As the blue eyed Karuta Queen stared from the monitor in the Meeting Room, Kirigiri could only hold her breath from the doorway as she watched, praying Taiyoshi did nothing. The Runner was still frozen in shock at the reveal, so Kirigiri was hoping for some answers.

Of the members of Future Foundation at the table, the one who reacted the most was Eiji, but the others seemed a bit put off as well. Mahiro finally stated, "So, you're alive...it wouldn't be a first for a Culprit to walk away." Kirigiri knew he wasn't talking about her, but she couldn't help but flinch. Not noticing, Mahiro continued, "And yet, we recovered 11 bodies."

As if expecting his words, Kinashi replied quickly, "Three fresh casualties from the previous Trial, five wounded Victims, and three charred Culprits, hastily disposed of."

Oonishi Eiji realized, "So you were hiding something by cremating the Culprits..."

Kinashi smiled, "It was only by Tachibana's good graces that I am here with you today, and not that unfortunate peon, so close in size to me. Such a fickle girl: why spare me over Tomoe Kazuko and Mizunoe Higaide?" With a sigh, she answered her own question, "'Despair', of course. To be honest, I find it all quite tiring..." Continuing, she said, "She thought that in the event of her death, I would be the most fit for continuing her work in fulfilling Enoshima Junko's legacy, and toned down by Execution with the cast of a vote. A heavy chain replaced a thin wire, and though I walked away with a few scars, I survived. And yet...I had no interest in doing such a thing as 'fall to Despair', let alone succeed Tachibana-san and Akutsume or follow and survivors of the New World Program incident. However, that girl lived, thus the unwilling successor instead became a content ally."

Eiji scowled, "So, if you don't care, why are you doing this?"

Kinashi shrugged, "I made my choice: Tachibana-san spared my life, so I felt that I owed her. Of course, as we escaped, I had to choose between the woman who attacked us unprovoked, and Tachibana-san. Given that I had already taken the lives of two relatives of Future Foundation, I suppose it was not really a choice at all. What's one more overly Talented life in this day and age?"

Standing, the pudgy Urushibara Itaru yelled out, "You killed my nephew! You...you..." Fist trembling at his side, he could only seethe, the girl being too far away for him to do anything.

Kinashi looked away, muttering, "That fact is irrelevant." Putting that aside, she ignored the looks as she continued, "As I said before, I have chosen my side. Future Foundation would have rebuked me, so I have little choice but to go along with Tachibana's Game. As it lines up well with my own, new motives, I am in fact, happy to assist her!"

Clearing her throat, she began, "But that is not why I am here today. I apologize for the delay, but as I said, I have a message to deliver."

Firmly, she stated, "The Hostage Situation of Mutual Killing is coming to an end. The final incentive will be delivered tomorrow. You have until the next Trial concludes to finish deciphering the poem." As her words sank in, Kirigiri felt her anger bubble: this was some joke, right?

Eiji seemed to agree, retorting, "You...you can't do that! The Game can't just end when you say it will!"

"'It cannot', you say?" Kinashi smirked. She continued, "Well, if you do doubt me, then you may continue to meander about as the solution eludes you."

Mahiro quickly said, "Your brother is working on it."

At the mention of her relative, Kinashi's face lost all mirth, as she stared blankly. With a nod, she simply said, "How embarrassing: ten days and he still could not come up with anything? With such Talent?"

Asumi Haruka frowned, shouting, "Don't you feel any shame!?"

Kinashi spat, "If you think mentioning my brother will guilt me out of my actions, you think me far too weak. You think me lacking in resolve? Am I not here? I will see to my goals, and those of Tachibana Chiyoko, no matter who I am confronted with."

Eiji sneered, "You really are Super High School Level Despair then..."

Kinashi's featured contorted into a fierce, but quiet rage as she spoke, "All these Titles...you Hope's Peak Students, you Future Foundation swine and all of your bigotry. Karuta Queen...Super High School Level Despair...I need not these petty Titles." Looking down on them haughtily, she demanded, "The only Title I need is my own name."

Composing herself, Kinashi Ririka finished, "Divine the answer, and contact me at any time before the vote is cast, else your allies meet their end. Should you succeed, they will be released from their confinement."

Katsuragi Seijiro grumbled, "What in the blazes are we even looking for?"

Eiji wondered aloud, "I imagine you wrote the poem, Kinashi?"

