Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Hope's Peak Academy. The shining bastion of hope that most youth in Japan dream of attending when they get older. Unfortunately for most the process of being accepted isn’t as simple as passing an extra rigorous exam. There were only two requirements.

You must be a high school student.

You must excel at a certain talent.

It could be anything, from baseball to photography to even being in a biker gang. Nothing was off the table. However you could not apply, you needed to be scouted to be permitted to join the elites. Truly being considered talented enough to join Hope's Peak was one of the greatest honors that could be bestowed upon a high school student. It also opened up so many doors. People who graduated from Hope’s Peak grew even further then before, becoming the leaders and pioneers in their fields.

And here you stood, at the front of the school.

God
You-

You…..

You have been through this before, haven't you?

The world began to blur together, the blue sky caving in on itself to darkness, you looked up at the remains of the sun and took in a breathe.

You were ready to get to your happy ending already.

You blinked as you looked around the black void, gray streaks shooting past you in the darkness and your head turned until you noticed the door to class.

Was it Wednesday? You kind of hoped it was, your mind wandered to what specialty class it might be as you walked towards the familiar pale yellow wood and placed a firm hand on the handle, giving it a firm yank open.

The light pouring through the classroom windows was so blindly white, it almost looked as if you were in a blank void. 14 students were placed in the room and you looked around. Four of them you recognized immediately.

Byakuya Togami, the heir to the Togami Cooperation there was not a person on the planet who did not know who he was with his ruthless image. The weight he had gained made him look friendly than you might have expected though.

Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, next in line to the the Kuzuryu Yakuza Emperor, you had heard passing breathes about how ruthless he was, feared just as much as his sister. He looked…. oddly child like in person though, despite the pout.

Nekomaru Nidai, he had been in charge of taking your dad's favorite college baseball team from zeroes to heroes. Despite his large amount of muscle and sharp features, if he was good at his job he probably wasn't that scary.

Lastly Princess Sonia Nevermind, the fact she had been accepted to Hope's Peak Academy had been all over the news. It was exciting to meet her in person, you had heard her to be very kind. Besides, Princess like to read, right? Perhaps she would enjoy Night Razor!

That made you realize something.

"Where is my suitcase!" you exclaimed, you had the weight of your shoulder bag on you, but- you had a suit case when you came to Hope's Peak. You swore you did.

Your exclamation startled the group who all looked to their sides, expect one: a pink haired girl sitting in the middle. It appeared to all but her that they hadn't even considered where their bags had been.

"Ibuki's Guitar!!!! Where is Ibuki's Guitar!? a girl with hair in cones with patterns of blue and pink and white on her looked around before she grabbed a pink hair boy wearing a jump suit, beginning to shake him violently.

"Why do you think I would know!?" he yelled out.

"It appears, not all of our items are missing," a girl who looked like a white rabbit with her twin braids and large red eyes, as she tugged on the black bag on her back.

"I have my camera," a red hair girl with freckles dressed in a plain fashion noted as she held it up. "But, it would be stranger if I didn't have it."

"Did someone try to rob us!?" a childlike girl in a kimono exclaimed, her blonde pigtails bouncing as she stomped her foot on the ground in an angry pout.

"Should someone dare to steal from me…. the price would be eternal," a taller boy declared, his arms crossed as his scarf shifted in unnatural patterns as it crumbled and rumbled like something was inside.

"It is hard to think anyone would be bold enough to rob all of you," a cute boy with fluffy white hair said, a polite smile on his face.

"Fuck, god dammit my cash was in there!" a girl with red shorts exclaimed, as she put her fingers into her hair, clenching her skull.

"That is not important right now, the bigger issue is why we can't leave," Byakuya's voice boomed over the crowd. "If we cannot get out of here, our possessions mean nothing."

"That… is true," you said and you began to slink around the classroom, moving to the back and pressing yourself next to the white haired boy. Your mind was racing with so many things, and you tried to find something to focus on.

You looked around the room, looking at the backs of everyone as you let out a long hum. Your head turned down to your bag and poked inside. There was none of the school supplies you had packed, and you didn't have your laptop either: and your books….

"I didn't have these in my bag," you mumbled as you grabbed the two inside. You had So Lingers the Ocean by Toko Fukuwa and then, ugh- The Seven Challenges.

Time to Time, which as much as you adored your favorite book hadn't been in your bag, neither had…. The Moving Tale of the Marvelous Meandering Mannequin Man? You brow furrowed as you flipped the leather bound book in your hand. You cracked open the first page.

Dedicated to my Beloved Atlas: I hope that only fortune finds you and you bask in the happiness you deserve - Algernon

You flipped to the next page, and it was blank. The rest of the book was too. Your mouth fell open as you studied it. It didn't, have any publication information on it, not even a logo. It was like a hand bound journal more than a book.

The white hair boy had been looking at you, studying you like a puzzled fox, before above the murmuring you heard the door sliding open.

Everyone was facing the door as-

as-

You felt like Cupid had gotten a head shot on you. Your mouth fell open and your pulled a hand to your chest, staring at the dazed boy who had just walked through the door.

He was- you- you couldn't breathe, he was so handsome.

He had tan skin that was pale as his head panned around the room, his mouth hung open in a daze and his nose scrunching around his faint freckles. He was dressed in business causal and a tie your eyes would drift to, but they mostly remained focused on one point: his green eyes.

They were a stunning shade of emerald green, he did not seem to notice you as you became utterly enchanted by them.

What- in the world?

You were all for good love at first sight plots in your story, when it was called for but- you- who was this boy? How was this- you had to keep your feet planted because you wished to run up to him and hug him, to scream a name you did not know.

"Who goes there?" you love struck daze was broken when the rabbit girl spoke up in a tone that made you jump.

"Ehhh-" he barely got the sound out.

"Are you okay? you look pale-" Sonia said as she held her hands by her dress, tilting her head at the newcomer through the classroom door.

"Ah, um…."

"Hey could it be, you are also a freshman at this school, right?" the girl with freckles had said.

"Then you're all…?"

"See for yourself, were all freshmen too," the boy who had been shaken about said. You hummed and looked between them.

"I assume….freshmen like us have all been gathered into this classroom," the girl with pink hair spoke.

The boy walked in and attempted to put something in his stride, but he awkwardly shuffled towards the back of the class and took a seat near where the the cloud haired boy and you had been perched on the wall. "Why…. are we here? Shouldn't there be an entrance ceremony or something?"

"That is what we were about to discuss before you arrived," Byakuya said as he looked down. "All sixteen of the seats are filled, I think it is time we start trying to figure out what is going on."

"Well what are we gonna talk about!?" Ibuki asked as she perked up. "I don't think we have any leads!"

"We might not, there is something I need to confirm with everyone," Byakuya stated as he peered around the classroom. "Is there anyone here who remembers how they actually arrived at this classroom?"

It felt like he had dropped a glass cup in the room as everyone stood in shock, realizing they had no memories of it. Your mouth fell open and you closed it.

That would have given whoever plenty of time to steal or switch out stuff, you supposed. Your fingers traced the leather work of your new mysterious title.

"I see, so before you realize it, you all were just in the classroom…. then we are all in the same predicament. No matter how you look at it, it's unnatural, even you stupid looking ones would agree, right?"

"It's…. concerning that is for sure," the red haired girl agreed before her hands wandered down to her camera, she began to tab through her photos and her nose scrunched. Then her head shot up. "What do you mean stupid looking!?"

"The moment you set foot on campus, you felt a strange dizziness, and now you're here and you don't know why. That is what I experienced before I arrived here. Am I correct in assuming that is true for all of you?"

"That happened to me to…."

"Ya- it was kinda like nausea," the girl with red shorts noted as she let out a hum.

"It seems….. it seems to convenient to be coincidence."

"So you're saying it is not just a coincidence, then. Meaning we can only speculate on who is responsible for this."

"Hah! I don't know what you're so worried about, but that doesn't sound like a huge deal," Nekomaru was picking earwax out of his nose, and flicked it perfectly into the trashcan. "I think the bigger problem is the fact we cannot leave."

"We can't-" the rabbit hair girl took a pause. "Leave?" she asked.

"Whaddya mean by that?" the girl with red shorts asked as she snapped her head towards the door.

"A little while after I got here, I tried to leave to go take a shit," perfectly acceptable amount of information to drop in the first conversation. "But that door wouldn't budge at all!"

"A one way rabbit hole, then…" you said as you looked towards the door.

"Pretty much, even with all my might I couldn't open it!"

"I saw the oaf try! He was yanking and tugging and no matter what he did he couldn't budge the stupid thing!" the girl with pigtails exclaimed.

"What!? That isn't possible! When I went through the door, it opened normally, it- it wasn't locked at all!" the handsome boy exclaimed as his breathe started to quicken.

"Though I do not understand the circumstances, but there is no denying we have been locked in this classroom," the rabbit girl said as she glared towards the door.

The sense of panic began to fill the room and you let out a hum. "Well, who came in first?" you asked and held up a finger.

"That would be me," the pink hair girl raised her hand. "I came in here…. about an hour and 15 minutes ago…. I think…." she put her hand on her chin as she looked away, trying to consider. "Before you came in."

"And how often have new people been entering the room before are supposed," you gestured at the handsome boy. "16th student?"

"Hmmm…… well…." the pink hair girl pointed to the nurse, who jumped away from the gesture. "She came in next about three minutes later, and then him closer to ten or so. After that…. everyone came in about every 10 minutes in a set of pairs. You came 15 minutes later."

"Is it possible this is a sort of Hope's Peak Entrance exam?" the cloud hair boy suggested.

"According to Hope's Peak, no such exam exists," Sonia pointed out as she tilted her head, her eyes flicked towards the cloud hair boy and you couldn't help but look between them.

They both seemed to eye each other, but nothing was set with them.

"They may say that publicly, but it's possible this is actually a special entrance exam."

Your eyes went towards the window, as blue skies suddenly popped into existence as the sunshine dimmed.

"Ah! You're Wrong! This is not an entrance exam!" a sweet voice called from the podium and everyone was facing the front of the classroom.

A tense air hung over the room as everyone turned towards the source of the voice, the teacher stand.

Hopping on top of the podium and doing a little twirl, her ears and nose twitching was a magical girl rabbit.

Your mouth fell open. "It's…. a white rabbit…." you looked towards your rabbit hole and blinked.

"What is a stuffed animal doing here…?" the red head asked.

"That's right, I am a squeezable soft stuffed animal," the bunny agreed. "Magical Miracle Girl Usami!!! A.K.A. Usami! I may not look like it, but I am your squeezably soft teacher!" she pulled out a staff and pointed it forward, it looked…. like a magical girl staff. "Nice to meet you all!"

"Ah there is lead in the hats and asbestos in the walls," you mumbled to yourself as you held up a hand.

"What the fuck!?" Fuyuhiko yelled, as he gritted teeth. "Is this some kind of prank? Being fucked around with by some stupid toy?!"

"We should not be using such foul language!" the supposed teacher guiding this drug trip exclaimed as she looked around.

"I-I think this is real," the nurse stood on shaking legs.

"It does not…. look particularly dangerous," the rabbit girl noted as she looked it over, she did not appear to be leading her guard down, her hands twitching with honed instincts should she require them, but she doubted that.

"Looks can be deceiving, considering the case of Ted Bundy," Sonia said as she looked at the rabbit. "But it does not look dangerous."

"I am nothing like a dangerous serial killer, I promise!" Usami declared. "I am just your lovable, snuggle and cute lead teacher of this school trip!"

"School trip?" Byakuya asked as he clenched his fist. "What do you mean, school trip!?"

"A large group of students go on a chaperoned trip each year with a lead teacher! It's the biggest event of the school year!"

The handsome boy blinked his gorgeous green eyes. "We were not looking for something so literal."

"Now let us depart for the fun school trip!" the bunny waved her wand before she tapped the bottom onto the ground, and the room fell apart, letting in the sounds that seemed as if they had been on mute.

Your eyes went wide as you looked around, your hands expanded out. It was…. it was a beautiful beach! You had seen the blue skies dotted with clouds and the bright sun, but somehow you failed to notice the palm trees and the ocean waves!

It was the beach!

The sudden summer air made your chest fill with joy as you looked around in wonderment.

"What…. the hell is this!?" the handsome boy exclaimed, his arms held out as he swung his body around.

"This is- this is a joke, right? Like what he said!?" the pink hair boy exclaimed as he pointed at Fuyuhiko.

"Wh-WHERE ARE WE!!!" Ibuki yelled out.

"Huh!? What's going on!?" the freckled girl looked pale as she looked around.

These people were way too freaked out about this. You looked over at the camera, that concerned you a little bit but other than that. This, for now- was nice.

"Everyone, please stay calm! There is no reason to panic!" the Bunny put a hand by her head and looked around so curiously. "Seeeeee? Look around! Feast your eyes on this beautiful ocean, it's like your heart is being washed clean, isn't it??? It washes away all…. even bad things."

"Hold on!" Peko was ready for her sword, her opinion flipping in a moment. "Give us details on where we are exactly."

"Where, you ask?" Usami asked. "Well it's obvious, Out where it is better, out where it's wetter, out by the sea!"

"I-I understand this is a sea, but w-why are we here?!" the nurse asked, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"You know, your throat is going to get hoarse if you keep screaming like that."

"But… we were just at school and now we are by the sea… this is impossible."

"Please do not worry, the school trip has just started! That's all!"

"But, like, why are we on a school trip all of the sudden!? You totally skipped alllll the stuff that comes first!" Ibuki yelled as she pointed an accusing finger.

"She is right!" Hajime let out a gasp as he looked like a frightened mouse in a cage. "We are suppose to be attending Hope's Peak Academy!"

Hope's Peak Academy.

His voice saying those words hit you for some reason.

You stood there and could hear people talking around you, and things….. came to your mind. Dark nights, bright days and a fountain with a bench. Blurry images one after another, none of it made sense and you saw people you never had before, but…. some in this group, you thought, your eyes moved around.

"Kill each other!"

The words from a raspy voice broke through your blurry senses. Kill- killing- death- killing- you could see red.

Red. Red. Red.

Thunk

You were yanked out of your thoughts when your head turned to the handsome boy, who had completely collapsed into the sand. You gasped and you dropped to your knees right besides him, checking his breathing, heart rate and- "he is just in shock," you said allowed as some other peopled turned their head to look at him.

"Well-" Usami stared at the teenager who had just passed out in the sand, having flopped down like a bag of flour. She put one of her paw like hands over her mouth, tilting her head. "Everything is perfectly safe here! So he will be fine!" she declared as she began to pull out things that looked like phones, and she waddled up to everyone: handing them one of the devices.

An e-handbook.

You clicked on it and tapped around, before shoving it into one of your pockets.

"Your goal on this Heart Throbbing School Trip is to collect Hope Fragments!" Usami explained. "There are some rules which can be found on you handbooks, be sure to read them over carefully!" she explained holding up her paw. "I trust you all to form all sorts of fun memories here! Feel free to explore the island, you will find everything you need on this island paradise!" she assured. "Yep, yep!"

then she was gone, simply fell through the floor and  disappeared.

You blinked as your head went from her back to the boy you were kneeling over.

"What…. are we going to do?" the red hair girl with freckles asked.

"Find away to escape, obviously!" the pink hair boy exclaimed. "I am going to go see if I can find anything that can be repaired, see ya!" he said before he was the first one to wander off the beach.

"Well I am sure as hell not hanging around here with you bastards," Fuyuhiko cursed as he clenched his fists, before following the way of the pink haired boy.

Byakuya let out a long sigh. "I think taking a look of our surroundings and trying to figure out where we are would be best. I will be off, do not be useless," he hissed at everyone before he wandered off next.

"Man I am getting hungry, I wonder if this place has any food!" the girl with red shorts exclaimed as she wandered out.

"Hmfp," the tall boy with the rustling scarf said little as he departed from the area, attempting to have a cold air about him as he did so.

"I will be off and I shall see if I find anything important," Sonia declared in a definitive tone, she gave everyone a short curtis before she departed from the beach.

Nekomaru looked around before his face turned pale, and he was off at a sprinting pace. "I AM SO DONE HOLDING IT, I GOTTA SHIT!!!" he exclaimed.

The nurse slinked away before she was trailed by Ibuki, who seemed to be skipping after her. The girl with freckles glanced around at the shrinking crowd.

"I…. suppose I will start searching as well, to be useful," she said and she adjusted the lens of her camera nervously.

The girl with blonde pigtails didn't bother with a goodbye and nor did the rabbit girl as she seemed to disappear into the beach landscape somehow.

the pink haired girl stood tilting her head as she looked over at Hajime.

"Do you think he is going to be okay?" cloud haired boy asked as he tilted his head.

"It just… a lot going on," you said as you looked down.

"I…. think I am going to go….. unless you need something," pink haired girl said as she looked at you and you shook your head.

"It should be fine," you said and watched as the pink hair girl left… it was odd, you…. swore she looked familiar.

She sort of looked like….. she could have been…. no that was jumping pretty far, wasn't it? Well, maybe you could ask.

"Hmmmmm….." the white haired boy looked down at the both of you. His arms closed tight around himself and his fingers dug lightly into his skin.

It was odd, sitting here on the beach with these two….. the waves crashing and the light breeze on your face as you glanced between the cloud haired boy and the handsome boy, feeling….

whole.

"I….. sort of want to explore the island," the cloud haired boy before he looked back down at the other one.

"I will stay with him, we will catch up when he wakes up, or…. you can come back first with a water bottle?" you asked.

He smiled. "Alright, I will do that. My name is Nagito, by the way."

You smiled and introduced yourself. "It is nice to meet you."

He smiled at you, his hands in his pockets as he turned away, and headed towards the path away from the beach.

It was just you and him now.

You swallowed as you looked down at his face as he slept peacefully in the sand. You bit your bottom lip as you reached down, and ran a hand over his face.

"….. we made it…." you whispered to.

Chapter Text

He was unconscious for awhile.

You stayed with him on the beach, but ventured away to sand piles were you began to sift through the sand, finding pretty shells well you did. You held the collection you gathered into your palm. A thin pure white spindle, some coral fans and one or two black snail shells too. All of them were soft and smooth, and…. oddly perfectly shaped.

They looked exactly how you would expect them too, no chips and the patterns seemed smooth. "Curiouser and Curiouser …" you mumbled as you slide them into your pocket and then pulled out the E-handbook you had been given.

You had only given it a passing glance but you had time, and you poked around. You found the little pet care app and smiled to yourself as you began to rub your finger on the screen, giving the egg a little pet before you looked at the lay out of the island.

You let out a sigh as you slide it into your bag, before looking at the books inside. You looked at the blank one again and held it in your hands. You sometimes you ended up with books you didn't necessarily remember purchasing, but this one still felt strange to you.

The only Algernon you could think of off the top of your head was Flowers for Algernon, or well- there was also Algernon from The Importance of Being Earnest but neither of them seemed that related to this book.

"I am back, is he awake yet?" Nagito asked as he stepped up onto the sand, and held out a water bottle, you took it.

"He is not, thanks, though," you said before you reached into your pocket and offered him one of the handful of shells to take.

He blinked staring at them, before he took the white spiral shell and twisted it into his hand. "This island… is sort of amazing," he mumbled to himself as he looked at you. "Thank you, I will treasure it," he said as he slide it into his hoodie pocket. He then shifted to staring down at the passed out prince.

Your cheeks tinted red and you nodded your head.

His body began to stir.

Both of your eyes shot down and your shoulder rose as he took in a sharp breathe, his eyes clenching tightly.

"I think he is waking up!"

"Hey… can you hear me?"

Those gorgeous green eyes slowly opened, his lips parting as he stared up at the two of you with a gaping expression, heaving in oxygen though his mouth like he had found himself suddenly on the moon.

"Are you okay? You seem pretty out of it," Nagito said well he was leaned over. He blinked slowly.

"You were asleep for a pretty long time, whatever is going on must be hitting you hard," you noted as you pulled your lips together. "It is a lot to take in."

He blinked his mouth still open, and he hadn't begun to move yet.

"Hey, are you listening?" Nagito asked.

He planted his hands into the soft sand and he slowly rose his body, dusting of sand falling from him as he stared at the both of you. You shifted back, scouting around in the sand.

"Good morning," you put a bright smile towards him, offering him the water bottle.

"Are you sure you are okay?" Nagito asked tilting his head.

He had a blank stare on his face as he scanned the two of you carefully. "Leave me alone."

You felt like he had hit you in the face with a water balloon. You closed your eyes, you couldn't blame him for wanting to be alone, and it was likely creepy you had stayed with him at all on second thought but- but

ouch.

"There is no way I can leave someone alone who is as pale as you," Nagito said as his eyes furrowed in worry.

He didn't argue as he began to take in the surroundings, his head tilting from you both to every part of the area around, and you could see the strands of his hair shifting in the soft wind. He let out a breathe through his nose as he looked at you both. "That rabbit thing said we're on… a tropical island."

You nodded your head. "She said we are here to… collect 'Hope Fragments.'"

He stared at you blankly before he stood up, his tennis shoes sinking into the sand…. and he began to go around, looking at the details of the area he had found himself in. He walked up to the palm tree with the dinky little monitor and he put his hand on the trunk.

Nagito and you both watched him in silence as he walked from that, peeking around to the right before he swerved his head towards the crystal ocean, staring at it before he jumped over to the camera that had been planted, the lens facing your direction.

His voice dropped down as he stared at it, a blankness in his gaze. "We are being monitored."

"Well there are a lot of students on the school trip, and only one…. Teacher robot thing," you reasoned allowed as you looked at it.

Nagito nodded his head. "I imagine it is just for our safety."

Hajime stared at the two of you like each of you had grown another head and it started speaking latin at him. He let out a breathe as his body went still as he finally walked over to you both.

"Feel a bit better?" you asked as you put your fingers together.

He looked down at you and his nose scrunched up, you weren't sure if it was a negative reaction exactly and you took half a step back. His head jumped to Nagito.

"How about we start with introduction? I already told them my name but I don't think we discussed anything about talent," Nagito said before he looked over at Hajime. "My name is Nagito Komaeda, it is nice to meet you. I am the SHSL Lucky Student."

"Your talent is… luck?" Hajime blinked.

"I know, it is quite a lame talent, every year Hope's Peak hosts a lottery where one student in the whole of Japan selected to be apart of the main course , and this year it was me."

Your body felt heat rising through it at the mention of that scam ass lottery, well Hajime looked particularly perplexed by the statement.

"Are you troubled?" Nagito asked as he looked between you.

"No- it's nothing like that," Hajime said.

"It seems like to me, you are a pretty fine pick to come here," you said as you looked at the water bottle still in your hands.

"You do not need to lie to comfort me, you know," he said when he looked down at you. "I have mixed feelings about it too, for such an average, talentless student to attend a school such as Hope's Peak Academy…. I really attempted to decline but they insisted they wanted to research my luck."

"I remember them being really pushy as well," you said as you held up a hand. "At first I thought it was one of those Hope's Peak Enrollment scams," you said as you put it under your chin and held your head up.

"Hm, what about your talent then?" Nagito asked as he turned his head to you, and the handsome boy was staring at you intensely, it made you swallow.

"Well, I guess I am the SHSL Literary Critic," you said as you tried to straighten up together. "I only really run a little blog."

"A little blog?" Nagito let out a laugh. "You are very modest."

You blinked. "Huh?"

The handsome boy looked at him and raised an eyebrow. 'What… are you talking about?"

"Their blog influences the best seller list world over with their broad range of reviews and the passion behind them. They also have quite a few interesting close reads of several classical and contemporary books. When they give a book rating it will sell off the printing press over night, and when they shun one all sales dry out."

Hajime's head snapped to you, and seemed to reel at your shocked expression.

"I think that is being quite dramatic about my influence," you said as you shifted in the sand uncomfortably, tugging at your collar as the tropical heat was beginning to sink underneath your heavy clothes. "I tend to read what is popular, and it is for good reason! I mean Toko Fukawa certainly doesn't need me to do her any favors! Wait- you already knew my talent???" you asked and you scrunched your nose. "Why did you ask???"

"For his sake," Nagito gestured to the handsome boy before turning to face him. "That leaves you to introduce yourself."

"Ya…. I…." he blinked, needing a second to fetch the memory. "I am Hajime Hinata."

You felt like a wave came out from the ocean to dunk you as you felt wetness in your eyes. Hearing him say his name overwhelmed you and you felt your heart flooding in as you stared up at him with must have been love sick puppy eyes.

"Alright then Hajime, let me ask: what is your talent?"

His head snapped over to Nagito and he opened his mouth but, nothing fell out. He stared and his mouth opened wider and he choked out an 'I-I' but he couldn't find anything else to say, he looked to you and then to Nagito and then to the scenery around looking for any clue but "I don't remember."

"Well- what exactly your talent is isn't super important," you said with a smile. "What do you remember about yourself?"

His head turned to you and he looked helpless, it made you close your mouth and straighten your back. He flexed his fingers. "I…. like Kusa Mochi and dislike Sakura Mochi."

"Is that all you remember about yourself?" Nagito asked, and Hajime gave a weak nod of the head. "Well…. I don't blame you for your memories being scrambled, we have been thrown into such a weird situation. I am sure once you calm down it will come back to you," Nagito assured.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hajime and you jumped and you instantly reached for your E-Handbook well Hajime jumped around and found it in one of his pockets, Usami had snuck it in well he was passed out.

"What- is this?" Hajime asked.

"It is your E-Handbook!"

"Oh-" "Ah! Christ!"

You shifted onto one leg and put your hands in the air, holding them in front of you in away you hadn't before as your heart raced and looked at the bunny. Your entire posture fell apart as you stepped back, putting a hand on your heart.

"Oh I am sorry, I did not mean to startle you!" Usami promised as she shifted in the sand. "But that is your E-Handbook, it is used to collect hope fragments! You are trying to collect them during your time on the island, and you do that by getting along with your classmates!!! That is the main purpose of this school trip, to get along and be friends!!!" she nodded her little head. "Love! Love!"

When she was satisfied with her explanation, she disappeared into the air.

"Wait!" Hajime stared at where she had been and he clenched his teeth. "I don't like that thing…. and what is it with these hope fragments, it is like we are in a game or something…" he said as he looked down at the sprite work of the map.

"Well that is comforting, that means we won't be in danger right away," Nagito pointed out with a smile.

You nodded your head. "Ya, this is like the tutorial!" you smiled as you held up your finger. "Getting the ground work of the people we are with."

"You two are both way to calm about this all," he said as he looked between you two.

"Well, things could go wrong at any time. So why not enjoy ourselves well it is calm?" Nagito asked and you nodded your head.

"Exactly, and who knows maybe this is a sort of…. group building exercise, get the first years to be good friends so they have a stronger foundation or something like that maybe," you suggested.

"I guess then… I should go meet everyone."

"I need to as well, I…. stayed with you when you were passed out," you explained.

"Why?" Hajime asked as his head swerved over. "Did you do that too?" he asked looking at Nagito.

"No, I went around the island and introduced myself but I'll come along with you both. I have some information that might be useful," Nagito held out his palm and you leaned back just a little.

It was weird to know you had been researched. "I um- I just wanted to make sure you were not alone when you woke up. There's a lot going on it is alright to be overwhelmed, but maybe with how everyone is exploring we will be able to piece some things together."

"That's the spirit," Nagito agreed and looked at Hajime. "We have maps so we won't get lost, but the island isn't that complicated to navigate."

Hajime looked back down at the handbook and took a second to tap around, reading the rules with a furrowed brow and biting his lip. "It does seem like they just want this to be a school trip…. but it doesn't explain that rabbit."

"It doesn't, but it's Hope's Peak…. who knows the kind of things they work on. It could be something so the teachers can work on their talents during the trip or something," you suggested.

"The staff do all consist of Ultimates, so they do all have important work outside of the classroom," Nagito agreed. "It wouldn't surprise me if they could engineer quite the impressive Robot Chaperone."

"….. Great," Hajime said as he turned towards the road. "I guess…. let's get going."

He started to walk towards the sidewalk, and the curb of the wide walk came in and jammed into his tennis shoe, hitting right on his pinkie toe. "God, dammit!" he cursed as he hopped up, grabbing onto his foot.

"Oh dear-" Nagito chuckled. " I suppose the shock has messed with your coordination, too."

Hajime snapped his head over and let out a huff, as he stepped onto the road. You followed behind him, standing above the tarmack made you realize that you were probably going to need some more summer clothes.

You slipped off the cardigan you hd been wearing, designed to keep you warm during the early months of spring. You wrapped it around your hips as the three of you made it towards the airport.

You didn't quite notice the two sets of eyes that now had you in their corners.

It was, a pretty standard airport. The interior was empty but going out to the hangar showed quite a few of the classmates exploring.

Nekomaru approached one of the hangars and rolled his shoulders before he squatted down and grabbed the bottom of the shudder. The pink haired boy stood besides him as he threw it up, the metal banging the stop of it as it did so.

The pink hair boy gritted his teeth. "Again no engines," he muttered as he looked at the plane wings, his eyes scanning both before closing his eyes. "Go figure."

Nekomaru lot out a grumble from his throat before he looked up towards the Air Traffic Control Tower. "See anything of interest up there!? Akane" he called up.

Atop the tower was the brown hair girl, looking out over the edge and putting her hand out. "I think I see one of the other islands, but it's far away!" she yelled back and walked around the roof once, then twice, before she began to scale down the tower, using an impressive combination of tricks to go down the steel beams and make it to the ground, rolling her shoulders.

"Can't believe the airport is a total bust," the pink hair boy said as he crossed his arms before letting out a sigh. "Guess it could be worse, though…"

"DON'T GIVE UP!!!" Nekomaru pointed a finger at him. "But… I suppose you make a point."

The brown hair girl looked over. "Oh- hey," she called. "Who are you guys?"

"I…. just came to introduce myself," Nagito stated as he blinked.

"Did you?" she rubbed behind her neck and look away. "Sorry, I am bad with faces. Uh-" she looked at you all. "I am Akane Owari, the SHSL Gymnast," she introduced.

"I am Hajime Hinata, I…. don't remember my talent."

"You don't remember your talent!?" Nekomaru asked as he pointed a finger at him. "Guess we are going to need to jog your memory!!!"

"Uh- well um-" Hajime blinked as he stared at the very large coach.

"His head is really scrambled around from this whole situation, cut him some slack," Nagito said as he held up a hand. "How about you introduce yourselves? Maybe hearing everyone elses talent will help remind him of his."

"Well I am NEKOMARU NIDAI, and I am the SHSL Team Manager!" Nekomaru put a hand over his heart.

"Kazuichi Soda! The SHSL Mechanic!" Kazuichi said as he smiled. "I don't think you have to worry a bunch about not remembering your talent, things keep popping back into my mind all the time."

Nekomaru turned his head over to you, as you had been staring out into space. "Have you also forgotten your talent!?"

"Oh, oh no! I- I am the SHSL Literary Critic, it is nice to meet you- my dad uh- thinks you are cool," you gave an awkward bow of the head and Nekomaru gave a loud laigh.

"I am flattered!" he patted your shoulder and turned to you. "Firmer than I expected," he let out a laugh and smacked your shoulder harder, knocking breathe out of your lungs as you lurched forward a little.

"Y-ya," you said as you stepped away from them.

"It doesn't seem like you have found anything at the airport," Nagito noted as he looked around at the empty hangars.

"Nope," Kazuichi sighed. "All of the engines have been taken off the planes."

"So…. they are just decorative?" you asked as you tilted your head.

"Not…. quite," Kazuichi looked back at them. "They got jet fuel in them, and a proper cock pit and gear. The engines have just been stripped right off the wings."

"That's…. strange," you said.

"More like disturbing," Hajime muttered as he stared up towards one of the noses of the plane. "Do you have anyway to build an engine?"

"Not using the parts here or at the store," Kazuichi answered as he rubbed behind his neck, under his hair, his hat shifting up.

"Unfortunate," Nagito nodded his head as he closed his eyes. "But I am sure if we keep going we will put something together, eventually."

"Ya!!! We will find away off of here!!!" Nekomaru said.

"I mean, we will," Kazuichi said as he looked up at the blue sky with it's strokes of clouds, taking in the fresh air of the ocean. "But I don't think we gotta be in a rush."

"Nahh," Akane nodded her head in agreement. "There is enough food to last us awhile!" she added as she let some drool drip from her face. "And, school trips aren't that long."

"If this is a school trip…" Hajime mumbled.

"Indeed it is!" Usami jumped out from a rabbit hole making Kazuichi and you jump into the air in the same moment. "You have my guarantee as your head teacher!!! And didn't I tell you to just forget about Hope's Peak Academy? That is what the trip is for!"

"Well you have made it hard to forget about it when you haven't answered any of our questions!" Hajime exclaimed.

"I am answering your question, that this is indeed the school trip," Usami crossed her arms with a huff, she crossed her arms and turned her head away, her ear twitching. "I also answered all of your questions about the E-handbooks!"

"You haven't answer where we are!"

"Yes I have!" she stomped her foot. "We are on a tropical island!"

"I do not think arguing with her is going to get you very fair, Hajime," Nagito said with his hands in his pockets.

"Aww, it was kinda fun to watch," Akane said as she leaned her head back.

Hajime let out a long breathe as his shoulders slumped. "Ya, fine….." he said as he rubbed his eyes. "She is not going to be of much help."

Usami held her head down. "I am right here…." she said and you felt bad for the poor thing, she slunk away into her worm hole, her head held low as she did so.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"Well-" Kazuichi let out a sigh. "I am going to keep checking around to see if I can find where the engines have been hidden, but I don't expect to find much," he admitted as he rolled his eyes to the side. "You should introduce yourself to the others, too. Though… some of them are interesting."

"Ha! but that is the spice of life, isn't it?" Nekomaru asked as he patted his shoulder.

"Something like that-"

"Well, we wish you luck in your search," you said with a smile. "Even if you don't find what you are looking for, clues are possible."

"uh- bye," Hajime gave an wave before he began to shuffle away awkwardly.

Nagito smiled and just gave a respectful nod of the head before he was down the road with the rest of you.

You let out a breathe as the Punch Market came into view, with it's empty parking lot and large sign in view. "I wonder… if they have any light clothes there," you said out loud letting out a breathe.

"Mm, do you run hot?" Nagito asked in his sweatshirt as he looked up. "I think it is rather nice out."

Hajime furrowed his brow, looking at the thick fabric of her 55 sweatshirt. Sure there were some holes but it certainly looked thicks. "How?"

Nagito just shrugged, as the automatic door opened, a blast of AC wafting over you all as you stepped into the regular looking supermarket. There were rows upon rows of a mismatch of items. You turned your head to the back of the store, where some clothing hung.

Until all of you heard banging.

"God dammit- son a bitch-" there was cussing coming from the back, the three of you looked at each other and moved in uniform, making your way to the back of the store.

Fuyuhiko was kicking at a black and white vending machine, that was clinging onto his chocolate bar by the claw, he smashed a fist against the class and the machine jerked, but it kept on clinging. "FUCK OFF!"

"Do you want- some help?" you asked as you stood in the center of the trio, all of you matching with the face of concern.

Fuyuhiko swung his head over, and he quivered with anger. "What the hell are you staring at?" he asked, his left eye twitching.

"You fighting with a vending machine," you answered bluntly.

"It ate my fucking coin, I want what I paid for on the principle!" he exclaimed and gave the machine another harsh kick, making it rock against the wall.

You had to smile as you watched him. 'Natsumi would find this hilarious'

Natsumi?

Who was….. Natsumi?

The name banged on your mind demanding to be known but it came with no context, just quick and striking.

"What the fuck is with that face!?" Fuyuhiko exclaimed. His head tilted to the side as he looked at you all. "I am the next head of the Yakuza, ya know that, right?" he clenched his fists. "I am not going along with any of this Kumbaya bullshit."

"They were offering to help, that's all," Hajime said as he took a step forward, and Fuyuhiko's eyes narrowed at him.

"You think you are gonna play Prince Charming or something, kid?" Fuyuhiko showed his teeth as he jutted his head forward.

"I am just saying," Hajime pulled you back.

Fuyuhiko let out an angry breathe, puffing his chest as you all slicked further back in the store, letting him return to fight for his chocolate bar.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"That guy is pretty intense," Hajime said as he looked back.

'Well, he has to be given his background," Nagito said as he crossed his arms. "The Kuzuryu clan heads over 30,000 men. To remain at the top you have to be the toughest."

"I could not imagine growing up like that…" you said as you turned your head. "He could learn to be a little friendlier, though," you closed your eyes and Nagito shrugged.

"He is just as frazzled as the yes of us, he'll probably calm down."

'I hope so," Hajime turned his head, looking between the shelves. "It is going to be hard to get along with him if he is always like that…."

"You said you wanted to get some new clothes, Hajime and I will wait for you," Nagito said with a smile. You looked up and gave a nod of your head.

'Thank you, I promise I won't be gone for too long," you grinned before giving a nod of your head and disappearing to the back of the store.

Hajime turned his head around the store as Nagito stood with his hands in his pockets. "You did research on all the students, isn't that what you said?"

"Well- from what I could find posted online. I…. didn't see anything with your name on it, if that is what you were wondering."

Hajime clenched his fists and gave a nod of his head. "Alright…."

"Don't look so worried, some students are kept on the down low. None of the forums had any idea that Byakuya Togami would be a student, and I didn't see anything on Chiaki either, that is the girl with pink hair. She is apparently the SHSL Gamer."

Hajime looked at him and cleared his throat. "Ya, guess…. I don't like being in the spotlight much," he said as he let his fingers trace around his pockets.

"It has only been about half an hour since you have recovered from the shock, no need to rush things," Nagito said. "It will come to you when it matters."

"Ya, I guess so," Hajime closed his eyes, it mattered to him now.

Nagito smiled and they fell into a silence, as Hajime contemplated what he knew, and mostly what he didn't.

"Alright! I am ready," your old clothes were stuffed into your bag to be packed away, well you were now dressed in a bright sundress with a brown hem and lace peaking out underneath. You stood with your arms out and a joyful smile.

Poor Hajime froze, he felt heat rise from his neck to his face, his tie growing tight as he covered his mouth with one hand, trying to contain himself.

Dammit- you were cute.

"My, you look nice in that," Nagito said as he looked at you, his shoulders rising up. "Rather beautiful, actually," he gave Hajime the side eye. "Wouldn't you agree?"

'They look fine, I guess!" Hajime said as he raised up a hand and looked away, his hair bouncing.

Your cheeks turned red."Oh- oh, well thank you," you put your hands together, your heart following the instructions of the trip, throbbing along with each pump of blood.

"We have, more introductions to make," Hajime said as he turned towards the door.

You were just out the door, your cheeks bright red and you wondered if perhaps you should put sunscreen on, lest your cheeks remained burn this color.

"Ah," the rabbit girl intersected you in the parking lot. She looked at the three of you and nodded her head. "I suppose you both are doing introductions, now. My name is Peko Pekoyama, I am the SHSL Swordswoman," she stated.

You introduced yourself with a smile on your face. "It is nice to meet you."

"Oh," Hajime blinked at the level of formality. "My name is Hajime Hinata."

Nagito gave a silent wave as he stayed to the back and Peko gave a bow of her head. "I hope we can have a productive time on this island, if we are forced to stay here. I have yet to find any major clues, I can account that we have all of our basic needs meet."

"That is…. comforting I guess," Hajime said.

"I presume none of the others you have talked to have made any progress on finding away off of the island?"

"No," Nagito shook his head. "All of the planes at the airport are missing their engines."

"To be expected, if we are intended to be trapped here," Peko closed her eyes.

"It does make you wonder how we were transported here…" you said crossing your arms.

"Apparently teleporting classroom," Hajime said as he gritted his teeth, still trying to wrap his head around collapsible classroom.

"This is certainly a trying situation, we cannot lose our heads," Peko said.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Peko went into the Market and none of you decided to warn her about the grand battle going on inside.

"Next stop is the hotel," Nagito smiled to himself as your group began to shuffle towards the other side of the road, and the two story hotel rose into the distance, the large gate giving the first floor some level of privacy. "It is a pretty nice place," he said as he pushed open the gate with one hand.

Your eyes panned over the two rows of cottages. 16 in total.

There was the sound of wet feet thunking onto concrete and you saw a blob of pink and blue leaping into the air.

"CANON BALLLLLLLLLL WOOOOOO!!!!!"

Splash

"Watch it, you idiot!" a younger voice shrieked. "You almost got me all wet!"

"Come on, Hiyoko-chan!!!! Remember what Usami said~!" Ibuki paddled up to the edge of the pool and was chatting with the blonde hair girl out of vision. "It's better where it is wetter!" she tried to splash chlorinated water at her from the pool and there was the sound of someone jumping back.

"Gross! Keep your icky pool water to yourself!!!" she yelled as she marched over.

"Now Ibuki, it is rude to try and get someone wet when they don't want to be in the water," the voice of the red hair chided which just made Ibuki snort.

"Oh it's just a little wet wet!!!!" Ibuki exclaimed before she gave another splash in a different direction.

"Ah! You got water on my sock!" she exclaimed as your footsteps became known to the group by the central pool.

"Hi! Hi! Ibuki sees Nagito brought the laggers!" Ibuki called out as she turned and waved, droplets of water flinging from her hand. The red hair girl was fighting to get her shoe and wet sock off well the girl with blonde pigtails was standing by the number of recliner chairs.

Sitting on the other side of the pool, safe from the chaos of Ibuki was the nurse girl, who turned and seemed to tense up at the new people.

"Oh, more introductions," the red hair girl said. "I am Mahiru Koizumi. I am the SHSL Photographer."

"A photographer?" you asked and your eyes glinted. "I bet that is pretty interesting."

"Ah- well, I certainly find it to be so," she said as she grabbed at the camera at her side. "Do you know anything about it?"

"Not really, but I have been curious about it. Oh, maybe because we have to spend time together anyway, you could teach me some things," you suggested as you held up a finger.

Hiyoko looked over and she puffed up her cheeks. "What is the deal with you two?" she asked as she pointed at Hajime and Nagito.

"Well, you should already know what's going on with me."

"Well you were so damn boring I forgot!" she yelled out loudly, her eyes going dark.

You leaned your body back, deflatting as you suddenly felt….. oddly like Sisyphus, having to restart a project from scratch when you felt as if you had gotten to the very finish line of it.

"I suppose that is understandable," Nagito said as he held up a hand in agreement. Hajime furrowed his brows.

"Well-"

"I am Ibuki Mioda!!!" Ibuki yelled from the pool raising her hand. "I am the SHSL Musician, and that one over there is Hiyoko Sanoji, the SHSL Tradtional DANCER!!!"

"I could have introduced myself, stupid!" Hiyoko yelled as she stomped her feet on the concrete. "You should work on introducing pig breathe over there!" Hiyoko pointed her finger across the pool, and the nurse curled in on herself.

"I-I am sorry-" she said.

"Hey!" you raised your voice as you glared at Hiyoko. Her body went ridge like a dog, before she looked disturbed by her reaction.

"What!? You got a problem?" your gaze fell down and she gritted her teeth together. "Don't give me that look!"

It intensified and she crept behind Mahiru, Ibuki diving down under the water to kick some up into the air, creating a fountain which you stepped away from.

Nagito moved across to the other side of the pool towards Mikan. "You can introduce yourself to these two, they don't bite so far," he smiled and Hajime came behind, giving half a wave.

"I am Hajime Hinata, it is nice to meet you," he said trying to keep his voice as calm as possible with her.

"I-I am sorry!" she said and she held her hands up.

"What- You are fine, I introduced myself," Hajime said and she let a few tears shed.

"Y-your voice sounds s-so angry though."

"This is just my speaking voice," Hajime said, his tone more animated and making flinch even more.

"Wow Hajime, yelling at a girl and making her cry. Not cool."

Hajime turned his body, throwing his hands down. "I am not yelling at her! I just want her name!"

"M-My name is Mikan- Mikan Tsumuki, I am the SHSL Nurse! I am sorry!"

"You are fine!"

She began to cry and Nagito stood to the side, shaking his head before putting a hand on Hajime's arm and began to lead him away, "how we stop this before you make things worse," he said as he wrapped around the right side of the pool, towards the front door.

You followed them from the right, passing by Mahiru.

Mahiru turned over and her eyebrows furrowed at Hajime, and then to you. "Has he properly thanked you yet?"

"H-huh?" you asked.

"For staying behind with him!" Mahiru said and her nose scrunched. "I am going to assume not."

Hajime seemed to tense up. "I- there has been a lot going on!"

"That is not an excuse, they are going through it too and yet they stayed till you woke up!" Mahiru had her hands on her hip, pursing her lips.

"I-it isn't that big of a deal!" you assured holding your hands up, closing your eyes as you smiled. "Thank you for the concern though, enjoy the hotel!" you said and quickly ran towards the door, feeling flush as Nagito held open the door to the down stairs lobby.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Sitting inside the lounge like lobby, at a gaming table was a girl with pink hair, she was sat hunched over the console, her hand twitching on the gamestick and clicking the one button rapidly.

The three musketeers shuffled over to her, but she did not have any response as she kept tapping away, like she had not even noticed you all yet.

"Uh…. Hello," Hajime finally said.

"Give me a second," she held up her finger. "I am almost done with this level," she answered.

"She is quite impressive," Nagito said as he looked over at the score in the corner, it numbers climbed higher and higher as the aliens were shot down with her perfectly aimed ship. It looked like she could have been using a game editor but it was all human skill.

"Ah…. okay?" Hajime said and looked at you, and you were staring at her profile intensely. He pulled his lips back and pulled back.

The stage cleared and she let out a yawn. She closed her eyes and seemed ready to drift off before Nagito cleared his throat, bringing her attention back to all of you. "My name is Chiaki Nanami, I am the SHSL Gamer," she said.

"Chiaki…. Nanami…." yes that name it. "I have a question for you."

She blinked and nodded her head. "Alright, what…. is it?"

"Do you know, a Chihiro Fujisaki?"

Her pink eyes went wide when you asked and she held onto the straps of her backpack. "Yes, I do," she answered. "We are related."

"I knew it- I- they mentioned you a few times, if I recall correctly," you put a hand under your chin. "Ah, what- was the connection again?"

"it is…. sort of complicated," Chiaki answered as her eyes moved to the side.

"Oh- like- distant cousins?"

"Hmmm, something like that," she smiled at you. "Something closer to a niece, I think."

Your eyes shot open. "Wait a second- we- we played Minecraft together over discord, right?" you remembered the disembodied voice paired with the familiar pixel graphics in your head. It was faint, it must have been you were children but-

"Yes…. I think, we did," Chiaki had a smile on her face and she closed her eyes, taking in a deep breathe. "Do you remember the Desert Oasis?"

"Oh yes!!! Ah! Remember how long the Cruise Ship took?" you laughed. "The shape was such a pain!"

"Yes- yes but the material grinding was fun-" she held up a finger and you both began to banter about memories you had thought long forgotten from childhood.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"They certainly have a talent for getting along with people…" Hajime noted as he watched you.

"Indeed, it is kind of nice to have someone to do the talking though," Nagito said as he had a hand in his pocket, watching as you got a little more conversation out of the sleepy gamer girl, before you looked back at them.

"You should meet the others around, they are still exploring," Chiaki said before she turned her head back to her game, starting up the next round.

You nodded your head and ran off with the others. "Sorry to keep you waiting! I wasn't expecting to have a childhood friend as a classmate," you supposed she must have been a year older than Chihiro despite being their niece. Funny how families can function.

"It is fine," Hajime said as he looked towards the stairs to the second floor of the lobby. He shoved one hand into his pocket as he walked up, Nagito and you following behind.

It was an open air restaurant with a largest buffet full of all sorts of food, mostly from the sea. Looking at all of the options, looking more curious than hunger was the foreign Princess, Sonia Nevermind.

Her head turned hearing footsteps. "Ah, hello," she said as she turned around. Her eyes went to Nagito first, and both of them began to size the other up as they looked each other over. "I see you are making the rounds with the others."

There was something sparkling, a connection that should be made now before it was pocketed away.

"You know. Want to ensure they don't get lost, or decide to make somewhere else a new bed" he joked as his shoulder shrugged. Hajime gave him a pointed look after he said that.

"Well, I am the SHSL Literary Critic, it is an honor to meet you, I really hope we can be friends" you introduced with half a wave.

"I am Princess Sonia Nevermind from the small European Country of Novoselic," she said as she curtsied. "I would be pleased to be friends as well!"

"My. Novoselic," you said as you let out a hum. "You will be the first diplomat coming from to Japan from there in awhile…. if I am not mistaken a tragedy happened to the last ambassador, right? About… six years ago?"

The fuse flicked into place as electricity jolted between the cousins, their mouths both fell open and they stared at each other in bewilderment.

"…. Sonia….!"

Sonia tackled Nagito with a hug. "Oh! That explains it! How could have-" she sputtered over herself, losing that trained composure as she looked at him. "How could I have forgtten you???"

"I think…. this whole scenario has screwed up memories a lot," he looked over at Hajime with a big smile, as he stepped away. "See, you have anything to worry about… it'll come back eventually," his hands were in his pockets as he looked back at Sonia, his face tightening as he did.

"It has been much to long, I cannot believe we are in the same class! What fortune!"

"The world really is small, huh? First me and now you," you grinned at Nagito before looking at Sonia. "I am even more excited to get to know you, Nagito has been a delight to be around!"

"Oh he has always been a sweetheart," Sonia had a closed eye smile. "He also has quite the talent for finding four leaf clovers if you ask," she said and winked at both of you.

Hajime blinked, somehow this….. what happened? How he get here? He just wanted one answer, any would do.

"Well- it's not much of an actual talent either," Nagito rubbed behind his neck as he looked over. "We have more people to go meet at the moment but-"

"Oh of course, we will have plenty of time to catch up later," she nodded her head and smiled at Hajime and you. "It was a wonderful to meet both of you, I hope we gather plenty of these 'Hope Fragments' together!"

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Nagito and Sonia managed to give one final goodbye before you were out of the hotel completely and back on the road. Nagito's pace had noticeably slowed a little and he seemed to be somewhere far away.

"Do you… want to go back to Sonia?" Hajime asked as he raised an eyebrow. "There isn't that much left to go."

"No- no I like spending time with you both," he closed his eyes with a smile. 'And as she said, there will be plenty of time to catch up later, should all go well."

"Well don't make it too ominous," Hajime said as you stepped onto the last stop on the first island: the Usami Corral.

It was a quant little farm, with a barn and a few stables and complete with a windmill, and a chicken!

"You would expect there to be more animals here…" Hajime said as he looked around the ranch that had it's one, singular chicken.

"Indeed!" a voice bellowed from the barn as the tall boy with the jittering scarf appeared. "It is all too barren."

"Aww, you found it!"

"AHH!" she had appeared right next to you, just sprang up. You could feel the wind move when she did. You jumped to the side and held your hands up panting before looking down.

"Where do you keep coming from!?" Hajime yelled as he stepped forward.

"I can appear anywhere at any time, the system allows me to due to my handy dandy Magic stick!" she said as she waved her wand around in the air.

"The system???" you asked.

"Still, I am quite troubled," Usami seemed to pointedly ignore you as she looked at the single chicken wandering around. "A farm with no moo-cows is like a soccer field with no balls…. Oh I know!" she held up the magic stick. "The Magic Stick can fix this!"

The air began to glow pink and Usami began to chant "Bibidi bibodi!" over and over again as she pumped the chicken full of love, the cock began to quiver. "Bu! Turn into a moo-cow!" it exploded in pink light, turning into a cow.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD TREE!?" Gundham yelled out, his hands swaying around in the world. "What sort of witch craft?"

"…… BWAAAAAHHH!?" Hajime's jaw fell open for the hundredth time that day.

Your hands rose in the air, before smacking upon your thighs before rising even higher, before you were just flailing them about. "Okay!?"

"That was a huge success!" Usami declared before she disappeared.

"A chicken- turned into a cow? How!?" Hajime exclaimed.

"It probably was a trick or illusion with lights, set up before we got here," Nagito reasoned out.

"You fool!" the boy with the fluttering scarf pointed his wrapped hand forward. "That was clearly a display of sorcery, and you would try and label it a trick of the light!?"

"You, sound certain," Nagito said.

"I studied that beast," the scarf boy pointed a finger at the animal. "And I assure you, it was not a cow when I did!" he walked over and put a hand on the large hind leg muscle and hummed. "What work did she perform."

"Well…. it was still such a bright light, I don't think any of us would be able to see if she simply switched them out. If she can just pop in and out it is possible she can teleport other things around."

"Okay well then explain the teleporting!" Hajime exclaimed gesturing over at the cow, trying to wrap his head around this all.

Nasgito shrugged at him.

"It is one of the many mysteries we will need to solve on this curious island…."you said as you looked over to the tall boy. "Starting with, who are you?"

"An engima you will never truly understand, but as you need something to refer to me as: I am the Dark Lord of Ice, Gundham Tanaka!" he made a gesture with his hands. "With me are my Four Dark Devas of Destruction," he held out his palm where all four of them had gathered. "San-D! Maga-Z! Jum-p! and Cham-P!" he pointed to each one before they each ran up his sleeve, disappearing back into their comfortable abode. "Remember them well."

"Okay…." Hajime was suddenly was wondering if the chicken-cow trick was as insane as this guy.

"Tell me…. what familiars have you had in the past?" Gundham asked as he tilted his head to one side, eyeing Hajime up and down.

"I…. don't recall if I have ever had a pet, maybe when I was super young," Hajime shrugged.

"Hmfp, then you have a weak power level, it shall not be worth your time to try and trifle with me," he turned his head and looked at you. "And you, what of your dark companions."

"Well, I haven't had any myself but I….. I sometimes would help walk one of my neighbors dogs, a Pomeranian named Precious," you answered.

"A Pomeranian, you say?" he raised an eyebrow before closed his eyes. "Still weak, but that is something I suppose," he turned his head away. "Now I shall look for that chicken if only to prove to you the existence of sorcery!" Gundham declared as he disappeared into one of the stables shortly after, concern all over his expression for that bird.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"What… an interesting guy," Hajime stated as he looked over to where he left.

"Experts tend to be eccentric," Nagito said with a shrug as he looked over the area. "I suppose we are done on the first island."

"And we still have one person to meet…." you said as you were all through the gates of the ranch, and right to the bridge that would lead you across.

It felt like you had been walking for ages by the time you crossed to the other side of the bridge, to the smaller center island. Your head twisted around looking at the other bright orange bridges that tied each island together like they were ropes.

"It seems… we have a lot more ground to cover," you noted.

"Well they locked," Hajime said as his head tilted over, looking at the large rusty looking bars that blocked off the way to the second island.

"I guess it's so we all have to stay generally in the same area, at least well we are going through introductions," Nagito theorized allowed as you all started to stroll in the direction of the centeral park.

"It is…. still unsettling they can lock off parts of the map at will," Hajime noted as his eyes narrowed as you walked right past the gate.

"I don't think Usami is going to do that, at least," you noted as the first turn came into view.

"Hopefully…." Hajime said as you stepped through the threshold, the large statue eclipsing some of the sun. It depicted a Man on a Horse, a Falcon on his arm with a Tiger and Viper protecting his back and front. A picture of strength.

"A park by the ocean," Nagito took in a deep breathe of the salty air. "This is rather nice."

Hajime's eye caught the edge of the security camera that had been lurking in every other area, he held his teeth together as his hands clenched and unclenched, he really wanted to jab the lens out. It was an urge he suppressed but it nawed at his bones to destroy it. "In some ways," he muttered before his head turned to the remaining person.

Your head followed and the world stopped on a record player and you were left spinning around in the after math as you stared at them.

Your mind tingled as words passed around but you couldn't hear them, too overwhelmed in the moment. You didn't know where all of this was coming from, the rushing in your head and the whispers that played in your mind.

"You-" Byakuya's voice broke through your haze and you looked up at him with your mouth open dumbly. "You have not introduced yourself. Why are you wasting time."

"Because……" your eyes studied each facet of his expression, the harsh cold eyes pair with soft cheeks. "Your face does not become you."

He recoiled, his mouth falling open. "Excuse you!?" he exclaimed out loud.

"Oh dear…" Nagito said. Hajime had to take a step back and snap his head to look at you, he had gotten used to you during the day. Insults weren't your thing, at least he thought so!

"How dare you, do you know who I am?!" Byakuya's voice had a shake to it when he asked the question and you stared into his eyes.

"I am well aware."

"You- you," he tried to find the words. "You better watch yourself," his voice had dropped.

Your mouth went open, flinching backwards. "I…. do think I have come across as intended. I simply think you are too earnest of a man to be acting so coldly," you cleared your throat.

You hit him with a new rock from a new angle. "You should be better at communicating as a Literary Critic, do better in the future," he stated as he crossed his arms, regaining his composure as he sneered down at you.

Your brow quirked. "How… did you know that was my talent?" you asked.

"That is unimportant!" he announced. "Now are we dome here?" he asked.

"I think, that would be for the best," Hajime said as he took both of your shoulders and quickly guided you away from the very rich and powerful man you were pissing off.

At least appeared to be.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

With the last ping indicated that the two stragglers had collected all of the first Hope's Fragments, the monitors doting the island flicked on with an alerting chime. Your heads all turned to the one on Jabberwock Park.

"Congratulations everyone!" Usami exclaimed. "Everyone has finished collecting the Hope Fragments!" she began to sniffle and tears were running down her plush face on the screen. "I am so happy! So I have prepared a present for everyone that I hope will make you all happy too! I apologize for the trouble, but please gather at the beach!" there was a thrilled giggle from the bunny.

"May shining hope be with you all!"

Chapter Text

The rushing waves greeted you as your trio was the last to enter onto the beach's soft sand.

"How did you manage to dilly dally so much?" Byakuya sneered at you all. "You left at the same time I did."

"Sorry, sorry," Hajime mumbled, but in his defense Byakuya moved exceptional quick for a man his size.

"There is an airport but they took all of the engines out…" Kazuichi said as he rubbed behind his neck.

"I went up the tower to see the other islands and it would be a swim," Akane admitted as she rubbed behind her neck. "I'd need to a cooler or something to make it."

"There are bridges!!!" Ibuki said. "But they are closed so nobody gets lost~! Usami explained, so you know it is true." she nodded her head as she crossed her arms.

"The store has everything we could need for survival, and after leaving the store and coming back it was completely restocked of everything," Peko explained as she crossed her arms. "I didn't see anyone enter or exit the building when this happened, though."

"The hotel has cabins, and each one is assigned to us," Mahiru said as flipped her camera around, a photo of her cabin with a pixel art version of her face staring back at you. "They are comfortable on the inside, too," she clicked a button and it showed the humble interior of her cabin.

The room seemed like details had been picked out to tailor to her talent in her cabin, which made sense for Hope's Peak Academy you supposed.

"There is also a restaurant in the hotel," Sonia said as she rested her shoulders back. "The food seemed fresh and to rotate occasionally…. though I did never see any staff come in."

"There is a ranch, but the beasts maintained there are sparse," Gundham crossed his arms as he huffed, his extra-brooding mood evidence that he was unable to find the chicken.

"No way to contact the outside world, from what I noticed at least…." you said.

"Then it would appear you all are missing one detail about where we are," he let out a sigh. "I suppose I cannot expect every pedestrian to keep up with the news like I do."

"Pedestrian!?' Fuyuhiko's nostrils flared from the back of the class. "What the fuck?"

"Could you stop barking?" Byakuya glared back at Fuyuhiko and his entire face flared up.

"You noticed an extra detail!? Well come on, ya gotta tell us, Big B!" Ibuki exclaimed.

"I-I am sorry, I really- really tried hard to investigate," Mikan squeaked.

"Has everyone been to the central island park?" Byakuya asked, examining everyone across the class.

"The one with the creepy bronze statue, right?" Hajime clenched his fist.

"Yes, and when I saw that I remember a story I heard before," he adjusted his glasses. "There is an island in the Pacific, a beautiful island paradise where summer never ends. It consists of a center island surrounded by five different islands. It's said that five holy animals symbolize each of those surrounding islands. That's islnd name is Jabberwock Island."

"We are on an island called fucking Jabberwock!?" you shouted, it was not as if you intended to yell but how could you NOT!?

"Uh- well other than having a place- I don't see what the big deal is," Kazuichi said.

"Has anyone read Alice in Wonderland?" you asked as you looked at all of your classmates.

"The book about the girl gets drugged up on mushrooms, yes!" Ibuki exclaimed.

"What the fuck does a children's book have to do with anything!?" Fuyuhiko burst out from his part of the crowd.

"I don't know, we fall into a rabbit hole lead by a white rabbit, taken to a strange place called Jabberwock, you know, like the Jabberwocky? It all lines up a little too well…" you asked.

"I…. suppose there are quite a few parallels, also think of the frazzled memories," Sonia asked as she held up a finger. "That was a theme of the book as well."

"I suppose that does link too…… mmmmm, never mind," Byakuya said. "I doubt this will lead anywhere," he declared and you put your lips together.

"I mean, isn't that all just coincidence anyway?" Akane asked as she looked around. "Whatever the island is called, we still got to live here."

"Talking about god damn fairy tales isn't going to get us anywhere!" Fuyuhiko said as he looked over at Akane. "Meat for brains is right about somethin' though."

"I mean, it isn't that bad," Kazuichi said as he smiled. "We got pretty nice lodging, plenty of supplies and it is not like we can leave anyway."

"It's not like there is anyway we can leave," Hiyoko said. "Besides, I like it here. There are allll sorts of Mr. and Mrs. Bugs to squish!"

"This whole scenario is, concerning but….. there really does not seem to be any danger," Mahiru said as she looked at everyone. "We really should be alright!"

"Is- is this really just…. just okay?" Mikan asked as she looked around. "Maybe… things will get even stranger."

"From my investigation, there were no ways of communicating with the outside world, we would be unable to call for help anyway," Peko pointed out as she looked at Mikan.

"I mean at least there is plenty of food here," Akane said as she rubbed behind her neck. "The world will keep moving well we enjoy ourselves a little, and then hop right back into it."

"Taking time to relax is just as important as training is!!!" Nekomaru declared loudly, making thunder thrum across the landscape.

"Ibuki likes it here!!! Ibuki thinks we just sit back and kick it on the waves!" she looked over at the sea, she still had the swimsuit on she had been wearing at the hotel pool.

"As long as we collect the Hope Fragment we will be going home eventually, right?" Sonia asked as she tilted her head to one side. "I cannot say I see any problems staying here."

"Wait- aren't you guys accepting this a little too quickly?" Hajime asked as he head swung around. "I mean, we barely know where we are or why were are here, and we were supposed to be attending Hope's Peak Academy!"

"Then do you have any suggestions or just howling to the wind?" Gundham asked as he crossed his arms. "It is not a distance a mere mortal could swim."

"Well, there are plenty of trees," Hajime looked over at one of the migthy palm trees. "We could probably make a raft."

"Absolutely not!"

"Ah! Was it listening to us the whole time!?" Hajime asked as he took a step back away from that thing.

"We are here to live harmony with nature, and take mutually from it's bounty! Did you remember to read the rules from your E-handbook?" she asked as she crossed her arms, her magic stick sticking out.

You scrunched your nose. "Why is it okay for her to just squish bugs, then!?" you asked as you gestured over to Hiyoko.

"Hey! Snitches get stitches, remember that," Hiyoko exclaimed as she pointed a finger back at you.

"Well- there…. there is a lot going on! And I can only do things one at a time! I figure because it is in the past I will let it be forgiven and hope she learns her lesson."

"What is the deal with these stupid rules anyway?" Hajime asked as he tilted his e-handbook down.

"Don't provoke her, she is very finicky with these rules…" Byakuya said as he glared down at the rabbit, before his eyes shot to Hajime. "What if your actions cause everyone to be in danger?"

"The word danger is a bit much!" Usami said "I wouldn't do anything like that just- just maybe a time out!"

"Hajime, I understand how you feel but you do need to calm down," Nagito put a hand on Hajime's shoulder.

"Waking up in Wonderland can be worrisome, but we aren't in any danger at the moment," you said as your eyes traced over the landscape.

"As long as we collect the Hope Fragments, we will be off the island in no time," Chiaki assured.

Hajime looked at everyone in disbelief. "You guys are just… going to believe that? We don't even really understand how to get these things," he said as he put his hand in his pocket.

"It is really simple, you just spend time together, have you not caught onto that already?" Usami asked as she tilted her head to one side.

"I get that, but what are you judging it on? We all just had a sizable conversation, what is the difference between this and the chats we had when were getting the first set?" Hajime asked as he crossed his arms.

Youe eyebrow quirked and you took your E-handbook. There was a tracker in here for the Hope Fragments, but there was no progress bar or anything…. what…. was counting your total?

"Well- it is based on your connection with specific people, and this conversation isn't bonding! Not yet!" she said.

"It is not like we have any choice but to believe her for now."

"Anyway, what was that present announced earlier?" Ibuki asked as she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling in excitement.

"Oh- yes! Yes I didn't forget," and she held up a key chain of herself, going around to everyone in the group and handing them one.

Nagito stared blanky down at his with a smile. "What, is this?"

"Pftt, tee hee, it is an Usami Strap! If you squeeze the tummy, it talks!" she gave the one she was about to hand to Chiaki a squeeze and it spoke in her voice. 'I am Usami, Magical Miracle Girl Usami! I am an itty bitty girl who's sweet like milk!' "Isn't it cute? Love love!" she said as she finished handing you and Hajime your's respectively.

You studied yourself, turning it over in your hand and you didn't know why you were smiling, you supposed despite her pension for coming out of the ground with out a sound scared you, she was a fairly cute mascot.

You had to give props to whoever designed her.

"What the fuck are you wasting out god damn time with?!" Fuyuhiko crushed his so hard that the voice box inside broke, stuffing coming out of the seams.

"This is….. so lame," Hiyoko complained as she let hers dangle down.

"What a disappointment…" Mahiru sighed.

"Really? I think it is pretty cute, especially how the ears look like rabbit's…." Chiaki said well she clipped hers onto her backpack. You did the same with yours, clipping it to your bag and you flinched when you could feel the judgemental stare from Hajime.

"Usami does mean rabbit, you know!" the teacher informed well beaming, only for her face to drop in distress as 13 out of 16 of them instantly ended up in the sand. "Hey! You cannot just litter on the beach!"

"So you agree it's trash?" Mahiru asked as she looked at the sad little rabbit who began to pick up the abandoned straps.

"Boohoo…. I had another present prepared but now I do not want to give it to you cruel children….."

"You have something else?" Peko asked, her strap still dangling in her hands before she tried to swiftly find somewhere to hide the goofy thing.

"Compared to the Usami strap it isn't that special… just some swimsuits so you guys can hang out on the beach and hopefully it will cause some bounding to occur…." she moped around as she finished collecting the last strap off of the ground, producing two draw string bags.

"Oh! Oh yes, swimming!" Akane grinned and she looked over to Nekomaru. "Bet I can get to the changing room faster!" she darted towards the red bag and snatched one of the suits, before Nekomaru raced behind.

"Ohhhh you wanna bet now!" he laughed as he snatched a speedo from the blue bag and they were off in a dead sprint against each other towards the hotel, their trampling feet being heard from the road.

"Haha, Ibuki is gonna beat both of you to the water!!!" she bragged as she launched herself into the sand.

"That is so not fair, you were already swimming!" Kazuichi called as he dug around the bag for one he liked, even though they were all the same standard blue swimsuit from school and he went chasing after the athletes.

"Wait- are you guys serious!?' Hajime exclaimed as he looked over at the crowd forming around the swimsuit bags. "You are just going to go swimming?! In a situation like this??"

"I mean, why- why not?" Mikan asked as she pulled herself back. "Swimming is good for you!' she assured.

"What about- but-" Hajime looked at the crowd as it began to fade, several students content with their swimsuits.

"I know your nerves are still going but, I think you might be able to relax some more if you just have some fun," Nagito said, the pair of swim trunks in his hand. "I would be happy if you joined us, but- it's okay if you really don't want to. I don't want to force you or anything," he said before he was gone.

Hajime stood there at the few remaining students. "Am I just…. losing my mind?" Hajime mumbled to himself, and you turned your head to him.

"I don't think so," you said. "But nothing has gone wrong yet, so….. It might be best to make some good memories," you smiled at him. "Never know when you will need them," you went off with your swimsuit in hand.

The walk felt brisk and you turned down the length of the board walk, hearing the sounds of doors opening and closing as everyone else had changed. You dipped into your cabin, not taking a ton of time to look around as you got yourself changed in the bathroom.

You looked at yourself in the mirror and stared at…. what had to be your face, right? Your eyes were wide as you watched your own expression, tilting your head from one side to another but your face….. looked….

off to you.

You closed your eyes as you tugged the blue latex along your sides, squeezing all your tummy inside and hefting it up your shoulders. You wanted to ignore the unsettled feeling growing in your gut.

You turned your head slightly and in the corner of your eyes, you saw a man in black.

Your head shot back to look at him, but he wasn't there.

Your mouth fell open and you looked around the bathroom, you felt eyes you could not see crawling on your skin and you felt your throat grow dry. "I should get to the beach with the others," you said aloud, the goal making your breathing steady enough you could rush out into the sunlight.

It felt gray in the sky.

Your feet feel fast as your eyes kept on the road, trying to get back as the beach as quick as you could, as if you didn't a bear would jump out of a bush and maul you.

You bulldozed right into Nagito.

"Oof-" he stumbled forward at the push you gave him and you head shot up, your eyes going wide and the world gained back color. Nagito turned his head and blinked at you. "Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

"Ya, it's…. it is nothing," you said, the feeling vanishing all together. You let out a breathe and smiled. "Guess just a little to eager to get to the beach!" you said as you looked around the road at the crowd of others that were racing towards the ocean, joy on their faces.

Nagito looked at you and tilted his head. "You are sweating a lot…. do you need to get a drink or something?"

"No- no, the water will cool me down," you said and smiled. "Thank you for being concerned though."

"Of course," Nagito closed his eyes and smiled, seemingly to be assured and you were the last two to make it back onto the sand, and you rushed over to the water to feel the waves, leaping at how cold it was deeper into the embrace of the salty sea.

"Brrr!" you exclaimed, all of the tensions being frozen off as you threw your hands up in a splash. You really did like the beach!

"Wow!!!" Sonia splashed over next to you. "It is so cold, I wouldn't have expected it!" she grinned. "I have never gone swimming in the sea before!"

"Really?" you asked.

"There a couple of lakes back home, but most of the time in traveling I am too busy to do much beyond seeing the beach," she laid back and let herself float in the water, her arms helping her wade atop of the water. "So this is wonderful!"

"Ah- has, has everyone remembered sunscreen?" Mikan asked as she held up a blue bottle. "I-it is important t-to remember to apply it, when b-being out in the sun for long times!"

"Ya!!!" Nekomaru produced his own bottle of sunscreen. "Anyone who forgot raise your hand I will apply it to ya!" his head looked over to Nagito.

"I- promise I applied sunscreen," he smiled up at the coach who gave a nod.

"I think I need some!" Mahiru called over and took the bottle Mikan had, giving her a small thanks as she lathered up her arms.

"Wooow the water I amazing!!!!" Kazuichi cheered before he dived down and came up, finding a shell off of the surface and holding it up. "Woow! Hey, maybe I should make something to collect more shells…… girls like that kind of thing, right?" he asked as he studied the shell careful in his hands, admiring all smooth surface with extreme intensity.

You began to swim further off shore and turned your head, as you heard the echoes of Usami shout something but it was drowned out by the water in your ears.

Hajime stare at everyone having fun before him with the expression of an overwhelmed mouse. You smiled at him and waved him over, and his pretty eyes caught onto you. You watched his fists clench, before he ran over to Usami.

"Hey! Hand me one of those swimsuits!"

You grinned as you watched him disappear over the hill. You could hear the water shift and turned your head to see Nagito had joined you out deeper in the water.

"Seems like he has finally given in," Nagito said with a smile.

"It is a good thing, I hope he is able to have some fun," you said as you watched where he had left.

"What…. do you think about this whole situation? You seem pretty positive about it," Nagito said as he looked at you.

"Huh- well…. I figure if something goes wrong we will deal with it when we get here," you looked towards the rabbit. "And I do think Usami has the best of intentions for us, even if I do wish she would just tell us the full picture…." you looked out at the rest of the crowd on the beach.

Chiaki had fallen asleep underneath the palm tree, looking shockingly exhausted for the activities of the day well Byakuya was eyeing everyone careful, examining their every movement. Gundham and his hamsters meanwhile were hard at work crafting a sand castle and-

"Hey!" you exclaimed in alarm.

Usami's ears perked up and her head turned to Hiyoko, who was on her tiptoes to get the best angle to smash in crabs, snickering well she did that. "Now, that is an absolute no no!" she waved her wand and watched as poor Hiyoko was lifted into the air, and put in a time out chair in the beach.

Where the chair came from, you don't know.

Hiyoko's head snapped over to you, her face red. "You-!" she exclaimed, before the chair was turned around.

"Five minutes in time out. I want you to think about those poor crabs."

"What makes you think I am going to listen to you?" Hiyoko attempted to get out of the chair, but it seemed to have bound her too it physically. Everyone looked very alarmed before they went back playing in the water, as Hiyoko cussed out you and the bunny. Something about how snitches got stitches.

"Heeeey! You guys!!!" you looked like a dog when you heard Hajime's voice, watching as he was sprinting down from the road onto the beach and leaving his foot prints with all of the others. "Hey hey! Let me join in the fun!"

You didn't notice how you had moved to swim towards him, you were standing and his feet just touched into the water when

the black clouds rolled in. They cut off the sun and the entire beach felt as if it was twenty degrees colder.

The joyful mood dropped as everyone's head turned to stare at the swirling dark mass above.

"Those…. clouds don't look natural," Hajime said as he stepped back onto the shore, his face going pale.

"What?!" Usami asked as she stared up.

"You don't know what's going on, either?" Nagito asked as he stood on the shore, somehow still smiling despite the sudden shift.

"No! No I don't!" Usami cried as she shook her head. "This shouldn't be happening!"

There was a hum of the monitor coming to life, and the screen filled with static.

"Aahhhhh, ahhhh. Mike check! Mike check! Can you hear me???"

Your pupils shrunk. You stared at the silhouette the jutted out from side to side and felt sweat to begin to roll down your neck, running away with the droplets of sea water.

"Puhuhuhuhu, surprise? You were totally surprised! Right….?"

You clenched your fist tight.

"Now then, sorry to keep you all waiting for so long, why don't we leave this boring entertainment behind??? It is time for the main attraction!

You should all hustle over to Jabberwock park."

You didn't wait for the others.

You went straight for the park.

You stood in your swimsuit as you brushed around the bushes to find whatever that thing on the monitor was. You didn't know what it was or what it wanted but it needed to be found and dealt with.

"Stay back!" Usami yelled as she came up to you and bullied you to the side of the crowd. "You cannot get involved, for you own safety!"

"Usami-"

"No!" she shouted and she turned her head, her eyes flashing for a second. "Now come out you cretin."

When it didn't come out, she began to shudder. You could hear the footsteps of the other students filing into the park.

"Where are you hiding? C-come out already!" she held onto her magic stick with both hands, her tiny body shaking.

Hajime finally entered the area.

"Puhuhuhuhuhu! Ahahahahahah-hahahah"

A hideous laughter coming from somewhere on the statue before it hopped out.

That stupid fucking bear.

"Why, hello there! Thank you all for waiting!" Half white, half black with a striking red eye that made your gut turn, your body moved on it's own, taking a step forward and putting your weight on one leg.

"Long time, no see, guys! I am Monokuma, the headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy!"

He hopped down and you shuffled back on instinct, his glowing red eye surveyed the shocked face of every students, savoring the expression. "Now then, I have made my dashing apperance and I have to say: This is lame!!!! Lame lame, lamer than lame, totally lame sauce!" he exclaimed and then he shifted back drool creeping down the fur from the sharp maw on the right side of his face. "Lame sauce, is that tasty?"

"What is that thing!?" Ibuki screamed and yanked her leg up. "Why is it drooling like that!? Ibuki no likey!"

"I don't- know what I am looking at," Mahiru confessed as she stared at the thing.

"Just as I thought, it's you!" Usami held her stick high, trying not to shake. "But…. How are you here, Monokuma!?"

"Ohhhhh Shut up! Yeesh, I was expecting a real welcome party, and yet you all are killing the mood! You should be grateful, because I am here to save you from all that boring Heart Throbbing School Trip Nonsense!" he let out a growl. "Truly, you could all sit here wasting away with nothing good going on, nothing juice, nothing fun!!!!" he leaned his body back before the sharp maw began to twitch. "Nothing with any despair."

"I-I don't…. I don't understand at all!" Mikan exclaimed as she had tears running down her cheeks, she stepped back, moving behind Byakuya who recoiled from the beast.

"What is that thing?"

"Be careful, stay back and leave this to me!" Usami said and gave you a pointed look when she said that.

"Yah! Opening!" Monokuma lunged, claws raised as he began to maul the bunny.

"Owww! Ouchie!!!! Stop it!!!" Usami cried as dust kicked up from their battle.

Your breathe hitched and your bare feet hit the stone. "Usami!"

"She said to stay back," Chiaki said but you kept moving. Hajime grabbed your arm and yanked you back, he made all of the tendons in your arm straighten.

"What the hell are you doing?! Are you trying to get yourself killed about something stupid?!" Hajime yelled at you as his eyes jotted back to the fight as Monokuma tumbled out and held the magic stick up high.

He snapped it in half.

"No!!! My magic stick!!!"

"What an easy victory!" Monokuma gloated before he looked down at Usami with a hideous smile on his face. "Now what to do as a punishment…." his eye flicked. "Oh I know, I will reshape you into my image! After all white rabbits are so cliche! Everyone is sick of them!"

"Wh-what?!"

A new dust cloud shot up as Monokuma yanked and tugged and changed. "This is what happens to naughty little sisters who act up!!!" he yelled.

"Stop, stop!!!!" Usami begged as he kept going, until he spat out what he produced.

Half of her white fur had been dyed a bright pink color, well her tummy had been shaped to be a blubeous recreation of Monokuma's. Tears rolled down her two faces, one of her eyes having been replaced red.

You let out a gasp as you stepped back, covering your mouth.

"I now dub you, Monomi! My little sister," Monokum snickered as he said it.

"What!? Change me back this instant" Monomi yelled. "Huh!? The narration changed!" she yelled as her head shifted to the right side. She seemed to suck in a breathe. "I won't let you change the settings!" she jumped at the bear-

only to be punched across the park, she hit one of the trees and her plush body fell to the ground like a bag of flour.

"Have you learned your lesson of what happens when you defy me, little Monomi?" Monokuma mocked as he tilted his head to one side, and she could not bring herself to get up.

"What…. in the world am I witnessing?" Peko asked as she blinked

"A fucking comedy routine that isn't very fucking funny," Fuyuhiko stated as he growled at the bear.

"This…. isn't good…." Chiaki said as she looked over at Monomi, crumbled onto the ground, sobbing.

"What did you do to her?!" you yelled at the bear, stomping your foot forward.

"I just made her look more like me, why are you so upset? She is like 500 times more marketable now!!!"

"What- what are we going to do about the raccoon?" Kazuichi asked as he grabbed at the brim of his beanie, pulling it down.

"A raccoon!?" Monokuma turned his head. "Did your parents drop you as a baby? I am a bear! I am Monokuma!"

"What- why is there another talking stuffed animal!? And why is this one so terrifying!?" Mikan sobbed out as she grabbed onto the fabric of Byakuya's suit.

"Are you all deaf and dumb!? I am Monokuma, the Headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy!!!" he let out a long breathe. "And as the Headmaster, there is a declaration I would like to make! This boring Heart Throbbing School Trip is coming to a cold blooded stop, as we start the Killing School Trip!!!"

No one had any words, and so the bear decided to keep brattling.

"This will be much more eventful, don't you all think!?" he began to laugh out. "You are all naturally the contestants, I am sure you will all have a blast with all the bashing and brutality!"

"Absolutely, not!" Monomi got her feet and shuffled forward. "I won't let something like that happen!"

"Stubborn little brat," Monokuma kicked Monomi into trees on the other side of the park, she squealed like a dying rabbit as she knocked into the tree, making the leaves rattle and there was a bloom of stuffing popping out of her side. "Are you going to be keep being stupid, little sister?" he asked and when he didn't get a reply he rolled his head over to the students, and he smirked.

"With that little distraction out of the way, let's go back to our Killing School Trip."

"What are you talking about?!" Mahiru asked as she put her foot down onto the stones. "You say that like you expect us to kill- to kill each other."

"Oh that is exactly what I expect, and you will! I am sure of it. After all…. it's the only way any of you are ever getting off of this tiny island!"

"WHAT!? How does that work!?" Ibuki yelled.

"Simple! All you have to do is kill someone and then get away with the murder during a class trail!" Monokuma laughed as he held out his arms. "That is the real meat of this whole thing you know, getting to suspect your friends in a high stake battle between the spotless and blackened, hoping you don't pick the wrong person~ You'll get to see how exciting it is when one of you gets to a killing! Though it won't be nearly as exciting as- the executions!"

"E-executions?" Sonia asked as she held her hands to her mouth.

"Oh yes! Executions!!!! The pleasing punishment that followed the class trail, each one of you has a hand crafted ones tailored made, waiting for me to get to pop like champagne! Some of them are going to be very interesting~! Puhuhu~! All you have to do is get to see one is to commit a murder!"

"Really any killing method is suggested, stabbing, plumping, drowning, choking, injected air between the toes, slitting the throat, hanging, drugging, shooting, impaling, breaking every bone in their body, crushing in their skulls, pipe bombs, really the sky is the limit! It is an all you can murder buffet!"

"And- how do you intend to make this happen?" you asked as you stared the bear down, your voice was eerily calm.

"I am not ordering you to kill, after all it is completely your own choice. But your youth doesn't last forever, it's going to be real hard to commit murder with shitty joints!"

"If no murders were to happen- we would merely be stuck here?" Peko asked.

"Who knows," Monokuma shrugged.

"Okay, enough of this bullshit!" Akane yelled. "You wanna try to make us kill each other, why don't I just rip you apart first!?"

"You think we are just gonna sit here and take this shit, huh!?" Fuyuhiko yelled as he cracked his knuckles.

"It shall be no trouble cutting you down," Peko reached for the sword bag on her back, and Monokuma's red eye darted around to all the violence ready to start.

"My- my. Well I suppose I have to," Monokuma started muttering a prayer to himself and you took a step back, and then another feeling your stomach twist in dread. "Come forth, Monobeasts!"

At his command, the bronze began to splinter and crack, red LED shining from underneath the glided statue. The entire island began to shake as the snake flicked it's tail, the rubble falling way well the hawk spread it's wings, and the debris shot into the air and made people duck and cover not to be hit.

They all gathered behind their master, the Horse, the Hawk, the Man, The Tiger and the Snake, all posed to strike at any amount of disobedience. Your jaw was held together as you stared at them, your eyes darting between them trying to piece together what it was you were looking at.

There was no way this was real.

"W-waaah!" Mikan could only let out a terrified cry.

"What- the hell are those things?" the lightening that had begun gathering around Nekomaru's body disappeared and he could only look up at the creatures in awe.

"Didn't you hear me, they are my Monobeasts!"

"MONSTER!!!" Kazuichi screamed and he ran right behind Byakuya with Mikan, clinging to him as well as he stared at the creatures in terror, unsure what to make of them.

"I just said they were Monobeasts, you all need hearing aids!" Monokuma barked.

Mahiru fell to her knees and covered her head. "This can't be real, this- this cannot be really happening."

"You- do you really think we are scared of this?" Hiyoko asked as she let out a laugh, but you could see beads of sweat on her forehead.

"This….. is insane," it left Hajime's mouth like a breathe.

"You guys are hard to convince of what is happening right in front of you," Monokuma let out a sigh as he walked towards the Man Beast and put his hand on the metal. "They are very real, and quite the beauties too!"

"Stay back- everyone!" Monomi found herself on her too legs and she waddled forward. "I will protect you all! Even if it costs me my life I promise I will keep you all safe."

"Oh- even if it costs you your life?" Monokuma grinned and he began to chuckle. "Well then- how about you save everyone by being the example!!!" he cackled, as he sprung up atop of the Hawk Beast.

The legs were machine guns, and poor Monomi stood on the ground shaking like a leaf. no weapon and no hope of doing anything as Monokuma lifted his hand.

"No!" you tried to lunge forward and Chiaki jerked her shoulder into your chest, knocking you backwards to the ground. She got on the ground next to you and shielded her eyes in your shoulder, hugging you to keep you pinned to the ground.

Monokuma brought his hand down as the barrage of machine gun fire pelleted the rabbit. Her stuffing went first then the fabric of her flesh before even her exo-skeleton was chipped through by the ran of bullets.

One of them clicked off the metal frame, and scrapped Hajime's cheek.

His blood was pink.

You stared at the stream of pink running down his face and your mouth was left hanging over. Well the only trace of Monomi that remained, her hair ribbon fluttered to the ground.

No one had any words for awhile in the aftermath of the massacre.

"WAAAHHHHHH!!!!" Mikan finally screamed.

"What- the hell!?" Fuyuhiko didn't have any breathe to his voice. "Am- I in hell?"

"He- has slain Monomi!" Gundham shouted as he stepped back partly in horror. "He is- more powerful than I would have imagined."

"Oh my god- oh my god-" Kazuichi turned his head into a push and puke, before he dropped to his knees.

"They pack a punch, don't they!!!!!!" Monokuma looked out at the horror stricken students. "Just so we're clear, you guys can't defy me!" he was so cheery when he spoke. "I don't feel those troublesome things like mercy or sympathy, so no amount of crying of begging is going to save you if you break the rules, K! Oh, I have added all of the rules for the Killing School Trip to your E-Handbooks, so you better read them!!! Or else!!!" he let out a laugh. "Well, that is it for my announcement. Goodbye!"

He hopped upon his beast, and he road away upon it leaving you all to sit and stare at the aftermath.

No one moved, and no one spoke. Just frozen in the aftermath. You could still see the ground smoking from where Monomi had once been standing.

"What……. happened?" Nagito asked.

"Some giant monsters came out of no where, that's what!" Hiyoko yelled out.

"How, how can this be possible?! No, it can't be. It can't be possible!" Mahiru put her hands through her hair.

"I don't….. know how we can face such an opponent… " Peko conceded wearily.

"These- these monsters have to be impossible! They- how could they have been created!?" Nekomaru yelled.

"It isn't impossible, they are machines, complicated and complex machines but weapons are built easily enough…. Monokuma must be one too. Someone made them, and are controlling them."

"…. Made them…." you repeated allowed "But who could have?"

"Isn't that the god damn question we all want to know?" Fuyuhiko crossed his arms and raised his shoulders high.

"I don't….. I can't believe this," Hajime said as he put a hand on his head. "I see it, I know this is happening but, I can't believe this…."

"Everyone is confused and upset, and that is understandable but despite that we must keep our heads about us and act cautious," Byakuya took in a breathe. "All of those machines, whoever made them….. and," he held his teeth together as everyone knew what he was going to say, and everyone's eyes began to travel across the crowd. "Ourselves."

"Being brought to a tropical island with complete strangers, and ordered to kill each other in order to escape… That creates fear in our minds, and the desire to escape that hopeless fear is our worst enemy."

The fear was crawling upon the shoulders of all of your friends, and yet you felt…. calm. It was not as if you denied the possibility of death, when trapped in cages humans try to fight back anyway they can and if that meant tearing apart another, so be it. You weren't blind to the fact you could be staring down your would be killer when you looked at any of their faces.

Yet you didn't feel fear, rather you mostly simply felt…. numb to it.

That disturbed you more than you wanted to admit.

Everyone was bone tired well shuffling back to the first island from the bridge, everyone keeping a decent amount of space between each other expect for you.

