Chapter Text
“Please… stop…” Ibuki groaned, pushing her covers off her sweaty body. It had become one of those nights.
All of Ibuki’s past deeds, all the unspeakable terrors she had wrought were clinging to her mind and senses, breaking down the oh-so-delicate facade she clung to. Her eyes were darting back and forth, unable to unsee the chaos of unending carnage and the warped faces of countless victims. Her nose betrayed her, cruelly reveling in the metallic scent of blood and the rot of decaying flesh. Her skin flushed, hair-raising chills swirling down her back. And the worst of it… her ears. The echoes of desperate cries for help, the torturous shrieks of pain, the devastated, heart-wrenching sobbing that never ended. The deep, crazed despair that had destroyed so much…
Ibuki could still hear it. All of it.
Removing her covers did no good. She could still feel the weight of everything pressing into her body, flattening her soul with every second that passed. She had to get out , she had to escape this impenetrable prison—
So she did. Stumbling over her own feet, Ibuki opened the door and lurched over the wooden planks laid out in front of the cottage. Almost as if she were in a frenzied daze, she continued to drag herself towards the hotel. Each step accented her ragged breathing… each breath tugged her chest further, nearly splitting in two. Then Ibuki finally felt the hot tears dripping down her cheeks, and knew there was only one thing for her to do.
She stepped up to the pool, took a deep breath… and let herself fall over the edge, plunging into the water with the choppy movements of a desperate person. A broken person.
Ibuki sank. Her hair twisted and swirled around her like a puff of black and red ink. Her body went limp as she embraced the cool darkness of the water. Slowly, she closed her eyes, and…
Used her feet to push her body back up to the surface.
Inhaling sharply the moment the air hit her face, Ibuki let herself breathe freely and relax into a floating position. Finally, she was rejuvenated; refreshed enough to begin calming down on her own. Opening her eyes, she stared up at the stars winking and shining through the sky…
Time passed before quiet footsteps told her that she was not alone; another person stood at the edge of the pool. From the corner of her eye, Ibuki saw them unceremoniously plunge into the pool. They, too, submerged themselves before joining Ibuki on the surface of the water. Neither of them spoke at first.
Then Ibuki looked at them. “You too, huh?”
Tsumiki’s bloodshot eyes met her own. “Y-Yes… me too.”
Moving on impulse, Ibuki took the girl’s hand and squeezed it gently. “You’re not alone.”
A genuine smile began blooming over Tsumiki’s tear-stained cheeks. The sight nearly took Ibuki’s breath away.
“You’re not alone, either.” Tsumiki said.
At half past six you started to climb the hotel steps and made your way into the kitchen. Teruteru was already preparing the ingredients but he still called you over with a smile. " Hinata-Kun!" stop right in, I've got a very special job set up for you!"
"Ahaha..." you fix him with a deadly glare. "Don't even think about it."
He only chuckles. Don't worry, I know. l was kidding." he replied. "You'll be chopping the vegetables to start out with."
"Gotcha." You pull an apron over your clothes and set about your tasks for the day. Teruteru directs you with confidence, and its not long before the scents wafting from the ovens attract a particularly ravenous classmate of yours.
“Right on time, as promised, little chef man!” Owari bounds into the room and skids to a stop in front of Teruteru, holding her hand up.
He takes her stinging high-five with grace. “Same to you, if everything’s set up already!”
“Yep, I got everything laid out, no problem!” She says excitedly. “Man, it’s the best when I’m on kitchen duty!”
“Not for me. You know when you’re the assistant chef I end up having to make double the amount of food I usually do? You just eat instead of helping!”
Owari laughs. “Sorry then, my bad. Your cooking’s so good I can’t help it!”
“You’re forgiven,” is Teruteru’s immediate reply. You roll your eyes but can’t help smiling at their innocent chatter.
Normal days like this one were the days that mattered most. You knew this now.
“We’re ready for serving, right?” You ask Teruteru.
“Absolutely!”
“Let’s go, then.” The three of you carry the food into the restaurant and circle the room to fill the plates. One by one your classmates step into the room and find their seats. The low murmur of conversation makes you feel so relaxed…
“Alright, everyone!” Naegi stands in front of his chair to call the room to order. “Let’s begin our meeting!”
You and your fellow kitchen handlers quickly hang up your aprons and take your seats. Asahina grins in the group’s direction and says, “I just wanna point out that the kitchen crew has my full seal of approval, as always!” A smattering of giggles follow her comment.
“Of course.” Naegi, now seated, turns to address Komaeda. “How was cleaning crew?”
“Excellent!” he replied. “We have entirely taken care of the public facilities on the third island, including the hospital.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Kirigiri said. “What do you plan to tackle next?”
“The abandoned homes on that same island,” came Komaeda’s reply. “We’re hoping it’ll allow for more occupants than we originally planned.”
“Great job, Komaeda-kun.” Naegi smiled at him. “Temporary Planning Crew, what’s your news?”
