The aftermath

The first look

Shuichi's POV

After the explosion, everything went dark, no light, no sound, no feelings of touch, just darkness, I wasn't aware of my surroundings or if I was even real, not after being told we were in a simulation, that the world was fiction...

After what felt like years or months of being trapped in darkness, I felt my body shift before light started peeking through what I assumed was my closed eyes.

I opened my eyes, covering the blinding light with my hand as much as I could so they could adjust to the sudden change.

Soon processing what was going on, I found myself in what seemed like a type of hospital room with a heart monitor next to my bed.

Sitting up as much as I could, a sudden wave of light headedness overtook me, probably from the fact I was asleep for what felt like years.

                        [a couple minutes later]

After the dizziness slowly faded away, I decided to look around, still confused and conflicted about where I was, wanting- no, needing to find out where I was placed.

Standing up, I'd stumble backwards onto the bed again, not being used to walking or even standing.

I finally managed to gain enough strength to stand myself up and stumble my way over to what seemed like the only exit.

After stepping out into the hall, I looked both ways, seeing if anyone was around before I heard a familiar voice.

"Shuichi! You're awake! Thank god!"

I turned around in disbelief, refusing to believe whoever's voice I heard was real, only to be struck with a wave of different emotions.

"K-...kaede?..how- why-..how are you.." I stuttered out, not knowing what to say or even feel, I was standing in front of someone I watched die, someone I watched get brutally executed for a murder she didn't even commit.

"Shuichi.. I'm ok, I'm here now, even I got a shock when I woke up...I..didn't even know if I was real or not" she exclaimed, walking towards the navy haired boy

It was like I couldn't control myself, I just...hugged her, I didn't want to let go, I missed her- I missed all of them so much. "..I-I'm...glad you're ok..what about the others?..are they here? Are they alive?" I said, pulling away slightly, looking at the blonde haired girl.

"Yeah...they all are, everyone, even-...tsumugi, although she hasn't left her room ever since she woke up, everyone still hates her or are at least mad at her"

"Wait, what about-...kokichi?..have you seen him? At all?" Why'd I ask that..why do I feel...worried about him, I knew I was still slightly mad at what he did but deep down inside I couldn't help but care about him.

"Err....about him...they Uhh...put him in solitary confinement..ever since he woke up he's been scratching at himself while having multiple breakdowns.." she said, sounding genuinely worried and concerned about Oma.

"Do you...think I'll be able to go see him?.." why couldn't I stop worrying, I wanted to stop but it felt impossible, after hearing about what he's going through my worrying got even worse, I just wanted to hold him close and tell him he's going to be ok, I just wanted him in my arms.

"You..could ask, I'm not sure if they'll let you though..he'll be down that hall to the right, very end of the hallway" she said, pointing down the hallway behind me

"Thank you..if anyone asks where I am, explain what's going on" I said before waving goodbye, I walked as fast as I could to get to him, I had to make sure he was alright..