#Naezono Week 2019

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week 2019

Normally, I would've waited to hear back from xoxorandomfangirl - they had some more generalized concepts/themes for Naezono Week. But, considering we're just over a week out from the intended start date, I wanted to at least announce the one-word prompts I settled on, and give at least a week for writers and artists to prepare. I'll create another update post if xoxorandomfangirl hits me up with the other ideas they had in mind, to pair alongside my own one-word prompts.

So, as a reminder - October 28 - November 3 is the intended Naezono Week for this year. A little bummed some others didn't want to get in on the planning, but having managed these types of ship weeks events, I'm used to stepping up. Naezono is love, Naezono is life~

Day 1 - Cheerleader Day 2 - Soft Day 3 - Exceptional Day 4 - Ruined Day 5 - Dream Day 6 - Satisfaction Day 7 - Promise

As you may notice, a lot of these themes are fluffy, or happier-themed overall. Well, I tried mixing in some ambiguous ones, as well as some angst, for those that have a morbid fascination in tragic/angsty Naezono (believe me, I've written my fair share). You're more than welcome to use these themes merely as guidelines and not as what you "have" to write for each day; I'd rather passionate writers and artists create what they feel inspired to create - not what I told them to. That's another reason I like one-word prompts, they can be taken in so many different ways depending on how you interpret the word.

So, feel free to prepare if you'd like. I know a week might not be much for some, and that was mostly my fault, since I wanted to wait and see if anyone wanted to offer feedback. But Naezono Week's almost here, and I hope you'll enjoy it. :3

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week, Day 7: Promise

           The Ultimate Pop Sensation looked down at the gift curiously.

           “A ring...?” She echoed faintly.

           The Luckster in front of her rubbed the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly.

           “I know it’s not much, and might even be a bit cheesy, but I wanted to make my promise more… concrete. Y’know?” Makoto laughed in embarrassment as he tried to find the right words. “Anyone can ‘say’ they’re gonna help you get out of here… But I guess… I wanted something to back my words up.”

           “… And you settled on a Love Status Ring?” Sayaka wondered aloud, still eyeing the gift in her palm.

           Makoto’s face flushed at that. He waved his hands defensively and spluttered nervously.

           “I-It doesn’t have to mean anything you don’t want it to…! I just… we don’t have a lot in here that’s, well, ours.” Pink dusted his cheeks as he looked off to the side. “I know just giving out a prize from that machine in the shop is a bit… thoughtless… B-But something about it seemed… right.”

           Sayaka blinked as she looked up at the Luckster curiously.

           “Seemed right…?” She echoed. Makoto nodded absently.

           “Y-Yeah…” His blush deepened, but he raised his head to meet the idol’s eyes. “… You’re my friend, and I care about you. I don’t know much about love, but I still want you to find that special someone, someday. And since there’s more chance of finding that person out there than in here… I thought… it could be like a beacon of hope until you get out of here? Ehe…”

           As the Luckster chuckled nervously and averted his gaze downward once again, shuffling his feet, Sayaka continued to stare at him with awestruck eyes. She had not expected this from the shy, average-looking boy. When she had wrung that promise to help her escape no matter what out of him, she was perfectly fine at taking him at his word. Inadvertently making him promise that in the first place was already more than enough to suit her goals, which were growing more and more desperate by the minute. What more could she ask, with him wrapped around her finger as he was?

           … But here it was. Makoto going above and beyond her expectations, yet again. The Luckster didn’t just care about her safety and health… he wanted to secure her happiness, too. In any way he could, even if it came off as borderline romantic. Most girls that were as popular as her would have taken advantage of the poor boy without a second thought, if they were in this position. Disregard his genuine feelings, snub him. Some rotten soul might even use Makoto, had he bared his heart like this to them; as an idol, one of the popular crowd, some really shady possibilities sprang to mind.

           … And therein lied the rub.

           Sayaka needed Makoto. Her idol group was at risk, and she needed to escape immediately. As risky as murder was, having a scapegoat circumvented at least part of the problem that Rule 6 hinted at – being found out by their peers. Makoto promised that he’d help her, no matter what; she didn’t doubt that he would cover for her when push came to shove. He would feel conflicted because of the lengths she went to… feel hurt that she used him… But she would have his support. Of course she didn’t want to betray him in such a way. She’d rather not betray him at all.

           She looked at the ring in her palm with a furrowed brow.

           … Why was he making this even more impossible?

           “Well… I guess it’s getting late, so we should probably get some rest!” Makoto remarked, after a while. Sayaka blinked as she realized she’d been lost in thought.

           “Hey, Makoto… Before that…” Sayaka looked up at him suddenly with a beaming smile, catching the boy off-guard. “Would you mind doing me a favor?”

           “S-Sure…” Makoto hesitantly agreed. “What’s up?”

           Sayaka held her hand out with the ring still in her palm.

           “I want you to put it on me.” The idol chirped, giggling at his nonplussed expression. “I just want to put it on the right hand, y’know? You can help me, right?”

           Makoto spluttered a little at the request, but feebly he nodded and moved to comply, picking up the ring.

           “S-Sure… Uh, let’s see… right hand…” Makoto’s brow furrowed as his free hand grasped one of the idol’s, and he hesitated. “Erm…”

           Sayaka giggled at how careful he was… He really was sweet.

           “Careful now~…” The idol teased. “With the ring on the right hand, I’m searching for love… With the left hand, well~…”

           Well, she didn’t really need to say it. Judging by his increasingly frantic expression, Makoto didn’t need the additional pressure. But still, the idol found it so fun, teasing him. It definitely took her mind off of more stressful matters.

           Her eyes bugged out a little when he took her other hand, in a fit of panic… and slipped the ring onto her ring finger. It was clearly a hasty decision on his part, but he breathed a happy sigh of relief now that the choice was out of his hands.

           “That should do it…” The Luckster said bashfully as he let go of her hand and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well… I’ll see ya tomorrow!”

