The tears had just stopped. Her whole face was red, puffy and not to mention raw from none stop rubbing. Akamatsu was curled up on the bed facing the open rooms nicely placed furniture. Not that her glossy eyes would allow her to see that far anyway. Amami knocked on the guest bedroom's door. "Akamatsu, please come out."

A minute pasted and the door slowly opened. Amami had to force a smile. He knew she was going to be a mess. "I know you're upset. You have every right to be of course, but you can't stay like this. You need to cheer up." The blonde averted her eyes. "You need to start moving on. You need to start buying clothes and other essential items." The ex-pianist couldn't fight back. She knew he was right. Also she didn't want to seem ungrateful either. He did give her shelter when he had no reason too. He had nothing to gain from taking her into his home.

Not at all dishearten by her lack of reactions he continued. "I'm going to cheer you up." The boy put on a big Ouma like grin. "Let's go shopping!"

"What?"

"It'll be fun!~" There was excitement shining in his eyes.

"I can't go out like this!" It's been one day since her awakening. The ex-musician was still wearing her school garments. She had nothing with her but the clothes on her back.

"You can wear some of my clothes, I don't mind."

Akamatsu was crossed feeling both happy at the thought of clean clothes and uncomfortable at the thought of wearing his clothes. Clean clothes won. "Can I borrow some underwear...? I hate to think I haven't changed mine in two weeks."

He laughed lightly his deep voice was soothing to her ears. It brought a small smile to her own face. "Of course you can. I'll leave them in the bathroom."

Amami placed clean clothes on the bathroom sink along with a folded towel. "I'll be in the living room. Join me when you're done." The girl nodded and shut the bathroom door after him.

Stripping down she turned the water on. The water felt nice against her skin. It was refreshing but with Amami waiting for her she didn't stay under the water for long. The blonde quickly cleaned and got out.

She dried quickly staring at the pile of garments. She put on her bra but everything else belonged to the green eyed male. The golden haired girl stepped into his boxers pulling them up. The boxers were baggy in the front for obvious reasons but what was the inner pouch for?

All of his attire was too big on her. It didn't feel too bad though. The shirt was a simple red and black striped pattern. The pants were just baggy sweats.

The avocado haired boy was longing on the couch blindly watching the TV. Upon hearing her enter he turned towards her and smirked. "You look good in my clothes."

"Thanks. I like them too except for the underwear. What's the pouch for?"

Amami chuckled a light tint of red on his cheeks. "Uh, that's to stop from adjusting in public." She flushed slightly and he shrugged. "It's not that different from a bra really- you know keeping them together."

"I feel like I should stuff it with socks." Amami laughed once more patting the seat next to him. With a small smile she fell to the couch.

"I made you breakfast. Nothing fancy, just an egg crepe. You need to start eating again." He recalled the events of yesterday with a frown. After returning home he lead the blonde to the guestroom where she stayed. She didn't leave the room once not even for food.

Slowly Akamatsu ate doing her best to block out the past day from her mind. "So, I thought we could go to the mall."

Her eyes brightened slightly, her pasted self loved the mall. Wasting hours walking around window shopping. "Shouldn't I worry about shelter first?"

"No, because you can stay with me until you figure out what you want to do. Meaning clothes are number one right now."

"Thank you, thank you for everything."

Amami frowned it looked like she was about to cry again despite how sincere she was being. "Don't worry about it, I'm enjoying your company."


They walked into one of the many clothes stores located inside the mall. Amami browsed one of the racks. He pulled out a floral design sundress. "This would look cute on you." He held it up with a smile. "It goes great with your golden wheat colored hair."

"You really like to shop." She stated dryly but not disagreeing with his taste.

"I like cute things." He shrugged nonchalantly. It was weird for a male to say something like that but he knew she wouldn't react badly to it. Though her eyes did hold some curiosity to it. His green eyes widen and he glided past her for another dress. Akamatsu froze up as he held the garment against his body.

A black and white piano themed dress.

There was a red bow attached to the neck. The upper half had white circles down the chest. From a distance they looked like buttons. They were only there so it wasn't only a solid color. At the bottom was the key pattern. Simple designed but cute nonetheless.

The blonde's hand flew to her neck trying to protect her windpipe. Amami frowned realizing his mistake immediately. He didn't think she would suffer from PTSD of any sort from seeing a piano. He returned the garment, grabbed her hand and dragged her into a changing stall. It didn't matter if an employee or someone saw him. "I'm sorry." The ex-survivor embraced her tightly whispering softly. "You're alright. No one will hurt you."

