Disclaimer. I own neither the series not the characters. This is adapted from 私の誕生日パーティーと三十分のbirthday:後編
Naegiri starts at the first line break at the second line break. I just love the idea that when Naegi's not doing DR thing's, he's part of this super sappy cheesy anime. None of that will affect the main plot.
22:38
The day was almost over, yet for the 14th Branch of the Future Foundation there still looked to be no end in sight.
"I really don't think we could finish this within the day!"
"Noisy. If you have time to complain. You have time to move!"
"Hurry Up! Hurry Up! Hurry Up!"
"I'm going as fast as I can!"
The shouts, yells, and cries, of several men and women echoed throughout the room. Naegi Makoto tried to drown out all the noise around him as he furiously typed away at his own computer. He needed to concentrate.
A member of the branch walked by and noticed that the man was still typing out even though he had been here since morning, working non-stop.
"Naegi-san, shouldn't you take a break?
The man didn't even turn his head to offer one of his trademark smiles, his eyes locked onto his monitor. "No, I'm fine. I'm almost done anyways.
"Is…that so?" The woman eyed the still large amount of work piled up on the desk. "It still looks like a lot to me."
"No, I'll finish it before the date changes. Absolutely." Naegi emphasized the last word as if doing so strengthened his will.
Giving the man a strange look, the branch member left him be. Naegi ignored it knowing that whatever the cost, he definitely had to be finished before "tomorrow.
He was finishing some paperwork needed to help finish his proposal in rebuilding and opening Hope's Peak Academy. This unfortunately meant a lot of organizing documents, checking them, and the worst part, transcribing written one's into a digital file. Thankfully, some of the members of the branch were here to help him out also partially because it was also part of their work as well.
"Why did we print this all on paper again? If we just kept the data files, then we wouldn't have had to struggle so hard!"
"Because, back then, despair could hack into anything if you were on some sort of grid, so it was too risky. Most hosting sites also shut down. You're lucky they didn't make it to when they brought out the typewriters…"
Asumi and Ogata bickered away even as their hands blurred as they smashed through their keyboards at ridiculous speeds as Ichigaya glanced at them nervously. Next to Naegi, Nagasaki, briskly explained their current situation.
"When Kirigiri-san resigned as Division Head to join the rebuilding of Hope's Peak Academy, there seemed to be a lot of handover work from when she was still head. Furthermore, we still need to arrange faculty candidates as well as student candidates. It's a bit hard for a single branch to take that all on."
Even as she said so, the older woman was doing twice the amount of work compared to Naegi and the other three. She was one of the people Naegi had relied on the most during his stay in the Branch as a member. He could easily see the bags in her eyes, but she soldiered on without a complaint.
And it wasn't just her. There were many other members in other rooms doing the same seemingly endless amount of work as they all did.
"I'm sorry everyone," Naegi voiced out loud. "You're all staying here just because of my proposal."
"Oy! Oy! It's too late for apologies, Naegi-san…or should I say Headmaster?"
"Nagasaki-san…"
"If you enroll a handsome student, please introduce me, .ter~"
"Asumi-san…"
"Oh! Then I'd like to be introduced to a cute girl, headmaster!"
"Ogata-san…"
"Ah, for me, I just want a school my little sister can learn from. I'm counting on you, Headmaster-senpai."
"Ichigaya-san!"
He spared a glance to take a good look at the friends he had made in the 14th branch. These were his first friends outside the Killing School Life, one's where he didn't even have to consider if they were a murderer or not.
"Everyone…Thank you. It's a bit embarrassing being called headmaster before the plan commences." He scratched his cheek before turning to Ogata and Asumi. "Although, do you guys really want to go out with a high schoolers?"
After the final Killing Game, Naegi had proposed to the reconstruction of Hope's Peak Academy, the once symbol of hope in the world. Whether it was because he was treated as the "hero" of two killing games or they just thought he was right, his proposal surprisingly pushed through.
He didn't expect however that he'd be nominated as the headmaster. Of course, it was obvious from the start he had no idea how to teach not did he have the qualifications to do so much more managing a school.
In a way, that was natural. They'd help him out, but he'd also be the one to take the blame if it fails. It didn't help that there were still negative perceptions on the school as it was where Ultimate Despair was able to start the sparks that became the Tragedy, something that had burned the world to the ground and it was still recovering.
What the Future Foundation needed him to do the most is to convince the public that Hope's Peak was acceptable. If they put him, the one known to beat Enoshima Junko, as the headmaster, it might help with public approval.
Nagasaki gave Naegi a glance. "I still think it was quite bold of you to say could rebuild the school by yourself."
"Not at all, Nagasaki-san." Naegi shook his head. "I just thought it was something the world needed today."
Well, that was his on the book reason. The real reason was slightly embarrassing to tell the others, so he decided to keep quiet about it.
"We at the branch should do our best too." Nagasaki nodded, satisfied with his answer. "Even If we're not the teachers you need, we can help with the office work at least."
"Let's do our best for the future of the world." Naegi replied enthusiastically
At the corner of his eye, he noticed Ichigaya approaching. "Good job, senpai."
Naegi flashed her a smile that sent the girl into a blushing frenzy. "You did good too, Ichigaya-san."
"Y-yeah!" The girl gathered her courage. "Um, senpai, if you want to maybe after all this, I could get you a drink…or something."
Naegi blinked. "Oh well, then can you get me a coffee? I just need to clean up my desk work."
"Ah, that's not..." Before Ichigaya could say anything more, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Nagasaki simply shook her head in silence before leaving. "Then, I'll make you some of my special mix!"
The young woman practically skipped out of the room.
"Thanks, again!" Naegi called back his eyes already back on his monitor and his fingers on the keyboard.
"…will you stay with me on my next birthday?"
Naegi knew that if couldn't even protect his promise that day to her then he did not qualify to be the Ultimate Hope or the Headmaster.
"Sorry for waiti-Ah!"
"Eh!"
"Eh!"
"Whoah""
Right when Ichigaya, holding a cup of hot coffee, got close to Naegi's desk, her feet got caught on a nearby cable and lost balance, and tipped forward.
Most people did not expect it but Naegi Makoto was decently fit. He had continued his trainings from his time with the person known as the Strongest Human in the World, Oogami Sakura. Kirgiri and Togami had forced him to undertake a self defense course. No one, not even Kirigiri or his sister, knew exactly what happened when Naegi Makoto went on a global adventure with Kamakura Izuru to find and capture the rest of the 77th class.
So, it was with trained instincts that Naegi immediately got up from his seat so Ichigaya could land on his chest then steadied her with one arm around her head as the other pushed the arm to steady the cup, preventing a drop from falling.
Or that was the plan at least, as Naegi got up, tripped on his feet then accidentally tackled the girl to the ground. When he opened his eyes he saw the blushing face of one of his former co-workers. Thankfully, the younger woman's incredible bust provided enough cushioning to prevent their lips from touching
He immediately scrambled up and offered her a hand which she took.
"Are you okay, Ichigaya-san?" he asked her in concern, but she just looked away her face still red. Shrugging it off, he turned around to see-
Ah!" He saw the sight of his personal computer which was doused in black coffee. The monitor was also black, showing no light.
