Our Hope

Chapter 19

Of course, we split off into pairs. I think this was part of Makoto's revival plan of wiping despair from me. Kyoko led Makoto off early, followed by Komaru and Toko travelling in a different location, which left Byakuya and me. He didn't detest but seeing him react as if he was paired with Fukawa had me laughing hysterically. Though it was boring to see him sigh and start pulling me along.

"Don't get hurt this time," He said, glancing over his shoulder. Without catching my response, he pushed open a door to one of many buildings.

Floor after floor, Monokuma after Monokuma, we exited at the top of the building. Taking a deep breath, I exhaled with a grin. "Isn't this view just ta'die for?" I chuckled at his discomfort.

"Instead of droning on about your instability, spend your energy on searching," Togami turned away from me, setting up the communicator to check in with the others. "Of any ideas you've had, Makoto, this has to be the most reckless".

"She'll snap out it, Togami. I have complete trust in her".

"This isn't about trust, Naegi. Her being in the field might set the despair farther in; irreversibly". The conversation quickly wrapped up, leaving Togami to stare at me. We didn't exchange words, only empty expressions, as he sighed and left the rooftop.

Hours passed as we investigated several more buildings, stopping occasionally to check in. Most of the Remnants had been captured, all but two. Turns out, turning the Monokumas against our targets made the job easier. Hearing that news should've erased some of the smoke in my mind but taking in the scene around me only created more.

"What, no more banter? No hysteric laughter?" He was looking at me the same way he when we first met; cold, distant, almost analytical.

"This is boring," I pushed past him, dragging my aching feet.

"Do you think this is a game?" Togami was frozen in anger.

"Everything Junko does is a fucking game! All of this," I spun around, holding my arms out, "is a fucking game. I'm just a pawn in her arsenal!" My fists had clenched tight, breaking tiny curved cuts into the palms.

"If you know that, then why are you still playing by her rules?" His hands clenched over my shoulders, freezing me in place. "Did you forget that she is dead?" I shook my head, pushing him away; doing anything to not have to confront those words. "Is that it? You feel grief over someone who destroyed everything around us?" He stopped talking before he could say anything he'd regret later. As he searched the room, I stood still. I ached; physically, emotionally, mentally. "Come on," I felt his hand grab mine, "I found the door to the stairs".

The building was in near-ruins; I was astonished that it was still standing. We maneuvered around massive holes in the floor, flailing electrical cables, and the occasional Monokuma. "It seems this building connects to another," I pointed to an open door. We entered the corridor; several windows lined its' walls, leading to the other door. In the corner of my eye, several bomber and flame-throwing Monokumas lined the rooftops surrounding us. I backed into Byakuya; he had noticed as well. Windows began to shatter and the door across from us broke off its' hinges, revealing a revving horde. I spun around, resting a trembling hand on Byakuya's cheek, "I cherish you, Byakuya Togami". With a smile, I pushed him back through the door, secured the lock, and turned away. Even as he yelled my name, pounding on the door, I rushed towards the horde as glass and bombs fell around me.

By the time Byakuya escaped the building, the connector corridor had crumbled in ruins. His body reacted before his mind could catch up; tears were streaming down his face as he stood, frozen in place. Profanities filled his mind, tears blurring his vision, as Byakuya sprinted away from the scene. He slowed to a stop when the communicator began beeping, signaling someone's call. "Togami, we- where's Karen?" Makoto's concern only infuriated Byakuya.

"An ambush. She sacrificed herself for me, Makoto. She is dead because of your reckless decision!"

"It isn't his fault, Togami. She wasn't-," Kyoko tried to speak.

"If you blame the despair, I won't disagree with you, but I expect Naegi and Fukawa to share the blame as catalysts to an avoidable situation!" He disconnected the call. Taking a moment to recover shreds of his composure, Togami continued to search the area until regrouping with the others at the aircraft.