Nostophobia

Akamatsu Kaede

TW: Referenced child abuse/neglect and implied suicide. Don't read past the ❤️ if you wish to avoid the implied suicide portion. You won't miss anything about the story, it's at the very end and this is the last chapter.

Thank you for reading!

Akamatsu = in-game.
Kaede = child.

-•°•❀•°•-

Hoshi walked into the dining room with a soft smile on his lips, the last to join everyone. It was the first time in his life that he felt like he had a purpose. Breakfast excited him.

"Woah, has Hell frozen over or something?" Ouma said upon noticing the cheerful criminal. Saihara slapped his friend before he could laugh, yet Ouma didn't seem phased.

"Why are you-" When Hoshi saw Saihara's glare, he quickly stopped his question.

"Someone dumped glitter on me while I was in the shower because he didn't understand the concept of fake candy cigarettes," Saihara explained with a hint of disdain. When he turned his head to stare at Ouma, Hoshi noticed the sparkles in his navy hair.

Ouma began laughing instead of admitting fault (which no one expected to happen in the first place). "Wow, Monokuma is a dumbass! I would have used acid!"

Ignoring the arguing that ensued, Hoshi sat down and began eating the meal that Tojo had prepared. Beside him, Yumeno stopped eating and turned to Hoshi. "You're acting different."

"Someone taught me to see things differently. I'm developing a new outlook on life," Hoshi explained, smiling briefly at Saihara before popping food into his mouth. Everyone seemed to drop the subject, focusing on their meals.

"We can't let our guard down just because things seem comfortable," Harukawa argued. "Akamatsu and Yonaga are remaining for the motive. Who knows what Monokuma has planned?" At the mention of their names, Yonaga laughed and began talking about Atua whilst Akamatsu seemed a little sad.

A soft knock on the dining room door interrupted Yonaga's rant. Tojo made her way over to let in what they knew would be either Kaede or Angie. When the door opened, innocent, violet eyes stared at everyone who recognised Kaede's blonde hair. "Sorry for interrupting, but I don't know where I am..." She whispered.

"We can explain everything," Tojo offered. "Sit down and eat with us; you must be hungry."

Kaede nodded and approached the table, able to see everyone more clearly. However, when her eyes met with Akamatsu's, the child paused before running up and hugging the teenager's legs tight. "Leiko! Leiko! Mumma and Papa said you ran away!"

Now that she had everyone's attention, Akamatsu nervously chuckled and patted the child's head. It wasn't a situation she wanted to explain, nor one she wanted to remember, but it haunted her daily. At least everyone else was in a similar predicament. Akamatsu just hoped she could have a happy ending like some of the other Ultimates.

"I-I'm sorry, Kaede, but I had to move away," Akamatsu whispered. She felt horrible pretending to be Leiko, but Akamatsu couldn't bring herself to admit the truth to herself, much less someone else.

Looking up at who she thought to be Leiko, Kaede pouted and crossed her arms. "Why are you so much more grown-up than me?! That's not fair!"

"Sorry, Kaede."

With a grin on her face, Kaede looked up at the table of food. She seemed to have forgotten about Akamatsu being older. "I'm hungry, can I have breakfast too?"

"You can take my seat," Akamatsu said before standing up, motioning to the seat and watching Kaede take it. "Sorry everyone, but I'll be leaving now."

"Babe! Wait!" Iruma shouted, but Akamatsu had already rushed from the dining room. Footsteps rapidly approached before a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. The pianist began to tremble as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Want to talk about it?"