She wasn't crying tears but she shook in his arms. Her throat felt tight as if something was constricting around it. In an effort to keep her grounded Amami's hands stayed far away from her neck, safely around her back.

Her irregular breathing made it harder for the visions- for the feelings- to disappear. It was hard to inhale. Swinging back and forth while struggling. A quick inhale of air as she sank down on to the white key. Then the feeling of suffocation as her body was pulled towards the ceiling.

The sounds that she heard were horrendous. It didn't last long as her face turned red. Her body weaken as her senses stopped responding. Her relaxed muscles dangled in the air as a shadow encased her. The piano's cover- the spiked fallboard came crashing down.

Amami bit into his bottom lip and sat them down on the small bench. It must be horrible to be killed by something you love. At least his death was fast and he didn't see it coming. His transition from virtual to reality was easy. There really wasn't emotional stress on his part. The last thing he saw was a shot put rolling on the floor away from his feet and waking up in a hospital bed. Would the music lover ever touch a piano again? It would be horrible if her passionate hobby died.

He blinked feeling a tug on his sleeve. Akamatsu was still panting. He brushed a strand of hair out of her face and rubbed her head affectionately. "Take all the time you need." She leaned over resting her forehead on his shoulder.

"I wonder if I'll be able to play again."

"I'm sure you will, you just can't force it."

"Hey, Amami." She paused wondering if it was alright to ask personal questions. He waited patiently for her to continue. "Did your parents react badly to you joining Danganronpa?"

"I was on my own before then. I only joined for the substantial income. My upbringing wasn't horrible but my father and I didn't get along well. I just wasn't the golf watching football player son he wanted. Ironically enough, my sister, wasn't the tame and obedient little princess he wanted either." He shrugged nonchalantly. "I still get birthday and holidays cards from them, all things considered it could be much worse."

The ex-survivor gazed over her body language. She seemed in control again, her breathing close to normal. It was time to move on. "You know what might make you feel better?"

"What?"

"Trying on this dress." Amami wore a goofy smile as he dangled the floral pattern garb in her face.


Saihara awoke feeling somewhat good. He reached over for his phone to see the time. Kibo greeted him with a smile and told him of a text that arrived while he was still asleep. It was from Akamatsu and it was a simple text that read: 'Good morning. Hope you slept well. :)'

Anxiously he replied with his own good morning. After getting dressed his cell vibrated alerting him of another message. It wasn't from Akamatsu but he replied to it just as fast. The text was from Momota who wanted to hang out.

The boy walked into the kitchen his uncle already finished his breakfast slowly sipping his coffee. On the opposite seat was his plate ready for him. It was a fast and easy on the stomach scramble eggs. "Good morning uncle." The timid boy greeted politely.

He swallow some coffee with a nice little sigh and responded. "Good morning, Shuichi." The younger boy began to eat his egg. "Do you have any plans for the day?"

"A friend asked if I want to get together."

"Wonderful." The older man hesitated. "Have you taken your meds?"

"No... I don't really need them at the moment. I feel fine." The silence was getting uncomfortable by the second for him. But talking wasn't being helpful either. He took another bite of egg chewing more than necessary.

"Have you decided what you're going to do for now on?"

The ex-detective stopped eating. "No..." He really didn't want to go back to school. Did he really have a choice? It would probably be for the best to try and pick up a normal life again. Akamatsu's words flashed in the back of his mind. No, a normal life wasn't going to happen.

The detective studied his nephew. He wore a familiar upset expression he was always use to wearing. Knowing it was best to break what ever thought that was going through his fragile head he spoke up. "Sometime today please call your parents. They're worried about you."

Saihara tensed as the mention of his parents his frowned deepened. "Of course, uncle."


Chabashira has been stuck in her bed for the last few weeks. She had awoken to her mom's face the second time around. It was a slight comfort after all she's been though and preferred seeing it over Akamatsu's face. Since she's been home her mom hasn't let her move from the bed. Not that she was that willing to move anyway.

"I never should have let you addition for that."

"Do not blame yourself. I knew what I was getting into." The older woman sat on the bed reaching out to run her hand through her daughter's short banks. He long locks were still pulled back into pigtails. Trying to make it less likely to tangle too badly while in bed.

"Is there anything I can get you? Something to drink? Something to eat?"

"I'm alright, thanks."

"You're not alright, you suffered a heart attack."

"You're too much of a worry wart. You know I'm going to have to leave this bed to start an exercise routine soon."

