Chapter Text
DING DONG
I woke up to the sound of my doorbell intercom. Slowly sitting up, I scratched my head. How long was I asleep for? Oh well.
I got up to answer the door, sleep dragging my feet so I probably looked like a walking zombie. When I opened the door, I felt my heart stop. Kirigiri was standing at my doorway, her cheeks faintly pink and her face as serious as always. Suddenly, events from the past few hours flashed through my head. My face grew warm and I felt guilt wash over my entire being.
"K-Kirigiri-san," I stuttered, trying to sound calm.
"Naegi-kun, may I come in?" she said. She's so calm. Did she forget what happened? Part of me hopes so.
"Oh, uh, yea," I said, moving over, "of course." Keep it cool, Makoto, you don't want to mess up again.
She walked past me without out another word and invited herself to sit onto the end my bed. I closed and locked the door behind her.
"So, uh, what did you need? Did you want to talk about something?" Am I repeating myself too much? She probably thinks I'm a total dork at this point. Great.
"Yes, that is why I'm here."
"S-sure. What did you want to talk about?" I tried to sound as calm as possible, but there's no way I can fool Kirigiri.
"I think you know why I'm here"
I swallowed.
"Why did you kiss me earlier?" She went straight to the point.
I felt my heart freeze.
"U-uh-"
"Do you like me, Naegi-kun?"
Okay, now my heart is probably dead.
I stood there completely speechless and flustered. I also felt quite terrified. I scratched the back of my head awkwardly.
"I-- Um, w-well... You see..."
"You can tell me the truth, Naegi-kun."
I sighed and sat down onto the bed next to her. I slouched over with my elbows on my knees and my hands held together.
"I know I can't hide anything from you, nor do I want to. I could never lie to you." It was true. I couldn't. She deserved to know the truth. Besides, I was a terrible liar in front of her.
I sat there for another minute, before I took a deep, shaky breath. I can't believe I'm about to tell her the truth! "B-but..." my voice trailed off, and I covered my face in my hands. "Y... Yes... I d-do like you..." I breathed out the words. I was so embarrassed. "I'm sorry... I've ruined everything..."
There was a pause. What was she thinking? Snap, I've really done it now! Why is she taking so long to answer? I felt like running out of my room.
"Naegi-kun," I heard Kirigiri speak finally. Her voice was so calm, so soothing.
I looked up at her, but she was looking down. I couldn't read her expression, as per usual, but I thought I saw red dusting her cheeks. Kirigiri was... blushing? No, it's probably just the lighting... right?
"You've got that wrong."
My breath faltered as I heard her say my usual line. She looked at me, a small smile creeping up onto her face. She reached out and placed a gloved hand onto my wrist. My heart was racing in my chest as I felt the warmth of her hand through her glove.
"You haven't ruined anything," she said.
"But I have!" I protested, leaning back so I was lying on my bed. "Now everything will be awkward between us, we won't be able to stay friends anymore, soon everyone else will find out, an-"
I was silenced by a finger placed onto my mouth and a hush from Kirigiri. She leaned back as well, then turned to face me. "You haven't ruined anything," she repeated, her face visibly pink now. She closed her eyes, held onto my arm, and pull me closer. My face felt so red, but I didn't care, even when she was only a few inches from my face.
"Kirigiri-san..." I whispered, unsure of what to say.
"Thank you, Naegi-kun," she spoke quietly.
"What?" I was surprised and sat up onto the head board of my bed. Kirigiri joined me, leaning against my shoulder, hugging my arm. I didn't understand why she was thanking me.
"When you kissed me... I... sort of needed it..." she mumbled, her voice so silent I was straining to hear her. But, Kirigiri needed me to kiss her? Anytime. (Oh, shut up, Makoto)
"O-oh... Yea, o-of course..." I didn't know what else to say. I felt her hand slide across my chest to pull herself closer to me. "I'm always here for you if you need me," I added, placing my arm around her waist. Her body was slim and warm, and I held her tight to reassure her I meant what I said. "I promise."
"I was feeling unsure of myself recently," she continued, and I listened closely, "I've been having trouble remembering things, and although I seem so calm, I have fear as well."
Kirigiri leaned her head onto my chest and the scent of her beautifully soft hair washed over me like lying in a field of flowers.
