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It was over, at long last. Six pairs of hands were what it took to reveal a world devastated by the unthinkable.
The impossible iron door was opened, and beyond that there was ash.
*
"They're out, they're out!! Hope's Peak has been liberated!!"
"First responders, move in!!"
It all happened in a whirlwind of sight and sound. Makoto attempted to find his footing as his new surroundings spun around him like a carousel.
"W-what...what's going on?? What happened to - "
"Sir, we need you to remain calm. We're here to help."
Makoto was seized with a stab of panic as a man (who appeared to be an EMT) grabbed him by the arm, trying to get an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose.
"Hey! H-hold on, who sent you guys??"
His voice came out as little more than a squeak, his question falling on deaf ears. An anxious glance around him as he took a few (encouraged) deep breaths, and Makoto saw that his friends were being similarly tended to as well.
Hina's arm (injured when Genocider Syo had cut into her with scissors days previously) was finally being properly treated and dressed.
The aforementioned responsible party (now switched back to Toko) was putting up a healthy fight against being examined by their rescuers, and avidly avoiding the sight of dried blood on Hina's old bandage as it was removed.
Byakuya wasn't behaving much differently, barking at medical personnel to get their "filthy hands away from him, *this instant*", much to their collective chagrin.
Hiro was attempting to share a rambled account of the horrors that he'd witnessed within the school (as if he'd been the only one who'd gone through the ordeal). Someone replied that they'd seen it all as it unfolded; the events that had traumatized each of them forever, broadcast to the world.
In a daze, Makoto reasoned that it was *okay now*, that these people were here to help them, that no one here had any ill intent against them.
But nothing could truly assuage Makoto's fears quite like a familiar pair of violet eyes.
Expression unreadable to almost everyone, (at times even including himself), but in that moment, transparent in her reassurance. Kyoko, who was being fussed over by a woman checking her vitals and securing an oxygen mask over her face as well, met Makoto's frantic gaze with steadiness. No words were exchanged between them. But Makoto still heard her message, loud and clear.
*"It's going to be alright now."*
"We've been watching the game for months, waiting for a breakthrough to rush in and get you guys out," the tall man checking Makoto said with a disbelieving shake of his head.
"We thought there wouldn't be anyone left to rescue by the time we were given the go-ahead. And yet here you all are, alive and mostly well. You guys really made a lucky break."
Makoto managed a weak smile, suddenly feeling the adrenaline holding him up fade. It was very quickly being replaced by immense fatigue as everything that had just happened to him caught up to his body. Though he'd been ushered to sit down on the gravel that was once pristine concrete at the entrance grounds of Hope's Peak Academy, his legs had begun to shake with the effort of holding himself together.
Rather, holding everyone together, in a sense.
"I guess you could say I'm a lucky guy," he said, with another quick glance toward Kyoko. The shadow of a small smile had fallen across her serious face. They didn't know what would happen next, and yet there they were. The six survivors of Hope's Peak Academy. They would figure it out, together.
"But hope had more to do with it, if you ask me."
*
After the initial rescue frenzy, the wary friends had agreed (somewhat reluctantly) to being airlifted to the headquarters of a humanitarian organization that would help them. They were told that this organization was the frontrunner to right the world and reassemble order in society. They had become known as the Future Foundation.
"How do we know that we can trust you?" Kyoko skeptically asked the Future Foundation representative that came to greet them after they'd all been thoroughly looked over by medics - a lanky, affable man named Koichi Kizakura. Makoto had stood solidly beside Kyoko (despite his weakening physical state) in an attempt to offer his support.
Kizakura smiled and, to Makoto at least, it seemed that there was nothing but kindness in the way his eyes crinkled up at the corners. He looked like he was supposed to be fairly young; his mid-forties at the latest. But it was clear that time had stood no chance against great hardship. It was written in between the lines on his forehead and the graying hairs in his blonde curls, which he tried to hide under a smart fedora.
"With your altered memories I had a feeling I wouldn't be recognizable. To any of you," Kizakura chuckled, turning purposefully to Kyoko. "But you and I do go back a ways, young lady. I'm an old friend of your dad's. I guess you could call me an honorary uncle of sorts!"
