A/N: Here it is! Earlier than planned! I spent many hours over these last three days to get this finale out for all of you great people. I even spent until 2 o'clock this morning to finish it off and the last 3 hours proofreading it. Granted, my proofreading skills are never great, so yeah. I made 1 update on a twitter while I was writing this Finale and it showed some of the lines from early in this chapter. Another post was to be made on twitter earlier today, but I was way too tired to do so as I was up late to finish this chapter. Anyway, strap yourselves in. Things are crazy. I also skipped over Sayori's last minute attempt to get into Lingston to focus more on the cliffhanger from the last chapter, graduation, and Tridon's choice. I honestly feel like this is the best finale I've ever typed. I haven't typed many, but this is one of the best in my opinion. But I'll stop the author's note here if you guys and gals haven't already skipped this to read the finale. Uh... yeah..."
Even if Tridon had said that he only needed a few days, he was yet to be seen over a week later. The day of prom came, and he has yet to be seen. Not by his friends, family, or anyone. Sayori remembered back to the previous semester to where something like this happened, but this time, it was worse. Someone he trusted his whole life wasn't what they seemed to be at first.
Sayori realized standing idly by wasn't going to cut it this time. Letting the storm pass by wasn't going to work this time. She wasn't going to back down and let what happened last year happen again.
She looked at his front door and down at the floormat. She chuckled and lifted it to take out a spare key.
"Way too generic." She opened the door and stepped inside. She paused when she saw him sitting in his living room.
He just sat there. Staring into nothing. She knows how he's feeling right then. She knows her best friend. She knows...
"Tridon..."
"Everything has changed for me so much." Tridon interrupted, "I know Tiffany changed for the best, but to know that for a short time, she wanted to kill me. It messes with me. I've trusted my life to her. Now I don't know what to believe."
"You know she just follows orders. Doing what she did to protect you went against those orders. She cares for you Tridon. You know that."
"Do I though? All I know now is that everything isn't always as they seem. What can I trust now? I thought I was done with all this nonsense. This is just showing me that nothing I do can stop any of this."
"Please Tridon," Sayori sat next to Tridon and grasped his left hand, "don't think like that. Don't do that. Please."
"What about you Sayori?"
"Huh?"
"Are you like the others? Only here because I was an enigma?"
"Tridon, what are you saying? You know that's not the case."
"You were only friends with me because I had nobody. Because I was an enigma. Was that just some big plot conjured by whoever you work for?!"
"Tridon!" Sayori stood up while Tridon slowly rose from the couch. Tridon slowly brandished his revolver and glared at Sayori, "Tridon. No…"
"Right now," Tridon pointed his revolver at her and said, "I can't take any chances."
Tridon fired his gun and in that split-second, Sayori's month of training kicked in. She ducked under and grabbed Tridon's arm. She tossed him over her shoulder and pinned him on the ground. She pressed her knee on his head and held him down.
"Stop this Tridon!" Sayori could see that Tridon's world crumble around him. She couldn't help but tear up. Tears fell from her face onto his while he had the look of a madman, "Stop…" She softly mumbled.
Tridon was wide-eyed while he watched his best friend breaking in front of him. His pupils were dilated, and he couldn't rationally. This wasn't the darkness in him. This was because of everything around him being a lie. He couldn't trust anything.
…
…
…
But he could trust his best friend.
NO!
He can't trust anyone. Everyone he's known had ulterior motives while being acquainted with him. They used his easygoing personality to get close to him so that they could take one thing that made his life a living hell.
But he could trust his best friend.
STOP!
The conflicting thoughts in his head. He wants to trust her, but he can't help but feel distrustful of those around him. Not even his family can be trusted. He can't trust anyone.
Except his best friend.
The voice speaking to him. It was Sayori.
Tridon's vision darkened before he awoke in the same void he was when Tiffany helped him see past his darkness. Who stood in front of him was Sayori who still had tears in her eyes.
