HOPE BULLET

               “You came here on your own? Are you an idiot?”  He knows the answer to that, of course; it’s rhetoric. The fact he’s standing there at all, seemingly unarmed, without any backup is proof itself even without him knowing Naegi’s character inside and out. He watches him with an almost bored sense of calm, his fingers playing with the cross around his neck as he makes assumptions what will happen here. Monaka is elsewhere, safe; but he isn’t on his own. There are Monokumas around them. Why wouldn’t there be? He’s not stupid.

          “What is it you hope to gain from speaking with me? The rest of the Despairs were strangers to you, but you and I are quite acquainted. You should be well aware that this is a waste of time, if you are here for what I assume you are ——- and, knowing your personality, you most definitely are.”

              " It's not a waste of time. It's never a waste of time. " he's tightened fists and beating hope! To give up would mean to give into the despair that plauged this world, and even if it's migthy that just means he has to overcome it. He's helped the rest of the despairs. He has to save everyone --- even if they don't want to be saved. He can't let people die anymore. The sight of al the peoplke he's led to their deaths before, he won't have it anymore.

              "That's the reason I'm up here. Because we're friends. " it's a slow step forward. Everyone had warned him that this was their most dangerous target, one wrong move and it's their Atlas that hits the grave!

               “Naegi.”  He isn’t taken off guard by the sound of his voice ; an advantage of having time to first adjust to his optimism ages ago at Hope’s Peak, he supposes. It’s for the best, as it were – he’d only just now gotten the chance to sit down and take tea in the mess hall and the last thing he wanted was to lose it in a start from someone as energetic as him calling out to him. It’s only after he’s taken a sip that he glances over in his direction, hand freezing with the cup in midair for only a brief second when he notices the look on his face. Although his expression doesn’t change, his lips do part before he quickly lowers the cup back onto the table and reaches to wordlessly pull the chair out beside him. It’s not a subtle gesture and he doesn’t mean for it to be.  “As it can. There were a few injuries received from the Monokumas in the area, but nothing that can’t be treated.”  It’s too broad, he’s aware – he knows what he’s asking him.  “  .  .  .  I’m fine. You should know better than to worry for me.”

              The gesture is noted and appreciated as he places himself down next to the other. He listens intently to the brief report that Togami gives him. He doesn't like the fact that people got hurt at all but it's become rather the norm with every mission the Future Foundation puts forth. People get hurt and sometimes there isn't anything he can do about it --- it's painful to think that. Painful to recognize that there are facets of life he can't influence. But he knows that though their lifes seem bleak and fragile they are fighting for a better world. A better tommorow. These injuries cause him pain but he has to remember what they risk their lives for.

              A hand falls on Togami's lap as he nods in response to what Togami says. He's right --- if anyone would be fine it would be Byakuya Togami. He has to learn to start putting more faith in the other. Just as Togami puts faith in him!

             " Yeah, I know. I know. But you know you're someone...special to me. " a slight blush crosses him as he lets a sigh escape him.

A moment of surprises flashes in her eyes. He was glad to be talking to her? It was almost as if he was worried about her. If it were any other time she would tell him to buzz off, but at this moment all she could do was give a quiet “Mph.” She takes her time in answering his question, spending it fiddling with her fingers before sighing. “Its… hell.” An angry ‘tsk’ and she goes on to explain herself. “Its almost unrecognizable; there is riots on every block, blood… blood everywhere.” She shivers, large quantities of blood still raise her anxiety levels. “And… Togami.” She pursed her lips together and goes quiet once more. Really, she cared about him as much as he cared about her ( which probably isn’t that much ), but to think that something might have happened to him– “He is… I don’t know where he is.”

              Features fall as she speaks the scene he can only imagine is terrifying. Seeing the outside world in such decay was a sight he could never shake but the reports on Towa City seemed to be filled with even more despair! It was because of who ever was in control of the Monokuma army there. He was worried. Beyond worried as not only were two of his closest friends ( one being the man he's come to rely on so much ) were trapped in there but so was --- his sister. Komaru. Komaru.

             " I --- Don't worry, Knowing Byakuya he's proably giving those Monokuma bots what they deserve. I believe in him --- just like I believe in you. Even if the situation seems pretty bleak I know you'll handle it Fukawa - chan. "

              " Kuma. " he can't say his name without tainted memories. He can't say his name without thinking back to the DEMON that had watched them sleep, watched them eat, watched them kill each other in a cartoony glee! He can't say his name without thinking of MONOKUMA!

              But he also can't say his name without thinking of an unpinned grenade in his mouth blowing his guts out.

              " Ahhh Asahina-san I'm sorry I was just --- resting my eyes for a bit. " he's been up for hours! Handling whatever duty was needed of him. But even if his body ached beyond belief, he still would make time for a friend!