What it's Like to Live, What it's Like to Die

Life will change

" I feel old wearing this uniform. So much has changed over what felt like only a few breaths. The uniforms are a bit funny, aren't they? Akamatsu-san and I are moving into the city. I'm glad we're still friends. Oma-kun said he'd "be heading off to right every wrong" or something; something "bigger than [his] life" but, after all these years only then I thought maybe we could've spent more time together.

"Ouma-kun, can we step aside a moment?"

"Of course! What's up? 'Something wrong?"

"No-- No, not at all... you said you were leaving for a while?"

"Mmm, probably. Have a load of stuff I gotta clear up, y'know?"

"Oh... I, uh... Ouma-kun, I... I don't..."

"Tongue tied? At gunpoint?"

Even after growing up with him, for twelve years of our lives, in that moment I felt like I was about to tell my darkest secret to an absolute stranger. I felt like I was 14 again, sitting on that porch, wearing that baseball cap. I was back at square one. "

Writing thoughts down on paper never came easy to Saihara. At first, it started as a way to cope- a suggestion from his therapist. Nearly four years ago, he was at his graduation with the people he spent his life with. One of which being Kokichi Ouma; One who he considered to be his closest friend, and at the same time a complete stranger. Ouma was an enigma-- usually, nothing he said ever made sense to him or to anyone. Just writing down his speech confused the detective.

" "Sorry for wasting your time."

"You look calm."

"A-ah! -- do I really...?"

"It's a lie. Well, I gotta scramble in a hot minute or so. Sooo, if you're gonna speak up, you should probably spit it out right about now."

"Can we at least keep in touch?"

"Of course!" "

The notebook Saihara constantly used to write memories slammed shut. That was also a lie. Even after all these years, he had heard nothing from Oma. Not a letter, not a simple text message, not even a hello on the streets. He hasn't received a single word from him. Not even once. Even now that he's an official detective, some of the things he's been told by the purplette still don't make sense to him. Saihara thought that at this point, everything would come into full swing. It didn't.

Even at twenty-two years old, with a coffee addiction and insomnia, Ouma was the only one who hasn't talked to him. Harukawa checks in every now and then. Momota hangs out with him every weekend to "train." Akamatsu works part time as the receptionist at Saihara's detective agency, and aside from that she's a professional pianist. They stayed just as close even when their interactions were nothing more than greeting each other in the mornings and wishing each other good nights. Aside from that, his other classmates never stayed in touch with him. Amami had waved to him on the streets one night, with whom he could only assume was Shinguji. Apparently, Shinguji had overgone a huge make-over; ditching the long hair for one that laid calmly against his shoulders-- yet, the facemask still stayed. Amami's hair grew out more, allowing him to wear short ponytails. Saihara's hair could do the same.

Aside from that, Saihara now worked for the police department as a full-time detective. He usually was paired with Kirigiri Kyoko, ex-Future Foundation member and private investigator. Many unfamiliar faces accompanied her at times, the only one's he could bring himself to remember being Naegi Makoto and Togami Byakuya, both ex-Future Foundation members as well. The most Kirigiri has mentioned about them was that they spent most of their lives together, (a similar situation to how it was with Saihara) and that they have always stayed in touch. They, apparently, had all been Ultimates, with Saihara and Kirigiri (formally) sharing a talent. Togami was the former-Ultimate Affluent Progeny, and Naegi was the former-Ultimate Hope/Lucky Student.