"I've been with you from the beginning. No matter how bad things were, I stuck with you. Not for anything so abstract in my mind such as a simple order. You know me better than that. We know each other like the back of our hands. That's because we're best friends."
"But-."
"Tridon," Sayori appeared behind Tridon and suplexed him, "this is what we're known for. These shenanigans are what separates us from everyone." Sayori mounted Tridon and stared into his eyes, "This is who we are. I'm not a stranger to you. Never was. Never will be. We are best friends, and nothing will change you idiot."
"Sayori…"
"Please, forgive Tiff for what she did. Hell, forgive Erica. Forgive everyone. This much hate and despair can't live in you forever. Just stop. Stop!"
Tridon's eyes shot open to see him on the floor. Sayori sat next to him with his revolver in her hands. She had it unloaded while her eyes were red from the tears she shed for him.
"Sayori," he quickly sat up and looked at her, "I'm so sorry."
"I know. You big idiot." Sayori embraced Tridon and sniffled a little.
Tridon slowly returned the embrace and sniffled too.
They held the embrace for what felt like forever. Sayori eventually broke to say, "Now come on. We have a prom to get to."
"B-But I don't have anything to wear."
"Did you really think I would forget?" Sayori quickly left his house and came back holding a tuxedo in her hands, "Now get it on. Everyone's waiting."
"Right!" Tridon ran off leaving Sayori alone in the living room. She smiled and teared up a little more.
"I should probably get ready too." Sayori laughed and walked off to get ready herself.
Moments later, Tridon and Sayori stood outside the party hall where people were walking in and out. The entire party hall, inside and out, was being used.
"You did pretty good setting this up Sayori."
"It needed a foundation." Sayori cooed, "A foundation set by my best friend." Sayori grabbed him by his arm and dragged him with her, "Now come on. The girls are waiting. Namely Natsuki." Sayori winked while Tridon blushed a little.
When they were inside, they were instantly seen by the girls. Tridon was taken aback by the girls in their dresses.
Monika's dress was an emerald green dress that reached just below her knees. It had one shoulder strap going down her left shoulder. It covered most of her chest but revealed enough for Tridon to see which is what Monika planned. Monika wore white high heels, but she struggled keeping her balance.
Yuri's dress was a midnight purple dress that was tight around her lower body. There were frills at the end of her skirt and her upper body was covered up nicely. The tightness showed off her curves really well which caught the eye of Tridon. She also wore black, low heels. Despite the fact they were low, she was still struggling to stand up.
Natsuki's was similar with the exception of her dress lacking frills and being loose rather than tight. Also, her dress was a red-pink combination and the shoulders were poofy. Natsuki wore flat, white shoes as she didn't want to look like Monika and Yuri. Who were practically baby deer trying to walk for the first time.
Tridon didn't acknowledge his own best friend who had dark red dress similar to Yuri's, just not as tight. She had one strap as well along with flat shoes as well. She had a combination of the three in some sort of way.
"Wow girls," Tridon spoke in shock, "you all look amazing."
"Do we Tridon," Monika inched closer and stood shoulder to shoulder with Tridon and continued, "or just me?" Monika knew what she was doing. She planted herself where he could see just into her cleavage, "See something you like?"
"I would be lying if I said I didn't."
Monika smiled brightly as she nudged closer to Tridon. He backed up a little and laughed nervously.
"I honestly don't know what to say." Tridon started, "Except that you all look amazing."
"Tridon," Sayori pulled Tridon down and whispered, "Natsuki would like to ask you something." Sayori shoved Tridon forward and caught Natsuki in the process.
They stumbled into the middle of the dance area and the two held each other. Sayori smiled and waved at them. Tridon looked at Natsuki and she looked at him.
"Sayori," Monika growled, "why did you do that?"
"Natsuki really wants a dance with Tridon. We might as well give it to her." Sayori's expression changed and she solemnly said, "Besides, I think we all know who he'll choose." Sayori looked around and asked, "Where's Chelsea by the way?"
