Before class began, I sat on Nagito's desk as the two of us talked. Some of our classmates giggled in excitement as they watched us, but Nagito thankfully ignored it. I did, too, focusing on him instead. There was no reason to involve them in our relationship when they weren't a part of it.

Unsurprisingly, Sonia waltzed into our classroom with Gundham trailing behind her. Nagito and I looked at each other, knowing the time had finally come.

"Good morning, Nagito and Hajime. How are the two of you?"

"We were great," Nagito pouted.

"Hajime, I do hope you are free tonight," Sonia spoke, ignoring Nagito's comment. "My parents have heard about you and would like to invite you to dinner at our manor. I've already contacted Byakuya and told him the four of us would not be available to serve tonight, so do not worry about upsetting him. I have taken care of everything."

Squeezing Nagito's hand, I nodded. "We're available tonight."

"Good," she said, nodding curtly. "I will see the two of you at the manor tonight. Enjoy the rest of your days."

"Have a lovely rest of your day, my beautiful She-Cat," Gundham purred as he kissed the back of Sonia's hand. She giggled excitedly as she excused herself from the classroom.

"I think that's the first time I've ever seen him do that."

"I see it all the time," Nagito chuckled. "You get used to it."

As our teacher walked in, I shuffled over to my desk and focused on the lesson. The school day went by normally, and I forgot all about the two of us having dinner at the Nevermind's. When class was over, Nagito drove us both home, but he didn't exit the car with me.

Rolling down his window, he stuck his head out and said, "I need to head to my place to get ready, but I will be back in one hour to pick you up."

I kissed his cheek. "Okay."

I knew Sonia was an aristocrat, and I knew dinner was going to be a posh event, but I wasn't sure how to dress. Was it going to be a black tie event, and I'd need a suit? Was a simple sweater and nice pair of pants okay? What would be the most acceptable thing to wear?

In the end, I called Kyoko to ask for her help. As the daughter of famous detectives, she'd been to her fair share of fancy dinners and posh events, so she'd know the most acceptable thing to wear. She gave me a few pointers, and in the end I settled for a white, short sleeved button-up shirt with a green tie and matching cardigan with black dress pants and shoes. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and got dressed all within an hour.

I waited in the living room for Nagito to pull up. When he rang the doorbell instead of entering, I was concerned. Opening the door, my worry increased when I saw it was Gundham on my front porch instead. He looked at my house judgingly before nodding curtly. "A suitable house for a mortal such as yourself."

"Thanks," I deadpanned.

"Miss Sonia had already picked up Nagito, so I have been sent here on his behalf to take you to the Nevermind Manor. Are you ready?"

"Oh, uh... yeah, I guess."

"Fear not, mortal," Gundham spoke as we walked to his car. "Nagito wished to be here, but he was needed at the manor early. Sonia has refused to leave to his side."

"That's not the part I'm worried about," I exhaled as I climbed into the passenger seat.

"Once more, fear not, mortal. You are in no danger upon being at the manor. All the Nevermind's care to do is meet the boyfriend."

"I know, but Nagito has said some worrisome things about them."

"I know. The Nevermind's are not the most acceptable people in the world. They are quite atrocious in their own wicked ways, but the mortals of this realm have done nothing to concern me. If it must come to it, I will let hell loose for the two of you."

"Really?" I asked, oddly touched.

"Nagito is beloved by my dearest Sonia. Having grown accustomed to him myself, I must agree that he is a beloved individual. For him, I'd do whatever he requested that would help to make him happy, as I know Sonia would do the same. He means a great deal to the two of us, so we are happy that the two of your paths have officially crossed."

"Thanks, Gundham."

He pulled up in front of a large metallic gate. He punched in a code, and the gates opened. The manor grew as we drove closer to it. If I didn't know better, I would have assumed they were royalty living in an enormous castle. It almost felt as if we were in a different country entirely. I could easily tell tonight wouldn't go well, but for Nagito's sake, I would make it through the night with him. He needed me, and I would not let him down.

A butler approached the car and opened the doors for us. Gundham handed the keys to the butler, who took the car and drove it away. Gundham led me inside the large manor, and the inside was just as castle-like as the outside. My brain could hardly keep up with everything I saw in the room.

Gundham led me down a hallway to a lounge room. He directed to the couch, and I took a seat. "Sonia, Nagito, and the Nevermind's will arrive momentarily. I must go for the moment, but I will see you all at dinner. Good luck, mortal."

"Thanks, Gundham."

He nodded before exiting the lounge room. Everything was spotless and precise, almost looking as though it came from a gothic renaissance painting. Everything was patterned with floral designs like a grandma's house who hadn't redecorated since the seventies. If anything, thanks to Chiaki, it looked like the rococo furniture series in Animal Crossing.

There was nothing for me to do but sit and wait. I knew the moment I took out my phone, it'd be considered improper behavior, so it was better to sit and wait for as long as it would take for anyone to arrive. I wished Gundham would have continued to sit and wait with me to pass the time. I wasn't even sure how long I was waiting for someone to show up.

When I heard giggling, I sat up straighter, assuming it was going to be one of the Nevermind's. "I still don't understand why they take care of that nuisance." I jerked my head to the door. "So what if the kid's parents saved Miss Sonia's life? He's nothing more than trash, anyway."

"They have to keep up appearances somehow. They don't need anyone resenting the Nevermind family."

"I hope that this dinner ends soon. I always hate knowing that trash is around."

"If he's dating someone, he must be even worse than trash. It's not as if anyone good would ever want to be with such a worthless- Eek!"

I stared wide-eyed at the two gossiping maids as they entered the room with trays of tea. They quickly composed themselves, set the tea up on the table, poured me a cup, and dismissed themselves, but I could hear them snickering as they walked away.

No wonder Nagito thought so poorly about himself. All his life, he had to listen to people say those rude and cruel things to him. Eventually, he would believe it was the truth, especially if Sonia's parents treated him poorly as well.

As I sat and waited, the images of a young Nagito Komaeda sitting all alone, listening to people speak poorly about him and make fun of him behind his back formed. He'd sit all alone, his back against the wall as he listened to people say those cruel things behind his back. He'd then hide himself under tables to prevent hearing them say it straight to his face. He'd avoid people as much as possible, truly believing with all his heart that he was nothing more than trash and a waste of space.

Knowing what true hell he was forced to grow up in painted it clear why he thought the way he did. Why he'd always apologize and pull away from the group. It broke my heart more to realize he was always surprised that I'd talk back to him so casually because no one ever had before. They all hated him, causing him to hate himself.

I hated it. Nagito was an angel and deserved so much better than all that cruelty. I would love him forever and assure him every day that he was not trash, and that I loved him more than words could count. He would never be that lonely boy hiding under the table ever again. I'd make absolute sure of it. 

Vote, comment, and share!