet taking a simple wondering tone. "Not the kids? Not my friends?" He then slowed down. "Not even your… family?"
The fact that the question was asked slowly and slowly at the moment, and the hesitation that the Luckster showed, made everyone slowly widens their eyes in shock. He knew. He had figured everything out… and that realization only makes them shake even more."
"Hahaha… are you… proud of yourself?"
That slow laugh made everyone shiver in fear as they turned over Monaca, who had her face shadowed as she didn't want anyone to see her face, in a vain attempt to hide the tears who were slowly crossing her face, sparkling in the shadow of her hair.
Makoto was a little taken aback by her shaky voice, as well as everyone else. "M-Monaca?"
"Do you actually… enjoy seeing us in pain? Uh?!"
Her voice was becoming violent and violent at the moment, as the shaking in her voice was becoming also more evident. The kids were watching her in surprise. This time, Nagisa tried to reach out. "M-Monaca, y-you don't need to-"
"NO!"
Everyone stared at her in shock, as the young boy recoiled from her, staring at her in disbelief, as she suddenly looked up to the Luckster… with tears… and rage in her eyes.
"You really want to know what we're plotting here?! Since it's your duty and all of that BULLCRAP, you would like to know, uh, dear caregiver?!" Monaca shouted, in a mocking way in addition of all of the anger boiling inside of her. "Well, how about putting it for you bluntly: we were going to end this!"
Makoto was now staring at her in horror, as if he knew what was going to happen… which was totally the case. Yet, he tried to be surprised. "Uh? W-what do you-"
"Don't try to play dumb, you hypocrite!" Monaca yelled, seeing through his lie right away. "You know what it means! Ending it all! The life! Our lives! WE WERE GOING TO KILL OURSELVES!"
Every kid gasped t this, for they did not expect this outburst. Yet, it was not enough for Makoto. "B-but… why?! Why would you do this?! Why would you think about something like this in the first place?!"
"Of course you would ask. You don't know anything." Monaca growled, getting more and more fed up with his attitude. "You're just one normal student, who happened to enroll here because of goddamn luck, and who just happened to be our goddamn caregiver for the year! I didn't expect someone like you do understand!"
"What is there to understand?!" Makoto shouted back, not of anger, but of sorrow and sadness. "Whatever reasons you may have, it's not worth it! You know that some people would care if anything happened to you! So why would you do something so stupid and… and also selfish?!"
Everyone stared at him in complete disbelief… and the wheelchaired girl looked more enraged than before.
"Selfish?"
Her fury had now crossed a new crescendo, a new peak… something that not even she would have expected.
"SELFISH?!"
But in front of her… was a complete, daring and insolent idiot. Probably someone who seemed to care about them, but who probably wasn't. No matter. He pushed her buttons too far, and he was going to pay the price for being the one responsible for it.
"How dare you call us, selfish?! Uh?! How dare you call us by that name, when for the first time in our lives, we think about ourselves, uh?! What would you know about being bullied and abused in every way possible, uh?!"
That slowly but surely raised every kid's anger, and beginning by Masatu, who went towards Makoto and kicked him in the leg, making him wince in pain and hold his injury. "Ouch!"
"Yeah! Take that, you bully!" Masaru was looking at him in anger, trying to restrain his anger. "What do you know about being beaten up by your dad every night for the heck of it?! Someone who would rather pass all of his days at home, drunk to no end, and blame you just because you were here, when you were the one who forced you to STEAL just to please the one that you fear the most?! Uh?! Do you know anything about that?! OF COURSE YOU DON'T!"
Jataro, almost encouraged by his friend's actions, ran by his side and kicked Makoto's other leg, making him fall to the ground in pain. "Ouch! G-guys-"
"W-why would you care about someone like me, uh?! Why would you pretend to care about me?!" He shouted, more like heart-broken and despairing, not being able to restrain his tears and the sadness in his voice. "W-why would a stranger would care about me, when my own mother hated me just because she could, uh?! W-why would I listen to you when you say that you care about me, when no one else did, uh?!"
Kotoko was next, and she looked as outraged as Masaru, as she kicked Makoto's nose with her feet, making him yelp in pain again. "O-ow! P-please, liste-"
"What do you know, you IDIOT!" Kotoko started to cry as well, but she was an angry crier. "What do you know about being completely played by those filthy adults in every disgusting way possible, uh?! What do you know about being forced to do those things that completely take your innocence away and crush it into pieces, uh?! NOTHING! STRICTLY NOTHING! So stop the act NOW!"