"She's over by the snack table." Yuri answered, "Why?"
"I need to ask her something." Sayori waved the girls off while she moved to the snack table. She noticed Chelsea chilling by the snack table, "Hey Chelsea." Sayori called out.
"Hi Sayori. Did you manage to get Tridon back here?"
"Yeah. Things happened, but I was able to get him."
"Are you alright?"
"I think. It's just what happened just a few minutes ago. Tridon lost it."
"Well, he learned the truth about Tiff. I knew about that truth too. I mean, I did work for Robert at first. He wanted me to use that to break their relationship, but I never had a chance to."
"I didn't even know that about Tiff. I didn't meet Tiff until we got to high school. I thought she was fine but learning that she was originally supposed to kill Tridon is a hard pill to swallow."
"I bet it was for Tridon too. He trusts Tiff with all his heart. She was there for him when you weren't. To find out her original intentions before they changed is hard to believe. Makes you second guess who you've let into your life."
"That's what he said. It scared me. I thought he wasn't going to listen me."
"Well," Chelsea looked past Sayori to see both Tridon and Natsuki embracing one another and dancing, "I think you were able to fix him."
"So what do you plan to do after we graduate?"
"I'm not sure. I was hoping to attend Colorado State, but I don't know. Still figuring that out."
"Why not Lingston with us?"
"I wouldn't make it. I'm not academically gifted like Tridon who practically has a full-ride there if his football thing takes off. If not, he still academics to fall back on."
"Yeah." Sayori sighed and asked, "What do you think of my chance of getting into Lingston are?"
"Do you want the truth?"
"I'm guessing it's pretty harsh by how you ask that."
"It is."
"Great."
"You have a very slim chance to get in with grades. Unless you do their summer classes."
"Huh?"
"They hold summer classes for those who want a last chance to get in. Whether it's because they have the grades but lack the attendance to go. Maybe it's because their teachers are inept of preparing them for Lingston, or maybe they want to follow their best friend to the school."
"How hard is it?"
"An 8 week course that begins 2 weeks after graduation. All you have to do is be in their 5% percentile. They won't take everyone, but if you're that adamant about going to Lingston with Tridon, then I know for sure that you'll make. Of course with some help from everyone."
"Alright. Thanks Chelsea. Air hug." Sayori hugged the hair and skipped away while Chelsea smiled and laughed.
"So Tridon," Natsuki started while in his embrace, "tonight is when you'll be making your choice."
"Yeah."
"Any idea on who? Specifically a small, pink-haired friend of yours?"
"Natsuki."
"You and I have had the best chemistry since we met. We click."
"I know but…"
"What?"
"I don't know if I'm ready to make this type of choice. If I choose someone, 3 of you will be sad while one is happy. I can't live with that guilt."
"You can't make everyone happy Tridon."
"I wish I could." Tridon sighed. Tridon looked up to see Tiffany on her own. He broke apart from Natsuki and said, "Sorry Natsuki, but I need to set something straight with someone."
"Alright."
Tridon walked towards Tiffany who was off on her own. Her dress was a sparkly purple dress. It was tight and loose. Tight since it showed off her curves and loose as it didn't squeeze too much around her. She had poofy shoulders and she wore purple heels. She noticed Tridon walking towards her and avoided his gaze.
Tridon stood in front of her and looked at her. He didn't know what to say. He knows that Tiff can be trusted. She gave up her job at this company to protect him. One thing he wanted to confirm was if she was really an FBI agent.
"Hey Tiff."
"Tridon." She responded.
"Tell me this one thing. Are you really an FBI agent?"
"I am. It's how I had a team with me." Tiffany looked up and said, "Tridon, please. I didn't mean for you to lose trust in me. I only did it because it was an order given to me. But once I saw the type of kid you were, I knew that I had to protect you more than anything."
"It's alright." Tridon held his hand up and said, "I trust you. You've been there for me since I was a kid. Even if your intentions weren't as they seemed, I'm still able to say that I trust you Tiff."