           Sayaka couldn’t even utter a “good night” in her frazzled state, gaze locked firmly on the ring on her hand. Even after several minutes she stayed rooted in place, lost in the whirlwind of her mind. Steadily, Sayaka released a shaky breath after a while… a fond smile tugged at her lips, in spite of everything.

           “Oh, Makoto…”

           ~*~

           Weeks later…

           “You look pretty happy.” Makoto couldn’t help grinning as he walked up to her, holding two cups of tea in his hands. Sayaka gratefully accepted one. “Munakata get a lead on your idol group?”

           Sayaka hummed thoughtfully at his guess. It was a fair assumption; she’d been hyper-focused on searching for them, after escaping Hope’s Peak.

           “… No, not yet.” Sayaka answered honestly. She sipped her tea with a serene expression, and then flashed him a pleasant smile. “You still make the best tea, Makoto…”

           The Luckster just rubbed the back of his neck modestly.

           “I dunno about that… I’d still say I’m average at it, like everything else.” He chuckled sheepishly.

           Sayaka’s smile shrank a little at his modesty. She still needed to work on that with him, like so many other things…

           “You’re not average at everything, Makoto… Not just anybody can defeat Junko Enoshima. Or get Togami to be less of an asshole. Or keep everyone together in the middle of a crisis.” Her smile grew back when she saw the Luckster shuffle his feet awkwardly. “You did those things, Makoto. No one else did – and I don’t think they even could. Not even calm, collected Kirigiri.”

           “I still think you’re giving me too much credit…” Makoto muttered. “I mean, between you and Kirigiri…”

           Sayaka just shook her head, clacking her cup on the table before looking back up at him with a serious gaze.

           “Not in there. Makoto… more than once, I was ready to just give up and commit murder like Junko wanted. That’s not an exaggeration.”

           “But…! You held yourself together!” Makoto argued back, faltering at the self-depreciating smile she flashed him.

           “All that time being antagonized by Monokuma and our crazy classmates, and you never wondered how?” Sayaka giggled softly before turning her gaze out the window. “I never would’ve made it out if you hadn’t been there with me, Makoto. I’m sure it was the same for the others… But it was especially true for me.”

           Makoto blushed a little at the way she confessed that. Her tone was soft, heartfelt, vulnerable… The idol was baring her heart to him here.

           “Well… it’s the same for me.” Makoto argued, a hand over his heart. “I wouldn’t have made it without you… without everyone… I don’t think anyone could live through a crisis of that magnitude by themselves.”

           Her smile turned bittersweet as she turned back his way.

           “I think you could’ve soldiered on without me…” She clutched at her chest, gaze slightly turning downward. “If you’d died in there… I would have broken, without a doubt. But you… Makoto, you’re so much stronger. I just know you would have carried on just fine.”

           The idol’s breath hitched as Makoto soothingly placed a hand over her hand that was resting on the table. She looked up into his eyes in surprise.

           “If we’re talking like that…” Makoto chuckled self-depreciatingly. He argued soulfully. “Maybe I would have soldiered on, but I wouldn’t have been ‘just fine’… You’re special to me, Sayaka. A part of me would literally die with you.” He argued soulfully.

           Sayaka’s eyes softened. She interlaced their fingers together, and she didn’t miss the irony that it was the hand with the ring on it.

           “Makoto…” Her tone was tender. Raw. She was truly touched by his words, feelings, and actions. And it brought her back full circle to what she’d been thinking, before he’d brought the tea…

           Makoto had kept his promise. He had helped her escape. Had helped them all to escape, the ones who survived. He’d made that error with the ring… though in hindsight, Sayaka supposed it wasn’t much of an error on his part, so much as it was her underestimating her feelings at the time.

           “… Hey, Makoto…? I’ve got a present.” The idol abruptly spoke up.

           Makoto blinked owlishly at the sudden declaration.

           “F-For me?”

           She nodded.

           “Close your eyes~…” She chirped. The boy hesitantly complied, and he felt the idol grab his other hand before slipping onto it. “Okay~! You can open them again.”

           Makoto did so, and he was stunned to find the Love Status Ring… on his left hand. He did a double-take when he saw the ring he’d given Sayaka still on her own hand. Okay, a Love Status Ring.

           “S-Sayaka…?” He trailed off hesitantly, noticing something else.

           She’d placed her gift on his left hand.

           “It’s only fair~…” The idol beamed contentedly. “You proposed to me first.”

           “P-P-PROPOSED?!” The flustered boy spluttered. He then realized… he’d switched the left and right on Sayaka’s hands, facing her.

           He’d placed the Love Status Ring on her left hand. On her ring finger no less.

           “I’m not mad,” Sayaka placated the mortified Luckster. “I’m relieved I don’t have to shift it from one hand to the other… Because I have you, Makoto. I don’t need another.”

           The pop idol then stood up and wrapped him in a warm, affectionate hug. Makoto rigidly reciprocated, too awestruck by the words and actions of his best friend. He reeled all the more when she actually kissed him. On the lips. Not too short, but definitely not long enough for Makoto to reciprocate. Sayaka drew back her head, but didn’t let up on the hug.

           “You promised to help me. To even keep me happy. Now… I want to promise you the same. Okay?” Sayaka smiled brightly, and Makoto felt so empowered by such a simple action. He strengthened his half of the hug and returned her smile with a small one of his own.

           “… Okay.”

           .... They both knew this promise was a mutual one they would be keeping for the rest of their lives.

~*~

... Weeks late, but here Day 7 is. I just wanted to write SOMETHING for the last day. XD

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week, Day 1: Cheerleader

            “You… You like my music, Naegi-kun?” A light pink dusted the idol’s cheeks as she looked at the Luckster in astonishment. She’d wanted to study in his room for a nice change of pace, and on such short notice, he couldn’t hide all his “Maizono merch” that he had tucked away even in his dorm room. Back home would’ve been even worse, but there was still enough evidence lying around the dorm room that he was a “Sayaker” through and through…

            The brunet rubbed the back of his neck and grinned sheepishly.