Nagisa almost followed her with the same rage and also gave a kick in the Luckster's face, who tried to cover it up with both of his hands on it in a vain attempt to protect it. "O-ouch! Stop it-"
"How dare you… How dare you say that kind of thing to me?!" Nagisa yelled in complete rage. "How would you feel about being pushed thrown all your life by your parents, those who were supposed to take care of you?! How would you feel about feeling the need of being abandoned, because you simply were not good enough for them?! How would you feel about being pressured off the expectations, uh?! NOTHING! Since you never had to experience that kind of SUFFERING like ME!"
Finally, Monaca was the one who got in front of the Luckster who held the injuries on his nose who was starting to bleed, and decided to mock him more. "See, Naegi Makoto? Do you feel the pain? Well, this means absolutely nothing compared to what we've been through. You didn't have any family who despises your very existence, any kind of actions from your parts, even a smile… and I don't even start with the others thing, because it could seriously take all day." She then growled viciously. "So, how dare you say we are being selfish? How can you possibly so cruel right now? I figured that you would now. This is the only way for us to be happy now."
Silent ensued after that sentence. For one moment, the kids thought that they won. That he would understand and not try to stop them."
"Y-you… you've got that wrong!"
But of course, life was not as easy. They should have known better.
"Throwing your life away like that… it's just not fair!" Makoto shouted, addressing himself to the kids while looking at the sky. "You can't expect me to accept that kind of decision, because it's all crap! What about those who care about you?!" He decided to slowly but surely look at them with his most determined gaze, trying to cope with the pain. "How can you possibly believe that there is no one who cares about you? How can you possibly believe that no one would cry about not being able to help you? How can you possibly think that throwing your lives away would erase the pain?! This is not being happy… this is just accepting despair! This is just giving up! And this… I won't stand this, do you hear me?!"
The kids were astonished by this boy's determination, not knowing what to say or how to react. He was getting on their ways to go end it all, and there he was, spitting on their pain as if it was nothing and telling them off, as if he knew anything about life…
Or, was he?
The kids could not help but feel… doubt. It may seem ridiculous now of all times, but… his look, his tone… everything about him made them began to question themselves. After all, the person that they decided to lash out was the person with whom they shared good moments. The one who was assigned to take care of them despite their behaviors. The one that decided to risk his life in order to save there owns, and the one who decided to be their big brother… even though it was unofficial. And if they were to be honest…
This goofus was probably the closest person that they could actually consider as a dear brother.
"How… dare… you?"
Everyone who seemed to be moved by his speech turned over an even more enraged Monaca, who didn't seem affected by his words in the slightest. Nagisa asked, "M-Monaca-san?"
"How dare you?!" she completely ignored him as she approached the Luckster. "We… we explained everything to you - no, you literally forced us to reveal our secret… and you still think we are being selfish?!"
At this point, she wasn't listening to anyone at this point… but what really made everyone gasps in fear-
"M-Monaca-san?!"
Was the fact that the used her arms to fling herself on Makoto and land on his stomach, making him wince in pain yet again.
"Why won't you leave us alone, uh?!"
PAF!
And with that, she punched him in his face with her tiny fists, under everyone's terrified gazes, who were simply too terrified and surprised to actually do anything… for she was going to do it again.
"Why-"
PAF!
And again.
"won't-"
PAF!
Yet again.
"you-"
PAF!
Yet again.
"leave-"
PAF!
Punch after punch.
"ME-"
PAF!
Weaker and weaker, contrary to her cries.
"ALONE?!"
PAF!
The little girl was now in frustrated tears, her fists shaking, covered with a little blood for the injuries she gave Makoto, who's grunts slowly died as the punches were delivered, which was very surprising considering his situation. Monaca allowed herself to stop herself for a short period of time, catching her breath under everyone's astonished watches, for there were not expecting that kind of reaction from her.
"W-why do you care so much… why do you think you can… stop us… uh?!" Monaca's voice was shaking with fear and sadness… before she lifted up her right fist in the air again, preparing herself to unleash the last bit of her anger on the already beaten up boy. Which alarmed everyone else. "M-Monaca-san?"
"What do you know about pain?"
"M-Monaca, I think you should-"
"What do you know about family?!"
"Monaca, please stop!"
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT US?!"
"MONACA!"
THUG!
"I know love."
