Chapter 9
A New Day

Someone once told me that I was too optimistic about life. That I always acted too strongly or too happy whenever a good moment came into focus.
But when Komaeda's status of completely psychotic disappeared, I was just overwhelmed with happiness.
Komaeda . . . My Komaeda is really back?
Oh, Mikan, what wonderful things you have done . . .
A cure for despair? It must be a complete miracle.
But they did it. With the help of Mikan, the Future Foundation made a cure. Everyone . . . Everyone could be okay? They . . . really could?
But it worked. It worked for Komaeda.
Fuyuhiko would unfortunately refuse the treatment. He wanted to remember every last moment of Peko, including her sacrifice for him.
Though, of course, Komaeda does remember all he did while in the despair syndrome, and still has his erratic personality, it doesn't affect him nearly as much as it did whenever he first saw my face.
And this moment, right now, as I'm walking into his hospital room, concludes it.
"Oh, Hajime! How was your day?" He spread his arms out towards me, myself filling them shortly after, holding him as close as I could.
A fatalistic warning, perhaps.
Something that would be expected, right?
Something inevitable.
Something expected.
A change in the world.
A once long, terrifying time.
Has it really came to an end?
The medicine, flown into the air, purifying the air and all the rest of the people who continue to breathe.
Cleansing and restoration of the world was next.
Though I knew that would take a long time, it was still a possibility, right?
I'd say it is.
Since Nagito and I now live in a building across from the Future Foundation Headquarters, I'd say we're doing a good progress so far.
Sonia, Mikan, and Fuyuhiko also live in the building, in their own apartments. Though there is no rent, of course, and the living areas are much better quality.
But, we have our own, separate lives now.
Something to call our own.
. . .
Standing by our bedroom window, I looked into the courtyard behind our building. Nagito and I walked in the courtyard almost every day to get a nice breath of fresh air. And we spend almost every moment together.
I didn't want to let him out of my sight again.
Feeling his arms wrap around my waist from behind, I fell back into his embrace.
"Hinata-kun, I have a surprise for you," he smiled, leaning his head on my shoulder.
"A surprise?" I repeated.
"Yes, but I'm going to have to take you somewhere for me to give it to you! So come on, get dressed!" He was already dressed in his green trench coat and normal outfit.
So I got dressed, fixing my appearance as best as I could, and as soon as I got done brushing my teeth Nagito pulled my arm, leading me out of our apartment and into the courtyard. It was somewhere we went everyday, I wouldn't expect anything different to happen.
Maybe he would just say it's a surprise though it would just be a kiss on the cheek, though that would be good enough, it would still be something he would do. Say something is a surprise though in actuality, it was just something that would be normal for us.
He held onto my hand, leading me down the flights of stairs, into the courtyard, directly in front of the fountain.
Then he turned around, giving me a smile.
He reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small box, wrapped with a tiny ribbon with a bow on it.
"I kept messing up on the bow, I had to have Sonia tie it for me," he gave a nervous laugh, as I took the box in my hands, feeling my cheeks become warm.
"What is it?" I asked him, curious as to what he could have possibly gotten me.
He shrugged, "Open it."
Sitting down on the edge of the fountain, he did the same. I opened the box, peeking inside it.
"Kusamochi," I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder. I haven't seen this in so long, I wondered how he got ahold of it.
Splitting the mochi in half, I shared one half with him, and savored mine.
"Oh, Hinata-kun, you can have this half, too. I'm more of a fan for salty things."
"Food rations are low, Nagito. Please, eat."
His hunger must have gotten to him, because usually he would continue to turn down any sweet thing. But, he ate this, anyways.
Still having my head on his shoulder, he kissed the top of my head, leaning his on mine. And we listened to the sound of the fountain for a little while before we took a walk, seeing the construction of buildings for survivors. We circled around the block, enjoying the sounds of birds chirping, the wind rustling the trees above us. Spring was finally on its way.
By the time we reached the courtyard again, the sun was setting. Stopping by the fountain again, I enjoyed the view of the rays shining between the trees, seeing the pinks and oranges.
"It's still beautiful, even after the world fell to pieces," I sighed with content.
We shared a silence for a little while, before I heard his voice speak up, "Hey, Hinata-kun?"
I turned around, seeing him have tears forming in his eyes.
My hand made its way to his cheek, my thumb wiping away the tear trying to escape. "What's wrong, Nagito?"
"Have . . . Have you heard any church bells recently?"
Church bells?
"N-No, I don't believe I have . . . Why?"
"They . . . sure are loud today, aren't they?"
He smiled up at the sky, "So beautiful . . ."
Then his eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he fell forward, myself catching him.
"K-Komaeda?!" I shouted, shaking him slightly. "Goddammit!"
Picking him up, I rushed to the Future Foundation building, calling for Mikan.
A hospital room picked, machines set up, only for him to wake back up soon after with a smile.
Mikan reassured me of my worries by writing on her sheet of paper that everything was okay. He just had a delusion. But everything was okay now . . . hopefully. She explained to me that it was most-likely another chance that despair was trying to escape again. As it does with her, as well as me.
Later that night, we made our way back to our apartment, and I hugged him close, telling him how scared I was.
"Oh, I'm sorry for making you worry about some filth like me. Please, Hajime, hit me if you want to." Still my same Nagito.
"No, I'll never hit you, Nagito . . ." I shook my head, kissing his cheek. "Kissing, though? Of course," and I placed my lips on his, easing off his jacket.
Letting him go, I untied my tie, starting to unbutton my shirt, turning towards the window of our bedroom, almost ready to collapse into bed and fall asleep.
"Hinata-kun?" Nagito called out behind me as I looked out the window.
Whenever I turned back around, Nagito was on his knees, his hands placed in his lap, smiling up at me. "May I?" He said in a sweet voice, making my heart accelerate.

