A/N: This oneshot takes place after the Epilogue of Danganronpa 4. Please read, review, and enjoy!
The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Kiki Comes Home!
"And…done." Kyoko sighed in relief, wiping the back of her hand against her brow.
She smiled in satisfaction at the sight of her eldest daughter's room. Nary a speck of dust remained, the room completely spotless after Kyoko's hard work cleaning it. With the bed perfectly made with fresh sheets and blankets and the walls and floor so clean they practically shined, it was all prepped for her baby girl to come home.
"Wow, talk about spick and span." Makoto's amused voice chuckled behind her.
She turned around, smiling at her husband. "Indeed. It was a lot of hard work, but it'll be worth it once Kiki walks in the door and can rest in her own bed, knowing that she's safe." Before her mind could wander to Kiki's imprisonment, she asked "Did you put the banner up in the living room?"
Makoto nodded. "Yep, it's all ready."
"And the rest of the house?"
"Koto and Kiri have been working really hard to clean it. Those two can actually get a lot done…when they're not arguing with each other."
Kyoko giggled at her husband's joke. "And the food? Has everything been laid out on the table?"
"The dishes have been cooled off and Moku's setting the table as we speak." Makoto assured her. "Honey, you really need to relax. We're not throwing some huge party or anything; we're just welcoming Kiki home."
"I know…it's just…" Kyoko sighed, her eyes lowering in shame. "It's just…I don't know what else to do. I messed up…no, messed up doesn't even begin to describe how much I failed her."
"Kyoko-"
"I should have been part of that investigation, Makoto. I should have been scouring every rooftop in Japan and following every lead I could find to get her and the others out of there. Maybe if I had, I'd-"
"Kyoko, we've already had this conversation." Makoto interjected, his voice becoming hard and firm. "What's past is past. There are things all of us could have done better, but it's already happened. Just because we didn't make the best decisions doesn't mean either of us are terrible parents, and I'm sure Kiki believes that too."
"But-"
"The important thing is that Kiki's coming home, that Yui's bringing her home. We have a long road ahead of us…but for today, let's just take joy in the fact that our daughter's coming back safe and sound."
Kyoko took a deep, yet shaky breath. Makoto could tell from the conflict clashing in her eyes that she wasn't completely convinced, but relief washed over him when Kyoko nodded in compliance.
"…Okay. I'll…try to take it a little easier for today…"
Makoto laced their fingers together and squeezed her hand. "Come on, let's go wait on the couch until Yui and Kiki knock on the door."
Kyoko nodded, allowing her husband to pull her out of the room. Her thoughts wandered to her daughter, forced to grow up in the same ways she was.
*Ding Dong*
Kiki shuffled her feet, anxiously awaiting the moment the door to her home opened to her. Yui took note of her anxiety and smiled in reassurance.
"It must be strange to come back here after just having your memories come back, ne?"
"…I spent so long trapped in those walls…" Kiki muttered. "…So long, not knowing who I was or what my home would look like. Looking back, I guess the possibility that I'd actually get to go home didn't feel real. Now that I'm here, my memories intact…part of me is still wondering if this is a dream…if I'll wake up in that Killing Game again, forced to be Tsumugi's puppet…"
Yui rested a hand on Kiki's shoulder. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. I promise you, this isn't a dream. In a minute, that door is going to open and your family is gonna come out and welcome-"
"Kiki…? Yui…?"
As if on cue, the door practically slammed open, revealing a teary-eyed Kyoko. Her scarred hand rested over her lips, as though in disbelief that her daughter was finally home.
"M-Mom…?"
Kiki's utterance was silenced as Kyoko brought her into a desperate, firm hug. "Mom?"
"Kiki…" Kyoko openly sobbed. "I'm so sorry! I…I should have protected you…should have searched for you. Can you…can you ever forgive your failure of a mother for not getting you out of there sooner?"
"Mom…" Tears trickled down Kiki's cheeks as she returned the embrace. "Mom, don't say stuff like that. I can't imagine how it must have felt to watch everything I went through…watch me fight for my life, watch me almost die. I don't blame you for what happened to me, Mom. I'm just…glad to be home again."