"Tridon…"
Tridon smiled and added, "You also look amazing in that dress."
"Th-Thank you."
"Come on." Tridon held his hand out and said, "I can't leave you alone. You're a prime target for every senior here with a hyperactive libido."
"Y-Yeah…"
Tridon led her to the others where they continued on with their night. Everyone hung out until Erica walked in wearing a simple peach-colored dress with frills along the bottom of her sleeves and skirt. Eric had been waiting on his own wearing a simple tuxedo.
"There she is." Yuri pointed out, "How do you think it'll go?"
"Could go either way." Tridon explained, "They haven't seen each other physically since they were kids. My concern is how he feels towards me. He should know now that I'm not an enigma and shouldn't feel 'threatened' that I'm here."
"Maybe he's scared of the people you know." Monika growled, "I swear, if he tries anything…"
"Cool it Monika." Tridon sighed and watched the two.
"So it's been this long." Erica started, "Nearly 16 years since we've seen each other."
"Yeah." Eric fell silent and couldn't find anything to say.
"I heard you didn't really like Tridon when you first met him."
"He was an enigma. A freak."
"That's not why you hated him. You hated him because it was a social norm to hate enigmas. Not only that, but because he was different than most enigma. He was different than what the media told you about enigmas."
"Yes. I hated him because he was different from the stereotypes we were told about as kids. I know."
"Now, he's no longer an enigma."
"I know."
"Then tell me this. Do you still hate him?"
"I don't know how to feel about him. He seems to make Sayori happy. That's all I really want."
"That's good." Erica smiled and said, "My love him still holds true to me, but he won't reciprocate them anymore. I'll leave him to them. I'll help him when he needs it." Erica looked at her brother and said, "Let's get out of here and catch up. After I do something right quick." Erica made her way over to the group and grabbed Tridon. She pecked him on the cheek while whispering, "I'll watch over you forever. Make them happy." And with that, Erica and her brother left the group in shock at what she had just done.
Tridon held his cheek and laughed, "Alright. I might need it in the future."
Another hour into the prom, Tridon stood by the snack table while sipping on some punch. He sighed and walked off. Chelsea noticed this and asked him why he was leaving.
"Tridon." She called out, "Where are you going?"
"Just out. Remember, I'm not even into these proms. I'll see you later Chelsea." He turned around while walking off to add, "By the way, you look good Chels'!" Tridon waved her off and continued out the building.
He didn't go far. He just stood out in front of the entrance. He stared at the clear night sky. The stars shining bright made him feel nice. So much had happened. So much revealed. All for it to happen during his senior year. From there, life was finally going to be normal.
Well, despite the secrets that have been kept from him by others, but he can't let that cloud his mind. He has to know what's right.
"Bud!" Sayori shouted from behind him followed by the others, "What are you doing out here? The prom's back there."
"I'm ready."
"Huh?"
"Ready for what?" Natsuki asked, "The choice?"
"Yeah. I'm ready to make it." Tridon smirked and said, "But you'll have to catch me first!" Tridon jogged away from them making the girls groan.
"Wait Tridon!" Monika called out, "We can't move too well in heels!"
Monika and Yuri shuffled while trying to control their balance. Sayori and Natsuki tried to catch him, but they were failing to do so. Chelsea and Tiffany laughed while watching them run around.
Tridon eventually got too close to road. He stopped and turned around where he noticed Sayori ready to tackle him. He braced and was shoved back rather than tackled. However, everyone failed to notice a pickup truck driving on the road.
Tridon was shoved and the truck struck Tridon. The truck stopped as soon as Tridon was hit and the driver hopped out to checked on him. The others could only stare in shock at what just happened while Sayori slowly crawled forward and stared at her best friend's unconscious body.
Her eyes dilated and she shouted, "No!"
2 weeks later, Sayori sat in a hospital waiting room while hugging and crying into her knees. She repeated, "Tridon..." silently to herself as she cradled back and forth in the chair.
