Rewind

Nagito Komaeda

   (Begins at the start of Sonia, Chiaki, and Hajime's perspectives.)

   Rewind. . .Rewind. . .

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   Nagito stood on the beach, feet buried deeply in the sand. He squeezed the toes of his bare feet, feeling the grainy sand get all bunched up between his toes as he stared out at the sparkling water of Jabberwock Island. The thought briefly crosses his mind that he could easily walk out into the water and never be seen again but he quickly shakes it off.

   He had had another nightmare and couldn't fall back asleep (not that he wanted to). So he had gotten dressed for the day and had wandered out here. It was the first place he could think of, really. 

   It wasn't long before he sensed someone's eyes on his. He couldn't tell who it was yet and he didn't turn his head. He listened quietly as a set of footsteps got closer and another presence joined his side; Hajime Hinata. 

   They stood there in silence for a few moments before Nagito let out a soft sigh and turned to Hajime with a gentle smile. "Hello there, Hinata. What brings you out here so early?"

   Hajime scowls slightly. "I could ask you the same thing."

   Nagito chuckles. "I suppose you could. But, this sort of thing is normal like me, not someone like Hinata-ah, I'm sorry! It's not my place to ask an Ultimate about their personal business."

   "Politeness is not personal business, Komaeda," Hajime sighs, rolling his eyes, "if I were you I'd be wondering the same thing."

   Nagito sniffs. "Thanks Hinata. You're such a good fri-( 'you fool, you absolute moron. How dare you call someone as amazing and hopeful as Hinata, much less an Ultimate, a friend of scum like you' )-person. Thank you for caring about me."

   Hajime smiles, nudging the fluffy boy's shoulder. "Of course I do. You're my friend, Komaeda. Probably my best friend on this entire island."

   Nagito's eyes widen, cheeks flushing slightly.

   'Wow, Hinata weaves such beautiful lies for the likes of me. . .'

   "R-Really?! Y-Yeah, you're my best friend too, Hinata ( 'Although you mean so much more to me than that' ) Thank you." 

   "I'm glad to hear it, Komaeda," Hajime replies, reaching up to pet his fluffy little head, "why don't you try and get an hour or so of shuteye before we need to leave for breakfast." 

   'I don't want to leave Hinata. . .I like spending time alone with him. And yet. . .I should really listen to him.'

   ". . .Alright, whatever you say, Hinata. Goodnight."

   Nagito then steps away and starts heading back towards the hotel, feeling Hajime's gaze on him the entire time. 

   Such a kind boy that Hajime is. It's quite understandable why Nagito loves him so much. How wonderful it would be to tell him just once. . .

   The Lucky Student turns back to Hajime, smiling a little. "Hinata. . .please don't forget from the bottom of my heart. . .I am truly in love with y- ( 'If Hinata gets close to you, he'll die just like everyone else. You bring death wherever you go. You really want to hurt him too? Selfish jerk.' ) -the hope that sleeps inside you. . .bye now." 

   He immediately turns and begins rapidly walking away from Hajime and the beach, feeling so utterly embarrassed.

-

   As usual, he didn't touch much food at lunch and here he was, walking aimlessly around the hotel property, humming quietly. He briefly considered going to get another Hope Fragment from someone but he didn't think anyone other than Hajime would be willing to hang out with and who knows where he's at?