Makoto Naegi was not the kind of guy who could leap up after getting knocked down by multiple explosives at once. He was sure that quite a few of his classmates might possess that level of physical or mental strength to leap into action right after something like that. But in his heart and body he was still just an average high school student, so it took him a few extra seconds to actually focus on what the hell had just happened. Once he regained his senses to a certain degree he began to run a mental list of things in order to prevent himself from panicking and falling unconscious again.
His body hurt but that was probably a good thing considering feeling nothing after that would probably mean he was dead. A quick check of his legs and arms revealed they were still intact and could be moved to a reasonable degree. After he finished his self examination the young man opened his eyes and tried pulling himself up into a sitting position. It was uncomfortable given the amount of pain his body was in, but if there was one would to describe Makoto other then average it was determined.
The first thing he noticed was that everything was on fire. Of course it would have been hard to miss this fact even if he was dazed. A wall of fire seemed to be blocking the door and slowly spreading out from the walls, which looked much worse for wear. If he was forced to hazard a guess that would be where the explosion most likely originated from. There were quite a few injured people laying about the ground, most likely knocked back by the force of the explosion.
Makoto pulled himself up with a grunt of effort and looks to his side, eyes widening as he sees Chiaki next to him, a small gash on her head letting blood leak down her face. "Chiaki!" he reaches towards her but stops short of actually grabbing her. It was impossible to say just how injured she might be, and attempting to move or even touch her could agitate the wounds.
Was this some sort of terrorist attack, or maybe a pipe with some flammable substance had burst in the wall? Of course if the fire kept advancing like it was it wouldn't make much of a difference what the cause was, the result would be the same. "Why the hell aren't the sprinklers going?" he muttered just loud enough for the sound to reach his own ears, looking up toward the ceiling at the nonoperational fire suppressant system. His focus was pulled from those thoughts as Chiaki began to rouse, looking up at him.
"M-Makoto?" she asked, trying to pull herself up but quickly being blind sighted by pain. "Whats going on?"
"I'm not sure, but don't try to move too quickly, you could be really hurt." he knew some basic stuff about first aid, one didn't survive Hope's Peak Academy without some basic knowledge about patchwork with the insane students. But in a situation like this all his training amounted to what not to do rather then what he could do.
From the second floor of the arcade room two figures looked down at the chaos. Izuru looked down with a bit of interest, which in perspective to a normal person would look like the level of curiosity a normal human would give to a particularly interesting line of ants. "Their movements are erratic, some of them are even trampling over the fallen as if they had somewhere to run too." the words were cold and clinical, much like everything else about the boy.
"I know, look at the despair and fear on their faces, isn't it enough to get those fires started?" Junko shuddered in delight to see the people scramble around. "I mean, yah know metaphorically and shit." given Izuru's literal mind the last thing she wanted was him thinking she was an idiot for saying their fear started the fires the bombs had.
He simply gave a grunt as a reply and went back to watching the people scrambling around. "They are erratic, but that is simply the fight or flight instinct kicked into confusion." the young mans natural melancholy began to return to his face as the situation quickly lost his interest.
Junko shook her head and gave a sigh, guys like him were almost impossible to please. Not that she minded a challenge, but a little appreciation would have been nice from time to time. "Well I know what might get things more interesting. Ready to see something suuuuper fucked up?" she offered the boy a wink before pushing another button on her cellphone, sending a text to one of the people inside of the building.
Despite being in an age of progress and invention the suicide rates among young people was a fast growing problem in Japan, one that Junko was able to abuse in an almost religious manner. A few prompts in the right direction and she could convince someone who was sad and stupid enough to do almost anything.
Out of the panicking crowd a young man ran toward the massive glass window and threw himself against it hard. "I'm not going to die in a fire, I don't want to be burned alive!" he shouted out the lines that Junko had fed him. After all just because he died didn't mean he wanted to die alone, and Junko had promised that everyone there would follow him straight to hell.
It took a few good throws but eventually his body went through the glass, dropping him hundreds upon hundreds of feet straight down into the pavement.
The panicking people had stopped to witness the display in silent terror, but the fire was advancing, and herd instinct was beginning to take over without the presence of a clear route of escape. Weak willed and powerless people nervously looked forward, waiting for their wills to snap.
