The clouds began to darken as the air wailed in agony. The sky rumbled as if to give off an ominous warning to the world. To Hope's Peak Academy, the warning was far too late.
"Hey," Hajime greeted Nagito in a faint voice.
"Hey," Nagito replied in a monotone manner.
The two stared ahead at the new police car positioned near the entrance of the school. 'Security has been increased,' Hajime thought grimly. 'Of course, there would be more guards around after...' Hajime scowled and shook his head.
"Let's go," Hajime grabbed Nagito's wrist and tugged.
Nagito nodded without saying a word. 'Sitting under the tree sounds nice,' Hajime thought. Though the clouds overhead indicated the certainty of rain, it was rather hot. The heat was absolutely suffocating.
DRIP, DRIP, DRIP
Some rain showers began to make their way down slowly at first. But, soon came down hammering against the pavement. The smothering heat and the icy rain clashed. A dense fog surrounded Hajime and Nagito.
"Guess we can't eat lunch at that new café Teruteru recommended," Hajime sighed and looked at Nagito, "Sorry."
"It's fine, Hajime," Nagito sat down and leaned his cheek against his palm, "I wasn't really hungry anyways."
"Yeah, after what happened to Natsumi and Sato..." Hajime trailed off, "How are you doing, Nagito?"
"Me?" Nagito raised an eyebrow, "Shouldn't you be more concerned with yourself?"
"Nagito, I have a right to be concerned about my friends."
"But you're the one who was in their class," Nagito snapped.
"And your class was visited by them almost every day," Hajime looked directly into Nagito's eyes, "Tell me, are you alright?"
"You should be asking Fuyuhiko and Mahiru, not me..."
"I need to know how you are, Nagito. I don't know how to approach them right now, but I can start by asking you are."
"How I am? I'm absolutely ecstatic!" Nagito began to laugh manically, "For every horrific thing that happens, something beautiful happens! Therefore, the despair we receive now will only be overcome by the new hope that flourishes!"
"N-Nagito?" Hajime cautiously tried to get his attention, "Could I ask you something?"
Nagito paused mid-rant and looked at Hajime.
"I was wondering if it really matters how someone gets their talent..."
Nagito tilted his head in confusion, "The moment we are born, it's determined whether we have a talent."
"I know, I know but..." Hajime continued, "what if talents could be implanted?"
"Implanted? How?" Nagito asked skeptically.
"Like neurologically or something. Look, it doesn't matter how but what if I-"
"Talent can't be-"
"Look at the technology we have now, Nagito. It's definitely possible!"
"If I were you, I wouldn't," Hajime's face fell, "Have you thought of the consequences? It isn't safe! They could damage your brain while they're in there!"
"They're professionals, Nagito! Everything will be fine!"
"Don't do it," Nagito gave Hajime a cold stare.
"But if I don't, I'll never be able to stand beside you and the others!"
"Stand beside?" Nagito crossed his arms and frowned, "You don't need to do that."
"I know the talent would only be artificial. But-"
"It's a horrendous idea, Hajime!" Nagito roared.
"W-why don't you want be with you and the others?"
"It doesn't matter whether you have talent or not."
"Is it because you don't see me as worthy or-"
"Talent really isn't that necessary. It matters who you genuinely are as a person," Nagito shyly rubbed his arm, "You and Ms. Yukizome taught me that."
He turned to Hajime who stood there gaping at him, "What?"
"Um, it's just-"
"Well?" Nagito impatiently asked.
"I never expected you of all people to talk about talent like that."
"Don't get me wrong, I still believe that it could lead to great hope. But-"
"But?"
Nagito rubbed his arm, "I also believe that being ordinary could lead to something else. Maybe happiness?"
"Happiness," Hajime smiled "Does that mean someone as average as me makes you happy?"
Nagito blushed and looked away, "Of course you do."
"Do you like happiness or hope more?"
"But they're the same thing, aren't they?"
"I guess they seem similar, but I don't think they're necessarily the same," Hajime tried to think hard, "I think hope is more about being optimistic that there'll be a better outcome. But that's not what happiness is. Happiness makes you smile and feel warm and fuzzy all over."