Kyoko managed to giggle through her sobs. "You're just like your father; you're both far too forgiving…"
Releasing her daughter from her grasp, she approached her long lost honorary sister. The two looked eyes, joy and gratitude shining in their irises.
"Yui…thank you so much…" Kyoko bowed as deeply as she could. "Thank you for doing what I should have done."
It was Kyoko's turn to be surprised as Yui drew her in for a hug, the first the two detectives had shared in years. "Hey, no need for all that. I'm just glad I was able to get my honorary niece home safe…with a little help, anyway."
"Indeed." Kyoko nodded. "I'll have to thank Oma and Chabashira and Mikan later."
"And Miu." Kyoko blinked in surprise. "Her tech definitely came in handy for dismantling the security so we could break in."
"…Now I'm really glad we hired her…" Kyoko mused.
Yui opened her mouth, but her reply died upon hearing two frantic, youthful voices.
"Kiki!"
"Kiki?!"
"Wha-!" Kiki gasped as she was tackled into a hug by a young boy and girl. "Koto, Kiri?"
"We missed you so much, Kiki!" Koto nearly wept.
"We saw you kick Shirogane's butt!" Kiri exclaimed.
They actually let you watch that stuff?! Kiki wondered in shock. Then again…I guess they would have found a way to watch regardless…these two are crafty like that…and I wouldn't have them any other way…
"Woof!"
"Hogo?!" Kiki exclaimed, just in time for the twins to scramble out of the way. "Hogo!" She cried, falling over as her loving dog tackled its master to the ground.
She giggled, her face tickled by the assault of wet, sloppy kisses. She reached up and petted his head, happy that her loyal canine greeted her with so much affection.
"I missed you too, boy! I missed you all so much!"
The others watched in amusement at the warm, heartfelt scene, smiles on their faces. It couldn't last forever, though, as the final Naegi finally made his presence known.
"Alright, boy, I know you're happy to see her, but I think she gets the memo."
A single hand pulled back on Hogo's collar. Her view now unobscured, Kiki looked up and saw her warmly smiling father looking down at her. His arm extended towards her, offering a hand. She gently took it, allowing Makoto to pull her up. She managed to catch Mokubo standing next to her father. The purple-haired boy looked hesitant, his eyes swimming with the restrained relief and joy at seeing his sister alive.
"Welcome home, Kiki." Makoto told her, his voice laced with paternal warmth.
"Dad…" Kiki wrapped her arms around her father, resting her head against his chest. "It's good to be home…" She finally turned to her eldest brother. "It's good to see you too, Moku." She opened her arms in an invitation. "Come on, give your nee-chan a hug, won't you?"
"…Nee-chan…" He uttered before silently walking into her embrace.
His arms wrapped around her form in a tight, warm hold. She could feel the fear in his grip, as though she would disappear again the moment he let go. He relaxed as Kiki rubbed his back, each gentle touch assuaging his fears that the Killing Game broadcast had given him.
Yui cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention. "Well, I should be on my way…"
"Yui…" Kyoko interjected. "Why don't you stay for dinner?"
"Oh, I couldn't possibly intrude-"
"Samidare-san." Makoto's voice interjected, cutting Yui's modest refusal. "We owe you so much for saving Kiki's life. You wouldn't be intruding at all; we'd be honored to have you over for dinner."
Yui smiled warmly, clearly appreciative of their insistence to have her stay. "That really is sweet of you, but I really do have other business I need to attend to. A detective's work is never done, you know?" Kyoko nodded, knowing full well how intensive the work of a detective could be. "Another time though, once everything's settled a bit…I'd love to take you up on that."
Kyoko smiled. "And we'll happily welcome you into our home…just like old times."
"Yes, like old times." Yui nodded, then turned to Kiki. "Alright, Kiki. If you need anything, just call me at the station, okay?"
Kiki smiled. "Alright, thanks, Samidare-san-"
"Yui. Call me Yui. You are my sister's daughter, after all."
Kiki giggled. "Alright, thanks again for everything, Yui."
