Chapter Text
You shot up in bed, sweating and breathing heavily, like you’d just run a marathon. Your eyes darted around your bedroom, looking for all the familiar things you and Shin had placed everywhere. You were here. You were safe.
It was just another nightmare to torment your mind.
You turned, and Shin was asleep next to you. As if he’d felt your gaze, he opened his eyes lazily, then raised his arm to allow you to cuddle close to him. You did so, feeling comfort in the warmth of his skin through the fabric of your pajamas. That’s right, you’re safe. It’s over.
“Nightmare?” Shin asked in a whisper, stroking your hair. You nodded your head. “You’re here, Y/N.”
“Tell my prefrontal cortex that, not me,” You responded, sighing heavily, “I know I’m safe. I know it’s over. But it’s not like we knew it was coming originally. How do we know… with the way it all ended… How do we know Asu-Naro isn’t going to pull something like that again?”
“Because Asu-Naro is gone.”
“The company is gone. Even if every person ever involved had been damned to hell, I just… the fact that it’s… happened before doesn’t mean it can’t happen again.”
“It won’t,” Shin assured. “We’re never going back.”
You’d always have your doubts, even though it’d already been six months since you escaped, but there was no point in worrying about it when you had work in the morning. And keeping Shin up when he also had work… It was unnecessary. You shut your mouth, getting comfortable and embracing Shin’s warmth.
~ * ~
“Good morning, Ryoko,” You greeted when she entered the store. Since the news of Asu-Naro’s Death Game had been released to the public, and the names of the victims had been published, Ryoko had been a shell of her past self. It was entirely warranted. Her coworker, manager, and both her best friends had fallen victim to the hands of Asu-Naro. It was something you expected she’d never be able to get over, which was understandable.
You still felt a hole in your heart watching all your allies die. The screams from Gin’s mother were constantly replaying in your nightmares. You hated that you had to break the news to her that her son who had “gone missing” had really just been kidnapped and murdered for Asu-Naro’s enjoyment. The anguish you felt second-hand couldn’t compare to the misery she must’ve felt learning her son was forever gone.
Shin’s family had cut him off when the information of Kanna’s death made the news. They yelled at him for not saving her — for living when he should’ve protected her and given up his life instead. As if he hadn’t tried to. “It’s for the best,” Shin had said to you afterward, doing the most to act like it didn’t bother him, “If that’s how they feel about me… then it’s for the best they cut me off.”
Reko’s bandmates quit making music, all of them, stating she was the only reason why they were able to perform their songs in the first place.
A small memorial was built in honor of those who died, but their bodies were never recovered and truly placed to rest.
And Shin became the new manager of the 7-Eleven you both worked at.
Ryoko gave you a weak wave as she walked to the back of the store to drop off her backpack since she’d just gotten off from school. After a moment, she took her seat next to you silently.
“How are you feeling today?” You asked.
“The same… It doesn’t feel like it’ll get better.”
You stared at her. Her eyes were locked on the register in front of her. Her once perfectly manicured nails were now short stubs that she’d pick at whenever she felt nervous, as she was now, “Maybe it won’t. It might not ever get better, it just might become a little less troublesome to think about.”
“What if I forget about them?”
“You won’t.”
“But—”
“You won’t, Ryoko. They’ll always be a part of you. And if you do… they wouldn’t be upset with you for it.”
~ * ~
Shin got off work earlier than you, and when he arrived to pick you up, he immediately proposed you go on a date. “It’s almost our second anniversary!” He explained, “Obviously that’s something worth celebrating.”
“…Our anniversary is tomorrow though. Why wouldn’t we just go tomorrow?”
“Who says we can’t go today and tomorrow?” He asked, already routing his phone GPS to where he was planning on taking you for dinner. You felt yourself smile. You loved this man.
~ * ~
After a dinner date and some time at the nearby mall window shopping, the two of you pulled into the parking spot in front of your apartment. You pulled out your phone and checked the time — 11:57 pm.
“It’s almost our anniversary,” You said to Shin as he got out of the car.
He turned to you, looking surprised, “Really? How late is it?”
“Three minutes until twelve,” You answered, checking your phone again, “…Two minutes until twelve.”
“Really?” Shin said, humming, “Can you check the mail real quick? I forgot to do it earlier and I’m expecting a bill. I’m gonna run inside and turn the heaters on. It’s cold out here.”
You agreed with a bit of a chuckle, walking over to the mailbox and unlocking it. You looked through the mail and saw only advertisements. You assumed the bill Shin was waiting for was simply taking its time.
You walked upstairs and opened the door, staring down at the pile of mail, seeing if any of it was important. When you looked up, your apartment was dimly lit with candles, and rose petals were scattered in a line that led to Shin on one knee.
“Shin—”
“Well don’t keep the door open, it’s gonna get cold in here.” He said, chuckling. Slowly, you closed the door behind you, not taking your eyes off him. You kicked off your shoes and stepped into the kitchen to place the mail on the counter, then slowly made your way to Shin.
“Shin… What—”
“Y/N…” He said, cutting you off, “I have loved you for what feels like an eternity. We went through… so much together, and we survived. It’s been… two years since we made our relationship official and… I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t imagine loving anyone else for the rest of my life. It’s always been you. I want that to stay true. I always want it to be you.” Shin reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small box. He opened it and held it out to you, displaying a dainty engagement ring.
Your heart was in your throat and your hands were shaking. Shin was… was he really doing this?
“…Will you make me forever happy… and marry me?” He asked.
You fell to your knees and grabbed him, pulling him into a weak embrace as you sobbed. You nodded your head, mumbling small yes’s and other unintelligible sounds as he stroked your head and whispered sweet nothings to you. He gently took your hand, sliding the ring on your finger.
Eventually, you pulled away, and Shin looked at you with a pink and loving face.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”