Chapter 1: I SQUEEZED OUT THE BABY BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHO THE FATHER IS
Summary:
Makoto meets face to face with Izuru in his babysitter era.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
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Makoto was out on a mission to advertise the Future Foundation. Things were going smoothly until it wasn’t. And the reason was that he bumped heads with a member of the Remnants of Despair. What was worse was that it was the ringleader of the Remnants of Despair, Kamukura Izuru. He was someone who is dangerous and should not be messed with unless you had a death wish.
The two stared at each other in silence. It was as if time had stopped, but except that can’t be right since there were millions of questions and thoughts running through Makoto’s head at light speed.
Makoto’s eyes lowered down to Izuru’s hand and was caught off guard when he saw a plastic bag filled with something. Well, it really shouldn’t be that surprising since he had seen Izuru walk out of the convenience store, but why was he in there to begin with? For someone with his skills and talents, it wouldn’t be hard for him to find food somewhere else.
Then, that’s when it happened. A high-pitched voice seemingly belonging to a child appeared from inside the convenience store and blew away all of Makoto’s expectations.
“Izuru-oniisan, I finished paying the nice man!”
Makoto’s head immediately turned to the source of the voice and stared in awe at the small smiling child standing at the door. He turned to Izuru, then back at the child. Did he just call him “Izuru-oniisan”? He kept looking back and forth between the two in pure confusion as he tried to wrap his head around this insane situation.
The child noticed him before he waddled towards Izuru and hid behind his leg. “Izuru-oniisan, isn’t that the guy who survived your friend’s killing game? You know, the one that was taken in by Future Foundation?” He looked up curiously at the raven. Izuru finally took his eyes away from Makoto and looked down at the child before he nodded. The child opened his mouth in awe and turned his head at Makoto.
The little boy ran over to Makoto and stood in front of him. “You’re Naegi Makoto, right? Right?” His eyes sparked in excitement. Seeing the child’s pure enthusiasm, all Makoto could do was wordlessly nod his head. He let out a shocked noise when the child grabbed his hand and squeezed it tightly. “Nice to meet you! My name is Hinata Hajime! You can call me Hajime!”
Makoto didn’t know how to respond to this situation. What is Kamukura Izuru’s relationship with this child? Did he do something to him? Or does this child not know who Kamukura Izuru really is? If he doesn’t, it’ll be really bad if I left him alone like this, right? What do I do, though? I can’t just pick him up and run away! I’ll get captured for sure! Should I just call for reinforcements while playing along?
“Naegi-san, you should come with us! We’re gonna be best friends!” Hajime’s cheerful voice brought him back from his thoughts. Best friends? With THE Kamukura Izuru? Makoto felt like death was waiting for him no matter if he says “yes” or “no”. “Izuru-oniisan, you think it’s a good idea, right?” Hajime beamed as he turned to Izuru.
Izuru silently blinked before he crossed his arms together and cocked his head to the side. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” He nodded. Huh? He’s accepting? Just like that?!? Makoto was so confused. Kamukura Izuru who did whatever he wanted for the last 2 years accepted to walk and talk with his enemy?
Hajime pouted as he puffed out his cheeks. He tugged on Makoto’s sleeve, making the older man look down at him. “Don’t be scared, Naegi-san, Izuru-oniisan is just bad at conveying his feelings. He’s actually very happy inside. He really admires you, Naegi-san. When you first got out, he wouldn’t stop talking about how much he wanted to meet you!” He giggled smugly as he side eyed Izuru, who indifferently looked away.
He did?! Wait, I’m so confused. Maybe I should just go through with this and see where it takes me. All of this could be random ramblings of a child, but Kamukura-san didn’t even try to deny it. Maybe there’s some truth to it?! “Er, I-I see.” Makoto finally found his voice. “I’m not sure how to feel about that, though…”
Hajime beamed, a wide smile appearing on his face. He turned away and started walking while grabbing onto Makoto’s sleeve. “C’mon, let’s go! There’s a nice park near here that has a pretty bench we all can sit on!” He exclaimed.
“Ah, okay. I see. Let’s go, then?” Makoto smiled nervously.
“Yes! Yes! Let’s go!” Hajime grinned as he ran past Izuru. “You slow pokes! Move those legs!” He exclaimed.