Turning to the rest of the Naegis, Yui bowed slightly. "It was great meeting all of you. Sayonara, everyone."
With that, Yui turned and walked away. The Naegis watched as the detective got in her car and drove away. Once she disappeared from view, Kyoko turned to her daughter.
"Come on, let's get inside. You must be hungry after your long journey, and dinner's all ready."
Kiki smiled, nodding. "Dinner sounds nice."
Makoto clapped his hands. "Alright then, inside, everyone."
Everyone filed inside the manor, eager to have their first family dinner together since before Kiki's kidnapping. The formerly amnesiac junior detective closed the door behind her, feeling safe for the first time in a long time.
It's good to be home!
"Itadakimasu!"
The family instantly dug into their plates, though unlike normal, the more ravenous eaters restrained themselves. Everyone wanted to savor this joyous occasion, so they took their time. The Naegi family, reunited once more, was all smiled as they relished their first family gathering since Kiki's abduction.
As she eyed her twin siblings, the admission from earlier continued to pique her curiosity. Eventually, she put down her chopsticks and spoke.
"So, Koto…Kiri…you two…actually saw the broadcast?"
Kyoko nodded, a grim grimace on her face as guilt pooled in her eyes. "Your siblings were adamant about trying to support you by watching and cheering you on. I objected at first…but your father realized there was no stopping them."
Makoto chuckled, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "In retrospect, that might not have been our best parenting decision…"
"Perhaps not…" Kiki agreed. I can't imagine how traumatic it must have been to watch all that madness live, let alone my own brush with death… "Still…" Kiki smiled. "…The fact that you all cared so much that you insisted on watching and cheering me on…and all the preparations you guys did to welcome me home…I'm so blessed…to have such a loving family. I wouldn't want to trade any of you for anything!"
Koto and Kiri had to hold back tears while Mokubo smiled softly at the love his sister held for him. No more words needed to be said; the love the family held for each other was undeniable. The family continued to eat in content silence, slipping back into a feeling of normalcy.
Kiki gasped, shooting up in her bed. Taking heavy, shaky breaths, she sighed in relief as she looked around and saw that she was in her room.
I'm safe in my room…my real room… Kiki shivered as the recollections of her dream flashed before her eyes. I'm out of that damn university…no more killing, no more wondering if I'll see tomorrow again…just safe at home-
Kiki nearly jumped at a knock on her door. "Kiki?" Kyoko peeked her head through the door as she opened it, showing a worried frown. "I heard you cry out; are you okay?"
Taking a deep breath, Kiki hesitantly nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine, Mom. Just a…a bad dream, that's all."
Kyoko's worry intensified, leading her to enter and close the door. She walked up to Kiki's bed and sat beside her daughter.
"Do you want to talk about it? You know I'm willing to listen, Kiki."
Kiki sighed, hanging her head. "It's…stupid, though. I shouldn't be dreaming about…back then. I'm home, I'm safe, I know I don't have to worry about being alive tomorrow. So why…why am I having these nightmares?"
Kyoko frowned and stroked her daughter's back. "Kiki, it's normal to get nightmares, especially after just surviving something as sadistic as that."
"Even for you?" Kiki looked up at her mother. "You were so strong during your Killing Games. You even sacrificed yourself for Dad! I can't imagine-"
"-That someone like me could be suffering inside?" Kyoko finished. She shook her head, assuring her, "Kiki, just because I put on a brave face, didn't mean I was immune to emotional pain. I had my moments when I wept, when I cried, when I had night terrors. Both your father and I had them for a long time after we survived our ordeals. Me being able to hide it in public doesn't make me strong, and you having nightmares doesn't make you weak. You're strong, Kiki-"
"Then why couldn't I save them?!" She finally cried, tears trickling down her cheeks. "Rantaro, Kaede, Light, Hongou, Clover, Hazuki, that poor actor, Seven…they all died and I couldn't stop any of it! And Shirogane…Tsumugi…"
Kiki's eyes shone with regret and remorse. Alone with her mother, she finally gave voice to her deepest regrets and sorrow.