The whole world seemed to freeze for all of the kids, especially Monaca as she felt two arms hug her tightly, widening her eyes in shock as she felt the beaten up boy straightening his chest so he could embrace her, beginning to tear up as well.
"Y-you're right… I have no idea what you had to go through during your past... and I'm so, so sorry that… I couldn't do anything to be here for you when you needed someone the most." He could not even restrain his tears. "If I could go back in time… I swear that I would have tried to save you all for that. I wish I could have known you earlier, so I could have tried to save you…"
The kids stared at him in shock, as they could not believe what they were hearing. A beaten up boy, who was the victim of their anger and lash out, was crying… not of pain because of the punches delivered to his face, which had become evident with the stains of blood on his nose, cheeks and near his eyes… but he was crying of pain because of them. Because they thought at this moment that, he could feel the pain they were emitting, and the all felt touched… even Monaca, this time.
"B-but… this is still wrong for you to resort to something so desperate!" he argued, making clear that he was feeling really sad and hurt. "Why do you think I wanted to find you a fast as possible?! Why do you think I wanted to be with you today?! Yes, I may have sounded hypocritical and cruel, but… all I wanted was to be with you guys! To save you from yourselves!"
The kids widened their eyes even more, as Makoto looked at every kid individually to spoke to them about their fear, beginning with Masaru. "Masaru, you're right. I was very lucky to have a father who loved me and took care of me while he had to… but that doesn't mean you have to fight this pain alone! You know you can always trust me if your burden is too heavy on your shoulders! Let me be YOUR hero!"
Masaru widened his eyes in shock at the words, but Makoto quickly shifted his attention to Jataro. "Jataro, I may not know what blatant hatred may seem like but… do you really wish to only remember the people who hated your existence?! What about those who actually want to LOVE you?! How about the people who will want to befriend you?! Are you telling me that those around us hate you all?! And even if that's true, know that I CARE about you! I WANT to LOVE you! So please, let me do so! Let me help you LOVE you for who you are, A BEAUTIFUL PERSON!"
Jataro simply broke down in tears, falling to his knees, leaving Makoto to stare at Kotoko with his pleading look. "Kotoko, I agree. I don't have a single idea what you've been through, which must have been awful… but that's why I want to understand! I want to understand your pain better, so I can help you better! So you can have the life you DESERVES! So please! Stop the act and let yourself be honest with me! You can cry with me all you want, so after that, we will be happy together!"
Kotoko seemed to be in complete shock, but Makoto did not leave her time to react as he already turned over Nagisa. "I've been lucky enough to have a normal family who always supported me in each of my expectations, Nagisa. And that's why I want to share this experience with you! Have your own expectations! Have the right to be more selfish! Everyone has the right to think for themselves! But you don't have to let the pressure consume you! Because I AM HERE!"
Nagisa also widened his eyes in shock, as Makoto let go Monaca a little so he could see her crying out of surprise. "Monaca. I know that you're frustrated. I know that you're scared. But I also know that you want to be saved. To be loved. To feel like you are in a true family. So please. Don't run away when I'm lending you a hand. Because if you do it… I will be saddened greatly. And I think… I will probably never be able to recover from that, for I could have saved you. But I didn't." Makoto then hugged her tightly again, and landing his mouth near her ears and said, looking at everyone else,
"Please… let me give you that love that you all deserves so much."
All of the kids stared at him, with watery eyes full of shock. Monaca was still trying to painfully restrain her tears in vain… but then, Makoto muttered in her ear, "It's okay, Monaca. You don't have to hide it anymore. I'm here for you."
The poor little girl was almost at her limit… and then…
"Come on. Feel free to cry on your big bro's shoulder."
And then, that was it. A loud and high cry of pain and sadness was unleashed in the air, and if people could actually hear, it would have surprised them to see that it was coming from a little girl, who was now hugging back tightly the young boy… and who was now joined by all of her friends, who joined the hug, to which Makoto happily accepted, seeing that he managed to reach out to them.
"O-onii-chan?"
"Darling! What's going on?!"
"We've been looking all around for you! What are you-"
The group of six people looked rather surprised as the three newcomers, who were none other than Makoto's family… how looked as surprised to see five little kids in tears, hugging their son who looked also sobbing… and badly hurt at the level of his face.
"O-ONII-SAN!" Komaru was quick to run towards her brother and kneeled down to look at his face. "What happened to you?!"
