Chapter Text
"Aaaaaand in this corner, weighing... whatever she weighs - because she looks totally skinny but apparently is muscle-licious all over - Owari Akane, SHSL Gymnast~"
Mioda announces loudly with some kind of microphone setup she's working with.
"...Was this really necessary?" Soda looks to Nidai.
"As if she'd listen! She just wants to fight! ...I'm almost jealous." Nidai then laughs very loudly.
"Aaaaaaaand... in the other corner, super tall with muscles for days, - probably a little heavier with the metal hand but that's not really important to the story anymore, so just forget it okay? - Sakakura Juzo, the ex-SHSL Boxer...! ...Actually, we're all ex-SHSL people! Ibuki totally forgot!"
"Seriously, he's as bad as she is." Gozu shakes his head.
"Sakakura is the type of person who competes against others for a living!" Bandai laughs in the squeaky voice. "Like a prize winning turnip!"
"...That voice is still so freakin' creepy." Ando mutters.
"Sakakura..." Munakata looks to him seriously as Sakakura hands him his jacket. "...Good luck."
"As if I'd lose. I have pride, you know." Sakakura smirks confidently. He'd never let himself get beat up in front of Munakata.
Owari and Sakakura fight each other in the background on the turf right outside the docks. It continues on in the background.
"You're sure this is how you want things to be?" Naegi looks to Hinata seriously. "...The Future Foundation is no longer your enemy."
"Even so, there are people who would want us dead. For all the evil that we did..." Hinata says looking away. "I don't think things would be safe for us to stay with you. But... you know where to find us. Back on Jabberwock Island, and... maybe futher out past that."
"This isn't goodbye." Naegi smiles. "When things calm down, I'm sure you'll be back with us at the Future Foundation. I'm sure of it."
"But, until then, I'm going to take pictures of everyone's smiling faces!" Koizumi says taking their picture.
"To leave the world in such capable and hopeful hands..." Komaeda is staring longingly at Naegi who is only being held back by Hinata and force of will. "...I guess that's alright."
Sakakura's punch lands and there's some blood that hits the pavement. Owari smirks.
"Oh... I'm getting pumped up!"
"Weeeeh...." Tsumiki covers her eyes as she watches. "Th-They're scary..."
"They'll... need medical attention... after this." Kimura watches with her.
"Even so, it was what they both wanted, in the end. I think it is because the two of them are so similar in mindset! They push each other but can be considered friends." Sonia watches with stars in her eyes. "Many fighting anime are like this, after all!"
"Miss Sonia, this... isn't that kind of anime..." Soda laughs nervously.
"...It's cuz they're both idiots who have more chest than brains." Saionji says under her breath. "Are all athletes like that..."
"Do your best, Sakakura!" Asahina cheers from the sidelines.
"...Apparently, yes." Saionji rolls her eyes.
"Even so, to test one's might, to pull against the shackles of fate and see how far you can push yourself and your limits... To embrace the eternal question: What am I capable of... Is that not living?"
"...You seriously need to stop hanging out with that creepy Breeder." Saionji watches Sonia with confusion and a mix of disgust.
"This is a battle of Fate!" Tanaka says ignoring her. "Two souls fated for Death now fight across time and space in the endless duel! Perhaps this too is Ragnarok..."
"Just so, Tanaka! Just so!"
"God, I hope it's not contagious."
Owari knows how to kick that's for sure. Being a Boxer, Sakakura is much better equipped to deal with punches. Even though he doesn't want to use the inherent strength of his left hand with the metal prosthetic too much to his advantage, he marvels at the way the hand can block so easily.
One kick slips through and sends him backwards, cracking his jaw. He spits blood into the dust.
"Wow! Look at her... Sleek, shiny... She can take all that punishment and still keep going...!" Soda is over the moon.
"Mm... Owari is... luscious, yes..." Hanamura is gross as usual. "But... punishment, you say... Miss Owari... being punished..."
"Not her! The hand...!" Soda glares at him. He's referring to the metal prosthetic hand. "That hand... She's outperforming even my calculations!"
"...Why is the hand a 'she'?" Koizumi narrows her eyes at him.
