Our Hope

Chapter 29

No one likes having their hand exposed, but I can't blame Nagito for being right. Isn't that why I threw her phone into the ocean? I snapped my eyes back to Kyoko, who's hand was shaking my leg. With my attention redirected, she eased back in her seat. "I'm not going to pretend that I understand," she spoke in her usual cold interrogative voice. No matter how many times she started to ask a question, Kyoko struggled.

"Why did you hide this?" Byakuya asked, but refused to look at me. How could he be angry? Or was it something else? "I may not understand, but...".

"Because of this," I gestured at the clear intervention. I turned to Byakuya, "I wanted to prove that I could stand by you, without letting the despair take over". Thinking about that, I chuckled. "How I treated you at Future Foundation when I fell back to despair; that's how I acted with Junko and Nagito". The sickening memories flooded back; my eyes drifted towards the window.

"But you have stood with him," Makoto said. "You came back from despair just like the others, but on your own. You risked your life for Byakuya," he reassured. Makoto took Kyoko's hand, preparing to leave. "You should call Komaeda later. We need to stay together".

I procrastinated with finishing dinner, keeping my eyes on the telecom screen. "Fretting over the call is only going to increase your anxiety," Byakuya mentioned, wiping his mouth. Instead of waiting for me to finish, he was already tapping on the dial pad. He continued to redial until Hinata answered. "Is Komaeda available?"

"Uh..." Hinata looked behind him; Nagito was reading on the bed, ignoring them. "He hasn't talked much since earlier". Hinata turned to Nagito, trying to convince him to take the call.

"Nagito, please," I took Byakuya's place in front of the screen. "I don't want to wait another four years to speak again. I'm sorry for being so inconsiderate". Nagito barely nudged, continuing to read. "I told him everything. No more secrets". This caught his attention; Nagito finally focused his attention on me.

"I'm sorry too," he smiled. His eyes refocused, staring at something off-screen.

"While we're talking, do you have an update on us returning?" Hajime asked, seemingly worried at whatever Nagito was staring at.

"There's an apartment complex close to our house that I have a restoration team working on," I explained, glancing at Nagito. "But..." I bit my lip.

"You won't feel welcome here. The world believes you to be the Remnants of Despair that are responsible for the chaos," Byakuya explained. "With that said, we will do our best to ensure your safety". A courteous smile accompanied his hand resting on my shoulder.

When the call ended, I opened a fresh bottle of wine and poured two glasses. Stepping into the living room, I handed one glass to Byakuya and sat next to him. Nagito was distracted and that had seemed to worry Hajime. It worried me; Nagito wasn't someone to be easily distracted, but rather to ignore who or whatever he felt wasn't worth his time. For him to be distracted like that and not say something was...terrifying. I've learned that we all have dual-sides and I've seen what Nagito is capable of.

Summer was in full bloom when I received the call of the completed renovations. Immediately, I called Kyoko and filled her in on the next step while walking Byakuya's office. "How many cases of wine can you get as soon as possible?" I asked, hanging up the phone. "The apartment renovations are done. Hinata and the others can come home!" I was brimming with joy.

Byakuya dialed a number, holding the phone to his ear. "How many cases do you want?" he smiled back.

The day of their arrival, everyone pitched in with party preparations. Checking the food inventory for the third time, I hadn't noticed the ladder in the center of the hallway. My foot caught on one of the legs, causing Makoto to teeter at the top and nearly fall off. Kyoko was ready to catch him if necessary, but when he regained balance, we both chuckled. "Former Ultimate Lucky student is right," I smiled at him. "Have you heard from Komaru?"

Makoto nodded, "Right on schedule. They should be arriving shortly," he said, descending the ladder steps. Kyoko immediately started to fuss with his tie, straightening the creases. As Hina and I giggled at the sight, Byakuya came up behind me and began fussing with my hair, making sure it was straight.

"Hold still," he said as I tried to swat his hands away. After securing my dress zipper and stubbornly tidying my hair, I felt something dangle around my neck. The ring necklace I had given him, and that he carried everywhere since then, was once again around my neck. The ring was no longer a simple silver band, but now had a diamond resting in the center and was engraved: ~Cherished always, my hope~