My name is Kyoko Kirigiri. I would hope you'd recognize it. I am the Ultimate Detective. I was a student at Hope's Peak Academy, where the world's best students are hailed as the Hope of humanity. Well, they were, until the Tragedy happened. Despair was lying within the school's walls, and it was at this point that they finally realized it. There was only one suspect at the time: Izuru Kamukura, a student who was genetically engineered to be the so-called 'Ultimate Hope'. If the word got out that the school's experiment was suspected, it would ruin their image. But they still needed to find out the truth behind the incident. So, they hired me to investigate him. However, before I could catch him, Junko Enoshima brainwashed me and the other remaining Ultimate students, to participate in her Killing School Life. Thankfully, I survived, along with five others, and joined an organization bent on eliminating Despair. My first task was to finish what I started. To capture Izuru Kamukura. That mission was rather different than anything I've ever experienced.

I bet you're wondering why I'm telling you this. Well, there was a point in my life when I'd normally keep quiet about these things. Some of the time, these investigation summaries are classified, and the rest of the time, the case isn't important enough to speak of. But this story isn't only about the investigation, or Izuru Kamukura.

It's about me.

I believe that's it for my introduction. Let us begin…

Day 1

The sun was rising when I left the Future Foundation with my first mission. I was tired, as coffee never appealed to me. And now wasn't the time to rest. Detectives have to keep on their toes, and that means getting an early start. But… with almost no information to go off… where do I start? I walked over to the nearest bench and sat down, crossing my legs. I squinted my eyes, as the sun invaded my vision. It felt so warm, and my eyes felt so heavy; I was tempted to close them and just fall asleep right there. Yet, I shook myself awake. This was one mission that I would surely not fail. I was a fool and didn't catch Izuru in time before all this. A wave of anger washed over me at the thought, and my fists clenched up. Instantly, I released them and stood up. I couldn't let my anger get the best of me. I couldn't let anything, or anyone, get the best of me. I needed to prove to myself that I truly was the Ultimate Detective, by capturing Izuru Kamukura this time. Not many people get second chances, and I was very lucky to get the opportunity I had now. I would not disappoint them. I held my chin and pondered for a bit about where to start my investigation. After a couple seconds, I decided that checking out the Hope's Peak area again was the optimal strategy. After all, it was the only lead I had.

So, I stood up and started walking swiftly to the grounds of Hope's Peak Academy. There weren't any buses that dared stop anywhere near that school. Besides, it wasn't that far of a walk anyways. Walking gives me time to observe my surroundings. And to think. Which are both necessary for detectives. As I walked, I thought about Izuru Kamukura. What he could be planning. Where he could be hiding. How many followers he had.

My thoughts didn't get very far as I approached the gates to Hope's Peak. I felt the wind blow through my long, purple hair. I never bothered to cut it; it wasn't really ever in the way. And there surely wasn't time to cut it now...

To think… Which part of Hope's Peak Academy haven't I seen recently? Definitely not the main building; I've spent enough time in there as it is. My eyes floated down the pathway until I saw a fountain. This area looked vaguely familiar… There. A shed, right past the fountain. I'd investigate there first.

The dirt from the pathway scraped across my feet as I walked towards the fountain. The rising sun made the water shine, enough that I had to look away. However, the sound of running water was soothing. At least something wasn't explicitly ominous around here…

The shed looked like a typical shed; run-down, dusty, and dark. It wasn't too big, either. Slowly, I opened the door, which wasn't locked. As it opened, it creaked and dust clouds formed. I quickly batted the dust away with my arm. A small part of the shed was lit up by the light of the sun. Carefully, I walked in, getting out my flashlight to scan the darker parts of the room. The room was probably not dark enough to hide any moving figures, but you could never be too sure. I meticulously shined my light over the entire room, and the tension lifted when I pulled back the shades covering the nearest window. This illuminated the room, revealing it to be the dusty, unkempt shed that I expected. Well, secretly, I was hoping for more, but one can't be too disappointed in just a regular shed. I searched the room, though all the dirt and dust forced me to cough frequently. I opened every drawer, checked every floorboard, moved every piece of equipment. And I came to the conclusion that this, indeed, was exactly what it looked like. Just a regular shed. No secret passages or secret information. Sighing at the thought of wasted time, I started to walk out of the shed. Every extra second I gave Izuru Kamukura was another second he could use to hide himself. I started walking out of shed and into the light, but after a couple steps, I paused. Something didn't feel right… I could sense… something…

"We meet again, Kyoko."

The voice came from behind me. Not exactly from the shed - I thoroughly checked in there. As I turned around quickly, I saw a figure leaning on the side of the shed, and I tensed up. He had a slender, tall body, dressed in mostly black. My expression changed to surprise as I saw his face. That face… those deep, red eyes… that long, dark hair… that - I shook my head for a second, I was losing focus. My thoughts flashed back to the picture I saw just this morning.

What was important was that the man standing before me was indeed, Izuru Kamukura.

"Izuru Kamukura…" I said. It wasn't very witty or intelligent; I couldn't really think of anything else to say. Besides, I had to keep on my toes so as to not let him get away. I wouldn't lose him this time.

"It's been a long time." His tone was creepy and flat, yet inviting.

"Yes, it has." I said, inching slightly closer to him.

And we stood there. Looking at each other. In the silence that was the remains of Hope's Peak. Not even wind dared ruin this moment.