NSFW AFTER THIS LINE

PLEASE SKIP IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ

His hands reached up to my zipper, him unbuttoning the button, easing the zipper down. His fingers brushed my skin as he eased his fingers on the lining of my jeans, sliding them down, off my legs. I took off my shirt now, and knelt down before his fingers could get to my boxers.
Now on my knees, as well, I took his t-shirt off, and said, "How about me first tonight?" I gave a smirk, seeing his expression become lightened.
"I-If you insist," he stuttered, standing up, leaning against the wall behind him. My fingers delicately made their way to his jeans, unzipping and unbuttoning, pulling them off of him. Then my hands massaged his sides, his hand caressed my cheek as I licked his thin stomach. Easing his boxers down, I took notice to his arousal already, giving a smirk up at him.
"Already this excited?" I teased, rubbing the underside of his shaft, starting to lick it.
"I-I apologize, H-H-Hinata-k-kun," he breathed, as his hand made its way to the back of my head, easing my mouth more onto his cock, I started sucking, stroking with one hand.
He let out a moan, covering his mouth with embarrassment. I couldn't help but want to smile, as I continued to suck deeper, feeling it reach the back of my throat. He pushed my head more, I started going faster, feeling my own arousal.
"Nng! H-Haa!--H-H-Hinata-kun, I-I--" and he started cumming, as I released my mouth, licking my lips, and wiping my face where some had landed.
I gave a laugh, "And you say I resist, hm?" I licked the head again, stroking it as I looked up at him, he was seemingly completely out-of-breath.
Then he fell on his knees, kissing my forehead before saying, "Your turn, H-Hinata-kun," he caught his breath for a couple moments, and I let him, with his weak stamina.
So I switched places with him, and I was leaned up against the wall, feeling his warmth from where he was. I felt him start to stroke, and straight away go into deep-throat. I moaned as he almost reached the end of my cock, shoving his head more onto me as I tried to control my breathing.
"Hhh-ha-hahh, yes, yes, come on!" I thrust myself more, as I felt an significant erection coming. I wasn't paying attention to how fast I was going, nor how much I orgasmed, but when he released, I fell to my knees in pleasure.
"Hahh . . . O-Oh my God, N-Nagito th-that was . . ." I seemed to lose my voice, as he wiped his mouth, licking off the cum on his fingers and mouth.
"No fair," he pouted a bit, "You seemed to have a greater erection than me."
Catching my breath for a few more moments, I stood up, sliding onto the bed, stomach first.
"Well, go on," I called out, "Get your great erection of your's," I teased.
But he flopped next to me, instead, turning on his side towards me, as I did with him. My hand went to stroke his cock as I closed my eyes, sliding my tongue into his mouth.
Letting go, I continued to stroke his cock as I climbed on top of him, inserting my cock into his anus, him moaning with pain as I prodded.
"G-Go on, H-Hajime, I-I'm alright," he breathed trying to control himself as I continued to stroke his cock as fast as I could, as I started to fuck him.
I leaned down over him, licking his shoulder as I went faster, feeling more and more pleasure coursing through my body. My breathing became ragged, I felt sweat forming over our bodies. But it was still wonderful.
And as pulled out, cumming, I fell back onto the bed in gratification.
Nagito leaned back onto his back, breathing heavy, as well, from his erections. I crawled towards him, grabbing his cock and licking it again, as I heard him speak, "O-Oh, H-Hinata-k-kun, y-you r-really . . ." but he lost his voice after I shoved my head onto his cock, him pushing my head down as I went up and down, stroking my own cock as I continued.
I could sense his erection, and I released my mouth, opening it up as he came, myself swallowing it.
I was completely out of breath, as was he, as he laid on his side now, starting to crawl under the covers. I did the same, wrapping my arms around him, kissing the nape of his neck as I held his back in my chest.

