To the Future:

Hope

Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa or the characters used therein.


-Several Months Later-

"I told him not to wonder off," Kyoko said to herself as she walked down the newly built school's hallway. This was only floor she hadn't searched yet, and she hoped to find him before it got too late. "It's almost time to meet everyone…"

Everyone had already arrived; Asahina, Toko, Komaru, Hagakure, even Byakuya had taken time out of his busy schedule to attend their grand reopening! And yet, as the time for the opening ceremony fast approached, Makoto Naegi was nowhere to be found.

As such, it fell on her shoulders to find him before he was late for his own opening ceremony!

As her heels clicked along the linoleum floor, echoing in the empty halls, Kyoko couldn't help but recalled the struggle it had taken just to make this building a reality.

Unsurprisingly, following the Final Killing Game, Kyosuke Munakata left the Future Foundation, seeking his own path of redemption. Unfortunately, that also left the organization without leadership. Naturally, Byakuya stepped in to fill the void. His superior leadership saved the Future Foundation and prevented it from falling into ruin. And though it was an uphill battle, considering so many were still faithful to Munakata, the Togami Heir managed to inspire loyalty from nearly the entire organization.

It was a difficult time for the Future Foundation, especially with the return of the Remnants of Despair.

Strangely enough, despite their bold claim to paint the world with despair, the Remnants seemed to vanish into thin air, only appearing from time to time, but even then it was mostly rumors. At the same time, a number of groups fighting in the name of despair mysteriously vanished...right around the same time the Remnants made their reappearance.

Very few understood the significance of that coincidence…

Thanks to that, the fight against Despair gradually lessened, and it seemed that peace might not be so far off. The world was nowhere near restored, that much was obvious. But for the first time in years, hope began to shine through…

If not for that, it would have been almost impossible for Makoto to convince everyone to reopen Hope's Peak Academy. He wanted to make it into an academy that would truly inspire hope for the future, giving the next generation the skills they would need to make the world a better place.

Initially, many members of the Future Foundation were against the idea, citing all of the corruption and hidden agendas the academy had become infamous for. And while it was true that the original Hope's Peak had lost sight of its goals, the ideals that it once stood for still resonated with many of its graduates, with many of them believing that Makoto's vision for the school was flawed.

Hope's Peak would no longer cater to only those most gifted. Instead, it would be a school that would foster each individual's natural talents and direct them toward a brighter future. All students would be equal and all who wanted to join would be welcome. Some complained that this policy invited disaster, as there would be no way to truly evaluate each students' agenda, thus giving those still enthralled with despair a chance to infiltrate the school.

And while that was a compelling argument, Makoto didn't back down. He knew that Hope's Peak could stand for something more than just a school or a target for despair. It would be a place where everyone could be given a chance to be who they really were, a place that would eventually reshape this disfigured world that the original Hope's Peak had distorted.

More than anything else, Makoto believed that the school would eventually become the beacon of hope he'd always wished it could have been. His optimism was a bit reckless…but inspiring nonetheless.

For many months, Makoto fought back and forth with the Foundation, arguing that, if they wished to truly inspire hope for the future, it needed to start with them! In the end, despite the opposition it faced, the order was eventually given to recommission Hope's Peak Academy…under the supervision of Headmaster Makoto Naegi.

For reasons obvious to everyone, it was decided that the new school should not be named 'Hope's Peak', as the memories of the school's past atrocities were still too recent. Instead, Makoto had decided on a name that he believed would better represent what he thought this new school would stand for.

Thus, the soon to be opened school was renamed…The Jin Kirigiri International Institute.

The construction had gone even more smoothly than they had predicted, largely due to Byakuya's influence. It seemed that, even though the Togami Corporation was gone, the prestige of the Togami name still held great significance. Whether or not this was due to Byakuya's fierce nature, no one could say. In either case, no one complained when he decided to put forth the funds necessary to accomplish Makoto's dream.

"No…it's not a dream anymore," Kyoko affirmed, a warm smile on her face. "The Jin Kirigiri International Institute: a school to foster hope…is about to open."

Kyoko readjusted her burgundy suit and checked the white ribbon tied into the long braid in her hair, wanting to look professional for the occasion. She knew there was no real reason to dress the part, considering the only people present for the re-opening would be her closest friends. However, as this was a momentous occasion, she couldn't stop herself from looking presentable.

Having resigned from her post as the head of the 14th branch, Kyoko Kirigiri was now prepared for whatever the future held for her. At the same time, she couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of this situation.