            “I-It’s not that much of a big deal, is it…? I mean… I told you a few weeks ago, if they’re at the top of the charts, I’m probably a fan.” Makoto chuckled weakly. “I’m normal like that, to the most cliché degree… Even ‘normal’ would find me pretty boring....”

            Sayaka stared him in the eyes for several moments, slightly unnerving him with how intense the look was… But then she beamed serenely at him, tension instantly vanishing.

            “Even so… I never knew.” Sayaka insisted, slightly embarrassed. “You wouldn’t even look at me in middle school, so…”

            Makoto mirrored her embarrassment and suddenly found the floor fairly interesting.

            “W-Well… I couldn’t just go staring like a creep… You were an idol that was growing rapidly more popular every day, it’s like we were worlds apart… It’s not like I had a right to stare.”

            Sayaka smiled thinly before glancing at him curiously.

            “Even so… We all have reasons for liking what we do…” Her grin turned slightly mischievous as she clasped her hands behind her back. “So why do you like my music, Naegi-kun~?

            Makoto’s blush deepened at the inquiry. He rubbed the back of his neck again.

            “You’ve got a great singing voice, and you dance pretty well…” He breathed a sigh as he tried to get control of his heart rate. “Though… I guess those aren’t the only reasons… You’re a sweet girl that loves her fans! A-And you inspire so many people, no matter what kind of day they might be having… You work hard, and you’re nice to everyone!

            Makoto rubbed under his nose, then, as he made a slight correction to that last statement.

            “W-Well… almost anyone, I guess. To be fair, some of our classmates are… hard to get along with…” He admitted reluctantly. “But you still try! A-And you really love your career! You’re just… amazing. Even after getting to know my idol as a classmate, you live up to that image that you put on stage pretty well! I’m… I’m glad we’re classmates.”

            Makoto felt like he was babbling like an idiot by this point, and his face was flushed with embarrassment. Sayaka herself wasn’t doing a whole lot better, blush intensifying with each praise stacked onto the pile… She was touched the Luckster thought so highly of her. He hadn’t gotten to know her personally too much yet, so maybe he was jumping the gun – at least in her opinion – but it was heartwarming that he admired her so much… so unabashedly sweet…

            “Naegi-kun…” Sayaka trailed off affectionately, at a loss of what to say in response. But despite practically melting at how sweet and cute he was being, she quickly found some words… Her pride as an idol demanded it. “I knew you wouldn’t be like just ‘any other fan’… You’re not just a trend follower. I totally understand stuff like peer pressure, and liking stuff just ‘cause it’s popular… Everyone has tastes like that!

            Sayaka clutched at the ribbon on her chest while looking up at the ceiling with a sweet smile tugging at her lips.

            “But you also have reasons for liking what you do… Whether that’s good music, fun games, or tasty food… I feel like everyone has their reasons, and those reasons are what set you apart from what society would label ‘normal’…” She tilted her head slightly at Makoto and offered a close-eyed, polite smile as she clasped her hands together in front this time. “I don’t think you’re ‘average’, Naegi-kun… You’re unique. And I’m happy someone like you admires me… It makes everything I work for worth it, a-and… I feel like… with my biggest cheerleader supporting me… I can do anything…”

            Sayaka’s blush was back with a vengeance, but her eyes remained closed as she lightly giggled melodiously. Makoto blinked owlishly as he soaked in her words.

            “Y-Your… biggest cheerleader…?” He asked hesitantly.

            “You, silly!” Sayaka giggled again before reopening her eyes with a mixture of happiness, determination, and other emotions. “I’m gonna work that much harder with you watching me, Naegi-kun. And… I want to be your biggest cheerleader, too. S-Someday, at least…”

            As she fiddled with her ribbon nervously, looking down with flushed cheeks, Makoto felt there was only one answer he could give to that.

            “You already are, Maizono-san!” Makoto managed a small grin at her wide eyes. “Even when you didn’t know it… you always encouraged me to put forth my best. Not even my sis always manages that!”

            He chuckled sheepishly at the admission, while Sayaka made another happy, determined face.

            “Then… all the more, now that I know!” She insisted earnestly. “Even when I’m hundreds of miles away, I’ll cheer you on, Naegi-kun!”

            And somehow… Makoto didn’t doubt that for a second. Even worlds apart as they were… He knew Sayaka was the type to give 110% for her fans.

            But even so… Something about her declaration set his heart aflutter…

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week, Day 2: Soft

            Sayaka laid on her bed stiffly as she stared up at the ceiling with the blankest of stares. There was no clock in the room, and no sounds other than her own unsteady breathing, but she could hear the ticking of the clock all the same… She needed to get out. It wasn’t a matter of “want”… She really didn’t have a choice.

            Kill or be killed.

            That was the law Monokuma had established in this godforsaken school… There weren’t any secret exits… No school staff to come out and surprise them that it was all a horrible prank… Every second wasted was a tightening of the noose. Around the career she had painstakingly built up since childhood. Around her friends, who fought with her through thick and thin. Around even herself, since she was a potential target in this hellhole…

            ‘I’m so sorry, Naegi-kun…’

            With a heavy heart and legs that felt weighed down by lead, she left the bed and moved unsteadily towards the door. And eventually, to the room next door. After rapping her knuckle against the door to his room, Sayaka hugged herself instinctively, feeling a chill overcome her. When he opened the door after she announced that it was her, she pleaded to be let in so they could talk in private. And once inside his room, after he allowed her to sit on his bed comfortingly… words just slipped past her lips seamlessly, weaving together a frightful tale that even gave herself goosebumps as she recited the lines.

            Lies, every single one of them. She was lying straight to his face… and it broke her heart… But she didn’t have a choice. The ugly, hateful bear had seen to that...

            Suddenly there was warmth. Sayaka blinked as she registered that he was hugging her…

            “Naegi…kun…?” The idol whispered hoarsely, slightly bewildered.