"You'll be fine, right Tridon?" Monika asked as she pushed Tridon out on a wheelchair, "You might have a concussion."
"No." Tridon responded, "Just a dislocated ankle, bruised ribs, and a broken arm." Monika frowned at him and he chuckled, "Sorry Monika." Tridon looked at Sayori and waved Monika to move him over to Sayori, "Stop crying you big baby."
"Well," Yuri started, "her best friend was hit by a car. So it's obvious she would be like this."
"Yeah." Natsuki sighed and said, "We're sorry for making you run out into the street like that."
"Oh it's fine. It was my fault for playing like that for my choice. I'm sorry." Tridon popped his neck and said, "It actually could've been worse. It could've been an 18-Wheeler." Sayori slowly stood up and walked over to Tridon.
She didn't say anything. She just stood there. She held her head down and this worried the girls.
"Uh," Tridon started, "I think Sayori should take me home. She can handle it from here."
"Okay." Monika softly answered, "If you need anything else, don't be afraid to call any of us, okay?"
"I got it." Tridon nodded to the girls who waved him off before leaving. Tridon looked at Sayori and asked, "Mind handing me the crutches Sayori?"
She didn't listen to him and picked him up. She moved under one of his arms and held him tightly making Tridon groan in pain.
Tridon looked off to the side towards one of the nurses walking around and asked, "Can you help me here?"
An hour later, Tridon eventually made it back to his house with Sayori still hugging him. He trudged towards his front door and sighed.
"Sayori, I need to get inside." Tridon looked down at Sayori who didn't even move a muscle. He sighed and took out his keys rather painfully. He opened the door and dragged Sayori with him upstairs. He stopped in front of his bathroom and shook his head.
"Can I at least use the bathroom. I'd like to wash my body." Sayori hugged even harder making Tridon groan more out of frustration, "Fine..." Tridon kicked the door to the bathroom open and trudged faster inside.
He started to wash his face and in the middle of drying, he gripped the face towel, balled his fist, and punched the mirror in front of him.
"Sayori! Let go!"
"No!"
"Snap," Tridon pulled Sayori off himself and shouted, "out of it!" However, Tridon tried to stabilize himself, but this caused him to fall onto the ground, "Just stop Sayori!" Tridon snapped, "Just stop this bullcrap!"
Sayori fell silent. She stood up and ran off. Tridon groaned and struggled to stand up. Once he did, he trudged downstairs and out his front door to see Sayori running into her house, leaving her door open in the process.
"Sayori!" Tridon tried walking but fell to the ground. He groaned loudly and gripped his ribs. He laid there while staring at the sky, "Damn it…" Tridon's vision faded. The amount of pain from injuries were still fresh even after 2 weeks of being in the hospital. Graduation was that week and he had just shouted at his friend when she was only worried about his well-being. She was only worried for him.
Just before his vision faded completely, he stopped himself from passing out. He grinded his teeth together as he turned onto his stomach and dragged his body towards her house. He powered through the pain as he got closer and closer.
He crawled past her front door and saw her sitting on her couch with the same scrapbook he flipped through a few weeks ago. She held it close while tears fell from her eyes.
"I thought I lost you." Sayori started, "My best friend that I've known my whole life. Unconscious on the ground from a truck I pushed you into."
"No. You didn't-."
"I pushed you. I knew you were just messing around and I pushed you. I almost killed my best friend."
"Stop Sayori." Tridon groaned and grabbed her wrist, "Stop." He pulled her in and embraced her, "It was just fun and games. I was just stupid enough to run close to the street. I only did that so I could ease the tension before I made the choice."
"Huh?"
"Now I'm ready."
"What?"
"Sayori," Tridon looked into Sayori's teary eyes and made the choice, "would you like to be my girlfriend?"
"Y-You…"
"I never thought it to be you, but the more time we spent with each other made me realize how much you mean to me. You know what to say to me. You know how to act around me. You make me feel complete and I thought it was just because you were my best friend, but there was just so much more."
