Chapter Text
Another day and Byakuya found himself back in Yuuki Fujihara’s office, and the Ultimate Therapist had that insufferable smile back on her face. The lowly grin that just screamed “I know something you don’t”, and was it so infuriating because it was true?
And it was. Byakuya knew that for a fact. Fujihara was hiding something from him about Makoto and he would find out what it was even if he had to resort to filthy methods to get the truth out of this woman.
The ultimate therapist smiled at him as she sat down in her velvet seat, “Byakuya! Always nice to see you, although I will admit, we just saw each other two days ago. What could have happened to prompt a visit so soon?”
Byakuya narrowed his eyes. He couldn’t get upset. This woman was smart and she knew exactly what to say to piss him the fuck off. He had to be strong, not for himself, but for Makoto. He could do that, so biting his tongue he smiled widely.
“Makoto told me everything,” Not necessarily a lie, but not really the full truth either.
Fujihara smiled. It was a tightlipped smile. It told Byakuya she didn't really believe him, “Did he now?” She fell quiet for a second. Her eyes fell to the clipboard on her lap.
He scowled, “Yes. He did. He told me about his nightmares and about how he keeps seeing Sayaka in them. How she keeps telling him to kill himself, you wouldn't know anything about that would you?”
Fujihara quickly scribbled something on her paper, “I see. That is most interesting indeed, however, it does allow me to speak to you more freely on the matter”
Byakuya felt the air leave his lungs. Would he finally be getting some answers? Would he finally know what the fuck he could do to help Makoto? He did not trust Fujihara enough to think that it was a definite possibility, but still, he had hope.
“What do you know about the Future Foundation killing game?”
It was an expected question, and it was still something that caught him off guard. He still, however, could answer, “I know it was started by Tengen. I know it was done with the pretense of forcing Ryota’s hand, and I know there wasn’t an actual active killer. It was done by the members being brainwashed into killing themselves. Am I missing anything?”
She fell silent for a couple of seconds, “It was a brainwashing video. We assume it was created by Mitarai himself prior to the Tragedy. Every single person who has seen the video and fallen to its despair-inducing effects has died,” She smiled sadly at him, “All except for one. You can imagine who that person is, I think.”
He can, and god fucking damnit. He wishes it weren’t true, but isn’t it just another cruel trick of fate? That the one person he wanted to protect more than anything in the world. Would be the person that would fall into that despair?
He takes a moment to clear his throat, trying to ignore the way the words get further stuck in his very throat, “Uhm- H- How did it happen? Do you know?”
She nods, “Yes. After Gekkogahara died, and I was assigned her position the foundation gave me all the evidence she had gathered during the games. As well as the recordings for research purposes, although, Byakuya. I have to say,” She reached over the space between them and gently took his hands. Those of which were shaking, “This might be too much for you.”
His eyes widened incredulously. How dare she say that to him? He did not matter here. His boyfriend was waking up most days of the week trying to kill himself. He had to know what happened. He had to know what he could do to help. There had to be a solution, right?
“Tell me, right fucking now.” He said, pulling his hands back from Fujihara’s grasp and glaring at her with the coldest eyes he could manage without crying.
She smiled. That same fucking smile that only seemed to taunt him, “Very well, if you insist,” She leaned back into her chair, and flipped to a later page on her clipboard, and read the words out loud for Byakuya to hear, “The subject in question. Makoto Naegi is seen tied in front of one of the screens. He’s accompanied by Aoi Asahina and Ryota Mitarai. They are speaking to each other about what will happen. Asahina asks Makoto if he’s okay with being used like this,” She clears her throat, looking back at Byakuya. He simply nods. He knows damn well where this is going, “Makoto agrees, and states that he cannot allow anyone else to get hurt”
And Byakuya can see the situation so clearly, it makes him nauseous. Of course, Makoto would sacrifice himself. Of fucking course he was so willing to be the fucking lamb being brought to slaughter to save his friends, and for a brief moment, it fills Byakuya with so much fucking anger.
Why was Makoto like this? Why was he so fucking desperate to throw his own life away? He didn’t know the answer at this point in time. The dread only filled him up more and more until it got much harder to breathe.