"That's it?"

"Hm?" I didn't quite understand what he was getting at.

"No more conversation? I expected more from such a… courteous type."

That voice… However monotone it was, it was certainly intriguing… But I wasn't getting fooled. I moved closer still, not saying a word. My right hand slid slowly across my body, reaching for the handcuffs I always had ready.

"So you're here for strictly business, then. How boring."

I almost jumped as Izuru Kamukura stood up from against the wall, and stretched his arms out towards me. His hands calmly formed fists, and just like that, he was in the perfect position to be handcuffed.

Oh, he must have seen them. I needn't be slow about it, then. I raised the handcuffs to arm level. But I stopped to think… Could it be this easy? Would he just let himself be captured by a Future Foundation Agent? Was he testing me?

I looked at his face again. Sometimes, someone's intentions could be revealed through their facial expressions. Celeste Ludenberg knew a lot about that, being a gambler and all. And I guess I did, too. I had to learn it on my own, as being a detective required deciphering people's motives and secrets. Yes, that's one lesson I learned too well...

Izuru Kamukura's face was mostly expressionless, save his large unwavering eyes staring at me. How could I describe them? Scheming? Condescending? No, it wasn't that bad… Maybe it was… Impatient? Or curious? Or maybe-

Ugh, not this again... I refocused my eyes. I was on an important mission! There was one thing I needed to do, and it was right in my grasp.

Quickly, I swatted the handcuffs down at Izuru's wrists.

Yet, with even quicker reflexes, Izuru yanked his hands away and started running towards the entrance of Hope's Peak.

I cursed at myself quietly for my missed opportunity, and I started chasing after him. This never happened to me before on a mission. I didn't know what came over me.

The sun was high in the sky as I chased my target. Luckily, I was catching up to him as he got to the fountain. All I had to do was tackle him, put on the handcuff-

SPLASH

I threw my arms up in defense as water from the fountain was thrust towards me.

Did he just splash me? Really? He ran past the fountain, just so he could distract me by spraying me with water… Izuru seemed much… classier than this.

But I guess it did its job, as I was now a couple steps behind Izuru. I kept at my original pace, knowing the sun would eventually dry out the water. I watched as Izuru looked back while running, his stone face finally showing some expression - a slight grin.

Izuru was running away just as fast as I could follow him. He ran all across town; across the streets, around shops, through the back alleys… I kept up as best I could. But, I was out of breath within ten minutes. My lungs longed for fresh air as I took a break for a couple seconds. I quickly picked up the pace and started running again after I reminded myself who I was chasing. It seemed the break didn't matter; as I could still see Izuru. Maybe he was tired, too. Or maybe-

My eyes widened as I thought of it. Maybe he was intentionally letting me catch up to lead me somewhere. He wouldn't do that, would he?

It didn't actually matter. Whichever was the case, it was beneficial to my mission, so I didn't question it. I ran on, following Izuru Kamukura for another five minutes.

Until we both reached a large clearing.

The town square. At around noon, as I could tell by the position of the sun, it was always bustling with activity. Outdoor tables covered with umbrellas were all filled with people talking. Stores overflowed with customers as new shoppers walked in at the same rate that older ones moved out. And in the center of it all was a cobblestone square crowded with people trying to push past others to get their errands completed.

Well, that makes one more person who came to this square for an errand… Izuru Kamukura was trying to lose me by obscuring himself in the crowd, but I wouldn't let that happen. He was making his way towards the center of the square; the most crowded area. I pushed past a group of young men walking towards some burger store, a family who was standing exactly in my way, and a slow-moving couple. Then, I looked up.

Good. I could still see him. I ran as fast as I could towards Izuru's figure, bumping into even more people. Raising my head above the crowd, I strained my eyes to look where he went next.

Wait… where'd he go? He was just here, and now he's-

There! Walking towards that grocery store! Monomart!

Moving through these people was like trying to walk through ooze. It was annoying. Especially to think that other people were jeopardizing my mission. I moved closer, ignoring whoever I collided with. I kept my eyes on Izuru's head. That long, black hair was hard to miss.

People were noticing me now, considering how I seemed to be a hurry. Luckily, the people in front of me started moving out of my way, so I could gain some ground. I saw Izuru as he was walking into the store. Come on… just a little further… until I'll have cornered him…

I burst into Monomart. This was the biggest grocery store in town. All over, images of Monokuma invaded my vision, from cardboard cutouts to paintings to large sculptures. Monokuma merchandise was not scarce, either: black and white cookies bore the bear's face, as well as other sweets such as donuts and animal crackers. The store was packed with customers trying to get the insane deals that Monomart hosted frequently. Every day, random items would go on sale for absurdly low prices. And the video cameras in the store watched as the customers fought viciously over these items. It was almost like the Killing School Life, but on a larger scale with a lesser effect. Yes, this looked like a typical day at Monomart. But one thing seemed out of place…

Izuru Kamukura was nowhere to be found. I shifted my head around vigorously, squinting my eyes to catch a glimpse of that hair of his. But for some reason, I couldn't see him. Where did he go?

Author's Note

Hey, thanks for reading the first chapter of my fanfiction! I hope you liked it!

And if you didn't, then I'd love to hear from you to see what I could still improve on. I just updated this piece and I spent some time improving the dialog.

So, leave a review, PM me, favorite it, whatever. It's your choice. But I do thank you for your time in reading till the end, because I know I did something right...