June 19th, 2018. 3AM.

"Man, fuck that guy!" You say viscously.

Madarame Shion screams in pain. "Tell him and his little mullet puppet that they can kiss my ass," You get up in Madarame's face, "I don't care about Bonten anymore."

For the past few months, Madarame has been consistently bothering you about meeting with 'Mikey.' It was obvious Sanzu was growing impatient. Wanting to 'eliminate' you as quickly as possible because he viewed you as bothersome.

"Then what the FUCK are you doing this for?!" He yells, nearly spitting. You had him pinned on a table, piercing a knife through his hand and the wood.

You interrupted a drug deal he was doing. Not only did you make him fail by taking out all the witnesses but you also threw the drugs out of the window. There wasn't any way Madarame could get out of this without getting in trouble with Bonten after.

"To show Sanzu how useless you are," you answer. "If he wishes to kill me, then he should get off his ass and do it himself!" You grab his hair and slam his head on the table. You lift his head again, "I'll spare your life on one condition."

Madarame starts weeping, "What... What is it...?"

"Get your men to stop giving info to Hanagaki Takemichi," you ordered. Takemichi has been leaving in the night to try to get info on Bonten. All on his own. He's somehow made it out alive and members have somehow given him some information.

"I don't care how many of you assholes want to kill me, I know I can take you," you taunt arrogantly, "Just don't get him killed. Got it?"

Madarame nods rapidly. You take the blade out of his hands and he screams more. "Remember, I know if you'll keep your word."

You clean the knife and start to walk off, putting it away. You look back at him before exiting, "Don't think I spared you out of pity. If I ever see you again..."

Your eyes pierce at him, sharper than a blade, "I will kill you."

You were aware of how apathetic you've become. Immoral too. You had no remorse for anyone on Bonten. Lower or higher rank.

As you drove back home, you think about all the signs your friends gave you to stop. And how stubborn you were to not listen.

"If a girl spent over a decade just to 'save me,' I'd start rethinking my life decisions. A girl as devoted as you deserves someone who could reciprocate."

You think about what Kazutora said to you a few months back. Believing he was right.

Spending almost half my life for a stupid man? You think, resentfully. If I ever cross paths with him, I'll skin him alive!

After parking, you tiredly make your way to the doors of your apartment. You sigh, leaning onto the elevator walls as it lifts up to your floor.

Ding.

The doors slide out and you walk out of the elevator. You stop in your tracks as you notice someone waiting at your door. He glances at you. "How was it?" He asks, "Are you satisfied?"

Your eyes widened. "Chifuyu, I-"

"Open the door, we'll talk inside."

How was it? Are you satisfied? You repeat in your head. Does... He know...?

As you unlock the door, Chifuyu walks in first. He points at the couch and you go ahead and sit on it. He stands in front of you broodingly. He looks down at you disappointingly. You break eye contact. This was the first time you were ever scared of Chifuyu.

"You have many amazing traits," he starts, "You're strong-willed, persistent, loyal. Unfortunately, those great qualities are also your downfall."

You look back up at him, confused. "Twelve... Years..." Chifuyu takes a deep breath, "Twelve fucking years, I stood by you. Six years, I helped you save the guy you apparently love. And two years have I been suspicious of you still trying to save him after you swore you stopped."

You open your mouth and he shushes you immediately. "You've lost your damn mind, [Y/N]," his voice was shaky. You could tell he was going through an array of emotions. Frustration, denial, confusion. You looked down at your lap. You couldn't blame him. You didn't deserve to feel offended.

"Not only are you still attached to Mikey, but you're also killing people?! Are you saving him or becoming him?! What even is your goal anymore?!"

Chifuyu looks away from you. "It makes me feel... So fucking stupid..." He turns back to you, "So stupid... That I'm still in love with you."

You raise your head up, quickly, to face him. Chifuyu scoffs, "Even after all this time, you still hadn't noticed me. This really is depressing..." He shakes his head in disbelief.

You not only felt like an awful friend but an awful person. You've been ignoring not just Chifuyu but everyone for 12 years of your life. Even if you convinced yourself you hated Mikey. And didn't care about Bonten anymore. That doesn't change the impact that you left on everyone. Especially Chifuyu.

"I'm sorry..." You muttered. It was the only words that could leave your mouth. "And I'm just supposed to instantly forgive you?" Chifuyu says sarcastically. "A sorry isn't going to take away the fact that I have never stood a chance against Mikey."

