Chapter Text
Eternity is actually quite short, how long it takes for you to close and then open your eyes again is how long eternity is. Or at least feels like.
Enoshima Junko and Nanami Chiaki have been stuck in the “afterlife” (as they know it as) for an eternity now, locked away in a small lounge room ever since they arrived. Nanami appeared first and then half an eternity later, Enoshima did. There are no mirrors, no windows and no doors; just a single couch, a large cushion chair and a wide cabinet at the side. The only way to escape this room is to befriend the other individual you have been placed with.
This was the pair’s worst nightmare.
“What are the hell are you doing?”
“Just braiding my hair.”
Conversations like this are the norm, awkward small talk followed by a terrifying silence: a dark reminder of their situation.
“What do you think Kamakura and those other idiot classmates of yours are doing?”
“His name is Hinata first of all, and secondly...I don’t know. Probably wreaking despair or whatever you’ve said before.”
“They better be.”
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Enoshima could read people like a book, she could analyse their every move and be able to deduce things like their childhood from only that. Pick apart their every insecurity and look inside their head, see how that person ticked.
Nanami was a different story.
As a result, conversations like this one would occur.
“Do you still consider them your friends, I thought you would rather not talk about them after everything I’ve told you.”
“Like I’ve said before, no matter what they’ve done, they are still my friends. I will always remember that it’s you who is the one really to blame.”
“Oh my God, stop blaming everything on me! All I did was nudge them in the right direction and everything else they did of their own accord.”
“Stop lying to my face, you know that isn’t true. When you first got here all you could do was boast about how you had successfully brainwashed them.”
“Why do you care! We’re dead for fucks sake, let me pass the blame for a bit.”
“Why? Do you actually feel guilty about what you did, have you finally realised how many people you hurt, the lives you ruined, what you did to the people who cared about you. What you did to me!”
“Maybe.”
This is what scared Nanami, the uncertainty of Enoshima’s words. She couldn’t deduce when she was lying and when she was speaking the honest truth. The way that the other girl would sometimes just stare at her, seemingly analysing her every move. The cold, calculating look in her eyes haunted her even more than the dead, empty eyes belonging to Hinata when he was Kamakura.
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There were attempts to make up and become friends but they always fell flat. It seemed impossible to get along without both parties being willing to get past their grudges towards each other. They had convinced themselves they were doomed to be stuck in the room forever.
“God you look depressed, you on your period or something?”
“So we really are stuck here.”
“Yeah no shit Sherlock, did that not hit you until now. We won’t be out of this shithole until we make up or whatever.”
“Do you wanna get out of this place?”
“Why do you care, there is no way in hell I’m dealing with you.”
“Do you wanna just try? For both our sakes.”
The deafening silence spoke volumes on Enoshima’s thoughts on the idea. They were going to be stuck here for a very long time.
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“Did you have anyone who you loved? Like romantically.”
“Oh so we’re talking about that now, well since you’re my best friend I’ll answer your question.”
Nanami was not amused by the sarcasm.
“There was one guy, Matusda Yasuke, I knew him all my life, childhood sweethearts we were. We drifted apart after a bit but once I started attending Hope’s Peak we reconnected. He seemed different though, I dunno. Then things happened and I ended up smashing his head in.”
“Why am I not surprised.”
“That’s what happens when your stuck with someone like me. Anyways, what about you, did you fall head over heels for anyone?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure if it was romantic or not. Maybe I was just clingy and that’s why I was so upset when they disappeared out of nowhere.”
“Oh, you’re talking about...him.”
“Yep.”
“It seems we at least have one thing in common.”
“W-What?”
“You idiot, we both liked people who ended up leaving us and came back as entirely different people.”
”...yeah.”
Nanami did not like that similarity at all. Neither did Enoshima.
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“Why me?”
“Huh?”
”Why did you pick me to die, me specifically? Why did you even chose my class in the first place?”
Nanami would ask Enoshima questions a lot, her curiosity mainly came from a place of worry but also a want to just know. She wanted to understand Enoshima, even despite her better judgment.