He started to feel panic rising within him. No, that may have been vomit. No, that may have been another scream. No, that may have been desp-
"It's fine," Nagasaki retorted not even turning from her computer. "All our PC's are custom made as no one really make's factory bought. These things are Anti-Tragedy. Besides now that we have all our servers up and everything you do is up in the cloud by now."
Naegi blinked as he felt relief course through him.
"Um senpai…I'm really sorry and-"Naegi held up a hand, partly laughing from his relief.
"You should go to the infirmary, Ichigaya-san. I'm sorry if I was rough."
"…Not rough enough…"
"What?"
"N-nothing! I'll go then!' The girl left the room once more and Naegi winced at how she held up her chest. They must've been hurt when he squshed them down.
Still, at least nothing went wrong he thought as he sat back down.
It looked like he caught a lucky-
"Oy! Oy! What is this?!" Ogata suddenly yelled, even taking the time to stand up to do so. His eyes were wide in disbelief as he started at his monitor.
"What is it?" asked Nagasaki
"It's….It's….Fuck." He looked like he would tear his hear off if he had any as he sat back down in defeat "Everything's wrong. HQ just sent us the new format needed for the documents. They said we need to change everything we had done before in the last six hours to this format."
This got everyone's attention as they all stared at him in disbelief, almost not wanting to believe him.
"What!?" It was the first time Naegi had heard Nagasaki shriek and he hoped it would be the last. "That's ridiculous! Send me the file."
It only took her a minute to glance through the new formatting guide but Naegi did not like how each second made her shoulders slump even further. "Fuck…They're right. How the fuck did no one else notice we were still using the old logo?!"
Naegi had nothing to add to that as he glanced at the time, 22:58. If he left now, he had thirty minutes to get to the school then would have the rest to celebrate with everyone. With Kirgiri-san.
"Asumi, how many files do we need changed?
The woman checked her directory her eyes scrolling, and scrolling, and scrolling and stopped. She bit the front of thumb. "Way too many. We were working way too hard."
"Give me an estimate." Nagasaki glanced through the new formatting file. "It should take maybe fifteen minutes per file for a person in this room."
"If we're going to include Ichi, then." The short girl gulped. "Four hours. Optimum."
'What.'
"Fuck." Nagasaki slumped down on her chair before sighing. "I'm guessing everyone else got the message."
Hearing the groans and frustrated yells outside their own room, it was obvious.
"Well, it can't be helped" muttered a defeated Nagasaki as she brushed a hand through her hair. "It looks like it's going to be an all-nighter."
'…'
"…That's right" replied a glum Ogata, much different from the energy he had moments before. "If we could finish in the morning, then it's not a big deal."
'…!'
"We'd better get some overtime, growled an irate Asumi her flirty tone gone with her patience.
'…!'
There was only one word going through Naegi's head at the moment…"Luck". Even till now his talent seemed to stalk him. Why else would this happen? There's no way he or anyone in the room could've prevented it. There was no freak accident or butterfly effect. It just so happened these things happen. That was Luck.
…but to think that it would today of all days that it manifested. It couldn't have waited even another two hours."
"E-everyone, Thank you!" With a shaky voice, Naegi tried to will out as much hope he could muster. He knew it wasn't a lot. "Let's all do our best! No, ten times our best!"
No one looked like they came out fully charged but he was willing to accept tired smiles.
"Don't push yourself too, alright, Naegi-san?" He could feel Nagasaki's spirit at her words.
"But you sure you don't got a date, Naegi-san?" Ogata gave a half-hearted grin. "Didn't you keep muttering about tomorrow or something?"
"C'mon, you can tell us, we don't bite much." It was a far cry from earlier but there was Asumi's teasing.
"Well…"
Naegi wanted to say that it was Kirigiri's birthday, but he knew how sensitive the woman was on her personal information. Only the survivors, his sister, and Togami's closes subordinates knew about it and he didn't' want it going around without her permission.
That was why no one knew about Kirigiri-san's birthday party.
He weighed whether he should tell them or not but in the end.
"No, it's fine. Let's continue!" Besides, when everyone else would be working hard, it was impossible to tell them he'd go to a birthday party especially when they were also doing their best for the reconstruction of the school.
'…I'm sorry Kirgiri-san.' Naegi wondered if he should text her or call her up.
Suddenly, the door burst open to reveal a blonde in an expensive suit. He also looked like he wasn't sure if he felt angry or disappointed.
"…Why are still in such a place, Naegi?"
"Togami-kun?" Behind the scion were also a couple of his trusted men. "Why are you here?"
Togami narrowed his eyes as he took a moment to glare at the other members of the room. Of course, each one cowered, knowing not to get in his way from personal experience.
"You're all too slow at working! Because of that I'm will lend you my assistance. You can keep your thank yous to yourselves."
"Eh, that Togami-san is helping us…"
"Are you serious we're saved!"
"Tch, I don't like him but we need his help…"
All around everyone released sighs of relief. Even if Byakuya Togami was an HR nightmare he was still very effective in getting results.
Naegi smiled up at his friend. "Thanks, Togami-kun. Did someone call you or something?"
"….is there still room in your brain to care about something like that?"
"What?"
"…do not keep that woman waiting. I can't stand her if she doesn't rise to my provocations."
"…!" Naegi took a step at his words, easily connecting the dots on who Togami was talking about.
"I do not know if that woman is sad or just going crazy but you should hurry and turn her back to normal."
Even if it sounded like she was being insulted, it did seem like even Togami was worried about Kirgizia's behavior.
"Is there something wrong with Kirigiri-san?" Nagasaki asked forcing herself to speak. She somewhat understood that there was something going on between Naegi and the former division head. She just didn't really know what it was.
"Togami turned to her as if she was a fly on the wall. "It's no big deal. Today is her birthday and those people throw her a party. And, of course, this idiot of a fool did not go."
"To-Togami-kun!" Stuttered Naegi. "You can't just tell people that without her permission."
Togami didn't even bother to roll his eyes at the pathetic attempt.
"Well, send my regards." Waved Ogata
"Mine too!". Added Asumi
"Really the Kirigiri-san is too secretive." Nagasaki sighed but there was a smile on her face. "If she had just told us about it, then of course we would all want to go."
It was only after a second of everyone smiling till their heads all simultaneously turned to Naegi with shock in their faces.
"""Why is Naegi-san here?!"""
It was a perfect three-person in sync Tsukkomi.
Naegi raised his hands in defense. "I actually thought about leaving immediately after I finished the job."
"It's still her frikkin birthday, man!" Yelled Ogata. "Why are you missing your girlfriend's birthday for work?!" Asumi nodded next to him, her arms crossed."
"No, we're not like that." Naegi knew he liked Kirigiri at that point, but he had yet to confess to her much less be dating. "Besides, everybody's workload has increased due to my own selfish plan of restoring the school. To go home now wouldn't feel right."
"YOU IDIOT!" Suddenly he felt a hard smack on the back of his head. Even Togami, who was silently waiting for their rabble to end raised an eyebrow.
Naegi rubbed the back of head that he knew some form of bruise would come up and turned to his attacker. "Na-Nagasaki-san?"