Kinashi smiled, answering, "I suppose I could tell you...no, I did not scribe it. It refers to its author as Super High School Level Despair, no? It refers to the Super High School Level Despair, of course."

Mahiro realized, "Enoshima Junko? But she can't...it's been months since her last remains were quashed..."

Kinashi smirked, "Are you so sure? Did you not lose yet another of your members just months ago, as they were en route to a location supposedly connected to Enoshima Junko?"

Urushibara gritted his teeth as he mentioned, "Hatoyama Tarou..."

Kinashi nodded, finishing, "Of course, it was empty when you found it, but that poem was once there. After much deliberation, we believe it refers to a location in this country of ours, but where, we can't be sure. Thus, this plot was enacted, to prey on your Talent, wisdom, intelligence, and experience. You should be honored." Kirigiri felt her legs begin to weaken: not only was all of this for such a petty reason, but if she had been smarter, she could have ended it days ago...

Eiji wasn't pleased either, demanding, "How were we supposed to know that!? And what's so important about this!?"

Kinashi smirked, "Oh, you have no need to worry. I shall not say, but I do not believe that the location is only valuable to Tachibana and I: you should find value in it as well. Of course, there is another missing clue which only I and Tachibana have. It will be surrendered, along with your allies, if you give us the answer. And if you do not, well..."

As he words sank in, she stood from her chair saying with a tone of finality, "If you wish to refer to me before the Trial concludes, simply say my name three times into the mic attached to the camera. That is all." Finishing, she turned and walked out of sight, the camera quietly displaying the dank room from the monitor in the quiet Meeting Room.

After another few moments, the members of Future Foundation stood, exiting the Meeting Room, reuniting with Kirigiri and Taiyoshi. Mahiro stated, "I have a report to make, but first, an impromptu meeting. The Dining Hall should suffice."

The Secretary headed off, leaving the other six to follow. As they walked, Asumi looked over at Kirigiri, asking, "Are you alright, Kirigiri-chan? You're a bit pale."

Kirigiri stuttered, "A-am I?" She took a moment to wipe her forehead, which was a bit sweaty.

Before she could elaborate, Taiyoshi raised her fist and slammed it into her palm, muttering bitterly, "That damn bitch! I can't believe this!"

Asumi snapped, "Language!" Taiyoshi looked away from the woman, a bit embarrassed, not sure how to react.

With a sigh, Eiji admitted, "I should have seen this coming. Tachibana kept Akutsume alive, but we couldn't figure out how she managed to kill Toyoguchi Hana like she did. The way Kinashi said it made it sound like she killed her..."

Urushibara huffed, "Once Shiata-san finds out, Kinashi's going to have to watch herself around windows..."

As the group reached the Dining Hall, a long room with a handful of small tables, Asumi Haruka quickly retreated into the Kitchen, pulling out a few prepared snacks, but no one seemed to be in the appetite to eat, simply sitting around one of the tables, pulling chairs so all seven could sit comfortably.

Mahiro began, "So, in my report, I intend to reveal that Kinashi Ririka is still alive, and seemingly dedicated to working against us. The urgency of deciphering the poem will also be stressed, but something else was a bit worrying."

Eiji guessed, "The other stuff they found with the poem?"

Urushibara noted, "If the poem refers to a location...what could she be hiding? Another hole of hers?"

Mahiro nodded, "Much of the remnants of Enoshima Junko's plans remained in Hope's Peak Academy, including some evidence of programming her own Alter Ego. However, the existence of this other location implies she has other things in the works."

Taiyoshi frowned, "What could be worse than The Worst Incident?"

Kirigiri shuddered, "Another one." Elaborating, she said, "We're currently in a spot where things are looking up, and the world is recovering. Hopes being restored, then snatched away..."

Katsuragi rasped, "Nah, she didn't plan that far! No way she planned to lose."

Mahiro nodded, "I concur. Her plan during the New World Program seemed rather...spontaneous. If there is some form of Enoshima out there, she's making it up as she goes along."

Urushibara gritted his teeth, "How the hell can we exterminate her once and for all!? If her Alter Ego can copy herself, and that copy can make copies..."

Eiji shook his head, "I don't think that's the case, or else every computer in the world would be infested. There has be some kind of limit, we'd have to ask Alter Ego."

Taiyoshi added, "Speaking of her, do you think she could, you know...hack that camera? See the other side?"

Blinking in realization, Eiji nodded, "I almost forgot about that...Alter Ego should be able to access the connection! If we can find out where Kinashi is, we can capture her!"

