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Fuhito Kirigiri moved at a slow and steady pace, his cane supporting him along the path. The white hairs on his face lightly hiding the wrinkles of age, and his glasses hiding the tiredness in his eyes as he continued his trek across a long hallway. "Excuse me good sir..." A voice behind him said, catching Fuhito's attention instantly. "You wouldn't happen to be lost, would you?" They asked, as the old man turned his head to see the stern face of Aloysius Pennyworth; his disposition indicating he was not pleased to see Fuhito.
"Don't mistake me for some bumbling old man." Fuhito warned, the two sharing a glare from their ends of the hallway. "Especially when you're not to far off from being my age." He informed, Aloysius barely letting the insult bother him as he stepped forward.
"Maybe, but I think we can both agree age hasn't affected our talents." The Butler states, gesturing to Fuhito's head. "You, with your excellent deduction skills...." Trailing off, he reaches to his coat, opening it up slightly to reveal a small hatchet, concealed from within. "And me, with my ability to.... Remove garbage." He implied, the stare down becoming more intense, neither looking away.
"Funny, I thought you were more suited to pampering that pompous master of yours." Fuhito retorts, Aloysius giving a small twitch of anger before letting the insult slide.
"The man you refer to... Has put in a lot of effort to make this night special for his dear friend." Aloysius states, his tone becoming darker as he steps forward again, killing the space between them. "I'd hate to see someone like you ruin it..." He says, before a cough was heard, forcing the attention of both to fall upon Kyoko Kirigiri, currently in a white dress with pale blue trim, and her hair dune in a ponytail.
"Thank you Aloysius, but I will take it from here." Kyoko informed, the butler bowing his head and walking off, leaving the girl alone with her grandfather. "... Hello.." Was all the girl could bring herself to say, having trouble making eye contact with the man.
"Hello Kyoko...." Fuhito replied, his tone becoming more somber as he looked at his granddaughter. "You really do look stunning in that dress...." He admits, Kyoko only looking away more as Fuhito hung his head in shame.
"Why are you here?" Kyoko asked, her tone cold as ice. "You and I both know how important this day is, and for you to-"
"I know, I know.." Fuhito interrupts, his voice carrying a somber weight as he put both hands on his cane. "I'll have you know that I was invited. I have just as much being at this wedding as you do." He states, taking note of Kyoko's gloved hand clenching as he spoke. "My apologies... I should have chosen my words better." He admits, cursing himself for being so casual with his speech.
"You should have done many things better..." Kyoko told him, closing her eyes, and trying as best she could to contain her emotions. "But it's too late for that now I suppose. So please tell me, why are you here?" She again questions, her voice slightly cracking as Fuhito let out a somber sigh.
"You know very well why I'm here." Fuhito states, closing his eyes as well. "And even then, I know that doesn't mean you'll forgive me, and I don't blame you." He explained, opening his eyes again to see Kyoko unmoved. "I made you into an excellent detective, far-exceeding my expectations... Meaning that you would have learned of the truth eventually." He explained, feeling a coldness enter the air, as if radiating off Kyoko's body.
"And yet, you still did it...." Kyoko growled, fist clutched to her chest while she grit her teeth in frustration. "You took me away from them so you could train me, tame me to be your 'perfect heir'. Told me that they didn't love me so I had no reason to look back." Kyoko lists, her voice showing hints of shakiness, yet she still kept it together. "And even if I never went to Hope's Peak, you knew I would have learned that you were so desperate for this legacy to continue...." She states, looking at his reflection in a painting's glass case "So why do you even bother?" She inquired bitterly.
"Quite honestly, I'm struggling to find out myself." Fuhito breathed, stating into the glass with her. "It could be that I am becoming more emotional in my old age, or it could be what your fiance said to me recently...." He lists, Kyoko giving him a side glance when he brought up Makoto. "I just know one thing. Whether I wish to admit it or not, the world's changed." He sighed, eyes peering down to the floor. "And if I refuse to accept that change, then I might as well have died during the tragedy." He states, catching more of Kyoko's attention.
"I may not like the fact that you're following your father's foot steps, but it's out of my hands." Fuhito told her, looking up at her as he struggled to maintain a stoic expression. "I'm sorry Kyoko, I'm sorry I didn't come to this conclusion sooner, and of the many years I've wasted to fulfill a selfish dream." He apologized, gripping onto his cane tightly. "Not just to you, but your parents as well...." He breathed, placing a hand on Kyoko's shoulder. "And to everyone else I have pushed away in my life. Whether or not you accept that apology, is up to you." He tells Kyoko, as he turned around, ready to leave. "Just know that after everything that's happened, I couldn't be more proud of the fine lady you've become." He said before taking his first step away.
"...... Wait!" Kyoko yelled, as Fuhito stopped in his tracks. "If you think an apology like that can make up for everything, then you're wrong!" She yelled, Fuhito's head sinking, with his view looking away again. "If you really want to make up for what you did... then expect me and Makoto to visit more often!" She announced, Fuhito being caught offguard. "Because if you really are what family I have left, then I'm not letting things end on a sour note!" She exclaimed, her eyes twinging ever so slightly. "You have one more chance! If you want anything else to do with my life, you have one more chance!" She warns, a small tear welling up in her eye.
