Naegami - Responsible

Five: Acceptance

Makoto Naegi was a nice person. He did his best to be, anyway. He liked to think that he was friends with everyone, that he didn't really have any enemies, or at least the ones he did have would like him if they got to know him. Soon he would realize how wrong he was – but not just yet. For now he would be surrounded by all the love and support he could ask for.

Thankfully, his injuries hadn't been too serious – Toko had reverted to her non-murderous personality before she could inflict any major damage – so he was able to go back to school after just a few days in the hospital, whether he was prepared for it or not. Things had been so chaotic that he'd almost forgotten about his fake relationship with Byakuya – that is, until his father poked his head into his room and said curiously, "Makoto? There's a boy here to see you. Tall kid, wears glasses, rich-looking?"

"Oh, yeah." Makoto looked away, blushing. He'd somehow managed to avoid telling his parents about Byakuya up until now. "He's... he's my boyfriend."

"Oh." His father blinked. "Well, that's unexpected. Um, I think he wants to walk you to school. Should I tell him to go away, or...?"

"It's fine, Dad! I'm coming!" Still blushing, Makoto grabbed his backpack and ran out of the room. I probably should've prepared for that, or at least given them a heads up. Too late to do anything about it now, I guess, but... still super awkward.

His sister Komaru poked her head around the corner of the hallway as he was about to head out the door. "Oh, Makoto, you got a boyfriend?" She giggled. "I knew it! So, what's he like?"

Before he knew it his entire family had converged in the living room. "What's this I hear about a boyfriend?" his mother asked, smiling gently. "Honey, I just want you to know that we support you no matter what, and –"

"That's enough, guys!" It was sweet that they were being so supportive, but it was still an uncomfortable situation. Makoto slipped his shoes on, opened the door, grabbed Byakuya's hand, and took off running. He looked back. "Okay, I think we lost... SHIT."

Komaru was chasing them down the block.

"What the hell is happening?" Byakuya demanded, his face red. "Let go of my hand this instant."

"No time!" Makoto tugged at Byakuya's arm. When he didn't budge, Makoto grabbed his arm with both his hands and started dragging him down the sidewalk. Meanwhile, Komaru was still in hot pursuit.

"Is that your boyfriend?" she shouted loudly enough for everyone on the block to hear. "You've got some good taste, Makoto! I'm surprised!"

"Go to school already, Komaru! You're going to be late! This is none of your business anyway!" Makoto yelled back, still trying to uproot Byakuya from the sidewalk.

Realizing how ridiculous the two of them must look, Byakuya finally moved, joining Makoto in a sprint to Hope's Peak. When they finally looked back, Komaru was long gone.

"Your sister," Byakuya said through gasps for air, "is absolutely unhinged."

"I know, right? My worst mistake was giving her my yearbook. She's started shipping me with everyone in our class.

They grinned at each other, and Makoto was surprised to see that Byakuya's smile looked almost genuine. "This is the happiest you've looked since I've known you," he said.

"Pfft." The smile dropped off Byakuya's face, replaced with his trademark scowl. "Do I look like I have time to be happy?"

That doesn't even make sense, Makoto thought. Still, it was good to see that Byakuya was opening up to him a little bit. Even if they weren't really dating, Makoto still wanted to be his friend.
"Well," Byakuya said, pushing up his glasses, "have you had enough of your foolishness, or must we delay even further?"

"Hey, it's not my fault my sister is a lunatic."

They walked into the school together and were immediately met by stares and whispers. To Makoto it was his usual routine. Byakuya, on the other hand...

He leaned down to whisper in Makoto's ear. "Why are all these commoners gawking at us?"
"I guess word got out about our 'relationship,'" Makoto whispered back. "Either that or it's just the usual weird looks I've been getting ever since Sayaka..."

Byakuya sniffed haughtily. "While I am used to drawing attention from the majority of the populous, it wouldn't make much sense for it to suddenly start now. You're likely right."

"Hey, Makoto!" It was Aoi Asahina, jogging up to them with a massive grin on her face. "I heard you two started going out. Good for you! And don't worry, if anyone makes fun of you I'll get Sakura to beat them up!" She giggled.

"Oh my God," Byakuya muttered.

"Hey!" Aoi spun around to face him. "Just 'cause you're dating my friend doesn't mean you're off the hook, mister. I still don't like you!"

"Perfect. The feeling is mutual."

"Hey!" She glared at him, trying to make her soft, adorable face appear forceful. "You know, you'd be more popular if you tried not to be such a mean guy all the time."

Their argument continued, Makoto caught in the middle desperately trying to keep the peace. Eventually they arrived at their homeroom. Byakuya reached for the door handle, but before he could turn it, Aoi put her hand over his. "Look," she said hesitantly, "I'm totally cool with you guys, but I'm not sure how everyone else is going to take this. You should stay on your guard."

"Believe me," Byakuya said darkly, "I've faced worse."

Makoto nodded. "Yeah... in a way it'll be a relief. I'm sick of getting pitied."

Despite their attempts to reassure themselves that they were ready, they didn't want to believe anything that would happen. Makoto trusted his classmates unconditionally, and Byakuya, despite his low opinion of them, thought even they would be above mocking the two of them. They underestimated just how cruel teenagers could be, and how the words of others could change a relationship forever.