Makoto's mouth dropped open in surprise. Kyoko had family?? Still alive and well?? So she wasn't all alone!!
He returned Kizakura's grin easily at first, relief washing him anew at the thought that Kyoko had a surviving relation, even if not by blood, but one that seemed trustworthy enough and was here to help them now. Though his joy abruptly stuttered and died down at the stoney look on Kyoko's face. The barely traceable surprise in her eyes was immediately processed and instead replaced with an emotion Makoto couldn't quite pin down.
"Ah. I see. Well...I'm not so sure that it's just my altered memory bringing me to the conclusion that I don't know you very well at all. For an 'honorary uncle'."
Makoto couldn't help but flinch at her sharp tone. Did she remember something about this man? Her memory had somewhat returned to her before, helping her to recall pieces of her past...
"But regardless," Kyoko went on. "Your connection to the Headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy is enough to justify your being here to assist us now. It would probably be wise we accept your offer to transport us to the Future Foundation. Are we all in agreement on that?" Kyoko asked, turning to Makoto and each of their other friends in turn. Byakuya narrowed his eyes but gave a curt nod.
"I don't need you speaking on my behalf, Kirigiri. But I have no objections."
"Same here! I can't wait to get away from this place." Hina added with a shiver, rubbing her arms with scarcely a glance back at the academy behind them.
Hiro nodded eagerly, thick curls bouncing in front of his eyes. "Ditto for me! Let's blow this popsicle stand!"
"I d-don't care w-where we go! As long as it's f-far away from here." Toko echoed Hina's sentiments, hanging back behind Hiro and Byakuya. Makoto wondered if she wasn't anxious about hiding her identity from the authorities. Genocider Syo had revealed herself and basically confessed to every crime she'd ever committed on a live broadcast, after all. A pinprick of fear bit into his skin at the thought.
(Later. We can worry about all that later.)
Kyoko turned lastly to him, and Makoto met her searching gaze with a smile.
"Let's go. It's our safest bet, and I personally don't have any bad feelings about this."
The detective softened somewhat, nodding. And with that, the six of them departed.
On a helicopter for the very first time, Makoto may have sat a *bit* too close to Kyoko. And Kyoko (whom he'd been stunned to learn had flown on a helicopter several times in the past) may not have minded.
Peering out over the desolate land beneath them in quiet awe, Makoto touched a careful hand to Kyoko's shoulder, taking it as a good sign when she didn't flinch away at his touch.
"Hey," he said in a whisper, hoping it was low enough that the others wouldn't hear. "Are you okay? Kizakura isn't...your favorite person, I take it?"
Kyoko stiffened, her lips pursed.
"He was a friend of my father's. After I was left in the care of my Grandfather, I can't recall a time when he ever even tried to visit."
She met Makoto's eyes, looking pained.
"And that much is *not* a lapse in memory thanks to Enoshima."
Makoto nodded slowly, understanding, though not really from personal experience. Kyoko had had a rough childhood. He knew that now, and it broke his heart to think about.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, and Kyoko merely shrugged. Wanting to offer more than just hollow words of sympathy, he grappled silently for a moment if she would mind what he was about to do instead. Deciding to try, on the grounds that their first kiss had barely been a night ago, Makoto brushed his fingers along one gloved hand. Carefully, to avoid the prying eyes of the others. She didn't reciprocate beyond relaxing her tense muscles again, but she did allow him to rest his hand atop hers for the rest of their flight.
And that was enough for him.
*
It had been three days since the door to Hope's Peak Academy had been opened, and the six survivors of class 78 had taken their first unsteady steps into a brave new world.
And into a shared living situation. For the time being, anyway.
"It's temporary," Vice Chairman Kyosuke Munakata had informed each of them when they'd arrived to FF Headquarters.
"Until our Chairman Kazuo Tengan returns from his latest mission and can find work within the Foundation for each of you. And of course there will be the matter of Miss Fukawa's crimes to process as well." The tall, sharp jawed man said, with a look so severe it rivaled Togami's. With steel blue eyes as icy as his blonde hair, well over six feet tall, the Vice Chairman was nothing short of intimidating. Toko shrank down to half of her own height.
