Free Time Events with Kicho Taika, the Ultimate Store Manager

Taka Suzuha, the Ultimate Academic Prodigy (Complete)

Kotoko Utsugi, the Ultimate Actress

Ryoji Iwasaki, the Ultimate Archaeologist

Sheena Midoriko, the Ultimate Biologist

Maria Nobutsuna, the Ultimate Cartographer

Akira Sanada, the Ultimate Dancer

Naoya Himura, the Ultimate Dreamer (Complete)

Honoka Asai, the Ultimate Eroge Producer

Michi no Cheisa, the Ultimate Forensic Analyst (Complete)

Aya Nakajima, the Ultimate Football Star

Ryuu Nomoya, the Ultimate Game Designer

Shiori Tojiko, the Ultimate Meteorologist

Hiro Satoru, the Ultimate Muay Thai Fighter

Kojiro Keigo, the Ultimate Policeman

Shinji Kizami, the Ultimate Romantic

Kicho Taika, the Ultimate Store Manager

Narutoya Nobunaga, the Ultimate Telemarketer

Sho Takeda, the Ultimate Volunteer

Free Time Event 1#

Kicho was a beautiful woman, but that made her all the more unapproachable. Imagine my surprise when she asked me to join her on an excursion through the city. I secretly told Kotoko in case I disappeared, though. Everybody knew the most beautiful rose had the sharpest thorns.

She greeted me with a bow, wearing a light blue kimono that accentuated her beautiful, blue hair. She was gorgeous, practically a model all her own. Maizono would be jealous if she knew...

"Thank you for agreeing to accompany me, Himura-Kun." She smiled when I bowed in return, "Your politeness is appreciated."

I did my best to smile, "Of course. As a store manager, your work in the business industry is exemplary. You deserve due respect," I then asked, "What should I refer to you as? I don't wish to be rude."

Kicho smiled, "Taika-chan is fine. I have grown to like that."

"Honoka sure warmed up to you, didn't she?" I laughed, thinking back on their first few days together.

"Yes, she finds me fun to be around," She sighed, "Though I wonder sometimes what motivates her..."

I shrugged, "Honoka likes people. Especially mature ladies like you." It felt insincere, but I knew she liked compliments. Even if they were blatant pandering.

She frowned at me, "Oh, please... Enough. I don't mean the sweet talking, but sometimes a rougher countenance wouldn't hurt the ones around me. I'm not some perfect doll to be handled with care."

"Well damn, girl," I smirked, "Have it your way."

"You underestimate the sailor mouth I have alone," Taika talked as we headed out to a small shopping district we'd found. It was mostly blocked off, but we had a clothing store and a ramen shop. Nice, huh?

I laughed, "Then may I see what your mouth can do?" I wished I'd not said that.

Kicho, however, was a good sport, "Ohoho... Speaking like Honoka... Don't get me excited now..." She had this alluring voice when she spoke like that. She was just kidding, right?

"Okay, enough mischief. You wanted to find clothes, correct?"

"Yes, I need more things to wear. Most of what I prepared was for ceremonial and presentation purposes. Now I just need something more casual to wear," she admitted openly, a little embarrassed.

I laughed, "Alright. But don't expect me to give great advice. I'm not a clothes guy... I think."

She nodded, and we eventually had an enjoyable time, her searching for clothes and me wisecracking. Kicho... Something about her let me bring my guard down. She had a way with words, somehow...

Free Time Event 2#

Kicho was certainly an odd member of our group. Some times, she was a debonair sweet-talker. Other times, she had all the subtlety of a drunken sailor in the back of a brothel. Today, she came off as thoughtful, as if something of great interest happened.

"Tell me, Naoya..." She always used me to bounce off some random ideas. She considered me the 'blank slate' of the group. I didn't think that was meant to be a compliment, but I pretended that it was, "What do you think about our current situation?"

I shrugged, "Frankly, it's awful. It could be worse. We could be killed by roaming Monokumas or killed without a chance to fight."

She smirked, approving of my answer, "Quite observant of you. Many of the others, they lament our situation. That it's hopeless or unfair... They don't even begin to understand the meaning of those words." Her tone took a harsh bent at the end. I decided to not step on that landmine.

"They're scared. It's a natural reaction," I tried to redirect her focus, "Thankfully, we have leaders to keep us on the right path like you."

"Do you actually mean that or are you just brown-nosing again?" She asked seriously; that hint of sarcasm vacant from her question.

I nodded, "I do mean that, Kicho. You're collected, together. Not everyone here holds their temper like you," I shook my head, "Your talent is yours for a reason."

She turned away, "You believe in that, huh? Guess someone would..."

"... Kicho, is there something wrong?" I asked, concerned for her.

"No, it's... It's nothing I should burden you with," Her expression turned sour, "Perhaps I'll explain it one day."

I nodded, understanding that it must be hard for her, whatever it was, "Then I'll tell you a story about me. My talent is dreaming, remember?" She gave a nod of confirmation, "So this one time, I dreamed I was some extreme sports guy... He had this 'brilliant' plan to try and slide down the pole under the lookout's nest of a boat. Not too dangerous, right? Nope. At night, during a storm. And he didn't bring a safety harness, either."

