"Un, deux, trois…"
The soft melody of Beethoven's Für Elise was playing inside her head while she was slowly walking from one side to the other of her room. Every step was elegant, light, and precise.
Perhaps it was the only thing that kept her in her five senses. She lifted a hand in front of her and felt ashamed of her condition. She had refused to properly dress, bath, or eat. That hand, used so many times to bring peace and command; to rule.
Sonia closed her eyes and let the melody start over again with a faster tempo. The man that kept her begging day after day came to her mind. The memories of his death were painful, just like the first day. All her classmates had to witness the horrors of each death. Were they excusable? For her, who had no intention to kill or be killed, some were mere justice. Despair induced or not, one had the choice… most of the times.
"He did it to save us" was something she constantly repeated to calm down. Gundam Tanaka was different from all the others who died at Monokuma's hands. She smiled trying to remember his scent, and the music stopped.
The graceful lady opened her sad, blue eyes. She couldn't remember.
Behind her the door opened. It was extremely heavy judging by the mechanism that was used to push it, although the people who came for her with a straight jacket looked far from being weak. The two men had scars all over their faces, and were much taller than her. Used to it by now, the girl willingly accepted to follow their terms, assuming she would be taken to another weird examination.
Waiting inside a dark room with a single light pointing at her wasn't the best treatment received by the princess of Novoselic. She figured she would be questioned again by a strange voice behind the tainted glass, but when two individuals came in without uttering a single word about the sudden visit she bowed her head.
"I beg of you, plea—
"It seems you know who you're talking to, Sonia Nevermind. To beg like that must be your very last resource, although you have used it too much recently, just not to the right person. My co-workers had no understanding of the situation; alas I had to leave my office to come here."
Byakuya Togami felt a hand pulling twice from his suit. That meant he was going too far with his words, provoking a smirk on his face. "Now, my assistant will pose a few questions you'll have to answer. I will determinate whether or not you are qualified to meet Gundam Tanaka and help us with our investigations."
Touko felt uneasy locked in the same room as the tyrant, but for now she had to take notes. Before Sonia could speak, she placed a recorder on the table between both parts and pressed the button. Surveillance cameras' video tapes couldn't exit the building; they needed a separate audio file to analyze at home.
The brunette wasn't on her cup of tea, facing patients was by far the last thing she wanted to do in such a dark place like Future Foundation's rehabilitation area. "Miss Nevermind. Are you aware of your condition of 'Despair'?"
"Yes. I have been informed on the matter by Mr. Naegi and here back at the Island. They, although, omitted the details of the treatment we'll receive as such."
Togami didn't react to those words the way Sonia expected. "You should have known Byakuya Togami wouldn't allow you people to wander around without taking security measures."
"U-Uh… Let's continue. Why are you interested in cooperating with Future Foundation?"
A heavy sigh followed a confident smile from the princess, who raised her head again. "I know perfectly all the etiquette and international protocols when it comes to business. In addition, I speak 32 languages fluently, which can be hella helpful!"
Touko felt guilty. At most, she could be granted to see Gundam Tanaka from a distance, but never too close to actually make some sort of contact, even through a glass…
"That's a pleasant surprise. I assume you know the noblesse oblige isn't a trend nowadays, but your knowledge of languages can be helpful, I admit. However, someone as me won't take your words lightly. Why do you want to see that one in particular? There are others as well, and although you are the first to come back, those who weren't executed will follow after you. It's a matter of time, a couple of months I would say."
Caught by surprise, Sonia's eyes widened. "That means I will be able to see them as well?"
"Don't make assumptions, there is no guarantee they will return in the same conditions as you. That means, with some sort of amnesia. Answer me."
"Mr. Tanaka was the closest person to me. I have heard some things through the door of my cell, and I concluded my family has been lost. I am the only one left from the Nevermind lineage; I have no one left but Mr. Tanaka and my classmates. You can understand why I want to make sure he's fine."