"That's just what you do! Ships, cars, metal hands... They're all 'she'!"
"..." Koizumi shakes her head and ignores it.
"A girl magically appears on your left hand..." Hanamura is breathing strangely. "Your morning routine will never be the same!"
"Why must you act like that at every turn." The fat Togami is looking at him with utter disdain. By his side is Mitarai. "Is there truly nothing more to your character than lewd comments..."
"What? Lewd comments? Oh no! Did Ibuki miss her cue to make him go blasting off again?!"
Sakakura stands wiping his mouth.
He's gotten a few good punches in. Owari is bleeding more than he is, but she looks like she's enjoying the challenge.
"Come on! You can do better! Show me...!"
"I'm not hitting you with the metal hand." Sakakura says plainly. "Killing you after all of this would be an insult to Munakata's vision of Hope."
"Huh? If you're not gonna fight me seriously, then what's the point?!" Owari glares. "Are you looking down on me? You won't use your full strength but you're holding me off...?!"
"Mm... Maybe we should make a wager." Kizakura smirks.
"No." Kirigiri stays immediately.
"Isn't it obvious? They're both going to win!" Hagakure points. "That's what all my senses are telling me!"
"It's a shame the only sense you weren't given was common sense." Togami doesn't even know why he's here in the first place.
"What about you, boss man?" Kizakura turns a sly eye over to Munakata. "Whose your pick? Who's your money on?"
"Isn't it obvious? Sakakura would never allow himself to lose." Munakata refuses to look anywhere but at Sakakura.
"Aren't you doting on him a little too much?" Kizakura smiles to himself seeing Munakata watch Sakakura. They think they're slick...
"Nah, you don't get against the home team!" Hagakure laughs. "But... I wonder how long they plan on keeping this up."
"When we had to capture the Remnants of Despair the first time..." Munakata considers it. "...I do remember it becoming a bloody brawl."
"With any luck it will not come to that." Gozu says simply.
"I believe they will stop before things go too far." Pekoyama crosses her arms. "Or, perhaps Sakakura will... Owari... I could not say."
Sakakura and Owari fight for what seems like hours, but it's actually more like half an hour, just with lots of guttural noises. Punches and kicks that look like they're deciding blows echo as they connect or get blocked
Sakakura blocks a kick from Owari that makes his right arm feel numb from the impact before gripping her leg with his left and flinging her back.
She bounds back like rubber and swings her arm like a club that knocks him hard in the stomach before a kick sends his vision going upwards. There's momentary haze before she dashes at him again leaping to strike. Out of instinct, Sakakura thrusts his left hand forward in a punch that connects with Owari's midsection and knocks her clear back towards the sidelines.
She's helped up by Nidai and quickly rushes back in.
"You're... strong."
"It's the metal hand." He says simply. "I should have taken it off and made this a fair fight."
"You think you can beat me with one hand...!" She appears to take that as an insult.
"A hand that can't feel or get damaged isn't fair." Sakakura eases up on his stance. The way he fights is southpaw style, his left hand is the one he'd use the most, and with his muscles and a hand that can't wear out or be injured... It's not a totally fair fight. "I think we should stop now."
"Quit looking down on me!"
"Even you must have realized it..." Sakakura doesn't look at her. "You're just no match for me right now. But if you're looking for a knockout punch, I'll give it to you."
"As if I'd give up! I can't lose! There's... just no way!"
But even though she rushes at him again, Sakakura is able to avoid her kick that rushes past overhead. A solid punch sends her back to the dirt with Nidai helping her stand.
Sakakura is also bloody and sweating, but he's got an unfair advantage, or that's how he sees it.
"...D-Damn it..." Owari is bruised and bloodied, and has a hard time standing easily. "I... I can't win like this...!"
"Oh my!" Mioda begins. "It looks like Sakakura wins? Such bold words from our lovely Gymnast and to have it all end like this...!"
"...Yeah..." Owari mumbles, legs still shaky. She groans and flops back on her back, almost like it's a tantrum. "I need to get stronger...! Way stronger...!"
"Did she give up?" Saionji's obviously less than pleased. "Booooring."
