Take Me Back
Makoto was not excited for school today, and he was right to feel that way.
Walking through the hallways he could tell there were people whispering about him behind his back. It was painfully obvious, because they always went completely silent the moment he notices them.
He let out a sigh. He supposed this was to be expected. He kind of made a big scene yesterday, not to mention that it was only his second day.
So people were definitely going to talk whether he liked it or not.
He also had barely slept a wink last night. It was hard to do so when all he could think about was his previous conversation with his doppelganger.
But despite it all, he had managed to drag himself out of bed and got to school.
As all the sounds around him began to sound more and more muffled. Eventually, Makoto was finally able to mute out all the noise.
He was finally starting to feel a little better. Tired, but just a little bit better.
Unfortunately, the relief was short lived when he had accidentally bumped into someone while he wasn't looking and was brought right back to his senses.
"-ah sorry." He said quickly.
He looked up to see a blonde-haired boy with spiky hair and red eyes.
Makoto recognizes him from his class. But from this brief second they had encountered one another, he could already tell this guy wasn't the friendliest person.
"-Ow, what the heck? Watch where you're going!" said the blonde with brows furrowed.
Makoto noticed two guys right behind the blonde. They seemed to be his lackeys.
Wait.
Lackeys?
...This doesn't look too good.
"Sorry. I wasn't looking." He added, wanting to quickly defuse the situation he had just found himself in.
"...I recognize you." The blonde said, looking him over.
"Uh, you do?-"
"You're that kid from the cafeteria yesterday."
He wasn't sure whether that tone was threatening or just sheer curiosity. But what he was sure of is that he wanted to leave. Now.
"Oh that. well-"
"That little stunt you pulled yesterday, was the most stupid fucking thing I've ever seen. You're just another naive fool." His lackeys chuckled at his comment.
"...I'm sorry, but I really need to go-"
He was about to rush off to class when a strange blur filled his vision.
Before he knew it, the boy's hand had blocked his path. He turned to see the blonde boy smiling deviously.
"We're not done talking yet."
Makoto's expression tensed. This guy...
He sidesteps, trying to avoid this jerk. But was met with a wall of two idiots blocking his path.
Only now did he realize that the once bustling hallway was now completely empty.
Damnit.
Can't he go one day without anything like this happening?
"What do you want?" He demands.
The blonde looked a little surprised at the response, before he chuckled.
"You have guts, I'll give you that much. But I just wanted to talk to you for a second."
In an instant, his smile fades, as he looks Makoto dead in the eye.
Taking a step forward in a threatening manner.
Makoto held his ground, despite the nervousness he felt inside.
"Do you wanna know a secret?"
He didn't answer and frankly, he had no intention to. But the blonde continued anyways.
"Guys like you...piss me off." he spat.
"..."
"I know your type. You walk around with sunshine in your pockets. Spread kindness and all that goody-goody shit. Now don't get the wrong idea. I'm not out to get ya. But I just wanted to make something very clear."
Makoto tensed as he felt his back slam against the locker behind him.
The boy's hand gripped tightly on his uniform.
He could have sworn he saw a tiny spark of light emitting briefly from it.
oh fuck.
"Listen here, side character. You better make sure yesterday will be the last time you defend a guy like Deku." the blonde said as he sneered. His eyes burned a fiery hell at the name.
"You got that, extra?!" he added.
Just go with it...maybe he'll back away?
Makoto nods, possibly a little too quickly.
The blonde's demeanor softens.
"Glad we can come to an agreement."
Slowly, Makoto felt his feet meet with the ground once again, as the hand that held him up loosens its grip.
"Don't you forget what I said. I mean it."
To his relief, the jerk finally backs off. The blonde turns to walk away, but not before his giving one last piercing glare towards Makoto.
His lackeys shot him a similar look before they shoved Makoto aside, following their leader like dogs on a leash.
And then, silence.
Makoto stood still for a few seconds as he heard the footsteps slowly fade away.
Soon enough, he let out a huge sigh of relief as he held his hand over his chest.
Oh.
My.
God.
Did that really just happen?
He was so sure he was going to get a beating right then and there.
{Get a hold of yourself. You've survived a literal murder game and came face to face with death itself, and this is what you're worried about?}
As he tried to steady his racing heartbeat, he was greeted by the ringing of the school bell echoing through the halls.
Crap.
He should really get to class!
Lunch period arrives, yet again.
The school had a lovely courtyard for students to hang out in during breaks.
There were many benches to sit on, as well as a lot of open space of greenery and even a few, small trees.
Makoto was situated on a wooden bench trying to clear his head. It was a pretty good spot as well, since it's right under the shade of a tree.