            “You were crying…” was the gentle boy’s response. Belatedly the idol realized, as she raised one hand to her tear-stained face in shock. His embrace tightened the slightest amount. “I promised I’d keep you safe… And I will…1”

            Through his pained words, Sayaka’s heart broke even more. Here she was deceiving him, plotting to use him for nothing but her own gain, and he was concerned for her and her safety. Here he was listening to her putrid lies like a saint.

            ‘Naegi-kun… you’re so…’ Instinctively she leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder, not at all minding the close proximity. ‘… soft…’

            … He wasn’t going to make it. This doe-like boy with a heart of gold wasn’t going to survive this Hell by himself. He might even be the next one killed, soon as she gets out. Retribution for helping her to escape. It was going to be all her fault.

            ‘I…’

            But what other choice did she have? Escaping wasn’t a simple desire, it was a ravenous need… She had to get out. For her friends, her fans, and even her own mental health, she needed to get out now…

            ‘I…’

            Makoto Naegi would just be one more sacrifice on the road of hot coals that was her idol career… Sayaka couldn’t afford to hesitate for even a second. Hesitation might as well equate to death, in the cutthroat industry she was in. She wasn’t lying when she told Naegi she had done some awful things to reach and maintain her place on top. And now… betraying Naegi was going to be one more thing added to that pile.

            ‘I…’

            It wasn’t even to keep her position this time . This was… purely to make certain her friends were alright. That’s why this was such an emergency. She had to secure their safety… their livelihoods… For the fans that depended on them…

            ‘I can’t do this…’

            Sayaka completely surrendered herself to his embrace, burrowing her face in his shoulder and crying her heart out. She hugged him back with every ounce of strength left in her.

            Sayaka didn’t know what befell her bandmates. But she did know what would befall Naegi if she left him behind. For all she knew, her idol group was long since dead, maybe even since the moment she first opened her eyes in this school.

            Naegi wasn’t dead.

            She could still do much for Naegi. Protect him. Shield him. Support him.

            Love him…

            Naegi had a seemingly never-ending amount of optimism within him, and Sayaka could ground him. Just like how he was her anchor, especially in trying times like these. Naegi didn’t have all the answers, and that was okay. She didn’t either. But as long as they had each other, they could get through this.

            ‘Until he turns his back on you, once he realizes you thought of betraying him…’ A bitter voice echoed in the back of her head. A voice that Sayaka drowned out absorbing Naegi’s warmth, scent, and comforting words.

            They could get through this. A broken tea cup could be put back together, and filled once again. The first time, she had filled herself with passion and single-minded purpose to make it as an idol. And even now, she still had passion for the idol life…

            … But she had started down this path to escape the loneliness in her childhood. And now, here she had an opportunity to truly, once and for all, escape that loneliness. Naegi didn’t have a fickle bone in his body. Even after glimpsing past the “perfect” idol mask she wore on stage, he stuck by her side. Even when he barely knew her yet.

            With Naegi, she didn’t have to worry about him disappearing because of one misstep.

            With Naegi… she could keep going. Even if the worst had befallen her idol group, she could start again – continue in their honor.

            And in terms of Naegi himself, she would help him find his footing. Help him find confidence in himself, maybe even help discover what he could do with his future…

            It was only fair. He had already done all these things and more, for her.

            ‘So soft…’ Sayaka gave a closed-eyed, pleased smile, leaning on his shoulder as he rubbed her back soothingly. She still held him tight, intending to never let go.

            Naegi wouldn’t slip through her fingers. She knew that.

            … But it was still so nice to have a choice, and to be able to hold and never let go.

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week, Day 3: Ruined

            Sayaka frowned slightly as she returned to her brunet companion, who was still looking rather down as he sat at the table he’d picked out for them. She placed the cup holding his ice cream blizzard next to him and placed her hand on top of his as it rested on the table.

            “Naegi-kun…? Are you okay?” The bluenette asked softly, rubbing her thumb across his knuckle.

            Makoto blinked slowly before looking up and mustering a small smile.

            “Yeah, I’m fine! Just, uh… a little tired…”

            … A smile just for her.

            ‘Oh, Naegi-kun…’ Her eyes flicked to the nearby TV. While it was on silent so as to not disturb customers in the restaurant, there were still dialogue boxes displayed as the reporters commentated. It was well within Makoto’s view. Chewing her lower lip thoughtfully, she then burst into a grin, beaming down at him. “… Let’s just take our treats and go, okay?”

            “S-Sure…” Makoto nodded tentatively, picking up his ice cream and letting her take his hand as they left the restaurant.

            … Leaving a few gossipers in their wake. But Sayaka paid them no mind.

            ~*~

            Numbly, Sayaka raised a finger to her lips, her wide eyes staring back at an equally gobsmacked Makoto. They were currently on the bed in his dorm; books, papers, and pencils sprawled out between them, but they were long since forgotten by the two teens that were trapped in their own little worlds.

            That had been unexpected.

            … Well, except not really. Not to the stunned idol, anyway. Truth be told, she’d been wanting to do that for a long time now, if only to get a giggle out of seeing the look on Makoto’s face right this moment. But… she’d held herself back for more than a few good reasons. The only real shock, at least for her, was that she’d succumbed to temptation this ‘soon’.

            They’d already studied at Hope’s Peak for a year. She thought she had it in her to hold out until at least their senior year… but maybe that was too high of an expectation?

            “D… Did that just happen…?” Makoto wondered aloud, his airy voice revealing his mind wasn’t completely there.

            Sayaka tried to bite back a giggle at his still nonplussed expression. She did. But that face and that bewildered reaction… Priceless.

            “Of course, dummy~… I would have slugged any other girl, if they did that to you~!”

            … And she was not exaggerating that.

            ~*~

            They eventually found a nice, quiet park bench to sit at while they enjoyed their frozen treats in the brisk fall weather. Was it strange to crave ice cream when the temperature was getting colder? Maybe a little. But it wasn’t a bad thing – after all, it’s not like parlors were exclusively open in spring or summer.

            Besides~… It was always cute seeing Makoto with a ‘moustache’.

            “You sure you’re okay with this, Maizono-s…” Makoto trailed off at her pouty glare. “… Sayaka-chan?”