"You have to jump, its the only way to avoid being burned!" a high pitched shriek came out from somewhere, and the people began to move forward.
"Now just sit back and watch Kamukura-senpai, watch all the ants d-"
"You got that wrong!"
"What?" Junko turned to try to find the source of the voice, and her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw just who had spoken up. "Oh hell." she muttered out.
Izuru turned his attention to the source of Junko's discomfort and tilted his head in interest.
Makoto had been horrified at the sight of the boy throwing himself out of the window, but had just managed to turn himself and block Chiaki's view of the terrifying event before it had happened. Followed by the sound of the woman he had felt a creeping despair come over him as if death was awaiting.
But before he had been consumed he felt Chiaki's hand on his, trying to use him to support herself to stand up. When he turned to look back there was some fear in her eyes, but before that was determination. The situation seemed horrible and it was, but rather then bending to it she was looking to fight against it despite her pain.
Seeing that strength Makoto was able to pull himself up by his straps and help her so she could stand. "You got that wrong!" he shouted out as loud as possible, diverting all of the attention from the window to Chiaki and himself. The ability to throw ones voice over such a loud area despite the panic was a difficult one to master, but after having seen Byakuya's overpowering voice and listening to Mondo yell out in rage he had managed to learn to strengthen his voice to the point where he could probably shout over an explosion.
Once the crowds attention was one them Makoto gave the group to Chiaki, who began to point and give orders to anyone that was in earshot, with Makoto giving the more sweeping orders for those who wouldn't have been able to pick up the young woman's voice. The basic instructions were simple, get people away from the fire, have a group of stronger men blocking the window so people didn't get any ideas. Hunt for fire extinguishers or water to put out the fire.
All the while Chiaki leaned on Makoto for support, her hand held firmly in his. Normally this contact would have made him nervous, but he could tell how badly she was shaking, how different this was for her. But both of them were determined to not let a single person here go the same route as the man who had jumped, so they stayed strong.
It seemed that all of the fire extinguishers were empty, which Makoto was storing in his mind for the next time that Byakuya felt the need to rant about the Togami brand of quality.
"Okay everyone, go into the kitchens and bring back dish soap, empty plastic bottles, paper rolls, baking soda, and vinegar!" his order might have sounded odd, but a group quickly went back to follow it, seeing as in this situation he was one of the only people giving orders. It was another benefit of his classmates, after being around them and picking up on their quirks he had learned to emulate bits and pieces from all of them.
Once they had everything that was needed Makoto opened up a can of middle school science and had them create bottled fire extinguishers. There were a few mistakes, but so long as they were tossed toward the fire it would have the same result. Thanks to the overload of plastic bottles that were in the snack bar they were spoiled for holders. Individually they wouldn't have much effect against a blaze as big as the one consuming the exit, but when fired all at once over chunks of the wall the fire was forced into a full retreat. It took quite a bit of time but with encouragement from the crowd the brave people who had volunteered broke through the fire.
It seemed whatever had caused the explosion was directed into the arcade room and knocked the door off its hinges. Using the strength of those who had been guarding the window they managed to get everyone out through the stairs and down to a quickly growing number of emergency vehicles that were lining up at ground level.
Chiaki and Makoto were the last two to leave the building, with Chiaki's arm around Makoto's shoulders to allow her a bit of help while they walked. They were quickly seen to by the trained first responders, given quick check ups and stitches for the cut on Chiaki's forehead. Overall there didn't seem to be anything broken, but they would still need to be checked out just in case.
Before they could debate this however a small group of people in suits came over, each wearing the Togami family crest on their person. They quickly talked off the medical personal, explaining that Hope's Peak had the best of the best in terms of treatment and they already had a ride.
Makoto and Chiaki looked at each other and shrugged, following after the suits while still sticking close together. "Did Togami send you guys?"
"Master Togami heard about the accident and wanted to have us escort you straight to the school in order to avoid any additional stress." one of the men answered in a professional manner.