Free Time Event 3#

Kicho was quite friendly to us when it called for it, but she could also be quite harsh when she felt necessary. She really was the leader we needed, kind and cold in equal measure.

She asked me one day to walk with her through the city. I felt a little subconscious, like we were on a date or something. Obviously, she just wanted some time away from the occasional drama at the hotel.

I opened up a conversation, wanting to gauge her feelings, "So Taika-chan..."

"You can call me by my first name. You have a habit of doing that," she calmly replied.

"Kicho..." I laughed to myself, "Fine, if you want."

Kicho held an arm under her chin, "Do you ever wonder what we're here for?"

I scratched my head, "In the game?"

"No, no. Life in general," she piqued my curiosity now, "I guess you could say that I'm waxing philosophically ever since we've gotten forced into this game."

"That's an... interesting pastime," Hey, I couldn't judge. Brooding was my thing, "It's fun to think about but I've never found a satisfying answer. Not one that answers all of my questions..."

Kicho gave a slight chuckle, "That's how most people think on it. I suppose it's easier to be contemplative when life doesn't overwhelm us."

I nodded, "Yeah, you're not one to be overwhelmed. You learned stress management getting your talent, correct?"

"Indeed. My work as a store manager was... interesting to say the least," she said this with some chagrin, "I never truly understood the sheer potential of human stupidity until I had to manage people in the service industry."

I couldn't disagree with that, "Sounds about right, really. That bad, huh?"

She frowned, "The worst... I've had very few times in my life I felt such anger towards anyone."

"You do have a temper, sometimes..." I knew that what I said might not have been the smartest, but it was true.

"I suppose I might," she softly spoke, "You know... I think about my first love at times like this."

My eyebrow raised, "First love?"

We continued walking, the wind the only sound accompanying our conversation, "Yes... The person here that ruined my life."

"...R-really?"

"I used to run a telemarketing business on the side," she admitted, "I met Narutoya through that, and we fell in love."

Damn. I didn't see that one coming, "But he's never mentioned knowing you. I... You two even act like strangers."

Her face curled into a frown, "I'm aware. It's why I needed this time away. He ruined my life... Took our business from me and cheated with an associate of ours..."

"Is that bad enough to ruin your life?" Now that, that I shouldn't have said.

"That bastard broke my heart... Took my hard work, profited off of it. I opened my heart to trust him, and he just..." her hands shook as she recalled the event with great clarity, "And worst of all, he claimed that I was the one who tried to betray him, to break his heart... Being here has just torn that old wound open."

I couldn't understand why Narutoya did what he did, but it wasn't okay, regardless, "Then screw him. You're a wonderful woman, Kicho. If he doesn't see that, he doesn't need to concern you."

She looked up at me, "You only mean that because of my beauty..."

"Yeah, right," I rolled my eyes, "I'd compliment you on more than that. Like your business sense, your kind nature, your leadership abilities. But that'd feel hollow. I'll just say that I'd have loved to be given a chance with someone like you."

Kicho's eyes watered, "You mean that?"

I nodded, blushing a little, "Y-yeah... But that's... Now's not the time for concerns like that, haha... Uh... At least we know you don't need revenge," she gave me a curious look, "I mean... Narutoya's not the best person, but killing him over that... I doubt you'd waste your life on him."

"You are right... I've already wasted more than enough time and tears on him," she nodded to herself, saying it more for her benefit than mine, "I don't need to waste anything on him now."

It was in that resolve that we finished our walk and headed back. Now I just had to pretend like nothing had changed between Narutoya and I.

Free Time Event 4#

"Narutoya... He's changed since I last met him," Kicho said this to me when we were spending time at the manga cafe. Michi and Taka were in the backroom, talking excitedly over spoilers in a manga they both enjoyed.

I sipped from my drink, "That so?"

"Narutoya used to be so driven, so calculated. He had dreams, he had a plan, he knew where he was going," She didn't have that usual harshness whenever she discussed him, "He seems... broken. Lost. Like..."

"Like someone ruined his life?" I decided to be real with her, "Someone here must have done something to him, if Monokuma's to be believed..."

Kicho folded her arms, "And that's the problem. I want to know who did it. Who hurt him in such a way... And why and how..."

"You want payback?"

"What!? No! I just... Well, I'm just... I feel something for him. Against my better judgment," she snarked.

I shook my head, "You don't have to feel bad for feeling empathy towards him. If you loved someone, that might not really go away. And if that's how you feel, it's fine."

Kicho sighed, "Perhaps you have a point... Have you ever been in love, Naoya? Know what that feels like?"

"Oh... Uh, no... N-not really..." I awkwardly laughed, hoping I could defuse the situation, "I've not given that kind of thing much thought, really."

"Well, if you ever do, you should make sure I'm the first to know. I want to congratulate you... And perhaps judge them. They better be up to the standards I expect you to have," I laughed a little, but she seemed serious. Oh boy...