Koizumi stands and adjusts her skirt, looking a bit nervous. “I have decided to run for the position of mayor, once we are ready to receive one.”
A chorus of cheers and ‘ooo's fill the room.
“Yay, Koizumi-onee!” Saionji hollers, making the poor girl flush red. “No one would be better for the job!”
“That fits you very well, Koizumi-san!” Sonia exclaims.
“Indeed, someone of your stature would be powerful in such a mortal concept!” Tanaka folds his arms and chuckles. “I see now that your fellow kind must be shaken to their cores by this development!”
“I… think that was a compliment?” Koizumi shrugs. “Well, anyway, we have a good plan for a system that allows people onto the islands. They’ll have to be interviewed by Taeko Shishido, the head psychologist here, and our own Tsumiki-san, who’s extremely well-versed in what we need to look out for.”
Tsumiki smiles shyly and bows her head. “I-I’ll make sure the islands stay safe for everyone!”
“I guess that doesn’t make me too concerned about the new people, then.” Saionji says. You don’t miss Koizumi beaming proudly at her.
“Th-Thank you!” Tsumiki squeaks.
“Yo! For building crew, we’re just about finished adding the extra cabins,” Souda volunteers. “Plus, we’re about halfway done with the safety railings on the bridges and paths.”
“Sweet-o! All the kiddies will be safe-and-sound!” Ibuki gives him a thumbs up.
“Yeah, that’s what the plan’s for!” Souda grins. “We’ll be getting started on the stage, lesson rooms, and dance studios next.”
“Oh, wow! Took you long enough.” Saionji quips (but everyone can see how pleased she is to hear this).
“Great! So next, we should update everyone on our own interns!” Naegi continues running your meeting. “So-”
“Oi, Nagi.” Owari suddenly interrupted.
He laughs awkwardly. “It’s... Naegi, but yes, what is it?”
Owari pushes her hair back. “Is someone coming here today?”
The Future Foundation members exchange confused looks. “No, no one is.” Asahina answers.
“Really? Okay then.” Owari shrugs.
Everyone stares at her expectantly.
“What?” she asks, now looking equally as confused.
“Well, why do you ask?” Hagakure finally says.
“Why? Uh, I dunno. Just had a weird feeling like… something’s coming.”
“Ooooookay,” Asahina frowns. “Well, that’s creepy, so moving on…”
But Owari, despite being creepy, turned out to be completely right.
“I have to be honest with you,” Kuzuryuu said. “Will you listen to what I have to say?”
Eight months prior to the meeting Peko answered his question with a nod. “You know I have no reason to refuse.”
“Okay.” Kuzuryuu took a deep breath. “Okay. So… shit. This is hard to say. Fuck.”
Pekoyama chuckled quietly. “Take all the time you need. I won’t rush you.”
“Right. Shit. Okay.” Kuzuryuu steadied himself. “Peko.”
“Yes?” she answered.
“Through the simulation and through losing you, I learned something very important,” he said seriously. “I have to tell you that I… I really love you. No exaggerations or lies here, I swear. Y’know… when I thought you were dead, it was like fucking… all those dumbass metaphors about ‘losing the light in life’ and ‘not being able to breathe’, all of them were true. I was a fool in there and I was a fool before, too. I let my fear or rejection stop me from confessing to you and I let Junko manipulate me through that fear.” He shook his head. “But I won’t be that person anymore.”
“You haven’t been that person for a long time,” Pekoyama assured him. “I’ve always known you to be a caring and generous person, but seeing you now… watching you interact with the others… I’m overjoyed to see you share those parts of yourself.”
Kuzuryuu looked up at her with nervous anticipation. “And…?”
“And I seem to have learned the same lesson.” Peko gave him one of her rare genuine smiles. “Before, I was obsessed with duty above all else. It was my duty to be your tool, it was my duty to protect you, it was my duty to be nothing more. However… Kuzuryuu.”
“Y-Yeah?”
“Here’s your answer.”
She took a deep breath.
“I won’t protect you out of duty anymore. I won’t be the tool always at your side. I will no longer live as Peko Pekoyama….
…I shall protect you because I want to protect you. I shall stay by your side as myself, because that’s where I want to be. And I don’t have a ring, but… from now on, I want to live out my days as Peko Kuzuryuu.” She held out her hand. “So, Fuyuhiko… what do you say?”
“After all the shit I’ve pulled?” he took her hand in his own. “I know by now to appreciate what I can before it’s too late. Of course I say yes.” a smile slowly stretched across his face. “...Of fuckin’ course.”
Chiaki Nanami’s chest felt tighter and tighter the closer she got to her destination. She’d spent some time trying to distract herself with games, but eventually lost her focus and went to watch the water instead. Over the long trip, she’d seen absolutely filthy parts of the ocean— sections covered in trash or red with blood— but she didn’t dwell on any of that. Instead, she paid attention to the rare glimpses of blue ocean, the few signs of life, and the rhythm of the ship as it cut through the waves.
It was almost peaceful… except—
“Hrk..! HUUUURGGEHH…!”
