Author's Note: Surprise! It's another week where I'm posting two chapters. I felt super excited about posting this one and just decided to go for it. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 15: Day 13

"You know, you really should finish studying for our math test tomorrow instead of daydreaming. You only have a few pages of that chapter left."

Togami smirked as Naegi groaned and shoved the textbook aside. They were sitting at the round table in Togami's room, where Naegi had his study materials laid out. Two empty cups of coffee sat in the middle of their table. Togami glanced up from the French novel he was reading, and he felt his smirk turn to a smile at the other boy's expression. Naegi was pouting, crossing his arms under his chin and looking with puppy eyes at him. "Yeah, but it's so boring," he complained.

"Yes, but it's imperative for you to learn," Togami countered, even as his heart skipped a beat at that adorable look.

Naegi stuck his tongue out at the response, causing Togami to laugh. Just as he set his book down, however, the monitors clicked on, and the school logo appeared on the built-in screen. "It is now nighttime hours," stated the automated female voice. "All students, please return to your dorm rooms. The cafeteria is now closed."

Naegi sighed heavily and stood from the seat. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow." Togami stood as well and was unsurprised when Naegi lunged at him, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist. Togami returned the gesture, leaning forward and placing his chin on the boy's head.

"You'll do fine on your test," he whispered as he took a minute to soak in the boy's presence. Though shorter, Naegi fit against him perfectly, like something precious that Togami could wrap himself around and protect. The warmth emanating from him made Togami tighten his grip just slightly. "Then we have the weekend to relax."

Naegi smiled up at Togami as he spoke, and Togami couldn't keep his fingers from tracing along Naegi's jawline. Looking into those beautiful hazel eyes, Togami leaned forward, ready to kiss the other student goodnight-

Ding dong.

Togami's eyes burst open at the sound of the doorbell. Shooting upright, he looked left and right, blinking several times in confusion. "Wha… What?" He was lying in bed, surrounded by two booklets from the archive and his novel. The novel lay open on his right-hand side.

"Holy shit…" he thought as realization swept over him. "I… I fell asleep."

Ding dong.

He blinked again at the sound of the doorbell. Sighing heavily, he stood from the bed and wiped the sleep from his eyes. "When have I ever just fallen asleep like this?" Togami wondered, recalling all the times his family chided those who deigned to rest or nap when work could be done. "And just what the hell was that...that dream?! It felt so...so real..."

Ding dong.

He groaned as he put on a pair of glasses. "That's it. I'm getting that programmer to disengage my doorbell." Approaching the door, he opened it and was only half surprised to see who it was.

"Naegi."

"Hey Togami!" Naegi smiled and waved up at him.

Togami's dream flashed across his mental vision, and he felt his face flush at Naegi's gleeful expression. He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair, making sure he didn't appear as disheveled as he felt. "What do you want?"

"Well, it's dinnertime, and, um, nobody's seen you around all day. I didn't know if you were feeling okay or if you wanted to maybe join us for dinner?"

Togami meant to hide his surprise, but he could feel his eyes widen as the words registered. "It's...already dinner? I've slept that long?" Realizing Naegi was just standing in the doorway, he sighed and held the door open. Naegi blinked twice, his jaw dropping slightly at the gesture, before he cautiously took a few steps into Togami's room. "Give me a few minutes to get ready," Togami responded. "The last thing I need is for Taka to return after your report to 'demand' I come to dinner."

"Oh, I don't think-"

"No, you don't. And he would do such a thing, and you know it, so drop it."

Shutting the door, Togami entered the bathroom, leaving the door open just slightly ajar as he washed his face and fixed his hair. He could hear Naegi slowly walking around his room and rolled his eyes. "It's probably the first time he's seen fine art," he reflected, wondering what in his room could be so fascinating to the other student. Fixing up the cross tie, Togami looked back at his reflection and shook his head in frustration. "I can't believe I actually took a nap, just like that… I know from experience how such a move can be construed. I myself was able to take out a half-sibling because they felt the urge to nap while studying. How could I have let my guard down here? And...that dream..."

Togami shuddered. "Where did that even come from? It felt so realistic... I usually never recall my dreams, but for how short it was, it was so intense." Indeed, the sensation of Naegi hugging him, the sizzle of skin underneath his fingertips… Togami swallowed, unable to keep from shivering at the sudden wave of emotion. "No, it was just a dream. Forget about it."

"Hey Togami...do you play this?"

Frowning, Togami stepped out from the bathroom to see Naegi standing in front of his violin case. Next to the desk was his music stand, where a few sheets of music were placed, as well as a small metronome on the floor. Pushing all thoughts and sensations of the dream aside as best he could, he approached the small table, where his jacket neatly lay. He grabbed it and slid it on as he answered, "I haven't since arriving here, but yes, I do play the violin. As well as many other instruments, though whoever designed this mess clearly knew which instrument I would prefer to play. Why?"

"I'm just kind of surprised. You didn't mention it at all, even last night when Maizono and Kuwata were singing."

"I highly doubt any of you would like the style of music I play," Togami countered. "Except maybe Celeste, but that's more her aesthetic than an actual, in-depth interest."

"You mean classical music?"

"Naturally."