"Darling, are you alright?!" His mom also went towards him, looking very worried, before staring at the kids. "This is not some tricks of yours, is it?"
The kids looked rather nervous, but Makoto was quick to intervene. "N-no, don't worry, it's not their fault, honest!"
While the children looked at him surprised at the fact that he was willing to cover them up, the father was the next one to take a step and look at them in a suspicious way. "Really? Then can you tell us what happened, son?"
"Just some quarreling between siblings, that's all!"
Everyone stared at him in shock, especially the kids who just wouldn't believe their ears. Jataro was the first one to speak. "S… siblings?"
"Of course! I'm your big brother after all, so I have to take care of you and show the right example!" Makoto laughed, ignoring the pain in his face. "So I had to stop you from fighting each other!"
"Fighting?" the father said, looking at the kids with the same look as before. "Will you please explain what is going on here?"
"W-we can, sir. I assure you, this is just a big misunderstanding." Nagisa tried to reassure them, seems a little fearful. "W-we were just-"
"We took our anger on the wrong person."
"Uh?" Everyone looked at Monaca, who looked down in shame. "We-we were feeling bad about something that has been bothering us, and… and we lashed out at Makoto-onii. We're sorry."
"M-Monaca!" Masaru panicked instantly, before putting his hand on his mouth, realizing his mistake.
"Really? You are the one who injured our son?" the mother asked, seeming a little… disappointed. "And what reason did you have?"
"W-well…" Kotoko decided to mutter, feeling really nervous about the situation. "I-it's just tha-"
"It's a personal issue."
Everyone looked at Makoto, who seemed surprisingly determined. "Please don't blame them, everyone. They have been through a lot recently, and… let's say that they simply didn't know how to handle it anymore. But we had some kind of… contract together."
"Contract?" Komaru asked, looking curious. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I think you should ask them. If they want, of course."
"Uh?"
Makoto then looked at the kids with confidence and comfort. "It's okay. You don't have to talk about it now. But my parents and my sister are really worth your trust. You know how they are since Christmas, I think, even though you haven't met them so much." He was softer in the last sentence. "So if you don't want to talk about it, it's fine. But they are people you can trust. I know I'm repeating myself, but… we'll do anything to protect you from now on."
The kids looked at him, seeming amazed by his behavior. Did he just force their step? ...not really. He did the first step for them, yes… but he was also leaving them a choice. They could keep their secret… or they could take Makoto's offer…
And something made them look at each other, then smile with confidence as they took their decision, voiced by Monaca as she looked at the Luckster with a small smile.
"Alright. If you say so, Naegi-onii… then we'll trust you."
"Really?"
Monaca then looked at Makoto's family with a sad look. "Uuum, well… where should Monaca start?"
"And then, they took their time to explain the basics." Makoto of the present explained to the boss in front of him. "Not everything, because they didn't fully trust them yet, but… that was enough for them to understand the situation they were in."
Ikue was now writing the news given on another sheet. "Hmhm… I see. And what did you decided to do?"
"Well, considering their… families did not seem to care enough to come - not even Nagisa's parents, who were teachers here, for Pete's sake -" Makoto growled momentarily, before calming down. "Sorry about that. Anyway, as I was saying, considering what did not happen, we decided to take them to our home. To let them time to… adapt themselves to their new environment."
"And when did you sign the papers for their official adopting?"
"About the beginning of last month. We didn't want to have any kind of problems at first, because, you know, they could have reported us…" Makoto sighed in sadness. "But as I said, nothing happened. And seeing that they were really happy now… we just couldn't betray such happiness, right?"
"As for what I've heard, they looked quite happy with your company. Besides, the emotions in your voice proved to me that you were honest the whole time." the woman said with her casual tone. "Still, we will have to have an eye on them. In case something bad happens. And I believe I will have to talk to your parents about the matter. I'm sure you understand why."
"Of course. We can never be sure." Makoto smiled at her, before sighing. "I just hope that… nothing will go wrong…"
"But just in case, as I've said before, we also have to prepare ourselves if anything does happen. Like this, we will be able to know how to react." The woman told him. "This is something you will have to learn."
Makoto stared at her, a little surprised by what she said. But then, he smiled. "Of course. You're right. Thank you for your advice."
Ikue seemed to stop in her activity for a moment, before she kept writing and said, "…you're most welcome." She then stopped what she was doing and got up. "Anyway, I believe this is the end of our little meeting." She then bowed very lightly. "Thank you for according me some of your time."