Byakuya took a deep breath and adjusted his glasses. He understood the feeling of being the only one alive from a large and known family, but he would never admit it helped a little. "I have made my mind after reading your medical records as well as your development during the Island events. Everything is still recorded and whether for the better or the worse, you didn't surrender to killer instincts during that time, which is why Future Foundation will work with you on a daily basis, under strict surveillance."
An hour later, a contract was signed. Touko was finally able to relax in the other side of the interrogation room while Togami scanned her with taciturnity. The other students watched the whole process and were now discussing how to proceed, but their talk was reduced to a mumble when he concentrated on his girlfriend gestures.
"Touko. Are you tired already?"
The brunette quickly straightened her back and cleared her throat. "O-Of course I'm not." She tried to bring his attention back to the conversation that kept raising doubts among the survivors of Hope's Peak.
Togami frowned but decided to follow. "Oi, how long are you postponing this? I think it's obvious we have to watch her every movement. I'm afraid to say I don't have time to babysit someone like her. Enthusiast attitude she has taken, but uninteresting for someone like me. So, which one of you will take charge of it?"
The others traded guilty looks, looking uneasy. "W-Well you see, Byakuya… Kyouko and I can't be around to check on her. You know our schedules, we can't—
"Oh, really?" intervened the heir with disdain. "And you're going to tell me Asahina and Hagakure are too inept to even contemplate it, am I wrong?"
"Cut it out already! We are not fools and we know how to do things right! R-Right, Yasuhiro?"
Unfortunately the oldest was sleeping in his chair, with a small bubble of saliva in the corner of his mouth. Togami suppressed his eagerness to slam the Fortune Teller with his own chair, glancing at Kyouko's visage whilst Asahina Aoi was trying to keep her composure.
"You're being too quiet, Kirigiri. What do you have to say?"
The maid with lavender locks inclined her face. "I think we should declare someone trustworthy as her monitor. But I've ran out of names, so I hope you can suggest someone you know to do this task."
Byakuya could feel a hand gently fondling his shoulder, followed by a soft voice. "I will do it." Astounded, one could see his face being drained from all its color.
"Don't you dare, Touko I forgive you to—
"You know it has to be someone among the six of us… Besides, if anything happens she could protect—
His tone increased. "Don't bring Genocider Syo to the topic! It makes me sick how you can be so careless with yourself." After a few seconds of awkward silence, he pointed at Hagakure and Asahina without hesitation. "We entrust you two with this task, don't screw it or I—
"Calm down, man! I haven't sleep well 'cause of that girl Sonia, she cries a lot in her dreams and it's hard to evaluate her process if she doesn't stay still. That goddamned machine is driving me crazy."
Touko had forgotten Hagakure worked at night with a new device that recorded activity during the Despair students' sleep. No wonder he was falling asleep.
Naegi's smile grew at the same time Togami groaned. "You see, Byakuya? Aoi and Yasuhiro are perfectly fitted for this job! They really put a lot of effort in their work, just like you and Touko do your part. Everyone is part of Future, right?"
"… Stop preaching or I'll swear I will question your intellect like in the past. I thought I had been clear the moment I said I entrusted them…" said the young man with a fainted blush appearing on his cheeks.
In her white cage, Sonia Nevermind pondered about her chances to see Gundam again. Unsure about her feelings, she felt a small stitch in her heart. No one could change her mind about him; she knew he was the only one who made a sacrifice for the sake of the remaining students. They were about to starve when he gave in, even if he later explained it was just a duel, she refused to believe such words.
Neither of the boys would have done what Gundam did. He fought the strongest male alive in the island and won the right to stay alive, but ended up dead. She bit her lip with frustration at the memory of her last conversation with him, recalling every detail was painful.
That evening the breeze was soft. In spite of the difficulties the Headmaster had imposed on them, all the students did their best to stick together. Of course, all of them had affinities with specific classmates. Sonia and Gundam were never apart, talking about hamsters and serial killers, the doom of human race and classical music. Their last talk was intact inside her head. She had already prepared her confession.