"It's not giving up to accept your limits!" Nidai points at Saionji with so much determination that it makes Saionji feel instantly repulsed by anything he's about to say. "What matters is the willingness to exceeeeeeeed them!"
"So loud..." Saionji ignores him.
"Hey." Sakakura relaxes his stance. "You're tough, Owari. You're much stronger than when we fought last."
"...I'm gonna get stronger and then there's gonna be a rematch!"
"..." Sakakura looks to Munakata who gives a sympathetic shrug. He turns back to Owari. "Yeah, sure. As long as you don't commit any acts of terrorism, I might even let you win."
Once Sakakura retrieves his jacket, and Kimura and Tsumiki have seen to both him and Owari, the former Remnants of Despair have begun to board their ship. Soda stops only briefly to give Sakakura's hand a tune up.
"We're really just going to let them go...?" Ando looks to Munakata, suspicious.
"For now. Yes."
"...I know you don't have much reason to trust us, but..." Hinata begins.
"Make no mistake. This is to repay a debt." Munakata stares at him seriously with his one good eye. "You saved our lives. I can grant you this second chance in return... But, if you turn back to Despair... I will cut you down."
"We could expect no less." Pekoyama nods.
"What a tense atmosphere..." Mioda says ominously. "It's totally like an uneasy truce between the protagonist and the former villain! Oh crap! Are we the former villain?!"
"...They helped us." Bandai smiles. "Now we can help them."
"Mitarai's going with them." Kirigiri says quietly. "We'll have another vacancy to fill..."
"But look how happy he looks." Kizakura points to Mitarai smiling and laughing with the Imposter. "Brings a tear to my eyes..."
"...I suppose you're right." And Kirigiri smiles.
"Buuuut..." Kizakura laughs incredulously. "How are these bunch of kids going to pilot a battleship around...? Is anyone the least bit concerned about that...?"
"Ooh! Ibuki calls Captain! Ibuki calls Captain! Totally calling dibs! Captain Mioda here to steer the way right into danger~"
"Steer us out of danger, not into it!" Soda points at her.
"Well..." Hinata silently rejects Mioda's dibs. "I have many talents so... it should be alright."
"So, it's something contrived and convenient like, 'I've got all the talents including SHSL Ship Captain', huh?"
"...Pretty much."
"Okay. And we're going to let that go without worrying about it at all?" Silence. "...Alright, got it. Moving on."
"I'm sure with my luck and Komaeda's luck, we won't get into any problems."
"Arrrr! Hoist the mizzen mast! There be treasure in them there islands!" Mioda laughs loudly.
"Fool. We are not pirates." The Imposter looks over to her. "Don't go changing genres."
"Forget genres, that feels like an entirely different anime..." Komaeda laughs awkwardly.
"I christen our ship the JS Plot Device! Avast me hearties!" She then points to Saionji. "You're in charge of swabbing the poopdeck!"
"Swab your own poopdeck, ugly bimbo! I'm not your maid."
"...Alright, let's not commit mutiny right off the bat." Koizumi says trying to keep the peace.
"You need not worry about us." Sonia smiles. "If Hinata's skill does not suffice, I am sure the military education I was given in my kingdom will be quite useful!"
"As expected, Miss Sonia is a woman of many talents!" Soda continues to swoon over her.
"...I warn you now, fiend, if you dismantle our engine, you will be dismantled in turn." Tanaka eyes him warily. "And your virgin blood will be used to maintain the seal between this dimension and the hellscape that waits beyond..."
"Virgin is right." Kuzuryu snickers under his breath. Pekoyama gives him a somewhat disapproving look.
"Wh- Leave my virgin blood out of this! I... I only wanted to see how the engine worked... that's all..."
"You may not!" Sonia points at him.
...
Eventually all of the Remnants plus Mitarai are on the ship and the ship slowly begins to pull away from the dock.
"...Well, I've never been part of a corporate cover-up. This oughta be fun~" Kizakura laughs because no one else is saying anything.
"Let us depart." Gozu says quietly. "There's much work to be done."
"...Yeah, I better work on finding new members, huh..."
"...Let's go." Izayoi says simply, walking arm in arm with Ando.