"Do you really think we're so weak?! Do you really think we all wouldn't be here right now if we didn't want to help rebuild Hope's Peak? We're all here because we want to!"
"Yeah! If us to cooperated about this in advance, you should've said so earlier!
"Are we really that unreliable to you?"
He turned from Ogata to Asumi then back to Nagasaki.
"Did you not tell me she was important to you, Naegi-san? Did we not go on a date to get her a present? Did you break the sacred vow between cashier and customer by lying? If you care about her, then go!"
"E-everyone…!" He turned a teary gaze to each of them. That's right, even if he couldn't do anything about his own bad luck, he could always rely on someone else to help him
"To think I'd meet such friends, I guess I am "lucky after all' murmured Naegi as he wiped the tears in his eyes.
He turned to Togami who was looking at him as if he were a strange bug. No, a stranger bug.
"Everyone..Togami-kun…thank you!" Even if he had said the word countless times today, it was this time where he felt he meant it the most.
"Just go already, you idiot." Ogata looked away shyly. "You'd better kiss her!"
"Tell me about your progress tomorrow! And there better be some," winked Asumi. "Remember, forehead, nose, lips. 1-2-3!"
"Naegi-san, I'm sorry hitting you but" suddenly he was in a tight embrace as the older woman rubbed the back of his head before grabbing both of his shoulders and looking straight at him. "You'd better confess your feelings to Kirigiri-san, you hear me! Prove yourself as a man tonight! And if she rejects you, you can come crying to me, I'll just take you for myself. So don't be scared! Make sure you do it!"
"Na-Naga.." Before he could say anything else he was promptly shoved in front of Togami who was still giving him that weird stare before motioning he head to the two men behind him..
"Take this idiot to the rebuilt Hope's Peak."
"Yes, Byakuya-sama!"
Naegi followed after the two but not before giving his thanks to his savior.
"Thank you for everything, Togami-kun."
"Hmph, it's because I can't leave things to you that I had to come out. There is no need for thanks. Go quickly."
It would be the last time Makoto Naegi didn't mind going over the speed limit.
23:24
"Thank you again. Make sure to pay attention when you get back home!'
"Hai! Good luck, Naegi-san!"
The moment the car skidded across the front of the school, Naegi bolted off.
He ran.
He ran as fast as he never had before taking Togami's advice to the limit.
And eventually, he reached the classroom where they were supposed to have a party.
'Ah'
It was obvious by the hallway but now that he stood by the door, it was obvious that the lights were clearly off. The only illumination was the moonlight entering thorough the window.
'After all, I did not make it in time' His head dropped down as he couldn't hep but grab the door infrustration. He wanted to slam it but he just wasn't the type of person. He closed the door in front of him only welcome darkness once more.
It was only because of the dark did he nothing something different. Rather than light, there was an unevenness texture of the darkness that he noticed one of the doors was half open.
Slowly, he placed a hand on the door and slid it open.
Illuminated by the faint moonlight, seated reading in a chair was the person he was looking for.
Words came out of his mouth before he could say anything else.
"Sorry for making you wait, Kirigiri-san"
"Good work. Naegi-kun. It's fine. You're on time until the date changes."
Kirigiri Kyoko smiled.
Line
"Everyone's sleeping. If we talk here we might wake them up." whispered Kirigiri. "Shall we move to the table?"
Naegi took a moment to glance at the bundles of blankets on the floor. Just as she had said, he could see their friends and his sister sleeping on the floor, out like a light.
"Did they get too tired from the party?""
"It was possibly the alcohol."
"Alocohol?" Naegi took a sniff and he could smell a faint scent of it in the air or from the room next to theirs. Well, if he was going to be a headmaster, he should better get used to sniffing for it.
"Asahina-san brought a few bottles." She flashed him a small mischievous smile. "I may have drank a little myself."
Together, they both leave the classroom and start walking across the corridor together side by side. The silence isn't too uncomfortable. Beside her, Naegi could spot how Kirigiri cheeks are rosier than usual. Was she still a bit tipsy?
Kirigiri didn't know but Naegi could hold his alcohol well. Back when he was still a branch member, he used to be invited to drinking sessions by the other branch members at least once a week.
"Are you okay?" He moved closer to support her, but she declined with a raised hand.
"As a detective, I cannot afford to lower my thinking abilities. I didn't drink that much alcohol."
"I see" Naegi remembered how she had told him she had lived abroad since she was young. Maybe, she had lived somewhere where underage drinking was allowed and grown a tolerance. The image of a young drunk Kyoko tickled his mind.
"…what are you thinking?"
"Nothing. Nothing."
They continued their wordless walk until they reached the inner courtyard of Hope's Peak. The school fountain, or, it would be a fountain if it still worked. Unfortunately, the renovations haven't reached this part which left the thing as a large block of steel and concrete. They both took a seat at a lone bench and Naegi had to wonder if the him he'd never have back saw a less depressing sight.
He turned to see the portrait of Kirigiri Kyoko next to him, the pendant he had given her glimmering in the moonlight. He took that back. He didn't really think there could by anything else that could compare.
"You're still wearing that pendant." His eyes turned to the gem at its center as gloved hands cradled it.
"Of course. You did give it to me after all." Kirigiri turned her head away, slightly embarrassed with how she acted back then. She didn't really know what came over her, but she couldn't say she wasn't thankful. She instead chose to change the topic. "So, how were you able to finish all of the work?"
"Oh." Naegi felt his shoulders slump and tense at the same time. The seesaw of emotions work had left him in had exhausted him but he knew he couldn't show that to her. "Well, we were actually finished in time but headquarters screwed us over."
"As usual?"
"I don't know how you dealt with them for so long." Naegi admitted. "In the end, Togami-kun arrived and set my mind straight."
"I see, so it was Togami after all." He noticed the way her eyes lit up, like puzzle pieces falling into place. There was a bigger story here and he wanted to ask what she had told the scion, but he waited for Kirigiri to speak again instead. "I must thank him then. He's did send me a present."
"A present, huh?" He wanted to ask, just to know what the man got her that his own wouldn't compare to but that would be unfair to the person who had helped him the most today. "Togami-kun, has certainly come far. Speaking of…"
Naegi reached into the inner pocket of his coat, to take out an long white rectangle box. He thankfully did not keep it in his coat during work like last year's gift but instead had kept it in his locker which he immediately grabbed before leaving. "Sorry for giving it at such a time, but here's my gift."
Lavender eyes widen slightly as her hands gently take the box from him, treating it with care. Naegi wonders if she already knew. Such care was unusual.
"Thank you…. May I?"
"Of course."
Carefully, gloved fingers peeled off the white wrapping and opened the box within.
"Ah.." A red one-wheel rose bloomed inside its glass cage. An In-Vitro Rose. Back in the Killing School Life, he had given her as many presents that he thought she would like. While this wasn't the thing she was most pleased with, this was the one that brought out the most emotion.
Before, he had given it to her without considering the meaning behind the act. This time, he did it with the fullest of intents and purposes.
Kirigiri admired the gift in her hand, moonlight reflecting of the tubing. She then cradled it in her arms and hugged it tight.'
"Thank you, Naegi-kun…. I'm very happy." And finally, he knew it was all worth it. No matter the journey, it was worth the joy in her lips as they curled up. He was glad.
