Hajime's PoV:
I shouldve just kept my mouth shut.Now I have to meet with Nagito tomorrow morning but...maybe Chiaki wont seem so mad at me anymore.
I head to the usual spot I meet Chiaki for lunch,alittle breathless since I increased my walking pace.Like always,there Chiaki stood,on her phone,looking zoned out.I walk up to her and pat her head,causing her to look up.
"There you are.I was getting bored."
Chiaki sighs.
Her voice sounded somber.I didnt like to hear that.
"My bad.I was..."
I began to hesitate.
My words stumbled over eachother.Would Chiaki be happy if I told her I spoke to Nagito or upset because she would know I barely tried?
"...I was chatting...with Komaeda-Kun."
My voice lost some of its dominance as a spoke,turning to a soft whisper almost.Why was that so embarrassing to say?
"Huh?Really?"
Chiaki's eyes widen.
I nod slowly.I didnt dare look her in her eye.
"Thats great,Hinata-Kun.He isnt as bad as you thought,right?"
I didnt expect Chiaki to actually get...excited about that.It was confusing.
"I guess."
I grumble.
Whatever would get Chiaki off my back.I hate seeing her upset.
"Can we get going please?Im starving."
I had to change the subject,and fast before we get jinxed.
"Oh,right.Lets go."
Chiaki smiles.
Thank god,shes happy again.She was right,speaking to Nagito wasnt that bad.As long as she remained in a good mood then i'd chat with Nagito everyday,unwillingly.
......
The next day came along faster than I'd hoped and honestly,I completely forgot about Nagito.Completely.No wonder my morning felt so joyous.
So,as I got to the courtyard to meet with Chiaki as I usually do in the morning,I saw Nagito Komaeda standing there....with Chiaki!Chatting like last time!When did they get so....close?
"Komaeda-Kun,if you keep worrying about it,you'll just feel worse."
Chiaki reassures.
Her smile was back once again.I got that she felt bad for him but are they really becoming friends?
"...I know.I just....I really think I should leave."
Nagito held his head low,his expression covered in regret and even fear.What was he scared of now?Should I go talk with them?I'd look creepy if I just stood ways away and watched them.So,I approached them with...
"Good morning!"
They both look my way.
Chiaki looked relieved to see me while Nagito didnt dare keep eye contact with me,looking towards the ground.
"Morning,Hinata-Kun."
Chiaki greets.
And of course,the luckiest student remained quiet.
"I saw Komaeda-Kun standing here and I decided to join him."
Chiaki explains.
I sigh and reply...
"Well,I did tell him to meet me here."
"What?I didnt know that."
Chiaki crosses her arms.
I take this opportunity to look at Nagito,who was still looking at the ground.
"So,you actually showed up."
I comment.
"Of course I did.You should probably tell me what you need to quickly,everyone is staring."
Nagito mumbles.
I glance around.He was right.The limited number of people in the courtyard all had their eyes on us.Maybe because of Nagito?
"...R-Right.What I had...to tell you..."
I begin to blush.
The entire reason I asked him to meet me because I didnt know what to say to him in the first place!Chiaki glances at me with her eyebrow raised.
"Give me a second,Komaeda-Kun."
I say.I then grab Chiaki's hand and begin to lead her away from Nagito,out of ear shot from him.Nagito looked like an abandoned puppy when he stood there all alone.
"Whats up?"
Chiaki queries.
Of course she was lost.All of this was happening way too fast for me.
"...I have no idea what to say to that maniac!"
I whisper harshly.
He wasnt acting like the Nagito I knew from the simulation,so I had no idea how to respond.Theres always a possiblity he changed but where the hell did his overflowing confidence go??
"Dont call him that.Plus,if you didnt have anything to say to him,why invite him to meet you?"
Chiaki whispers back,her expression blank like usual.
"I-I.....urgh..."
I turn my head away from her to hide the ever growing blush on my face.This was so embarrassing.Chiaki stares at me for a second then pulls out her phone and begins typing something.
"Well,I guess this is a good time to tell you this."
She shows me her phone screen.
It was some sort of website for a movie theatre.It said three tickets were purchased for some sort of action movie.
"...And whats that have to do with anything?"
I frown.
I really didnt care for that kind of stuff.
"Being two steps ahead like I always am,I decided that it would be fun to invite Komaeda-Kun out to a movie with us this Saturday.So,I bought 3 tickets."