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and curled in her bed, trying to forget the pain that started to grew in her chest since she had opened her eyes and found herself back in the real world.
"Touko, stop playing with your cellphone."
"Y-Yes! I'm sorry." She composed a smile and retreated on her seat, finishing the schedule that would be assigned to Sonia Nevermind. Although Aoi and Hagakure would spend most of the days with her, their agendas were so busy she had to plan a day off for the princess.
Togami was taking a look at the finished schedule when Touko started texting again. He faked concentration in the paper to see what kept his girlfriend so captive from her duties. Apparently she was messaging with someone. His guts told him Kyouko Kirigiri was involved.
It wasn't until dinner when she decided to talk about the subject. A large bowl of yoghurt with a heart made of cereals was in front of Togami, which kept him occupied until she finally spoke.
"You know… I'll go out with Kyouko. She wants to g-go shopping and asked me to accompany her!"
With a spoon inside his mouth, Togami blinked twice before properly reacting. "Are you telling me you'll go shopping with her, of all people, on our free day?"
The brunette nodded and sat next to him, leaving a kiss on his cheek. "Are you jealous of her?"
Two red marks appeared on each of Byakuya's cheeks when he placed the spoon back in his mouth, energetically denying. The next two kisses, smartly placed in his neck, almost made him cough.
"Enough!" protested Togami with the spoon in his right hand as if it was a weapon. "I'm just accustomed to your presence on a daily basis; it has been a while since we have been separated."
He was referring to the time she had to see him with a huge cask on his head, swearing to come back safely with Naegi and Kirigiri. He left with a promise much more personal that no one but her knew about. That's how their relationship started to bloom.
Naegi Makoto was trying to fix the shower's leak, pouting at the small drop that kept falling from the tube. Meanwhile, Kyouko was preparing dinner: Alfredo salad. About to lose his mind and drop the tools, Naegi felt a small vibration in his pocket.
Wondering about the alert, he checked his messages and found a short, almost nonexistent, e-mail from Togami.
Naegi, meet me tomorrow at 1100 in the mall's parking, near the emergency entrance. Not a word to Touko and Kyouko or I'll murder you. Don't dress like usual and please hide that goddamn thing you have in your head.
Said and done, the next morning Naegi was wearing a beanie hat in the mall's parking, his hands inside his pockets. He felt guilty about his girlfriend- they had a trust that couldn't be broken and now Togami was just acting like the old days. At least hiding his hair would avoid awkward situations if they came too close to the girls.
But it wasn't until Byakuya Togami touched his shoulders when he knew nothing good would come of that escape. The heir was wearing what he thought were 'casual clothes', that were anything but 'casual'.
"…Byakuya, what the hell?"
"Naegi, know your place. I can't be seen in public like you, I have standards and I'm almost a legend among the citizens. Besides, this tracking suit was made in Italy by a fashion designer, my trainers are custom made with leather and my glasses have gold in them."
The brunette thought it was hideous, even girly. He rolled his eyes and did his best to avoid going back home. "…I see. Now, can you tell me what's going on? They are just having fun together, it's not like you're jealous, right? Of my girlfriend?"
"Nonsense. I suspect there is something more they haven't told us. Now, let's go I can't waste my time. We are unrecognizable and won't stand out in the crowd."
As if that damn track suit was discreet.
Meanwhile Touko and Kyouko were heading to the doctor's clinic, chatting about work before the real topic surfaced.
The detective with lilac hair looked at Touko from the corner of her eye. "…Touko. I'm not sure you should keep this from Togami. He'll be sad… if he knows what that emotion is."
"W-What are you saying? I m-mean he's busy… and to be honest I don't want to startle him in the middle of the d-day. I w-want to ask some questions beforehand."
Kyouko patted her shoulder; having a feeling they were being followed. Perhaps it was just stress, there was no way someone would be following them on such a normal and plain day.
"Naegi, tell me again... why do I have to wear this poorly crafted wig?"
Both guys had stopped in a costume shop before keeping with their mission- Naegi insisted he should wear a dark wig, his blond hair wasn't that usual considering his height and… that hideous thing he called designer clothes.