"After all is settled with Chairman Tengan, we'll deal with placing each of you in apartments of your own. For now however, we ask each of you to bear with us. We've prepared one apartment already in the building across the street, where all members of the Future Foundation take residence. You'll be staying there until further notice."
Hina had raised a hand, curious.
"Um, why do you all live in one place? Isn't that like, kinda dangerous?"
Munakata had frowned in response.
"No. Security measures are as such that neither this building - where we operate as a whole - or that building - where we live - can be infiltrated. These are times of war, as I'm certain I don't need to remind you all. None of us can risk losing our lives in our own homes if we intend to keep this Foundation thriving. Now then, allow me to introduce you to Chisa Yukizome. She'll be showing you to your new home. And Makoto Naegi," he added, startling Makoto from subdued feelings of hunger and exhaustion.
"Ah, yes, Sir?"
Munakata narrowed his eyes.
"Chairman Tengan is especially eager to interview you upon his return. To get a firsthand account of the killing game from the so-called 'Ultimate Hope'."
With that, he turned and left. Makoto felt somewhat unsettled by the Vice Chairman's tone.
"Why do I get the feeling that guy hates me?" He whispered to Byakuya, which (in hindsight), may not have been his best choice of confidant.
"Why do you care what that pompous idiot's premature evaluation of you is?"
"Oh, you're right. Thanks Toga -"
"He's most likely irritated by how slight you seem in person after the grandeur you exhibited during Enoshima's game. Well, when you weren't crying and sniveling like an infant, anyway."
" -mi. Knew I could count on you." Makoto finished, dryly.
"Don't get used to it."
Ouch. Yup, he really should have known better.
Chisa Yukizome was a breath of fresh air compared to the stuffy condescension of their new superior. She happily escorted the six weary survivors across the street and to their "new home", though none of them felt it was much of one yet.
"Here we are, ladies and gents! You'll find the kitchen stocked with food and the bathrooms with all the sanitary items you'll need. In the bedrooms you'll find some new clothes, futons, blankets, and plenty of fluffy pillows. Courtesy of Miss Chisa Yukizome and the Future Foundation!" Yukizome announced with a flourish. Makoto couldn't help but smile at her bubbly personality.
"Thank you for everything," he said, bowing politely to show his appreciation. Kyoko echoed his sentiments.
"Yes, thank you. We all greatly appreciate your hospitality."
Yukizome beamed.
"You're all so welcome! I'm just relieved that you kids made it out of there in one piece."
A somber look suddenly fell across her face like a shadow. She'd been through a lot herself, Makoto could tell.
"You should all eat something and get some rest. I'll leave you to it and be back come morning to check on everyone."
Despite brief complaints (or outbursts) from Byakuya, Hiro, and Toko about living in such close proximity, no one really had the energy to fight about becoming roommates.
Until they'd gotten enough rest to do so.
*
"Hmph. I still maintain that these are rather meager accommodations for the sole survivors of Junko Enoshima's abominable game. Can any one of those fools at the Future Foundation explain to me why on Earth we aren't allowed separate living quarters? For the rightful heir to the Togami empire to be forced into cohabitating with the likes of *you* morons..."
Byakuya scowled (for what felt like the hundredth time that day) as he took another disapproving look around the apartment.
Communal living while being imprisoned at Hope's Peak had been one thing. With rooms to themselves and somewhat of a schedule (when they weren't dodging or solving murders, of all things), they had been able to tolerate the day to day fairly well, at least given their extreme circumstances.
Sharing only two bedrooms and bathrooms between the six of them in a high-rise apartment was somehow an entirely different story.
In the three days they had shared one place together, a lot had happened to stress each of them out.
Makoto's first order of business had been to start a chore wheel, despite everyone's mockery or judgement.
"My sister and I had one growing up! It'll keep us organized and make sure we equally share responsibilities." He'd argued, trying to swallow his insurmountable worry for his family's safety. The Foundation had promised to help them reunite with their loved ones if they were still alive out there, they'd been told. The "if" of it all was what scared Makoto worse than he could say.