            Sayaka merely beamed at the satisfactory honorific.

            “Why wouldn’t I? We’ve got the afternoon free and can do whatever we want.”

            Makoto frowned as he held his cup in both his hands and looked down.

            “You know what I mean…” He mumbled.

            Sayaka’s smile softened before looking up into the seemingly endless expanse of blue sky contently.

            “I do. And I meant every word of it. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be!”

            “But… Aoba-san… Haneyama-san…” Makoto trailed off, shaking his head with eyes clenched shut tight. Sayaka soothingly placed a hand on his shoulder, prompting him to look in the eyes.

            “I’ll see the girls next weekend, remember? We all promised.”

            Makoto let out a ragged sigh.

            “A private party, maybe… If it wasn’t for me, you could go with them wherever, whenever-”

            “And I’d be stuck seeing you ‘next weekend’ instead…” Sayaka remained calmly, grin never wavering as she patted his shoulder. “I would pick you every time, Naegi-kun. Every time.”

            “But it was your dream…” Makoto muttered, a conflicted expression still on his face.

            ~*~

            “L-Love? Me?” Makoto’s face  was tomato red. “Isn’t that a bit much?”

            Sayaka giggled, sporting a healthy blush of her own.

            “Not at all… “ She winked flirtatiously at him. “In fact, you’re showing me that love can go even further…  I’m already at the point that I can’t imagine life without you.”

             Not ‘don’t want to’ – can’t.

            Makoto stammered nervously as he ran a hand through his hair.

            “Y-You’re probably just exaggerating…” His blush deepened as she shook her head gravely. “W-Well… I-I mean, it’s not like I want to imagine life without you, either. You’re everything you are in the TV and magazines… everything and more.”

            Way more.

            “Aww~ I’m so glad you think so!” Sayaka teased, pecking him on the cheek affectionately. “I’m gonna have to work on you some more if you still ‘can’ imagine life without me, though~…”

            Makoto waved his hands defensively.

            “I-It’s nothing like that! I just…” He looked down with still burning hot cheeks. “I don’t want to get in the way. And this…”

            Sayaka wrapped him up in a hug, to the boy’s shock. She smiled as she leaned into his shoulder.

            “You won’t be a burden. You’ll never be a burden, Naegi-kun.” She pulled back so she could look in his eyes again, adopting a solemn expression. “Though… if we do this… We can’t tell anyone. Only we can know.”

            “I… I get it…” Makoto nodded numbly. “Though… if you feel like I’m causing too much stress… Hey…!”

            The idol bopped him on the nose.

            “If things become too much, well, that’ll be the end of it…” Sayaka flippantly remarked, sporting a coy, teasing grin.

            That grin did nothing to alleviate the anxiety in Makoto’s heart.

            “The end of it… Yeah, I kinda figured…”He muttered.

            Sayaka let out melodious giggles at that response. He didn’t even question what ‘it’ was… That was just like him, to put her before himself. So selfless. So generous. So innocent…

            But she wasn’t talking about the end of their relationship.  

            ~*~

            “My dream…” Sayaka mused with a content smile and sigh as she leaned over, resting her head on the bemused boy’s shoulder. “I guess Komaru-chan never got around to telling you. Which is good. Because I was being serious when I said I’d be angry if she told anybody…”

            “T-Tell me what…?” Makoto asked curiously, looking at the bluenette out of the corner of his eye.

            “Well, seeing as how my first dream was short-lived, I guess I can tell you~…” She had a fit of uncontrolled giggles. “Even if it was ‘all your fault’…”

            Makoto spluttered at the accusation.

            “T-Trust me! I’d have asked for my hoodie back if I’d known your manager would find it and-”

            Sayaka slight curled into him, staring up at his face, letting him know she hadn’t been accusatory. He nervously laughed it off, and she pecked him on the cheek for embarrassing him like that.

            “I wouldn’t have let you take it back, anyway.” Sayaka informed him, her tone light. Whimsical. “It’s nice and toasty. And makes sure I’ll get to smell you every day~…”

            Despite being thoroughly embarrassed, Makoto couldn’t help letting that one slide.

            “Hey, wasn’t I the one that said you smell nice…?” He cracked a small grin. “Does that mean I get one of your hoodies?”

            Sayaka seemed to think about it for a second.

            “… Sorry, don’t have any to spare, but you can have one of my shirts?” She burst into another uncontrollable fit of giggles at his gobsmacked expression.

            “I…! You…!” He spluttered, losing control of his vocal chords. Sayaka patted him consolingly.

            “Oh, alright… If you want my lingerie so bad~…” She peeked up at his face and was not disappointed with him going totally silent.

            makotonaegi.exe has run into an unexpected error, please scroll down the page to reboot.

            …

            …

            …

            “… Okay, I walked into that one…” Makoto exhaled, the ex-idol patting his shoulder consolingly once more.

            “Yes, you did. But your expressions are always fun, so I’m not mad!” She hummed gleefully.

            Makoto frowned as a thought occurred to him in that moment.

            “So… wait… You brought that hoodie on that tour ‘cause you wanted to?” He was nonplussed at how the ex-idol had done that on a whim…

            Sayaka nodded, resuming her sitting her position.

            “I did. And I left it out for my manager to find.” Sayaka beamed at how thoroughly confused she was making the poor boy. “Oh, Makoto… You still don’t get it.”

            Aforementioned Luckster blushed at how easily his given name rolled off her tongue so easily.

            “G-Get what…?” He asked helplessly. She fully turned to him, sporting a fierce pout.

            “You already ruined me for everyone else.” She poked his cheek adorably. “All those months, you put up with my selfish requests for absolute secrecy. Were the perfect gentleman. Put up with my calls at 3am. Let me keep your clothes. You should have done something months ago, but you were so patient. I had to ruin it for you so we could be together!”

            Makoto’s mind swirled as he tried to process that last statement in particular.

            “S-So… wait… Wh-What’s your dream now, if it’s not to be an idol?”