She had originally come to Hope's Peak to sever ties with her father, former Headmaster Jin Kirigiri. But now, after many trials and tribulations, she now stood as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, giving her all to support the next Headmaster. It was a twist of fate that she never could have anticipated, but one that was welcome all the same.

It had been a long and arduous journey, and she had discovered so much about not only herself, but the world itself. She had truly changed; from a reclusive girl willing to make any sacrifice to solve a case, to someone who couldn't bear to watch her loved ones in agony. And as much as she hated to admit it, none of it would have been possible without Hope's Peak…or her father.

At first, she had fervently refused Makoto's request to rename the school after her late father. In truth, she wanted to honor her father, but she just wasn't comfortable with the notion of naming the new school after him. However, Makoto firmly believed that the hopes and wishes the former Headmaster held so dear could be realized in this new school.

…Even so, it wasn't easy for her to simply forgive her father for his past transgressions, until she realized something very important:

As difficult as it was to admit, if her father hadn't abandoned her in order to become the school's Headmaster, she might not even be alive right now. If she hadn't of pursued him to Hope's Peak, with the intent of severing her connection to him, there was a good chance she never would survived The Tragedy…and she certainly wouldn't have met Makoto.

A soft chuckle escaped her as she regretfully realized that, even in a roundabout way, her father had opened the path for her…the path to a future filled with hope. That was why, even though it was difficult for her, she finally consented, renaming the school in honor of her father.

"What would he say…if he could see me now?" she wondered as she wandered the halls.

Would he be proud of her? Would he have done things differently if given the chance? What would he think of Makoto's idea to reopen the school? Would he…still have hope for the future?

Kyoko knew it was pointless to ponder such questions, but at the same time, it was in her nature. No matter where she went or what she eventually became, she would always be a detective at heart. And even though she would never truly know what her father would think of her decision…she somehow knew he'd be proud of her.

Just like Makoto had been when she decided to follow after him…abandoning her position in the Future Foundation despite the heavy criticism she received. Byakuya was none too pleased to lose such a valuable member of the Foundation, especially in such trying times. However, even though he clearly had grievances with her decision, in no way did he attempt to stop her.

Makoto was conflicted about her choice as well, telling her that he wasn't sure it was worth it. But in the end, he relented, but not without making her promise him something. She smiled as she remembered what he'd told her when she decided to resign from the Future Foundation…

...

"W-What?! You can't just resign like that! Especially not for my crazy idea! People are counting on you! I mean…I appreciate it, but…well…alright fine. But only on one condition! You have to promise me that we'll share the burden! No more going off on your own! From now on, we do everything together! If you can promise me that…then I'll respect your decision!"

...

His request had been bold, and if she had been a few years younger, she might have protested. However, in all honesty, after everything they had been through, all of the times that they had saved each other and supported one another…it wasn't all that difficult to accept.

And even though she'd chosen to abandon her life as a detective in order to assist Makoto with his dream, it was a part of her she would never truly lose. Which was fine, especially since Makoto didn't want her to give up on being herself. He accepted her for who she was, and in turn, she found herself able to fully trust someone for the very first time.

And now, she couldn't imagine her life without Makoto by her side.

His words to her were just as powerful now as they were then, and it was all she needed to hear. She made her choice to stay by his side, just as she had promised him. And in the end, it was the best decision she could have ever made…one that she would never regret.

Rounding one last corner, she noticed the door to the classroom at the end of the hall was open. An amused huff escaped her as she made her way toward the open door.

Just before she reached it though, she came to a sudden halt. Glancing down at her left arm and rolling up her sleeve, her gloved fingers traced the scars just below her wrist. Even though the discoloration had faded so long ago, the puncture wounds remained, an eternal reminder of the Final Killing Game.

However, her eyes slowly drifted up to stare at her left hand, particularly her ring finger…where a golden band fit snuggly over her gloved hand. Warmth spread through her entire body as the joy that ring brought her overshadowed the scars beneath her wrist.

With renewed hope in her heart, Kyoko made her way to the classroom door.

Glancing inside, she found Makoto absent-mindedly staring out the windows, a gentle smile spread over his lips. As she saw him, a wave of nostalgia washed over her, bringing a genuine smile to her own face. Taking a few steps inside, he must have heard her approach because he turned and smiled brightly at her.

Returning the gesture, she quietly told him, "Everyone's waiting, Headmaster."

He flushed for a moment, obviously still not used to being called such a thing. Nevertheless, he was able to answer her almost immediately.

"Right…let's go!"