"…Why couldn't I save her, Mom? Why couldn't I see how Akki corrupted her? Why couldn't I do anything to save my friend? Why was I so foolish that I didn't see this coming? If I did-"
"Shh, shh…" Kyoko soothed, bringing her daughter into a desperate hug. Feeling her tears soak her nightgown, the former Ultimate Detective consoled "Kiki, more than anyone, your father and I know how you feel. Your father carried the burden of our classmates' deaths for years; he still does, to some degree. And I beat myself up for not being able to stop Junko. If I had…"
Kyoko swallowed the lump in her throat. Even twenty years later, Jin's death was a sensitive, emotional subject.
"…then you'd still have your maternal grandfather, and all our classmates would have been in your life. It's okay to feel these emotions, and it's okay to have bad dreams. They're all part of healing, Kiki. Just know that we'll all be there for you every step of the way, okay?"
Kiki's tears dried up, and her sobs ebbed. She nodded, feeling Kyoko reach up to wipe her tears away.
"Feeling better, Kiki?"
Kiki nodded. "Yeah…thanks, Mom. Sorry for-"
"Don't apologize; it's my job as your mother to be there for you, like I should have been."
"Geez, Mom, I told you not to blame yourself for-"
"I know, and I'm trying not to. Just…it's hard to brush it off when you know you could have done more. It's just a miracle that you were able to recover on your own-"
"A-Actually…" Kiki muttered hesitantly, averting her gaze. "I…didn't do it by myself."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "Are you referring to Shuichi?"
Kiki shook her head. "Shuichi was great, don't get me wrong, but…when I was falling into despair, I kinda got a pep talk from Kaito, and Grandpa Jin, and all your deceased classmates."
Kyoko's eyes widened in surprise before her lips settled into a grateful smile. "That's wonderful news; I'm so glad to hear they all…" Kyoko trailed off, replaying Kiki's admission in her mind. "Wait…when you said all your deceased classmates…do you mean…?"
Kiki nodded. "Y-Yeah…Junko was there too-"
"JUNKO?!" Kyoko cradled her daughter's face in a panic. "Did she hurt you?!"
"No Mom. I was as surprised as you were, but she actually tried to help snap me out of it. She said she respected your and Dad's victory too much to let me lose to Tsumugi."
Kyoko blinked in surprise. "I…I see…" Kyoko fell silent, not knowing how to take the news that her arch-enemy had lent a helping hand to her daughter in need.
"A-Anyway…" Kiki continued "Kaito and Grandpa Jin helped to restore my memories Tsumugi took from me, and your classmates, except for Junko and Mukuro, they helped to prevent me from dying, and they gave me the power to give everyone else back their memories too! I know it sounds crazy, like something out of an anime, but-"
"It's fine." Kyoko assured her with a smiling nod. "I'm…shellshocked, I'll admit…but all that matters to me is that you're home safe with your memories intact. If you say everything that happened is true, then I'll believe you."
"Thanks, Mom…" Kiki fiddled with a lock of hair, unsure of how to word her next question. "Ano…"
"…You want me to say with you tonight, am I wrong?"
Kiki's cheeks flushed pink, causing Kyoko to giggle. "Scoot over."
"…This feels so silly…" Kiki grumbled, making room for Kyoko to crawl into her bed. "I'm like 19 years old. I'm too big to sleep with my Mom…"
"Shush…" Kyoko soothed, resting next to her daughter and wrapping her arms in a gentle hug. "It doesn't matter how old you get; I'll always stay with you if you need me."
"Mom…"
In that moment, Kiki didn't feel like the 19 year old trauma victim she actually was. She felt like the little girl who felt safe and protected from the world in her mother's arms.
"Go to sleep, Kiki. Nothing's going to happen to you, I promise."
Nodding, Kiki yawned, nuzzling her nose against her mother's breast. "Good night, Mom. I love you."
Kyoko smiled as her daughter finally fell into a peaceful slumber. She stroked her daughter's hair, watching a contented smile form on Kiki's face. Feeling slumber come for her too, Kyoko let her eyes close as she joined Kiki in blissful dreams.
Sweet dreams, Kiki.