"But our relationship-."
"Won't change. To be honest with, I'd love to be more intimate with you. After that time we slept together after I was hurt made me realize that I love being intimate with you. I love being with you. I love you Sayori. I love you."
"I-I…"
"Do you accept my confession?"
Sayori stared at the Tridon before avoiding gaze to say, "I-I…" She stuttered heavily. This made sweat falling down the back of her neck. She eventually shouted, "I don't know!"
"Huh?"
"I don't know if I can reciprocate your feelings!" Sayori ran off leaving Tridon alone.
"Why does she always run off. I can't move all too well." Tridon sighed and said, "Was it because of the atmosphere?" Tridon groaned and stared at her ceiling, "How am I getting back home? I can't feel my body."
The days past until the day of graduation came. Tridon was still Valedictorian and had so much on his mind before his big speech. His speech is a major problem as he hadn't even thought about what his speech would be. He hasn't written one at all because of everything that's happened over his senior year. He was expecting for Monika to start, but that's not going to happen.
Not to mention his confession to his best friend who has yet to recuperate his feelings. He's starting to think whether or not that he made the right choice by confessing to her out of the blue like that. Tridon was early to the graduation ceremony so that he could meet with Ms. White.
"Good morning Ms. White." Tridon greeted while walking in with a boot and cast around his injuries, "Nobody else is here?"
"No." Ms. White looked at Tridon and asked, "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"I'm fine. The hospital took good care of me."
"I'm so sorry for what happened Tridon. I can't believe you were hurt on my watch."
"Technically, I'm on Tiff's watch, but I understand that I'm your student. It's no harm. No foul Ms. White."
"I'm just worried. I know how your mother and sister are."
"Trust me. They gave me an earful for what I did." Tridon laughed and sighed, "I'm just more worried about Sayori."
"Yeah. Her best friend hit like that is hard to forget. Especially when it happened just a few feet in front of you."
"I don't think it's just that." Tridon paused and exhaled deeply, "I made my choice."
"Was it her?"
"Yeah, but she said she didn't know if she was ready to reciprocate those feelings. I thought she would be, but maybe I don't know my best friend like I thought I did."
"Maybe your confession was just too out of the blue. Especially after such a tragedy. Maybe her heart was pumping too fast and her mind was all over the place. I ensure you that she was ecstatic about your choice, but so much had happened that she didn't know how to assess it."
"I hope you're right."
"I know I'm right. I didn't become the principal this year by luck." Ms. White winked and said, "You should probably get to work on your speech."
"Right." Tridon sighed and sat down somewhere, "My speech…"
2 hours later, the rest of the students arrived and Tridon was nowhere to be found. Sayori stood in her gown still thinking about his confession. She was happy, but could she accept it? She thought about how their relationship would change and if they would remain the same. She knows they would, but not enough to warrant running away before answering him.
"Sayori," Yuri started, "you need to tell him."
"I can't." Sayori groaned, "We've been friends our whole lives. I don't know how to feel about it at all."
"Isn't this what you wanted?" Chelsea questioned, "Granted, it's what all of you wanted, but Sayori, you definitely have the knack for being his girlfriend."
"As much I hate the choice," Monika growled, "it was quite obvious he would choose you in the end."
"You need to answer him." Natsuki smiled at Sayori and looked into her eyes, "Go find your best friend and future boyfriend."
"Not right now girls." Ms. White interrupted, "it's time to make the walk outside." She chuckled lightly and said, "Tridon is already behind the stage ready to deliver his speech."
After everyone was situated, Tridon psyched himself up before he went on stage. He took some deep breaths and sighed. He stood behind the curtain and stared at the ground.
"Now that all of you have been seated. It's time for your class Valedictorian to give his speech. He has been waiting for the moment to give his speech. He came early this morning to prepare for it. So please give your attention to Tridon Pierce."