The adult sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "A daughter shouldn't correct her mom."

"Unless, she's far to protective. So over the top she can't let her daughter into the bathroom without scratching at the door like a cat with separation issues." Their eyes turned to the door. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Mother."

The woman leaning on the door frame strolled into the room setting a small colorful floral arrangement down on the nightstand. The small card in the middle read 'get well soon.' She sat on the other side of the bed leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"Akamatsu Kaede, stopped by." Chabashira swallowed hard and looked downwards. "Are you ever going to talk to her? She seems like a good girl, always trying to reach out to you. Her claim of friendship seems real."

She hadn't once spoken to any of the participants. Then again the blonde was the only one who tried to reach out to her. It wasn't out of dislike that she didn't respond but from uncertainty instead. Besides why was the girl who claimed she didn't trust anyone trying the hardest to be friends?

Upon awakening she did watch the trial of her death to learn what happened. Murdered simply for the sake of murder not even to get out of the game. Shinguuji was always creepy but now that man haunts her every dream lurking in the shadows. Waking up every night while her parents took turns watching over her. She now sleeps with two nightlights in the outlets closes to the bed. Not only that but her mom plugged in nightlights in the hallways and other rooms for her. Chabashira was simply unwilling to be anywhere it was dark.

Danganronpa didn't stop there though. Her mother was a casual fan of it. While she refused to actively watch it the haunting voices or her schoolmates could be heard from the living room. The walls were too thin. Sounds of Saihara's crying voice filled with despair or Shirogane's cries of excitement could still be heard from under her blanket.

Her parents shared a quick glimpse at the other as they noticed the sigh that escaped their daughter's lips. "Well, don't force yourself. Clearly you aren't ready for that. We'll leave you alone so you can rest. I'll talk to the doctor to see when you can start cardio exercises." She watched with an amused smile as her mother dragged her mom out the door. All forms of protest ignored.

Her eyes shifted towards her own phone; currently turned off. She wasn't sure how to feel with Kibo's greeting every time she touched the screen. The ex-aikido master rolled over so she was facing the wall. A curious thought entered her brain. She did wonder how they were.


Saihara was dropped off near the train station. Momota was waiting for him near a dark alleyway. He wore a magenta hoodie and sunglasses. "You look suspicious. It makes me wonder where we're going." As soon as he was within reach the taller boy slide glasses on his face. Saihara flinched as something hit his nose and tickled his upper lip. He ripped it off to see exactly what it was. "Groucho Marx glasses? Are you being serious right now? I honestly can't tell."

"You need a disguise."

"This would make me stand out more. Why do we need a disguise?"

"You want to get recognized, stared at and judged for being on Danganronpa?" The smaller boy glanced around no one was paying them much attention, thankfully. No he didn't want anyone to notice him. He didn't do it for fame to begin with. He never cared about being liked or popular with the ladies.

"Saihara you've received a text." Kibo's soft voice chimed from inside his pants pocket.

"Who's it from." The taller boy asked not worried about being nosey.

"It's from Yumeno." It was a simple message. 'I don't wanna to go to school.'

"Amen to that." The taller boy threw his arms above his head. They started to walk with no real destination in mind.

"You're not going back? The money is nice but it won't last forever. Education is still kind of needed. You should at learn how to invest your money correctly."

The tall male sighed and grunted not bothering with a real verbal response. The expression on his face said that he had gave it some thought and couldn't reach a conclusion much like him. They continued to walk aimlessly. The ex-detective studied the distraught look on his friend's face. "So what's wrong?"

Momota frowned averting his whole face. "I asked Harumaki out on a date..."

Saihara's eyebrows rose impressed with the fast movement in their relationship. "That's great."

"Got rejected..."

"That's not. Did she give you a reason?" Of course, he thought that it wouldn't be normal. They just woke up, their emotions were rather high and disorganized. But here was Momota making his move before even re-establishing his friendship with her. Well, he did wake up before them and had more time to think things over but still. There was no guarantee that everyone was going to act the same. Chabashira didn't rush to Yumeno's side that was a pretty good indication after all.

Saihara knew it could be months before he could attempt asking Akamatsu for a date. He wanted to know the real her first. The side of her that didn't trust anyone piqued his interest. It also matched his own pre-game personality well. He was doubtful that he would dislike the real her or lose his feelings for her. He could wait it out, she was worth it. The smaller boy still needed to really assets his mental health first. He gripped at the pills in his pocket. And if she wasn't willing to go that far he could except that with grace and stay her friend. Unlike his friend.