"I mean… I don't know a whole lot about it, but I'm sure it would be great to listen to!"

"So you've never been to an actual orchestral performance before?" He didn't know why he was so surprised; the boy didn't necessarily scream 'fine arts enthusiast.'

"I mean, not really," Naegi answered. "My sister played an instrument for a little bit but got bored with it. I couldn't pick one out to try, so my parents didn't really bother me about it. And we never went to any concerts because neither of us played instruments."

"We'll go to the National Concert Hall once this is all over." The words slipped from Togami's lips before he could even process them, and for a split second, he questioned if he had actually said them out loud. He glanced over to see Naegi's expression of happiness and shock, confirming that he had, indeed, made the offer.

And that look of happiness made Togami's heart skip a beat.

"That… I'd really like that," Naegi muttered, his gaze wandering back to the violin. Togami could feel a blush rising to his cheeks, and he was thankful that Naegi was looking in the other direction.

"What is wrong with me? It has to be because of that dream. Why would I even make such an offer?!" Feeling the need to save face, Togami quickly cleared his throat and added, "I mean, despite our current predicament, you were chosen to attend an elite school, and it would be shameful if you didn't experience an authentic concert at least once in your common, miserable life. Consider it a courtesy offering for all the coffee you've made me, including the cup you are about to make tonight. After all, I suppose I have yet to repay you for that, and no service is done for free in this world." The words weren't necessarily hollow, but Togami watched out of the corner of his eye as Naegi's gaze trailed over the violin case, then the sheet music, as though he was looking at a prized artifact. He wondered if Naegi had even heard him. "I need to stop spending time with him," he reflected. "Between having highly inappropriate dreams about him and then just napping in general, I am completely off my game. I need to be more alert here. We're hostages to an animatronic bear. I still can't believe that I-"

"So did you choose to learn the violin, or did your parents choose?"

"I chose it as my weapon," Togami responded.

"Your...weapon?" Naegi turned to frown at him. "What does that mean? Didn't you learn it for fun?"

"Naegi, your obsession with 'fun' is going to be your demise. 'Fun' is not how one gets ahead in life, and in case you haven't picked up on it yet, my entire existence has been about getting ahead and stomping out the competition. Learning violin and the various other instruments was ultimately to prove my prowess with the fine arts."

"Wait… What do you mean? What competition?"

"Part of being in the Togami family is proving one's merit in music," Togami explained. "Those who didn't show an aptitude for learning the fine arts were clearly not meant to carry on the legacy of our family. I chose the violin, not only for its beauty and grace, but for its ability to soar above the other instruments when played properly." Smirking victoriously, he added, "Needless to say, it's served me well."

By now, Naegi was looking directly at Togami with a deep frown, eyebrows knit together in confusion. Waving his hand in the air, Togami continued, "Look, I didn't get to where I am today without fighting for what I have. If I had focused on fun, I would have nothing. It's not that difficult a concept to grasp… Well, maybe for someone who hasn't had to fight."

"So you had to… 'fight'... in music? Against...family?" The boy was speaking as though the words made him sick, and Togami's frown deepened at the perturbed look on Naegi's face. Slowly, he nodded, and Naegi's expression darkened even more. "Did you even enjoy playing any of the instruments, then? I mean, do you even like playing the violin?"

"Of course I like playing the violin. Just as I like reading. But that is never the sole reason to do something, just because one likes it."

"I… I don't know..."

Togami rolled his eyes. "He'll never get it. It's why he'll forever be just another commoner." Realizing how much time they had spent talking, Togami merely sighed and said, "Let's go before the others search for us." He opened the door and waited for Naegi to follow before locking the door and heading towards the dining hall, Naegi close beside him. Looking around, he saw Fukawa standing in the distance staring curiously at the two. He glared in her general direction before following Naegi to the cafeteria.

"So...Togami…"

"Hmm?"

"What happened to the other family members? The ones who didn't, um, prove their musical merit or whatever?"

"They are no longer considered part of the Togami family," he casually answered, peeking once more over his shoulder. Fukawa still stood, index fingers meeting under her chin as she grinned curiously at the two. "They don't matter anymore. All that matters is that I was chosen, and I will lead my family to great, new heights."

"You were...chosen?"

"Oi, Naegi!" Taka's voice rang out, and Togami looked over to see the hall monitor standing outside the dining hall. "You're running late, Naegi! Usually you have impeccable timing for dinner! Where have you been?"

"O-Oh, Taka!" Naegi exclaimed. "I was, uh, just getting Togami here…"

"Togami?" Taka's eyes widened upon noticing the corporate heir, and his frown immediately flipped. "Does this mean you'll be joining us for dinner? Excellent! I knew you'd come around to us eventually!"

"Not because of you…" Togami hissed. Hearing Naegi chuckle caused him to look down, and Naegi smirked back up at him.

"Well, come on! Dinner's waiting! Togami, we'll pull up an extra chair for you and-"

"No. Thanks. I'll sit at my usual table."

"B-But-"

"Taka, let it go," Naegi muttered. "Come on, we're keeping everyone waiting."

"Hmph. Fine, but just for today! Togami, you must one day sit with us at the table!"

Togami smirked and rolled his eyes. "Keep counting the days, Moral Compass."