You were trailing behind Hajime. He didn't seem that he noticed your presence hanging on his back as you both kept the same space with each other. Your head was down as your mind raced around in thought.

Those monsters….. were made of machinery but would it be possible to mechanically make something like that? Something that could be compressed into a statue?

Everything about this scenario was off… .and there had been something- with Hajime's blood. You knew it was wrong but….

Ah why couldn't you say what it was. You had known in the moment the problem but now it simply wouldn't return, you could only remember the streaks of blood that had rolled down his cheek. He had wiped it off awhile ago but you tried to focus on it.

The creaking of the boards underfoot was replaced with the concrete of the road up to the hotel. The air hung heavy like an anchor around everyone's necks.

There was the slight sound of waves from the canal surrounding the cabins, and there was a choir of footsteps on the planks as everyone made their way to their cabins: expect for you, who kept tailing behind Hajime.

Till his cabin door slammed in your face and you lurched back.

You stared at the door of Hajime's cabin, mouth dropped before you looked around, at how everyone else had shut their cabin doors tight.

Of course, after an announcement like that you would- would want to be alone.

You were alone.

You stepped away from Hajime's door, going at an angle that nearly made you fall off of the dock and into the canal below.

The water seemed to grow thick and congeal, it's color shifted to a deep red.

You let out a breathe as you put your hand on your heart, eyes zipping around in every direction trying to remember where your cabin was.

Each creak of the planks and whisper of the wind made you lurch about, the sounds of world shifting and reverberating into the tunes of a shamisen, an orchestra and mechanical banging.

You would be fine once you were in your cabin. You stepped inside and shut the door behind you.

It was so dark, any moonlight snuffed out by the deep black. Your breathes came out heavy as you leaned on the door, you hugged yourself as you felt your head start to spin.

You began to slide down the wooden surface to the floor. The relentless sound how stopped pounding in your ears but now you felt goosebumps crawl up your skin as you had the overwhelming feeling of being watched.

Your head turned and you could see a pair of red eyes in the dark. They shined with a recital locked on you, with disdain tainting them as they looked down upon you. You could hear the whispers 'pathetic', 'annoying', 'bothersome'

Your body started to shake and you shook your head, shutting your eyes as you tried to shield your face.

But they were still there.

Tired of you- bored of you- wanting you gone, yet they wouldn't stop staring- Keeping you on display like a hideous monument.

Tears squeezed out of your clenched eyes.

What did you do to make him hate you?

What did you do to deserve this?

When would you finally be able to get to the final page?

All you wanted was to get to the ending already.

Chapter Text

He wouldn't leave- he wouldn't just leave. Why wouldn't he go?

You peeked your eyes open in the darkness and saw swirls of faces that blended in agony, and that one pair of red eyes staring at you. You whimpered and turned your head down, grabbing at your hair as you began to sob.

You wanted this to be over, you wanted to be done, what were you going to do? Why were you in this situation? You wanted to go home!

"There- there- it is okay," a soft hand patted your shoulder.

Your head shot up with a gasp, and the moonlight flooded into the room from the window, and on the wall there was the soft glow of a bunny themed nightlight that made the room much brighter. Standing besides you was Monomi.

"Usami!" you yelled and immediately squeezed the middle of the dual colored rabbit, letting out a cry and tears from your terror still rolling your cheeks as they began to blend with those of relief.

"Yes, it is me! M-Monomi," her mouth moved to force out the new name and you leaned back, your eyebrows furrowing as you stared down at her plush face.

"Why do you refer to yourself by that name, now?"

"Because, that is what the narration dictates…." she answered as she held her shoulders together. She shook her head and looked at you. "I am fine now! And you don't need to worry about me in the future, because I cannot die!" she exclaimed.

"That is… that is a comfort," you said as you wiped your face. You looked at the camera that's lens pointed to you and your face turned dark. You could hear that bear's horrible cackling, you were sure he more than enjoyed you breakdown…..

You wouldn't let him have that again.

You decided to take a moment to look around your cabin, your arms still firmly wrapped around Monomi's waist in a tight squeeze.

It was small, a bed with several soft looking blanket stacked upon it with pillows and plushies to match, a TV with a 'The Funbox' connected and, in the corner next to the bathroom was a nook with two spacious bookshelves, absolutely priming with titles. Dotting on open surfaces were vases full of roses, and daisies, and bluebells, and they made you smile.

Your eyes lit up and you stood up, wandering over to look over what was on offer. Monomi seemed to smile as she was trotted around in your arms.

You leaned forward after the first few titles and noticed the trend. All of the books were old enough that every single one of them was free use, the works of Milton, Dostoevsky, Homer, Shakespeare, Osamu, Austen, Shelley, Wilde: but not a single piece of contemporary authors work in the entire collection. No Fukawa, No King, No Tolkien.

The only exception was Time to Time, in your bag.

You stared for a long time, hugging the rabbit tighter as you opened your mouth before you closed it.

"I think… I finally feel tired…." you didn't know how long you had spent curled into a ball. You wandered over to the bed, laying down and clinging to the rabbit in your eyes. Your mind was reeling though and it was about at the end of the line…. you'd think better in the morning.

"Being well rested is one of the most important things in life, so it is important you do it regularly!" Monomi encouraged as she got comfortable in being your comfortable animal for the night.

You swore you could hear the rhythm of a heartbeat coming from her, even if it was likely just a comforting illusion.

"Ahem…. Hope's Peak Academy 's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make," your eyes shot open and you sat up, letting go of the bunny who had stayed in your arms the entire life. You glared at the monitor in your room. "Gooooood morning everyone! Looks like today is going to be another perfect, tropical day! Now then let's make sure to show some enthusiasm and make sure to give it our all today!"

You let out a string of curses under your breathe as Monomi sat up on the bed and lowered herself onto the ground. "I have- thing to go check on. But I don't want to leave a vunerable student alone! Do you think you will be alright?"

"I am just going to be getting dressed and heading to breakfast, so I should be fine," you could see sunlight peeking through the windows and could hear the soft sea waves crashing and almost lulling you back into the comfortable neast of bed.

"Alright! Bye bye!!!' and with that the rabbit disappeared.

Well, at least losing her magic stick didn't mean she couldn't scare the shit out of you and your classmates anymore: you guessed.

You walked towards your discarded sundress and felt the dread that had gripped you before begin to brush it's fingertips on your arm.

You swallowed and you looked towards the window and the white light had begun to bend into a red color, beginning to to tint the entire room into it's blood bathed hue. You could see the sky become clouded with smoke.

Plop- plop- plop

The sound of water balloon full of a vicious fluid pierced your mind from somewhere in the room as you fought to get your dress on as soon as possible. You had your bag and threw the door open.

Hajime was standing, staring towards the gate doors- and the sky was crystal blue with the golden sun brushing on his jawline, illuminating a small amount of scruff beginning to sprout forth.

His head turned when he heard your door open. "Oh- it's you," he said.

"Uh- ya," you fumbled over to his side as you looked around. "Did something happen?' you asked as you looked at the gate.

"Kazuichi…. ran away," there was no better term for it. "Byakuya is calling for all of us to have breakfast and he just, bolted-"

"Oh!" you said as your head looked to Hajime. "I suppose some jumpiness is expected, but just running away from the group isn't… going to do us much good."

"Ya…." Hajime stuffed a hand in his pocket as you both wrapped to the steps.

"Is…. your cheek doing okay?" you asked, you could see the cut had scabbed over into the pale red shade you'd expect from an uninfected cut just like any other. Your eyes narrowed at it- there was…. that was inconsistent.

Hajime ran his thumb over the mark. "It doesn't hurt or anything," his eyes softened upon you before they shot up with a spark. "Don't- worry about it," the broken tone had meant to be commanding, but now his cheeks were red.

"Alright, I am glad you are… it- uh-" it didn't feels right to say he was alright or okay, no one was right now. "That it is really nothing," you got out and your eyes traced over to the boat house as your fingers touched the railing. "Oh, Usami is alive by the way!" you held up a finger as you half turned to look at him, a smile bright on your face.

"Oh- that's good I- wait, what?!" he snapped his head over. "She was completely shredded to bits by that machine gun! And, how do you know that?"

"Well, apparently she can't die, and she popped into my room to stay with me last night," you said.

His nose scrunched. "You really shouldn't trust that thing, you know," he said as his feet fell onto the balcony. "It's probably working with Monokuma."

"I don't believe that," you said as you both stepped into the restaurant.

"Ugh, it took you both long enough to get here," Byakuya huffed as he turned his head from the other entrance of the lobby, muttering something about how slow skinny people and plebeians were. "Where is Kazuichi?"

"He ran away," Hajime answered. "He has plans to hide and never be found to avoid all of this," he recounted.

"Course, spineless bastards like him aren't good for jack or shit," Fuyuhiko huffed, already ready to get down those stairs and leave as soon as he could…. but he looked at a table on the other side of the room and let out a begruding huff through his nose.

"I-I don't, I don't really blame him," Mikan said as she looked down. "This- this is all so scary!"

"Of course you would agree with him, you stupid pig barf bitch," Hiyoko rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

Mikan started to cry. "I-I am sorry!"

"Do you have anything better to do with your time other than be nasty?" you asked as your head turned over to Hiyoko.

"And was I talking to you, you fugly bitch?!" Hiyoko yelled at you.

You put a foot forward and crossed your arms. "Bold words for someone in throwing distant."

"Excuse you!?"

"How about we not start a fight on the first day," Mahiru said and turned her head over to Byakuya. "What is it you had to announce?"

"Not until Kazuichi is here, it is important everyone is present for this," he said as he gave a firm nod of his head.

Mahiru gave a sigh. "Of course he did…." she said before she got up from her seat. "If this announcement is that important, we will go get him," she said.

"Well we wait for him, everyone can enjoy breakfast," he walked over one of the displays of breakfast and seafood that were out, and began to stack his plate higher and higher with a little bit of everything.

"Hell ya!" Akane cheered as she got up, beginning to pile a plate for herself. "Gonna get myself a lot of food!"

Byakuya scoffed at her as he finished balancing his plate. "Do not get too big for your breeches and try to take on more than you can handle," he said as he sat down, and began to to tear into his plate like a feral animal.

"Wha- who the hell do you think you are talking to!?' Akane cried before she followed him.

Hajime and you looked at each other with the same expression before going around to the tables to find a place to sit.

"Good morning," Nagito had propped himself up on a table by the lobby staircase, and all four of the seats were open. He had just gotten some toast on his plate. You grinned and drew out one of the chairs, sitting next to him.

"Mornin', Nagito," you said as you looked at the selection on your table, breads with little packages of jams and peanut butter, sausage, bacon, eggs and a bowl of fruit. But there was plenty at the other tables.

Hajime gave one more glance at the rest of the restaurant before he sat down with the two of you, slumping over the table. He gave a hum in acknowledgement of the pale boy before he began to half hardheartedly put two strips of bacon and an apple on his plate, before staring off across the room.

You looked between the two of them and sighed as you began to gather up a fine portion on your plate.

"Well…" Nagito looked between Hajime and you. "I am glad to see someone in high spirits," he said as he turned his head over to you completely.

"Oh- you know, figure life is gonna do what life is going to do," you shrugged as you took a few bites slowly. It tasted just how it should…

"I guess I am the same way about things," Nagito shrugged as he took a bite of his toast, before his eyes looking onto something in the small basket. There was a beat of silence before. "Did you know I am deathly allergic to peanuts?"

Hajime's slouched posture shot up to look at him. "Uh- no? Why are you mentioning this?" Hajime raised an eyebrow, his head tilting with it as he looked quizzically at Nagito, who took his time chewing on the piece of bread.

"Oh no reason, it is just a fun fact," Nagito answered with a shrug and your eyes squinted at the basket.

"Should- we not- have any peanuts around you then?"

"It is just when I eat a peanut I have a reaction, you don't need to look so worried," he let out a laugh as he slide his empty plate over, propping himself up on one arm. "As I said, just a fun fact."

"Well- I will be sure to keep it in mind," you nodded your head, dying because your friend gave you a peanut would be an unfortunate way to go.

"That is, such a random thing to bring up," Hajime said as he finally took a bite of his bacon.

A lull grew in the conversation and you were stuck in your thoughts, tapping your fork on the corner of the porcelain as you stared off into the distance at the bright blue sky box.

"Do you think, this situation….. could get any stranger?" you asked.

"Who is to say," Nagito said with a shrug. "Things have already been so strange… but maybe we will find answers to explain it all sooner than we think."

"If I say no, I am going to be proven wrong," Hajime answered as he propped himself up on the table, rolling his eyes to the sky. "I really would rather it not…. but no one does and none of us have a choice."

"…. Ya, I guess so," you said, you supposed in some ways it would be best to merely rip this bandage off before the wound festers.

Mahiru dragged Kazuichi up the stairs, nearly ripping the sleeve of his jacket off. "Aren't you a man? Stand up straight-"

"Stop tugging like that…." Kazuichi voice had no fight behind it as he held his head lower.

"Hey, there you are! Took ya long enough," Nekomaru let out a mighty laugh that rumbled the room.

"I-I am glad to- ooof!" Mikan had tried to get out of her chair, only to trip on the leg and smack her head into the vase of one of the potted plants. She laid on the ground and let out a cry. "Ooowww!"

"It would appear you could use an amulet of balance," Gundham crossed his arms and turned his nose into the air.

"What else can you expect from stupid Mikan?" Hiyoko huffed. "Cannot even get out a chair properly!"

Mikan was on the floor, tears in her eyes as she got up and big wet drops came to her eyes. Ibuki hopped up from her chair. "It's okay, Miki-chan!" Ibuki took her hand and pulled her up, patting the forming bump. "See, see, doesn't Ibuki make you feel better?" she asked and Mikan sniffled.

"T-thank you…" she whispered before she sat down in the chair that had just betrayed her.

"Well…. everyone is here now, right?" Chiaki asked and she let out a long yawn. "We should….. get on with it, before I fall asleep…"

"Hmfp, very well."

Everyone was here, and this would be….. the best chance you had. "Hey- uh, Byakuya: I…. I have to say something before you announcement," you said as you pushed back your chair, standing up on unsteady legs.

"What is it?" he asked as he crossed his arms. "It better be important," he sneered, but did not seem to mind being allowed to spend more time eating from his overfilled plate.

"Ya know, I kinda hope it is," You looked over the crowd of your classmates and took in a deep breathe. "So guy, uh-- We are in a simulation."

You dropped a bucket of ice water over the room with your statement.

"WhawhawhaWHAT!?" Ibuki asked.

"Are you fucking smoking crack!?" Fuyuhiko shouted from the other side of the restaurant. "Just because you got your nose in books all of the time doesn't mean they are going to start flying off the fucking page!"

"I- to think we have been transported to another world!" Gundham yelled out and his hands flew up defensively. "That is utterly preposterous!"

"Wow, I think they have really lost it," Hiyoko snickered to herself. "Maybe being crazy will make them attractive, only thing they really got."

"That- that is impossible!" Mahiru gasped.

"Oh? Is it?" you asked and gestured outside. "Aren't those Monobeasts also impossible? Isn't Usami impossible? Hasn't this entire situation been impossible since we have gotten here?" you stepped around and let out a sigh. "Eventually after enough impossible questions you have to find impossible answers. And as I see it being in a simulation answers most if not all our current questions."

"How, so?" Nagito asked as he tilted his head to one side, cupping his chin.

"How come we could all enter the classroom but no one could leave? That was the lobby area, where is most all of our stuff? Not in the game with us-"

"I have to stop you," Peko said as she pulled her sword bag off her back. "I have an item with me, how would I have been able to bring it into the game?"

"Ya, and I have my camera," Mahiru stated as she lifted it up.

"Geez, holes in the theory already, really are just smoking fumes," Hiyoko snickered and you hummed.

"I have an answer for that," you said. "I said most of, but honestly this evidence explains it more," you said before you reached into your bag, and pulled out the copy of Time to Time. "This, is my favorite book of all time-"

"What does that have to do with anything!?" Ibuki asked.

"I am getting to that," you said and held up a finger as you placed the book down on the table, the hard cover smacking against on the wood making a thump. "It is not one of the books I had in my bag when I entered the school, but it is a book with much more personal importance to me than what I did have," you said. Your explanation left you with new questions: but that was for after this, after getting them to see just how lost in Wonderland they really were.

"You have…. more evidence?" Byakuya's voice fell from his mouth as he stared at you.

"I do, tell me Kazuichi. What do you think would be easier to engineer? Multiple machines, capable of possible feats such as hiding in the statue, something flying when it is portioned like that, not one but two teleporting stuffed animals, one of which was capable of turning a chicken to a cow, transporting us here and binding one of us to a chair or one machine that creates a reality where the rules can be bent in anyway needed?"

"Well- uh…. Ya I guess the second one would be easier," he admitted. "But do you know the type of technological backing it would take to make something like that!? We are like, three decades away to making a simulation that feels this real!"

"Lots of things happen behind closed doors," Byakuya said as he crossed his arms. "Technological advances that happen in the shadows due to the whims of large organizations. Whether they made one machine we are trapped inside of, or multiple robots that keep us bound here whoever is doing this has a lot of backing…. I do think…. you are onto something though," he conceded as he looked at you from below the frames of his glasses.

"But- but everything feels so real!" Mahiru exclaimed and she looked down at her hands and then looked around the room. "I see everything as if I were at home."

You grabbed a steak knife off of the table in from of you and held up one arm.

"Hey!" Hajime snapped his head up, "What are you-?!" His mouth fell and he froze when he saw the answer.

In one smooth movement you sliced the skin, it was quick and everyone began to panic which was not the intended affect. You looked around at all of them calmly as the warm, pink blood dripped down your arm. It could have been some sort of slime with how uniform the color was and the odd way it reflected light, but it smelled like iron all the same.

"What the hell are you doing, why are you trying to make a scene!?" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"You- we need to-" Mikan began to panic as she looked around from something to treat the wound.

"What color is my blood?" you asked.

"Wh- why would that matter!? You are bleeding!!!!" Kazuichi yelled as he looked around.

"Why would you do that to yourself???" Sonia asked as she covered her mouth.

"What color: Is my blood?" you repeated the question more pronounced.

"It's…. pink," Nagito said as he tilted his head to one side, and everyone snapped to him before turning back to the wound, and realized, indeed the color dripping down was pink.

"What- how is that…. possible?" Peko said. "I did not notice until it was pointed out."

"A trick of the game, we aren't supposed to notice it," you said as you crossed your arms.

"That is fucking insane!" Fuyuhiko yelled. "I- what the hell!?"

"How in the world did you perspective this glitch in reality before I?!" Gundham yelled as his chest puffed up. "Is it that you see cosmetic visions?" he asked.

"Uh- no," you half lied. You did wonder if perhaps whatever, the hallucinations you have been dealing with were the reason you picked up on it. The blood always remained red in your head. "I suppose I was just paying extra close attention, because Hajime got hurt," your cheeks turned red when you said that. Hajime's head shot up and his cheeks were red.

"Huh?"

"So if this is a simulation, like you are saying: it can mess with our perception?" Mahiru asked feeling her throat tighten. "What does that- could that mean that Monokuma thing could mess with it?"

"I-I don't think, our perception, is- is the thing being altered…" Mikan said, she had approached you and started to wrap the wound, getting a close look at the injury. "I think- I think it is the blood itself. If, if this place is supposed to be completely- completely non-violent this was supposed to be, and, and how Monomi is with any mentions of anything like that…. maybe they censored it, on- on our 'avatars'- and- we just didn't notice because of everything else going on," she suggested.

"That's assuming that this was designed around that dumb bunny, you stupid bitch!" Hiyoko yelled and pointed her finger. "For all we know this is based on Monokuma."

"No, I don't think so," Chiaki said as she held up a hand. "After all, we started out with the goal of collecting Hope Fragements, remember?"

"I mean- that could just been away to get us comfortable. Like setting a trap for hunting or somethin'," Akane suggested as she rubbed behind her neck.

"They already have us trapped here," Peko pointed out. "What would have been the purpose is luring us into a false sense of security?"

"We don't even know if this whole simulation theory is correct!" Nekomaru exclaimed. "I find it hard to believe that this isn't real, I can touch the ground, and breathe the air and eat the food, and you want me to believe this is all a video game? I am not convinced."

"My theory doesn't answer all of our questions, after all we still don't know why we are here or who did this,, but if gives an answer for where we are and answers most of our mysteries," you said.

"I….. do think this does answer more questions than it raises."

"Well- I mean, this is…. this is a good thing, right?" Kazuichi asked. "If we…. if this is a simulation, that means this whole killing game thing doesn't matter, right?"

"Doesn't matter?" you cringed. "Doesn't matter!?" the bear popped from the ground, throwing his hands around. "What do you mean the killing game doesn't matter??? You really wanna go and stomp all over my fun like that by saying it doesn't matter?"

Everyone lurched from where they were sitting, moving into defensive stances well staring at the bear.

"Oh, it's you," your voice was dry as you tilted your head into a glower. "The Bug."

Monokuma shot you a look. "I am not a bug, remember! I am a bear!!!" he yelled before he snarled back at Kazuichi. "Now you, tell me what you mean by my killing game doesn't matter?!"

"I just- if it a simulation, and none of this is real-" he sputtered being put on the spot. 'Then that means…. if we die here it won't matter, r-right?"

"Oh, is that what you think?" Monokuma grinned. "Well why not give it a try if you are confident! Maybe, if you kill yourself you will wake up nice and comfortable at home. I can tie a very pretty noose~!" Monokuma offered.

"I-I don't think- think that would be the case," Mikan piped up before flinching when the red eye was on her. "Just…… this is so… so realistic…. the Nocebo effect seems… seems possible….. if it s a simulation!!!"

"Is this, a simulation? Like they think this is?" Hajime asked as he looked at the bear.

The stuffed toy crossed it's arms and huffed his head up. "Hmfp- ahhhhhh man, this really sucks," the bear seemed to deflate before you all. "That was like, my big twist! And now that stupid know-it-all had to blow it!!!!"

"Wait are you serious!?" Mahiru yelled and her head bounced between the bear and you. "This is- this is really a simulation!?"

"I don't believe rocks-for-brains is right! You gotta be lying!" Hiyoko yelled.

"You think I want them to be correct about something either?" Monokuma asked with a deep sigh. "They are so stealing my thunder."

"How- how is this, what the fuck!?" Fuyuhiko screamed out. "You better start giving us some god damn answers!!!"

"I just did!" Monokuma let out a sigh. "I think you'd all be a bit smarter about this whole thing, but I suppose a bunch of broken clocks aren't going to be right that often."

"What in the world," Ibuki rolled herself up. "Are you talking about????' there was a song in her voice as one her jotted forward to try and look at the bear from the beast angle.

"You never make any sense when you talk, it is really annoying!" Nekomaru yelled out.

"What I am saying is, you are all trapped in my simulation," he threw up his hands as he smirked. "You all really, really can never defy me!!! I control this world, and you all have to play by my rules, puhuhuhuhuhuhuh!"

His words made the air freeze for everyone, their breathe catching in their throats.

Expect for yours

"Is that so?" you asked as you tilted your head.

"Ya it is!!!" Monokuma snapped his head over to you. "Now stop talking already, your voice is so high and grating, I cannot stand listening to you prattle on anymore!"

You recoiled in offense before you shook your head. "Make me."

"What was that?" Monokuma asked.

"Can you not try and edge him on?!" Byakuya exclaimed.

"Make me, if this is your simulation you should have no trouble sewing my mouth shut, or removing it all together! Perhaps remove me? Turn me into a blob that can only feel your despair?" you exclaimed throwing your hands up. "Come on, aren't you AM's Fursona? Show me what you got."

The bear seemed to be blowing fusings, the sparks popping from between his ears. "Whyyyyyyyy you…. why you! Why you!!!!!" for all his blustering he didn't do anything to you, nor did he even call for his Monobeasts.

"Exactly as I thought, this isn't your simulation, you are just a bug in the system, a virus. One we will find a work around too."

"Ohhhhhhhh you may think that, and you will until the cold reality of despair hits you," the bear grinned at you, and you could see the reflection of swirling eyes in the red lens. "And when that happens, oh I will be there…. because you are nothing in the face of despair," and with that, he took his leave: not giving you the chance to quip back.

"How…. how did you know he couldn't do anything?" Mahiru asked.

"I didn't."

"Then, what were you going to do if he did something?!" Kazuichi yelled as he threw his head to stare at you like you grew a second head.

You shrugged. "Suffered, I supposed… but the first set of rules says the Head teacher cannot interfere with students unless they act with extreme violence so, it seems safe to say the Headmaster would have to follow the same rules."

"My you….." Nagito's eyes were shaded by his hair before his face turned up, entirely alight and it rivaled the sun in it's splendor. "You are amazing!!!!" he exclaimed as he stood up to stare at you. "Standing up in the fact of that despair like it was nothing it- breathtaking!!!"

"They could have gotten us all killed!" Byakuya yelled out snapping his head towards Nagito before you. "We don't know what exactly we are dealing with, and you running your mouth off towards that thing isn't going to help us get out of this situation."

"He's going to take every chance he can get to prove his might, show us how big he is: we should cut him down every chance we get," you argued.

"Ya!!! We should work on fighting back!!!" Akane called and cracked her knuckles. "Bring him back here and I'll really cut him down!"

"T-they are probably, only- only getting away with it because of the no extreme violence rule!" Mikan exclaimed and shook her head. "Do- do not try and f-fight him with your fists!"

'Come on!!! We gotta beat this thing down now into the ground! Show some spirit!" Nekomaru yelled out.

"Killing him won't do us any good, he cannot die," you said very fast. "We shouldn't show that thing any respect or fear."

"Oh so now you get some common sense," Byakuya jeered. He let out a long sigh. "Well…. with…. this, all: I think I have discovered something related," Byakuya tried to regain some composure as he glared down at you one final time. "There is something at the park. I will… discuss what else I have to say there. You all better make it," he demanded before he was out the door, in incredibly pace for someone so large.

"Hey, don't just go running off and bein' vague!" Akane yelled, slamming down her empty plate as she was right behind him.

More students shuffled out and Nagito hummed. "I wonder…. what it is," and with that he wandered off.

You looked at Hajime who hadn't found his ability to stand in all of the shock.

"How……. what did I do to deserve this?" he asked to himself and put a hand on the side of his head, doing everything he could to remember anything other than his love of hope's peak and enjoyment of assorted mochis yet it all…. it all came up blank.

"You didn't do anything to deserve this, Hajime," you said as you approached. "The fact any of us are stuck in a crazy simulation with a killer bear, it isn't something any of us deserve…. but that is why we gotta keep moving forward, so we can get where we gotta be."

He looked at you. "Do you really think…. that is even possible?"

"Everything else that seems impossible has been proven otherwise these last two days, wouldn't you say?" you asked as you held your fists together. "All we gotta do, is find out how."

Hajime held your gaze for a longer time before he let out a sigh, and he pulled himself up from his chair. "You are right, I guess, let's get going," he said.

You didn't want to bother him with talking, and his pace dragged enough you had to slow yours to keep up. He seemed lost in thought for a long while until you were half way across the bridge to the center island, being able to make out the red 55 emblazoned on Nagito's jacket from the distance you were behind.

"How did you know?" Hajime asked. "Was it…. really because of my injury?"

Oh he was asking questions! Your face lit up. "Well- it was part of the evidence but if you want to know the truth about what set me over the edge…." you closed your eyes before you opened them. "All of the books currently in my library collection don't have any conflict with existing copyright!" you held up your finger with a smile on your face. "If this were the real world, that wouldn't matter! They'd have all the books you could think of I would assume, but if this is a simulation, where they need to get the rights to have the book in their property then that would totally explain it! Then it lines up with everything else and the already n feeling that we were in wonderland…. it just made sense."

Hajime's mouth fell open as he looked at you. "You…. are kinda scary."

Your smile dropped and Hajime had to flinch at how utterly heartbroken you looked. "You- you think I am scary???'

Hajime's teeth gritted together and his head tilted back. "You picked up on something like that really fast!" he exclaimed. "It- just shocking and I don't have a better word!" he yelled and then he kept staring at you, he felt flush and he looked down the bridge, and when his mouth didn't move his legs did as he sprinted away.

His toe jammed into one of the gaps and he gasped, thinking he nearly broke it, but he bounced up and then kept running.

You stood there watching him go, leaving you alone on the bridge and the last twenty minutes began to penetrate your head. The bravado that had come in left you all at once. "I, did I mess up?" you whispered.

In the center of the park was a big fuck off bomb with gears twisting and turning around the bottom.

At least that is what the timer looked down when you finally made it within the rings of yellow and orange hibiscus flowers that surrounded the park.

"What- the hell is that thing?!" Kazuichi asked as he looked around. "Is it something- something that will crash the game?!"

"I do not know," Byakuya answered. "If they wanted to crash it, I do not know why they wouldn't have done so already."

"Alright…. then what is it counting down to?" Peko asked as she stared up.

"No idea!" Ibuki exclaimed. "Maybe it is when the DLC drops!!!"

"I don't think this hellhole needs DLC," Hiyoko sneered as she stared up at it.

"Then…. it is a mystery," Mahiru said.

"A mysterious mystery, isn't it?"

"Oh, hi Usami!" you wabed.

"Kya!!!!" Sonia jumped back in surprise.

"Kyaaa!" Monomi leaped back herself .

"What the hell are you doing here!?" Fuyuhiko yelled and bent down into a posture to punt the thing.

"I was doing my patrols around and heard everyone over here, I…. haven't found any any information on what that is, though…." she admitted.

"I am not surprised you are not helpful…… yet how did you rise from the dead?" Gundham asked, his head like a bird with how he was trying to look her over.

"Oh you are all sweet for being worried about little ole me!!!" Monomi seemed to beam. "But you don't have to be, I cannot die!"

"I wouldn't say we were worried about you…" Mahiru noted.

"So you have absolutely no information on this thing?" Byakuya asked.

"Nope," she shook her head. "I don't, have any idea what Monokuma is up too."

"Aren't you his little sister???" Akane asked. "Come on, he's gotta have spilled something to you."

"I am not big brother's little sister!" Monomi yelled and you felt bad for the bunny, knowing the code was twisting her words to counteract each other.

Those external settings had a lot of influence on the girl sweet like milk, apparently.

"Now then, let's do our best to get that evil Monokuma off fo the Island!" Monomi exclaimed in a rallying cry.

"If you don't know anything about this countdown, leave. You are useless to us," Byakuya barked.

"I- I."

"Hey, she is just trying to help!" you said as you glared at Byakuya.

"That thing is clearly working with Monokuma," Byakuya snapped at you.

"No she isn't!" you exclaimed.

"Do not think because you can call one thing means you know it all," Byakuya said as he stepped forward leaning down to you.

"I-I am sorry! I don't want to be the subject of you fighting!" Monomi exclaimed making you both break away, and like that she was gone. You could hear her crying.

"I…… do think maybe they have a point, she seems rather….. pathetic," Sonia said as she watched where it went. "In a harmless way, I mean."

"We shouldn't waste our fucking time on that thing, whatever it is," Fuyuhiko said as he looked up at the clock. "Our biggest concern should be that thing right now."

"That…. and how we were brought into this simulation," Byakuya said as he lowered down his glasses. "We have the answer to some of our questions, but too many of them are left unanswered."

"What…. sort of group could even do something like this?" Peko asked. "And why make us do this?"

"It would have to be one wielding a great deal of power," Byakuya answered. "Something as powerful as the Togami Corp at least, if not even more so."

"Do you think, there would be any sort of….. trademarks?" Hajime asked as he looked around. "Something of that sort?"

"We'd have to be looking around for something like that," Kazuichi said as he rubbed behind his neck.

"Then that is what we will do," Byakuya stated. "We are free to go around the islands as we please, so I order you, as your leader: to try and find out everything you can."

"Who made you the leader all of the sudden, Mr. Ham Hands?" Hiyoko sneered at him.

"Who else is better suited here to take that role?" he asked as he crossed his arms and looked over everyone.

"Well- Miss. Sonia is a princess!" Kazuichi exclaimed. "I think I would feel better with her leading us anyway."

"Oh no- I am a figure head," Sonia stated as she held her hands up, and seemed to take half a step behind you.

"I think…. that is probably a good option for the leader," you said. "Along with trying to find clues, though we should try to obtain as many Hope Fragments as we can still."

"Why the fuck would that shit matter!?' Fuyuhiko yelled.

"The rules…. still say to collect them, don't they?' Chiaki let out a long yawn. "Maybe if we are able to catch them all, we will be able to get out of here on easy mode."

"Chiaki is right," you nodded your head. "He may have added something to the code but he couldn't have changed the base program as much as he would have liked."

"Finding out who put us here is more important than a maybe," Byakuya said before letting out a long sigh. "But I suppose, that should be one of our goals as well. So here is the order: Find as many clues as you can together, and collect the Hope Fragments on your way!"

Chapter Text

Finding clues would be easier said than done, you felt.

You stared up at the bomb like device ticking down over your heads. A handful of people had remained in the park, most of them looking around but you hadn't moved yet.

You wondered….. maybe if you were left alone with this thing, you would hallucinate something useful. It did look like the bear and you knew you hated that fucking thing, maybe it would dredge up some new information.

You cupped your hand in your chin as you quirked your head from one side to the other as you listened to footfalls fade away until it was-

Just you and…. Byakuya, who was glaring at you.

"Are you not, going to search for clues, leader?" as you looked back at him.

"Oh that is exactly what I am doing," he turned his whole body, he was studying every part of your face and body carefully, watching how you moved, how you stood, how violent you looked….

and so you tried to relax your body, but his gaze was intense. He had dealt in death before, and was prepared to neutralize you if you needed… but he wouldn't need to kill you to do that, and you trusted he wouldn't: so you were calm.

That made him put his lips together. "Who are you?" his voice had a new tone to it, something softer than he had before hand and…. lighter overall.

You had expected some thing and yet- and yet that question immediately made your composure break. Your mouth half fell open as you looked up at him, you tried…. to think of the easy answer to that. It always had been for you before and yet in that moment you felt two tears roll down your cheeks, as your head tilted to watch them hit the concrete. "I…. am not quite sure I know right now."

There was a long silence as Byakuya kept staring at you.

"That isn't, the answer you wanted," you said and you turned your head to one side. "I'd give you a better one, if I could but…. I know I am not quite acting like myself….."

Byakuya let out a sigh and he walked over, grabbing both of your shoulders and getting him to look at him. "You need to stop being so reckless," Byakuya said looking down at you, his hands squeezed. "Your actions could provoke that thing and get everyone killed."

"His actions are limited by the game rules," you said. "If he could have killed me in that moment he would have, but…. he does need us to kill each other," you said as you held up the ehandbook. "He is clearly a sadistic little bastard who does it simply for the thrill, so I also don't think anything I say is going to influence the levels of horrors he is going to try and pull."

"It is not worth the risk, he will try to find loopholes to if not kill all of us, to kill you. You are painting a target on you back," Byakuya narrowed his eyes, before letting out a sigh. "It is obvious you are a bright person, and I don't think if you were an enemy you would have announced our situation so clearly: so I would rather keep you around for all of the trouble you are," he said as he pushed away, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I… I really am not trying to cause trouble…." you said as you looked down. "But that bear cannot be given an inch."

"There are ways to play ahead with out charging in with your head first," he chided. "And you also need to be less trusting of that rabbit."

"Usami is on our side," you said as you gestured at the park. "She wants us to collect hope fragments and make friends, that is it. She has nothing to do with that stupid bear."

"Had nothing to do with that stupid bear," he said. "Whatever her role was before, it has been changed."

"The only things he edited were external things, like her name in the code and her avatar," you pointed a finger towards him.

"And she also refers to him as Big Brother, she might have been a planet the whole time, or she truly could have been just a harmless bystander. Either way we don't know what sort of influence Monokuma has on her. It could be things she has no idea about."

"What would he have her do, hmm? Keep tabs on us? This is a computer program, he likely knows where we are and what we are doing at all times," you closed your eyes and sighed. "Our minds needed to be transfer into this world, right? There is a chance he is aware of every single secret we could have if there was some way for him to get a peak….. I just don't see any benefit Usami could give him."

"I-" there was a hint of pale. "I had not considered he could have looked into our mind…. can…. he read them right now?"

"I wouldn't know…"

"No, he can't!" the high pitch voice made both of you shot over, and Byakuya turned into a scowl.

"I thought I told you to scram!" he exclaimed as he stomped his foot down, and Monomi flinched away, big old tears rolling down her face.

"I-I heard my name, and wanted to see if I was needed," her ears drooped down and you looked over at Byakuya, tilting your head to the side and gesturing at the rabbit.

"Do you really think she is a danger? Come on!" you said and tilted your head to one side.

Byakuya clenched his jaw before his head snapped over to the bunny. "You said he cannot read our minds, how do you know that for sure."

'It is because- It is because of the-" both of her eyes turned blue and her mouth fell open, her neck twitched her head to the side and sparks shot out of her nostrils.

"Usami! Hey what's wrong-" you tried to approach the glitching out rabbit and Byakuya yanked your shoulders back, almost knocking you to the ground.

Her head snapped straight back on, She let out a long whine, but she seemed back to normal. "Ohhhhh I am sorry," she put her hands on her head and looked up. "Like any good teacher, I do want to explain everything to you but- but I am not allowed too! I promise I would. But he cannot read any current thoughts in your head. I pinkie swear it!!!" she held out a hand, her fluffy paw detaching in,,,, a disturbing pinky shape

You bent down, taking the pinkie swear and patted the rabbit on the head. You supposed because she was not sparking anymore Byakuya didn't stop you. "It's okay, I know you would: you have your limits too."

Byakuya let out a very long and tired sigh. "And what of everything else they said, of him constantly monitoring every word and action?"

"The cameras are not just for decoration," Monomi answered.

"So the avatars of the teachers matter too…." Byakuya said as he rubbed his chin, closing his eyes. "I suppose… that is why he does not want us breaking the monitors and cameras…. and the memory scan?"

She stared at you both blankly, another question she could not answer which…

"Means he probably was able too….." you put a hand under your chin. "He knows all our past secrets, but only so many of our current ones….."

"Troubling," he muttered as he let his shoulders slump. "But there is nothing to be done about it, at least we are aware."

"We at least have the information," you concurred.

Monomi stared at the both of you with an expression that could best be expressed as helpless, before tears began to well into her eyes. She choked out a sob before the bunny began to ran away, shaking her head from side to side. "Booohooohooooohooo!!!!!!!!!!"

"Usami!!!" you yelled and tried to chase after her. "What's wrong?!" you yelled and you ran around the corner, but you couldn't see her. You blinked before your entire body went slack, and your head fell down.

"What…. in the world was that about…." Byakuya muttered.

"I, I don't know," you shook your head and bite your bottom lip. "Do you think…. we pushed her to far and she is glitching out?"

"Who knows, this place is strange enough as it is," Byakuya put his hand over his eyes and he did sound so insanely tired. You couldn't blame him.

This was so exhausting.

And he was working so hard to protect everyone…. and you….

"Hey, Byakuya. I was serious when I said you would be a good fit for the leader," you said. "And when I said you were an earnest man."

His eyes lit up and he gritted his teeth. "I do not require praise from the likes of you….. but I am pleased to see you have gained some semblance of common sense."

"Oh I wouldn't say that," you smiled. "Were all mad here, aren't we in wonderland?"

He rolled his eyes, and he turned his face away from you…. but you could see a rounded check twitch upwards. "Try not to cause trouble," he said as he walked away.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

You looked down at the ehandbook, joy alighting on your face before your head tilted up, hearing the sound of bones in the trees.

You looked around and leafy branches had been replaced with skeletal fingers, the wind whispered nasty things to you in voices that were familiar and distorted, your eyes moved up to the clock and the voices got louder, whispering how you were a fool, a failure.

A butterfly flew across your vision and you stumbled back, the wings made of needles that would pin one up. You sucked in a deep breathe and closed your eyes, shaking your head as you took in shaky breathes.

You shot your head up to try and stare at the bomb, and tears rolled down your face as the sounds of the voices became louder, fumbling into a whirlwind of words that all melded together.

You grabbed at your head and closed your eyes, but they were so loud. Your head tilted up and you looked around the park, and sprinted towards the edge of the park.

You found the bridge and sprinted across it, trying to out run the voices. Their high and low pitches making a horrid harmony. You opened your eyes and jumped, hitting the safety bars and balancing back onto the bridge that had turned into bone beneath you. femurs and tibulas and humerous all strung along in a mismatch, replacing the orange planks of before.

Your feet moved like a spooked horse's before you took off in a gallop towards the first island, your throat felt try and tears stung your eyes.

The concrete hit your feet before you launched yourself onto the sand of the beach.

"Maybe you are the SHSL Spiky Hair!"

"There is no way in hell that is my ability!" Hajime yelled, his face blue at the idea that his hair was his most defining feature.

Nagito let out a laugh. "I am just teasing you, Hajime," he had a smile on his titled head. "I am sure whatever it is, it is wonderful."

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hajime's cheeks turned red before both of their heads tilted up hearing ragged panting, before they saw you plant your knees into the sand, holding your head down as you heaved in every breathe, attempting to refill your lungs.

"Are you okay?" Nagito asked as he went over, and bent down next to you.

Hajime sputtered and he came over, pulling a water bottle the vending machine had given him out and handing it to you. "Drink this."

You snatched the mineral water out of his hand and chugged it down , the plastic crinkling as you wetted your dry throat, and your body calmed "T-thank you," you said and you wiped your eyes.

"Were- you crying???" Hajime asked and your felt your stomach twitch.

"I- just sweating, going on a run really takes it out of you," you looked away after you said that, and Nagito tilted his head.

"Did you try to fight a Monobeast?" he asked, the tone in his voice rising slightly.

"I have gone mad here but not quite that mad yet," you said as you wiped your brow next and let out a huff. "I, hope I wasn't interrupting anything."

"No, not at all," Nagito said as he helped you get to your feet. "In fact, you might be a great help here," he said as he closed his eyes.

Hajime crossed his arms as he looked away. "We….. were trying to see if I could remember my talent, and Nagito had some suggestions," he answered.

"Well- have you been able to regain any just, general memories about yourself?" you asked tilting your head.

Hajime's face went pale and his head's angle dropped as he looked at the patterns of the sand. "…. No."

"Hmmm…" Nagito pressed his lips together. "Not, anything at all, Hajime?"

"I…. just know what I had when I came in," Hajime said as he rubbed his forehead. No talent, no memories, he hadn't had any special item and when he looked down at his clothes…. did he really always wear something this boring? or had they not been able to spit out anything more interesting for his blank slate?

What would be worse?

"it's alright, Hajime," you smiled at him. "It may take time to find out who you are, but memories or not you'll find out…. and we will be here to help," you looked up at Nagito who gave a nod.

"Uh-huh," Nagito nodded his head.

"Alright….. how…. would we find that out?" Hajime asked.

"Well, why not go around the super market?" you asked. "There is all sorts of stuff there, maybe something will jog a memory," you hypothesized.

"That is true…. We did just skim through on the first day, perhaps if you take a closer look at the stock you will find something related to your talent," Nagito suggested.

"It is not like I have any better ideas," he said as he looked out at the sea, his stomach twisted at the possibilities.

The Rocket Market felt… bigger. It had felt like any size supermarket before and yet only now did he realize how far it stretched on, further than the building should be with all the different sorts of supplies wrapping around.

An illusion had been broken, and everything felt surreal.

Maybe he should read that book you mentioned, what was it: Alice in Wonderland?

"This place…. does have a lot of stuff, doesn't it?" Nagito asked as he peeked over into an isle on a further side, and grabbed a bucket of glow in the dark paint off of the shelf and held it up in his hand, studying the label.

"Where, would we even start?" Hajime asked as he looked around, his head spinning around to try and make sure he was seeing everything.

"Well, this place is likely to big to get through everything at once," you said and looked over to the snack isle. "I think, I heard somewhere about tastes and scents bringing back memories," you said and held up a hand. "Maybe we can find so Kusa and Sakura Mochi and start there?"

"And Sakura Mochi?" Hajime cringed at the notion.

"They are the only two things you remember about yourself other than your name, Hajime," Nagito pointed out as he placed the paint pale down. "It is sort of our only starting spot."

He sighed as you darted into the shelves, there was so much here and the shelf seemed to expand for longer and longer, until you stopped and found a section of gift boxes, one with 9 different hand placed artisan mochis: including Kusa and Sakura mochi. You brought it back and held it out to him, like a dog who now expected a treat for catching a bird.

Hajime's face turned red and his eyes move to one side. "Thanks…" he said as he took the package, and he looked over all the different flavors.

You beamed at him, and he notice a smirk he didn't like crawling into Nagito's face. He stood and removed the packaging, and decided he wanted to enjoy something today: and then he could suffer some more.

He grabbed the Kusa Mochi.

His teeth squished the deep green shell, and he closed his eyes as a vision came.

In his bedroom, scurrying to the window as he looked up in ah at the shower of sparkles that rained down from the night sky, fireworks meant just for him to see as they dazzled him with their colors; a special gift for his birthday. At least he had thought that at the time in his young mind.

In truth they were just the fireworks for the New Year. His birthday was an unimportant coincidence to the rest of the world.

He swallowed and looked up at Nagito and you, staring at him expectantly. "My…. birthday is January First…." he said as his eyes looked over. "New Years Day."

"You did remember something," Nagito said with a smile. "Try the Sakura Mochi now."

Hajime looked down at it and picked it up by the leaf, looking it over in his hand as he cringed. He couldn't even imagine the taste off the top of his head and yet… ugh- he closed his eyes, his brow quirking as he could smell the flora notes.

As soon as the flavor spread across his tongue he spat it out of his mouth. "Yuck!" he exclaimed as he looked at the wet mochi chunk on the floor.

You snorted and covered your mouth, as you began to giggle. Nagito looked at you and then back at poor Hajime who was wiping his mouth with his arm and he started to chuckle as well, and soon the both of you were full on laughing at him.

His entire face turn red as he put the remaining mochi back into the box. "The one thing I remember is I don't like the stuff, what were you expecting???" his voice bounced off the walls of the store.

"It- it is cute!" you exclaimed through your giggling, and Nagito let out a snerk as he nodded in agreement at the sentiment.

"C-cute???" Hajime asked as he looked down, his shoulders tensing up as he held tighter onto the box. He gritted his teeth as he looked at what remained, wishing there was another one of those Kusa mochis.

"Did anything come back?" Nagito asked as the last of his laughter pittered out, adjusting the lean of his shoulder.

Hajime looked at both of you and then at the box. "Not…. this time."

"Well, try eating a few more of the mochis and see if there is anything else that comes up," you said as you looked them over. "it is very clear you have strong opinions on the stuff."

"We will look for other things for you to try," Nagito said as he looked around the store. "We can just stick with food items for now. Another time we can find maybe objects related to your talent."

"Alright…" Hajime looked down at the items, and he looked around the store. "There's… a furniture area over there," he said as he pointed over to it. "I am going to sit down."

"Okay, we will find you there, then!" you said and you darted around the maze of market shelving.

Nagito flashed him one more sweet smile before going around a corner, leaving Hajime with his box and he walked over to one of the couches, basically crumbling into the cushion chair as he stared up towards the fluorescent lights.

What…. the hell was his life? He put a hand over his heart, feeling it throb away as the sound of Nagito and your laughter both danced around his mind him. He closed his eyes and he gritted his teeth, his nose scrunching up.

Everything about this got more and more insane, and now he was having heart palpitations because of the two of your stupid faces. His face sank deeper and deeper into his red coloring/ What was he going to do?

He looked down at the remaining mochis in the box before sighing and grabbed the Daifuku in the box, giving it a squish in his fingers before he took a bite. He closed his eyes and tried to see if he saw any new images….

He didn't, but it did taste good. Not quite as much as the Kusa mochi though. He went through the others, the warabi, kinako, kuzu and on and on until he had cleared the box and leaned back into the chair cushion.

Absolutely nothing, other than how he would rank the mochis compared to each other.

"It seems…. that did not do any good," Nagito noted as he walked over, in his arms was a selection of Japanese snacks. Tempura fried seaweed, konpeito, hichews, ramune, matcha chocolates and some miscellaneous hard candies. "How unfortunate."

"I cannot say I am shocked," Hajime said as Nagito placed everyone onto the side table, and Hajime grabbed the back of seaweed, turning it over in his hands. "Why… all of this stuff?" he asked as he looked up.

"Well, just with your love of mochi I thought perhaps you would enjoy other japanese snacks," Nagito said with a shrug as he sat down in a chair across from him.

"I guess… it is worth a try," Hajime agreed as he popped open the packaging, and picked up a fried piece paper like strand of seaweed. He turned it around in his hand before he popped it into his mouth.

It crunched and he didn't remember anything…. he let out a sigh as he moving onto the next thing he had brought.

Soon enough he was surrounded by wrappers, and no closer to knowing who he was. His head fell to his knees and he let a breathe through his nose.

Nagito let out a hum as he reached for the abandoned bag of seaweed. "I suppose… none of them are personal as the mochi," he theorized before he took a bite of one of the papers.

"Guess not…." Hajime agreed.

"Don't give up Hope, yet. Alright?" Nagito asked as he tilted his head. "If you want to know the truth…. I don't have a lot of my memories either."

"You, don't?" Hajime asked and Nagito shook his head.

"Not only did I not remember Sonia but…. I cannot remember the street where I lived, the faces or names of my parents…. " he went quite as a bit of air filled his cheeks in half a pout. "And… other things that I cannot even think of."

Hajime looked down and sighed. "Guess that's why you have been hanging out with me so much…"

"Ha, ya. Amnesic birds of a feather should stick together," he said with half a shrug and a smile as he settled back into the chair. "but I have hope we will figure it out."

"Guess… that's all I can have about myself."

Your foot steps shuffled over, and you were having trouble keeping the several large bottles together in your arms.

You had brought him a selection of fruit juices and he raises an eyebrow at all of the bottles. "…. juice?"

"Well lots of people enjoy juice at some point, right?" you asked as you grabbed a thing of solo cups off the shelf and came closer and made a flight of juices for him to try. "And it's not as filling as other snacks, so you can try a whole lot of it."

You had brought Apple Juice, Cherry Juice, Grape Juice and Orange Juice.

"Guess, here we go," Hajime said as he grabbed the pale yellow juice first, and moved through in the order you had laid them out. Each one tasted…. familiar and friendly, but too sweet for him.

Until the last cup of orange juice. He took a small sip of it before his eyes went wide, pupils dilating in delight.

He didn't get any memories back but-

God dammit this was good.

He finished the cup and then looked at the bottle on the table. He snatched it and ripped open the cap and tried to drown his lack of memories in the citrus taste. His throat bobbed as he drained the bottle down.

Nagito and you moth stood to the side, both in shock as the rather sizable bottle was downed in one go, and Hajime slammed it down onto the table letting out heavy breathes as he wiped the orange strands that had dribbled from his mouth.

"Did….. anything come back?" you asked hopefully.

"That apparently I really, really like orange juice…." Hajime said between pants as he looked at the empty bottle, and his head fell.

"Hey, don't worry about it, alright, Algernon?' you asked and put a hand on his shoulder with a smile. "We will figure it out."

Hajime looked at you and let out a sigh. "Guess..... so...."

Nagito looked between the both of you, his eyes slightly wide but he kept his mouth closed tightly.

"I…. gotta go use the bathroom now," Hajime declared as he stood up.

"It's over there," Nagito pointed in a vague direction amongst the rows and rows and rows and rows and rows of shelving.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Nothing else came of the time at the supermarket other than now Hajime had a plastic bag full of a select few snacks he did like. Nagito had grabbed some nail polished and said something about how he promised Sonia he'd paint her nails.

He walked down the road towards the cabins and he paused when he registered footsteps trailing behind him and his head turned quickly to see…

You were still following him.

You hummed and tilted your head up to look at him with soft doe eyes that made his stomach twist around.

His eyes narrowed. 'What you doing?" he asked.

"Huh…?" you asked your head falling even more to the side, before you realize what he meant and your body bounced to a rigidness. "Oh! I- I just- I am sorry," you said and took a few steps back. "Just- uh well I uh- sorry!" you sputtered out a few more attempts to form words, and he saw sweat on your brow before you sprinted away from him.

His voice caught in his throat as he reached a hand out as you were gone down the road. He held his teeth together and moved his body into a relaxed stance. He didn't, he hadn't intended to scare you off.

But, what sort of reaction was that?

He began to wanders towards the hotel, and jammed his toe into one of the recliners. He let out a yelp and hopped into the air as he grabbed his sneaker.

Seriously, why did he keep doing that!?

He sat down as he rubbed his foot before he leaned back into the chair, closing his eyes and letting his forearm cover his eyes as he let his mind wandered away from the sudden pain in his foot to more important subjects.

Could you have…. been following him in hopes of killing him?

He let out a tsk at the very thought, it felt like an utterly unbelievable assumption. That you would attempt to commit a murder here, to try and kill him when you had been so kind to him and yet…. yet how could be sure?

Nothing else had made sense since he got here….

"Are you okay, Hajime?"

His arm came down from his face and standing with her perfect Princess posture was Sonia Nevermind. He sat up and held his teeth together. "I am… fine. Aren't you going to be spending time with Nagito?"

"Well, that is the plan," she said as she walked over and sat down on the edge of one of the recliner chairs, the artificial sunshine beginning to tint the sky box orange. "But you looked quite forlorn, I wished to check on you."

"Just….. feeling like everyone else," he said with a sigh as he shifted to be sitting up. "Don't see why you are bothering."

"Nagito has never really made many friends," Sonia said and leaned forward. "I haven't, either due to my position: so when we were small we would spend all our time together when she came to visit," she reminisced with a happy sigh. "But…. it makes me happy to see him spending time with new people, and any friend of my cousin's is a friend of mine. So I want to make sure you are going to be okay!" she smiled at him.

"….. Thanks, Sonia," Hajime said and leaned forward. "I guess, that critic was following me around and I didn't, I didn't notice them," he explained before sighing. "And when I did, they got all nervous and ran off."

"So you are concerned that they shall betray you, is that it?" Sonia asked tilting her head.

"Ya….. I don't…. quite know what I would do if that is the case," he added as he closed his mind. "Everything has been so strange and I… ah," he let his shoulders rise.

"Well, if you would like to know my theory which may bring you comfort: I do believe they are harboring quite the crush on you."

Hajime's entire face turned bright red and his body turned rigid. "A-a crush?!"

"Well, yes. They do spend a lot of their time staring at you, and since we have gotten here they have seldom left your side. Even before the killing game was announced," she closed her eyes and smiled. "It appears to me they have taken you as a Prince Charming."

Was he having a heart attack? That had to be what this was, the way his heart was hammering making his fingers and face tingle with the sudden flowing of excess blood. "They- they have a crush on me!? But- we just got here! We literally just meet how could- why would they even have a crush on me?!"

Sonia let out a laugh. "Love is a complex emotion," she said as she tilted her head to one side. "Cupid can also be quite a scattershot with a bow. But, I do not think you need to worry about their betrayal."

"I….. I….." he was left speechless and Sonia stood up, giving him a curtsy.

"I do think I have given you more than enough food for thought," she said with a small bow of the head and closed her eyes. "Have a good rest of your evening, Hajime."

He was left staring at the sky, and how some of the clouds were pink.

There….. what the hell?!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Ugh-

you could hear explosions echoing somewhere in your ears, and the wind felt unbearable hot you felt like your skin should be burning and searing, but it didn't even ruffle your hair.

You leaned onto the post of the ranch, covering your face in your hands.

He totally thought you were some sort of creep! Or- or that you were making plans to…. the thought made tears well in your eyes and you shook your head.

He thought you were scary! And all you were doing was making yourself more suspicious because you couldn't help but keep following him around. You let out a whimper…. what were you going to do with yourself.

"Hey- are you okay?"

The scream you let out echoed through the sky as you grabbed the sudden voice right beside you and threw it to the ground with impressive form.

"Oof," Chiaki hit the tarmac and you let out a gasp.

"Oh my god!" you dropped down to your knees checking her over the distant noises of explosions no more and the wind felt tropical and refreshing as it should. "Chiaki! I- I am so, so sorry ! I- you startled me. Are you okay?!"

She sat up and gave a nod of her head, rubbing her arm that had hit the ground first. "Ya…. I will be fine," she said as she blinked at you. "You don't seem to be doing well, though."

"It…." you let out a sigh. "It is nothing….. just messed up around Hajime, I think…."

"I think…. that is wrong," she said as she put a hand under her chin.

"You…. you don't even know what happened…." you blinked at her and she gave a shrug.

"I don't need to," she said with a shrug. "Whatever happens between you two will work out."

"You say that like it has happened before…." you said and she hummed.

"Well, it's sort of like a dating sim," she said as she held up a finger. "You have picked the Tsundere option, so it might take him a minute to really process his feelings. But that is how it goes with that type of character."

You choked on your breathe. "It's…. it's that obvious???" you asked.

"You have been following him around like a companion in an RPG…." she noted. "I think this is the first time I have seen you two apart, at least… well I have been awake," she let out another yawn and rubbed her eyes. "This place makes me so sleepy……" she mumbled to herself.

You put your face in your hands.

"You don't need to feel embarrassed, like I said, it just takes time working with a Tsundere character option," she assured as she gave your shoulder a small pat. "It….. will just take him time to process the feelings. Don't worry."

"You say that like it is a certainty he will feel the same way after he processed everything…. we did….. we did just meet," and you had this insane crush on him out of no where. "He could decide I am just some- some weirdo he doesn't want to spend time with anymore," the notion of it made you want to sob your heart out.

Chiaki let out a sigh through her nose when you said that. "I think…. you need to get your mind off of it for a bit," she said.

Your head fell…. "…. You are right…." it would be better than spending your time alone with your own mind palace.

"It is a shame we don't have that old world here…… but I have the Xbox edition of Minecraft in my cabin, we could play it split screen," Chiaki offered and you stared at her, your pupils dilating.

"That- that would be fun!' you agreed as you got up. "Let's, let's do that together," you smiled and she nodded her head.

"That…" she yawned. "Makes me very happy."

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Ding dong bing bong

"Oh god-" you groaned putting your head forward into your white controller.
"Oh no…." put her head down and let out a long yawn. "I am too tried for this."

"Ahem, Hope's Peak Academy Executive Committee has an announcement to make!" the bear took a lounging sip of his cocktail. " It is time for the fun to get started, I know we have needed a little extra time to set up due to a certain nuisance, but I am all prepared to get the party started!" he cheered and the windex in his glass sloshed out from the rim and onto some of the white fur, and it slide right off as if he was silicone. "Come meet at Jabberwock Park, I am sure it will be interesting, puhuhuhu~!"

Chapter Text

"Do… we have to go," you asked as you looked at the blackened screen of the monitor, and it still sizzled with the old static.

"You…. may be able to mouth off to him, but full on ignoring this kind of order could be troublesome….." Chiaki said as she crossed her arms and closed her eyes. "I don't…" she yawned. "Really want to either, though."

"Ugh...." you groaned as you closed your eyes before getting up. "I suppose.... you are right," you muttered as Chiaki began to save the world and took her sweet time waiting for everything to unload and turn off before either of you left.

You two were the last to show off, only moments before Hajime had entered the park.

"I am glad to see you decided not to be stupid," Byakuya sneered out, but there was more warmness than he meant in his tone and you could hear it. . 

"So much for 'not his simulation'." Fuyuhiko scoffed at you. "Decide to chicken out and show up here anyway."

You turned your head to him and just let out a sigh. "Fuyuhiko, man: can we please not?" you asked with your face deflating. "Just…. please?"

He took half a step back and you could see the way his face scrunched up and around before it set back to a pissed off expression. "Don't talk to me like you are my god damn friend!" Fuyuhiko yelled as he stomped a foot forward. "We got nothing to fucking do with each other!"

"As long as we are stuck in this game, we sort of do," you said as you put a hand on the side of your head. "I know you don't want to be here, none of us do: but lashing out at everyone isn't going to get us anywhere."

His face turned red before his mind clicked about. "I could do it, you know," Fuyuhiko had a glint in his grin. "Win this game the right way."

"W-what?" Mahiru asked as her face went pale. "You shouldn't joke about things like that!"

"Yes, you could," you said keeping your voice calm. "You are very capable of violence."

"Don't fucking try to patronize me!!!" Fuyuhiko yelled out.

"I am not doing that, I am acknowledging you are very could kill me, in fact," you looked around at your classmates. "I'd say you could easily kill about…. 3/4th of the class, but being able to, doesn't matter that much."

"Speak for yourself!!!" Hiyoko yelled from her part in the crowd. "I could take that shrimp dick!"

"Ex-fucking CUSE YOU!?" Fuyuhiko yelled, his eyes alight. "Do you want to say that to my face, pipsqueak bitch?!"

"I thought I just did, do you want me to say it louder?" she asked. "I could that you, shrimp dick!"

"Both of you," Peko snapped from behind you. "Fighting is going to get us no where," she said.

"Who ever said I was going to listen to you??? I have no interest in what some stone face bitch has to say," Hiyoko sneered as she crossed her arms. "It's not like that stupid shrimp dick is special, I could totally do it too," she said as she stomped a foot forward.

"I am going to splatter you brains on the god damn ground," Fuyuhiko showed all of his teeth, his hands clenched into fists.

"Hiyoko!" Mahiru gasped out, and Hiyoko's eyes flicked over, her teeth gritted.

"What?" she asked, clenching her fist. "I might be planning a murder right now! That stupid pig face Mikan would be an easy target," she pointed her finger and Mikan squealed, holding her face up.

"Y-you- you are planning to kill me!?" Mikan cried before she began to sob, her legs were shaking and Ibuki approach, and Mikan flung herself behind the musician to cower from the girl who was like half her size. "No- no-"

"That is not going to happen," Byakuya declared and he stood in front of everyone, and he glared over at the two bickering blondes. "Neither of you shall become murderers, and not a one of you will become a victim, for I shall prevent it!"

"Oh that is some big ass talk," Fuyuhiko turned his head. "And how the hell are you going to do that, fatass? Gonna sit on me."

Byakuya gave a sigh and lowered his head. "I understand the call to violence, it makes it quite easy to get quick solutions… it is a tool I would have jumped to in the past as well," he admitted before he closed his eyes, before he looked at you and he held his lips togethers. "Remember if you kill one of us, you shall kill us all: and are both of you truly willing to say there is no one here you care about dying?" he asked as he glared at Hiyoko and Fuyuhiko who both fell into an angry slience at the question.

"Why you lard filled son of a bitch…" Fuyuhiko muttered out and he was clenching his entire body, but he wasn't spitting the fire he was before. "Shut the hell up," he snapped and jerked his head away.

"Ya, don't think I couldn't still- still do it!" Hiyoko's eyes flicked besides her before they went straight ahead. "I just won't right now."

"Good, and you won't be doing it in the future either," Byakuya gave a nod of the head at Hiyoko who let out a series and puts and muttersd about 'stupid Mr. Ham Hands'.

"Ahhhh man, I was really getting excited," Monokuma popped up and your head turned to him, before your expression held together.

"What…. the hell are you wearing…..?" you asked.

His head snapped over. "It is my suit for my two man Comedy Routine, you got a problem with it?"

"It's just so," your face scrunched. "Tacky. And like it clashes with your whole thing going," you gestured at him vaguely. "It wasn't a great aesthetic to start and you have made it worse."

"Ibuki uh-" she put her finger tips together and let out a snort. "Ibuki agrees- you look stupid in that," she said as she held up a hand with a laugh. "What happened to the Punk Rock Monochrome thing you got!? That was half cool!"

"Ya, like- why not…. have a half black and half white suit that swaps to the other side, like in movies?" Akane asked tilting her head to the side. "That'd… .go with your thing better, wouldn't it?"

"Mmm, I think you are all expecting too much of this fiend when it comes to his attire.
Gundham declared as he crossed his arms. "Whoever designed it, already decided to make the base a sort of Panda Bear."

"I am not a Panda Bear!!!" Monokuma yelled. "I am Monokuma, just a bear!!!!"

"Well you are black, white and rather tubby. I have also only seen you use fast travel to get around…. so you have the laziness of a Panda bear, therefore it is reasonable to assume you are some sort of mutation of the beast."

"Do Panda Bears have these one cool red eye?" Monokuma yelled as he tilted his head to make sure his red eye got light. "I didn't think so!"

"Snrkkk," Hiyoko covered her mouth with her sleeve. "He thinks that red mark makes him look cool. What an edgy idiot."

"From the base, he does look like he is from um, what's the name? Hot Topic? and then shoved an unrelated suit ontop," Sonia said with a nod of her head.

"It is to match the set up I have planned!!!!" Monokuma yelled. "For my two man Comedy Routine, which all of you have to watch!!!"

"Two man?" Peko asked as she quirked an eyebrow. "But all I see is… you."

"My number two is right," he reached behind a tree and seemed to yank Monomi from the trunk as she came out, wearing a frilly pink dress.

"Awwww!" you exclaimed. "Usami, you look adorable!"

Monomi's ears went up and Monokuma seemed like he was ready to turn your femur into a chew toy.

"Shut up, the show is starting! And if any of you interrupt so help me!!!!" Monokuma exclaimed as he yanked Monomi onto the stage.

You rolled your eyes but closed your mouth.

The lights flicked on for the orange and white stage.

"Welcome on and All to Monokuma's Side Splitting Live Two-Man Comedy show!!!'

"Huh!?" Monomi exclaimed. "I-I didn't hear about this, I am no good an improv!"

"Too bad!" he cleared his throat and looked out towards the crowd. "Hellllloooooo! I am Monokuma!"

"Um, I am: Monomi."

"And together we are, the Monokumas!!!" / "And together w-we are, the Monokumas…"

"So, Monomi what kinda joke you got?" Monokuma asked looking at her.

'W-what?! You are just, just gonna put me right on the spot?!" she asked as she held her hands up. "I don't, know."

"Come on, just- come up with something! Everyone knows the lamer one goes first to build up the better comedian."

"Uh- well then er…. Knock Knock!"

"…" Monokuma lost all of his interest. "Whose…. there?" he asked.

"Banana."

"Banana who."

"Knock knock."

"You better not start this," Monokuma warned in a glower and Monomi hopped back.

"O-Orangechant's glad I didn't say Banana!"

Monokuma glared at her. "You are so bad at comedy, stupid sister! You know the whole point of it is so see suffering!!!" he exclaimed. "How about we do some Your Mama Jokes!"

"But, but I love my Mama!!!!"

"Too bad!!!! Your Mama so stupid she eats chicken medium rare!"

"My mom is a rabbit!!! She'd never eat chicken, let alone undercooked!!!!"

"Hey Monomi! Your Mama so fat……. she had a heart attack and died!!!" Monokuma began to cackle.

"W-what sort of horrible joke is that!?" the poor rabbit exclaimed

"It was a cooked up joke for one SHSL Cook, Teruteru Hanamura!!! Doesn't that joke just make you want to throw up your stomach??? Come on, whatcha think little guy?" Monokuma looked over the crowd and he let his mouth hang over. "Oh heyyyyyy, wait a second!!!" he began to laugh harder, his hands on his belly as he leaned back. "He isn't here!!!"

"Oh no- no no," Monomi began to shake her head from side to side and her eyes welled up with tears.

"I guess one of you put him on ice and decided to take his heat!!!" he let out a laugh. "Who knew Hope's Peak had such a reputation, that someone would become a villain just to join some stupid class trip!!! Guess that means you all just have something a little more in common with my little Monomi!!!"

"What- what are you talking about???" Monomi snapped her head up.

"Believe me, it's a fact that Monomi is a villain. I'll tell you allll a little secret of hers~! Monomi went out of her way to erase all of your memories!"

"What?…. Say what!?" Monomi asked as she panicked, her head shooting up to look at Monokuma and then looked over the crowd in fear.

"Tell me…. do you all remember entering the pods that put you into this simulation? That's because Monomi stole them right out of your head!"

"What are you saying all of the sudden!?" Monomi yelled.

"There's more! She didn't just take your boring memories, like how you got into this game: she completely took away your memories of the years you spent at Hope's Peak Academy! What a shocker."

"You- you need to stop talking, please-" Monomi had a beg in her voice.

"Phew…. I feel great now that I have shared that all with you: seriously memory loss plot lines are so old hat nowadays," Monokuma let out a sigh, wiping his brow before he glanced out the array of stunned faces of the students. Only a total hack would wait till the end of the story to reveal a cliched twist like that!!! Just like it was a dream the whole time or something just as dumb."

"Why- reveal this of all things!?" Monomi yelled out and Monokuma rolled his head over to her, before he delivered a swift punch that knocked her to a tree.

"Do you ever stop talking!?" he yelled out. "A young sister who yaps all the time is soooooo annoying!"

"Usami!' you yelled and chased after her to the ground where she skitted to a halt, some of her fur ripping off her plush body. You crouch down and ran your hand over the wound, not quite touching it before looking at her as she sat up, her ears drooping. "He is….. so strong!' she exclaimed as she put her hands over her head.

"Usami, what memories did we lose?" you asked as you crouched down.

She looked at you and her mouth opened. "Your- your school memories," she said simply.

"Why take those? I know you did it for a reason," you said as you looked at her. 'What happened between then and now?"

Monomi began to cry, covering her eyes and wildly shaking her head. "I can't tell you," she said.

"Usami, I am on your side, but we need some answers if you want to get the others to trust you," you said as looked into her button eyes.

She sobbed into her paws. "I can't tell you, I can't tell you!" she repeated and tugged on her eyes, pulling them right over her head. "it's just too horrible!!!"

Your face dropped….. "Did…. something bad happen?" you asked, and Monomi looked at you, and just gave a single nod of the head.

You looked down and clenched your hands…… then maybe…… This simulation was meant to heal, before it got hijacked. Away to torture those who had already suffered before they could get better….

Those red recitals came to your mind and you put your lips together. The owner of those eyes…… they must be behind this.

Whoever they belonged to was an utter villain, and you would unravel their cold and cruel game.

"Alright…. Usami, I understand," you said and you walked over to the patch of fur and bent down, picking the item up and handing it to her. "But you are going to have to work harder to get the others to trust you."

She sniffled and cried somehow harder than before. "You shouldn't be here," she said before she lunged herself into your arms, repeating the mantra as she buried her head into her shoulder as if she was going to burrow into there.

"You are too good of a child to deserve this."

The whole class had barely realized you darted after the flying bunny as they were left with their 1,000th shock of the last 48 hours.

It shouldn't…. have been so astounding to him and yet he felt like the wind was knocked out of his back. Was that why- he couldn't….. remember anything about himself? Because that stupid rabbit stole everything he knew about himself?

Or- did something happen before that? To make them more lose, everyone else seemed to mostly be fine- other than Nagito, and if he was an exception did that change it or did something happen to him too?

Did- was the reason he didn't remember his talent related to that Tater Tot or whatever his name was being dead? Did-

Did he do that?

The thoughts raced like bile rising in his throat and he walked over to a tree, leaning over and vomiting into the grass.

"Why….. why is it never ending?!" Mikan cried as she grabbed at her hair, beginning to tug at it.

"Because Ibuki guesses it is the never ending Tuesday," Ibuki let out a long sigh as she closed her eyes.

"Sooooo, what didcha thing, absolutely side busting or are you too brain rotted by your tikky tokkys or whatever?" Monokuma asked as he rocked on up, having abandoned the tacky suit.

"How much… time has past?" Nagito asked, his voice dry.

"Who knows," Monokuma gave a shrug. "who knows, who knows, who knows!!! I certainly didn't take your memories, nope: they were gone before I was done loading in," he snickered and put his hand over his mouth.

"What, do you mean there was a Teruteru?!" Kazuichi yelled. "One- one of our classmates…. got killed and then was replaced!? That cannot be real!!!!"

"I…. don't think he was lying," Nagito said as he put a hand under his chin. "I do vaguely remember that name in my research…. I thought I might have confused what class he was in but it would appear it was… accurate."

"Then: who killed them???" Mahiru asked as she looked around. "One of us???"

"Puhuhuhu, probably…… but who knows!!!!! Who knows what horrible things happened to get you here!!!! who knows what that organization has done to you!!!!!!" Monokuma shuttered before he snickered. "They could have killed him to make an example out of him!!! He was prettttyyyyyy annoying: I wouldn't have blamed them for just offing him so they didn't need to worry about his obnoxious dialog!"

"What organization?" Byakuya yelled and stomped his foot on the ground, and Monokuma tilted his hand.

"Why the one who put you in here of course!" he laughed. "But ya know…. I know a little code to puttttttt everything right back in your head. All you gotta do is give me a M, give me a U, give me an R-"

"he is seriously doing this?" Akane asked as she put a hand on the back of her neck.

"Give me a D"

"It appears so," Nekomaru gave a sigh. "He isn't even putting that much cheer into it…"

"Give me an E,"

"He is really…." Chiaki yawened. 'Dragging this out…."

"Give me a R: That's right! Give me a Murder!!!!!" he exclaimed and he threw his hands in the air, doing jazz hands to finish his cheer. "Sound like a deal to all of youuuuuu?"

"Absolutely not," Byakuya boomed as he looked down at the bear.

"Ohhhhhh? It doesn't?" Monokuma let out a snicker. "I wonder if alllll your underlings agree with you. Lots of things can happen in a short amount of time, imagine if it has been awhile!!!" Monokuma suggested.

"Oh shut the hell up!!!" Fuyuhiko yelled. "Get outta here!"

"Geez, so bossy," Monokuma said as he let out a breathe. "Oh well, I have given you my motive: bye bye!!!!!!"

"This- one of our classmates were killed," Mahiru said. "And we don't even know about them???"

"How do we know he was even telling the truth?" Nekomaru asked as he crossed his arms. "You said something about it, but for all you know he could've implanted that memory!!!" he declared as he pointed a finger at Nagito.

"No," Byakuya stated as he adjusted his glasses. "There was…. someone named Teruteru I had research done on, his mother was in poor health: a heart attack…. would not be unlikely."

"It is troubling how easily he tells the truth…." Peko muttered to herself.

"Could…. one of the members of that organization, be among us?" Kazuichi stood on quivering legs and he swallowed. "One of you could be the one who brought us here!" he yelled and pointed a finger around, tears and sweat on his brow. "One of you could be planning to kill me so you don't have to deal with my dialog!!!!" he yelled.

"Now that is where I cannot agree," Byakuya stated. "I do not believe someone from this, organization was put in with us."

"Well you are some fancy rich guy!!!" Kazuichi yelled. "I have no doubt you'd be easy to buy off, that is probably why you are acting all leaderly, huh!? So you can get the drop on us!!!!"

"Kazuichi, I think you should take a deep breathe," Chiaki tried to step forward and Kazuichi hissed at her like a cat, moving a few steps away and he was on the outskirts of the crowd.

"Nuh-uh, none- none of you are going to trick me here!!!" he yelled and his eyes darted around, before he took off into a dead street down the road and his footsteps could be heard thunking along for a long while after he was out of sight.

"This is all too crazy!!!" Mikan cried as she curled onto a ball onto the ground, grabbing her hair and sobbing. "I want to go home! I want to go home!!!"

'Stop crying, pig breathe!!!" Hiyoko yelled, like there wasn't sweat building on her neck and soaking into her kimono. "No one cares what you have to say!!!!"

"Have we really….. missed years?" Akane asked as she crossed her arms. "I have to believe it, cuz this… isn't real, but I cannot believe I am really going through this…."

Ding dong bing bong

The monitor in the park flicked on, catching everyone's eye. "Ahem…. Hope's Peak Academy 's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make," the Monochrome Bear declared. “It is now 10 P.M!!!! Please return to your rooms and relax. Let the sound of the ocean gently rock you to sleep…. Now then, sweet dreams everyone! Good niiiiight~!"

The screen cut and everyone was left in slience.

"What…. should we do?" Chiaki asked.

"We should go to our rooms and sleep," Byakuya closed his eyes. "Tiredness fuddles the mind and we are already in a confusion situation as it stands, rest is the best thing we can do."

"Ya, I guess so…" Chiaki agreed.

"Everyone should stay in their rooms for the night, and not to do anything rash until we can discuss this during breakfast, after sleep: do you all understand my order?"

"I think it is the most sensible thing we can do right now…" Peko agreed as she crossed her arms. "But I do not like it."

"None of us do!" Fuyuhiko snapped and gritted his teeth. "Do whatever the hell you want, I am not dealing with this shit anymore," he threw his hands up and stomped off, getting distance between himself and the rest of the crowd.

No one had anything to say, really…. most of them probably felt like that as everyone went across the bridge in their cloud, Byakuya in the lead and ever so often looking back to ensure everyone was across the bridge, before going off.

Your head was down as you looked forward, listening to each of the footsteps around…. when you heard one pair wander off. Your head perked up and looked around, seeing 13 other heads but between the night, your tiredness and….. how it was never ending you couldn't immediately tell who it was.

You hoped you wouldn't regret not turning back.

The door clicked and you were alone in your room….. and the images began to swirl in your head again, of factory and train sounds and the smells of coal and gasoline the wanted to deafen you.

You closed your eyes as you went over to the bed, and tried to laid down only for it to somehow rattle you brain with the never ending cacophony. Soon there was more, the sounds of whips and mean letting out cries of pain as they were forced to labor, labor, labor.

Were this hallucinations…. the results of your lost memories.

You grabbed one of the blankets and yanked it over your head.

Lost memories, lost memories, lost memories- they explained so much about what you were dealing with and yet it explained nothing to you at all about the details of what had happened to make things this bad.

Those red eyes, they….. must have killed Teruteru then: were they the leader of the organization? The red was being seared behind your eyes, staring at you, jeering and scolding you every chance they got.

Had you seen his death? Had they mocked you for it?

Your hands clutched at your hair as you curled in on yourself before you gasped for breathe, and your eyes opened.

You- couldn't handle this anymore.

You grabbed a blanket off of the bed and huddled it around yourself as you rushed to the door, and threw it open.

Stepping out into the cold wind you turned your head and-

Across the way, Nagito had stepped out of his cabin. He let out a hum as his head rose to look at you, his stance shifting so you saw more of his left side.

"Hello, what are you doing out of your room?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"I…. can't sleep," you said. "What…. about you?"

"Neither can I, I was going to take a walk to see if that would help ease my worries but…. there is quite a lot going on, huh?" he asked.

"No kidding," you agreed as you began to step closer to him. "Can I…. join you?" you asked.

"Oh, no," he shook his head. "I, I do not mean to be rude it is just I would want to spend some time alone with my thoughts: and I wouldn't want to bother you with my worries."

"Ah, I understand," you said as you shifted the blanket more, trying to shield your disappointment at his answer. "If you decide you do want to talk, I would be happy to listen…. even if it has to be later."

He smiled. "You are always very kind," he let out a happy sigh, and he lifted up one hand. "I appericate it."

"I… try to be, just know I am here," you smiled. You could see the fact his nails had been painted red, and you smiled. "Your nails look nice, they match your jacket."

Nagito looked down and he smiled. "Thank you, Sonia did a wonderful job…. I hope she isn't too disappointed in what I did."

"I didn't pay much attention to night, but I am sure they look great…… Enjoy your walk and- and be careful," you said.

"Of course, you don't need to worry about me," Nagito tilted his head. "I hope…. you find a space to sleep well," he said before he began to walk from the dock, and went through the large double gate.

Your gut settled when the thump of the gate sealing once again, leaving you alone once more. You shook your head and huddled closer in your blanket, beginning to speed shuffle to what your original destination had been.

Hajime's Cabin.

Hajime stared down at his clenched fist- running around the circles he had since that announcement, that his memories were intentionally stolen….

He was snapped from them when there was a tapping at his door. He shot up and his teeth glinted as he got walked towards the door, wide stance and doing everything to appear big as he threw open the door:

and you were there.

Wrapped in a blanket that you immediately let drop when you saw his face, and you held your hands into the air. The blanket crumbled on the ground behind you.

'What… do you want?" his tone leaked with hostility and you swallowed.

"Can- can I stay with you for the night?" you asked. "I promise I am unarmed! You can check if you need," you said and he recoiled away from you.

"What?" he asked. "Stay- stay with me? Why????" he asked and his nose scrunched.

"Because, I….. I really don't want to be alone," you sucked in a breathe. "And since…. we have gotten here you have been the person I have trusted the most: so, please?"

Your eyes looked so pleading and hopeful.

Hajime took a step back. "Trust me? You- you don't know anything about me!" he exclaimed louder than he needed as he put a hand over his chest. "For all you know, I am the SHSL Serial Killer or something."

"Maybe, that is the case…." you looked down and closed your eyes, there was a moment where he thought you might turn around. "But if it is," you looked up at him with a new fire in your eyes. "I don't care, perhaps- you will kill me, but if that is the consequences of my trust so be it."

He gaped like a fish at you, at your unwavering determination to put your faith into him. His shoulders straightened, he clenched his teeth and he let out a sigh.

"….. Fine," he said as he took a step back, and gave you clearance to enter the cabin.

You beamed at him as you gathered the blanket off of the creaky planks. "Thank you, Hajime, thank you, thank you, thank you!" you took in quick breathe as you trotted like a lamb into his cabin.

You looked around for a moment, taking in the small space and the stupid;… shelf of bears, before you looked at the couch and began to waddle over to that, laying down onto it.

Hajime shut and locked his door behind him as he looked down at you, already snuggling and getting comfortable before he stepped back to his bed and laid down.

He could see your feet dangling off the edge despite your attempts to huddle everything on, and he clenched his jaw so hard it could have given him a cracked molar. "Tch," it came out as a hiss.

You looked so sad left all on your own on that stupid half a seat.

You let out a hum, sitting up to look at him. "Is, everything okay?" you asked.

"You- come over here, you look stupid over there," he muttered as he tapped the spot besides him on the mattress.

Your eyes sparkled in the dart and you were even quicker to brance over, the blanket still on your shoulders as you dove for the white sheets right besides him. "Thank you, Hajime…." you repeated the sentiment as you looked at him.

You knew this was the right choice….

It was the last thing you thought as you fell asleep almost immediately on his mattress, the rise and fall of your breathe slowing to a peaceful pace that matched the waves.

Hajime stared at you, unconscious and completely unaware in his cabin. No one else around, no witnesses: just you and him.

He felt his mind run in new rings at this new situation, one he didn't want or ask for but you had thrown onto him.

Coming to him defenseless in the middle of the night, what sort of idiot does something like that? Right after a motive for murder was dropped none the less!

You had said that…. that you wouldn't care if this resulted in your death, so why shouldn't it? You were the one taking a stupid risk. Putting your neck out for the noose, it was, it was completely insane of you.

Especially when….

when…..

This…… could be his opportunity to grab who he was: to remember himself.

Hajime swallowed the lump in his throat as the shadows danced across his face, making his green eyes glow from the whirlwind of emotions that were spiraling in his head as one hand reached out.

Your head turned, the white moonlight smoothing out your features making them even softer than they had been before. You let out a small hm in your contented sleep: so at peace and so…. so trusting of him.

He felt a teardrop rolling down his cheek as he stared at you and his outstretched hand.

You knew how crazy this all was, how much harm you had put yourself into by staying here but, but despite it all you trusted him all the same.

You trusted him and he was so ready to break it.

He pulled his hand back and gritted his teeth together, waves of disgusting filling his gut. He turned away from you, cursing himself as he curled in on his twisting stomach… and your warm arms wrapped around his waist.

He lost his breathe as you buried your head into the crocks of his back, your breathe soft and slow as they brushed through his shirt onto his spine. Your arms squeezed him and you let out a happy sigh, as if in your sleep you had been searching for your lost teddy bear and had finally found him.

Hajime turned his head back to look at you and cracked a small smile with out him realizing it. Your touch caused waves of serotonin to fill his muddled mind, and he …. he was able to fall asleep in your arms

Because…. as insane as it was to trust anyone, he did trust you too.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

New Ability!!!

Close Reading - Helps direct the recital during Non-Stop Debates.

Chapter Text

"Ahem…. Hope's Peak Academy 's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make,"  you groaned and buried your head more into Hajime's warmth, squeezing your eyes tighter as you wanted to keep cuddling for longer, but that grating voice kept talking despite your hopes. "Gooooood morning everyone! Looks like today is going to be another perfect, tropical day! Now then let's make sure to show some enthusiasm and make sure to give it our all today!"

You hugged onto Hajime and let out a whine. "Why is he is so annoying?" you asked.

"Because he finds it entertaining," Hajime sighed as he tilted his head until the back of his skull bumped yours. "I am sure…. Byakuya wants to meet," he muttered begrudgingly and you released him.

Despite the tropic weather the room felt unbearable cold. Hajime stepped out of bed and looked back at you, sitting on the bed with an absolutely clueless expression on your face.

It made his stomach churn around and he snapped his head away from you. "This was only for tonight, do you understand?" Hajime said, not bearing to look at you."Stay in your own room from now on."

It felt like he had knocked the air out of your lungs. "O-oh," your voice cracked and he didn't need to look at you to know your head was almost in your lap. "Alright, well: thank you for letting me stay for tonight."

It wasn't fair, you weren't fair! He fumbled towards the bathroom to get himself together and his bare toe ran right into the corner of the wood. His pinkie toenail caught and it was ripped right out of his foot.

"fuCK!" Hajime yelled as he hopped upwards, holding his toe as pink gushed out and splattered on the floor and wood. "God, dammit!" he yelled.

You gasped and launched off of the bed. "Hajime!" you exclaimed and looked at him, before then his foot. "Uh- there- there is something basic stuff in the bathroom," you said quickly and darted inside past him, searching through drawers until you found the few items.

Hajime stumbled over to the bed and sat down, still clutching his foot as it throbbed, each surge springing further more blood.

You fumbled to your knees as you started to address the injury, dabbed some alcohol onto a pad. Hajime clenched his eyes as he looked down at you, beginning to tend to him and he felt heat rise into his chest.

'What- is your problem, huh!?' he asked as his shoulders rose, his hair sticking on edge.

Your mouth fell open and you leaned away, you looked like you were about to cry.

He let out a shaky breathe. "I am an asshole, haven't I been? Why do you keep being nice? What is your deal!?' he exclaimed.

"I- it is like I said, I trust you, and I have since we have gotten to this island. You have…. been a little snippy I suppose, but you are also reasonably freaking out about all of this," you said, and you gently took the base of his foot and dappled off the toe, more and more pink dying the cloth. "I don't really think you are an asshole, either."

Hajime felt heat rise in his face and he closed his eyes. "I thought about killing you last night, how trust worthy does that make me now?" he asked. "You are making yourself an easy target, if you come back again that- that is just reckless!"

You looked at him with large eyes, and you let out half a laugh. His opened his mouth as you pulled open the bandied. "Is…. that what this anger is about?" you asked. "I would have been easy to kill. You could have choked me, thrown me into the pool and let my body decay there. Would have been the simplest thing in the world. Most everyone was asleep, to: you would have gotten away with it unless you got unlucky." You wrapped the bandage around his toe, and the booboo was better.

Hajime mouth opened, his throat. "Y-ya, you understand, so- so-'

"And yet you didn't," your voice was soothing. You looked at him and reached your hand up gingerly touching his cheek. "This is…. a horrible situation, Hajime, you more so than some of the rest of us. You have no idea who you are," you said quietly. "When confronted when horrible times, humans have horrible thoughts. It is merely an impulse, but they don't define you."

His breathe hitched in his throat as you stood, staring into his eyes. You smiled, tilting your head to one side. "What…. in the world is with that face?"

"Your eyes….. they are absolutely gorgeous, did you know that?"

Hajime mouth fell open. He jammed it closed as he stood up, his entire face red as he stared up. "You cannot just say that after I confessed to thinking about killing you!!! You should be at least a little angry at me!"

"You didn't do anything," you repeated. "A nasty thought isn't enough to make me angry, and I am not going to be upset at someone who is clearly beating themselves up enough about it. I forgive you, Hajime. It is alright."

Hajime stood up and put his hands over his face. "You…. you are so weird…" he muttered, the flame having been dosed as he let out some soft mutterings as he went around the room to get ready.

