Nonary D3spair

Even though Yuki had regained consciousness, Eri found herself still bringing every meal to Arthur to make sure he remembered to eat. While they were being repaired, she did so without being asked, really. She knew he wasn't going to leave their side, no matter what. Even if she didn't like the lack of sleep, she understood.

But... Yuki is awake now. It's clear that they're recovering from everything just fine, and things are going to be okay. Yet, the time to eat rolls around, and Arthur stubbornly remains by Yuki's side as they rest. He continues to sleep in the chair by their bed. He doesn't come out to eat.

Arthur. Come on.

Some people would decide, "if I don't bring food, he'll have to come get it himself". Eri knows better than that. If she doesn't bring food to him, Arthur just straight up won't eat. He doesn't sleep until he passes out. He's truly not doing the best job of taking care of himself.

Which, again, she understands but that doesn't mean she likes it. And she can't imagine Yuki would like it much, either. You can't get married if you get sick!

Upon arrival the first thing Eri did was stand close by to Usami, who had lead her since Eri did not have a cane with her. The small scholar had been doing her best to find leads into finding the missing kids, some of their names were familar whereas some were not. Once they had found them though she was both filled with panic and relief..

Upon hearing Usami count the number of survivors...her heart sank to her stomach...there wasn't many...but Eri was here to help support the ones who did survive not even knowing who any of them were. She took a deep breath and then spoke to the closest people around her, still staying near Usami and the tallest of the group, Nikki.

"E-Excuse me...d-do you mind l-letting me know...w-what...happend here...?You don't have to go into details...but...just the basic s-story...if it's not too much to ask that is..."

The small girl spoke to the closet girl to her, happening to be the other Eri....

At last, freedom.

Chronos couldn't recall any instances where he had been so pleased to see the endless sky above his head again. The clockmaker never was one to pay attention to such things, especially given the fact that he tended to be quite busy with work - work that usually was done inside a building. Thus, he was never seeing much sun- or moonlight to begin with. He had been never bothered to not be exposed to it for a day or so.

Right now though, Chronos was simply enjoying the warmth that came from the sun.

Not like that would last long, though. Chronos had never been the kind of guy to immerse himself in such activities- or well, lack thereof- for too long. After all, time was of essence and he took that phrase very seriously. In order to achieve his goals, he couldn't waste his time on trivialities - the mutual killing game fell under this category as well.

Sure, even someone like him had been shaken a bit by the events that transpired inside the bunker, but he also knew that he could easily overcome that. After all, it's not like as if he had been too close to anyone - which was a good call, if he might add. Trusting was something that Chronos couldn't really bring himself to do and this experience just showed him how right he was in thinking that. Sooner or later, people would stab you in the back - so you needed to be on your guard all the time and stab them first.

Either way, all Chronos wanted now is to get back to his home as soon as possible.

Thanks to the helicopters, they were brought away from the place. During that whole time, Chronos didn't bother to talk to anyone - he just wanted to be left alone. The clockmaker didn't see any sense in talking to any of the other survivors anymore - he wanted to leave them behind as soon as possible. He wanted to make sure that his twin brother was really alright - anything else could wait.

Which is why he was one of the first to leave.

The days after they escaped were just as stressful as the days in the bunker. They escaped with their lives, but there was still the matter of making sure Yuki had the Zero virus safely removed from them. It was a process Eri didn't understand nearly enough of to be able to do it herself, but she still stood by for much of it. She's not even sure why -- it didn't make any difference, but it felt like the right thing to do.

Naturally, she didn't spend nearly as much time as Arthur did there. She spent more of her time making sure he had something to eat, and then actually ate what she brought him. The last thing they needed was for Yuki to wake up and then Arthur to pass out from malnutrition. Tough love from Eri Narukami. You eat your vegetables, young man.

However, while Yuki was being repaired, Eri also spent a lot of time reading. On Shin no Sekai, Zetsuobocan Pharmaceuticals. Everything there was to learn about them, she wanted to know, so while she wasn't checking on the others, she was talking to the people who had been there when they first woke up. There was no way she could simply sit around while knowing things like this could happen so simply, with no warning.

It meant that Eri missed out on the reunion Arthur and Yuki shared, and it also meant that a while passed before she was even aware of Yuki's awakening. One moment Eri was forcing coffee down to stay awake -- seriously, who had she become when she could drink coffee? -- and the next she was looking blankly at Yuki Ichijo.

For what was probably a comical amount of time, Eri stared at them, a look of utter incomprehension on her face. It took the sound of her placing the empty mug down to jar her back into awareness.