"This may not be under the best of circumstances, but this hasn't been all bad," she was confident in what she said, "We've met some interesting people and connected to them. I just hope this game doesn't tear us apart..."

She was worried about the future, too? Of course she would be. She had foresight, unlike some of our more innocent or simple-minded companions. Not that I meant that in a derogatory way. A part of me wished to be a little more ignorant, a little more faithful in others. Every time I tried, though, that nagging little voice in the back of my head whispered sick thoughts; of murder, of betrayal. How we'd all die horribly.

"Naoya?" I gave her my attention, "Well?"

"Did you ask me something? I spaced out," I admitted, feeling bad about it, "Just... This game concerns me."

She asked again, "If the game does escalate, what role would you play for us?"
I hadn't really thought that far ahead, "I mean... I don't really know. I'm not going to kill anyone, if that's what you mean."

"Certain? Even if you find the person who ruined your life?" I nodded, "That's quite strong-willed of you. I hope we all have the fortitude to rise above our instincts."

"You think it's instinctual to want revenge?"

Kicho tried to explain, "Not instinctual, but... Violence is. Feeling in control of our lives is what we like, and if murder is the only way to do that, to put that power back in our hands... Well, it's a temptation for some."

She wasn't wrong, "I hope we... That our friendship can overcome that, but... I have no idea what sick motives Monokuma would implement."

"I feel the same," she assured me, a gentle smile soothing my anxiety, if just barely, "Let us continue to do our best. For the others, right?"

"Definitely..." I couldn't have agreed more.

Free Time Event 5#

Kicho and I had grown close, and we were spending time at the cafe on another 'date'. I liked her, but I didn't feel... that way for her. She and Narutoya had been trying to patch things between them, but the rift was still great.

Kicho asked, "Naoya. I have to tell you something."

"Shoot," I said casually, sipping from my drink.

"After so much time we've spent together, and with the others... I think I may have found the person whose life I ruined," Kicho said this so calmly, like it wasn't that important.

I exclaimed, "Really!? Who!? I mean... You don't have to say, of course. But that's... That's a start, I think."

Kicho nodded in agreement, "I think so, too. The person in question is Honoka."

"...Wow, really? Whatever for?"

"She was one of H-List's greatest contributors. Her games were market successes. Even when Despair hit, people bothered to download her games," She remembered this fondly, "I never met her directly, of course. She likely doesn't know I ran the store as its representative."

I nodded, "Yeah, makes sense. She'd just see you as the company, not the person. They don't send out every detail on who's running it, do they?"

She tapped her finger against the side of her tea cup, "My folly was in that position. Honoka tried to expand, to create a game for kids. She had a strong message for it, too. It was for everyone who'd lost something important to them. The game was light enough that kids could love, but dark enough that adults would find a whole other meaning in it."

"That actually sounds pretty cool," I liked games that had varying themes, especially contrasting ones, "Why didn't you go with it?"

"I told her she had her place in the market," She drank from her cup before continuing, "I wanted her to stick to what was safe. This would have been an experiment, a risk. In trying to encourage her not to shake things up during such a volatile time in the world..." Her lip trembled, "I said things I can't undo. Not in person, but written. And they were cruel, vicious, malicious words."

I knew that Kicho sometimes used tough love. I also knew Honoka was a headstrong individual, "So you tried to guide her to stick with familiarity, she refused, and you eventually lashed out at her?" I tried to imagine it in my head. It was easy to picture, but certainly less than pleasant.

Kicho set her cup down, "She replied that she meant it from her soul. That it was a metaphor for her own loss of her parents in the Despair War... And I said... I said, 'Dead parents won't sell your game. Pity won't. Why would people find deeper meaning in the work of a fetishist slaving over a keyboard?' I said that, to her. One of my greatest affiliate marketers, one of my long-time coworkers..."

I shook my head, "That's... How did you figure it out?"

"Honoka told me. We were having a nice evening together. She was hitting on me per usual, and it came up, her career. And why she retired," She didn't have any lightness to her voice, any emotion, "Why she fell into depression. Fell into despair. She even tried to... To kill herself over what happened. And now... How do I tell her the stone cold bitch she talked to... was me?"

"Be honest and blunt," I suggested, "And if she hates you, so be it. You can't undo what you did, Kicho. But a good leader, nay, a good friend, would do the right thing. Even if it hurts you both."

She nodded, a smirk forming, "You really know what to say to cheer a girl up. Are you sure you've not yet romanced someone here? I'd love to know the details."

I blushed and frantically deflected, "N-no! I'm just... I'm just an empathetic guy, honestly!"

"I kid, dear. Thank you, Naoya. Truly... Your advice always brings me back to reality, tethers me to sanity. I'm thankful to be your confidant as well, should you need me."

"I'd love to," I replied, smiling genuinely, one of the first I'd shared with anyone.

You have unlocked the skill, "Stress Reduction". Kicho has confided in you and encourages you to do the same. This skill reduces damage to the influence gauge for incorrect answers.

You have been awarded Kicho's undergarments! You can access the description in the Presents menu. Congratulations!