I felt the strings of the dark abyss under me pulling me in once again. A feeling of drowning overcame my entire body, as I closed my eyes in fear.

*Not this again-*

I heard her.

Over and over again the sentence:

"You're Izuru Kamukura."

I saw every horrible thing I did, the faces of every person I hurt.

And everything that wouldn't have happened if I just never existed.

And just like last time, right before I hit the ground, I woke up.

"Shit! Hah...hah... mother fucker-"

I breathed heavily and yelled in frustration. I looked around my apartment as I rubbed my eyes.

*why do i keep having that dream! God damnit.*

Just then, my phone beeped.

*Nagito* it read.

I picked up the phone.

"What?" I said, already having a bad morning.

"Hey hajime! I'm outside."

"...what?"

"I'm outside. I thought we were gonna walk to work together?"

"Its..." I looked at the date. ****** "Um okay! One second I'll be out in a minute!"

"Did you just wake up?"

"No! I mean...yeah... Just gimme a minute!"

"Ahahaha-"

I quickly hung up and rushed out of bed. I got dressed and brushed my teeth, while also making sure I didn't look like complete garbage. I opened the door to Nagito's usual smug face.

I looked him up and down. He was in a button up white shirt holding his signature green jacket with tight black jeans. His white hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. His prosthetic arm creaking loudly as he gestured towards his outfit.

"Soo, what do you think?"

"Uhh-" I looked up at him. "You look...surprisingly professional actually. The ponytail um... I-it suits you."

His face turned a bright red, as he looked away from me.

"Aha- um thanks Hajime... A-anyway, you ready?"

"Yeah, sorry."

"Its cool."

We started walking down the street to one of the only buildings that wasn't under construction, and talked for a bit.

"Ah! I can't believe we're gonna work at the most hopefilled building probably ever! Isn't it exciting Hajime? Our first day as actual future foundation interns!"

"Tch- well I don't know if it's that exciting, but I mean, i suppose it's a start to some development."

"Yeah! Ah wow. And we're gonna be working with *the* Makoto Naegi as our boss! I really am the luckiest guy ever!"

He was lit up with his usual bright happy aura. This was the first time in a while that I saw it again though.

After we had gotten out of the neo-world-program we were all totally messed up. I had temporarily worked with future foundation to restore conciousness to my friends.

It had been about a month since then. We were provided living arrangements, therapy, medical attention, and jobs by future foundation. Komaeda had gotten his prosthetic there, which was especially prepared for him by Kazuichi. He was the ultimate mechanic after all.

Over time, me and Komaeda became better friends, with me trying harder to understand him and him trying his best to understand me. And even though we were both horribly broken inside and out, we were getting through thanks to Makoto Naegi.

Our resources that were provided for us are supposed to be free for now since the economy is still trying to get back on its feet, but for the time being we'll be working at future foundation until we're able to pay for our own essential services.

Today was me and my past classmate's first day of future foundation training. Of course, we were only starting off as interns, but it was a start. We were also supposed to start the long process of getting our past memories back today. Which was bound to be...interesting.

"Yeah well I don't really understand why you're so excited but I'm sure it will be a good experience. After all they said they had good news for us."

"Yeah, I wonder what it is."

When we got there, we all gathered in our meeting area. There, we would officially meet our higher ups and be put into more efficient training teams of five based on skill and abilities.

We all made conversation, wondering about what type of instructor we would get as interns. Just then, Makoto Naegi himself came out with six other people. He went up to the fancy stand and tested the mic.

"Hello?"

We all looked up.

"Okay hi! Goodmorning everyone! Since you all are new recruits, we've decided to have a meeting on who will train you as members of future foundation. And as you may have guessed we'll be doing introductions before assigning areas and groups. And also, we have a very exciting announcement to make. But that comes at the end.

Applause ensued, with komaeda of course being especially excited.

"Okay so me first. My name is Makoto Naegi. I'm the leader of future foundation branch fourteen. We are responsible for public relations. We do other things as well such as rescue, info, and questionnaire. These are the people who will be leading and training you for the next year. So without further ado, let me hand the mic to Mr. Togami, and Ms. Kirigiri."

He stepped aside and gave them the podium, we knew Togami and Kirigiri from the neo-world-program. Well, the ones who "survived" did at least.

"Hello everyone, as I'm sure you've heard, my name is Byakuya Togami. I am the assistant manager of future foundation fourteenth division. I will train you in weaponry, and future foundation technology, such as hacking guns, specialized computer programs, and our AI. Thank you."

"Goodmorning everyone, My name is Kyoko Kirigiri. I am a member of future foundation fourteenth division. I specialize in detective work, crime scene examination, and corpse analysis. You will be trained on a keen eye more than anything else with me. Thank you all."

