praxieserver

[praxieserver]

I got a few questions mwehehehe

What are your pronoun headcanons for tonaegiri? Do you think if they could they’d have any pets? What flowers do you associate with each of them and Anna? Is Anna close with anyone else other than her parents?

Btw I adore your art so much! Really does make my day and inspire me :)) I hope you have a good day AND DONT FORGET TO DRINK WATER!!!

WAAAAAAA SO MANY QUESTIONS THANK YOU!!!! loooooovvvveeee asks like this where i just get to yap eternally yay!!

1. What are your pronoun headcanons for tonaegiri?

I guess a sort of disclaimer before I answer this, a lot of my gender and sexuality headcanons for characters tend to be really vague and vibes based or purposefully not set in stone simply because I enjoy the flexibility of experimenting. (And also, I am unsure as to how this would actually apply in Japanese lol):

Byakuya - She/He, I've stated in a previous ask that I hc him as being vaguely genderfluid in the big bright beautiful future (Polaris P Polanski you will always be in my heart) so he switches between those two from day to day

Makoto - In my mind palace he keeps the he/him but doesn't really mind other pronouns? I like to imagine he tries experimenting with other pronouns for a time and still ends up preferring he/him and those are the pronouns he gives people when they ask, but if somebody uses she/her or they/them on him it doesn't really bother him enough to correct them and he thinks it's kind of fun for the time being, if that makes sense!

Kyoko - She/her, but also not really in a feminine way? A lot of my friends make jokes about Kyoko being akin to the main characters of gritty noir films who are roughed up middle aged stoic men having mid-life crises and that's kind of rubbed off on my perception of Kyoko lmao. But also I really like the idea of Kyoko trying he/him or they/them.....

2. Do you think if they could they’d have any pets?

Honestly two out of three of the trio (Byakuya and Kyoko) do not particularly strike me as types who would want to get pets regardless even if I do love the image... Although I do agree with a post I've seen on here before that if they ever do get around to thinking about pets the two I mentioned would lean into getting it for practical reasons (like a guard dog for security) but the actual pet they end up getting is a stray Makoto couldn't stop himself from taking in lol

Either way Byakuya would probably have a very dad-and-the-dog-he-said-he-didn't-want attitude. Spoils the thing rotten. I think Kyoko would try to teach it tricks to varying levels of success.

3. What flowers do you associate with each of them and Anna?

Unfortunately I don't really associate Kyoko and Byakuya with any particular flowers, though I might edit this post in the future if my answer changes!

As for Makoto and Anna though, I associate them both with Dandelions, a flower that symbolizes hope, naturally (with Suisen, Anna's old given name, being the Japanese word for Dandelion). Funny story actually: for some reason I mistook the flower that Makoto was holding in the DR3 THE END ed for a Dandelion which is where this association started, and discovered it was actually Gerbera when double checking for this ask; I honestly don't know how I made the mistake since in hindsight they look wildly different, so now I also kind of associate Makoto with Gerberas because of this lmao

4. Is Anna close with anyone else other than her parents?

Aside from her parents Anna is pretty close with the other THH survivors + Komaru! They're pretty much like extended family to her hehe! I wrote a short blurb on her relationship with each survivor for somebody who asked on Twitter, I'll probably transfer it onto my writing blog and add in a blurb Komaru for anyone who wants to read about that

Aside from them, there's also her situationship-polycule with two other danganronpa ocs of mine. One is her childhood butler, the other is her (robot's) classmate, both of which she ends up getting trapped in a killing game with. As one does. 🩷

thank you sosoosososo much for the ask anon!!! 💗🩷💗🩷💗🩷💗🍰

[praxieserver]

Hiii! It's so cool to see a fellow Naegamiri shipper! I also have a whole life planned out for this pair and it involves 4 children lol. As for my ask, who do you think does the cooking in the household?

YAAAAAAAYYYYY MORE PEOPLE FROM THE NAEGAMIGIRI COMMUNITY IT IS SO GOOD AND WONDERFUL TO SEE.....!!!!! also Wow 4 kids huh your tonaegiris getting busy collecting tonaegirilings...... good for them, good for them!!!!

as for who i think does the cooking in the house, im sure nobody is surprised when i say makoto, hehe!! byakuya to me is a subpar cook lol (if only from a lack of experience, based on one of his school mode dialogue) and gets absolutely humbled in the kitchen. i feel kyoko could maybe cook for herself if necessary but she doesn't give off the vibe off taking it up as Her Household Responsibility (nonetheless she probably helps makoto prep, or wash the dishes— though with the latter byakuya probably just gets them a fancy dishwasher lmao)

makoto i feel really just gives off the vibe of a guy who is more familiar with cooking meals for people in that home-y, domestic sort of way that kyoko and byakuya probably aren't

thanks for the ask! 🍰

[praxieserver]

WE SHOULD ART COLLAB (I SAY ON MY HANDS AND KNEES, TEARS STREAMING DOWN MY FACE AS I CLASP MY HANDS TOGETHER) ITS BEEN (LOOKS AT CALENDAR) 1000 YEARS!!!

LMAOANIASBIFSDKJ JOHN. MY BEAUTIFUL FRIEND OF 1 MILLION YEARS. WIPES YOUR TEARS AWAY. IM LITERALLY DOWN. IM JUST WAITING FOR YOUR IDEAS ON WHAT YOU WANNA COLLAB ON!!!!!!!!!!!

[praxieserver]

Your fan kid is SOOOO CUTE I love her

THANK YOUUUUUU im so glad people are taking a liking to her!!!!! she's very dear to me and there's def gonna more of her coming soon hehehe.... my naegamigiri lovechild freak 🩷

[praxieserver]

draw them all kissing...if you'd like...feed us the nectar

of course anon....... have a wip........!!

