A Reason To Help. Ryuji's Certification!

She thinks back to years ago, back when she was only 13 years old. She wanders down a street in the dark of night as cars flash past her. Her eyes are dull and empty as she makes her way to a bridge. She walks towards the center of the large bridge before stopping and looking at the large river flowing beneath her. She stares as the moon shines across the water and over her face. Without a reaction or a sound, she steps on the railing of the bridge and stands over the edge. She waits for a moment before she hears something. She looks down to see something flying through the air before knocking into the metal beams holding the bridge up.

Person "Ouch, that hurt. Okay, now I got it."

She hears as the person with large black wings dashes up and past Alice with swift speed, causing her to fall backwards off the railing and onto her butt on the sidewalk. She groans in pain a bit as the person flies back down and crouches on the railing.

Fullsky "Hey, sorry there. I didn't mean to knock you over."

She looks up and sees a younger Fullsky standing over her with her wings spread out wide, blocking the moonlight. Alice is stunned as she stares in awe.

Alice "I.. What… are you..?"

Fullsky smirks.

Fullsky "I'm a superhero! I protect people and fight evil. Oh, wait. No, I'm.. a vigilante? Right? Yeah, that's right. I'm not official but that won't stop me from helping people!"

She says with a smile as Alice's eyes start to shine.

Alice "A.. hero..?"

Fullsky "Now, we should probably get you home. I can't imagine there's a good reason for you to be out here all alone this late." 

She extends her hand with a smile.

Fullsky "Come on."

Alice hesitates from awe before taking her hand. Fullsky grabs her tightly and pulls her up and close from behind.

Fullsky "Ready?"

Alice "For wha-AAHHH!"

She screams as Fullsky shoots up with intense speed, flapping her large wings as they fly into the sky. They go up and up as Alice holds on tightly, scared to fall or even look. 

Fullsky "Isn't it beautiful?"

She asks softly as Alice slowly opens her eyes. In a moment, her eyes widen as light shines brightly in them. She stares in the clouds at the bright starry sky and shining lights of the Districts below. Alice stares in awe as Fullsky speaks.

Fullsky "Thank you for letting me share this with you."

Alice "But I.. didn't do anything…"

She whispers, still focused on the beauty of the night before her.

Fullsky "I know one day you'll become someone great."

Alice looks at her as Fullsky stares into the night sky. Tears begin to form in Alice's eyes as they begin to drop before Fullsky flies back down and into the Districts. Alice wipes her tears before a big smile spreads across her face. She smiles and laughs as she feels the cold air whip across her face and the bright lights flashing past them as they enjoy the flight together.

Alice holds Shiori's hand close to her head as she looks down with a smile and shiny eyes.

Alice "I was so low that night… I thought there was nowhere to go but down… but you showed me that night that there is always a reason to look up. Up at the full sky above filled with lights and hope…"

She says softly as tears begin to form in Shiori's eyes, realizing who she is.

Shiori "It was you…"

She whispers as Alice looks up at Shiori a bit. 

Alice "I know these past few years have been hard on you and Hikigaya, your Watchdog. I've seen you fail many times yet I've seen you succeed many times more not just as Fullsky but as Shiori, our friend and my idol."

As she speaks she thinks of all the videos she's seen online of Fullsky and Watchdog protecting people and saving people, inspiring her to put on the cape and mask in the first place. 

Alice "No matter what, I won't give up on you like you didn't give up on me."

Shiori sobs lightly as Alice lets go of one of her hands so she can wipe away her tears. Shiori then hugs Alice tightly as she hugs her back. They hug for a moment as Shiori clears her throat and adjusts herself, stopping her tears.

Shiori "You're right. I can't give up, I won't. So if you want training with your powers then I will help you! I'll help you grow and control them!"

Alice gets an excited look before jumping with joy.

Alice "Yay! I'm so excited! I'm gonna train to be a hero with my idol! I can't wait!"

Shiori "Now come on. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."

Alice "Right!"

She shouts, lifting her fist into the air when a bolt of lightning comes down and strikes Shiori on the head leaving her black and burnt with a surprised look on her face. Alice laughs awkwardly.

Alice "Eheh.. Whoops."

Shiori "Yep. A lot of work."

She says as they soon get to work training her. 

Some time later, now in spring, the group continues to grow. Ryuji packs some folders and writing supplies in a backpack before letting out a sigh. He looks nervous as Lucy places her hand on his cheek.

Lucy "You nervous?"

He looks at her softly before nodding a bit. Lucy gives him a loving look.

Lucy "Aw, don't be, love. You've got this. You've probably got this more than anyone else in that room!"

He smiles a bit before looking down a little.

Lucy "Hey. Don't let anything else cloud your mind right now. Just focus on that test and prove to yourself just how good of a chef you are."

