"Miss Harukawa" - An NDRV3 Postgame Short Story

Miss Harukawa

"Miss Harukawa, the lesson is nearly over for today." My co-worker signaled to Shuichi and Himiko waiting in the doorway. They had come to pick me up from work at the daycare.

I had finished reading a book to the kids. "The tales of Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Bear" laid in my hands. Not too firm of a grasp, not too gentle, just a mediocre grip on its laminated cover.

"Well, kids, that's enough for today -" I began to stand up from my seat on the carpet, but...
"Miss Harukawaaaa!"

One of the boys from the back of the group whined out. "Can we pleeeaaaase have some more story time??"

I took a glance to the door, the exit of the classroom. Shuichi nodded, as if to let me have some more time. I sighed, then took a deep breath,

"What would you all like to hear?"
"Yaaaayyy!"

One of the shyer young girls from the front of the group quietly raised her hand.

"Yes, Yoruta?"

"My Mommy and Daddy always tell me it's good to ask others about themselves..."

"That's great. You're being taught very well, Yoruta. You'll grow up to be a very polite young lady." I smiled at her. "But, yes, I guess I should tell you all a story about myself."

I shushed the kids whilst trying to find a story that wasn't completely dark or gruesome. But, nonetheless, it all came flooding back. Being tortured as a child. Killing people I didn't want to kill. Becoming numb. Hiding my identity. Lying. Being forced into - or rather, signing up for, a terrible killing game... Kaito.

Kaito...

Perhaps... 'The Luminary of the Stars...'


"Okay, kids. I've thought of something. Make sure you're listening and being quiet, alright?"
All of my students complied, clearly invested in what I had to tell them.

"Once upon a time, I met a man. He was annoying at first, and silly, and... stupid..." On instinct, I blushed and began to fiddle with my pigtails. The kids laughed at the stupid names I gave him...

"Anyways, this man was no ordinary person. He was amazing at what he did. The best of the best. His name, 'Kaito Momota, Luminary Of The Stars!' "

The kids gawked in awe. Kaito must have sounded like a superhero to them.

"He was the Ultimate Astronaut. He ventured the galaxy, searching for purpose. But one day, tragedy stuck."
The kids clutched onto their knees, in anticipation of the danger I would lay upon them.
"He got trapped in a game. A game where there was no mercy! A fight for the best Ultimate to come out on top!" I signaled up to the ceiling with my free hand dramatically, immersing my small audience in my daring, intense tale.

I caught a glimpse of a sad smile from Shuichi. Himiko played with the brim of her hat. Of course, what happened after that, was...


"Did he win the game, Miss Harukawa??"


I stopped dead in my tracks. My balled up fist slowly dropped back to my side. I was getting ahead of myself. I can't just tell them he died,  I...

Once again, I looked back at Shuichi and Himiko. A dark shadow fell over their faces. Damn it... what the hell am I supposed to tell them --


"Hey, Maki Roll!"

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"I mean, I get where you're comin' from. You can't just tell them I up and died. But, I believe in you! Give this story a happy ending!!" He grinned. Even if I couldn't see his grin, I could feel it. I could feel his hope in me.

"Well... no. He didn't. But, he did something even better..."
The kids grinned, waiting for me to unveil the story even further.
"He ended the game! He believed that Ultimates shouldn't be pitted against each other. So, he created peace within the community of Ultimates!!"

"Great job, Maki Roll. Just what I'd expect from my sidekick."
*Shut up. Do you wanna die?* I thought to myself.
"Ahaha, there's classic ol' Maki!"

I shook off Kaito's laughter...


"Miss Harukawa, is he in space right now??"


...
..........


I felt his hand on my shoulder again.

"Well, yep! He's on a mission right now. I'm not sure when he'll be back, though."

"What mission is he on??"

I felt another smile. One with a different aura.

"Ooh, I wonder! Neeheehee... But, that was a lie. I already know."

Of course.

"He's out to help a friend." Kokichi's smile turned from less of a fake one... to a sad one. I still hate his guts, and would gladly strangle him, this time, to death... But, at least he's not as much of an asshole as I once thought he was.

"But, that's top secret!" I chuckled as all of my students groaned, wanting to know the rest of the story. It was well past my time to leave, though...

"Sorry, kids! I might tell you more of the story next lesson. Good afternoon, everyone."

"Good afternoon, Miss Harukawa!" All of the kids shouted in unison, shooting up off of the carpet and darting outside to go home.


"Good save, Maki. If you said either of us died back there you tooootally woulda been screwed."
*Shut up.*
"Stop being so damn rude, Kokichi!!"

I chuckled quietly at their ruckus, before adding,

*But, thanks, you two... For everything.*

and walked away with a soft smile planted across my face.



"Did you have a good day, Maki?" Shuichi asked me as he and Himiko walked alongside me.
"Yeah, it was good."
"I could tell with my magic... Sometimes, you got really quiet, like you were listening to voices in your head." Himiko pointed at me with a suspicious expression.
"Don't tell me... You're hearing their voices, too..." Shuichi speculated wearily.
"Yeah, but...

I don't mind it."