The hint for this one is pretty simple: at the end of the DR1 free time events, Makoto becomes Fukawa's first friend. Given the somewhat ambiguous canocity of events (on the one hand, Komaru takes the role of first friend, so the FTEs can't have happened, yet Toko references FTE dialogue), the question mark was in order.


I Never Could

Loving Toko Fukawa was a challenging endeavour at the best of times and downright unbearable at the worst of times. Her insecurities, a product of her emotionally abusive upbringing, could strike at any moment: a wrong word, a misunderstood gesture ... triggering an argument was something even a gentle soul like Makoto Naegi could do with relative ease.

Naegi was a patient man almost to the point of being a pushover, but even he struggled to bear the weight of this relationship. The constant need for reassurance, having to think about every word and the implications of every word ... it was too much.

A "break" is what conflict-averse people claim is what they need when they want to break up with their partner. Fukawa knew that, but to her own surprise she was not devastated when her boyfriend said he needed a break. Whilst she knew it would break her if he left, she also knew that her personality made it an inevitability.

She merely nodded and promised to change in a mumble Naegi barely managed to hear despite sitting close to her.

Fukawa knew it was not a realistic promise at all.

Naegi desperately wanted to believe her.


A drabble inspired by a Justin Bieber song. That's a new one for me.

We'll continue tomorrow and the hint for that one is: Paired Luck