"I'll be honest that I did not expect such a gift from you." She smiled down at the tube in her arms as her pendant liked against the glass. "Any particular reasons?"
The reason was where they were sitting. Just being in the campus again brought back memories both pleasing and cruel. When they had all decided to leave, they only brought with them their very necessities.
"I remembered the first time I gave you one." Naegi looked down, smiling at the memory. "You looked so lost when you saw it. Like a treasure you never knew you had lost. In hindsight, it makes sense with your condition. When we came back here, I felt bad you had to leave it when we left. I tried to look for it but…"
When he looked up again, Kirigiri evaded his gaze as she looked to the side.
"I'm sorry to upset you, Naegi-kun but it seems you've misunderstood. That in vitro rose you had given me from that time. I still have it."
"Really?"
"Yes," Kyoko used a free hand to comb back her hair, taking the moment to calm herself. "The flower has long since withered which I've removed. But, I've kept the tube."
"But at the time," Naegi remembered what she had told the other survivors. "You said to only take important things.
"Yes, and one of my important things was the gift you gave me."
"I see…" Naegi broke eye contact to turns his head forward. He had always known there was a bigger story to the in vitro rose with how she had looked at it back then. Even till now he still didn't know anything about her. He turned back. "Do you remember why in vitro roses are so important to you?"
She stared into his eyes for a moment, looking for something Naegi wasn't sure of before sighing in what sounded like disappointment. "I'm not sure if you're just playing coy or truly ignorant but, yes, there are special memories in this flower."
She held it up in front of her, as if the past would be reflected on the glass tubing. Naegi sits quietly next to her, letting her speak of a past he rarely got a glimpse to.
"When I was still beginning my work as a detective, I received one of these from my previous partner.
"…huh." A familiar feeling crept up into Naegi's stomach. One that he was all too used to. He had never even considered that the girl would have a previous partner. Or maybe it had been to presumptions of him to think she didn't have relationships before Hope's Peak. Whoever this person was Naegi knew they were a special existence for the woman next to him.
He tried to hide the discomfort he felt as he knew she was somehow watching him from the tubing's reflection. He didn't want her to see him brandish such ugly feelings.
'…I don't like it' The idea of a younger Kirigiri Kyoko, receiving the same present Naegi had given her, smiling up to that person, just imagining it hurt like a stab to his gut.
"My partner was someone different from who I was. Too honest, too gentle, a strong sense of justice. In a sense, you resemble that person."
"..I see."
Naegi tried to keep his tone as casual as possible, afraid the feelings that were swirling in him would show. Also, it looked like the only reason Kirigiri was interested in someone like him was their resemblance.
He said the next words with startling ease.
"That person was surely special for Kirigiri-san"
"Yes, I learned a lot of important things."
Naegi didn't respond as he stared above into the dark night sky. The darkness felt it like could swallow him whole. Even if the pollution in the atmosphere was mostly gone, it was only on dark nights like this where one could see the faint glow of stars.
'A person so important to Kirigiri-san' A person he knew or heard nothing about. A family member. A friend. A colleague. A lover. In the end, it was possible he actually knew nothing about the woman next to him. That all his knowledge of her was just a drop in the ocean When he thought he was getting closer and closer, it felt like he was never moving anywhere to begin with.
But then again…wasn't that the same with everyone else? His family, his friends, even himself? Did the Makoto Naegi of Hope's Peak have that same kind of important person? Was he friends with Kirigiri-san as well or did he ignore her? Or was he, normal him, ignored by everyone?
A star twinkled up in the night sky and he couldn't help but remember his own star. The one he'd be forever separated from.
He didn't know anything about Maizono Sayaka. It was possible everything about her was an act. It was possible she had a lover she wanted to be with. It was possible she didn't care about him at all.
Yet, did any of that matter to how brightly she still shone in his heart?
"I'm jealous." Naegi didn't even notice the words coming out of his mouth that didn't hide any of the pain and hurt he had been feeling. He continued looking up, his eyes refusing to look away from that one star in the sky.
"I'm jealous that someone got to know the younger Kirigiri-san."
"I'm jealous that Kirigiri-san had a partner I never knew."
"I'm jealous that I wasn't the first to give Kirigiri-san an in vitro rose."
"I'm jealous that Kirigiri-san only saw that person instead of me."
"I'm jealous that Kirigiri-san has such an important person."
His ugly words hung out in the open. However, as miserable and dirty as they were, he had to consent and accept each one because, as ugly as they were, they were the truth. Even if they were things he didn't want to face, he had to if he wanted to get past his insecurities. Drawing in another breath of determination, Naegi finally took his eyes of Maizono's star to capture the whole night sky and dared to accept it all with another set of truth.
"Even so, I'm happy that there was someone the younger you could rely on.
"Even so, I'm happy that you could still trust others in the past."
"Even so, I'm happy that I was able to see your expression when I first gave her an invitro rose."
"Even so, I'm happy that the resemblance allowed you to approach someone normal like me.
"Even so," Naegi said the last words with absolute conviction, his chest finally free of any lingering doubts. "I'm happy that I got to learn more about you. About Kirigiri Kyoko, one of my important people."
His last words echoed throughout the cold night with still no response from the woman next to him. In fact, she hadn't said anything since he began talking. Naegi didn't know what she was feeling as he hadn't turned, no, didn't want to turn to her.
So, he was surprised when he felt her move closer to him and pressed her head on his shoulder. He almost jumped at the sudden contact as he felt her body heat on his shoulder. Her long hair smelt of alcohol and lavender.
He tried to turn to see her expression "Are you-"
"Don't."
The tone of her voice made him stop. He wasn't sure what it was, but it made head immediately turn away. "Naegi-kun, I don't want to show you such an ugly face right now."
"Kirigiri-san, I-"
"Please."
"Please…give me time to myself."
Naegi complied as he silently turned back to the night sky. The star he had associated with Maizono had disappeared or maybe he was just too distracted by the woman next to him to find it. He tried to count the stars, count the trees, count the fountain, but the heat next to him made his brain go mush.
"You're unfair, you know?" spoke a voice from his shoulder. Naegi assumed he still wasn't allowed to look.
"Hm?"
"How you're able to just keep going forward no matter how you feel."
"…it's my only good trait after all."
"…"
"…"
"…she was my older sister."
"… your sister." Naegi wanted to say he was relieved, that the imaginary man he had been thinking of didn't exist all along. But, for someone like her to have family, yet he hadn't seen or heard of her. There was only one real answer to that riddle. "I don't think I could handle two Kirigiri-san's."
"Well it wasn't by blood." And there was a nostalgic tint in her voice as she said the next words. "She insisted that I addressed her like that."
The envy was still there, that there was such a person she could talk about in such a tone. Yet, he also believed what he told her next.
"…I'd like to meet her."
"…" There was a small hesitation on her part, as if she wanted to say more, but Naegi didn't pursue it. "…same."
Her head slightly shuffled on his shoulder, soft hair tickling everything it touched. Her next words were just as soft, "Naegi-kun, I'd like to apologize for earlier. I may have let my past frustrations with you get to me and wanted to return it. It has also been a rather long day."