[praxieserver]

once again. my friends are actually geniuses

[praxieserver]

overcome with the urge to interact. send me some asks perhaps!!!!! prettt please <3 about byakuya togami. about tonaegiri. about anna. about anything really

[praxieserver]

haii :3!! saw you wanted to interact...thoughts on tonaegiri's sleeping arrangements? do you think they'd share beds/rooms? any specifics for your au with anna? I just like seeing other people's opinions on the sillies... love your art btw!! :))

HIIIIIIIIII THANK U FOR THE ASK!!!! for tonaegiri's sleeping arrangements i imagine they'd share a room and a bed maybe! three of them might feel a little cramped but also one of the members of this polycule is Byakuya Togami so surely they have the cash for a huge bed and a huge bedroom.

i also personally adapted one of my friend's (kosmic's) headcanons that kyoko and makoto run cold while byakuya runs hot, so byakuya ends up being their personal walking heater lol. although i like to think that makoto starfishes a bit in his sleep while kyoko sleeps kind of rigidly. and byakuya's just There in the Middle of it all.

as for specifics for my au with anna hmmm....

it honestly started out from a half-joke tweet about how naegamigiri probably wouldn't be very good parents given what two thirds of the polycule went through and how they were raised, and i made her up as a crack character at first. over time she ended being a fully-fledged oc/fankid as a means to explore extremely flawed yet genuinely loving relationships as well as a way for me to explore dangan worldbuilding and characters (i even have concepts for her own fanganronpa. she already has her own disaster polycule with her antag + support. the neurodivergent mind is a wonderful thing)

right now the Big Concepts im experimenting w anna's character and her relationships is 1.) what it means to be the ultimate hope in her relationship w makoto 2.) what it means to be raised as an heir to something that will more likely than not consume you or at least damage you irreperably in her relationships w byakuya and kyoko, and 3.) the concept of Hope's Peak and the Ultimate system putting young impressionable teenagers on a pedestal was probably a Very Bad Idea

mostly though. she's just a silly terrible girl with her disaster parents and im just clinking them together and having fun 💗🩷💗🩷💗

[praxieserver]

hello prax. about the last ask u got its very funny to me that ur byakuya grows his hair out and mine (is forced to) get the cunty side shave. however this is also transfem. insert tumblr post stop reblogging butch and femme byakuya togami

[praxieserver]

do you think future byakuya ever fixes that god awful karen haircut of his or no

THATS HER BEATIFUL BOB don't say that about #herbob.... but in my vision of the beautiful future when byakuya cracks the egg and comes out as vaguely genderfluid he grows out his hair so its long. so in a way yes 🩷💗🩷💗🩷💗

[praxieserver]

overcome with the urge to interact. send me some asks perhaps!!!!! prettt please <3 about byakuya togami. about tonaegiri. about anna. about anything really

[praxieserver]

I just wanna say after revitalizing my interest in this ship suddenly and seeing your art pop up all of a sudden throughout this tag, I just want to say you are amazing and I thank you for your contribution to this ship, it might motivate me to actually make something for this tag we need more of this traumatized failures With that said, can I ask if they naegamigiri were to describe each other as an object, what do you think it'd be? Or alternatively what place would they naturally go to for giving each other a kiss?

OH MY GOD??????? THANK YOU?????????? THIS MADE MY DAY??????????? CRYING AT THE CLUB???????? FOUND INJURED AND BEDRIDDEN AT THE HOSPITAL??????????? danganronpa is also an interest of mine that i've come back to (or rather, started actually being able to explore beyond wattpad fics) so im glad its also inspring people waaaaaaa thank u for this ask rlly man 💗🩷💗🩷💗🩷💗🩷💗🥹🥹🥹

as for the latter two questions i will answer them both!!!!!!

for what objects they would describe each other as, i'm gonna cheat a little and answer with both a singular object and a general group of objects / an aesthetic of objects if that's okay!!!!

makoto - i think the immediate answer is a four leaf clover because of his luck, but i like to imagine that if they were to ascribe him an object a lot of ordinary (rather mundane) everyday objects would come to mind for makoto. not to say togiri is going "a chair..... makoto always sat down on chairs....." or anything like that LMAO just that. like he's a reminder of a lot of positive but also ordinary things for them. he's like a years-old coffee cup that's been in use every day of every morning, or a well worn shirt, or a well-loved plushie. although after getting some input from a friend, they pointed out that togiri aren't very imaginative and would probably just say something makoto uses a lot (which is. well. ordinary everyday things so)

byakuya - again i think something that immediately comes to mind is. money money money here comes the money. but also! byakuya for as pompous as he is has always been something of a busy body, so i like to imagine if the other two were to ascribe him as an object he'd be something that embodies luxury but also a sense of work. like some kind of really expensive stationary. maybe a fountain pen and an accompanying ink that has like a really bougie pigment, or one of those luxury glass paperweights that have intricate patterns in them.

kyoko - yet again, obvious answer would be something detective-y like a magnifying glass or even her gloves, and that's probably what byakuya and makoto's first thoughts would be to be honest. but i think if they ever linger on it more they'd settle on things like, a lock and key (from makoto) capable of keeping secrets and just as capable of sniffing them out and revealing the truth. a stone wall (a bit sarcastically from byakuya) cold and often unyielding, but strong and reliable (not he probably says that. maybe makoto would) or maybe a swiss blade: reliable and capable of getting the dirty work done (thinking of byakuya's line where says something like "And this a girl who touches dead bodies as a hobby. Personally, I'd trust her.")

as for the kisses (in a generally sfw context):

makoto - he gives off a lot face kisses to me; the cheeks, the forehead, the lips-- just a few chaste pecks in places like that!

byakuya - square on the lips, quick and easy. maybe he lingers for a little bit. otherwise doesn't do kisses outside of bed too much (for me!) edit: friend also said lots of crown kisses ebcause of his height and honestly yeah! i didnt even think of that lol

kyoko - same deal with byakuya, but also i read a take on here that vulnerability in her partners would probably be a big deal for kyoko which i thought was really good! so in addition to that, i think kyoko would also press the occasional peck on the neck

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS ASK AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! 🩷💗🩷💗🩷💗🩷🍰

[praxieserver]

hi! opening these up so i can have something to eat this week.

if you like what i do and you liked my daily pieces at @dailymakotonaegi please share. i typically complete same-day! perfect for valentines day rush orders!!