Izuru turned around and started following Hajime, leaving Makoto stunned for a second before he did the same thing. Of course, he was walking behind the raven as he didn’t want him to think that he was trying to get buddy buddy with him.
It was a short journey to the park. A short journey that wasn’t quiet thanks to Hajime’s constant curious mouth spewing questions and words that made it seem like he couldn’t stop talking even if his life depended on it. Yes, it was surprising to see such a cheerful child in such a ruined world, but it was more surprising to see Izuru answering everything Hajime asked even if it was stupid and nonsensical.
Makoto’s impression of Izuru was slowly changing as he watched the two interact. The rumors surrounding Izuru were always bad. They all said he was a cold and callous killer with no sympathy or mercy. If that were really true, then what in the world was Makoto seeing? That cold and callous killer was talking with a child as if he were his little brother? Something wasn’t adding up here. Just who in the world is Kamukura Izuru? And who was this child who captured his heart?
They made it to the park and it was exactly as Makoto imagined it. It was destroyed and covered in dust and dried blood. All the signs of childhood innocence had disappeared, leaving an atmosphere of despair hanging in the air. But, amidst that despair lies a small rustic bench that seemingly survived the carnage.
Hajime ran up to it and plopped down in the middle of the bench. He gestured for the two men to sit on either side of him. Izuru went to sit on his right before he stared at Makoto. Makoto blinked and nervously sat down on Hajime’s left. He watched as Hajime crawled over Izuru’s lap to grab the plastic bag before getting back to his position. He rummaged through the bag and took out a small packet. He licked his lips as he tried to rip it open. Once he popped open the bag he stuffed his hand into it.
“Do you like beef jerky, Naegi-san?” He asked out of the blue. “I know I do! I’m actually a beef jerky expert! I’ve eaten all kinds of beef jerky! Spicy ones, sweet ones, bitter ones, all kinds of beef jerky!” He rambled as he took out something from the packet. He showed it to Makoto and lo and behold, it was a piece of beef jerky. “Here! You can have the first piece!”
Makoto hesitantly took it. “T-Thank you.” He muttered as he stared at the snack.
Hajime grabbed another piece and gave it to Izuru, who took it without any hesitation and started chewing on it. “Other than beef jerky, my other favorite food is Kusamochi! I like any kind of Kusamochi, but I like the ones made by Izuru-oniisan the most! He always makes it good!” Hajime paused to bite on his own piece of beef jerky. He let out a happy hum as he kicked his legs back and forth.
Makoto started chewing on his piece, taking small bites to make sure he didn’t finish too quickly. “Naegi-san, are you and Kirigiri-san dating?” Hajime turned to look at him. Makoto choked on his beef jerky. He blushed and quickly shook his head. “Then, are you and Asahina-san dating?” He shook his head again. “Fukawa-san?” He repeated his motions.
Hajime frowned and crossed his arms. “You should start dating one of them! In this world, children are the future! They’re really important, you know!” He exclaimed. “Actually, maybe you should get all three of them knocked up. That way you get more kids. You can also get laid three times— That’s a dream come true for any man in this day and age. Not only that, but if one of them dies then you have the other two.” He suddenly deadpanned with a blank look in his eyes.
Hearing that, Makoto had to physically slap a hand on his face to prevent himself from spitting out the beef jerky. This kid has a really vulgar mouth! What was I even expecting? There’s no way his innocence would be preserved in this destroyed world! He forced himself to swallow the beef jerky. “U-Uhm, I don’t think…I can do that. I would rather try other ways…” He replied.
Hajime hummed in thought as he cocked his head from side to side. “Like what?” He asked.
“Like what, you ask… Well, first we need to subdue the Remnants of Despair, and then we can start rebuilding the buildings and architect.” Makoto explained. Hajime stared at him blankly like he didn’t understand.
He turned his head to Izuru. “Izuru-oniisan, what’s he’s saying?” Izuru looked down at him and crossed his arms.
“He wants to kill all the members of the Remnants of Despair,” Izuru explained bluntly.
“Kill? That’s so scary!” Hajime turned back to Makoto. “Why do you need to kill them? Can’t you think of a more peaceful way to resolve this?” He frowned, giving him puppy eyes.