Naegi wasn't entirely sure what she meant by that. There was no such person in his life she could be jealous of. No, the idea that she felt would feel jealous seemed didn't seem likely at all. But, if he had someway hurt her in the past, "Then it's my fault to begin with…"
"Maybe so," she sighed. "but I didn't need to have gone that far with my teasing. I'm sure Naegi-kun thought it was something like a past lover, right?"
Naegi wanted to disagree. He wanted to say that it was more than his petty jealousy as a man. He had to explain it was just him also how he had been so wrong about what he presumed of her. But, in the end, at its core, if he was being truthful…
"..yeah." He tilted his head away from hers, hoping she couldn't see the shame on his face. "The thought did cross my mind. It…made me a bit nervous."
"…idiot." She whispers in a volume that she knew he'd hear. "I've always lived as a detective before I met you and even after. Of course, I've been involved with many different people. Helping, cooperating, opposing, and many different exchanges. Of course, that will also happen in the future but, for now…"
An arm snaked its way around his own as she pressed herself even closer to him, almost whispering the next words right next to his ear,
"As a woman, you're the only man I've cared about, Naegi-kun."
….!
'….!'
"….!", was all he attempts to say as his heart threatened to jump out of his body. He wasn't even sure if he was still alive, her arm around his own being the only thing anchoring his mind and body on earth. He was sure his face looked awful right now from how hot it was, and he was somewhat thankful they weren't face to face. He wanted to cover it up with his free hand but that was too busy preventing him from falling over the bench.
That was…. maybe….80% chance... could it have been…that…?
"Ah…yeah…that's good." was the only miserable reply his brain could offer. He was truly pathetic, that the truth bullet that he had held in his heart the longest did not come at all when he needed it the most. It was as if her bold words had jammed the canister from firing. In the back of his mind, Naegi wondered if this was what it felt like for the people he shot his words at.
"…I thought you'd understand that much, even if I didn't go so far as to say it."
"Sorry." he could only apologize for being so dissatisfactory as a man.
"How about Naegi-kun? Before you met me, were there no other people
"None. I've always just lived an ordinary life, one good and bad. For a normal person like me, a confession never happened. Back then, I didn't have any people I'd call special, that would be impossible." He admitted. It would suffice to say his life really began at Hope's Peak even if he never remembered those two years.
"And now?" He didn't think it was possible to for her to have moved closer but even if it was a single millimeter he still felt it.
"…now…I'm lucky to have so many I could call special." Naegi licked his lips. If he was being honest, he couldn't return her words. He had just met too many amazing wonderful people to not have thought about it. "But if I were to say, as a man, um, Kirigiri-san is, uh, a different kind of special from the others.
He knew a small smile grew on her face from the way he felt her cheeks raised, "Different?"
"If, I were to say it," As the revolver in his brain still refused to work, Naegi forced out the first thing that came to mind. "compared to everyone else, you'd be my Ultimate Important Person."
Ultimate Important Person.
Ultimate Important Person…
Ultimate Important Person….
In his mind, a truth bullet with her face and the words "Ultimate Important Person" appeared and Naegi knew he wanted to just crawl up and die. The only thing that saved his dignity was that she didn't laugh at the lamest thing someone could possibly say. He was sure he had just committed what could only be equal to the Tragedy of confessions.
"…well, if you say so…then I'll believe you." As she said it, she let go of his arm and took her head off his shoulder. When she faced him once more, it was the her face held her usual calm expression. "Anyways, thank you for the present, Naegi-kun. I'm very grateful.
Naegi smiled back before his face shifted, his expression awkward as he scratched his cheek. "Yeah, about that."
"Is something matter?" Kirigiri asked, not sure what was the problem. In response, he just inserted his hand into his chest pocket once again to pull out another wrapped box much to her surprise.
"The in vitro rose was just to replace the one I thought you had lost because I didn't think Kirigiri-san would keep it." Originally, he the in vitro rose wasn't supposed to be her birthday gift and he was supposed to give the second one after but she was more pleased on the flowers than he expected so it was hard to follow up.
"I didn't expect that you'd prepare two gifts." Kirgiri admitted as she accepted the wrapped box from him. "May I open it?"
"Just don't expect much, alright?"
She did the same careful unwrapping he saw earlier, as she opened his true birthday present for her.
"This is…a ribbon?" She lifted the gift from her box, a simple white ribbon. It was around the same length as the usual ones she used and even of the same make and fabric.
"Well, last year it was a pendant and I thought it would be strange if I kept getting you accessories," explained Naegi, feeling shy for giving such a simple gift. "I picked something to replace what you could usually wear."
Also, he thought, it'd be nice if it was something she could wear out in the open compared to the pendant she mostly kept hidden.
He allowed himself to peek at her reation. She stared at the ribbon with dyed cheeks, looking delighted.
'That's good.' He'd admit that, as her birthday grew closer, he started to worry if it was okay to just give her a simple ribbon which was why he gave the in vitro rose as well.
"Thank you, Naegi-kun," She turned her focus back to him, pleased. "I do have to wonder if white suits me…"
"If it's Kirigiri-san it should be fine" Naegi immediately replied. Really any color would suit her. "I guarantee it!"
"Well, then let's put it on immediately."
"Huh…?"
As she said so, she carefully held her braid of hair, so it wouldn't come undone as she unraveled the black ribbon Naegi had always seen her wearing. She then handed the white ribbon to him. "If you could, Naegi-kun"
"S-sure. Is it okay to…"
"I can touch me anywhere you want," the woman said almost provokingly before releasing a mischievous giggle. Naegi knew he was being teased again.
"I get it. I'll tie it up then. Can you come closer?" Though looking slightly dissatisfied that he didn't rise to her teasing, she scooted closer to him. Carefully, he tied the ribbon in the butterfly know he knew she preferred at the top of the bundle of hair, making sure he didn't ruin her braid. The soft glances of his fingers against her hair didn't help as he held back the feeling of wanting to run through it.
" There…." Naegi leaned back to admire his work.
"Thank you." Kirgiri rubbed the braid between two fingers, unsure. "Well?"
"Yeah, it matches you. You look much better than I imagined." Naegi replied honestly, staring straight at her. Kirigiri averted her eyes away from his.
"…After all, the real voice is better than a fake one."
"Fake?"
"It's nothing." She dismissed the topic, her hand reaching up to touch the ribbon in her hair. She stroked the lace, a shy smile settling on her lips.
Seeing her right now, so happy with what he gave her, made Naegi's chest grow hot as the feelings he had been holding onto felt like they finally wanted to come forth.
-"Everyone believes in you.'
-"No matter what happens, never give up hope. I'll always be on your side.
"Naegi-kun? What happened?" The surprise in her voice snaps him back. He wondered what she meant before he felt it himself.
"…what?" He held up a hand to his face and felt tears roll down his cheeks. He blinked as his vision got blurrier. "Huh? Why is this?"
"Did something happen, Naegi-kun?" The gentle look in Kirigiri eyes were replaced by a more serious one.
"No, I must have just yawned too hard" Naegi wiped hem away with an arm, not minding how they went his long sleeve. "It's nothing."
"…will you not tell me?" When she asked again, it's with a sad and lonely expression on her face.