60/300 USD goal

[praxieserver]

dandelion seedling: gardening row

[4.2k words, Teen and Up Audiences, No Warnings Apply]

Author's Note:

This might become a full-blown series lol, I've recently gotten more confident in my writing so whatever I can't draw I start to itching to write. It's an incredibly refreshing change of pace so far! Anyways, naegamigiri divorce before they even get together lol

Summary:

He just really wishes they wouldn't look at the girl as if she, personally, was a spy the Foundation sent over to their division. And as if whatever supernatural entity above could hear his thoughts, they do; By turning their attention to him instead.

Or when Kyoko and Byakuya look at the little girl Makoto has been forced to adopt, they can't help but see her as anything other than lure on a snare perfectly designed for him.

They find that she's more like writing on the wall for something much bigger than they anticipated.

Makoto's not sure what he expected the reaction to Suisen would be, but he thinks it went over better than whatever he expected.

There was an unspoken tension that bloomed in the room after he had formally introduced Suisen. That tension had begun to radiate from Kyoko and Byakuya in particular when he had announced Suisen would be the next Ultimate Hope. (To which the little girl herself seemed somewhat startled by?) He was under the impression that the Future Foundation would've already told her what was in store for her? Maybe closer to the conference hall meeting full of stuffy suits that Makoto got instead of anything that would be more child friendly, but maybe he'd been too forward in that declaration still.

While he was more than willing to take up the mantle during and beyond the killing game, he can't say it was particularly easy. Especially after, what he's now aware of, being repeatedly concussed throughout and then first stepping into the apocalyptic wasteland that was now their new world. The entirely separately stressful ordeal of holding out and protecting themselves from other threats until the Future Foundation could come and get them aside. He can imagine what Suisen's been through, having been born and raised in the Tragedy, could've been similar, if not worse. And for a child her age....

He needs to be gentler with her.

More specifically, Makoto takes note that he should probably prioritize giving her a normal home life first, before he starts biting into the entirely different ordeal that is figuring out what he's supposed to teach the next Ultimate Hope. Looking over at his friends, he thinks he's got that part at least half down.

From the few brief interactions Makoto's had with her he could tell Suisen wasn't one to talk, but it looks like she's still adjusting well regardless: now blankly blinking at Toko, Aoi, and Hagakure bicker about nothing in particular (Something about Toko wanting to let her read one of her books? On second thought maybe he shouldn't leave her alone with them for too long) after Aoi ushered her over, while taking the smallest little bites out of a donut she also gave her. (That he notes she was also rather perplexed by, asking several questions regarding what, when, where, why, and how of a simple donut. He would have found it funny if the implication that the girl couldn’t wrap her head around a simple pastry didn't hold heavy in his chest.)

The other half, well. He looks over to where Kyoko and Byakuya are still stationed at the former's desk, papers now cluttering its surface. Kyoko is still holding the same paper on one hand, fingers massaging her temple on the other. Byakuya's saying something to her-- whispering something to her (albeit loudly, for how much he apparently doesn't want anyone else but Kyoko to hear) from where he has an arm propped on her desk that he's leaning his weight on as he's using emphatically moving his other hand about to further drive home whatever point he's making. Dubious attempts at whispering aside, he's still speaking lowly enough that Makoto can't make out what they're discussing.

But judging from where they're looking, it doesn't take much for one to guess. They're looking at Suisen with an expression that... he doesn't want to call contempt, but for one reason or another, they're not happy with her presence. It's not like he can't understand why, Future Foundation's sudden faith in him and his position as the Ultimate Hope after the Last Trial, enough that they've apparently taken a keen interest in securing his legacy at the ripe age of 21, doesn't really bode well-- what, with the Foundation's record of backdoor schemes. The manner in which Makoto adopted Suisen (or rather, the manner in which the Foundation suddenly acquired Suisen and then made him adopt her) is suspicious in and of itself.

He just really wishes they wouldn't look at the girl as if she, personally, was a spy the Foundation sent over to their division. And as if whatever supernatural entity above could hear his thoughts, they do;

By turning their attention to him instead.

While Byakuya is content to continue staring (glaring) at him, he can hear Kyoko let out a sigh as she lifts her head up from where it was resting on her fingers. She takes one final look at the paper in her hand and the files sprawled around her desk before collecting them. She stands up and marches over to him with Byakuya in tow. Something about how in sync they are this time around, where they would normally make some room in their time to bicker and argue should they ever have to work together (which is often) makes Makoto both glad they're both being so cooperative this time, and scared about exactly how mad they are at him if they're both this agreeable about it.

Kyoko speaks first, "Can we talk?" she asks, but her voice is clipped, tone implying that this is less of a request and more of a command. Her poker face is unreadable as it has always been, but there's a slight furrow to her brow that accentuated with her rather frightening grip on Makoto's wrist, makes him worry all the more. "Now. Outside." Byakuya adds, arms crossed where he stands as usual, as if it was not immediately obvious. Makoto is dragged away before he can protest, barely able to holler at the remaining three to, "WatchSuisenforasecwe'llbe backdon'tteachheranythingweird!" before the office door is closed on him.

"Are you actually serious about this?" Kyoko's vice grip on Makoto's wrist remains as she speaks, despite the three staying put right out the office door (stationed at a blindspot in the Foundation's cameras, although Makoto doesn't know that yet). Like she's trying to keep him from running away, yet the 'this' she's talking about could really be anything, and Makoto's made it more than clear that he's adopted Suisen.

Makoto bites the inside of his cheek, choosing his words carefully, "Serious about... which part, exactly?" he tries.

Kyoko's brows furrow further, her grip tightens "The girl. Raising her. Whatever they’re planning--"

Byakuya makes the executive decision to skip several steps ahead of everyone, declaring:

"You need to get rid of her."

A beat passes. And then another. And then a third. The words that the other two hear take form in their minds and sink in.

Kyoko shoots him with a look that signals she's unsurprised, but still deeply disappointed, raising a brow at him. She thought he could be better about it this time around. Makoto nearly gasps, jaw dropping. He feels as though all the tension in his body had melted off and splattered at the wall behind him, blown away by the sheer force of the absurdity of the words that came out of Byakuya's mouth. Were it not for the equal parts confusion and disbelief (and slowly bubbling anger) that he was feeling, he could almost say he was relieved.