"I already told you. Besides, buying the most expensive wig would have been… weird. You're not into cosplay, are you?"
"… Do I look like a magical princess to you?"
"Sh! Don't be so loud or they'll find out! Touko knows your voice so well it freaks me out…"
Togami clinched his teeth at his remark and had to hide behind a pillar to watch carefully around until he saw the girls going outside the first stretch of the mall and wearing their oxygen masks. The second stretch of the building wasn't a closed space, and consisted mainly of small businesses.
He knocked at Naegi's head twice to send the message. He expected a hollow sound, but his groan was sufficient.
"They're moving. Let's go."
Naegi remembered James Bond movies, and none of them had the amount of second hand embarrassment he was experiencing because of his friend, who seemed like an avid fan of the series judging by his failed tiptoeing and hideouts.
Once they reached the exit with masks on their faces, they had to wait behind a bench where a family was resting. A small kid turned around and watched them closely, his curiosity almost tangible. "Hello fwiends! My name is Sou and I'm fwive years ol'!"
Togami grimaced at the child and was about to make a bitter comment when Naegi crushed his foot preciously wrapped in custom leather. "Hello Sou. My name is Makoto, and this is Byakuya. Say hello to Sou, Byakuya."
He clucked and rolled his eyes, but made an effort nonetheless. "My name is Byakuya Togami."
The little boy chuckled and handed a lollipop to him. "Bwyakuya… Why is your sweater all shiny… you like glitter? Sou likes glitter two!"
"You little—
"Byakuya." Naegi pulled his arm just the moment Togami was about to give back the candy. "I… I think you have to see this."
They both finally moved to a better angle and the destination of the girls was finally revealed.
"Montbeau MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Naegi, why do I have to read for y—
Byakuya Togami: ultimate heir, self proclaimed perfect, powerful and rich, almost dropped his wig and mask to actually breathe some more than what the device could provide.
Makoto Naegi: ultimate lucky, proclaimed hope, gentle and honest, had to shake his friend twice before getting a reaction.
"Byakuya calm down okay? Listen… we don't know what is going on inside that place, okay? There's no need to worry abou—
"What, did you say something? Uh… Naegi, I need to sit down. Help me."
With the help of Makoto the blond could find a seat in a safe place. In silence, both crossed their arms and waited for anything to happen. Perhaps they were having a dream together, if that was possible then everything would make sense.
After a while Togami spoke. "Is it Kyouko, Naeg—
"I don't know. She would have told me… I guess. Perhaps it's normal for girls to visit doctors like that. Anyway, if it's... that, I'll be happy. What do you think?"
"My name is Byakuya Togami. I have access to the best doctors left in the world, Touko knows that. She has one goddamn gynecologist!"
"Hey… Do you think it's Touko?"
The blond bit his thumb in silence, reflecting about it. He didn't know, as far as it concerned him they always used protection. Pills could have a weird effect on her and Syo would change them for candy to create chaos. "It's… a possibility. I don't know."
Both agreed on going to Naegi and Kirigiri's place to calm down and think about it in a safer environment. After two cups of coffee, they relaxed and were even making jokes about the matter.
"Well, Naegi. If I have a child you'll have to follow his orders, my bloodline will always be followed around by yours and I need someone to change diapers."
"What?! But it would be your baby, not mine! I've never handled one before… and I think I dropped my sister once—
"Nevermind. I think you're unfitted to hang around someone with my blood. I wouldn't want him to stink or develop weird habits like growing a hair or something like that. It's preposterous, you hear me?"
They stayed like that for a while, with periods of acceptance and others of worry. Ambivalence was the term to use when someone their age was about to figure if they'd be a parent sooner than planned.
"...But he would be cute. Touko and I are beyond average."
Naegi glanced at him and smiled softly. "You know? When you are nervous, you are kinder than usual. But when you are excited... well, this might be the very first time I see you like this."
"...Naegi."
"...What?"
"Shut up."
