CH. 117 - Return to Life

Feeling the weight of their loss, the group takes time away from everything. They don’t return to school, they don’t see each other, they each suffer with their grief in their own ways, trying to figure out how to move forward. As the days go by, weeks come. Nearly a month later, Samuel is the first to return to her class, a new scar across her cheek, a reminder of that night. She looks tired and worn out as she stands at the front of the class with only a few students, the ones who didn’t go on the trip. Though not being the closest with her and barely knowing what happened, they sit respectfully for their teacher as she stands at the podium in silence, staring at it with a blank stare. After a moment, a student speaks up.

“Ms. Samuel?..” Danny calls softly. Samuel snaps out of it and looks up at the students.

“R-right. Sorry. Let’s see where we.. left off.” She says quietly as she opens her binder. A couple more days pass as eventually Kuzan, Airi and Daiki return to class. As they step inside, Samuel gives them a soft smile as they make their way to their seats. A day later and Suiyoubi, Kitaro and Hisana return. Once again, Samuel smiles at them but this time it’s slightly brighter than before as they enter the class.

“I’m happy to see you again.” She says warmly. Another couple days pass then Alice and Touma come back.

“I’m so glad you’re back.” Samuel says happier than before. They give weak smiles but keep them, anyway. Finally, a little over a month after that night, in mid April, the rest of the class returns with Sugawara, Haru, Ryuji, Lucy, Shiori, and Hikigaya. Samuel waves at them as she gives them a big smile.

“Welcome back, my students! It’s so nice to see you again.” She says warmly. They smile back as they take their seats in an attempt to return to normalcy. Shiori sits for a moment before looking to her right and seeing the empty seat next to her. She stares at it for a moment as her eyes get glossy before she lowers her head onto the desk and wraps her arms around herself. She struggles to hold back tears as the entire class sits in silence. 

“Okay! First of all, might I say how happy I am to see you all back together again!…” Samuel says with a smile before trailing off as she too stares at the empty seat at the front of the class. Shiori whimpers softly as the others try to hold back tears that started forming despite their best efforts. Hisana tries to hide under her sweater as Kitaro hides under his arms with his head on his desk. Suiyoubi bites her lip with tense shoulders as darkened tears stream down her cheeks. Alice keeps her head up but covers her eyes with her arm. Seeing their friends cry only deepens the sadness the others feel as Samuel starts crying at her podium. As the tears run down her cheeks, she notices someone, though. She sees Touma with his head up, tears falling on his desk and a struggling smile on his face. She can see he wants to break down, but he does all he can to keep a smile on his face. Seeing his determination, Samuel shakes her head a little as she tries to put on a smile too.

“Come on..! Let’s.. let’s smile for her! Let’s do what she did so brightly every day and smile! No more tears! For her!” Samuel says encouragingly as tears roll down her face. She puts her hand up as her shaking smile lights up the class. Despite their tears and their loud cries, everyone tries their best to smile and lift their fists up too.

“For her!” They shout together as they cry out together with tear soaked smiles on their faces.

Soon, the school day comes to an end and despite the community crying session, the class laughs and smiles together with tear-worn eyes as they leave school. Shiori exhales softly, obviously emotionally exhausted, when Daiki rushes up behind them.

“Heyhey! I know this might not be the best time, but you knew this was coming. Are you guys like actual superheroes??” Daiki asks with a big smile. Shiori and Hikigaya turn around and look at him then sweat a bit awkwardly.

“Not exactly…” Hikigaya says.

“We’re more vigilantes. We're not technically supposed to be doing hero work.” Shiori says softly before Alice jumps in.

“Yeah! The most badass vigilantes ever!” She shouts with her fist in the air. Shiori and Hikigaya glare at her, about to shush her but as Alice extends her fist into the air, she winces hard and grabs her side. Their looks shift to concern.

“Alice!” Sugawara says, worried for her. She looks at them with a weak smile.

“What?? I’ve been waiting like an entire year to tell everyone! Now they’ll all see just how amazing Fullsky and Watchdog really are and won’t think I’m a huge hero nerd!” Alice says, completely ignoring her pain and adjusting herself to stand up normally.