Despite everyone's distaste for it, the chore wheel was allowed to be hung up on the wall by the front door. Chores were scheduled and doled out for the six of them to rotate through. Makoto felt satisfied that there would at least be some law and order implemented among them.
Before everyone's shortcomings were made all too apparent, that is.
They quickly discovered Kyoko's inability to cook first.
"I grew up with housemaids," she'd stated simply as Makoto and Hina had beat out the flames that had sparked in the microwave; a result of Kyoko's attempt to heat a stick of butter in aluminum wrapping. It was the first time Makoto had seen her eyes widen in fear at the sight of fire. A phobia related to her hands, no doubt. They wouldn't ask her to make food again for a while.
Another unpleasant discovery was Hiro's poor hygiene. After openly admitting that he felt he "didn't need to wash his hands after peeing", Byakuya informed him that if he refused to do so or bathe at least once every other day, he would tether him outside and make him sleep on the balcony "like a dog". There was no more fuss to be had about the matter. Though he did occupy the balcony more often than not, and was actively trying to find a way to grow a certain smoke-able herb out there as well.
Upon Syo's first appearance in their new home, she almost immediately clogged the toilet in retaliation to having to clean it and flooded out the bathroom. It was an embarrassing phone call to make to Yukizome, their personal contact, to try and see if someone could fix the issue. Syo was banned from bathroom duty after that, effective immediately. Toko was all too smug that she would get out of having to do it as well, until Togami corrected her by shoving a plunger into her hands.
Hina was committed to her responsibilities around the house for the most part - only forgetting a chore or two here and there - and was arguably the best cook among them, besides Makoto and (shockingly) Togami. Though she did insist on making far too many health shakes and counting those as meals.
Togami himself was neat and tidy to a fault, though he continued to loudly and regularly protest doing "peasant's work." But to Makoto's great surprise, Byakuya was turning out to be his greatest help in keeping order around their home. His sharp tongue was good for keeping the rowdy ones in their little found-family in line, and his knack for organization helped keep their days running smoothly.
Although Byakuya's complaints were the first thing that Makoto had to acknowledge that one morning, yawning as he emerged from the boys' bedroom after another night of scarce sleep. Thanks to Hiro's snoring, Byakuya's ill temper *about* said snoring, and nightmares that were brand new and vivid, it hadn't been easy for Makoto to drift off the past few nights in his new home.
Hina groaned from where she was doing her morning stretches, out on the balcony with the sliding glass door open.
"How many times are you gonna whine about having to live together, Byakuya? Just be happy that you're living at all after what we've been through!"
If looks could kill, Hina wouldn't have been a survivor of Hope's Peak for much longer.
"How many times do I have to remind you that we're *not* friendly enough for you to use my given name, *Asahina*?"
"Oh get over it, you big baby. After everything that happened to us, I think we're all even closer than most close friends are. Right, Hiro?"
"Shhh! Can you two please just shut your pie-holes? Some of us are trying to meditate over here! And I'm usually referred to as 'The Psychic Dragon' instead of my given name, anyway." Hiro shouted (none too meditatively) back to Hina and Byakuya from his blanket on the floor, legs crossed and new age music blaring from some station on the TV in the living room.
(How can anyone meditate properly like *that*??) Makoto wondered on his way to the kitchen.
It was only 7am. Way too early for all this bickering, and earlier than he would ever want to get up on a day off school. But Monokuma's conditioning seemed to have stuck with them all so far, forcing them to get up at 7 on the dot. Hopefully that would change with time.
(Along with these nightmares...)
Toko suddenly came stomping into the living area from the girls' bedroom, nightgown clad and looking vicious.
"How DARE you t-try to order Master to be quiet?!" She shrieked at Hiro. "And I've n-never heard anyone refer t-to you as anything but 'loser' before."
Upon seeing Toko, Byakuya rolled his eyes.
"And the she-demon awakens. Charming as ever." He said flatly, breezing past her to head to the boy's restroom without so much as a hello. He promptly slammed the door behind him. Toko flushed.
"M-master called me 'charming'! Perhaps he wishes me t-to join him in there..."
The sound of the bathroom door locking was so loud Makoto could even hear it from the kitchen.
Shaking his head in an attempt to clear it, he searched the cupboard for a clean mug to pour some coffe in, coming up short.