Katsuragi shrugged, "Well, not that those Despairs care about hostages..."

Eiji insisted, "We can keep her from trying anything funny, at least."

Mahiro nodded, "Very well, it's settled. I'll request Alter Ego's assistance. In the meantime: Eiji, come to the Communications Room with me. Katsuragi-san, watch the front door. Urushibara-san, Asumi-san, get some rest if need be."

Taiyoshi interrupted, "I'm still on standby, right?"

Katsuragi nodded, "Still awaiting word on those minor tranquilizers. I hope they can come up with them in time."

Mahiro nodded, finishing, "Kirigiri-san, you're free to do what you will." Standing, he nodded, before heading off, his son following.

As everyone began to separate, Kirigiri briefly headed into the Kitchen, getting a glass of water, draining it to calm herself a bit. Heading back out, she calmed herself, walking determinedly out of the Dining Hall, heading down a few Floors to the Archive.

Steeling herself, finding her resolve, she began to tear apart the shelves, looking for any book remotely related to the poem, pulling material on birds, bays, blood, historical tragedies. After some time of it, she filled an entire table with stacks of books before sitting down and getting to work.

As she tore through pages, she burned her regret as fuel, putting all her brainpower into figuring it out. She ignored her hunger as the minutes became hours, forgetting time. She was interrupted, however, when Taiyoshi entered, circling around the table so see the woman, the pile of books obscuring her from view.

Realizing what it was about, the Runner asked, "Trying to figure it out?"

Kirigiri nodded, "I know I can: I've attempted before, during the Game, but...I didn't understand the importance. But now...this is different. I can free them, I know I can!"

Seeing her ferocity, Taiyoshi frowned, "Hey, calm down. Stop putting so much on yourself!"

Her face intensifying, Kirigiri retorted, shaking her head, "You don't understand...Eiji-kun didn't tell you the whole story, did he? He missed a few key details." Standing from her seat, she continued, "For starters, my ejection from the Game was the result of my state of mind during my death. But don't be fooled, I was no Victim." Biting her lip, her fist clenched at her side, she admitted, "I killed Mikage Naoki, sending into a comatose state. My death was the result of Monokuma's Execution." Taiyoshi's eyes flashed in understanding, and Kirigiri continued, "I'm in a position where I can help. If I can free them...maybe I can bear to face them again."

Taiyoshi scowled, "What!? Why would they think they wouldn't want to see you again?"

Kirigiri's look hardened as she insisted, "If it hadn't been Mikage...I still couldn't say if I would have done the same thing or not. What if Ishihara had ended up in that position instead? I feel like I've crossed a line that I can't return to the other side of."

Fist shaking, Taiyoshi seemed to want to hit Kirigiri, but held back, likely due to the woman's age. Finally planting her fists firmly at her side, she insisted, "Maybe if you hear from someone who's been through the exact same crap, you'll get it. No one blames you! Hell, Kinashi even said something like that, 'excruciating circumstances', or something."

Kirigiri blinked, correcting, "'Extenuating'?"

"Sure. Look, it sucks and all, but at least you didn't enjoy it! And if you want another example, I've got one," Taiyoshi finished. Looking away, arms crossed over her chest, she admitted, "I wanna see the others out of there too, but you can't overdo it. Besides, things are different now. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who hasn't killed anyone."

A bit bitterly, Kirigiri couldn't help but admit, "You...have a point. But I'm not going to stop trying."

Taiyoshi nodded, "That's fine, just don't strain yourself." Kirigiri flinched, being reminded once again of her age.

Sitting back down, she was silent for a moment, before asking, "Did you...know me? Before the Game, I mean."

Blinking, Taiyoshi began, "We met a couple times. You were a little different. You always seemed so calm, like you knew everything that was going to happen. It was kind of scary: my grandma was your age but she wasn't nearly as capable. Physically or mentally. It's like you were...Super Senior Citizen Level."

As she spoke, Kirigiri felt a bit sour: despite the Runner's efforts, it didn't feel like Taiyoshi was complimenting her at all, it felt like she was talking about someone else. Seeming to sense her unease, Taiyoshi backed off.

After looking up and down her pile of books, Kirigiri wondered, "So, you said you had an example a minute or so ago..."

