Chapter Text
I found myself completely engulfed in fear as I departed from Komaeda’s car and began heading towards the building that was to be my new home for a minimum of 40 hours a week. The towering structure ahead of me was exactly as I had envisioned. A gleaming tower of steel and glass reflecting the steadily rising golden sun around me. It left me feeling like I might not be ready for something so… professional. No! I couldn't let myself fall into that habit of thinking! With a grim determination I took myself forward, and into the Lobby of the esteemed Neo World Games!
Nagito Sighed quietly to himself as he pulled away from where he’d helped Chiaki out onto the street.
“She’ll be okay…”
He said to seemingly no one in particular. He hesitated a moment before daring a glance over his shoulder.
“Are you sure you don’t want her to know that you’re a free man?
No response. Only the cold calculation of another consciousness could be felt. Nagito swiveled quickly as he realized his conversational partner had helped himself to the front seat, and was already lounging back with his feet up on the dash.
“Hajime?”
Almost empty eyes track up to him as they arrive at a red light. Nagito can’t tell if it’s the color of his eyes or the reflection of the light overhead, but they appear to be a near crimson scarlett.
“Mr. Kamukura?”
Finally the stranger begins to visibly relax.
“Yes, I was not certain you were aware of my continued involvement, it is quite difficult to maintain my anonymity when both I and Hinata are so incredibly different.”
Izuru straightens in his seat, and removes his feet from the dash before pulling back his long black hair into a ponytail, and blowing a few stray hairs out of his own face.
“Hinata wishes to remain unknown as well. Until such a time as is absolutely necessary to make Miss. Nanami aware of our present situation. The brighter future society hopes that you have kept as much from her yourself. She has already suffered enough after all that has happened. We will do all in our power to make sure that “she” can’t touch her again.”
Nagito can feel himself frowning at the mention of “her” ; he begins to drive through the now greenlit intersection before responding carefully.
“I suppose it can’t be helped. I'll do my best to keep my mouth shut, but if I determine that at any point her lack of knowledge becomes a danger to her…”
He doesn’t even finish his train of thought before Hinate responds…
“Then we’ll tell her… together”
He reaches over to place his hand on Nagito’s thigh as they continue to drive in companionable silence. It was time for both of them to go to work.
The room ahead of me was brightly lit with windows allowing in an absurd amount of natural lighting. The company's mascot was plastered all over the walls, an adorable white rabbit with angelic wings and a magical staff named Usami. The company had exploded in popularity after their CEO’s daughter, Chihiro Fujisaki, had graduated from High school and joined the development team nearly six years ago. Thinking of all that success and natural talent made me feel so small all of a sudden. I quickly shook it off, and rolled on over to the front desk. I nodded up to an older woman smiling kindly behind the front desk.
“Hello, my name is Chiaki Nanami, I have orientation at ten for your research and development branch. This is my first day!”
The kind woman behind the counter nodded, never losing her bright smile, she wore a white hat with bunny ears, and the company logo along with a white polo. She started to type into the computer in front of her.
“Ah yes I have you right here, you’ll be on floor 11 room 037! Your escort should be along shortly. She was very excited to have the opportunity to meet you in person!”
I straightened up at that..
“Oh, who's my escort?”
The women beamed down at me, and responded with…
“My daughter of course! Oh, here she is now!”
I turned around to face her, Miss Fujisaki, the golden girl herself. My brain short circuited, and I found myself in a slight bow as she approached. The girl just beamed at me before returning a polite curtsy.
“It’s an honor to finally meet you Miss Chiaki!”
I stared a little longer than I probably should have, taking in her features. Pale skin, bright olive green eyes, Almond colored hair cut short at the sides, and the same outfit as her mother which also included a knee length hot pink skirt! I quickly shook my head and looked back up at her, and blustered!
“The honor is mine, I’ve played every game you’ve ever worked on and have loved every minute of them all, your work particularly in the space of JRPG’s is almost legendary! Usami in Wonderland was a particular favorite of mine especially with your reliance on overturning classic literature tropes! can’t believe you’re right here, now… I’m rambling aren’t I. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I promise I won’t disappoint you!”
Shit! I wanted to crawl back home to my couch and start over, maybe go back to interviews. My mind started to spiral before snapping back to a reality that was filled with radiant laughter!
“I’m so excited to get the chance to work with you Miss Chiaki. Your excitement and passion for what we create is exactly why we asked you to join us here at Neo World Games. I’m also flattered that you think so highly of me! Please remember though none of us are any more or less important than the sum of our parts! This is especially true for research and development, without my team I wouldn’t experience even half the success that I do!”
I finally relaxed, and allowed myself the afternoon to bask in my new life. Chihiro insisted we start off on a first name basis, and revealed that we would be working very closely together in room 037 with three other individuals…
Yasuke Matsuda, tall, dark, and handsome, and way too old for me. He was introduced to me as the lead on the long term neurological effects of the games we produced. His primary goal on our staff was to work with a team to minimize any harmful symptoms they might cause.
Miaya Gekkogahara, a sweet looking young woman with piercing blue eyes who had already begun to show silver, and gray in her short cropped hair. She was introduced to me as our on staff therapist. Her primary goal was to assist in the development of games specifically designed to help rehabilitate those with long term post traumatic stress disorders. Her general position allowed her to seed insight as to the best ways to provoke thoughtful, and meaningful growth through the interaction consumers had with our products.
And finally a face I recognized from high school, Ryota Mitarai! He was introduced to me as our head of art, animation, and our lead design consultant. I gave him a smile as he shook my hand,
“It’s been far too long, Nanami! I can’t believe we finally have the opportunity to work with each other again!”
I turned to each of them, giving them all a wave as I introduced myself!
“Hello everyone, my name is Chiaki Nanami, and it’s truly an honor to work with all of you!”
The rest of the day passed in standard fair as I was introduced to higher ups, and all the individual teams that worked beneath us. I was even given a full tour of production! By the end of the day I felt myself unable to stop smiling as I sat out at the curb waiting for Komaeda to pick me up on his way home from work. I can’t wait to tell him about my first day at my literal dream job!
…
The room was thick with bloodlust as Nagito approached the shivering, dirty heap on the floor, his own clothes caked in blood and sweat. He kicked her in the ribs one final time sending her sprawling across the floor with a sickening crunch, to which she let out a joyous cry of mocking laughter.
“WHERE IS SHE! Every lead you’ve given us has turned up NOTHING so far, is this some sort of fucking game to you!?!?”
He screamed at her until his voice began to wear thin, and only the laughter remained, the dissident giggle that always seemed to lodge needles within his nerves. He glanced over at the door that was currently barricaded with Izuru keeping watch while the two of them attempted to “extract” more information from the former leader of the remnants of despair…
“WHERE IS SHE! Where is Mukuro Ikusaba!!”
More laughter filled the air around them all as she continued to assault them with their own absence of knowledge. Izuru seemed to hesitate for a moment before turning to Nagito, seemingly a different person himself…
“Come on man, let’s clock out. We’ll keep trying tomorrow.”