Except for him.
Nanami handed her companion the fresh towel she was holding. “You lasted twenty minutes longer this time… I think. Congrats, Mitarai-kun.”
He took the towel with shaking hands and wiped his face. “S-Sorry…”
“You have a weak stomach, I know. But you can’t help that, so it’s fine.”
He chuckled weakly. “Sorry you have to deal with me, Nanami-san.”
She shrugged. “It’s not your fault you’re seasick.”
“I appreciate you saying that…” Mitarai sighed and slumped over. “At least we’re almost there.”
“We are?” Nanami blinked.
“Chiaki-chaaaaan! You can see the islands from here!” Yukizome called from the other side of the boat. Impeccable timing, as usual.
After taking a deep breath, Nanami stood and fixed her hair, mentally preparing to leave the ship. As they got closer, she saw a figure rush away from the boardwalk and disappear into the island. Mitarai must have seen the same thing, because the two of them shared an extremely wary look.
“No need for nerves, let’s just get moving!” Yukizome appeared behind them, nearly scaring Mitarai out of his wits. “Come on, grab your luggage as well, okay? Let’s do this!”
“Are we going to go find Naegi-kun?” Nanami asked as they descended the stairs.
“Yes! I’d like to talk to him before we see anyone else, if possi-”
“THERE!” they were interrupted by a loud cry that came from the end of the boardwalk. “I told you, Ol’ man! A huge-ass boat, just like I said—”
The owner of the voice, a mature-looking woman with brown hair, stopped in her tracks as she finally noticed Yukizome and her students. “Oi, who the fuck are you?”
The man who had followed her put his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t be rude, Owari. I’m sure they’re the people picked by Naegi—”
But Owari suddenly shook off his hand and launched herself at Nanami, sending both girls tumbling over each other. Nanami barely had time to gasp before Owari clutched her side and— to Nanami’s surprise & horror— burst into tears.
“Nanamiiiiiiiii, it’s you! You’re not dead!” The girl cried. Nanami looked up at Yukizome for help.
But her saviour turned out to be the tough-looking man who had followed Owari, since he strode over to them and plucked Owari off of the ground as easily as one would carry a flower.
“Owari,” he said sternly. “Calm down. I know how you feel, but this can’t be our Nanami. Remember? Our Nanami only existed inside the program.”
Nanami felt a little part of her twist inside at hearing the man say 'our Nanami'.
“Oh, I forgot…” Owari wiped her face. “But, Ol’ Man Nidai, how is she-?”
“Allow me to explain.” Yukizome finally stepped forward and offered her hand to Nanami, who took it gratefully. Her teacher pulled her off the ground and fixed her eyes on Owari and Nidai. “This is Chiaki Nanami-san, the girl used as a model for the AI you know as Chiaki Nanami.”
“I see…” Nidai slowly nodded. “So Nanami had a model?”
This wasn’t exactly true, but Nanami was grateful for the explanation anyway. “Um, yes, that’s how it is.”
“So, what can we do for Nanami’s model and…?”
“Yukizome Chisa.” Her teacher offered her hand, and Nidai shook it politely. “And this is Ryota Mitarai.”
Mitarai just waved weakly from where he stood.
Nidai cleared his throat. “So…?”
“We’re here to see Naegi.” Yukizome added. “It’s extremely important.”
Nidai looked… almost worried as he listened to Yukizome. Still, he nodded and finally set Owari down. “Naegi’s probably still at the cafeteria… I can show you the way?”
“That would be amazing, thank you.” Yukizome turned to her students. “Well? Are you guys ready?”
They both nodded. Nanami saw Nidai bend over and whisper something in Owari’s ear. The girl nodded, turned, and sprinted down the path.
Yukizome didn’t question it, but Nanami felt worried for some reason. Were they trying to hide something from their group?
“Lead the way!” Yukizome cheered, and Nidai obliged with a loud laugh.
Nanami and Mitarai shared a wary look once more.
In no time, they reached the building marked ‘Hotel Mirai’. Nanami spotted Owari at the door; she seemed to be pulling someone out of the building. As they got closer, she could tell that it was a boy with strange hair. They seemed to be arguing.
“Come on, Hinata, it won’t take long!”
“Naegi said he needed to talk to me, can’t we do this after?!”
Yukizome raised an eyebrow. Nidai laughed, but started to slow down, and he stepped in front of Nanami surreptitiously.
Unfortunately, this only made Nanami trip over her own feet and fall face-first onto the ground with a defeated “oof”.
Owari and the other boy looked back at her, and he finally noticed the group. Stepping around Nidai, he offered his hand to her. “Uh, you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, thank you…” Nanami took his hand and pulled herself up, nervously offering a small smile to the boy…
...Who was staring at her as if she’d suddenly sprouted extra heads and delivered a final boss monologue.
“Um… You can let go of my hand now?” she tried. He just kept staring.
She finally noticed his hetero-chromatin eyes as they began filling up with tears.
“...Nanami?”
Oh, no.