            “I wonder~…” Sayaka hummed, leering at him mischievously. “I could tell you, but it broke Komaru-chan’s brain. I’m nervous about what it will do to you~…”

            Makoto stared at the bluenette in bewilderment. She didn’t look nervous at all!

            “You’re practically begging to tell me!” He refuted. This only earned more giggles.

            “Well, if you really have to know~…” She chirped, taking a deep breath before whispering into his ear excitedly. Once done, Makoto reeled back with a face that was practically glowing red.

            “You told Komaru that?!” He yelped, aghast.

            So much for “only we can know.”

            Sayaka tilted her head adorably.

            “I would have told you first, but you were too busy being sweet and selfless. Komaru-chan has a right to know these things, too, since she’ll be ‘imouto’ later.” Sayaka nodded sagely as if that made total sense. She reopened her eyes curiously. “So, what do you think…?”

            Makoto coughed.

            “U-Um… You must… love me a lot…?” He smiled shakily, and sweatdropped as the ex-idol pinned him to the bench mischievously.

            “I did say that you ruined me, Makoto~…” She chirped innocently. “Now you take responsibility~!”

            … This girl had it bad. But then again… so did he. He wouldn’t have been patient for so long if he didn’t.

[pyropsychiccollector]

With Naezono Week upon us, xoxorandomfangirl managed to do up some artwork for the last announcement post, and made their contribution with the day of "Magic". Hope you guys enjoy Naezono Week! :3

Day 1 - Cheerleader Day 2 - Soft Day 3 - Ruined Day 4 - Magic Day 5 - Dream Day 6 - Satisfaction Day 7 - Promise

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week, Day 4: Magic

Day 4 was giving me trouble in regards to what to write. So, I decided to just throw some sprites together, at least for now. There ARE some “Sayaka Maizono, Ultimate Mage” sprites out there. XD

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week, Day 6: Satisfaction

           “Hey, Sayaka…?”

           The bluenette blinked for a few seconds before she registered she was being addressed. She then turned around and smiled once she recognized the voice.

           “What’s up, Komaru-chan? Need help with something?”

           The adorable – at least Sayaka thought she was adorable - brunette shook her head in response.

           “Nah, most of us are taking a break now that a lot of the work with the windows is done... But, um…” Komaru fidgeted slightly, pressing her index fingers together and glancing down at the floor. Sayaka tilted her head curiously at the normally perky girl’s hesitation.

           “What is it?”

           Komaru squirmed some more under the former idol’s curious gaze.

           “W-Well, I was just wondering…” She fidgeted some more before she came right out and said what was on her mind. “A-A-Are you gonna make a comeback as an idol, now that things are settled down?!”

           Sayaka tilted her head to the other side, digesting the brunette’s question. Then she stifled some giggles before looking at the young girl fondly.

           “I don’t think I could, honestly…” Sayaka’s smile took on a wistful quality to it. Her gaze travelled up to the ceiling as she maintained her smile; she was really impressed how different these corridors looked with all the windows opened up. As a confined prison, they were eerie and unsettling. But now with the sun streaming in… “I’m glad Ayaka and the others are safe. I am. But… my place is here.”

           Even as the former idol pleasantly beamed, the younger Naegi felt her ahoge droop at her decision.

           “Aww… I thought this was all temporary while you prepared to take the idol world by storm again…” Komaru mumbled dejectedly. She then caught her second wind as she balled her hands into fists and glared up into Sayaka’s eyes with determination and grit. “I still think you’re the best, Sayaka! If you ever change your mind, I’ll be behind you all the way!!!”

           Sayaka stifled more giggles at that passion. Komaru-chan really was a fan, through and through. It warmed her heart.

           “You’re sweet, Komaru-chan…” Sayaka sighed contentedly, staring at the brunette affectionately. She cooed. “I’m lucky to have a little sister like you~…”

           Komaru tried to keep herself composed even in the face of… of that… Though it was rough. It took all her might to not just squeal and hug the former idol.

           “Why’d you choose to become a music teacher, anyway? I-I mean, I know Makoto’s here, but…” The brunette trailed off, mildly confused. “My brother can’t be the only reason.”

           “Maybe not the ‘only’ reason, but a pretty significant one.” Sayaka confessed, easily enough. “He helped me find my strength again. Reminded me where my passion lies, and kept me from doing something I’d regret. If it wasn’t for your brother, I wouldn’t even be here… It’s not even about a life debt or anything – I just want to help and support him. Can’t I lead a satisfactory life that way, too?”

           Komaru honestly felt humbled by what was most likely a rhetorical question for Sayaka.

           “I guess…” Komaru mumbled, shuffling her feet. “I just remember how you said becoming an idol had always been your dream! You were so focused and determined to stay at the top…”

           Sayaka’s grin became bittersweet at that.

           “… I was. It was even my drive for all that time I knew you and your brother before the Tragedy. As much as I loved your brother, I couldn’t give up my dream, no matter what.” Her grin turned slightly self-depreciative. “Although… by that same token, I was attached enough to your brother that I wouldn’t give him up, either. I was stuck in the middle. I would have done whatever it took to keep both Makoto and my dream. I did do whatever it took, during the years we were in school…”

           “So what happened to make you pick one over the other…?” Komaru wondered aloud. Looking back in her own memories, Komaru could see what Sayaka meant – she had been attached to both Makoto and her dream… It’s why they dated in secret.

           It’s why Makoto had been so sad when he came home for the holidays and summer vacations.

           “Like I said… your brother happened.” Sayaka reiterated with a pleasant beam. “Although I suppose we can thank Junko, too, weirdly enough. Erasing our memories, turning us against each other… For all that it worked in Junko’s favor, it reminded me of what – and who – was important.”

           “I promise to get you out of here, no matter what…!”

           With the Luckster’s words echoing in her ears, the former idol sighed wistfully and turned to look out the window with appreciation and adoration shining in her eyes. Komaru was still taken aback by the amount of emotion radiating from them.

