Let the Morning Come
Everyone turns to glance at Atsuko who seems to be in thought for a bit before speaking up once more.
“We’re... well, we’re all grown up now, right? It seems... like a waste. We missed out on a lot of stuff.”
It’s hard to know what to make of that. While it is true, it’s not like much can be done about that now. She seems to shuffle on the spot, a troubled look on her face.
“I know... there’s nothing we can do about that now but it feels so... sudden. Incomplete. Like... I wish we could do something.”
Izo, who’d been leaning on a wall flicks open his tired eyes and offers an almost gentle shrug.
“Like a graduation?”
“... Yeah! Yeah, like that! C’mon guys, let’s-- let’s do it properly!”
[♫♫♫♫]
Atsuko ushers them all together. Yasu arrives at her side first, followed by Izo. Sachi gives Yuichi a sort of ‘it can’t be helped’ look and joins them. Yuichi’s hand remains on the door for a good few seconds before he, too, joins them. The five of them together.
“Okay you guys, all together.”
Atsuko takes a deep breath. Perhaps they all do.
“Hope’s Peak Class 1-A is proud to graduate! Sensei, Midou-san, thank you for everything!”
Their hands all rise to the air and, despite everything, they manage to smile, even laugh a little.
“I’m thankful for the friends I made over the last couple of years!” Yasu begins to speak up once more. “I know they’ll be here fore~ver and ever!”
“... I-I’m g-g-grateful for... the c-courage and k-kn-knowledge I gained, I g-g-guess...“
“... I’m happy I don’t feel the need to. Hide who I am and what I look like anymore.”
“Oh! Oh! I’m thankful for all the fun times we had before! All the festivals and the games!”
The four look to the only one who hasn’t spoken. Who’s... in fact, sniffling a bit. He quickly rubs at his eyes and glares.
“D-don’t give me that look!”
“It’s your turn, Yewitchy!~
“... I-I won’t take part!”
“Come on, we all did it.”
“T-that’s right. Together.”
“Don’t back out on us now!”
He makes a disappointed click of his tongue before looking away from them all, instead opting to adjust his glasses.
“I’m... t...hankful for... thankful... no, I’m hopeful... for the future.“
Somehow that answer feels right and the others, flash their companion reassuring smiles.
Perhaps out of embarrassment or perhaps because the timing really does feel right, Yuichi zips to the door and opens it for real. The sunlight pours onto the white floor, painting it a beautiful golden and for the first time in years, the five kids see real sunlight. Stepping outside on the pavement, they spy overgrown grass surrounding the path and growing on the outside wall of the hospital.
Just as LISE promised, the building sparks in places and windows are blown out as smoke blows out through the hollowed out hospital husk. It really is the end of Shiawase Hospital.
As for what’s out there...
Time will tell.
But whatever it is, surely...
The five of them can weather it.
Yuichi glances down at his ID and spots the bobbing pink LISE floating up and down. A private smile. They all look back one last time.
“Goodbye, Shiawase Hospital!”
Because rather than hope or despair... what truly triumphs...
Is courage and kindness.