“You’re still a nerd.” Kitaro says casually, gently bumping her shoulder as Alice deflates with a groan. Kuzan smirks a bit at them.

“You guys are way cool.” He says to Shiori and Hikigaya. They look surprised before blushing bashfully.

“Yeah, fighting a supervillain in brutal combat then walking home from school a month later? How could you be more awesome??” Airi smiles.

“And let’s not forget the huge nerd over here! She also did some crazy shit!” Daiki says, throwing his arm around Alice’s neck. She chokes playfully as they giggle at her. Haru sighs openly before rubbing his eyes with the hand that's not cast and throwing his head back.

“Blegh.. I don’t really wanna think about that night right now…” Haru says. The others kind of stop and look down softly before he continues. “I don’t know about y’all, but I can’t say I wanna continue starting my days with community crying sessions.” He says with a soft exhale.

“I know.. my head hurts now..” Hisana groans as she holds her head. Kitaro then puts his hand on her head gently. She looks at him surprised as she blushes. He smiles at her softly.

“I’m sure you’ll forget you even had a headache soon enough.” He says. She gives him a big smile.

“Yeah! You’re right!” She says back. Shiori watches her friends as they talk, doing their best to return to normal. Shiori looks down with a mixture of emotions on her face. Sadness, happiness, relief, grief. It’s hard to tell what she’s feeling so Hikigaya asks her directly.

“You sure you’re okay, Shiori?” He asks softly. She keeps her look as she answers softly.

“Yeah… I’m just thinking. It’s… all I’m really good at.” She says with an awkward smile as Hikigaya smiles a bit back. He leans closer to her and whispers.

“I can name a few other things you’re good at..” he whispers, causing Shiori to blush intensely and shove him away playfully.

“Shut up! Now is not the time to be joking like that!” She says, flustered. Hikigaya laughs a bit despite his tired expression.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” He says. Shiori stops blushing as much and looks at him surprised. “But then again, love is something we really need right now.” He looks at the group as she does the same. “All of us.” He says softly as Shiori gets an understanding smile on her face. 

“Yeah.” She says quietly. Suddenly, from behind them, they hear three distinct voices hurdling their way. They turn around to see Tsuki, Milo and Riley charging them, calling out to them. The group is shocked as Tsuki tackles Shiori, Milo tackles Hikigaya and Riley tackles Sugawara. They’re crying dramatically as they hug them tightly.

“Guys! We’re so glad you’re okay!” Tsuki cries.

“When we heard what happened, we got scared you guys might not come back!” Milo cries too.

“I’ve never been so terrified in my life. Hearing my Suga was in such a horrible position..” Riley says softly, pressing her head into Sugawara’s chest. The three gently let go and step back, wiping their tears with their hands. Tsuki looks at them softly before speaking timidly.

“Is… everything gonna be okay?..” he asks. Hikigaya rubs the back of his neck with a worn look.

“Yeah… I guess so. We’re just gonna… have to keep moving forward.” He says with a sad look. Tsuki nods a bit before Milo steps up and takes his hand.

“Whatever happens. We’ll be here together.” She says with a gentle smile as the others smile back. Behind them, Alice then gets an idea before smiling a bit.

“Hey. Do you guys want to do something fun?” She asks the group. They look at her surprised before smiling and agreeing.

“What do you have in mind?” Ryuji asks.

“How about we go to the park or something after school? It doesn’t have to be, but preferably some place open with a lot of space. Also, does anyone know what the weather is supposed to look like later?” She asks quickly with an excited look.

“You just want to go test your new powers.” Suiyoubi calls her out. Alice blushes and rubs the back of her head rapidly.

“Whaaat?? No no! I’m just throwing out ideas here!” Alice lies.

“Something fun does sound nice.” Ryuji says with a smile, looking at Lucy.

“Perhaps an arcade?” Lucy offers.

“I’m down for that.” Kitaro agrees.

“Why? Just so the two of you can absolutely annihilate us in every game we play?” Haru asks with a playful glare.