(Almost. The image of the gaunt, haunted little girl being pushed and pulled around by men in suits comes to the forefront of Makoto's mind, and suddenly that anger is bubbling a lot faster.)

"What? Get rid of her?" Makoto yells out a little impulsively, "Get rid of her." he repeats, letting it roll off of his tongue, looking at Byakuya incredulously, "To who? To where? And why!?" he continues, suddenly finding his words a little easier. A lot easier, actually.

“You're not ready to raise a child and they’re taking advantage of that–”

“...Yes, but–

"They're clearly planning something and that child has something to do with it--"

"You're not wrong, but--"

"You need to remove yourself from whatever scheme they’ve decided to ensnare you in while you still can--"

"She's just a kid! We don't even know what  'scheme' they're trying to pull, you haven't even told me what you think it is--!"

"Which is precisely why you don't want to stay to find out! We'll find a reputable facility to take care of her and we'll schedule a meeting where you'll let them know you've changed your mind! End of story!"

Kyoko's grasp having weakened, distracted by the argument that’s broken out, and Makoto's own strength unknowingly multiplying out of frustration, the latter manages to pull his hand away as he clasps his hands together. The clap that it makes is accidentally a lot louder and crisper than he intended it to be, letting the sound reverberate off of the walls of the halls.

Walking closer to Byakuya as he does, he closes his eyes and takes a sharp, deep inhale before he speaks again, "Look, it's not like I-- I know the Foundation is planning something and, and it's not like I'm just going to sit here and do nothing about it but--" he unclasps his hands, moving them about as if trying to wade through his frustration and find his senses, motioning to the office door when Suisen lies beyond it "She's a child Byakuya, she's not-- she's not just a package that we can return to sender!"

Byakuya takes multiple steps forward placing a hand on his hip as he leans down closer to Makoto's level, "And what do you plan to do when you have yourself and the girl to concern yourself with when you inevitably fall for their trap? Use your commoner brain and think Makoto! The child is bait on their hook, and as bait you ought to leave her and run away!"

"Stop-- stop talking about her as if she's an object, she's a child! She's a person!"

"She's a danger."

Makoto’s eye twitches, “And we have dealt with people who were considered 'dangers' look at the Remnants! Look at where they are now!"

Byakuya grits his teeth, "That's not-- Those aren't comparable--"

"So helping me betray the Foundation for the Remnants is just fine, but letting me raise a five year old is too much for you? Is that what it is?" Makoto breathes heavily, and regards him for a moment, taking some time to calm down slightly,

"...Or is it something else? Is this about me saying she was my heir--?"

Byakuya stands up straight suddenly, foot stomping on the ground as he re-adjusts, "You don't know what you're talking about. As expected of you-- you idiotic commoners-!"

Kyoko places a painfully firm grip on both of their shoulders, and pushes them away from each other before things can escalate further. She adds a cold, hard, "That's enough." for good measure, cutting through the heated air like a damp cloth on an oil fire. Kyoko gives them a few minutes to regain their composure.

Byakuya looks like he has more to say, jaw locked and fists clenched to his sides. But he lets out a huff and resumes crossing his arms as he was a few minutes ago, pointedly glaring at the wall and tapping his foot. Makoto takes a moment as the haze of anger fades away and his field of vision returns, suddenly noticing how heavy his breathing has become and how profusely he's sweating. He got more worked up about that than he thought he would be.

Some time passes before she lifts her hand away from where she had it on their shoulders, deeming them calm enough not to start another argument before she can get a proper word in. “You,” she ribs Byakuya, with what must have been some amount of force, since he lets out an indignant yelp on contact, “need to stop getting ahead of yourself. And Makoto…” she turns to Makoto, poker face holding some sympathy, and yet, “I hate to say but, I have to agree with Byakuya. The girl can’t stay here– can’t stay with you.”

“Kyoko–!”

“She’s likely innocent in all of this, you're correct. But there’s a higher likelihood that they’re using her as a pawn for something bigger, and that’s a possibility we can’t ignore.” Kyoko clenches and unclenches her free hand where it is by her side, trying to think of what she could possibly say to try and appeal to Makoto, “It… It may be cruel, after you’ve promised her you’d take care of her. But you have to let her go. It’s for the better– We don’t know for sure what they’re planning for you and for her, but we know neither of which can be good for either of you.”

“...” Makoto glances between the two of them, then backs down, at a loss for words. He didn’t think they’d be happy to hear he suddenly had a child; but he didn’t think they’d be so opposed to it, after all they’ve been through together. And there’s a tiny voice in his head, reminding him that they're both just trying to look out for him. But he can’t stave off the heavy feeling of something akin to heartbreak in his chest.

Byakuya sneaks a small glance at his pitiful state. He nudges Kyoko with his elbow. “Kyoko.”

She shoots a glare at him, but obliges, “The files that were given to you… take a look at them.” Makoto looks up at that, hands moving to receive the papers back from Kyoko. Confused as he assumed they would just be general briefings on the operation, he skims through them and he quickly catches what Kyoko must’ve wanted to point out to him. It seems they don’t intend to let him do much in raising her at all. There are clauses that basically have the first few years of her life with him– and the Foundation– planned minute-by-minute. They mean to have significant control over her in all aspects of her life.

“I doubt they expect you to take this lying down– in fact, they probably expect you to try and bargain for more freedom on her end and they’ll try to trap you there, but…” she trails off when she takes in the hopeless expression on Makoto’s face, “...I’m sure you see where this is going.”

If things go the Foundation’s way, they probably mean to gain significant control over Makoto, too.

Makoto’s head is racing a mile a minute. How he didn’t see that coming, he doesn’t know, but he probably should have. He really should have. Even so, he feels terribly blindsided. He thinks back to what Byakuya said, “You're not ready to raise a child and they're taking advantage of that–” Is this what he meant? He visibly sags, trying to find a way to breathe with the knot in his chest.

“I– I just…” Makoto swipes a hand across his head, pulling his hair back “Is this really the best option? I mean, if they already had a child for me, who's to say they can’t just– just… I don’t know, get another? Or go through their plan, just without me? And then we can’t watch over the kid or figure out their plan?” Makoto spitballs, grasping at the straws to try and reason with them.