Makoto also frowned. “To be honest, I wish there was. But this is what my bosses decided. As long as the Remnants of Despair continue to terrorize, this world will never see peace, so we must eliminate them.” He sighed sadly. He felt Hajime pat the back of his hand in a consoling manner.
“But Naegi-san, if you don’t do anything to change that, the world will not live. Chaos is what caused the world to collapse in the first place. As long as these senseless killings keep happening, despair will always win.” Hajime explained, his tone turning serious and mature. “If you want to restore this world, you must find a way to make peace with the Remnants. I know it sounds impossible, but the thing is, nothing is impossible, Naegi-san.” He smiled.
“People wanted to talk, so they invented languages. They wanted to fly, so they invented planes. They wanted a united world, so they installed laws. Can’t you see, Naegi-san? Humans are incredible creatures. They can make the impossible possible. You are human too, so why say that things are impossible without even trying to prove yourself wrong?”
Makoto was stunned. This child, who looked no less than 6, was giving him an insightful lecture. Well…maybe he shouldn’t be so surprised this time. Hajime had lived and adapted to the harsh environment of the outside world for 2 years. No, it wasn’t just that. He also understood the nature of this world. How it came to be, and how it fix it. He understood, yet he lacked the power to change it.
Meanwhile, Makoto had only just gotten out from the confines of what used to be Hopes Peak Academy. Truly, what did he know?
“Hajime, I…” Makoto began, “I think you might be right, but how can I do such a thing?” He sighed.
“You could always ask Izuru-oniisan.” Hajime grinned at him. Makoto gave him a questioning look. “Izuru-oniisan is amazing at a bunch of things, you know? Not only that, but he can help you at the cheap price of free-99!” Hajime laughed as he patted Izuru’s thigh.
“Hajime, I don’t see why I should do such a thing.” Izuru deadpanned, making Hajime freeze up.
Hajime gasped and looked heartbroken. “Izuru-oniisan, this is your big chance! You wanted to see which side will win, didn’t you? Hope vs Despair! That’s why you took such a liking to Naegi-san! You wanted him to help you see which one would win!” He wailed as he failed his arms around.
Makoto stared at Izuru, shocked, while he tuned out the sound of Hajime repeatedly calling the raven an idiot. Kamukura-san wanted…to see which side will win? He… This whole time… That was what he wanted?! Not to spread despair, but to see if it could be defeated by hope?! Makoto’s mouth hung open in shock and disbelief.
If this was true, then maybe there was a chance to turn the tides.
“Um!” Makoto called out as he gathered his confidence. “K-Kamukura Izuru-san, i-if that’s what you truly want, then I think I can make it happen!” He proclaimed. “I might just have the thing to peacefully resolve this, but I was hesitant on using it since I didn’t have the cooperation of the Remnants of Despair, but if you’re able to convince them, then I will give you a good show. A battle between Hope and Despair.”
Hajime and Izuru stared at him as if he were a madman.
When Hajime was about to speak, Izuru had already beat him to the punch. “Do you truly mean what you’re saying?” He asked sincerely, receiving an earnest nod from Makoto. Izuru let out a small sigh. “Tell me it. If I find it amusing, then I will help you.” He decided.
Makoto was slightly shocked by this, but he was still happy nonetheless. “Yay! Now you can resolve this without having to kill people or sleep with your friends!” Hajime beamed as he threw up his hands. “Celebratory beef jerky!” He grabbed two pieces of the snack and shoved them into Makoto’s and Izuru’s mouths.
Makoto hunched over and coughed his lungs out while Izuru just nonchalantly chewed on the piece of dried meat.
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Makoto had already left after explaining the details of his plan. Now, Hajime and Izuru sat on the bench, eating their lunch in peace.
“How was my performance, Izuru-oniisan?” Hajime asked, a playful grin appearing on his face. Izuru didn’t answer as he simply kept eating. He didn’t need to answer, the results were obvious, therefore the answer was obvious. Still, this made Hajime mad. “Jeez, you could at least praise me!” He pouted.
