What If The Bottle Didn't Break...?

Chapter 3

"Ah darn it. I lost again."
I turned to Nanami, who was sitting next to me on her bed. She was playing Tetris, again. I honestly didn't have anything to do so I mostly daydreamed.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked, turning to meet my gaze.
"Just... Wondering why Komaeda left."
She tapped her chin.
"I don't know. But, I have a question."
I sighed and nodded.
"What is it?"
She twiddled her fingers with a slightly nervous look on her face. She never looks nervous. What's this about? Blush crept onto her face as she began speaking.
"Em... Can we go on first name bases? If you don't want to, that's fine."
I basically went paralyzed when the sentence left her mouth. First names? I mean, if she doesn't mean anything behind it that's ok. We are good friends so, I guess it's fine.
"Sure. If you want." I answered calmly. Silence filled the room. After a few minutes of dreadfull quietness, she said,
"Hajime? I can call you Hajime?"
I nodded slowly and smiled at her.
"Yes you can, Chiaki."
She smiled back at me, then stood up. She walked over to her console.
"Wanna play Smash?"
I nodded eagerly.
"I'll beat you this time!"
She shook her head.
"Nope, I'm gonna win!"
"You always win!"

She's already won 7 rounds. I haven't even gotten a chance yet. But... We're on first names? Isn't everyone going to be confused if we call each other by them? Is... Is Komaeda going to think we're a thing? What if he does? Will be hate me? Will he hate Chiaki? Will he kill someone? No, he wouldn't kill someone... I hope. Does... Komaeda want to go on first name bases? What's his first name again...? Nagito, right?
"Hey, Chiaki?"
She nodded, killing me and then looking me in the eyes.
"Yes?"
"You couldn't pause?"
"Nope. What is it?"
"Komaeda's first name is Nagito, right?"
She nodded.
"Why?"
I sighed and layed on the floor.
"No reason. I was just wondering."
She rested down her controller and turned to face me.
"Do you want to go on first names with him too?" She asked, with a slightly hurt expression. Hurt? Why?
"N-no! It was just a question! A question!" I felt my face getting warmer as Chiaki intently stared at me.
"All right. Whatever you say, Hajime." (Haha that rhymes-)
I sat back up and took my controller.
"This is my turn to win..."

I woke up halfway off my bed. I have no idea how I got into this position. Did I sleep walk or something? Well, that's for another time. I didn't hear the morning announcement. What's that about? I got up and looked outside. It's still dark. Did I wake up early? I went to bed at 10 yesterday. Why would I wake up early? I checked the clock, and it was, in fact, 4 AM. I kinda don't want to move... Somebody could kill me. I looked to my left. Komaeda wasn't here...? Why isn't he here? I stood up and checked the couch. No sign of him. What's with that? Is he off doing something!? Is he getting murdered!? Is he already dead? What if he's planning something? There's so many things that can be happening I don't know where to start! Ok, what about I check the beach first. I heard he liked hanging around there sometimes! Or maybe, maybe-
"Hinata-kun? You look worried." I jumped and turned to the door. Komaeda? He didn't look that different. At least he isn't hurt... Hopefully.
"What the fuck were you doing?! I was worrie- I thought you might have died! Or killed someone! Or planning something!"
He folded his arms and stared at the floor.
"Hinata-kun. There's something I need to tell you."
I pulled him inside and shut the door.
"You're not going to apologise?"
"Why should I apologise to a worthless reserve course stu-..... Nevermind. Sorry."
I facepalmed. In my head of course.
"Whatever. Now what is it?"
"Well, it's more like a question."
"Well get on with it!"
He inhaled and sat on the couch. I sat next to him, cuddling a small pillow in my arms.
"Why do I still love you?"
I gave him a confused look.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... You have no talent. You're worthless. Trash. Absolute garbage, yet, I still love you. I still want to stay with you forever and I don't understand why."
I sat back on the couch at thought about those words. Not those words, those words. Worthless. Trash. Absolute garbage. It's not the worst thing to be called but it's definitely not the nicest.
I felt betrayed in the first trial. When Komaeda showed us his true self and attempted murder. I don't care what his reason is, it is still (attempted) murder. I've ignored him. Tried my best to stay away from him... But now that he's almost completely left my life, I want to spend time with him. I don't want to leave his side, no matter how crazy or weird he gets. There's obviously a reason why he is the way he is, and I feel as if it is my job to find, and exterminate that/those reason(s).
"Komaeda. Is there anything you're not telling me about yourself? Nothing that has to do with the notebook, I assume that's an off limits topic."
"No, nothing. Why?" He answered, looking slightly taken aback.
"What about your parents dying in a place crash? What about you being kidnapped by a serial killer? They both ended up with large sums of money, right? What about you having Lymphoma and Frontotemporal Dementia?  There's barely anything I know about you! And I don't like that!"
He shook his head with a worried face.
"Hinata-kun? Didn't I already tell you I read that in a book? Don't tell me you weren't listening."
I stared him in the eyes. His face gave me a great feeling of discomfort. His eyes looked like they were about to shoot daggers into my forehead. His posture was very hostile, gripping my wrist as if he were about to rip it off. His other arm had his hand clenched in his lap.
"Komaeda stop lying. What was the name of the book?"
He started swimming around for answers, but obviously didn't find any.
"I-... I-... I-I-I-I-I"
"Calm down. What was the name? If you're telling the truth, you would remember."
"W-why do I have to remember that? Hinata-kun?"
"If you could memorize something like that, then you would  remember the fucking name. Now what was it?"
"I'm sorry."
He let go of my wrist and fell back on the couch. I felt my heart drop and quickly scooted on the couch next to him.
"Komaeda!? Are you okay?!"
I was only met with soft snoring... He fell asleep? He has to be faking! No way he actually fell asleep...

I guess I'm not getting any answers any time soon...