“Yes.” Kitaro and Lucy say at the same time looking at him. Haru sweats at their response.

“Ooh! Can we get some soup before we go?” Sugawara asks.

“Soup? What does soup have to do with arcades?” Tsuki asks.

“I like soup. It sounds yummy.” Sugawara says with a shrug. Haru looks at him before blushing intensely with a big smile and hugging Sugawara tightly, lifting him off the ground.

“Aw, you are yummy, you little cutie! Come here!” He says lovingly as he starts kissing him all over his face. Lucy smiles and shakes her head.

“Guess it’s dinner then the arcade.” She says.

“Food does make the games run better.” Hisana says genuinely. Alice slowly turns her head to her with a confused and almost concerned look.

“No… No, I don’t think that’s how that works.” She says. Hisana nods with a gentle smile.

“Uh huh! Kitaro told me so!” She says. They look at Kitaro so he lifts his hands defensively.

“I have never said anything like that in my life.” He says. Hisana looks up with a finger on her chin, thinking.

“Maybe Touma said it then?” She says as Touma shakes his head rapidly with a concerned look.

“Don’t worry, we believe you, buddy.” Hikigaya says, patting him on the shoulder as he walks past him.

“Who even knows where Hisana heard that from?” Shiori says, following as the others start doing the same.

“It’s definitely true though! I swear!” Hisana says desperately, following the group. Touma sighs as he watches his friends walk off. He then smiles warmly as steps to follow behind them when he suddenly feels a tapping on his shoulder. He stops and turns around with a surprised look only to find no one standing behind him. He looks confused for a second as he examines the area.

“Hey Touma! You coming?” Shiori asks from down the sidewalk with the others.

“Y-yeah.. Coming.” Touma responds with a confused look, still looking back before turning and following them. 

One weekend morning in late April, Shiori is on her knees as she holds her side in pain. She sits in her soul world, the place of infinite light sand and clouds covering the sky. As she sits, it rains down on her heavily yet the sand never muddies. The clouds are heavy and dark, shrouding any sky that could be behind them, as Shiori whimpers and breathes heavily in pain. She holds her side, the place she was run through, before a voice speaks up.

“It’s raining again.” She says, the voice of a young Shiori standing right before her, staring at her. Despite her pain, Shiori responds.

“Yeah..” she says, staring at the ground. The younger Shiori stares for a moment before slowly lowering her head.

“It happened again…” she says softly. Shiori breathes heavily as the rain falls down her face, lining her eyes as if crying for her. She hesitates to respond but eventually does.

“yeah… it… it hurts…” Shiori whispers, gripping her side tighter. The younger her keeps her eyes fixed to the ground, the same spot Shiori is, as she speaks.

“I don’t know what to do…” she says softly. Shiori shakes her head gently.

“I don’t…” she says as they sit there in the rain before Shiori suddenly sits up in Hikigaya’s bed, sweating and panting. She winces and holds her side as Hikigaya quickly gets up with a dazed look.

“Shiori! You okay? What’s wrong?” He asks, confused, still trying to wake up so suddenly. He lifts his hand to touch her, but she gently pushes his hand down as she catches her breath. She shakes her head gently as she slowly composes herself.

“I’m okay…” she whispers, looking at the blankets. Hikigaya breathes in as he wakes up, starting to understand. Shiori gets out of bed with a gentle smile to Hikigaya before making her way to her room to get ready for the day. Hikigaya watches her go with a softly concerned look.

Not long after, Shiori leaves the house in her workout attire. She stretches her body out for a light warmup, still feeling the lingering effects of her injuries with a brace around her right arm and left leg, but prepares to workout, anyway. She readies herself to go on a run but before she can start, she looks up confused when she hears something calling through the air.

“…sshhiiIOOORRIII!” Her name is screamed before Alice comes falling through the air at her and crashes into Shiori onto the sidewalk. They groan as Shiori sits up a bit, Alice laying on her lap.

“Alice? What are you?.. Why were you in the air?” She asks, confused. Alice rubs her head as she sits up, still on her lap.