“What would you do without me, Izuru-oniisan? Seriously, you could at least say all that yourself. You’re the Ultimate Hope, you know? You totally could if you wanted to. You always make me say what you feel for you, it’s so bothersome.” He huffed as he took a bite out of his rice ball. “Well, it can’t be helped. We’re traveling partners, I’m bound to help you at some point since you always protect me whenever we get into violent situations.”
They sat in silence as they finished their meal. Hajime took out a napkin from inside the plastic bag to wipe his hands. Izuru did the same thing. They both finish cleaning themselves and threw the napkins in the bag.
“…I guess our time together is limited, now,” Hajime muttered. Izuru responded with a small hum. The child smiled and leaned against Izuru. “Let’s make each moment count until you leave. With an ulterior motive as insane as yours, who knows if you’ll even survive until we meet up again.” He closed his eyes.
“Hajime,” Izuru finally spoke up. He got a small hum from the brunette. “You’re a smart kid, so why do you never stop me from doing the things I do?” He asked. Hajime made a humming sound as he knit his brows together.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and looked up at Izuru. “You have reason to do them, right? You have some unfinished business that you want to resolve, right?” He smiled. “I can tell. You always look like you’re missing something.”
Izuru narrowed his brows slightly. He placed his hand on Hajime’s head and patted it. “…Yes, you’re right.” He said, almost sadly. “A brat like you is better off sucking your own thumb and crying in a corner. Who taught you to be so smart?” He huffed, making Hajime laugh at him.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” He grinned.
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Notes:
Izuru: pointing at Hajime Who is this sassy lost child?
Makoto: But…he’s yours…
Chapter 2: Press X to doubt
Summary:
Izuru is finally done with whatever he wanted to do, so Hajime pays him a visit. Unfortunately for him, in his excitement, he forgets about the rest of class 77-B.
Chapter Text
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“Naegi-san, hurry up! Your stumpy legs are defective!” Hajime complained.
“I think I would run faster if I didn’t have to carry you on my shoulders…” Makoto rebutted.
“No way, you’re doing a great job.” Hajime deadpanned as he contradicted himself, receiving a sigh from Makoto.
Makoto had just escaped from the underwater facility and was greeted by Hajime. At first, Makoto didn’t want to bring him along since it could be dangerous, but he gave up once he saw how much Hajime wanted to tag along with him (that and the fact that Hajime was literally clinging onto his leg).
“Oooh! Is that it?” Hajime exclaimed as he pointed at a building in the distance. “Errr…I can see…woah! Aren’t those the members of the Super High School Level Elite Task Force? Laying right there, looking like they’re on their deathbeds?” He put his hand over his eyes to shield them from the sun. “And also…the door of the broadcasting tower is busted open. Do you think those guys made it before us?” He pondered.
Makoto hummed as he tightened his grip on Hajime’s legs and sped up. After climbing up the stairs, he had to take a quick breather while Hajime looked at the members of the Super High School Level Elite Task Force groaning in pain on the ground. After a few seconds or so, Makoto made his way inside the broadcasting tower, and as he got closer, he could hear voices coming from the inside.
He peeked from behind the wall to see Izuru and his friends convincing Ryota not to post the Hope Video. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he watched them, knowing that if it was them, he could count on them to resolve this peacefully. “Let’s go wait outside, Hajime.” He whispered to the boy on his shoulders. He received a small hum in response, so he turned around and walked back outside.
“Naegi-san, how are you planning on helping those guys?” Hajime asked, gesturing to the brainwashed members of Future Foundation once they got outside.
Makoto smiled nervously. “Uhm, I’ll figure that out later…” He muttered. “By the way Hajime, are you planning on leaving with Kamukura-kun to Jabberwock Island?”
Hajime laughed confidently as he patted Makoto’s head. “Of course! A master can’t abandon his best and only protégé! Wa-Ha-Ha!” He boasted. “Besides, my genius is too huge! The only person to contain it is Izuru-oniisan! If the world knew about me, the entire earth would be like BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! KABOOOOOM!!! And the entire cosmos would go BAM! BAM! BAM! BAMA-BAMA! BOOOOMM!!!” He threw his arms up and blew a raspberry to imitate the explosion.
