Beta Memories One-Shots (Completed)

Beta! Chiaki Nanami: Still Alive

After the end of Junko's despair, the Future Foundation had rejuvenated the world back to peace.

Everyone of Class 77-B was boarded on a ferry back to the mainland, talking about their new futures. Chiaki, however, sat alone near the railing. She had no idea how things would go. Is her family and friends still alive? Will they immediately pass judgement because she was an Ultimate Despair? It was complicated, to say the least.

Minutes later, they had arrived at the dock. Makoto and the other surviving members of the Future Foundation met up with them.

"Welcome home!" Makoto Naegi greeted. "I know this may feel a little strange for the first few days. Don't worry, though. We'll be in touch if you ever feel like having a talk."

Chiaki looked around to see anyone familiar but only to see all Future Foundation members. Her heart ached at the thought of her family and friends being killed, but immediately returned to reality.

"Chaiki?" Hajime tapped her on the shoulder. "Do you want me to take you home?"

"Oh! S-sure..." She hesitated before taking his hand. She became self conscious about her hand being sweaty as they clasped. As they began walking, she watched as her fellow classmates followed separate agents, possibly heading home. Nagito was talking to Byakuya when he glanced over to the two of them and waved.

Luckily, she didn't live very far from the harbour. Her house was still there, but the exterior paint was worn out, the windows were shuttered shut with wood planks, and a foreclosed sign was plastered on the door. So much for returning home.

"I am so sorry, Chiaki." Hajime said, hugging her from behind. "I wasn't expecting that at all."

"Me neither..." She was half lying. She had that gut feeling, but wished it wasn't real. Her home for the last seventeen years...was gone. They decided to head back to the harbour as there wasn't a lot left they can do.

When they got there a few minutes later, she found a familiar face. Her hair was shorter, but she still had her distinctive style: bright blonde with the sea green tips.

"Kishiko!" She cried out as he let got of Hajime's hand and rushed over. The figure turned around and her golden eyes began to water. She knelt down as Chiaki slammed into her with a bear hug.

"Oh my GOD!" She sighed with relief. "You're alive! I cannot believe this!" She looked up to see Hajime and she was surprised. "Woah...Hinata? The hell happened to your eye?"

"It's a long story, Kakyoku." Hajime smirked as he shook her hand. "Nice to see the apocalypse didn't dampen your mood."

"Nice comeback." She laughed as Chiaki went back to Hajime. "So...you two got together? For how long?"

They looked at each other, not really sure how to explain it. How can you say 'we met in a virtual reality where we had our memories were erased and we were forced to kill our classmates'? Not easy, that's for sure.

"Just recently." Chiaki lied. "It took a while for him to man up."

Kishiko looked at her, not really believing her story. However, she shook her head. "Well, it was about time. Jeez!" Her mood went dark as she remembered something. "I am sorry about your house, Chiaki. The Future Foundation was planning to make a centre or something so they needed the space."

"Is my family okay, though?" Chiaki asked.

"I don't know...the house has been abandoned since the Tragedy began. Mind you, I only got home a few weeks ago."

'They didn't come by to even check up on me...' Chiaki thought solemnly. She shouldn't be surprised given that they worked overseas. Maybe she missed them when...she was Ultimate Despair...

"I thought that if you needed a place to stay, you can live with me and my sister." Kishiko offered. "That's why I came all the way down here."

Chiaki looked at her with a look of shock. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Well, yeah. You are one of my best friends after all." Kishiko admitted sheepishly. "Yua hasn't seen you since I started at Hope's Peak and since she is staying for humanitarian aid, why not?"

"Thank you..." She gave her friend a grateful look of appreciation.

"No, thank my sister. Oh, speaking of which, Hajime? My sister would love to meet you too so you are welcome to come over anytime."

"Good." Hajime replied before noticing Byakuya waving him down. "Sorry, I am needed." He kissed Chiaki on the cheek before taking off.
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On the ride back home, the girls were discussing their lives since the last time they saw each other.

"I had no idea how bad Japan had ended up when we came home." Kishiko said. "I mean, after our killing game overseas, I thought that we were safe."

"I am sorry, Shiko." Chiaki replied. "I am just glad you made it out alive."

"Barely...still it doesn't top your story. Not by a long shot."

"Don't you see me any different because of that? I was Ultimate Despair and I caused so much pain." Chiaki let the guilt weigh her down as tears came sliding down her face.

"I don't know about what happened, but from what I understand, you amended your wrongdoings to help the Future Foundation."

"Huh?"

"You are not like Junko Enoshima. You were tricked." Kishiko explained as they pulled into the driveway of the Kakyoku's bungalow home. "It takes time to heal wounds, but I know that you pulled through the despair and now you want to make the world better."

"Kishiko..."

"My sister was like that too. Tricked into despair and is now repaying her dues. Every night, I would go to her room and give her a hug. I forgave her, and I will always help out those I love. That is the difference between hope and despair: a person's heart."

"Wow..." Chiaki smiled as the girls got out the car. "That was a beautiful speech."

"Yeah, well...don't tell anyone about this." Kishiko coughed as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I don't want to look soft."

Chiaki laughed as she hugged her friend. "Of course. That's why you are my best friend."
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