Together towards Hope

Chapter 2: Feelings and Memories

Makoto Naegi sat on the edge of his bed, his room filled with the comforting chaos of books, reports, and remnants of past battles against despair. As he rummaged through a cluttered drawer, his fingers brushed against something familiar: a stack of old photographs. Intrigued, he pulled them out and laid them on the bed, curiosity piqued.

The first photo was of his old class—familiar faces smiling brightly under the cherry blossoms at Hope's Peak Academy. A wave of nostalgia washed over him. Memories flooded his mind: laughter in the hallways, the tension of class trials, and the bonds forged through trials of despair. Each face held a story, a moment that defined them, but one face stood out more than the rest—Kyoko Kirigiri.

He picked up a photograph of her, her eyes sparkling with a mischief he rarely saw. The memory of their time together tugged at his heartstrings. It wasn't just the shared experiences; it was the way she had always believed in him, the way she'd supported him through every trial, even when despair threatened to swallow them whole.

As he continued to sift through the photos, he found one that jolted him back to the time they were trapped in the killing game within the Future Foundation. He could vividly recall Kirigiri's voice, steady and unwavering, as she defended his hope against Ryota's harsh criticisms. The way she had looked at him—fierce and protective—made his heart swell with gratitude. It was a reminder of how far they had come, of the battles they had fought together, and how close they had grown in the process.

But then there was that darker memory—the moment she had almost died because of him, because of her NG code. The sheer terror of losing her had ignited a flame of anxiety in his chest that he had never felt before. He remembered how helpless he had felt, watching her die right in front of him. "I can't lose her," he had thought at the time, desperation clawing at him. Until now, she is grateful for Seiko and would always visit her grave from time to time. Without her medicine, she wouldn't be here–with him.

Makoto sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back against the wall. "What am I thinking?" he muttered to himself. "I can't let these feelings get in the way." His heart raced at the thought, but he pushed it down, labeling it as foolish. Kirigiri was amazing, the Ultimate Detective. Without her, they would have been lost during class trials, navigating through the web of lies and deceit that surrounded them. The weight of their situation often pressed heavily on him, but with her by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope.

Yet, as much as he admired her, he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy. "She deserves better," he whispered to himself, a pang of regret settling in his stomach. "I'm just the Ultimate Lucky Student." There were moments when he felt like he was standing in her shadow, not just as her partner in solving mysteries but as a person.

He recalled the times when she had leaned on him, when they had shared quiet moments filled with unspoken understanding. They were friends—close friends—and he valued that connection too much to risk it by pursuing something deeper. What if it ruined everything? What if he pushed her away instead of bringing her closer?

As he placed the photographs back into the drawer, he felt a mixture of longing and resolve. "I'll just keep things as they are," he decided, though the heaviness in his heart suggested otherwise. "We have a mission to focus on."

Makoto pushed himself up from the bed, determined to shake off the feelings swirling in his mind. He grabbed his tablet and opened the latest reports from the Future Foundation, trying to immerse himself in their work. There were countless lives still affected by despair, and they needed all hands on deck to combat it. He reminded himself that he was grateful for Kirigiri's presence, that she was an integral part of their team and his life.

Just then, a soft knock echoed from his door.

"Hey, Naegi-kun! You in there?" Asahina's voice chimed through the door, filled with her usual energy.

"Yeah, I'm here!" he called back, forcing a smile as he pushed his tumultuous thoughts aside.

The door swung open, and Asahina peeked in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We're planning a team meeting, and I think it's going to be a good one! Want to join us?"

Makoto nodded, the warmth of Asahina's enthusiasm spreading through him. "Sure, let me just grab my notes."

As he stood up, he cast one last glance at the photographs tucked away in the drawer. He would cherish those memories, but right now, he had a mission to focus on—and perhaps, with time, he could figure out how to confront his feelings for Kirigiri. For now, he would be the Ultimate Hope, standing alongside his friends, fighting against despair one day at a time.

With a determined smile, he joined Asahina, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, grateful for the connections he had and the hope that continued to guide him.