The Battle Royale...That Never Was

The Battle Royale...That Never Was: Side Stories

Chapter 30: Day 13: Shogo and...?

Day 13 1:00 PM

Tomorrow was the last day that he would spend his time here at the campsite where he and his classmates traveled to for their class trip. The day after that, they would all wake up first thing in the morning, pack up all their stuff, get on the bus and return home, telling their parents and siblings about the fond memories that they had.

Love, friendship, chivalry, joy, romance and fun in the sun...

Shogo Kawada sighed as he puffed his cigarette before letting it drop to the ground, stomping it once and only once.

For some reason, it seemed it made him forget about what had happened in the past and just be himself. However, he could never forget that he was the victor in a previous Program, killing most of his classmates before he found his girlfriend Keiko Onuki before they became the only students remaining...before he killed her, that is.

As he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he opened his eyes once again and looked up at the sky, he knew that losing his beloved Keiko in the Program was also another thing he would never forget. Sometimes, whenever he was participating in the showdowns, he would almost envision Keiko somewhere with him, causing a pain within his heart that he had tried to cope with, although sometimes he usually kept his cool and got his head in the game.

To Shogo, it all seemed tranquil...the sound of the birds as well as the waters of the lake gently drifting towards the surface.

Or was it?

A beautiful girl was walking towards the lake after exiting from her cabin and walked towards the lake, removing her school shoes and socks before she dipped her bare feet into the cool yet refreshing waters. She gazed towards the sky, noticing how beautiful the weather was and the sun was shining. It was an incredible sight.

Yet she didn't notice Shogo standing at the docks, reminicing about his past. Perhaps she could talk to him, would she? Although he might seem to be disinterested.

Yukie soon went towards the docks and walked over to him, asking politely, "Kawada...may I please sit next to you? You seem lonely."

This caused Shogo to snap out of his state of tranqulity when he noticed the female chairman walking towards him. But what did she want from him?

It seemed that Yukie seemed jealous at first when she knew of Shuya and Noriko's relationship, but eventually congratulated them both and thought of them highly as a couple. She was once the object of Kyoichi's affections, but he was with Satomi, but did manage a friendship with the male chairman.

Her friends even managed to fall in love with other students as well, like Haruka for example when she fell head over heels for Kazushi. Yet Yukie wanted to find love as well...would she?

Shogo looked towards her and replied, "Fine. Go ahead." and nodded his approval.

Yukie smiled before she sat on the docks next to him and asked, "Kawada...have you ever been in love before? I was just asking."

Shogo sighed before he replied, "Yes...but it was in the past. Did you remember being told from Shuya about the Program a few days ago?"

"Well...yes, I suppose." Yukie replied, cupping her chin with one hand as she was in deep thought. "But...did she have a name?" she asked.

"Keiko Onuki." Shogo simply replied before he sat down next to her and looked at her briefly before he said, "For some reason...you remind me of her."

Yukie was surprised as she asked, "You do? Is it because I am kind and friendly towards others like she was?"

Shogo nodded, but he wasn't finished talking just yet. "...Yeah. But not only that, you're just as beautiful as her." he added.

This made Yukie blush brightly at his words and chuckled before she said, "Gee...thank you. I'm very flattered by your words." then smiled as she asked, "Is it allright if I call you by your first name, by the way?"

Shogo thought about it briefly before he nodded. "Same thing for me as well...Yukie." he replied, letting out a small smile.

For some reason, he found that it was hard trying to let go of the past, as well as losing Keiko, but after spending almost two weeks at a peaceful campsite, Shogo thought that the memories would stay glued to him for the rest of his life...until now.

"In truth...what I really want to say is that I understand your words and your opinions on the Program. It needs to stopped. I can't bear having any more young people killing each other...I hope that a new government overthrows the current one." Yukie said.

Her words comforted him, and it seemed that Shogo would never sense kindness and compassion towards other people until Yukie entered his world.

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En route back to school as well as home, the radio on the bus suddenly went silent for a brief period of time before a man's voice began to speak.

"We interrupt this program to bring you amazing news! We have recieved word that the government has been successfully overthrown! The leader of the rebellion is philantropic senator Shouichi Miyazaki, who had shown disdain and hatred towards Yonemi Kamon over the past few months. It was also said that Miyazaki had a close friend whose daughter was in the class that was allegedly supposed to participate in the now defunct and thankfully cancelled 'Program'. The rebellion began when Miyazaki commanded his bodyguard, known as Whirlwind, to find and attack the bus driver that was luring the students into the bus. The bus driver that was supposed to escort them, was actually taken captive by Kamon and was planned to be executed. However, the bodyguard rescued the bus driver, thus beginning was to be the greatest rebellion in all history. Having successfully put Kamon in his place, Miyazaki soon exiled him from Kagawa, never to be seen or heard from again. As of now, Miyazaki is selected to be the next president."

When the music resumed playing, all the students were elated, and they hugged, cheered and cried happily as the news began to spread across the country.

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After the trip, Shogo and Yukie began a friendship that would last through graduation. Shogo was also given a head start on high school, landing him as a second year student upon enrolling instead of being a first year student.

Both Shogo and Yukie had usually hung out at cafes together, although they wouldn't consider themselves in love with one another. By college graduation, he had considered moving back to his home city, but because of the strong bond he had forged with her, he stayed in Shiroiwa instead, doing part time jobs at various places in town.

Yukie became a college professor at her alma mater, and during the summer, Shogo decided to pop the question and ask her hand in marriage, which she accepted.

They would wed the following spring.

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Thirteen years later...

Noriko Nanahara was baking cookies for her daughter, Ryoko Nanahara, who was coming home from elementary school. As she glanced towards Shuya Nanahara, her new husband of seven years, she knew he was practicing his guitar for a new ballad that was dedicated to her.

As the door swung open, little Ryoko cheerily said, "Mom, Dad! I'm home!"

Noriko noticed and ran over to her and gave her a hug. "Welcome home, Ryoko. How was your day?" she asked.

"Another great day as usual! I'm going to be in the school play!" Ryoko said.

Noriko smiled as Shuya asked, "Hey, can Mom and Dad come and watch?" as he stood up and walked over towards the smiling mother and daughter.

"Of course, Dad! It's going to be lots of fun!" Ryoko replied, beaming as she hugged her father also.

Shuya smiled and looked out the window; a bright beam of sunlight ran through it. Everything was peaceful...

...now, and forever.

THE END

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Thank you everyone, for letting me make this story fun, heartwarming, romantic, funny and enjoyable. Truly, thank you so much.

In case you were all wondering, this is an AR (alternate reality) fic, so don't be surprised if any of the characters seem OOC. I'm just pondering how thing would've turned out for them.

Thanks to those who read and reviewed this story. You are all awesome! Peace out!

With love for my fans,

Chrissy