Chiaki nods reassuringly,her gentle smile returning.She couldnt be serious...
"Nanami-Chan....are you insane?!You want to meet Komaeda-Kun at a movie?!"
I was furious.
Why would she plan that behind my back?
"I do.I find his company very pleasant.And I want you to come to the movie,so you can see it too."
Chiaki pouts.
"No way!I'd rather kill myself."
I scoff.
I then felt someone tug on my sleeve.
"Hinata-Kun.Please."
Chiaki begs.
I froze.There was just something about her face that made me hesitate.
"If...If the movie ends up being a waste of time....then you wont have to talk to Komaeda-Kun anymore.Okay?"
She tries to bargain.
What did that mean?Of course I would see it as a waste of time.Going to a movie with Nagito is the definition of a waste of time.
"You promise?"
I query.
I had to make sure she wouldnt go back on her word.She nods.It didnt look like she was lying to me.I guess she was serious.
"....Fine."
I scratch the back of my neck angrily.I totally made a mistake agreeing to this,didnt I?
"Great!Now,you can use the movie as a reason as to why you invited Komaeda-Kun to meet you here."
Chiaki explains.
"Wait....you didnt invite him yourself?!"
"No.I wanted you to do it.Make Komaeda-Kun think that you care about him."
"But I dont."
"Hinata-Kun.Just go invite him to the movie."
"Tch....I hate you."
I groan.
Chiaki takes a deep breath,grabs my hand then leads me back towards Nagito,who was still standign there waiting on us.What is he?An actual,obident dog?
"Komaeda-Kun.Sorry for the wait."
Chiaki smiles.
"Its...fine.I should probably go soon.So,what did you need to ask me,Hinata-Kun?"
Nagito looks towards me.
I felt my face burn.I cant believe im about to do this.With a trembling voice,I ask...
"D-Do you want...to go to the m-movies with Nanami-Chan and I this Saturday?"
Im met with silence.
I could feel my heartbeat in my fingertips.I want to die.Someone just kill me now...
"Youre...inviting me out,Hinata-Kun?"
Nagito asks.
I slowly nod.I could feel my ears begin to flush just like most of my face.Please say no,this is too embarrassing.
"Uh....okay."
Nagito responds,breathless.He had the smallest smile ive ever seen on his face.It looked genuine and....cute.
"Great!I'll text you the information later."
Chiaki beams.
"Wait.You have his number??"
This was the first time I heard about this.Chiaki really doesnt miss a beat,does she?
"That doesnt matter.But I do suggest you get Komaeda-Kun's number right now so you dont forget later."
Suggests Chiaki,her voice more chipper.
"But--"
"Haha,there no need.Im sure Hinata-Kun doesnt want it.Anyway,I...need to go.I'll see you guys later,alright?"
Before I could say a thing to Chiaki,Nagito interupted me with some excuse of having to go.He shows us a meek but happy smile then he quickly walks away.
"What...was that about?"
I mumble.
"Dunno.Maybe he needs to meet with a teacher?"
Chiaki hold her chin in thought,keeping her eyes on the direction Nagito left in.
He seemed so uncomfortable.The way he's acting is so foreign to me....theres actually no way he changed....right?I couldnt help but mutter under my breath....
"Strange."
......
On a nice Saturday evening at 4pm,I stood in my room looking at the two options of hoodies I had to choose from that laid on my bed.
It was between a black hoodie and a blue one.I had to make a decision quickly since the movie started at 5:30pm.There's no way I could leave Chiaki all alone to wait with someone like Nagito.
Speaking of Chiaki....
I pick up my phone and begin to text Chiaki.I asked her if she'd rather see me in black or blue.It took her a second to respond,and she did so with a call.I answered the phone with...
"Hey Nanami-Chan."
But instead of the return of a 'hello',im met with coughing on the other side.
"Cough!...Ugh...Hello,Hinata-Kun..."
Chiaki's voice sounded so hoarse,like she swallowed cheese graters or something.
"Are you okay?You sound horrible."
I frown.
Her voice echoed in my ear through the phone as she replied...
"N-Not really....cough,cough....I think I woke up with a cold..."
"Thats too bad.I hope you feel better."
I didnt like the fact she was sick.I was wishing for her speedy recovery.Then she said...
"You and Komaeda-Kun have to...ugh....go to the movies without me for today.Cough,cough!"