END OF NSFW PART

"H-Hajime?" He whispered, barely able to hear as he turned around in my arms, myself looking into his eyes. "Y-Yes, Nagito?" "Can I say it?" He took in a breath, letting it go. I placed my forehead on his, "Say what?" "That . . . That I really want you to like me?" I smiled, placing my lips on his, letting go, "I don't just like you, Nagito. I love you." His body relaxed more, curling up into my chest. "I . . . I love you, too, Hajime." . . . The next day I was called into a meeting with Makoto, Byakuya, Kirigiri, and Alter Ego. "So, I believe this will prove interesting to you, Hajime," Byakuya spoke across from me, folding his hands on the table. "Alter Ego has successfully extracted the personalities from the simulation of everyone, including you. We are planned to make screens that are able to move around on wheels, having their own AI. Each screen will be the exact height of the Ultimate Despair as they once were in the simulation, and will continue to learn new things as they are presented with them. Though there are copies of everyone, we must be extremely careful to not let them get loose to the world, since there are still AI Junkos roaming who could take them back, delving into their AI's, making them her's, and then controlling all of them as AI Junko's, again," Kirigiri explained. "You saw the capabilities Alter Ego made with Chiaki, right? Well, she will now be able to move around and have her own life, though still in a screen, you will be able to talk to her, as well as everyone. Maybe, if the technology gets better, we can start making robots, I'm not sure," Makoto spoke up, smiling. Then he stood up, "Here, follow me." And so we did, heading to the big room where he first brought me to see AI Chiaki. There, lined up on screens with wheels on the bottom of them, I saw they were split into sections of their heads, torsos, and legs. Almost as if the screens had body parts, themselves, completely to shape of our friends. They could move, even if they weren't completely here, they act the same. They almost looked the same. The only difference? The screens. That was all. You could hold the screen in a hug, and the screen would hold you back. Almost completely like a 3-D robot, they were completely close enough. Whenever Sonia was led into the room, she ran straight for Gundham's AI, hugging his screen. "Keheheheh, a mortal believing the Gundham Tanaka could die? Foolishness!" Nagito, Mikan, and Fuyuhiko later came into the room, as well. Peko's screen immediately went to Fuyuhiko, wrapping its arms around him. "Young master, it's so nice to see you again," "Geez! How long is this wishy-washy stuff going to continue on?" Hiyoko's AI pouted, standing next to Mahiru's. "Hehehehe!" Ibuki's AI laughed, "It's so cool to be in this little robot!" I turned my head, looking at everyone. We're almost there. I can feel it. Just a little more science, a little more technology, and they could be back to us completely. "Hey, so, uh, how am I supposed to eat?" Akane's AI folded her arms. "Can I, like, eat computer code?" I stood next to a wall, standing with Makoto. "And, they can even react and talk to each other, you know. Soon, I know it, we'll have them back. I'm not going to give up," he smiled, looking around. "I won't either, Makoto," I smiled as well, seeing Nagito walk towards me, embracing my side. I held him close, his head leaning on my shoulder. Whenever I saw Mikan crossing in front of us, I saw her smiling. Maybe it was just the lights above, or just the way the screens glared in my vision. But, I saw, just for a split second, a flash of swirls in her eyes. An evil smile. Byakuya started talking, "We need to search for more AI Junkos, Makoto. Souda and the Ultimate Imposter are still out there, somewhere, as well. We should get going." "Right," he smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder before the three of them left the room. Then, a screen came up to the side of me where Makoto was. "Hajime, may I talk to you privately for a moment?" Alter Ego. "Oh? Sure," and he led me outside, going around a corner. Alter Ego's finger went to his mouth, thinking silently for a moment. My smile seemed to fade whenever I saw what a serious expression he has on his face. "Wh-What's going on?" "Hajime, you explained that it was Akane's body you fought with an AI Junko lodged in her brain, correct?" I nodded, "Yes, wh-what's wrong with that?" "It's just a thought, and I'm sure it's not much of help for anyone, but . . ." he sighed, becoming flustered, "I . . . I had a bad feeling, whenever you were unconscious, in the coma Mikan put you in. I believe you were subjected to an AI Junko, and it could still possibly be inside you." I felt my heart drop, "But . . . How? How would it still be in my brain, if I'm here right now, as Hajime Hinata?" "That's the thing, I don't know. I'm thinking that Mikan had removed it before you had woken up, but it's still a possibility that it is still inside your brain, just waiting for the right moment to strike again." A . . . A threat this immense, inside my head? Able . . . to control me . . . any moment? "Why . . . tell me this now?" He stayed silent for a moment, looking at his hands folding against his skirt. "I wanted you to know. I . . . wanted to warn you." I turned