Hajime and Nagito stumbled together towards the kitchen. It was the first time Nagito was properly able to take a look at the scenery - although so far all they have are pictures of themselves - and Nagito was doing his best to examine everything. Hajime was unsure whether it was an effort to keep stalling, but he didn't mind. Over time, he's actually really begun to enjoy Nagito's company. He'd tell Nagito that, but Hajime doubted Nagito would believe him.

As they - finally - walked into the kitchen, Nagito raised his hand in a greeting, his mechanical one - wearing a glove over it. "Hey guys!"

Only Fuyuhiko and Kazuichi raised a hand in response.

"Why're you only wearing one glove?" Akane asked, glaring disdainfully at him. Hajime realised the question wasn't made because she was curious, or concerned, it was just a way for her to make him feel uncomfortable and leave...

Nagito chuckled softly, also figuring it out. "Ah... haha..." and turned away from the others. "I guess I shouldn't be here."

Hajime caught his wrist before he left. "Nope. You're as much a part of us as I am." While he said that, a question flashed in Hajime's mind.

Does... Does Nagito remember that I'm Izuru? He either doesn't remember, and me telling him I'm the mastermind behind thousands of deaths might lead him to hate me, or on the other hand, he knows and the only reason why he's enjoying spending time with me is because of Izu - my... my talent...

"Hajime? Hajime!" Nagito shook him, deep concern in his eyes.

Sonia and Akane tried to force him away. "Don't you dare harm Hajime any further!" Hajime, still in a state of despair, wasn't able to comprehend the situation enough to defend him, and simply watched as the girls tried to force Nagito away from him.

However, when the tugging force reached his hand clutching Nagito's wrist, Hajime refused to let go, needing that pressure to ground himself.

"Na... Nagito..." Hajime muttered, once again forming tears in the corner of his eyes.

"Hajime!" Nagito fought harder, but Akane's grip especially was hard enough to fight, and when combined with Sonia's became too much to bare. Slowly but surely, Nagito's wrist started to slip out of Hajime's grasp, leading Hajime to become more worked-up the further away Nagito was.

"I - I know I'm being selfish but please! Nagito begged. "Please! He - He's crying!"

"Just let him go!" Fuyuhiko said, starting to move towards them, Kazuichi flanking him. Feeling threatened, Akane released Nagito, who squirmed out of Sonia's grip and ran straight back to Hajime, grabbing his hands.

"Hajime, Hajime, Hajime..." Nagito muttered, "I - I'm here, please calm down."

"Nagi... to?"

"Yes, me, Nagito. Focus on me, count to ten, you can do this." For the first time, Nagito wasn't stuttering, wasn't focusing on how much he hated himself, wasn't even focusing on hope. Because none of it mattered - not when Hajime was in so much distress.

As Nagito gently lead Hajime out of... whatever state he was in... Akane and Sonia watched.

"Ah! I know what'll break you out of this." Nagito whispered to himself, removing the glove on his hand, and exposing his mechanical arm. Sonia and Akane's eyes widened.

"That was... where Junko's arm was, right?" Akane asked. Sonia could only nod in response, as they watched Nagito get closer to Hajime, and gently place his cold hand on Hajime's cheek.

"C - cold..." Hajime muttered, shifting slightly.

"I know, I know..." Nagito muttered, not letting go. "Just focus on it, focus on the cold. You're here. With me. You're safe."

Hajime's eyes started to clear, and his grip tightened on Nagito's hand. Hajime's other hand lifted to grasp Nagito's mechanical one, and he pulled Nagito in for a hug.

"I... I... thanks Nagito." Hajime said, trying not to cry, still in his delirious state. He pulled away from Nagito slightly. "Nagito... do you hate me?" Do you hate that I'm Izuru?

"I... don't know what you mean by that, Hajime. I don't think I could ever hate you." Nagito said. "Even though you don't have a talent, I don't view those as being as important as they were from before - especially after Makoto, a student with the same talent as a worthless being like me, helped save the students from despair, and brought so much hope to all."

Nagito sighed, being careful to organise his words correctly. "You helped me realise that hope can come from anyone, as long as they believe hard enough - like you. Your hope is constantly shining, and I'm shocked that anyone could turn away from you." He pulled Hajime back into the hug. "I have no idea why you'd ask that to begin with, but that's a conversation that we can have another time."

"O... Okay..." Hajime broke away from Nagito's grip. He could tell him that he's Izuru another time. "I think I'm okay now. Thank you." He then turned around, and his face turned bright red when he realised everyone else was starting at them. "I...!"

Nagito realised what had Hajime so suddenly flustered, his self-hatred returning. "Ah, I'm sorry Hajime. I was too worried to remember how you don't like being seen with me in public. I - I'll leave now."

"No, Nagito, that's not..." Hajime stuttered, his anxiety returning. He grabbed Nagito's hands, covering them with his own. "Please stay..."

Nagito smiled, and as he replied with an 'okay' someone from the back - Hajime was almost certain that it was Kazuichi - whistled. Hajime jumped, face bright red, and spun back around.

"So if you two would stop fanning over each other for a few minutes, could you help? Ibuki has holed herself in her room, and Mikan is... well..." Akane trailed off, looking at the others for some help.

"Mikan remembers everything."

Hey! I decided to start uploading the chapters in the evenings instead of the mornings, as I tend to become busy early in the mornings, so I wouldn't want to take over 24 hours to post a new update. Updating in the evenings will make this easier - so technically today I'm updating the story twice in one day, so I can switch to updating in the evenings lol.

Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter!! See you guys again tomorrow!

But for now...

Peachy out! 😊