"Um, guys? Who's turn was it to wash dishes last night?" He dared to ask, his stomach dropping at the sight of a mountain of dirty plates and glasses piled up in the sink.
"Shhh! Still meditating, bro...don't harsh my mellow, Naeg-ster..." Hiro dismissed.
"Uh, not me! Sorry!" Hina called from outside.
The sound of running water told him that Byakuya was already in the shower and ignoring him.
Toko finally glanced his way, actually looking somewhat guilty.
"I g-guess that was me...sorry." She muttered, hugging herself and refusing to meet his eyes. Makoto sighed, trying not to feel too overwhelmed. It was rare that Toko apologized. He'd accept it, gladly.
"It's okay. I'll take care of it for now. Hey, has anyone seen Kiri?" He asked anxiously, getting to work on the task at hand. Makoto knew she liked to go off on her own, but the past few days had been rough. And he was feeling very...off without her there this morning, for some reason.
Hina finally made her way in from the balcony, grunting as she popped one last joint in her neck.
"Oh yeah, I saw her head out a little earlier. She said something about investigating the building? I guess she doesn't fully trust these Future Foundation people."
She said it nonchalantly, like Kyoko was just taking a nice stroll in a world that wasn't currently crumbling to pieces in an apocalypse. Makoto felt his heart began to race.
"W-what? But, um, no one told me?"
(Why didn't *she* tell me??)
Hina blinked, tilting her head in confusion.
"What d'ya mean? You know Kyoko-chan by now. Better than all of us, I'll bet!" She playfully elbowed him in the side. Makoto flinched a little, but was puzzled by it. Why did he suddenly feel so jumpy? He usually loved physical affection from his friends.
"She's always running off somewhere like a real lone wolf," Hina went on. "Her detective's instincts don't let her stay put for too long. But I guess that's what we love about her." She chuckled, joining Makoto at the sink to begin helping him wash dishes.
He swallowed hard, trying to calm the rising panic in his throat.
"I-I know you're right. I just..." he trailed off, feeling uncertain of why he felt so unwell all of a sudden. Kyoko was *fine*, and Hina was right. She went off on her own all the time. This was nothing new.
Except...what if it was?
How long had she been gone? *Could* they really trust these Future Foundation people? Probably not, if Kyoko was already so suspicious. What if they were asleep in the lion's den, unaware of the danger lurking overhead? What if Kyoko had been caught on her investigation, maybe not even by the Future Foundation, but by one of Enoshima's despair-filled supporters, looking to settle the score to avenge their leader's death?
"I...just, uh..."
Makoto didn't notice that he was breathing too quickly before it was already too late. The utensils and sponge he was holding slipped from his grasp into the sink as his hands began to shake.
He registered hazily, as though from outside his own body, that he was hyperventilating, and that this was a panic attack. He knew what they were, though he'd never had one so bad before himself. But there was nothing he could do. Each breath he drew into his lungs was harsh and cold, making his throat and chest hurt. He slid to the floor, dizzy as the room spun.
He needed water. He needed a paper bag. He needed his mom. He hugged his knees and rocked back and forth. He was crying now, shallow sobs shaking his ribs as he ran his wet hands through his hair, desperate to ground himself, desperate to feel something normal.
"Makoto?? Makoto!! Stay with me, okay? What's wrong, what's happening??"
Hina was beside him, it couldn't be anyone else. But he couldn't find his voice to tell her what was happening. He was going to faint. He wasn't able to fight it. Lightheaded, nauseous, and terribly frightened, that was all he remembered before he blacked out.
*
"How long has he been out?"
"I don't know! Maybe a few minutes? Byakuya came and helped me carry him to bed. It all happened so fast, Kyoko. I have no idea why."
Voices. The voices of his friends were what he heard first when he came to, apparently a few minutes after he'd passed out. Hina was there of course - crying, if he had to guess why she was sniffling. And that first voice was Kyoko's. Wait, Kyoko...she was back? And she was okay?
"Kiri...?" Makoto groaned as he tried to sit up and felt his stomach lurch. His eyes hurt when he tried to open them, but he saw Kyoko in the brief moment he did. He felt the touch of her gloved hand on his shoulder a moment later.