With a sigh, Taiyoshi nodded, "Yup. Sure do: one of the guys who was stuck with us. He tried to kill someone, but screwed up. The girl he tried to kill was a real piece of work though: she didn't even hate him for it. We were all trapped in a building, a lot like this Base, even. He was a Backpacker, an outdoorsman, so we understood why, but that didn't stop us from distrusting him. He got his act together after one of the others died; someone who he was close too before the Killing Exam. He ended up making it out of there too. He's still an idiot and a screw up, but he has his moments."

Kirigiri gave a weak smile, noting, "You don't seem to think too highly of him..."

Taiyoshi clenched her fist, grumbling, "Some things you just can't forgive..."

Kirigiri wondered, "Was that girl a friend of yours?"

Taiyosh blinked, before explaining, "Well yeah, after the fact, but I'm mad at him because he saw me naked."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Kirigiri replied, unimpressed, "I see..." As Taiyoshi scratched her head awkwardly, Kirigiri finally said, "Thank you, Taiyoshi-san, I'll try to take better care of myself."

The Runner suggested, "Er, Taiyoshi-chan is fine. I mean, 'san' is kind of weird, since, you know..."

After a moment, Kirigiri asked, "You wouldn't happen to know about any other people I referred to with certain honorifics, would you?"

Taiyoshi thought for a moment, before saying, "You called Ichijou-san, 'Ichijou-sensei'."

Kirigiri blinked, before asking, "Wait, really?"

Taiyoshi nodded, explaining, "Yeah, he was a teacher, a college professor, even."

Still staring blankly, Kirigiri was silent for a moment, before finally saying, "I...see."

Taiyoshi asked, "Er, is it really that surprising?"

Kirigiri shook her head, "No. Er, well, it shouldn't be. I just...have a hard time imagining him being anything other than the empathetic boy I've known." As she tried to imagine the bearded man she'd seen just yesterday as a teacher, it came surprisingly easy, but combining that mental image with Ichijou was much more difficult. He'd probably changed much over the years.

With that knowledge in her mind, Kirigiri had a sudden longing for information: what had the others been like in their lives before the Killing Game ground them down to a cleaner slate? However, despite her curiosity, it would have to wait unless it held bearing on getting them out of there. For now, all she had to do was solve the riddle given to them by Super High School Level Despair.

"Thank you for the help," Kirigiri said.

Taiyoshi shrugged, "Don't mention it." With a wave, the two parted ways once again.

Intending to get back to work, Kirigiri sat as Taiyoshi left, the promise to be more self-conscious still on her mind. Picking up a book, she refocused her mind to tackle the barricade keeping her companions trapped.

But for all her efforts, all her strikes on the wall, it did not crumble.

That day, and much of the next, seemed to pass by quickly for Kirigiri Kasumi. Much of her effort was on the poem, but despite going at it from every angle, she failed to find 'the bay where old blood runs'. In fact, it was technically easy to find bays where blood ran between murders and battles, but separating it from the rest? The bird clue seemed to be no help either, and neither was Kinashi Rentarou, the young man being too mentally distraught over the state of his younger sister to be very useful. Furthermore, attempts to find a way to synthesize or salvage the proper tranquilizers weren't going well, so search ranges were being expanded. In lighter news, Kirigiri had an enlightening meeting with the AI known as Alter Ego (also taking into consideration the gender pronouns, settling on female ones herself for ease). The AI began going to work on finding the location of Kinashi, the barricades proving to be 'tough, but manageable', even if they would take some time.

On the Game front, the other History of the Mutual Killing Game Volumes had been discovered, filling the captives in on some important bits, but not nearly enough. Kasumi couldn't help but feel relieved when Ichijou was able to separate Kasumi from Kyouko at a glance. After that, Monokuma shared his next incentive, the Rest Markers, forcing the captives to leave their Lodges. Kirigiri found herself being more invested in the Game than the others, who generally heard summaries from whoever was watching, keeping note of the important bits.

However, that completely changed on the morning of August 13th, the second night where the captives dealt with the Rest Markers.

Kirigiri, having taken a more proactive role in helping around the shorthanded Base, had been sitting at the desk near the entrance, sipping coffee as she read, the computer on the desk switched off. The monitor displayed little this early, as the captives had been sleeping. Kirigiri had mostly tuned it out, not noticing that the slumber of one of the captives had been cut out. As they began to assemble for breakfast, Kirigiri got her own ready-made meal, hoping to enjoy her breakfast alongside the others. As she returned, she once again felt the desire to do more research, but she was becoming burnt out. It was not a smoldering of desire, but more one of material. The more useless books she read, the more she felt she was coming at it wrong, like some obscure fact was missing. There had been no reassuring news on any front: the bookish members elsewhere were reading, while some of the others were being dispatched to ports around the country, trying to find some clue.