I felt my heart sink.
Thats right!If shes sick and she invited Nagito to go out with us,that means the only two people there at the movies together will be...Nagito and I.
"M-Maybe I should skip and take care of you?You dont live far."
I tried my best to make an excuse not to go but Chiaki immediately shut me down.
"No.You...cough,cough!...You cant stand Komaeda-Kun up.I feel bad enough...already.You have to go..."
Her cough worsened as the call carried on.I felt my heart ache.
"...Alright.I'll go meet him and get this over with."
I groan.
"Thank you.A-Also,you'd look great in blue...cough!"
Chiaki chuckles,her throat basically raw.
"Haha.Right.I'll get on that.Get some rest,Nanami-Chan."
I glance at the hoodies on my bed as I said my goodbyes.
"Mhm.Also,Hinata-Kun,take care of Komaeda-Kun for me.Bye..."
With that,she hung up the phone.
What did that mean?Take care of Nagito??He isnt gonna get hit by a car or anything...right?
What kind of luck do I have?Now I have to go to the movie all by myself with Nagito.What if he tries to trick me or something?This is horrible.But I can disappoint Chiaki,im doing this for her after all.I quickly grab my blue hoodie from off the bed at make my way out of my room.It was time to leave.
......
Since the tickets were already bought,and I had one in my possession then I could just go in the movie alone but I decided I'd wait right outside of the movie theatre for Nagito,so he didnt feel like I left him.
It didnt take long for him to arrive.Around 5:10 pm,I heard my name being called.
"Hinata-Kun!"
I look up and see Nagito walking towards me.But something caught my eye.His hair was in a ponytail.I never thought he'd try and tame that wild hair of his.
"There you are,finally."
I sigh,scratching the back of my neck.
Why was I so nervous?I felt my heartbeat in my throat.
"Im sorry im late."
Nagito chuckles meekly,his cheeks dusted with a slight red.Things were so awkward,I just wanted to crawl in a hole and die.
"If you dont mind me asking,where's Nanami-Chan?"
Queries Nagito.
"She's sick today, so she cant come."
I explain.
"Oh..."
He mumbles.
I look at him to see his reaction.He looked a small bit sad,his eyebrows furrowing.For some reason...that...upset me?
"Is there a problem with that?"
I cross my arms.
Nagito shakes his head and frantically replies...
"No,of course not!Im...actually glad to spend some time with you,Hinata-Kun."
I couldnt believe my ears.
I felt my heart beat faster as my cheeks stung pink.Why was I blushing from such a weird comment?
"Tch.Youre so embarrassing."
I growl,angrily running my hand through my hair.
"I know..."
Nagito twiddles his thumbs as his gaze lowers to the floor.There was silence between us now.Why was it so awkward?
"W-We have a movie to watch.Let go before we lose any seats."
I mumble,beginning to entre the theatre.
"...Of course."
Nagito nods.
He timidly follows after me.
Before I knew it,Nagito and I were already sat next to eachother in the far back of the movie which Chiaki bought tickets for.
Nagito had bought a bag of popcorn before we entered.He had offered to buy me one,but I refused.I didnt want to owe him anything,plus,I wasnt a fan of popcorn anyway.
For some reason,during the movie,I couldnt help but keep glancing at Nagito.His eyes were fixated on the screen,as he occasionally ate some of his salty snack.Whats going on in that head of his?
The killing game was traumatizing,sure and everyone developed some sort of coping or defense mechanism but...Nagito went bat shit crazy.Obsessed with hope,always tricking us and lying then killing himself,hoping we'd either find the killer and get out...or we'd all die by failing.Why is he so different?
This quiet outing wouldnt last for long though.At a certain part during the movie,a girl walked pass our seats with a couple drinks.But suddenly,once she got around to my seat,she suddenly tripped!Falling foward and launching one of the drinks from her hand up into the air...and the drink suddenly landed right on Nagito,soaking his clothes.
But I didnt even noticed that he was in blast radius,I was more worried about the girl who just fell flat on her face in the movie.Most eyes were now staring back at us and not the movie.
"A-Are you alright??"
I query.
I stand from my seat and help the girl stand from off the floor.
"Y-Yeah.Thanks....ugh,those drinks cost 15 dollars..."
The girl sniffles,extremely upset.
She looks up and her eyes widen as her mouth went agaped.
