Alter (UDG x OC)

Chapter 4 (I): What I Call Living

"Please, just get out of here!" Nagisa said desperately. "Stay away from us! I bet of you. Please leave the city!"

"Wh-Where did this come from?" Komaru asked nervously.

"In order for the new society of children to be calm and peaceful, I need to create paradise. Everyone has high expectations of me... I cannot fail. So please! Get out of our town!"

"B-But..."

"Omaru, don't be tricked!" Toko yelled. "You don't have to actually accept that offer..."

Nagisa shook his head. "No, this is not an offer. It's an honest request." He went on his knees, bowing his head down. "...Please. I'm begging you, please leave..."

"W-Wait..." Komaru stammered.

"I-I wouldn't trust a kid, even if he's kneeling on the ground!" Toko exclaimed. "He's obviously tricking us!"

Nagisa stood up. "I do not intend to trick you... I'm serious."

He walked up to Komaru, tapping her wristband.

*Beep beep beep*

*Click*

Komaru looked down, her arm now feeling lighter. "...Huh?"

Nagisa took the wristband that had just opened. "And now... you are free."

"Sh-Shingetsu-kun!" Kotoko cried. "If you do this, you're gonna make Monaca-chan super sad!"

"I know that!" Nagisa shouted back. "But it has to be done! Monaca-chan has high expectations of me! I'm sure she'll understand!"

Kotoko went silent.

Nagisa's gaze went back to Komaru. "I'll take you to the secret passageway. It's the only way to get out of town. I can guarantee your safety until you reach it. The Monokumas won't attack with me here. C'mon, let's go."

"H-Hey!" Toko yelled. "I told you to wait!"

"...What? Do you have another objection?"

"D-Do I...?" She averted her gaze, biting her thumb. "Um..." She faced Komaru. Are you really okay with this?!"

Komaru stared. "...Huh?"

"Of course she is, this is what she wanted all this time," Nagisa said.

"I-I wasn't talking to you! I'm asking Omaru!" Toko shouted.

"She wants to leave this town, why are you getting in her way? You're on the same side, right? Then you should respect her feelings."

"Her feelings...?" Toko repeated. She went into a mumble. "Sh-Shut up, you have no right to say that..."

Nagisa sighed. "This appears to be difficult." From his pocket, he took out a folded note, handing it over.

"Wh-What's that?" Komaru asked.

"Someone gave it to me. I haven't read it but it should help convince you."

Komaru took the note, opening it gingerly. She recognized the writing.

Your method of escape. I've found it.

Her eyes widened. "It's... her!"

Komaru half-noticed Toko's reaction, who was mumbling to herself frantically. "Wh-What the hell...? I thought... she said..."

Komaru tilted her head in confusion as she pocketed the note. "Fukawa-san? What's wrong? I thought..."

This shouldn't be surprising, should it? She promised it and it finally happened. After all this time...