'…that's unfair, Kirgiri-san.'
Naegi wiped his face one more time before admitting why he thought it happened. "I'm just glad…I'm just glad that I was able to meet you safe today"
It was an unexpected answer Kirgiri didn't expect, her voice rising in shock. "What?"
Naegi continued, his voice low and steady. "…Back in the last Killing Game, when I thought you had died…I thought that it wouldn't be possible for us to spend time together like this anymore. That I couldn't keep my promise…Right now, I'm just happy that we can safely celebrate the day you were born."
"Ah…" Kirigiri looked away in realization. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't' give you any false hope just in case it didn't work. Even knowing how effective Kimura-san's medicines are, it was still a bet I was unsure of."
"Please don't do anything so dangerous again, Kirgiri-san." Naegi hoped he wasn't sounding too harsh. "If you get into a similar situation again, please tell me everything."
A small sigh escaped her lips as she stared back into Naegi's eyes. "Fine, I will do so from now on but that's because I know when I'm dead your actions become unnecessarily excessive."
"Eh?"
"…I heard from Asahina-san. Right after I died, you went to face odd with Munakata-san by yourself and then volunteered to verify the suicide video. You sounded desperate really."
Naegi flinched, caught off-guard. He murmured, "Asahina-san said too much…"
Kirgiri intensified her stare. "If I'm going to make a promise, then you should as well. If there's a dangerous situation, please think about putting your safety as top priority."
"…yeah, I understand" Naegi nodded. "then I promise, let's both promise that we won't give up on finding a way without sacrifices."
"Yes," Kirigiri finally smiled once more. "That's more like you."
Both relaxed and allowed silence to return. Kirigiri went back to admiring the in vitro rose she had placed down earlier while Naegi just enjoyed the calming feeling being next to woman always gave him. It was mysterious really.
"Today, I received a lot of things. Did you know the 77th students sent me a gift through Togami?"
"Really?" Naegi blinked in surprise. He wasn't sure if it was that the once remnants of despair had sent her gifts or that Togami Byakuya had been okay delivering them. Considering how they were still wanted criminals, it was a rather large gamble. Although he was sure Togami would scold him for thinking that anything involving the heir could possibly go wrong." That was of them."
"Indeed. They even sent some interesting things. Like those inventions in the manga you lent me."
"Really," Naegi's eyes lit up and Kirigiri couldn't help smile at how such a boy he still was. "Then let's go back and check it out now."
Naegi moved to get up but was stopped when he felt resistance. He looked to see it was Kirigiri gripping his clothes. Her cheeks were flushed pink as one hand gripped his sleeve. He idly wondered if she was still drunk." "…can't we stay here a little longer?"
"..!" He felt his heart threaten to jump out of his chest at the sight. He immediately sat back down. "Y-yeah. I got it. Let's stay here a little longer."
To calm himself, he tried to think of something to talk about. Anything so he wouldn't have to think about how fast his heart was beating. His mind went to an earlier conversation.
"Kirigiri-san, can I tell you the reason why I want to rebuild Hope's Peak?"
The woman turned to him, surprised at the sudden topic.
"After the whole incident with the Future Foundation, when I was still convinces that you had died, I was thinking what could I do? What could I do for you and the rest of the people of the world who had died before?"
"…"
"My answer, the answer I thought of was that I wanted to rebuild the school I first met you. I didn't want the place where I became with friends with Kirigiri-san and everyone else to remain in ruin. After all, even if it wasn't perfect, it's still an important place of memories for me. I wanted to regain the symbol of hope that your father aimed the school to be for the world."
When he finished talking, Kirigiri replied with a warm smile.
"I see," she closed her eyes and nodded, everything making sense. "When you accepted the role of headmaster without any resistance, I thought you just accepted responsibilities like usual. But instead, it seems you intent to succeed that person's will."
"Yeah…Is it bad?"
"No. Whatever you've decided, I'll help you out." A smirk raises on her lips. "But instead of just rebuilding his school, let's aim to make it even better."
"Haha…That's right!" Naegi felt a grin forming on his face. He didn't even realize he had feared her reaction until he felt the relief pass through him. "Thank you. I feel like I can do it when you say so."
"If you only need my words, I'll tell you whatever you need at any time." She says so still smiling and Naegi wondered if she's more expressive tonight because of the alcohol. Her cheeks glow red. "I think…I'm feeling a little cold, Naegi-kun."
Wordlessly, she shuffled closer to him on the bench until their arms and shoulders are rubbing together. "Can you warm me up?" As she says so, a hand falls into his own, each gloved finger filling in the gaps between his.
"That's bold, Kirigiri-san" murmured Naegi. Nonetheless, it took all his effort to flip his hand, so it could interlock with hers. He tries to ignore how sticky with sweat it is.
"…I might be a little drunk, today,"
"…I thought detectives didn't get drunk."
"When I'm with you, Naegi-kun, I'm feel like I'm not only a detective." she glanced at him, and even if it was just for a moment before she turned away, she stared into his eyes. "I'm also a woman."
Her words struck his heart and he awkwardly fiddled the hand in his. The last time they had done this…the texture was different from the rubber she wore and was so much warmer, yet he wasn't able to grab it. He couldn't return with his own grip and, after that, if it wasn't for a miracle, there would never have been any other chances. She had laid herself bare and taken the intiaitive.
Now was his turn
You'd better confess your feelings to Kirigiri-san, you hear me! Prove yourself as a man tonight!
Naegi turned to face her and placed his free hand on right shoulder. Kirigiri looked straight at him in surprise.
"Kirigiri-san…"
"Ah.."
If his brain failed him, If his gun failed him, if his words and truth bullets failed him, then he'd just take action instead!
She is too close to say she was a friend yet they weren't lovers either. He had to make his point clear. He needed to cut through the fog and define where they both stood side by side.
If he were rejected at this point…there was no coming back. Naegi didn't think he'd ever recover but then, slowly, as if realizing his intentions, he saw her eyes close.
Naegi Makoto had never kissed before. This would be his first kiss, one he had been thinking about since he was a kid so he didn't want to screw it up.
So he remembered.
-That's much harder than overcoming it. But I have hope in that.
He leaned forward until their foreheads touched
- I came here to save you.
.He tilted his head until their noses bumped…
-You refuse to back down and try to destroy the Ultimate Despair
He closed his eyes…
-Ultimate Hope. I wonder if we can call you that…
..and finally kissed her.
12:00
Even though it was midnight and her birthday was over, Kyoko still felt like nothing really changed. She turned to the man next to her.
"Um, Kirigiri-san. about what Alter Ego said…" the man next to her shuffled awkwardly. It didn't take a detective to know what he going to do next. She wondered if she let him do it. It would be nice to finally have closure, to finally stop with the tip-toeing but there was still too much work to be done.
The world wasn't fixed just yet. Just the bathrooms of the academy weren't fixed yet. As much as it pained her to do so she'll put it on hold. The world still needed their hope but one day she was sure to take it back, she after all, the one who gave it to him.
For now, the taste of his mouth, the feeling of his hands on her chest, the flow of brown hair on burned skin, that was enough for her.
