GxS- Post Graduation (completed)

File

(Sonia's POV)

The next few days were a blur being honest. Spending time with Gundham, hanging out with Chiaki, watching movies (kind of), and eating from the buffet way too much. Everyone was trying to make the best of being in the hotel.

Of course, we also had access to outside features like the pool, a pretty big hot tub, and a gazebo decorated with fairy lights. It was like we were actually on vacation.

But, our time at the hotel also came to an end relatively quickly. But we weren't complaining about leaving the hotel, as it meant we were going to be transported into a real city.

I had never lived in a city before, I had only lived on the island and in my castle (which of course was accompanied by my kingdom but that's less important). Getting a taste of "city life" as my friends called it was both exciting, and nerve racking for me.

I would get to experience new things with everyone I had grown to love on the island. But a part of me was also going to miss the island, or rather, the memories I made there.

Like when Gundham threw me a coronation ceremony, or Chiaki taught me how to play pac-man. Even little things. Like how Gundham would pick me up, and throw me into the pool while screaming, "Dark Thunder Splash!" or something along the likes of that.

I was going to miss Teruteru's cooking, despite how annoying his constant flirting was, and I was going to miss Ibuki's impromptu concerts that she forced everyone to attend.

As we re-packed the stuff we had brought to the hotel, I felt oddly sad. Almost disappointed that our time at the hotel was over so soon. Or rather, disappointed my time sharing a room with Gundham was over so soon.

Before we  began packing, Makoto had briefed us on what was going to happen. Temporarily, we would all be moved into an apartment complex together. It was actually going to be a similar situation to the hotel.

We would be taken on a tour of the city and then have a few weeks to do things like research jobs, different places we might be interested in moving to more permanently, and most importantly, explore.

But we would also be receiving some bad news.

Makoto told us that once everyone was packed and ready to leave, we would be given a file containing  all known information about what we personally had done to contribute to the ultimate despair.

It was chilling.

Knowing that I used to be part of something so horrid  ate at me. Knowing I was potentially responsible for the deaths of people I love... It wasn't a thought I was particularly fond of.

Gundham was also, terrified. He was terrified that he would open his file to find that he had hurt his animals.

His exact words were, "People? Bahaha.. People are worthless inferiors! But animals.. they have a certain sense of care a normal human could never possess. Though, low-level demons like yourself are of course an exception."

Though I was honestly excited by the idea of being a low-level demon, I also understood his fears. He had always had a very strong connection to animals, which of course led to him being the Ultimate Animal Breeder, but I knew that the idea of hurting on his animals was absolutely tearing him up inside.

But everything from packing until we got those files placed in our hands didn't, and would never, matter.

When I felt the smooth, tan file placed in my hand I almost started crying, because looking around at my classmates, my file was considerably thicker than anyone else's.

But before I could open it, I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Sonia, I wanted you to have these as well. I found them while doing some research." Kyoko said, handing me a small stack of photos.

"Are these...?" I questioned, "Yes." She replied. "Those are photos from the class time you spent at Hopes Peak academy."

"Thank you, Kyoko." I said, my hand was visibly shaking as I took the stack of photos from her hand.

But looking through those photos just made me more upset. They were happy photos, in ever single one I was smiling or laughing, I was just sad I would never be able to remember what had happened.

In one particular photo, Gundham and I stood back to back with our arms crossed. We were both smiling and laughing, and our faces radiated pure joy.

I really, really wish I could remember this moment.

I slipped the stack of photos into my bag, making a mental note to show them all to Gundham later, before opening my file.

My face fell.

I was personally responsible for the fall of my entire kingdom, killing over 10,000 people, and causing severe harm to almost 20,000.

I was a monster.

"Everyone, these files do NOT represent who you are as a person. Please remember that the ultimate repair was an all consuming force, and you are not at fault."  Makoto said from somewhere in the room.

But he was wrong. This was me. I did this.

Due to MY actions- thousands of people died. How am I supposed to brush that over? How am I supposed to move on? Or live with myself?

I kept flipping through my file until I got to a page labeled "Close Accomplices." The list filled the entire page.

The only name I knew on the list was "Junko Enoshima" herself, but I assume everyone has her name on their list since we were all Ultimate Despair.

I closed my file, and slipped in into my bag alongside the photos.

I couldn't look anymore. I couldn't view my destruction, my failure, any longer.

I will never forgive myself.