"I-I'm the one who thanks you! I'm glad that you told me about those documents!" Makoto was quick to bow properly. "I'll be able to comfort and support them even more and better from now on!"
The woman looked up at him. "Just keep an eye on yourself, okay? We wouldn't want anything to happen to you as well."
Makoto perked a little surprised, but smiled at her anyway. "Will do. Thank you, ma'am."
"Again, it is part of my job. You don't need to thank me." Ikue answered, and before he could answer back as well, she added, "I believe your family is waiting for your return. I think you already know the exit. The sun already dropping, after all."
"Uh?" Makoto quickly glanced at the window to see that indeed, night as about to fall in a matter of time. "A-ah! You're right! I'll be going now! Thank you again!"
And with that, he exited the room as Ikue heard some happy greetings as soon as Makoto closed the door. There, she allowed herself to smile slightly.
"Well… this is quite the development."
"R-really?! An agency of investigators?!"
"Yeah! They asked about the kids' condition, that's all."
"Oh, I see… well, the important thing is that everything is fine in the end."
"And we also managed to find another member for the Warriors of Hope!"
"That's wonderful, Monaca dear! And what else happened?"
"Well, there was that creep from the stadium who also work in here…"
"Now, now, Masaru. Don't speak about others like that. You know it's impolite."
"B-but he was really scary looking, you know… and we had to stay with him…"
"I agree with Jataro. He was quite the… odd man if I were to speak. Aniki can confirm it for you."
"Y-yeah, he did seem special… but I don't think he's a bad person."
Makoto was explaining this to his family, just after they went back from their little outgoing, as he was assisted by his siblings which were telling most of the events. And because they were just coming back from it at the moment, their parents and Komaru were really shocked to hear about the encounter.
"Well, this is really… unexpected and unique in a sense!" The woman exclaimed, looking worried at her husband. "What do you think we should do, Kotoya? Do you think we should go and talk to her?"
"Calm down, Mariko. I'm sure everything is fine." The man answered. "We will do so when the time will come." He then eyed his son. "Right, Makoto?"
"Yeah. She told me that she would like to talk to you two about the kids." The Luckster answered. "She said we didn't have to worry, though. She simply wishes for their security, that's all."
That made Mariko sigh in relief. "Phew! I thought that we were going to have some problems. I mean, with what happened…"
"I agree. We never received any kind of threat yet, but… we never know." Kotoya followed, before chuckling lightly. "But, there is no need to become sick because of stress. We are far better than this. We all know we wouldn't hurt any embers of our family."
"YEAH! And we're not gonna let ourselves be squashed either!"
Everyone looked at Masaru, who seemed to have the support of every Warrior of Hope, as he pronounced those words with confidence.
"That weirdo was scary… but he's right! A hero has to get stronger if he wants to protect those he cares about! So… I'm going to get stronger! I'm going to show you why I'm the leader of the Warriors of Hope!"
Encouraged by his words, the others started also their apparent resolutions, under everyone else's surprised gaze. Jataro began, seeming less shy and hesitant as before. "I-I have to be more faithful about myself. B-because if I don't… I-I'll never be able to stand up to those who threaten my family, too! ...and also because I want to know what it's like to be strong."
"You were strong back then, Jataro! So don't act so shyly now, you dingus!" Kotoko laughed lightly, before saying her resolve. "I won't let anyone hurt my family! I won't let them suffer the way I did! So you can bet that this girl is going to kick some butts!"
"Very enthusiastic. I have to consider that, at the very least." Nagisa remarked with a smile, before looking serious and determined at the same time. "I will use every of my knowledge for myself. I will raise every time I fall, so when I'm on the top… I will be able to proudly say it was because of you that I had such a path."
"Ah, that was so cool, Nagisa-chan! Monaca guesses that you really are serious about it! That makes Monaca really proud!" That comment from Monaca made him blush and look away, as the wheelchaired girl looked happily at him and talked. "There is a lot of things Monaca will never have back… but that's why she will enjoy what she has now to the fullest! Like this, Monaca will be able to teach others how to appreciate better their lives…" she eyed Makoto with an affectionate way and followed, "Just like Naegi-onii taught us."
Makoto widened his eyes in shock, as Monaca was joined by the other Warriors who grinned at him with the more honest happiness he felt. Then, Masaru, Jataro and Kotoko ran to Makoto and threw themselves at him to give him the biggest hug they got, making him lose his balance. "Oof?!"
