Together towards Hope

Chapter 4: A Celebration to Realize

A luxurious restaurant in the heart of the city, adorned with elegant décor and soft, ambient lighting. The atmosphere is lively, filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter, creating an air of celebration.

It was a special occasion: Yasuhiro Hagakure's birthday. The surviving members of Hope's Peak Academy gathered to celebrate their friend's birthday at a fancy restaurant, courtesy of Byakuya Togami. The group consisted of Toko, Asahina, Kirigiri, Makoto, and even Komaru, who had come to join the celebration.

As they settled into their plush seats, the table was soon filled with an array of beautifully presented dishes. Byakuya, ever the epitome of sophistication, surveyed the table with satisfaction. "I trust everyone will enjoy the selections I've made. The finest for the finest," he declared, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Wow, Byakuya, this is amazing!" Asahina exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she reached for a plate of tempura. "You really know how to treat your friends!"

"I merely ensured that the food was of acceptable quality," he replied, dismissing her praise with a wave of his hand, though a small smirk tugged at his lips.

Yasuhiro, who had been seated at the head of the table, beamed with joy. "Thanks, Byakuya! You really didn't have to go all out like this, but I appreciate it!"

"Consider it a small gesture for your continued survival," Byakuya retorted, a hint of warmth underlying his usual stoicism.

As the evening progressed, laughter and chatter filled the air, the tension of the past easing as they celebrated the moment. Makoto glanced at Kirigiri, who was quietly enjoying her meal, and a thought struck him. He wanted to make her evening special, to show her how much he valued her presence.

"Hey Kirigiri-san,I thought you might like this," he said, a touch of nervousness in his voice.

He carefully selected a dish he thought she would enjoy: a delicate plate of sushi, beautifully arranged with vibrant colors and fresh ingredients. With a determined smile, he placed the dish in front of her.

Kirigiri looked up, surprised but touched. "Thank you, Naegi-kun. This looks delicious." She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, a soft smile spreading across her face. "You know me so well."

From across the table, Asahina's teasing voice broke through. "Look at you two! You're like a couple already! Naegi-kun, are you trying to win Kyoko's heart with food?"

Makoto's cheeks flushed a deep red, and he fumbled with his chopsticks, momentarily caught off guard. "N-no! I just thought she'd like it!"

Toko, seated next to Asahina, smirked and added, "Oh, co-co-come on, it's adorable! I-i-if you two don't end up together, I-I-I'll be surprised."

Kirigiri's cheeks tinted slightly as she glanced at Makoto, who was blushing even more.

"I just... wanted to do something nice for you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "You've always been there for me."

Asahina leaned in, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Seriously, it's like you're already on a date! Just admit it, you both like each other!"

Makoto was flustered, unable to find the words. Instead, he looked down at his plate, feeling a mix of embarrassment and warmth at Asahina's teasing.

Asahina tilted her head, clearly puzzled. "By the way, why do we always call Naegi-kun by his last name? It's confusing and weird, especially with Komaru here since she's also a Naegi."

Yasuhiro chimed in with a grin, "I get around it by calling him Naegi-cchi! And I call Komaru by Komaru-cchi; problem solved!"

"Still, it might be simpler if we used their first names," Asahina suggested thoughtfully. Her gaze shifted to Kirigiri, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Kyoko-chan, why don't you try calling him by his first name? I bet it would sound nice!"