A Future to Call Our Own

Chapter 4 - Dreams Become Realities

Chapter 4
Dreams Become Realities

"So, we've come to a conclusion then? Mikan's free to move around on her own?" Fuyuhiko's voice rang out as we discussed her condition in the restaurant.

Souda leaned back in his seat, "I don't see why not," he sighed, "She's basically back to normal."

"Okay, but, what if just like," he snapped, "and she goes back into her Ultimate Despair? She can escape the island, and go and try to be another successor for Junko or something, like that kid Monaca is doing, right?"

"Then we continue having me and Akane accompany her until we know for sure she can be alone," Sonia spoke up, looking patiently at him.

"But that's the thing!" Fuyuhiko's voice raised, "We don't know, we never will know for sure if they will be okay. You've seen Nagito-- that bastard has been off and on with his Ultimate Despair. Granted, I'm guessing that's also part of his twisted personality, in general, but still." He sat back in his seat, seeming exhausted.

"I'll still watch over him, just as Sonia and Akane will watch over Mikan. And when the others wake up, we'll just see how it is from there." I finished, seeing Fuyuhiko glare at me.

" 'When', you say?" I heard him scoff, "Yeah, I'm so fucking confident that Peko and Koizumi and all the fucking others will wake up," he spat, shoving himself out of his seat.

"Fuyuhiko!" Sonia ran after him, trying to comfort him by placing a hand on his shoulder, him only brushing her off.

She eventually gave up, turning back around to look at the three of us remaining. "I . . . I should go." She curtsied, leaving closely behind him.

Souda got up, chasing after her, as usual. Akane and I shared a couple moments of silence.

"What do you think, Akane?"

She sighed, taking a bite of her food, "I don't know. I'm not good with this stuff, remember?" She then picked up her plate, leaving the restaurant, as well. I was left with questions starting to form in my head, doubts and uncertainties surfacing more.

I decided to retreat back to Nagito's cabin, seeking if just a little comfort.

The usual reaction, "Ah, Hajime!" he opened up his arms, me filling them shortly after, accepting his reassuring embrace. "How are you?" he looked up at me with a smile, rubbing his cheek onto my chest more.

"Ah . . ." I gave a small sigh, feeling my body become numb as I thought of all that's happened. "Can . . . Can I lay down, Nagito?"

"Hm?" he lifted his head off my chest, looking up at me with concern now. "Oh, um, sure." He scooted over a bit, myself going to the other side of the bed to curl up, facing him.

He turned over, as well, leaning on his side with me. I guess he sensed that I would just like some quiet moments, laying here with him. He placed his new hand on my side, his other under my cheek between the pillow and it. I caressed it, closing my eyes with the soothing gesture. After a while, I ended up curling into his chest, his arms wrapped around me as I fell into a light sleep, too exhausted and too tired to deal with all we had to deal with.

. . .

I . . . heard something.

It's . . . very calming to hear.

I really like the sound . . . of this.

Is . . . Is someone singing?