Chapter 31: Day 30

Togami didn't know what to expect as he entered the dining hall, but the majority of the students sitting at the long table with a single, open seat waiting for him wasn't it.

"Hey Togami!" Hina greeted, keeping her voice low. "Glad to see you're feeling better!"

"Yeah, you had us worried there!" Hiro stated, waving over at him.

"Not by choice…" Togami responded, slowly making his way across the room. He still felt disoriented, but, as promised, Kirigiri had woken him up for some dinner.

And the first thing he saw upon awakening...was Naegi.

Togami could tell right away that Naegi had slept incredibly little. Bags were under his eyes, and he looked a little paler than normal. But the way his face lit up when Togami awoke pushed the corporate heir to move and get out of bed. He still didn't know where his jacket and tie were, but he had washed his face in the restroom and buttoned his shirt completely back up before Naegi and Kirigiri led him to the dining hall.

Approaching the table, Togami took his seat and watched as Ogami brought over a tray of food. The smell of cooked vegetables caught his attention, and his stomach grumbled in appreciation at the sight of soup, fresh cut, toasted bread, and a cup of water. "We figured we'd make you something easy," Ogami explained, setting the tray in front of him. "Kirigiri told us you had a fever. You shouldn't push yourself too hard to eat until it's fully passed."

"Speakin' of, why didn't ya tell us you were that sick?" questioned Kuwata. "We would'a let'cha have a day off if we knew."

"Your stats clearly aren't high enough to handle such an illness," remarked Yamada.

"Guys, that's enough," Naegi interjected. Hiro, who had been sitting next to Togami, quickly stood and pointed down at his chair. Naegi blushed slightly as he sat down. "Just let him eat and relax."

"Yeah, we shouldn't badger him right away," Enoshima remarked. "Wait 'til tomorrow after he tells us how to put that stupid backup together."

"Are you planning on joining us tomorrow, Togami?" asked Maizono.

Togami slowly nodded after he took a sip of water. "If I sleep well tonight, I should be fine to rejoin," he answered. He hated how his voice still sounded rough.

"Well, it's good to know you're still freakin' kickin'," Owada stated as he stood from his seat.

"Togami, you are ordered to eat and rest until you have fully recovered!" Taka proclaimed.

"Screaming orders at him will certainly speed up the healing process," Celeste sarcastically commented. "Maybe you should–"

"MASTER!"

Everyone in the room groaned as the sound of footsteps approaching caused Togami to shudder all over. Rushing up to his side was none other than Fukawa, who was pulling at her hair like a banshee. He looked up to see tear stains down her face. "Oh my goodness, Master! I'm so sorry I couldn't be there to help! N-N-None of the other students would l-let me in the nurse's station to tend to your w-w-wounds!"

"I'm not injured," Togami corrected, glaring at the obsessed writer.

"I-Is there anything I can get you? I've been practicing the coffee! S-Since Naegi here didn't protect you, I-I can–"

"You can help me by returning to your room and leaving me alone," Togami interrupted, having no patience for her. "I need some peace and quiet, and you certainly aren't going to give me any."

"B-But wh-what if that happens again? N-N-No one will be around, and th-then you'll pass out with no one to h-h-hold you in their warm, comforting arms!"

Togami looked to the others. For the first time, he saw genuine pity in their eyes directed at him. He sighed, figuring to just ignore her, when a sudden shifting noise caught his attention. He glanced over to see Naegi standing from his seat while looking directly at Fukawa. "I'll make sure he's okay," Naegi stated, his voice shockingly serious. A sudden silence filled the dining hall as he continued, "I… I know I let him down. But it won't happen again. I'll make sure he makes it to his room okay. I promise."

Togami frowned, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "What is he talking about? What does he mean, 'let me down'?"

Fukawa glared and pointed accusingly at Naegi. "H-How can you make that promise when he's already p-p-passed out?!"

"Because if he doesn't, then that proves you're a superior choice for Togami." Togami blinked in shock and looked to see Kirigiri smirking at Fukawa. "After all, if you follow his advice and leave him, and Naegi then abandons him, doesn't it make the case that you're meant for him?"

"Kirigiri…" Togami seethed the name, but Fukawa's gasp caught his attention.

"You… You're right! You're absolutely right!" Pointing at Naegi, Fukawa all but shouted, "I-I just have to b-b-bide my time. Y-Y-You're bound to m-make a mistake at some point! I-I mean, y-you already f-f-foolishly have! Then, then! Master will know that I'm the one meant for him! A-And I-I'll make s-sure I witness such an e-event! I-I-I'll f-find the p-perfect spot to watch!"

And with that, she stomped off and out of the dining hall, creating an awkward silence that only broke with a simultaneous sigh of relief from nearly the entire group.

"Man, like we didn't already have headaches," Kuwata complained.