I wrapped my right arm around her and held her tightly to my side. I gently kissed her head as she spoke again. "Please stay with me," she muttered, her voice muffled in my hoodie.
"DING DONG BING BONG! Er, school announcement. it is currently 10:00p.m. Night time is now in affect. Some areas including the cafeteria are now off limits. Make sure to rest to make the most of the day ahead. Sweet dreams..."
She looked up at me with loving yet lonely eyes as the Monokuma announcement rang through the school, as if in response to her words. Did she know what time it was? That didn't matter, though. I felt her pull me closer to her, and I gladly welcomed her embrace. I leaned my head against hers, breathing in her scent. I could feel her heart was racing, but she was probably was able to feel mine, too. I stroked my hand through her hair, feeling the smooth strands fall through my fingers like silk.
"I'll always be with you," I replied, hoping to comfort her.
Suddenly, she sat up more so her face was almost level with mine, hers a little higher considering my height issue. My breath came in shaky rasps at how close she was. Her lavender eyes were glazed with drowsiness and something else I couldn't recognize. She put a gloved hand through my messy hair. I stiffled a laugh as I saw how facinated she was by it. She reached up for my ahoge. I flinched at the touch, and she smile widened.
"I should probably go back to my room now," she whispered, reluctance in her voice towards the idea, "It's late, and if you don't get some rest, I'll end up being your pillow for tomorrow's breakfast."
I smiled, but then lightly stroked my hand across her cheek. She leaned into the touch, showing she wanted to stay. I looked into her eyes, but they were shut.
Before I gave her the chance to speak again, I seized the opportunity before it disappeared. I placed my other hand on her neck and pulled her towards me as I placed my lips onto hers. It took her by surprise, but she clearly welcomed it. Her arms pulled me closer, closing the space that had been between us. It felt so right, just being there next to her. We held each other for another minute, just enveloping ourselves in the moment, our adrenaline rising.
When we parted, I slowly opened my eyes. Kirigiri's eyes were closed and she was visibly flustered. I slowly placed my right hand into her left, intertwining our fingers together.
"You can stay here if you'd like," I whispered, my forehead against hers as I closed my eyes, "Even if your room is next to mine, I don't want anything to happen to you. Of course, it's up to you, Kirigiri-san."
Kirigiri smiled and our hands to her, placing a kiss on my knuckles. "I wouldn't mind, Makoto-kun."
I felt a shiver go down my spine as she said my first name and my heart melted. I hugged her tight with my free hand, and I felt her return the gesture. "Thank you."
I heard her calm breathing as she cuddled so close to me. I couldn't keep my breath steady as well as her.
"Relax, I'm not planning to murder you," she said, her eyes playful.
I chuckled nervously. "I didn't think you were going to. I just... Don't want to make you uncomfortable while lying here." I said. It wasn't a total lie. I was mainly just so flustered by being so close to her. I'd been wanting this for so long, and now that I had her next to me, I felt overwhelmed with happiness and nervousness.
Kirigiri didn't seem convinced. She planted another kiss onto my lips. "If you're uncomfortable, I could leave," she said teasingly.
"N-no!" I blurted. My face reddened as I tried to regain my composure. "I-I mean... I like having you here with me..."
"Like?" she said, insisting on me telling my true feelings.
"W-well... I've always wanted to be with you and... I... well, yes, I love being with you..." I admitted, defeated.
She giggled quietly. It was such a sweet sound, so rare to hear her laugh. I smiled at the sound of it. "I love it too," she admitted, nuzzling her face into my neck.
After a few more minutes, she sat up. I looked up, wondering if I had done something wrong.
"Is everything okay?" I asked, starting to internally panic that I did something wrong.
Kirigiri simply chuckled. "You worry too much about everyone, Makoto-kun," she said, slipping off the bed. She took off her jacket and tie and placed them over the chair by my desk.
"I only worry about you, Kyouko-san..." I muttered, slightly embarrassed at seeing her get so comfortable around me.
Kirigiri stood still for a moment before turning back to me. A smile was planted on her face, accompanied with rosy cheeks. She walked back to the bed and crawled up towards me. She leaned forwards and kissed my cheek before settling back next to me.
"What are you...?" I muttered.
"I can sleep on the floor if I'm to spend the night here. I don't want to kick you out of your own bed." she said.