           “Makoto brought me out of here… in more ways than one. His patience and understanding, they were way more than I deserved. I did remember why I initially dreamed to be an idol in the first place, and after a while of being locked up in here with your brother, I thought… how perfectly he fit together with that reason. As much as I love being an inspiration to others, I became an idol in the first place because I wanted to escape from loneliness. And Makoto… Sweet, receptive Makoto… He was – and is – a much more stable and reliable source of company than a million fans could ever be. Fans come and go with the trends… But your brother stuck right by my side, even after experiencing me at my worst. He saw past the idol facade and chose to support me. If that’s not love, I don’t know what it is.”

           Komaru’s eyes widened as she grasped Sayaka’s rhetorical question from earlier a little bit better.

           “Big bro doesn’t just make you happy… You ‘need’ him.”

           Sayaka didn’t say or do anything to acknowledge that realization.

           “And that’s why… I’m gonna love him just as much in return.” The bluenette said with fire and determination. “Makoto’s stout, can stand on his own… But he’s better off with someone that can boost his courage and confidence! Makoto needs those things now more than ever, now that he’s a Headmaster. If I can do even that much for him, I’ll have repaid him a fraction of everything he’s done for me… I want both our lives to be satisfying. And. I think we click together pretty well, don’t you think?”

           As the former idol giggled, Komaru relaxed and mirrored her smile.

           It wasn’t so much that Sayaka was “giving up” on a dream for someone else… She’d just found a different approach to that dream. She’d still inspire plenty of people, and find much enjoyment in doing it… And she’d be doing it, working alongside the boy – the young man – that she loved wholeheartedly.

           Komaru had to admit… that would be a pretty satisfying life.

[pyropsychiccollector]

Naezono Week, Day 5: Dream

           Makoto’s eyes cracked open blearily as he soaked in his surroundings. Warm sunlight permeated the room through a window with its curtains drawn back. His hands sank into a nice, cushy mattress that he knew all too well – after all, the school he got accepted into spared no expense for the students who had to live on campus. Casually, he threw the blanket off his body and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes and stretching his weary bones.

           As he smacked his lips thirstily, Makoto drank in more details of his average dorm room. Everything was as he remembered it, the previous night… and through the window, he could see the beautiful crystal blue sky with only a few white puffy clouds obscuring it. It was… a gorgeous day. Not a hint of pollution or dreary weather.

           ‘… Why does that feel so odd?’ Makoto mused to himself. It’s not like he should have been expecting anything else, right? As industrial as Tokyo could be, they were all pretty conscientious about the environment. And as far as he could remember, nothing spectacularly huge or devastating had hit the area… ‘… Huh. Well, whatever. I’ve gotta get going or I’ll be late!’

           This thought was prompted by a glance at his digital alarm clock, which informed him that he had woken up early enough that Ishimaru wouldn’t chew him out… But you never could be too careful with the Ultimate Prefect.  His high expectations had high expectations.

           Makoto chuckled weakly to himself as he got undressed. That sounded too confusing, even in his own sleep-deprived brain. Togami or Fukawa would have called him an idiot, if he’d said that out loud… Not that he’d be dealing with them first thing in the morning, since they both were usually among the last to get to class every day… Point being, though, maybe he just needed to wake up with a nice, cool shower.  

           He couldn’t remember if he’d had one last night, after all.

           ~*~

           It was always so interesting walking across campus in the morning. With so many colorful characters in the student body, and even amongst the staff, it kinda made each trip an adventure… Although to be fair, with every other student besides himself having some unique quirk, “abnormal” was the “normal” around here… Which made plain old him a guy that rather stood out, all things considered. So technically he was “unique”… at least around here.

           And boy, did that make his brain hurt, thinking about it.

           “Yo, Naegi.”

           Makoto blinked as he registered the student that he was walking by had stopped and was addressing him.

           “Kuzuryu-senpai…?” The Luckster greeted, curiously. He’d seen the yakuza heir around campus, of course. But the blond had never really shown much interest in him or much of Class 78, for that matter. What had changed his tune that morning?

           Fuyuhiko leaned back a little in his stance as if he were appraising the Luckster for a brief moment before he spoke again.

           “You doin’ okay? Gotten any headaches or anything?”

           Makoto blinked more owlishly as he processed the question. Yeah, he was totally fine. A little fuzzy-headed when he first woke up, but it wasn’t anything a shower couldn’t fix. He told the yakuza heir as such.

           “Well… go find Mikan or one of us, if you feel sick or whatever. Even those meatheads Akane and Nidai are supposedta be on hand… But if they’re too busy fucking around to help you out, just go find me or Peko, and we’ll straighten ‘em out.”

           Makoto sweatdropped at how brusquely his senpai had put that… like Akane-senpai or Nidai-senpai were unruly yakuza he had to keep in line. Then again, Makoto had his fair share of bossy classmates, himself… At least Togami-kun gave them some Togami Corp. employee benefits.

           Sometimes.

           On his best days.

           … And usually only for him, Sayaka, Kirigiri, Oogami, and Fujisaki. Oh, and sometimes Ikusaba.

           … Togami-kun still needed time to warm up to their other classmates.

           “I’ll… keep that in mind, senpai!” Makoto tried to muster his best reassuring grin – though he was pretty sure it also came off as sheepish. He didn’t want to get anyone in trouble, after all.

           Fuyuhiko just nodded tersely and was on his way with a lazy wave. Makoto briefly watched him go before heading into the main building where classes were held.

           “Every morning’s an adventure…” Makoto repeated to himself under his breath as he walked. He then smiled softly.

           He was lucky to have such compassionate senpai.

           ~*~

           Makoto yawned a little as the teacher droned on. For most of his classmates, all this stuff wasn’t really essential to their futures. With the skills they had, they were preparing for the future at a pretty good clip… They just needed to keep honing those skills.

           Some of them were better off applying themselves academically, certainly. Some were even rethinking their career paths. For Makoto himself… Well, he didn’t feel confident enough to allow himself to skirt by on luck, like a certain senpai of his.

           ‘… Haven’t I heard this lecture before?’ Makoto wondered to himself as he wrote notes down. This lesson was vaguely familiar.