Only once they were inside of the limo did the two teens finally manage to relax, almost collapsing into each other in utter exhaustion as they sat against the expensive leather. Before they could really manage to relax however a small video screen at the front of the limo came on to reveal Byakuya's face in all its stern glory. Yet behind his usual mask of professionalism laid the small hint of relief at the sight of his classmate. "I suppose an apology is in order then." he said in a rather bland tone.
"Heck yeah it is!" Makoto winced at the physical exertion of just raising his voice in response, which drew a concerned glance from Chiaki. That alone was enough to force him to relax. "I mean the fire was one thing, but none of the extinguishers worked, even the sprinklers didn't come on!"
That fact seemed to concern Byakuya more then any other. "Indeed, a full investigation will be launched into this matter. If it is any consolation from what was reported your actions prevented a tragedy from taking place. Still I am not one who fails to recognize when a debt is owed, so for the experience you have faced consider me in both of your debts for the moment. If you need anything and it is within my power ask and I will do whatever I can to help." a voice from off screen took his attention away. "Hm, I have to go, we shall continue this discussion another time." the screen blinked out, leaving the two in silence.
"Huh, I think that was his way of saying thank you." Makoto said as he rested back into the seat.
Chiaki blinked and shook her head. "Your classmates are weird."
"Yeah, kind of." Makoto laughed and turned to look at Chiaki, only to notice that she had managed to fall asleep against him right after having said that.
'Wow, she is really cute when she sleeps.' a blush spread over his face at that thought, not quite sure what to do. Thankfully he didn't have to think too long, as the gentle movement of the car and the lullaby of Chiaki's light breaths put him to sleep as well quickly enough.
This had been an absolute failure and an utter embarrassment. Those were the thoughts of Junko Enoshima as she watched the single casualty of her little demonstration scrapped up from the sidewalk. The entire street should have been stained crimson, but instead only a single spot which had been quickly cleaned spotless by building staff.
"It seems that your despair was defeated." Izuru looked at her with empty eyes, boredom reigning supreme. "Was that really the best that could be done?"
His words were normally a challenge that the girl used to push herself forward, but right now that droning emotionless voice just pissed her off. "Plu-ease as if that was the only thing that I could do." she shook her head and turned back with a frightening grin. "I already have a little surprise set up, gathering together a few people for a little battle royal action."
Izuru shook his head. "Hm, how boring."
Those words froze Junko's heart, how could he think something she was going to do would be boring. "No this next one is going to great. I already have it so the chance of failure would be near zero."
"That is what makes it boring. You already proved that with timing and work you can make people do things that defy survival instinct. Whats the point in a premade show without the risk of something less foolish." he turned his back on her and began to step forward. "Actually I would be interested in seeing that again."
"That?" Junko asked despite having a feeling she knew exactly what it was.
"That thing that managed to pull the herd back from their panic, by all rights your dread should have won out, but instead it was defeated. I couldn't have predicted someone doing that." there was no change in his voice, but to someone like Junko it was easy enough to pick out the meaning.
"W-wait!" she reached out to grab Izuru's arm, but he deftly moved it out of the way first. "Come on don't just give up on me because of a fluke. Give me a chance to show you how interesting the rabbit hole of despair can be."
His crimson eyes looked at her, like a god looking down upon an ant in judgement of it. "Very well, I don't suppose it would be much more troublesome then anything else." with that said he stalked off into the night to return to the school. By himself he could make it back faster then any car could drive.
When he had finally disappeared Junko let out a howl of rage, slamming her hand again and again into the stone walls of a nearby building, leaving a dent but also smashing her hand until it bled. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck!" she screamed with each blow, letting her anger drive each blow. If it wasn't for him everything would have been perfect, that sunny ray of light that could make people smile on a horrible day. Just knowing that someone with such a bright outlook existed pissed her off beyond reason.
She hated it.
She hated him.
It drove her mad.
She fell to her knees and let out a moan of pleasure.
It filled her with despair.
There was so much to do, plans to be changed, things to be done. Sure changing things this late in the game could have been bad, but it would be worth it to turn Izuru. Right now he was a wild queen piece on the board, and if he could be turned to her side hope lost. At the same time he could shift to hope and crush despair.
She laughed and laughed as her madness came over her.
This was much to fun.