Something shifts in Kyoko’s expression, like a look of recognition, by the time the phrase ‘...get another?’ leaves his mouth, before it fully transitions into the same combination of disbelief and concern muffled by her natural poker face when she first saw Suisen. She raises her hand to her mouth, thinking. Byakuya’s reaction is much more overt, whipping his head around, “They had a child for you? What do you mean?”

“I… told you? They gave me–?”

“After they somehow sold you to the ridiculous idea of getting a successor, did they not give you a selection of children to choose from? Presumably from an orphanage or whatnot, and then bestowed to you the child of your choosing?”

“No, they already had Suisen ready. Only Suisen.They already had all her paper work filled out– all they needed was my signature.”

Byakuya’s brows furrow. He adjusts his glasses, “...So they scouted her, specifically?” Kyoko shifts at that.

“Something like that, I assume? They said they thought she was ‘most fit’ to be my– for it. For the role.”

Kyoko mutters something Makoto can’t quite hear, but he can make out something that sounds like ‘unbelievable’ and a few cuss words mixed in. All of a sudden the conversation felt significantly more foreboding. Byakuya crosses his arms again, but his fingers tap against his bicep and his foot taps against the floor in a motion that looks more like he’s bouncing his leg rather than a display of annoyance.

“If that’s the case then…” Byakuya exhales, looking away as he speaks, “...You may have a point. It’s not as simple as being rid of her. There’s likely more to this than we initially thought.”

Makoto stares between the two of them, dumbfounded and tired, “So we– So I can keep her, then…?” he asks.

“It’s more so that you have to, now that the situation has changed,” (Makoto still doesn’t understand what the ‘situation’ at hand is exactly, but he’ll trust his friends’ word since it feels like they’re on the same page) “if they’re going through with their plans either way, then it’s better for us if we have the girl as a firsthand glimpse into what that is.” Byakuya huffs, but doesn’t make any rebuttal.

He still doesn’t appreciate the tone they use in referring to her, as if she’s a tool or an object, but at the very least the conversation has steered away from getting rid of her. He'll throw the towel in for today and count his lucky stars. He has half a mind to ask them what scheme, or plan, or ‘situation’ they think the Foundation has put them in, but judging from their discussion so far (and the fact that they’re in a public, albeit secluded, Foundation hallway) he’ll probably have to table that for now too. More importantly he needs to check back on Suisen.

More importantly– Suisen! What are we gonna do now?

“Uh, so… what now? About Suisen?” Makoto starts, “I mean, I should probably get her um– situated at home, but didn’t you say the Foundation already had plans for her Kyoko? Should we do something about that first?”

“You’re right, it seems that they’re fully intent on micro-managing her upbringing to ensure her growth. If we want to combat this, we’ll have to come up with an alternative that could plausibly produce the same results, but remove their control over the girl.”

“Suisen.” Makoto deadpans.

Kyoko blinks, “Over Suisen.” she corrects. “But still–”

Byakuya interrupts, “Hmph. Isn’t it obvious? I’ll provide that alternative. I don’t presume you have any other means. Besides, leave that girl to be raised by you blubbering masses and who knows what will become of her. She may not reach the Togami standard, but I’ll set her straight.” 

Makoto and Kyoko look at him with surprise (Suisen, not ‘that girl’ Makoto mentally corrects). While the Tragedy had certainly done a number on the world at large, a surprising amount of technology remained in place. Enough that some of the world’s infrastructure in select industries could be rebuilt relatively quickly. This was theorized to be on purpose on Junko’s end to help propagate despair faster (the broadcast of the killing game for one). All this to say: they managed to get a few banks up and running again.

And wouldn’t you know it, even with nearly all of the Togami Corporation's assets destroyed and only its digitally recorded wealth in the bank remaining, Byakuya Togami remained obscenely wealthy. No doubt, he would have the resources to provide alternative, and arguably even better childcare than Future Foundation. They just never took him for the type to be interested in childcare at all.

Byakuya raises a brow, “What are you two looking at? If you’re both so opposed, then I’ll gladly withdraw my offer; Let's hear what bright ideas you have.”

Kyoko shakes her head, and Makoto waves his hands “No– No complaints here!” He laughs awkwardly.

“Good. Then we make preparations later, as scheduled. We’ll call for a meeting tomorrow once she’s situated.” Byakuya states with an air of finality, but adds: “...Is that agreeable with you both?”

Kyoko rolls her eyes, but smiles, “Sounds like a plan.”

They re-enter the office a few minutes later, finding Toko, Aoi, and Hagakure yelling over Jenga (that they apparently had tucked away somewhere?) as Suisen sits across placidly observing with her mouth, fingers, and shirt covered in sprinkles and donut icing. What looks like an exhibition match to introduce Suisen to Jenga seems like it had spiraled into an all out competitive fight, which culminated in Toko and Aoi being the last two standing. Hagakure had lost earlier, and retreated to the sidelines, busily teaching Suisen tarot while simultaneously egging on the other two.

“May I remind you lot that it is still currently office hours, and being left to care for the girl doesn’t mean you can all slack off.” Byakuya announces sternly. As he speaks Aoi flinches and pulls out the deadly piece that knocks over the tower, losing the match and hailing Toko as the victor. A cacophony of ‘Thank you Byakuya-sama!’s and ‘Booooooooo!’s ring out. Byakuya rolls his eyes before he catches a glimpse at Suisen.

“Eugh, look at the state of her, would you? She looks disgusting.” He grabs a tissue from a nearby pack and wipes off her face and hands with more tenderness and grace than the others had come to expect from Byakuya when dealing with children (especially after the fiasco with the Warriors of Hope, they’d all assumed he wasn’t rather fond of children at all). They look on with interest. He gives her a once over, before moving to wipe her shirt but only seems to be more irked. “Christ, what did they make you wear? Not to mention your hair. We need to get you out of these hideous rags later and– Oh. It’s you.”

“Jeez Byakuya, you can’t just talk to a little girl like that! What’s the matter with you!?” Aoi exclaims, bouncing back from her Jenga loss fast.

“Oh? You know each other?” Makoto tilts his head as he moves towards the, sitting next to Suisen and tucking her hair behind her shoulder.