"Being actually happy sound a lot better than hoping you'll be achieve it. I'd like to remain the feeling of happiness for the rest of my life," Nagito wistfully answered.
"Nagito, do you want to get married?"
"Wha-?" Nagito tripped over one of the tree's roots, "Where is this coming from, Hajime?!"
Nagito stumbled to his feet with his pale hands covering his flushed cheeks, "This is happening too fast. We haven't had a chance to properly confess to each other, much less go out on a date together!"
Hajime clasps Nagito's right hand and goes down on one knee, "Nagito, marry me. I am your happiness after all."
Nagito quickly retracted his hand from Hajime's, "Hajime," he turned away to prevent Hajime from seeing his cheeks burning with embarrassment, "quit playing around."
Hajime got up and ran a hand through his hair, "I guess I better return you to your classmates."
'Huh, it seems to have stopped raining.'
Everything was unusually calm as the heat subsided. The fog began to lift and navigating their way back wouldn't be as difficult. Hajime walked Nagito, who still refused to meet his glaze, to the front of classroom.
Hajime wrapped an arm around Nagito, "We're getting married!"
The classroom was eerily quiet before a giggle arose. More and more giggling erupted into complete laughter that filled the once dull and lifeless classroom.
"It's about time!" Fuyuhiko teases, "When's the wedding?"
Hajime thoughtfully placed his hand on his chin, "I don't know the exact date. But, definitely around next spring."
Mahiru mock gasps, "So soon?"
"The love I share for Nagito will not wait longer," Hajime dramatically slammed a hand on his chest
"Ooh, ooh," Ibuki jumped up and down, "can Ibuki play at your wedding?"
Hajime laughed, "Of course you can and the rest of you can come too!"
Teruteru smirked, "Then I'll be sure to cook you two several dishes that'll get you guys ready for your wedding night..."
"Geez, don't be a perv, Teruteru!" Hiyoko scowled at the chef's lewd comment.
"Hajime, I never agreed, remember?" Nagito pointed out.
"Well, you didn't say 'no' either."
"Say yes!" Souda yelled from his seat.
"I, uh-"
"Hurry up already!" Akane screamed, "The sooner you say 'yes', the closer I am to getting to eat an entire wedding buffet!"
"Now, now, wait a minute!" Teruteru pointed at Akane, "You will not be eating the entire buffet! You will have a certain portion as will the rest of the guests."
Akane grumbled to herself out of the earshot of everyone, "Tch, just you wait. I'll finish all that grub before you have time to blink."
"Um, I guess I-" Nagito started.
Sonia wagged her finger at Nagito, "No 'I guess'. This is a commitment, remember?"
"I-" Nagito had his head down.
Mahiru chided Nagito, "Look at him when you say it."
Nagito looked at Hajime's amused face and sighs, "I do."
The entire class burst into cheers as Ms. Yukizome walked in, "Aww, you guys missed me!"
"Um, actually," Mikan said, "we're celebrating."
"Oh," Chisa tilted her head, "celebrating what?"
Chiaki paused her game and smiled at her teacher, "Hajime's engagement to Nagito."
THUMP
"MISS YUKIZOME!"
"Eek, someone call a nurse!"
"Dumbass, you're a nurse!"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"
About 7 years later....
"Where do you want the box?" Hajime called out entering the newly bought house.
"Over there please!" Nagito pointed to the room to his left.
Hajime groaned as he put down the box and went over to kiss Nagito's cheek.
"I'm still mad at you" Nagito puffed his cheeks.
"What for?" Hajime began to poke Nagito's cheek.
"Stop that," Nagito whined and slapped his hand away.
"Not gonna unless you tell me why."
Nagito grumbled something under his breath.
"Huh?" Hajime cupped his ear, "I didn't catch that?"
"For this," Nagito hissed and pointed to the silver band on his raised right hand, "I didn't believe you were actually going to marry me!"
"Oh, that," Hajime smiled at his husband, "Of course we were."
"You say 'we' as if I was aware of what I was agreeing to that day!"
"You did say you wanted to be happy for the rest of your life and that I make you happy."
Nagito crossed his arms and turned away pouting, "I hate you."
"I love you too, Nagito."