By the time the two of them had arrived back at the Hope's Peak campus Makoto and Chiaki had been asleep for almost a full hour, and thus wouldn't have noticed they had arrived unless the driver and called back to let them know.
"Well uh...i'm sorry that didn't turn out to well." Makoto gave her a half hearted smile as he stepped out of the limo, offering a hand to help her out as well.
She took his hand gratefully and shook her head. "Not your fault." she muttered in a sleepy voice.
The two of them simply stood there for a moment after the limo had left, not really sure what to say but not wanting to leave after the day they had faced. "I am feeling pretty good, so I think I might just hold off on seeing the nurse until tomorrow." Makoto said, hoping to break the ice between them.
However Chiaki didn't take the bait, rather she was looking down at her feet as if something interesting was happening on the ground.
"Chiak-" Makoto was suddenly cut off by the feeling of soft lips pressed against his own. His eyes widened in surprise to see Chiaki kissing him with her own eyes closed.
The kiss only lasted a moment but when it ended both parties were utterly breathless. Chiaki's face turned a pure crimson and she turned and ran faster then she had ever managed before, until she became a blip in the darkness.
Makoto reached up and touched his lips without really thinking about it. Had she really kissed him? It didn't seem like he was dreaming, and there was still enough pain to verify that much at least. "What?" he finally managed to ask, his own voice small to his ears.
Chiaki collapsed on her bed still fully dressed and clutched onto a pillow as if it were a life preserver in a stormy ocean as her own chaotic mind began to replay the events of the day in a jumbled mess. She had gone to class, she had gone to an arcade, had fun, almost died, kissed Makoto.
Why had she kissed Makoto? Was it because she was happy to be alive? Did she like him? She rolled back and forth on the bed as the chaos of her mind continued to plague her, only stopping when a sharp pain in her side gave her pause.
She would have to talk to Mikan tomorrow, Chiaki assured herself that the Ultimate Nurse would know how to check for anything like that.
Suddenly her phone gave out a tone to inform her that she had received a message, specifically from Makoto. The girl hesitated for a moment before opening it.
Hey if you need to talk or anything I am here for you. I think you were amazing today, eh well I mean you are always amazing but uh well...hey just sleep well okay, if nothing else see you at ou- the bench Monday :)
Her heart began to thud a bit faster then she was used too as a hot blush came over her face. It was only with a moments hesitation that she responded.
I am here for you too. Makoto. Good night.
The message was short but she hoped it conveyed some amount of her own feelings, despite not really understanding what they were herself. Despite all this however she managed to fall into a restful sleep only moments later, pushed by her utter exhaustion at the entire day. The last thought she had was of a brown haired boy and his smile.
Kyoko walked down the hallway with a sense of purpose, stopping in front of one of the many doors and giving it a firm knock. It was only a matter of moments before the rooms occupant opened the door, the entire room only illuminated by a single computer screens worth of light.
"Kyoko?" Chihiro looked toward his classmate with sleep deprived eyes, rubbing at them with the sleeve of his overly large bed shirt.
"I need your help with something, would you be willing to help?"
The young programmer tilted his head to the side, wondering if the school would be okay with a girl coming into his room at this hour. But seeing as he had hacked the school to change his gender to that he typically wore the outfit for it shouldn't be much of a problem, or rather it shouldn't be any more of a problem then another girl coming into the room of a classmate during their day off. "Sure, come on in."
Kyoko entered the door with purpose. This was another step forward, and with help she would crack the mystery of the disappearing boy, Hinata.
Well this was a long time coming, hope you guys weren't on the edge of your seats too long! I could give a thousand excuses like school and work, but to be honest I was just soooo unmotivated that I haven't written anything in quite some time. Hopefully this is a good bit of getting back into the game work for you guys to feast your eyes upon.
Usual things, make sure to give a follow to catch content as it comes out, favorite it to show the love, and of course drop a review if you like or want to critic the chapter. Reviews are the fuel of fics I always say.
As for what happens next chapter, well Junko begins version two of her despair plan, Kyoko gets the help of the Ultimate Programmer to hunt down someone who no longer exists, and of course dealing with first kisses.
Till next time.