"Sakakura..." Munakata pulls him aside for a moment and looks at him seriously once everyone else has left. "You did very well. I am proud of you."
Aside from some bruising and a few bandages on his face, he's mostly healed after Kimura and Tsumiki got through with him, thanks to the wonders of unnatural ability and medicine. Owari had sworn up and down that she was going to kick his ass next time...
That... would be dangerous. She might actually do it...
"Yeah...? How proud?" He decides to press his luck once everyone else is gone.
Munakata smiles and gives him a small kiss on the lips.
"Very. Now, let us go. I... still have to give you your prize."
Suddenly it's very warm...
~ ~ ~
"Then... You ended up letting the Remnants of Despair go." Tengan says sitting across from Gozu. "That must be quite the change of heart Munakata had..."
"It was due to your influence." Gozu says. "I have no doubt of that."
"Is he really the same man who called for their immediate execution..." He laughs. "He was ready to execute Naegi for letting them go... I wonder what happened to him to make him change so drastically. Can you really trust a man that would seemingly change his entire personality and motivations like that, Gozu...?"
If this is a test, Gozu doesn't know the right answer to give him. There's something in that look that's maybe too knowing. Tengan still holds some sway over him, that much is true. That is why he cannot let his guard down.
And...
"...Tengan."
"Mm...?"
"You betrayed me. And you used my trust in you against me." Gozu says simply. "You would have used me as a stepping stone for Hope... Was that your plan?"
"...I am glad you survived, my friend." Tengan smiles. After all this time, Gozu still can't read him at all. "Truly. Your death would have saddened me."
"You still believe that your way was the only way."
"I believe my way was the best way, not the only way." Tengan shrugs. "Eliminating all Despair at once... is more efficient than letting seeds of it go and spread. Isn't it better to stop it at the source?"
The source being human beings themselves. But... losing free will would be...
"I can see your point, but isn't there too much Despair in being brainwashed to believe something wholeheartedly?"
"You would rather let leaders and politicians and the media subtly influence you to believe things? That's truly better than a utopia? How many have died already because of those still afflicted by Despair? ...It is a disease. Instead of fighting symptoms, can you really not see how my way would have eliminated the source? And kept anything else from happening?"
"...Until a new generation of those unbrainwashed appeared, maybe. But... I do believe this way is preferable to a forced utopia. Having life decided for you by something as arbitrary as that... is Despair to me."
"Gozu... There are very few things in this world we get to choose for ourselves. Mitarai would have changed the global generation... Instead, I will die before I ever see Hope truly come to fruition. What is that if not Despair?"
"...I do not agree with you." Are his feelings getting through at all? Or is this just another game that he doesn't know the rules of?
"And that is a choice you do have."
"...I think our time is nearly up. I'll visit you next week." Gozu stands. "Be well."
"I'll be waiting..." Tengan gives a wry smirk. "As if I have a choice."
~ ~ ~
"Want another~?" Ando is feeding Izayoi macaroons again.
"..." Izayoi opens his mouth for another.
"I wanted... to thank you." Kimura says with a smile behind the mask to Asahina. "I appreciated the sugar-free candy."
Momentarily, Ando feels a pang of jealousy watching them.
"It's no problem. I made sure to keep the nutrition information and the ingredients there on the bag. I... was afraid I'd mess it up and get you something you couldn't eat so...!"
"No... They were good, thank you." She's still clearly elated.
Asahina rubs her neck shyly. It's always fun to see someone so happy with a gift she's gotten.
"Hmph." Ando huffs and crosses her arms.
"There, there." Izayoi pats her head as if to console her.
"Hey, what's your problem?" Asahina turns to her.
"..." She turns her head away.
"Fine, be that way." Asahina rolls her eyes.
"...Sugar-free. What's the point."
"Huh?"
"...Just ignore her." Kimura tries not to let Ando's sour mood take away from them. "She's... always like that."
"They're desserts. Desserts are all about sugar." Ando continues.
"But... Can't you make them without sugar?"
"Like I said. There's no point. Why would I use my great talents trying something so... pointless!" Ando has become prickly and stares at Kimura.