Makoto silently looked up at the boy as he tried to figure out what he was talking about. He really can’t get used to Hajime’s occasional 180s. One moment, the kid can say the most profound and sophisticated things, then he would make a gigantic U-turn and actually act his age a moment later.
He heard Hajime stop making explosion noises once they saw everyone inside the broadcasting tower leaving with smiles on their faces. “Wooow! It’s Izuru-oniisan!” Hajime beamed as he clapped his hands. The sound of Hajime’s excitement caught the attention of the group. “Naegi-san! Naegi-san! It’s Izuru-oniisan! It’s Izuru-oniisaaan!!”
“Yes, yes, it’s your favorite Izuru-oniisan.” Makoto chuckled as he let Hajime down onto the ground. He watched as the child excitedly ran over to Izuru while repeatedly calling out his name.
“Izuru-oniisan, you big dummy! I missed you a bunch!” Hajime exclaimed as he bounced up and down in front of Izuru.
Izuru stared down at Hajime for a moment before he kneeled down and patted the child’s head. “Hi, Hajime. Sorry to keep you waiting.” He said with a gentle expression. A wide smile appeared on Hajime’s face as he nuzzled into Izuru’s hand. He was about to keep talking, but his entire body froze up in fear for some reason. Izuru blinked in shock as Hajime suddenly started tearing up before running back to Makoto.
Makoto narrowed his brows in concern as he kneeled down on one knee. Hajime ran into his arms and cried out his name. “Naegi-san, I’m scared! I’m gonna get killed! Waaah!!” He cried as tears stained his cheeks.
Makoto was shocked to see him like this as he didn’t take Hajime as the type of person to actually fear death. He looked up at where Hajime was looking before he got frightened, and he thought he figured it out. “H-Hey, it’s okay! They won’t do anything scary to you or anyone anymore! Look, Mitarai-kun is safely standing there!” He tried to reassure the boy.
“I can see that! That’s not the problem!” Hajime snapped back at him. He sniffled as he grabbed onto the hem of his shirt. “I know they’re not who they used to be, but- but-! My brain has already associated all of their faces with horrible crimes! I can at least handle one of them, but seeing all of them in one place is triggering my fight-or-flight response! Look! My hands are trembling so much I feel like I’m standing in the middle of Antarctica!” He rambled.
“Huh? If that’s really the case, then that’s pretty bad! It’s gonna take you months of therapy to rewrite your instincts!” Makoto exclaimed.
“That’s what I’m saying! Do something, Naegi-san!” Hajime sobbed.
“What exactly do you want me to do?!” Makoto exclaimed. Suddenly, Hajime started crying even harder and Makoto remembered that he was still talking to an actual child, and not a childish grownup. “A-Aaah! Okay, okay, I’ll do whatever I can!” He panicked as he waved his hands around. He smiled nervously as he put a finger up. “Listen, what about this? I’ll take responsibility if they do something scary to you, okay?” He offered.
Hajime narrowed his brows and wiped away his tears. “The last time you said that you said that, you were forced into another killing game!” He exclaimed as he flailed his arms around. “Do you even know what you’re saying?! You can’t be throwing around words like ‘responsibility’ so irresponsibly! That kind of irony is death irony!” He screamed. “You’ll seriously die! Get it?!”
The man was too stunned to speak.
Hajime pointed a finger at him as his voice lowered into a serious tone. “Listen carefully, because I don’t think you understand the gravity of your words, Naegi-san. Despair is dangerous— It causes nothing but trouble— but that’s just when you’re feeling it normally. Being brainwashed is another thing.” He knit his brows together, grimacing. “No matter how much you try to ignore it, despair will always be there. Man can only resist so much.”
“Oh~! You can hold hands, sing, and dance around in a circle all you want,” He cooed in a cutesy voice, before turning back to his previous tone. “But you will never get away from wanting—craving— despair. It’s permanently ingrained into your brain, so not even another 50 years of therapy will be able to fix that.” He explained.
Makoto stared at him with a conflicted expression. Hajime’s being serious again, and Makoto so desperately wants to deny it, but deep down somewhere inside him, he agrees with Hajime. He doesn’t know why, or how, but something inside of him agrees with Hajime, and that hesitance gave Hajime an opportunity to continue.