The poor Lucster landed on his butt on the ground, but still laughing with the kids who were hugging him tightly, laughing heartwarmingly, not caring about anything in the world as Nagisa and Monaca joined them, just hugging Makoto lightly, under Makoto's family's amused gazes.
"Well, look at that, son. You've become quite the hero with the age." Kotoya told his son in a proud tone. "And you have gained so many friends, too."
"T-that really makes me happy, dear…" Mariko wiped out a tear from her eyes. "And to think… we won't be able to come for the event you've prepared… that just breaks my heart."
"Don't worry, Okaa-san, Otoo-san," Makoto reassured them quickly with a smile. "I mean, it sure is too bad, but I'll leave with that. I know you have a ton of work recently, and besides, there will be many other occasions, I'm sure of it! So you guys have to focus on your work, okay?"
That earned an amused sigh from the parents and an amazed look or the Warriors of Hope… but Komaru took her brother's arm. "Onii-chan?"
Makoto looked at his sister curiously, not expecting her to do something. "Uh? Yeah, Komaru?"
"Can we go outside together? I would like to pass some time with my Onii-san for today, even just a little… please?"
The Luckster stared at her pretty surprised, but then smiled sheepishly. "O-of course, Komaru! Where do you want to go?"
"Uuumm…" Komaru thought about it for a moment, before she widened her eyes in realization. "Oh! I know! How about the downtown side? The place we used to play when we were kids?"
"Sure!" Makoto looked happily at her sister, before looking at everyone else. "Is this okay with you?"
"Of course! Get going, you two! Have some fun!" Mariko said happily. "But don't come back too late, okay?"
"Yes. Makoto still has to wake early tomorrow. After all, this is going to be a big day for you!" Kotoya reminded them. "We are going to take care of the kids for you, so don't worry!"
"Yeah! Have some nice time together with Naegi-nee!" Monaca encouraged, soon supported by her friends.
"Okay. So we're leaving. See you in a bit!" The Luckster cheered, before saying to Komaru, "Do you want my hoodie? I think it's going to get cold soon."
"Don't worry, I'm strong enough!" Komaru answered while giggling. "No single cold is going to stop me from having some time with my goofus of a brother!"
"S-so much for trying to be nice…"
And with that last exchange, they closed the door, leaving everyone else to talk about what just happened.
"Hey, she really is so impatient!" Masaru remarked. "Why did she insisted so much o that?"
"U-um, she only asked, I think…" Jataro said. "B-besides, she had to wait like us…"
"Exactly! Unlike everyone else, she didn't have any moment with Makoto-nii!" Kotoko scolded him yet again. "Be more comprehensible!"
"Exactly. Everyone has the right to pass time with Aniki." Nagisa joined her. "That's something you have to understand."
"Now, now, children, don't argue again on something like this." Kotoya was quick to intervene. "We don't want another ruckus because of that, do we?"
"Besides, we would like to hear what happened today." Mariko said, eyeing Monaca gently. "Monaca? Would you like to explain to us?"
"Sure!"
"Thanks, Onii-chan! That doll is so cute!"
"No problem, Komaru. You know I would have won for you, right?"
"Of course! You're the Ultimate Lucky Student after all! ...even though your luck is quite bad most of the time."
"Again with that?!"
"Sorry, but you can't deny the truth!"
"I-I guess…"
The siblings laughed together at a park on the downtown side of the city, where the calm was almost complete, except for a few passersby. The white bear doll was won by Makoto for Komaru at a crane game at an arcade near the park they were in, where they sat on one of the benches in the park, as Komaru was hugging affectionately the doll as she mused to herself.
"I really appreciate that place, you know," she said while sighing with a small smile. "We have so many good memories in this place."
"I agree." Makoto smiled with her. "We passed so much time together when we were kids. That's why we're here today, right?"
"Oh, but not just when we were kids, you know."
"Uh?"
"Remember last year, when you abandoned one of your exams for my birthday?"
Makoto looked at her surprised, before widening his eyes in shock as the memory flowed back in his mind. "Oh, that? Yeah, I remember it. I was really lucky that an incident happened that day. That had to postpone it, lucky for me." He then looked at Komaru smiling sincerely. "But I'm glad I did it. I never saw you so happy before… and that's something I will never forget for sure."
That made Komaru blush madly as she turned to her side in order for her brother not to see it. "W-what's wrong with you, saying something like that?! Onii-chan, you big meanie!"