Everyone applauded as they stepped down and handed some papers to the next two. They got on the podium.

"Hi everyone! I'm Aoi Asahina, from future foundation fourteenth division. I'm not really in charge of much, but I'm a really good receptionist and I make sure our employees are provided with the best care possible until we can get back to normal. And I'm always happy to help you in any way I can. Thank you!"

"Hey dudes! I'm Yasuhiro Hagakure. I'm in charge of preparation and equipment delivery, it's a bit of a boring job but without equipment suppliers we wouldn't have anything to help. On my team, we focus on service providing with a comforting face."

We all applauded once again. And the last two came up, two women.

"Hi there everyone! My name is Komaru Naegi. Member of...you guessed it! Future foundation fourteenth division. My job is to train you all in rescue! We go on special missions in order to save captives, people in need, and make sure people get medical attention. I can't wait to have you on my team!"

"H-hi- I'm T-Toko- Toko Fukawa. I specialize in Information gathering, m-making sure it all gets written down, and organized ac-ca-cordingly I'll teach you how to keep calm and get the info you need. Th-thank you-"

We all applauded, and before we knew it, it was time for the big announcement. Makoto got on the podium once again.

"Okay everyone! Before we announce your positions! We have our very special guest. She'd been classified as missing, but was recently found as a victim of the tragedy! Everyone please welcome...."

At that moment, everything became a blur. I couldn't believe what I saw. I couldn't believe that she was still here. I saw her. I saw...

"Chiaki....?"

*I didn't realize what had happened.... Chiaki was found...? That's...impossible I saw her she- she died....She died! What the hell- what the hell is going on-!*

That was the last thing I thought before everything went black.

...

I woke up to familiar voices.

"Hajime!"

"Hinata wake up!"

"Come on man!"

"Wha....?" I said.

I looked up to see almost my entire batch of classmates and Makoto at my side.

"Hajime-! Are you okay?" Nagito asked.

"Yeah man you totally knocked out-!" Kazuichi exclaimed.

"Well I understand. I mean, a dead girl was walking!" Fuyuhiko said.

*So it wasn't a dream...?*

I thought as I shot up.

"Where is she-!?"

"Shes outside." Makoto said. "She's waiting to see if you're okay."

I ran out of bed, not even questioning where I was before slamming open the door. If this was real life...if she really was...alive, I needed to see it with my own eyes. And when I did, I couldn't help it. My jaw dropped, and I said with a lump in my throat, "Chiaki? Is that really- really you-?"

"Hajime? Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you in so long- like since high school! How are you doing?"

The door behind me opened and everyone looked at chiaki.

"Chiaki..."

Everyone was absolutely speechless. But we all did the same thing. We gave her one of the tightest, most emotional, most relieved group hug that had ever existed.

"Its so nice to see you again everyone."

...

So long story short, we had found out that Chiaki had never actually been confirmed dead. At least not by any public. She was missing. But according to Naegi and her, she had heard about future foundation's actions and wanted to find her friends again, and maybe even join one day, with us. So when they received *anonymous* Intel that a captive was being held in the underground space of what used to be Hope's peak high school, They found her. It was shocking, but it didn't matter, she was alive. And even if it wasn't her that went through the killing game with us, she was still my friend. And that's all that mattered.

After catching up for a bit, we were told our training teams.

Team one: Team Kirigiri consisted of; Peko Pekoyama, The ultimate imposter, Gundham Tanaka, And Sonia Nevermind.

Team Togami: Chiaki Nanami, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, Nagito Komaeda, And Hajime Hinata.

Team Yasuhiro: Hiyoko Saionji,

Akane Owari, Ibuki Mioda, and Kazuichi soda.

And Team Komaru/toko: Mikan Tsumiki, Teruteru Hanamura, Mahiru Koizumi, and Nekomaru Nedai.

I was part of Team Togami, me and fuyuhiko recognized him from when he saved us from the neo-world-program. But I don't think he remembered us because when we all gathered, he looked at the list of our names.

"Okay, let's get to the point, I won't bother learning the names of interns. That's something you earn. So, You. He looked at fuyuhiko. Your number one. Brunette, two. Gamer, three. And white hair, you're number four. Now come with me, it may be your first day but that doesn't change all the work we have to do." He handed all of us contracts, papers, and clipboards.

They were papers that needed our approval for agreements to getting our memories back. But of course, Chiaki didn't have any to recover.

"Ah I see." Komaeda mumbled. "Isn't this exciting Hajime? Being put with the Ultimate Affluent Progeny?"

"I guess." I whispered. "But I heard a rumor that he's actually a pain in the ***." I whispered.

"I can hear you." He said sternly.