"W-what? I can't let you do that!" I exclaimed. I was always taught to treat women with respect, as my mother kept reminding me.
"I can sleep on the floor, you can have my bed," I insisted.
"Naegi-kun, it's your room," Kirigiri reminded him, "You can have your own bed."
"B-but I can't let you sleep on the floor! That'd be rude of me! Besides, you'd hurt your back on the hard floor."
"Well then, why don't we just share the bed?"
Suddenly, I stopped. Heat crept up my face at the idea. Me and Kirigiri in the same bed? "I..." My voice faultered.
"I trust you, Naegi-kun," she spoke evenly. How can she be so calm, especially when she was the one to suggest the idea?
I felt her hand on mine. I took a deep breath, still feeling completely flustered. "A-alright..." I mumbled.
Kirigiri smiled and stood up. She walked over to the door and took off her boots. I got up and took off my jacket and hoodie.
"Why do you wear that jacket with your hoodie?" Kirigiri asked, breaking the silence that was beginning to build.
"Huh? Oh, I don't know," I replied, "It just feels comfy, and this hoodie isn't very thick, so I get cold just wearing it by itself."
I placed my jacket onto the table and then did the same with my hoodie. I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I came out, I saw Kirigiri was looking towards me.
"Kirigiri-san?" I asked, confused, "Is something wrong?"
"No, Naegi-kun," she responded, "I'm just waiting for you to finish."
Warmth returned to my cheeks. I walked back and sat onto the bed. Kirigiri was sitting against the headrest with her legs out in front of her.
"You seem really comfortable around me, Kirigiri-san," I mumbled, half-embarrassed to state the fact.
"Well, of course, Naegi-kun. I trust you," she said calmly, "I don't think you would kill me."
"Of course not!" I blurted, "I could never even think of hurting you Kirigiri-san!"
She seemed a little stunned at my sudden outburst.
"I swear to protect you no matter what. I know I couldn't do it for Maizono, but I swear I will do everything I can to keep you safe, even if I have to die trying. I swear by it!"
Kirigiri stared in silence into my eyes. Her face was beginning to become more flushed the more I spoke. Then she looked down and smiled.
"Thank you, Naegi-kun," she said.
I stood up and turned off the light before I got onto the bed again. I left my bathroom light on with the door closed in case she needed to get in the night. She took the covers on her side and slid under them. I watched her get comfortable before doing the same. I slipped under the blanket and faced the far wall.
The bed was small, so we were fairly close to each other.
-----
Minutes slipped into an hour as I tried to fall asleep. However, I wasn't able to fall asleep. I tried not to toss and turn too much. I wouldn't dare try to disturb Kirigiri when she sounded so peaceful.
I let out a small sigh of frustration. Suddenly, I felt Kirigiri's arms wrap around my waist. I let out a muffled yelp of surprise and I could feel her body move closer until it was against mine. The darkness helped to cover the scarlet of my face.
"Can't sleep?" she asked, drowsiness dulling her tone.
"Y-yea..." I stuttered. She was behind me, holding me, lying next to me.
She nuzzled her head into the back of my neck. She let out a muffled moan of happiness.
My heart was pounding in my chest as I felt her warm breath on my back. Summoning my courage, I slowly turned towards her, careful not to hurt her.
She looked up drowsily at me, the faint light showing her eyes were glazed from sleep.
I wrapped my arm around her waist and held her tight. I breathed in her flowery scent while she held me the same way and nuzzled into my chest. I kissed her head lovingly and we lied there for a few minutes before I felt her head move up. I looked at the faint trace of her face in the darkness and smiled. She can't see it, but she probably knows I would be smiling.
I soon feel her soft lips against mine for a short kiss as she pulls me closer, even though we were already against each other. I was taken a bit off guard by it, but I didn't mind. She withdrew, suppressing a yawn, to snuggle her head into my chest.
As if her kiss had intoxicated me with some sort of sleeping drug, I felt a wave of drowsiness suddenly wash over me. I nuzzled into her soft hair and breathed in her scent. It had the smell of lavender, like her hair colour, and seemed to lull me to sleep.
"Goodnight, Makoto-kun," Kirigiri whispered, her soothing voice like a lullaby.
"Goodnight, Kyouko-san."