Several Months Later, Makoto's POV

The first few days and weeks were hard, since Kirigi... um, Kyoko, was still recovering from the poison that had invaded her body thanks to the Monokuma Hunter Killing Game bangle. Wait. Let me back up a bit.

After our unexpectedly romantic reunion, I thought that she had just needed to be closer to me at first. I quickly realized this wasn't the case when she whispered in my ear that she felt faint and probably needed medical attention. Anyway, I felt... strange at first, since the person I believe is the love of my life collapsed into me after our ordeal, but as she regained consciousness and her mind became clearer, she insisted that I remain at her side. The doctors and nurses thought nothing of it since she was the de facto head of the Future Foundation's 14th Division, so they took it as an order.. not to mention the fact that, as the leader of the Division and after the "attack" on the Foundation's home base from the Remnants of Despair, I'm sure they thought that extra eyes watching her wasn't a bad thing.

Though she was gruff with the medical staff at times, she showed nothing of that towards me as she was recovering. Thanks to all of the medicines she was on for the first few days she was in care, she slept a lot. I was a bit nervous just sitting with her but she could always tell when I would try to leave her side. She'd weakly, yet instinctively, reach for my arm or my hand and give me a light squeeze to tell me that she wanted me to stay with her, so I would.

It was a weird thing getting used to that sort of attention again, but we quickly fell into a very comfortable routine of talking about nothing work related. We both started to reminisce about our first year at the Academy. To anyone else, the twinkle in her eyes and the pink tint to her cheeks were a sign of nothing short of a miraculous recovery. To the two of us, however, they were a sign that the erased memories were affecting her as they affected me at first when we all got them back. See... I think from the first time I saw her I knew that I liked her. A lot. Sure, our classmates knew too but they didn't pry or try to butt in. Well... except for Hina, but it was always a good-natured push from her. Hina just wanted to see two of her best friends happy. Anyway, Kyoko was always very close to the vest with her emotions, but I think meeting me and building trust with me twice helped to bring her out of the shell she'd placed around herself.

She eventually was released from care and slowly got back to the routine of work... but things had changed. I went from a regular Future Foundation worker to a trusted confidant, same as with Byakuya and Hina. The difference was that I was the one to tell her that she needed to take frequent breaks and go outside into the world that was changing right before our eyes. I was always with her on our walks, and she would hold my hand as we slowly and comfortably strolled together. The walks eventually evolved into long talks after work over dinner and coffee, where we would discuss the future. Not the one with the Foundation. I mean our future. She appreciated (and still does) my patience and understanding of the fact that she wasn't as used to showing emotions like I was. I like to think that while she was recuperating that my hope was bolstering hers.

I have kept one secret from her, but I intend to tell her about it once I work everything out in my head. I have an idea. This idea involves reopening the Academy... which could reopen old wounds. Not just for us, but for Class 77-B as well. I do, however, trust Kyoko with everything that I have. I make sure that, when we're alone, she knows how much I care for her. I also respect that she needs time to reconcile old and new patterns. We're working on that, together. I couldn't imagine if we'd really lost her. I think about it from time to time and it makes me so emotional... then I feel her delicate arms around me and her soft voice telling me that everything will be okay. I didn't think I could love someone as much as I love Kyoko. She's my hope, now and always.

Kyoko's POV

I really don't remember a lot of those first few days after the supposed "attack" on the Foundation by the Remnants. Probably because I was pretty out of it and still needed to fully get the poison from my bangle out of my system. Thankfully, there were still parts of the medical staff from the 4th Division available to not only take excellent care of me, but they were also able to replicate Seiko's cure from the many blood samples they took while I was recovering.

The most important part of my recovery was Makoto. So important that I, probably for the first time in my life, was very stingy and wanted him by my side at all times. See... it was emotionally tough for my life and memories to flood back as they did when I was in semi-stasis but it reinforced something that I never wanted to admit to myself until now. I've always known how much Makoto likes me, and it was almost too overwhelming to admit to myself that I liked him just as much from the very beginning as well. Coming full circle to remember that, and the way I reacted when he realized that I wasn't dead... that was quite humbling for me, and quite scary at the same time.

I'm blessed by the fact that he has been so very patient with me throughout all of my recovery and everything. Sure, work is work but at the same time... I can't always be Director Kirigiri. I think that's why my father ran away. The Kirigiri name carries so much weight that it crushed him. Knowing what I know now... he's still a coward for running away, but if I were in his shoes... would I have run too, or would I have stayed?

I remember watching a movie once, and the main female character had said to the main male character that it wasn't easy being and I quote ".. a cast-iron bitch. It takes discipline and years of training. A lot of people don't appreciate that." I know that Makoto never saw me that way. I just had to change that perception of myself. It's tough breaking almost a decade old pattern but I have hope that I will prevail. I know it's silly to place all of your hope in one person but didn't I do the same thing before we graduated from the Academy Killing Game? Makoto just has that effect on people, especially his closest friends.

I can honestly say that had we not gone through what we have, I would have never realized the depth of my feelings... and that would be a crying shame.

As Kyoko thought to herself and looked out at the skyline at sunset, she didn't hear Makoto softly walking up. So as not to startle her, he smiled as he whispered, "That view is stunning."

She jumped slightly, still not used to being caught off-guard. She then sheepishly smiled as she said, "I didn't hear you come in."

As if on cue, Makoto absently lifted his left hand to rub the back of his neck. She noticed that his tie was somewhat loosened as he replied, "It's after quitting time. I know how busy you are but... would you like to join me for dinner?"

Kyoko stood up with a smirk, smoothed her short skirt, and bridged the gap between them as she said, "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, you've had something on your mind for the past couple weeks."

Makoto's eyes widened as he quietly asked, "How did you know that?"

With an even wider smirk, Kyoko got close enough to give Makoto's left cheek a soft peck as she whispered, "I'm your girlfriend. I'm supposed to know these things."

A/N: I am SO sorry for the delay in the ending of this. Life kind of passed me by and I literally forgot about it. I still have plans to finish the Scenes From a Memory fic too, just wanted to put this one to bed before Christmas. Speaking of, I hope that you all have a safe and reasonably decent holiday season, and thanks for your patience. Oh, and the cast-iron bitch quote is officially copyrighted by James Cameron (it's from one of my favorite of his movies, The Abyss).