Fuhito, on his part, gave a gentle smile as he went back over to Kyoko, and embraced her. "Consider it done my dear..." He states, a single tear falling from his eye as well. "I don't have much time left, so from now on, I'll be more wise about the consequences." He states, the two sharing a smile as they look back at each other. Their silence only broken by the sound of a nearby crash.
"Ah, I always slip on that corner..." A suited up Makoto Naegi groaned, rising up and dusting off his suit and tie. "Is everything ok Kyoko? I heard shou-" he starts, until he saw the image of the two Kirigiris together in a hug, a sight that left him speechless. "Did I miss something?" He asked, an awkward smile plastering his face as Kyoko walked over to him, kissing his cheek.
"Just know you've rubbed off a bit too much on me." She smirked, kissing his cheek as Fuhito walked over as well, glaring down at Makoto.
"I suppose you make her happy." The old man jeered, Kyoko looking back in annoyance while Makoto just grinned. "Keep doing it or else." He warned, Makoto giving an eager nod.
"D-don't worry sir, I'm sure if I messed up, Kyoko would let me know! She's good at that!" Makoto beamed, looking at her lovingly, and kissing her back.
"I would hope so!" Fuhito replied, once again taking his leave, albeit this time with more pep in his step, a sense of new invigoration washing over him. "Now, I believe there's a wedding we must attend. You two should best get into your places!" He recommends, pausing to give Kyoko one more smile, and then walking away.
"So..." Kyoko began, swiveling her head so that she could face Makoto. "What did you say to him?" She inquired, her fiance stiffening up as he felt her glance.
"Oh, that..." Makot breathed, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "Well, I wanted to give him his invite, and tried to talk to him. He mostly insulted me for a good while though." Makoto explained, albeit not hurting from the experience. "But, I guess at some point I said 'it doesn't matter what I think, it's what she does'." He bashfully admits, looking at Kyoko with earnesty. "Heh, I guess I got so wrapped up in what I said, I forgot it. It must have impacted him though..."
"Only you could do that." Kyoko muttered, looking him in the eyes. "Next tme, tell me when you plan on trying to rekindle loose family ties." She lectured, Makoto away in embarrassment before Kyoko went to peck him on the lips. "And... Thank you.." She whispered, their faces pulling away, giving Kyoko a good view of the clock. "We should hurry."
"Oh, r-right!" Makoto shouts, falling out of a love struck state as he runs off, falling flat on his face again as he turned at the corner. "Ok, seriously, did someone grease that area with butter!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Friends, family, everyone...." Makoto's voice rang as he stood at a podium, confidence radiating off of him as he looked upon the audience. "We're here today to celebrate the union of two people who've gone above and beyond in helping others." He beamed, both Hiroko Hagakure and Takaaki Ishimaru standing at his sides. From nearby, his friends stood at attention, Yasuhiro Hagakure in particular crying his eyes out as he clung onto Byakuya and Hina.
"You guys are the best!" Hiro exclaimed, thankfully quietly enough (somehow), as he wept tears of joy. "I mean it, I love you! All of you!" He told them, shoving his face into Byakuya's shoulder. "Taka, if you hear this... I promise to be more responsible!" He sobbed, tightening his hug.
"I'm the leader of the greatest business in the world, making more than everyone else in this room, and even I don't get paid enough for this." Byakuya muttered, beginning to regret his generosity whilst Hina patted Hiro on the back awkwardly.
"Heh, having met both of these people, I can say wholeheartedly that they inspire me to do better..." Makoto would say, going into a speech while Fuhito watched from his seat, deep in thought.
'This boy really does have an ability a way with words...' Fuhito observed, resting his hands on his cane. 'I suppose Kyoko is in a good position with him after all, if he can put up with the stubbornness of a Kirigiri.' He believed, a smile gracing his lips as he watched on, the couple beginning their vows. 'I suppose I owe him for making me take another look at my life. But that can wait.' He tells himself, resting back in his chair.
"...... And I'll admit, I have spoke with despair with more times than I'd like to admit." Takaaki Ishimaru chimed, his voice carryin intense sadness. "I failed myself, my son, my family, and I still have no idea why you care about me, but you make me happy... And because of you pulling me from the brink of self-destruction, I vow to uphold myself to ensuring your happiness as well!" The man told Hiroko, his face full of stern determination.
"Heh, you're too sweet to me." Hiroko winked, Takaaki blushing at the flirtatious compliment. "Seriously though hon, after the mistakes I made, I need someone like you around. The future looks brighter every second..."
'Indeed it is Hagakure....' Fuhito thought, looking over at Kyoko standing beside an excited Komaru Naegi and Toko Fukawa, happy to have had a chance to make peace with his granddaughter. 'And I'm glad I still have another wedding to look forward to...'