"I didn't mean you should make them, I meant they can be made without sugar..." She grumbles. Ando's too selfish to understand, probably. "It's like an allergy though. You wouldn't tell someone who's allergic to peanuts to avoid every dessert; you'd make one without peanuts!"
"It's sugar, not peanuts!"
"But your friend can't have sugar!" Asahina has gotten up in her face. "And she helped you. If you're really so great at it, it should be no problem to make candy or something that doesn't have sugar!"
"Who told you we were friends? We are not!"
"..." Even Izayoi seems to disapprove of this. "It wouldn't be hard. I know you can do it."
"Huh?! Wh... Why would I?"
"Because... it is the right thing to do." He says simply.
"..." Kimura looks down, not wanting to antagonize Ando. "It's okay. She's... She's always like this..."
"..." Ando turns to her seriously, deliberating. For as much as she disliked her... she... did help her when she was injured. It was her Division that helped her after being shot. So... "...Fine. I owe you. I... I can at least try."
"...Huh?" Kimura blinks.
"I said I'll do it! How many times are you going to make me repeat things!"
"If you make them, it will be delicious." Izayoi says kindly.
"...You'll be there too." Ando looks to Kimura. "We'll make them together so I don't put in anything you can't have."
"O-Okay!"
"Great, I wanna help too!" Asahina laughs. "Let's make donuts too!"
Donuts again...?
"...Fine, fine. Let's go."
"Wait, now?" Asahina asks.
"What, you have something better to do?"
"W-Well... I guess not..."
"Then let's see what we can make." Ando looks to Kimura. "Together, this time. But just this once."
"Nah, we all know you're a pushover now, so we'll do it a lot!" Asahina laughs loudly.
"...Don't make me change my mind."
~ ~ ~
"We're going to have our hands full for a while." Kirigiri says simply.
"Well, that was expected... Still... Not as bad as it could be." Kizakura stretches. "Even so, there's still some loose ends, and holes to fill."
"Naturally." Togami says simply. "However. We have it on good authority that the one who killed Gekkogahara is someone we know."
"...We?"
"Can you hear me?" Togami says as he clicks a button and opens up the communications channel.
"Yes. We hear you." On the screen, Naegi Komaru appears on screen. "We're here in Towa City."
"M-Master~"
"..." Ignoring Fukawa completely, Togami addresses Komaru directly. "You've had dealings with Towa Monaka before."
"That's right. She... Well, from what you said, it would only be her..."
"The message that was sent from the communications room..." Togami nods. "There was something off about it. At least now we know what it is. Can I leave things in your hands?"
"O-Of course! We'll do our best!"
"Then, get to it." Togami says almost brusque.
"M-Master I-"
Togami cuts off the video before Fukawa can finish speaking.
"...Was that your girlfriend?" Kizakura teases and gets the nastiest look from Togami in return.
A look that says Kizakura is less than nothing to him... A look Kizakura can ignore easily.
"Let it be known that you have made an enemy of the Togami family from now in perpetuity."
"Aw. Cute. Young love..."
"..." Kirigiri rolls her eyes and walks away.
They leave Togami alone. He's going to be overseeing the investigation into Gekkogahara and Towa Monaka personally... probably to avoid the big meeting later.
...
Walking together, Kirigiri pulls Kizakura aside for a moment.
"Something on your mind?" He smiles at her, pushing up his hat.
"It must have been very hard for you." She says nodding.
"Come again?"
"...To have watched him die on the broadcast, I mean."
"..."
"Enoshima Junko broadcast the first killing game to everyone... I imagine, you were also watching."
"..." Kizakura keeps his silence.
"Even I never saw what happened to him, though, I did witness the end result." She says quietly. "...It must have been quite hard for you to have to see everything he worked for come crashing down all around him, and to see him die on top of it."
"...It sure was a bad day, not gonna lie." Kizakura's tone has evened out. The jokester disappears behind a fragile smile. "Wasn't sure you remembered me."
"...I didn't. Not at first. However..." She puts a gloved hand to her chin. "The picture of my father holding me. That was one that... you took, wasn't it."
"You sound like you don't need an answer."
"It was an educated guess. But... I'll take that as confirmation." She says quietly before looking away. "You never said anything."