You hadn't changed out of your sundress, and it still smelled fine: so you just worked on using your fingers to get knots out of your hair, swinging your head back and forward to watch him.

Despite how was acutely aware of the camera that's base silently shifted so that from no matter what angle, it was watching him: and how much he absolutely loathed the feeling. He did not mind your eyes on him at all, he was only partially aware of it and merely because every time he glanced at you upon the bed, hair catching the fresh morning sun and the veil of sleepiness still on your eyes making your face appear cherub like.

You were going to be the death of him at this rate.

He wrapped his tie around his neck, and his hands moved as they must have hundreds of times before with the ease in which he tied it. He looked down at the green and yellow symbol splattered on it, before his head popped over to you.

"Byakuya is going to complain about us being alow again," he lamented as he rubbed behind his neck. "Not excited for it."

"Ahhhhhhh neither am I," you had a smile on your face as you got up from the bed and pranced over to the door, and you held it open for him.

Dammit- dammit you- dammit, he fumbled out the door muttering a thanks he wasn't quite sure you heard as he walked across the planks you following behind, you made your way to his side, looking up at him with a sunny smile: before it dimmed considerably.

He opened his mouth about to ask what it was, but a rewind of the conversation made him hold his lips together and turn his head. "Just- forget all the stupid stuff I said, alright? All of it, the whole, stupid thing."

Your eyes popped and your mouth rounded, before that bright smile came right back, showing off all your teeth as you gave an eager bob of the head. "It wasn't that stupid, you know…. but if that is what you want!" you said. "And because of the fact my question…. is no longer answered, would you…. mind if I stayed with you tonight as well?" you shrugged one shoulder, your expression turning bashful. "I slept…. very well last night."

"Ah- stah- w-whatever, that's- fine with me," his voice strained to get it out as he looked away, stomping up the stairs to the balcony.

"Thank you Hajime!"

God could you- stop giving him heart attack after heart attack???

You both stepped into the restaurant and you felt the flush leaving your cheeks as white ice settled over your features.

Kazuichi, Nekomaru, Fuyuhiko, Chiaki, Mikan and Ibuki were all unaccounted for.

"Good to see some of people are capable for showing up to arranged meetings," Byakuya huffed, his arms crossed and his forefinger tapping onto the seem of his sleeve.

"Where… is everyone?" you asked looking around.

"Ah don't look so worried," Akane said after she had choked down a mouth full. "Kazuichi's just cowerin' in his room, and Nekomaru went on a run because of how few people are here."

"You didn't go with him?" Hajime asked and Akane closed her eyes.

"I gotta get fuel in the tank first!" Akane said before she went back to snarfing down her food.

"That stupid Mikan is having a "mental breakdown" in her room because of everything going on, and so Ibuki is wasting her time on her," Hiyoko said.

"Her reaction is reasonable, Hiyoko. All of this is crazy, I….. can't blame her," Mahiru said and that made Hiyoko's eyebrows shoot up, but she crossed her arms and scoffed.

"Whatever, you don't see me crying about it all!" she said.

"And then… Fuyuhiko and Chiaki?" you asked.

"I have seen Fuyuhiko, and a few people have checked on Chiaki's room but she seems to be asleep," Peko said as she closed her eyes and you felt dread creep up your throat.

"I don't think you need to go assuming the worst yet, you know," Nagito said as he closed his eyes. "She is a rather heavy sleeper, this whole situation is probably taking a lot out of her."

"It i still disconcerting how not everyone is here at Breakfast like we planned," Byakuya stated plainly as he closed his eyes. "If we want to get through this we are going to need to work as a team…. and that is why I have an important announcement to make once everyone has arrived….."

"Are you certain it is something that needs to be waited on?" Nagito asked tilting his head.

"It would be a waste of time to repeat myself…. we should at least wait for the ones who are willing to show up."

There was the sound of shoes slamming into concrete with enough force to crack it and everyone's head darted up. Everyone looked around but it wasn't long before-

Nekomaru crashed up the stairs, slamming his hand on the wall as he panted, his head shot up to look at everyone. "WE GOT A PROBLEM!!!!" he screamed at the top of his lungs.

Ding dong bing bong

The dread crept to your bones as the TV monitor flicked on. Everyone turned to see it.

"A body has been discovered!" the bear practically cheered over the monitor. "Now then, after a certain amount of time has past: the class trail will begin!"

Just as quickly as it had turned on, it flicked off leaving everyone in the cold air.

"This- this cannot be real!" Byakuya cried, his voice cracking into a completely higher pitch and he put a hand on his throat.

"At- at the beach!" Nekomaru sputtered out, before he was taking down the stairs: he couldn't formulate the rest of the news as he took off with thundering steps.

"SHit!" Akane exclaimed as she got up, and was rushing down the stairs after him.

"A- no way- no way- no way," Mahiru began to shake her head from side to side. "This, how can this be happening already!?"

"I bet it was that stupid Kazuichi, guys like him are always the first to die in horror movies," Hiyoko said coolly before she began to walk towards the stairs, almost skipping down the steps. The nonchalance made you shutter.

"It would appear… there is no sense in standing around," Peko stated before she was out the door next.

"I…." Sonia swallowed and took in a breathe. "I cannot believe it is happening here."

"Misfortune has seemed to be a constant companion as of late…. I fear I am not shocked," Gundham closed his eyes, before he walked down the steps. Sonia sighed and followed behind him.

"I would have thought…. we would have at least had longer,' you could hear her mumble before the two of them disappeared.

"We, cannot just stand here," Byakuya stated, the horror wearing off and he was using all of his speed to rush forward like a train, ready to knock anyone over who was on the tracks as he was gone.

You gave a nod of your head. "He is right," you didn't want to go, you didn't want to see, but if this is what was to be, then there was no sense in pretend it was not real.

Time moved in an unreal haze as the group moved to the beach and you ran through all of the horrors that could possible be found there:

Only for the horror be so much worse than you were expecting, the rest of the world going dark ensuring you were forced to focus on the awful scene from a horror novel. You fell into the sand by your knees, tears rolling down your cheeks. You wanted to look away but you couldn't drag yourself away from the sight of her.

Strung up between the palm trees by her arms and neck in a demented crucifixion, a crown of pink blood dripping down her face making a crown of spikes was

The SHSL Gamer, Chiaki Nanami.

You wanted to scream but no sound came out of your open mouth. You stared into her white eyes, and she looked as if the life had been unplugged from her. This couldn't be true and yet the reality was staring down at you, refusing to ignored or denied.

Your lips quivered and- and you wondered what in the world you were going to tell Chihiro? How would you ever be able to face them again? How…. how could you have kept your niece safe????

You covered your face as you let out a choked sob, shoulders shaking: the rest of the world and it's chattering irrelevant to you in your grief. You finally tore your head back down to the sand, drowning it with the tears that freely flowed down your face.

"Geez, all of you just flopping around with your mouths agape like a buncha dumb fish!!!!" Monokuma laughed as he sprung up in front of the corpse.

Your red and puffy eyes rolled up to stare at him, a glint in them. Your fists curled in the sand, clenching is hard enough to compress it into stone as you glared at him.

You'd fail, you'd most certainly be killed but every single grain of your being wanted to rush the bear, rip him apart limb by stuffy limb until he was only hollow on the inside.

Why not?

You pondered the question as you stared at the bear, the rage was building in your throat. Your nails felt sharp as they pressed into your skin, ready to tear fur from flesh and then flesh from bone: turn him into a pelt to mount on the head. You might fail but the moment to let out the rage would be worth the world.

Your eyes moved up to Chiaki and you felt new tears roll down your face.

Despite her irises being gone, it felt as if she was staring upon you as she had before, when she knocked you to the ground to make sure you did not die.

Your mouth opened, and you pushed yourself up by your knees to sneer down at the bear.

You'd……. stay alive: if only so you could survive and tell Chihiro what happened…. and deal with the fallout afterwards. Sand pour out from your fist as Monokuma looked up at you.

"Puhuhu…. what an angry looking face: It's not like I am the one who killed your little friend. That blame falls solely on your little pals here!!!" Monokuma cheered.

"Can we….. really believe one of us was the one to kill her…" Nagito said as he looked towards the body.

"Tha- that is impossible!" Byakuya exclaimed with a pale face as he kept staring at the body, blinking ever so often like it would disappear. That this nightmare would end. "I- I refuse to believe it," his voice shook slightly.

"Well you are staring right at the evidence, dumb ass!" Fuyuhiko yelled as he looked at the Prodigy, before his eyes went back to the body. His harsh words did little to disguise his own shock.

"I-I bet that bear did it!" Mahiru yelled as she took half a step back away from the demented teddy, and Nekomaru stepped in front of her.

"What, little ole me?" Monokuma asked before he let out a horrible chuckle. "Hate to-"

"He couldn't have," you said cutting him off as you put your hand under your chin. Hajime looked at you from the side and he felt his stomach drop up and into the ocean, sucking up all the salt as it laid upon the ground. You looked drained of emotions, and your eyes took on a new tired glaze.

He had known…. this was all horrible, and the gray blizzard clouds that swarmed over your head made it feel all the more perilous. "He can't because of the rules of this game."

"You- don't know that," there was a hint of desperation in Byakuya's voice. "He could have found a loophole in the code."

"Who'd- have any motive to murder Chiaki of all people anyway?" Akane asked as she crossed her arms. "It has to be that stupid bear!"

"Geez, I come in here to give a helping paw and you all jump to accusing me of murder."

"You really expect we believe you'd help us!?" Fuyuhiko yelled. "Do we look fucking stupid to you!?"

"Ohhh come now, come now! I want to make sure things remain interest!!!!" Monokuma cheered.

Mikan and Ibuki crunched onto the sand, Mikan let out a horrified cry well Ibuki began to foam at the mouth.

"Look, some more of you slowpokes!!!" Monokuma cheered. "It will make it easier for me to deliver the: Monokuma File!!!" He held out a black file with his face stamped into the corner with plenty of bravado behind the limited range of his stuffed body.

-INVESTIGATION START-

He was quick to hand them around, not letting anyone fully catch their breathes from the fact one of their friends was strung up dead. "These nifty little guys will give you all an equally fair rundown of basic details about the case! Puhuhuhu use them well~" Monokuma grinned before he popped out of existence.

You stared down at it before you silently cracked it open.

Victim: Chiaki Nanami
Height and Weight: 5'2" and 185lb
Cause of Death: Burgeoned to death with a single blow to the head: the victim died instantly.
Time of Death: Approximately 12AM

"What the hell!?" Fuyuhiko cursed before he tossed it into the sand. "How do we know it is even accurate."

"W-well, I… I can do an autopsy," Mikan piped in as she raised a hand. "S- so that will verify the file, or- or disprove it."

"And how do we know you won't fucking tamper with the evidence???" Fuyuhiko snapped back towards her, and she darted behind Ibuki letting out a series of whimpers.

"We will assign people to watch the body," Byakuya stated as he closed his eyes, sweat rippling down under his hair. The reality was sinking deeper and deeper into the leader.

"And why should we listen to you, huh!?" Fuyuhiko snapped his head around. "You sure did a shitty job of keeping everyone alive! Isn't that the one thing you are good for!?"

"I agree we should have people watching over the body, but I have a question," you looked over at Nekomaru. "When you returned to the beach, who was here?"

"Uh- Fuyuhiko…" he said and he turned his head back to the body. "What about it?"

"Well, we can narrow down the suspect list already, then," you said.

Fuyuhiko held his teeth together and his face turned a bright red. "You sayin' I did it because I found the fucking BODY!?" he yelled, grinding his feet into the sound and his eyes bulged.

You let such a long sigh. "No, Fuyuhiko. I am saying the exact opposite," your was so tired, it did sort of feel like you were dealing with a child having a temper tantrum."

"How- how is he of all people just cleared!?" Mahiru exclaimed.

"Ya I mean, he said he could do it," Akane pointed out crossing her arms. "Baby Gangsta could have kept his word."

"He isn't the only one who is cleared," you said raising a finger. "At least three people are required for the Body Discovery announcement to go off, right? Nekomaru and Fuyuhiko were two thirds of that and discovered the body this morning, long after the murder happened: therefore they are innocent," you explained, gesturing two both of them as you spoke."

Fuyuhiko seemed utterly stunned he had such a solid alibi, well Nekomaru let out a hearty laugh.

"You are pretty clever!" he exclaimed.

"What about the third person?" Byakuya asked.

"Isn't that the question…" you said crossing your arms. "It could…. be the killer, but I think it would be boring to count that."

"Well, we could ask," Nagito shrugged.

"Ask!?" Hiyoko asked as her head snapped over. "Who would we ask."

"Monokuma, of course," Nagito asked closing his eyes.

"What makes you think he will give us any answers?" Hajime asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"Ibuki thinks we have nothing to lose!!!" she cheered.

"Greatttt," Fuyuhiko rolled his eyes and his shoulders slummed.

"Hey Monokuma!" he called as if he Mickey Mouse and the Monokuma was toodles.

The bear sprung up from the ground. "Yessss~?" he asked a little to eagerly.

"Can you tell us…. if it was the killer or another person?" Nagito asked.

"Come on, come on do you expect me to just hand everything over to you??? That would be boring," he asked crossing his chubby arms. "You are using it as such a big clue, I am not giving anymore away about it," he gave a nod of the head, he snickered, before beginning to howl with laughter: and then the shitty bear was gone.

"Well then," Nagito closed his eyes with a smile. "There we have it."

You huffed before closing your eyes. "Well…. we also have two more people we can clear: Hajime and Myself," you put a hand over your chest.

"You are quick to declare that," Peko pointed out.

"Hajime and I slept together last night, so we both have an alibi," you said.

Hajime's face turned pink and he snapped his head over to you, your whole thing was words! Couldn't you have picked- better ones?!

"You what!?" Fuyuhiko roared, his face bright red. "You are teenagers!!!!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

Hiyoko snickered. "Of course you can't keep your legs closed," she snickered.

"HUh?' you asked looking over at Fuyuhiko then Hiyoko and quirked a brow.

Ibuki began to howl with laughter, so hard she put her hand on a tree that wasn't currently carrying a corpse. She let out a hard breathe before she laughed harder.

"Oh congratulations!" Sonia clapped her hand together. "I am not surprised, you were so close together," her voice dropped but you could still hear her mumbles 'now when will your wedding be?'

"Ha! Look at you, manning up and gettin' some!!!!!" Nekomaru cheered and gave a fist pump into the air.

"It wasn't that kind!!! We cuddled!!!!!!!!" Hajime yelled, finally finding his voice.

"This is not the time for this," Byakuya declared. "We are dealing with something serious. A murder has happened," Byakuya's voice managed not to break, the reality sinking in.

You stood there and then your whole body went red. You covered your face.

"R-right," Mikan said as she looked over, and despite her attempt to remain calm: she burst into tears.

"We should….. begin investigating, correct?" her eyes flicked over to a spot on the sand, where the word blood lust was splayed upon the floor in eye searing pink.

"We should have some other than just Mikan watching over the bodies," Mahiru said as she turned her head over.

"Who should do it?" Peko asked as she crossed her arms.

"Fuyuhiko and Nekomaru," you said simply.

"What the hell!?" Fuyuhiko yelled. "What makes you think I'd do that fucking shit?" Fuyuhiko asked as he grinding his foot into the ground, ready to give you a whooping.

"As it stands you are the one of best possible people to watch over the body," you said as you stared at him. "You are provably innocent, therefore you have all the motivation to ensure the body remains untampered with and Mikan is protect whilst doing it, as it increases your chance of survival: further more you are one of the best people to do it, along with Nekomaru. Both of you are strong and capable fighters: should the need arise. Not to mention you aren't going to get queasy around the body."

"Ha! You know I could take care of it myself," Nekomaru laughed and put a hand behind his neck.

"You are going to need to use the bathroom Nekomaru, don't lie to me."

Nekomaru opened his mouth before his teeth cracked as they closed. "You got me there," he admitted.

"Well- I don't wanna!" the Yakuza yelled in a childish tone. "And you can't make me, ya hear dumb bitch!?"

You let out a longer, even more drawn out sigh as you tilted your head to look at him. "Dude, come on: just do it," you said.

"You really think I am gonna take orders from you!?"

You balled your hands into fists, clenching them together before. "Do it, do it, do it," you began to chant, pumping your arms right in front of him. "Do it, do it, do it."

"Hahaha YA!!! Come on, Do it! Do it do it do it!!!! Doitdoitdoitdoit!!!" Ibuki began to chant right along side of you, flanking him on the left.

"Where is your spirit!!!! Come on, we can be buds afterwards, do it! Do it! Do it!!!'

The three of you surrounded the small Yakuza who attempted to stumble back. "W-what the fuck is wrong with you?! Didn't you hear when I said I could fucking kill you?!?"

"Awww you too much of a pussy, think the killer'll come back and get you," Hiyoko snickered. "Just do it!!! Do it! Do it!" he was now boxed in by the four of you.

"Yes, yes! Do it! Do it!!" Sonia came besides you beginning to chant, and then Gundham appeared on his other side. "The dark devils demand you do it! So come no, do it do it do it!"

He looked like a scared animal, his eyes scrunching together as his head whipped around to look at all of the voices.

"I think you would be a great pick as well," Nagito said as he squeezed in, joining in the chorus of chanting…. and Hajime sighed as he had no comment, but did join in the circle: he stuck boxed in between half the class. Fuyuhiko looked ready to start swinging.

"I think… it would be best if you did handle it."

Fuyuhiko's head snapped. "You too!? FUckkkkkkkkKKKKKKKKKKKKK!" he threw his hands into the air. "Fine I'll fucking do it, are you all happy now!?!" he yelled, glaring at you and getting some spit on your face.

You wiped your face before you had a joyful smile on your face. "Yes, thank you, Fuyuhiko!" you beamed at him away that made his face grow a whole new shade of red, if it was embarrassment or more rage it didn't matter.

He let out a string of curses, some of them new to you as he crossed his arms in front of the body, giving everyone a shit stare.

"Hahahaha perfect!!!" Nekomaru cheered. "You can take the first shift, cuz I gotta go take a shit."

"To much information, you shit head!!!"Fuyuhiko yelled as Nekomaru kept laughing, heading over to the outhouse tucked in the corner of the beach.

"With…. that sorted out," Byakuya cleared his throat. "Does anyone else here have an alibi?" he asked as he looked around the beach.

"I…. was asleep," Sonia said as she crossed her arms. "But that is not very solid, is it?" she asked.

"That's the case for most everyone!!!!" Ibuki called over before her eyes began to sparkle. She grabbed Peko by one arm and Gundham with the out, yanking them towards her before she looked at Mahiru. "Come with Ibuki, Ibuki demands it!!!!!" she exclaimed before she started to bring her voluntolds with her and away.

Hajime let out a sound between a growl and a hum as his eyes flicked over to the strung up body. He felt his gut grow heavy but regardless he stepped over to it.

"What the hell are you doing?" Fuyuhiko growled at him, and Hajime lifted his hands into the air.

"For the investigation, I want to just look the body over. I don't want to tamper with it," he said as he looked down at him.

Fuyuhiko still showed his teeth, but he took a step to the side, keeping angry yellow eyes trained upon him.

Hajime swallowed the lump in his throat as he stepped close enough he could smell the decay eating away at her body. The blood that leaked from her skull confirmed the case of it being a blow to head…

He looked closer at the cords used to tie her up, running his finger along the taut cord to the end, where a gaming controller dangled off the edge, and following the other one tied to the chair was another. The gaming controllers themselves were spotless, as was most of the cord.

The only exception was at the base of her spine, there was a knot with the USB connectors, binding it together where blood that had leaked down pooled around.

He held his teeth together and his eyes danced along the sand quickly. "Does anyone…. see what could have been used a murder weapon?" he asked looking at everyone.

The several sets of eyes began to dart around the beach, Byakuya closed his teeth together.

"We need to find whatever it was, it could be an important clue," the leader agreed with a nod of his head.

"I could try and find it," Akane volunteered holding her hand up. "I gotta a pretty strong nose, if something is hanging around with blood on it I'll be able to smell it."

"Greeeeeaaatttt relying on some stupid nose," Hiyoko rolled her eyes.

"How about instead of being condensing you do something???" you snapped over at Hiyoko, your narrowed. She glared right back at you and held out her teeth.

"And what have you done?" she snapped back.

"They have found more clues than you," Sonia pointed out. "Both to the nature of our situation, and to the nature of our current case."

Hiyoko's face turned bright red and she glared. "Shut up, no one asked for your opinion!"

"We don't have time for your bickering," Byakuya cleared the air again as he looked over at Akane. "I think that would be valuable of you to do, thank you, Akane," he gave a nod of the head and Akane grimaced a bit, her eyes flicking over towards Hiyoko but nodded back.

"Ya, well- see ya," she said as she began to wander around the beach, looking at different piles of rocks to start with.

"I still….. find it almost impossible to believe someone here would have committed a murder…." Nagito admitted as he crossed his arms, letting out a sigh. "But I suppose … we have no choice."

"I can't say I disagree, it happened so fast" Hajime said as he crossed his arms, it didn't even take a full day since the motive was given for someone to jump on it. It didn't… take any thinking on their part. His fingers gripped the fingers of his sleeves. What would it say about the next motive: would that one be jumped on even faster?

"The only thing we can do is figure it out," you declared in a determined tone as your head swerved around the beach.

"Ya… I have noticed some things already," Hajime said and you nodded your head.

"Do you… happen to have a pen on you?" you asked and Hajime blinked, before he tapped around his pocket and found a 095. Dip Pen he had picked up from the vending machine. He handed it to you and you smiled.

"Thank you!" you reached a hand into your bag, and puled out The Moving Tale of the Marvelous Meandering Mannequin Man and flipped it open to the first blank page. You would normally fell bad about tampering with books: however if it was already completely blank: why waste paper?

Truth Bullet Obtained - The Monokuma File
Truth Bullet Obtained - Body Discovery Announcement
Truth Bullet Obtained - Status of the Body
Truth Bullet Obtained - Clean Controllers

Your hand flipped fast as the ink stained the page with details of the first four clues that had been picked up.

A shutter went off and you three turned in one motion to see Sonia taking some pictures on Polaroid camera , closing her one eye and snapping a few photos.

"I see you are using the camera Mahiru taught you to use," Nagito smiled as he stepped over, peeking over her should to watch as the photo develop.

"Indeed, Mikan will be moving the body to examine it, but I thought it was important to note the crime scene given…. it's similarities to Genocider Syo. With Mahiru being stolen away I thought I would be best for it," Sonia said before she let out a frustrated sound as she looked back at the corpse. "It is such a poor intimation! Syo would be offended."

"Huh?" Hajime blinked.

"A…. serial killer, right?" you asked.

"Oh, right you were mentioning them last night," Nagito said as he held up a finger. "Local to Japan, they string up their victims and right bloodlust, correct?" he asked and his eyes darted to where it had been imprinted in the sand, written in the victims blood.

"That is the bases, yes," she said and closed her eyes. "But they messed up on several of the details!!! For one their ideal victims is cute boys, Gundham or Fuyuhiko would much better the target description," Sonia explained with a nod of her head.

"I heard that!!!!" Fuyuhiko yelled as Nekomaru burst into laughter.

"Ya you are pretty cute!!!" Nekomaru agreed and patted his shoulder, Fuyuhiko trying to bite him.

"Furthermore," Sonia said. "They would never in a million years use anything other than their precious scissors for the murder. Having the body pierced through with their display is one of their trademarks and they are known for have multiple sets of them," Sonia closed her eyes and looked up at the body. "They also would not have left Chiaki's body so in tacted, it would be closer to a shredded mess. They have a very brutal style you see-" and then Sonia kept rambling about all of the other details the killer got wrong, the font, the fact it is normally a wall, and on and on and on.

"You are…. quite familiar with this sort of things," Hajime noted as his shoulders drooped, looking at the body.

Sonia nodded her head. "Of course, I find serials killers and the occult to be fascinating you see."

"…. Have you ever read Edgar Allen Poe?" you asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hm? I do not believe I have," Sonia admitted.

"I suppose those sort of texts are still restricted in Novoselic, then," Nagito let out a small sigh as he lowered his eyebrow. "I am pleased you have still been able to indulge in your special interest, though."

"You…. should check him out after this is over, I have a copy of his works. He is a well known gothic writer known for tackling insanity," you said and Sonia seemed to glow at the idea.

"Oh yes, I do rather think I would enjoy him," Sonia agreed before she held up the camera. "I shall inform you if I notice anything more."

"Thank you, Sonia."

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Sonia's Special Interest

Hajime wandered over to the sand by the bloodied message, he made sure not to step too close to disturb the scene. He looked between the message and the body and…. there were not foot prints. He bent down and took a closer look at the sand, noticing that it has been brushed back and forward. He hummed looking over at the blood lust, shuffling over.

It looked like it had been wiped too.

He stood up and hummed.

"Is there anything interesting, Hajime?" Nagito asked as he bent over to look at the sand.

"Whoever did this was careful enough to wipe their footprints,," he said as he looked back down, the sand underneath seemed to have been reset before writing down the message. "Whoever did this was careful," Hajime added.

"It also means are job will be a little harder…." you added as you jotted that down.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Placement of the Sand

You hummed and your head stood up, looking over at Nagito. "Hey, did you see anything well on your walk?" you asked tilting your head to the side.

Nagito let out a hum before he shook his head. "I walked by the beach, but I didn't even see Chiaki," he said as he let out a sigh and crossed his arms. "I am sorry I don't have anything more to say on it…."

"It is alright, it still might be of use!" you said.

Truth Bullet - Nagito's Account

Byakuya stared at the body, the grief hanging over him like a heavy cloak of shadow. He closed his eyes and you walked over to him.

"Are you going to be alrigips together, he had beeht?' you asked as you held your ln trying so hard…. and it was such a short lived vow.

"…. I…. failed her," he said as he held his head down. He clenched his eyes closed.

"You didn't fail her, there is nothing you could have done," you said as you looked up at him.

He glared at you. "I could have," he let out a breathe trying to calm himself. "Last night I decided to do a patrol around before going to bed, and I saw her standing on the beach. I told her she could back to her cabin, but she insisted the waves would help her unwind after everything: and that if I could I should go to bed myself…" he clenched his jaw. "She said everyone else was asleep, and no one would know she was out here…. she managed to convince me she would be fine, and dammit- I should have stayed."

"If it was her insisting she would be fine, you cannot really blame yourself : can you?" Nagito asked as he tilted his head.

"I- she was still vunerable."

"Byakuya, you are pretty good at reading people, so I assume you knew her pretty well, right?" you asked. He tensed up when you said that, you looked at him with big eyes. "She wouldn't have wanted you to blame yourself, the sting of losing her is bitter but you are the leader. We…. can move forward after this: but we have to make it through."

Byakuya put a hand over his chest and let out a sigh. "You do not need to waste your pity."

"I truly don't think it is that," Hajime said. "Thank you for the information, this is a pretty good clue…" Hajime said with a nod of his head. It confirmed the murder most likely happened on the beach.

Truth Bullet - Byakuya's Account

Byakuya looked down at you, before he pulled something out of his pocket. "This is the key to my room, I think you should investigate in there," he said.

"Uh- oh- alright," you said as you took the metal and held onto it tight. "I will make sure not to lose ot," you put it into a pocket of your bag before giving it a tap. "What is it we should look for?"

"It won't be hard to notice," he said before he went over to Sonia, leaving you to blink.

"He sounded prettying serious," Hajime said.

"I don't see anything else around here that some isn't already checking out," Nagito said, looking across the beach as Sonia help Mikan get the body down, laying it on a sheet to begin the autopsy, well Byakuya worked to snap a few more pictures.

"This area is well covered," Hajime agreed, and you started to herd towards the cabins.

At the top of the hill to the road, you turned back: putting a hand over your heart and clenched it in the rhythm of it's beat.

You'd figure this all out Chiaki: you promised.

The road felt searing beneath your shoes as you heard the sounds of shifting sands as that bear got closer and closer to calling the discovery off.

Hajime glanced over at your focused expression, then at Nagito's carefree smile and he held his teeth together. "You both seem…. so composed about all of this," noted.

"Well…. we just have to figure it out given the circumstances," Nagito said.

"Also I mean….. it's scary but the worst thing that can happen is we die, right?" you asked tilting your head to one side. "That means it won't be our problem anymore…. not the preferred outcome of course, but… you know."

Hajime raised an eyebrow, recoiling back from your statement. "What do you mean 'ya know'?" he asked.

"There are fates worse than death," your face was as calm as cold as you stared up at him.

Hajime's mouth fell open and Nagito smiled in agreement.

"I suppose there are, aren't there?" he tapped a finger to his chin. "It doesn't seem Monokuma has the power to fully become AM either. Given how bound to the rules he is…. so dying really is the worst thing that can happen. It would be…… such a shame," he said as he crossed his arms. "But that will give the winner of this game great Hope I am sure!"

Hajime swung his head over to Nagito. "You- both are too composed about this!!!" he put a hand on the side of his head and let out a breathe as you held the gate open for the both of them.

"I think you are just too worried," Nagito said with a small laugh well you remained silent: because he was right.

You were too composed about this.

In some ways you were grateful, in others utterly disturbed: you couldn't dwell but you knew it was related… to the hallucinations. You let out a breathe as you let the gate slam closed behind you.

Sitting outside of cabin, Kazuichi clutching his hat as he cried and cursing about his day couldn't get any worse.

"Ibuki require silence for Ibuki's experiment, Kazuichi!" Ibuki yelled from the other side of the dock, her stolen victims all standing on various parts on the dock .

"Leave me alone!!!" he yelled before curling back up into fetal position.

"Best to divide and conqueror on a time limit, I am going to go invest Byakuya's room," you said very quickly before you darted for his cabin.

"Hey!"

"I think I will see what Ibuki is up to, I wish you luck on talking to Kazuichi," Nagito said and walked in the other direction, leaving Hajime standing their holding the bag.

Hajime sighed. "… God dammit."

Hajime let his shoulders sink before he looked at Kazuichi. Best to see what is going on. He stepped over and noticed how the already dirty jumpsuit now had sopping wet legs. Kazuichi looked up at him and Hajime swore he was about to burst into tears.

"What you want!?" he asked as he clutched his hat.

"What happened to your pants, why are they wet?" Hajime asked and Kazuichi let out a cry.

"I just wanted to use the damn toilet, man!!!!!" he threw his hands into the air. "I flushed and now my room if flooded!!!!!" he curled back down. "I bet Nekomaru clogged the pipes with all his shit," Kazuichi proceeded to mumble about how everything was going wrong he just wanted to go home.

Hajime hummed and nodded his head, holding a hand under his chin. "Are all of the pipes connected together?" he asked.

"From the brief look I took down there, ya…. Monomi is fixing my room and the pipes, apparently but I don't trust that rabbit either," he said with a shudder.

"I see…. thank you Kazuichi. And uh, why not go into the lounge in the hotel? Everyone else it out and about…" Hajime suggested and Kazuichi looked up, let out a creaking sound from his throat…. before he did as suggested.

Hajime could see into the window and watched the white rabbit attempting to clean up all the water…. it looked rather clean to be full of sewage.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Flooded Cabins

"What experiment are you running, Ibuki?" Nagito wasted no time with his question as he looked at the punk rocker, who grinned.

"Ibuki is making… a sound map!!!!" she exclaimed dramatically and held up a diagram, there were pictures of each and every cabin set up into a paper sheet.

"She has been having us go to different lengths of the dock whilst in her room, seeing if we can recreate the sound of the weight of anyone who may have left their room last night," Peko explained as she crossed her arms.

"Uh-huh! Uh-huh!!!" Ibuki nodded her head ecstatically. "We figure out person number two to leave their room was, drum roll: The Bookworm!!!!" she grinned. "Must've been when she was gonna get freaky with Hajibae."

"My, that is amazing!" Nagito let out a laugh. "How have you done that?" he asked tilting his head to one side, his eyes glowing.

"Ibuki hears all," she pointed to both of her ears and grinned.

Nagito's eyes went wide and his pupils dilated, his entire body rising letting out a raspy laugh. "Haha! Of course, that is perfect for the SHSL Musician!!! It makes so much sense!!!"

Ibuki puffed her chest out as she let out a chuckle. "Ibuki's ears are powerful tools, all around!!!!!"

"You are getting…. quite excited about that,: Mahiru noted as she gave Nagito a side eye.

"It is not every day someone has a super natural ability…… I find it quite intriguing….. You would have an amazing skill at Bird watching!!!!" Gundham pointed a finger at her. "I will have to figure out how to steal your power."

Ibuki sent her a grin with a giggle. "You can try, but Ibuki is CURSE PROOF!!!" she pounded her chest before she looked at Nagito. I couldn't everything, everything: but I know some people talked on the docks…"

"Ah that would be me with 'the Bookworm'," Nagito closed his eyes with a smile. "I… wanted to head out to clear my head…. I unfortunately didn't see anything all that useful," he crossed his arms and let out a sigh.

"Well that is good for Ibuki sound map!!!! We know person number Three!!!!!" she exclaimed pointing a finger a finger at him, and circled his dorm in sharpie before drawing a line out the gate door.

Person number one had come from the center area labeled HEAVY well number four came from the girls side. It was labeled 120-150 lb.

"Mmm….. Byakuya said he went out on patrol, he would be heavier than your weight samples, right?" Nagito asked.

"We were unsure if it was Chiaki or Byakuya but…. I suppose that settles it," Mahiru said as Ibuki filled that in properly.

"That just leave NUMBER FOUR!!!!" Ibuki declared and her shoulders slumped. "They are grouped together though…. boohoo…." she shrugged her shoulders. "Walls make it so much harder even for Ibuki…."

"Well… this does help with the case a lot. Good job Ibuki."

Ibuki grinned.

"We will see if we can figure out who it was," Mahiru said as she nodded her head. "Good luck with the rest of the investigation."

"Ahhh, luck won't be needed her, with such hopes….. I am sure it will all turn out for the better," he had a care free smile on his face as he said, and it made the crowd unsettled….

Truth Bullet Obtained - Ibuki's and Mahiru's Sound Chart
Truth Bullet Obtained - Ibuki's Weight Guide

You could hear the faint sounds of everyone talking outside, and it kept you calm as you stood alone in Byakuya's cabin. You wandered in slowly and took a moment to look around… and peek at the bookshelf. You leaned over to look at the titles and-

'Tips and Tricks for Faking Your Own Death!'
'1,001 Tips for Natural Looking Makeup'
'How to Voice Train'
'Tax Fraud for Dummies'
'World's Greatest Spies (and How They Did It)'
'Black Bunny Picture Book'
'Manuel for Wig Styling and Upkeep'
And it was crammed full of similar other books.

You crossed your arms as you looked at the book collection.

It certainly didn't seem like those books were tailored for the SHSL Affluent Prodigy….. but rather someone trying to play them. You shifted your body weight to one side, letting out a sigh. "They can't hide their secret this time around…" you mumbled as you closed your eyes: but this couldn't be your main focus.

You flipped around and grabbed the envelope off of the table and pulled out the letter

BE CAREFUL!
The first killing will happen tonight.
Someone will definitely kill someone.

Your eyes narrowed sharply shaped words and you put it into your bag in one swift motion.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Murder Threat

Your eyes traced over the room and your head snapped over to the wardrobe right in front of the bed: it was the exact same in every cabin expect…. Byakuya had four suits hanging onto the rack. Your had five copies of the outfit you arrived at and from the glance you had gotten into Hajime's closest, he also had five copies of his outfit.

It seemed odd now, to have a closest full of the same clothes but the simulation was found out: it likely would have been processed as normal before than.

You held your lips together and popped them out. Why was one of his missing?

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Missing Outfit

You had regrouped with the others and began to head back to the beach to hear what came of Mikan's autopsy, and see if anyone else had found anything of importance.

The pen scribbled away in your hand as you tried to gather all of the details they had been gotten and swallowed looking down at your list.

"We have some good clues, I think…." you just hopped there was enough of them.

"It hadn't been called yet, don't look panicked," Nagito smiled with a small giggle from his throat.

"We don't know how much time is left though," no where was the time limit that was allowed… .so it was just at the whims of the bear he imagined. Whenever this got boring for him. Hajime swallowed dreading how long that thin patience would last.

"Then we better be quick," you said as you all arrived on the beach.

Akane was by the front, digging through rocks, tossing them over her shoulders as she let out an annoyed huff. .

"I assume you haven't found the murder weapon…." Hajime said as he looked at her troubled expression, and Akane shook her head holding her arms together.

"I checked around a bunch of places but nothing came up," Akane admitted as she rubbed behind her neck. "I thought I'd ask Mikan for any details and… have been checking around the rocks again to see if I missed somethin',"

"That is a shame…" Nagito said as he crossed his arms. "It is going to be trouble if we don't know what was used."

You let out a deep hum before your head shot up. "Where did you search, Akane?" you asked quickly staring up at her.

"Oh- well- I kept it mostly outside… I was pretty through at the barn though but I didn't go in depth with anything else…" she added rubbing behind her neck.

You nodded your head, before you took off in a sprint off of the beach.

"Hey!" Hajime yelled. "Where are you going!?"

"Just let them go, Hajime: I am sure whatever it is is important," Nagito looked over to Mikan. "We need to get the autopsy report so they can write it down later."

Hajime let out the breathe that caught in his throat: ya, he was right. Why should be worrying about you anyway? The sand crunched underneath their feet as they apporached Mikan, who was using hand sanitizer to clean herself after handling a body.

Chiaki laid in the sand, and she looked almost peaceful without the cord wrapped around her neck. She looked so utterly calm in her death.

"What did you find out, Mikan?" Nagito asked.

"The Monokuma was mostly accurate, the time of death was likely at Midnight and she die from a blow to the head," her tone shifted from her normal meek one as she stared intently at Hajime. "She would have defintely died instantly."

It was strange seeing Mikan so….. locked in, but bodies were probably a comfort zone in away given….. her profession.

"It did leave out some details, the size of the weapon was a blunt object about the size of a fist. A rock or some sort hard ball would have worked."

"Wow, you really uncovered a lot, Mikan," Nagito said as he bent down by Chiaki's side. "Were you able to tell what time she was strung up?"

"No…. but it definitely happened post mortem ," the confidence faded and she held her head. 'I-I am sorry! I wish I did I just…. I don't know," she shook her head as tears ran down her face.

Damn, Hajime wished you were here, he held his teeth together before he shouted what he thought you would say. "No- your information is very useful!"

She began to cry harder and Nagito looked at him.

"Wow Hajime, yelling at a girl: no cool."

"I am trying!!!"

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Mikan's Autopsy

Ding dong bing bong

You felt like you were being chased as you ran.

You could hear gnawing teeth trying to rip into your heels and how the feral beast snarled with each miss: it's pace picked up but it never got any closer.

It couldn't get any closer- you tried to remind yourself and yet it still made your adrenaline spike, your feet hitting the concrete and kicking up stones as you tried to escape your minds monster.

You dared to look back, and it was an angry black scribble in the outline of a person, running on all fours and trying to rip into you. You let out a small gasp, barely catching your self from tripping by grabbing onto the handicap sign.

You yanked the automatic doors open, shoving them to either side as you rammed yourself into the AC filled Super Market.

Ding dong bing bong

That accursed screen flicked on, drawing you eye to it

"Puhuhuhuhu hope you have all had your fun with your scavenger hunt! How many clues did you find? Will it be enough to get you up to score????" Monokuma began to laigh before he took in a synthetic breathe. "By which I mean... Would all students please gather at Monokuma Rock! The hidden elevator will be waiting to take you underground. Puhuhu... See you later!!"

The screen flicked off and you gritted your teeth, you looked around , you couldn't stay long but you could at least. You ran forward and checked into the first isle and you were glad you did.

Placed on one of the shelves, was a pile containing a bucket of glow in the dark paint, a roll of duct tape, and a knife.

The stuff supposed to be in the aisle? Energy Drinks.

Truth Bullet Obtained - Pile of Junk
Truth Bullet Obtained - Missing Murder Weapon

Chapter Text

Hajime tapped his foot in the sand around the rock as everyone trickled in for the class trail. The air felt stiff and no one was daring to speak a word as they all gathered around that ugly looking Mount Rushmore Knock Off. The whole situation made the summer air feel cold…. and it felt even colder with the fact there was a straggler.

You hadn't arrived yet and for some reason he couldn't articulate is made him feel so much more dread. One murder had already happened, and well everyone else was here…. Someone could be trying to find loophole in the game rules.

Kill a student before the class trail, survive it and use that as their ticket. He gripped his forearms: he shouldn't have left you alone- he should go-

"What the hell took you so long?" Fuyuhiko sneered.

"A pick me up," you answered, in one arm was a collection of colorful 'Creature' branded energy drinks, whilst in one hand was a pastel purple can that you leaned back and chugged, letting out a gasp when you finished it, and put it into an empty pocket in your bag.

"You kept us waiting for some energy drinks!?" Mahiru sounded so utterly exasperated as she stared at you and you nodded your head.

"I came, besides: he never said how long we had to take," you said as you closed your eyes, before reaching for another one of the cans, shifting your hold well you did. Like a seasoned veteran you clicked open the can and took your first sip, giving an utterly delighted sigh.

It felt like it had been decades, maybe centuries since you had last enjoyed that sweet, sweet taste of taurine.

Ahhhh- how you missed it.

"That stuff is terrible for your heart!" Nekomaru yelled and point a finger at you.

"This is a simulation," you said as you took another, longer sip. "I don't think it matters."

"Can Ibuki get one!?" she yelled and you offered her the armful, she looked absolutely delighted as she grabbed one of the bright pink cans, and cracked it open with a grin on her face.

"I-I think you are forgetting ab-about the nocebo effect," Mikan held up a hand. "W-we should still consider how we are, are treating our virtual bodies."

"Oh shut up!" Hiyoko yelled before she turned her head over. "Chug! chug! chug! chug! chug!!!!"

"This is ridiculous, I will not suffer you having a caffeine crash during this trail," Byakuya barked as he stepped forward. "Hand them over," he demanded both of you.

"Nope nope!" Ibuki exclaimed before she hopped away, and followed your lead in chugging the can, some of the translucent orange dripping down her chin.

Byakuya snapped his head over to you and you swung away from him when he went for the cans, swinging your body in close proximity.

He was fast, and powerful, but not quite as quick at changing direction. You kept dancing around him, some of the liquid spilling out of the can.

"Hand him the cans," Hajime's tone made you stop in your tracks, looking at him: you opened your mouth to argue with him but Byakuya had snatched them away from you and cracked all four open, before dumping them into the sand.

"NoooOOOOO! THat is such a waste!' you exclaimed.

"Come on dude! At least give 'em to other people!" Akane threw her hands in the air.

"This is a simulation," he said in a tone that mocked yours. "Monomi," he demanded and the rabbit scurried up to him from behind a tree. "Depose of these," he demanded before he dropped the cans into the sand in front of her.

"You shouldn't be littering!" she cried.

"If you don't wish for us to litter, you should provide easily accessible garbage cans.

You walked over and tried to push him, but he didn't budge as you bent down and picked up the cans, shoving them into the pocket in your bag as you cursed him out. He should know you could destroy him: you weren't going to, but you could!!! "Sorry about the prickly prick, Usami. I'll throw them out after the trail," you said.

BA BADADUM DUDUDUDUD DRUM ROLL BA BADADUM DUDUDUDUD TRUMPET BLASTS DODODODODODOD DODODODODODODODOD DODODODODOD

From somewhere the beach, ungodly loud circus music began playing. Everyone's head swung around and found Monokuma, doing his best impression of a Russian line kick to the tune.

"What the HELL are you DOING!?" Fuyuhiko yelled loud enough to be yelled over the music.

"I thought," the music turned down when Monokuma spoke. "The carnival of clowns could do with some music!" he let out his horrible laugh. "Seriously, one of your friends just died and you are cruel enough to be bantering about some energy drinks. Don't you feel any sort of shammmmme?" he chuckled before the music got louder.

Everyone went slient as the bear snickered before he stepped to the side, the music died to silence as the maw of one of the heads opening wide, and the ground began to shake. He gestured towards the escalator that jutted forth from the mouth of one of the bear statues. "Anywaayyyyy, it is finally time to get on with the moment you have all been waiting for, the CLASS TRAIL!!!!" he gestured with a bow. "No need to kill anymore time."

Byakuya took the lead, sending the bear a glare as he road it up…. before everyone followed one by one.

The inside was…. an elevator cage. Hajime stared at it's interior and his eyes grew wide, he scanned the walls and the anxiety shot through him grew. There was not doubt in his mind this would be awful. He put his weight onto the platform and swallowed the lump in his throat.

You followed behind him and looked at his profile, you bumped his shoulder and he snapped his head to look down at you. "Oops," you looked away. "Sorry for bumping int you, Hajime."

Hearing you say his name…. he let out a breathe and closed his eyes. He stood two feet away from you and yet he knew you were there: a gentle warmth settling down on him as the rock rumbled down the shaft. You let out a breathe as stared ahead at the cage.

There was tense chattering about but neither of you heard it, neither of you wanted a reminder of where you were: the mental break gave you moments to prepare to be able to find out who killed the SHSL Gamer: Chiaki Nanami.

There was no choice in the matter: not for this whodunnit.

Each person stepped out of the elevator, different expressions on each.

This was a game of life or death, it was a terrifyingly familiar as your hearts beat in the same adrenaline fueled rhythm.

Everyone circled around to their name plates, glaring at each other in suspicion.

It had been survival before: but now it was more important than ever to thread the needle.

You gripped onto the railing whilst Hajime clenched his fists. It was time to solve this challenge, this mystery, this Deadly Class Trail

CASE ONE: One of our classmates has decided to play Serial Killer by murdering Chiaki Nanami only a few hours after the motive announcement. Who fell so easily to the bribe? Why select such a brutal display afterwards: The only way to find out is….. the class trail!

COURT PREP

SKILLS SELECT:
SP: 22/23

Close Reading - Helps direct recital during Nonstop Debates: 8SP
Attentive Influence - Increases the Influence Gauge by 2 : 4SP
Up shift - Increases your aim speed: 2SP
Charisma - Increases Influence Gauge recovery when correct answers are chosen: 8SP

LIST OF TRUTH BULLETS:

Truth Bullet - The Monokuma File: Victim: Chiaki Nanami. Time of Death: Midnight. Cause of Death: Blow to the Head
Truth Bullet - Body Discovery Announcement: Nekomaru then Fuyuhiko both saw the body before the Body Discovery Announcement went off giving them both an Alibi, well raising the question if the killer was counted, or if someone else saw the body.
Truth Bullet - Status of the Body: Chiaki was strung upon a Crucifixion using her gaming controllers. She was twisted to match a Genocider Syo Killing
Truth Bullet - Clean Controllers: The controllers used to string Chiaki were clean, only the wire by her neck was bloodied.
Truth Bullet - Placement of the Sand: The sand had been shifted to hide foot prints, well also writing BLOODLUST into the sand.
Truth Bullet - Byakuya's Account: Byakuya saw Chiaki on the beach, she claimed the waves would help her sleep. Supoposedly the last person to see Chiaki alive.
Truth Bullet - Sonia's Special Interest: Sonia has intimate knowledge of Serial Killers, she believes this to be an intimation of Genocider Syo but the not real killer: for a lot of MO is changed.
Truth Bullet - Nagito's Account: Nagito went out on a walk during the night, he claims he had not seen Chiaki on the beach.
Truth Bullet - Ibuki's and Mahiru's Sound Chart: A guide of who went out of their rooms during the night. Person one exited their room first and left the hotels, person two went from their cabin to another (Hajime Hinata), person three left the hotel area and so did person four. Unknown times of returning.
Truth Bullet - Ibuki's Guide: Person One: Byakuya Togami, Person Two: Me, Person Three: Nagito Komaeda, Person Four: Unknown, Between 120-150LB (The Killer?)
Truth Bullet - Flooded Cabins: After Kazuichi flushed the toilet, his cabin became flooded: supposedly due to a clog.
Truth Bullet - Murder Threat: A threatening letter that was found inside their room. "Be careful. The first kill will happen tonight. Someone will definitely kill someone." The author of this letter is unknown.
Truth Bullet - Missing Outfit: The cabins comes with 5 copies of outfits, they only had four in their closet.
Truth Bullet - Mikan's Autopsy: Mikan claims the Monokuma File is mostly accurate with the addition detail that the weapon was about the size of a fist.
Truth Bullet - Lack of Murder Weapon: No murder weapon was found during the allotted time for investigation.
Truth Bullet - Pile of Junk: In the Super Market there was a pile of things that didn't belong where they were found.

FINISH PREPARATIONS

TRAIL

Class Trail
START

ALL RISE

"Now Then, let's begin with a simple explanation of the class trail" Monokuma cheered from atop his high up on his gaudy golden thrown. "During the class trail, you will present your arguments for who the killer is, and vote for 'whodunnit'. If you vote correctly, the only the blackened will receive punishment," he let out a snicker with his next words. "But if you pick the wrong person…. I'll punish everyone besides the blackened, and that person will earn the right to log out of the game!!!"

"Such a cruel rule!" Monomi cried, now tied up in ropes, dangling in the air behind Mikan.

Monokuma's head settled upon the crowd, stared straight down at Hajime and, he tsked.

Your podium was right next to his. From your left side was…. the portrait on a stand of Chiaki, bright pink GAME OVER written across her grayed out face.

You gave her a side glance before settled on Monokuma. "Something bothering you?"

"Hmfp," he turned away.

"So, we gotta begin, right?" Akane asked before she tilted her head to one side. "Why don't we just punch it out and be done with it?"

"Trail by combat isn't going to work here," Peko closed her eyes. "As unfortunate as it is to say."

"In some ways…. guess that'd be easier," Nekomaru agreed.

"That isn't going to help us find out who the killer is," Byakuya crossed his arms over his chest. "We need…. to play the game how he wants us too."

"How…… exactly do we, do that?" Mikan asked as she held her hands together.

"Well….. I think we should deal with the most pressing issue at the moment…." Nagito said as he closed one eyes.

"Most pressin' issue? What are you talking about?" Akane asked as she tilted her head, digging ear wax out.

"Where we found the body," Nagito crossed his arms and leaned his shoulders in. "How in the world did Chiaki end up strung up on the beach of places?" he asked.

"I guess…. that makes the most sense to start," Kazuichi said as he clutched onto the railing.

That was….. as good as a place to start as any, but that would barely be the start of unraveling this ball of yarn. Hajime held his teeth together to ensure they wouldn't betray his nerves. He sucked in a breathe.

= Make Your Argument =

"Why was Chiaki at the beach?"
"Was she really there to begin with?"

"When we found her"
"She was hanging between the palm trees…."

"Well, in such an odd place like"
"that the body had to have been moved!"

"But from where???"

"Likely from wherever the murder took place."
"To obscure details of the crimes."

"But- but that, that seems like-"
"A-a lot of extra effort when-when"
"No one was around…"

TRUTH BULLETS

Truth Bullet - Byakuya's Account
Truth Bullet - Placement of the Sand
Truth Bullet - Status of the Body

"NO THAT'S WRONG!!!"

-BREAK-

"No…." Hajime held his hand under his chin. "I don't think that's right. You saw her on the beach, right, Byakuya?"

Byakuya gave a curt nod of his head, gripping the sides of his sleeve. "She claimed she was listening to waves to help her relax…."

"The fact you saw here there means that is likely where she was murdered," Hajime explained.

"How do you know she didn't leave and then her body was moved back?" Mahiru asked. "They could have killed her on the way back to the cabin, or maybe even at the supermarket if the waves weren't effective!"

"No…. I don't think that is the case," Nagito said. "Her head wound was bleeding pretty bad, I think if either of those were the case someone would have noticed the blood drippings."

"It would have been pretty easy to smell," Akane said as she crossed her arms.

"I can see your point," Peko closed her eyes and gave a nod of her head. "Not to mention if she was listening to the waves…."

"How does this get us anywhere? No duh she was killed on the beach," Hiyoko said with a roll of her eyes and crossed her arms.

"Well this does make some things clear," you said as you shifted. "It means they didn't store the body between the night and day…. and that means there would have been plenty of time for another person to see the body," you gestured your hand.

"You- why would you think someone saw the body at night and not report it right away!?" Kazuichi asked as he pointed a finger at you. "T-that sounds just crazy!!!"

"I bet it was you, Kazuichi," Mahiru said as she crossed her arms, matching Hiyoko before she shifted her hips, and Hiyoko did the same. "After all it would explain why you were locked in your room like the coward you were."

"No- no!!!" Hiyoko grinned. "I think he is the killer!!!"

"WHAT!?" Kazuichi yelled as he leaned back, holding his hands in front of him before shaking his head. "No-no way! I- I wouldn't have killed anyone!"

"So convincing when you locked yourself in your room," Fuyuhiko looked at him. "Weren't the cabins flooding? I bet one of your tacky ass track suits would do the job if you flushed 'em to get the blood out."

"Do-do you have, an alibi, K-Kazuichi?" Mikan asked holding her hands together.

"I was in my room!!!'

= Make Your Argument =

"Well Kazuichi…."
"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"It wasn't me! It wasn't me!"
"I am Innocent I tell you!"

"You cannot just shout that with no evidence."

"Ya Ya!!!"
"You are just making yourself look even stupider"
"Shit for brains!"

"Bet it would've been realll fucking easy"
"To hide the murder weapon and…."
"your funky ass clothes down the toilet"

"Could ya least leave my clothing"
"Outta this!?!"

TRUTH BULLETS

Truth Bullet - Ibuki's Weight Guide
Truth Bullet - Flooded Cabins
Truth Bullet - Lack of Murder Weapon

"I AGREE WITH THAT!"

-BREAK-

"No… Kazuichi couldn't have done it," Hajime said.

"Oh Hajibuddy!!!!"Kazuichi had tears welling in his eyes as he looked at the SHSL Spiky Hair, eyes glittering with gratitude. "Thank you!"

"Not my name," Hajime said before he looked over at Ibuki. "You were able to confirm the three people who were moving on the left side, correct?" he asked tilting his head.

"Yep, yep!!!" she said. "Bookworm, Byakoosha and Cotton Ball were the one who left from the left side!!!!!! The only person we don't know is from the right side!!!1" she pointed to the left before swinging them right over to the right. 'That means Kazzy-chan is," she drum rolled on her podium. "Innocent!!!"

"We can also count all of the other men out, other than Byakuya and myself," Nagito said and crossed his arms.

"How the hell do we know Know-It-All is innocent?" Fuyuhiko asked and jabbing a finger at you from across the stand. "They were on the same side and left their room, right? Fuck knows what they aren't tell us: could be some useful info for a murder."

You leaned back on your stand, your nose scrunching up. You were gonna argue for yourself but it the chance was blown away in a sudden blizzard.

Hajime felt ice creep along his spine, his eyes sharpening like icicles as he stared across the stands at Fuyuhiko, about splitting the wood into splinters with his finger tips. It felt like a rage beyond himself as he spoke. "Want to repeat that accusation, Fuyuhiko?"

"You deaf or just to dumb on your stupid fucking crush to see past how fucking suspicious they are all the time!? Just think about their relationship with the rabbit!"

"That is simply because they are a trusting idiot," Byakuya stated with his arms crossed. "As far as I am concerned, they have told us most everything they know."

"They also have al alibi," Hajime's voice was still frozen over you. "They were with me last night."

"They had to walk to your room, huh!?" Fuyuhiko asked tilting his head to one side. "They coulda left and come back using you as cover!"

"No- " Nagito said. 'I saw them walk to Hajime's room, and further more Ibuki's sound map shows them going right to Hajime's room."

"Yep, yep! Bookworm is cleared of murder but not of sin hehehe~!" Ibuki grinned looking at you and Hajime.

"I think this line of conversation is over," Sonia's voice went over the crowd, commanding everyone to look at her. "And we have a much bigger clue we must focus on posthaste!"

"Is it…. how the body was strung up, Sonia?" Nagito asked as he tilted his head over.

Hajime blinked…. right about how the body was strung up………

mmmmmmmm

Truth Bullet - Sonia's Special Interest

"I got it!" he slammed his hand down onto his palm. "You had mentioned the body was like a Genocider Syo murder, right, Sonia?"

"G-Genocider Syo!?" Mikan squealed out and held her hands by her chest, beginning to tear up. "There is a serial killer on the island!?" she exclaimed as she pulled her head down.

"Do you think, they were the one to kill that, guy?" Akane asked as she looked around at the others.

"No!" Sonia yelled.

"What the hell makes you so sure of that!?"Fuyuhiko bared his teeth. "I have heard of 'em,and that body was pretty similar."

"I really, can only imagine a serial killer doing something that… demented," Nekomaru said and he shuddered. He had been standing around that corpse for…. awhile.

"It wasn't even close!!!"

= Make Your Argument =

"Don't go on thinkin'"
"You know more about the Japanese underworld than me"
"Ya hear me!?"

"You clearly do not pay nearly enough attention"
"Too all of the details!"

"How-how, would you even know, Miss Sonia?!"

"A-a real, real serial killer?! "
"Are we gonna die anyone!?"

"Hah!! no need to sound so scaried!"
"I could take 'em for the team!"

"It was a similar positioning"
"And even had the message, did it not?"

"The murder method was all wrong!"
"They didn't get even close to it!"

"Bullshit, the murders looked exactly the same!"

"That's fuck wrong!"
"Genocider Syo-"
"Only uses blades for their murders!"

"Get his ass!!!! Get it!!!!!!!"

TRUTH BULLETS

Truth Bullet - Clean Controllers
Truth Bullet - Placement of the Sand
Truth Bullet - The Monokuma File
Truth Bullet - Sonia's Special Interest
Truth Bullet - Lack of Murder Weapon

"I AGREE WITH THAT!!!"

-BREAK-

"The Monokuma File says she was hit upside of the head," Hajime broke in between the debate. "That isn't anything like how Genocider Syo kills."

"Uh-huh! Uh-huh!" Sonia nodded her head.. "Specifically they only ever use their scissors!!! That is also the way they pin up the body!!!" she looked at Fuyuhiko with something like smugness you didn't think you had ever seen on the princess. "Surely you'd know that if you are so familiar with your countries underworld, correct?"

Fuyuhiko gritted his teeth. He gripped the railing and stomped his foot. "So I don't go wasting my fucking time with the specifics, so what!?" he yelled.

"That is the most important thing to focus on in a murder trail," Byakuya sneered at him.

"I bet you couldn't find any god damn clues because your FAT ASS BLOCKED 'EM!!!" Fuyuhiko was bright red as he shouted his insult, which Byakuya merely rolled his eyes.

"Then… I guess…. we just have a regular killer among us…" Mahiru said crossing her arms, it didn't bring anyone comfort but…. supposedly there should have been some relief.

"We know that they didn't use the proper weapon to commit the murder….." Nagito said as he crossed his arms. "But that does bring back…. What did they use?'

Akane rubbed behind her neck. "I couldn't find anything-"

"Oh, oh, what about the remote controller that was used to tie Chiaki up?" Ibuki raised her hand high into the air.

"Hehe, how ironic would that be," Hiyoko snickered into her kimono sleeve. "Being killed by her own talent."

"I-I don't think that-that is right," Mikan raised her hand and Hiyoko snapped over at her.

"Who ask you, stupid pig face!?"

No….. Mikan was right: but what proved it….

mmmm…..

Truth Bullet - Clean Controllers

"I got it!" Hajime slammed his hand down. "Mikan is right, those controllers were clean: the wiring too other than what was around Chiaki's neck. Those couldn't have been the murder weapon."

"Hey! I got something to say!"

Kazuichi shouted and pointed a finger towards Hajime, making air stop in his throat.

"You sound really sure of that, but it would have been ease for the killer to wipe off the blood or something!" Kazuichi pointed out. "I am just not convinced!"

If he was going to be stubborn on this…. Hajime had no choice but to get him to see it couldn't have been those controllers!

=Rebuttal Showdown=

TRUTH SWORDS

Truth Sword - Lack of Murder Weapon
Truth Sword - Placement of the Sand
Truth Sword - Clean Controllers
Truth Sword - Status of the Body
Truth Sword - Pile of Junk

"I mean come on!"

"It wouldn't have been that hard"                                    

" For the Killer to wipe the blood off before stringing her up!!!"              

"They had all night-"

        "To set up the scene"

                       "However they wanted!!!"

"Hiding the murder weapon-"            

"In a strange spot"     
"Like
right
on
the
body!"

Duel Swords
Cross

SHIELD BREAK

"If they had all night to design the scene how they wanted, Kazuichi," Hajime gestured with his hand. "Why would they put the murder weapon right there?"

"Well it would have been right around!!!"

            "Chiaki never goes anywhere"

                                    "Without that gamer bag!"

"They could have grabbed it out"

"During a struggle!"                       

"And clunked her out with it!"                       

"It would have been"
"That simple!"

"ALLOW ME TO CUT THROUGH THOSE WORDS"

-BREAK-

"No, the killer moved the sound around," Hajime said. "but it was only a narrow path, the sand around it seemed to be in a natural spot. If there was a struggle where the killer stolen the controllers, there likely would have been a wider area covered up."

"Besides, it would have been easier to get the controllers after killing he, wouldn't it?" Nagito pointed out as he rubbed his chin.

"Oh….." Kazuichi looked utterly defeated and he looked away. "I guess so…. Oops."

'Well I don't think it was a bad thought," you said. "It also ensures we know that a struggle didn't occur…. Chiaki likely didn't see it coming: the killer was probably quiet and I would assume improved the murder." you held up a finger.

"Y-you think, it-it wasn't premeditated?" Mikan asked shaking.

"I don't, no one would have known that Chiaki didn't return to her room," you said as you crossed her arm.

"You saying she never went to bed?" Nekomaru asked crossing his arms. "We know one person left from the girl's side, though! How do you know it wasn't just her???" he asked.

"Well….. according to Ibuki's general weight guide whoever left from that side weighed from 120-150 pounds, approximately: Chiaki weighed 185 so I think she would have heard the difference," you said as you held up one finger. "Second off….. I did think I heard someone walking away after the announcement…. I wasn't sure who it was but….." you fell slience and swallowed.

Dammit.

"But I do now: so we know the victim wasn't one of the people who left her cabin," you forced yourself to finish explaining.

"So that means, we still don't know who the fourth person to leave their cabin is…" Mahiru said as her eyes shifted to the side.

"Well…. I do not know how this should help, but something did occur to me," Sonia said as she held her hands together.

"Pray tell, what is it?" Gundham asked as he looked over at her with his one red eye. "I am sure it will guide us, in some manner."

"Given my position I am able to, pull strings as it were," Sonia said as she held her hands together. "The police attempt to be very secretive with details of live cases, but I was able to gain access to the files depicting Genocider Syo: as it stands at the moment they are more or less a rumor on online forms…"

"Oh-oh?" Ibuki leaned forward. "What does that mean for us!?"

"It wasn't…. the most accurate depiction of one of their murders…. however it had more details than the average civilian could have been aware of," Sonia explained as she hummed. "Only those with access in high places could have known the details."

"So it had to have been Shrimp Dick then, right!?" Hiyoko yelled.

"Whatcha say, bitch!?" Fuyuhiko turned red. "We already know I'm innocent!"

"Do we? I mean you would have been able to know all the: in fact you were fighting realllllly hard insisting the murder was spot on despite being wronnnnng: and and- who is to say he simply didn't come back to the cabins with everyone else like Chiaki did!!!"

"Ibuki doesn't doesn't think that, she would have heard all!!!" she argued.

"Well it's not like we exactly know who the fourth person was who left, maybe he ducked into another room," Akane said as she rubbed one side of her neck.

"We…. also still don't know if the third person was the killer or simply another observer…" Nagito mentioned as he tilted his head to one side. "Perhaps Fuyuhiko seeing the body at a different instance counted him as a separate person."

"I don't think we can say that, there were a lot of people out of their rooms," you said holding up a finger.

"My- my," Monokuma began to chuckle holding his paws in front of his face. "Seems the class is rather split on this!!! You know what that means!!!"

"… No?" Hajime stared at the bear, quirking his eyebrow. "We don't."

"Shut up! This isn't for you!" Monokuma yelled, turning red in the face before staring forward. "When the class has differing opinions their is only one way to sort this out!!!"

"Fist fight!?" Akane yelled, holding her fists in front of her with a big grin.

"Stay out of my monologue!" Monokuma yelled.

"Actually, considering the fact this isn't for 'for us' apparently, I think this is a soliloquy."

"Ugh!!! Let's just get to the debate scrum already!"

"The what?! Debate Scum!?" Ibuki asked before all of the podiums began to lift into the air one by one, making a spiraling circle downwards. Each platform looked like it had been ripped out of the earth, bits of dust falling down from each one. They slowly shifted to make one long line of everyone, before jerking into two lines at different sides of the class, giving everyone whiplash.

"Figure out which one of your teams is right!!!" that was all the instruction the tired Monokuma gave: and everyone started firing arguments and rebuttals.

Hajime looked down at the people on his team: Himself, You, Peko, Byakuya, Ibuki, Mikan, Nekomaru and then Fuyuhiko.

He had to organize all of this, to prove they were right.

SPLIT/OPINION

Hiyoko: Who knows in what ways he was creeping along before we went to bed!

Ibuki: Ibuki would have heard it!!!!!!!

Mahiru: How do we know, he just never went back to his room? Chiaki didn't and no one was paying that much attention…..

Byakuya: Preposterous, I would have seen him when I was out doing my patrol if he never went back to the cottages. I did a search of the whole island.

Akane: He could hide in someone elses closest or something!

Peko: Most everyone locks their doors. Do you truly think he would have stayed in anyone’s room or would have been allowed to?

Kazuichi: He- he did say he could totally do it!!!

Hajime: So did Hiyoko, and from what we know from Ibuki’s map he never left his room either.

Nagito: Does the Body Discovery Announcement…. Really matter as much as we think? He could have seen the body twice and been counted differently each time.

Reader: It says very specifically different people. The semantics of the rule dictates how the game functions: it had to be three different people, killer included or otherwise.

Gundham: He would have known to cover his tracks as a skilled mafioso.

Mikan: But- but don’t you think he would have i-in such a spur of the moment with-with his temper?

Sonia: he certainly would have had the knowledge needed to recreate the murder.

Nekomaru: I don’t think he’d have the ability though. Chiaki was tied up pretty high in the tree and he's really short.

FULL COUNTER

-BREAK-

"Hmfp," Hiyoko crossed her arms as the podiums lowered, everyone being sorted back. "Fine, maybe Shrimp Dick didn't do it."

"Stop calling me that, you little bitch!" Fuyuhiko yelled before his head whipped over to Nekomaru. "What was your argument again, you damn bastard?!"

"Hey it proved you were innocent," Nekomaru said as he rubbed behind his neck.

"Well…. even with out Fuyuhiko I think there is one more person who could have had access to the details on Genocider Syo's murder methods…." Nagito said as he put a hand under his chin.

"Who- is that, Nagito?" Sonia asked tilting her head.

Someone with enough power and influence to know about the Genocider Syo murders….. Hajime….

Was pretty sure he knew who Nagito was talking about.

=Select Someone=

Byakuya Togami

"Byakuya…. the Togami cooperation is one of the mostly powerful organizations in the world, isn't it?"

Byakuya stopped and his eyes went wide. "You…. believe I would have knowledge on the murderer before coming here, then." he said .

"It makes…. some sense, I hadn't seen Chiaki when I passed by, perhaps before you and her both got there," Nagito said as he held his hand to his chin. "You reportedly were the last one to see Chiaki alive, with no one else around….. it would have been easy."

"A little to easy," Peko agreed closing her eyes, "It is almost the perfect way to kill a target."

"I promised to ensure no one would become a victim, do you truly think I would then go and create one!?" Byakuya asked.

"Sure did a fucking great job of keeping that promise in the first place," Fuyuhiko sneered as he crossed his arms. "She's fucking dead either way, and men who talk the loudest are always the quickest to not back it up."

"That explains a lot about you…." Mahiru said as she looked away and then towards Byakuya, her expression faltering for a moment. "You don't exactly have the greatest alibi either, though… given we know you were out of your room for certain."

"I cannot believe it, Mr. Ham Hands!!!! But I guess I have too," Hiyoko let out a puff of air.

"I didn't do it," he said as he held onto the railing.

"Surely…. you have some piece of evidence that defends you, don't you?" Sonia asked.

"Or maybe…. someone has something that sinks the nail in deeper," Nagito glanced over at you before he looked back towards Byakuya in the same movement.

You held onto the corners of your notebook.

If an outfit did clog the drain…. you knew someone who was missing one. You closed the cover before anyone could get a better peek inside, everyone kept talking, adding up bits that could have been seen as inconsistent or damning in Byakuya's story.

Byakuya tried to argue, swinging around with weak defenses of himself but at the moment there was nothing he had to say: he knew the murder style, was missing clothing, had been out, seen Chiaki and had an opportunity. He was seemingly the only person who had that opportunity

Seemingly, but it didn't sit right with you.

Byakuya made eye contact with you for a moment before swinging to someone else pressing him further.

You closed your eyes before opening them again.

They wouldn't use their Fresh Start like this, you knew that!!!!

"No! That's wrong!" you slammed your hand on the wooden podium getting all eyes on yourself, The corner of Hajime's eyes slide over as you tilted your chin higher into the air. "I remembered something, from last night," you said.

"What, is that?" Mikan asked holding her shoulders up.

"When Byakuya was going back to their room, I saw them outside. Their footsteps woke me a bit," you explained. "His clothes were clean, he didn't have any blood on him! He would have gotten some those white suits if he was playing with the body, wouldn't he?" you asked.

Hajime's mouth fell open. With how you had fallen asleep and buried yourself in his spine, there was no way you saw Byakuya: bloodied or not.

You were lying.

"W-what if he had a change of clothes???" Kazuichi exclaimed.

"Our closets come with 5 extras of the outfits we entered with. I got to see inside Byakuya's closest: he had all of his spares in tact."

Byakuya was gritting his teeth together and holding onto the railing, Hajime stared at him at how ready he was to correct you: he didn't of course though.

Hajime took in a shaky breathe looking down at you.

You gave Hajime a small look and a nervous smile: 'Trust me'

Trust you.

Trust you…. was that…..

Should he trust you?

This situation it still seemed ridiculous to trust anyone and yet you….. trusted him.

Maybe he was playing into the palm of your hand, but that seemed so impossible in the moment as he let himself trust you completely.

"I agree with that," Hajime said as he tilted his head upward. "Now that they mention it…. I got woken up too and could also see him through the window," he crossed his arms.

He heard you let out a breathe and could feel the warmth of your smile, he could picture it in his mind and it made him stand all of the taller in front of his classmates as he lied through his teeth.

"Then, Ibuki guesses Bookysha is innocent!!!" Ibuki cheered holding up both of her arms into the air as she cheered. "Would have sucked if a cool guy like him was the killer!"

"Awwe, here I thought that would be a fun twist," Hiyoko complained as her pigtails went flat.

"And yet…. we still do not know who the killer is," Peko said as she crossed her arms, closing her eyes.

"Well…. maybe it is alright this way," Nagito admitted as he crossed his arms. "It is so tiring to be forced to suspect our friends….. Really, we have been at this so long and we aren't any steps closer."

"It does…. sorta feel like we just keep running in circles for nothin'," Akane agreed as she crossed her arms.

"Now that simply isn't true at all," you said. Nagito blinked and looked up with a hum. 'Well, it is tiring to suspect our friends, yes: But we have figured out a lot of details so far! Not the killer yet but I think there is still something to point us in a better direction," you said as you held out your hand. 'We just need to hold out a little longer."

"Hahaha," Nagito let out a gentle laugh as he leaned. "Of course you would say that…… I suppose there is still a chance to find Hope."

"Well, Sonia?" Hajime asked as he looked over at her. "Is there, anyone else who might have known enough details to recreate one of Genocider Syo's murders?"

"Well…. in terms of position I d-" her voice stopped and she held her fingers to her lips. Her eyes began to grow wider and wider as she held onto her skirt. She began to get paler and paler with every passing second, and her eyes traveled upwards towards one person across the podiums, standing right in front of Monokuma.

=Select Someone=

Nagito Komaeda

"Hey Nagito, didn't you and Sonia spend a lot of time together yesterday?" Hajime asked as he glanced down at the red nails.

Nagito's smile twist as he tilted his head. "I did, we did each others nails," he held up his finger nails showing them off, glinting in the light of the court room. "What about it?"

"I…. told you about Genocider Syo," Sonia said as she gripped onto the railing.

"Indeed, you did," he agreed as he put his hand down.

A chill ran through the courtroom, everyone was staring at him.

"And you were the other person we know left their room," Nekomaru said giving him a side eye.

"Yes, I was," he let out half a laugh as an almost sleazy smile came to his face. "What about it?"

"What about it!? These are exactly the things we have been looking for in our culprit!" Hajime said before his shoulders shook uncontrollably. Aren't- you going to say anything to defend yourself?" Hajime asked with a shaky breathe as he looked over Nagito. He couldn't have, there had to be some sort of explanation other than you he had-

"Aha-" the laughter he let out, it sounded strangled from him. "Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" ever chuckle was followed by a gasp of breathe and a long wheeze. "The Super High School Levels are working together to combat the despair of their friend's death! Ah how wonderful, how beautiful it is!"

You covered your eyes as your face fell down.

Of course.

What was a trip to Wonderland without the Mad Hatter? You forced yourself to look upon the mad man in the group, he was a fountain of insane cackling. "Let's cut to the chase," he said as he leaned forward. "You are correct, it is all my doing!" he put his hands together, looking at you. "I left my room fully planning to commit a murder," he confessed and he looked over at Sonia. "And I did string up the body to look like a Genocider Syo Murder. I also swept up all of the sand to hide the foot prints. Really it was a perfect chance to do it, how could I pass up the chance!"

"W-what in the world is happening!?" Mikan exclaimed as she lunged away from Nagito, tears in her eyes.

"He's lost his damn mind, that is what!" Nekomaru exclaimed leaning away.

"Honestly the only thing that screwed me up was Ibuki's perfect hearing, I truly didn't expect her to be able to hear the planks creaking and tell the difference between the weights!" he laughed again. "You are truly impressive, Ibuki!!!! I am ashamed I expected anything less."

"Ibuki doesn't think she wants your praise…." she said as she leaned away.

"Well, with a twist ending like this, I think we can all be happy with the end of this mystery, right?" he let out a laugh. "Poor Chiaki, she truly never saw it coming: it is such a shame to lose someone like her so fast," he was still giddy, the madness swirling in his eyes.

"Jesus christ! Can we vote for this Psycho already!?" Fuyuhiko exclaimed clenching his fists.

"I cannot believe this was his true nature…. not even I saw it coming…" Peko admitted as she closed her eyes.

"True nature? You say that like I have changed…. oh! Do you think I was lying?" he let out a chuckle. "I would never dream of doing that, not to all of you! I understand better than anyone that I am ultimately useless," Nagito hugged himself, a bit of drool rolling down his lips. "I'm to arrogant to have dreams or cling onto hope, I am too disdainful to actually try anything. I've made my peace with the fact I am a lowly, stupid, unimportant human being who can't do anything right!"

"What…. about you saying you didn't see Chiaki?" Hajime asked weakly.

"Well, it seemed wrong to count a corpse as the same exact thing as the person you once knew, you ya," Nagito said with a shrug. "A corpse doesn't have the same amount of hope as a person: it would be a shame even if hers failed."

"I….. cannot believe this," Sonia finally spoke as her entire body shook. "What in the world has happened to you, Nagito?" she asked.

"Oh Sonia, it has nothing to do with genetics if you are worried," Nagito said as he tilted her head. "Your hope has always shined bright for your kingdom…. but you really should have figured this out when we were children."

She choked on air when she said that. "I never did expect… you'd become the slasher villain….."

Byakuya swallowed down something and looked at Nagito. "Tell me, were you the one who sent that threatening letter, then?" he asked.

"Yep, that was me."

You looked over at Byakuya catching on before back at Nagito. "Why?" you asked.

Nagito dropped the giddy act, looking almost bewildered. "Why?" he repeated.

"Why would you leave a murder threat before anyone could see it?" you asked.

Hajime blinked and his eyes went wide, he could also think of something odd if it was actually Nagito….

mmmmm

Truth Bullet - Pile of Junk

"I got it!" Hajime exclaimed before he looked at Nagito. "Did you also bring a pile of items out of the Supermarket?" he asked his eyes narrowing.

"I did," Nagito was grinning again, showing all of his teeth as his eyes seemed to sparkle with a demented delight.

"Why did none of those item comes up in your murder? None of them were the size of the murder weapon, and why wouldn't you use the knife that you had gathered…. I don't think you actually committed the murder"

Nagito began laughing again, "Wonderful, wonderful!!!" he cheered. "Your hope is so impressive to figure me out so quickly."

"What… is wrong with this guy?" Mahiru asked as she shivered, the excitement bringing with it a cutting whipping wind.

"Why…. in the world would you do that, then?" Akane asked as she leaned back, scrunching her nose then.

"Why to help the killer of course! Someone so proactive in the killing game clearly has a lot of hope!" he laughed. "I figured I would give them a hand."

"So…. you don't- know the killer?!" Byakuya asked, there was an anger in his voice.

"Nope," he held up a hand. "I simply saw the corpse and decided to give the killer a hand, to ensure their hope shone through."

"You would die too if they weren't caught, you know that: right!?" Nekomaru exclaimed putting a hand on his head.

"I don't think this Psycho cares!" Kazuichi pulled down his hat. "Man this trip sucks!"

"If that is how you feel, you should commit the next murder!"

"Don't encourage that!"

"And go through this again!?' Kazuichi cried. "No way!"

"I was well aware, but I truly don't care what happens to my pitiful life," he put a hand over his heart. "My only wish is to watch your hopes battle against each other at their fullest, the clean and the blackened," he had a dreamy smile on his lips. "I am so truly lucky to be here, I could not imagine a better way to die than among all of you and seeing one hope shine brightly."

"Why is it TUESDAY STiLL!?" Ibuki cried as she grabbed the sides of her head.

"I have dealt with some crazy bastards but….. fuck," Fuyuhiko was even left speechless as he stared at him.

"And we still…. are not any closer to finding the real killer," Peko said as she glared at Nagito.

"And…. the only lead we really have is Mikan's autopsy…" Sonia lamented as she held her head down.

"Well… we do have another mystery answered," you said. 'We know the third person who saw the person….. and that means the killer has to be the fourth person," you said.

"But we don't know who that is!" Mahiru said as she shuddered.

"Maybe if we can figure out the murder weapon we can find the killer," you held out your arms. "I think that is the key."

"T-the only thing- thing I was able to find out is…. is it about the size of a fist! Anything could-could be that size, o-or tossed into the ocean!"

"It could have been," you agreed. "but let's try and think of options for an object about the size of a fist."

Hajime gritted his teeth, there were thousands of things that could have been that size…. was it truly possible to find the right one?

Well…

He'd just have to try….

Improved Hangman's Gambit

P             B

O

O

P

"Oh lord this looks awful- Let me handle it!"

Swish, Swipe Swoosh

Body Part

-BREAK-

"I got it!" Hajime yelled as he looked up, his lights bright with the realization. "Mikan, you said it was about the size of a fist, ya?" he asked as he leaned forward.

She held her hands together. "Y-yes, I am so sorry that is all I was able to get!' she began to weep and Hajime had to reach over.

"No, Mikan," he said. "That is the most important detail: it was about the size of a fist…. expect: What if it WAS a fist?" he asked as he gestured around.

"The hell!?" Akane asked as she brought her hands down. "You really think that's be possible!?"

"It'd be more than possible," Nekomaru's tone was low as he was staring right at Akane. She grew pale as she looked at him with shaking eyes. "Akane would be… one of those people."

"Do you really think I did, coach!?" Akane exclaimed as she gritted her teeth together.

"I don't want to- just stating facts," Nekomaru closed his eyes, clutching his shoulders tight, his fingertips indenting his jacket.

"I do think Akane is our main suspect now," you said as you crossed your arms.

"What?!" she asked.

"You are for one thing getting the most upset about this allegation,' you pointed pit. 'Two are quite skilled with your fists, and three, you fit the description of weight and side of the dock you are staying on," you said as you held out your fingers with your other points.

"That's extremely fucking flimsy, ya know!" Akane turned red with anger. "Albino over there fits all of those descriptors too! So does True Crime Nut!" Akane yelled as she pointed at the two other girls. "I am not the only one who can generator a lot of force ya know!"

"How dare you accuse Miss Sonia!"

"It is impossible for it to be me!" Sonia declared as she slammed her hands down. "I would never do such a ass half job of recreating on to the Genocider Syo Murderers! For one thing I would kill one of the males in the class to match the MO and then I would go to the super market and collected scissors as close to the specialty designed ones of Syo, next I would be pinning them up and they got signature wrong and-" Sonia began to ramble about every single details that was wrong about the murder to make it a Genocider Syo.

"I think…. her seriousness on the matter says it all," Nagito let out half a laugh

"Well you don't have anything to defend that one either!" Akane exclaimed pounding one fist as she pointed a finger at Peko.

"It is true," Peko admitted. "I do look suspicious in this situation."

"That's…. true, but I don't really think it was Peko,' you said your voice still calm. "I just… don't think it would make sense she would use her fist."

"What do you mean it wouldn't make any sense!?' Akane asked.

That was probably because….

"Peko is the Ultimate Sword's Woman, right?" Hajime asked as he looked at you.

You gave a nod of confirmation. "I think it was a spur of the moment killing, and in situations like that…. it would make sense to pick whatever you thought would be the most effective way to kill, so your victim couldn't respond. Out of sheer instinct I think Peko would have reached for her sword."

"That….. is accurate for what I would do in that situation," Peko sounded slightly unsettled, it was faint in her cold tone though.

"I think that lines up," Fuyuhiko said. "Most fights I reach for my gun first, then knuckles if that don't work or I can't smuggle 'em," he closed his eyes. "You'd have to be real confident in your fist, to make a kill with just them."

"That would just leave you then, Akane," Hajime said.

"I don't think we can call it just yet though," Nekomaru said as he held out a hand and looked at Akane.

"Damn right we can't!!!" Akane exclaimed. "You don't have any actual shit on me, just speculation because I am good at fightin'!" she grinded into the stands and leaned forward. "Hit me with some actual evidence, god dammit!"

Actual evidence, huh?

Well, he'd have to pull some out!!!

= Panic Talk Action =

"Come on prove this like your a man!"

"You don't have shit on me!"

"Prove it, what's your face!"

"This would be best settled by fists!"

"Everything you have is as flimsy as your arms!"

"Fight me, god dammit!!!!"

"I'll rip you to shreds, you hear!"

"You are a coward!"

"I won't let you take me down!!!!"

"No, no, fucking NO!"

"Stop talking! You don't have anything to prove it, so stop talking and fight me!!!"

A. Let's

B. Closest                 C. Your

D. Check

"This is the end!"

-BREAK-

'Alright, Akane: if you still don't think that is enough to pin the crime on you, then surely you'd have no issue letting us check your cabin closest," Hajime said as he pointed a finger towards her.

Akane stood there and opened her mouth. "Some of my clothes- got dirty from messing around… you cannot, use that!" she said as she raised her head.

"So we would find outfits missing, correct, Akane?" Byakuya asked as he tilted his head at her. "No matter how you spin it, it doesn't look good."

"I got my clothes messy too," Nekomaru called. "They got cleaned the next day and put in the closest."

"Uh-huh!!!!" Monomi rose a hand from between the ropes. "I make sure to do laundry almost everrry night to make sure you kids have enough clean clothes!!! As long as… it is in tacted" she explained.

"Yep, just like the permissive parent she is: not making any of you do any chores," Monokuma laughed. "They aren't ever going to learn if you spoil them!"

"They learn better than punishing them like this!!!" Monomi yelled as tears ran down her face.

"Alright then, Akane. How many outfits would be in your closest?" Hajime asked.

Akane tensed up her shoulders. "You still, don't have the full story!!" she yelled as she looked around.

"Then what do you have to say to defend yourself?" you asked in a calm voice. "We want to find the whole truth, so do share," you said.

"I am just not convinced!" she yelled, she couldn't think of anything better and she looked like a cornered mountain lion who was about to start biting.

"Let's me lay out this entire incident!" Hajime declared. "Then I think you will be convinced."

CLIMAX INFERENCE:

"It started last night after the motive announcement, everyone had gone back to their rooms expect for the victim, Chiaki Nanami, who decided to wander out to the beach: hoping they would help lull her to sleep," Hajime began, gesturing as he spoke.

You continued. "Most everyone was in their rooms, however Ibuki could hear people walking outside. Four people left their room that night, Byakuya, Myself, Nagito and then… the Killer," your eye flashed at Akane who tensed up on her stand, showing her death."

Hajime held up his finger. "First: Byakuya went out to check if everything was safe and found Chiaki, she said he should go back to his room to sleep and she'd be okay out there….. unfortunate incorrect," Byakuya cringed in his stand, digging at the fabric of their suit as they looked away in shame.

"Second: I went in Hajime's room because I didn't want to be alone: I left about the same exact time as-"

The sync was perfect as Hajime kept explaining the details. "Three: Nagito was setting up his own plans, to set up the circumstances for murder yet he did not have to because:"

"Fourth: The killer left their room and found Chiaki. on the beach. They killed her with a single of their fist," you made a punching motion in the air.

"Nagito who had gathered all of his supplies for his own plans, saw this and was thrilled to help out the killer. He aided them in setting up the body to appear as if the Serial Killer was Genocider Syo: at least on the surface," Hajime looked over at Sonia who looked….. absolutely forlorn.

" After setting up the body, the killer returned to their room, whilst Nagito returned all of his supplies to the Market, before coming back and depositing the note he had planned to use in his own crimes into the mailbox of Byakuya."

"The killer washed up and attempted to deposes of their clothes in the toilet only to make the other pipes clogged and flood the next day," Hajime held his hand up. "There is only one person who could have generated enough force for that killing blow, and that was you!:"

Hajime and your voices connected in a harmony. "The Super High School Level Gymnast , Akane Owari!!!" both of your hands locked onto her and she slammed her fists down on the stands.

It sounded like she was shattering glasses into piece.

"Dammit!" she yelled out.

"Is there anything we missed, Akane?" Hajime asked as he set her eyes on her.

"…… no…. Ya got just about everything," she gripped the stands. "Not gonna bitch about losing, it doesn't ever get you anywhere," she clenched her teeth and slammed her fist down again. "DAMMIT!"

Nekomaru stared in shock from his stands. "What…. in the world, Akane?"

She sighed and tried to keep strong but, how disappointed Nekomaru looked made her slump. "Sorry coach, had another team to play for…"

~ TRAIL RESULTS ~

Chapter Text

"Gehehehehehehehehe!!!!" the bear burst into laughter. "Soooo sneaky using yourself as a murder weapon, but that blade was still chip, ey?" Monokuma smirked down at Akane who glared back at him.

"Oh shut up, ya stupid bear!" she yelled at him. "At least I handled my own dirty work instead of outsourcing it like a god damn coward!" she slammed her hand down pointing the finger.

Monokuma burst into laughter again before he leaned his body forward, his arms hanging down like black roots that wanted to merge into the ground. "It's votttttting time!!!" he rang out, and everyone stood a step back as a lever rose through the floor. "Grab the handle and cast your vote! And don't dare think of abstaining for any martyrdom reasoning, cuz I won't feel bad throwing you into the execution!"

Everyone stared forward and reached out, grabbing and pushing on the lever so it would move. Each time it passed over someone's differently bordered face it would make a dinging sound.

"Who will be chosen as the blackened!? Will you make the right choice, or the dreadfully wrong one~?" the bear was cackling as he asked. "Puhuhuhu, such heart pounding excitement!"

One by one everyone let go of the lever, making the face of Akane Owari glow in it's red frame light up.

