Truth, Perjury, and Sacrifice

Wedding Day

Karen and Kyoko watched Aoi and Sakura conduct gym class outside. "The gym uniforms look really nice," Kyoko commented. "The black and green is a nice color combination."

"Thanks! I picked colors based on their symbolism. White for purity, yellow for optimism, green for luck, and black for strength."

"Luck?" Kyoko chuckled, "I guess I can understand why." The pair watched Miu launch a soccer ball right toward Kaito, which collided with his face. Shuichi and Maki immediately ran to Kaito's side as Kaede pointed at Miu and was saying something.

"Looks like they're coming into their old selves. I was worried for a while," Karen said. "So, this Sunday is the big day," she smiled.

"I know," Kyoko sighed. "I'll admit, I'm a little nervous."

"You think you've nervous? Makoto get's all shaky when I ask him about it!" Karen laughed, "But are you sure you want to skip a rehearsal dinner? I mean, I know we're all busy."

"We should be okay. Besides, we really are that busy."

"Okay, well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me," Karen patted Kyoko's shoulder. "If not, I will see you bright and early Sunday morning." Before she opened the door to Kyoko's office to leave, Karen stopped. "Oh, and Kyoko? Was the gravesite repaired?"

"Yes, the repairs were finalized last week."

After Karen left, Kyoko continued to watch the students run around until the bell rang. The end of another successful school day had come to an end. Looking at the empty schoolyard, she could remember the number of times when classmates were pushed into the water fountain, were caught fighting on the track field and would walk around outside in decent weather. She turned to her desk and thought of her father. The chair she sat in was the very chair her father sat in. She glanced at the framed photo of her and her father as her door opened.

"Ready to go home?" Makoto asked with a smile.

"Of course," she smiled back.

Sunday, October the 15th, came faster than anyone could have imagined. It was agreed upon that the wedding be held at the apartment complex, as it had the most privacy and open space. Sonia and Hiyoko attended to Kyoko's hair, as Karen helped with her makeup. "This is just wonderful!" Sonia gushed. "First, you, then Kyoko and Makoto. I wonder who will be next?"

"I wager Peko and Fuyuhiko," Mahiru smiled, glancing toward Peko who quickly turned away from the conversation.

"Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it were Hajime and Nagito," Karen said.

"No way!" Hiyoko accidentally yanked Kyoko's hair. "Oops, sorry! But what do you mean? Those two, seriously?"

"I mean, they've been together for...three years now?" Karen glanced around the room for confirmation. "I don't know. I mean, Hajime was really pushy about the house, so I just think that's the next step, you know?"

"Doesn't that bother you?" Mahiru asked.

"What? No! Guys, come on, Nagito and I dated for maybe half a year. It's in the past."

"But can you imagine that? If you had stayed with Nagito?" Mahiru asked, shuddering.

Karen set the makeup brush aside, "I have imagined it. But it was a bad match from the beginning. There's no way the relationship would've survived after the Tragedy. I would have...ended up like Chiaki, I'm sure." She picked up a light pink lipstick and continued working.