"Shhh, don't move so suddenly, Makoto. You need to lay back and rest. Keep your eyes shut, please. When was the last time you had anything to eat or drink?"
Makoto winced as he tried to get comfortable laying back down, combing back through his memory to answer Kyoko's question.
"Uh, too long ago, I think. I wasn't able to eat much at lunch yesterday, or dinner last night. Did I faint?"
He heard Hina sniff loudly again. Kyoko sighed.
"Yes. From Hina's account it sounds like you had a pretty sudden panic attack, but it's rare to faint from those. My guess is that your blood pressure and sugar dropped. Maybe the anxiety spurred things on. Why weren't you able to eat?"
The question was a reasonable one. But not one he had a straight answer for, when he didn't really know himself.
"Um, I dunno...I've been pretty anxious since we got here. I've had a hard time sleeping, too." As he said it, he could feel exhaustion tugging at him again. Before he could give in, however, a glass of something cold was thrust into his hands.
"Drink this, Naegi. It will get your sugar back up to an acceptable level."
That was...Byakuya?
"It's orange juice, by the way. Hurry up."
Makoto obeyed, taking long sips before the cup was drained and he handed it back.
"Byakuya. Thank you."
"That's not necessary. Neglecting your well-being is unacceptable. I expect you to rest here for the remainder of the day, Makoto. I'm certain Kirigiri and Asahina agree."
Opening his eyes just slightly, to find that he was in fact on his futon in the boys' bedroom with the shades drawn, Makoto saw Byakuya head out and shut the door carefully behind him. Hina and Kyoko were knelt down beside him, expressions of concern on both of their faces. Hina was still drying tears, but managed to flash a small smile at him.
"Hey, he didn't use your family name for once. Maybe he's coming around, huh?"
Makoto smiled weakly in return. Kyoko put a hand on Hina's shoulder.
"Hina, will you give us a moment alone please? I'd like to speak with Makoto about what happened in private."
Hina tried not to look too crestfallen as she nodded and got to her feet.
"Sure thing, Kyoko. Hey Makoto, rest up okay? We're all here for you." She squeezed Kyoko's shoulder once before leaving the room. Alone with her now, Makoto blinked up at his best friend, at a loss for what to say. The first thing that came to mind was to apologize, though it really made no sense why.
"I'm really sorry, Kiri. I don't remember exactly what happened."
Kyoko clenched her jaw, shaking her head once.
"What on earth is there for you to apologize for? You suffered from a ferocious panic attack and fainted because you haven't been feeding yourself properly. Due to poor sleep and anxiety, I'm guessing?"
Makoto's mouth felt dry, his tongue leaden against his teeth. He simply nodded. There was something in Kyoko's eyes that looked different to him. He couldn't quite figure it out presently, though. He was trying not to think too hard.
"Makoto...without upsetting you, would it be alright if I asked you what may have triggered the attack?"
His face flushed. He'd been afraid she would ask him that.
"You don't need to tell me if - "
"Ah, um. It's really dumb." He only interrupted her to make sure she knew he could answer. She waited patiently for him to continue.
"But when Hina told me you were gone, investigating the building by yourself, I...I got scared. For some reason. That maybe you'd get hurt, or something bad would happen to you if I wasn't there to back you up." He was embarrassed beyond belief, but he rarely told lies. Especially to her.
"Again, I know it's stupid. And then everything just sorta, spiraled." He finished, motioning with his hands.
There was concern in Kyoko's eyes. Her face softened as she reached out to touch his hand. Laying her fingers across his, steady and reassuring. Makoto breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Her touch was such a comfort to him. He could stay like this, for hours, with not a trace of fear left in him if he could.
"It is *not* stupid. Your anxiety is valid, and there is absolutely no need to dismiss it. You just survived something so traumatic and scary, Makoto. It's normal to be affected by it all, mentally and otherwise. It will take a while for you to heal, for all of us to heal, and learn how to cope. We don't even really know how we're going to react to our ordeal yet, day by day."
She squeezed his hand, sending a spark straight through him.