"I-I guess I overdid it…" the Luckster laughed awkwardly, before continuing. "But I mean it. I'm truly glad I did it."
Komaru decided to get back at him. "Y-you know you would have been in big trouble if there wasn't any incident right?"
"Of course I do. But what happened, happened. There's nothing I can do about it." The Luckster smiled anyway. "What I can do is… trying to make the future a better tomorrow."
"Y-you mean… like with the event?"
"Exactly. What I'm trying to do is help those people. That's probably the best thing I can… and also the only one." he sighed tiredly and sadly. "But I suppose… not everyone will perhaps enjoy it. Besides, some even think that it's usele-"
"Don't say that!"
"Uh?"
Makoto was surprised to see Komaru looking at him, or rather, staring at him with a pout. "You wanted this to happen so much! You wouldn't stop talking about it for the next weeks once you had the idea! You said you did not stop make some visits to the Reserve Course in order to share your ideas! And if I believe your words -which I do-, you also said that some people were touched by the gesture! So stop complaining already! Be more confident!"
Makoto looked at her in shock, then he sweatdropped and laughed awkwardly at this unexpected outburst. "O-okay, okay! I'll make sure to remember this."
"You better! I want you to at least remember one thing coming from your sister!" Komaru pouted, before looking away. "I-I mean, I won't be able to come either because of my classes, so… I just hope you won't forget…"
"Uh?" Makoto immediately noticed the change of tone in her voice, so he looked at her curiously. "Komaru? Is something wrong?"
"Eep?!" The little sister noticed what he meant, and quickly denied whatever was on her mind. "N-nothing! Nothing at all! I-I just, you know… tried to tease you a little, that's all!" she then laughed awkwardly. "Hahaha… w-why would I-"
"Komaru."
She then stopped when she felt two hands on her shoulder, and when she saw her brother looking at him determined, something that she rarely saw and surprised her. "You don't have to hide anything from me." he said. "I'm your brother, and siblings should rely on each other, right? So, please. Tell me what's going on."
Komaru looked at him surprised, but then frowned sadly. "It's always like that…"
"Uh?"
"You're always saying that… that siblings should rely on each other…" Komaru muttered. "But you're always the one who makes the first step, you know? Not only for me, but also everyone else…"
Makoto raised an eyebrow at this. "What's wrong with that?"
"The fact that I can't even return the favor."
"Uh?"
"You went as far as leaving one of you important exams just for my birthday…" she admitted sadly. "You went as far as risking your future just to be with me on that day… and I can't even find some free time just to be with you too…"
And then, Makoto widened his eyes in shock. "K-Komaru?"
"I'm really a selfish sister." she admitted shamefully. "I-I want to be with my brother so much, but I can't even be with you when you need it the most…" Komaru was almost tearing up at this point. "W-while you grew up, I just stayed a little child this whole time…"
"It's not necessarily a bad thing."
As she tried to look up to him, she felt a warm embrace around her body as she noticed that Makoto was hugging her rather tightly.
"I told you. It's alright. You don't have to worry about that, because I know you guys can't help it, so I won't force you to do the impossible." He whispered in her ear, before taking a gentle smile. "Besides, you and everyone else supported me all the time while I was preparing it. Therefore, it's more than enough for me."
Komaru blinked in surprise, before frowning again. "L-look at you… It's just like I said…"
"How so?"
"You've matured so much… but I didn't." She said sadly. "I-I suppose this is due to the fact that you were enrolled at Hope's Peak."
"And it's all thanks to you guys."
"Uh?"
Komaru blinked when he pulled off lightly so he could smile at her. "Remember when I received the letter? Remember how I was hesitant about accepting the offer? And remember when you were the one who encouraged me the most to take it?" Makoto explained while keeping his smile. "See? You also matured on your own. While I was also a little distant because of my schedule, you also made friends of your own. You grew up making your own experience… and as long as it makes you happy, then I'm happy too."
That comment made Komaru blush another time, so she put her head on her brother's chest so he wouldn't see more. "O-Onii-chan is such a bully…"
Makoto couldn't help but laugh a little. He knew his sister would react like that. For some reason, when he praised her, she felt all nervous…
Not that disturbed him in the slightest. After all, it was his sister he was talking about. His dear, little sister, who he would protect from anything.
Komaru knew that too well. She knew he could be too nice sometimes.
That was why she was so worried about him… and why she didn't want him to be taken by anyone.