away, seeing the ceiling-high windows, the sun shining, the laughter in the room beside me of everyone happy, together once again. "Thank you, Alter Ego . . ." I muttered, turning left towards the exit. I walked across the street, messing with my tie, fidgeting. I kept trying to relax myself. She hasn't controlled me since the last time while I was in the tower. She must be waiting for a perfect moment. Did . . . Did she do this to the others, too? To Sonia, or Fuyuhiko, or Mikan, or . . . Nagito? Is that what I saw for a split second on Mikan's face? I thought it was over. I thought we were finally getting a small break. Looking around the courtyard, I took in the smell of the trees, seeing all the leaves and flowers. Something that I might destroy later on . . . Sitting on the edge of the fountain, I folding my hands in front of me, placing my elbows on my knee-caps. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. I wanted to take a rope and suffocate myself before she could escape. Would she still be able to control my body, even after I was dead? I don't want to think about it. I don't want to . . . I heard footsteps come towards me, but I didn't lift my head to look. "Oh, Hinata-kun? I was wondering where you went," he gave a small laugh before I heard his voice become worried, "H-Hinata-kun? I-Is everything . . . ?" Before he could finish, I stood up, hugging him as hard as I could. My heart was pounding. Fear was coursing through me. My legs were shaking. In a few moments following, I felt his hands be placed on my back. "What's wrong, Hajime?" his voice was quiet, calming. "Do you want to go home and talk about it?" His arms went to my shoulders, leaning me in his eye-sight. I couldn't look at him in the eyes. Should I . . . Should I really tell him? I shook my head, "I . . . I just need time to think." Nagito stayed still, considering this, letting his hands fall to his sides. "Ah, I must be bothering you then, right? My apologies," he turned around, walking away, putting his hands in his coat's pockets. "W-Wait . . ." I called, losing my voice. He didn't hear me, as I stood there, watching him walk away, disappearing around the corner of the apartment complex. Deciding to mope back to our room, I climbed the steps, opening and shutting the door, leaning against it. I messed with my tie, twirling the end around my hand before I took it off, trudging to our bedroom, falling into it, trying my best to hold back a mental breakdown. An AI? Inside my brain? No . . . This can't be true. It's just a test, right? Yeah, Alter Ego was just testing me. Just a silly little prank the Future Foundation is playing on me . . . But why would they do that . . . ? There's no logical explanation . . . I heard a knock on the front door. I didn't want to get up. But I managed, slumping myself up, making my way to the door, opening it. "Hello, Hajime, it's nice to see you again," she smiled, her screen rolling into the living room. "Nagito said you were upset, and he wanted me to see if I could help at all." Of course he would . . . Oh, my Nagito. "Chiaki, i-is it okay if I--" She interrupted me, saying, "I know, Hajime." Sighing, I sat down on the couch, rubbing my hands over my head. "What do you think? They won't be able to take a CAT scan and see anything, remember? It's not a chip, it's complete brainwash of the brain to make it an AI that can activate any moment." She took a moment to reply, "But, do we know definitely that it is in your brain?" she gave a smile, "See, that's the thing, Hajime. We need to focus on the better possibilities than the worse, right?" I nodded, seeing her sprite underneath the screen. Oh, Chiaki . . . "How . . . How am I supposed to tell Nagito?" "Maybe the best choice is not to, Hajime. I know that you two share everything together, but . . . Maybe just this once, until we know for sure if you have that AI, okay?" I stood up again, heading towards the door, where she was going. "Thanks for the talk, Chiaki. I hope you have a good rest of your day," I opened the door for her, and she went outside. "You, too, Hajime," and she gave me a smile, before I shut the door gently. I wandered my way back into my bed, collapsing into it. I fell into a restless sleep. Later that night, I heard the front door open again, someone take off their shoes, come into our room, take off their clothes, coming into bed with nothing but their boxers on. I took my shirt and jeans off, as well, bringing Nagito close to me. "I'm . . . I'm sorry about earlier, Nagito. I didn't mean to hurt you," I talked quietly, bringing his back closer to my chest. "No, you could never hurt me, Hinata-kun. I'd take all the pain in the world to make you happy." "Don't say such things. I'd never hurt you purposefully. I won't." I felt his chest move up and down as he gave a sigh, turning over in my arms to look at me with his gray eyes. "Hajime, may I ask you something?" "Y-Yes, of course." "What is it that you find appealing in someone like me?" his eyes shimmered slightly, becoming glassy. It took me only a second to respond, "Everything, Nagito." He stayed silent, looking at me. I saw his face become more emotionless, more sullen, before he turned over. It wasn't what I was expecting. I knew then immediately he was hiding something from me, too.

. . .