Tridon nodded and walked onto the stage without a packet of paper in his hands which confused some people. He took his place in front of the podium and looked at his class.
"My fellow students today is a most important day. Today marks the day we take a big step. A big step towards adulthood. We've gone through 13-14 years of primary schooling to get to this day of our lives where we can go forward with it. Either through the work force, the military, or secondary schooling. No matter what you do, this is your big step. Your big step that's been long awaited. As for me, my big step was undetermined until the other day. Throughout my life, I had to live through adversity. Why? Because I was an enigma."
There was an audible gasp from the crowd. Some people murmured. Many were heard bastardizing him for being an enigma, but they didn't hear the keyword: WAS.
"Now I say 'Was' because I was managed to throw my power away so that I could live my life normally without having to hide who I really was. I've always wanted to make friends. I've always wanted to become the school's top sporting prospect. I used to always think 'Wow, I wish I could be like those kids who get to hangout after school'. But that was all a pipe dream for my whole life. Forced to hide who I was and to live in obscurity because of who I was born as. There were moments in my life where I thought if living in prejudice obscurity was really worth it. Was it worth living a life where people fear you? A world where people bastardized someone because of something they didn't even have control over. Something was thrusted upon them. It was hard to cope with. That was until I joined the Literature Club."
Tridon searched for his former clubmates and smiled at them when he did find them, "They showed me that there were people out there who were accepting of an awkward, boisterous enigma who was suplexed nearly every day by his best friend. They were able to cope with me being something that was frowned upon by the general public. They didn't care. I thought it was out of pity at first. Until I realized that they were doing it out of the kindness of their hearts. When I realized this, I fell in love with them." Tridon chuckled and said, "This threw them into my life to deal with the problems I deal with on a daily basis."
Tridon sighed and continued, "I went through so much to get to where I am today. A lot of adversity. A lot of pain. Way too much pain. Pain for me. Pain for my family. Pain for my friends. Namely my best friend. I never wanted them to go through all of that. I wanted to do it all on my own. Just so I wouldn't drag anyone down with me. But no matter what I did, they were always there at my side. They showed me that no matter what you try to do, someone will always be there to offer you a helping hand. You might hate it. You might even fight it. But no matter what you do; help with always be there when its needed most. I want everyone to go through life with that lingering in your heads. Because trust me. Things will get better. They did for me. I might not look it with a broken body, but things will get better. If I can break from the life of being an enigma, then all of you can push through whatever endeavors you may face. Life might bring you down to your lowest point, but your lowest point might be your highest to skyrocket you to new heights. So I end with this one last question. This question to my best friend who's been there for me from the very beginning. Who kept me in check and who made me who I am today."
Tridon shifted his glance to Sayori and smiled warmly at her, "Sayori, do you accept my confession?"
Sayori's eyes watered before she even realized they were. People gasped while some lightly cheered. She covered her mouth and sniffled a little. Her eyes glistened as she thought through everything they've gone through. From the very beginning of their friendship, to the club, and their war against Robert. She loves him. She can't live without him.
Sayori stood up and ran towards him yelling and repeating, "I do!" Sayori jumped onto the stage and jumped again to tackle Tridon for a massive hug. Tridon didn't even care about the pain. He was happy his best friend was now his girlfriend.
The crowd erupted with cheers. Tridon's family watched on pleased. Namely his mom, "Good choice honey." She looked at Lucy and said, "I'm glad you told who he would choose."
"Did you really think I would keep that hidden from you? Those two were made for each other."
"Well," Natsuki started, "it was kinda obvious who it would be in the end."
"I thought you had a chance Natsuki." Yuri laughed, "It hurts my heart, but aren't we glad he's happy now? This is what we've all really wanted. For that warm, REAL smile to return to his face."
"Our jovial, weird, loud boy is back." Monika sighed, "Welcome back Tridon. Please don't go away again."
"Great job Pierce." Tiffany nodded while clapping and being joined by his mom and Lucy, "You made the right choice."