“No real reason, I just picked your class ‘cause you were connected to that Mitari boy. And even then, I could’ve easily gotten my hands on some other class. Why I killed you, it was convenient. You were just unfortunate enough to be so close with those idiots.”
”Are you saying it’s my fault?”
Enoshima sighed.
”If that’s your interpretation, then fine.”
“Why did I even ask?” Nanami muttered to herself.
”I’m not saying you’re boring, even if you are annoying. You’re fun to argue with.”
That same sinister smile crawled onto her face.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nanami’s voice wavered as she edged back into the couch.
“You’re fun to play with. This current existence is more boring than anything, but you make it a tad bit interesting. But I wish you were more...violent,” Enoshima sneered.
“V-violent, what?
“Y’know, like punch me in the nose. Bash my face in. Wouldn’t that be fun.”
“...”
”Oh come on, don’t go silent on me. I know you want to.”
”I’m not some toy, I’m not going to fall for your games so easily.”
“Aww but I’m being serious here. I’m doing you a favour actually, don’t you just want let out all your anger, allow yourself to finally feel like you’re alive. Anyways we’re dead, I don’t think a bloody nose is gonna kill me.”
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Enoshima continued to wipe the blood off her nose with her now red splattered tie. In comparison to the practically shaking girl from across the room, Enoshima was pleased and was grinning with complete satisfaction.
She got the reaction she wanted.
“I hate you so much,” Nanami finally spoke up.
”The feeling’s mutual.”
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After the ‘incident’ (as the two girls had coined it) Enoshima and Nanami didn’t talk much after. Some awkward conversation here and there but nothing substantial.
That was until Nanami finally broke down.
It started of as a small pain in her throat whilst she searched through the cabinet’s draws (as she had done many times before). Then she felt a tear on her cheek, the damp sensation grabbing her attention. Finally, she let out a quiet sob and, eventually, she became a crying mess.
Enoshima didn’t do much aside from glare at the distressed girl. Her eyes boring into the shorter girl’s back. The only thing that could be heard was Nanami’s cries and her repeated mumblings.
All that the Ultimate Fashionista could make out was ‘I’ve become just like you’.
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“You remember you’re little meltdown earlier, next time can you keep it down.”
“...just leave me alone.”
“Hmmm, I dunno. It’s just a suggestion, I didn’t think you were as mopey as your classmates.”
“You keep their names out of your mouth.”
“Oh really now, you’re back to defending them,” Speaking about Nanami’s classmates felt like poison on her tongue.
“Can you just STOP! I DON’T CARE ABOUT THIS ANYMORE, JUST LEAVE ME BE FOR ONE MOMENT! You’re always just glaring at me or insulting me, I have done NOTHING to you,” Nanami was done with Enoshima’s manipulation. “I don’t understand you at all.”
It was silent for a moment. An angry Nanami and a confused looking Enoshima stared back at each other. The Ultimate Gamer quickly fell back into her seat, obviously tired from her outburst.
Something changed in the Ultimate Fashionista after that.
“Heeey wake up sleepy head. Do you wanna try to become friends again, I’m getting kinda sick of this place.”
The shorter girl slowly opened her eyes and pushed aside the pillows she had used to create a makeshift blanket.
“Huh, where did this sudden change of heart come from? Also, why would I want to be friends with you.”
“Well now that you’ve gotten your ‘issues’ about me off your chest, we might be able to make some progress.”
“Really, I feel like you have ulterior motives.”
“What ulterior motive, we’re dead, I can’t do shit in here. I can’t end the world again or brainwash a bunch of teenagers.”
“Ok... fine. I’m not forgiving you what you’ve done or how you’ve treated me, this is just so that we can get out of here,” The weariness in her voice was obvious.
”I know, I know. And don’t worry girl, I’m actually being serious here. Isn’t that crazy! Anyways, I think getting to know each other would be a good start. Lets start off simple, did you used to decorate your cell phone back when you were alive?”