Chapter Text
It felt like I was back to being a little girl again, or maybe because that's exactly what it was.
Tears formed in the corners of her eyes before she could even register them falling. All she knew was that Suguru and Satoru were here. And that was all she needed.
Her instincts kicked in, or was it impulse? Because the next thing she knew she was pulling them in a desperate hug. Digging her nails into the backs of their shirt, scared of what's to come.
Shoko never thought she would be the emotional type. Sure she was hurt and got hurt, but never cry like this.
Sobbing and shaking through wracking breaths, clutching so tightly as if it were a dream.
The two of them just stood there, trying their best to calm Shokos outburst. Her crying was new for them too, never seeing this side of her they looked like two lost chicks fumbling around.
"Why’d you make her cry Satoru?!"
"What are you talking about! I didn't do anything!!"
Even now they were arguing. Pinning the blame and throwing retorts back and forth. She wanted to laugh, if she wasn't too busy crying her heart out.
They're just as she remembered.
It felt real. All too real to Shoko. She missed this- missed them .
A more rational side of her was still intact when her memories merged. Telling her that this is probably because of a cursed technique, and that she had to find a way back to her time.
But how could she bring herself to do so, when her friends were right here with her? Real and alive and warm to the touch.
Her grip tightened, impossibly so.
--
Nothing feels real to Shoko. Not anymore.
Everyday she wakes up slowly, wondering if today is the day she'll go back to her true timeline. The world where she's alone again.
But aren't there people waiting for her on the other side? How could she have just abandoned them all, when they need her the most? She needs to go back, she has to. Too many lives were counting on her.
...but what about the ones she couldn't save, here?
And when she opens her eyes, she sees the ceiling of her dorm. Selfishly sighing relief, and then a pang of remorse where it hurts the most. she can't save anyone if all she does is run away.
--
Satoru noticed a change.
Shoko was much more clingy after that. She would scooch over closer than before when they sat down together, began grabbing the hem of their shirts, or holding their hands when they walked ahead in crowded areas.
It was too unusual for the passive Shoko who called them trash who belong together.
she even stopped smoking when he complained about it, like he always does!! He didn't think it would do anything, but this time she looked solemn, muttered a "sorry." and never picked up a cigarette again!
It just doesn't feel right.
She looked so far away, so much more mature than them. Which was sometimes always the case, but at least her childish demeanor would slip through the cracks the rest of the time.
But now, she's always gazing wistfully in the distance and was much more of an airhead than before. But not in the dumb way, no not at all.
Just... out of reach at times. Like something could happen to her and she would be gone.
So Satoru did the only thing he could think of, and grabbed her wrist.
Not even he knew why, but when Shoko noticed he was sitting next to her she smiled. A calming smile, more reserved than her usual ones. Come to think of it, he hasn't seen that one in a while. But this one was okay too. As long as the corners of her lips were upturned, it was okay.
--
Suguru's been keeping a close eye on Shoko recently.
She seemed so much more adept with her scalpel. Her growth seemed outrageous for such a short time. Like she was trying to prove something, rushing to get somewhere.
And most surprising of all, she wanted to focus more on physical training. Saying that she "learned all there is to RCT already." Even with her lack of a medical license. The real problem, in his opinion, was that it sounded so believable when it came from her mouth.
He's worried. He really is.
Something must've made Shoko act this way. There are no leads, not unless he asked her directly. But something about that seemed taboo. No one else has a clue what might've happened, not even when I pester Satoru for his thoughts. He was there beside me on that day, and looked just as lost. Or even more so- with that worried and dumbfounded expression.
I just don't know what she's scared of.