"Live a happy life you two." Erica said while with Eric looking on from a far away hill, "We'll be watching over to make sure no danger comes to any of you. Stay safe and live happy." And like that, the two were gone in the gusts of the wind.
Later that night at Tiffany's retirement party, Tridon and all of his friend attended Tiffany's party at her new lavish estate. It was massive. Big enough to hold the party and everyone to figure out where the new couple was at.
Tridon and Sayori stood out on one of her balconies that was in the moon's bright gleam. The bright stars filled the night sky while the two stood out there. Tridon held Sayori from behind while the two were in true romantic bliss.
"I'm sorry I didn't respond when you first confessed. So much was going through my mind at that moment that your confession just sent me over the edge."
"It's fine. It was my fault for yelling at you when you were just worried for my well-being. I'm so sorry for that."
"It's fine. I'm just glad I finally get to be with you forever not only as your best friend, but as your girlfriend and as your future wife."
"Next step is Lingston and those summer courses for you."
"I will do whatever I can to be with you Tridon."
"I'll do whatever I can to make sure you get in. Even if I'm at their summer football camp, I will fight tooth and nail to get you into Lingston."
"I'm so glad I met you Tridon."
"I'm so glad I met you too Sayori."
"I love you."
Tridon turned Sayori around and responded, "I love you too."
They stared into each other's eyes. The moon glistening off them while they inched closer. Their lips puckered the closer they got. They could feel their warm breaks on each other's face as they inched oh-so closer.
"Hey!" Monika shouted causing them to break apart, "This is Tiff's party! Why'd you two run off in the middle of it."
"Oh let them be Monika." Tiffany chuckled, "They deserve this, don't they?" Tiffany walked over to them and gave them two of the wine glasses she held in her hands, "But they do need to be here for the toast. Everyone gather around!"
Everyone gathered around holding their wine glasses. Tiffany turned around and said to Tridon to ask, "Would you like to do the honors?"
"Of course." Tridon walked towards the front with Sayori in his arms and said, "Today marks a new beginning for us. Not as friends, but as a family. We've had a lot ups and downs. But today marks the day that we were managed to push through our chaotic last year. Things will only be better from here. I know that for a fact. Let this toast signal our new age. An age of peace!" Tridon toasted the air and so did everyone.
"Whoo!"
Behind them, multiple fireworks went off of multiple colors and designs. Everyone watched in amazement as they filled the nightly sky. In the distance, Epsilon nodded and smiled.
"Happy adventures Tridon. My rival. We will meet again. Hopefully, under better circumstances." And with that, he disappeared as well.
"Well," Tridon started while looking at the girls, "things will only go up from here. Or not."
"Probably not." They said in unison.
"Oh well, but we had fun to this very day."
"Right."
"To us."
"To us." They repeated while taking a sip and observing the fireworks show to end off their amazing school adventures.
THE END…
…
…
Or Is It?
A/N: AND WE'VE MADE IT! Even though this volume was shorter than the previous, I still feel like it was miles ahead of where the first one was. Or maybe it's not right to compare the two since the vibes from both volumes are different. The first volume was light-hearted, humorous, and didn't have much drama. This volume had nothing but action, drama, and suspense beginning to the end. So I don't know. I'll leave that up to all of you.
Of course, like I said before, I would be uploading an epilogue that goes over an 8 year time jump. This means this epilogue will take place roughly 4 years after they would have graduated college. This'll set up the sequel that WILL NOT be uploaded here on Fanfic. It will be uploaded to Ao3 (Archive Of Our Own) and will continue with Tridon as the main character. I will offer more updates on the sequel on twitter or you can hit me up in DM's if you'd like to learn more. I'm always (but not always) open to take DM's from people who have enjoyed the series. But like I've said before, my twitter handle is at NocaReal. So follow me there if you'd like more updates.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this finale and I hope you're looking forward to the sequel and the epilogue. Goodbye for now!