"Naegi-kun, the clock has passed midnight. My birthday's over." She watches him blink unsure of she meant, much like a puppy. She raises a single gloved finger to his lips. "Next year, can I expect something special from you?"
He nodded as his eyes go cross eyes due to keeping his sight on her finger. Kyoko can't help but break into a smile, a natural one that she didn't know she had lost. He flusters, and she feels her heart strings tangle up as well knowing she can do such a thing to him. She can't help but wonder, hope, that the Kirigiri Kyoko she never knew had been able to see such a face, have such a feeling.
She wondered, just to taste it...
"Let's head back, Makoto-kun."
She was already looking forward to next year. She had never looked forward to her birthday, never had a reason to but now, she had a party to look forward to, she had friends she could celebrate it with, and she had him and whatever future they'd walk together.
And for Kirigiri Kyoko, that was the best gift of all.
Notes:
Boy, this was a tough one.
I changed up some parts. In the original story, they didn't kiss, there's no confession, and they just put it off which gave me the biggest blue balls possible. I thought to incorporate that if it was at least addressed it in the sequel but…it was a standard confession and it's super long (approx. 20K words) and that I don't' want to work on that at the moment. This will end here though I do suggest checking out the 4th part anyways if you can. It's a cute amusement park date. I briefly considered using the one there as my ending but thought, fuck it, I'm done and ended it on the kiss. Also there's no way this all happened in 30 min.
Cause I got other shit to write yo. I made an Omake 2 for those who really wanted some Naegiri dripping with honey stuff. It's not my chosen ending for a reason but hey why not. Hagakure saves the day.
Doing all these fics in the span of 4 days really made me think about Kyoko's character progression. In this fic, she's pretty much full Dere like it's obvious she's into him. She snuggles up to him, clearly gives him obvious hints yet she doesn't confess. I was first annoyed but the more I think about it the more it made sense. If she knew she liked him and Makoto is as open book about liking her, than one would think she'd think she'd confess and get it over with. But instead she's patient, waiting for him so get his courage and, in a way, you could say that's what she also did in the first trial, she let Naegi take in charge so he could confront the truth himself. That's of course going of the assumption that Naegi had a hard time confessing because "He was shy" which is no such thing. A shy person won't ever consider giving a vibrator to frikkin Oogami Sakura. That's probably my biggest complaint about this.
Well, it was fun at least.
Omake:
"Kirigiri-san? Are you still awake at this time?
Naegi looked down on the virtual Avatar of Fujasaki Chihiro blinked into consciousness, a familiar teenage face popping in front of the monitor of Kirigiri's phone.
"Oh, Naegi-san?' Alter Ego's face turned to him most likely using the phone's front camera as eyes. "It's good that you finished work! I suggest getting some rest! Your clothes and hair are a mess and, if I may use the saying, had the life sucked right out of-"
"So what happened?" quickly interrupted Kirigiri, always to the point as she held up the smart phone in one hand and used the other to rebutton up her blouse.
"The analysis of the city you have asked for has been finished! Possible escape routes for Remnants of despair has also been identified, Also," the head looked around unsure. It was odd to see an A.I. hesitating but then again Alter Ego had shown a wider range of emotions before. "Even though, it's not urgent, I wanted to give it today."
Seeing how nervous the AI looked, Naegi had to ask, "Alter Ego, maybe you wanted to give Kirigiri-san a birthday present?"
"That's right, Naegi-san!" The head nodded. "Asahina-san told me earlier that it was her birthday. It's apparently a day where you appreciate when a person was born."
The clock on the phone read 23:55
Next to him, he heard Kirigiri giggle, a rare cute sound, "To think an AI would be just as late as Naegi-kun." She turned the smile to the phone. "Thank you, Alter Ego, but I wonder what you'll give me."
The avatar smiled widely. "It took me some time, but I finally managed to restore the data of the camera footage of the Future Foundation headquarters."
"I see. Thank you for the gift." Although Kirigiri did look thankful, Naegi noticed how her shoulders slightly tense up. "Can you play it now?"
'If what Alter Ego had said was true then, it must have been related to the last Killing Game.'
Naegi thought about what she'd want to see. He knew Kirigiri was the type who wanted to know how everything went down so it was possible she wanted to confirm how those killed by the monitor died. More than likely, it was possibly before the Killing Game began, how they were all dragged down below. Perhaps to confirm if Tengan had an accomplice?
Before he could think any futher, the video started playing.
The screen showed two men, one standing and one kneeling, down in a pit littered with large debris, both wearing suits but lacking their vests. Both looked worn out although one looked worse off than the other.
["Your ideals took the life of someone close to you."]
",,,Naegi-kun?" muttered Kirigiri, immediately recognizing one of them had a very familiar hair antenna.
["No matter who it is, I'll sacrifice anyone to destroy despair. That is what hope is."]
Kirigiri watched the screen with a serious expression .
["You've got that wrong! "You're only thinking about destroying despair.]
Naegi blinked, not really remembering that he has said something so outrageous. If he were completely honest, a lot of that meeting he was gone from his memory. He had shaken it off to his injuries so it was surprising to hear his voice say unfamiliar words.
[But…even if despair is destroyed, that doesn't result in hope. You're only looking at despair. You're not looking at hope!]
"…even after I died, you were still fighting," murmured Kirigiri.
"Well, yeah. That's right."
For some reason, Naegi had a bad feeling he couldn't really identify.
["Shut up! Tengan told me everything.]
They watched as Minakata continue:
[Tengan was telling the truth. Even Yukizome was controlled by despair. She asked me, who would do something like this. The picture told me everything. She did it. Since when? Since when was she despair?]
As he continued watching Munakata's monologue, Naegi started to feel his memory of the event returning. 'That's right. After that Munakata-san says something about destroying everything then…'
…Ah
'…Ah ah!'
"AH! AH! AH!" Naegi's sudden screams got Kirigiri's attention as she turned to him, confusion in her eyes.
"What is it?" She also sounded somewhat annoyed but him but Naegi couldn't afford to worry about that. He had bigger things to prevent.
"Alter Ego! Stop the video! Stop!" At his words, the video immediately stopped as Alter Ego's head popped up in confusion.
"What's wrong?" asked the AI but before he could say anything else he noticed a certain smile on Kirigiri's face, it was the expression she had whenever she made fun of him.
"…I see. Continue the video, Alter Ego."
"No, don't! You can't Alter Ego!"
The Avatar turned from its head back and forth from the two, virtual tears in its eyes. " . What should I do?"
"Alter Ego. This video is my birthday gift, correct? That means that I can choose what to do with it, right?" The serious tone of Kirigiri was offset by the almost devilish smirk on her lips. It was clear that she was in, as Naegi had dubbed it, her "bully mode".
With one last apologetic look to Naegi, Alter Ego disappeared and the video started playing again.
["I will eliminate everything to do with despair? Even memories."]
Immediately, Naegi tried to take the phone for the phone only to land on face first on the bench as Kirigiri jumped away before he could grab her.
"From your desperation," Kirigiri noted still smirking, "I can deduce that something embarrassing happens after this?"
As Naegi got up, he could see the monitor of the phone and that the camera had somehow and whatever reason zoomed in on the two.
["Don't say something like that! Don't say something like you'll eliminate, Yukizome-san!"]