Standing up from his seat, he picked up his suit coat from the chair behind him and approached her, smiling all the while. Reaching out his left hand, adorned with an identical golden band on his ring finger, he gently took her own, intertwining their fingers. Squeezing his hand tightly, Kyoko smiled brightly as they headed out to meet with the rest of their friends.

As they stepped out into the hallway, heading toward the stairwell, Kyoko realized just how fortunate she truly was. Her life had never been easy, and after surviving multiple brushes with death, she'd come to learn that one truly had no idea when tragedy would strike. More than that, she'd realized just how important it was to say the things that mattered most…before it was too late.

Makoto had given her so much, and yet, she still felt that she owed him. After all, there was something she had yet to repay him for. A debt that, out of shame, she'd neglected to address until now. She'd come close many times, many nights she lay awake, wondering how and when to convey this complicated issue. But there was never an appropriate moment, a time where she had the strength to reveal what plagued her heart.

However, as she walked beside the man who had given her hope, Kyoko finally gathered the courage to convey her thoughts to him.

"Makoto…From now on, no matter what happens…I won't abandon you…ever again."

Her words froze Makoto in his tracks, his hand slipping from her gasp as their advance was halted. A look of genuine confusion warped his face as he stared at her, obviously taken back by her blunt comment.

"What…brought this on?" he questioned, almost in disbelief.

There was a moment of hesitation, a rare notion for Kyoko, before she found the courage to say, "I just felt that you deserved to know…that's all."

An awkward silence followed, one that Kyoko wasn't sure how to deal with. Even she wasn't quite sure why she'd chosen this moment to express her intentions. It certainly wasn't the best time, considering all of the other stress that had been piling up for Makoto due to opening a place of education. At the same time, Kyoko knew this needed to be addressed, and keeping it to herself any longer was becoming unbearable.

This was something that she had wanted to get off her chest for some time…ever since she'd abandoned him to be executed in her place during the School Life of Mutual Killing. It felt almost like a lifetime ago, but at the same time so close. That was part of the reason it continued to plague her for so many years. Because to her, it was a shameful act that she could never truly escape from.

And while it was also true that she had apologized for such a betrayal, she eventually realized that she hadn't truly repaid him. An apology was only a few words, and she knew how fickle words could be. Sadly, even now, all she could offer him were those heartfelt words…but someday, she hoped to prove to him through actions that she truly—

"Thank you, Kyoko…" he abruptly told her, the most hopeful smile she'd ever seen plastered on his lips. Taking both of her hands into his own, he squeezed them tightly as he said, "And I promise, no matter what, I'll always be there for you too…"

She wasn't sure why, but his appreciation stunned her. Even predicting he'd respond this way hadn't prepared her for the wave of emotions that threatened to drown her. Kyoko had long hoped to hear him say those words…but never imagined she'd live to hear them. A part of her didn't feel worthy of his appreciation, the part of her that didn't want to forgive herself for how she'd treated him back then.

But now, as his pure feelings reached her, for the first time since her betrayal, Kyoko finally felt able to forgive herself. It was like his voice had lifted the weight she'd been carrying all these years. Her entire body felt light as a warm sensation spread through her, filling her very soul with hope. She squeezed his hands in return, letting him know she appreciated his words.

Then, without warning, she pulled him close and pressed her lips to his own. Makoto instantly leaned into her, returning her affections by deepening the kiss. Slowly, they pulled apart, both of them feeling light and free. No more regrets plagued them, and they could finally see the brightness the future held for both of them.

"…Thank you…Makoto."

Smiling at each other, they walked hand-in-hand through the halls of the newly established Jin Kirigiri International Institute…filled to the brim with hope.


To the Future…End!

Greetings once more, my beautiful readers! It is finished! I have been working on this almost ever since the last episode of DR3 aired! I wanted—no, needed to get this out of my system or else I was going to explode with unparalleled joy! Finally, I can shout it from the rooftops with absolutely no hesitation!

Kyoko Kirigiri is alive! She and Makoto are going to make so many hope babies and have the happiness they both deserve! It's canon! Naegiri is canon! My life is complete!

Ahem…I apologize for my outburst, but that was something that has been building up for some time now and needed to be let out! However, if you've gotten this far, I'm pretty sure you're in the same boat as me! Or should I say…the same ship?! ;)

Anyway, please leave a review/comment to tell me what you think of the story or if you just want to gush over Naegiri in general! Thank you to everyone who has enjoy my stories so far! There is plenty more to come in my "Never Say Never" story, so I hope you look forward to that!

Until next time, have a great day and keep on smiling, my beautiful readers!