Saihara's thoughts drifted to the kiss Akamatsu gave him. It wasn't passionate and it was over pretty quickly too. Was it a spur of a moment thing? Was that just a friends kiss? Friends kiss too...sometimes. Well, normally not on the lips... Regardless, it left hope in his heart that she was interested a little. "Stop blushing, man. You're helping me with my problem, not thinking about Akamatsu."

"Right, of course."

"Do a bro a favor and ask Harumaki why."

The black haired boy frowned. And in the game people would say Sahara was a clinger. He constantly wanted to be by someone's side. But the way Momota was acting was just too much, too out of character. Part of it was entertaining at least.

The timid boy didn't want to bother the ex-assassin. But he still took out his phone and opened his contacts. He sent her a quick text expecting some sort of harsh retaliation. The ex-spaceman's cell went off instead.

'Leave Saihara out of this.'

Momota groaned of course Harukawa would see through that. His attention turned to Saihara's phone when it beeped. Olive eyes read over the text and widen in shock. He quickly shoved it back into his pocket without a reply. Momota's brows furred in confusion. "What's with the reaction?"

"Uhh..." To tell the truth or not to, that was the question. "Harukawa wants to get together." The frown took over all of his face. Saihara flinched and smiled awkwardly at his friend.

"Why?! Why does she want to see you and not me?!" The ex-detective shrugged at his friend's whining. Things became silent but not anymore awkward between them. So much for a fun outing with a friend.

"Ok, ok fine, enough of this girly feelings and trying to figure out why she won't date me. It's bro time now!" The larger boy threw an arm over Saihara's smaller shoulders pulling him close. "Do you want to come over and look at adult books?" The taller boy asked nonchalantly with a rather innocent expression.

"..." In his silent pause Saihara gave it serious consideration. That was something he generally preferred to do alone for obvious reasons. But hell, why not? It was male bonding time in the form of something other than pushups and sit ups. Besides the ex-sleuth didn't really think things could get any more awkward between them. He needed more real life social interactions anyway. This is probably what's it's like to act with boys his own age. Maybe this time around school won't be so bad. Decidedly he pulled out his phone again. "Sure."

"Cool! I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself I have a pretty good collection." Momota wore a goofy smile as he bragged. Saihara thought his own collection was pretty decent too. His collection was all digital and guarded by a password. However, he knew if his uncle was curious he could probably hack the computer without trying hard. Not that his uncle had ever betrayed his trust by going through any of his belongings.

"Oh hey, before I forget, there is a place I want you to check out with me at night."

"Huh? Oh sure." He responded his face in his phone texting the girls that messaged him.

'If I have to go to school so do you.' The ex-detective typed in the box and hit the send button. He got a reply before he put the cell back into his pocket.

':/'


Shirogane opened her eyes, blinking till they were in focused. Her head turned to the elderly man sitting by her side. Past him was a security guard leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. She looked back at the older man. "Did I do good?"

Tengan reached out and rubbed her head. "You did wonderful, Tsumugi." The long haired woman pushed herself up and sat up. The guard stepped forward and handed her a blue capsule and a small glass of water. Engraved on the pill was TEVA and a four digit number on the opposite side. The antagonist didn't hesitate to pop the pill and drink the water. She swallowed hard and opened her mouth sticking out her tongue. The guard looked in making sure the pill went down her throat. He grunted in satisfaction and left, his presents no longer needed.

"Uncle, what's going to happen to Danganronpa? Have people really stopped watching?"

"No, they'll come back they always do." Tengan handed his niece a cup of chicken broth. She took a sip and licked her lips enjoying the warmth. "Nothing like mass killings to bring people together."

Shirogane finished her broth. "Is there anything I can do?" The old man smiled warmly.

"No, for now you've earned a rest. Leave everything to me. I've got a few ideas. Maybe I can even convince Ouma to join. He was undecided the last time we talked." The ex-cosplayer's eyes brightened with joy. The small boy would be a fabulous addition to the Danganronpa staff.

Shirogane found his character interesting. While she had a hand in writing his character she wasn't able to dictate any of his actions. In 53 seasons he was the only one to really stump and challenge the mastermind. She felt a pleasurable shiver run up her spine. It was a challenge she wanted to take but couldn't because her reveal hadn't happened. So, she played clueless and passive. Letting the detective hog all the fun.

Maybe for the next season she could reveal herself as the mastermind at the beginning. Than allow each participant to challenger her for their lives. A new way of doing things, that would get people to watch. Her uncle was right Danganronpa will never die.