Junko sighed.

It had begun once more. And like the last time, the killer was nowhere to be found. At this point, they were just taunting her, trying to get her frustrated enough to give up.

She took a deep breath. After all, the fashionista had managed to investigate one dead body. The second one had to be a piece of cake.

"It'll be alright." The fashionista thought as she looked the dead person over. Unlike the last person, no physical wounds could be found upon the body. Likewise, the only blood found on him appeared to be around the neck area where the noose hung.

Truth Knife 'Cause of Death #2' acquired!

Truth Knife 'Noose' acquired!

"This can't be everything."

Junko glanced around the hall. While she was the only one currently in the vicinity, there just had to be some clue that could lead her to the culprit. She turned her attention to the door and pulled it opened, revealing the room of the deceased.

Inside, it room was quite plain and boring. A black carpet covered the floor and four red walls surrounded her and Veemon. The only real furniture appeared to be a neatly folded bed and a chester drawers. An oak desk had been placed beside it, with a handful of papers lying on top of it.

"I'm guessing this is the room of the deceased." Veemon remarked and Junko nodded. "I expected to find more pot."

Junko glanced over at her partner with a confused look.

"What? He just seems like the sort of person that would do that."

Junko laughed as she walked over to the desk, examining the papers.

Project Dream

The purpose of Project Dream is too explore and establish a base within the Dream World.

Those who want to be part of the expedition please contact Julie Enoshima.

Truth Knife 'Project Dream' Acquired!

The two stared at the paper, doing a double take.

"Mom?" Junko whispered as her partner sighed.

"That's your mom?" Veemon added. "That would explain why she shoved me in a box?"

"Huh?"

Veemon sighed and took a deep breath.

"I guess I probably should to tell you." she explained as the two sat down.

Junko was eight now, on the verge of becoming nine that day. She is all alone and unhappy about it, her only wish to see her friend once more.

"Come on, have some cake." her sister, Mukuro Ikusaba, suggested. "You can't be unhappy on a day like today."

Junko ignores her and takes a deep breath. Already she had been forced to dye her hair strawberry blonde and wear a bunch of stupid clothes chosen by her mother. At this point, things weren't looking up for her. And now, the most 'hopeful' part of this celebration. The opening of the presents was always the most interesting part of the celebration. It could be the time of greatest hope or the time of great despair. Only two presents remained. The first, appeared to be hastily put together with a bunch of purple paper and tape. The second gift, had been carefully wrapped in wrapping paper with a bunch of balloons.

"Which one should I choose?" Junko thought as she stared at the two boxes, eventually focusing on the second box. Maybe this would be the turning point within this mess. She reluctantly tore at the wrapping and opened the box, revealing…
A small blue creature, unhappy to be in said box. At first, she had wanted to feel some sort of surprise. But that quickly grew into anger and rage as Junko stared up towards her mom, who currently had a huge grin on her face.

"I realize it isn't her." Julie explained and flashed a smile at her daughter. "But can't you make a new friend instead?"

Junko didn't answer, instead flinging the box to the ground and walked away. Everything then went black as the memory faded away.

When her vision finally did return to Junko, she found herself laying on the floor of Yasuhiro's room.

"Good, you're still alive." Veemon announced as Junko got up and walked out to her room, without saying anything to her partner. And yet, the rookie understood why. Veemon would never measure up to her. But, who was she kidding? It was no contest.

"She still wants Victoria, doesn't she?"

Veemon looked up and froze, finding Mikan standing beside her.

"What do you know, Mikan?" Veemon accused and the nurse laughed.

"Many things." Mikan answered and cracked a smile. "Bring her to me after she finds the gift."

Mikan then left the room, leaving Veemon all alone. Reluctantly, the wyvern made her way back to her master's room. Inside, Junko sat on the floor, the unopened present in her hands.

"Junko, are you alright?" Veemon whispered as Junko shook her head.

"It's time to move on, isn't it?" the fashionista shouted as her partner stood there. The two then acknowledged each other, already knowing the problem at hand. Even as they acknowledged the problem, it didn't change the truth of the matter. The duo knew what they needed to do, even if seemed backwards and/or out of place within the scheme of things.

"Here goes." Junko whispered and tore at the haphazard wrapping. After a few minutes of joy and agony, the package finally revealed its secrets.

Inside, was an outfit and a small slip of paper. Junko gravitated towards the paper, giving it a quick glance.

Dear Chouko,

If you're reading this, there is still time. As long as you remember that, there is nothing you can't take down.

-Victoria

Junko smiled and whispered something into Veemon's ear, the wyvern leaving the room. When the fashionista did finally leave her room, Veemon did a double take.

Gone was the overdressed strawberry blonde girl, having been replaced with a cute redhead. Her outfit was quite simple, just a lavender spaghetti-strap tank top with a black skirt and gray pumps. Her hair had been tied into two longs bangs, with pink and purple ribbons braided in.

"So, how do I look?" Junko joked as Mikan approached.

"Beautiful." Mikan answered as Swanmon joined them. "Do you get it now?"

"Yes." Junko and Veemon simultaneously answered and the group made their way back to Yasuhiro's body, ready to truly investigate it...