The monitors around the room light up as they all displayed the same rapidly spinning slot machine.

Who is Found Guilty?

MONOKUMA

VOTE

OOO

AKANE OWARI
!!!GUILTY!!!

Several Monokuma coins came pouring straight off of the screen making a clanging noise as they fell like rain, Akane Owari stood around a pile of them and crossed her arms.

"Such fancy bullshit- what's the god damn point in wasting time?"

TRAIL

Class Trail
END

ALL RISE

"Awwwwww, and here I was soooo looking forward to something more interesting happening," Monokuma let out a sigh. "I guess we get to reboot for a sequel, because somehow you idiots got it right."

"Do you ever shut up?!" Akane snapped.

"Such a temper for the one on the chopping block," Monokuma turned his head away and Akane gritted her teeth, beginning to bounce on one leg as she fought her show off and threw it at him.

It smacked the back of chair as Monokuma leaned away, and his entire face turn red as he showed off his claws. "Why you-"

"Why me what?!" Akane yelled. "The plan is to 'Punish me' already, ain't it!? Well then god dammit I am gonna fight till my last,"she punched her hand into her fist.

"Ohhh it's sooo amusing to see you bark all the time," Monokuma rolled his red eye and leaned back in the chair. "All that fight won't matter soon," he reminded.

"We'll see about that after I am warmed up!!!"

"You…. really aren't going to try and defend yourself at all, anymore, Akane?" Kazuichi asked, his voice coming out as a ghost.

"I know you got me," she said as she looked away. "My gut knows when I am in a losing battle….. Be cowardly to pretend otherwise."

"But- I- I don't understand," Nekomaru sniffled as he looked at Akane. "Why!? Why would you do it!?" he asked as tears ran down his face.

"Because between a bunch of guys I barely know and the littles, it isn't a choice I hesitate on making," she crossed her arms, her fingers gripping into her forearm so tightly it made crescent moon shapes. "I, I had to check on them: no matter what happened."

"Littles? Like, Little Siblings!?" Ibuki yelled across the way.

"Yep, lots of em, don't even know the exact number," she cracked a smile despite it all as she thought about them; before that expression fell into despair. "I know, they are pretty good at fending for 'em self so….. normally I wouldn't worry: but after that announcement… my gut started driving me crazy," Akane's voice sounded far away. "Then when I was tryin' to sleep it off: I had a nightmare….. the blood scent was so thick I could taste, and their screams were all I could hear," it felt so strange to see Akane shaking, she looked light a leaf. She took in a breathe and immediately stilled herself. "I wanted to try a walk and raid the market, thinkin' food would make my gut settle: when I saw her."

Just Chiaki Nanami on beach.

She faced the ocean, holding the straps of her backpack as the waves crashed in and around her. The tide of the moon made the finger tips of the water seem as if they wished to grab her, but they never could reach.

Given who Chiaki was, she could have fallen asleep standing up with how utterly motionless she was.

It was… the easiest prey Akane had ever seen.

She'd seen easy targets on the street, never was an issue for her to snatch their wallets if it meant getting extra food on the table. She'd also killed before too, if it meant keeping the littles safe. That was just how it was at home: How was it any different here? How was she any different than one of the many nameless corpses around the slums? How was it any different if she added one more to the pile? How was this different than making sure they were safe and feed? How was this any different from her usual work as a gymnast?

How was this any different?
How was this any different?
How was this any different?

How was it any different?

Crack

"I-I" Nekomaru had no words as he gripped onto the railing, staring down at the interact wood as he tried to steady himself. How could he fault her? How could he forgive her? He didn't…… know.

"I-I understand wondering about your family, but- what about all of ours???" Mahiru exclaimed as she stared at Akane.

"I don't give a damn about that!" Akane's voice cracked when she yelled that. "It's my family first in the world, everything else can fuck off for all I care!" she closed her eyes tight. "The only thing I am pissed about is the fact I fucked it up."

"Ahhh…. your hope is so grand, it is such a shame it wasn't strong enough," Nagito lamented as he crossed his arms. "I suppose resolve isn't the only thing that matters."

Akane had a new fire in her eyes as she tore off her other shoe and smacked him in the shoulder with her shoe from across the stands. "SHUT THE FUCK UP, WHO ASKED YOU, YOU CRAZY SON A BITCH!?"

Nagito fell to his knees, he was grinning, beginning to chuckle but he didn't say anything as he merely held the blooming bruise of his shoulder.

"Akane," you said and she looked over.

"What you got to say."

You made direct eye contact with her. "When the rest of us figure out how to get out of here, I'll make sure to find your siblings, all of them," you leaned forward. "And I will tell them exactly how determined their big sister was to get back to them."

Akane couldn't breathe for a moment, before she began grinning, she took in a breathe and laughed. "Don't count me out yet," Akane said as she turned her head to the podium.

"All of this sentimentality is getting boring," Monokuma whined. "So let's hurry up and start the punishment!"

"No!!!" Monomi broke free of the ropes and landed on the ground, before standing in front of Monokuma's throne. "I won't let you harm my students!"

It was a quick flick of the rest for Monokuma to send Monomi flying, she caught on one of the wooden edges of the courtroom scene in the back and it ripped off a large chunk of her back, leaving stuffing in the stands as she smacked into the wall. "With that pest out of the way, I've prepared a special punishment for Akane Owari, the SHSL Gymnast."

"You better not expect me," Akane's hair stood up on edge as she ready herself. "To go down without a fight!!!"

"Let's give it everything we got- it's…. PUNISHMENT TIME!!!!"

"Alright you god damn bear!" Akane shouted. "Let's do this!!!!"

The bear yanked back a judge's gavel, before smashing it down with all of his might onto a big red button.

GAME OVER

A sprite of Monokuma dragged Akane Owari away.

AKANE OWARI HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY.
IT IS TIME FOR THE PUNISHMENT!

All of the eyes in the trail room were trained on Akane Owari, but she wasn't nervous: she was used to a crowd. She closed her eyes, ensuring her breathing was completely steady: when he get gut went off.

Akane leaped onto her podium, leaving the collar that had tried to grab her snatching at air. She grinned as another one came for her, and she flipped away to a different podium landing on both feet.

Multiple collars came at her at the same time, each one snapping shut like sharp fangs: but she was faster and more prepared for them. It left everyone in awe at her mastery, and something close to hope began to spread upon everyone's faces given how long and how many she was holding out.

Akane landed at an angle on Hajime's Podium, squatting down before pushing forth with all of her muscles to land a might blow on Monokuma.

A cuff snatched around her arm as the bear laughed in her face, one red eye glowing with demented delight as Akane began to sweat, her gut knowing exactly what was going to happen to her.

The cord ripped her away, and everyone could hear her scream before a heavy metal door shut.

All of the monitors glowed with a red and black carnival banner:

THE
BERSERKER'S
!!!CARNIVAL!!!!
(Fun For The Whole Family!!!)

SHSL Gymnast
Akane Owari's
Execution: Executed

The lights flicked on, Akane was dangling above a black void but around her were all the trappings of a black and red and white circus, the tent surrounding her in the gaudy colors well wooden beams hung all over the place.

Akane grabbed at her wrist, attempting to yank it free from the cuff as she growled and cursed, only for it to start to swing.

She looked up, and a mechanical section between two beams moved forward and backwards: it made a half circle before flipping clockwise, and kept spinning.

Akane's screams were drowned out by the thumping beat of the music as she was spun around and around and around and around some more. It went so fast connected to her arm that the tendos, nerves and muscles all visible ripped: her arm only attached by the skin holding it in place.

She was tossed into the air as the music went into a lull, before she was caught by the cuff hooking onto her left leg, before it began to hurl her in the other direction.

Akane struggled and jerked but she couldn't do anything against the force that forced her to go aroundandaroundandaroundandaround even faster than before.

Her leg completely ripped off, blood spurting forth in a flood: the screams still drowned out.

As it seemed Akane would just get to fall, the cuff grew a size, turning to a collar to lock around her neck.

The cord bounced, and her neck snapped.

She hung completely limp, disconnected from reality. All of the blood remaining in her body falling out from the knee cap where he leg was no longer attached.

Monokuma began to clap in glee. "What a performance!!! What an act!!!!" he tossed a rose he pulled out from nowhere at one of the many monitors, it falling to the ground with an sad crumbling sound.

"Kyah!!!!!" Monomi screamed from the stand she was stuck on before curling into a ball behind it, the rabbits sobs were filled in the room.

"Come on!!! Who wants an encore?" Monokuma asked and the body began to wave back and forward by it's cord as the machine started up again, but no one was paying any attention to it as everyone was left in horror.

Mahiru covered her mouth with her hand before she threw up, her entire body shaking as she crumbled to her knees letting it pool on the ground.

"A-Akane!!!!!!" Nekomaru screamed as if there was a chance to save her, to help her….. but there was nothing that could be done now.

"What's-" Fuyuhiko's voice shook even in his angry tone. "What's the fucking point of all this, god dammit!?"

"Well I gotta make it a show!!!" Monokuma let out a laugh. "I mean come on, I have to demonstrate what is gonna happen if you decide to fly off the rails and kill someone!!!! I mean all of you are supposed to be the best in the world, I really would expect all of you to know it's rude to commit murder. A lesson of manners if you will."

"Y-you were the one ordering us to kill each other!!!" Kazuichi cried as he pointed a finger at the bear.

Mikan burst into tears. "This is too much!!!! I c-can't take it!!!" she cried as she held onto her hair tightly.

"Ordering you to kill each other? Yeesh! I merely made it an option, I am not the one forcing any of you to take it," Monokuma snickered. "If you are pathetic enough to take the carrot at risk of the stick, who am I to stop you till you get caught!!!!"

"Yes you are!" Hajime yelled, the voice escaping him. "You were the one who made it a killing game and then went so far as to provide a motive! You wanted this to happen, and made us do it!"

"Made you? Madeeee you? No, no! I just put incentive to get you!!!" Monokuma laughed. "Ohhhh are you just upset that you missed the motive, Mr. Amnesic?"

Hajime's mouth fell open and he leaned away.

"Must be hard, almost like everything was scooped right out of your head!!!!" Monokuma cheered before he leaned forward. "But I guess you don't get to know, because you didn't decide to commit the murder…… but maybe I'll give you another chance, if you are sweet enough to me," Monokuma fucking winked at him.

Hajime seemed to go limp at the words, and clenched his fists.

"Give us our memories back already, you stupid bear!!!" Hiyoko yelled pointing a finger at him. "a murder happened anyway, the least you could do is tell us something!"

"Tell you something…. tell you something," the bear began to giggle. "Ohhhh maybe I will!!!!! As a little prize, I wonder what it will be~!"

"Tell us now, god dammit!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"Nope!" Monokuma said before he disappeared from existence.

"I-I have- I have to excuse myself as well!" Monomi exclaimed before she popped out of the room next.

"Hey!!! Come back here!!!" Ibuki yelled but she was ignored by both animals.

"…….. This is…." Peko looked back up at the screen. "Quite extreme."

"No kidding!" Kazuichi grabbed onto his hat and pulled it down, he closed his eyes. "I am so sick of this man!!!!"

"Ahhh….. this is such a hopeless scenario," Nagito lamented as he closed his eyes, when he spoke everyone turned to look at him, everyone had almost a terror looking at him. "But… You are all of the Super High School Levels!" he had a bright, carefree smile on his face that made your screen crawl. "You'll have no trouble finding the hope to get through."

"What…… the hell are you talking about?" Byakuya asked as his shoulders tightened up.

"H-how are- you-you smiling!?" Mikan held onto her hair as she cried, and Ibuki pulled her away and shoved her behind her. Mikan grabbed onto Ibuki's shoulders and cried into her back.

"What is wrong with you!!!!!?" Ibuki yelled.

"Huh? I am not happy about this or anything," he said as he looked around at everyone. "Losing Akane and Chiaki in one day is truly nothing but despair," he looked melancholy for a second. "Talent such as theirs, it is such a waste…… But you are all still alive," he grew right back into a smile. "It is your job to over come this, as the SHSL chosen by Hope's Peak, you are all the Symbols of Hope! If you guys can't over come this, then who possible could?"

"See how much of a god damn symbol I am when I kill you," Fuyuhiko barked, tilting his head to the side.

"Feel free to kill me at any time."

"What the fuck!?" the words were dragged out of Fuyuhiko- it all he could say- all he could think.

"Of course! Someone as worthless as me, being killed by one of you would be the greatest honor!!!" he held his hands out in glee as he let out a new laugh. "To become your stepping stone, I could think of nothing better!"

You let out a long groan as you put a hand over your eyes. "Why does he have to be a MAD MAN!?" you asked unable to contain it anymore. Couldn't ONE THING be easy? One single thing!?

"If you want to kill me just come and chat! I would love to be apart of the planning process, as you could see I am pretty good at helping obscuring murders."

Sonia shuddered when he said that, holding her hands together. Her mouth opened but no sound came out.

"Why are you so willing to help the killer???" Hajime asked.

"Well, it shouldn't matter who I side with, right?" he asked as he looked around. "You are have been selected by Hope's Peak Academy as the best in the world, I would be willing to help any one of you which whatever task you have! If that so happens to be my own Murder, I would feel nothing but joy to side with you."

"You are crazy!!!" Hiyoko yelled stomping her foot down.

"This……. what in the world am I supposed to make of a being of maddness such as yourself?" Gundham asked.

"Oh I don't think someone as worthless as I should have a say in that," he looked at Gundham with a hand over his heart and glittering eyes. "You can feel however you want about me, I really don't mind."

"I think…. I'mma take that god damn offer," Fuyuhiko said as he clenched his fists.

"We are wasting time on him," Hajime snapped out as he glared at Nagito. "He clearly isn't worth listening to," Hajime said as he looked forward.

"You hate me too, Hajime?" their was genuine shock in his voice. "That's…. a shame, I did feel you and I were quite similar."

"What does that-"

"Enough of this," Byakuya barked. "You were correct the first time, Hajime. It is best to ignore his ramblings."

"Yes," Sonia agreed, she gave a shaky glance at her cousin before she faced forward. "We are trapped here, so there is only thing we can do to escape."

"And what is that?" Gundham asked.

"Do our best," she said as she looked out on everyone.

"This has been a hard day, and we have had losses…… but we need to rest before anything else," Byakuya said and Sonia gave a nod of her head.

"Then tomorrow, we can work together and make sure we never have to come to this cursed court room again," Sonia said before she let out a breathe, Byakuya walked over and put a hand on her shoulder and she seemed to gain more confidence.

"There is away out of this game, for all of us," you said. "I am not sure what that is, but we will find it."

Despite the gruesome image still looming about you, of the big sister who wanted to make sure her family was safe and would do anything, including murder to make it happen…… everyone felt, lighter.

"This is ridiculous," Hiyoko said as she crossed her arms. She didn't add anything as she was the first to leave the court room, though.

"We will figure it out, together: Team!!!" Nekomaru had tears still running down his face as he marched out next, ushering everyone else to follow along.

Hajime couldn't help but feel his stomach twisting around. Was there really….. any way out of this game? He was in the cloud of everyone walking out and even with the confidence that had been generated everyone had beads of sweat and the smiles faltering to tears in some cases.

The murder of Chiaki had taken place not even three days since getting to the island, Akane may have been the first but…. who is to say someone else wouldn't lose control of their desire to escape this tiny island again?

It was the middle of the day, but most everyone was too mentally exhausted to do anything other than wander back to their cottages from the bridge.

You had lingered behind the crowd across the bridge, your hands in your pockets as you stared down at the ground: your mind in a muddle you didn't know how to sort through. Your mind had been so sharp during the trail and now it was just a cloud of fog.

You knew it was real and yet…. did that, really happen? Why? Why? Why why why why why!?

You looked up to see the backs of the crowd and stopped to let some tears flow where no one could see. You wiped them away but they kept falling, you managed to somehow not make any noise other than your quite sniffling.

You didn't want to be here anymore, you choked back sound.

Haven't you had to deal with enough already?

When you finally stopped your crying… you were all alone. The realization made you start crying freshly, and harder than before.

Not again, no no not again you didn't want to deal with this again, not after everything else.

You heard waves thrashing in your ears as the skys looked stormy, you felt wet and cold and couldn't tell if it was real or not: you started to run down the bridge as lightening crashed behind you. The bridge rocked like a bow of a ship and you nearly took a tumble over the safety railing from how unsteady your feet felt.

You crashed onto the concrete, tripping and skinning your knee and left hand, before forcing yourself up and scurrying to where you had been lucky last time: the beach.

You looked around and felt ill, the sand was smeared with blood, dragging off it like paint strokes and hands imprinted on it.

Chiaki still hung in the tree, staring at you with a blank expression, her neck twisted around.

You dropped to your knees, sand getting into your skinned one and it hurt, but you didn't care as you sobbed out,, and couldn't stop it. You said you wouldn't do this again, didn't you? You grabbed your head and coughed over a cry-

Your own sobs paused when you heard someone else crying. You looked up to see sitting between the palm trees that once hung Chiaki's body, was Monomi.

Realizing a person was there you slowly got up, hissing as sand fell off of your knee and brought new burning air onto the burn. A lot of it stuck to your blood though, making it tingle like crazy but you tried to ignore it, going over to Monomi.

"Hey…." you said as you crouch down by her.

She looked up and dropped the pen she had been trying to hold and tossed the jounral she held into the air. More tears flew down her face. "Y-you should be resting!' she said and looked at your knee and hand. "A-and you are hurt!"

"Just some scrapes," you wiped your eyes with your unskinned hand. "I will be fine…… are you holding up?" you asked.

She wasn't a person, no: but she was also in no way program to handle this…. amount of violence. It was the very antithesis of her design.

Plus…. she was something to keep you company.

She burst into tears and buried herself into your arms. "Ohhhhh that bear!!!" she sobbed and you patted her back, making sure not to smear her fur with your neon blood. "I-I couldn't protect my students because of that bear!!! And I don't know what's gonna happen next!!!!" she bawled and hugged your waist: making you the stuffed animal. "I don't even know how he got here!!!! Now- now all of the students think I am working with him and- and- BOOHOOHOOOHOOo!!!!" she cried harder into your shoulder, no longer able to form words as you could make her sputtering out things about Chiaki but everything else was drowned out.

You choked back some of your own and nodded your head. "I know…… but I know you are innocent, and I will help where I can," you said and you looked over at her notebook. "Do you…. need some help writing about what happened today?"

Monomi's ears bent and she let out a sniff. "Yes…." she said and you picked up the journal, the blood beginning to dry enough it wouldn't smear onto the back of the bright pink and bedazzled journal.

"Alright, tell me what to write, then."

Hajime laid on his bed, hand over his stomach.

He wanted to sleep, to forget what he saw today and to stop imagine what he might see in this hellish game. Yet the adrenaline still pumped through his veins, forcing him to be restless. He tried to find some position that would force his body to sleep but nothing worked.

He gripped into his sheets and let out a sigh.

Two people were dead already…… everyone had been chanting about doing their best and escaping and yet two people were already dead: he couldn't help but dread who would be the next to die.

He closed his eyes and he thought of you, beaten so badly you could barely stand before collapsing down into a heap. They shot open and he let out a hitch of his breathe.

Dammit why- was he wasting his time thinking about you right now. Yet as he laid about with no where to place his thoughts other than this horrible situation he kept jumping to you. Who knows what that mad man Nagito was doing, what if he tried to kill you in some twisted plot of hope and despair or whatever the hell he was rambling about before.

He did say he left the super market intending to commit a murder, and if he had any dream of getting away with it, you'd probably be one of the best people to kill. Other than perhap Byakuya or Sonia but they both….. well merely seemed more prepared to fight.

He dragged himself out of bed and grumbled as he messed with his hair before he went out of the cabins.

No one else was out and he went to your cabin first. He tapped on your door and waited, and when he got no response he knocked on the door harder…. still nothing.

He felt his stomach drop as he bent at an angle to see into the blinds, and you weren't on the bed. He took in a breathe and looked around, his worst prediction coming true in his mind already as he ran towards the gate, his sneakers hitting the tarmac.

He barrelled headlong into you. To ensure you didn't fall over he wrapped his arms around you, and shoved you to him to stare into your eyes.

"H-Hajime!" your cheeks turned red.

"Why the hell were you wandering out alone right after a murder happened!?" Hajime yelled his face also bright red.

"Just…….. just wanted to spend some time alone," you half lied looking away. Hajime could see the puffiness in your eyes and tilted your cheek towards him.

Your eyes were bright red and he could see the tear stains down your face. He felt sick as he let his hand carcass your face, collecting the tear lines away. "You should…. be more careful," he said.

You stared at him and opened your mouth, and it finally set in what he had been doing. Hajime more or less shoved you away, his ahoge going straight into the air. His eyes caught down to your knee covered in blood and sand and his mouth opened like a cat, showing off his canines. "You really need to be more careful!" he didn't mean to shout but come on.

"It is just some scrapes, I tripped getting off the bridge," you said holding up your hand, revealing your other injury.

He took your uninjured hand, letting out a disapproving sound. You blinked, not thinking of resisting him as you followed him along back to the hotel.

He looked across at the cabins, taking a quick glance at his before he walked to yours. You let out half a sound as he opened the door, and had you sit on the bed.

"I'll find the stuff in the cabinet," he said, going to your bathroom as you kicked your legs out on the bed.

"Why…. Well…. Did you come out looking for me?" you asked tilting your head to the side.

His cheeks turned pink as he came back with some damp towels and bandages, beginning to wipe off your legs. 'What if I did?" he asked.

"W-why?"

"Because a murder already happened and you a sensible target," he answered as he wiped your leg and then swirled around your knee caps. "You were one of the three people it would be most sensible to target, and the easiest to kill out of all of them."

Your mouth fell open. "T….hanks?"

"If that is what you consider a compliment, please raise your standards," Hajime's eyebrow went flat as he looked into your eyes, before he finishing wiping your leg clean and laid one of the big band-aids on it, before moving to the other leg.

The room fell in silence as he was ginger with the tending of your wounds, getting the sand off and making sure it was clean in the least amount of pain possible. When he put the second band-aid on you thought, and for a moment hoped, he was going to kiss it better: but rather he took your hand, spreading your fingers out so he could dap at your palm.

He was engrossed in taking care of you, it made your heart thump in your chest. Anxiety still swelled in your stomach from…. everything else and together they mixed to light a fire.

"….. Two…. people are dead already," you said.

Hajime's hand twitched before he went back to getting the final bits of stand out of the ripped off skin. "It's…. impossible to ignore that fact…" both bodies would never leave either of your psyche. "What…. about it?"

"We…. cannot be sure who is plotting to murder again…. or who they could wish to target, and even if no one is doing it now they…. could when that bear gets impatient again…." you looked away from him.

Hajime wrapped a bandage around your hand before he got up, holding it in his own without thinking as he sat next to you on the bed. "And what…. is it you want to say, exactly?"

"Because- because of all of this uncertainty, I am scared. And because I am scared I want to say something to you before, before I can't," you sucked in a breathe and held his hand in both of yours, squeezing it tightly. "Hajime, I- I think we were close before coming here, and I think that because, I am pretty sure that…. that-" you just meet him, but you were already speaking. "That I am in love with you, so- so well we are here on this island would you please, consider being my boyfriend?" you held your head down and about squeezed the circulation out of his fingers.

Hajime had prepared for a lot, and yet this…. wasn't…. one of those things. His mouth hung open as he stared at you, in a completely blue screen.

You waited a second, and then three, and then five before you felt dread seep into your bones. What away to make an awful situation worse. Your warm hands unclasped his and you stood up from the bed.

"Oh- I-" you swallowed. "I am sorry, Hajime-" he was staring at you, mouth open and he genuinely could not hear a word you were saying. "I shouldn't- I know we just meet- this is a horrible time," you let out a fast breathe and you scrambled to the door of your own cabin.

Hey wait a second!

He flung his body forward but forget to stand, so he just threw himself to the floor in front of your feet like a seal. He coughed out a breathe before he turned his head to look at you, his green eyes open.

Your mouth was now hanging open and he took your stunned silent to push himself off of the floor and grab both of your hands. "Geez! Give a man a second to catch his thoughts!!!!" Hajime said and then fell silent again as you both staring at each other.

"I- I don't see why in the world you want to date me!" Hajime stared and your mouth fell open. "I don't even remember what my talent is, and who knows what's going on with that whole Teruteru guy: for all I know it could have been the one to do it! Not to mention I am an asshole who thought about murdering you. It seems utterly insane that-"

Okay-

You kissed him to make him stop talking and thinking about it to hard, and that more than worked as he grabbed your hips and sat you down on the bed so he would have an easier time kissing you back. Your hands ran through his hair as he rolled you over onto the bed so you were both laying down.

He pulled away first, letting out a pant as he looked down at you. "Are you…. really certain, you want to date me?"

"Yes, I am. Because I love you," you said putting a hand on his cheek.

"Ya….. well I guess if you are so sure there…. there is no reason not to say that, I love you too!" he didn't mean to make the declaration so loud and serious, but he couldn't think straight through the confusing haze you had set him in.

You smile before you let out a long yawn, and that made him follow suit.

"I think…… we can sort out everything tomorrow, huh?" you asked, tilting your head.

Hajime let out half a chuckle. "I have had enough of a day for the next week," he admitted as he laid down into your arms, burying his face into your neck as he acted like your blanket, his hands meeting in the small of your back well you played with his spiky hair, your other hand tracing his spine through his shirt.

You both laid down in each other's arms…. and suddenly despite the day Hajime didn't have much trouble falling asleep.

The bartender stood alone in the golden light of his careful chosen lamps, humming along to the soft sound of jazz as he polished his last glass. His hair swept behind him as he turned, putting the glass away among it's many twins.

His head tilted back, eyes glittering in the light to look upon the calming brown woods and green leathers that made up his bar, some of the light dancing in wonderful colors due to the red and blue stained glass.

"Yes…." he splayed his hands on his dark wood counter tops, spreading his fingers across the grain as he leaned forward.

"I do believe the lounge is opened for business."

Item Get!!!

Low Cut White Shirt - It looks to be in one piece, but if you look closely there are a lot of holes that have been carefully stitched with invisible seams. It is a garment that has really lasted awhile!

To Be Continued….

Chapter Text

"Ahem…. Hope's Peak Academy 's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make,"  Hajime clung tighter around your waist and tried to drown out the sound by hiding in your chest, but that monitor still kept talking. "Gooooood morning everyone! Looks like today is going to be another perfect, tropical day! Now then let's make sure to show some enthusiasm and make sure to give it our all today!"

"Who…. makes the alarm time seven in the morning, on a tropical island?" Hajime grumbled as he looked up at you with dreary eyes. It had to have been about 4 when you both went to bed, but that didn't matter much to him: he would rather stay in bed with you until this nightmare of a trip was over.

"A very stupid and cruel bear," you answered with a groan as you stretched your back, enjoying his warmth a little longer before he sat up. He stared down at you before putting a hand on your cheek.

"I can't wait for this all to be over," he mumbled as he ran his fingers down your hair before he yanked himself fully off of the bed, beginning to adjust his button up shirt and fix his hair and tie.

You sat up and looked at your closest with a small huff. "I…. am going to need to get a new dress soon," you admitted before you looked at the bathroom. "I'm going to take a quick shower…. do you mind waiting for me?"

"No," he said as he sat down on the bed. "Just don't take too long, lest Byakuya has words for us," he let out half a sigh at that.

You giggled. "He did say we were supposed to rest, so let's have some hope there," you said as you skipped off to the shower.

Hajime put his hands together on the bed as your shower ran. It seemed inefficient to not be in there with you, and as soon as the thought skipped along Hajime grabbed his jaw and yanked himself forward, his mouth hanging over as he considered jumping into the pool to give himself a cold shower at the thought.

You were out quick, in the same sun dress with your hair heavy with water You popped your back before walking up to him. Hajime stood up, his face turning red.

"Why… are you looking at me like that?"

You had puppy eyes. "Can…. I give you a kiss?" you asked looking up at him. You stood so close he could smell the green tea shampoo and the citrus body wash.

Hajime's cheeks turned pink and his fists tightened by his side, he needed to play it cool. "You- don't have to ask that," he said crossing his arms. "I want you to give me kisses," he felt like a sap when he said that.

You grinned and placed one at the bottom of his chin and then got on your tip toes to kiss his cheek, then managed to get a little higher and peek his temple. He almost began to pout when you gave him one last one on the lips.

You giggled as you pulled away, and looked back at him before holding open the door in an almost cheesy way. Hajime tugged at his collar.

"Supposed to be my job- ya know," he mumbled as he stepped through. "Thanks," he added despite his reminder.

When the door of your cottage shut out the domestic warmth from within, leaving you both stranded in the chilly ocean breeze. Your eyes turned across away, making eye contact with Chiaki's avatar on her cottage and you turned your head away.

There was still a long way to go.

There was a meandering crowd that went towards the restaurant, no one seemed to be rushing into get breakfast.

"I really…. can't believe it was Akane," Kazuichi crossed his arms as he stood by the pool by Ibuki.

"Ibuki can't believe the damn bear got her!" Ibuki gripped her head. "She was doing so great and had his rhythm down….." her shoulder shuddered. "He seems totally unbeatable."

"Don't say that," Kazuichi grabbed his hat and yanked it over his ears. "That's all I've been thinking about, if this isn't real…. w-what else could he do? What- does he know about us, too!?"

"Those are good questions, Kazuichi," you said as you stepped over. "But you can't panic over them."

"Ibuki agrees with Bookworm!" Ibuki nodded her head. "We gotta be strong, like Akane was!!!" she held her fists in front of her. "He got a rhythm, we just gotta make it break," she managed to sound so confident before her head turned over to the stairs. "Now Ibuki is starving!!! Time to go get food!!!"

Kazuichi stared at Ibuki who went running before his head snapped over to Hajime and you. "I don't know how you can still seem so calm, we got a lot of problems running about. Fuyuhiko, that guy, the bear is not the only one on the list, and then everything we don't know on top of it," he curled his hands under his hat and grabbed directly at his hair. "This is all too much, man."

"Do you…. have any choice but to learn to deal with it, though?" Hajime asked, it was half a question for himself.

"…. Guess not," he sighed. "I am not skipping breakfast again…" he mumbled something else to himself neither of you could hear, and right after he said it his hair seemed to stand on edge and he turned back to look at you, before he crept away completely non-conspicuously.

By the hotel lobby in front of the flowers was Mahiru, playing with the settings of her camera as she snapped a few shots with different angles and camera types. She stopped when she heard footsteps and she looked at you.

"Are you getting some nice photos?" you asked, managing to carry a smile as you looked over at the blooms, but it dropped upon seeing how uncomfortable Mahiru looked.

"The lighting is nice this morning," she said, turning her head towards the bright sun in the clear sky. "I…. am not sure I appericate it, though," she admitted as she crossed her arms and closed her eyes. "It doesn't, make sense…. to have something so horrible happen and then…. for it to be another perfect day."

Hajime looked around, the mood was cold but the weather refused to change, the sun shining despite the still fresh sting: it did feel like lemon juice on a fresh wound. Another reminder how this world within the bigger world didn't care about their suffering: it would move on as intended…. and this could be the intention. To laugh at them before dunking them further.

"Geez, you kids manage to complain about everything these days!!!" the bear sprung from the bushes like a weed. "It is another beauuuuuutiful day! And here you are whining about how the weather doesn't fit your sulky little mood," Monokuma put his hands on his hips as he tilted his head from side to side.

Mahiru reeled back, holding her teeth together. "I didn't ask your opinion! This is a-all your fault!"

"Hey, I didn't make them kill each other, especially not that fast!" Monokuma snickered. "Really you are the most impatient bunch of students yet, only two hours until a murder happened!"

"Bunch of students? Have- you done this before?" your face went pale as your voice cracked at the question.

The bear snickered looking at you. "Always gotta have that direct to video sequel, don'tcha?"

"A-are you serious?" Mahiru put a hand over her mouth as the bear cackled out.

"Ooppppps~! Seems I've said too much," the bear disappeared into the ground like a hammerhead worm.

"I-" Hajime took in a breathe trying to catch what had been knocked out of his throat. "Monomi seemed to know him-" he got out.

"How, many times has he done this?" Mahiru put a hand over her chest as she began to shake. "Is it- like some sick reality show that never end?"

You took in a breathe, sucking the color back into your face by your nose as you held your chin up. "We don't know that yet," you crossed your arms. "He could have ran one other attempt, or we are the 109th go around…. either way, there is away out of the loop-" it might not be pleasant but…. "There is no way it will be simple. but there is no sense in not trying: the worst thing that will happen is we will die."

"That is not very motivational!" Mahiru looked at you.

"He is limited by the game too, we don't know what those are yet but….. he cannot alter us," you put a hand on your chest. "That is…. one fate worse than death, and there are several others," you were still not being very motivational by the look on Mahiru's face.

"But, we already lost our memories….." Mahiru pointed out. "And that dream Akane supposedly had, could- it have been Monokuma?"

"That was probably a one time process when we entered the machine, and….. the memory wipe wasn't perfect," you said as you crossed your arms over your chest. Your eyebrows shot up and looked at Mahiru. "I mean, Sonia and Nagito forgot they were cousins, but then they were reminded about it and that makes the memory some back. So things lost aren't necessarily gone forever." Sometimes, they never left.

"And that…." Hajime could picture how she described it, the heavy iron taste pooling onto his tongue: it made him feel sick. "Was what she remembered?"

"I- am going to go upstairs," Mahiru leaned on the wall, steadying herself as she got up to the railing.

You stood there before cringing, going over what you had said and feeling a mixture of guilt and shame…. but you didn't think you were wrong: and that brought you a dim sense of comfort. If he could have altered your minds and bodies he would have started that from the beginning: if that sadistic bear could he would quite enjoy playing the part of AM. Either way AM was not a god and nor was he: as much as he craved to be.

And you were grateful for that.

You let out a breathe as your eyes slide over to the other entrance. It felt… .a little easier than following Mahiru up the stairs. Hajime followed where your head pointed and took the lead in one long step, grabbing onto the door handle and he held it open for you.

Your mouth fell open before your should rose and your face turned pink, putting your hands together. "thank you" you said before you bent up and kissed his cheek, stepping through the door. Hajime basked in the quick delightful moment before he shut the door.

Sonia sat upon a stool, slumped over on one of the bar. She looked exactly like one of those portraits of sad princesses you'd see in an art museum. She did not notice the two of you come in in her melancholy air.

Hajime looked at you, and you looked at him. You bit your bottom lip and looked awhile. Hajime narrowed his eyes, before he stepped over and put a hand on your lower back and gently pushed you towards Sonia. You looked back at him, and he nodded his head waving you over.

You had better odds than he did, he knew that.

You stepped over and pulled back one of the stools, purposely making the legs scrap to get her attention before pulling yourself up and over. Her head shot up and looked over at you.

"Oh my goodness, I am sorry," Sonia said as she put a hand over her chest. "I suppose, I have kept everyone waiting."

"No, no, I haven't gone up to breakfast yet either," you said as you had a sympathetic smile. "But I wanted to check on you."

She shook her head. "I…. should not be like this," she said as she closed her eyes. "I have set the expectation of being strong, I cannot let myself falter in front of the others now," she seemed to flinch away from your gaze after saying that.

"You are a strong leader, and you inspired a lot of hope in everyone yesterday," she had found straw and even if that was all they had to grasp in this flood, something was better than nothing. "But sometimes doing our best means letting others pick us up," you said as you took her hand. "It is alright to talk about how you are feeling. Princess or not."

She choked on an argument that turned into tears, her free hand went to her face as delicate tears streamed down her face in away that was unfairly graceful. "Chiaki is gone and what happened to Akane, I…. do not mind gore as much as many but it is still so awful," she took in a shaky breathe before she clenched your hand. "Then…my cousins…… I cannot even fathom his logic. I try- to repeat what he said over and over and all it sounds like is nonsense," she ran her free her hand through her hair. "I, remember what he had been like as a child: he had none of the usual tells for this sort of behavior. Never: and…. and it makes me think I-" she stared forward. "I shouldn't have let him leave….. It-may have changed nothing, I… I realize Chiaki would have died either way but, but I fear what he shall do next and if I could have done something then I would not fret over what I shall have to do now."

"This…. sounds further back than the killing game…." you said.

Sonia bite her lip. 'I, am not sure I have a right to disclose this information but, that ambassador you had mentioned….. he was Nagito's father," Sonia cried and tried to wipe them. "Nagito and his parents were on the plane….. Nagito was the only survivor. I remember him, in the hospital bed- and I-" she about started to spin into a ramble but she caught herself, still forcing herself to keep dignity well crying. "I tried to convince him to stay in Novoselic but, he said his Uncle would take care of him; and I am sure he did but this is the first I am seeing my cousin in six years…. before, all of this started I mean"

"Sonia," you let out a breathe and leaned over. "You can let it all out, you do not need to hold back."

She sniffled. "The others are upstairs, and I fear should I cry more I- shall inform them all," she had more hot tears and you pulled her into a hug, pulling her down into your shoulder. She stared as she realized the padding of your shoulder gave her, and she began to sob out. You stroked her hair.

"None of this is your fault," you let out a breathe. "There…. is a lot we need to sort out, Nagito is just another thing on the list," you promised and she was grabbing at your dress so hard her sparkly black nails were about to rip into the fabric. "We have a lot to figure out, and we have all been through more than we know I am sure but we will keep going, and we will do our best to ensure no one gets left behind: alright?' you said.

Sonia gave a muffle nod before she sucked in a deep breathe. She grabbed a napkin and began to wash off her face. "Indeed. I will wrangle him in so there is no more trouble, and there will not be any other murders," she sucked it all up fast before she stood up, and went behind the bar. "I, shall wash up now. And be ready to face the others."

You turned to the front of the lounge and could see Hajime, facing away through the doors. You cracked a smile as you got up. "I will let Hajime in, if that is alright," you said.

Sonia craned her neck up noticing him, and a massive grin spread across her face. "He has been escorting you about, now?" she asked.

Your cheeks turned red and you opened the door. "Well, something a bit more than that…" you admitted.

Hajime stood there as Sonia grinned at him. "So I assume the relationship is truly official now?" she asked. "How was the first night?"

"I slept very well despite it all," you answered with a smile and Hajime choked on his own words, extremely red in the face.

"Oh," Sonia was still smiling. "Cultural difference then, I am quite happy for you both, though," she said as she walked towards the stairs, and then gestured. "After you," she said and you grinned at her, going up one step and giving a curtsy before joining the others.

Byakuya looked so, so tired even though it was still so early. He looked at you all and gave a sigh. "It would appear we are still one unaccounted for," he said as he looked over the crowd of 12 faces in the restaurant.

"But there are two people missing," Sonia held her hands together.

"Fuyuhiko came in to get his breakfast," Peko said and her eyes looked away.

"He decided he was in an unnecessarily argumentative mood," Byakuya said with a long sigh through his nose. "But when he is not?"

"And so that means…. Nagito is missing," Hajime scrunched up his nose.

"Who knows what that guy is up to, I say we don't bother with him," Nekomaru was quick on the drama of the conversation.

"Is it…. really alright for us to leave him alone? If….." Mikan held her fingers together. "If he isn't…."

"Ibuki didn't hear any screaming last night!" she held up a hand.

"He could have decided to wander alone, it seems like a path he would be eager to follow," Gundham said as he pulled his scarf over his nose.

"That guy….. isn't our only worry anyway," Hajime said, he didn't want to think about his face anymore. It only made his stomach twist up in knots he did not welcome.

"I have to concur, we should start with the topic of how we are going to get out of here," Byakuya said.

"We should keep trying to collect the Hope Fragments," you said.

"Would those have ever even done us any good?" Mahiru asked as she reeled back. "or was it, just a cruel trick?"

"I don't know, but they were worth a shot," you said.

"Are you stupid?" Hiyoko asked. "Two people have already died, idiot. We can't even collect all of them!"

"That is assuming we need all of them," you said as you held up a finger. "If that stupid bear is a virus and the games are separate, then as a game developer I would not require all Hope Fragments be collected. There were 16 of us, expecting all of us to become best buds in a reasonable amount of time is all but impossible."

"That is making a lot of assumptions…." Byakuya said as he crossed his arms. "I do not think it is a poor idea to collect Hope Fragments if only because it means we are building our team, but we are better off searching for some sort of backdoor."

"Speaking of backdoors," Ibuki pinched her nose "is someone opening theirs!?"

Mikan took a sniff before she covered her nose and mouth with both of her hands. "Ahh, it smells terrible."

Byakuya closed his eyes and his entire face scrunched up before he looked over at Hiyoko. "When… is it you have changed out of those clothes?" he asked staring directly at her.

Hiyoko went pale and her back went rigid. "What- are you talking about! It is clearly Kazuichi!" she pointed a finger at him her eyes in deep rings.

"Hey! I smell like oil and gas, not a garbage can!!!" Kazuichi yelled as he stomped his foot.

"I think… garbage can is polite," Peko looked to the side after she said it.

Gundham stepped over and he instantly lurched back. "it as if the devil's fruit has been left to rot, and it's stench was allowed to infest the ground," he said as he stuck his tongue out.

"I think I've been in post game locker rooms that smell better, woooo," Nekomaru put a hand over his nose and fanned the air away, starting to breathe through his mouth.

Hiyoko's bottom lip began to quiver, before she burst into tears, sobbing in front of everyone.

"Oh dear…" Sonia took a step back and shifted her eyes to the side, but didn't go to console her.

"What is wrong with you guys!" Mahiru looked around. "You are being insensitive."

You crossed your arm and leaned on it. "Oh? We are the insensitive ones?" you asked as you twisted your legs around.

Mahiru sent you a look. "Yes!" she said as she looked over at Hiyoko, but even with her concerned eyes her nose was scrunching up.

Okay ya she had a point, but also: Come on.

"When is the last time you have properly bathed?" Byakuya asked as he crossed his arms.

"…. Before we got here," Hiyoko answered with a sniff.

"Before we got here!?" Hajime's face turned white and he mad the mistake of inhaling. "Ah god I could taste it," he meant for that to be quieter but he cover his mouth, moving closer to you oh so happy you decided to practice hygiene.

"I can't tie my kimono sash by myself!!!" Hiyoko held her hands to her eyes as she cried.

Your mouth fell open. "How!?" you threw your hands in the air, yelling louder than you meant to but- "You are 16!"

"I am not- some poor peasant who has to dress themselves!!!" Hiyoko's face was bright red as she tried to bite through the tears.

"That is…" Peko stopped utterly dumb founded. "Such a terrible excuse."

"I am also rather wealthy and am perfectly cable to dressing myself," Sonia pointed out, putting one hand on her arm.

Hiyoko began to cry so hard it sound like she was choking on her own sobs.

"I can't believe you all! She is already broken down in tears," Mahiru looked over at Hiyoko and bent down to be eye level with her. "I can tie your sash for you, I cannot do anything fancy but I can teach you an simple knot,"

Hiyoko's eyes began to sparkle. "I love you, Mahiru!!!" she exclaimed and gave Mahiru a big hug, the poor redhead turned green as she got a kiss on the cheek.

"You don't- have to hug me you know," she seemed both flustered and still disgusted by the scent.

"Well, well, welcome to the world's of girl's love, it's slippery and wet," Ibuki put her tongue between her fingers as she looked towards them.

"Man I sure can't wait for the bury you gays trope to show it's hand!" Monokuma cheered as he jumped out of the ground forcing everyone to look at him.

"Great, Winnie the Pooh's crack head cousin has come to shit in my coffee," you said a you crossed your arms, showing your teeth to the bear.

Monokuma glared at you. "I wanted to ask those who have manners a quick question, nothing to do with you," he thumped his nose at you before he turned to the others. "Did any of you happen to see, what happened to my Monobeast," he asked.

"One… of them is missing?" Hajime blinked.

"How in the world could you lose something like that???" Kazuichi asked as he grabbed at his hat, and Monokuma shrugged.

"Guess they have a tendency to wander off. Best be careful, might have crawled under your covers," Monokuma made magic hands at Kazuichi. He looked around the room before sighing. "ya, I figure you dopes wouldn't know anything," he lamented before he disappeared.

"I-it couldn't hide there!" Kazuichi yelled after he had already left. "It's way to big for that!!!!" he was shaking like a leaf at the threat either way.

"One of the Monobeast went missing," Byakuya stared holding his hand to his face. "How… in the world could that have happened."

"I did it!" Monomi cheered.

"You did???" you looked over at her and had a large smile on your face. "Great job, Usami!!!"

"Awwwww, shucks," she held her paws together as she twisted her foot, her ears fluttering. "Just doing what I should as the teacher."

"What you should be doing is trying to kill the big guy himself," Kazuichi argued as he raised an eyebrow, and Monomi began to well up with tears.

"I am trying! If I just….. could get my magic stick," she lamented as her ears bent, holding her head.

"I am sure you are," Byakuya's voice oozed with sarcasm as he sneered down at her. "What was the point?"

"Well, now the second island is open!!!" she explained.

"So we have more places to explore…" Nekomaru said as he crossed his arms. "Good to look around new parts!!!" he laughed.

"There is a chance there will be a clue there to help us escape!" Sonia said with a large smile on her face.

"I doubt it will be the easy," Peko said as she crossed her arms.

"But it is a start," you pointed a finger towards her. You looked over at Monomi. "How, did you defeat the Monobeast?" you asked.

"Well it was like wooooosh!" she soared her hands up. "And then that terrible beast went bang bang bang bang, so I was like waaahhhhhh!!!! and then went swish swish and around and around it went until booya!!!!" she beamed up at you, her hands on her hips and you blinked at her.

"Great job, Usami."

"Why do you keep praising that stupid thing?" Hiyoko sneered as she moved back, holding her hand over her nose like she wasn't the stinkiest thing here.

"She unlocked a new island for us," you held out your hand.

"Probably because that bear ordered her too," Kazuichi said as he crossed his arms, rolling his eyes to the side.

"At the very least he allowed her to win," Peko said as she looked down at Monomi, who was beginning to cry again. "He give us more options to be entertaining, should he make expand the amount of space we have."

"Do you have anything else to add?" Byakuya asked looking at the bunny.

"No…. are you going make me leave?"

"Yes, Yes I am," and the bunny dejectedly walked out of the restaurant.

"Come on!"

"Come on nothing," Byakuya looked at you with narrowed eyes. "I loathe repeating myself, especially on such an obvious topic."

"It is more useful to try and have an ally than make an enemy!"

"it doesn't matter if she is already our enemy, stupid!!" Hiyoko yelled, her face bright red. "Really who dropped you on your head?"

You clapped your hands together and pointed your fingers at her. "I don't want hear anything from the person who doesn't have the problem solving skills to go to the supermarket and find a piece of clothing you don't need to tie! Or I don't know, know how put your clothes on!"

Hiyoko instantly started crying again and she went behind Mahiru. Mahiru glared at you. "Those are two completely different things!"

"That is enough, Mahiru: you go help Hiyoko shower, learn how to tie her clothes and….. go to the market, get some things she does not need to tie."

"I don't need to do that!" Hiyoko yelled.

You let out a breathe. "Find what you can manage."

"I wasn't talking to you!" she yelled glaring at you.

"I don't need to be told what to do," Mahiru puffed out her chest. "Especially because I was already going to do it!"

Both of them left in a heated huff and part of you felt bad, boiling even more water with Mahiru: but also, as much as everyone need to be shown understanding there had to be a point.

There just had to be a point with a person.

You let out a long breathe.

"And you," Byakuya held his teeth together. "I know exactly what is wrong with you."

"And what is that? I trust the bunny too much?" you asked as you crossed your arms.

"Oh so you are half self aware," he huffed. "yes, that is in fact part of it, along with how dangerously blunt you are" he agreed.

"Both of those are... only part of it?" Hajime asked, and you sent him a look.

"I didn't see either of you in the dining hall for lunch or dinner yesterday!!!!" he yelled pointing a finger at both of you, and grabbed you the shoulders and threw you into a chair. It wobbled to one side and then the other.

"H-hey!" Hajime wasn't sure what to be offended by more until he was thrown into the chair besides you.

"I will not be dealing with you both hangry the entire day!" he looked up and began to apporach Sonia, who was quick to find a chair and find some food.

Anyone else who had skipped breakfast, followed.

"If nothing else, as your leader I will make sure you don't go hungry!"

Chapter Text

You stood in your room, Hajime right outside the cabin as you packed things into your bag to get ready for the new island.

You swallowed as you shuffled through the items once more just in case you actually were to need anything.. Nagito was probably ahead of the game, as he seemed to wish to be… who knew if he found something on the island: if he was there.

There was an equal chance that outburst had him put away and if that was the case…. you'd deal with it later man.

You pulled both of your hands over your face, you were so tired: but you just had to make it to the end. You'd come to terms with everything that entailed after exploring this new island. You threw your bag over your shoulder, ready for the day.

The walk across the bridge between the central island was shorter than the distance between the central and the first. You could see the tips of building reaching into the sky as you held onto both of the straps tightly. "Hajime…" you hummed. "Have you, remembered anything?"

Hajime tensed his shoulders before he shook his head. "I mean, I guess I remember…. the train and being one of the people on it, sitting in a boring class, being in baseball bleachers but- nothing…. identifying," it felt like watching b-roll footage in his head whenever something gathered in his mind.

You pursued your lips together. "I see… I am sorry to hear that," you looked at him, catching his profile before he turned to look at you.

"What is with that face?"

"I just…… You seem like the type of guy to have wonderful friends waiting for you," you smiled at him, and for a moment your cheeks tinted with a shade of selfish scarlet that you warded away looking over at the ocean.

He tried to stick his face forward to catch the cool breeze before it made his face permanently red. "I am not surprised you think that, you are always giving me too much credit," he mumbled as he looked towards the empty expanse of water and his feet stopped for a second, before he kept going. "Plus, that doesn't… feel true."

You held your lips together before they opened. "Then, you are probably right…. even if that is rather unfortunate," you said before you held your hands behind your back. "But, this does mean you have a chance to make some great ones here!"

Ah yes, on an island where a killing game. Despite the bitter thought looking down at your expression made Hajime's sharp edges soften. "Guess…. we will have to see," he admitted.

The bridge came to an end with a path covered with flowers that twisted until it came upon a ruin, it rose high into the sky and tried to blot out the sky well trees sprung around the building itself: the roots twisting however they could fit upon the building.

There were other building but you both were left staring up at it.

It made Hajime's head feel light and your stomach feel heavy. Both of you moved in a haze straight ahead towards the building, feet moving in a single file sync as the building grew until it was the very sky itself.

Your foot did not have the chance to hit the crack in the stone that made the border when you were lifted into the air.

"Do not be so careless as to not watch your step!" Byakuya scolded as he dropped you down on the otherside of Hajime.

Both of your eyes followed to see the fact the stone was so slightly discolored and raised. Ibuki was in the center of the area and threw a rock, hitting one of those pressure plates and a bloom of gas sprung up, wafting into the air in purple curls.

"This whole place is booby trapped???" Hajime looked around, he had thought that stupid bear wanted them to kill each other.

"Yeeepie!!!!" Ibuki called as her eyes scouted around before she bent down closer to the ground, and then threw another stone. This time the smoke was red.

"It would appear whoever designed this game did not want anyone coming here lightly…" Byakuya stated as he crossed his arms. "It is too dangerous to have others here well we are working on removing the traps in the area. I will call everyone here once we have finished out survey of the area."

"Why…. does Ibuki get to stay around?" Hajime asked as she scouted off her spot, using a shuffling moment to get another viewpoint of the stone.

"Ibuki hears all!!!" she yelled before she threw a pebble in his direction, and Hajime jumped back as she hit a pad that went off in green colored smoke.

"These traps…. seem to be mostly visual," you pointed out.

"Never know!!!" Ibuki said when she finally came over and put her hand on Byakuya's arm. "But Ibuki has the second pair of eyes!!!! So shoo, shoo!!!!"

"The more feet around, especially careless feet," he was looking at you so intensely. "Become liabilities. However for this project Ibuki's help is valuable," Byakuya said as he turned to her. 'And I am keeping an eye on her."

"Hehehehe, as much as he cannnnnnnn~!" Ibuki shuffled away backwards past an already cleared area, before jumping into one of larger boulders, scooping up a handful of small rocks and began to throw at any stone that was the wrong color.

"I guess that is that, then," you said with a nod of your head as you took one look back up. "I am excited to be informed when the search is done."

"Yep…." Hajime looked up, the familiar silhouette of the building playing with his mind as he took a step back. "Good luck."

'We won't need it," Byakuya said. "But, I suppose it is appreciated."

"Yep, yep!!!!!" Ibuki stopped waving before she got off the stone and walked over. "Before Ibuki forgets once again," and she gave Hajime a high five that Hajime was forced to accept. "Good job."

Hajime blinked and your cheeks went red. 'Wha?" Hajime asked.

"Ibuki hears all," she repeated, before she sauntered back over to her stone, leaving you both to turned red face.

Byakuya looked at her, then looked at you, then looked at him, then he looked her, then he looked at you- and it the way his lips were sitting shifted. "Do not add to the population."

"That is impossible this is a simulation."

Hajime choked before he took your hand. "We- won't!" mostly because it was impossible but now- ahhh never mind.

You gave half a look back as you were on the trail to the next stop: one that would keep your occupied thoughts busy for awhile.

The brown building came into few and your eyes went wide, mouth making a delightled o shape.

"Hajime-" your head turned to Hajime, and then back ahead. "Hajime!!!!" your words slurred as they got louder. You grabbed his arm, and began to rock on your heels shaking him back and forward. "Hajime, Hajime look! Look!!!!!!!!! Look!!!!"

"Ya- I see it. It's a-"

"IT'S A LIBRARY!!!!!" you yelled as you released him to begin bouncing up and down on your toes, clapping your hands together. You began to run, full sprint, towards the building, repeating the phrase and other loud noises of excitement as you were about ready to ram yourself through the door.

Hajime stood, the unwarranted shock on his face melting into a smile as his shoulders relaxed.

"Myyyy you sure found someone special…. needs," Monokuma's grating voice popped out of no where.

The muscles in Hajime's neck tensed before he turned to see the bear snickering to the side, holding his paws in front of his face. "What…. does that mean?" there was a dreamlike quality to Hajime's voice as he stared at the putrid creature.

"Hey I am not judging getting 'em off the short bus," Monokuma held his paws in the air as if he was innocent.

Hajime had a blank look on his face. "What is your point?" the misty voice frosted over.

"Oh I don't really have one," Monokuma shrugged. "Guess I am a little surprised, I didn't think you would settle quite that fast. Someone so loud and obnoxious and hopeful, I doubt they will entertain you that long: especially now."

"You say that as if I ever found you entertaining," Monokuma laughed at the dark expression on Hajime's face, before he turned and walked away.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

Aaaaahhhhhhhh!

AAAHHHHHH!!!!

YOU WERE RIGHT!!!!
"IT'S CONNECTED TO A LIBRARY DATA BASE!!!!" you threw both of your hands in the air as you looked over all of the titles, hands running over the spines as there were so many books, your entire body was shaking.

You couldn't have cared less if anyone was seeing you.

The smell of pages and dust, the chairs in rows and the shelves and shelves of books!!!! It felt like it had been ages since you had stepped foot inside of one of your sacred temples and the rush made your head feel light. Your arms were flapping up and down.

Oh you didn't know where to start, the romance section always called to you but perhaps in the moment reading into the horror or mystery would be more useful: sci-fi maybe? You kept teetering from side to side caught in the crossfires of what you should choice.

The door to the library was opened so hard it banged the wall and you flipped over to see Hajime walking in, his eyes circled around the Usami statues and the tables before he found the most effective path towards you. His footsteps wanted to crack the wooden floor as he grabbed your arm and pulled you into a kiss.

You let out a surprised mm before you melted, holding onto his shoulder with one hand well his own traced up from your forearm to interlace with your fingers.

He broke away and stared down at you before letting out a hum.

"Is, something wrong?' you asked in a whisper.

"No, just wanted to do that," he said as he put a hand behind his neck, suddenly feeling flush creep across it as those frosty confidence melted down until he was merely looking at you like he was a puddle.

The sound of Sonia giggling stopped your embrace and both of you jumped away.

She was comfortable upon one of the many chairs that lined the table, a true crime book one hand. "Well no need to stop on my account," Sonia covered her mouth, despite that it was obvious how wide she was smiling in her voice.

Hajime cleared his throat. 'Studying up on more true crime?" he asked, his voice cracking.

"Indeed," Sonia nodded her head. "I figure, even with the circumstances….. it would better to be refreshed if anyone else attempts to copy a serial killer," she explained as she flickered the corner of one of her pages with her thumb.

"It could become a motif…" you hoped it didn't. "Examining crimes certainly couldn't hurt in how they relate to our own situation."

"I am not sure you need to do much homework on the subject," Hajime admitted with half a shoulder slouch. 'But….. I guess getting refreshed on details is a better idea than not," if he could get any sort of refresher about himself that would be nice. He looked up and around the library, at the shelves and shelves of books, any one of them could have been on a book relating to his talent, and yet how would he find that needle in the hay stack?

If that needle existed in the first place.

He wanted the fruit of that thought to spoil on the spot.

You looked over towards one of the other tables and just about knocked the chair over as you went over to where a single book was left out. You grabbed the title and held your teeth together.

Flowers for Algernon by David Keyes

You looked down at the white and black cover, tracing your finger across the pattern of the inkblot as you stared at the book.

"Did, you find a clue?" Sonia asked.

"Well…. did you take this book out?" you asked as you held up the cover. Sonia blinked and shook her head.

"I believe, that title was laying out when I got here: is it, thematically related to our situation like Wonderland?"

"No, it is…. mostly unrelated," you said. "It's about a man, Charlie Gordon, a special needs individual who wants to be smart: so he goes through with a surgery to accomplish that. He gets so intelligent so quickly though, he has trouble maintain a human connection," you explained as you looked back at the cover, eyes narrowing.

You were listening, Algernon. What was the message?

"Perhaps, it was generated for atmosphere?" Sonia asked with a hum.

"Maybe…" you said as your fingers thrummed on the book. "it's a pretty good one," you said as you put it into your bag.

"How is this such a well stocked library? I thought you had mentioned this world only being free use books…." Hajime said as he looked at a bookshelf that had some modern day best sellers, as if an advertising page for them.

"I wanted to ensure the students had a safe and productive space to study!!!" Monomi popped up upon one of the statues depicting her as before, then she hopped down and landed directly onto her face in front of the crowd. She let out a whine as she put her paws on the ground and pushed herself up.

"You did a great job!!! Did you hook it up to a library data?! That has to be what you did, right?"

Monomi stared at you and she opened her mouth, before her neck twisted to one side and a pouring of sparks fell out. She laid her head down before letting out a glitched out try. "I can't say!!!"

"Oh it's okay," you walked over and patted her back. "I know what you did, and I am so happy!!!"

"What…. did happen?" Sonia asked, looking pale.

"If Usami is asked a question about the game, she starts glitching out…." you said as you looked down at her. "I didn't realize it was every aspect of the game…"

"Well- well, it's sorta like: talking about my very body!!!!" that came out clear as she said. "And you can only talk about your body with those who you know best, or- or are there to take care of it…"

"I, suppose that is a comparison you could make…" Sonia said as she put a hand under her chin. "If, we are giving you the benefit of the doubt," she gave you a quick glance when she said that. "I would also say that means there are some aspects you yourself fail to understand?"

"Uh huh!!!" Monomi nodded her head. "I am kinda like, a Kidney!!!" she said as she threw a hand into the air. "Orrrr a bright big heart, full of love, love, love!"

"A kidney???" Hajime asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"My job is to filter out the bad stuff, just like a kidney!"

"What sort of bad stuff?" you asked tilting your head to the side.

"…." the rabbit held her hands behind her back and her shoulders rose. "I can't, say," she was beginning to sweat.

Hajime raised an eyebrow. "You aren't glitching when you answer that," he noted as he narrowed one eye. "Can't, or won't?"

She swallowed. "I have to use the potty! Excuse me!" she yelled before she disappeared, leaving you all in her shadow.

Sonia held her lips together. "That rabbit is hiding something from us…." she said.

"No kidding," Hajime held his teeth together.

"… sometimes questions are best left unanswered, at least for the time being," you admitted as you dug your fingers into your forearm.

"Sometimes that can be true, but I cannot say that… applies here," Sonia held her head down. "Even if the information is not what we want, we should know it. I would have thought you…. would agree with that."

"You are right…. but we have been going through information overload enough," you said and let out a breathe. "More information could cause us even more mental strain," which was why that bear probably had more crumbs for later, it made your stomach turn.

"Ignorance is bliss," Hajime closed his eyes. His toes curled in his sneakers before he let out a breathe.

"But information is power," Sonia said but she let out a breathe. "I know you are trying to defend that…. Usami still, and I agree she seems harmless, even pathetic at time: but are you certain you are not giving her too much credit on being on our side? She…. is part of what wiped our memories."

"… I might be," you hadn't even asked what the purpose of that journal was, you hadn't questioned Monomi's innocence in the bear being here, and you had not questioned her comforts. "But I just think, being suspicious of her is a mistake: it splits our focus from the bear. Plus she is very cute."

"Ted Bundey was considered extremely handsome. That is why despite being a dunce he was able of getting away with it for so long, and then spawn a fan club on top of it. I would expect you to understand don't judge a book by it's cover better than me," Sonia pointed out. "He even would feign being injured or pathetic to lure victims in."

"That is true," you gave her that, you would give her that. "But he was always a white man, not a sad white AI bunny that is female presenting," in fact her tendency to cry so easily kinda… "She actually…. reminds me of a friend a bit."

Sonia pointed her mouth before curling one finger. "He was a white man," she agreed. "But I do not believe that makes me quite… wrong either."

"It doesn't," you agreed. "She could be hiding something darker than I think…" you had no idea why you were so willing to die on this bunny shaped hill, but… you were gonna if you had to. "But I don't think so."

"To an extent I find it hard to believe, but just- keep your biases in mind while handling her," you felt like that was a point everyone was going to make to you.

"I will," but it seemed hard to.

The door to the library slammed open with such gusto everyone turned over, to see Gundham swaggering in, his hamsters on the shoulder. "The dark archives here are more full than I would have suspected…" he said as he looked around, the door slowly shutting behind him.

You could see through the door Monokuma standing outside the library, seething as the door slammed in his face.

"Well hello Gundham" Sonia had a bright smile on her face. "Have you seen around the rest of the island."

"Indeed, and hardly any dark beasts in this simulation, they do not even have creatures that are in this region here for the more 'tropic' aesthetic," he sneered as he crossed his arms. "I cannot believe it was not more obvious to me before."

'So, what are you here to look into at the dark archives?" you asked.

"The synthetic wildlife here began to make me ponder… how was it that this simulation was able to bring in my Dark Devas with me," he struck a pose and all of the hamsters burrowed out of the scarf, coming to take their places on command. Gundham dropped the pose and proceed to pull sunflower seeds out of a sealed pocket, handing them out to each of the hamsters that had lined up in a row.

Hajime and you had the same exact expression and looked at each other.

"Oh, that is a quite a question!" Sonia said as she walked over.

"Indeed… the sort of science to bring them here, I must understand it," he closed his eyes before he opened one of them, and his smirk dropped immediately. "You…. the all knowing fiend," he held his teeth together. "What it is?"

"…. I don't, think I should say-" you said.

"Do you think I cannot handle your dark knowledge? Inform me!" Gundham demanded.

Hajime was the one who took a breathe. "Gundham…. how long do Hamsters live?" he asked raising one hand.

Gundham's soul seemed to shatter like a piece of glass. "…. even with my expert care…." he mumbled the answer out his shoulders slumping down as the Dark Devas stood in his hand, staring up at their heartbroken master.

The room was quiet at the recreations of the hamsters sniffed and breathed like they were real: more than that in the same pace they did when they were alive. Their hearts beat in their own unique rhythm that Gundham could just feel under his palms and knew so very well.

Gundham had tears rolling down his cheek. "Then they are simulacrum, created from my memory…" he curled them over his heart as he let out a broken sob before taking in a deep breathe. He looked at you for a moment, and then turned to the side letting shadows dance across his face. He walked over to one of the chairs and sat down, laying his companions out on the table to merely watch them for awhile, fumbling with the pack of his pocket.

"I… intend to keep studying…" Sonia said as she looked over at Gundham, a hand over her heart as she squeezed it.

"We need to see the rest of the island," you looked at the shelves, and you would return for their sweet treasures. "Maybe you will find something useful here about our situation," maybe Monomi hide something here relating to an escape, or perhaps…. you had that in the book you smuggled into your bag.

"See you around, Sonia," Hajime gave a wave as he held the door open for you, and Sonia did grin.

"Good luck, Hajime," she said with a small bow before she walked over to her chair, her dress moving like a blooming flower so known of it wrinkled or got stuck underneath her. She grabbed the book she was reading preciously and looked perfect.

Hajime turned away and followed you out of the library. "I hope… Gundham will be alright."

"Me too…. but at least he can deal with the grief of it now rather than being blindsided by it when we leave…." you said letting out a sigh. "Besides, with him as an owner I am sure they had a peaceful passing."

"No doubt of that, he definitely spoils them," Hajime agreed as the distance in the road got shorter to the next building. He considered…. what might have changed in his life since this started, but he couldn't remember anything: and in away that was….. a sad comfort.

He might never know what he had lost. It was a void, he had nothing to miss. Almost like he was sick but it was a shitty day outside anyway.

The automatic doors of the pharmacy dinged open as you stepped inside, seeing Mikan taking very through stock of the shelves and shelves of drugs.

"Wow this is…. a lot of unsupervised drugs," you said as your eyes wandered around.

"Yes," Mikan nodded her head, so much excitement in her voice as she held a bottle of pills in each hand. They looked identical with no branding on them whatsoever. Simply white pill bottles with labels. "There are all sorts of drugs here, over the counter pain killers, prescription painkillers, anti-depressant medication, and it also has a store of vaccines to give people shots," she said as her eyes were seeming to glow.

"What…. is the point of a vaccine in a simulation?"

"I don't know, but our bodies would react as if we had gotten a real virus. We- know it's a simulation but our bodies still feel everything like it is real, if we got sick our…. our bodies might physical respond. We should all get out shots," she said and she disappeared, coming back with like five needles.

Hajime felt light headed as he leaned onto one of the counters.

"Well- uh. We should report it to the others," you said quickly before you glanced over at one of the shelves and walked over. "They do have… a wide range of medications…" you said before reached before a medicine bottle, putting it back and reaching for another.

Pimavanserin, Xanomeline, Asenapine, Thoridazine…. your eyes narrowed at them before sliding it back onto the shelf.

"What are you looking for?" Hajime asked.

"Oh, just poking around," you said with a small shrug. "I wouldn't know what I would be able to take," you laughed before you looked back at the shelf, the smile you produced dropping.

"There are plenty of vitamins and other things like that, too…. I am sure….. some people would… be interested," she seemed to drop down as tears pricked her eyes. Then she began to sob.

Hajime's whole body froze and in his head, he heard a stupid voice he didn't deserve to hear because he didn't do anything!

"Mikan," you walked over concerned. "What's wrong."

"T-there is a lot of protein powder-" she began to choke as she cried, "A-and and protein- i-is important for-for athletes and-and-and I know she'd prefer meat but-" she began to cry into her hands. "This place is still so scary!" she began to sob harder. "I-I am sorry! I am sorry! I know- you don't want to deal with me-me and-" she cried. "I should be over it like everyone else!"

"Hey, hey Mikan," you took in a deep breathe to make noise and let it out, she looked up from her tears as she began to follow you, mimicing it. "You are right to cry over it…. it happened yesterday…. everyone is just trying to keep going because we gotta," you put a hand on her shoulder as she seemed to relax. "We gotta get out of here , and it is okay to cry well we do that and mourn in moments we can…."

Mikan clung onto you and cried into your other shoulder as she shook like a baby deer hearing gunshots.

"When we this is over, we will hold a funeral for them, and then we can really mourn…. but- but we do keep going, so we can give that to them."

Mikan sniffed, and you rubbed her back letting her cry again into your shoulder. "I-I am sorry," she said when she moved away, wiping away her tears.

"It's okay, you can cry for them, and that means you are strong enough to be alive without them," you smiled. "And they would be proud of you."

MIkan took in a big sniff. "It…. thank you…" she wiped her tears. "I am going to- to keep taking stock of all of the drugs."

"Good idea, there might be something useful," you smiled as you stepped away, looking at Hajime.

"Do you want shots before you leave?" she asked as her eyes went almost hollow, holding up a needle.

"No." Hajime was quick, and grabbed your arms pulling you out. "Thank you Mikan, goodbye!" he said.

She let out a sigh as she looked at the needle, mumbling about the shots before she went back to the shelves.

Hajime let out a small sigh as he looked at you. "I am glad you around," he said as he turned his head away. "I don't know what to do with her….. I don't, know how to make her not cry," he said with a sigh.

"Mikan is a sensitive soul…and I am sure she has reason to be," you thought about Hiyoko and held your teeth together. "I am sure she is used to Hiyoko types."

"I wish she would stop assuming I was one," he let out a sigh. "What is it? I mean,' he looked at you. "I know I can a bit rough," he had a flush to his tone. "but I have tried to be polite with her."

"Well….. she spends a lot more time around Ibuki, Mahiru and Hiyoko…. and really just more girls in the class in general," you said. "She seems alright around Byakuya but… that is just what I have noticed."

"I can… imagine why," Hajime held his lips together, he didn't want to imagine what happened to this girl. "Guess I will just need to earn her trust," if he could do that: he might just end up scaring her even more.

Though if she kept trying give him shots….

"You will!" you smiled. "Just gotta take it slow," you said, Your head wrapped around the corner and you began to grin. "An American Diner!"

"You, like American food?" Hajime asked as he tilted his head to the side.

You gave a big nod. "Yes, ahhhhh that sounds good right now: salty fries, greasy burgers with the works, and nice big milkshakes," you put a hand on your face, letting out a sigh. "Oh, and with whipped cream and a mashiro cherry, too!"

He looked at the sun in the sky, they were running low on time but…. he turned back and could see the bridge a distance from the diner. "Byakuya will get on us if we don't have lunch," he said.

"Oh! It could be like a date," you said as you held up a finger, grinning at him.

"Y-ya," his face turned red, a date: with you. Well, ya you were dating that was part of the deal. Felt…. weird to bring it up in something like this, treating it like dates were still possible but if they were….."Going on a date seems, like a good idea," he said as he took your hand.

The diner had a bell that chimed just in time as both of your faces fell on a dime.

For there was someone in the dinner of your both, eating a burger: Fuyuhiko.

He had his mouth wide open before his eyebrows furrowed, he nearly smashed the burger on the plate as he glared up at both of you. 'What the hell are you doing here?!" he yelled.

"Hoping to go on a date," you answered staring him down.

His mouth fell open. "Are you…. serious?" his tone was laced with confusion and disgust.

Hajime looked at you and then at him. "Yes," he said.

"Fucking- don't do it around me!" Fuyuhiko yelled at he stood up. "Dating is a situation like this, the fuck is wrong with you!?"

"I would have assumed as a yakuza you would have the easiest time understanding the logic," your tone was oddly blank.

Hajime nodded his head with that. It was odd to…. rationalize a Yakuza life style. "Ya, you could die at any time, no sense in not doing what you want. Isn't that what the lifestyle is about?"

Fuyuhiko's shocked seemed to spin on. "You both- sound like my sister."

Your mouth fell open and you slammed your handed onto the table, making the salt and pepper jump in the air. "You have a sister!?" you yelled. You- knew that, didn't you? That him and his sister were famously feared? "What's her name?!"

The shock was finally surpassed by how pissed he became. "Who the fuck is asking?" he asked as he got in your face.

You pushed forward. "Come on, dude! Just give me her name!"

"You should know to mind your own god damn business!"

Hajime grabbed you by the armpits and yanked you back, barely keeping you both upright as the punch swished past your hair.

Fuyuhiko grabbed a fork. "Get the fuck out of here before I fucking kill you!!!"

"Okay! Okay!!!" Hajime yelled before you could argue and dragged you out of the dinner, making both of you stumble as you hit the side walk. "Geez…." Hajime said as he looked at you.

"Hmfp," you looked at the diner and crossed your arms.

"You really need to think about who you piss off…" Hajime said as he looked through the window, Fuyuhiko was glaring, holding the fork in one hand and tapping the prongs on the table. "Monokuma might limits but Fuyuhiko….. is used to violence."

"He is," you said as you looked at him. "But he won't murder anyone here."

"With a temper like his I really don't think you should be certain of that," Hajime grabbed your shoulder. "He is dangerous, and he clearly has no interest in being friends," Hajime said as he looked down at you, making sure he was making eye contact. "Do you understand?"

You looked at him and held your shoulders up. "I…. ya….." you sighed and let out a groan. "I really- want to know his sister's name though."

"Why in the world does that matter?" he didn't mean to sound so tired but who cared.

"Well….. I think it is Natsumi."

Hajime blinked. "Na…. tsu…. mi?"he repeated each syllable.
"So….. Ahoge kid, what's your name?"
"Who…. in the world is that? Why do you think she is his sister?"

"When we were meeting him I remembered the name then. And him saying he had a sister…. I remembered I knew that already," you explained and rubbed your chin. "So I think, she is rather important."

"Well, I don't think he is going to share anything with us right now…" Hajime said as he began to move you away from the diner. "Plus it doesn't seem like our most important mystery."

"It probably isn't," you crossed your arms. "It seems like the answers should be simply enough to get though."

"Can't win everyone over…." he said as you moved towards cave entrance to the beach.

"This means our date is cancelled," you said with a small sigh, and no milkshake for you.

"….. More just moved to when a Yakuza isn't in the building ," he said as he looked down. "I want to do that with you still," he said as he took your hand in his.

You smiled and you leaned up, bumping your shoulder into his. leaning up to nuzzled under his chin. "Thank you."

He turned a deeper red. "Ya," he covered his mouth. "I mean- you don't have to thank me for wanting to do things with you."

"I know it is just, sweet," you you chest felt like and yet you felt your stomach slightly stir. A sensation you decided to ignore. "And I, like feeling wanted by you."

Hajime had to laugh, he couldn't help it as he looked over at you. "Ya know, I feel the same way," he said.

"Are you…. sure about this?"

"Of course I am, dude!"

The honeymoon stares broke as both of you turned towards the boathouse. You looked at each other again, changing your steps to be on your toes as you crept closer.

"I just mean, he isn't in great health."

"He puts us in poor health."

"What are you talking about?" Hajime asked as he let his shoulders sink in.

"Nothing!" "NOTHING!"

Hajime and you both had the same exact deadpan.

Kazuichi's eyes darted around and then onto your interlocked hands and his mouth dropped. "What's going on there!?" he asked as he pointed a finger down.

"We are dating," Hajine said.

'Wha? The guy who doesn't know what his talent is got a date before I did!?" Kazuichi exclaimed and Hajime wanted to smack him.

"Hahahah!!!" Nekomaru followed down and for a split second his eyes became bleary, before they sparked with joy. "You two makes a charming couple! Congratulations!"

Hajime turned red. "That seems to be the sentiment, but uh- thanks-" how was he supposed to respond to that, well he knew he liked it better than Kazuichi.

Kazuichi looked at both of you and he whined. "Man it is no fair… I mean I get how you did it so fast but still."

"What?"

'What?"

"Well," you looked at them and had to just sigh and smile. "Have you found anything?"

"The inside of the beach house is pretty nice, there are plenty of sodas," Kazuichi pulled a can of cola from one of his deep pockets, holding it by his fingertips before cracking it open.

"They also have electro-light replenishing drinks, like Gatorade!" Nekomaru said. "Be good after a nice swim!"

"Maybe we should check out the inside," you said looking at Hajime, who gave a nod .

Both of you left, and before the door fully shut they started talking again. You looked at each other with the same expression.

They did something.

But that was for later. you looked around the ornate bath house and eyes caught on the sight. "… Isn't part of the point of a beach house to change?"

"it is because of the renovations happening," Peko said.

You looked at her and smiled. "Oh, hey Peko," you waved at her and stepped closer. "…. why are renovations happening?"

"For the bathroom," she said.

"I mean I understand that but I more mean…. why?" you asked as you looked at it.

"Yeesh, can't you just accept things as they are?" Monokuma asked as he popped up.

"But this is a video game…" Hajime acknowledged and Peko blinked too as she looked over at the room.

"The whole point of the bathhouse would be to be an acceptable changing point," Peko said.

"Well if you guys want to try it, go ahead."

"No!!!" Monomi burst in from the ground. "It is againist the rules still!!! He will be able to punish you!!!"

"Damn you!!!" Monokuma yelled before he decked the bunny, smacking her out the door that flew out, and she landed right in the sea. "She is running my fun…."

"So…. posted rule count too…. Is it just for the area in the sign?"

Monokuma crossed his arms and disappeared, refusing to answer the question.

Monomi popped up from the bathroom, having teleported back in and she held onto her stomach. "It is…. for the area."

"…. So…. would we be able to…. change outside of the bath house?"

"Well…." Monomi thought about it for a second. "Yes."

"So it is just in the bath house we cannot change?" you confirmed, and Monomi nodded her head.

"That is right."

Hajime put both of his hands on the sides of his head and Peko crossed her arms deeply as everyone just stared at her. "Why… would it not work like that?" she asked letting out a sigh.

"My friend," you cleared your throat. "Chihiro once said that Computers are very literal machines…. even if that doesn't make sense."

Monomi froze, look up. "Well. I answered your questions, I have to go now," she said and she was gone before anything else could happen.

"…. We are in such an odd place," Peko closed her eyes. "I cannot say I care for it."

"Nor do we," you said as you sighed. "But at least, there are rules both sides need to follow."

"That is not a comfort when our opponent will do anything he can to break those rules."

"Peko's right, Monokuma will do anything to try and gain the upper hand, and he has more knowledge than we do right now," Hajime crossed his arms. "And…. we are players, but he is apart of the game."

"We can build more knowledge though, and we at least know it is a game: and he would love more than anything if we didn't," you said as you put your hands into fists. "We can keep taking pieces…."

"If he does not take all of ours first…" Peko said as she closed her eyes.

"We will fight with what we have. I know we are on the back foot, but we can still figure it out," you smiled at her.

Peko stared down and let out a breathe through her nose. "That would be for the best."

The door to the beach house was nearly ripped of off it's hinges as Ibuki planted her feet. "Traps are disarmed," she struck a magical girl pose, sticking her tongue out as she looked over the crowd. "Everyone should meet at the ruins," she pointed her finger towards all three of you.

"Oh, good job, Ibuki! Thank you for all of the trouble."

Ibuki grinned and held two fingers up. "Bookworm is so sweet!!!! Well Ibuki gotta go inform the others!" and she was off sprinting into the sand.

The sun set the ruins shadows covered the entire crowd that gathered before the might structure.

"It took you a long time for you to disarm all of the traps," Peko noted as she looked around. "it appears this place it well guarded."

"That means it's probably important," Mahiru said as she lifted up her camera, snapping a few pictures. Hiyoko was standing attached to her hip, she looked much cleaner.

"We were not able to disable everything," Byakuya crossed his arms as he looked over at the vault door of the building.

"Jesus, look at that tech," Kazuichi said, putting a hand on the side of his head.

"Even if I could try I don't think I'd be able to pry that open," Nekomaru said as he rubbed behind his neck, tightening his jaw.

"There is a keypad! So maybe there is a code somewhere!" Ibuki exclaimed as she held her hands up in front of her.

"What…. is that on the door?" Hajime asked as he looked at the logo.

Future.

You stared at the large vault door. Your eyes remained fixed on it as you took one step and then two and before it was clear you were walking towards the door, Hajime grabbed your hand and pulled your back towards him. "We don't have anyway to get in," he said and he looked up.

It looked like Hope's Peak Academy, actually.

"My, my, are you ready for your little nugget of information for your murder?"

In front of the door stood that stupid bear.

Everyone tensed up as he grinned at everyone, looking over all the terrified faces of him.

"And what do you have to say?" Byakuya asked as he held his shoulders high.

"Well dontcha want to know what the logo on the door is?" Monokuma asked as he raised a paw to gesture.

"You know? Then tell us already!" Mahiru said as her fingers tightened on the sides of her camera, feeling her stomach drop.

"All of you are too impatience! I gotta introduce it, build up: give it some real flare. Like a video game cutscene!"

"And it is unskippable," you said as you crossed your arms.

"Shut up he is about to give us information!" Hiyoko yelled and ya know what- you held your hands up and turned your head to the side…. but you dreaded what he would share, and what it would mean.

"Why they are the group that put you in here," Monokuma grinned. "They are known as World Ender."

"Why are…. they called that?" Mikan asked, her voice shaking.

"What the fuck do you think?" Fuyuhiko asked, twisting his neck to the side to look at her.

"Do you mean…. Fenrir?" Byakuya asked as he reeled back.

"No- well….." the Bear shook his head. "No, these are a separate World Ender, they didn't take any fancy names from mythology because the public named 'em."

"How literal is the name? Is it like, a band?" Ibuki asked as she put a hand behind her neck. "Bet they'd make sick metal…."

"As literal as you can literally get! They are called World Ender because they, ended the world!

You felt cold because of course that was what happened.

What else would it be.

You stumbled half to the side, bumping into Hajime who tried to steady you. You stared into the distance, holding your lips together.

What else could it be that you would be plagued with such awful visions, what else could it be for you all to be here.

What else could it be.

Monokuma snickered as he looked at the crowd, but seemed extra gleeful at your state.

"So, this is…. that powerful of a terrorist group!?" Sonia asked as she held her hands together. "To take down countries and kingdoms alike across the globe???"

"Terrorists, huh?" Monokuma let out a giggle. "I mean, I guess you could say that, but only losers are called terrorists. So in that sense, they are heroes! The heroes who destroyed the world."

"There, there has to be a limit of what is real!!!" Kazuichi yelled as he stomped his foot onto the ground. "We can't. we can't be in a simulation, stuck in a killing game at the end of the world!" tears were in his eyes. "This is stupid!"

"Stupid, you say?" Monokuma asked and tilted his head to the side. 'Why ya say that? It's the truth! A world called world ender ended the world. It seems rather simple rather than stupid."

"He is saying you gotta be lying!!!" Nekomaru stomped his foot on the ground.

Gundham held onto his sleeves. "I…. cannot help but think the devil whispers the truth…."

"Shut up!!!" Hiyoko snapped over. "That is, crazy! The whole world? Maybe America imploded finally but not the whole god damn world!!!"

"Kids these days really are indoctrinated, can never accept any new information if it doesn't fit within their echo chambers," he dug his thumb into his ear. "That's the problem with em!!!!"

"Then, if the world is ended…. what is, the point of us being kept alive for this?" Byakuya asked.

"Didn't I make that clear already," Monokuma giggled. "Despair!!!!" he grinned.

"Despair ya, then what is with the vault door?" you asked, your eyes were cold as you looked at it. "An odd motto for the World Ender to have, Future."

"Who knows," Monokuma shrugged. "Something to do with the game I guess."

Everyone looked at each other. "You don't know?" Peko asked.

"Nope, not a clue," Monokuma shrugged as he grinned. 'Well, I fulfilled my promise!" he let out a laugh. "You can believe me or not, I don't care. It was the truth though~!" the bear let out one last horrible sound as he disappeared.

"No one here actually believes him, right!?" Kazuichi asked as he threw his hands around in the air.

"…. I-I don't…. know," Mikan said as she held her shoulders together. "I-I think… it has to be…. right?"

"Has to be my ass!" Hiyoko yelled. "He is full of shit!!!"

"…." you crossed your arms as you looked at the vault. "He isn't lying, but he isn't telling the full truth either."

"No shit!" Fuyuhiko yelled. "Who are these world ender bastards anyway!?"

"They… had to have been powerful," Byakuya rose his shoulders. "If they were able to get ahold of nukes…. who knows what the world looks like."

'Are we…. the last…. survivors?" Mahiru asked as she hugged her shoulders.

Gundham arched his back upwards, and he felt into one of his pockets, the fabric shifting from his touch.

Ibuki just screamed, she held onto her hair and screamed so loud it hurt everyone else's ears but it was how everyone felt.

You took in a deep breathe. "We are alive," you said. "So the world has not completely ended yet."

"You think there is anything left to salvage here!?" Fuyuhiko yelled. "Are you stupid!?"

"Why put the word future on the door?" you asked. You looked back to it and you walked forward faster than Hajime could catch you. You went to the panel and looked at the gun.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Byakuya's voice rose an octaave. "Get away from there!" he stayed planted in place.

"Stop it!!!" Sonia cried and cover her mouth.

You hit random buttons and smacked the enter button.

Everyone waited.

"That is what I thought," you turned around, the gun remained motionless. "The gun is for NPCs, that's why Monokuma doesn't know anything: it is a player only space," you said as you turned away and smacked your hand on the vault door, right under the word future.

"JESUS CHRIST DUDE!!!!" Kazuichi yelled, throwing his hands. "You could have been wrong!!!"

"I wasn't," you said as you crossed your arms.

"You could have been," Hajime walked over and pulled you away from the door, his heart thunking so fast. He was gripping onto you too tight.

"I could have been, but," you pointed towards the vault door. "That is the emergency exit."

"What do we do, just guess till that gun decides we have failed the test to many times!?" Fuyuhiko asked crossing his arms. "Got any bright ideas there? Or wanna volunteer for that too?"

"The code has to be somewhere," you said. "Likely, on another island."

"You speak with a lot of confidence," Peko said as she crossed her arms.

"What else could it be? If had shot at me, sure….. but it didn't. They want humans to interact with it. At least as a last resort." It appeared dangerous enough with the traps and gun it wouldn't be an accident to be here…… but why not take risk at this point?

It was life or death either way.

"It could be another false hope, just to create more- more of the despair," Kazuichi muttered.

"Well….. if….. you are right," Sonia looked at you. "That Monokuma is a virus, an outside force…. this game being designed with an exit for occasions such as this does make a lot of sense."

"What would- happen if this- is away out?" Mikan was beginning to shake.

"Who knows, but we have a chance," you said.

"…. " Byakuya curled his fingers. "A chance can be a powerful thing, it is in our best interest to take it," the command rung out.

"Well, I am not the giving up type," Nekomaru said and punched his hand into his fist. "We just gotta find that code, should be easy!!!!"

"One speak and you get the fucking butterflies?" Fuyuhiko curled his lip into a snarl. "Are you all fucking stupid or something?" he asked as he glared at all of you. "This isn't a god damn fairytale!"

"It isn't," you agreed. "This is not a guarantee, it's a chance."

"Oh fuck off with your 'chances'." Fuyuhiko tilted his head to one side. "Fuck this shit! Do whatever you fuckers want, this is all stupid," he yelled as he stomped away, turning his whole head away."

"Of course he would say that," Mahiru said before she looked at the door. "…. It is strange, you can touch it,' she agreed before she looked at her camera and then at the building. "Plus….. What is there to lose?" she seemed to grimace as she looked at you.

"It…. does seem like such wishful thinking in this scenario," Peko said. "The higher the hopes the more of a fall there is."

"Well out situation cannot get much worse!!!" Ibuki raised her hand. "This is pretty shit! So Ibuki's Hopes, Personally, aren't too high!!! But Ibuki wants to have some!!! Let Mr. Grumpy go grump about."

"We can still also look for those Hope Fragments. We don't know when we will find the door but we can keep collecting those," you added as you looked around.

"It sounds like we should head to the cabins to rest up!" Nekomaru cheered, throwing a hand in the air.

"Before- we do that," Sonia raised her voice. "Where… is Nagito?" she asked.

"I was beginning to wonder the same thing, I would have expected to see him exploring over here…" Byakuya said as he looked around at the crowd.

"Why- worry about that guy!" Kazuichi asked. "He would just be causing trouble anyways."

You let out a sigh and turned your body. "Funny you say that, suspect number one."

