Hajime regretting that he killed his two friends

“They made me work for it,” Hajime says with a grin.

And in that moment, he truly feels proud. He didn’t hesitate, even when Ui Koori did, even when Yusa screamed Rikai and Ui stepped in front of him. And then Shio had dove in front of Ui, yelling don’t touch her, and it happened so fast, but he won. Hajime won.

Would Mom and Dad be proud of him?

He doesn’t fucking care.

In the next week, though, Hajime finds himself crying himself awake at night. He remembers Shio’s awkward hugs and Yusa telling him about the realms of Narnia, Middle Earth, and the Wizarding World. He remembers Rikai’s shy smiles. 

They were weak. He was strong. Why does he care?

Because now there’s no one left to love him, though Hajime will never admit this to himself.

Ui hasn’t looked at him the same since. Now his expressions might as well say you ghoul, ghoul, ghoul. 

Hajime throws back his head and laughs. He can’t afford emotion. Furuta taught him well. The Bureau Chief likes him.

When he finally drifts back asleep, he’s awoken to two dark figures in his room.

“Who the fuck are you?” His voice, which has only just begun to deepen, cracks. Fuck. 

It’s Hirako and Yusa, isn’t it, come to kill him.

“Do you remember me, Hajime?” A flashlight turns on, and Amon Koutarou stands there, flanked by Mado Akira. 

“Traitor!” Hajime snarls at Akira.

“When everything came down, I didn’t betray my friends,” she replies stonily. 

Hajime snarls. 

“We’re not here to hurt you.” Amon extends a hand. “I was transformed by Dr. Kanou, too. We’re here to take you home.”