"Uwah!!Im so sorry,sir!!"
The girl begins to panic.
I didnt know what for.I look over and couldnt help but gasp.
Nagito sat in his seat,still as could be,drenched as the now empty cup laid on his lap,his popcorn washed away,and the blankest stare ive ever seen on his face.
"Oh boy..."
I groan.
Will he snap?He looked completely pissed.
"P-Please forgive me!!I'll buy you more popcorn!Oh,and I'll pay for your clothes to get cleaned!Im such a mess!I-Im so sorry!"
The girl goes into a fit,apologizing heavily to Nagito.The white haired male just stands from his seat,and hands the girl the empty cup.
"Its fine,really.Dont worry about me."
He chuckles gently.
"Its not fine.Let me compensate you in some way..."
The girl frowns.
This must be really embarrassing for her.Nagito holds his chin in thought,then he says...
"How about you go buy yourself some more drinks?That'll be enough for me."
His smile was genuine.
It seemed he really didnt want this girl to worry.The girl's cheeks flow a bright pink.
"....If youre sure...then okay..."
She nods.
What was happening?Who even is Nagito Komaeda anymore?
"Komaeda-Kun.Lets go to the bathroom and see what we can do."
I comment.
"Right."
He agrees.
This wasnt how the evening shouldve gone.
......
Nagito and I stood in the empty bathroom of the movie theatre.His clothes were soaked,so other than letting it dry,there was nothing we could do.
Nagito had taken off his signature pale green jacket and wrapped it around his waist,since thats what took the most damage,his under shirt was fine.He was washing his face at the sink as I stood next to him,my mind wandering.
"Haha...my luck is so bad today..."
Nagito sighs,lifting his face from the sink.
"Give me a break.Its just a small mishap."
I grumble.
Does he really blame everything on his luck?
"It wouldve been if I hadnt almost gotten hit by a truck on my way here,or almost get hit by a falling plant pot out of nowhere,or almost shredded by broken glass that burst from a car as I passed...."
Nagito lists.
Okay....maybe his luck really was bad.
"Atleast youre still alive."
That was all I could say at that time.
If he was really unlucky,he wouldnt be here to tell me all of that.
"Unfotunately yes,Hinata-Kun.Now,you have to be stuck with me for a whole evening."
He turns off the pipe and dries his face with a nearby paper towel.His voice was abit saddened.Did he hate himself that much?Then,I did something stupid.I opened my damn mouth and said...
"I chose to stay here with you,Komaeda-Kun."
I dont know why I said that.If Chiaki didnt beg me,I wouldve totally stood Nagito up.His eyes widen,guessing he wasnt expecting that.
"You...did?I swore Nanami-Chan made you stay here."
He sounded skeptical at best.
What?Did he think I was the liar now?Even though I was...
"Well,she didnt.Plus,I wanted to see if you really changed like Nanami-Chan said."
The finally test.
Can I really put my trust in you again,Nagito?Like...old times?
"I...want to change and Nanami-Chan says she'd help me."
"Sounds just like her."
"...Im trying my best."
He continues.
I could see it in his face he regretted what he did.It....almost hurt to go back to trusting him but...I cant keep kicking someone down.
"So,Im sorry,Hajime Hinata.Forgive me for all ive done.I promise I'll be better."
Nagito apolgizes,a determined look on his face.I look at his expression,he was serious.
"Well,as long as you try,then I'll give you another chance."
I smile.
Nagito was trying and I was sorta proud of that.I always saw him as an obstacle to get over in the simulation and outside of it,I saw him as a weird loner,but...I failed to see he was trying his best.
It must be difficult since he has to live with the fact he's remnant of despair,the one thing he despises more than anything.I was surprised he hasnt ended himself by that fact alone.Thats one step in the right direction.
"...Thank you....so much."
Nagito's expressiom softens as his eyes begin to water.Did he want my forgiveness more than anyone else?He did say he was in love with the hope inside me....or maybe he just...likes me?Ah...I cant think like that.
"Now,lets leave.That movie is extremely boring..."
I sigh,my face glowing red from my raging thoughts.
"Ah.If thats what you want,Hinata-Kun."
Nagito nods.
This...isnt so bad,seeing him in a new light made it easier to speak with him.Thats good.I wonder if Chiaki would be happy with this progress.
Yeah,I'll forgive him...with time,of course.
The End~♡