“Ow… Well, I was flying obviously!” She says excitedly, brushing off her pain. Shiori looks concerned.

“You were flying… As your first practice run?..” Shiori ask with a sweat.

“Mhm mhm!” Alice nods happily as Shiori stands up, lifting Alice up by under her arms. Alice looks happily surprised before being put on her feet, but the moment Shiori lets her go, Alice winces sharply at her side. Shiori quickly offers her hands, but Alice stops her, shaking her head with a smile and focusing with a soft exhale. Shiori exhales softly before glaring at her a little.

“Okay, first of all, try not to use your powers in public. Even if it's not illegal to have them or use them exactly, you still want to avoid it. Secondly, maybe don’t start with flight as your first practice. Having powers doesn’t innately make you invulnerable or anything. If you go high up and can’t catch yourself, what happens then?” Shiori explains. Alice thinks for a moment before getting a look of realization.

“Oooh, yeah, that’s probably not a good idea.” Alice says with a giggle. Shiori sighs and shakes her head as Alice looks at her excitedly. “Which is exactly why I came here, to you!” She says. Shiori looks at her, confused. “You can teach me how to use my powers!” Alice says excitedly, jumping a little at the idea, leaning close to Shiori’s face. She looks concerned as she shies away from the thought.

“I.. don’t think that’s such a good idea.. Why don’t you go to Hikigaya? He’s probably way better at teaching than I am.” Shiori tries to deflect with doubt across her face.

“Nah, that brute, as cool as he is, just doesn’t have the delicacy I’m looking for. I want to be like you!” Alice says, waving her hand before smiling at Shiori. She looks down a bit.

“I don’t… think you should want that..” Shiori says softly. Alice looks at her, confused.

“Why not?” she asks.

“I’m not someone who should be admired.” Shiori says softly as she looks away. Alice then takes her hand excitedly, holding close to her chest.

“Shiori, you’re literally Fullsky, my idol! You’ve been my idol for years! The great vigilante Fullsky! An elegant but strong hero who faces off against even the strongest opponents and always gives it her all with style! You’re way cooler than any of those other ‘real’ heroes.” Alice says, enthusiastically waving her arm around while not letting go of Shiori’s hand with the other. Shiori looks at her surprised but still hesitant.

‘I never tried to be like that. I guess people really just see what they want to see..’ Shiori thinks. Alice then calms down a little, looking at her with a warm smile.

“I don’t think you realize just how many people you’ve saved.” Alice says softly. Shiori looks down, looking at Alice holding her hand and noticing the scar on her hand from that night. A tightness grips Shiori’s chest as she looks uncertain.

“I haven’t saved anyone… people have died because of me… I’ve failed so much…” Shiori says quietly. “I’m not… I shouldn’t be your idol… I’m not worth that praise…” she says quietly. Alice tightens her grip on Shiori’s hand just a bit.

“You’re wrong.” Alice speaks softly as she smiles, looking down. Shiori looks surprised a bit. “We met before, do you remember? Before we became friends.” She says, looking in her eyes again. Shiori looks a little confused as Alice speaks softly. “It was years ago. You had probably just started being Fullsky at that time.” Alice says as she recalls the memories of that night so long ago.

Alice thinks back to years ago, back when she was only 12 or 13 years old. This young Alice wanders down a dark street winding through the mountains in the middle of the night as the occasional car flashes past her. Her eyes are dull and empty as she makes her way to a large bridge crossing a wide river down below. She walks towards the center of the bridge before stopping and looking at the river flowing beneath her. She stares as the moon shines across the rippling water and over herself, basking everything in its pale blue light. Without a reaction or a sound, she steps up onto the railing of the bridge and stands over the edge. She waits for a moment, staring at the drop below with dull eyes. She lifts her face, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath in, leaning forward before she hears something. She quickly opens her eyes and looks down to see something flying through the air before slamming into one of the metal beams holding the bridge up, ringing out a light metallic thud.