“…You’ve experienced it, right? You watched the video, didn’t you? Didn’t you?” Hajime suddenly asked, sending a chill running straight through Makoto’s body. And apparently, it was obvious since Hajime’s scowl turned into an amused smile. “You’re like an open book, Naegi-san. That small part inside you that agrees with me is your fear, your despair. You get it, don’t you? Despair changes you into something, makes you do things you normally wouldn’t do, makes you want to cause chaos…”
He sneered. “You understand it very well, Naegi Makoto.”
Out of the blue, Makoto screamed, making Hajime flinch and take a step back. “Stop that! I hate it when you say smart things that I agree with such a serious expression on your face! You need to start acting your age more!” Makoto exclaimed, pointing a finger at Hajime.
Hajime gasped dramatically and put a hand on his chest. “I open your eyes for you and you offend me in return? You’re such a big butt.”
“Aaaaaghhh! Okay, okay, I admit it! The effects of despair will always linger when you’re brainwashed… But tell me this Hajime! If you’re so insistent on being smart, then why aren’t me and Kamukura-kun affected?! Please explain how we’re both fine when we were both under the influence of despair!” Makoto demanded as he put his hands on his hips.
When he thought he’d won, he looked down to see Hajime staring at him with a look that called him stupid in 30 different languages. Hajime sighed tiredly and crossed his arms. “Cuz, first of all, Izuru-oniisan was never brainwashed in the first place.” He deadpanned like it was his millionth time saying that.
Makoto looked really taken aback by that answer, so much so that Hajime couldn’t help but laugh. “Didn’t you pay attention? Enoshima-san admitted it herself. The Hope’s Peak scientists had already done all sorts of messed up stuff with Izuru-oniisan’s brain to find out where his talents came from. All Enoshima-san had to do to convince him was to break his spirits a little.” He explained. “Besides, even if he was brainwashed, it wouldn’t work anyway. He’s the Ultimate Hope for a reason, you know? That applies to you too, Naegi-san!” He grinned.
“Both you and Izuru-oniisan possess Ultimate Hope. Izuru-oniisan’s Ultimate Hope represents the concept of ‘Talent’, while your Ultimate Hope represents the concept of ‘Pure Hope’.” He proclaimed.
“I’m the Ultimate Hope, too?!” Makoto exclaimed, which he probably shouldn’t have because Hajime’s eyes suddenly turned lifeless and dull. Makoto quickly went to explain himself. “W-Wait, I didn’t know that! H-How was I supposed to know that?!” He stammered. Suddenly, Hajime’s legs gave out and he fell backward on his back. “Huh? What? Huh? Hajime?!” Makoto quickly kneeled down to check on the boy.
He heard Izuru calling for Hajime before appearing next to him. Makoto didn’t even know how to begin to console the child since he had such a defeated expression on his face. It was as if he lost all hope to continue in life. Hajime looked over at Izuru and reached out for him— and Izuru responded by grasping his hand.
“Izuru-oniisan, sing me that song I like one more time before I die. I don’t want to live anymore. I’m leaving the restoration of the world to a guy who didn’t even realize that he was the Ultimate Hope and that he had to be informed by a kid a whole generation younger than him. Ahhh…I can’t take it anymore.” Hajime muttered in an emotionless voice.
“Shhh, it’s okay, brave soldier. Rest now.” Izuru muttered sadly. He looked at Makoto. “How could you do this to him? You sent the poor kid to his death.” He pointed an accusing finger at the other.
“I seriously didn’t know! Are you telling me you both knew this whole time?!” Makoto exclaimed as he tried to defend himself.
The supposedly dead child rose up from the grave to sass him. “Are you stupid, Naegi-san? Did Kirigiri-san never tell you or something?” He huffed as he crossed his arms. When Makoto gave him a blank look, he sighed tiredly as he got up and clung to Izuru. “Aaaaaahh! Izuru-oniisan!!!” He cried out.
“You want me to do something, right?” Izuru said as he picked up the kid. He cradled him in his arms as Hajime grumbled under his breath. “He was counting on you. You broke the trust of a child, you’re unbelievable.” He scoffed as he side-eyed Makoto. “Alright Hajime, stop with the pitiful, traumatized kid act and tell me what you want from me.” Izuru deadpanned. At this point, Makoto didn’t even bother saying anything anymore. He was truly at a loss for words for this chaotic duo.