“Now that you mention it, I think I remember her name in a report you made on that rescue mission you were on a while back.” Kyoko sits back at her own desk, intertwining her hands as she rests her chin on them.

“Really man? Why didn’tcha say anything?”

“Byakuya-sama has his r-reasons! You d-don’t have the r-right to question him!”

He pointedly ignores the latter two, “I was… pre-occupied with sudden news Makoto had brought us,” he raises a brow at him to accentuate his point. Makoto smiles at him awkwardly, “--but yes, she was. We’ve met before.” Byakuya finishes wiping off what he can from the collar of her shirt, and Suisen takes a bow of sorts as a show of gratitude; really, it’s more like a shallow lean. But Byakuya hums approvingly. 

“I’m surprised you remember her specifically. Haven’t you been on a lot of missions like that these days?” Makoto asks.

“Hmph, don’t kid yourself. Obviously with my superior memory even memorizing the names of droning commoners is no problem. Although…” Byakuya regards her, and she stares right back at him, “She was clever. Clever in comparison to the idiots with her, that is.”

The group she was with had been particularly unsavory, irrevocably marred by the despairful wasteland. Some had been in hysterics, begging and pleading for their lives even long after they had been assured sanctuary. Some had also begun attacking his men point blank, on site.

Some had immediately begun accusing others with them of crime, or arguing for their innocence when asked in matters completely unrelated. Some were completely catatonic, unable to communicate or act, a shell in human form practically being used almost like some form of scapegoat by the rest. 

And then there was her.

Byakuya had assumed she was one of the last few bunch, she certainly seemed like it from her demeanor. Gaunt, haunted face. Thousand yard stare. Quiet, unassuming, dead in every manner but physical. But when his men had reached a roadblock– searching for cargo the Foundation had lost nearby in an area of the wasteland that no longer resembled their maps –she had approached, claiming to know the way. He was doubtful, but with no other leads he sent some of his men to follow her.

And when they came back, lo and behold, the girl’s claims rang true and they had found the missing cargo. Byakuya had ordered her to be kept under close watch for the rest of the way back to civilized society, in case she may be of use once more. And she proved to be, occasionally informing his men on shortcuts or dangers along the path through the wasteland. Once they reached civilization, their paths diverged and Byakuya didn’t see her again beyond the report he had to write.

Until now, that is. If anything, it’s likely Future Foundation noticed that quality of hers too– and likely wish to extract or implant more.

“Well, at the very least they were somewhat sensible in picking out your successor, hm?” Byakuya stands up to throw away the tissues before rounding back to his desk. “It seems your luck has yet to leave you Makoto. Find something to pre-occupy the girl with–”

“Suisen,” Makoto corrects.

“Find something to pre-occupy Suisen with,” Byakuya grits, “And all of you get back to work.”

Kyoko smiles behind her hands before opening her laptop. Makoto pats Suisen on the head before he goes off to find something to entertain her with, as the other three scurry off back to their desks (with a few non-committal grunts and groans from Aoi and Hagakure.)

It looks like it was gonna be another long day, week, month, year– forever probably. But Makoto is glad they at least had each other.

dividers by @/enchanthings and @/cursed-carmine

[praxieserver]

your naegirigami art gives people life... always get excited when you post keep up the good work !!

WAAAAAAA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LOVE ANON!!!!! 💗🩷💗🩷💗🩷💗 ill keep doing my best for as long as the naegamigiri brainrot remains raaaaa!!!!!!!

[praxieserver]

just read your intro for anna and i LOVE it - are you planning on writing more?

HI ANON!!!! thank you reading omg im so glad you liked it!!!! 🩷💗🩷💗🩷

im absolutely planning on writing (and drawing!) more in the future; just a lot of stuff with school and college entrance exams and what not at the moment sa i hope you'll be patient with me!!! thank you for the ask!!!

[praxieserver]

dandelion seedling: introduction

Author's Note:

This was a supposed to just be a ramble post I've been meaning to save until I could finish Anna's new ref sheet (you can find her beta ref sheet here) but:

1- I've been too busy to be able to finish her ref sheet and, 2- This ended up turning into a whole entire fic!

So here it is, how Makoto gets (is assigned to) Anna and the reactions of the rest of the THH survivors. And for clarification: this is Anna, she's just called Suisen here.

Summary:

Makoto sat up to protest, but could only watch as the tens upon dozens of stares looked down on him. Waiting. Expecting. Pinning him down to where sat in his lone desk in that conference room, as if trying to push his head down, and twist his arm into signing that paper. It doesn't seem like they planned to give him much of a choice. He gulps. "Can I— Can I at least... see her? First?" Makoto doesn't know what else he could've said, but heads turn to one another in hushed whispers, and it seems like they oblige him. Makoto can hear his heartbeat in his head while he tries to think of something else to delay the inevitable. He doesn't.

Or in which Makoto Naegi earns himself an heir.

The story goes: after Monoca Towa's attempts of "reviving" Junko Enoshima in order to continue the legacy of the Ultimate Despair, Future Foundation became concerned about its next course of action should Makoto Naegi face his demise, untimely or otherwise. Rome was not built in a day; the world will take more than a few decades to rebuild itself, and the world would yet need another Symbol of Hope.

And so Future Foundation drafts a plan: an actual Heir of Hope, with a verifiable talent in Hope, raised by the Ultimate Hope himself.

While an actual, biological child of Makoto's would be easier, the notion of bringing a child into this world wouldn't settle well with the rest of society (persuading Makoto into procreating aside). A child from the masses being "scouted" and elevated to such a position would make for a better narrative.

They find a child with potential. Rescued by a recon from the 14th division team led by Byakuya Togami from a particularly nasty part of the wasteland (though he didn't think much of it at the time), is a girl with notable "results" during her physical and psyche exams. (What those results are, Future Foundation won't disclose).

A cursory background check and further examination/interrogation of the group the child was with during the apocalypse paints an even more convenient picture for them: Green eyes— almost exactly a perfect match to Naegi's. Orphaned and unwanted during the apocalypse, no parents to contest her being taken away and given to someone else. Adults in her group were found to accuse one another of a number of things they've done in desperation: murder, assault, among other things. A perfect cover story.

