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“Dear Sayaka,
“I’m sorry I didn’t try and comfort you when you were panicking. I’m sorry I didn’t do better when you were scared. I thought I knew better. I thought you’d be safe. But I never thought you’d have the guts to actually try and kill someone. I forgive you despite that. You were scared so you acted on impulse. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to help.
“I miss you, and I hope you’re well wherever you are.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter and carefully slid it into the envelope. He licked the seal before folding the paper shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Sayaka Maizono” written on it. He sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside.
“Dear Leon,
“I’m sorry Sayaka did that. I’m sorry she attacked you. I know you were tricked and you didn’t want to kill her. It was all a misunderstanding and I know you feel bad about it. You were terrified, I could tell. I forgive you for what you did and I feel horrible for not being able to help you.
“I hope you’re playing some fun music wherever you are now.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the paper shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Leon Kuwata” written on it. He sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside.
“Dear Chihiro,
“I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to help you. You just wanted to get stronger, and I understand the feeling. You trusted Mondo, and I know he feels bad about it. Hell, I feel bad for letting that happen. I’m sorry, Chihiro, for everything you missed out on.
“Alter Ego was, and still is, such a huge help, thank you so very much.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter into thirds and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the top shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Chihiro Fujisaki” written on it. He sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside.
“Dear Mondo,
“I’m sorry for not helping you. I know you didn’t mean to kill Chihiro, and I know you kept his secret until the very end. I bet he’s grateful for that. I’m sorry I couldn’t be better and helped you through your tough time.
“You’re one of the strongest people I know.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter into thirds and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the top shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Mondo Owada” written on it. He sadly sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside.
“Dear Taka,
“I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry I didn’t help more when you were mourning. I know Yasuhiro was trying to help you, and I completely left that to him. I would have done more if I knew where you’d end up now. I hope you’re in a better place now, with Mondo hopefully.
“And don’t worry, I don’t eat butter either.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter into thirds and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the top shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Kiyotaka Ishimaru” written on it. He sadly sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside with the rest. It was getting a bit harder to close the tiny drawer, but Naegi managed.
“Dear Hifumi,
“I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to understand you. I know there was something going on that you didn’t tell us and I’m sorry for not asking. I know you just wanted to help Celeste and I forgive you. Nothing you did was wrong, you were manipulated. I’m sorry I didn’t try and get to know you better.
“I have a feeling you’re really freaking cool.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter into thirds and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the top shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Hifumi Yamada” written on it. He sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside. As he rolled the drawer shut, he wondered if everyone could even read those notes.
“Dear Celeste,
“What you did was wrong. It was greedy and horrible. I still forgive you. Everyone deserves a second chance, even people like you who were blinded by their own greed. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know you personally. You were very closed off though, so I understand.
“I’m sure your cat is out there safe and sound somewhere.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter into thirds and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the top shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Celestia Ludenberg” written on it. He sadly sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside.
“Dear Sakura,
“We got out alive. Just like you wanted. I’m so sorry you didn’t make it out with us. I’m sorry that Byakuya didn’t like you and soiled your name. He’s gotten better, I promise. Aoi misses you, Hiro misses you, and I think even Toko misses you. I’m so sorry you were treated like an outsider once we found out you were the traitor.
“You were still our friend and I miss you just as much as everyone else.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter into thirds and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the top shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Sakura Ogami” written on it. He sadly sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside. Naegi had been meaning to have a casual talk with Aoi for a while now...
“Dear Mukuro,
“I may not remember anything about you. I have no idea what you were actually like. Despite that, I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve to get killed by your sister just because she was bored. I’m sure under your Ultimate Despair title you were really kind and a good person.
“I wish I got to know you.
“-Makoto Naegi :)”
Makoto folded the letter into thirds and carefully slid it into its envelope. He licked the seal before folding the top shut. Makoto stared at the front of the letter, the name “Mukuro Ikusaba” written on it. He sadly sighed before opening the desk drawer and carefully placing it inside.
That was the final one. Everyone told him not to write one for Junko, and he reluctantly agreed. After all, Junko probably wanted nothing to do with him.
“Dear Byakuya,
“I’m so so so sorry. i promise i was trying i promise i promise i promise i was trying my best to help you. i’m sorry. you were getting better too. i’m sorry i couldn’t protect you or save you or help you i’m so so sorry.”
Tears splatted onto the paper as Makoto sobbed. He’d lost another one. He didn’t want this. He had already lost so much, he didn’t want this. He should have gone to Towa City instead of Byakuya, he didn’t deserve to die. He was getting so much better recently.
Suddenly, his door burst open.
“Makoto!! Byakuya’s alive!” Aoi exclaimed. “Komaru and Toko confirmed it a while ago, and now he’s on call asking to see you!”
That letter was thrown into the trash bin.
Makoto stood in front of the graves. He knew there was nothing under them, but he was still wary to step in front of the headstones. He held all the letters in his hand. Kyoko and Byakuya were behind him, Yasuhiro and Aoi watching a bit farther away.
“Are you sure you want to do this? You worked hard on those letters.” Kyoko asked.
“Yes.” Makoto replied, determined, his shoes crunching the frosted grass. Byakuya wordlessly handed Makoto a red lighter. Naegi took it and held out the first letter.
They watched as the letter labeled “Sayaka Maizono” was burned over the same girl’s gravestone.
Makoto did the same thing for everyone else.
“Leon Kuwata”
“Chihiro Fujisaki”
“Mondo Owada”
“Kiyotaka Ishimaru”
“Hifumi Yamada”
“Celestia Lundenberg”
“Sakura Ogami”
“Mukuro Ikusaba”
Makoto brushed the ashes off his hands onto his jeans before handing the lighter back to Byakuya.
The group stood in silence.
“Do you think that they can read those letters now?” Aoi asked.
“I’m going to hope so.” Makoto said with a sad smile.
“We should get going. The others are waiting for us back at our offices.” Kyoko pointed out.
As the group walked out of the graveyard, Makoto checked his phone. There was a text notification from Hajime.
haji-meme : “me & nagito we’re gonna hav dinner together this weekend, u guys wanna come w/?”
Makoto smiled.
YOU : “sure :) what time?”
They watched the group of five leave the graveyard. Of course, they couldn’t have seen them. They were invisible to the human eye.
“I want to thank him.” Sayaka said.
“I’m sure he already knows we like the letters.” Leon assured, leaning against the pop singer.
“I’m so glad that Alter Ego’s helping them.” Chihiro smiled, wiping a tear from his eye.
“'Course it helped! Yer great at that shit Chi’!” Mondo cheered.
“I agree with Mondo!” Taka exclaimed, holding his Kyoudai’s hand.
“Mr. Naegi is too kind.” Hifumi chuckled.
“Indeed...” Celeste mindlessly agreed, lost in thought.
“I’m happy for them.” Sakura smiled.
“Me too.” The black haired girl in the back spoke up. “He might not remember me, but he’s still as sweet as I remember.”
The group of ghosts shared one last glanced towards Naegi, who was giving one last sorrowful look into the graveyard. The ghosts looked at each other before their forms faded away.
Makoto felt a shiver up his spine as a cold breeze blew by. He swore he heard someone mumble “Thank you”, but when he turned around he saw nobody. Just Aoi and Yasuhiro excitedly talking about what kind of food they’d get to eat at dinner with Hajime and Nagito while Kyoko and Byakuya listened with amused expressions.
Makoto felt like sobbing there on the spot. He took a deep breath before walking off to catch up to his friends.
Letting go is difficult, but he knew they deserved to rest.