"And you don't need to be so worried about me. Alright? I'm not going anywhere far, anytime soon. Believe it or not, I've survived far worse than a quick look around an apartment building. And I do know several forms of martial arts. So. There's that."
Kyoko smiled, and Makoto cracked a grin, excited that he'd just learned something new about her.
"Woah, hold up! You do??"
Kyoko nodded.
"My grandfather on my mother's side was a sensei. When he found out that I would be succeeding my other grandfather in the family business, he insisted I learn to defend myself. If it's not too much of a shock to you, I'll tell you later about my training in handling a firearm in the United States as well."
Makoto's mouth almost hit the floor.
"You mean you can shoot a *gun*?!"
Kyoko seemed all too smug about it.
"Sleep first. Story later."
"Ugh, fine, fine. I don't know how you expect me to rest now when I'm so excited, but I guess I'll manage." Makoto laughed. Kyoko began to rise from her spot on the floor, but Makoto wasn't sure if he was ready to be totally alone yet.
"Um, Kiri?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Will you..." he trailed off, suddenly feeling childish asking.
"Is it okay if you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep?" He asked, eyelids heavy. Kyoko brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead as she nodded.
"Alright. I'm here. You can rest, it's okay."
She stayed until he drifted off, which wasn't long before exhaustion claimed him.
*
Makoto slept the rest of the day away, feeling significantly better when he woke in the evening. He was able to enjoy a full meal with the others and took his time. Even Syo was exceptionally friendly with him while they ate.
"Sweet cheeks over there tells me you went out like a light, eh Naegi?"
"Heh, yeah, kinda. I'm better now though."
"Psssh, like I care!" But they could tell that she did when she insisted on serving him his seconds.
Gathered outside on the balcony later, for a "family meeting" as Hina had dubbed it, they decided it was time to discuss something they'd all been avoiding since their escape: the conditions of their individual mental health.
"I don't want any of us getting triggered by something that could be detrimental to our well-being," Hina said, urgency in her tone.
"What happened with Makoto today was really scary. Makoto, if you ever feel that anxious again, I'll know what to do to help. We should all learn what makes us tick, so that we can keep each other healthy and safe."
Makoto was so touched by his friend's impassioned speech that he hugged her. With that, the dialogue was open, and each of them spoke up when it was their turn.
"I guess I'm just depressed right now, man," Hiro shared with them first, hands on the railing as he looked out over the city skyline.
"I was in denial for so long in that hell-hole. I didn't want to believe things could be that bad. Or that *I* could be put into a situation that bad, ya know?" He got quiet for a moment, shaking his head.
"I miss my Mom, guys. I gotta find her out there, somewhere. It was always just the two of us. Now that we're separated..." he cleared his throat, loudly. "She must feel so bummed out."
Hina walked over to pat him on the back.
"I know how you feel. My parents and little brother are out there, too. I need to find them. I feel so helpless right now, so...weak. I miss my old life. And, I miss Sakura. No surprises there, I guess." She wiped tears. *Syo*, of all people was the one to offer her a tissue.
"Aw chin up, donut girl." She said, looking lost for how to better comfort Hina. "It'll be alright. I know me and Miss Thing have people we need to find out there, too. We'll track 'em all down."
"Puh."
Byakuya scoffed, tossing his hair and looking away from them. Makoto frowned.
"Byakuya? What's wrong?"
"You're all insensitive idiots, that's what."
A breath froze in Makoto's throat as he realized their error. Byakuya had no family to find. There was nothing and no one left to survive his bloodline. He was truly the last Togami standing.
"Unlike you all, I have no hope of finding anyone of value to me out there in that wasteland. While there's no intel yet regarding whether or not your relations survived the fresh Hell that opened up thanks to a sadistic woman with no soul, my family's deaths are certain. Not that I gave an ounce of a *shit* about most of them," he snarled through clenched teeth, angrier and more emotional than anyone had ever seen him before, "but my elder sister was the one person I had hoped to reunite with. And she's not out there."
The words rang out, painful. True.
"No matter how hard I search for her, I won't find her."
Byakuya drew a shaking breath, defeated. "All of them are dead now. Even my bastard father." He gave a rueful laugh. "At least among all the rest, that monster has finally expired as well."