A girl born into dire circumstances surrounded by adults falling into despair one by one without once surrendering herself, being rescued, and having her spirit recognized by the Ultimate Hope himself.

The board arranged for Naegi's adoption of her at once. And adopt her he did.

Sort of.

If Makoto had to describe it was more like he'd been assigned her really. One of the higher-ups secretariats had come into the 14th division's shared office space saying they had called for him. He entered the conference hall and he was immediately sat down in front of numerous board members lining each side of the table, and then some in the table propped up behind that table.

Makoto almost braced himself for a re-do of the Last Trial.

But it never came. Instead he was given a full-length presentation and explanation on a new contingency plan of theirs, "Operation: Heir of the Ultimate Hope" they called it. Makoto can't really remember. The relief once the realization that this wasn't going to be the Last Trial all over again hit deep, but was once replaced with an even deeper confusion. Heir of the Ultimate Hope? His heir?

That presentation felt like it went on for too long yet was paced much too fast. Makoto felt like his head was spinning.

He's gotten better at getting the hang of all the corporate terminology they use after all this time, but by the end of it he was grasping at the straws. He's at least glad that they're not forcing him to procreate, but expecting him to raise a child? At 19— No, 21 —that's a little too much isn't it? The usual thoughts of apprehension flooded his mind at the time, is he even ready to raise a child? What does it even mean to raise a child to become the Symbol of Hope? What am I supposed to teach her at all?

But before Makoto had the time to sit with his thoughts and think about the absurd situation he was put in, the secretariat had slid some paperwork and a sign pen in front of him. Adoption paperwork and a sign pen. Everything was already set in place, the only thing left was his signature on the child’s actual paperwork.

Makoto sat up to protest, but could only balk as he immediately noticed the tens upon dozens of stares looking down on him. Waiting. Expecting. Pinning him down to where sat in his lone desk in the middle of that conference room, as if trying to push his head down, and twist his arm into signing that paper.

It doesn't seem like they planned to give him much of a choice. He gulps.

"Can I— Can I at least... see her? First?"

Makoto doesn't know what else he could've said, but heads turn to one another in hushed whispers, and it seems like they oblige him as they send someone else out of the conference room. Presumably to go fetch the child they've apparently decided to bestow onto him. The conference room falls into a deafening silence while they're waiting; Makoto can hear his heartbeat in his head while he tries to think of something else to delay the inevitable.

He doesn't.

Eventually the person they sent away comes back, the child in tow as they stand up front by the presenter and—

Makoto feels his heartbreak a little.

He asks if he can speak with her alone. They deny him. She looks so small, maybe 3 or 4? But they said she was around 5 or 6? The gears in his head start turning again, That's right she was rescued just recently. She must be severely malnourished. She's dressed rather simply, like they just threw on whatever they could find that fit. She's got blonde hair that almost reminds of Byakuya, if only it weren't for its ashier color and notably rougher texture, barely combed downed, her blunt ends looked like they were haphazardly cut. And her eyes—

There's a gaunt, haunted look to her face. Her eye bags are deep, dark, tired. Her eyes are wide, a little too wide. They look around the room fast; Like a scared animal, searching and surveying. Trying to find the danger, trying to look for a way out—

And then those eyes land on him.

They're green just like mine, he thinks absentmindedly.

He thinks about all the times he's had to sit in conference halls or in stages like this. All eyes on him, pinning him to where he is, scrutinizing him. He thinks about the pit in his stomach that he felt each time, the way his throat seizes up whenever he tries to talk. He thinks about how this little girl must be feeling now, that the same is happening to her. He thinks about what they're going to do to her if he doesn't take her. They said she didn't have anyone who wanted her right? Do they even have child services these days?

And if he doesn't take her, will they take it as him not wanting to go through with the project at all, or will they just keep on trying to find more and more children until he relents?

Makoto steels his resolve, and grabs the pen.

...

The trip back to his office feels long and exhausting. His feet feel heavy, and his back feels like he's dragging the weight of something... heavy. It's hard for him to think of the words right now, especially with this pit in his stomach.

It had to be done, he tried to justify himself.

He stops right by the office door, staring at the letter and files they gave him to give to Kyoko; They suggested he take some time off to get him and Suisen's (That was the girl's given name, though she seemed to blank for a few seconds when called it. Makoto had managed to get a few minutes alone with her after the meeting before they had to take her away from more paperwork and examinations, apparently. She didn't talk much, but she managed to introduce herself to him and vice-versa, so he'll make a mental note of it for now). This must be paperwork to let Kyoko know that as his division head.

He bounces on his heels for a moment, trying to think of how to explain to Kyoko— to everyone, really, that he's a father now.

He ponders it for a moment, a long moment. He really does, but exhaustion gets the better of his mind, and he decides he'll do just that then. Just say he's a father now. Like it's just another Tuesday. (I don't know what day it is today, the voice in his head supplies unhelpfully.)

He walks into the office. Kyoko and Byakuya look over to see who entered, but continue on with their work after they see it’s Makoto, giving him a curt nod. Toko flinches at the sound of the door opening, makes a weird noise as a gesture of acknowledgement, and goes back to whatever her business was by the printer.  Aoi on the other hand looks from her desk and actually greets him. 

“Hey Makoto! Welcome back, you were gone for looong while! What’d they need you for?” she asks cheerily, pen in one hand and donut in the other, cup of coffee on her table. Hagakure pauses idly spinning around in his office chair to regard him, “Yeah man, they didn’t like, rip on you too much or anything, yeah?” he adds, and now that he’s facing him Makoto notes that he’s balancing a pen on his nose. He won’t lie, their casual energy seeps into his body and helps with the knot in his chest by a lot.

Makoto runs a hand along the back of his neck, “Um, we had a meeting. Nothing bad, or anything— er… sort of?” he offers awkwardly. Aoi and Hagakure’s expressions shift to something more worried, and distantly Makoto can hear Kyoko and Byakuya’s keyboard’s typing slower. He takes a deep breath.