"H-huh!?" Kazuichi began to sweat buckets. "Suspect??? What- in the world are you talking about!"

"He wasn't on the new island, and I heard you and Nekomaru whispering suspiciously by the beach house. I am not great at math but this is pretty simple," you said as you crossed your arms. "What did you do with Nagito?"

"We didn't kill him!!!!" Nekomaru declared very quickly.

"You- you killed him!?" Sonia gasped in horror, covering her mouth,

"What? No! I just said we didn't do that!!!! All we did was tie him up and shoved him somewhere."

"Don't tell them that!!!" Kazuichi smacked one trained bicep, doing more damage to his hand than to the giant Nekomaru.

Byakuya let out a long sigh. "I…. had been hoping he was merely wandering around this island on his own, given his tendency to be proactive," Byakuya hissed the last word as his shoulders deflated. "Where did you put him?"

"…In the abandoned boat house," Kazuichi answered as he crossed his arms and looked away.

"Well we can't keep him there," you said.

"Why not??? He was already planning one murder and helped with another!!!" Nekomaru argued.

"It serves him right to be stuck there," Kazuichi added with a nod of his head. "It is safer, for all of us."

"I-I don't- think- think that is going to help," Mikan said as she held her finger tips together. "Solitary confinement can- can have negative affects o-on the mental state… leaving him there all alone…."

"Also what are you going to do if he starves to death?" Mahiru asked. 'Do you want to be executed like Akane was?"

"N-no!!!" Kazuichi shook his head, growing entirely pale.

"Well- what else are we supposed to do with him?" Nekomaru asked.

"Someone needs to watch him and work with him," you said as you let out a sigh. "He is first and foremost an extraordinarily mentally ill man, and none of us trained for that: and as easy as it would be to lock him away the only thing more dangerous than a mad man is a mad man left alone with no help to become madder. We have no choice, we have to do what we can to help him."

"I am willing to listen to your suggestions," Byakuya said as he looked at you.

"I don't think it is safe to simply let him wander about either, so I think…. parole would be the best thing we can do," you explained. "Someone will stay with him at all times and ensure he doesn't do anything, well also socializing with him… that would be a good start I think."

"And who in the world is going to be willing to do that?!" Hiyoko sneered.

You rolled your eyes over to her. "I am the one suggesting this, aren't I?"

Hajime's mouth fell open. "I call a time out!!!!"

"Huh?" he had you by the shoulders and was going over to one of the rocks, out of ear shot from the others who were left in wonder. "Hajime- what is it?" you asked.

He looked down at you, pressed his lips together and his eye brow twitched. "Please don't," he said as his head fell.

"Who else can?" you asked.

"I don't know, Byakuya wanted to be the leader so bad: make him do something leaderly and watch over that crazy bastard!" Hajime threw a hand up. "Sonia is his cousin, or Mikan! She is a nurse, the best nurse! She should be more prepared to help in a mental health crisis."

"All of those are good arguments," you held up a hand. "But… Byakuya is the best person to investigate our current situation. I am good at making broad inferences with information but he would be better to look into the nitty griddy details, they have the most….. useful skill set for that job I feel and Nagito might hinder that," you held out one finger. "Sonia probably isn't in a good state to be around Nagito most of the day considering he is her cousin, and do you really think Mikan would survive him, literally or metaphorically?" you looked up at him.

He held his teeth together. "I don't- he is dangerous guy."

"I know he is, he has proven himself as such," you agreed. "And that is even more reason we have to deal with him."

'He already was prepared to try a murder, what if he is prepared to try a murder on you," Hajime said as he leaned down to eye level.

"I could take him in a fight."

"Do- you know how??" Hajime asked.

"I can't confirm it," you said. "But he is a poorly put together Popsicle stick man, I think I could just push him and sit on him. He can't get the element of surprise either, I know he is crazy now."

Hajime's eyes scrunched. He couldn't argue but- "I don't want you being alone with him."

"It is better than being regular alone, I won't have to deal with the hallucinations," you said with a shrug,

Hajime's tongue fell out to the tip of his lip as his face moved in closer to yours. "The what?"

"Oh shit," you broke away from him and covered your mouth, you looked to the side, and then at him. "That was- supposed to be an inside thought," you put your palms together as you forced a smile. "You can disregard- what I just said," you nodded your head extremely fast.

"That isn't how this works!" Hajime looked around the area before focusing on you. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want you to worry," you held your hands up. "Besides, it only…. happens when I am alone, so- so you don't need to deal with it."

Hajime ran his fingers up and through his spiny hair. "That is- no! I want to help you," Hajime said as he put a hand on your shoulder. "I…. that makes me want you to be around Nagito even less!"

"I am always fine if someone else is around, and it can even be like, Usami or Monokuma. So Nagito will definitely work…. this way, two problems will be solved at once."

"Then I will stay with you," he said.

"Hajime….. are you going to be able to remain non-hostile towards him?' you asked as you looked at him, quirking an eyebrow.

"What does that matter???" Hajime asked.

"Because I do want to help Nagito, and that is what we need to do…. and being terrified of him and lashing out, rightfully so," you held your hand out when you said that. "Is not going to help."

"I," you were going to be stubborn, but he had bigger concerns now than that crazy dandelion boy. "Why did you think it would be something I had to deal with, after you said you trusted me?"

"you, are coming back to this?" you asked before you sighed. "I, you were already having to put up with me wanting to stay with you. I figured that, you didn't need to be burdened with the baggage of the why."

Hajime let out a long hissing sound. "Alright, here is my deal. You are going to tell me about what's, been going on with you apparently…. and I will let you look over Nagito," he said as he let out a sigh. "Alright?"

"Okay," you said as your head was held low, but you glanced up at him. "Are you, mad at me?" you sounded terrified.

"No, I am not mad," he said and he put a hand on your cheek. "I am just worried now," he said and let out a sigh, giving you a kiss on the temple. "Let's… go back to the others. We can talk about that at another time…" he said.

"Okay," you said and you held onto his hand. "Are you sure, you aren't mad?"

"Yes, I am," Hajime sighed, he knew that. He walked to the group. "It…. is fine with me," he said. Part of him felt guilty for needing to give his permission but- He still didn't want you doing this.

"Then, I think it is settled. Nagito will be put on his parole," Byakuya looked at you and he curled his lip.

"Great," Kazuichi looked at you with a mixture of annoyance and pity. "He is in that old boat out. Monomi said she'd block it off."

"I, appericate this," Sonia said as you looked at you. "We should all rest up, so we can focus on doing our best in investigating where that code might be!"

And so everyone finally went back to their cabins after a long day on the second island.

The world was truly destroyed, huh?

How could it be true that outside of this game was only ruin?

Your visions lined up with it.

You curled over on your stomach, listening to the static of Hajime taking a shower as you wandered around your thoughts.

Your parents were probably dead.

You laid with that though, staring out the window. You tried to find reasons to think that wasn't true but you couldn't. They were not strong people, they weren't even background characters: just fodder with the bodies that pile up in stories.

That is- what you were supposed to be.

Your fingers curled on the sheets. If the world had ended, you should not be alive. You pushed your head into the mattress as you held your teeth together. You knew you had changed, you could remember your reflection in the mirror. You remembered the family photos with your parents.

If they wouldn't have survived, who could have? Chihiro? You would like to think so, he was smart enough but….. he was also soft, timid and prone to a freeze fear response. You could pictures the horrible fates that could meet your childhood friend who let mosquitoes bite his flesh.. Would it matter either way?

You had let his niece die.

So you'd lose him either way.

Your mind went around like a contact book, trying to find filled out pages but they were blank.

It was your parents, Chihiro…… and then empty.

You could count that old butcher, he might have been strong enough to survive in his youth but he had been ancient before a three year time skip with his pack a cigarette a day voice. Plus…. he was a store owner you went to.

You sat in the silence of your mind.

The dial squeaked as Hajime shut the shower off, drying his shoulders before wrapping the towel around his waist. He saw you upon the bed and his heart sank at your expression. You noticed him before he could find the words, and you pushed yourself up.

"Is everything. alright?" Hajime asked.

"I am fine, I just…. was, wondering," you pushed yourself on the wall too look at him. "How badly, do you want to leave here?"

"As badly as everyone else does," he answered as he began to approach the bed. "Why are you asking?"

You stared into his pretty green eyes. "…. I would be willing to help you," you whispered.

Hajime's shoulders rose as he felt his face get red. "Don't, mean it like that!!!" Hajime yelled as he reached over and grabbed your shoulders. "Why, would you offer it….. to mean that?" his voice was softer as he leaned in. 'What about having a chance."

Your face scrunched as you cried, "Because I know I don't have a chance of a home!" you held onto your hair. "I-if, when, we , I won't…. have anything," you stared into his eyes, the tears rushing down your face. "And- I know you don't-don't remember but that means, you have a chance of having something to find, and- and I am just going to become a bigger problem" you reasoned as you tried to hide your face in your hands.

"You aren't a problem!" they were the first words out. Then his mind loaded another bullet. "I don't want to make that trade, either!" he forced you to look at him as. "I don't know what I don't have, and it could just be nothing," he said, tears pricked his own eyes and he hoped the heat of his feelings would make them burn away. "And I am not willing to risk that on losing what I do have," he changed his grip to be hugging on you tightly.

"If you have nothing else, then I'll be your home."

His words settled in your ear and you were limp against him. Your tears increased and your head fell into his shoulder, your arms crawling up his back as you let out a sniffle then a choked sob. "I am sorry, I am sorry," you said.

"It's alright," he rubbed your back. "You said sometimes…. to do our best we need to be picked up, right?" he leaned away and brushed your tears away. "You can have others do that for you."

You looked into his eyes before you broke away, hiding into his chest as you cried, your hair on his bare skin. He laid down on the bed, holding your body in a cradle. He looked down at you curled in his arms and he hated this situation more, for what it was doing to you.

But he knew one thing.

He wouldn't trade you away, not when you were all he had in this hell.

Chapter Text

The old boat was rickety on it's foundation and covered in dust. Hajime trailed behind you, he could smell the way the wood was rotting on the inside and mold was materializing into corners with cobwebs. "They certainly, designed this place with an atmosphere in mind."

"I mean…. maybe they were meant to be community tasks?" you asked with a small shrug. "If cleaned it'd probably be pretty nice…."

"Guess so…." right now it made for a pretty good prison.

Both of you stood by the multiple double doors and you shifted your bag over in front of you. "Guess this is where he was stored."

"We could leave him here, bring him some food and forget about the whole thing," Hajime suggested as he glared at the middle set of doors.

"We already discussed why that isn't an option," you said.

Hajime let out a mix of a grumble and a whimper as he finally stepped forward, and shoved the door open to peek at the student lucky enough to stumble upon the first murder first: Nagito Komaeda.

"My, I thought I would be forgotten in here," Nagito said, his arms and legs were bound. He wriggled around to face you both, and his eyes seem to spark. "I cannot believe it is you both! What motivated this?"

"You cannot stay here forever," you said as you crouched down. "So you are officially on parole!" you pulled out a pair of shears from your bag, and cut his leg binding, going one rope at a time to ensure you didn't cut him.

Nagito blinked in surprise, looking up at Hajime who glared down at him, his arms crossed. "You better not try anything."

"I won't, I promise," he said as you snipped his arms free. He pulled them in front of himself and rubbed his wrists. His sleeve slipped down exposing his the red welts into his skin.

Your brow furrowed before you reached for the next item into your bag. "I hope you understand the need for this," you said as you pulled out the sizable chain link cuff. You hooked one side into your wrist, and snapped the other onto his.

Nagito blinked as he looked down the chain length. "To think you would train yourself to worthless trash like me, true what has inspired this."

"Just leaving you here is going to make you more dangerous-" Hajime said.

Nagito gave a laugh. "I think you are misunderstanding me," he said as he tilted his head to one side. "You don't really think useless trash like me could do something as grand as holding a grudge, on SHSL like you."

"We still want you out and about, the sunlight is good for you!" You said as you looked at the cuff. "I hope it isn't too tight."

"No, no I am just fine. Your concern is all too kind."

"No kidding…"

"It isn't," you took in a breathe. "Usami!" you called and she popped out of the floor. You produced the key and bent down. "Remember what we talked about in the store?"

"Of course," Monomi gave a nod of her head as she held onto the key ring, with the one key attached. "I promise I won't lose it!"

"You better not," Hajime's voice was low, it made all of the hair on the bunny's head stand high.

"Yes, sir!" she squeaked before she disappeared from the room.

You closed both of your eyes with a shake of the head. This….. You opened one eye to look at your cross boyfriend…. and knew he would get moreso "Hajime…."

"I don't like the way you are saying my name."

"I think you should go hang out with out the others," you said as you looked at him. "I can handle Nagito alone."

'What?" Hajime felt like the breathe was knocked out of him, and his face turned red. "No! Why in the world should- no! I already said I don't want you being alone with him!"

"I am not surprised Hajime is the jealous type," Nagito admitted as he crossed his arms, closing his eyes with a small sigh.

"Jealous?!" Hajime felt more offended than anything. "Like I'd ever be jealous of you!"

"Just, hear me out," you said as you walked over, tightening the slack on the train. "You have spent most of your time with Nagito or me, right? That's…. getting a similar experience over and over again," you put a hand on his shoulder. "There are 11 other people on this island you have barely gotten a chance to talk to, one of them has gotta relate to your skill set somehow, right?" you asked.

Hajime put a hand over his chest, his fingers curled. "I don't trust him…."

"Do you have such little faith that you think they couldn't do anything against worthless trash like me?" Nagito asked as he crossed his free arm over his chest, shaking his head. "What else could I expect from someone who makes a girl cry…"

"Can you stop talking?!" Hajime snapped over at him. "You act like it is bizarre I wouldn't want them to be alone with someone who wanted to start killing!"

"I am simply saying."

"Nagito, shush," you said and Nagito crossed his arms, looking away and tuning out. You turned towards Hajime and sighed. "I understand, Hajime. I am a bit nervous about it too….. but we don't know what that stupid bear has up his sleeve," you said. "You are a capable man, Hajime."

Hajime held his lips together, he looked at Nagito with both of his eyes then looked down at you. "I don't…. even know what I should be looking for."

"You don't have to," you smiled. "You have already found something fortunate by chance, right? You need to look around to find more." you asked, tilting your head to the side.

"They are right, you know."

"Didn't you- Grrrr-" Hajime's neck strained at Nagito before he looked at you with a sigh long, long sigh. "…. Are you sure, it is worth the time trying?"

"It will be, I promise," you said. "You have nothing to lose either way, right?" he looked at you and then up at Nagito.

A mouse wanting to be trusted alone with a fox couldn't end well, and yet he didn't know how to argue against you., because what did he know? What could he learn about himself?

"… Why not have him come with us and hang out with everyone?"

"Do you really think that is a good idea, Hajime? Presenting worthless trash like me to everyone?" Nagito asked as he closed his eyes. Hajime held his teeth together.

"……… You are not a favorite in the class," Hajime acknowledged and his head fell to one side. He wasn't gunning to spend time with him right now either, but that made him feel worse for dumping him on you. "Why would you want to do this alone?"

"Because I think working with him one and one will help ease into spending time with more people…. besides, you do not seem eager to be around him."

"I am not…" in away he was dodging a bullet but…. "I want to keep you safe."

"I will be, I will be," you laughed and kissed his cheek. "I promise."

"What about- the thing you told me about?"

You blinked. "Like I said, that is only when I am alone."

Hajime looked down with a close of the eyes "… okay. But if he does anything to you I swear I- I-" he didn't know what he would do.

"Have a fun day today, Hajime. Enjoy your time with the others," you smiled patting his shoulder.

"I will try…" he looked at you, then Nagito and felt a pit in his gut. He quickly bent down, stealing a kiss from you before he moved away. "Don't feel bad if you have to restrain him."

"I won't, bye bye, Hajime!" You put a hand over your lip, feeling the warmth behind.

You turned back to Nagito and let a breathe through your nose.

Oh where to start with him?

If he looked back Hajime knew he would turn around and demand to have you uncuffed from that madman, to leave him where he was rotting. Hajime's eyes flicked to where he could see the wooden corner of the boat house but kept the boarded up windows and door out of view for him.

You were the one insisting on it, yet part of him felt like he was abandoning mouse at the mouth of a fox's den.

"What are you doing, Hajime?" Byakuya had come out of the restaurant, his arms crossed as he stood upon the sairs looking down at him. "I thought you were spending time with Nagito."

"I…." Hajime felt shame creeping into his gut. "They- wanted me to spend time with others…. to see if it would jog any of my memories, that they could handle him alone," Hajime said as he crossed his arms, not willing to make eye contact.

"Of course they insist on it," Byakuya sighed. "Considering the stubborn ass you are dealing with, there is no helping it."

A pang of Hajime felt defensive, like he should defend you. Just a pang though as he let out a sigh, rubbing his eyes with the corner of his hand before he peeked up at Byakuya. "You…. mentioned you researched everyone, ya?" he asked, feeling hope in his voice.

"I did….. and if it is any comfort I do remember looking into you," Byakuya stated with crossed arms, his eyes shifting to one side.

"So…. all you got is that you did research me?" Hajime asked, his throat feeling dry. "Don't, have any defining details?"

"I don't," he answered and closed his eyes, pressing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "For one reason or another this game seems determined to ensure no one knows anything about you."

"That's not comforting," Hajime said as he held onto his elbows with either hand, gripping the joint as he stepped down, getting close and craning his neck to look at the prodigy.

"It was not meant to be, but: trying to combat that where applicable does have it's value. So don't feel as if you are wasting your time," Byakuya said as he came down, looking at him. "Whatever reason, it is sensible for the bear to limit the information on you. You have proven in the first trail that you are a reliable guy."

"And what if my lack of memories is because of the game glitching out? What if there is no purpose on Monokuma's part?" or how could he know the information wasn't so awful that he…. did it as a future motive? The thought made him turn pale.

Byakuya had been silent in getting down the stairs and put a hand on his shoulder. "Enough has gone wrong there is no sense dwelling on what else could happen. If, and only if because I do intend to allow another murder to happen.a class trail happens you have proven you will be invaluable to the class. The only thing certain about learning more of your own skills is that you shall continue to pull your light weight."

"I think you are overstating my usef-"

"How dare you question the heir to the Togami Foundation," Byakuya barked as his eyes narrowed. "I do know one thing that can use improvement with you, regardless of what you remember."

"And, what is that?" Hajime swallowed.

"You are far to skinny! You need more meat on your bones, and I did not see you at breakfast."

Hajime didn't have time to find his words as his wrist was grabbed, and he was yanked away up to the restaurant so that Hajime could get firsts and Byakuya could get seconds.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"I suppose, it makes sense we would end up here," Nagito said as he rested his free hand in his pocket. "It is quite nice to see a library is available, though."

"I know, right!?' you grinned up at him as you clutched your hands in front of you, before swinging your head over. You managed to keep your pace slow enough hat you were not whipping him behind in the wind. "I think it has to be connected to whatever library database that Hope's Peak had because there is so many books," you put a hand on your cheek as you held open the door.

"My, that is wonderful," Nagito smiled as he looked around. "If… that is true, then I truly am so lucky," he said as he stepped in, looking at the shelves upon shelves.

"After we are done here, I can show you around the rest of the island," you said before you began to wander over a bookshelf, Nagito being forced to follow behind you. You had a large smile on your face as you started to search through the titles.

"What are you looking for?" Nagito asked, keeping close to you and tilting his head.

"We have some reading to do!" you answered turning to look at him with a smile, before your finger traced along the spines of poetry books. You grabbed a couple of them but you finally found what you were looking for.

A compilation of poems by Emily Dickson. You let your finger flipped through the pages enjoying the smell well also ensuring it had what you were looking for, before adding it to the pile.

Then you kept going.

Nagito tilted his head, trailing behind like the dog he was forced to be. "Would you like, me to carry some of those for you?" he asked.

"No, no it's just a couple more!" you smiled as you kept going, grabbing another title…. and then that one seemed like it would be related: then there was of course this one you needed to grab!!!!

You were struggling to balance the books when your eyes caught one on a higher shelf: the one you were actually intending to find. You shifted your hold on the restr of your collection, having to shift your whole weight.

Before you could spill them all over the floor, Nagito reached the book you were staring at. He looked down at the cover, tilting his head. "I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream?" he asked looking at you.

"Have you heard of it?" you asked as you began to shuffle over to one of the tables: your mountain of books sliding over onto the wooden surface as soon as gravity could knock them down.

"I have read it, I think," he said as he flipped the slim short story over in his hand. "I cannot say my memory on it is particularly sharp, though."

"Is there anything in particular you are having trouble remembering?" you asked as you pulled out the Emily Dickson book, using a sticky note to mark a page before moving onto the next tome of poems.

"Mmm, I suppose I did only mention it to Hajime," Nagito said with a small sigh. "I remember more than him but admittedly I know a lot is missing…. but I at least remember the street where I lived and the name of my dog, compared to just my most extreme food preferences. Though- admittedly…. ah never mind."

"Not no never mind here, what is it?" you asked making intense eye contact with him.

"It only concerns me, I admire your compassion greatly but putting your worry into that issue well, it would just be a waste of your time," Nagito said as he shifted his eyes to the side.

You knitted your fingers together. "As it stands you are my concern, if you know what is affecting you and your memory the only way I will be able to help you is if I know what is going on."

Nagito put his lips together before he let out a laugh that went into something sad. "My problem isn't really one anyone can do anything about, and it would not be worth it if it was solved anyway. There are much greater things hope could be used for."

You looked at him up and down, he didn't look… fantastic, even after letting him wash up and eat he looked ragged from his day on the floor, which just subtracted from a subpar baseline of his appearance. You leaned into him. "Nagito, are you ill?" you asked.

"Yes."

You looked down before letting out a sigh. "Of course, I…. suppose I knew that already," it was impossible to deny the mental illness…. but it appeared it went deeper than you thought. You closed your eyes, tapping your foot on the floor.

Your shoddily knitted plans felt like they were being completely untangled, but what else were you expecting? Why wouldn't there be some new hole in your plan even if the baseline was flawed from the start. You'd love to pry the detail out of him of what he had and if he knew how it affected him, he didn't want to talk about it, but did he even know?

You opened your eyes to look at him, as he smiled at you from across the table.

You didn't have anything else, and even if the problem was worse than you thought maybe, it would be something.

You'd at least have fun.

"Well, I will have to keep that in mind to make sure nothing is to strenuous," you said and reached into your bag. Someone, Mikan or Sonia maybe? Shoved some water bottles in there when you weren't looking. You grabbed both of them and slide on across the table. "Make sure to have some water at the very least."

Nagito blinked at you, he took the bottle and cracked the seal, obeying like a well trained dog.

You smiled as you kept working through marking out the poems you wanted him to look at. You opened the first one to the marked page and slide it over to him. "Would you read this allowed for me?' you asked.

Nagito looked down at the page, pushing it down with his arm. "Ah, so this is what we are doing," he said before he let out a small laugh. "Alright, I don't mind:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me."

He read it with familiarity to the pauses and syllables it was clear that he was already fond of this particular work. He smiled as he finished, running his hands across the pages. "Emily Dickson was quite talented," he said.

"She was," you said. "Given your familiarity, I imagine you already have an interpretation?" you asked as you leaned yourself forward.

"Well of course, it is…. such an ideal poem to describe hope," he grinned. "It overcomes all even when it is not expected," he put a hand over his chest, his voice growing in excitement. "It persists even in the sore storm of despair, being ushered in by those who have the potential! Just like all of you," he let out a small laugh. "The crumbs of the SHSL and their talents, will make up the ultimate hope, that is something I am sure of."

"Huh," you tapped your fingers on the table. Well- "It is all subjective when it comes to poetry and how you read it, I suppose," you said as you slide the book back over to yourself. "However I admittedly have a different few of it," you said as you read over the poem one more time quickly. "It seems to me that Hope is supposed to be a puny thing, especially compared to the storm."

"It is unsuspecting, of course. But does that detract from the power or impact of Hope?" he asked, tilting his head.

"Not, necessarily no," you said and traced your finger down. "However, what is this Hope doing exactly?" you asked. "It sings and helps keep people warm…. but those are more," you rolled your hands, looking up to the ceiling, looking through the skylights that poured the sun down. 'Emotional. The bird itself is doing very little about the storm itself, because it can't. The storm is able to abash it."

"But is rises to overcome because of it," he said.

"It persists despite it," you replied holding your finger out. "There is a difference, and it is important one…. because it often takes a lot more than just Hope to weather any sort of storm."

"Well, of course…. but that is where you," he pointed directly at you. "Come in, your own potential and hope budding inside of you, manifesting through your talent."

"I think that is you letting your own bias influence the poem," you said, tapping the page. "That never comes in, it is merely… the speaker to which no details are given," you said running your finger over the paper. 'Assuming that the chillest land and strangest seas being a metaphor for the challenges they have to face rather than them actually traveling to such spots."

Nagito hummed. "Metaphor or not in the poem, it does require influence from the person…. and if we think about Dickison's other works, such as where she goes into details on poetry being initiate… I am sure she would agree that the ones with the most talent contain the most hope to help move the bird along.'

"She held a lot of reverence for poetry that is true, turning the familiar into the unfamiliar…. I don't know how much that ties into it with hope though, especially not it being some sort of exclusive thing for those who can harness it. It is simply keeping many warm," you noted. "It is a universal thing…. and all people who can give a crumb of it, is more what it is going for I believe."

"Well the average person my try to, but there is rarely any real substance."

You let out a hum as you knitted your fingers together, staring down at him. "I think it is hard to argue that in such a community based species as humanity, that some people do not contribute substance," you said, your finger pads acting like drums. "But regardless of that, this idea of talent and the 'average person'…. how would you define that?"

"Well, in this case with the SHSL it is easy to be sure of your raw potential to be the embodiment of hope," he said, the chain rattled as he lifted his hand. "After all, Hope's Peak Academy chose you."

"And if they hadn't, what would that have changed about me?" you asked. "There are only 32 slots in total for any new class: Hope's Peak misses a lot of talent youths I am certain."

"That is part of why they are so selective, to ensure they are getting the best of the best with each class that gets enrolled."

"Well…. you did know that Emily Dickinson wanted all of her poems burned, right?' you asked as you flipped at the corner. "She intended to have all of them burned after she died…. should that have happened we wouldn't have known how skilled she was as a writer, would we?" you asked.

"I…. suppose we wouldn't have," he said as he looked away at one of the shelves.

"Should they have been burned, that doesn't change the quality of what was there, does it? It is a case for a lot of people," you noted as you closed the book and slide it to the side. "People's talents, even if they are considered fore-founders of certain artistic movements and genres, can be overlooked or flat out hidden. In other cases it is harder for people to find their niche due to circumstances outside of their control," you reached for the next book and flipped it to the marked page. "Consider here, Lucille Clifton," you slipped the book over to him on the open page. "Will you read again for me?"

Nagito took the book and looked over the page once, before he began to read.

"won't you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed."

"Did you like the poem?" you asked as you looked at him.

"It is certainly unique," Nagito hummed as he read it over again. "It is rather good," he agreed as he looked up, giving a nod of his head.

"Have you heard of Clifton before?" you asked as you looked at Nagito, he was much slower with each word he read, ensuring he got the pronunciation correct.

"I have not."

"Well, Lucille Clifton was an African American woman who much like Emily, did not want it to be published. However I think it was… Langston Hughes, who found her work and encouraged her to publish," you said as you leaned over to the book, hunching over it to read it better. "Give it another reading and tell me what you take away."

He gave a nod of the head before he read out once more, mumbling the words to himself as his eyes scanned over the page. "It is… quite the interesting take on hope, holding oneself up to build upon their own existence, when they weren't really allowed to fit in," he said as his fingers moved between lines ten and eleven.

You smiled and nodded your head. "Exactly, it is quite a hopeful poem in it's own right," you said before your fingers traced over. "I really like the line born in Babylon, given the picture she was born in somewhere unfamiliar and as ancient lands would be more dangerous: however if Lucille was to have lived during the Babylonian era, she would have likely been much more respected than where she was born," you said before you pulled your hand back. "Simply because there was more respect for women and well, everyone was a person of color," most definitely still wars and racism, there was going to be an out group after all.

But it was not as extreme as today.

"I believe this line is a reference to Keat's," Nagito pointed to line nine and you gave a bob of the head.

"I think so too," you smiled before you peered back down at the page. "Now…. do you think, Lucille would have ever had a chance to attend Hope's Peak?" you asked, your face going serious.

"You are saying that like it isn't a task for only the best in the world, she is clearly skilled but…. I am not quite sure she would get that far," Nagito said with a shrug.

"Well, I find that hard to argue for," you said as you held up a hand. "Writing is a very subjective."

"Subjective yes, but there is still a certain level of quality…." Nagito said. "I can admire a piece of jasper, for example but I will always know that a sapphire is a more valuable stone."

"Well, in the larger world because that is what has been set at the value," you said with a small shrug. "In this island though, if more people like jasper than sapphire that would become the more valuable skill….. and I do see your larger point: She who should not be named and Bram Stroker, well both having an extreme case of notary in society….. it is no question who is superior writer between the two of them: but it was also societies standards that propped the inferior one up to begin with, who is to say that Hope's Peak does not make the same mistake?"

"Hope's Peak is infallible, they don't worry about things such as what the larger picture is… merely looking at sheer talent," Nagito said as he closed his eyes, having a straight face at this conversation topic.

"But with subjective talents it is still up to whoever is selecting them to say who is better, there is going to be bias in the selection leaving people who get overlooked, and Hope's Peak can still only judge what they can see," you said.

"…" Nagito looked down at you, his lips opening but no sound coming out as his eyebrows furrowed.

Oh dear- "Well…. how about we move onto the next poem," you said as you reached for the next book on the pile, shuffling Clifton away with Dickinson as you laid out the next one.

"Alright," Nagito said as his back went straight and leaned forward preemptively to you sliding the book over. He took a crack at the water bottle before he started reading.

"Today my brother brought over a piece of the ark
wrapped in a white plastic grocery bag.

He set the bag on my dining table, unknotted it,
peeled it away, revealing a foot-long fracture of wood.
He took a step back and gestured toward it
with his arms and open palms — 

It’s the ark, he said.
You mean Noah’s ark? I asked.
What other ark is there? he answered.

Read the inscription, he told me,
it tells what’s going to happen at the end.
What end? I wanted to know.
He laughed, What do you mean, “what end”?
The end end.

Then he lifted it out. The plastic bag rattled.
His fingers were silkened by pipe blisters.
He held the jagged piece of wood so gently.
I had forgotten my brother could be gentle.

He set it on the table the way people on television
set things when they’re afraid those things might blow-up
or go-off — he set it right next to my empty coffee cup.

It was no ark — 
it was the broken end of a picture frame
with a floral design carved into its surface.

He put his head in his hands — 

I shouldn’t show you this — 
God, why did I show her this?
It’s ancient — O, God,
this is so old.

Fine, I gave in, Where did you get it?
The girl, he said. O, the girl.
What girl? I asked.
You’ll wish you never knew, he told me.

I watched him drag his wrecked fingers
over the chipped flower-work of the wood — 

You should read it. But, O, you can’t take it — 
 no matter how many books you’ve read.

He was wrong. I could take the ark.
I could even take his marvelously fucked fingers.
The way they almost glittered.

It was the animals — the animals I could not take — 

they came up the walkway into my house,
cracked the doorframe with their hooves and hips,
marched past me, into my kitchen, into my brother,

tails snaking across my feet before disappearing
like retracting vacuum cords into the hollows
of my brother’s clavicles, tusks scraping the walls,

reaching out for him — wildebeests, pigs,
the oryxes with their black matching horns,
javelinas, jaguars, pumas, raptors. The ocelots
with their mathematical faces. So many kinds of goat.
So many kinds of creature.

I wanted to follow them, to get to the bottom of it,
but my brother stopped me — 

This is serious, he said
You have to understand
It can save you.

So I sat down, with my brother wrecked open like that,
and two-by-two the fantastical beasts
parading him. I sat, as the water fell against my ankles,
built itself up around me, filled my coffee cup
before floating it away from the table.

My brother — teeming with shadows — 
a hull of bones, lit only by tooth and tusk,
lifting his ark high in the air."

Nagito hummed. "I think…. I get part of why you are showing me this one," he gave a sigh as he crossed one arm over his chest. He opened his mouth and you knew what he was gonna say- so you didn't let him.

"I just want you to think about it, is all," you said as you looked over the two page that poem was spiral across. "I am simply….. grabbing some other perspectives from yours, but you picking it up to fast…." you said with a smile. "Is convent to me, but do take me through your process."

"The brother clinging onto a false hope, but that is because he is a fool with no evidence. I have seen you, everyone's talents including yours, they are surely a true ark," he said putting a hand over his heart.

"We are particularly pretty picture frames," you said. "People who have found out what they liked soon enough they have the time to develop the skill. Been able to refine who they are through what they like to do," you closed your eyes. "None of us are an Ark or a savior…. just 15 people other than you."

"That is under selling it, and I am sure you have to be aware of that," Nagito said. "Everyone here has accomplished such feats to be recognized and accepted into the school, you are all the future."

You looked at him before down at the page. "That is a large ask when we are stuck here, you know," you said as you tilted your chair back on the edge. "Especially when we don't know what is going out in the rest of the world."

"The greater the despair the greater the hope that rises to overcome it," Nagito smiled.

You let out a long sigh and his eyes fluttered at your reaction. "Well… how about we move onto the next poem."

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Well, now that he had eaten: what should he do?

He had spent time with Byakuya but he felt no closer to remembering anything about himself, all be it…. more relaxed about everything else going on. His presence well commanding could be just as calming.

Hajime wandered around the second island, racking his brain that couldn't answer for him what he should be doing now…. he didn't even have a lead on what his talent could be. Nothing he had done here had stood out as familiar.

Maybe… he was meant to be preparing traditional Japanese sweets? He tried to think about how one would make Mochi when he heard a series of voices coming up. His head craned to the parking lot of the diner.

"Wow, Kazzy," Ibuki stood over Kazuichi as she looked over at the abadoned skateboard.

"Don't-" he wretched once more. "sound so surprised!" there were tears sparkling the corner of his eyes. "I told you I get motion sick!"

"Ya we knew that!!!" Nekomaru laughed before patting his back. "but this is the only way to desensitize yourself!"

"I don't wanna anymore!!" he shook his fist in the air before he wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "This sucks."

'What, are you guys doing?" Hajime asked as he stepped over the sidewalk, almost catching his foot in the sewer grate.

"Hey Mr. Hinata!" Ibuki waved at him, throwing up a hand to wave. She was noticeable taller on account of the roller blades she had gotten herself comfortable on. "We are doing sick tricks and flips! Or just getting sick!"

Kazuichi sent her a look before he sighed at Hajime, and then his head shot up. 'What are you doing here? Aren't you baby sitting, that- that guy?" Kazuichi seemed to freeze up. "You didn't leave him alone, did you!?"

"No, no they are with him," Hajime felt bitter when he reminded himself of that little fact. "They insisted I try and hang out with some other people."

"Well you could join us!" Nekomaru grinned as he grabbed the skateboard from off the ground, holding it by the nose. "We just had a board open up."

Kazuichi took off the bright pink helmet he had picked out and tossed it to Hajime who caught it, before he got comfortable on the sidewalk step, far away from his pile of body fluids. "I told 'em I get motion sick," he huffed.

Hajime looked at the different holes of the helmet, circling it in his hands before he shrugged: this is what you had meant, wasn't it? "Sure, it could be fun," he said as he looked at the board and took it, holding it under his arm.

Ibuki grinned, tilting her wheels in away so she was rolling forward.

"Ever been on a board before?" Nekomaru asked.

"That is what we are going to find out," Hajime said, it clacked on the sidewalk when he threw it down and hopped onto the bolts before it rolled away.

Why, did he feel like he was about to cry all of the sudden?

He pumped once, then twice then thrice till he had nice momentum, and he rested his feet on the bolts. Twisting his legs, the board skirted and it flipped around. He pushed out again, going to the edge of the sidewalk, and did what he could to pop himself up onto it, before rolling right back to it.

"Oh wow!" Kazuichi held his head up. "You are pretty good, Hajime!"

"Ya, you have the basic form down," Nekomaru laughed.

Hajime began to smile as he looked at the board underneath him. He bent down as it rolled and grabbed the side, jumping into the air and letting the board flip before he slammed his feet back down on the bolts.

He laughed, he felt so young!

"Give it a shred!!!!" Ibuki cheered and Hajime could see the railing as a barrier to the road by the side of the resturant and he smirked, leaning his head forward as he built up speed.

He launched himself towards it, and lifted the board off the ground: and his feet did not stay attached the way he should.

Everyone flinched before it happened.

BANG

"oooooooOOOOOOOOOAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!"

Nekomaru got Hajime an icepack for his balls.

Hajime held it under the table of the dinner, leaning forward to sip his orange juice from a straw.

"You did pretty rad, before uh- well-" Ibuki looked to the side, swinging her root beer float over to her and taking a very long, awkward sip.

Kazuichi sipped from his coke, unable to make eye contact with just how dejected Hajime looked. "At least you didn't throw up."

Hajime looked at them both before letting out a sigh, his shoulders sinking. lower as his head dropped, he could at least enjoy the scent of his juice as he pathetically took another sip from his cup.

The rest of the table looked at each other before Nekomaru patted his shoulder, nearly making him choke.

"You were really impressive! You clearly know your way around a board!"

"But it's not my talent." Everyone else cringed at Hajime's depressed declaration. "For a moment I thought….. I had it," he said as he clenched his fists, squeezing the bag of ice.

"No need to rush on the memory thing, dude," Kazuichi said as he turned his eyes to the side. "I mean- who knows what you are missing," there was some what of a shudder in his voice at what it could be.

Because who knew who he could be…….

"You got skillz either way, Jimmy-bean!!!!" Ibuki grinned as she leaned over.

"It's a hobby, ain't it?!" Nekomaru grinned down at him. "That is something fun you remember about yourself, and you can build from there!"

Hajime's body tensed up as he looked up.

"You know, you kinda remind me more and more of one dude, uh….. he's an anime character, detective and rides a skateboard… what's his name," Kazuichi scratched his chin.

"Detective Conan!" Ibuki exclaimed leaning forward.

Hajime blinked and he hummed. "That- sounds familiar."

"Ha!" Nekomaru laughed. "Maybe your the SHSL Detective! Decided to take right after Conan."

"I don't, quite think that is the case," Hajime's shoulders sank but he was at least smiling now. "But…. I guess it is something."

"Step by step, you'll put it together!" Ibuki threw her hand up before she grabbed her root beer float and chugged it down.

"I think I am feeling a bit better," Hajime said as he removed the ice from his balls. "I want to give it another try."

"Already dude, wow-" Kazuichi said. "Hope you don't lose 'em for good."

Hajimed snapped over to glare at Kazuichi. "I am going to be more careful about what I can and can't do, thanks."

Nekomaru and Ibuki both laughed, as Ibuki began to get herself prepared once more for some more skate time!

Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!

Ding dong bing bong

"Ahem…. Hope's Peak Academy 's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make,"  the bear cleared his throat. "Man. watching you all is all so boring. I can't believe anyone would enjoy this slice of life crap you are putting on!!!" Monokuma exclaimed, throwing his drink in the air and hitting one of the monitors. "Skate boarding??? Clothes shopping??? Baking cookies??? You all suck!!! But don't worry, I got something that will spice up this snoozefest! So come all down and meet at Jabberwock Park, for something reallly exciting!!!"

Chapter Text

"I would have expected you to be more eager to face off against Monokuma once again," Nagito said as you walked past the looming ruins to get to the centeral island. "You look so… glum."

"I hate that stupid bear, I never look forward to seeing his fugly face," you said and clenched your fists, digging your nails into his palms. "If I thought I could actually get away with it I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of showing up…. but if posted rules are enforced," orders to meet were likely enforced as well, to make Usami's job easier for group events.

"So you would…. run away?" his voice was airy as his head tilted to the side.

"I cannot deny that is accurate," you said. "Admittedly it is because if we could just ignore the bear, I think all of us would have a better experience. Simply work on the Hope Fragments."

"You are quite attached to this idea still," Nagito hummed as he gave you the side eye. "Is it even still possible, two people have already died."

"I can't imagine a social sim would require 100%," you said. "They would have to account for uncooperative people, such as Fuyuhiko and on top of that…. there are a lot of people here: expecting everyone to get to become best buddies with everyone else seems farfetched at best," you said.

"So…. you are making a guess."

You shrugged. "It's educated."

"Mmmm……" Nagito stared at your profile before he smiled. "I suppose you are quite good at that, aren't you?"

"Well…. this situation is crazy enough it is, sort of like a novel," you said as you held a finger out. "Eventually you gotta just follow the book, and maybe the Hope Fragments aren't worth as much on their own,but they help indicate growing relationships," you cracked a smile. "Even if we needed 100% for that one ending, we can find another…. having strong bonds will help with that."

"Ah, I see," Nagito had a grin on his face. "You… are really amazing, always working so hard to help everyone escape!" the praise poured out in a rapid that almost knocked you over. "You and your hopes are truly admirable, even going as far to work with worthless trash like me!"

You cleared your throat and swallowed. "You are actually quite intelligent, you know that, right?"

"You flatter me far too much, especially when compared to-"

"Hajime!!!!" coming from the other side with a cloud of others, was Hajime by the bridge, You grinned and ran towards him, poor Nagito being dragged by his handcuff like a child who lost control of their dog.

"Mfp-" Hajime held out his arms as you nearly bowled him over, you clung to his waist giving it a tight squeeze, pressing your face to his chest. "It's-" his face was red and you looked up at him.

He could see a puppy ears sprouting from the top of your head and your tail thunking along in the wind.

He leaned away, his hand covered his eyes. "Cute…." the word came out choked.

"Huh?" you tilted your head to the side. "What did you say?" Ibuki burst into laughter, using Nekomaru as a wall to prop herself up.

"Ah man-" Kazuichi looked to the side. "No need to rub it in…."

"Nothing, nothing," Hajime looked down at you and stepped away, taking your unchained hand and holding it in his. He glared over your head towards Nagito, who just smiled at him. It made his eyebrows furrow. He gave you another once over, taking your other hand and pulling it over to look at the cuff. "It's not chaffing, is it?" his eyes had to dart up again and he held his teeth. "He didn't try anything, right?"

"No he didn't, and I am fine, Hajime," you had to laugh before bending up, planting a kiss on his cheek. "How was your day?"

"He got hit in the balls."

Hajime whipped around to glare at Nekomaru.

"A-are you okay???" your mouth dropped and you touched his face when perhaps you should have touched, lower. "What happened???"

"Skateboarding accident," he answered before letting out a breathe. "I am, pretty good at it."

"But not your talent?" Nagito said.

"Hush!" you said before you turned over to Hajime and grinned. "That is wonderful to hear, you will have to show me some tricks!" you had no interest in skateboarding until now, but hearing that…. well, you had a certain grin your face.

"What is that look for," Hajime's nose scrunched as his voice rose a pitch, ready to be defensive.

"Well it kinda makes you like a bad boy."

"No, that's wrong!" Kazuichi yelled from the sidelines, his face turning a shade of pink lighter than his hair. "A dress shirt and tie? That doesn't match the aesthetic of a bad boy at all!!!"

Ibuki looked at his clothes and then him dead in the eyes with a deadpan. "And greasy jumpsuit is?"

"W-well it's more than just the clothes! I mean, his hair, his face: his teeth!!! He sorta looks like an NPC-" Kazuichi let out a gasp. "Maybe he is an AI and that is why he can't remember anything!"

"There- there is no way that is true!!! No one here is an AI, expect- you know- but, not me!" Hajime put a hand on his chest his heart beginning to thunk.

Was he human?

"Monokuma and Usami, despite their personalities, are simple at their core, any AI emulating a consciousness likely would be. Putting it mildly I don't think they'd hide secret talent like skateboarding."

"He could be a Detective Conan Reference! It's like an easter egg!"

"Ibuki doesn't think Jimmy-bean is an AI! He is too much of a simp for that!"

Nagito snorted well Hajime choked. "No I am not!"

Oh you had. "You're not?" the twinge of heartbreak in your voice made Hajime tense up.

"I- what does that mean!?" Hajime's voice was full of offense, completely over shadowed by how his voice cracked in several places. "Of course- I am not!"

"Hajime is a bad liar," Nagito said.

"Shut up!" his head snapped over to Nagito who just smirked at him like a little shit.

"It seems as if you took your sweet time getting here," Byakuya said, crossing his arms as he looked at Ibuki and Nekomaru both bursting in laughter, well Kazuichi was covering his hand to snicker elsewhere, before their joy stopped seeing at the display set up by Monokuma.

"We got here," you said with a shrug. "It is not as if he set a time limit or anything."

"Don't give him any ideas!" Mahiru exclaimed, snapping her head around.

"I mean…. he has likely already thought of it," Nagito said as he crossed his arms.

"Exactly, in theory he can likely force us to show up, but no sense not to drag our arrival out with some good conversation, especially when it is just something unimportant over all," you said as you waved your hand around.

"The motive is the most important thing in a murder!" Monokuma exclaimed as he popped out of the ground. "I would have thought you would know that, it is what gets the iron hot and ready to strike!" he put his paws together and let out a long hissssss sound. "And it was pretty hot last time."

You looked over at the arcade cabinet. "It's…. a video game," you blinked.

"Puhuhuhu, indeed it is!" Monokuma exclaimed as he put his paws together.

"Th-the idea that video games cause violence is- is hard to prove b-because of, c-corelation and causation, so i don't… know what this is going to… to do…" Mikan said as she looked at it.

"Do you think you sound smart using big words, stupid piggy bitch?" Hiyoko yelled as her eyes went over. "No one asked for your opinion!"

"Ya! Can it, klutzy! I wasn't done explaining" Monokuma chimed in with the jeering, through his paws in the air.

"I-I am sorry!" Mikan began to cry, Byakuya was the one who jumped first to console her as she sobbed.

"This is a very special game, created by your truly…." he walked over and gestured to the screen that flickered to life. "A brand new edition of, Twilight Murder Syndrome!!!"

He was met with crickets from the audience, sometimes broken by the sounds of Mikan's whimpering.

"Twilight…. whaaazzat?" Ibuki asked as she tilted her head to the side.

"You guys seriously don't know!?" Monokuma gave a loud groan. "Can't believe the marketable gamer girl got killed off first, she would have made my job easier," he lamented with a very long sigh.

You held your teeth together. "You haven't made you point any clearer, bear."

Monokuma glared at you. "Fine. Twilight Murder Syndrome, originally published in 1996 produced by Human Entertainment and later Spike Chunsoft is an adventure game about investigating urban legends," Monokuma grinned. "Who knows what this edition has…. perhaps some urban legends about your school lives together!"

"It has- some of our school memories??" Kazuichi asked as he held a hand over his mouth.

"Why of course! And the first person to play it will even get an extra bonus prize!!!" Monokuma exclaimed as he ran a paw along the painted outline. "It is quite the neat deal, isn't it! And I will most certainly get a murder out of it."

"So you think- we will kill each other over a video game?" Nekomaru asked before he rubbed behind his neck. "I mean, I have coached at a couple e-sports competitions… and they don't get that bad," he said as he looked away.

"It's not about the game itself, shit for brains: it is about the information found in the game," Monokuma said as he snickered.

"So…. we have to inflict this on ourselves," you said with an even tone of voice.

"Yaaa, I guess if you want to phrase it like that, it would be a self inflicted motive!" Monokuma snickered to himself as he held his paw over his mouth.

"Then- we just won't play it!" Mahiru put her foot down on the ground, her fists quivering in spite of her attempts to be terrifying.

"Ya- only losers play video games anyway," Hiyoko had her hands together as she laughed, looking at the console.

You wanted to thwack her more than ever before.

"Okay, you might not…. but someone else might~!" the bear looked around at the players in his little game. "And whoever plays it first will have that extra information, knowing it first will prepare you for whoever might want to play as a slasher villain!"

"So that… is the real kicker, is it not?" Sonia asked as she held her hands together.

"This, is an utterly foolish motive on your part, Monokuma," Byakuya said as he leaned his body towards the bear. 'I will guarantee that this will not cause a murder, because I will not let anyone play this game."

"That worked soooo well for you last time," Monokuma pointed out. "But it's still against the rules to destroy the cabinet,so I wouldn't go trying that."

"I don't need to," Byakuya said before he moved past everyone, and planted himself in front of the machine. "I failed last time, that is a mistake I can never take back as a leader: but if it is so obviously preventable, then I will do whatever I must," Byakuya put a hand over his chest, clutching the fabric of his suit.

"You are so lame, why can't you do something actually cool, like, chug from a poison bottle to prove a point?"

"You are gonna have to sleep eventually, fat ass…" Fuyuhiko muttered as he glowered at the self appointed leader. "Not to mention, how can we trust you just aren't gonna play it as soon as we leave and get that advantage?"

"Oh, it looks like the girls are fighting already! Puhahahahaha!!!" Monokuma held his tummy. 'Well I have dropped off what I needed, but if you guys kill each other before the day is up again that'd be great!" he cheered before he popped out of the map, leaving you glaring at his spot.

"I have no reason to want to play this game, whatever knowledge it holds is not good to any of us," Byakuya crossed his arms as he jeered back at the machine.

"Is it really, the best idea to just ignore it?" Nagito asked as he tilted his head. "Surely you all, would be able to confront something such as this."

Everyone looked back at him, everyone's faces contorting.

"What, in the world are you talking about?!" Hajime asked, feel heat rise up his neck at the words of the albino boy

He tilted his head. "Am I wrong? And certainly, one of you will try to play it anyway."

"You could say the knowledge in the game is the despair we have to confront," you said, "or it could be the temptation."

Nagito's lips moved into an 'o'. "Hmmm, it does still feel like avoiding the issue, doesn't it?"

"None of your opinions on the matter, matter," Byakuya declared. "That bear wants to be cocky, and I do not feel like giving him the chance to be correct. No one is playing this game."

"So are you just gonna-" Kazuichi quirked an eyebrow at him standing before the machine. "Stand there???"

He sighed as he looked back. "I'd move or destroy it if I thought I could get away with it, but seeing that is not an option…. so if standing here is what I must do, then it is simple as I shall," he held his teeth together.

"Bet it is gonna go soooo great for you this time," Fuyuhiko sneered.

"I am much more aware of my shortcomings, you are all dismissed to your cottages."

Fuyuhiko was letting out a series of curses under his breathe, he left the area first in his huff, then slowly everyone else began to leave next, a select few looking back at the leader who had his back firmly to the machine, looks ranging from distrusting to sympathetic.

You stood in the plaza, only looking at Byakuya…. would this b a good time too-

Nagito shifted, jostling the chain on your wrist. You glanced at him and then at Hajime, who had you as his main focus as his held his lips together. He glared at Nagito before he stepped closer, wrapping an arm around your shoulder.

"We should head back to the cottages."

Nagito gave a yawn. "Indeed, I am quite tired," he hummed as he took one glance back. "I wonder how effectively this will work, I cannot say I have the highest of hopes, running away from problems like this just isn't going to help," he admitted within earshot of Byakuya.

"We have bigger problems and alternatives means of a solution, finding that door code. That is what we should be chasing instead of this stupid bear's stupid game."

"Ya, so stop talking," Hajime said as he swung around into the gap created by the chain, acting as a blocker between the two of you. "Let's just get you back to your dorm."

Ding dong bing bong

"Ahem…. Hope's Peak Academy 's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make, It is now 10 P.M!!!! Please return to your rooms and relax. Let the sound of the ocean gently rock you to sleep…. Now then, sweet dreams everyone! Good niiiiight~!"

Nagito was easy to lock away in his dorm, which just left one thing that needed to be done today.

The door to your cabin clicked behind Hajime as you walked over to the bed. He watched your back before taking in a breathe.

"Are you ready to tell me, about…. those hallucinations?" Hajime asked.

You froze, your hand seizing to your chest. "I guess…. no time like the present," you cursed your own tongue as you sat on one side of the bed, and Hajime circled around to the other. You could feel his weight on the mattress and you leaned back to him, touching the back of your head to his back.

He turned to look back at you before he turned around, and you did the same.

"Where, do you want me to start?" you asked as your eyes shifted to the side.

"Well, I guess, you said they only happened when you are alone, that didn't… change, did it? With being alone with only Nagito"

"No, in fact, I haven't seen anything today: probably because I was chained to someone," you said. "Also if I know someone is near by I, don't have any. Like, when you are in the shower, just in the bathroom, stuff like that…. it's, when I know no one is nearby or, like, a building," you put your fingers together, your cheeks puffing slightly.

"And that, was the real reason you wanted to come to my room?" he asked, you gave a nod of your head.

"I thought…. I would feel safest here," your cheeks turned pink at the confession, and Hajime willed himself to keep the conversation serious.

"Are they, how you have so much information?" Hajime asked and you quickly shook your head.

"Nope, the most I can definitively say is that it made me remember the color blood was supposed to be….. though- I guess…. they probably aren't, devoid of it either," you said as you pushed your shoulders together. "I think, it might relate…. to how the world is doing,"

"… Not great?"

"… No…. I have, seen trees of bones and felt as if I was being hunted by the shadows, there has also been, so, so much noise," you could hear the rattling in your ears that never existed to begin with., you held your lips together as the other hallucinations came to mind , your body beginning to tremble. "The sky bathed in red with black smoke and all of the water dyed red with blood."

Hajime felt the air leave his lungs. "That…. is what, you think the other side world looks like?" he asked.

You gave a nod of your head. "I…. if it weren't for that bear, I would say we should be working to stay in here at this point," speaking… of that bear….. "And then… there is one that, stands out to me, I suppose" you said as you wrung your hands together. "I think it might connect with something else odd."

"And what is that?" Hajime leaned forward, his shoulders relaxing as he took your hands into his, keeping them warm.

"A haunting red pair of eyes," the visage came to your mind of those eyes in the dark, you shuddered. "They looked…. as if they were upset at me for existing."

It felt like you had shot him, but his skin wouldn't break: rather is stretched further and further inward making an imprint from the force. It pushed back the air in his lung and it leaked through in almost a gasping sound. "Red…. eyes?" he asked as he blinked. "Why, do you think that has anything to do with this?" he asked, his body leaning forward.

"Well…. I think I could be stretching with this theory, but," you reached into your bag and pulled out the Moving Tale of the Marvelous Meandering Mannequin Man, handing it to him. "This was in my bag when we first got here."

Hajime raised an eyebrow as he opened the book, reading the dedication before flipping to the pages filled with case notes. He flipped back to the first page. "Who in the world is…. Algernon?" he asked. "Does this have anything to do with the book you grabbed? And, what would this have to do with, those eyes?"

"I think it is meant to be a false hope," you said. "I had never seen this book before, so I find it hard to believe I would have any sentimental attachment to it… but, wouldn't it be cruel?" you asked, tilting your head to the side. "It seems like something Monokuma would do, and if the mastermind is the same person with those eyes…"

"Don't you think you are sort of rushing, with that assumption it is a trick?" Hajime's own desperate voice surprised him. "I mean, Dedicated to my Beloved Atlas: I hope that only fortune finds you and you bask in the happiness you deserve seems, sweet."

"It does," you said, cheeks turning flush… It was nice to hear him say that out loud but-. "Love and hate are similar emotions, I think Nagito shows how fortune can be multi-sided, and the depending on his opinion of the happiness I 'deserve'…. well…." you looked at Hajime. "I could be very much you are spiting him."

Hajime held his lips together. "I…. don't know," he said as he turned to the other pages, thumbing through the mostly snow white pages. His brow furrowed at it. "Does the title mean anything? It kinda…. descriptive."

"If the book had any words at all, I'd have something concrete to say, going off my theory it could just be jabbering to spark intrigue" you said. "But taking the title as literally as possible: It is about a marvelous man who is meandering through life and feels disconnected enough from his humanity to consider himself a mannequin. The moving tale perhaps infers how he changes or the lessons he learns, considering folk and fairy tales often come with a lesson of some kind."

Hajime put the book to the side. "I guess, we really can't know with a blank book," he supposed you could go ask Monokuma about that, but he didn't want you actually doing that.

"I know…" you crossed your arms. "At least it is a useful tool," you had to smile at the idea of something that was meant to spite you being something you used to your advantage, even if it was only in a small way.

"You, found that book in the library: Flowers for Algernon, maybe the text has some clues…" he said as he put a hand under his chin. "Have you read through it?"

"I skimmed, and didn't notice anything different, but a closer reading couldn't hurt," you said as you reached over to your bag and produced the ink blotted cover.

Hajime nodded his head, his cheeks turned pink as he shifted to the pillows. "It's, late to go get an extra copy… if you want to, read it in my lap so I can too," he said as he spread his legs and looked at you.

"That- that's a wonderful idea!" Your cheeks flared but you were quickly settled with your back pressed against his chest, pressing your head onto his shoulder as you flipped to the first real page.

Hajime leaned over your shoulder, his eyes beginning to scan the page.

"progris riport l-martch 5 1965

Mr. Strauss says I shud rite down what I think and evrey thing that happins to me from now on. I dont know why but he says its importint so they will s"

"progris riport 4-Mar 8

that maybe they will still use me. I said Miss Kinnian never gave me tests like that one only spelling and reading. They sa"

"We had a lot of fun at the factery today. Joe Carp said hey look where Charlie had his operashun what did they do Charlie put some brains in. I was going to tell him but I reme"

Before you could flip the page on him again, Hajime put a hand over your, holding the paper in place. "I can't read that fast!"

"Op!" your shoulders rose up as you buried your nose into the pages. "Sorry," you said as you looked at him.

"It- maybe," he tugged at the collar of his shirt. "You can read it to me?"

Your mouth fell open before your eyes looked back at the book. "Sure, plus, plus that forces you to read slower and, maybe it will make things easier to catch," you said as you flipped the book back to the first page. You looked back at him, staring up with large eyes. He wrapped his arms around your waist, giving your softness a squeeze. You took in a breathe, before turning back around.

"progris riport l-martch 5 1965

Mr. Strauss says I shud rite down what I think and evrey thing that happins to me from now on. I dont know why but he says its importint so they will see if they will use me. I hope they use me. Miss Kinnian says maybe they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon. I am 37 years old and 2 weeks ago was my brithday. I have nuthing more to rite now so I will close for today.

progris riport 2-martch 6

I had a test today. I think I faled it. and I think that maybe now they wont use me. What happind is a nice young man was in the room and he had some white cards with ink spillled all over them. He sed Charlie what do you see on this card. I was very skared even tho I had my rabits foot in my pockit because when I was a kid I always faled tests in school and I spillled ink to.-"

"April 22 I found out what a Rorshach is. It's the test I took before the operation-the one with the inkblots on the pieces of cardboard. The man who gave me the test was the same one. I was scared to death of those inkblots. I knew he was going to ask me to find the pictures and I knew I wouldn't be able to. I was thinking to myself, if only there was some way of knowing what kind of pictures were hidden there. Maybe there weren't any pictures at all. Maybe it was just a trick to see if I was dumb enough to look for something that wasn't there. Just thinking about that made me-"

You stopped reading and turned your head back, Hajime's eyes closed as his breathe had slowed, his head resting on your shoulder. He had been there for some time, but you were just noticing. You smiled, turning your head to press a kiss into his temple before you struggled to make both of you slide down, so his head was on the pillow.

You kept the book close to you, as you drifted off in Hajime's arms.

Chapter Text

The wood of Nagito's cabin squeaked under your feet. You looked upon him on the bed and smile. 'Good morning, Nagito. I hope you slept well."

He rolled over, the chain connecting him to the bed rattling. "Hmmm, it was nice enough I suppose," he admitted as he sat up. You walked over, giving his wrist a check to make sure it hadn't begun to chaff before you popped the cuff off the bed frame. "I assume Hajime and you had a nice evening."

You had to blush. "Indeed we did, I got to read to him," you smiled at the warmth as you helped him get out of bed. "Freshen up in the bathroom, I will wait out here," you said as you fully removed the handcuff. You put them to the side, and just watched him for a second.

"How kind of you," he rubbed his wrist before smoothing back his hair, the white fluff immediately popping back to it's full height. "I won't keep you waiting."

He was just as quick as he promised to be. You heard the water run a few times but he only took about ten minutes before he was out, dressed in a fresh set of clothes. You came over and was quick to clip the two of you together via the cuffs.

Hajime stood right outside the door, he had evidently been glaring at it the entire time. His expression did melt as you came out and he dove over to be right by your side, craning his neck like an alert doberman towards Nagito.

"Good morning, Hajime," Nagito gave him a slight wave, and Hajime huffed at him, before turning his head away. Nagito sighed as his head fell forward. "Still so icy."

Hajime bite his tongue. "Let's get breakfast, and figure out what the plan is for the day," Hajime said as he jammed one of his hands into his pockets.

The gatedoor swung open when you past it and your three heads turned back like they were all apart of the same Hydra to see Mahiru stepping in. She looked at all of you.

"Hello, Mahiru," Nagito said, his calm voice made her shudder. "Where have you been?"

"I went and brought food and coffee to Byakuya, he has, been pulling his weight," Mahiru admitted as she crossed her arms. "Even if he is demanding I bring him a larger serving because the amount I did bring him was "pitiful," she huffed about that.

"So he is okay?" you asked and let out a sigh, putting a hand over your chest.

"More cranky than usual, but…. that is because he is tired," Mahiru said before sighing.

"Did he use the console, do you think?" Nagito asked and Mahiru glared at him.

"He didn't, I don't think he touched the machine."

"You are awfully certain of that when there were no witnesses around," Nagito said as he tilted his head to the side. "I am not saying it would have been unreasonable."

"He hadn't moved till I arrived, he looked the exact same as when we had left. It was almost, creepy how still he was," Mahiru admitted. "He did spark right to life when offered food however."

"He could have-"

"Nagito," you said as you looked up at him, and his head was like a dog's. "Please stop talking."

Nagito looked towards Mahiru once more, completely silent.

Mahiru looked at him, then looked at you and she just had to give a nod of approval at that one. "I am going to get my own breakfast before bringing him more," Mahiru said as she walked past, and wrapped around the pool in a hurry to get her own breakfast.

"I am glad he is still alive," Hajime said as his stomach twinged from the morbidity of his daily life.

"Me too," you said with a sigh. "But even tired I think that he'd be quite the struggle to take on."

"Someone could plan around a frontal assault, perhaps push the arcade cabinet on top of him?" Nagito asked as you started to walk.

Hajime wanted to push him in the pool. He might have dragged you along with him though. "That would be too loud for him not to notice."

"I suppose that is true," Nagito tapped his chin with his unchained hand. "I think there are materials to make something ranged in the supermarket."

"Nagito please stop trying to draft up a murder plan."

"It is more speculation," Nagito defended himself but still stopped talking one the less as you walked up the outer steps into the restaurant packed with food and people.

The only people missing were Byakuya and Fuyuhiko, neither of them were a surprise. You swallowed down the vague uneasy dread of what could happen.

"Good morning," the feeling was snapped away as Sonia waved over. You smiled as you walked over, not giving Nagito any warning as he was lightly dragged along. Hajime took up the back, staring Nagito down still on edge of him trying anything.

"Good morning, Sonia! I hope you slept well," you said as you slide next to her.

"It was tolerable, given everything. So that is a win of itself," she said with a nod of her head, before letting out a sigh. "it is unfortunate that the library did not decide to keep an archive of podcasts, I would sleep much better."

"You'd really be able to stomach that to sleep to right now?" Hajime asked as his nose scrunched up, before he reached over to one of the piled high plates of seafood.

"Uh-" the sound was pulled out of Sonia and she looked down. "I suppose, in this curtain circumstances I can see where I may come across as…."

"Wow Hajime," there was a level higher of genuine offense in Nagito's voice as he looked over at him. "You really are just rude to women all the time."

"I wasn't- trying to," Hajime put a hand on the side of his face. "That wasn't the intention. I don't think you are heartless or anything for enjoying true crime…" guess it happening to someone else, far away from you did have a level of comfort, of disconnect.

It would just make his mind run even more wild.

"Either way it is not important," Sonia said as she shook her head, and turned to look at you. "For there is something much more pressing I wished to discuss with you."

"Oh? What is it?" you asked.

'Well, I was thinking perhaps a girl's day at the beach would be a great idea to have some bonding time," she said.

Your eyes lit up. "That would be fantastic, oh-oh: if you would be comfortable with it maybe we can try to get everyone in class in on it," you said with a smile. 'We haven't quite had the chance for a whole group bonding activity."

Sonia seemed to beam. "I think that would be good, to. The more the merrier is the phrase, correct?" the smile dropped just a tad. "I am, a tad worried about the crowd size."

"Well we can help with all of the prepwork," you offered and looked at Nagito and Hajime with a smile neither of them were willing to refuse.

"Ya, I…. guess," Hajime said as he looked away. "Whatever."

"I do not know what help trash like me could be, but I would be happy to do what I can," Nagito smiled and Sonia, gave a uncertain smile back at him.

"Well, that would be quite nice," she said before she looked over at the other students who had all sorted into their own clusters.

"Well, let's get started on the announcement," you said and Sonia nodded. She stood up from her chair and you stood right besides her.

"Everyone, I-"

"-WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BEACH PARTYY!?" Mahiru, Hiyoko, and Mikan all jumped to the side as Ibuki stood up, grinning from ear to ear.

"Well, yes," Sonia nodded her head.

"Hey that's a pretty good idea!" Nekomaru laughed. "Our last beach day got caught short by Monokuma, so they would be a great way to have a second go at it!"

"And, all of the girls will have a chance to pick out their own swimsuits," Kazuichi said as he covered his mouth with his hand, stars of possiblities beginning to glint in his eyes.

"This would be a good chance for you to practice putting on your Kimono, after the party, Hiyoko," Mahiru said as she leaned towards Hiyoko whose head sunk lower, trying to make sure she wasn't heard by anyone but Mahiru. Mahiru's eyebrows shot up and she nodded her head. "That is just another thing to work on, like the Kimono tie."

"I…. suppose it would be a good way to have us all together," Peko said as she crossed her arms.

"We would prefer everyone attend, but ultimately it is optionial," you held in a sigh to smile at Peko. If she was uncomfortable that was a good reason, and moreso you had no idea how you'd peer pressure the yakuza into going to a party.

You couldn't say you were broken up about it, though: you didn't really wanna deal with him.

"You seemed to like swimming a lot!" Nekomaru said as he grinned. "You could stay out in the ocean if ya wanted to!"

"I will consider it."

"It would be nice to see you there," you said before you looked about. "The Chlander beach would be a good place, that way we could put some food and snacks inside of the bathhouse," you said. "I think I could prepare them."

"It does already have that drink cooler there, too!" Kazuichi grinned as he clenched his fists.

"Ibuki will whip up some sick tunes!" she put two rocker hands in the air, throwing them over her head as she stuck out her tongue.

"Guess this means, also finding swimsuits," his eyes flicked over to you. He could see you, looking quite nice in some alternatives to the basic gym suit that had been given to you before.

You looked over at him, and then that obstructing white shirt of his. "Indeed,' you said before you made eye contact with him.

Both of you coughed and looked away from eachother, and Nagito laughed. "My you both are flithy minded, aren't you?"

"Shut the hell up!" / "W-wha- no, I wasn't!"

Sonia looked over and she had a grin like the grinch on her face. "Nothing wrong with it you know," she said.

"We have party prep to think about," you said.

"Geez," Mahiru crossed her arms and mumbled some choice words about the scene you two hadn't been trying to make with your horny glances. "Can you guys get a room?"

"Ya, no one wants to watch you make out in public!" Hiyoko exclaimed, practically hanging off of Mahiru's arm.

"Ya, okay, whatever," you said as you rolled your eyes. "Again, party prep. Is anyone other than Nagito allgeric to anything?"

No one had anything to pipe up with and you nodded your head, safe from everything but the peanuts.

"We will have it tomorrow in the afternoon, when the sun is high in the sky!" Sonia held a hand up in the air with a grin.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Kazuichi was rocking his fist in the air. He leaned down and mumbled something about Sonia in a swimsuit.

Nagito and you matched with the head turn and scrunched nose.

"Come on, Mahiru! We gotta go pick out swimsuits!" Hiyoko exclaimed as she grabbed Mahiru's arm, who did not look quite finished with her plate. For someone small she was shockingly athletic as she yanked Mahiru up from her seat.

Mahiru stumbled, her hand being held. "Okay, but- give me a second, Hiyoko!' she barely caught her barings before she was taken at running.

"Wasn't she going to bring food to Byakuya?" Hajime asked.

"Not anymore."

"Can you bring Byakuya something. Hajime?" you asked with a nervous smile. Hajime looked at you, and then Sonia before he gave a nod.

"Ya, I can do that," he said. "I assume you will get ready for the party."

"Yep, how about we meet at the Diner? I think that would be the best kitchen for me to use," you said.

"Ya, I will see you there," he held his jaw tight as he looked at Nagito, who smiled at him.

"I hope things go well with Byakuya," he said.

Hajime hissed at him before he bent over and kissed your temple. "Stay safe."

"I will be okay, I promise," you smiled as you took his hand and kissed his knuckle. "See you later."

"This place is, unsettling," Sonia noted as she looked upon the rows of shelves. "Even more so with how long it took me to realize it is, odd…."

"The digital illusion was rather impressive," Nagito said. "Even with the few limits of what can be found here, it is expansive."

"It reminds me of eldrich horror, my mind… has trouble compherending," she said, shuddering once more at how she ever thought this realm could be real.

"It shows the skill of whoever made this," you said as you peeked into one aisel, before you stopped, flipping your body around. "What happened!?! Where did it go?!"

Sonia and Nagito both peeked where you were looking, a candy section stood tall and your face turned pink. "Is that, where the enegry drinks were?" Nagito asked.

"Yes!" your voice cracked. "Where did it go?!"

"Maybe the stock rotates," Sonia said before she turned her head. "Either way, we have other matters to attend to."

You let out a sigh. "Maybe we will stumble past it…" another cruel trick of that bear no doubt. You wanted to dig your fingers into it's fur and rip it to shreds.

"Hopefully," Nagito closed his eyes. "A little pick me up would be nice."

"I do not think you should have one of those, Nagito. Your health is rather poor."

Nagito shrugged. "I mean, it has the same odds of killing me as anything else I consume," he said as he crossed his arms.

"Killing you instantly," Sonia clarified as you all wandered towards the Swimsuits, wading through clothes to get there.

You stopped and leaned back to look at a top, picking it up off of the rack. It was a light fabric in a creme color, with large sleeves that puffed out: decorated with oranges and their blossoms. You turned it over, it was pretty but that had very little to do with why you grabbed it.

"I think Hajime would like that one," Nagito smiled before he reached over to one of the racks closer by him, and grabbed a dark brown skirt the contrasted and complimented the top.

Sonia nodded her head. "Yes, and you would look very bonita," she said as she held her fingers together.

"Well, we can try it on with any swimsuits we grab," you said as you insisted to keep shuffling forward but still hugging onto the top.

"What about this one, Mahiru???"

"Well, that one looks n-"

"Oh! This one!!!! What about this one!!!" Hiyoko was beaming as she held up another one, dropping the bikini she had been holding to the ground. Mahiru chased after, trying to pick up everything afterwards.

"There are a lot of good options," in her arms in all sorts of colors was a bouqet of swimsuits. "How about we go try some of them on and see which one you actually like?" Mahiru asked.

Hiyoko looked over and pouted. "But there are soooo many, it is hard to pick!" she sighed like a child before her eyes looked up, and narrowed at the intruders on her shopping date. 'What are you fugly guys doing here!?" she snapped.

"Now that isn't very nice, Hiyoko," Sonia said as she held her hands together.

Hiyoko stuck out her tongue. "Why should I care about that?" she asked.

"Manners can get you pretty far in society, rather than simply wrecking the department store," you said as you looked up at poor Mahiru, who shuffled around the elastic fabric in her arms. Her nose scrunched at you, but she didn't say anything.

"Okay but who cares?"

"I would rather have this area be kept rather neat," Sonia looked around. "If a mess were to truly break out here, I do not think all of us could clean it up…"

"Well that is a you problem then," Hiyoko crossed her arms and looked away.

"Mahiru seems to care," Nagito said as he looked at her with a closed eye smile. "you are working awfully hard to keep everything of off the ground."

Hiyoko stopped and looked back at Mahiru, carrying all of the clothes she had disregarded. Her face went pale before she grabbed Mahiru hand, and yanked her with such force all of the swimsuits came tumbling out. "I am bored of this already, let's go play with the cow, Mahiru!"

"H-Hiyoko, wait a-" Mahiru got a bikini top tangled between her legs, kicking it off to the side before she was dragged out of the store.

"Christ," you mumbled before you picked up one of the swimsuits displayed on the ground. "We can't even take any of these to wear," you mumbled as you picked up one of the childsized swimsuits.

"If you would like, I can clean this up well you both pick out what you want to wear," Nagito offereed as he began to bend down to gather the clothes on the ground.

"Nonsense, Nagito! It will go faster if we all put in some elbow grease!" Sonia grinned as she bumped up a bicep, before she bent down and started to throw them over her shoulder.

"The changing room had a clothes return," you said as you pinched each one you put over your arm. "We should just need to get it there!"

Nagito gave a nod, smilinh a bit as you all worked to clean up the store floor.

Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hajime looked up from the cooling food when he heard footsteps on the bridge. His neck snapped up making eye contact with bright red eyes.

Hajime stared down at Peko, swallowing.

She looked at him and her eyes narrowed. "Is there something you require of me?" she asked.

"No, just, looking at your eyes," Hajime said as he looked away towards the blue ocean and the weaves. "They are like, rare coral, or uh- fish."

Peko blinked at him, staring down at him. "……. I do not appericate the attempt to be hit on by a taken man."

"What!?" he snapped his head to look at her, his cheeks almost matching the suspcious eyes. "I wasn't, hitting on you! It was just an observantion!" Peko seemed like someone who was, best admired from afar.

A fact that may prove itself to be more true soon.

"I am, going to finish bringing this food to Byakuya," Hajime said as he began to shuffle away.

"Yes, you do that."

"What is with that face?" Byakuya asked, the bags clear under his eyes by the arch given when he quirked an eyebrow down at the amensic boy.

Hajime looked at him and then at the tray of overflowing food, before he shoved it towards Byakuya, a small pile of eggs trying to hit the ground but for someone with more money than god, Byakuya snatched the would be foodwaste with impressive speed, popping it right into his mouth. "Just take the food."

Byakuya took the tray but did not look sastified with that answer. "Are you thinking about it again?"

'This is something different," he said as he waved his hand. "Something I can't tell you."

"It is unwise to keep secrests in this sitution, Hajime," Byakuya balanced the tray on the podium Monokuma had announced the game at, crossing his arms.

"It isn't my secret," that was more than he should have said and felt it immedately.

Byakuya at least took the hint. "And then them being with Nagito makes it worse?" he asked.

"Partly, at least, Sonia is there. It's mostly not, knowing anyway to help with it," Hajime sighed as he wandered over, he was certain he had time whilist you went shopping.

Thinking of that, actually: "There is going to be a party tomorrow, as a bonding activity."

Byakuya's brows furrowed before he closed his eyes, smiling. "I am please to hear that," he let out a long yawn. "But my goal remains the same."

"You sure you gonna be able to do that?"

"Who do you think I am?" Byakuya sneered. "I am the heir to the Togami Clan, staying up past my bedtime won't be a bother to me," his hard expression broke as he let out a long yawn, stretching his jaw out and making his sleepy eyes water.

Hajime had to hold his teeth together in order not to copy him. "Do you want me to stay here for a couple of minutes well you at least, freshen up in the bathroom or something?"

Byakuya looked at Hajime, anaylaing him from all angles. "Let me eat first, but that would be, nice," Byakuya said before he sat down at one of the bench, almost snapping the wood in half with the force in which he put himself to rest. He let out a long huff before he snapped a crableg in half, sucking it clean.

Hajime stood there and he looked around before at him, he managed to hold his tongue long enough to find nicer words. "You seem to be, quite the gourmet,"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Byukuya asked. "If I have access to good food I intend to enjoy it."

"I suppose- I just wouldn't expect you to care as much about it as you do," Hajime said with a shrug. "You seem like someone who would be used to it."

Byakuya looked down at the food in front of him, tapping his foot on the ground. "Food is required to survive, should I have the opprunity to partake in it, it is only right I savor every part of it, it is only the proper thing to do when one has the luxury," he answered before he shredded into some shrimp, using a generous amount of lemon butter.

Man he just had breakfast but he was getting hungry again.

Byakuya reached for another shrimp, holding it in his hand before he sighed, and held it out to Hajime. "Have some self respect and ask. Don't look like such a kicked puppy."

Hajime blinked, and he took the bright pink shrimp. "Thanks," Hajime popped it, biting off to the tail. Hajime looked at the empty spot on the bench, and well he sort of had to squeeze he was able to shuffle in.

Byakuya ate, occasionally offering Hajime some scraps well he sat in slience. Byakuya put the tray to the side and huffed. "Considering your consideration in bringing this here, I shall bring all of my dishes back," he said as he gathered Hajime and Mahiru's offering to him. "Then I shall get myself ready and return."

"Feel free to take all of the time you need, I am not in a rush.

He was quick to leave, seeming to rush to not keep Hajime alone for long.

Hajime supposed he was fearing for his safety, which was a sentiment he could appericate.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Sonia had put herself in charge of carrying all of the groceries and party supplies from the market, a task Nagito had tried to do, until he nearly fell over from all of the weight of the ingreidents. Her bicep had already been defined but in some ways it surprised you how strong the princess was.

"Are you sure you don't want any help?"

"Oh nonsense, this is nothing compared to lugging around sandbags!"

You were taken a back. "Sandbags?"

"Novoselic has a long history of military training, even members of the royal family are given basic up to commander rank training," Nagito explained as he crossed his arms.

Sonia nodded her head. "Indeed, I am wellversed in firearms, heavy weaponary, tanks and even fighter jets, not to mention several forms of hand to hand combat," she was beaming as she said that and your mouth fell open.

"Oh damn- okay-" you leaned forward and looked at Nagito, "I suppose it wasn't demanded for extended family."

"Oh they tried," Nagito sighed but smiled. "i was not built for it."

Sonia cringed. "I, still apologize," she said with closed eyes.

"It is all in the past now," Nagito smiled.

Your nose scrunched, electing not to ask questions.

Stepping onto the center island, Hajime was waiting by the bridge. You looked at him and grinned.

Hajime blinked and his cheeks turned pink, his eyes looking up. "W-what's with the new outfit?" he asked.

Your cheeks puffed into a pout as you put your hands together by your waist, swaying back and forward, the large sleeves you had secured by your elbows rolling down to your wrist. "Do you, not like it?"

"Don't- go putting words in my mouth," Hajime held his teeth together. "It, does look nice on you," he crossed his arms, tilting his head down to mostly now stare at the cute orange themed top.

You grinned at him, letting the fabric dance as you held your palms down to the ground, swinging side to side letting the brown skirt catch some air. "I am glad!"

Hajime put a hand over his face, letting out a series of words that really didn't mean anything.

Sonia covered her mouth as she tried to contain her laughter.

"What was that about not being a simp, Hajime?" Nagito asked which made Hajime look up, scrunching his nose.

"Oh- shut up," Hajime let out a sigh as he looked at the many bags Sonia was holding. "Need a hand?"

"Nope, I am just fine," Sonia smiled and Hajime gave a shoulder before he went to holding something much more important: your hand.

It made the walk to the second island feel swift, as often as Nagito tried to keep talking.

Most everything gotten was for BBQ, burgers and hotdogs with buns and all of the ways to give it the works. He could seen see a couple packs of bacon and containers of fruit.

"Are you sure that isn't too much food?" he asked looking at the numbers.

"Well, figure there is going to be," you hummed. "Pressumably 12 people there, and two of those people are Nekomaru and Byakuya," considering how bad you had been craving a burger too… You could easily see yourself enjoying more than one.

"I don't think we need to be super worried about food waste, Hajime," Nagito said as he closed his eyes. "I think Monomi would be happy we are making sure everyone gets their fill."

"Well we are still encouraged not to litter," Hajime sighed. "It's not like leftovers are something to complain about."

"That is the spirit!" Sonia grinned as you crossed into the parking lot. "I am going to get started on the beach house," she said with a nod of her head.

"That is great, thank you, Sonia!" You smiled as she went inside to sort all of the bags. "Well, when I am cooking I don't think you want to be chained to me in the hot kitchen," you said with a smile. "Unless you want to help?"

"I would like to, but I am a horrible cook…. and with my luck," Nagito crossed his arms. "It is safer for everyone if I stay out of the kitchen."

"Do you, need help?" Hajime asked looking at you, before he gave a glare at Nagito.

"I think I can get it by myself, if you want to spend some time with Nagito you said," before you called for your favorite monochrome creature on the island to get the much needed key.

"That's one way to phrase it," Hajime mumbled before he tried to puff himself up as Nagito was unclipped from his lead, but he would be no where near free, and all he had was that care free smile.

"I promise I will behave, Hajime," Nagito put his freed hands behind his back. "You don't need to look so angry."

"We will see about that," Hajime cirlced around to be behind him as he herdied him towards the interior, leaving you to sigh behind them.

You ducked into the bathroom to change back into your sundress (because no way you were going to attempt cooking with those puffy sleeves) and stepped out, seeing both of your boys comfortably seated in the booth.

You smiled as you stretched your back, and headed into the kitchen.

The kitchen was greasy.

You looked around the room that in every way was standard, clenching your jaw as you walked towards the metal table.

You stared at the metal, feeling the world twist underneath you.

Your mouth fell open and you closed your eyes, shaking your head as you put a hand on your temple, before you looked at the bags that had been kindly laid out for you.

You sucked in a breathe trying to get over yourself as you reached for one of the large industral-plastic cutting boards on the wall.

There was a head of lectucce in the bag.

You stared at the knife in your hand.

Clang

Hajime immedately stood from his seat, throwing himself behind the counter and lunged into the kitchen.

You were crotched on the ground, holding your head. You were panting heavily as you stared at the knife on the ground.

"H-hey!" Hajime didn't intend to shout as he bent down, grabbing your shoulders. "What's wrong?"

You jerked away from him before you grabbed onto your hair. "I-I am sorry," you sputtered out as you curled in on yourself.

"Why are you apologizing?! What happened!?' he tried to check you over, but he couldn't see any signs of bleeding.

You whimpered, your breathing getting heavier.

Nagito stood by the door of the kitchen, he blinked looking at you huddled on the ground. "Now this is…. unexpected," his voice sounded strangely hollow. "I expected more from you."

You tensed up before letting out a choked sob. Hajime let out a breathe.

Hajime then punched Nagito in the jaw. Nagito held his face as he landed on the ground outside the kitchen.

"Shut up! You have no right to 'expect' more when they've done enough, you asshole!" Hajime's face turned red as he stomped his foot towards Nagito, before he whipped his body around towards you.

You were huddled under the table, crying into your knees as you let out loud sobs, breathe shaking with the rest of your body. "Hey! It-it's okay!"

"You aren't helping with all of your yelling!" Monomi popped out of the side before she scurried up to you. She took both of your hands. "Hey, hey, can you breathe for me?" her normally high pitched voice had a calm lull to it.

You choked on a breathe, forcing out a sob with a next before you glupped down air.

"That it- you are doing great, do you want to leave this room?"

You quickly nodded your head, and Monomi helped pull you out from under the table. "Yep, that's it….. let's go you water," Monomi looked at Hajime who dashed over to the sink at the cue.

You helld onto Monomi's paw, clinging onto the soft rabbit like your life depended on it. She had you sit on a booth, you were still shaking and breathing was heavy, but Monomi's encouragements helped, and the water really helped you calm down.

You slouched over on the booth as you stared into your reflection in the water. "I am sorry…. I, did really…. want to cook" you mumbled.

"It's okay! The party is a team effort," Monomi said as her ears went into the air, "Someone else can handle that part, and you did all of the shopping so you can feel proud," she said as she nodded her head.

You took another sip before your shoulders tightened, you looked over at Nagito who had leaned up on the wall, and looked away from him immedately. "I am… sorry, I am feeling tired," you said.

"Let's go back to the cabins, then!" Monomi looked at the boys and she pulled out the chain. Hajime grunted as he snatched the collar.

"I'll handle bringing him back," Hajime muttered as he glared down at Nagito.

Nagito looked at him, before he closed out his hand and sliently offered his wrist.

Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!

You laid on the bed as Hajime sat behind you, putting a hand on your shoulder. "You…. going to be okay?"

"Ya," your voice was dull when you said that, staring at the bookshelf. "… Sorry."

"You shouldn't be apologizing," Hajime said as he brushed his hand down, pushing his lips together. "You have nothing to feel bad over."

"But I do, I," you sat up, and leaned in his arm. "I don't understand why just like everything else and it is, frustating to not underdtand why," you said as you turned your head into the fabric of his shirt then looked up at him. "Which is ridlcous to complain to you about…"

"What do you mean by that?" Hajime's nose scrunched up as he leaned back.

"Just, it is because of stuff I don't remember, and, well you don't remember anything," you held up your hands and leaned away.

Hajime blinked and he looked away. "Don't, start thinking about it that way," he said as he looked at you. "Look it sucks remembers nothing but with you, remembering so much…" Hajime let out a breathe. "Well it doesn't seem to be working great for you either"

You lowered your head. "It's really not," you looked at your hands.

Hajime put a hand on your shoulder, before moving the hand up to have you look at him. "We both have our own issues here but…. I am glad to have someone who trusts me here."

You let out half a laugh as you smiled at him. "Ya… me too…" you let out a yawn. "I am… kind of tired right now."

"Take a nap, I will stay after you fall asleep," Hajime said as he sat on the bed. He would maybe ask Sonia to bring dinner for you both so he could stay.

You nodded and laid back on the bed, snuggling up with the covers. You could feel his weight on the bed and pushed your back towards him.

His warmth helped you fall asleep.

Ding dong bing bong

"Ahem…. Hope's Peak Academy 's School Trip Executive Committee has an announcement to make, It is now 10 P.M!!!! Please return to your rooms and relax. Let the sound of the ocean gently rock you to sleep…. Now then, sweet dreams everyone! Good niiiiight~!"

Chapter Text

The problem with taking naps in the middle of the day is it causes you to not be able to sleep as great at night.

You stared up at the ceiling of the joint cabin, resting your hand over your stomach as Hajime held you close to his body. You let out a long breathe through your nose as you admired the woodgrain of the rafters and the several spindly spiders that looked like metal fingers climbing around the walls.

You mind wandered between what you saw in the kitchen to who took care of the cooking in your stead to….. ahhhhhh they had the least to do with you: so why was it the topic hardest for you to escape.

You turned your head upwards- “Ah!”

Hajime stared at you, his green eyes reflecting the scant light of the moon, his expression was blank as he tilted his head. “You have been awake.”

“I-I am sorry,” you mumbled as you looked away. “Did I wake you?”

“Yes, but I don’t mind seeing you,” he answered, his voice was made more attractively deeper from drowsiness before the hand on your waist crawled up, cupping your cheek. “What is distressing you now? Is it still the events in the kitchen?”

“I- part of it, I guess….” You sighed. “I am also worrying about Byakuya…. “

“Ah, natural for you I suppose… to worry about others before yourself,” he said before he closed his eyes, moving his hands over to his chest where he rested almost like a corpse.

"Well I-" You blinked as you sat up in bed. “What are you doing?”

“You wish to check on them, don’t you?” He asked as his eyes opened again, flicking his pupil to look at you. “I am not a fool, you are too stubborn to be stopped.”

Your mouth fell open, your cheeks turning a little red. “I, would not say I am not that stubborn….” You mumbled.

“Would you rather I phrase it as determined?” He let out a chuckle that went like the wisps of the wind, he closed his eyes letting out a breathe.

