«Makoto Naegi»
Toko looks up at us, surprised. Her hair has been cut short, the dark purple shining against her skin, which is as pale and papery as parchment, but much cleaner. The angular features of her face has been smoothed out, and she looks much healthier and less stressed.
"Makoto. What are you doing here?" She mutters awkwardly.
"I just wanted to see if you were ok, after, you know, what happened." Komaru nudges me. "I just, hope you're doing ok now."
I expected Toko to shout at me, scream at me, or ignore me entirely. But instead, she looks pensive.
"Thanks Makoto. You guys are actually my first visitors." She mutters awkwardly, her eyes fixed on Komaru. "Um, w-who is this?"
"Oh, I'm Komaru Naegi! Makoto's sister!" Komaru chirps. She blushes. "This is a bit random, but I love your hair."
Toko looks away. "T-thanks. Is Byakuya here?" She asks hopefully.
My gut clenches. "No. He's not." He doesn't even know I'm here.
"Oh. Anyway..."
I can feel the awkwardness heavy on my shoulders.
"Um, are you coming back to Hope's Peak?" I ask.
"My therapist says Hope's peak was too stressful for me, so probably not. I'll probably be going to another school, maybe Nightwing Academy." Toko explains.
"I'm going there next year!" Squeals Komaru. Komaru dissolves into conversation, and I turn away, looking out of the window at the twisting tendrils of fog.
«Byakuya Togami»
Outside, the fog curls round Hope's Peak.
"I hope the weather is ok for Sayaka's party." I hear someone mutter ahead. I roll my eyes- are people really that excited?
I make my way down the stairs to the dining hall, sitting in my usual spot near the window.
Hey Byakuya!" Makoto waves, trotting over to sit next to me.
"Oh, hello Makoto." His smile warms the ice inside of me, like a sun wiping away the fog. "What did you do today?" He asks.
"Not much really? Just catching up on homework." Makoto looks awkward for a moment. "What did you do?"
Makoto looks away. I have a growing suspicion that he's done something very bad.
"Um, well, I visited Toko-"
"You visited Toko? Why? She tried to kill us! She tried to kill me!" I rage. "Makoto, why would you do this?" I've tried to keep my voice down, but the judgeful eyes of Hope's peak are swooping towards us.
"Makoto, I'm sorry, I just don't understand why you would do this!"
"Why are you making such a big deal about this!" Makoto hisses. "Can you just relax! She was in a bad place-"
"Don't tell me what to do."
Makoto mutters something under his breath.
I reel back, shuddering with rage.
You sound like your father.
"Byakuya, I'm sorry-" makoto Splutters, eyes widening as he realises the impact of his words.
I'm already out of my seat, marching out of the room, fuming.
In my room, I sink onto my bed, furious, furious. I look in the mirror- is that what people see me as? Like my father?
I slam down the mirror, the glass exploding into a fog of shards.
YOU ARE READING
Naegami- Blackmail (sequel to eyes in the shadows)
FanfictionAfter the events of eyes in the shadows, Makoto and Byakuya's relationship is as strong as ever- yet it's still a secret from everyone. Hope's peak academy is preparing for the biggest party of the year, held by pop star Sayaka Maizono. It's this pa...