           He didn’t get to ponder that for too long, though. He felt someone boring into the side of his head with their eyes, and when he craned his head to look, he found a pouty idol leaning forward on her desk, her lower face obscured by her arm. But her half-lidded eyes definitely confirmed she was pouting at him.

           “M-Maizono-san?” Makoto asked quietly, not wanting to get caught by the teacher. Her voice being muffled by her arm made her equally quiet.

           “You didn’t walk me to class…” Oh, the idol was definitely brooding now. Makoto could just see little storm clouds hovering over her pouty head.

           Makoto blankly stared back at the idol for a few short moments before it hit him that was one of their traditions… and he’d zoned out on it. For some reason it felt natural to come by himself, if that made sense? But Makoto couldn’t see why that would be. He always enjoyed Maizono-san’s company in the mornings. She was his best friend, and always energized him – spurring him on to do his best every day, and to live life to the fullest. And in return, she confided in him about the more stressful parts of her career, and relied on him as a stable, comforting pillar in her life.

           … He felt like a real heel right now…

           “I’m sorry, Maizono-san…!” Makoto apologized desperately in a hushed voice. “L-Let me make it up to you, I promise!!”

           And just like flipping a switch, the idol flashed a thousand watt smile and hummed contentedly.

           “Call me Sayaka-chan from now on, and go on a date with me, and all is forgiven~…”

           Makoto went as red as a tomato at being given permission to use her first name… Wasn’t that too intimate, even for best friends? Not to mention the part about the date… What would people say if they saw her out on a date with him? He was pretty sure she’d once told him about the rules idols had to follow, and-and besides, wasn’t it weird to ask your best friend to go out on a date...?

           … Wait.

           ~*~

           Sayaka giggled at his gobsmacked expression as they sat down on the bench at lunch. She hadn’t let him slip out of his ‘promise’, no matter how hard he stuttered out his protests – and apparently, she wanted to cash in on that “date” right away. Bad enough that he was “supposed” to be calling her Sayaka-chan, even in public where so many people could hear…

           The Luckster really worried about his friend’s career, he really did. It just meant so much to her, and he really wanted her to succeed – she didn’t need to waste time on teasing him, just to satisfy any silly crush he had on her. He knew she was way out of his league.

           “But I’m not teasing you.” Sayaka abruptly remarked, breaking Makoto out of his train of thought. Makoto blinked at the serious, concerned frown on her face.

           … Then he realized what had just happened. Again.

           “H-How did you…?!” Makoto spluttered in embarrassment. He couldn’t be that much of an open book, could he?!

           But the idol just giggled.

           “I’m an esper, silly! Sometimes I just activate my ability without even thinking!” Sayaka stuck out her tongue playfully. “… Kidding! I just have really good intuition.”

           Makoto’s cheeks were glowing red by this point as he stared down at his lap in embarrassment. He fell into that trap again, hook, line, and sinker. Cheesy joke or not, her intuition really was amazing… and dead accurate at that.

           “I am serious, though, Makoto-kun. I’m not leading you on.” Sayaka was shaking her head again, serious frown back in place. He looked back at her with morbid curiosity, not even the use of his first name distracted him as she went on. “Have you ever had regrets, Makoto-kun? The kind where you wish you could do something over again?”

           Makoto frowned thoughtfully at the question.

           “Well, yeah… I guess. Mostly small stuff, though – I can’t say I’ve had any real ‘major’ regrets…”

           Sayaka then smiled sadly. There was a remorseful tinge to it that Makoto couldn’t quite place.

           “Makoto-kun…” Sayaka laced her fingers through his and clasped their hands together consolingly. “Believe it or not, I think you do have at least one major regret. It’s the reason we’re here now. And… after everything, I think you of all people deserve this opportunity, even if it’s not permanent.”

           Makoto’s brow furrowed at her words. He didn’t get it at all.

           “You’re not making any sense… What’s this have to do with us… being here?”

           The Luckster blushed as Sayaka leaned her head on his shoulder and just smiled peacefully as she closed her eyes. She looked ready to take a nap more than have their lunch together.

           “You’ll understand eventually. And… I just want you to know…” When her eyes reopened and she planted a kiss on his cheek, Makoto’s blush deepened. Sayaka pulled back after a few moments but smiled warmly so close to his face. “You have amazing and considerate friends, Makoto-kun, but it wouldn’t have been possible for me to be here, if it wasn’t for you… I’m… I’m glad you’ve kept me in your heart all this time. I’m so happy to be here with you…”

           Makoto yelped a little as the bluenette wrapped him in a warm, comforting embrace.

           “S-Sayaka…?” The Luckster stuttered out, unsure if he should reciprocate the hug. The whole situation was still confusing him.

           When Sayaka pulled back, she wiped away a stray tear, still mustering her warmest smile.

           “I’ll make sure you graduate without regrets, Makoto-kun. I owe it to you after everything. And… I want you to know that I’ll cherish every moment of this as well. Just… Just think of this as a time of healing for us both, even if, in the end, you’ll be the only one to wake up.”

           ‘… even if I’ll be the only one to wake up?’

           Makoto was still left thoroughly confused by the idol’s words and emotions, and she wouldn’t elaborate on it just yet – she promised she would explain it, at the end. At the time, Makoto thought she was referring to the end of their budding relationship…

           … When the day inevitably came, he wished it had been that simple.

~*~

Note: I may come back and revisit this muse. Makoto placed in the Neo World Program after his friends (and senpai) see that he still carries the weight of Sayaka’s memory in him (as well as the weight of everyone else who died) - woof. I love how paradoxical it is, warm/comforting, yet so sad. 

.... Plus, I get to write more of Class 77, and that’s always fun. XD To clarify why Makoto was reliving his days at Hope’s Peak, and not on Jabberwock Island, well... Hajime Hinata is the Ultimate Everything. He could modify that program so fast. lol

Also - I know I still have to write Days 4, 6, and 7. I just felt inspiration to write Day 5 tonight. :3