Chifuyu starts to walk away. You stand up and grab his hand. He stays, his back facing you. "Chifuyu..." You pathetically call out. You hated that you were the one who was crying. You felt like you didn't deserve to. Your hands shake as you held him, "Don't leave..."

The man turns back at you, in disbelief at what you requested. You slowly fell to your knees, now holding his hand with both of yours. "I've been an impulsive, ignorant asshole... And I get it if you want to scream or hit me right now. I can't change our past. And I can't change the way I completely ignored your feelings. But I don't want you to hate me..."

You broke down. You were an absolute mess beneath him. You could tell Chifuyu was hesitating whether or not to comfort you.

He crouches down, "And... What if I do?"

"Takemichi's not even talking to me... I'm a fool to think he'd listen..." You say between sobs. "He's... He's trying to go after Bonten." Chifuyu was shocked to hear this. "A hypocrite too... Of course, I can't convince him to stop trying to save Mikey. I couldn't even be convinced for 12 years...!" You yell.

"I'm a failure... I failed you. Takemichi. Grandpa Sano. Mikey... Everyone..." You let go of Chifuyu's hand, putting both your palms on your face. "Save Mikey?! I can't even save anyone! I couldn't save Emma... I couldn't save any victims of Bonten. I didn't even care about the victims!"

Chifuyu rubs your back and frantically tries to calm you down. "I don't even know who I am anymore! I'm constantly conflicted with every action I take! One day, I feel like it was completely justifiable to kill someone. The next, I'm self-deprecating about being a bystander?! What the fuck even am I?!"

Chifuyu takes your hands off your face. Replacing it with his own. He cups your face and lifts it up. "Look at me," he says softly, "You're not a failure."

"Don't give me that..." You say, prying his hands off you. He puts his hands back. "I don't hate you... And I can guarantee Takemichi doesn't hate you either," he tells you, "Instead of always thinking about Mikey... Please think about yourself."

He takes his hands off you and stands up. Walking away from you. You stood there blankly. You hated yourself. So much.

-

June 20th, evening.

You didn't dare to attend the time capsule last night. Or even show up at Mitsuya's studio to reveal Hina's dress.

You already dug the hole where the boxes were. You dust the box off before opening it. It was the small My Melody plush Mikey got Mitsuya to make for you. You unfold the paper that was at the bottom of the box.

"To future me, what did you become? Right now, I can even imagine what kind of career I want to pursue. Do you have a bike now? Is it cool? At this time of my life, I'm still figuring out who I want to be. I hope I become a great person... Someone people look up to. Like Mikey..."

Well... In a way, I did become him.

"Speaking of, are we together? Are we married? It feels kind of stupid writing this right now, but I guess it'll be interesting to read later on... I can't wait for the future. I'm... optimistic," You read the last line sadly.

A great person? Someone people look up to? Optimistic? I'm not that at all...

Sorry, I didn't live up to that expectation. You apologize to your past self. Not only did you feel like you failed everyone around you. You failed the girl you were 12 years ago.

What would it have been like if I actually gave up on Mikey before? Would I be happier? Would this future be extremely different?

Maybe if I thought of others, other than myself and Mikey, this wouldn't be happening. If I had listened to Mikey's letter, maybe I'd be happy. Would Chifuyu and I have been together? Would Takemichi live normally, even after finding out about Bonten?

I'm so useless... I've been given the gift of foresight yet I've been using it selfishly. I couldn't prevent so many things... I could've been somebody of importance... I'm nothing.

Nothing but a liar and a bystander.

-

You came to the bowling alley early. You didn't want to play by Sanzu's rules. You looked around the scenery. The dusty floors with shoe marks still printed on them. The chipped paint leaving the walls. And the dim atmosphere. The only light in the building was from outside.

This was the place you dreamt about. Back when you were abducted by Tenjiku. You try to recall what happened.

You were tied to a chair and held at gunpoint by Mikey.

You wondered if that vision has been altered now. Since you came to the bowling alley first. You look over at the photo you took of Sanzu back at Club FNN.

He's close.

You took a bowling ball and sat down. Waiting.

Click.

"So, you came after a-"

You swing the bowling ball right at Sanzu. The tall man hits the floor roughly. Blood pouring at the side of his head. You were certain he was dead. "What a shame," you mutter. You set the bowling ball down and look up at him.

"This is your number two?"

Chapter fifty-six, end.