"You really shouldn't have put that idea in her head, Kirigiri," Hina warned. "That girl's already psycho."

"It got her away from us, didn't it?" Kirigiri countered. "And besides…" Smirking in Togami's direction, she added, "It's not like there's a chance that Naegi is leaving your side tonight."

"That's certainly true," Celeste noted with a light chuckle.

"While he has gained the Stalker flaw here at Hope's Peak, Togami Byakuya has also gained the Protector advantage to balance it out," observed Yamada.

Togami slowly took in their expressions and was shocked. He expected some sort of taunting or condescension given what they were implying, but instead, he was met with nothing but warm, accepting smiles.

Just like in his dream...

"Well, I think it's time we give him some space and let him eat," Ogami noted. "Come, let's go."

Everyone nodded and began standing from their seats. A few waved to Naegi and Togami, and one by one they filed out until only Naegi, Togami, Fujisaki, and Kirigiri remained. Togami took his first sip of the soup and sighed at the sense of nourishment finally entering his body. He noted out of the corner of his eye Fujisaki and Kirigiri watching him.

"How are you feeling, Togami?" Fujisaki politely inquired.

"I'm fine," he said, ignoring the roughness in his voice.

"I heard what happened. That Monokuma used some sort of gas on you…"

"Has that damned bear made an appearance since it happened?" he asked. He knew he shouldn't be talking while eating, but the others didn't seem to mind his lack of manners, and Togami's stomach was demanding to be filled with something.

"No," Kirigiri answered. "He disappeared right as I was getting the others to help out."

"Then what happened after I passed out? And how did you even know to come up to the archive in the first place?"

"Both Naegi and I's monitors in our dorm rooms played a message for us," Kirigiri explained. "Monokuma hinted that something was going on in the archive, and we both left to see. That's when we found him...and you. Once Monokuma unlocked the door, Naegi pulled you out, and Monokuma entered to get rid of whatever it was you found. Naegi tried to wake you up, but we quickly realized it was no use. He stayed with you, and I went down to find and wake up a few of the others. Ogami carried you down to the nurse's station, and Naegi and I told everyone the next morning that you passed out from a fever as a cover story."

Togami glanced over to see Naegi sitting close to him, his gaze focused on his eating. Naegi smiled but said nothing.

"Naegi watched you all night and most of the morning," said Fujisaki. "We finally made him take a nap after a late breakfast."

"Meanwhile, I returned to the archive to see if I could get into the closet," Kirigiri stated. Shaking her head, she muttered, "But Monokuma destroyed the button to get in. I tried pulling the bookshelf off the wall, but it was locked in place. We can't get in there unless we destroy the shelving, and Monokuma said last night that he was moving the evidence anyway."

"Meaning it's pointless to continue searching there," Togami observed in frustration. "All that work for nothing…"

"Not for nothing," Kirigiri corrected. "After all, you said you found something vital, and it forced Monokuma to make a move. This is a form of progress."

"I think we should wait until tomorrow to talk about all that," Fujisaki remarked. "Togami's still tired, and it's getting late. We can make the backup tomorrow, then meet in my room to talk about what happened?"

"Sounds like a plan," Kirigiri replied. "Is that all right with the both of you?"

"I'm fine with that," Togami remarked.

"And you, Naegi?"

Togami looked over to see Naegi slowly nod his head. "Yeah… That sounds good." Naegi's voice was soft. Togami could tell he was watching the heir's every movement.

"All right, then we'll plan to meet tomorrow." Kirigiri and Fujisaki both stood and nodded towards the two. "Get some rest, the both of you."

"And I'm happy to see you're okay, Togami," said Fujisaki. Togami nodded towards the two and watched them leave. Soon the sound of the dining hall doors closing echoed, leaving only Togami and Naegi in the room.

Togami slowly looked over and smirked. "You need to stop worrying," he stated, trying to keep his tone lighter than the demand. "Honestly. I can see that you're panicking, but I promise I'm okay. I've survived worse than this. You of all people should know."

"Yeah, well… I'm still not leaving your side."

Togami's smirk softly turned into a smile. "Do as you will."

For the rest of the meal, Togami simply ate in silence. By the time he finished, his stomach felt ready to burst. He stood and went to take the dishes to the kitchen, but Naegi, upon seeing this, swiped forward and took the tray, smirking at Togami as he did so. Togami scoffed with a smile on his face and watched Naegi take the dishes back for him. He waited for him to return and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, I now owe you a favor. After all, it sounds like you made sure I was okay last night."

"I wasn't going to leave you alone," Naegi replied. "Not after I… I broke my promise."

"'Promise'?" Togami repeated, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"I promised I wouldn't let Monokuma hurt you...and then he… When I pulled you out of that storage room, I thought…"

Togami's eyes widened, and he chuckled despite himself. "Naegi, you have nothing to apologize for. No need to be a martyr."