"...Even he knew how much you disliked him. Hell, 'hated' might be a better word for it. But even so, he reached out to you in the end... asked you to come to Hope's Peak. And you did come, so... I guess you both had things you wanted to say."
"Indeed..." With the Future Foundation's help, they had managed to recover most of their missing memories. Even so. "...I wish... I could have told him I hated him to his face."
"I'm pretty sure you did." He laughs.
"Yes, but I'd like to remember it clearly. I didn't want his explanations or excuses. I wanted him to hear me. As an adult, and not as a child. I wanted... him to know how much he hurt me, and have that pain acknowledged."
"You were always on his mind." Kizakura smiles. "Whether you hated him or not. He... was a very complicated idiot, after all."
"...You knew him better than I did. If... If he were here..." For a very brief moment, she looks like she's about to become vulnerable. And... she does. It isn't a side she lets others see, but... "...What would he think of me, if he were here?"
"You have to ask?" Kizakura gives a wry chuckle. "What do you think he'd say?"
"...I'm... not good at reading his thoughts. That's why I asked you." She says, feeling regret for asking.
"Okay, okay... Don't go giving me that look." He takes off his hat. "He didn't care what happened to himself... not really. He wanted you to live. I think when he died, he was more afraid for you. Because he let Enoshima and Ikusaba in, and then didn't toss them out when he suspected they were up to no good. Dying and leaving you alone to clean up his mess... was probably his greatest regret."
"..."
"But, we tried to get you out. And even though we didn't really help much, you were okay in the end. If you hadn't have been there, I think all the students there would have died... Naegi, Asahina, even Togami... and especially Hagakure. There were so many times watching when I thought you'd pick the wrong culprit, or that you'd die... And you always turned it around."
"That... doesn't answer my question."
"...No? I'm proud of you. Even after every shitty thing that's been handed to you, you never once gave up or considered giving up. And you can still bring yourself to smile, even after facing two killing games and an apocalypse... He'd... be proud of you. Like I am. And he wouldn't stop apologizing to the both of us for letting us down... It'd be really annoying, he'd probably cry, and it would just be a disaster."
"..." There's a moment where she looks surprised, as if she can't control the emotions she's displaying. Because, she'd let her guard down. "...Thank you. For telling me that."
"I've probably still got some of his things around. If you're interested, I can show you some of them."
"I... would need to think about that." She says honestly. "For now, let's get back to work."
"You're the boss, boss..." He laughs. "Even if you're not. Happy to help."
~ ~ ~
"As of now, I can't really consent to that plan." Munakata says without looking at Naegi. "...Although, I do share your desire to make it a reality."
"...You think it won't work?"
"Reopening Hope's Peak could be a colossal mistake. Even I can realize that now in hindsight. It was where the Tragedy all began. Its history is soaked in blood and Despair... The talentless in this world saw themselves as lowly and insignificant. Their futures were decided by a select few, and the Super High School Levels saw their own futures as hopelessly confined to their talents. The way the Reserve Department was treated led directly to them being provoked into violence. And Enoshima was able to manipulate many talented people by preying on the fears that society itself instilled in them."
"But... For a lot of people, Hope's Peak was a beacon of Hope. The idea that if you graduated from there, you could succeed in life is what gave so many people Hope in the first place."
"And it also brought Despair to those who couldn't live up to those expectations, and to those who could no longer accomplish their dreams." Munakata states it as simply as he can. "The very nature of a hierarchy is that there is an implied bottom rung. In some cases, hierarchies are necessary as in chains of command. But if it becomes impossible to advance, or if your existence becomes defined by your station..."
"I know. That's what Enoshima exploited with her movement. But... I don't think it's wrong to try and nurture Hope. To have it spread. Of course, the experiments and the way the Reserve students were treated was wrong but... We can combine our Hopes."
"...What is it you're suggesting?"
"Maybe we could open the school to anyone, talent or no talent... Or..."
"..." Munakata considers it. "I can see the merit in this. I still think our primary concern is reconstruction... But... I will think more on this matter. Trust me."
...
"Am I interrupting?" Gozu enters the room.
"No. I think we're done for now." Munakata looks to Naegi who nods. "You're early for the meeting."