“Ouch, that hurt.. Okay, now I got it.” The person says. Alice watches as the person with large black wings then flies up and past Alice closely with swift speed, causing her to fall backwards off the railing and onto her butt on the sidewalk. She groans in pain a bit as the person flies back down and crouches on the railing before her.

“Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to knock you over.” The girl’s voice says. Alice looks up and sees a younger Fullsky crouching over her in a first draft costume with her wings spread out wide, blocking the moonlight. Alice is stunned as she stares in awe.

“I.. What… are you..?” Alice asks. Fullsky smirks.

“I’m a superhero! I protect people and fight evil! Oh, wait. No, I’m.. a vigilante? Right? Yeah, that’s right. I’m not official, but that won’t stop me from helping others!” Fullsky says with a smile as Alice’s eyes start to shine.

“A.. hero..?” She whispers to herself.

“Now, we should probably get you home. I can’t imagine there’s a good reason for you to be out here all alone this late.” Fullsky says as she extends her hand with a smile. “Come on.” Alice hesitates from awe before taking her hand. Fullsky grabs her tightly and pulls her up and close, holding her from behind. “Ready?”

“For wha-AAHHH!” Alice screams as Fullsky shoots up with intense speed, flapping her large wings as they fly high into the sky. They go up and up as Alice holds on tightly, scared to fall or even look. After a moment, they slow down to a more comfortable speed as they fly through the air.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Fullsky asks softly as Alice slowly opens her eyes. She looks and her eyes widen as light shines brightly in them. She stares from the clouds at the bright starry sky and shining lights of the Districts below. Alice stares in awe as Fullsky speaks. “Thank you for letting me share this with you.” She says softly.

“But I.. didn’t do anything…” Alice whispers, still focused on the beauty of the night before her.

“You’re here with me. And I know one day you’ll become someone great. So thank you for experiencing this with me.” Fullsky says warmly as Alice looks up at her with surprised eyes. Fullsky just stares into the night sky as tears begin to form in Alice’s eyes. As they begin their descent, Fullsky flying back down and into the Districts, Alice wipes her tears away before letting a big smile spread across her face. She smiles and laughs as she feels the cold air whip across her face and the bright lights flashing past them, enjoying the flight together.

In the present, Alice holds Shiori’s hand close to her chest as she looks down with a smile and shiny eyes.

“I was so low that night… I thought there was nowhere to go but down… but you showed me that night that there is always a reason to look up. Up at the full sky above filled with lights and hope…” Alice says softly as tears begin to form in Shiori’s eyes, realizing who she is.

“It was you…” Shiori whispers as Alice looks up at Shiori a bit. 

“I know these past few years have been hard on you and Hikigaya, our Watchdog. I’ve seen you fail many times yet I’ve seen you succeed many times more not just as Fullsky but as Shiori, our friend and my idol.”

As Alice speaks, she thinks of all the videos she’s seen online of Fullsky and Watchdog protecting people and saving people, inspiring her to put on the cape and mask in the first place. 

“No matter what, I won’t give up on you like you didn’t give up on me.” Alice says passionately as Shiori sobs lightly, trying to wipe the tears away gently. Shiori then hugs Alice tightly as she hugs her back. They hug for a moment before Alice pulls back only to be surprised when Shiori kisses her. They kiss for a moment before Shiori pulls away, clearing her throat and adjusting herself, stopping her tears.

“I’m sorry.. I didn’t mean to be..” Shiori says before noticing Alice’s face. She blushes and lets her head fall back with a dumb look on her face.

“No, don’t stop on my account.. heh..” Alice says. Shiori giggles a little before feeling a spark of determination in her chest.

“You’re right. I can’t give up, I won’t! So if you want training with your powers then I’ll help you!” Shiori says passionately. Alice shakes her head then gets an excited look before jumping with joy.

“Yay! I’m so excited! I’m gonna train to be a hero with my idol! I can’t wait!” Alice shouts, lifting her fist into the air when a bolt of lightning comes down and strikes Shiori on the head leaving her black and burnt with a surprised look on her face. Alice laughs awkwardly. “Eheh.. Whoops.”

“Yep.. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us..” Shiori says as they soon get to work training her.