"B-But–"

"I kept the knowledge of that space hidden from you. How would you have known where I was? And Monokuma didn't 'harm' me, if we're going by technicality. Though he's certainly made his case clear about our investigation…"

"Speaking of…" Naegi went to continue, then shook his head. "No, we can discuss that tomorrow."

"I think that would be best." Letting his arms fall to his sides, Togami turned and began heading for the exit when he felt a sudden pressure in his left hand. He glanced down to see Naegi holding it, the boy looking at him with that determined expression of his.

Togami nodded and tightened his grip. "We should discuss this tomorrow, as well," he noted, holding their hands up.

Naegi blinked in confusion. "I mean, if you don't want me to do this, I can stop."

"Au contraire, I quite like this," Togami remarked. Noticing Naegi's eyes widen, he added, "Which is why we should discuss this. But not right now. For now, we both clearly need to get some sleep." Together, the two exited the dining hall and headed back to the dorm rooms. Nobody else was out in the hallways, much to Togami's relief, though he wasn't sure at this point if he would even care if others saw him. It was blatantly obvious that Naegi watched over him while he recovered, and the others' words floated through his mind.

Everyone at this point was well aware of something going on between the two. Now, it was up to Togami and Naegi to define what that was…but not yet. Togami felt the sluggish pull of his body, and he knew he was walking at a much slower pace than normal. Even with a meal and sleep, it was obvious that he was still suffering side effects. "Meaning our conversation is going to have to wait," he thought bitterly.

They continued walking, and he was surprised when he felt Naegi come to a stop in front of his own dorm door. "Well, I guess I should–"

"No, you're coming with me," Togami stated. Naegi blinked in surprise as Togami practically dragged him down the hallway towards his own room. Pulling his dorm key from his pocket, Togami ignored a slight burning in his cheeks as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. He stepped inside, hand still tightly gripping Naegi's, before shutting the door behind them.

Only then did he let go and toss his dorm key on the nearby table.

"Oh, right, we put your jacket and tie here," Naegi remarked, pointing at a nearby chair. Indeed, Togami could see both items hanging casually off the back of the seat. Otherwise, his room looked untouched.

"Good to know," he stated as he undid the top two buttons of his shirt. He then took off his belt and shoes, setting the former on the table. Finally, he took his glasses off and put them in the expensive case on the short bookshelf. He glanced over to see Naegi watching him, clearly confused and a bit embarrassed but smiling regardless. Togami smirked at him and explained, "We did tell Fukawa you would take me to my room to ensure I didn't collapse. No doubt she was watching from her room to make sure you accompanied me."

It was a pathetic excuse, but it at least served its purpose. Naegi chuckled and nodded before sliding his own school blazer off and setting it on the table next to Togami's belt. Togami walked over to the bed and laid down, unable to contain the sigh of relief as his body sank into the mattress. He listened and watched as Naegi approached him and sat on the edge of the bed. Togami reached out and interlaced their fingers once more, causing Naegi's smile to widen.

"Stay here tonight." The command was soft, but Togami looked directly at Naegi as he said it, making sure he knew the corporate heir was serious. Naegi blinked in surprise, and a light blush colored his face.

"Wait, really? You're okay with that?"

"Just to sleep, obviously. But yes, I want you to stay here tonight."

Naegi slowly nodded. "Okay… I can do that." His smile remained as he slipped out of his hoodie, revealing a plain red t-shirt underneath. Kicking his shoes off and to the side, Naegi then stood and turned the lights off in the room. Using his handbook for a source of light, he came back to the bed and waited for Togami to move over before sitting, then lying down next to him.

Togami smiled despite feeling his heart racing his chest. Their fingers interlaced once more, and Naegi brought their hands between their chests. With the handbook between them for light, the two merely stared at one another, both smiling while their fingers did a slow dance. Togami felt his eyelids becoming heavy, and he could tell Naegi was also trying to fight off sleep.

A few moments passed before Togami watched Naegi turn off the handbook and let it fall to the floor next to the bed. Naegi then pressed against him, cuddling into his side as he released a hold of his hand in order to properly wrap his arm around his chest. "I'm so happy you're okay," Naegi whispered.

Togami grabbed the blanket and pulled it over them. Holding Naegi tightly, he closed his eyes and listened to Naegi's deep breathing. "Just go to sleep," he whispered back. Even as he said that, though, a sense of comfort filled him, telling him he was safe. It was as if something had been missing in his life and was now returned to him. He felt at peace, true peace, for the first time within this school's walls since awakening in that classroom 30 days ago. Within minutes, the two were asleep, wrapped in each other's arms with the school, the backups, and the lost memories briefly forgotten.