You fiddled with a response before your mind got more muddled by his mood. You pursed your lips together and looked at him with raising an eyebrow. “You really don’t mind…?”

“I would rather you not, but as long as you take Usami there shouldn't be an issue,” his voice began to taper off at the end. “I know….. you will be fine, though….”

You smiled at Hajime before you kissed his temple. “I will….” You looked up in the dark, swallowing as your lips went flat. You weren’t, sure how much of a difference it was going to make.

Hajime fell back asleep and you worked to have better clothes for the colder night air, before slipping out. You closed the door behind and took in a breathe. “Usami,” you called into the night, and the bunny popped to say hello.

“You should really be getting all the rest you can, you know,” she said as she crossed, looking as a disapproving mother would.

“My nap served me well,” you said as you put a hand behind your back. “But I am more worried about Byakuya, Hajime told me that they looked…. Tired.”

Monomi held her paws together. “I suppose….. worrying for a friend, would always make it harder to sleep,” she said as her ears moved in the air. “They have been working so hard to prevent a murder,” Monomi began to tear up, before she covered her face.

“H-hey!” You bent down to look at her. “What’s wrong?”

“It- should be my job to protect the students!!!! I don’t need to sleep, but- but-“ she began to boohoo some more, and you patted her shoulder.

“Hey, it’s okay: you shouldn’t have to handle this situation, and neither should we: but we are all making the best of it!” You reached up and patted between her ears. “You are supposed to bring comfort rather than guard, and we can guard rather than comfort, right? All like teamwork!”

“….. It sure doesn’t seem anyone else wants my comfort,” she admitted with a sniffle before she stood on her hind legs, giving a nod. “B-but you are right, even if….” She looked at you before she shook her head. “I shouldn’t shame a good work ethic,” she mumbled before she had you stand up and took your hand.

The black clouds above swirled with red shadows. You stood near the first bridge and looked down at Monomi. "Thank you for walking with me…. but for now, would it be okay if I spent some time alone with Byakuya?" you asked with a smile.

Monomi's ears went straight into the air. "Of course, I don't have any problems with friends spending alone time with each other!" she nodded her head eagerly before she disappeared. You smiled before you turned your head

And walked into the park.

You stood staring straight at Byakuya and the timer. Their arms were crossed with their eyes closed, mouth open with heavy breathing.

You took a single step closer and like an old animatronic Byakuya came to life, snapping his head upwards. “What-“ a yawn was forced out before he tried to look intimidating “Are you doing here? More snooping?”

“If it was made by the bear then I am sure it is a shitty game, one I have no interest in playing,” you said as you crossed your arms before looking at him. “And given our goals are aligned in wanting no one to play it, I figured I can take a turn.”

“No, I am fine enough-“ he couldn’t stop another yawn as he tried to trap it shut in his jaws. “Return to your cottage and go back to sleep.”

“I already took a nap, I am well rested,” you said as you held your hands in front of yourself.

“Ah yes, because someone who had a panic attack is suddenly ‘well rested’” Byakuya rolled his eyes and shot daggers at you. “Go back to sleep and leave this to the one best suited for such a task.”

“Ah yes the idea of ‘best suited’ I suppose is another thing I want to talk to you about, considering we are alone,” you said and looked around the area quickly after you made your declaration. “You should really rip off the bandaid you have hanging on you, lest someone else yank it off for you.”

“……. get to your point.”

“I know you don’t have an ill intentions with your lie, at least towards us: but…. The others might not see it that way,” you closed your eyes.

Byakuya leaned back before they straightened up, making themselves as big as they could manage. "You speak as if you are the most honest person here."

You sighed. "I have told you almost everything."

"Then what was Hajime worried about?"

Your shoulders fell and you let out a sigh. "It's not- if people find out about you they are going to be pissed for hiding who you are: if they find out about my secret I assume pity is more likely of a response," you explained as you crossed your arms, puffing out your cheeks.

"I don't accept that answer," Byakuya said. "If the secret you claim I have is so important, then you cannot go thinking yours isn't."

"Okay so- 'claim you have' is something considering the 'guide to faking your death' you've got in your room,' you crossed your arms. "I don't know how many heirs need that." You held up two fingers. "And you were the one who assigned yourself as leader, lying to everyone the whole time isn't great."

"You- looked at my bookshelf???" they asked as they cringed.

"I am the SHSL Literary Critic of course I looked at your bookshelf!" you said and did the jazz hands. "I haven't told anyone, not even Hajime. It is just, there is no way it isn't already known about by people you don't want to know. If that fucker reveals it before you do no one is going to be happy with you."

Byakuya closed their eyes. "Fine, I can understand your concern. It is something… I will take into consideration," they pushed their glasses up the bridge of their nose.

"Goo-"

"But that does not change mine, what is it you are hiding?" they asked and then they looked at you. "Should you tell me….. I will let you watch over the console and go get rest."

You sighed. "So stoop down to using your own well being to blackmail me,' you crossed your arms.

"I think it is more than a fair deal, considering the risk I am taking by allowing you near the motive…. if you tell me what you are hiding, it is a sign I can trust you enough."

You held your lips together before you clenched your eyes shut, letting out a breathe. "I am experiencing hallucinations. It is- was- when I was alone…"

"Was?" Byakuya raised an eyebrow.

"…. When I went into the kitchen I," your throat tightened. "It- got worse since then," you asked as you looked at the sky that you knew was clear, you could see the way the moonlight forced a shadow to cast on the side of the arcade machine: but the sky was still black and red and cloudy.

Byakuya deadpanned. "… and so you just tend to stand alone well you are in a likely worse psychosis?"

"I was going to have Usami come back to keep me company…" you pouted when you looked away. "Besides, I am going to have to deal with whatever I have long term, you being sleep deprived is a short term problem with a very simple solution: and there is no good in a sleepy leader."

"You have made your point, but as the leader I demand that you speak to Mikan about this," Byakuya pointed a finger at you. "Bottling this up won't help you, and her knowledge of medicine goes beyond just the body."

You gritted your teeth but sighed. "I, will….." you didn't wanna, but- if it was going to get worse then Hajime couldn't just be your medicine anymore. "Now go to bed!"

"You did what I asked, so fine, I will…. but don't try and getting away without going to the nurse," they said before the stepped away from the machine. You slipped over to take their spot.

They looked back at you before they left the park, which made you feel more pitied than you wanted to be.

Then you were alone.

You closed your eyes before you opened them, and the world didn't look to different yet. You leaned back so you were almost sitting on the buttons of the arcade cabinet before you looked back at it, and puffed your nostrils out.

"A video game as a motive, how dumb," you said as you made direct eye contact with the secruity camera.

You waited but your taunt didn't get you anything. Perhaps that thing needed to sleep itself or perhaps it wasn't interested in you are the moment. Either way was admittedly fine with you. You bit your lip, maybe you should call for Monomi?

You looked around at what you could see. Thick heavy clouds in the air, and now you could hear the sound of water dripping from somewhere…. but….

you felt calm. Enough at least you were more counting the water drips then worrying about them. Perhaps there was a shower somewhere on the island, and you would feel the droplets coming down upon you soon.

That didn't happen- of course, but it did make you miss the rain.

Your focus cracked when you heard someone trying to be quiet. You flipped around to the back of the machine and coming out from the bushes, with a rag in one hand was Fuyuhiko.

"Ah fucking hell, chloroform?" you asked looking at him.

Fuyuhiko recoiled back. "Where the hell is Byakuya? Ain't he supposed to be the watcher or somethin'"

"I took his shift, thanks," you looked at the rag again and shifted your stance. "What are you doing?"

"No way in hell I am gonna let fatass hog all the information."

"It's not hogging if no one has it," you eyed him carefully and glared at the rag again.

Fuyuhiko looked at that, and then at you, before he took a lunge right for your face. You grabbed his wrist and yanked the rag away. It turned to a tug of war quickly which ended when the rag ripped,

Fuyuhiko broke away holding his half of the rag . You puffed your chest at him before crossed your arms. "Is this really want you to do? Play into his game?"

"I am not going to be in the god damn dark about anything going on here."

"Do you wanna know a better way to not be in the dark?" you asked tilting your head. "Working with everyone so we can all get out of the dark, instead of chasing false fireflies that bastard bear wants to taunt us with."

Fuyuhiko lowered himself. "Don't talk to me like I am a god damn child! I ain't doing all the teamwork shit."

You put your fist to your forehead. "You are the leader of a group! A large group! You have to see some point in working together."

"You think that is how the yakuza works? The only person anyone looks out for is themselves," Fuyuhiko sneered at you. "Working with us is just a means to an end, and I ain't doing that here."

"Okay ya it can be looking out for yourself well still cooperating. On some level you have to understand that your life would be much easier if you tried working with us!"

"So I can get betrayed by you fuckers? Not a god damn chance," he glared. "It's not like anyone here trusts me either."

"You could give literally anyone a chance, ya know instead of trying to use chloroform to get your way."

"Don't try to tell me what to do, stupid fat bitch!"

The heat of your budding annoyance began to spark into bits of anger, and one struck a coal lodged somewhere in your soul. The heat budded with embers before it alighted into a full rage that felt more powerful than just your own.

"Ugh- you fucking ASSHOLE!" you yelled your cheeks turning red, jutting your neck to the side showing a vein. "Do you think for a god damn moment before you do anything!?" you spit with your words.

"Huhhhhhhh?" his voice dragged low.

"If you were just going to be a pain in the ass, you shouldn't have COME here, bastard!" you threw your hands up before you brought them down. "Your attutide is causing problems for EVERYONE here," you gestured around like a wild tornado.

"Why the fuck are you actin' like I wanted to be here?!"

"Have you put any god damn thought into what your fucking MURDER THREATS cause the other to feel? Do you know how much more smoothly getting shit done would be like getting the Hope Fragments if you helped instead of fucking around being a petty little bitch!?" you took a step forward. "Have you thought at all about what Peko thinks about your behavior?!"

Fuyuhiko's entire face turned red. "SHUT UP!"

Thwack

Your head bounced against the arcade machine, your eyes rolled back before they closed and you fell to the ground like a rock.

It sounded like you were underwater as you heard a number of voices above you. "Ehhhh…." you forced your eyes to open.

Hajime had your head in his lap. His neck snapped down, holding his teeth together. “What the hell happened!?”

You groaned as you sat up, holding the side of your head. He had been a great way to block out the sun that now made all of your head become overcome with the searing celestial light. “I don’t, know?” You quirked an eyebrow at him.

Byakuya was standing there too, you were surprised you hadn’t noticed them sooner. They clenched their jaw looking at you. “I cannot believe you managed to trick me with your half-baked confidence.”

“Well sorry, I figured it would be fine,” you said as you put a hand over your eyes, pointing your head down at the ground. How could you have a concussion is your brain never actually rattled around in your skull? “I don’t know who did it,” you added as you looked at the machine before holding out your teeth.

"In all likelihood… the motive has been obtained….”

Chapter Text

Things were, blurry in their details for awhile.

You were shuffled back to the first island, you vaguely remembered the jingling of chains but the sound had left your ears ringing so much you couldn't handle it on top of your already swimming head.

Part of you thought Sonia was handling Nagito, and part of you really did not care

You were hunched over the breakfast table, vaguely trying to eat something before your body almost fell into it. "I am tired….."

"You most certainly can't sleep," Byakuya said glaring at you from beyond the table.

"Cuz I'll die?" you asked glaring at him. "Oh no- anyways," you muttered as you looked down at yourself.

"Hey!" Hajime looked over at you and he held his teeth together.

You spared him a glance and even in your muddled state you felt a tad of guilt. "Sorry, just…….." you trailed of as you stared down at the food in front of you.

"It's fine-" Hajime said as he let out a sigh. He tried to cobble together whatever the hell he had been thinking last night to let you leave alone. "It's, part of your concussion…."

"……" you leaned down and grumbled. "It was probably- Fuyuhiko…" you muttered, you didn't want to throw out names but…

"I mean, who else would it be?" Kazuichi asked as he leaned back on the legs of his chair, craning his neck to cringe at the bruise on the side of your head. "Left one nasty mark…."

"He did…." Hajime's voice went low. Who cared if he was a mafioso, Hajime was damn ready to teach him a lesson in manners.

"He is the most obvious suspect, perhaps too much so," Peko commented as she walked over to your table, using tongs to get some of the coconut shrimp that wasn't apart of any of the other displays. "Multiple people could have desired the motive."

"How many would have used that amount of force?" Byakuya asked raising an eyebrow, to which Peko went quiet.

There was the sound of wood creaking as Mikan, followed by Ibuki: skittered up the stairs. You gave half a wave to them before your head went back down, covering your eyes at the sunlight leaking through one of the many big windows.

Mikan was quick to come over. "Ya, Mikan?" you asked in a dull tone. Her face turned pale and she looked around. Ibuki gave her a double thumbs up and she swallowed down her own anxiety to look down at you.

"I-I- take- these," Mikan shoved a small plastic cup to you, the pills rattling inside. "I- they are from the pharmacy, I- I think, they will help," she said as her body shook.

You stared at the cup. "Thanks, Mikan," you said before you grabbed the water, you threw them down and swallowed right afterwards, your throat bobbing. The moment they hit your stomach, your entire body relaxed.

"How, do you feel?" Mikan asked.

"…. Concussion's gone," you said, all of your sensing seeming to hone in all at the same time, the throbbing in your skull completely ceasing.

"Are- you serious?" Hajime looking at you, and then at Mikan.

"It- said anti-concussive medication on the bottle…." Mikan said as she looked away. "So-so I figured, it would…. work."

"I mean, it makes some sense. To an extent it is an artificial concussion because my brain wasn't actually frazzled, just the digital version…." you closed your eyes at the thought. "Ahhhh, I feel much better!" you grinned as you stood up.

"Any more clarity on who attacked you?" Peko asked.

"Nope," you sighed. "Well, if it was Fuyuhiko….. I gotta give him some credit."

"For what???" Hajime asked snapping his head over. "Not committing a murder?"

"It would have been easy not to have witnesses," you said with a shrug.

"No witnesses doesn't mean he wouldn't be the most obvious suspect…." Byakuya crossed his arms. "I think it is of importance we question him on where he was, and what he was able to learn.”

“I think so as well, but…” you looked around the room. “Most everyone is coming to the party, right? We can focus on that first!”

“I, do not think I will be attending, if it is optional,” Peko said as she closed her eyes, holding her plate tight in one hand.

“Like we said Peko, that is fine! There will be other chances later…. Just, be careful,” you smiled at her. “If he does have a motive no need to be caught unawares with him about.”

Peko had her lips tight together. “I am certain there is no need for concern, but I will keep my eyes open regardless.”

“Thank you,” you looked down at the plate you had been barely picking out, appetite throughly restored and you began to munch.

Byakuya looked at Peko and turned his nose up at her, but did keep his mouth sealed shut. “If there is anyone else, I think that should be our first goal in clean up….”

“No need to worry about that, BK-King!” Ibuki pointed her fingers towards everyone else. “We made sure there was a RSVP!!!”

“No way I am going to miss a team bonding activity!” Nekomaru stood up from his seat, banging his fist on his chest.

“It’s going to be a mostly full house,” Mahiru said and mumbled something about having enough snacks prepared. You put a hand over your chest letting out a sigh of relief.

It was nice to know that was taken care of.

“Hehe, ya,” Kazuichi showed off all of his sharp teeth. “I don’t think I have ever been with a group this big at a party. Not that I have never been to a party before,” he pulled his lips together and looked away.

“I still need to pick up my swimsuit,” Hajime said as he rubbed behind his neck.

“I can show you where the men’s swimsuit section is,” Nagito offered.

Hajime glared at him before you put a hand on his shoulder. “This way I can help Sonia with any last minute setup,” you smiled tilting your head to one side. It made Hajime melt under your touch and he turned his nose up.

“…. Whatever, that… works,” he muttered before he looked at you, his eyes softening. “Just… don’t leave Sonia’s side.”

“I wasn’t going to,” you put a hand behind your neck. “No need to get corner by the short stack attack again,” your eyes drooped a bit.

“Good,” Byakuya said as they looked down at you.

“Fantastic, let us all meet at the beach at about noon, and then we shall party until the cows come home!!!”

Hajime looked down at Nagito’s bare wrist and narrowed his eyes, letting a huff out of his nose at it.

“You do not need to be so concerned, Hajime. It is not like I have been left alone,” Nagito smiled at him.

“Doesn’t mean you won’t try and sprint off…” he muttered as the door bell chimed to the market, the doors sliding open.

“I mean, would you like to chase me?” Nagito asked as he leaned over. “I certainly wouldn’t mind acting as your prey, but I cannot say it would be much fun…. I am rather slow,” Nagito admitted with a sigh as he leaned the other direction.

Hajime felt heat creeping up his neck. “That- what the hell do you mean I want to chase you???” His cheeks were catching a nice color red. “I don’t wanna deal with that.”

“Hmm, really?” Nagito asked as he crossed his arms. “You have seemed so interested in keeping me on a leash.”

“That- wasn’t me, I would have been fine if you stayed tied up,” Hajime turned his head as he sped walk further into the shop, before he sputtered back to make sure he didn’t lose track of the menace so quick.

Nagito let out a light laugh. “Did you enjoy the view?” He asked as his eyes narrowed, mischief dancing on his smile.

“Shut up!” Hajime said as he stopped in front of the racks of swimsuits Nagito had been half guiding him too. Nagito smiled as he stood with his own outfit over his shoulder, taking a step back to give Hajime all of the space he wanted.

Hajime sucked in a breathe to ventilate himself, before he focused on his numerous options. Hajime took one of the swimsuits off the rack, orange with streaks that reminded him of the inside of an orange. He turned it over in his hands letting out a hum.

‘Piss trunks.’

Hajime’s mouth opened at the intrusive thought in his mind. He clutched onto the hanger and shoved it back onto the rack, muttering a series of curses under his breathe as he grabbed a plain green version.

Nagito blinked looking at him. “Something wrong with that one, Hajime?”

“Nothing, just- these….. are better anyway,” the color was pretty close to his tie.

Nagito chuckled into his hand. “Whatever you say, Hajime,” he said, his own swim wear over his shoulder.

“Ya- ya, let’s… just get changed,” Hajime took one look back.

‘There is no way in hell I am gonna be caught dead with some moron wearing piss trunks!”

You had to admire Sonia’s figure in her body swimsuit. You could see just how defined all of his muscles were in it from the apparent military training…. And admittedly it made you slightly self conscious in your own frilly bikini that let almost everything be seen.

You were gifted a grand distraction from that though, as the first group arrived at the beach which was more or less set up.

“Wow!” You looked out at the beach. There were towels and umbrellas set up for places to rest, a volley ball net had been set up and in one anchored off section there were a bunch of floats put out. By one of the walls was a couple of crates surrounded by a string of flowers that Ibuki was quick to hop onto. “You got a lot of setup done!!!” you walked over to a green towel and placed your bookbag down to claim it.

“No good party is complete with out tunes, and tunes need a place to perform!” Ibuki grinned as she did a test shred of her guitar, the notes dancing in the air. Mikan stood the side, looking up at her and holding her hands by her chest.

“I did have quite a lot of help,” Sonia smiled. “Gundham, Nekomaru, Ibuki, Mikan and Mahiru all were kind enough to pitch in.”

You sucked in a breathe and nodded with a smile, a bang of guilt hitting you at your own inability to help. “Well it looks great!” You said before you peeked over at the beach house, which had also been covered in tropical flowers garlands and party decor.

You opened the door to see a table empty but spread out for all of the food needed. There were already a few trays of whole fruits, multiple watermelons, apples, oranges, bananas and all of the other good stuff with more room for much more perishable food.

“Wow, it is so pretty,” you admired as you turned back.

"It should be no shock to you, mortal. It is only natural the Queen of the Dark is sastifactory at arranging uch a trival affair," Gundham crossed his arms, as his hamsters scramped down from the scarf he wore over his bare chest to begin playing in the sand. Jun-P beginning to burrow a nice spot for himself in the soft ground.

"Ah, you are too kind," Sonia closed her eyes as she smiled. "I am pleased you are impressed, however," she put her fingers together. “Mahiru and Nekomaru should be coming with the rest of the food soon, from my understanding they prepared it in the kitchen in that old boathouse. Simple but refreshing fair!"

"Ahhh, why can't everyone be here already!?" Ibuki yelled as she worked on tuning her gutair from her stage. "Ibuki is excited!!!'

"Well I hope we weren't too long," Nagito said as him and Hajime stepped through onto the soft sand. Nagito was wearing blue and white swimtrunks with a matching sweatshirt over top that worked to cover most of his body, whilist Hajime-

Your should sank as your pupils dialated, staring at Hajime… more specfically…..

Your hands squeezed on themselves as you tried to tear your eyes away from his chest but- how could you? His pecs they were, mega naturals. You licked your lips slightly as your cheeks were suddenly becoming very, very sunburned.

Hajime's mouth fell open at your green and frilled swimsuit. He clapped his jaw closed, but his eyes got settled lower, green eyes moving up and down between your hips and thighs, making them bounce from the movement of his eyes.

The desire to drag you into the beach house to break a few rules, and make them really bounce it- His eyes went up towards the blue sky. "Is- there any wood that needs to be chopped?"

"Well, I did not intend for us to be staying out so long as to need a bonfire…. but…."

"Fire is awesome!!!!" Ibuki exclaimed as she threw one hand into the air. "We should totallly have a bonfire!!!"

"I-I don't, think Hajime will need to do much wood chopping, b-because there were nice bundles, at-at the store…" Mikan said as her shoulders raised.

"Ahhh, you should have thought of it earlier, Hajime," Nagito crossed his arms letting out a huff. "Now it is so far away…."

"There is going to be plenty of time, so no rush! We can always send a few people to uh- go…. get some," you looked at Hajime….. hopefully no one would get distracted should that be the case, but considering Hajime was the one who wanted to chop wood….."

You shook your head, trying to reset your head from all of the ways you could make everyone else worried by taking too long.

"Hmfp, an acceptable job," Byakuya said as they stepped onto the sand still dressed in their stark white suit, looking past the house at everything else, in one hand a lock duralium case. "Nothing that could easily be used as a weapon either."

"I- do not think that is as much of a threat here," you closed your eyes before squinting at the case in their hands. "I think we are prepared enough…."

"It would be hard to smuggle any weapons in…. unless someone set one up earlier…." Nagito said as he put his chin in his hand, letting out a hum.

"Nope, nope! Wouldn't have let that happen!" Ibuki announced in a firm tone as she stood tall. "So nooooo need to get worried about that!"

"It is always important to be aware of what everyone else may be planning to do," Byakuya scoffed, turning his head away.

"Well our big threat isn't coming…." you said as you crossed your arms before you looked over at Nagito. "And anyone else who might fill the bill was throughly supervised."

"Yes, yes! It was quite the team effort. No one would have been able to do any sort of sneaking about!" Sonia nodded her head.

"My all seeing eyes most certainly would have noticed," Gundham said as he tilted his head away.

Byakuya huffed. "…. I suppose, there are a good amount of eyes here," he looked up at the bright sun in the sky.

"No intention of going swimming?' you asked, looking at the outfit, then up at their face which with the right squinting, you could see the touches of concealer and conturing. You gave full credit to the fact you were in on the secret.

"No, such things are beneath the Togami heir…. I am much more interested in watching…. and enjoying what ever has been prepared."

Kazuichi was next, running onto the beach with heavy pants, bending down and putting his hands on his electric green swim trunks. His head shot up, looking around and then: he saw Sonia…. and his head dropped. "Awwww, man……"

You were half tempted to smack him on the back of the head.

"There is no need to be in such a rush, Kazuichi," Sonia said as she put her hands together. "The beach isn't going anywhere."

"Ya, I uh, guess not," he said before he sucked in a couple more breathes. He looked around. "Where, are Mahiru and Nekomaru?" he asked.

"Right here," Mahiru said in a rather basic one piece with a floral design, she was holding a rather impressive charchutie board with all sorts of meats and cheeses.

"Awww, worried about us, Kazzy?" Nekomaru asked before he laughed, in either hand a tray that was packed full of veggies and cut up fruits.

"I mean, kinda!" Kazuichi exclaimed before he looked at Hiyoko, who was snickering with a tray of pastries.

"What a sappy loser-" she said turning her head away, covering her mouth.

"Hey! I wasn't worrying about you!" he snapped, which immedately made her tear up.

"Be nice!" Mahiru snapped before she shook her head. You went over to the beach house door and held it open so the parade of food could offically be set up on the table.

"Well, it appears everyone on the RSVP list has arrived," Sonia looked around with a bright smile, before she clapped her hands together. "Let us really start the party!"

"Hell ya!!!" Nekomaru cheered, before his face dropped immedately. "Oh shit!!!!" he screamed, before he was running down the street once more.

"Well," Mahiru's face dropped. "Almost everyone…."

"Good enough!" Hiyoko cheered before she looked towards the water, her swimsuit that just about matched Mahiru's said before she sprinted towards the water, splashing it up and around. "Come on!! Let's play in the water!!!'

"Alright, I am coming, I am coming-" Mahiru said as she ran into the water aft her.

Sonia ran in at a different part, giggling as the cold water splashed up to her thigh. "Ohhh!!!!" she stood on her toes.

Nagito slide his sweatshirt off, folding it to the side and plopping it onto the towel. "Now is your chance to get into the water, Hajime."

Hajime blinked as he looked towards the water.

Ya… He took in a breathe, and he ran forward, the water splashing up from his leg onto his thigh, he didn't stop until his body was submerged in the frigid ocean water. He let out a laugh as salt water stung his eyes, and spit some salty water to make a fountain.

You stood on the shore, the waves coming up to your toes. You grinned as you ran into the water next, Nagito shyly tip toing in.

Ibuki hopped up on her stage. "Let's get some ocean tunes going!!!" she exclaimed as she held up her hand, before bringing her hand down and began to play.

Everyone froze in the water and the beach at the metal sounds that dragged along.

"What in the world!?' Byakuya exclaimed as he snapped his head up.

Ibuki grinned as she kept the , the metal noise becoming almost white. Hajime struggled to paddle after the startle, spitting out water and coughing.metal music going, it- Hajime paddled his legs wildly as he tried to regain his balance after his head dipped, coughing and spitting out water. "Ibuki- what are you playing???'

"Improvising a tuneeeee!" she yelled over her gutair strumming. "Got an inspo list, though!"

"Hey-" Hiyoko stopped before she grinned. "The sound is matching with the waves!!!!" she yelled before she ran up to the side of the beach, her feet moving from the rhythm that was carried by Ibuki's metal shredding."Heyyyy, she is playing it with the rhythm of the ocean!!!" Hiyoko yelled, before she ran onto the shiore

Mahiru blinked before she followed, going up to the beach and picking up her camera from the sand, she focused the lens and snapped a picture of Hiyoko mid-moment, Ibuki in the background well Mikan and Byakuya stood to the side, both of them slowly getting into the loud metal sound.

She swapped the camera around capturing Gundham and Kazuichi in the sand, making seperate castles trying to out shine the other well Sonia splashed Nagito with cold water in a surprise attack, well you were checking on Hajime in the water.

"Woooo!" Nekomaru exclaimed as he came back, wiping his brow. "Don't go into the diner, I left a rancid shit in there," he exclaimed as he wiped his brow.

Mahiru scrunched her nose and put her head in her face. "We didn't need to know that-"

"Ya, dude," Kazuichi pulled down his cap on the beach. "That is way to much TMI."

"Please tell- tell me you washed your hands…."

"Of course I did!" Nekomaru exclaimed as he turned his head towards Mikan. "I never forget!!!" he said with a nod of his head, before he went into the bathhouse, coming out with an apple and some cheese and crackers.

"Please do not drop another posionous bomb…" Gundham said, his eyes narrowing at the snacks.

Hajime let out a long sigh as he put a hand over his face, having caught his balance. You watched his profile as he let out half of a laugh, his shoulders relaxing as he shook his head with a smile on his face.

You grinned at him.

Sonia ran out of the water, going into the beach house and coming out with a lemon-lime soda and a gatorade. Nagito came out of the water and took the can, popping it over.

"Ahhhh, the weather is quite nice," he said. "It makes drinks like these extra refreshing."

Sonia nodded as she popped her bottle open. "Indeed!" she took a long sip.

"Whose up for a round of volleyball?" Nekomaru asked as he bounced the lace ball up and down.

"Oh, me! Me!" Hiyoko ran over and grabbed Mahiru's arm. "Come on, be on my team, Mahiru!!!"

"Alright, alright," Mahiru let out a sigh.

"Hmfp, this volleyball…. prepare, to be defeated by GUNDHAM TANAKA, and Nekomaru," Gumdham said as he went over to the side of Nekomaru.

"That sounds like a great deal of fun!" Sonia grinned as she followed to Gundham's side.

"Hmfp, considering the teams are not even…. I suppose I can dane to play," Byakuya said as he walked over, moving behind Mahiru and Hiyoko and taking up the back of the court.

"Hell ya!!!" Nekomaru cheered, tossing the ball up in the air before giving it a might serve, which Hiyoko was able to return. The beach echoed with the ball being batted around. No one really bothered keeping score for the game.

Ibuki wrapped up the latest song at her lack of dancers before she grinned. "Crazy Kazzy!!!!' Ibuki yelled as she hopped down from the stage. "Wanna do the thing now?!"

"The thing?" Kazuichi had a dazed look on his face before it clicked, and his back went up. "Oh hell ya!!!" he said.

Ibuki reached into one half of her duel colored bikini, and she produced a box full of rubber bands. "Hajjjjimmmmmmmmmyyyyyy!!!!! Grab Ibuki a watermelon?" she asked with her eyes alight.

Byakuya sneered. "You are going to waste food for a party trick?"

"We will do it on the boxes, you can still eat the fruit when it's done… if you really wanna," Kazuichi said as he moved over to the crates, where Ibuki was hopping up and down in the sand.

Hajime looked about and shrugged. "I'll, go get it," he said.

It was just him in the beach house, both of his hands took ahold of the watermelon. He stared down at the green skin as he slipped back out onto the beach.

His fingers travels the rin as he walked closer to the execution block. It was nice and firm and…. familar in his hands.

And oh

so

squeezable.

Crunch.

Everyone on the beach snapped their heads around to look at Hajime, and the mess dripping between his hands. The juice and plup pouring out through his fingers right onto the sand below making a puddle.

"What the hell, dude!?" Kazuichi yelled, recoiling back.

"It looks like brain matter!" Hiyoko yelled as she pointed her finger. "Who knew Hajime would do such psycho shit."

Your cheeks turned pink as you looked down at the fruit mess on the ground, before your eyes flicked up and pointed to yourself. "Me next?"

That snapped Hajime out of his own dazed state. "No!!!"

Byakuya looked down at the ground, closing his eyes tightly. "What an utter waste."

"I- can, I can't do that- so, I will- get one," Mikan squeaked before she more or less sprinted around Hajime, taking a wide berith as she did so.

Hajime looked around at everyone before he closed his eyes. "I didn't, mean to do that."

"Considering the fact a watermelon is close to a human skull, it strikes me as diffcult to do that on accident," Nagito noted as he closed his eyes, letting out a little chuckle.

"No kidding!!! Your placement of the hands was damn near perfect for that," Nekomaru let out a laugh. "Maybe your talent is the Ultimate Skull Crusher!"

"I, hope not," Hajime said, before he could go about gathering the remains Gundham's hamsters took refuge inside whatever was remaining, munching and nibbling about…. so Hajime went and rinsed his hands out in the water before they got sticky.

"I…. how about we get back to the game?" Mahiru asked before she shuddered. "Men are a different breed of violent."

"No kidding," Hiyoko said as she turned her nose upwards.

"Ibuki think it is pretty cool!" she exclaimed as she raise up a hand. "It makes him like, the incredible Hulk or something!!!"

"I don't, think that is a very- very heroic, more, like Thanos maybe?" Mikan asked.

Hajime let out a long sigh, his shoulders going down as his hands sat in the water.

"It is rather impressive, Hajime," Nagito said as he bent down, closing his eyes with a smile.

"…. and hot-" you mumbled, and Ibuki bursted out laughing well Hajime stood up and snapped around.

His cheeks turned red and he lowered his shoulders. "Thanks," his voice was almost robitic before he walked over to one of the set out towels. "I am going to tan now-"

"Aww," Nagito closed his eyes with a smile. "You broke him."

You giggled and nodded. "I think so," you said before you wandered over to your own the sun having changed it's postion so you were nice and in the shade as you plopped down, pulling Time to Time from your bag.

You could recite every word of the book backwards, but….. it was to enjoy. You settled down as you flipped to the first page for the 133rd time.

Nagito crouched down on the towel on the otherside of the umbrella, holding his arms in front of him as he looked out upon the waves, before he closed his eyes and just took deep breathes in and out.

Other than the sound of the waves and the seagulls calling overhead, everything else was drowned into the background of the moment. Just like the one when Hajime first woke up.

Just Nagito, Hajime and you…. You flicked the corner of your book page, smiling at the wave of deja vu that moved like the waves in and out of your mind. You could barely focus on the words as you let yourself bask in their presences.

It was, as peaceful as you had ever been.

"Can you just drown already, you stupid pig!?" Hiyoko's shrill voice broke your idealistic moment as she pointed a finger at Mikan, standing ankle deep in the water and already beginning to sniffle. The volley ball was slammed next to her in the water.

"I-I am sorry-" she sputtered out, holding her hands in front of her.

"You are so useless! I hope you die next that is how stupid you are!" Hiyoko exclaimed as she stepped forward.

"What the hell is going on?" you asked as you got up.

"That stupid bitch can't do something as simple as pass a ball back!!!"

"Hiyoko…" Mahiru said in a voice that Hiyoko did not seem to hear. You held your teeth together as you walked over.

"Some bold words from someone who can't even tie a simple knot," you said and your teeth showed. Hiyoko's jaw dropped and she recoiled backwards. "Do you wanna to talk about useless people, Hiyoko?" you asked as you leaned down, your expression darkening. "Because as far as I recall, you have not done anything worth note since we have arrived here."

Hiyoko went pale and she leaned back. "You-"

"Oh wait yes you have, been rude, annoying and cruel every single chance you have gotten, I think that makes you worse than useless, no? A nusiance is more accurate," you said before you leaned back, looking down at her from your nose.

Hiyoko's mouth fell open before she clamped it shut, sniffling before she began to sprint off of the beach, beginning to sob.

You watched her with crossed arms before you turned back to Mikan, "Hey, hey, she was being mean for no reason, none of that is true. Okay?" you asked as you put a hand on her shoulder.

Mikan's mouth fell open, looking at you. She then grabbed you in a hug, burying her head in your neck as she burst into tears. "ThaNnnnk youuuuUUuuuu" she sniffled.

You let out half a laugh as you patted her shoulder.

Mahiru looked back at Hiyoko before you and her shoulders tensed up. "How, could you!?" Mahiru yelled. "You had no right to say that to her!" she exclaimed as she put her foot on the ground.

You let out a long sigh as you turned your head. "And Hiyoko did to Mikan?" you asked as you gestured to the crying girl.

Mahiru clenched her teeth. "That- is- I," she held her teeth together.

You let out a sigh before you turned back to Mikan, patting her shoulder. "Come on, let's get something to drink," you said with a smile as you lead Mikan into the beach house, Ibuki being close to follow along.

"Ya, ya! And food will make you feel better, too!" Ibuki cheered.

Hajime watched the trio walk into the beach house, blinking a bit.

"Hmmm…." Nagito rubbed his chin.

"Whatever you are thinking, stop-" Hajime said as he looked out towards the ocean.

"My, are you a mind reader now? How are you so certain it was something bad?" he asked.

"Just- I can feel it. Okay."

"My," Nagito grinned tilting his head. Hajime tsked as his eyes flicked over to Nagito before over towards one of the cliffs, turning his entire head.

His expression dropped as his eyes flicked to the corner.

Form over the rocky cliffs by the entrance of the beach, smoke rose into the air.

There was a fire.

Chapter Text

"oooooOOOOOOOOoooooOOOOOHHHHHHHHH SHIT!!!" Kazuichi screamed, running his hands through his hair and shoving his hat right off to the sand below. "FIRE!!!"

"How is there hellfire rising from the earth!?' Gundham jumped up from the sand, all of the devas scurrying out to hop into his scarf.

"My- goodness-" Sonia recoiled back. "We- have to go!" she yelled before she was sprinting along in the sand: Gundham, Nekomaru, Mahiru, Byakuya and Kazuichi all right on her tail as they darted through the cover to diner parking lot.

The door to the beach house crashed open as Ibuki threw open the door, letting the scent of smoke fill the interior.

Your pupils dilated. You choked as tears already began to pour down your face. "No- no- no no no," you took in heavy breathes before you went sprinting through the cove.

Someone- was in there-

The back of the diner had already been thoroughly eaten, the fire having climbed up to the roof letting the smoke reach for the sky with it's curling, creeping into intestines that were wriggling like worms. You sucked in heavy breathes before you started gunning for the front door.

"HALT!" Sonia grabbed your arm, nearly popping your elbow out of it's socket as she yanked your back.

You jerked as you screamed nonsense towards the fire.

You had to save him this time, you had to save him this time, you had to- you

had

too.

Hajime grabbed your other arm and yanked you towards him, shoving your face into his chest. "Don't, look at it," he said as he looked down. "You can't, do anything. I am sorry."

You choked as you grabbed onto his shirt, beginning to scream.

This- couldn't be real.

You could hear laughing and choking and coughing that howled in the crackles of the fire. It was so loud you couldn't hear anything but that and the fire and the fire and the fire-

"Stand back everyone!!!" Monokuma sang as he dropped down onto the roof. "Monokuma is here to save the day, with the classic…. MONO-FIRETRUCK!!!"

Like the god damn kool aid man, from the side of the cliff. Hajime stared at it, his mouth turning into a snarl as he clung tighter to you. It ran forward and Monokuma hopped down, a firefighter's hat spawning on top of his head as he aimed the house, cackling as he sprayed the building down.

The scent of smoke dyed as it was covered with the foam, everyone standing around in tense anticipation of what was in the building remains.

You sucked in breathe and all you got was Hajime and sea water, and it made you relax enough.

It was enough that you pulled away and walked towards the shattered glass door.

"Hey-!" Hajime chased after you, but you moved quicker than his attempts to stop you this time, your arms pulled towards your mouth as you walked right in.

You could smell it before you could see it in kitchen, and you had already known. You just:

had already known.

Flecks of firefighting foam remained clinging to have burnt body, pots scattered around on top of him making a mess of the burnt and blood soaked tile floor. With a knife left implanted in his stomach- that was the state of his corpse

The Super High School Level Yakuza, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu laid with the one eye that hadn't been cooked out of his skull, staring open glossy and gone.

Ding dong bing bong

The bear stood right there are the copy of his face began to play in every monitor, snickering. "A body has been discovered! Now then, after a certain amount of time has past: the class trail will begin!"

You covered your mouth, tears running down your face as his body staring lifelessly at you: his other side reminding you of the Phantom, burned beyond recognition. "Dammit, Fuyuhiko…………" you choked out a sob.

"HOLY SHIT!!!" Nekomaru yelled his mouth dropping open.

Hajime felt like a rock hit him as everyone tired to peek around you to see him.

Another murder- already…..

And the state of the body, he felt sick.

You dropped to your knees as you covered your face with your hand, and you could hear a new laughter mixing with an old one.

"Puhuhuhuhuhu," Monokuma's voice had an echo to it as you looked up at him, holding your teeth together. "PUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! You should see your stupid face, so much for all that tough guy stuff! You can't even handle a little fire," Monokuma held his stomach as he doubled over laughing.

You stood up, hot tears still running down your face. "You think this means you won, you dumb FUCKER!" you stomped your foot down on the ground. "I might sob, scream but I will never scum to your despair, you have never managed to and never will!" you let out a breathe. "Give me that god damn Monokuma file," you looked back at everyone. 'We have to start investigation."

Monokuma let out a huff. "So demanding, but if you want to get right too it: who am I to complain, means we get to get to the juicy stuff quicker!" Monokuma jumped up and in his paws was the several files.

-INVESTIGATION START-

Victim: Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu
Height and Weight: 5'1" and 157lb
Cause of Death: Exact cause is unknown due to rapid decay caused by a fire. Wounds include a knife in the abdomen and bludgeoning around the arms and chest.
Time of Death: Unknown

You gritted your teeth as you clapped the file closed.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - The Monokuma File

"Useless fucking bear," you muttered as you clapped the file closed.

"Hey! There is valuable information in that file!" the bear yelled, standing on his tip toes to yell at you.

"It is all unknown!" you exclaimed, you turned your head as you looked at the cover again. "Mikan, can you perform an autopsy?" you asked.

"I-I can, try-" she sniffled, wiping her eyes. "The body, looks- looks rather decayed…."

"Anything will be good, if we can at the very least figure out what was the thing to kill him," you looked down at the body and your shoulders contracted.

"What. Happened."

Everyone turned to see Peko standing at the front of the diner, red eyes turning into hawks as she got line of sight with the body. In her left hand was the Monokuma file.

You stepped to the side, holding your head down as she stepped in, leaning back and her neck tensing to show off the veins. She sucked in a breathe. "I will watch the body."

"Wow- hey!" Kazuichi yelled as his shoulders tensed, pointing his finger towards her. "You- weren't even at the party! You have no alibi at all, there is no way we should trust you around the body!"

"You also have problems with you alibi, Kazuichi," you said as you turned your head. "We can't start jumping to pointing fingers when we have so little information."

Kazuichi's body was shaking rapidly. "Your- still!!! She is the most likely suspect!"

"We were going to have two people watch the body anyway," Sonia said as she glared at Kazuichi, making him take a step back. "I…. can volunteer," she said as her hands closed together around each other.

"Is that, alright with you: Peko?" you asked as you looked at her.

"I do not care," she said before she took a few steps forward, and pulled her sword out, planting it on the ground in the front the corpse.

"She is taking this rather seriously…." Hajime mumbled to himself, leaning backwards to hope you heard him.

"Ya- because she has got to be the killer!!! If we look to closely it will be completely obvious!" Kazuichi exclaimed, and Peko snapped her neck over to him, lowering her eyes. "or- or maybe it could be someone else."

"It wasn't Peko," you said before you tried to take a step, and your legs nearly gave out underneath you. You heaved in a breathe as you moved to try and look at his body, reaching down for your pen as your hand wobbled in the air.

You wanted to vomit as you tried to crane your neck, and Peko stepped in front, glaring into your eyes. You looked back at her and let out a shaky breathe. "I know- you don't feel great…" you said and your shoulders sank. "But you don't want this killer to free, at least. Right?" you asked.

She remained stoic and cold face.

Kazuichi was about to open his mouth again and Hajime launched a hand over, covering his mouth.

You tilted your head to the side. "You at least want to know who did it, don't you?" Peko closed her eyes, and she shifted her body so you could actually look at the body. You smiled at her the best you could. "… We will figure it out." then you could try and figure out the next steps with her.

"Bold words from someone who can barely stay upright," Peko stated as she looked out towards the far side of the kitchen. You cringed but moved closer, falling down to get an up close look at his corpse.

The knife- you stared at and your whole brain spun around on the spinal cord as it wracked over what you were looking at. He was stabbed, that was- easy to confirm. You tried to look at the pots and pans, the rest of the body but your mind could only cling onto the easiest thing to identify.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Knife in Stomach

Your hands shook so much as you described the injury it was hard to read.

"Hey-" Hajime said as he came over to you and put a hand on your shoulder. "You, need to step out."

"No, I don't," you shook your head as you managed to pull yourself up from the ground to look at him, looking as mighty as a crumbling cliff face: eroding away inch by every inch.

"Yes, you do," Byakuya said as they stepped forward and put a hand on your shoulder, trying to guide you away.

You jerked back and away, you leaned forward, showing your teeth. "I am fine!" you yelled, your knees about to sink down as you clung onto the charred linoleum counter top.

"No, you aren't! You can barely stand!" Hajime walked over and put both of his hand so on your shoulders. "You, don't have to do everything: okay?" he asked as he leaned down. "Just…. take a breathe outside and calm down first. Then we can see where you are," Hajime stared into your eyes.

You opened your mouth and you wanted to argue but, you couldn't. You gave a shaky nod of your head as you curled your lips in, tears in your eyes. Hajime looked at you and Gundham came to your side.

"I have a soothing spell, come along," he demand and he produced one of his hamsters, that sat in his palm and threw it's paws up at you. You sniffled as you were trodden outside, and immediately collapsed onto the sidewalk: Gundham bending down with the hamster still in hand.

Nagito turned his head back.

Hajime held his teeth together, glaring daggers into him but….. he only looked concerned. Hajime let out a huff of a breathe before he looked over to where you left off…. on the body.

It was sickening to look at, Mikan by his side and trying to look over the body, but any time she reached out a hand to touch him or get a better look, Peko would glare at her in such away she would pop back to just looking the body over with her eyes.

"Peko, if we want to get a good idea of what happened… Mikan is going to need to perform a real autopsy."

"The corpse is so rotted it will be hard to tell anything, there is no point in disturbing the body," Peko answered as she looked down at the dead mafioso. Her breathe caught as she clenched her hands by her side.

Nagito hummed. "The problem seems to be you simply do not trust anyone else really around his body, so what if you were the one to perform the autopsy?" Nagito asked as he closed his eyes, tilting his head to one side.

"What!? She is the main suspect!"

"You are the only one who keeps labeling her as such," Byakuya said as he turned his head over with a huff. "Her lack of attendance is suspicious, but no more so than Nekomaru's trip to the bathroom. And considering all of the ways this case has been obscured, it is possible the time frame of the party barely even matters."

"We don't know the time, so Byakuya is right," Nagito said as he crossed his arms. "I think that fire, shows the murder was rather recently: but that could mean it was even Hiyoko."

"Hey! If, it was here. Where is she, then???" Mahiru asked as her face turned as red as her hair.

"Also if it wasn't Peko, why is she being so anal about the body!?" Kazuichi asked as he made a tough face.

"Her going to hide would be, natural…." Sonia pointed out as she crossed her arms. She looked at Peko and let out a breathe. "There are several reasons I can think of, given her behavior…." Sonia looked over at Mikan and Peko. "If you were to simple follow the instructions Mikan gave, you would have all of the power in how the body is handled…. and if there is any information we can glean," she said as she crossed her arms. "Well, it would be very helpful in finding the person who is responsible."

Peko held tighter to the hilt of her sword, before she sheathed it. "This is a pointless exercise," she said before she looked at the body and the pans that surrounded it, fully taking in the scene as her eyes narrowed. "Those pans…. their placement shows they were not used in a fight."

"Huh?" Hajime's head jerked up to look at Peko.

"They were knocked around in an attempt to make it look like a struggle, but several of them are lying on top of the body rather than around it," she said as her eyes darted around the different metal tools. Some of them were angled to be resting on his arms and legs.

"So- you are saying that Yakuza didn't go down without a fight???" Kazuichi exclaimed, recoiling back as his face went pale. "That- who in the world killed him if he wasn't fighting tooth and nail about it!?"

"All it means is the pans were not used……" Peko stated as she looked at the body, then around the rest of the room. "There does not seem to be any other great signs of struggle, however…."

"It- might be the-the killer got, the surprise on him…." Mikan said as she put her shoulders together.

"That would be quite a feat, considering how use to violence Fuyuhiko would be," Nagito hummed. "It is hard to consider that he would lower his guard."

"Indeed…." Peko said before she bent down, being so careful as she brushed pots to the side giving more access to the half burnt off flesh.

Mikan gave her instructions to lay him down at a better angle, and as he was shifted: there was a yellow envelope that had been dyed with pink blood.

Hajime bent down and grabbed it immediately, he clipped it open and the bubble folder's plastic had kept the inside prize preserved.

"What- is that?" Kazuichi asked as he pointed a finger at Hajime as he pulled out the photos inside.

There were four of them.

The first one, Hajime was looking at it but he couldn't, see it. His eyes moved around the photo and he could make out parts, blonde hair, a face and blood, but every time he tried to take in the whole image he: couldn't do it.

Peko shoved Hajime and grabbed the photos out of his hands.

"Hey- don't just go grabbing the evidence!" Kazuichi yelled as Peko's face went a few shades paler as she looked upon the image.

"Natsumi…." it came out so quiet Hajime could only hear it barely, but the name… His eyes went wide and he looked back at the photos: his head finally letting it click to the body of the girl and it immediately gave him a pounding headache.

Nagito hummed as he looked over at Sonia. "Do you, happen to know the order in which everyone came to the party?" he asked as he closed his eyes.

"Huh? Well, yes I do," she nodded her head. "At least, I believe I remember the guest list rather well…." she said closing her eyes. "I, them, Ibuki, Gundham and Mikan all arrived at the beach first in one big pod, then you and Hajime came right afterwards. Byakuya came next by himself and had that strange case with him: then Kazuichi came running up with…. excitement hard to be paralleled for just the beach," she had a dower expression before she cleared her throat. "Then Mahiru, Hiyoko and Nekomaru arrived to bring the food with Nekomaru leaving to, take care of himself for a rather good amount of time….. then we know that Hiyoko ran off," Sonia said as she closed her eyes and gave a nod of her head.

"Thank you," Nagito said and mumbled the order under his breathe, to ensure he had it well. "We do have good ideas of who it couldn't be…. provided the murder happened in a reasonable time frame before the murder took place," he said with a closed eye smile, before he turned his head over to the end of the kitchen: where the oven was. "I think I know where the next clue is," he said with a smile, and Sonia nodded as she turned her head to see Peko begrudgingly handing the photos back to Hajime.

Peko was now staring at Mahiru.

Hajime looked over to Nagito, the photos tucked under his arms as he walked over, feeling the sweat on the back of his neck. The other photos were important, but his mind kept wrapping around to that one….

"Hey Hajime, I think," Nagito didn't touch the oven, but the front glass had more than shattered and there were black scorch marks crawling from it. "This is probably the source of our fire."

Hajime held his teeth together and he looked around the kitchen, a lot of it was blackened and charred but- "Ya, I agree…. " Hajime bent down, glass bits crunching under his sandals as he lowered the oven door.

"Hey Mahiru," Nagito turned his head over. "Just to confirm, you used the other kitchen right?"

"Uh- ya," she said as she looked over. "I didn't use the oven there either."

Hajime ran his finger on the bottom of the oven and held it up, the ash coating it. He looked up at the oven letting out a low hum. "The killer must have shoved something in here to cause the fire," Hajime said before he got up and leaned over.

The LED screen was almost completely burned up, and he let out a sigh, closing his eyes before he, let out a huff and shrugged.

"Hey, Mo- Usami!" Hajime yelled out, and from the ground arose the pink and white bunny.

She kept looking at Hajime, tears in her eyes as her ears twitched and she wanted sooo badly to look behind her, but she kept staring at Hajime. "Y-yes? What do you, you need?" she asked, her voice squeaking and breaking.

"Can you tell me what this oven was set too before the oven went off?" he asked as he turned back.

"I-I" she sniffed. "I don't want to give information to make my students suspect each other!!!!"

"That is not what we are asking for," Nagito said as he closed his eyes, his nose scrunching down at the bunny. "All we want to know is what setting the oven was on before the fire started. That doesn't have anything to do with suspsecting other students now does it?" Nagito asked as he tilted his head to one side.

"Well- I, suppose not," she said and relaxed enough. "The student who turned on the oven, set it to self clean!"

"Hmmm, that cycle normally takes a few hours…" Nagito said, and Hajime gave a nod of his head as he rubbed his fingers together.

"Thank you," Hajime said as he lowered his shoulders.

"Do you think there is anything else here, Hajime?" Nagito asked, his hands in his pockets.

"I have something of note you should look at," Byakuya said as he turned his body, giving both boys a view of the thermostat.

Hajime blinked as he walked over. "They set it to 80 degrees," Hajime said before he turned to look at the bright blue sky pouring in from the crispy hole. He hadn't noticed it a ton but… "The killer knew what they were doing,' he mumbled as he looked over at Peko and Mikan, struggling to work with the rotting corpse.

"It leads me to wonder if the fire was intentional," Byakuya said as he shifted in his suit, letting out a huff.

"Maybe…" Nagito said as he turned his head to one side.

"More like definitely!" Kazuichi said from the side, holding his hands up. "I mean, it helps destroy the evidence! It is something the killer would totally want to happen!" he looked over at Peko. "I mean, think about it. Making sure we can't get near the body after wrecking the corpse…. someone trained would have to think of that!"

"It can be something to consider, I suppose," Nagito said as he flicked his eyes to the side, before scanning the rest of the room. "I don't think we need much else here in the kitchen."

The dining area was shockingly alright, some of the windows were blasted out from the heat and the fire had managed to eat through the ceiling enough, there were crumbling on the floor behind the counter but all in all it had remained put together.

Nekomaru crossed his arms as he let out a sigh. "I suppose you have some questions for me," he said as he closed his eyes.

"Well," Hajime looked at him. "Yes, if you can tell us what happened."

"All I did was I went to the bathroom, it began to stink pretty bad in there…. but that is what normally happens when I go to take a shit, so I didn't really think much of it," Nekomaru said. "If I had…. well, I am not sure if I could have changed anything."

"So you think the murder happened before you came into the diner," Nagito said.

"It would at least explain the smell, I know what I have isn't the best but, it is an honest mistake," Nekomaru said with a sigh.

"Well, thanks for the account, Nekomaru," Hajime said before he looked at the men's bathroom door. He cringed at himself before he sucked in his shoulders, and pushed the door open.

In the very first stall, clinging to the bottom of the porcelain were thick brown marks that remained clinging on.

"Yep…." Hajime muttered as he turned his head to the side. "He is pretty believable," the sight was enough to make Hajime want to wash his hands. He let the stall door swing closed as he hunched over the sink.

"Everything working alright?" Nagito asked with a closed eye smile and Hajime shot him a dirty look.

"I am just checking Nekomaru's testimony, I am feeling fine."

"Sure you shouldn't go before we leave? there will be a lot of walking around, and then the trail won't exactly have bathroom breaks."

Hajime splashed him with the sink water. "Stop being a weirdo!" he exclaimed before he breezed past the skinny kid, shaking his head as he let out a series of curses about how strange he was. Nagito grinned to the side as he let out a content chuckle, more or less skipping behind the brunette out of the front door.

Gundham was crouched down besides you as the Hamster ran in circles around each other, using their partners as spring boards in their grand show to make you forget the murder in the diner that should be eating you alive.

When you heard new footsteps you turned around, and your body sparked up "What did you find?" you asked as you stood up, pulling out the not quite empty novel from your bag, pulling up a new page.

"Are you sure- you are ready to be taking notes?" Hajime asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

"I- am feeling better," you closed your eyes as you looked at the blank page, before you sucked in a breathe and held your head high. "And we need to write this down well it is fresh." you said.

"Alright, well…. We can start by showing you these," Nagito said as he handed the file over to you before Hajime could second guess him. You quickly unsealed the tab and pulled them out.

Ibuki, Mikan and Hiyoko in the Hope's peak uniform, taken by Mahiru.
A picture of a broken vase.
A girl with black hair laying limp on the wall, killed by a bat

and

and

and

"Natsumi….." your mouth fell open as you stared at her picture.

“Ohhhh you must be the friend Mr. Hinata was going on about- “ “GUESS WHO BITCHES!” "What'cha Fursona look like, Bookworm?" “And that shit, it’s all me. It ain’t got nothing to do with some son of a bitch in the ground.”  "I know we are friends and all, but I will fuckin' stab you again, you know!" “The Bitches test!” "You tryin' to blackmail me, Bookworm?" "Take care of Hajime, alright?" “Living is bad for ya,”
“If they cannot be bothered to have the book, then I cannot be bothered to read it.”

Your mouth fell open, lips spreading into a grin. A few tears rolled down your face as you began to giggle.

Natsumi really never failed you.

Hajime and Nagito looked at each other as your giggling turning into laughter, which turned into howling. You stared at the photo of Natsumi before you threw your head back, covering your eyes with one forearm as you laughed away harder and harder.

"Hey- do you-"

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!" you fell over and had to catch yourself on Hajime as you wheezed, clinging onto the photos so hard the evidence was getting creases on it. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" you sucked in one more breathe. thinking you were done but- "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"My word," Gundham held up his hands as his body angled backwards, raising his eyebrows. "The dark menance has finally stolen away with their mind!"

All your laughter ceased as your head came upright. "No, nothing of the sort," you said, you looked down at the photo and cracked a grin, one last 'he' getting out despite how it dried up. "I- can't explain the joke yet, but when I can you will understand why it is funny," you put the photos back into the folder and handed it back to Nagito. "What else was it you found"

Hajime and Nagito looked at each other, Hajime looked down. "Are you, sure you are okay?"

"I promise, I-" you grinned. "I feel, great……" you didn't like seeing her dead but- "What it is, when I can share it is, it will all make sense but I can't explain it now. Just, trust me, Okay?" you smiled at him.

Hajime sucked in through his nose. "As long, as this isn't too much…" he said as his shoulders lowered, and began to recount the crime scene.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Ending Prize Photos
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Status of the Body
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Pots and Pans
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Placement of Pots and Pans
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Sonia's Account
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Oven
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Ash in the Oven
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Thermostat
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Nekomaru's Account
Truth Bullet Obtained! - Skid-marks in Toilet

You nodded your head as you went over the details one more time, before you turned and looked behind yourself. You hummed before your head snapped towards the diner. "We got one more person to talk to," you said as you walked right back in.

Leaning on one of the booth, staring out the window was Ibuki. Her neck craned up as she became the person up front and center.

"Yep, yep, what's going on?" Ibuki asked as she turned and got up/

"Did you hear anything last night?" you asked as you held the book open, pen already seeping ink into the paper.

Ibuki opened her mouth before she closed it, leaning back to the window and she put her chin in her hand. "Hmm….. Ibuki, thinks she woke up for a minute in the night!" Ibuki nodded her head. "A door was slammed, it startled Ibuki awake but, she fell back asleep pretty quickly afterwards."

"So there were no more loud sounds after the fact, or you probably would have stayed awake: right?" Nagito asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yep, yep! Ibuki didn't hear anything else," she said with a nod of her head.

"Thank you, Ibuki," you smiled as you wrote that down.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Ibuki's Account

"There is, one more thing," Hajime said as he grabbed the photos, pulling out the one she was in and handed it over. "Do you remember this photo being taken?"

Ibuki's eyes popped as she leaned forward. "Ibuki never even got to put on the school uniform!" she exclaimed as she shook her head from side to side.

"Has anyone come to talk to you about anything, or wanted to set up a conversation?" Nagito asked and Ibuki shook her head.

"Nope, nope, Ibuki has not heard anything from anyone," she closed her eyes and nodded. "No one has mentioned anything about it either."

"Hmm, thank you Ibuki," you rubbed your chin as you looked into the kitchen, shuddering before you yanked your eyes towards Hajime. "When Mikan is done with the autopsy we will have to ask her some questions…. and Hiyoko and Mahiru, when we see them."

Hajime pulled his head towards the kitchen, looking for the red haired photographer but she was missing from the interior. Considering how Peko was looking at her…. "We will have to see when Mahiru comes up…."

"And if we can find Hiyoko," Nagito gave a sigh crossing his arms.

"Wishing you luck on the case, Ibuki will keep tabs in there," she said as she pointed her fingers towards the kitchen.

"That will be nice, thank you," you smiled and your eyes turned out of the window, before snapping back to Ibuki. "See you…. hopefully before the trail," you said as your fingers thrummed along the tightly bound spine of the cover.

"Hopefully after the trail too!" she beamed at you before she was quick to wave towards the door. "Now go find clues!!! Go find the clues!!!"

"Ya- ya," Hajime put a hand on your shoulder as he guided you both out of the diner, Nagito trailing right behind you both.

"Well," Nagito hummed as he closed his eyes. "I think, we should go check out that motive shouldn't we?"

"It is likely what caused the murder….." Hajime said as he shifted his eyes down to you, as you looked out towards the cove entrance. "Anywhere else you have in mind?"

'Ah- no- we need to know what happens in Twilight Murder Syndrome," you quickly started walking forward, keeping your eyes straight in front of you as you sped out of the parking lot.

You were walking so fast across the bridge, but even after Hajime and Nagito caught up to you, you kept… looking behind yourself.

"Hey," Hajime leaned over to look at you from the side. He glanced at Nagito who was staring out towards the sea before he whispered. "Are you seeing something?"

You turned pale and looked away. "I…. know he isn't real," you mumbled as you turned back, seeing that little man on the bridge. You hadn't seen him on the island before so- "I, am trying to ignore it."

Hajime looked back at the empty air, at Nagito who maybe purposely wasn't paying attention, before back at you. "… What is he wearing?"

"…. A chef's outfit…."

"Well, he's likely just walking in the same direction as us then," Hajime pulled you closer to him so you were walking side by side. "He'll turn off at the bridge to the first island…. so he can pick things up at the store."

You looked up, nearly blinded by the sun to look at him and you let out half a chuckle. "You, think so?"

"It, sounds likely, doesn't it? I mean…. with what happened he would need to pick up more things," Hajime said.

"Ya, I, suppose he would," you said, and as you stepped onto solid ground and went to the park: the chef man did not follow, rather walking the curve to the first island bridge…. and he faded into the horizon.

You had a smile that faded just as fast as it appeared. Mahiru stood in front of the arcade cabinet, sweat pouring down her brow as the screen reflected in her eyes, every piece of text moving in front of her. Her hand shook as she hit the red button to keep the on rails story moving.

The screen was black, followed by the photo of a hunched over girl that matched the one in the folder.

Then that stupid fucking bear, laughing at the GAME CLEARED

Mahiru stumbled back and turned her head, letting out a half a scream upon seeing you three. 'What- are- you doing here!?" she asked, her voice raising in pitch.

"We wanted to play the game-" Hajime said as he pointed at the cabinet.

"We need it for the case," Nagito asked as he closed his eyes.

Her mouth fell open in a daze as she stared at them, as they both shifted their eyes awkwardly.

'Can you, move?" Hajime asked.

You turned to look at both of them before you let out a sigh. "Sorry, Mahiru. We are sort of in a rush but…." you walked over to her. "How about, you take a seat," you asked as you offered her a hand, which she reluctantly took as you lead her over to the bench.

Nagito and Hajime both shuffled over to the machine, Hajime stared at it and he let out a sound.

"What's wrong, Hajime? Not a gamer?"

"….. No," Hajime said as he looked at the joy stick and the buttons, but he clicked start anyway.

It seemed like it was mostly a visual novel, at the very least…. those were pretty simple games that were mostly books anyway. He craned his neck over at you from the machine, vaguely wondering if you should be the one to take a crack at it but-

You were busy.

You reached into your bag and pulled out a mineral water, handing it over to Mahiru. She ripped the cap off and began to chug it down immediately. She sucked in water before she took in a breathe, flipping between the two of them before she hunched over, her hands in her hair and she looked towards the sky.

"I- am sure you are feeling a lot," you said as you put your hands together.

"…. She killed someone," Mahiru said as her hands dropped to her lap, sputtering. "I, never would have- I can't believe she killed someone…." she closed her eyes as her entire head sank down.

You nodded your head. "I, see," you said.

"The worst part is, she did it for me. I- I would never have wanted her to do that so why…. I don't, even remember what she was talking about, the girl tormenting me. I- believe it happened because, I…. I don't know why I am so ready to believe it, it- shouldn't be real!" Mahiru held her hands by her face.

"I am sorry that your friend is dead," you said as you closed your eyes, picturing Natsumi in your mind. The glimpses you had gotten back of her and then, that photo. "There is, so much we don't understand about the world we find ourselves in, and what that means for the people we care for outside of this game…."

"… Is this- my fault?" Mahiru asked as she looked at you. "If she, committed the murder for me and then, that, means Fuyuhiko is dead because of this game and it only exists because of what she did for me, is it, my fault?"

"That's much more simple than real life tends to be…. there are a lot of factors in what happened. Natsumi was bothering you, and your friend acted in the way she thought would cause it to stop…. very little of that has anything to do with you, don't you think?" you asked as you tilted your head.

She swallowed and her body twisted in on itself, fingers knotting together. "I…. I don't know what to do."

"Right now, your goal should be surviving…. it is what your friend would have wanted, ya?" you asked as you looked at her, and she looked at you.

Mahiru brought her shoulders together. "I, guess, ya," she nodded her head before she got up. "I am going to make sure I am ready for the trail…. fill me in on any evidence later, if you can," she said with a nod of her head, trying to make herself tough.

You smiled and nodded. "Will do, Mahiru," you put a thumb up before you looked at the two gamer boys. you gave her a small wave off before coming to see where they were at.

"Geez, Hajime. You are really bad at video games," Nagito crossed his arms with a closed eye smile, standing to the side.

"Shut up!" Hajime's face turned pink as he tapped on the button rapidly, the screen frozen for a second before it went launching past dialog in seconds. "Fuck!"

You didn't blink as each text box just barely finished before zipping onto the next. You hummed as the bear came up again to laugh. "It's pretty simple," you said.

"You, caught all of that?" Nagito asked.

"My one thing is supposed to be reading," you said as you looked at the credits that began to scroll past on the screen. "Mahiru's friend, Sato apparently: killed Natsumi. Mahiru confronted her about it and Fuyuhiko overheard, learning who killed his sister. In revenge he killed Sato and Mahiru, Hiyoko, Ibuki and Mikan all found the second body. That's the quick version," you flipped open your book. "Are there any details I should add?"

"Well, I think," Hajime said and then both recounted the parts of the game you missed, for posteriority.

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Twilight Murder Syndrome

Nagito hummed as he looked at the sky and how the sun had fallen. "I…. am going to go check on the autopsy," he said as he began to walk as fast as his fickle body would let him. "You should check the cabins! There might be something of note there," he called over as he was just about to disappear out of sight.

"Hey! Wait a second!" Hajime yelled and he clenched his fist, before he looked at the shadows and it…. was growing later than he thought. He held his teeth together and let out a sigh.

'We, should get going. We have a further distance to walk,' you looked at the bridge towards the first island, and Hajime nodded.

Nagito rounded the corner into the kitchen, Peko standing in front of the body holding her sword, much like before the autopsy whilst Sonia and Mikan stood to the side, whispering to each other.

Both of them looked up at Nagito before quickly shuffling over and out into the diner, where Peko still stared them down from her spot by the body.

"Was there anything of note?" Nagito asked as he crossed his arms, his shoulders raising slightly.

Mikan almost immediately began to cry, and she let out a sniffle. "Well- not, as much as- I would have liked to get because of- of the decay," she swallowed. "but- the fire, didn't kill him because- the lungs and it does, does seem that the stab wound is what killed him: even if-if it was hard to tell with the bruising…. but, I have no- no idea when it happened," her hair rose on edge. "I am sorry."

"That is good information to have, even without the time…." Nagito said as he hummed. "And I think, this won't be too difficult of a trail."

"I suppose, I am pleased to hear you confident," Sonia said with a nod of her head, but she swallowed down.

"Has Hiyoko come by?" Nagito asked and both girls shook their heads. "I see…. and then, one last thing," Nagito pulled out the photograph and handed it over to Mikan, who let out a squeak at the image.

"That's, me!" she said as her back rose. "I-I don't, r-remember that picture."

"I didn't think you would," Nagito said with a hum and nodded his head. "Well… that is all I needed," he turned his head towards the sun which had kept creeping down the skyline. "I hope they are able to find everything in time…"

"Whose room should we start with?" Hajime asked as the front gate came closer and closer to you.

"Probably," you let out a gasp for air. "Fuyuhiko's!" you exclaimed as you barrelled onto the docks, the gate giving at your weight. 'And if we have time we can take a peek, into Hiyoko's, just to see if she is there," you said as you heaved in and out breathes, before turning to the boy's side of the dorm and got in front of his cottage. "Usami!!!"

As soon as the rabbit appeared she was already crying. "I-I am sorry! I can't help you!!!"

"What, come on, Usami!" Hajime exclaimed.

"I-I can't break p-privacy!!!! I am not allowed to just let students into other student's cottages!!!" Monomi explained as she sniffled and sobbed. "I am sorry! But- but-,…… he can."

You let out a long 'nnnnnnn' sound as your head leaned back. "You can't be serious."

"I-I wish I could, I really, really do! But, confidentiality is the most important things I have as your teacher!'

Hajime sighed. "… We are going to have to call him."

"No we don't," you said as you looked at the door.

"….. You know we do…."

You let out a groan before your head fell, and you nodded your head. "…. Just…. do it…."

"… Monokuma!" Hajime forced some enthusiasm into his voice as he called, and the bear appeared.

"Ohhhh looking for little ol' me, Hajimmy?" Monokuma fluttered it's black eye at him. "I didn't even put on my sunday best! How sweet of you to want me-"

"Can you open the door so we can look in the room, for the trail," Hajime's voice now was completely dead inside.

Monokuma huffed. "You're no fun, we'd really mke quite the bear." the bear said.

"Stop flirting with him, you creep!" you exclaimed.

"You look so hideous in green, like a human barf bag," Monokuma sneered at you, before you both could hear the lock click, and the bear leave.

You recoiled back at the words before you launched yourself at the door, and looked around at the several ornate knickknacks around.

"What the hell is that?" Hajime asked as he looked at the table by the window, on the side by the kanji where there was a bottle and a rag by it.

"Unimportant, I think," you said before you walked over to the bed, and on the stand you- "Jackpot!" you yanked the piece of paper towards you.

'I want to talk, look at the photos.

Meet me at the diner about 11:45'

You held it up looking at Hajime. "Isn't this interesting?"

Hajime crouched down to look at it, his eyes narrowing. "That's, certainly something…"

Truth Bullet Obtained! - Note to Fuyuhiko

Ding dong bing bong

"Well, well, it looks like your investigation is going well! Hope's it gone well enough!" the bear burst into a fit of new laughter. "because it is time for all of you to come meet at Monokuma Rock, to experience the next classsss trail!!!!!" he sang out before he leaned forward. "Don't keep me waiting~!"

Click.

Chapter Text

Hajime and you were somehow not the last ones to arrive at the ugly looking rock face. Hiyoko was still missing from the crowd of people who had joined.

You let out a hiss as you looked up towards the rock face. Those stupid sharp teeth you just wanted to yank them out of the rock face and jab something right into the eyes.

"You don't suppose, a double murder happened, do you?" Nagito asked, as he swung by from where he was standing, his hands shoved into the pockets of the blue and white hoodie he had brought along to the beach, it give him more clothes than a majority of the people waiting around the ugly momentum to despair.

"Don't you think, we would have found the body in the investigation?" Hajime asked, the idea Hiyoko was dead was the last thing he wanted to concern himself with: mostly as he began to consider all of the loopholes the bear could use if she was.

"Well we had to spend a lot of time clearing out the kitchen… we didn't have a ton of resources to go thoroughly around any of the islands really," Nagito said as he crossed his arms, letting out a hum. "She could have ended up rather well hidden well our focus was elsewhere."

"Let's, not concern ourselves with that until we are sure of it," you said as you straightened your shoulders and pulled out the book. "Do you, have notes on the autopsy?"

"Ah, right," Nagito nodded his head. "I will tell you all they had…. but I regret to say it isn't much."

Truth Bullet - Mikan and Peko's Autopsy

You pulled the pen off of the paper and smiled down at the fresh ink stains. "Thank you, Nagito," you gave a hum.

"Come on, ya lil brat!!!"

"Leave me alone, you stupid bear!!!" Hiyoko shrieked as she came running down the sidewalk, thundering behind her was the large snake slithering- keeping straight on the path as Hiyoko barely managed to launch herself onto the ground, landing face down in front of everyone as she laid there and cried.

"Hiyoko!" Mahiru gasped out and ran to her side, bending down to help her sit up as she wept.

"You- you skinned your knee!" Mikan squeaked as she bent down next, beginning to patch up the injury.

Hiyoko sniffled and looked at her, holding her teeth together as she remained quiet, quickly being bandaged up.

"Well, well, well, looks like trying to hide didn't get you very far," Monokuma looked down at everyone as the snake wrapped back around, him standing ontop of it. "Took long enough to get everyone here!!! I hate the waiting!"

"Well, I hate all of this!!!" Hiyoko yelled as she pointed a finger. The snake lunged forward, letting out a long hiss as it lowered towards her, showing off it's gun tongue. She squealed as she coward back, half hiding behind Mahiru as she lifted her arms in front of her.

"I don't care what you think! Now, it's time for the class trail already!" the bear threw his arms in the air and the escalators came crashing down from one of the mouths. "Get up and hop to it!"

You glared at the bear before you daned to look at the stairway up to hell. Peko was the first one on the escalator, eyes glaring forward up to the maw. Byakuya and Nekomaru were next to follow as Kazuichi began to look at the crowd shuffling towards doom.

"Do we- really gotta do this?" he asked, curling his fingers as he looked towards the stairs.

"Of course ya do!!! Now move it!" the Snake hissed and Kazuichi gave a scream, before he scurried up to be on the steps.

"…. Ya, there is no choice," you said as your body dragged itself forward, Hajime and Nagito behind.

The whole thing rattled you down to the bones as you went up and up and up-

only to begin descending down into the depths.

You moved into a corner with Hajime coming up besides you, standing to look out at everyone else…. and then Nagito.

"What do you want?" Hajime asked.

"I was just hoping, you would let me review the evidence real quick…." Nagito said as he looked right past Hajime to you.

"Ya, alright," you reached into your bag. "The more aware we all are the better," you said as you handed the book over. Hajime turned to stare at you, mouth hanging open.

"Are you sure we can trust him with it?" he asked as he took the book, holding it away from Nagito with a glare.

"I understand the concern of my dirty hands touching something so valuable, so if you need I don't mind if you hold the book…. I just want to look over everything," Nagito said as he closed his eyes.

Hajime gritted his teeth and he looked at you, who looked…..

Not mad, just disappointed, and it broke him.

Hajime let out a sigh. "Fine, just, be quick about it," Hajime said as he handed the book over, looking at the rocks that past by.

Nagito flipped through the pages, letting out a him before he handed the book back to you. "i appreciate it."

Each rumble was a reminder of the first, an instinct trained after only one time, that it was time to find the murderer once more.

Each person stepped out of the elevator, two less than before.

No one wanted to be dragged here again, but there was no choice to be had other than the right one.

The room felt so uncomfortably hot as everyone sweated, casting worried looks to their other classmates.

The comfort there was to be found was the fact you all had survived this hell once.

You sucked in a breathe as you reviewed the text in your book, whilst Hajime closed his eyes, setting up the pieces he understood onto the board. It was time for the second round of this all or nothing game, in this Deadly Class Trail.

CASE TWO: During a carefree beach party a mysterious fire broke out, leading us to the body of Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu. What does this have to do with the motive posed by Monokuma if anything at all, and how did events lead to the murder of the SHSL Yakuza.

COURT PREP

SKILLS SELECT:
SP: 43/43

Close Reading - Helps direct recital during Nonstop Debates: 8SP
Attentive Influence - Increases the Influence Gauge by 2 : 4SP
Up shift - Increases your aim speed: 2SP
Charisma - Increases Influence Gauge recovery when correct answers are chosen: 8SP
Cool and Composed - Steadies your aim a little: 4SP
Menacing Focus - Increases the Focus Gauge by 5: 7SP
Clock Up - Increases Max Speed: 5SP
Maneuver - Increases Turning Power: 5SP

LIST OF TRUTH BULLETS:

Truth Bullet - The Monokuma File: Victim: Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, Cause of Death: Unclear, Time of Death: Unclear
Truth Bullet - Knife in Stomach: The assumed murder weapon found implanted into the victim's stomach.
Truth Bullet - Status of the Body: Due to the fire that broke out the body was found half burned. The heat made the decay accelerate.
Truth Bullet - Mikan and Peko's Autopsy: The rapid decay rate made it unclear when the time of death was, however it confirmed the victim was stabbed to death and that was the cause of his death.
Truth Bullet - Ending Prize Photos: a series of photos related to Twilight Murder Syndrome. The real life snapshots of what happened in the game.
Truth Bullet - Pots and Pans: There were pots and pans knocked all around the body, trying to make it seem like there was some sort of struggle.
Truth Bullet - Placement of Pots and Pans: They were on top of the body rather than around, inferring that the body was put down before the pots and pans were.
Truth Bullet - Oven: due to the arrangement of the scorch marks and other details about the fire, it would appear this is where it started.
Truth Bullet - Ash in the Oven: Inside of the oven is a layer of ash, something was burned inside of the oven.
Truth Bullet - Thermostat: It was set to a higher temperature in an attempt to make the body decay faster.
Truth Bullet - Sonia's Account: An account of the order in which everyone arrived. First, Sonia, Me, Ibuki and Mikan, second, Hajime and Nagito, "Byakuya", Kazuichi, then Mahiru, Hiyoko and Nekomaru before Nekomaru ran off to the bathroom. Peko and Fuyuhiko never showed up.
Truth Bullet - Ibuki's Account: Ibuki heard a slam in the middle of the night, but fell back asleep right afterwards.
Truth Bullet - Note to Fuyuhiko: There was a note in Fuyuhiko's cottage asking him to meet at the diner at 11:45.
Truth Bullet - Nekomaru's Account: Nekomaru went to use the bathroom during the party, and assumed it was himself.
Truth Bullet - Skid-marks in Toilet: Proof of Nekomaru's alibi.
Truth Bullet - Twilight Murder Syndrome: The motive laid out by Monokuma being a school murder. Depicts the discovery of the body of Natsumi Kuzuryu and the murder of Mahiru's friend Sato. The players involved are Mikan, Ibuki, Hiyoko (Bystanders), Mahiru (Active Coverup), Sato(Murderer One and Corpse Two), Natsumi (Corpse One) and Fuyuhiko (Murderer Two).

FINISH PREPARATIONS

TRAIL

Class Trail
START

ALL RISE

"Now Then, let's begin with a simple explanation of the class trail" Monokuma cheered from atop his high up on his gaudy golden thrown. "During the class trail, you will present your arguments for who the killer is, and vote for 'whodunnit'. If you vote correctly, the only the blackened will receive punishment," he let out a snicker with his next words. "But if you pick the wrong person…. I'll punish everyone besides the blackened, and that person will earn the right to log out of the game!!!"

"What do we want to start with?" Nagito asked as he looked around at the multiple SHSL who were sweating in their stands.

"I think we should go with the information we had in our last case-" Byakuya said as he crossed his arms. "What time the murder occurred."

"There is no way to tell that, though!" Kazuichi yelled. "The body was so rotted, it could have happened at any time!"

"An autopsy is not the only way to parce out a cause of death," Peko said, her body leaning forward.

= Make Your Argument =

TRUTH BULLETS
Truth Bullet - Nekomaru's Account
Truth Bullet - Ibuki's Account
Truth Bullet - Pots and pans
Truth Bullet - Oven
Truth Bullet - The Monokuma File

"Fuyuhiko's body
was so completely rotted by the heat!
There is no way to tell when it happened."

"We- we couldn't even get, anything
From the autopsy"

"That is one piece of evidence among many
The body's rate of decay is not the end all be all."

"There are accounts from others
for one thing."

"Not to mention
Details about the surrounding area."

"That's great and all!
But I don't see you saying
Any actual facts!"

"I AGREE WITH THAT!!!"

-BREAK-

"Peko is right," Hajime said and his head turned to Nekomaru. "You mentioned how the diner smelled awful during the party right after using the bathroom. Right, Nekomaru?"

"Ya," Nekomaru scratched his nose as he looked down. "I thought it was just me, but looking back on it…. it did smell worse than usual," Nekomaru put a hand on the back of his neck.

"That means we can place the murder any time before Nekomaru went to the bathroom, so we can place the murder before the party."

"HEY HOLD ON A SECOND!"

=Rebuttal Showdown=

"That can hardly be taken at face value!" Kazuichi yelled, recoiling back and his shoulders rose up. "He was alone during the whole period, for all we know: he could have committed the murder there!"

TRUTH SWORDS
Truth Sword - Skid-marks in Toilet
Truth Sword- Oven
Truth Sword - Mikan and Peko's Autopsy
Truth Sword - Sonia's Account
Truth Sword- Nekomaru's Account

"I mean, just think about it!"
"If he was alone in there-"
"It would have been easy to commit the murder!"

"No witnesses"
"No camera
No nothing!!!"

"So don't go acting like"
"It is a good idea"

"To just take his words at face value!"

Duel Swords
Cross

"We should keep in mind everyone's account," Hajime said as he tried to keep his face straight. "And just because he was alone, doesn't mean he committed the murder."

SHIELD BREAK

"That leaves a lot open, ya know!"
"He was guaranteed to be at the scene"
"With no alibi!"

"I find it really hard"
"Not to be suspicious of him!"

"I mean, his whole excuse could have even"
"Been away to try and keep us out of the diner"
"To hide the body later!"

"Not that we know that-"
"But you know what I mean!"

"We got a lot of people who were alone-"
"And his testimony doesn't have much to hold up!"

"We shouldn't jump to believing anything without evidence!"

"ALLOW ME TO CUT THROUGH THOSE WORDS"

-BREAK-

"There is evidence Nekomaru is telling the truth," Hajime said as he pointed a finger, and his face turned into a grimace right after. "He, there were skidmarks in the toilets… I think it is fair to say Nekomaru was the one who made them."

Kazuichi nose scrunched up. 'Well that- doesn't mean he couldn't have done both!"

Nekomaru looked at Kazuichi from the side, his neck tilting up as his lips came together. He crossed his arms and looked away, before he nose went down.

"Well, actually, I think his testimony lines up if we believe that it was right before the party," you said as you held up a finger. "Nekomaru left right afterwards, right? Well if it immediately smelled like a rotting corpse when he entered, I think he would have noticed…. the scent followed the uh- natural progression," you looked over at Nekomaru. "Is that about right?"

"The longer I am in there the worse it tends to smell," Nekomaru agreed as he closed his eyes, leaning his head in your direction. "And that's certainly how it felt."

"And he certainly empathized it smelling worse than normal," Byakuya noted as he held his teeth together.

"Ibuki's got a question!" her hand shot up from her spot on the stand. "Ibuki believes where this is heading, of thinking Fuyuhiko died right before the party," Peko cringed and wiped her head in the other direction. "But if that is the case, what was with the slamming and banging Ibuki heard last night?" she asked as her shoulders rose. "As you pointed it out, Ibuki can't stop thinking about it."

"We know it can't be when the murder happened," Hajime said as he closed his eyes…. and why was that?

Truth Bullet - Thermostat

"The body was in pretty bad condition, but if it had been in the heated building for all that time it would have been much worse."

"That doesn't quite answer her question though, now does it Hajime?" Nagito asked as he smiled across the stands. Hajime quirked his brow as Nagito shrugged a shoulder. "She didn't ask what what it wasn't about."

"Well, it's harder… to tell about that," Hajime said and he turned his head. "And it isn't the most important thing about this case."

"It might be best to take a look at it anyway," you said as you held up a hand. "I, have a theory admittedly."

Hajime turned over to you, his shoulders relaxing. "What is it?"

"Well, at first, I figured what happened is that Fuyuhiko figured he killed me, and panicked about it…" you said as you crossed your arms. "But, for a yakuza that… doesn't fully check out, does it?"

"What are you saying?" Peko asked.

"I figure, he'd at least make sure he actually killed me, if not hide the body considering he was, sort of an obvious suspect," you said as you crossed your arms. "So, he was probably the person to slam the door…. perhaps frustration? Or something? That isn't all that important," you let out a breathe. "What it comes down to, is that the door slam was Fuyuhiko, and, more than that: I don't think he played Twilight Murder Syndrome."

"Huh!?" Kazuichi yelled. 'What, makes you say that?"

Mahiru looked at Kazuichi sweating before back at you. "I can't help, but agree with that," she said. "Because, I mean- he'd probably want to talk about it right away. Right? Given, what happened."

'What happened in Twilight Murder Syndrome? Tell me," Peko said as she glared across all of the face in the room.

"Y-ya! Not, everyone got the chance to play it!" Kazuichi said as he gripped his fingertips into the railing.

"The knowledge was dark enough to cause a murder as predicted…" Gundham said as he crossed his arms, closing her eyes.

"Alright, so, just to summarize:" you held up a hand. "At Hope's Peak Academy a close friend of Mahiru's, named Sato: murdered Natsumi Kuzuryu," Peko tensed, holding onto the railing as she leaned forward. "She maneuvered about so she when the body was discovery, she had an alibi among Mahiru, Hiyoko, Ibuki and Mikan. However none of them wanted to report the body-" you felt your throat grow tight when you said. "Because, they didn't… want to be suspects. A school pervert, got blamed for it," you said before you sucked in a deep breathe. "Mahiru figured out what happened, talked to Sato about it… and Fuyuhiko overheard and finding out what happened to his sister, took revenge: killing Sato."

Hiyoko visibly tensed up on the stand. "Well- of course we didn't want anything to do with, a stupid murder!"

Peko's entire face seemed to go into shadow on her stand, the only thing visible were her striking red eyes, swirling about on the four girls from the story: before landing on the crossed out portrait of Fuyuhiko.

"I am just telling you what happened, the ending prize photos back it up," you said and Hajime lifted up the folder.

"Hey…. you have been quiet, Hiyoko," Kazuichi said as his head turned to the side. "And you couldn't even be found in the investigation!"

"We already established the murder happened before the party, Kazuichi," Mahiru said as she leaned forward, her face going pale.

"Well, you, Hiyoko and Nekomaru all came together, didn't you?!" Kazuichi asked.

"What the hell, dude??? We were bringing the food!" Nekomaru exclaimed before he slammed his hand down on his stand, looking over at Kazuichi with his head tilted forward, his face becoming red.

"I am just saying, her disappearing for the whole time is suspicious!"

"Shut up, ugly bitch!" Hiyoko yelled. "The way you keep running your mouth is suspicious!"

"I don't want to die! We have to be through about this whole thing!" Kazuichi yelled his face turning pink. "And you were no where to be found the entire time! Maybe you were using the bringing food as a trick!"

"No she didn't, she was with us the entire time we were bringing the food over! She wouldn't have had time to!" Mahiru yelled back, to which Hiyoko nodded in feverish agreement.

"Then, what about that fire?" Kazuichi asked as he recoiled back. "What's the deal behind that?"

"Are you saying I got something to do with that, huh!?' Hiyoko exclaimed.

"Well apparently you have a history of not reporting bodies! You coulda done it again!"

"And I would have caused a fire!?"

"Hmfp," Gundham buried his nose in his scarf. "They are not getting us anywhere….:

= Make Your Argument =

TRUTH BULLETS
Truth Bullet - Status of the Body
Truth Bullet - Oven
Truth Bullet - Note to Fuyuhiko
Truth Bullet - Mikan and Peko's Autopsy
Truth Bullet - Sonia's Account

"You leave and then a fire breaks out!"
"Oddly suspicious-"
"Doesn't everyone agree?"

"No there is barely"
"Any agreement here, you idiot!"

"Hiyoko would have had"
"absolutely no reason to start a fire."

"Then how do you explain the fire occuring?"

"We don't, even-even know"
"What is started form!"
"I don't… think…"

"No- there must be away!"
"To know the source!"

"Perhaps it came"
"From the very depths of hell!"

"I don't think so."

"If… we can't find the source… Then…"
"There is no way to tell"
"What started that fire!"

"Hmm…"
"I don't think…"
"That is right."

"NO THAT'S WRONG!!!"

-BREAK-

"We know exactly what the source of the fire is," Hajime said as he leaned backwards. "It was the oven!" he said. "If you look at the way the glass breaks and the fire extends from that center point, it is clear the oven is where the fire started," Hajime said as he leaned forward,

"Well-well," Kazuichi swallowed. "We know, where the fire started but that, doesn't answer the main question. What caused that fire???" he swallowed hard.

"That…. is true…" Hajime said as he leaned forward. "There had to be something that started one fire."