It had been a good span of time since he left the bunker, and Kazuki was feeling renewed. The nohgaku had gone back home, and Auntie Ito was still alive, and the theatre was okay. A new kimono was put on, his hair was taken care of, and Kazuki felt ready to face the world. After all, there was so much he had already done, and so much he would do from that point on. And best of all, there was still hope.

However, after the initial euphoria of escaping wore off, Kazuki was still burdened by what happened inside the bunker. It was hope and despair both, even if he was glad to be out, though he had matters to attend to considering the other survivors. He wouldn't leave unless he became a burden, and even then, he aimed to help.

After all, he made a promise. And as for the individual he made that promise to? The nohgaku felt as though there was something he still had to attend to regarding her, and after figuring out how to use a phone and what exactly a computer was, he set off yet again. Kazuki Ito had a purpose now.

When he stepped inside the graveyard, a pang raced through his heart. It felt so familiar here, and yet, it wasn't. The nohgaku had never been inside a proper one before, and as he walked along, his eyes flickered from side to side. It certainly caused him to think, and the nohgaku automatically clutched the flowers he was holding to his chest, increasing his pace.

A few minutes later, he arrived in front of one particular plot and immediately fell to his knees, the black kimono he was wearing bunching around himself. Kazuki's head was bowed for a good long while, and when he finally looked up, he wiped away a tear that was running down his cheek before placing the flowers on the dirt in front of him. And he began to speak to thin air.

"K... Kazumi? I don't know if you're there or even if you can hear me, but I... I brought flowers for you. I hope you like them. They're roses... But then again, you can probably see them. I made it out of the bunker, Fuyumi and Eri and Arthur and everyone, we made it out... But I... I still wish I could have made it out with you. Beyond everything, I wish I could have been there with you, standing in the air outside the bunker with the sun above. I love you, Kazumi. If you can hear me, I want you to know that I love you beyond anything, and I always will. Thank you for everything.,,"

There were still several people Kazuki took it upon himself to talk to, even if he did feel as though his presence was a bother to some individuals. That was all behind him right? He and the other eight survivors had gone through something unimaginable to the average person, and that was enough of a conversation starter, right? So, Kazuki decided that now was as good a time as any to wrap up loose ends.

The trip to the laboratory was done in silence, and Kazuki felt awkward stepping foot inside. How would the others react? How would they react? The nohgaku ran his fingers through his hair, turning his gaze towards the ceiling. For once, his mind didn't turn to the irritation of having his natural colour returning. Instead, it flickered to an image of the subject of his venture here.

He found an attendant, and from there, he wandered around the lab in an attempt to figure out exactly where he was going. It was just like his time spent wandering around the bunker, except he had no reference.

Though, somehow, he managed to do it. Perhaps it was just pure luck, but up ahead, Kazuki found the room described, and he pulled up the hem of his kimono as he clomped along as quickly as her could.

And there they were. The nohgaku tilted his head at the other purple-haired individual, and he blinked a few times, an awkward silence ensuing. What exactly could he say in such a situation? His mouth opened and shut a few times before he at last managed a squeaking noise, and apparently that's what was needed.

"Yuki-san. Are you... Are you doing better after what happened? I'm still sorry for how I acted in there, I shouldn't have, and I'm not even sure if I should be doing this, but... I just wanted to know if you were okay."

He inhaled before adding on.

"And... and if we could try this whole "friendship" thing again."

It was over. Everything had come to its conclusion, and Kazuki Ito had had finally escaped the bunker. He was surrounded by people he cared about, and for the first time in his life, he looked not the the past for advice but rather forward. Keep moving forwards, after all. The nohgaku was alive, and the sun on his skin felt incredibly welcoming after the darkness of the bunker.

There were several thoughts running through his head at the moment, but above all was the knowledge that he was free.

...

How long had it been since he left? It was hard to tell, but Kazuki didn't care. Auntie Ito was okay, he was okay, and he could finally start his new life. Though, the nohgaku had the wish to see the others, after all, he still had to see how they were doing. So, with a fresh outlook and faded hair, the nohgaku turned to the others who were still

His choice as to who he would talk to was difficult, as he had something to say to everyone. But after a while, he eventually approached a certain snow-haired girl, clearing his throat and staring down at his feet until the silence grew too awkward to bear. The lavender-haired boy looked up at the other, a small smile on his face, and he closed his eyes happily.

"Fuyumi-chan. I... I'm so glad you made it out of the bunker. And... this feels so nice, doesn't it? Being out in fresh air with the others?"

His gaze drifted momentarily from the grocery bagger to the surrounding area, and Kazuki blinked back at her.

"Anyways, I told you we'd get out. We were strong together, weren't we? I'm just so glad I met you, even if I still don't know exactly how I feel. Thank you for being there when I needed it. Thank you, Fuyumi-chan."