“I’m uh— I guess I’m a father now?” he jokes. Well, he tries to joke. Aoi and Hagakure give him an awkward laugh, like they didn’t really think it was all that funny nor did they get what he was talking about but they’ll laugh to be polite so he doesn’t feel bad. He can hear Byakuya give out a particularly pointed huff, as if to say “How dare you make me worry about you and then say something so foolish,” or the like. He hears Toko groan. He looks at Kyoko, and he can only describe the expression she’s schooling as mildly unimpressed.

Well at least the nervousness he’s feeling is gone. Now he’s just embarrassed himself. Cool.

He clears his throat before continuing, “No, but uh- They have this new project where they… they want to give me an heir —or well they already gave me one— to pass on the torch to after I reach old age or if… if something happens to me.” He makes a vague motion at the files in his hand to maybe try and better sell the point.

Kyoko and Byakuya actually face him properly when they hear the word ‘heir’ come out of his mouth, like this is some bad joke targeted at them specifically. They stare (glare) at him strongly, as if trying to gauge whether he’s being serious or not. Makoto tries his best to give them his “I’m being serious,” face, clutching on to the papers he’s supposed to give to Kyoko.

Aoi and Hagakure’s faces shift from awkward to surprised, concerned. “Pass on the torch… of what?” Aoi asks.

“Of being the Ultimate Hope.” Makoto answers briefly, buckling a little at the intensity of Byakuya and Kyoko’s combined stares. He gingerly makes the rounds to Kyoko’s desk and gives her the files like he’s handling a live bomb. Byakuya stands up and walks over to read the contents of the papers off of Kyoko’s shoulder.

A beat passes, while everyone watches and tries to internalize that Makoto was in fact serious about what he said, though it feels like an eternity. Hagakure shakes his head and slaps himself awake, “Wait, wait, wait a second— so they just gave you a kid all of sudden? Are they for serious man? That’s—” 

“Absolutely insane!! Wh- Wh- What were they thinking!? Makoto’s only 19— I mean— 21, they can’t just go off on him and tell him to raise an heir!? What’s Makoto got to teach the kid anyways!? It's not like h- he’s ‘raise an heir material!’” Toko interjects, still by the printer, papers flailing on the floor as she reacts to what she just heard. Toko points an accusatory finger at him “Y- y- you’re serious right!? You're being absolutely serious that this is what they told you!? If th- this is your idea of a j- joke, I won't forgive you!” 

Aoi seems to snap out of the daze she was in, “Makoto wouldn't joke about that kind of thing! You wouldn't, would you? Of course not— but how? Are they making get a—” 

“He said th- they already had one for h- him! Weren't you listening!?” Toko exclaims once again, which makes Aoi pout a little “Did they make you adopt a child? How would they even do that, you’d have to be th- the one to sign the papers right? Did th- they force you into i- it? I c-can’t see why you'd ever agree to it in the first place if you weren't—”

“Awh man, they’ve totally been planning this for a long time. It's a conspiracy! Gee, I bet they're planning on giving us all heirs to replace us and just starting with Makoto first as a cover story! Will you be alright dude?”

“Why would anyone want another one of you? And don’t change the subject with one of your weird conspiracy theories—!” Aoi chirps.

Makoto doesn’t know what to feel, or rather, how to describe how he feels given his friends' reactions. On one hand, he’s a little hurt by how little faith in him they have to be able to raise this kid. But on the other hand, which he really agrees with a lot more, he’s way relieved that they all feel the same way he does.

Almost all of them.

He’s not exactly sure what Kyoko and Byakuya are thinking right now. As the others are voicing their opinions on the absurdity of the whole situation, they’re both hunched over the letter the higher-ups gave him to give to Kyoko, along with what he assumes were files containing information about the operation. Their brows are furrowed and jaws locked in place as he watches their eyes flit over every line of text in the files in Kyoko’s (and he’s quite serious in his observation: trembling) hand, which he notices have become more spread out on the table. 

Before he can think to ask what they thought of the situation, they hear a knock on the door, followed by the same secretariat coming through with—

Her.

The room goes pindrop silent in an instant.

“Naegi,” the secretariat starts as she ushers the child into the room. Makoto walks over briskly. Everyone else slowly turns toward the door as they watch the scene unfold, and more importantly, to catch a glimpse at the child Makoto is apparently supposed to raise. “She’s all yours. Here’s her documentation..." The secretariat pauses for a moment, and regards him with a look that's he can only describe as a cross between sympathy and pity as she shakes his hand, and then stiffly pats him on the shoulder. "We wish you luck.” she finally says as she hands him a file, and then leaves the room as quickly as she came closing the door behind her.

The atmosphere is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

He looks at the child— he looks at Suisen to see how she’s doing. She's looking down at the floor, hands gripping the hem of her skirt. She looks about the same as she was back at the conference hall. The same gaunt, haunted, tired look to her eyes. At least she doesn’t look worse! The voice in his head helpfully tries to supply.

She must have noticed him staring, because she looks up at him inquisitively. He gives her a smile. She looks away to the floor again (which might’ve been her being shy, judging by her expression and the tint on her face), but then she looks forward, and her face morphs back into the scared animal he saw at the conference hall.

Looking around, searching and surveying.

He turns around to look back at his friends, and they’re all staring at her. Aoi and Hagakure with faces more akin to curiosity; Kyoko, Byakuya, and Toko with faces more akin to shock and disbelief. As if seeing the kid in the flesh just truly cemented that Makoto did, indeed, have a child now. 

An heir. The next Ultimate Hope.

He kneels down so he’s at Suisen’s level, in hopes that she feels less uncomfortable with one less adult towering over her. He faces her once more and gives her a smile. He offers his hand for her to hold, and she stares at him for a moment before she hesitantly takes it.

“Suisen, you already know me, but— just to be formal… My name is Makoto Naegi, and I’ll be taking care of you from now on. These five,” he outstretches his hand towards the others to motion to them “...are my coworkers, and are my very close friends. I’m sure you’ll be seeing them often.”

He faces the group of five, “Everyone, this is Suisen,” he moves back his outstretched hand to motion toward her, “...and as of this morning, she’s now my daughter. And if all goes well, the next Ultimate Hope.”

Whether or not it’ll really go all that smoothly, Makoto can’t be sure. But like with all things lately, he has the feeling it won’t.

dividers by @/enchanthings and @/cursed-carmine