"Was it just the oven exploded!?" Ibuki asked as she lurched forward. "Something stupid lucky," she let out a gasp. "Maybe it was Nagito!"

"He has not been let out of anyone's sight," Sonia said as she looked at him. "And I do not think it is that either."

"Could have…. the killer put a bomb in there or some???" Kazuichi asked as he recoiled back.

"I would be easy to tell if it was a bomb," Nagito said as he stared across with a blank expression.

"You are, extremely certain of that," Mahiru said as she recoiled in the stand.

"He's right."

"Of course you know!" Hiyoko shrieked as she pointed her finger towards Peko, who snapped her neck over and Hiyoko squealed, ducking under the wood.

"We do need to come to an answer…" you said as you closed your eyes. "Hajime, do you have any thoughts?" you turned to look up at him, and it appeared his eyes were revolving. "Uh- Hajime," you looked at him from the side. His face had glazed over to a mesh of gray almost with how…. static his expression was.

"Is- something wrong with Hajime?" Mikan asked as she held her hand up.

"He is fine," Nagito said as he tilted his head to one side. "I think we should give him some time…. whatever he is thinking about might be rather interesting."

"So- we are just supposed to stand around here and say nothing well the killer wanders around!?" Kazuichi exclaimed.

"If he is opening his third eye, I vouch to say we allow him too," Gundham said as he crossed his arms, turning his head away.

"Maybe he just is having a stroke from the pressure," Hiyoko said with half a laugh as she popped up from behind the stands.

You watched him careful and his eyes sparked.

"I got it!" he shouted loud enough to make everyone jump. "The killer shoved their clothes into the oven!"

"What!?" Kazuichi bent his back. "What makes you think that?!"

"Well, we didn't find any blood clothes or anything at the scene, did we?" Hajime asked as he looked around. "We were all meeting at the beach, so it's not like not wearing your usual clothing would be considered suspicious, just shoving it in the oven seemed like a good way to hide the evidence…"

'I think that also infers that the fire likely wasn't one purpose," you said as you raised up a finger "I mean, the killer was probably hoping the body would be found as late as possible: the more it decayed the harder it would be even possible to guess when the murder happened. "

"That makes sense," Peko glanced at everyone wearing swimsuits.

Nagito let out a loud sigh, as he leaned on the stand as he looked to the side.

Hajime tensed up as his shoulders rolled back.

"What's with that face?" Mahiru asked as she clenched her fists, leaning towards the albino.

"It is nothing," he said with a shrug.

"Do you have… some input for the trail?" Sonia asked as she held her hands together.

"Well, perhaps but I really doubt anything I have to say would be any value to all of you," Nagito said with a shrug as he closed his eyes. "I really think it would just be best if I keep my opinion to myself."

You sucked in a breathe staring at him. "Do you have, a thought on who the killer is: Nagito?" you asked as you leaned forward.

"I do…" Nagito said and turned his eyes away.

The air in the room froze over as everyone looked at him.

Hajime gritted his teeth, thawing through the tension….

Who does Nagito Suspect?

=Select Someone=

Kazuichi Souda

"You think it is Kazuichi, don't you: Nagito?"

"WHAT!?!" Kazuichi shrieked, nearly leaping out of his skin. "Why- me!? I didn't- no way!!!!"

Nagito let out a laugh, leaning back in his stand as it turned into howling, his head back. "You are perceptive, Hajime. It is just a theory, I… really do not have great evidence."

"I think, you are on to something, actually," Hajime said.

"No he isn't!!!" Kazuichi yelled as he slammed his fist on the stands. "He is a mad man, remember! Set up the first murder trail to test our hope or something crazy like that!?" Kazuichi asked as he whipped around the stands. "His thoughts shouldn't be counted!"

"…. you have been loud this entire trial."

Kazuichi snapped over to Peko. "That doesn't mean anything!" Kazuichi yelled as he looked around, sweat already pouring like waterfalls down his neck and back, his breathe beginning to get heavy. "I don't want to die!"

"You certainly seem rather upset by the accusation, Kazuichi," Sonia said, her hands pulled together by her stomach.

Kazuichi recoiled back. "Of course I am upset! I just accused of murder!"

"Confess."

"I didn't do it!" Kazuichi yelled as he looked around the room, letting out a break. "Those, those pots and pans!" Kazuichi threw up a hand. "They showed a fight happened, ya? Fuyuhiko was a Yakuza so if it came to blows, I would have totally been the one knocked out!"

"Kazuichi is pretty pathetic," Hiyoko agreed as she let out a snicker.

"Those pots and pans were meaningless."

"Would Kazuichi really think of laying them out like that, though?" Mahiru asked as she crossed his arms.

"Ya!" Kazuichi looked over almosted alarmed right away. "I mean! Hey!"

"Ibuki really thinks he has a point, all of those Yakuza movies are about fightin' and stuff! So Fuyuhiko probably had to be really good at it too!"

"We aren't certain there was a fight……" Nagito said as he crossed his arms, letting out a hum.

"I find it hard to believe Fuyuhiko wouldn't go down fighting," Byakuya said as he closed his eyes, crossing his arms.

"Myyyy, it seems you just cannot agree with each other about anything!"Monokuma laughed from his golden throne, leaning back as his red eye glinted. "You know what that means!"

The stands began to rattle in place before lifting off of the ground. You grabbed onto yours, clinging onto the wood almost scared you were going to slip off as each pillar of earth went higher and higher into the air

SPLIT/OPINION

"Did a struggle happen?"

Kazuichi: I'd never commit a murder!

Hajime: There is nothing we can take off the table right now, whether you want us too our not."

Hiyoko: The body was all screwed up, ya? It would be hard to tell if a fight even happened!

Mikan: A-actually the body, only had post-mortem m-marks other than t-the stab wound.

Kazuichi: A mechanic couldn't take on a yakuza!

Nekomaru: It all depends on strategy! Any sort of a fight, Yakuza or Mechanic.

Gundham: That mighty mess that was created… it could not have happened naturally

Peko: The pots and pans were layered in away that they had to be added after the fact.

Ibuki: Would Kazuichi even think to do something as complex as hide the pots and pans???

Nagito: Kazuichi is the SHSL Mechanic and he has a talent for making do…. it seems plausible to me.

Byakuya: I cannot imagine Fuyuhiko going down with no fight.

You: If there was a chance for a fight to happen, the killer could have gotten the drop on him!

Mahiru: Those two men would have gone after each other right away!

Sonia: Kazuichi could have been hiding ready to ambush! Or merely gotten the jump with the knife.

"THIS IS OUR ANSWER!"

FULL COUNTER

-BREAK-

"Hey!" Kazuichi yelled as he threw his hands up in the air. "I don't agree with the answer!" he yelled as the stand went to the ground, his body shaking.

"Everyone else does, Kazuichi," Mahiru said as her eyes narrowed.

"Well one of the pieces of evidence was based on speculation," he pointed a finger at Sonia which made her recoil back, his shoulder's raising. "How would I have been in a postion to get the jump on him, huh!? Why in the world would I just expect Fuyuhiko to wander into the kitchen diner!?"

"Well he is known to go in there…' you said as you crossed your arms, suddenly remembering you never got diner date.

Or your burger.

"When a party is happening right next door?" Kazuichi blew a raspberry. "As if! He would want to stay as far away from the crowd as possible. How do we know the body wasn't, moved some how!?" he exclaimed.

"It wasn't."

"How would you know!?" Kazuichi yelled at Peko. "You still don't even have any sliver of an alibi!!! You- could have done something!"

Peko was reaching for her sword, making Nekomaru by her step to the side, holding his stance wide.

"She may not have an alibi, but I think there is evidence in the weeds to suggest Peko didn't do it-" you said, planting both of your hands on the railing as sweat began to bead on your forehead.

"I…. ya, I think I know what you are talking about," Hajime said as he pointed a finger.

Peko glared at both of you, making both of you feel a chill.

Improved Hangman's Gambit

S

T

U

T

U

S

"No time to beat around the bush this time!"

Swish, Swipe Swoosh

The Setup

-BREAK-

"If we look at everything about the crime scene, the killer wanted to have a long delay before the body was found," Hajime said as he held out a hand. "If that was the case…. why did the killer want to meet at the diner?"

"Want to meet!? Where are you getting the idea they wanted to meet there?!" Kazuichi yelled as he banged his hands on the wood.

"Because we found a note in Fuyuhiko's room," you said as you held up the scrap of paper.

"Why are you only bringing this note up now!?" Mahiru exclaimed her face turning red.

"Ya that seemed like pretty important information on the context of the murder, stupid heads!" Hiyoko exclaimed pointing a finger at you two, and the glare you sent her.

Well, she was under the stand again.

The sight of the paper was enough to break Peko out of her dark expression to…. shock. She stared at the note her body tensing and then relaxing then going tense once more.

"So with that note…. the Killer set up to meet at the diner, but…. that doesn't make a ton of sense if they wanted the body to be concealed, after all: everyone was going to be at the party and the diner is right next door," Nagito said as he smiled, rubbing his chin. "That probably means, the Killer wanted the party to be their alibi."

"That is making some leaps!" Kazuichi yelled. "I-I mean- I mean- come on! If the killing happened somewhere else it'd be super obvious who the killer was!"

"Not if they would have successfully obscured the time," Peko said as she glared at him. "Your job was half finished at best."

"Shut up! Shut up it-" Kazuichi looked around before his hand launched towards Byakuya. "He arrived around the same time I did and I don't see anyone pointing fingers at him! And- he had all of the time around the Game! He would have had the most time to learn about, form a plan and do a murder."

"You really, are desperate," Sonia said as her face curled in on itself.

"When pinned in a corner is is only nature to claw and bite…" Gundham said as he crossed his arms.

"Shut up! I don't want to die! And as it stands, Byakuya- is just as obvious as I am!!!" Kazuichi yelled as his face turned pale, his sharp teeth beginning to chatter and cut his own lip. "He was gone, at the same time I was! And was around the machine more often than me! All of that lines up it is him!"

"There is an easy way to prove I am innocent," Byakuya said as they turned their head to the side, narrowing their eyes are Kazuichi.

Kazuichi turned his head away, shaking his head. "Prove it! Prove It! Prove It ProveItPROVEITPROVEITPROVEITPROVEIT!!!!!!!"

"Tell him, Hajime."

Hajime looked over. "What? Why me?" Hajime threw his hand up. "Whatever."

"I don't care! None- none of you can prove it!!!" Kazuichi yelled, quivering behind his stand.

= Panic Talk Action =

 "Stop it! You- you can't prove anything!"

"I am innocent! I swear it!"

"Please, I didn't, I didn't do it!"

"I'd never kill anyone!"

"Please, come on man!!!"

"You- can't prove it! You can't!"

"All of your evidence is full of holes!"

"It wasn't me! It wasn't me!"

"I don't want to die."

"There, is nothing solid here!!!"

"Stop talking! Stop talking!"

"You don't have anything on me you don't have on Byakuya, so- so stop trying to accuse me!!!" 

A. Clothes

B. Clean                 C. Are

D. His

"This is the end!"

-BREAK-

"Byakuya has been wearing the same white suit the whole time, if he committed a murder in that there is no doubt it would have had blood on it before coming to the party."

Kazuichi completely froze up on the stand, completely pulling back. "That- he- could- could have had a change of clothes!"

"You are grasping at straws," Peko said as her hand began to creep up. "Confess."

Kazuichi squealed and he jumped back. "No- no, you cannot make me!"

"I suppose, we won't have to make you," Nagito said as he let out a sigh, throwing his hands in the air as he shook his head.

"We can put this whole case together," you said as you leaned forward.

"No- no need for that!"

Climax Inference

"Things start shortly after Fuyuhiko knocked me out," you started as you held out your hands. "We can't quite know what time but Fuyuhiko ran back to his room, panicked at the idea he could have committed a murder and cause a trail with a rather, easy answer," you crossed your arms and closed your eyes. "He slammed the door so loud, awakening the killer."

"Assuming someone else played the game, and not wanting to be left in the dark they crept out of their room: playing Twilight Murder Syndrome with out any interruptions. That is where they got the motive," Hajime leaned over on the railing. "Using that, they wanted to have a meeting with the victim, Fuyuhiko."

"So they drafted up a note, using the envelopment as the bait to have a conversation and well everyone was getting ready for the party: they waited in the diner…. and Fuyuhiko actually showed," Nagito crossed his arms, letting out a breathe through his nose.

"The killer took their chance and preparations they had made, to get the drop on him: stabbing Fuyuhiko in the stomach was the fatal blow," Hajime moved his hand up in the air. "However the killer did not want to make that obvious, so they took to making a mess of the scene."

"Turning up the heat in the room already, throwing pots and pans all around to throw off the idea it was a struggle, and all that left was their clothing. It being a beach party though, they had the perfect excuse to get rid of it right there and then by trying to shove into the oven!" you nodded your head. "They figured self clean mode would leave nothing but ash… but it would slowly turn into a fire."

"Of course, they were long gone before that happened: having easily slipped right into the party," Nagito nodded his head.

"No amount of lying around alibis will cut it for you anymore," you, Hajime and Nagito were all in sync pointing at him-

"You are the killer, Super High School Level Mechanic, Kazuichi Souda!"

"Is there anything we have missed, Kazuichi?" Hajime asked, as he held his nose up towards Kazuichi.

Kazuichi grabbed onto the stand as he sobbed. "It wasn't planned!" he looked up at the three of you, sobbing. "It wasn't, a planned murder!"

~ TRAIL RESULTS ~

Chapter Text

Kazuichi grabbed onto the stand as he sobbed. "It wasn't planned!" he looked up at the three of you, sobbing. "It wasn't, a planned murder!" his breathe was broken as he fell to his knees, his fingers clenching the varnished wood.

"Do you think, such a lame excuse would change anything?" Peko asked.

"Of course I don't! Th-that's why-" Kazuichi's hands shook as he held his head down, tears and snot coming down his face.

Peko reached for her sword.

"Hey- hey!" Mahiru yelled. "Don't start reaching for weapons when we have already figured out the culprit!"

"We have."

Kazuichi was up on his feet, and took a step away. "H-hey, what are you doing!?"

"… I was not able to protect him, but I can carry out your execution," her voice made the whole room go cold.

"You aren't even going to let me explain myself!?" Kazuichi yelled as he stepped back, getting off of the steps.

"Stop! Cease this ridiculous behavior at once!" Byakuya demanded.

Peko unsheathed the long slender katana blade and gripped it so tight her knuckles turned white, she hopped over her podium, walking across the center. Her trot was slow and deliberate, leaving Kazuichi frozen on the stand.

"Puhuhuhuhu!!!! How exciting!!!" Monokuma yelled as he stood on his throne, throwing his paws in the air. "This is what I lovvveee to see!!!!"

"Peko, stop!" you leapt from your stand and grabbed at her wrist. "You can't kill him!"

She whipped around and shook you off. She took a swipe at you, you swerved yourself out of the way, the fatal blow being transferred to ripping into your cheek. Your blood splattered onto the ground making sharp streaks on the ground.

Nekomaru rushed forward next, his muscle acting as a wall Peko attempted to slice down, but Nekomaru caught her blade between his thumb and forefinger. He gritted his teeth as the blade twitched in his hold, moments away from

You recoiled back, holding your face as blood poured like a waterfall from the source. Mikan rushed over her stand and yanked you away, beginning to tend to the cut on your face well Hajime rushed to come to your side.

Byakuya and Sonia were on either side of her, grabbing her arms.

"He is going to die anyway when we cast our votes," you said as your blood was already soaking into the gauze. "There is no sense in you dying with him."

"I do not care what you opinion is on the matter," Peko said, her body oddly relaxed in it's restraint. She glared at Kazuichi across the stands.

"You want to kill him, right?" Nagito asked. "That's understandable enough but…. if you cast your vote, that will be doing the same thing,' he said as he closed his eyes, moving his hands in the air. "I see no point in someone as talented as you also dying just for his murder."

Peko's predator gaze landed on him, and he took a step back with his unchanging smile still plastered on his face.

"Ughhhhh, come on we were just about to get to enjoy some action!!!" Monokuma complained. "Come on! Kill each other!"

"Ignore the stupid bear, we know the killer let's just vote and get it over with!" Hiyoko whined as she pounded her hands on the railing.

"Come on- come on!!!!! I didn't, even mean to commit the murder!" Kazuichi looked pale. "If- if anything, now that I think about it… Fuyuhiko is the killer!!!"

"What, in the world do you mean?" Byakuya asked.

"Why, did you even do it in the first place?" Mahiru asked as she recoiled back. "Twilight Murder Syndrome didn't have anything to do with you! It makes, no sense why you'd act on the motive."

"I wasn't trying too!" Kazuichi sucked in a breathe.

"The story can come later, just vote already: if there isn't any violence it is boring," Monokuma said as he sat back down in his throne.

"Fine," Peko yanked her arms, freeing herself from Byakuya and Sonia and she walked over to her podium, Nekomaru carrying her sword back with him.

Monokuma burst into laughter again before he leaned his body forward, his arms hanging down like black roots that wanted to merge into the ground. "It's votttttting time!!!" he rang out, and everyone stood a step back as a lever rose through the floor.

You glared at the bear when he repeated the same garble as last time, before your shoulders recoiled and looked up at Kazuichi sniffling in the stand, he didn't even look at his lever as he sat curled up on the floor, and you closed your eyes as you yanked it down,

"Who will be chosen as the blackened!? Will you make the right choice, or the dreadfully wrong one~?" the bear was cackling as he asked. "Puhuhuhu, such heart pounding excitement!"

One by one everyone let go of the lever, making the face of Kazuichi glow in it's bright yellow frame light up.

The monitors around the room light up as they all displayed the same rapidly spinning slot machine.

Who is Found Guilty?

MONOKUMA

VOTE

OOO

KAZUICHI SOUDA
!!!GUILTY!!!

The coins poured right from the monitor into the court room, clinking onto Kazuichi's head as they all came out. Kazuichi covered his head, tears streaming down his face

TRAIL

Class Trail
END

ALL RISE

Kazuichi looked up at the screen that finally stopped spitting on him, his entire body shaking as he shook his head. "T-this isn't right! It, it isn't fair!!!" he yelled.

"What did you try to mean with Fuyuhiko being the killer?" Peko barked at him from across the stand, and he gave a scream that died on his throat.

"I, he lunged at me!!! I was just, trying to talk to him!!!"

"About what?" Hajime asked. "You knew exactly how volatile a guy he was, why would you go to talk to him about how his sister died???" Hajime asked as his face scrunched up.

Kazuichi looked around before he clenched his fist and his head fell down, and he reached into the pocket of his swim trunks. "I didn't leave you with all of the photos…" Kazuichi answered as he held out three additional pictures.

The first photo was of Natsumi Kuzuryu, seated upon a black bike with hot pink flames. She was posed with a leather jacket, and right next to her on the ground, looking up at awe at her on that bike: was Kazuichi.

The second photo was of Kazuichi, Natsumi and Fuyuhiko at some high end sushi place, Fuyuhiko digging into Kazuichi about something, Kazuichi leaning away and Natsumi laughing about it on the side.

The final photo was, at the skate park. It was such a full and vibrant photo of- the class: half of it anyway.

Ibuki was atop of one of the ramps, blasting out tunes well just on the lip of the curve, Nekomaru and Akane were trying to run vertical up the side. Natsumi and Hajime were in the bowl of the skate park, Hajime sporting several bruises as they seemed to be fighting. Kazuichi was at the side, sitting in front of the bike from the first photo as he cheered for Natsumi. You, Fuyuhiko and Peko were in the foreground of the issue, a book in your hand as you pointed to parts of Peko's well Fuyuhiko looked and confused.

"What, the hell are with these photographs!?" Hajime exclaimed as he clutched onto the skate park picture, feeling, dizzy seeing himself.

"These don't have anything to do with the case," you said as your head snapped over to the bear.

"Well they are apart of the motive!" Monokuma exclaimed as laughed. "If it were someone like Fuyuhiko who played the game first, he comes prepared with knowledge of why this is important to him. Kazuichi he, just needed to spark the memory!"

"Why, did you even play the game in the first place?" Byakuya asked as he passed the photo on to the next person on the courtroom, his nose scrunched from seeing the picture.

"I don't know! That noise, in the middle of the night: I just figured if someone else had played the game that I, couldn't be left out of the loop of what happened!" Kazuichi said. "Then, Monokuma gave me the end prize photo, saying I completed it first, and with those pictures," Kazuichi held onto his chest. "I don't know, it was stupid!!! I knew it was stupid!!! Going to talk to Fuyuhiko was a stupid idea-"

Kazuichi tapped his fingers on the side of the counter, looking around as the second guesses began to gather up by the minute.

His spine nearly left his skin when he hear footsteps, his head snapped over to Fuyuhiko with his head down and hands in his pockets. His golden eyes turned up and he immediately seized up like a snail doused in salt. "You!? What the fuck do you want!?"

"Uh- hey, Fuyuhiko-" lord he felt sweaty, he had rehearsed what he was going to say and yet now he just felt sick with a sense of bitter foreboding. "I have something, to talk to you about," Kazuichi said and he shifted, and pulled the file from behind his back.

"You played it? Fucking, you did!?" Fuyuhiko showed his teeth. "What the hell?!"

"Y-ya, ya I did! Don't sound as shocked," Kazuichi said as he jutted the folder out. "Just, take a look."

Now- perhaps Kazuichi got caught up in the photo he had seen, then even more excited with the third and second that that he did not check fourth through seventh before he planned this meeting with Fuyuhiko: and perhaps he could avoid the… elephant in the game that might- end poorly.

These are all just perhaps: that could lead to the way fate played out.

Fuyuhiko let out a huff as he glared up at Kazuichi, before the snatched the envelope out of his hand and peeled it over. "This better be worth my fucking time," he grumbled as he pulled out the photos, his brow quirked at the first one he was looking at. "What the fuck, was this game about?" he muttered.

"Uh that isn't-"

Fuyuhiko stopped at the next photo, his entire face going white. "Are you tryin' to fuck with me, you bastard!?"

"Huh?" Kazuichi took a step back.

"What, the hell happened to my sister!?"

Fuyuhiko lunged at Kazuichi, and he wasn't sure what he was going to do-

So he grabbed a knife, and Fuyuhiko ran right into it.

Oh shit.

Fuyuhiko's mouth fell open as he looked down, and Kazuichi's eyes followed, pink spraying out and covering Kazuichi's jumpsuit and the floor.

Kazuichi let go of the knife and stumbled back, as Fuyuhiko collapsed to the ground, he reached for the knife in his gut before he heaved out in pain, the blood gushed out of him as he stared up at Kazuichi, the light quickly leaving his eyes.

"Oh, oh, oh," Kazuichi began to shake as he looked around the area. "Oh nooooo!!!!!!" Kazuichi yelled before he began to sprint around, throwing pans onto the floor, yanking his clothes off to get them in the oven, spamming the self clean button until he was certain that thing was locked. His head zoomed around and he darted over to the thermostat. "Come on- come on- come onnnnnn"

Then it was the photos.

"Dammit!!!" he yelled as he darted over to the oven, watching the expanding pool as he tried to yank it open, but it would not budge.

Ughhhhh!

Kazuichi ran over, looking at the scattering of them. He grabbed the first few, crumbling them as they were shoved back into the overly protective folder. He looked at the final three and his hand-

quivered.

"…" Kazuichi looked down at the photo, his thumb rubbing the painted over gas tank. "It was always, a dream to build a bike like that," he smiled, showing off his sharp teeth as he leaned back. "And to think I had someone like that riding it," he looked up, the smile breaking into tears as he looked over everyone at the class. "I was stupid for having hope, I-I know that!"

"You aren't stupid for your hope," Hajime said as he looked over at Kazuichi. "You are stupid for going to talk with Fuyuhiko of all people first."

"Hajime!" your voice cracked, before you looked over at Kazuichi. "It wasn't the best idea with how Fuyuhiko, was but: your reaction was understandable, especially learning you two were friends…." your shoulders sank a little as you looked at him crying on the stands. "I am sorry, Kazuichi."

"What does sorry matter!?' Kazuichi yelled as he pointed a finger towards you. "I am going to die- die anyway! And you voted for it, just like everyone else here!"

"What did you expect? For all of us to die for you?" Byakuya asked as they glared at him from across the way.

"N-no! W-well-" Kazuichi went silent.

"Puhuhuhuhuhu, awwwwww did you wish all of them would die?" Monokuma rolled around in his throne. "You sure do have some nerve being mad at them for voting for you, when you would have been fine with all of them dying!"

"You love twisting shit, you stupid bear!" you gestured to Kazuichi. "He is human! He doesn't want to die!" you looked at Kazuichi again your weight going into your foot. "Sorry doesn't change anything, but I understand, Kazuichi…. and I wish there was something I could do."

"Yuck, yuck, yuck!" Monokuma stuck his tongue out. "It's time to end this shmuck already, don't you say!?"

Kazuichi looked around at everyone in the room." No, no, please no!!! Help me! Help meeee!" He stopped and begged you with a look, and there was nothing you could do.

"Let's give it everything we got- it's…. PUNISHMENT TIME!!!!"

"I don't want to die like this!!!!"

The bear yanked back a judge's gavel, before smashing it down with all of his might onto a big red button.

GAME OVER

A sprite of Monokuma dragged Kazuichi Souda away.

KAZUICHI SOUDA HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY.
IT IS TIME FOR THE PUNISHMENT!

Kazuichi was dropped down onto a conveyor belt, he looked around the cold blue steel that surrounded him on all sides of his endless cage, expect for behind him: with the gaping maw of a drop.

There was a large, industrial beep, and a red light shot to life as in front of Kazuichi a shudder slide open, and trash began to fall out of the mouth.

The conveyor belt started to move.

The World's
Coolest and Cruelest
Conveyor Belt!!!

SHSL Mechanic
Kazuichi Souda
Execution: Executed

The pace started slow, Kazuichi could walk along the intended belt with out trouble, the trash easy to jump over or side step. He was almost getting into a rhythm with it as he kept going-

Then it was faster.

He was at a jog now, the piles of trash getting higher to the point he had to leap over them. Kazuichi began to sweat as he let out a puff, balling his fists.

Then it was faster.

Kazuichi let out heavy pants as he was at a sprint down, the pieces of trash began to bounce up like beach balls, trying to bowl him over. Kazuichi was throwing his body from one side and then another, his face turning red.

Then it was faster.

He tripped.

The belt gave him no mercy and Kazuichi scrambled, the drop apporached quickly and he crawled along the ground. He yanked himself over the trash and rolled on the ground, beginning to try and gain his footing

When he heard skittering.

From the the trash pit, spindly spider hands began to crawl out with sharp, razor fingers. Kazuichi gave a helpless scream and he got up, and landed face first on the belt due to another pile of trash.

They got him, and started to rip

and started to tear

and started to shred

Until there was nothing left of the SHSL Mechanic, but a growing bloodstain on the shut off belt. It all around down, making a waterfall from where the hell hands emerged.

The screen was bright pink, and there was the sound of dripping.

"How- brutal," Gundham stared at the screen, his eyes wide as he drew his scarf up to his face.

"What was with the hands?" Ibuki asked as her shoulders tensed up.

"Nightmare fuel!!!" Hiyoko yelled as she grabbed onto her pigtails, yanking them down as she sniffled. "It was so creepy!!!"

"Aren't they just great?" Monokuma asked.

"No way!!!" Monomi yelled, finally having broke free of the rope and pointed a hand at him. "This is totally too cruel!!!"

"yaaaa, that's kinda, the point," Monokuma kicked Monomi away. "Each one crafted with such cruelty for everyone of you!!!" he grinned as he curled his hand upwards. "I really hope I get to share alllll of them with you some day soon."

"No-no!!!" Mahiru shook her head as she clenched her fist. 'We, won't let another murder happen! We won't see any of your- horrible executions ever again do you hear?!"

"Oh, you sure you won't let another murder happen? You are pretty bad at that," the bear tilted his head, and Mahiru went pale before her lips sealed close.

Hiyoko looked over at Mahiru and back to the bear. "No one wants to hear you talk anymore! Haven't you already had your fun, you stupid bear!?"

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…." the bear looked out over all the faces. "Ya, actually. Bye-bye, see you next time something interesting happens!" the bear was laughing as he popped from his chair going to only Satan knew where.

The room grew quiet, despite the best efforts of those with the weakest stomachs to stop looking at the blood soaked screen it…. kept drawing the eye to what was once Kazuichi.

There was the sound of clinking and shuddering that quickly grew dim and everyone looked around the room to find the sound.

"Uh, where'd Peko go?" Nekomaru asked, and everyone turned to see the empty stand of Peko Pekoyama.

"Who let that crazy bitch wander away unsupervised?!" Hiyoko's voice cracked, her face growing noticeable paler as sweat began to gather on her brow.

"Well her target is-" Ibuki's eyes reflected the bright pink blood pool. "Gone."

"I do, hope it will not be an issue….." Sonia said as she held her hands together.

"Well, I know we cannot say anything for certain, not myself for sure but…" Nagito bounced his head to look at all of the girls linked to the Twilight Murder Syndrome case and hummed. "She does seem like she would have a pick of targets, should she please."

"You- think she might be targeting us!?' Mikan squeaked, tears raining down onto the ground.

"I cannot say for certain."

"I think you are jumping real fast to that assumption," you said as you glared at Nagito.

"Well, she is free to try!" Hiyoko opened her mouth and then her eyes were drawn upwards, and everything she had been wanting to say died in a moment. She pulled her hands upwards. "She, she won't succeed because she is too much of a stupid bitch….."

"Everyone is on edge, given, what has happened," Byakuya kept a straight face as their back went straight and rigid. "For now we should head back to our cottage and regroup in the morning."

"If this game plays in order, we will likely have a new island," Gundham said as he looked over at the pink and white bunny. All of Monomi's fur stood on edge, and she dipped away from the group.

"Let's hope she does something useful…" Hajime mumbled in a tone he prayed you could not hear.

The crowd began to shuffle towards the elevator, and waited for it to come back down.

It was rather quiet going up, and it was a single file line going back down to the mainland.

You pulled yourself towards the back of the pack, crossing your arms as you watched everyone go down.

Hajime moved next to you, and started to stare at you.

"Is there something you want to talk about, Hajime?" you asked as you turned your head to him, your brow quirking at his expression.

"What…. are you going to do?" he asked as he looked back as Nagito stepped off with Sonia down to the digital world before.

"I will see you at the cottage," you smiled, throwing your hands in the air with your answer.

"Before that?" he crossed his arms.

"Well….I think, I have an idea where she went…." you answered as you stepped down with him. "I want to check."

"And you are going to do that alone."

"I think it would be the better idea," you said as you crossed your arms, eyes glancing off the mountain and off into the sea.

"Are you sure she won't just murder you?" Hajime looked down at you, his jaw clenching so hard it hurt.

"Oh , is that what you are worried about?" you had to laugh before patting his shoulder as you stepped off the steps. "She won't."

"Aren't you being over confident with what just happened???"

You stepped on your toes and kissed Hajime's cheek. "I am not," your answer wouldn't have changed if you didn't feel right about it anyway. "I won't be gone long…. Just go get some rest, you, look tired." you frowned as you looked into his eyes that had a dullness to their hue.

"… Fine," Hajime's lip quiver and he kissed your forehead. "Please, please don't push anything with her right now."

"I am not going to," you began to walk, and Hajime grabbed your arm. He pulled you back to him and planted a deep kiss with you. You let out a delighted hum as you grabbed onto his arm. When you pulled away you giggled. "I really will be careful when handling Peko," you promised.

"You better," he said as he bumped his forehead to you, before he pulled away. His face turned a rosy red as he looked down at your face, his body went rigid and then he took off running towards the cottage.

"Cute…." you mumbled to yourself with a dopey smile, before you looked out towards the bridge to the second island. Your expression fell as you began to walk towards your goal.

They thought they remained in the shadows but you could see them. The faceless men in their black suits. There was a dozens of them that hide in the trees, behind the bushes, on top of the roofs.

You tried to ignore them but you could hear their quiet footsteps or the clicking of guns being loaded, or the unsheathing of swords It kept making you jerk your head to look at them despite knowing they were tricks of the mind.

You let out a long breathe as you turned into the parking lot of the half burnt down diner.

It was cold out here, so you better head inside.

The old glass crunched under your foot. The bell still chimed like nothing had changed as you stepped onto the tile, your shoes clicking as you moved to get behind the counter.

There was a flash of shadow.

Peko's sword was an inch from your jugular, your hands up in the air. "Hey…. do you need anything, Peko?" you asked.

"Why are you here?" the blade crept closer, but you did not move.

"To check on you, I know…. you aren't alright," you kept your voice even as you looked into her eyes. "I know you need time, but, I am worried about you. And I want you to know that,"

The sword jerked away from you as Peko's hands tightened, before she changed the angle she was threatening you, ready to jam it under the softness of your jaw. "I don't want your pity."

"I wouldn't say it is pity, closer to empathy," you said as you shifted your eyes to one side, tilting your head one way and digging the blade in ever so lightly on the other, your pink blood tilting your head.

"You cannot have empathy for a tool."

You blinked at that- "A tool?" you asked as you lifted your chin upwards. "That is not right."

"It is not your place to define what is 'right'," her sword thrust up so it was touching right below your brain, oh so easy for her to erase every amount of that 'pity' she wished… And yet her hand stayed.

"It is merely a fact that I am right," your eyes flicked over to the open kitchen, the moonlight shining on where the corpse had been….. but it was cleaned as if he never existed in the first place. "For, tools don't grieve," you stated

Peko stepped away from you, her free hand pulling close to her chest as the sword was now angled at you. Her mouth fell open a stray breathe falling, followed by a tear. "I do not have the right."

"Of course you do, Peko," you put your fingertips on the flat of the blade as you pushed it aside, stepping close to her. "He, no, they both mattered to you…. knowing you have lost both is painful," ah now you were crying, but you held your voice. "Take all the time you need for your pain, Peko. I will be here when you are ready," you smiled up at her, giving a small bow of your head, then you exposed your back to her. "Have a quiet night, Peko."

Peko stood in the moonlight diner, the burnt ashes piled around her with no evidence of her young master to be found

and all alone, she wept.

When the door to the cabin clicked open, Hajime rocked on his back to get the force need to sit up, his legs spread eagle and his arms out before he got the right position.

You blinked as you held the door, closing it slow behind you so there wasn't much noise. "I was expecting you to be asleep."

"I can't," Hajime said as he crossed over the bed before he stopped. "Are you bleeding?!"

"Tis but a scratch," you said as you walked to his side, sitting down next to him. "Do you want to talk about what's on your mind?"

Hajime opened his mouth, sputtering a couple of times before he held his teeth together, tilting his head back. "I keep, thinking about that picture Kazuichi had, the one, at the park," he said as he put a hand on the side of his head. "That confirms it, doesn't it??? That, I have to be an SHSL, right???"

Your eyes fluttered. "Well… Ya, it would," your voice was breathless at the end. "Is that what you have been thinking about?"

"Yes? No- not, all of it I-" he cupped his forehead as he hung over the bed, pressing his knuckles and thumbs together. "I have been thinking about how I should be thinking about the two guys who died, or, the fact I apparently…… I apparently had a friend," Hajime threw one hand out well the other stayed planted on the forehead. "I should, feel horrible! As bad as as before! And yet, yet I know I am happy," he moved his hand down to his chest and looked at you. "Does that make me a horrible person? Or, am I just already so desensitized to everything?"

"Hajime, you are a wonderful man," you sat on the bed next to him and put a hand on his cheek. "It's not horrible to feel happy about something, even if everything else is terrifying… it is really nice to have that one thing in a dark time," you smiled at him as your hand moved up, and brushed some of his hair out of his face, your thumb lingering on his forehead.

Hajime tilted his head to look into your eyes better, before he let out a long sigh, falling into you, his head landing in your shoulder. You wrapped your arms around him, one hand rubbing his back well the other played with the hair on the back of his neck.

"I don't know what I would do if you weren't here…." he mumbled, taking in a deep inhale of you. "This is all shit."

"He," you let out a sigh as your head fell on top of his, the spiny hairs tickling your cheek. "Ya it is…."

You held each other for awhile before Hajime moved away, looking down at you. "What do you think…. Natsumi was like?"

"She was one bitch who was one of a kind," your teeth looked sharp in your green, and your eyes glinted with the color of a solar flare.

Hajime matched your smile for a second before he let out a breathe. "Do you think…. there will ever be away for us to remember her."

"I don't think it matters too much if our mind remembers," you put your hand on Hajime's chest. "Memory, is a complex thing: even if you don't have the textual evidence for what happened, you have how it made you feel. That is something that lives in your heart and will never leave you."

Hajime leaned into your hand. "I think…. there is something to that," he mumbled as he closed his eyes.

"Are you feeling, any more ready for bed?" you asked.

"I-" he was ready to answer with confident, and then he saw the look on your face. "…. I think, a story could help me sleep a little better."

"Yay!" you grinned, letting out a delighted giggle as you dove for the nightstand, and produced the book you both had been enjoying before someone fell asleep. You grinned as you flipped the novel open. 'What is the last thing you remember?"

"Uh, him beating Algernon at the maze? I think, that is the last thing that is concrete."

"Okay!" you beamed at him as you flipped to early page, and set right to reading to him until Hajime was able to fall right asleep to the sound of your voice, and the warmth it let him feel.

The numerous machines beeped and blinked their lights causing almost the entire room to be coated in light blue lights.

The newbies were freaking out by grand monitor.

"Ahhhhhh, what a bunch of idiots." Natsumi pseudo-leaned on the wall, her arms crossed as half of her foot was in the wiring box. She planted her feet on the ground and threw her arms in the air. "This has gotta be the second worst headache I've ever had," she said as she looked up towards one of the personal monitors and let out half a laugh. "Least someone I loved has some god damn good sense."

Her finger tips touched her forehead as she lowered herself with a sigh. "How long are you gonna make this take, you fucker?" she asked as she looked up towards one of the boxes, wandering over right past the observers and squatted in front of it, her hands limply on her knees. "For real this is lame as hell: gonna make me wither away before the ending!" she threw her hands in the air.

"Huh?"

The calm and cocky expression slipped into panic as her ghostly blue fingers were floating away in specks of golden dust. "What the hell!?" Natsumi yanked her hands towards her, staring as the process went faster and faster. Her teeth curled in on themselves and a vein on her neck popped. "Whose say is fucking this!?"

Natsumi's breathes came out in hisses, before she just couldn't help but grin, her shoulders going limp as her flittering hands fell to her side. "I guess, it is about time for me to start wrecking actual hell," she clenched her fist as she turned, each step leaving golden footprints of sand on the metal ground for no one to see.

She seemed to get shorter as she past the first pod, her golden fingers staining the crown above Kazuichi's head.

"…. You'll be fine, babe, just keep running how you did when I was around."

You were next.

"Thanks, Bookworm… Wish you I could do more for ya- but I'll make sure you got a warm seat."

Hajime.

She sneered down at him before began to laugh. "Took you long enough to grow the correct god damn head."

Peko.

"…. Give yourself more credit, kid."

She stood by her Brother's pod, watching the unwavering expression of sleep on his features. She let out a sigh, before her cracked a smile that matched the light of dawn, and her eyes reflected a solar flare.

"Go to hell, you bastard-"

Item Get!!!

Greasy Bean: A beanie that doesn't smell great, but the gray color is fantastic for hiding oil stains right on it!

To Be Continued…

Chapter Text

Peko did not show up at breakfast.

You hadn't expected her to be there, yet it still left you feeling uneasy to where she was: and how she was doing.

There was a long stretch of silence as everyone shuffled in.

"I guess we are never getting a full house for breakfast," Byakuya closed their eyes as they turned back to their filled up plate.

"It is best if we let Peko have her space," Sonia said as she nodded her head, taking a ginger sip of tea, enjoying the cinnamon scent.

"Ya, I don't know why we would want that stupid bitch here anyway," Hiyoko said as she crossed her arms.

You sucked in a breathe and rose your back.

"Hiyoko! Stop calling her that!" Mahiru yelled her bottom lip quiver. You blinked and looked over at Mahiru who turned her head down. "Being rude like that, is not going to get us anywhere, with her or anyone else!" there was sweat on her brow.

Hiyoko's mouth dropped and her body tensed away. Her mouth moved a couple times but no sound actually came out.

"A-and I cannot help b-but think that- insulting her won't-won't make her any less likely too… tooo…" Mikan's shoulders raised as she pulled her hands in, tears beginning to well in her eyes at the mere notion.

"Peko is taking some time to herself, we don't need to worry about her," you said as you glared over at the girls.

"Ya, ya, Bookworm is spot on!" Ibuki raised her hand with a bright smile. "Ibuki does not think there is anything to worry about with her!"

"Why- are you so confident?" Hiyoko asked, her lips curling into a pout.

"Ibuki is just confident!" she shouted from across the room, her finger pointing at Hiyoko with so much force she was knocked back into her chair. Ibuki crossed her arms and nodded her head.

"Even with that ferocious temper she had shown she could have?" Gundham asked as he looked up from his eggs, his expression grim.

"That was in a moment of great distress," Sonia pointed a finger in the air. "Hence why I think it is just best if we let her have her space and let her arrive when she is ready," she reiterated.

"It is not like we are forcing her on much of anything," Nekomaru admitted as he crossed his arms. "I really wouldn't want to take her in an actual fight…." he shuddered a bit.

"Even you are worried about her, Nekomaru?" Nagito asked, a tinge of shock on the end of his tongue that vibrated through the words.

"I am a coach, I don't play….. and I don't do that much actual fightin' either," he said as he rubbed his neck, the chain around it seeming to drag him down. "I was able to hold her off with some help but in an actual battle, she wouldn't have much trouble killing me," he admitted it so causally, like he was talking about a quarter back he couldn't out throw and not the ability to end someone his size and his build so quickly. "I think, Akane could've taken her on, probably…."

"A blade devil with the skin of a woman," Gundham shuddered. "unsettling to think she wanders so freely with no means of abiding her."

"You are all working yourselves up over nothing," Byakuya declared as they wiped crumbs off of their face. "Peko is powerful indeed, and extremely upset but that does not mean she is merely some serial murderer. She had a strong reason to desire Kazuichi's execution in the moment…. That does not apply to anyone else."

"Are you sure about that?" Nagito asked.

Hajime huffed as his eyes kept following whoever was talking, ever so often glancing at you and the patch on your cheek. You caught one of the stray glances, turning to face him as you smiled, letting out a huff as you reached over and grabbed his free hand, holding it to your side as you gave his fingers a squeeze.

He huffed back at you, a grumpy face, but went back to watching.

Byakuya looked longingly at a crab carcass, wishing so desperately to throw it at the stick bug of a man…. but they restrained themselves as they looked at the genuine distress on Mahiru and Hiyoko's expressions. "Yes, I am. What happened with Natsumi was distant and well there was…. a hand by others, the main culprit is dead. She won't just go kill someone unrelated on her own," Byakuya closed their eyes. "She is too talented at detaching herself for that."

"I-I suppose…. it is like, work….. if we can make some inferences!" Mikan said, her tone rising in a cry. "I-I know it is wrong to do that but-"

"Stop worrying about it!" Hiyoko snapped before she huffed. "She better be…."

"Giving her a reason to be upset isn't a great idea though," Nekomaru said as he stared right through the petite dancer.

She clenched her jaw and glared up at him, but didn't have anything to say.

As everyone would have went quiet to devour their food, Monomi stumbled in like a drunk from the bar, blood pouring from her head.

You gasped as you sat up, running over to her with a napkin. "Oh, Usami! What happened?" you asked as you bent down, beginning to dap her head and get the…. blood off. You looked at the paper towel for a second, back at the stuffed bunny with a look on your face, before you just… went back to dapping her.

"They are back at it again…" Hiyoko mumbled as she scowled at you.

"I defeated the Monobeast to the third island," Monomi explained as she bumped her head up to your hand, which finally got the last bit of the blood off.

"You did???" you let out a pleased gasp as you scooped her up in your arms, pulling her into a hug. "Thank you!" you squeezed her, shaking her back and forward.

"Love Love!!!" Monomi cheered as she threw her hands into the air. "I am always happy to fight off those no good Monobeasts!"

Ibuki stared at the scene, her eyes focused on it.

You could hear Byakuya's expression before you saw it, and man did it ring with the disappointment. "Is the third island where the code to the door is?" Byakuya asked with narrowed eyes.

"Oooohhh!" there was a shock over her head as she looked over the expression of prey. 'I am afraid that I don't know…"

"So you may have just wasted everyone's time?" Hiyoko asked with a huff.

"The second island was a nice thing to have, Hiyoko," Mahiru said as she crossed her arms.

"You are defending the bunny now???" Hiyoko asked as she stomped her foot on the ground, her cheeks huffing into a pout. "That is so dumb!!!"

You squeezed on the bunny and huffed at Hiyoko. "Usami did a wonderful job, and I am very proud of you," you turned your attention back to the rabbit who threw her hands up in the air.

Monomi hugged back. "I am proud of all of you for surviving! I will keep trying my best to defeat those awful monobeast."

Ibuki rose her hand. "Can Ibuki hug the bunny?"

"What!?" Gundham snapped his head over to Ibuki, turning his nose up at her. "You are falling for the devil's fursuit as well?"

Ibuki shrugged. "Idunnoknow-" she shrugged. "The bunny looks nice to hug!"

You walked over holding Monomi vaguely like a toddler and handed her over to the musician, who gave the bunny a squeeze.

"Wowza!!!!" Ibuki exclaimed. "Usami is even softer than Ibuki thought she would be!!!"

"Hahaha, of course I am silly! Your teacher was designed to be as huggable as possible, not even that nasty Monokuma could change that!" the bunny's ears bounced in the air as she let out her please laugh.

"You cannot be serious," Byakuya mumbled as they pushed their glasses up, moving it up into the air.

"Nuh-huh! Ibuki is dead serious, B-King!" Ibuki said as she presented the cute bunny plush out, that made big old puppy eyes at them.

"I hate to say it, but now… I am sorta curious," Mahiru admitted as she poked at her own cheek.

Byakuya turned their nose up at her, crossing their arms as they flicked their head away with a hfmp.

Ibuki huffed as she brought the bunny back to her chest. "More cuddles for Ibuki then!!!"

Hajime shuffled over to you, and wrapped an arm around his waist as he turned his head up, and you looked up at him and turned your head.

"Really?"

"What," he turned his head away. "Do you not want to cuddle something?" he muttered his cheeks turning red. You grinned as you took his arm, snuggling up to his bicep.

"Oh no I am always willing to hold you," you smiled.

"My, always the lovebirds," Nagito said with a grin on his face, turning his head at an angle as he very much admired the view.

"You two are so grossssss!!!!" Hiyoko yelled and you both scooted away from each other.

"We are burning daylight on this bunny cuddling!" Nekomaru yelled, his coach voice coming out. "We should get moving to that new island already, to get out onto the real playing field!"

"Nekomaru is correct," Sonia said as she stood up. "We shall not dally about!"

"Let's," Mikan stood on her tip toes. "Let's hope we find that code!!!"

"Hajime and I still need to have Breakfast, we will catch up soon," you said as you slide out a chair, and Hajime sat across from you.

"Yes, both of you should do that. Make sure to eat a good portion, there is still plenty here," Byakuya said as they turned their back, and were going down the stairs. It was a parade following most of the class.

Expect Nagito.

He walked over, his hands in his pockets with a smile on his face. "I haven't eaten yet either, do you mind if I sit with you?" he asked.

Hajime glared up at him and he scrunched his nose.

"Sure!!!"

Hajime looked at you with your big bright inviting smile and at the fact Nagito had already sat down, and he let out a small huff as he reached for a couple of crab legs, cracking them open with gusto.

You popped a few shrimp on the plate followed by bacon and fruit, before giving a side eye at Nagito's plate which had more open space than breakfast.

Hajime looked over and felt offended. "You have to have a proper meal if you are going to eat with us!" Hajime said as he moved some more of what Nagito had already grabbed onto his plate.

"My, Hajime is in a bossy mood this morning," Nagito said, but didn't argue as he began to pick at some pineapple.

Hajime huffed as he took a sip of his orange juice, swallowing down a large glup as he put it down. "You are here to eat breakfast so that is what you should do," his tone was an angry mumble.

You cracked a small grin as you crunched on a bacon strip. "Cute."

Hajime almost dropped his crab meat on the floor. He waved you off as he shoved it into his mouth turning his head away.

"Dawwwww," Nagito let out a chuckle. "You have made him flustered."

"I don't have to let you eat with us ya know," Hajime said as he glared, turning his head sharply in the other way.

Nagito smiled at him closing his eyes. as he picked up another piece of fruit and crunched down. "I am grateful I am allowed to eat with you. It is quite the honor."

Hajime wanted to remain calm but he choked as he lurched forward.

"It is nice to have you join us," you said as you leaned to watch Hajime a little closer.

"We have an island to explore, so let's finish our food already!"

"So much walking," you let out a long sigh as you looked up at the supports that carried the bridge across.

"I am sure in the real world boats are the main means of transportation on an island like this," Nagito let out a sigh, as he tugged on the corner of his sweaty shirt.

Hajime looked back at you both, he had tried to slow himself but you were both losing so much steam. "We are almost there, come on," he said as he gestured to the structures beginning to form in the distance of his vision.

"And then we get to walk around the whole island!" you threw your hand up with vigorous jazz hands, letting out a huff as your shoulders slumped.

"Indeed….." Nagito closed his eyes before he sighed. "Maybe you could carry me, Hajime," Nagito said as he opened an one eye with a grin.

Hajime didn't dignify him with a response, which made him pout as the large buildings got closer and closer.

This must have been a residential hub. building rising high into the mountains top in a rather industrial looking setting. It immediately felt drier than the other islands despite being just as surrounded by the scent of the ocean, the asphalt road glittering off of the hot summer sun.

"I wonder what there is to find here," Nagito hummed as he put his hand in his pockets.

"Hopefully the exit code!" you declared as you shifted your laptop bag, shaking your shoulders to help it settle into the crooks of your shoulder, and stepped off onto the dry cracked ground.

Hajime stared at the buildings, his eyes bouncing on the lights that glittered from above: as if someone new might be creeping about in one of the houses but he knew better.

It was just the dwindling numbers.

Wrapping forward the first building made you hum.

"A movie theater," you said as you trotted forward, craning your neck to look at it. "I wonder if this will be like the library."

Nagito looked at the posters plastered on the side and closed his eyes. "I wouldn't get your hopes too high…" he said.

Hajime grimaced as he looked at the no-name movies. They were mostly black and white and the only name brand one was Steamboat Willy. "Noooo kidding," he mumbled before he moved to the door, and held it open for you. You grinned as you trotted in, and Nagito slipped in right behind you.

It was a rather classic looking theater- bright lights up front with a red carpet leading into the room. "Ohhh, popcorn!" you cheered as you moved over to the machine, leaning over to look at the fluffy popped kernels.

"Huh, it does look like there are original movies…" Nagito said as he stared at the portrait of the girl with the megaphone gun. He put his fingertips on his temple, his eyes flickering open and closed as he kept staring at the poster.

"What… the hell is this?" Hajime asked as he picked up a sticker on the counter near by.

'Sorry I was born stupid'

"That is our limited time special sticker!!!" the bear hopped out of the ground. "It is one million dollars."

"What the hell?!" Hajime dropped it back onto the counter immediately, recoiling back as he glared over. "Who do you expect to pay that?"

"It is worth the money," Monokuma said, crossing his arms and nodding his head in a steady rhythm.

"There is no way it is worth a million dollars," you said as you squinted at the sticker. "It's not even a real sticker!"

"Do you have any idea how much people are wiling to pay for in game cosmetics???" the bear stomped his foot before throwing his arms in the air. "Are you making fun of gamers???"

"This is a pretty shitty cosmetic item," Hajime said as he sneered down at it on the table. "I don't think this place has much of note."

"Nu-huh!" Monokuma scurried on his fat legs to block the door, throwing his arms out so he was blocking it off. "You cannot just leave without seeing my grand debut as a film director!!!!"

Nagito flicked his head away from the poster. "You…. actually made a movie?"

"Indeed I did and if I may say so myself, I am certain it is my Magma Opus," Monokuma put a paw on his chest, his grin turning more sly. "The Wizard of Monomi!"

"I don't care, let me out," Hajime said as he moved towards the door.

"Well I am not letting you leave empty handed, so go on watch the movie!!!" Monokuma looked over at the sticker and he let out a snrk. "Unless you want to pay for the sticker."

"I don't have a million dollars," Hajime said as he put his finger on his temple.

"… I think we should watch it," you said.

Monokuma jerked his head over to you. "You actually wanna watch my movie???"

"Ya, I am curious," you said and you pulled out the book, opening to the very last page as you stared at the bear with hollow eyes. "I am a critic after all."

"A literary critic," the bear pointed out, leaning forward with his gotcha, and you just snorted at him. "I doubt you would understand the complexities of film making."

"Perhaps I do not know all of the ins and outs of camera work and artistry, but a story is a story no matter how you decide to frame it," you said as you began to walk over to the door, and the bear followed behind you.

Hajime and Nagito looked at each other. Hajime grimaced well Nagito smiled and they shuffled into line behind you, everyone getting their one time ticket to a movie they didn't wanna the first time.

"…." Hajime looked over your shoulder as you were still writing about the movie. "How did you manage to extend a review on it to three pages?"

"It is not a good example of even a simple story, not to mention anything else it tried to do just fell flat. There is nothing to recommend it what so ever. The art direction was so bland, the story was made of bones which can work for a film if it is supposed to be something else, but there is not anything else for it to be! It isn't a good snuff film, it cannot be considered gorey enough for that and it is not a good example of torture porn, because it is so bland and uninteresting with suffering that is simply much too basic. It is not a character driven film, it is not a plot driven flim, it has literally nothing going for it."

"Are you sure you don't want to just, stop writing about it?" Hajime asled.

"Oh nooooo, I got something planned,' you answered as you looked back down, taking into account of all of your points and flipping to a new page.

Nagito had fell back from the both of you, a glaze look on his face. "…. I would have paid the million for the stupid sticker…."

"I regret not doing it," Hajime admitted as he closed his eyes.

"Usami!!!" you called, stopping in the middle of the road: and the bunny popped out of the ground. You smiled at her as you bent down, ripping the page out. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Of course! I would be happy to do anything for my fav-" she stopped, looking at Nagito and Hajime with some sweat on her face. "My, my uh- fabulous student!"

"Can you make a sign like the one in the beach house, one that would not be easy to take down using this text?" you asked as you bent down, handing her the piece of paper. "Then when you are done, hang it right on the front door of the movie theater?"

Monomi looked at the contents of the paper, and there was a certain shine in both of her eyes as she looked up at you. "Okay," she popped out of existence.

"It is kind of you to save the others from having to see the movie…. if they take your warning to heart," Nagito shuddered after he said that.

"It is a movie made by Monokuma I am sure they will be willing to believe what I say," you said as you finally put the book away, and everyone turned into the alley full of abandoned technology. All sorts from all eras, CRTV, busted looking laptops, phones of all kindas: you were even pretty sure there was a gramophone in there!

Surrounded by the scrap metal, Byakuya sat in the middle, crouched over a laptop that looked comedicly small compared to their large size. Their brows were furrowed as they looked at the error screen before flipping it over, looking at the backside, eyes narrowing at the chips.

"Is a laptop going to do us much good in this situation?" Nagito asked, which earned him a cold glare.

"It could have useful information on it," Byakuya snapped back as they removed some parts, replacing them with parts that looked newer. "People are never prepared for what can be found if they did not properly scrub their laptops…. or just merely the data contained on it."

"Ohhh, that would be an interesting place to hide the code!" you said as you pointed a finger up in the air, before moving over and bending down to look at the screen…. and it meant nothing to you the green text that they got to show up.

"I am kinda surprised you know anything about that kinda stuff…" Hajime admitted as he pursued his lips. "Seems odd for a affluent prodigy."

"Well The Togami Corp has spread their wings rather far, I think they have even dipped into computer software but…." Nagito hummed.

"If I cannot handle simple grunt work then I would not be worth of my title," Byakuya barked at the both of them as they shoved their head back down into the laptop. "This will take me awhile and I do not require such insistent distractions," they began to show all of you away. "There are plenty of other areas to check out. I will come gather everyone if I find anything worth noting."

"Well, see ya then, Byakuya! Wish you the best of luck," you smiled and giving him a wave as you turned your back, beginning to trot away. "Come on boys!"

Nagito and Hajime both stared at Byakuya, before Nagito shrugged and began to trot off. Hajime let out a hum as he turned his back to watch you, and he followed behind. He gave one look back. "Uh…. bye."

"Goodbye, Hajime."

Hajime shuffled off quicker, catching up to the both of you. He glanced at you from the side before he turned his head up.

"It is a shame Kazuichi isn't around anymore," Nagito let out a sigh. "I am sure it would make Byakuya's job a lot easier. and with all of that technology, a mechanic could have done something interesting with it…. Maybe a code breaker? Though, I suppose there is not point speculating in lost hope," he moved his hand as he kept going on.

"No kidding…." Hajime sighed. "Everyone knew he was stupid but he was pretty handy too."

"…. ya….." you sighed, you didn't even spend any time with him, and you never got the chance with Akane either…. you closed your eyes. "We can still find away out with out tool set though, and we can mourn them properly then," your voice oozed with confidence.

Nagito smiled. "Ah, that is what I like to see."

"…." Hajime nodded his head, as the gravel crunched onto the next location.

A motel.

Mahiru stood to the side, flicking through her camera. Her head shot up when she heard you all arrive. "There isn't much to report here," the words came out automatically as her fingers curled around the camera case. "Nekomaru and I checked over all of the rooms and," she flipped the camera around, showing how each was a cookie-cutter version of the same room.

Hajime blinked as he looked around. "Where is Nekomaru?"

Mahiru's eyes furrowed at him. "Where do you think Nekomaru is, Hajime?"

"…. Ya, ya," Hajime waved his hand as he gave a sigh.

"Did you check under the beds and such?" Nagito asked as he let out a hum.

The door to one of the rooms slammed open, making everyone jump as Nekomaru waltzed out, supporting a TP tail on his backside. "I checked, nothing in of note in the drawers either!" he let out a sigh. "Not even a cash bible in any of the drawers."

Nagito sighed crossing his arms. "I guess that is no surprise."

Hajime looked at the buildings, and his eyebrow furrowed. "What is the point of having this here?"

"Maybe it's some sort of love hotel."

Mahiru let out a gasp and smacked Nekomaru's shoulder, bringing back a red hand that throbbed. "Why are all men such perverts???"

"What???" Nekomaru said as he turned to look at her. "They'd get the most use out of it anyway!" he grinned before letting out a loud laugh.

You and Hajime both turned scarlet and looked away, a series of mutterings came out.

"I am sure they would have a lot of fun together," Nagito said with a closed eye smile.

"Shut up!!!" Hajime yelled, a vein on his neck tensing up.

"Ah, do you not think you would be a good ride. It is okay to-"

Hajime shoved his hand over his mouth, turning his head away as he gritted his teeth. Nagito laughed into his palm.

"I do not want to hear about all of this!" Mahiru said as she closed her eyes and gritted her teeth together.

"I think maybe we should uh- move on-" you said as you grabbed Hajime by the arm and started to pull him away. Nagito gave a wave to them remaining behind, as he followed behind with his hands in his pockets.

Just as you thought you were done with the dirty innuendo.

"The Titty, Typhoon?" you asked as you tilted your head.

"What a name," Nagito said with a hum, as he smiled at the sign.

"Wonder what could be in there," Hajime said as he pushed open the door, holding it open.

"WOOHOOS!!!! Ibuki found booze!!!!!!" in the corner of the nightclub there was a bar that Ibuki stood behind, holding up a bottle of brandy before she put it down with a thud: beginning to go through the bar, finding vodka, tequila, rum and gin. "Yuck," Ibuki said as she put the gin bottle down before squatting down.

"It is quite the impressive venue," Sonia said as she looked around. 'The stocked bar is always a nice touch."

"Why added a fully stocked bar to this game??? Isn't it supposed to be like, some sort of friendship program???" Hajime asked as he walked over, picking up the gin bottle, turning it over in his hand.

"Music can go great with some booze and booze can go great with some music!" Ibuki grinned as she looked over on the stage. "The performance in here could be awesome!!!!"

"I think we could host a whole party in here, perhaps," Sonia said with a nervous smile, tilting her head to the side. "After all with how our last one got cut short…."

"Ohhhhhhhh maybe it could be a lock in," you said as you held up a finger. "Stay here for an entire night like a big sleep over."

"The space is small enough everyone would be in view…. unless someone were to cause a power outage," Nagito said as he looked over at the AC unit on the wall, and Hajime had to restrain himself from hitting him.

"Would it be a great idea to stick all of us in a locked building with copious amounts of alcohol?" Hajime asked as he placed the sword onto the bar top, holding it like he would yank it from the sword in the stone.

"Yeesh, Hajime! Where is your sense of adventure?!" Ibuki moved to the other side of the bar, putting an arm around her.

Nagito nodded his head with a shit eating smile. "What could possible go wrong?"

"I can name a couple…" Hajime mumbled.

"We could also take the alcohol out of the building if it is really that needed," you pointed out as you looked over at the many glass bottles. "I am sure Byakuya would do a pretty solid job at hiding them…"

"… Bookworm doesn't have to tell B-King about this, Ibuki does not see the rush," she said as she grabbed the bottle of rum and pulled it closer to herself.

"Sure we don't-" Hajime said with a look that made Ibuki huff.

"Don't be a buzzkill, Hajime! Come on, come on- think about it," Ibuki grinned as she held the bottle up to his nose, shaking it so he could hear the slooshing. "Bookworm could be a reallllllll cute kind of drunk~!"

Hajime and you choked in sync. "I don't want them to just get drunk!" Hajime said his face red.

"Plus there is a scary possibility they are an angry drunk," Nagito said.

"Wha!?" your head snapped over to Nagito.

"Hmmm…… I suppose, I can see the logic behind it…" Sonia said, holding her head down as she seemed to be in real deep thought about this.

"What logic???" you asked.

"Nah- nah, Bookworm would definitely be a horny drunk!"

"Huh-" Nagito paused before he cupped his chin. "Hmmm…… I suppose so, I am sure that is what Hajime would prefer."

"Stop debating this!!!" Hajime yelled, he looked at them, his shoulders shaking before he grabbed you and pulled you off into a side room, shutting it with a slam.

"It seems both of you are fighting a grand battle out there-"

Both of you screamed, jumping to see Gundham standing with his back straight, and his arms crossed.

"Christ- Gundham" Hajime put a hand on his pounding heart, tilting his head back before looking forward around the cramped storage room. "What are you doing in here?"

"Investigating just like everyone else," Gundham declared as he turned his nose up, turning back to the collection of stuff in there. "There is not much to report in this building I am afraid."

You looked at the curtains on the floor and the shelves stacking high, and realized you could see rustling underneath and paws pattering on rafters. "Well it seems the best guys are on the hunt to investigate," you said.

Gundham smirked as he nodded his head. "Indeed. What has come up in your hunt?"

"Byakuya is poking at a laptop, that might be promising," Hajime grimaced as he could hear the trio just beyond the door still discussing the topic of what kind of drunk you would be, before the switch to what sort of drunk Hajime would be.

His brow twitched, because he was pretty sure he could make out the placing of bets on it.

"Don't go to the movie theater, Monokuma is a horrible playwright."

"You say that as if it should come as any sort of surprise that a beast such as he does not have any talent for the fine arts." Gundham closed his eyes letting out a puff. "He should burn by the Inferno of Dante."

"That is the least he deserves," you agreed.

"Before you leave, have you caught any wind of our wandering warrior?" Gundham asked.

Hajime blinked, his mind loading. "Oh, Peko-" he shook his head. "No, I don't even know, if she has come to the island yet…" he admitted.

"Hmmmm….." Gundham nodded his head.

"Why are you asking?"

"Is it not unreasonable to wish to know where the wildcard may be laying in the deck?" he asked.

Hajime straightened up, backing away from the door as he sighed. "It would be nice to know…"

"She isn't going to cause anything, so I wouldn't say she is much of a wildcard," you crossed your arms.

"I am well aware you are certainly able to believe that, but who can know the thoughts of a predator in the dark."

"Peko isn't some wild panther, okay? She is grieving," you sighed. "She will come around when she is ready, but for right now she…. is probably spending time alone."

"Hmm…. It admittedly does baffle me that Fuyuhiko and her were so close…. I never would have been able to foresee such a connection," he closed his eyes.

"They probably had their reasons for wanting to keep it a secret," Hajime said. "Peko is intimidating enough, knowing she was linked with the Yakuza might have meant no one would approach her at all…. not with talent like SHSL Swordswoman," he shuddered at the idea of being on the end of one of her jobs.

"The mind can speculate on many others," Gundham agreed, and his hamsters all ran for him, crawling up his pant leg and began to squeak to him. Gundham hummed, nodding, and nodding again. "This room does not host any valuable treasure we are seeking," Gundham declared as strided past you and Hajime, shoving the door open.

"I think I finally know where I will finalize my bet," Nagito said holding up a hand. "I will put 10000 yen on Hajime being a pathetic drunk!"

"Do you ever shut up!?" Hajime yelled as he burst out of the supply closest right after Gundham, and Nagito looked over with a smile, and did not say a word.

"Hey Hi-Jimmy!!!" Ibuki yelled and grabbed the bottle of gin. 'Want a shot???"

"No!" Hajime snapped his head over, fire spewing forth like he was a dragon.

"Ah, maybe later then," Sonia said as she held her hands together, and then beamed over at Gundham. "Ahhhh, how did your little soliders they do on the search?" she asked as she trotted over, looking at the fluffy furballs in his scarf.

"Unforunately nothing of note."

"Well, I think we have more of the island to explore, don't you both?" Nagito asked.

"Ya, I suppose we do," you said before you looked over at Sonia. "Good luck on finding anything of note!" you said before you looked over at Ibuki. "You too!"

"Ya-ya!!!" Ibuki grinned before she moved over to the stage. "Ibuki wants to fix up the stage before anything else!!!!"

Hajime let out a sigh as he turned towards the door.

It was a hospital.

Why did it have to be a hospital?

Hajime stared up at the sterling white building unsure of where this dread had manifested from, but merely looking upon it made him feel sick.

"Are you scared of the doctor, Hajime?" Nagito asked closing his eyes.

"No," Hajime grumbled out as he glared up at the building. He could see the bridge showing the circle had been rounded just beyond there…. "Let's get this over with," he mumbled as he walked forward, and felt further thrust into a horror movie setting.

You observed Hajime from the side, watching as his eyes skittered around the relatively normal hospital lobby. You walked over and grasped his hand, feeling like you cut a few of those tense strings…. but could not slice through them all.

The door suddenly slammed open.

"AH!!!"

"AHHH!" Hajime jumped in the air, yanking you behind him as his eyes stared wildly at- " Mikan! Why did you scream?!"

"I-I am- I am sorry!" Mikan yelled, tears running down her fast.

Nagito took in a breathe.

The door slammed open next. "Are you yelling at Mikan, stupid Hajime!?" Hiyoko yelled. "Your such a pin prick dick loser!"

Your mouth fell open, eyes fluttering in surprise.

"I didn't mean to! " Hajime threw his hand out before he puffed his chest. 'And since when do you care, you have been a brat to her this whole time!"

"You didn't mean to?! So you got spooked by someone like Mikan???" Hiyoko asked as her nose scrunched up. "Are you just a piss boy, Hajime???"

"Hell no!!!" he really wanted to thwack her.

"When did this change happen, Mikan?" Nagito asked looking up at the nurse, who sniffed looking up at him.

"A-after we got off the bridge, Hiyoko followed me to the hospital. I-I thought she was heading with Mahiru but- she has just stayed with me," Mikan put her fingers together, smiling bright. "It has- been nice to have her around and- and her being so nice to me," her voice glittered with sparks of joy.

"I…. am proud of you, Hiyoko…. it would be nice if you would stop being mean to my boyfriend now," you said, turning your head to the side.

Hiyoko snapped over at you, her eyes going wide. She jerked herself back and let out a hfmp. "I don't wanna hear anything out of you, stupid."

"We are going to take our peek into the rest of the hospital," Nagito said as he waved a hand. "I hope you girls keep enjoying your time together."

"T-thank you, I don't know if there is much to find in terms- of escape but, it is a well kept hospital!" Mikan grinned as she held her arms together. "I have some more things I want t-to check out," she let out a gleeful giggle. "Do you, want to come with me again: Hiyoko?"

Hiyoko gave a nod, and began to skip behind Mikan as they entered the first room.

Hajime stared after them and let out a harsh breathe before he closed his eyes. "That…. let's just see if there is anything of note," Hajime said as he stepped past the threshold, feeling the sudden urge to rush along the tour.

"Ya, ya," you said as you stepped in next to him, Nagito running up from behind, admiring the white wals as he took a deep breathe in and deep breathe out. You looked at him with a hum. "You seem relaxed here, Nagito."

"I suppose I have spent a lot of time in hospitals," Nagito shrugged at both of your furrowing eyebrows. "It is, a familiar feeling environment for me."

"Huh…" Hajime held his lips together before he turned his head forward, feeling sweat drenching his shirt as your pod moved up to the second floor. Hajime had never let go of your hand, keeping you close behind him.

Hajime caught the scene behind glass, and his body felt numb at the mere sight.

Several doctors all gathered around their experiment. They all talked in hush tons and he could hear the clinking of his tools on their pans. Among the chorus of awful sounds was the sound of bone being scratched away. Arrows pointing to a false heaven that was never there, never would have been. His hands clenched so hard around your hand so tight your fingertips started to turn white.

His whole body fell away from the scene, catching himself on the wall with one arm as sweat dripped onto the floor he stared at. He had dragged you along with him, nearly making you fall over before you sputtered over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Hajime???" you asked as you looked at the medical drama portrayed by horrible looking mannequins. "What's wrong?"

Hajime turned his head to you, and he let out a shaky breathe. He tried to answer but his throat felt dry.

"Hmmmm….. with Mikan already checking this place over….. I think we can probably go," Nagito said and Hajime almost fell down the stairs with his eagerness to leave the building. He refused to let you go until he had felt the fresh air on his face and he felt like he could breathe again.

Nagito watched you both from the top of the stairs, looking upon the scene and tilting his head to the side. "Hmmmm….." he turned his head before he took a steady pace out of the hospital.

Hajime sat on the hot ground, letting out a breathe. You knelt down next to him, giving him enough space well your hands sat on your knees. "What, happened?" you asked.

"I don't, know," Hajime said shaking his head. "I have no idea I just…. it made me sick to look at," Hajime shuddered. "I hate to say he was right but maybe I am afraid of the doctor…"

You let out a disgruntled hum as you moved closer to him. "What, do you need right now?"

Hajime had puppy eyes as he looked at you, before he grabbed you and yanked you into his arms, squeezing you to his chest. You were quick to hug him back, nuzzling your head into his shoulder. He took in your scent, clenching his eyes shut as he heard Nagito come out of the lobby. "Thanks," Hajime said before he got up, offering you a hand.

You got up, dusting yourself off.

"It seems we have searched everywhere," Nagito said as he looked back. "I wonder if-"

The words were not allowed to roll of his tongue as Byakuya came down the street at a thunderous pace.

"It would appear you have finished!" you said as you looked at them.

"Yes, everyone is meeting at the Tech Alley to discuss what I have found. Do not keep me waiting,' and as fast as they had come, they had gone again.

"Well best not to keep everyone waiting," Nagito said.

"No kidding…."

Byakuya huffed as they looked out at everyone gathered, their arms crossed as the now functioning laptop glowed ontop of a pile of things they had stacked.

It had a blue background and only one file displayed on it.

"Have you read it yet?" Sonia asked.

"No, I thought it was only fair we all take a look at this file together," Byakuya explained as they gestured down to the laptop.

"Well, let's get to it already!" Nekomaru's voice boomed about in a thunder cloud.

"Ya- ya! Ibuki doesn't like to wait!"

Byakuya nodded, clearing there throat before they clicked onto the one option they had.

It was no code, unfortunately.

Just
"Reserve Course Riots at Hope's Peak Academy:"

It had been a news page, but the page was corrupted to where the logos and pictures were corrupted, and the text appeared in HTML format.

"Reports on the ground show the mass protest against Hope's Peak Academy, know as 'The Parade' it started off consisting of only students from the school own Reserve Course: However it has quickly been spreading to all of Tokyo as people riot about the actions taken by the school.

Hope's Peak had recently covered up a scandal involving the death of one of the Reserve Course Student and a Main Course Student, however it seemed unlikely that those are the sole reason for this sudden protest. There has been no official comment from the Hope's Peak Headmaster at this time.

Rumors on the ground say that the protest was started by %^%$#%^ of the $*#&@!!!!!!!

!@*#&$%#*&%^$

There have also been strange sightings of a *&^@%#^$%!^

*&^@#&$&#

*&^@#

*&^

………………………….."

"What is the Reserve Course??? I have never heard of that!" Hiyoko said as her head reeled back.

"And, a protest?" Mahiru asked as she blinked. 'Who would have any reason to protest Hope's Peak Academy?" she asked.

"Hmmm….. Ah, yes. The Reserve Course," Nagito said as he held a finger out. "It was an expansion by the school to invite regular, talentless student attend so they could have the name on their diploma with money rather than having to earn it through their skill," he said before crossing his arm. "Hope's Peak test ran it about three years ago, and it had certainly been filling up with all sorts of want to bes."

"Yes…. yes I heard about it," Byakuya said as he crossed his arms.

"Well, if it was like that, then that means they were die hard fans of their team: right?" Nekomaru asked as he rubbed behind his neck. "What, would cause a sudden protest like that?"

It made everyone go quiet, letting you stir on the information and….

The Reserve Course.

It felt like a story you had heard but could not remember any of the details no matter how hard your mind tried to scrounged for the tale. You had no other wise then that you would remember and had a matching dread that was just the same.

You sucked in a breathe, your body stiffening as the corner of your eye caught Hajime.

Oh Hajime.

You let out a long yawn as your body fell into him, hugging onto his arm. Hajime blinked and everyone turned to stare at you.

"I am really tired from all of this…." you said as you looked out onto the crowd, hugging Hajime closer. "And I don't think anyone has any real concrete information so…. I think we should just go rest…." you said.

"Hmmmm…… perhaps it shall be delivered to me by my dark patron, in a dream!!!!" Gundham yelled as he turned his back, beginning to march off back to the cabins.

"I-I really wish I could help w-with, some theory but- but-" Mikan began to tear up, shaking her head. "I have no idea!"

"No one does! So don't whine about it!" Hiyoko said as she turned her head over with a huff.

"We can discuss theories in the morning," Byakuya said. "After we have a good breakfast."

You laid beside Hajime who managed to sleep soundly.

You let out a sigh as you reached a hand up, your finger tips dancing along the edge strands of his hair. Being like wisps of wind that he did not even stir too. You closed your eyes as you leaned into his chest.

You what didn't you remember…. what didn't you remember…..

You felt so tired that you stirring mind gave out under the pressure, and fell asleep with your hand curled around his cheek.

Chapter Text

"Gooooood morning everyone! Looks like today is going to be another perfect, tropical day! Now then let's make sure to show some enthusiasm and make sure to give it our all today!"

You groaned loudly as you yanked your pillaged blankets overtop of you, trying to bury yourself into the pillow as Hajime rose from the bed, the segments of his spine cracking as he arched his back, and looked down at you.

"Yesterday really took a lot out of you…."

"It was a long walk across the bridge," you mumbled as you rolled over, fully burritoed and taking up the entire bed. "Two ways-" you added in a pouty tone, slamming your head down after you were heard.

"I won't stop you from sleeping in if you really want to," Hajime said as he walked over to the closest, taking out a fresh shirt he had moved over and taking a spot on the edge to change his boxers and slip on his black pants, looking back at you. "You are allowed to sleep in longer then 7am."

You grumbled as you pulled the blanket over your head , and Hajime turned his back to slide on his shirt.

Thud

He turned around to see you on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.

"I better get up," you said as you sat up, rubbed your back. It hurt more than you were expect as you forced yourself to get up.

"Are you okay!?" Hajime asked and you nodded.

"Ya- I meant to do that," you said as you walked over to the closest, claiming the orange covered shirt and the brown skirt, leaving the sundress to take the day off. "Byakuya will be disappointed if I don't show up at Breakfast…. and I can always take a nap."

Hajime's neck tensed up as he began to tie his tie. "Hey…. uh, speaking of Byakuya: don't you think it was a little odd, yesterday?"

You let out a strained hum. "What- ever do you mean?" you asked looking at him.

"I mean, isn't it strange some CEO type guy knows how to get hidden information off of a laptop. Even branching off into the tech field it is not like he is actually doing it, he is hiring people to take care of that stuff: right?" Hajime asked.

"Well, uh- maybe they take a course into whatever the company is branching into? To make sure the guys are uh, quality?" you asked raising an eyebrow.

"The Togami Corp is really big though with lots of different properties under it, so it seems hard for me to believe even someone like Byakuya can learn everything he needs to about every branch of the company: he is impressive but I don't think he can be that impressive," Hajime said as he closed his eyes, crossing his arms.

You pulled your lips together and your tongue clicked, and Hajime's eyes shot open before he was staring at you.

"… You know something, don't you?"

You tensed up holding your hands together and twiddled your thumbs, looking off to the side and then up above. "Maybe- but I swear it isn't anything bad! They are most definitely on our side!!!" you explained and you held up your hands. "And it is, their secret…. It, would be wrong of me to tell you."

Hajime felt, a lot of things as he looked at you. "This isn't a great situation to be keeping secrets, for anyone here."

"I know it's not," you admitted and held up a hand before it fell down. "But I do want them to trust me, and they are trying their best to keep everything together I just think, Byakuya is owed the benefit of the doubt," you explained.

"You are quick to say that about anyone," Hajime crossed his arms.

"That's not true! I'd never say it about Monokuma," you looked at his still serious expression and closed your eyes. "I understand you concern, but keeping the secrets of the others is needed to get their trust, even if it means keeping them from you… and if I was worried about anything I would tell you," you said as you looked at him.

Hajime looked at you, and his mind raced with several things. He closed his eyes as he sucked in a very deep breathe.

You trusted him.

He knew that, so he let out a very long sigh of concession. "Alright, I do get it," he rubbed behind his neck. "I will trust you that I don't need to worry about what is going on with Byakuya…"

You smiled. "Thank you, Hajime," you said as you stood on your tippy-toes, kissing his cheek. "I am glad you trust me."

He turned red as he turned his head up, looking towards the door. "Y-ya, let's: go see the guy in question before he comes here demanding we eat out fair share of calories."

You laughed. "Ya, I am hungry!"

Everyone who was expected had already made it to the main hall, everyone grouped around and turned up when Hajime and you entered.

"Way to keep everyone waiting, Piss boy!" Hiyoko greeted.

"Indeed," Byakuya let out a huff, patting their chin with a napkin. "We are finally able to begin the morning meet."

"I didn't wanna get out of bed," you said as you walked over to the nearest table, where Nagito was comfortable and Hajime wrapped around to the other end. "What's on the bracket, boss?"

"The fact it really sucks we couldn't find that code anywhere!" Nekomaru let out a groan. "Checked every room in the motel, high and low!"

"There wasn't, anything of note in the hospital either…" Mikan said as her head lowered.

"Are we to be sure that it is not a puzzle?" Gundham asked, raising an eyebrow. "A riddle we must figure out."

"No, I don't think so:" you said as you raised a hand. "If it was something out in the open that was solvable, that means in theory that whatever AI could do that. I don't think they would want the code to get into the hands," you said as you crossed your arms. "It could be a puzzle, but we will know when we find it."

"And you are quite sure it is hidden?" Sonia asked.

"That makes sense though, Monokuma and Monomi both didn't know what was up with the safe door," Mahiru said as she held out a finger. 'So I think it is safe to say it is hidden."

"So that must mean it is on another is-land!" Ibuki said as she pointed her fingers in the air. "That just means we gotta wait for Usami to unlock one, right?" she asked.

"Won't, that mean another class trail has to happen?' Sonia asked as she pulled her hand close. "After all, she has only managed to beat them after…. one of them."

"I am doing whatever I can to make sure I best those nasty beasts before hand!" Monomi popped out of the ground missing an arm and half of her face peeled away, revealing an exo-skeleton underneath. Stuffing dripped onto the floor, making her body grow more and more empty.

"AHHHHHH!!!!!" Hiyoko screamed and she ducked under the table.

Ibuki began to foam at the mouth as she recoiled back.

"Holy shit!" Hajime dropped his spoon onto the wooden table, holding his hands out.

"It would appear you goal is not going that well," Nagito mentioned as he propped his head up on his chin.

"Oh! I did not mean to come in this one!" Monomi exclaimed before she disappeared, and reappeared as her normal self: her stuffing laying around the body. "I swear I am trying, but it may…. take me awhile."

Byakuya grimanced. "…. We are doomed."

"Well why not let us in there!?' Nekomaru yelled, showing off his own guns which were ohhhhh so close to matching the Monobeasts, but unforunately not quite as much. "If we all go, they can't take us all!"

"They most certainly can!!!" Monomi yelled, tearing up. "Leave it to your cute and fluffy teacher!"

"…………… we really are doomed," Hiyoko mumbled.

"Hey! She just needs time!" you yelled as you looked over at Monomi. "All you need us to do is not kill each other, ya?"

She nodded her head rapidly. "Yes please! And if you keep collecting those hope fragments, it will make me very happy! And a Happy Monomi is even more powerful than a Sad Monomi!"

"So all you require us to do is, 'vibe', as Ibuki may say?" Sonia asked.

"I am always for some team bonding!" Nekomaru yelled.

"Ohh! Oh ya! Speaking of bonding Ibuki had an idea for the music venue!" she yelled as she threw a hand in the air. "We should have a lock in!"

"A lock in!?" Nekomaru grinned, his teeth glittering. "HELL YA!!!!" he threw his hands in the air. "Nothing like building chemistry by keeping us all enclosed spaced with no way to leave!!!"

"That seems like it will just cause a murder!" Hiyoko yelled.

"As long as we work together on the set up, no one can set up anything," Nagito said as he crossed his arms. "Everyone will be visible with the way the building is set up."

"Indeed! Having us all together means we will know what everyone is doing!" Sonia said as she nodded her head, grinning at the prospect.

"W-what about Peko?' Mikan asked.

"Well no one has heard from her, have they?"Mahiru asked as she pursed her lips. "It is not like there is any big windows or anything, so: she can't sneak in…. and as long as all of us attend you cannot have a murder with one person."

"Hmmm, a dark ceremony of bonding," Gundham let out a deep chuckle, his red eye opening. "How perfect."

"Mikan! Mikan!!! Help me with the set up!" Ibuki yelled as she threw her arm around her.

"Hell ya!!!!" Nekomaru rose from his seat and snatched both of them up, carrying each girl on his shoulders before he went running out of the building, Ibuki cheering and Mikan squealing.

Byakuya let out a sigh. "It appears everyone is excited by the idea," they stood up from the table, laying their palms out as they stood. "As the leader, I best help in set up as such a task," they looked over the rest of the crowd, pointing a finger out towards everyone. "I expect the rest of you to collect those Hope Fragments…. whatever value they may have."

"Right, right!" Sonia nodded her head. "If you require any of our expertise feel free to come find us!"

There was not a ton of conversation between Hajime, Nagito and you well you all worked to clear the respawning food.

You chewed on tempura and let out a hum as you notice someone approaching the table. You swallowed hard and tilted your head up. "Hey Mahiru! What's up?" you asked.

She tensed up , her hand clenching into a tight ball. "Well, uh- Hey do you remember, when we first got here: and you asked about being taught photography?"

"Yes! I do! Would you like to?" you asked as you leaned forward on the seat.

"If you have some time, I think it could be nice," Mahiru turned her back to a table that was now empty, her lips tightening.

"Alright, how about we meet by the Super Market so I can get a camera in about half an hour so I can finish up eating?" you asked.

"I wanted to freshen up a little bit, so I think that works out," Mahiru seemed to calm down a tad. "I will see you there," she wave before she left the restaurant.

"I wonder what is with the sudden interesting…" Hajime said as he watched her walking away.

"Shame it seems like it is girls time," Nagito hummed before he looked over at Hajime with a glint. "I will be able to keep Hajime busy, so don't worry."

You laughed. "I appreciate that."

Hajime huffed. "I do not need a baby sitter," he rolled his eyes and turned away. "I look forward to seeing whatever pictures you end up taking. Have fun," he leaned over and kissed your cheek.

You giggle. "I am not leaving yet," you said as you leaned up and kissed his, getting a crumb on his cheek.

"… Good."

You fiddled with the straps of your camera, which you actually both dug up from the Technology Avenue. Mahiru had to do some finking with it, but it was working now: from there you both had wandered away though to the second island with it's flowery views.

You gave Mahiru a side eye as you both wandered past the half burnt down diner again: despite being the one who invited you out, Mahiru had been…. quiet.

You let out a hum. "So, mind if I ask you something?"

Mahiru looked up quickly looking at you. "What is it?"

"What got you into photography?" you asked.

She blinked, going rigid at that before she smiled. "My mom taught me, at least a lot of the basics…. She, was a war time photographer so she traveled a lot but when she came home she would show me photos of people smiling," Mahiru smiled as she traced the camera lens, clicking it and changing the zoom setting. "I know now she was censoring thing but, it made me want to capture the same thing. People smiling."

"That is really sweet," you smiled. "I am sure that is exactly what your mom wanted."

Mahiru nodded her head, breaking into a matching smile. "I think it was…. I hope, she is okay," Mahiru held onto the straps of her camera, pulling it closer to her. "What about you? What got you into literary analyzing?"

"Ahhhhhh a homophobic guy tried to flame my favorite book: Time to Time," you produced the book. "it is about a time traveler who got stranded in the past by her partner, and a scientist brings her to about our time with her own time machine," you said as you flipped the familiar pages in a fluttering. "I posted my own review of the book in refute, and decided to keep doing it consider. I never really expected it to land me at Hope's Peak though."

Mahiru had to laugh. "It was so strange getting the email for the academy…. it seemed so hard to believe," she admitted.

"I didn't, I thought it was a scam," you snickered about it. "Then they sent a letter to my parents and there was nooooo escaping."

"It is hard to let them down by refusing to go to the school….. and now I cannot help but wish I didn't," Mahiru sighed as she put a hand on the side of her head.

"Do you, now want to talk about what you wanted to talk about?" you asked, slowing your pace to a stop in front of the bridge.

Mahiru bite her bottom lip before letting out a sigh. "It is hard for me to put into words."

"That is alright-" you lead her over to the bridge, sitting down on the wooden bridge and letting your feet dangle over the ocean, tapping right next to you.

She plopped down, letting her hands fall forward. "I, don't really know how to start: well, I do. I am worried about Hiyoko," Mahiru said as she leaned back, her hands crawling to her hair and moving up from underneath to grab at her skull. "After seeing what happened to Kazuichi, and Fuyhiko! I don't, want that to happen to anyone else but I worry with her that she might…." Mahiru's shoulders slumped and looked at you. "But after breakfast yesterday, she hasn't really talked to me."

"Hmmm….." you closed your eyes. "She has been getting along well with Mikan," you said as you looked at her, and Mahiru sat up straight.

'She is?"

"Yep! It surprised me too," you let out a chuckle as you leaned forward. "She was with her at the hospital…"

Mahiru let out a breathe. "I am… glad to hear that," she said as she looked away. "I just hope…. this isn't going to make her turn on me now. But, I know that I have to because….. Sato," she threw her head back. "Sato….. what, in the world was she thinking??? Committing a murder," she shook her head. "We were childhood friends, and, I didn't know we would even have the chance to reunite at Hope's Peak," Mahiru explained as she looked at you. 'And now…. I don't remember the time we did have together then…. and now I know that, that I won't get to have any time with her that I do remember," she looked down at her camera, holding onto the side of the case. "…. and I don't even know if I will have any photos when I get out of here."