"...I went to see Tengan again. I still can't get a clear answer out of him."
"It's alright. That isn't important..." Munakata says it and then rethinks it. "If it's important to you, do not stop asking. But... I have accepted that Tengan is no longer the man I believed he was. Or, if he was the same man, then I was the one who was blind."
"..."
"I hope in time you can come to trust me as well, Gozu. You are a loyal man, and a valuable asset to the Future Founation. And... I consider you a friend."
"...You have changed." Gozu says before pulling off the mask. It's much easier to read his expressions this way. "My faith in our cause remains the same. As for you... I... am not quite there yet. But, I believe you have the ability to change this world for the better."
"In that case, please, tell me when you believe I have chosen the wrong path. I need to hear all voices, even those of dissent. I do not... want blind followers. And I accept that I am not infallible."
"Hah... You couldn't keep me from following you blindly." Gozu smirks.
"Good. We'll guide this new world... together."
There was never going to be an easy way to create a new future. But, if they were going to create Hope, they'd walk the hard road.
"So exciting!" Bandai laughs as he shows up for the meeting. "Making rivers in the desert!"
...That... actually made sense in this context.
Munakata smiles.
"Exactly."
"-told you you made too much!" A voice squawks.
"We did not! Everyone's gonna love them!"
"No one needs this many donuts...!" Ando says as the group of them - herself, Izayoi, Asahina, and Kimura - come in with trays of desserts.
"Have you seen Sakakura? He could put away all of this! And I'm gonna help too!"
"You'd better, if you make my food go to waste, I won't forgive you."
"...Where... should we put this?"
Gozu gives a small chuckle as he goes to assist them with the heavy trays.
"I'll make coffee and tea!" Bandai laughs.
The next two who come in are Kizakura and Kirigiri, followed by Hagakure.
"...Well. That's..." Kizakura stares at the mountains of sweets. "That's something."
"Three guesses who's the one who asked for so many donuts." Hagakure shakes his head. "Is that all you have going for your characterization?"
"I don't want to hear that from the idiot who hates the occult but is occult!"
As they argue, Kimura pulls down her mask to eat from the sugar-free desserts. And somehow that makes Ando very happy.
"Whatever! I do a lot more than eat donuts, that's for sure!"
"You're just comic relief, and you're not even that funny." Asahina scoffs and goes back to donuts. "Aren't they good, Kimura?"
"They... They are."
"..." Izayoi places his hand on Ando's shoulder. "You did good."
"Yoi..."
"What do you mean I'm not funny?! I'm hilarious!"
"They're just going to keep arguing... Do you want to enter the fray and get something to eat?" Kizakura laughs.
"...Just this once." Kirigiri smiles.
...
When Sakakura enters, he observes the chaos and avoids it, before approaching Munakata.
Before all of this, they'd met at Yukizome's grave with the Remnants of Despair.
She had been their teacher, so it seemed only right to give them a chance to say their goodbyes. Ever since, Yukizome had been on his mind.
"...Sakakura." Munakata gives him a nod of the head.
"Can I talk to you in private?"
"Of course."
Sakakura pulls Munakata away for a moment, allowing everyone else to gather for the meeting. They speak in a smaller room out of earshot from the others.
"...This is what she wanted." Sakakura says with a small smile. "She'd be happy."
"I know. I... only wish she were here." It's a futile wish. And maybe selfish all things considered. "She deserves to be here too."
"Yeah. But... I feel like she might be. In a way." He grumbles. "I still don't really understand everything exactly, but..."
"It's alright. I also have moments where I cannot believe it."
"...Before I lose my nerve, I want to say something."
"What is...?"
He's cut off by Sakakura stealing a kiss, lips against his, the feeling of metal on his cheek from the hand. It's unexpected, but not unwanted. No one can see them, but even so, Sakakura pulls back nervously from the kiss as if he'd run the risk of being caught in the act.
"...Was that too sudden?"
"No. But, I don't think I understood what you wanted to say just from that." Munakata allows a smile.
"Move in with me." He says a blush fiercely overtaking his cheeks. "Or I could move in with you. I... I don't care which. But, I'd... I'd like us to live together."