She gives him a gentle kiss as he smiles before throwing the bag over his shoulder and heading out. Ryuji soon approaches a large building with many other people entering it in the early morning.

Ryuji 'Okay. Time to get certified. This will dictate the direction of my future.'

He thinks before walking inside. Lucy sits on the couch in her house tapping her foot before sighing and falling back into the couch with a worried look.

Yamato "Hey."

Her brother says as he steps in the room. Lucy looks at him for a moment before looking back at the ceiling again.

Lucy "Hey."

Yamato "Ryuji's taking his certification test today, huh?"

She nods.

Yamato "And you're worried about him?"

Lucy "His whole life he's only ever wanted to be a cook, a chef. And I know he's more than capable, he's better than anyone else I've ever met including dad."

Yamato rolls his eyes a bit.

Lucy "But still… Actually getting to this point? It's scary. What if he fails? He shouldn't but if he does, what happens then?"

Yamato sighs a bit as he sits down next to his sister.

Yamato "Listen, don't worry so much about him. If he fails.. Well, let's be honest, we saw this coming. He's not good for anything."

Lucy gets mad and punches her brother in the arm softly but still enough to show her frustration.

Yamato "Right, right. No, but seriously. Don't worry about him. I'm sure he wouldn't want you sitting here stressing like this. Just relax and he will too."

She looks at him surprised as he stares at the ground with a soft look before closing his eyes and sitting back.

Yamato "Besides, he may not be all that but.. he's got the right stuff."

He opens an eye and smirks at Lucy.

Yamato "Whether I like it or not."

Lucy smiles before sitting back too. 

Lucy "Yeah, I guess you're right. What am I even worried for? He's totally got this."

Ryuji "I failed."

Lucy stares at him in shock as does her family.

Everyone "WHAAAT??"

They shout later in the day after he got back from his test. Lucy grabs hold of his jacket collar and yanks him close.

Lucy "You've got to be kidding me! What happened??"

She yells as Yamato steps next to him and grabs the paper he has in his hand and reads it. He gets an annoyed look before speaking.

Yamato "He's lying. He passed with flying colors."

He says, mockingly. Lucy looks at her brother with surprise as Ryuji giggles to himself, looking away. Lucy then throws him to the ground.

Lucy "You jerk!"

Kenji sighs as Yuri laughs.

Yuri "This boy! Haha!"

Kenji "Almost gave me a heart attack there, son."

Ryuji chuckles on the ground.

Ryuji "Sorry, I knew how much Lucy would be stressing. I just wanted to see her face."

He says with a big smile as she blushes and pouts.

Kenji "I'm just glad my plan is still good. I mean, who else was I gonna hand my restaurant over to?"

Yamato helps Ryuji up as they both look at him confused.

Ryuji/Yamato "What?"

Yuri then shushes Kenji quickly.

Yuri "Oh shush! That was supposed to be a surprise!"

She whispers but they all hear her. Lucy looks at her dad with surprise across her face.

Lucy "Wait, dad. What did you say?"

Kenji smiles and shakes his head.

Kenji "Well these old bones aren't getting any younger here. One of my kids is gonna graduate from college soon and the other from highschool. I think it's about time they start taking care of their mother and I now. And what better way than having this wonderful, talented young man run my restaurant for me?"

He opens his hand to Ryuji who looks confused.

Ryuji "You… want me to.. run the restaurant?.."

Kenji "What do you say? Think you could take it off my hands? I can't leave it to Lucy or she'll destroy the place by sundown."

Tears start to form in Ryuji's eyes as his surprise stays on his face.

Ryuji "Wait.. that's.."

Lucy "This is a dream come true!"

She jumps on her father and gives him a huge hug.

Lucy "Thank you dad! Thank you so much! You're so good to us!"

Ryuji starts to cry as he buries his face in his hands. Lucy, with tears in her eyes too, rushes to him and hugs him.

Lucy "This is gonna be great! I can't believe this is happening!"

Ryuji "I'm.. so happy.. I don't know what to say.."

Kenji "Just say you'll take care of her for the rest of your life. Oh, and the restaurant too."

Lucy looks at her dad as she smiles warmly. Ryuji nods happily as tears roll down his face.

Ryuji "I will! I promise I will! I will make you proud!"

Kenji smiles warmly at them as Lucy hugs Ryuji again.

Kenji "You already have."

He says softly as Yuri snuggles up to him a bit. Yamato watches them as sighs, putting his hands on his hips.

Yamato "Guess I have no choice but to accept you now. You've got my whole family turned against me."

Ryuji looks at him as he smiles and offers his hand.

Yamato "I guess there's only one thing left to do."

He says as Ryuji reaches out and shakes his hand.

Yamato "Welcome to the family, Ryuji."

Ryuji smiles a warm and truly happy smile.

Ryuji "This is the greatest day of my life!"

He says softly as they all smile and cheer together.