Hajime huffed and pointed at the broadcasting tower. “Go in there and take the blame for the Final Killing Game.” He ordered. “The more the world thinks that you and everyone else are still spreading despair, the more you will able to live a peaceful life.” He explained casually.
“What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thing.” Izuru deadpanned. He put Hajime down and patted his head before walking towards his friends. “Mitarai, can you wait outside with them for a little bit? Me and everyone else needs to take care of some things.” He pointed a finger at Hajime who was innocently waving at him. Ryota was a little confused, but he nodded and complied anyway. Izuru looked toward the others and gestured for them to follow him.
They all walked in silence for a little bit before Kazuichi decided to ask what they were all thinking. “Yo…who’s the kid? Don’t tell me it’s yours.” He laughed nervously.
“That’s Hinata Hajime. An 8-year-old brat who just happened to be my travel companion.” Izuru deadpanned. “Don’t be fooled by his age, that child has seen and experienced a lot of messed up stuff that a normal child his age shouldn’t have, and so, as a result, his mental age shot up to an adult’s. He just likes crying and being silly to cling to the childhood innocence that he lost.” He explained curtly. After a few more seconds, he stayed silent, so it was presumed that he had nothing else to say.
“You seem to like him quite a bit.” Nagito smiled. Izuru didn’t reply at first, but then he smiled, shocking everyone.
“Yes. I like him very much. As much trouble as he is, he’s a fun child. I don’t really know why I like him so.” He said, before frowning. “Perhaps I wanted something to protect. I didn’t want to leave a child so full of potential and joy for that messed up world to decide his fate.” He muttered.
A smug whistle came from Ibuki. “Does that mean you’re taking him with us to Jabberwock Island?” She beamed. “…Well, that’s what Ibuki wants to ask anyway. He seemed really scared of us.” She pouted.
Suddenly, Izuru stopped in his tracks before turning around to face her with a deadpan stare. “Don’t tell me you actually believed him.” A few people looked a bit shocked to hear that. Izuru sighed, “I told you, he likes to cry to pretend to be a ‘normal’ child. Hajime’s incredibly traumatized, so much so that he doesn’t even bat an eye at death anymore. For now, he’s living just cause’ he can.” He explained. “If I could, I’d like to take him with me, but I’d like your opinions first.”
In response, the others smiled at him. “Dude, if you like the kid that much, who are we to separate you two?” Kazuichi asked with a cheeky grin. “Having a kid running around seems tiring, but the one responsible for him is you, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s good to have someone whom you trust around you! Even if that person is a child!” Sonia beamed.
“I don’t particularly mind anyway. I used to have a lot of siblings who were much more of a handful than the kid you’re takin’ care of.” Akane laughed as she put a hand on her hip.
Izuru looked at them with a glint of relief. He nodded curtly and crossed his arms. “Thank you. Your words have reassured me.” He started, “Since if you all refused I would’ve had to run away to an island on the other side of the world.” He deadpanned.
Mahiru raised a brow at him, “Isn’t that a little excessive?” She asked and in response, Izuru shook his head.
“Hajime is a force of nature. Leaving him for the Future Foundation to deal with will only end in disaster. No one other than me can control that ball of psycho.” He explained nonchalantly.
“But…he’s just a kid? How much damage can he really do to anything?” Fuyuhiko scoffed.
Suddenly, Izuru pointed a finger at him. “That is how he lures you into a false sense of security. If you keep thinking like that around him, it’ll only be a matter of time before you wake up one day and find yourself laying under 20 bags worth of worms.” He warned. Before anyone could respond, he had already turned around and began walking again. “Well, you won’t have to worry too much anyway. As long as I’m around, Hajime will behave.”
“Now then, let’s keep moving. We have some debts to repay.”
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Sanie_Moon (Guest) on Chapter 1 Sat 02 Sep 2023 10:14AM UTC
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Sleezy_Sheepy on Chapter 1 Sat 02 Sep 2023 12:35PM UTC
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Sans_Tsuki on Chapter 2 Mon 15 Sep 2025 02:35AM UTC
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