Chapter 12

One by one, Class 78 tracked down each remnant of despair, bringing the back to safety. While Leon had been out looking for Kazuichi, Makoto and the others had been found and enlisted by what was called the Future Foundation. However they wanted to destroy ultimate despair. That had included class 77-B. When they got back, they had departed, hiding out on a ship to a place called Jabberwock Island. Leon was dismayed when Makoto, Kyoko, and Byakuya told them that reversing the damge from Junko wasn't as easy as restoring memories. As a result, they sepnt months working hard on finding a solution. The future foundation eventually learned about the whereabout of the remnants, and labelled Makoto as a traitor. But he didn't quit. Makoto kept working, aided by Chihiro Fujisaki as they developed the Hope restoration program. They used a simulator, a program called the Neo World Pogram, in order to attempt to restore class 77-B's original personalities. Leon watched fearfully as Kazuichi was put into a pod, just like the rest of them. Day by day, he watched the pod, waiting for the program to finish. After a few weeks, the first person woke up. It was a student by the name of Hajime Hinata. He had been trnasformed into Izuru Kamukura by Hope's Peak, gifted with every talent known to the academy. He insisted on being called Hajime, not Izuru. Leon was horrified when he learned that a virus had infected the program. He learned that some of the students might never wake up. Not long after Hajime, Fuyuhiko, Sonia, Akane and lastly Kazuichi woke up from their pods. The moment he was up,Leon threw himself at the mechnaic, hugging him as tight as he could.

"Kazu, is it you? Are you back? You better be back or I'm kicking your ass!" The mechnaic returned the hug, with tears falling from his eyes.

"Leon, it's you! I was afraid I'd never remember you! We had our memories erased, to before we met Junko! I even tried to go after Sonia again!" Leon looked over at the princess, who was standing beside Gundham's pod.

"Fear not, Leon..I was more than happy to reject his advances..." She smiled sadly.

"Thanks...You ok, Sonia...?"

"She fell in love with Gundham in the program...He..." Kazuichi looked away. Leon looked at the floor. He understood. Gundham was one of the victims.

"I'm sure we'll get him back...We'll get them all back..." Sonia cheered up at that and nodded.

"Yes...You're right...We will get them back."

More time passed. Hajime had convinced Makoto to let him use the prgram again. They didn't know why. They just knew that the reserve course student had an idea in his head. Then one day, to everyone's amazement, more people began waking up. Sonia was overjoyed when Gundham awoke. Hiyoko and Mahiru had atearful reunion. Even Fuyuhiko broke down when Peko woke up. Somehow, Hajime's plan worked. He managed to restore the consciousness of the fallen students. Leon's attention was diverted when he felt someone tugging on his arm. He turned around, smirking at Kazuichi.

"See? Told you you guys would be saved!" Kazuichi laughed, folding his arms behind his head.

"Yup! I didn't doubt it for a second!"

"What the hella re you talking about? You were in despair with all the rest of us!" The couple turned to look at Fuyuhiko. Fuyuhiko's face relaxed into a triumphant smile.

"Nice work, Kuwata..."

"Thanks, Fuyuhiko...But I didn't do much..." The red head rubbed his neck sheepishly. The yakuza shook his head.

"Don't be an idiot...You never gave up...You even risked your life..."

"The imp is correct...Thou bravely faced thee in combat, a duel of demons in the depths of hell! Yet, Thou was willing to embrace death at the gates of the underworld for thy friends..." Gundham gave him a curt nod, with a smile on his face.

"And even I tried to have you killed...I am so sorry...!" Kazuichi spun his attention to Sonia.

"You WHAT?!" Leon grabbed his face in his hands quickly, making him look at him instead.

"It's ok, Kazu! She couldn't help herself... Wait...I thought you were watching me?"

"I was! Until Junko showed up. Then I couldn't do anything!" Leon chuckled and kissed him gently.

"Well at least it's over now...She's gone...Forever..." Kazuichi kissed him back.

"Yeah...I heard Mukuro was the one who killed her..." Leon nodded.

"Yeah, she was...She left a while ago, to go try and do her part for the world. She wanted to make ammends. But, it's ok. I know she'll be just fine..."

"Indeed! Hope has successfully triumphed over despair. Now, the world can once more rebuild, in the name of hope." Kazuichi's eyes widened and he ducked behind Leon as Nagito walked over with a smile on his face. Leon laughed.

"What, you're afraid something bad's gonna happen to you again?"

"Something bad ALWAYS happens when he's around! My day always south when-" Kazuichi was cut off as Mikan tripped. The tray of tea she had been holding for everyone flung from her hands. Leon dove away as fastas he could, dodging the tea as it spilled on Kazuichi. Too bad it was hot tea...

"AHHH IT BURNS! NAGITO!"

"Sorry, Kazuichi! Guess I don't have much luck today..." Nagito laughed, along with Leon and the others. The red head kissed Kazuichi again.

"At least you didn't get hurt too bad, this time, right?" The mechanic just grumbled in repsonse. It was good to have things back to normal.