"...I see."
"I... I had a speech kind of prepared in my head. I asked Yukizome if it was okay... But she doesn't answer, at least... Not there she doesn't. I told her I was going to try to move on and make you happy. And I asked her to look out for me. And you, of course."
"...Funny. I asked her to watch over you as well." Munakata sees Sakakura's blush stubbornly remain. "Although, knowing her, she wouldn't mind."
"Well... My speech..." He groans. "It's not important. The gist is, you make it easier when... things are hard. And... I don't want to waste the time we have together. I'm... I'm hoping you feel the same."
Munakata smiles and kisses him harder, pressing his lips against the other man's.
"Of course I do. You need to ask?"
"...Yes. I obviously need to ask." Sakakura says adjusting his hair after the kiss. "...You're okay with it?"
"Your hair is fine." Munakata reaches out to smooth out one of the waves, and Sakakura lightly bats his hand away.
"I meant moving in together." Sakakura gives a tense smirk. "Don't play dumb."
"Yes. You and I will discuss how the living arrangements will work later... How about over dinner?"
"...Yeah. I'd like that." Sakakura smiles.
"It's a date."
"..." That shouldn't feel as unreal as it does, but Sakakura nods, embarrassed. "Y-Yeah. It's a date..."
"Let's get back to them, before they wonder what happened to us."
...
The Future Foundation sits around the table. A few of the chairs are empty but...
Kizakura sits next to Kirigiri, who sits next to Naegi.
Naegi seems excited not to be the subject of a tribunal this time.
Kirigiri leans over as Kizakura whispers something to her, and she nods before saying something back to him in a hushed voice. He must say something funny because he laughs, and even she smiles.
Bandai is talking animatedly to Gozu as they sip something out of little cups. Bandai's laughter is infectious, and soon he's laughing so hard he catches the attention of the others.
Gozu looks down, contemplative, and momentarily sad before he catches Munakata's eye. There's a solemn expression before Gozu gives him a polite nod. He would no longer follow blindly. But, for now, he was going to put his faith in Munakata.
And there was a silent promise in the look they share not to become as myopic as Tengan. A promise to do better. To know better. And to try.
Izayoi and Ando talk, or rather, Ando speaks and offers food and Izayoi opens his mouth to nod along or shake his head. They seem mostly the same, but there's more of a closeness there... Something more... just under the surface.
Asahina hungrily eats donut after donut, talking with her mouth full to Kimura who nods along, almost afraid for her. And then, Asahina looks like she's in pain. Kimura's eyes widen as she goes to help, as Asahina bangs on her chest before finally swallowing. She was eating too fast.
Asahina laughs it off and gives a bashful look, trying to disarm the situation even with Kimura looking concerned for her safety.
And then...
Sakakura sits by his side, observing the madness. He manages to eat slowly, shaking his head in Asahina's direction.
Sakakura... who had been there from the beginning.
When he realizes Munakata's staring at him, he turns to give him a confused look. Munakata simply shakes his head as if to say, no, it's nothing.
A strong man... surprisingly shy and almost reclusive, but no one believed in him more. And... now Sakakura was all his. How had that happened, he wondered...?
Ah, but he knows the answer. A fond smile as he looks over to Yukizome's empty seat.
Under the table, where no one else can see... Munakata finds a hand take his. Sakakura doesn't look in his direction, but the strong callused hand squeezes his under the table. A faint blush on his lips, and then a quick glance his way, coy and then looks away again.
Munakata gives the hand a squeeze before he stands.
"Everyone. I'd like to call the meeting to order."
He's at the head of the table, and everyone turns to him... hopeful smiling faces of his friends and allies.
"..." Sakakura's admiring face settles on him and nods. "All yours, Mr. Chairman."
And... embarrassingly... as anyone could have imagined...
Munakata stands up on the table to address everyone.
There are silent knowing smiles, and even Sakakura tries to hold back the giggles that threaten to overtake him... Instead he sits there, shaking silently with suppressed laughter and covering his face. The man that he loved... was truly... unique.
"Members of the Future Foundation... My friends... I would like to talk to you about my vision of Hope for the Future..."