None of them said anything for a long, long time. The sounds of the city below them were the only sounds to be heard. Life had never been easy, even before the fall of the world. But surviving what they had...would they every really recover? Would they be able to find peace?
"I share a fragment of your pain, Togami."
Kyoko was the one to break the silence first. Byakuya whipped around, narrowing his snapping blue eyes through his glasses.
"Kirigiri. How do you - "
"I detest my father. Even now, in his death. Even when the world around me would question why I can't forgive, why I can't understand that he couldn't love me enough to stay with me, why I would be so cruel as to hate a dead man who kept an old photograph of the little girl he abandoned on his desk. But there it is, all the same." Kyoko spoke matter-of-factly, facing a surprised Byakuya head on.
"I hate my father, even now. I know that you do, too. And do you know why it hurts so much worse when they're dead?"
Her voice tremored just slightly. But Makoto noticed. He waited with baited breath for her to continue.
"It's because we've lost two fathers, now. Or rather, we've lost them twice. The men who walked away or wounded us the first time. And the men we'll never know, who could have tried to become a better parent if they'd just cared about us enough to do so. But now that chance is gone, forever."
Pain broke through Makoto's chest with a fury. Kyoko was hurting. She'd been hurting and suffering in silence for so, so long. They all had.
Kyoko approached Byakuya carefully as the man before her lost some of his nerve. His shoulders were shaking. He made no sound. But it was clear what had happened.
"I'm truly sorry for your losses, Byakuya. It will take some time to heal. But we will."
He turned away from her. But he didn't leave. He stayed with the rest of them, still close enough to be included, as with passing minutes, his shoulders stopped shaking.
Makoto drew close to Kyoko, speaking to her though he made sure the others could hear.
"I've never had a panic attack like that before. I've never had vivid nightmares filled with the faces of the friends we lost back at the school. I've never fainted from hunger before, and right before I did, I just wanted my mom. My dad. My baby sister."
He swiped his arm under his nose. His vision blurred.
"We've all been through a lot, guys. We all lost people we loved, and we don't know what's gonna happen next. So, I think we should stick together."
He blinked the tears from his eyes, took in each of their heartbroken expressions.
"Whether or not we ever expected it, for better or worse, we're a *family* now. A found family. We need to be there for each other while we heal ourselves. I know that I can't do it alone."
Hina nodded, a small smile on her face once again.
"I agree. No more butting heads, you guys. We're all we have in the world right now. We can't take each other for granted."
Hiro ran a hand through his curls, smiling himself and looking more like his usual self. "Totally agreed, amigos. Who's down for a group hug?"
"Hard pass!" Syo grimaced at Hiro, but it wasn't as hostile as it could have been. "But I'm with Hope-Boy, over there. Gotta have allies. You're a dumbass if you try to do everything alone. Ain't that right, Blondie?"
Byakuya ignored Syo and chose to acknowledge Makoto instead.
"You're an incurable sap, Makoto Naegi. But...I don't object to your suggestion that we remain together. For the time being. And Kirigiri," he turned to Kyoko.
"I...thank you. For your understanding. I'm sincerely sorry for your losses, as well. Ah, both, of them."
Kyoko averted her eyes.
"I appreciate that. Makoto has the right idea, suggesting we support each other. Let's not lose sight of that, in the future to come."
After some regrouping, everyone began to file back inside. But Makoto hung back with purpose until just he and Kyoko remained on the balcony, the cold night air starting to make him feel alive and well again.
"Kyoko, I..."
Kyoko turned to meet his eyes, her own violet standing out vibrantly in the overhead light.
"Are you alright?" She asked, softly.
Makoto nodded.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just..."
He was lost for words. So he didn't use them. Instead he rushed at her and pulled her into a warm embrace, grateful for someone who cared about him enough to make sure he was okay, that he was eating and sleeping, someone whom he loved, dearly and devotedly.
He hoped she didn't mind, that it was okay that he was hugging her...and then her hands slid up his back, and she was hugging him back.
"We're going to be okay, Makoto," she whispered into his hair. He rested his cheek on her shoulder, knowing it to be true.
"Yeah," he murmured back. "We will."