"Sorry sir!" I shouted quickly. *wow great first impression Hajime.* I thought as Komaeda giggled.

"Shut up-" I told him quietly.

"Ehehe- I'm only teasing Hinata kun."

When we got to the memory center, Naegi was waiting for us, along with about 16 machines.

"Holy crap." Fuyuhiko said, looking around.

Byakuya sighed, "Be professional won't you?"

"Sorry sir its just, I've never seen anything like this before."

"Well it was developed by former ultimates." Byakuya replied.

"Ah, wow. How truly amazing!" Nagito exclaimed as Naegi walked up to Byakuya.

"Okay, this is it. Most of this is gonna be shocking, and you'll only get some of your memories back for now, however the ones you don't get should slowly make their way in your brain eventually, due to the machines ability to open the deeper regions of your mind. You'll need to be prepared for the things you might see, no matter what they are. So, are you prepared?"

I gulped. *Izuru... damn it screw it-!*

"Yes sir!" I shouted, as I defied what I actually thought. Everyone then looked at me and followed as they got ready.

"Good. Then please step into the machine while we get you strapped up."

And when we were ready to begin, the last thing we all heard before the program started was

"Good luck everyone."

....

....

....

At that moment, everything froze. Like I was in the middle of some sort of black purgatory. I felt as if I was falling lower and lower into the abyss of nothingness. Almost just like my reoccurring dream. But after that, I saw things that I couldn't believe. The remnants of the tragedy, Chiaki, the experiments. However, even though I knew the situations, it still felt as if I had no memory to them. All I had were locations in my mind. Little flashbacks of things I had previously seen, people I'd met. Even the people in my visions felt blurry. The only one who didn't was Chiaki. I didn't know why. Perhaps it was because she was still in the back of my mind at the moment. But in the end, it didn't matter, it was the first time that my dream had sunk in as reality. I kept denying it. Denying the horrible thoughts, the horrible things, and the horrible state of our world, just for the sake of positivity. I thought I was ready to face it. But deep down I think I knew it would never be that easy.

As everything I'd seen passed through my mind, and I had remembered some of my locations of memories, my eyes shot open, and a tear came down my face. Even though I didn't remember the memories they related to, it still felt as if I could feel the emotional connection with each image. It hurt. So fucking much. I looked around at everyone else. They all had a look of bewilderment, pain, and of course, despair. Fuyuhiko even shed a tear, and Nagito... he was... balling. He looked in my eyes and ran up to me.

He hugged me. *He had never-*

"Hajime-!" He cried out. I couldn't help but wonder what he saw. But instead of asking questions, I hugged him back. It concerned me deeply however, not only because Nagito was my friend but because I had never seen him actually, cry before. Nonetheless hug me, or anyone for that matter.

"H-hey-! It's okay-!" I told him. He was soft and warm. His tears making a little stain on my shoulder. And for some reason... I felt calmer. Relived even. I felt a type of...bond.

Just then it was as if nagito had snapped out of a trance. He quickly let go of me and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

"Ah- I- I'm sorry Hinata-! I don't know what c-came over me I just-"

"Hey. Its cool. Don't worry about it."

He blushed. "Y-yeah....th-thank you."

"Anytime."

At that moment Naegi walked up to us.

"Its okay if you all wanna take a moment... it's hard. I know. We figured you would all wanna go home and get some rest for now. You'll start real business training tomorrow. You'll be informed about your treatment plans later today, but for now, please take the rest of the day off."

We all looked at each other and Thanked him. We all left the room together, Fuyuhiko running ahead.

"Nagito?"

He looked up at me.

"You okay?"

He walked silently for a moment.

"Yes. I really do apologize. I didn't mean to make you touch someone as repulsive as me-"

"No you aren't repulsive... actually... I really needed that too." I admitted.

"You- Wait what-?" He asked.

"I needed that. There was horrible shit in mine too. I get it. But somehow, I always feel... really relaxed with you, if that uh, makes sense. Ahaha-"

I laughed.

"Ah-" His face turned a bright pinkish color. And he almost flinched.

"W-well I'm sure that was just from knowing it was over you know there's n-no way something as nice as that could be because of me-!"

"Nagito-! You're really red are you okay?! Oh crap are you getting a fever again-!?"

"Nonono-!" He cupped his hands over his face and mumbled something to himself. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Shut up Hinata kun-!" It's just really um- hot out here that's all-!"

"Ahaha yeah right, wait did you actually remember something pervy?" I teased.

"No of course nott! Ah jeez my emotions are really getting out of control today!" He said, finally gaining back some composure.

"Heh heh- it's okay. I think I like sensitive Nagito." I smiled.

"Easy for you to say..."