He let in a deep breath, as he smiled softly at the scene before him.
Despite how hectic school may be, he always appreciated these tiny moments. A simple breeze and the sight of the bright blue sky was enough to put a smile on his face.
He watched the students walk on by as they went along their day. He watched them chat among themselves cheerfully, and others who were just simply going through the motions.
Slowly, all the sounds around him came quiet. All that was left was the soft breeze rustling the leaves and the sound of his breathing.
He felt a strange sense of deja vu in this moment of time.
Everything felt...normal.
Much like how his life was before the tragedy.
Peaceful.
He could almost feel as if the tragedy and the fall of his world was nothing but a terrible nightmare.
He has had peaceful moments since his arrival in this world.
But this moment in particular was special.
Because this feeling felt the closest as it did back then.
"Hey, there you are."
Makoto turned to see Sayaka approach him as she sits down next to him under the shade of the tree.
He pulls his earphones out from his ears.
"What is it? Do you need something?"
She chuckles. "I just wanted to talk to you. Hey, what music are you listening to?"
"Oh this?" he points to his phone. "It's just some music Leon recommended to me."
"Is it any good?" She asks.
"Yeah, I think so. Want to hear it?" He hands his earphones over to Sayaka.
She takes it in her hands and looks at it, thinking over something."...Mind if we share?" She asks.
"Share?"
"Yeah! One earphone each, that way we can listen to it together."
"Wouldn't it be easier without the earphones?"
"Eh. Music sounds better with earphones anyway." She insisted.
Nodding, Makoto waits patiently as she walks over and sits by him, taking one earphone for herself and leaving one for Makoto.
They sat closer to each other, making sure they weren't too far for both earphones to reach.
Makoto turned the music on, only this time he was sharing it with Sayaka.
They sat there under the shade of the tree quietly, listening to the song as it played.
Listening to music in of itself was special. But to listen with someone else was nothing short of magical.
And so they spent this moment together, both none the wiser of how close they've gotten to one other.
And all too quickly for their liking, the song ends.
Satisfied, Sayaka pulls the earphone out of her ear.
"That was nice. You're gonna have to send that song to me."
"Sure. I'll send it right now."
As Makoto went to working on sending the song, Sayaka looked forward, taking in the scenery before her.
A moment of quiet passes before them.
"Hey Makoto."
"Yeah?" He looks up from his phone.
"Did you know, I always liked quiet moments like these."
"...Like right now?"
"Mhm. It's...therapeutic in a way. To just do nothing."
"There's a name for that. It's called being lazy." He teases.
Chuckling, she continues. "Not that. This is different."
"How is it different?"
"...I don't know. Maybe it's cause it feels so peaceful."
Makoto stays quiet, deciding to let her take over the conversation.
"It's just nice, I mean. To just watch life happen around you. Become sort of like... a spectator." She says before she looks to Makoto.
"You know what I mean, right?" She laughs nervously. "Who am I kidding? I probably sound like a weirdo right now."
"No, no. I get it." He smiles. "I know what you mean."
Sayaka brightens up at his response.
"I'm glad."
"Hey Sayaka."
"Yes?"
"Let's do nothing, together."
Out of nowhere, she bursts into laughter.
"What? What's so funny?" He asks.
"ahaha. Nothing, nothing. It just sounds a little silly when you put it that way."
"I was just following your lead is all." He said in return, a tad bit annoyed, but in a playful way.
"I know." she says, chuckling to herself.
Makoto smiles, before that smile quickly turned into laughter.
He gasps, feeling slightly overwhelmed.
Makoto holds the side of his head, trying to support it from how heavy it suddenly felt.
{Another memory...}
Ever since their escape from Hope's Peak, the group of survivors had slowly been regaining their lost memories from the past two years.
They were all starting to remember bits and pieces.
Though regaining a lost memory sounds great on paper, it also carried a lot of baggage.
Emotional baggage.
After all, their memories were often times shared with people they've already lost.
And much too often, they would wish they never even remembered.
"E-excuse me."
All too quickly, his thoughts were once again interrupted by a familiar voice.
Makoto turns around, only to see the same green haired boy from yesterday.
Written: 9/23/2021
Edited: 9/13/2022
Published: 10/9/2021
Hey again! As you may or may not have noticed, I'm not posting double chapters anymore. Currently I'm only posting one chapter at a time. Which just means longer chapters! Hurray!
Thanks for sticking around. Honestly, I never expected more than two people to actually follow this story. Thank you for sticking with me. Whether you stay for the long ride or not, I'm still glad you're here.
Alright, that's it for now. Hope you all have a good day!
or else