["What would you know? What, what, what would you know?"]
It was at that point that Munakata had started beating him up and, while Kirigiri watches it with a pained expression, she was still vigilant enough that Naegi still couldn't get the phone from her.
And just now the problematic scene started.
["I do know"]
["Even if… Kirigiri-san was in despair…and had betrayed us all…and we had to kill her to stop her, …No matter what happens…"]
[… I'll still be glad to have met Kirigiri-san!"]
"I'm really sorry but that's all I could finish. Did you find something helpful?
The video stops there, and the apologetic face of Alter Ego shows up again. As for Kirigiri,
"…", She looked at the screen silently, a strange expression on her face. Her cheeks were bright red. Tears lightly spilled from her eyes. Her mouth twisted in both happiness and anger. It was a rare expression of many mixed emotions.
"Kirigiri-san? Can you hear me? Are my speakers on?" Alter Ego's head bobbed n front of the monitor, unsure why there was still no reply.
"…I'm alright Alter Ego. Thank you, it was a nice present." Immediately, her cool expression was back as she watched the AI's avatar smile from the greeting.
Naegi glanced Kirigiri, still not sure how she was feeling, just as she glanced at him. Their eyes met and a small smirk grew on the woman's lips.
"Alter Ego. Please set the last words Naegi-kun said in the video as my phone's message ringtone."
"What?!"
"Leave it to me!" the AI chirped.
"What are you doing Kirigiri-san?!" Naegi cried out. If that got out, if the others heard it, he didn't think he could face them for a while. At his exclamation, Kirigiri just raised an eyebrow?
"Oh? I'd like to listen to such pleasant words regularly. Or ... was it just a lie ? "
"It's not a lie, but ..." Naegi averted his eyes.
"Um, did I do something wrong?" Alter Ego's voice chimes in. The avatar even had the decency to look apologetic. It was like he'd kick a puppy.
"No, Alter Ego. Naegi-kun was just embarrassed." Kirigiri responded but the face on the screen just tilted in confusion
"Embarassed? I don't understand?" It turned to Naegi. "Naegi san, is embarrassing to think that you're glad that you met Kirigiri-san?
"No…well…it's just…to have other people hear me say that.." Naegi rubbed the side of his arm. It wasn't that he was embarrassed of his own words. It was just the thought of it going off anywhere and people hearing it that was the problem.
"But doesn't Naegi-san like Kirigiri-san? So, there's no need to be shy right?"
If he was of the right mental state, Naegi would have found it amazing that even an AI had noticed something like that. However, Naegi just shook his head, an oddly bitter smile on his face.
"Liking someone is more about not being shy Alter Ego. It's an amazing feeling that scares me yet at the same time it gives me courage. Whenever you think about this person, you want to keep her to yourself yet also show the world how amazing she is. It's driven me to despair yet pushes me to hope. I'm sure one day you'll understand. "
The AI tilts it's head, with an unsure look. "I'm don't understand how a feeling could make you do contradictory things, but I'll do my best! I'm glad you believed in me."
"Is there anything else?" Kyoko asked
"Nothing! At all, have a good birthday, Kirigiri-san!" The AI gave one final smile before disappearing to show her home screen.
11:59
Omake 2:
"Kirigiri-san." Hard green eyes stare back at her. "You've got that wrong!"
Kyoko blinks in surprise. He rarely used his catchphrase to her so she wasn't used to how…startling it was no matter how many other times she had heart it. "About what Naegi-kun?"
He steps closer to her and she could see a glimpse of hesitation in his eyes that steel into determination. "Your birthday's not over yet. It's still October 6 in some parts of the world."
It was…true. An odd technicality that she hadn't thought about. Still, maybe because she had wanted it to end on her own terms, that Kyoko rebutted. She crossed her arms "Naegi-kun, that's a technicality. The timezone we're in is the most important one."
"That's true." His consent surprised her. She had thought he'd stop and deflate after his one point was there but was it all more than bravado. "But one day, Kirigiri-san and I won't be at the same place anymore. One day, you'll go back to be a detective and going all over the world to solve cases."
"That's…" If she was being honest with herself, she had thought of the idea. No matter what, she loved being a detective. However, she didn't want to leave him. It went against all the Kirigiri doctrines but…at this point, Kirigiri Kyoko was more than just the Ultimate Detective.
"I know Kirigiri-san is torn due to my own proposal. So I want to make my own promise." Naegi's voice draws her attention once more and he's startlingly tall as he plants both feet on the ground and stares her down. Idly, she wondered if this is what Enoshima Junko had felt. "Kirigiri Kyoko, if you would let me, please let me stay by your side."
"…" She wasn't sure what to say to his words because there was nothing to say, if she was always on his side then what difference would this make. Or maybe he had just taken her breath away.
"Kirigiri-san, I…"
She sees it in his eyes, the way it almost felt like they could hold people at gun point with how sharp they sometimes grew, on instinct, she knows she must stop him. Something inside her is screaming at her to stop him before it's too late to come back but Kyoko never liked people who yelled. She liked sweet boys who smiled at her even though she never smiled back. She liked men who are so simple that she never needed to second guess their motives and yet always managed to surprise her.
"Kirigiri-san, I…"
So instead, she gives him an encouraging smile, and readies herself for his confession. Kyoko thinks to herself that, all her reasons before were just excuses as she already knew that she'd walk through the apocalypse with someone like him. What was a less broken world to the unknown one outside that sealed door?
"Kirigiri-san, I love you! Please go out with me upon the pretenses of marriage!"
Her heart, her soul, it felt like a stopper unplugged as her years of training as a Kirigiri become undone and she can't hold back all her feelings. She felt so happy, so relieved, so fucking hopeful, so..
And then her brain catches up to the rest of the words.
Makoto brings out a his final gift, not from his coat but from his pants pocket. He held out a gold ring. "This is my promise of being by your side. Whether your by my side in the school we met or out there being the amazing detective the world needs. If you'd let me, please take this so I could be with you anywhere you go!
She blinks once. Twice. Then she can't blink anymore as the tears in her eyes start flowing. She feels her cheeks about to burst and she couldn't control whatever her mouth was twisted into. So her first response isn't a no or a yes, it's. "…please don't look at my face."
"I'm.,.too happy. My face is too loose." She covers her face with her gloves, ignoring how soaked they were getting. His name pops back into her head and she feels like using it "I can't show such a sloppy face to …Makoto-kun."
She knows he's moving closer with each step but she still stays in place.
"Kyoko-san, your ears are red." If they weren't before, they definitely were now with how her name sounded from his lips."
"Kyoko-san's bold expression." He's practically next to her now. "I want to see it."
"Ah.." His hands wrap around her own as he undoes her self-made seal. Her hands unconsciously grab back.
"I see eyes full of happiness, pretty cheeks, and a smile that I love. Beautiful" And for a moment, his face reenters his vision, she wonders if he's talking about himself because that's all she sees on his face as well
And so, she slips off the glove covering her left hand, to finally, finally, be able to stroke the face of her hope, "Makoto-kun…Yes. Please stay by my side. Forever. With each other, I'm sure we can go anywhere.
There is a single moment of restraint before their lips meet once more, the only witness being the school behind them.