Nobody was going to take her beloved big brother away from her. He was hers, and hers alone.
"But it's true, you know. I mean everything that I say." Makoto chuckled. "Besides, you know that I would do anything for my family."
"Do you mean everyone?"
"Uh? What do you mean?"
"Onii-chan always consider any friend of his as a member of his family." Komaru explained, laughing lightly. "You're always like that… I could see that in the photos."
"Really?"
"Here." She got off of her brother and put her hand in the pocket of her blouse and get it out with some photos. "I was looking at it while you were with our siblings. You looked really… happy on these."
Makoto took the photos that Komaru handed him and looked at them… before smiling gently. "Yes. You're right. They are a part of my family as well… and I feel like it's also thanks to them that I am who I am now."
"Of course you would feel like that." Komaru giggled. "You're always so grateful to them, even though you are the one who helped them."
"Yes. But they gave me something in return, Komaru." Makoto answered. "They gave me confidence. They gave me their friendship. They gave me… my own hope." Makoto muttered, looking at the rising moon, before laughing awkwardly. "Well, most of them, anyway. But… the majority of them means a lot to me."
"Oow, you're such a cutie when you're like that!" Komaru giggled even more. She then said, "Hey, it's going to be nighttime! How about we go home now? I'm sure Okaa-san has prepared something special!"
"The special dinner, you think?"
"Well, there's only one way to figure out!" Komaru said, still holding her doll, as she got up and ran towards the park's exit. Once she reached it, she turned towards her brother and said, "Hey, what are you waiting for, you slowpoke? Come now! You have to go to sleep earlier today, Onii-chan!"
"Alright, alright! I'll join you, but there's no need to speed up like that! We're not in a hurry!" Makoto laughed at his sister's reaction, getting up and slowly joining his sister.
As he walked towards where she was, he could help but take another look at the photos which were illuminated by both the street lamp's light and the moon's light. And at the sight of it, he couldn't help but smile happily again.
After all, who wouldn't smile at the sight of friends that you consider as a part of your family?
My family.
My classmates, my friends from the other classes, Main and Reserve Course alike, my adopted siblings… and even some of the staff of Hope's Peak Academy.
What can I say about them, honestly? During my first year of the school, I had no idea that I would have so many friends in the end. Of course, considering my talent, I hoped that I would still be able to befriend some people, but… the end result exceeded all of my expectations. From my class to the other classes by way of even some of the adults here, it seems like I'm globally well appreciated here.
The fact that almost everyone wanted to be next to me for those photos is another proof of that, I suppose.
Every person taught me something valuable. Hard work, determination, devotion… and in return, I also taught them… hope. Or at least, I think so. But in the end, I consider that what we did for each other is a solid proof of our friendship.
...and to think that it was put at risk by that tale I'm about to tell you. Unbelievable, right?
I mean, consider this. I know I'm repeating myself over again an again, but… I never viewed myself as a special individual. I was just a normal boy back then. A student like so many others. Yes, I may have many qualities, but… I knew that I had some flaws, too. I'm average at worst, very optimistic at best. That's what defines me the most, right?
...well… what if I told you that I evolved into something more? What if I told you that, if this story would transform me into someone… special? Just like the Ultimates, in a sort. What if I told you that it would also make my qualities shine even more… and yet, that my flaws would also appear more frequently? What if I told you that it made me choose a path that no one would have expected, including me? And most importantly…
What if I told you… that it would lead me into this kind of relationship with those I love?
…
You don't believe me. I can tell. Well, it's alright. I guess that's it's pretty hard for you to imagine something like that, if you have my face in your mind.
But… it happened. And at some time… it was not pretty.
In order for you to understand this better… I guess I should start with the beginning.
And I consider that the beginning… is the event that I wanted to happen in the first place.
Welp, here it is. The final chapter of the 'Prologue Arc'.
Now, you're probably wondering, 'Pupla! How are you going to begin with the actual story?', right? Well, this will work most like 'Higurashi no Naku Koro ni', which means that one arc will focus on one or multiple characters in order to make the story move forward. How exactly? I think you are going to discover it with the following chapters.
If you have any questions, please let me know. I will do my best to answer them. Except for the future of the story. I don't spoil anyone.
Oh yeah, and before I forget, I'm going to make a French version of the fic. Because I'm French. That will take me some time, and hopefully, it will give me some new ideas for the upcoming chapters... hopefully.
See ya later, followers!
Pupla out.