You held your lips together. "It makes a lot of sense you are worried…. Hiyoko does act very young, but I do not think I could ever see her committing a murder, so I hope that is some comfort…." you took one of Mahiru's hand. "I think getting on her case is a good thing, and well she might be having trouble hearing it I think it is best that it comes from you, given how close you are," you let out a breathe. "And I am sorry about your friend."

Mahiru clung to your hand as she looked at you, you could feel her heart beating right from her wrist. "Thank you for coming to talk with me," Mahiru said, her head lulling forward. "I really wish we had more answers… Like how that stupid bear was even able to get all of this information," she got up, and offered you a hand.

You took it. "We have found out a lot in spite of him!" you said and then you lifted your camera in the air. You looked at her still forlorn expression and your smile flattened out. "I cannot promise anything…. and I wish I could, but we still have the chance to try."

"You are right."

"So let's ge-"

"WHALE!!!" you lunged the photo-lens up in the air, Mahiru and you looked similar in your movements, Mahiru's ultimately being smoother and she defintely got the better picture:

But both of you got nice pictures.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"I…. will be back," Nagito said, his hand moving over his stomach. He kept a smile on his face as his eyes clenched closed, and his bottom lip twitched.

"Are you alright?" Hajime asked.

"Yes, I will be fine. Don't wait up for me…. I'll find you later," Nagito was quick to get away from the area, leaving Hajime facing out towards the sea on the first island alone.

Hajime let out a huff as he leaned back on his heel, staring out at the waves. A minute past, and then five and that was when Hajime began to ponder what in the world he was doing just standing around here. "… It's not like I want to spend time with the maniac," he mumbled to himself out loud, before he bean to walk off to somewhere else.

Where that somewhere else was going to be was unknown until he heard…. people yelling.

His eyes went wide and he ran towards where he heard the growing sounds- and ground to a halt inside of the airport.

"Hiyaaaa!" Sonia threw a jab which Gundham blocked with his forearm, a grin spreading across his face.

"Your blows are impressive," Gundham declared as he slide back. He held his hands in the air, his fingers beginning to wiggle about. "But it shall be no match for my dark sorc-"

Gundham laid out on the ground as Sonia decked him in the face, letting out some deep breathes. "I am not fool enough to let you get a spell off!" Sonia exclaimed as she stood over him, her eyes glowing.

"What…. the hell are you two doing?" Hajime asked.

"We are just doing some sparring!" Sonia explained as she looked over at Gundham, walking over to help him up.

"Indeed, it is important to practice a dark ritual so you do not lose the skills," Gundham explained, rubbing the bruise that was forming on his face. "Tell me, Hajime, do you know any dark arts?"

"Uh, well- not that I remember…." Hajime said as he looked away.

"But in that photo, you and that, Natsumi- it seemed you two were doing a sparring match," Sonia pointed as she held up a finger. "And with how little you remember, it is hard to say you do not know how to fight."

"And your ability of watermelon crushing…. it does make it hard for me to believe you are not familar with some form of combat."

"Maybe we can jog your memory!" Sonia suggested as she leaned forward, bright eyed.

Hajime looked at Gundham's bruised face and swallowed. "I, suppose- it might help me figure out my talent," Hajime said as he stepped forward.

"Winner's rights," Gundham said as he looked at Sonia, and stepped to the side, his arms crossed.

Oh lord that is not what Hajime wanted to do- he looked at the Princess and moved set his feet. Both parties observed him as Sonia got into the proper form herself.

"Ready….. set….. BEGIN!!!!"

Sonia moved forward with frightening speed- Hajime jerked his arm upwards taking the fierce blow- Hajime gritted his teeth his eyes wide, he tried to create some distance between them but her pace was furious as she pursued him with blow after blow.

"You are-" Hajime tried to grab a hold of her hand, but she yanked it away with just leaving the pain in his palm. "Really fast for someone so dainty!"

"Of course!" Sonia had glee in her voice, not even sweat on her forehead as she jammed her elbow into his gut. "Military training is a necessity in my country!"

Hajime stumbled back, but still stood up. Sonia finally let up to let Hajime catch himself. He doubled over to cradle his throbbing stomach, and the fact he was not letting go of his breakfast shocked him. He stumbled to hold onto a pillar.

"Go on the offense, you fool," Gundham said as his nose turned upwards. "You have more of the speed then you seem to think you do."

What great advice, Hajime's eyebrow twitched as he finally got back onto the proper posture, which was all Sonia needed to begin charging him once more. Hajime threw his head backwards as Sonia tried to go under his jaw. Hajime wildly threw a punch, and got Sonia's cheek pretty good.

She moved backwards, holding her cheek and her eyes lit up. "Pretty good!" she cheered. Hajime was about to pat himself in the back, when Sonia retorted with an even better punch to his stomach: this time leaving him on the ground.

"Fucccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk-"

She put a hand to her mouth, covering it as she looked down at Hajime on the ground. "Oh dear…. I apologize," she said as she bent down.

"Hmmmm…." Gundham moved over and both of them helped Hajime get back on his feet. "I think it is my term to duel you."

"I'd rather not," Hajime said as he glared over at Gundham, breaking away from both of them to try and support himself.

"Come now, do not tell me you cower in fear of me!!!" Gundham snickered as he looked at him. "I suppose I cannot fault you- my power is beyond your bounds."

Hajime's eyebrows twitched. "…. Fine," Hajime said as he pushed himself off of the wall, getting himself back into position.

Sonia stepped to the side. "Good luck you two!" she cheered as she held her hands up.

"He will need all of the help he can get," Gundham pulled of his jacket, throwing it to the side and he held his hands out, fingers crackling out.

Hajime rolled his eyes a little…. but he might.

"Very well, ready- set- BEGIN!"

Gundham was noticeably slower than Sonia: but that did not mean he was not a beast in his own right: his height certainly gave him an advantage as Hajime slipped between downward blows that threatened to send him crashing to the ground.

Gundham's red eye glinted as he rushed forward with a punch lower, but Hajime was faster with his: getting a nice cathartic hit to the stomach.

Gundham hissed as he recoiled, and Hajime's body commanded him to deliver two more punches, one to his chest and then one more to the stomach, laying Gundham out on the ground.

Hajime huffed and puffed as he looked down at Gundham- the whole reality hitting him after the fact. "Oh shit- you alright?" Hajime asked as Sonia also shuffled over.

"This," Gundham coughed as he sat up, his hamsters rushing out to comfort their thoroughly beaten master. "This is nothing for the Dark Ice Mage, Gundham Tanaka!!!!' he let out a hum as he leaned forward. "However you did surpass my expectations, so for that I commend you."

"Now I want another round," Sonia said as she bent down, helping Gundham up to his feet with her shoulder. "My blood is pumping for certain!!!!" she said, holding her hands up with a bright expression in her eyes.

"I suppose winners rights," Gundham said as he moved over to the pillar, almost falling into the structure as he looked towards the ceiling, tilting his head down.

Hajime looked at the bubbly princess and swallowed. "It looks like I don't have much of a choice," he whispered it to himself as he made a new set of fists.

That was how he got to spend a lot of his afternoon, fighting the two of them and observing as they tried to go with a punch out match with each other….. and Sonia won every single match.

But who is surprised by that?

Hope Fragment Obtained!

Hope Fragment Obtained!

New Ability!!!
Envious Influence - Greatly increases Influence Gauge. Effective during the class trial. Cannot be combined with Attentive Influence.

"My, Hajime: you look like shit," Nagito said who had been in the bathroom for what Hajime assumed was the entire time.

"Ya, I was fighting with your militarily trained cousin," Hajime said as he put a hand over his black eye.

"I am half surprised Monomi didn't try to step in," Nagito admitted, chuckling.

"It's not like we were actually trying to hurt each other," Hajime said as he closed his eyes. "Just some sparring really."

"Ahhhh, I suppose if it is practicing a skill well strengthening bonds, it is naturally she wouldn't mind. Not to mention I have to assume she is…. busy."

Hajime shuddered remembering the disfigured bunny that had dropped in on their morning breakfast. "Hope she is able to win," Hajime gritted his teeth….

"Hmmm….. do you think it will be possible for her to win, Hajime?" Nagito asked.

"….. I don't want to think that," Hajime turned his head away as he shoved his hands in his pockets. It clearly was, the damn bunny had managed to pull it off twice…. and yet… if it was by her will or not was bond to be see.

"You just need to find a little hope," Nagito said with a small chuckle. "I am sure it will all turn out fine."

Hajime rolled his eyes. "Yo-"

"Ah, Hajime! Nagito!" your voice cut through the air in a high tone as you rushed forward. Hajime turned around and you threw your arms around him, nearly knocking him down with a hug. Hajime let out a hiss as you rubbed againist a bruise and you pulled away. 'Are, you okay???"

"Just some friendly sparring with Sonia and Gundham." Hajime said as he rubbed behind his neck. "How did the photography go?"

"Good!" you pulled the camera from your neck and flipped it over. "Mahiru said I must have taken a class or something like that because apparently I knew the camera pretty well," you said as you began to click through the different pictures, paying special attention to the ones with the whales.

"My- those are beautiful," Nagito said, his pale eyes reflecting the colors off his iris.

"Hajime-" Byakuya started the first syllable of your name, before his voice stopped dead in it's tracks. "Nagito," his voice had dropped quite a bit.

"Byakuya," you turned to face them with a smile. "What is going on?"

"it is dinner time, I request both of you join me," Byakuya said before they looked over at Nagito. "And you are free to join us as well."

"My, how kind of you….. I suppose I am feeling pretty empty," Nagito said, shrugging with his hands in his pockets."

"What do you want to talk about?' Hajime asked, his eyes turning into slits as he looked the imposter up and down. You budding a bit closer to him, bumping into his shoulder.

"Nothing too important, admittedly: It just seems like a decent away to get our task complete."

"Yes, bonding over food is always a good idea!" you said and you took Hajime's hand. "I know I am pretty starved!"

"Good, the restaurant has their dinner menu started: so let us not beat around the bush."

It was just the three of you in the room lighten to have pleasant ambience. The sun set let the dim lights be complimented by the golden oranges well through the other window the moon glowed full, making a shiny quarter in the sky.

Hajime looked down at his plate, loaded with pork chops and mash potatoes and corn, poking at it with his fork as he looked up at Byakuya. Occasionally the "CEO" would turn his head, but the dining room between the four of you was….

Shockingly quiet.

You looked at Byakuya and held your lips together, there was sweat running down their forehead as they glanced at Nagito and Hajime, and sometimes you- you flicked your eyes to the side at Nagito who was also… mostly poking at their food: but occasionally he would take a bite.

Hajime kept looking at Byakuya, and you turned your attention to him across the table, your shoulder lower as he did not seem to notice your gaze.

"You should eat before your food gets cold," Byakuya said looking over at Hajime.

"Odd how you worry about everyone getting enough food," Hajime blurted out with a deadpan.

"Hajime-"

Byakuya recoiled back. "I am merely acting as a leader-" he said. "Effective company catering is something I should be able to handle as the Top CEO in the world."

"Food waste can be written off in taxes."

"And having a full staff makes them work better," Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "What are you trying to get at, Hajime?" despite saying your boyfriend's name, they had the gaul to look at you. You held your hands in the air.

Nagito's head kept swinging back and forward before looking at Byakuya: "you know, it is interesting you have so much on your plate with management and finance, not to mention all of the training needed for PR…. yet you also have time to get to know the ins and out of apparently every branch, so much you can get a busted laptop running by yourself."

Byakuya choked snapping their neck over to Nagito, his nose scrunching. "It was some trail and error, what of it?"

"Just a note is all," Nagito said with a shrug.

Byakuya huffed. "This is unimportant conjector to our dinner."

"Is it that unimportant? You look nervous," Hajime said.

"Guys- come on, we can enjoy our food! How did the rest of your day go, Byakuya?" you asked as you leaned over to them.

Byakuya did not reply , stuck in a stare off with the two of them.

"….. What is it you want?"

"I want to know what's going on from your mouth."

Byakuya went quite, the room had gone dark the sun completely gone. Their head lowered as they closed their eyes, taking in a deep breathe. "…. I do not have any connection with what is going on, nor do I want to cause anyone here strife…."

Hajime felt…. strange- Looking at them and the big eyes they were making: Hajime sighed. "I want to trust you, Byakuya: but I want to know everything I am working with."

"It could work as baby steps, you know: with these two," you said as gestured to Hajime, looking at him with a desire for trust, and Nagito: who had an unreadable expression. "Another eye will be on them."

Byakuya made long eye contact with you, before they looked around the room, and went as far to check the lobby and then the balcony, looking out at the cottages and the area was completely silent. They nodded their head as they looked over at Nagito and Hajime. "You will not tell anyone," it was a command.

"Of course, we wouldn't want to put our leader in jeopardy,' Nagito said as he leaned forward, poking at the things in the plate, tilting his head from one way and then the other.

"I just want the truth….." Hajime looked at you quickly and then to them. "If I know, I won't accidentally share something I shouldn't. "

"Very well," Byakuya grabbed their hair, and pulled it off: revealing a net that was wadded around black hair. Their face grew pale as they looked at both of them. "I am not the SHSL Affluent Prodigy; I am actually the SHSL Imposter, I was invited to the school just as anyone else here was," their voice was not the same as it had been, but much lighter: not quite feminine but nor so obviously masculine either.

"Oh wow," Nagito blinked as he leaned back. "That is quite the impressive feat to be able to take on Byakuya Togami's face for even a small amount of time!" the excitement on his voice was palpable as he leaned forward. "You are thoroughly impressive!"

Hajime scrunched his nose, before he nodded his head. "… I see, I suppose that's all why you did research on everyone, like, Teruteru……." know the enemy better then oneself or something like that.

"Indeed. I have been trying to manage everyone the best I can given everything but…." they looked out in the direction of the center island. "So far I have not done the best job."

"It is a hard situation, and all we have is to try," you said as you held your fists up.

Byakuya put the wig back on their head as they walked over, getting back to the chair. "Well, yes," they cleared thee throat,voice turning to the deep tones of Byakuya Togami. "Now that you two have squeezed me down, I expect you to clean your plates. I still have no intention of letting any of you go hungry."

Hajime cut into the pork chop which he considered wanting to microwave but…. by the end of dinner he felt fulfilled in multiple ways.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

New Ability!!!
Trance - Even low combos will increase the tempo. Effective during the Panic Talk Action.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

New Ability!!!
Sting - When you find Monocoins, you'll earn more than usual.

Ding dong bing bong

“It is now 10 P.M!!!! Please return to your rooms and relax. Let the sound of the ocean gently rock you to sleep…. Now then, sweet dreams everyone! Good niiiiight~!

Chapter Text

"Good Night, Nagito!" you called over from your cottage.

"You as well, sleep well," he smiled.

"Don't cause any trouble," Hajime said, hovering over you like a shadow.

Nagito chuckled as he disappeared into his place, and you turned back to look at Hajime. "I think we had a successful day," you said.

He nodded his head, closing the door behind you both as he let out a sigh. "I suppose I would say it is with-"

"FUCK!"

Hajime jumped backward, putting a hand on his heart and you snapped your head forward to see. "Peko," you blinked. "Good evening!"

She sat on the floor on her knees, her sword laid out in front of you and she stared at you with her rabbit like eyes. She gave a nod as she lowered her head down.

"How the hell did you get in here?"Hajime asked, letting out heavy breathes as he tried to steady himself.

"You should lock your windows."

That made Hajime's face twist, his neck lurching back.

"I- see," you said as you smiled, walking over to her. "How are you feeling, Peko?" you asked as you bent down.

"I have finished grieving. I do not know what to do next, however."

Your smile strained on your face. "Okay……" you said as you put your hands together. "Well, how about," you offered her a hand. 'We start with us sitting on the bed?" you asked. Peko blinked up and stood up, sitting with her back rigid and long legs touching the floor. She put her hands in her lap, looking at you. "There we go," you plopped down next to her.

Hajime moved to the side, planting himself into the reading chair your room had come equipped with. He settled in, facing towards the bookshelf and let his head rest onto the cushion, his fingers folded over his stomach.

"Now…." you needed to find something to say- you had some thoughts but maybe you should use a filter. "Well, I see," you nodded your head. "Is there anything else you are feeling right now?"

Peko shook her head, clenching her fist and looking down at an angle.

You gave a nod of the head. There was a long stress of silence as you looked down, tapping your foot. "What is it you are wanting to do next?"

"What goals do you have?"

Oh no-

"Well….. tomorrow there is going to be a lock in," you held up a finger. "Perhaps you can join us all? I know you do not like crowds, but it would be nice to have you there," you expression sprouted daisies.

"…" Peko gave a small nod of her head. "As you wish."

"You do not need to be so formal, Peko, we are friends," you said as you tilted your head to one side. Peko stared at you.

"no."

"…. Well I would like to be your friend," you said.

Peko shook her head. "No. I do not think that would be best."

You nodded your head, trying to hold in your sigh. "Well, alright…. I cannot force you," you looked away with a pout. "But, if that's the case why are you going to come to the lock in?"

"I would like to help you with your goals."

You sucked in a breathe. "Alright then, Peko: I am happy to have your help," you had a bright smile as you jumped up from the bed, and offered her a hand. "I think the best way to ensure that is to get plenty of sleep tonight, because we won't be getting any tomorrow," you winked at her.

Peko nodded, getting up on her own, before giving a low bow towards you. "I will see you tomorrow," she straightened out and walked out of the door. She turned back. "Are you certain you do not wish me to stand guard?"

"Hajime will protect me," you said.

Peko glared at Hajime, making him get up from the chair in a rush and stand straight up. She let out a hum before she gave one last bow towards you, before going off to her cabin. You closed the door and let out a long sigh.

"I really got my work cut out for me…."

"No kidding," Hajime said before he glanced at you. "I think you handled it well, though," he said, taking the spot where Peko had been not a moment ago.

"I think I got something that will work as…. a start," you closed your eyes as you leaned back.

"So you have a plan? What do you have in mind?"

You had to chuckle, "Don't you know how it works, Hajime?" you grinned at him with a wink. "A plan kept hidden is bound to work out, but f you say the plan out loud that means there is no way it's going to work," you nodded your head. "Just, know I have something in mind."

"I am not worried," he looked at you; shifting his weight and his head tilted. "Watching you work with people it is….. really admirable."

Your body tensed up, your eyes going wide before you looked away, twiddling your thumbs together. "Oh- well. I-I, thank you- Hajime," you said as your cheeks turned red.

Hajime couldn't help but chuckle as he leaned down closer to you. "It makes me all the more grateful you are mine," he wrapped an arm around you, gentle cradling your head as he brought you close to his shoulder, bending down and planting a kiss on your temple.

Your mouth opened and you looked up at him, before you hugged him. You laid ontop of him pushing him onto the bed, and you both fumbled around until he was your mattress.

"I love you, Hajime."

"I love you too….."

"….No….. no…. please- I changed my mind-"

Your eyes fluttered open, feeling him twisting underneath you. He pulled his arms over his head, clenching his eyes shut. "I don't- …. want this….. please….." his voice quivered.

"Hajime," you pulled yourself up.

"Please…… I want to go home….. stop I can't-"

"Hey, hey wake up," you patted him.

He gasped, his body jerking to the other side smacking your shoulder. "My- name…. my name!"

"Hajime!!!" you began to shake his shoulder.

"What is my name???" he jerked up, wide awake as he looked around, his eyes were twitcihing around the room and his body swung around frantically.

You crawled and grabbed your shoulders. "Hajime, it is Hajime," you answered and you made him look you in the eyes.

He was out of breathe as he finally focused on you, he fell into your arms and you held him tight to your chest, rubbing his back. "It's Hajime…" he mumbled, he nestled down in your bosom. "My name is Hajime…."

You nodded your head. "Yes, that's right," you hummed. "You are safe, Hajime."

He was shaking so bad, he shook his head as he grabbed at the back of your clothes, his fingers digging into them. He sucked in a breathe and he forced his head up, seeing your face and he seemed to only relax some. One hand moved up, jitteriness upon your cheek as he let out a gasp of a breathe. "I………" he pulled away as he looked around the room, each breathe he took of the free air making him ease as he focused on you. "I am…." he nodded his head.

"Are you okay, Hajime?" you asked.

He gave a curt nod. "Yes, I," he closed his lips. "Sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, Hajime!" you shook your head as you settled next to him, taking one of his hands and holding it in yours, rubbing the top of his knuckle. "Do you…. know what you were dreaming about?"

Hajime stared at you blankly before he shook his head. "No, not, not exactly???" he put his free hand on his forehead. "I- I know I was upset and that, it felt like I was…. not there, but experience everything at once: drowning and falling and trying to swim or struggle but I couldn't even move my arms: everything was numb but painful-" his words didn't even make sense to himself, and he shook his head as for as hard as he tried to bring the details up from the surface, each grasp only dragged him deeper down into the nightmare.

"It's okay- you don't have to keep going: I get a picture," you looked at him and got up, returning with a glass of water which he eagerly sucked down. "Do you think, you can go back to sleep?" you asked.

"I….." he looked over towards the nightstand. He reached for the book that was approaching it's end closer and closer: he handed it over you and his entire face went red. "I think I would sleep better if you read to me a little….." he felt like some dumb child needing a bedtime story, but you beamed so bright that it was enough for him to feel light.

"Whatever you need, Hajime," you set the book aside before getting your boyfriend all tucked in, sitting right besides him as you opened to the latest page.

Hajime stared at you, his green eyes wide open as he listened to you clear your throat.

"June 5 I must not become emotional. The facts and the results of my experiments are clear, and the more sensational aspects of my own rapid climb cannot obscure the fact that the tripling of intelligence by the surgical technique developed by Drs. Strauss and Nemur must be viewed as having little or no practical applicability (at the present time) to the increase of human intelligence.

As I review the records and data on Algernon, I see that although he is still in his physical infancy, he has regressed mentally. Motor activity is impaired; there is a general reduction of glandular activity; there is an accelerated loss of co-ordination-"

with each word you spoke you checked on Hajime, who seemed to only relax with each time he heard your voice. His eyes slowly shutting and he was finally able to go back to sleep.

You stopped, putting the book to the side and shifting down so you were laying just lower then him, admiring him from below. You bite you bottom lip and swallowed, reaching a hand to carass his cheek.

"Oh my dear boy…… what has, happened to you?"

Chapter Text

"Are you feeling alright, Hajime?" you had been hovering around him the entire morning, and were leaning into to look at his face for the hundredth time as you guys made it to the restaurant.

"It was just a nightmare," Hajime put a hand on your head, running his fingers through your hair. "I don't even remember it…."

You pursued your lips before nodding as you backed away, "Good," you said as you took the lead. "I am just anxious because I am hungry, I suppose,' you nodded your head as you skipped towards the lobby, holding the door open for Hajime. He took your hand and gave it a kiss before he walked through the door.

"I…. do appreciate the worry," he admitted it with a red tint on his face before he turned his head and nearly leapt out of his skin again. "Hello, Peko,' he said.

Peko gave a bow of her head towards you as she stood by the stairs, holding it there as the both of you stood there. You could hear the chattering of everyone up stairs as she stood lowered in respect towards you.

You looked at Hajime, who shrugged at you as he held his teeth together. Your shoulder dropped but you put on a smile and tried to get your posture right. "Good morning, Peko! I hope you slept well,' you said as you approached.

"It was fine," she said as she rose back. She moved behind you and Hajime, turning her back to look towards the empty lobby before the three of you shuffled up stairs.

It dropped as silent as a pin when everyone saw Peko.

You tried to light up the room. 'Well good morning everyone!"

'What the hell is she doing here!?' Hiyoko yelled as she pointed a finger at Peko.

"Eeek!!!" Mikan squeaked and she dove behind Byakuya.

"Hey!" you snapped your head over. "Peko is being extremely pleasant," you said and you looked back at Peko, who had a docile expression on her face. You nodded and turned back around.

"It is nice to see you at breakfast, Peko," Byakuya said calmly making Mikan peek from behind their shoulder, staring at their face. You were quick to walk forward towards them, pulling out a chair and then taking the one on the other side.

Mikan looked at Byakuya, and then Ibuki across the room both of whom were completely unalarmed and took the chance to scoot into the chair, glancing over at Peko who stood to the side, before she walked behind you, putting her arms behind her back.

"You-you can sit down- I-I am sorry," Mikan began to tear up. "I-I didn't mean-mean to offend you."

"Now you are just go-" Mahiru popped a gummy bear into Hiyoko's mouth which made her shut it. Her eyes went wide and she opened her mouth turning to look at Mahiru before the flavor really hit her palette…. and after she did she settled down into her chair and crossed her arms.

"I am not offended," Peko stated as she had her arms behind her back, but did not move from her spot.

"Come on Peko! Eat breakfast with me," your tone was cheerful and bright, but you ultimately you knew it was a command… and so did she.

She was besides you, and began to decorate her plate with a number of things but remained silent.

Your body leaned back and your eyes hooked to the side, staring at him with big, desperate eyes that were wrought with a guilt, but there was nothing Hajime could do but try and give you a smile which was stilted, but it made you turn back around and look at everyone.

You lead a simple conversation that was mostly Byakuya and you, but Peko and Mikan put in a few coins from time to time.

Hajime let out a breathe as he let you take the lead, moving over to Sonia, Gundham and…

"Good morning, Hajime," Nagito smiled as he closed his eyes.

"Ya, morning," Hajime's eyes skipped over each of them.

Gundham crunched a large slab of toast. "… It appears your paramour is quite skilled at beast taming," he declared as he looked across the room.

"Peko seems rather found of them, not that I blame her," Sonia held her fork and knife in the proper way as she cut into her lobster. "I hope you are not jealous."

'What??? No!" he looked over at the table, his noise scrunching up before he flicked it the other way. "Peko needs the help, and it's not like I am worried," sure he did want to have breakfast with you but it is not, jealousy.

is it???

"That is quite the fact you are making," Nagito said leaning towards Hajime, before his head tilted to the side and a smile broke across his face. "Ahhhh, but their kindness is wonderful: isn't it? They always work so hard to inspire everyone with hope…." he hummed as he settled back. "They truly are wonderful."

"Stop being weird about it," Hajime gritted his teeth before he reached a hand out. You are saying that like I don't know it," Hajime grabbed an apple and bite into it with a harsh crunch.

"You have the deepest knowledge of their charms, considering how thoroughly you have been vexed by them."

"How was the rest of your day?!" Hajime's voice rose as he slammed down. "Yesterdat, I mean."

Sonia giggled. "it was quite fine, we spent some time at the library and then with the Dark Devas on Gundham's room,"

Nagito paused as he looked over at Gundham. "Alone in his room, hm?…. I am glad you were able to enjoy the night," he said as he took a sip of water, staring at Gundham who let out a hum.

Gundham nodded his head. "It was enjoyable indeed. I hopen the lock in is equally so."

"We are going to do some work with set up," Sonia said as she put her hands together, beaming up at the other two boys. "It is going to be this afternoon, if you would like to pitch in some elbow grease,' she flexed her arm.

"Sure," the answer was drawn from him in response to the command, her presence was gentle and yet so commanding it was impossible to refuse.

"Of course, Sonia. I do hope this event works to benefit all of us," Nagito said as he opened his eyes, looking across the table.

"Do not think I intend to let you out of my all seeing eye, Nagito," Gundham declared from his spot on the table.

Hajime glanced at Nagito, and then his head tilted back to your table.

"S-so Peko,' Mikan swallowed. "Are you, going to be attending, the- the lock in?"

Peko looked at you before back at Mikan, giving a nod. "Yes."

"I am please to hear that," Byakuya closed their eyes, before opening one and pursing their lip at you. "If you could, there are some decorations Ibuki wants to be made. Your steady hand may be good for the paper stars," Byakuya said.

"Oh that sounds like it could be fun to do together!" you looked over at Peko missing the prompting glance as you leaned over. "I might not be the best with scissors but we should!"

Peko nodded her head.

"Good, set up starts in the afternoon…. but, if you could Peko: could you grab some good paper from the super market?" Byakuya asked.

Peko immediately got up from her seat and you had to lunge at her - "After you finish-" you guided her down to her seat. "your breakfast!"

Peko lunged for the food on her plate-

"It is not a rush order, it is just when you have the time," Byakuya held up a hand. "The preparation isn't till the afternoon- you have quite a lot of time."

Peko settled down, as she ate as she had before, remaining relatively quiet.

You took in a breathe- lord oh lord- you were glad you had a plan- You began to eat your food making a slow place to ensure no one felt the need to rush anything.

Mikan looked at Peko, then you, and then tilted her head back at Hajime, before snapping back at you with a clearing of her throat, and turning her head down to just focus on her food.

As soon as her plate with clean, Peko stood up, gave a bow of her head and then was out the door before you could say absolutely anything to her.

"I am pleased to see you coaxing her out and about," Byakuya said as they closed their eyes.

"I don't think I did much coaxing to get her to come out," you said as you took a last swig of your drink. You turned back to see that Gundham and Sonia had already cleared out of the restaurant. Hajime and Nagito did too but you had something else in mind. "I have to get some errands done," you said with a smile and a wave as you went down to the lobby.

You heard some talking as you twirled down into the lobby, looking out the front glass windows to see…

Byakuya coming down the stairs?

They came in through the other door, blocking off your path. You blinked up at them as they towered over you. "Is, everything alright?"

"You have a Medical Appointment at the hospital."

You tried to comprehend what had just been said "Excuse me?!" your body lurched forward. "Since when was that the case???"

"Before you arrived at the restaurant, it was what I was discussing with Mikan."

Your whole body recoiled. "You what!? I didn't give permission for that!"

"I did not tell her anything specific," Byakuya responded. "I merely did as you did."

You shrunk back, eyes darting around before your neck shot up. "I didn't say anything! He found it out on his own because you have skill you shouldn't as the Ultimate Rich Kid," you crossed your arms, turning your body away. "It is not my fault my boyfriend is very intelligent and very handsome."

"You still think revealing my identity is good for me, correct?" Byakuya asked before they closed their eyes. "Well I think going to speak to Mikan about your condition is good for you."

"…. If you want me to go, you will have to do something for me," you took a step forward, a hard look in your eyes "Because I had nothing to do with Hajime figuring it out."

Byakuya clenched their nose. "… What do you want?"

'At the lock in, I want you to reveal yourself," you pointed a finger at them.

They stared at you, bringing their shoulders up. "….. At breakfast," they said.

Your shoulders raised and you sucked in a breathe, your nostrils flaring like a dragon. "Fine- but if you don't tomorrow: I will."

 “You wouldn’t dare,” they said, their shoulders raising and the expression was down right murderous as they glaring at you.

“Oh I would!” you said, glaring right back at them.

It was an intense stare off.

They sighed and their shoulder’s gave in “You would…” they looked at you with a sunken head.

You looked at them and held out a hand. "I'll take the deal."

Their palms were sweaty as they grasped your hand tight, giving it a firm shake. "Don't be late, it would be rude."

"Just…. let me talk with Sonia and get Peko busy with a task, and I will head right over."

They nodded their head and turned away, the sense of nausea on their face so apparently it almost made you pity them.

Almost.

You had expressed to Peko that your books were just- so unbearably dusty that every time you reached for a book, you got a lungful of it! Such an, important concern right before a party.

But that was keeping her busy as you stood in front of the hospital, your eyes glazing over in a certain kind of dread.

"……" it smelled like iron in the air and there was a voice whispering on the back of your neck to wait outside- wait outside- wait outside- You let out a long reluctant sigh as you grabbed the door handle and shoved it open, not sure what would happen with Byakuya if you refused.

Maybe you'd even get a real name out of them.

You pushed on the door and walked inside, looking around the lobby before your eyes landed on Mikan, who jumped upon seeing you. She stared at you for awhile before she cleared her throat.

"What is it, Mikan?" you asked, tilting your head.

"I-I just, wasn't expecting it to be you-" Mikan admitted, her body coiling before springing forward, leaping to her toes. "I-i don't mean that- in a bad way! I am happy to help you i- just you always seem so strong i wouldn't have thought you w-would be under my care!!!"

"Ya…." you rubbed your neck as you looked to the side. "It's not really anything that bad, if you want to just call it a wash and you can tell Byakuya I came to see you," your eyes looked to the side.

"I- suppose if you would like," it was a completely new kind of defeat on her face, but the likelihood of her bursting into tears at any given moment was the same as she looked down at the ground, holding her hands together.

"…." you closed your eyes. "I guess just a quick consultation," you said.

She looked up, a faint sparkle in her eyes. "Yes, let me bring you back to a room," she said and held the door to the rest of the hospital open for you, and you followed behind.

Mikan must have been cleaning the rooms up, because the air felt more fresh than it had in your brief visit in the past. You settled into the chair and Mikan sat across from you with a clip board. Her feet fidgeted as she looked down before taking in a breathe.

She started with the basic round of questions that was almost a drag- going through your rather short medical history. She nodded her head when that was all done and swallowed.

"Byakuya, just said someone had a serious condition…. what, is it you have been dealing with?"

"Well," you held your hands together, glaring over at one of the cameras on the island before back at Mikan. "Hallucinations-" confessing again made you feel dizzy.

Mikan's eyes fluttered, before she nodding writing it down. "I see."

"They are most common when I am alone…. but at times they have been coming up when with others: but they tend to be easier to ignore if they do happen then," you said as your body slumped forward. "I can get paranoid and am swallowed with feelings that someone is…. angry at me," you explained as you held your hands together. "I can keep it bottled mostly, at least for the very short stunts where I am actually alone: and having the option of Usami does give me a life line," you closed your eyes as you held up your hands. "So I don't think you need to be too worried about it."

"Of course, I will worry," Mikan said, raising her voice to look at you in the eyes. "You have been a good friend, and I want to be able to take care of you too, espcailly in my area of expertise."

You blinked at her, mouth agape and she squeaked.

"I- you can reject care if you- really- want to, though- I-I am sorry-"

"No, Mikan…. I am, sorry. Your help would probably be some of the best here," you put a hand on the side of your head. "I don't exactly like talking about it, is all. I don't want it to make other people worry, you know," you explained as you tried to force your smile on your face.

"When you have problems, p-people who care worry. I have seen it, all the time," Mikan let out a whimper. "And yours, does not seem life threatening but there have been…. many people who paid no mind to a problem for too long, and- no matter what I or the doctor tried," she sucked in a breathe. "Trying not to make others worrying can lead them to grieving…"

"…. I , suppose you are right," you said. "What, other questions do you have for me?"

"Is there anything up?" Mikan asked. "Other then… maybe your, reckless behavior….?" she said. "and, the extreme pyrophobia?"

Your cheeks turned red and your mouth opened to argue but well….. "There are some other things…… I asked Hajime to kill me once I don't know exactly where that falls. I also have no idea where the fear of fire come from," you said as you leaned back into the chair, pointing your nose upward. "I don't know where a lot of it comes from. I don't have a family history of any sort of psychosis," you threw a hand up in the air.

"Well- intense trauma at, a developing age can cause it to come up later… but most of the time t-the age range for schizophrenia symptoms are in later- 20s," Mikan explained as she looked down.

"….. Maybe it has to do with the game? This is a simulation of our brains and it managed to wipe our memories," you said as you looked down.

"I-I wouldn't know, and- and I cannot say what you have: you would need a psychiatrist I am just, giving my thoughts considering t-the circumstances," Mikan said as she looked down at the clipboard.

"Is there any sort of drugs in the pharmacy that can help?"

"Um, there is some m-medication typically used to treat it, but again y-you would need a psychiatrist and- and I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to: medication can be really particular and the side effects can be bad as well…." Mikan said and looked like she was about to tear up.

"Hey, it's okay," you held out a hand. "Is there any advice you can give me, then?"

Mikan looked up and she gave a strong nod of the head. "I do know, c-coping techniques," she said with a nod of her head.

You smiled. "Then I would love to learn them from you."

Mikan spent a while giving you coping strategies and some advice with the hallucinations…. and you hoped it would become useful in the future.

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"Come on, Hajime!!! Show me what you got!!!"

Hajime gritted his teeth as he struggled underneath the bench press, his arms shaking: wondering how the hell this happened???

"Errrrrrrrr—"

"I think maybe, that is too much for Hajime to lift," Nagito said with his eyes closed, listening to the sounds of Hajime struggling.

"It's just suppose to be a dead lift, he can make it!" Nekomaru cheered from the side.

"Why- are we doing this again?" Hajime asked as it got just off the metal, before clinging down heavily back into it's hold so not to crush him.

"You are showing me your base line so you can get stronger!" Nekomaru's voice boomed as he pointed a finger. "Now come on and give me an honest to god lift!"

Hajime grunted and against his better judgment, he did give it his best shot. He managed to get it up in the air and over himself-

only for his arms to lose steam, somehow cushioning the blow so he didn't end up with a broken rib but "Ughfff-" the air pushed out of him like a whoopee cushion.

"There you go!" Nekomaru said as he walked over, and with no effort reset the bar and Hajime squirmed out from underneath, putting a hand on his chest as he caught his breathe. He finally looked over at what he had actually bent expected to lift, and it was 250lb.
In just the weights.

Nagito walked over and handed Hajime a water and a sweat rag, which Hajime was quick to snatch up. "Good job," he said.

"Bleh," Hajime muttered. "Like you are making me push a pig off of me…" Hajime mumbled.

"Only gets easier to do," Nekomaru patted his shoulder, knocking water out of the bottle and making Hajime bend forward. "Figured you would get there."

Hajime gave a grunt before he threw back the water bottle, taking large gulps. "What is the motivation behind all of this?" Hajime asked looking up at Nekomaru. "Seems sort of out of nowhere."

"Well, you haven't found your talent, yet: right?" Nekomaru asked. The question made Hajime tense. "i spend a lot of time around a lot of guys with different bodies, so figured maybe if I could get to see yours in action it might help out figuring your talent!"

"I doubt it is something sport related," Hajime bent down and rubbed his thigh which felt sore from the laps Nekomaru had him do as a warm up, and then the extra ones to actually check what his real time was.

"Hmmmm…….. maybe but you did seem to hold some strength."

"Well we knew that from his skill with a skateboard, correct?" Nagito asked as he looked over with a closed eye smile, which dared to make Hajime blush. "He has some athletic prowess."

"Ya, ya there is that but also the way he lifts," Nekomaru nodded his head. "it is in the proper form and if he had more muscle, think he could do a lot more than he showed even now….. and with the simulation moving us back a couple years in strength…." Nekomaru looked over at Hajime and grinned. "Seems you got some skill!"

"I have the proper form……?" Hajime asked raising an eyebrow.

"Ya, it's clear you are used to living heavy stuff! especially with the sandbag test," Hajime groaned remembering the damn sand bag test, before he opened on eye.

"But that…. would be some strength and skills I got after coming to Hope's Peak…. so whatever it is, it isn't related to my talent," Hajime said as he crossed his arms.

"Maybe it was a skill the school wanted you to have to improve your talent…." Nagito speculated, rubbing his chin as he looked away.

"Being able to lift heavy things is always useful! Maybe, it was something with a lot of digging!" Nekomaru exclaimed.

"…. Digging?" Hajime raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you are good at putting things together, at in the sense of cases: maybe you used to put something bigger together!"

"Oh! Are you thinking perhaps Hajime was a paleontologist?" Nagito asked.

Hajime's eyes fluttered. "I don't know anything about dinosaurs."

"Well have you put into thought into dinosaurs at all???" Nekomaru asked in such a sincere tone that it forced Hajime to think.

"I mean…. it is not like they have really, come up," Hajime admitted.

"Well then, maybe if started poking we'd find something," Nagito suggested with a smile. "What is the one with the three horns called?"

"A Triceratops?" Hajime asked raising an eyebrow.

"How many bones do one of their skeleton have?" Nekomaru asked crossing his arms.

Hajime shook his head, putting his hands in the air. "I have no idea…."

"Ah….. if it was your talent I suppose you would be able to name it immediately….what other jobs would involve lifting heavy things" Nagito wondered before closing his eyes. "…. You compared it to pushing pigs earlier, right?"

"Ya, about as heavy as one," he mumbled.

'That is specfic," Nekomaru said as he nodded his head. "Maybe you were a butcher!"

"The, SHSL Butcher?" Hajime asked raising his head, his ears perking up. "That… doesn't sound wrong," his mind muddled together but he could picture himself behind the counter: removing meat from bone swiftly and trimming the fat in easy motions. For a moment he could feel knives in his hand and quick switching between carcasses.

Nagito's back straightened. "Really?"

"Ya, I could take apart of pig," Hajime said simply as his eyes lit up, he had a grin spread across his face.

Nekomaru laughed. "Well there we go!!!" Nekomaru cheered before he smacked Hajime on the shoulder.

"Thank you, Nekomaru," Hajime looked up at the man feeling so- relieved. "I- it feels great."

Nekomaru grinned. "Well we are here, how about I help a bit? I might not be some SHSL but till you recall everything, I know a thing or two from celebratory Barbecues!"

Hajime nodded his head. "That would be great!"

Nagito smiled as he took a step to the side, thinking how wonderful it was to finally know that little more about Hajime

Hope Fragment Obtained!

"So, how is it you want them again?" you asked as you sat at on the steps of the wooden stage, a pair of scissors in hand as you looked at the shades of white, blue, pink and black paper.

"Make all sorts of cool stars, with lots and lots of points of them!' Ibuki threw her hands into the air. "Oh and like, layers, so they really puff out!" Ibuki exclaimed.

You clumsy made a few circles in different sizes and glued them together, holding up the not quite finished product. "Something like this."

"Yes! But with lots and lots of spike! Make it look bad ass, okay?"

"Make them… cool," Peko repeated as she looked at the paper, giving a solemn nod.

"We are on it," you grinned as you held up your glue stick. "Would you like to do the cutting and have me glue? Or is there something else you'd rather do?"

'… That is fine with me," Peko answered and she picked up four sheets of paper. Her movements were so fast but with a movement of her scissors suddenly the paper all trickled down from her hand, in nice sun like shapes, making the perfect smaller circles in each one. The use of paper was effective too. You blinked before grinning.

"Perfect!" you said as you sped to start working on the first one. Her eyes went wide and she stood up, grabbing several pieces of paper. The paper suns were soon fluttering down in a different array of colors and size. She would finish with one batch before grabbing more paper, tossing them in the air and then more of the perfect shapes fluttered down.

"I-Ibuki is this- the right set up?" Mikan asked as she looked down frazzled at the different devices.

"Yep, yep~!" Ibuki exclaimed as she tapped ontop of the amp and looked at how it connected with the rest of the speakers. She shoved her guitar into place and did a few notes to practice.

It was beautiful and you got lost in it, before you were beginning to become literally lost in all of the paper that had begun to gather around you. "Oh- oh okay Peko! I think we have enough material!!!" you exclaimed holding out a hand.

Peko froze, letting a few sheets fall to the floor before she gave a swift bow, and began to gather up the remnants.

"You did a good job, that was really fast," you said as you began to finish the first one, setting it out to dry before you would make it puff out. You moved onto the next one as Peko simply sat there, watching you. You kept silent as you took your sweet time making the next couple.

"………." Peko was beginning to sweat as you looked at her, tilting your head.

"Is there something on your mind, Peko?"

She shook her head and you were about to go to the next one, when the door to the club was thrown open. You looked up to see Hajime rushing towards you, and he pulled you into a hug. "Oh!" you held your hands out and embraced him. "Hajime! What's going on???"

He pulled away holding onto your shoulders, and he grinned at you. "I know what my talent is! I am the SHSL Butcher!"

"Ohhh!" your voice strained before you threw your arms around him, dragging his head down int your shoulder for a big hug! "That is wonderful, Hajime," you planted a kiss on his forehead before you looked out at the club.

Why did you feel so sick?

"I know," Hajime managed to escape so he could look into your eyes, and you beamed right up at him as happy as you should be.

Peko looked over at him. "Congratulation, Hajime."

Hajime looked over. "Oh- ya, thanks: Peko," he rubbed behind his neck before he looked over at you.

"Oh, are you going to show off what you can do?" you asked, and true excitement was able to course through your body.

"Uh- well," Hajime looked around the room at everyone else setting up. "I could give it a try, I guess," he said and his eyes tracked around. "It might take a minute so, I better get prepping and trying not to get in the mix of other people's plans."

"That is wise," Peko said and you nodded your head. You pulled him down and pressed a kiss onto his cheek, before bonking your forehead on it.

"Good job, Hajime. Love you," you said before you stepped back.

Hajime turned pink before he nodded. "Thanks," he said before he began to hustle over across the room.

You sucked in a breathe before you sat down and began to fumble about with the paper, gluing things together well Peko sat there, watching you.

And you said nothing, letting her sit there and sit there as you did barely a dent onto the pile. Peko looked over at the thoroughly dried decorations before she looked back at you, and you still said nothing.

She cleared her throat and you looked up.

"Yes, Peko?"

"Would you, like some help with gluing?" she asked.

You smiled. "If you would like too, I wouldn't mind it!" you agreed.

Peko closed her eyes and sat next to you, beginning to follow your process of making all of the decorations.

Hajime walked over to where Mahiru was sweeping the floor, getting sand out of floor boards well Hiyoko poked at some spots with a duster. He swallowed and straightened up.

"Mahiru you were going to do the prep work on the food again: right?" Hajime asked, trying to keep from fidgeting with himself.

Mahiru raised an eyebrow, holding the broom tight both hands. "I was intended to do something, ya. Are you going to make a request?" her voice raised an octave in annoyance.

"You have some balls for that, wanting something without helping-" Hiyoko jeered and Hajime shot her a look.

"I was going to ask if I could help, actually," Hajime said before his head turned over back to Mahiru. "I think I finally know what my talent is, the SHSL Butcher," he grinned as he held his fist to his chest.

"Ewwww, your gonna become a fat balding old man-" Hiyoko said pointing a finger at him, and Hajime glared at her.

"Hiyoko!" Mahiru sent Hiyoko a harsh look that made her pull back, before she looked over at Hajime. "If you want to help with the cooking that'd be really nice, actually. I suppose you wanted to focus on grilling?" she asked.

"If you don't mind doing sides and stuff for that."

Mahiru gave a nod of her head. "I think that would work out well, but it's more important we get everything set up here so we have a clean place to put the food. Sonia is working on getting the catering tables with Nekomaru and Gundham, so we should inform her of the probable need for hot plates."

Hajime gave a nod of his head. "I think, there is probably a few things that can just be in a crockpot."

Hiyoko looked between the two of them, and her cheeks puffed up. "What about anything sweet? I don't want just a whole bunch of meat!"

"Well I would be sure to take care of that too, but there is a need for actual food you know that," Mahiru said.

"Ya, I will get to work to start cleaning," he said and he was quick in and out of the closest with a broom, going to another part of the room.

"Hey Hajimmy!!!" Ibuki exclaimed looking over. "Show me your moves!" she requested it like a legally deistic racing game character as she began to strum a rift on her guitar.

"Wha- no I-"

"Sorry!" there was a squeal as he was pushed forward, stumbling with the broom and twisting around with it until he caught it. His feet stumbled and he was fumbling but it was somehow in beat with the music.

You looked up, blinking in awe as he twirled the broom around a few more times before he planted his feet in a dip.

"Hehe! Look at that! Ibuki is impressed!" she cheered. Hajime looked at her with a tsk, and looked back at Mikan who squeaked before she ran off, going to crouch behind one of the speakers.

"Don't look at her like that, jerk face! You are lucky you didn't look any stupider!" Hiyoko yelled, waving her duster in the air and making the dust flutter down onto the floor.

Hajime let out a long sigh before his eyes caught onto the look you were giving him, star struck and blushing. He had to grin slightly, adjusting the collar of his shirt as he walked over with the broom towards the bar, going back to his work as Ibuki snickered to herself.

"Who would have thought you could play the role of a Casanova in your dancing style," Byakuya said as they cleaned off all of the old glasses, freeing of them of the dust they had gathered behind the counter. They had already worked to dust off all of the bottles. "Sure looks like you impressed someone."

"I mean, I certainly didn't think I could do that," he said as he held out the broom at an angle, twisting it around before he looked back. "What are you doing behind the bar?" Hajime asked as he looked at them polishing every single glass.

"I am going to be the bartender for this evening," they said. "Someone responsible should be in charge of the liquor, and I know a thing or two."

Hajime blinked, nodding his head. "…. Good at company parties, I suppose," he said as he glinted over at the number of alcohol bottles over head.

"Yes, mixology can brighten up quite a few types of times," Byakuya responded as they put the final cup, before producing a series of small jars and began to fill them with a collection of mix nuts. Hajime quirked a brow and Byakuya sighed. "it is common place that bars provide nuts because the salt encourages drinking…. but I figure they are high protein so good for the stomach, and I do intend for everyone to get a glass of water."

"You are going to be ready for anything," Hajime blinked and nodded his head. 'Well…. thanks. It is nice to be in uh, reliable hands," it felt stunted in tone but he had intended for it to be sincere. Byakuya closed their eyes and gave a nod.

"I can finish up here-"

"Ya, ya, there is plenty of other things to do," and off he looked down at the floor, beginning to sweep and fantasize about all of the ways he would put his newly remembered talent to good use in the very near future

Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!
Hope Fragment Obtained!

“It is now 10 P.M!!!! Please return to your rooms and relax. Let the sound of the ocean gently rock you to sleep…. Now then, sweet dreams everyone! Good niiiiight~!

"WOOO!!!!!" Ibuki threw her hands in the air, as the grand doors shut with all 12 students inside the building: "Let us get this party, started!"

Chapter Text

Mahiru looked down at the several different buffet dishes laid out upon the white linen table cloth. "You did a pretty good job," she said looking at the ribs, pork chops, pork loin and pork meatballs that were laid out in a row.

Hajime nodded, looking over his own work before at the plenty of filling side dishes that paired along side them that Mahiru had put together. Corn, Mash Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Mixed Veggies: a large bowl of fresh salad and plenty of bread rolls in a basket. "You did great work too," he said. "I am already hungry."

"Ya, but let me get a picture first," Mahiru nodded her head as she held up her camera. "Stand to the the left with all of the meat," she said and Hajime slide over to the side, taking a look at everything he had worked so hard to make.

It could have used some more time in the marinades- but he was happy looking at his work. Each step of the process came with some instructions that had been recorded deep within his memory: the face behind the words lost with most everything else though. "Next party, I think I should do a ramen bar."

"I like the sound of that much more than this BBQ stuff-" Hiyoko's nose scrunched up as she looked at the meat. "Why is it all pork??? Would it have killed you to throw in some beef or chicken?"

Hajime's face turned white as his shoulders raised-

"Hiyoko!" Mahiru's voice rose. "That is incredibly disrespectful!" her mouth opened as she looked over to her own side dishes and back at Hiyoko, who seemed to step back, holding her hands together as she stared at the expression of hurt on her face.

"I- was just talking about what he made."

"I don't care! You also complained about the food I worked hard to make too," Mahiru shook her head as she grabbed her camera again. Hiyoko stepped to the side, looking at Mahiru, then glared at Hajime and stomped off somewhere else. "Hajime, can you just pose again please?' she said.

"Uh, sure-" Hajime felt his gut twisting around as he tried to smile, but Mahiru look utterly disappointed with the picture she got.

"Woooooohooooooo!" Ibuki cheered as she stepped in, she was in a flapper dress that she had changed out the black glittering tassels for her colors, keeping the base black. With each movement it made a chinging sound as she walked. She threw her hands into the air. "It's party time!"

She turned around looking at the door, walking back over and she dragged Mikan in by the wrist, who let out a squeal.

She had black beads on most of the t-shirt with the exception of a large, glittering white skull on the back. She had a black skirt that just about dragged on the ground with some skulls and bones on the side of the dress.

"Wow!!! Mikan you switched up your style!!!" Hiyoko exclaimed as she ran over, holding her hands in front of her. "You should have more skulls!!!! Get earrings and a necklace!!!"

"O-oh!" Mikan looked down her cheeks turning red. 'W-well I don't have my ears pierced…"

"Ibuki found clip ons!!!" where she was keeping them no one could be sure as she tossed the necklace and earrings she had long since planned on onto Mikan.

"It is surprising how well it fits," Mahiru admitted as she snapped a picture of her.

"It isn't surprising at all!!!!" Ibuki yelled as she pointed a finger forward, before she gestured over at Mikan. "My Wife looks fantastic!!!"

Mikan turned pink and she held her hands in front of her face.

The door was opened again and Gundham and Sonia were the next two to come in. Her eyes were dilated like a cat as she looked at the brightly decorated party room in all of the colors that Ibuki tended to wear, all constructed out of paper.

They were dressed in matching goth outfits: shirts, baggy bottoms and lots of sterling sliver chains with dots of red jewelry. Sonia had black dye on the tips of her hair, well Gundham's hair was down rather than his rather, natural(?) updo?

"I am so excited!" Sonia expressed as she put her fingers together, beginning to wander around to look at everything closer. "Mmmmmmm! The food smells so good!!!" she said as she looked it over. "It is all rustic."

"Yes, yes," Gundham hummed as he looked over at the salad. He grabbed a plate and threw some onto it, and the Dark Devas were quick to scramble out of his scarf to devour the plate. "It is a hit over here."

"I am glad," Mahiru had a sweat drop on her forehead, her eyes closed as she looked at the hamsters eating her salad before anyone else.

"Where is everyone else?" Hajime asked, Nekomaru and Byakuya were doing some last minute set up. There was clearly someone in the crowd he was looking for.

"Oh they will be just a little bit longer," Sonia winked to him. "They are also going to be bringing some last minute things for the bar, Just a bunch of sodas and the like. Nagito is with them, too."

That made his stomach flip in away, not sure if that was safer to have you alone with Peko or not.

Any worry was flipped away with the door slamming open- and his eyes looked onto you, his cheeks turning pink.

Peko and you were matching your outfits, both wearing knee-length dresses with a ribbon wrapped around the waist. The only difference was yours was white with black polka dots well Peko's was black with white polka dots. Your hair matched too, braided hair leading up to a bun.

Standing behind you was Nagito, overloaded with different bags.

"Wow-" Hajime mumbled as he walked over, his feet gliding towards you until he was a hair's breath away as he stared down. "You look cute."

You smiled, curling your hand up to your lips. "You think so?" you asked.

"Ya," Hajime looked back at Nagito and let out a grum, before he grabbed some of the bags of bottles out of his hands. Nagito hadn't changed out of his hoodie.

Peko looked back and grabbed the other half of things, leaving him empty as she and Hajime moved to plop them over at the bar, Byakuya quickly shuffling everything into it's proper spot so they could work on it with ease.

Monomi popped up by the door. "You kids have fun and be responsible, and don't you worry about that mean old Monokuma!" she threw a hand in the air before it dropped, and she stared at everyone with- a strange expression. "I will have it all taken care of."

In that moment looking at the bunny made Hajime so extremely uncomfortable, well you smiled as always at the bunny.

"Thank you, Usami!"

"Hmfp-" Hiyoko turned away. "Don't make yourself any more of a disappointment than you already are, litter runt-"

"Hiyoko!" Mahiru and you spoke at the same time, making her glare at both of you.

"Shut up!" Mahiru stepped back as Hiyoko glared at her. "I am telling her to pull her weight with how much she likes to brag about it!"

"We…. would be stuck on the first island with out h-her though-" Mikan mumbled as she squeezed her hands together.

"And she cannot even get us our exit!" Hiyoko said as the door shut, with the bunny slumping away.

"Well we don't need to worry about her much, and no way that mean Monokuma is going to have any chance to get what he wants!" Nekomaru exclaimed as he walked over to the door and shoved a piece of wood into the handle, officially locking everyone inside.

"Well if someone were to cause a-"

Sonia slapped her hand over Nagito's mouth, keeping her body in perfect princess posture like she wasn't. "We know there will be no issues, because we all set up the place: together!"

"Let us make merry and revel in our own revelry!!!" Gundham exclaimed.

"YAHOOO!!!!!" Ibuki scampered upon the stage, shoving the audio jack into her guitar: the electric feedback echoing through the room. Ibuki tilted the baseboard into the air before she brought her fingers down, releasing a metallic trill that bounced off the enclosed space and was quick to give almost everyone a headache.

Expect for Hiyoko, who ran to the center of the floor, her body moving like the willow tree- her kimono acting as all of the branches.

Mahiru shifted her way to the food table, looking at all of the side dishes and meat with an ill-content expression: that was before Byakuya came over and was quick to load up two plates.

One full of nothing but meat, and the other with all of the side dishes before scampering behind the bar to enjoy the haul. That seemed to make her relax a tad.

"I hope you made enough for everyone," you said as Nekomaru, Sonia and Mikan were next in line, each one coming out with a plate that paled compared to Byakuya's. Peko followed in step with you, her hawk eyes checking every inch of the room.

"I used half a pig for twelve people, it better be enough," Hajime said before his eyes caught a hold of your expression, and his eye brows furrowed. 'What's wrong?"

"Huh?" you let out a puff through your nose as you laughed. "What do you mean what's wrong?"

"I don't know, I just: see it in your eyes. What's wrong?" he repeated, turning his nose upwards as he tried to have a stern face on. Peko stared at Hajime which almost made him back away from his question: almost.

"It's- silly," you answered as you rolled your eyes, crossing your arms over your chest. "…. But I suppose I am disappointed I couldn't help you at all. I know it's your talent and you don't need any help but regardless…." you looked to the side. "I think cooking together would be, really nice," you shuddered merely uttering the word, your head drooping.

Hajime pulled a hand back to his chest and his cheeks turned pink. "I, think that would be nice one day…. When you can," he said and he took your hand into his. "And even if you never have a good enough head space for that, I would be happy to cook for you every day."

Your slightly soured mood turned purely sweet as you little out a small giggle. "I am excited to get at your cooking," you turned your head, making eye contact with someone across the room. "But I got something I need to take care of real quick," you bent up and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you," you said before you began to walk, Peko following behind you like she was literally tied to you.

Hajime watched you both and straightened his back as he observed you approaching Sonia by the storage closest.

You were eager to start talking with the Princess, Peko glued to your back before the door…. crept open, one red eye peeking out from behind. Peko turned her head, her posture turning before four more black eyes reflected off of the light in the room.

Like a siren's call, Peko was lured into the backroom with the promise of Hamsters.

You looked at the door with a self satisfied grin, then you stepped away allowing Sonia and Mikan to go into the room right after and you wandered away, puffing out your chest like a bird who had just created the grandest of nests, and were more than ready for whatever flock was about to throw themselves upon you as you went over to taste some of the food your boyfriend has cooked.

Hajime smiled before he slide himself over to the bar, sitting on one of the stools as Nekomaru walked away with a beer in one hand, going off to the dance floor to join Hiyoko who was eating up the floor.

"What are you in the mood for?" Byakuya asked, their plates having most of the content gone.

"Oh -uh-" his eyes bounced around behind the bartender. "Can I get a shot of gin?" Hajime asked as he looked at the bottle.

"What the hell?" Byakuya asked, their nose scrunching up. "Absolutely not-" They snatched a different bottle with a hue of blue inside, pouring it into a shaker for about two shots followed lemon juice, another fruit juice, a drizzling of syrup- there was a lot of clanging as they shook it around, body rocking with the rest of their movements before they poured the mixture into a martini glass. They poured some club soda atop followed by a slice of orange and placed it in front of Hajime. "Try this instead."

Hajime's brow furrowed and he opened his mouth, gasping in air before he grabbed the glass and took a sip with closed eyes.

The burn familiar to his throat mixed with the sweet citrus flavor made his eyes go wide. He looked down at the glass, his eyes dancing over the surface of the liquor before he threw the rest of the glass back. "Wow-" Hajime blinked. "That's, really good! Can I get another."

"Hmfp," Byakuya responded as they nodded their head. "You may, have you have eaten some food."

"Hey I was doing a fair amount of sampling whilst I was cooking-" Hajime said as he pointed a finger, the fresh taste of juicy rubs still in the back of his throat.

"I don't care, the more food the better when it comes to ingesting alcohol."

Hajime sighed as he pushed himself up from the table, craving more of the nostalgically flavor on his tongue.

As he wandered past the table his eyes caught onto you on the other side of the room: plate in hand as you chatted away with Mahiru and Nagito. He had to smile when he saw you laughing away with the two of them, before he went back to his seat.

As soon as he returned to the bar with an acceptably full plate of food, Byakuya mixed the same drink before leaving their post to get their own thing of seconds.

Hajime leaned over the table and took the glass, throwing it back just as fast as he had the first and was met with instant regret. His shoulders fell as he looked at the empty glass. He turned back, watching how…. inattentive the bartender was to the bar: in fact it appeared no one was paying that much attention to him at the moment.

So in the moment, Hajime reached over the counter quick: eye balling about how much of each Byakuya had poured into the shaker… perhaps more of a heavy pour then he should have one one of the components though.

"Hey hey!!!!' Ibuki exclaimed. "Ibuki is getting tired of just watching Hiyoko do all of the dancing!!!" Nekomaru had left the floor to enjoy his beer not too long ago. She let out a hum. "Dance contest!!!'

"You want to throw someone to the meat grinder," Hiyoko giggled as she lifted a hand up to her mouth. "Okay! Nekomaru, get over here!"

"Nu-huh," Nekomaru shook his head before he chugged down a beer. "I am a coach, coaches don't compete-"

"What!? You aren't supposed to be one of the lame one, Nekomaru!" Hiyoko whined as her eyes went over, she looked at Mahiru who took a step back, instantly shaking her head from side to side.

"Bookworm!!! You should do it!!!" Ibuki pointed at you from up on stage.

Your mouth was already open to take a a big rip of rib meat, your eyes meet Ibuki's and then they swayed like clock pendulums as everyone who was in the building not locked up in the closest was looking at you. "I- well I don't know how to dance,' your eyes went to the scapegoat by your side. "Nagito, you, have some dance experience?"

"Ohhhhhh," Nagito immediately clutched his side in an over dramatic manner. "ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh egh- that is not going to work……. you should do it-" Nagito said as he propped himself on the wall, how he managed to generate faux sweat on his forehead you could not figure out.

Your face flattened as you glared at him, before you sigh and you walked over to Hiyoko.

Hiyoko had a nasty grin on her face. "I am going to break you down, stupid bitch," she said and you huffed.

"We will have to see," you answered.

"Wow!!!" Ibuki grinned as she began to test a few notes, adjusting her guitar before it sounded like a traditional guitar rift. "Ibuki knows what will get feet reallly moving!!!!!"

The intro of the song started, both you and Hiyoko worked on warming up. Both of your bodies swaying about in front of the stage.

"You!" Ibuki's voice broke above her own guitar rifts as she began to belt her lungs out "Come and break through"

"Sleep all morning too-" you slide your feet pointing towards Hiyoko."VOX AC30w on," Hiyoko pointed back at you. "Telecaster toyin’, and anti-culture boy, takes his band by the hand saying "both of you bent forward, making a cone for your voices “yah-ho!"

"And this retail is so damn unreal (unreal)" You took the lead, stepping forward before back. "This van’s got an AT field-" and it was Hiyoko's turn, taking her step forward and then back. "Hide behind “I’m shy” so coy come and run away my boy" you face each other, offering a hand to the other

"That said, the daughter and son" you took each other's hands and twirled around "with their talent and funds both are. Driving me insane as they callously shun," you switched postions so Hiyoko was on the left and you were on the right.

"Boys be ambitious" Hiyoko was bouncing her head to the beat, whipping her finger around in the air well you nodded giving an 'uh-huh' "like this older man-' Hiyoko pointed at you and your nose scrunched up in faux offense.

"Messy bangs a-hanging low-" both you and Hiyoko fell forward, letting your arms dangle in the air as they swayed with the beat. "Come show me who you follow (follow….) Follow (follow….) Follow (follow….)" the movement of the swaying picked up.

"Don’t you get it wrong you led this cult here all along, now!" you flicked both of your heads up, making hair fly all over the place as you face the crowd.

"Roki roki roll rockin’ rock and roll " opposite fists pumped in the air well opposite feet stomped on the ground. "Shredding out a chord from my guitar while singing " you face each other.
"Don’t stop!" you leaned forward well Hiyoko retreated. "Don’t stop!" Hiyoko leaned forward well you retreated "Come here and let me see you oh, Come let the crazy beat free you, cause we’re," you slide past each other twice, going across and then back to the sides you started on. "Roki roki roll rockin’ rock and roll!"

"Man, now we’re talking!" you threw a hand in the air as you sang in sync with Ibuki. "Music is calling you?" Hiyoko pointed at you. "Are we moving through?"- you pointed back. "(Yeah I guess I’m known some here and there, but it’s nothing to share, guess my life all isn’t quite so clean too) " you swapped sides again, kicking your legs up at shockingly equal height to create an arc. "Say it straight you anonymous icon " you covered your face. "Come show your face to me, real life icon " Hiyoko framed her face like her hands were open church doors. "Ditch the sin within the noise and lose the worry boy" you matched the lean Hiyoko did, dragging your body as the song dragged the words."

"Let me be straight with you now though you try, I’ve got no doubt that In time that painted face will burn into the ground," you slipped onto the ground under Hiyoko who did a mocking of actually slamming you into the ground, but by some miracle she did not take the chance to actually give you a concussion.

"Boys be ambitious," Hiyoko gestured to you splayed out on the ground. "like this older man" you managed to drag yourself up off the floor and posed with Hiyoko, your arm over her shoulder. "Dressing up so prettily to live we take a “selfie”" Mahiru snapped a picture

“Selfie (selfie)” Mahiru snapped another picture

“Selfie (selfie)” Mahiru snapped again

"None of us are going down we’ll fight until we’re free" Hiyoko and you slipped apart from each other, lifting your arms into the air.

"Roki roki roll rockin’ rock and roll " opposite fists pumped in the air well opposite feet stomped on the ground. "Even if it’s just an empty love song come we Don’t stop!" you leaned forward well Hiyoko retreated. "Don’t stop!" Hiyoko leaned forward well you retreated

"Come here and let me see you oh-" you stepped towards Hiyoko."Shot through the heart-" Hiyoko made hand pistol to point at you, and you leaned back clutching your chest, throwing one hand up. "I’ll free you cause we’re," your body made an arc as you force yourself up. "Roki roki roll rockin’ rock and roll!"

There was a guitar solo, and both you and Hiyoko mostly just danced in orbit of each other, pounding your feet to add percussion to each note.

"Not enough to please us if we’re leaving a job undone-" you crossed your arm, propping your chin in your knuckle. "But the tea that we meant to relieve our throats dry from all the light is " Hiyoko made the motion of pouring out a teacup. "Filled with an ease mixed with pressure and heat" feet came on the floor extra hard.

"I Sadly must inform you I caught a cold and can’t sing out my lines!" Ibuki made it louder than the rest.

"Huh" you looked at Ibuki, leaning forward. "Huh," Hiyoko asked copying you."HUh!?" both of you leaned further in. "WHAT!" the word made you both push back, like you were being thrown by the force.

"Look me dead in the eyes tell me baby!" you both went back and forward through the word echo.

"None of us are going down we’ll fight until we’re free!"

"Roki roki roll rockin’ rock and roll " opposite fists pumped in the air well opposite feet stomped on the ground. "Shredding out a chord from my guitar while singing " you face each other.
"Don’t stop!" you leaned forward well Hiyoko retreated. "Don’t stop!" Hiyoko leaned forward well you retreated "Come here and let me see you oh, Come let the crazy beat free you, cause we’re," you slide past each other twice, going across and then back to the sides you started on. "Roki roki roll rockin’ rock and roll!"

"We’re not going down now" you swept past each other. "(We’re not going down now)" one more time.

"Neither you or I are down and waiting here to die" you both pointed out towards the crowd, before bringing your hands in and dancing out till Ibuki rank down, both of your heads falling down and it felt like blast of fireworks were besides you.

You laughed and panted in the same breathe as you put a hand over your heart.

Hiyoko had her own big grin as she giggled, before she looked at you and her face turned into the grinches. She turned her head away. "You were a pretty shitty dancer…. but less shitty than I thought you would be."

"Oh??? Better than you thought?" you leaned forward. "Are you giving me a compliment?"

Hiyoko pushed your away by the face. "No! I am just saying you weren't that shitty, but I was still better!!!"

"It is hard to out dance the SHSL Dancer," Nekomaru said with a laugh. "She definitely got you beat, bookworm!"

"The winner I suppose gets the copy of the photos first," Mahiru walked over, and let Hiyoko see the selfies that were taken….. and for someone who hated you so much she truly looked over the moon.

"Amore mio, ohhhhh," there was a howl through the club as Hajime stumbled over. "Amore mio," his legs failed him as he crumbled in front of you, his head falling into your stomach. "brilli come le stelle. Ti sei ricordato così bene del mio amore," he babbled to you. looking up with green eyes as his mouth fell open and he drooled a little.

"Oh- my goodness," you said, your mouth was open. "Hajime????"

"Non importa, amore mio:" his head fell back into your stomach, curling around you. "Guardarti, mio ​​caro amore, è stato meraviglioso," he let out a long sigh.

"How how much did he have to drink???" Mahiru asked as her nose scrunched up.

"Somehow he managed to get down about 7 shots," Byakuya cringed as they looked at the bottle.

"Woooooo!" Nekomaru burst into laugh, hunching over a bit.

"Whazzit he sayin'?" Ibuki asked.

"Oh mio dolce Atlante," the foreign ramblings kept pouring out of his mouth, slurring and making himself even more incomprehensible to everyone in the room. "Sei il carburante del mio cuore. Il tuo essere è l'immagine della bellezza e della grazia, amore mio."

"I think…" Byakuya's brow quirked. "He is speaking Italian."

"There is no way that stupid head knows Italian!" Hiyoko said her nose scrunching up.

"Hmm…." Nagito crossed his arms as he kept watching Hajime prostate before you. "I suppose…. I have won my bet."

Hajime's body went rigid, his grip turning into a vice around your waist. You saw his brow twitch. "Hajime….?"

He stood up, his eyes locked onto Nagito and marched right over to the albino boy.

Hajime grabbed Nagito by the back of his hair and slammed their face together, and he shoved his tongue down his throat.

Everyone gaped at the sight as Hajime held Nagito's face with his other hand, trailing his tongue around the interior of his mouth as his body rubbed againist his before he pulled away with a loud, wet pop.

Nagito's mouth was wide open, slightly in a smile well his pupils were just dilated and his hair now very messy upon his head.

"Shut up! You are so god damn annoying!" Hajime yelled into his face, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand to get the excess salvia off. He turned his back and fell back to his knees before you and his face hit your tummy again. "Oh mio caro amore sei così meraviglioso: dolce e tenero solo per me, tesoro mio-"

Your eyes fluttered at him, and you couldn't help but laugh.

Ibuki burst into laughter so hard she was on the floor.

'What's with all this sudden gay shit???" Hiyoko exclaimed.

"Please tell me you got a picture," Nekomaru said as he looked at Mahiru who had been standing there dumbly, her hands not even on her camera.

"N-no???" Mahiru looked down at her camera and then up at Nagito, and did get a picture of the stunned boy.

""My-" Ibuki gasped before laughing harder. "Poor, poor wife!!! She missed out big time!"

"Yaaaaaa-' you closed your eyes. "Are you tired, Hajime?"

He looked at you, his head spinning about before he gave a nod. You laughed as you bent down, letting him cling to your shoulder. "Sei così dolce e premuroso, ti prendi cura del mio essere sciocco in tutto questo. Il mio amore, la mia mappa, il mio atlante," you could smell gin on his breathe.

"I love you, too," you got him to the door of the storage room which had been cleaned out, and instead was Gundham's hamster maze.

"Behold, their power!" Gundham exclaimed as he crossed his arms, turning his nose up and you could hear the Dark Devas chirping about.

Peko was sitting on her knees, leaning forward as she watched the fat little ball run to and through.

"Oh my-" Sonia said as she looked up at you, then at Hajime. "What has happened?"

"Ti ho mai detto quanto sono belli i tuoi occhi? E i tuoi capelli? Oh, sei il ritratto della perfezione."

"Hajime had seven shots of gin," you said as you moved him to the corner, lower him down into it. He squirmed and threw his hands out, only to relax when you kissed his forehead. He settled down into the corner and as soon as his body went limp.

"You are sweating," Peko said as she looked you over. "Are you okay?"

"……Oh mia amata..... mi sento svanire.... buonanotte mia regina sirena……" Hajime's voice faded into mumbles, before he was snoring.

"Ya, ya, Hiyoko and I did a dance together," you said as you grinned.

"W-would you like, to watch the hamsters for a little while?" Mikan asked as her head moved to the tunnels. "You might, be able to hold one of them…. they are soft." Mikan giggled out as her shoulders scrunched.

"I am going to go get a drink but…. I think that would be nice," you nodded your head with a cheeky grin. "Should I grab anything for you guys?"

"I would do with a glass of milk. And a cup of water for the devas to recharge."

"If possible a glass of Boërl & Kroff Magnum sounds rather nice…. but whatever champagne available will work."

"I would like, maybe, um- well- er….. Water! Just water for me!"

you nodded your head and looked at Peko. "And you?"

"….. A fruity soda would be refreshing, I think."

Chapter Text

The party raged until the light of dawn cascaded over all of the islands, the sleepy shadows danced along in the golden rays, across the bridge to their cabins. There was a clump of shadows dragging further and further to the back.

You were dragging the half conscious Hajime along, exhaustion, alcohol and that already forming hang over making him cringe at the cruel sunlight. You had to let out a laugh. "Are you alright, lover boy?" you asked with a small giggle.

"Grrrrhhhh," he gurgled as his head hit your shoulder.

"I cannot believe him," Byakuya declared with a sigh. Nagito and them were the only ones who remained back here with you and your slow, weighed down pace. "Are you sure you don't want me to carry him?"

"Oh, it's fine," you smiled, a little out of breathe but getting to tease your boyfriend whenever he would partially wake up was quite nice.

"Hmmm, he is cute," Nagito said with a chuckle as he poked his cheek, which made Hajime grumble and turn his head to the otherside.

"Hmfp," Byakuya had a look on their face as they sighed. "Teenagers…" they grumbled.

"Are you, not a teenager?' you asked, quirking an eyebrow and then immediately realizing the problem with your question. "Um- I-"

"….. I don't know my age, but I would have estimated I was between 17 to 19 when I came to the school," they answered.

"My, no wonder you are the SHSL Imposter!" Nagito said in a tone that made you wish you had an elbow to spare for his ribs. "You have the perfect identity for it, and you have worked so masterfully to embody it."

"I suppose, you do not have a name then, either," you said, your brow lowering as you looked towards the wooden planks of te bridge.

"I do not need one to accomplish my goals," they said as they sighed. "Now come on, lets move faster. The only thing more important than a good breakfast is a good night sleep before that."

You ket out a breathe as you got Hajime into the bed, he snored as he hit the pillow and you smiled, tucking him in. You yawned and stretched before you looked at your poor, going to be hung over, boyfriend. You let out a sigh as your shoulders released.

He was going to need water when he woke up.

You did a quick check around the cabin for a cup, before you huffed. You walked over to his bedside, bending down and planting a kiss on his forehead, which got a wonderful hum from Hajime,his neck craning towards you presence.

You gave a giggle before you crept out of the building, the strands of hair that had gotten loose throughout the night waving in the cool morning air, your dress also waving.

"My, my, things are going pretty well for you right now, aren't they?" Monokuma's voice rang out behind you, and your eye twitched at the grating tone. "All nice and cozy in your hope and your little party?" he covered his mouth as he began to laugh to himself.

You stared towards the restaurant, silent as your lips twisted in different forms across your face, your eyes chasing your thoughts as they rolled past.

"What? Got nothing to say, big shot?"

You looked at the bear with a blank expression, before you smirked.

"Your sister liked me more than you."

Watching the bear grow blue then white then red was quite a sight. His claws and sharp teeth glinting in in the sparse sunlight. "You shouldn't go about expressing delusions, or else your tongue might get ripped out."

You fully swung towards, him, arms outstretched wide as you let out a laugh. "I never would have expected you to get so offended about a comment relating to Monomi, bear," your eyes glinted. "It is just naturally she likes me more than you, or…… hehe," you leaned forward. "Did I strike a nerve with something completely different?"

"Don't play with me- you, were using past tense!" Monokuma hissed.

"Oh? Did I?" you asked, opening your mouth as you pulled your arms back. "Slip of the tongue, oops" you shrugged your voice peaking into a valley. "Seems like this topic really upset you a lot."

Monokuma's red eye sparkled from it's own internal light. "See how clever you'll feel when I am done-" his eye squinted and you snickered.

"I won't lose at your stupid games," you said as you waved a hand back at him, walking towards the door. "I have more important things to deal with."

The bear left you be and you closed your eyes, you walked up the stairs attempting to hum the tune of the Waltz of Flowers . You were dancing across the room to get to one of the water pitchers.

As you reached for one of the cups, you felt a chill run across your body. Your hand began to shiver and you flinched at the sudden cold feeling that ran through your body.

You ignored it, after all: it'd go right away after you get to crawl into bed with Hajime.

"Gooooood morning everyone! Looks like today is going to be another perfect, tropical day! Now then let's make sure to show some enthusiasm and make sure to give it our all today!"

Hajime groaned as he pulled the covers over his head. His head pounded in his skull as he gritted his teeth. He waited to hear you whine but-

You didn't.

He sat up in the bed, his flinched in the light but his hands began to pat on your side of the bed: yet he never touched you.

He got out from the bed despite the headache as he looked around the cabin. "Hello!?" he called as he looked towards the ajar bathroom door, peeking his head in and finding it empty. He ran towards the empty closest before he grabbed his head.

"Ughhhhh," he groaned as he clenched his eyes. Maybe he should have eaten more before mixing his own drink. His eyes fluttered open, before he darted out of the cabin. He looked around at the wooden docks, eyes flicking between the gate and the restaurant, before electing to go to the closest place first.

He felt like he might throw up as his feet pounded on the concrete besides the pool, it felt so cold as he ran into the lobby, before almost cracking the stairs in half as he pounded up them. He wanted as he held onto the railing, swinging to see the dining room.

Everyone was there.

Hiyoko had found herself on the far side of the restaurant, her lip quivering as she looked at them.

Gundham was backed into a corner, his eyes pacing between Sonia and Nekomaru who had him in the corner, Sonia tried to reach for him and he ducked away underneath her, and Nekomaru took half a step back as he looked up at him, hair raising like a cat. Mahiru was pulled back, holding up her camera to document.

You were ducked underneath a table, shaking like a leaf. Byakuya was crouched in front of you, bright red in the face as they reached a hand for you, and each time they reached closer, you yanked away, banging your back into the table leg.

Surrounding the table behind Byakuya was Mikan, Nagito, Ibuki and Peko, all of them vaguely confused.

Your eyes landed on Hajime, and you sucked in a great breathe, your eyes began to shake from side to side. "Ah- AHHHHHH!!!!" you let out an ear piercing scream. "Stay away!!!!" You bolted up, smacking your head on the bottom of the table as you sprinted towards the balcony entrance.

You jumped.

There was was silence in the room making the sound of you smacking the ground beneath louder. Hajime's feet began running to chase you out the balcony entrance, Peko acting second.

Then Byakuya grabbed him by the collar, their eyes squinted as their teeth grinded together. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY LITTLE SIBLING!?" their voice was unrecognizable and spit flew onto Hajime.

"I didn't do anything!" Hajime yelled as he tried to look past the bulky form but they made him look at them.

"Don't lie, you creep! I know exactly how you perv on my family!" they screamed. "Do you think I have ever trusted you once, pretty boy!? Not a chance! I will wreck you for hurting my sibling you bastard!" it was rambling.

"What is even going on?! I just woke up!" Hajime looked around at the others.

"We, don't know," Sonia said as her shoulder tensed up. "When we woke up they were all acting, strange," she explained. "Gundham is running a fever, for the moment I could touch him…."

"This is so wacky!!! Ibuki no like!!!" Ibuki moved her hands to her hair, gritting her teeth. "Feels like a situation where Ibuki could have easily died in an alternate reality…."

"N-no, I can, handle things like this! It is what I can do!" Mikan said before she looked at the numerous patients who all had throughly rejected her care at this point, her feet beginning to grind on the floor.

Gundham's eyes flicked over to Hajime and his back arched.

"Peko said that they were running a pretty high fever as well, but so far she has been the only one able to get close," Nagito explained as he crossed his arms. "And well, I am sure you can notice the other drastic effect."

"Ya!" Hajime grabbed Byakuya's wrist, managing to pry their fingers off as they were still yelling about how he wasn't going to let 'some frat boy like him be a heart breaker'.

Peko came into the restaurant, having to support you from the side as your leg was bent in the wrong way. You clung to the body guard, body shaking like a leaf as you looked out over everyone, and began to shaking your head and grabbed at Peko's shirt sleeve.

Mikan tried to come over to you, slowly but you yanked back from her. "He said stay put with you-" you mumbled as you hopped around Peko, and your discomfort made Mikan step away. Byakuya on the other hand dropped Hajime and came darting towards you.

"Sibling!"

And you tried to dart off the balcony again at the force they ran. Peko grabbed you and leaped to the side. They turned and their nose scrunched up.

"How dare you….. Give me sibling to me, dammit!" they yelled and they launched again and again, each time them getting more winded than Hajime had ever seen them, until they fell to their knees, panting for breathe.

"Wha!? Oh this is bad!!!" Ibuki put her hands on the side of her head, "BK Never runs out of steam!!!"

"Hey- wait. What did you mean when you said 'he said'?" Hajime took a step towards you and you let out a scream so loud it made everyone's ears ring.

"Keep him away from me!!!" you shouted and were attempting to climb over Peko, pulling on her shoulders, Peko turned away and you seemed to relax, nestling your head on her shoulder as you mumbled to it, about how 'he hated you' 'wanted you dead' 'would leave you for dead', all things that made Peko glare at him, but if she thought it was true he could assume she would.

Hajime stared at you before he retreated back, hanging by were Hiyoko was and she darted away, going into the corner as she pointed a finger.

"Saw you get spit on!" Hiyoko hissed as her hair stood on edge. "i don't want any of your cooties!"

"I bet Monokuma had something to do with this," Nekomaru said as he stepped away from Gundham, crossing his arms as he looked across the room.

"Well, well, well! No one ever expects the jock to be the smart guy!" Monokuma let out a laugh as from the floor he burst. "Indeed, indeed, meet my despair disease!!!!" he cheered and gestured at the trio. "Pretty cool, huh????"

"Nu-huh!!!1 Not cool at all!!!" Ibuki exclaimed as she stomped her foot. "This is lame! Lamer than lame! No one wants to get sick with icky bear cooties!!!!"

"Hmfp- it is quite the marvel of bio-weapon engineering! That is really cool if you aren't someone lammmmme!"

"You used a bio-weapon on my sibling!?" Byakuya roared and they forced themselves back on their feet, eyes glinting as they Peko grabbed them bu the collar, still having one hand wrapped around you and managing to keep the weaken train pulled back. Made easier by how you were staring, blankly at the bear.

"Well- this isn't a real virus!" Mahiru exclaimed. "That means it can't kill us!"

"Puhuhuhu, maybe it can on it's own, maybe it can't!" Monokuma grinned as he rocked on his paws. "But th-"

"I-I think it- it might," Mikan said as her voice rose in a squeak, her lip quivering as she took a step away from the bear, who glared at her offended. "T-the virus may be attacking our virtual body, but our actual bodies are reacting in the same fashion as if it were a real disease! Because, because the side effects are very real…."

"That is….." Peko fell silence as she stared down.

"You are insane!!!" Hiyoko yelled from across the room, her breathe beginning to pick up as her eyes shook.

"yes ye we covered that in chapter 3!!!' the bear yelled. "And as I was saying- the disease itself doesn't matter much compared to the other, personalized side effects," he giggled as he looked at Byakuya and you, not sparing a glance at the disappointing one. "It's different for everyyyyy person- I am sure one of you will become a homocidal murder under it!" the bear looked around and then turned to Sonia. "How about you, true crime girlie??? Wanna get the disease and become just like your beloved Ted Bundy???"

"Ted Bundy was an freak who I only find interest to poke like a frog under dissection!!!" Sonia yelled, holding her hands up in front of her.

"Not all disease are a death sentence!!!" Nekomaru roared as he stomped his feet, making the entire restaurant seem to shake and forced the bear to look at him. "It may seem hopeless but we can't give up! We have got the power of modern medicine!!!!" he declared before he walked over and held Mikan up into the air like she was the new born princess.

"Eh!?" Mikan asked.

"You got the most medical knowledge here, and we have a whole building full of nothing but drugs! Besides, it is still a video game," Nekomaru said as he looked over at Monokuma. "If there is away to make the disease, there is away to make a cure!"

"Ahhh, that is the spirit," Nagito grinned as his shoulder rose. "Putting all of your hopes together to make a cure would be wonderful."

"But it can't be every one of us," Hajime said as he looked at the three. "…. Some of us are going

to have to watch the sick."

"Then it should be limited to those who have already had contact with them." Peko said as she let go of Byakuya, who was no attempting to fret over you as you kept squirming away from your concerned big brother.

"Hmfp-" Monokuma watched as most everyone was ignoring him in favor of their own plans. "Well enjoy your hope or whatever, can't wait for you to get to the inevitable result and seeing your faces, I guess," no one bothered responding as he left the group to their own devices.

"The hospital, is the best place to keep them," Mikan said and got Nekomaru to put her down. She disappeared from the restaurant and came back with a notebook. "If-if I am going to be working on the cure, let me, give detailed care instructions," she said as she sat down at one of the tables.

Mahiru left and came back too, with pictures printed of what she had taken and she gave them to Mikan so she could look at them.

Sonia hummed as she looked at Gundham and reached out a hand, he ducked away before he slinking into the other corner with fast pace. Sonia let out a sigh as she chased him down like a wild cat. grabbing his wrist and dragging him along. He struggled and tried to pull away, silently yanking but he never attacked. Only tried to get away.

"It will be Peko, Hajime and I then," she said as she looked over at Peko, who gave a nod. "it lowers the chance for infection." Hajime internally cringed as he looked at the patients.

"I will… stay away to get the notes from Mikan," Hajime said as he turned his head.

"I think I should come with you as well," Nagito raised his hand in the air.

"But you haven't touched anyone yet- are you stupid enough to want to get sick???" Hiyoko asked as her nose scrunched up.

"Well, no. Especially not with something as horrible as a despair disease," Nagito answered but let out a sigh. "However, I do know my luck, especially when it comes to illnesses. Either I will be catching it soon as much as I would not want it…… or, as improbable as it may seem to be immune to a brand new disease: it is not impossible," he said as he closed his eyes.

"So either you will need to be cared for, or are the most ideal person to do the caring," Peko clarified.

Nagito nodded his head. "Besides, I would likely be a hindrance in medical setting."

"t-that depends on if you have an immunity," Mikan said as she put her shoulders together. "If you do it would be beneficial to study you. But we cannot be sure if you do until you are, e-exposed prolong."

Nagito nodded.

"Hospitals are supposed to be staffed by people who know how to keep others calm!" Hiyoko yelled as her shoulders tensed up. "He is just going to freak all the patients out!"

"There are things that can be done behind the scenes……" if Mahiru was saying that as a true point or merely wishing Nagito to stay in the crowd she was not in could have been a debate for the century based on her tone.

"We will stay in the hospital and motels and quarantine to the third island. We should plan for someone from your group to leave food in the middle of the bridge, and in return someone will leave updates on the patient so you will have a good source of data," Peko said as she looked at Mikan who gave a nod.

"W-we will do our best!" Mikan said as she clenched her eyes closed. "ooohhhhhh, I do feel- like I can help there though," she said as she looked at the notes.

"You are the star player we got, and this is the most important role!!!" Nekomaru yelled as he slammed his hands on the table, making her jump but she nodded her head.