By the time Kirigiri had returned to her desk and taken a sip of coffee, Minami had arrived...with dour news. Realizing immediately what had happened, Kirigiri's heart began to race. Standing, she made for the lower Floors as fast as she could. Descending the spiral steps down to the Dorm level, nothing on her mind but the physical form of Ganaha below, she missed a beat, slipping on the stairs. Reflexively, her hand held onto the guardrail, her arm extending fully as she caught herself, her lower torso painfully colliding with the corner of one of the steps. As let go of the guardrail, her eyes on the ceiling of steps above her, she once again felt her mortality, perhaps even more than she had before. She had made the mistake of forgetting her limits, and now she only had shame.

As she lay, praying nothing in her body was broken, trying not to cry, daring not to get up, she heard an announcement echoing throughout the halls, the voice of Urushibara Itaru claiming, "Attention: another murder has occurred, be aware."

Kirigiri was forced to wait in agony for a couple more minutes until she heard footsteps from above. Looking up, she saw as Urushibara and Oonishi Eiji came down, stopping at the sight of the older woman on the stairs. Kirigiri let out a lone whine of pain as the two rushed to her side, Eiji asking, "What happened, Kirigiri-san!?"

Ashamed, frustrated, and upset, Kirigiri mumbled, "I...slipped." As Oonishi's expression changed to one of pity, Kirigiri could only force herself to keep calm as Urushibara got a bit close, assessing her injuries, before two helped her to a sitting position, the two being a bit split on what to do next. Now that she was up, however, she insisted, "Just...allow me to rest a moment. Go."

At her orders, the two went back to their business, heading down. Knowing that she might get in the way, the woman grabbed the handrail again, hoisting herself up with a bit of difficulty before shambling her way back up, reaching the Entrance Hall and taking a seat on the large, nearby staircase, continuing to rest her sore lower back. It seemed she was fine for now, but she was still embarrassed at herself. Before she could muster the strength to go lie down for a bit, Eiji and Itaru returned from below, their faces grim as they carried a stretcher, a black body bag resting atop it. Kirigiri shuddered at the sight, knowing full well what who was contained within. Such a fool she'd been: even if she'd gotten there, there was no way she could have helped in the first place.

As her mind was haunted by the fate of Ganaha, Kirigiri tried not to blame herself for not being able to solve the poem fast enough. With so many people supposedly working on things, it was starting to feel like a fool's errand: the Game being nothing more than a useless farce. Was that Junko's goal? Hand out some nonsense poem and let people Despair as they tried to figure it out? But Tachibana and Kinashi wouldn't have gone this far...right?

A short while later, Asumi awoke, and aided Kirigiri in getting to her room, so that she could have some bed rest. Kirigiri knew her aged body healed less easily, and required more rest than a youthful one. She was lucky she only sustained a few bruises, but some of her sore joints seemed to be a bit worse now, as if they had jarred. All Kirigiri wanted was to watch the investigation and Trial, so a monitor was set up in her room, along with breakfast.

As she tuned in to the investigation, seeing Ichijou and the others at work helped to get her mind off things. The mystery minded woman was able to focus on figuring things out, only wishing her knowledge had been more complete: she'd missed the first chunk of the investigation and some of the exploration, when any detail could have been important.

As the investigation went on, Saruta's suspicious actions made Kirigiri a little wary, but she could only watch and hope that some detail she'd missed came into play, because she had as little an idea as anyone. However, as the Trial began, Kirigiri realized with impending horror that this was supposed to be the last Trial. She should have been trying to figure things out at the last minute.

But she wouldn't get the chance.

A soft voice came over the intercom, one which Kirigiri recognized to be Alter Ego, saying with a bit of worry, "O-Oonishi-san! Kinashi demands the audience of all Base occupants!"

Wondering what this could possibly be about, Kirigiri forced herself up and out of bed, finding her footing with a bit of strain. Refusing to use any sort of aid, she managed to walk on her own, proceeding carefully downstairs, arriving at one of the Meeting Room doors, standing by as the others began to arrive. She couldn't help but glare at the Karuta Queen on screen, no longer cloaked. Kinashi was now garbed in a pure white kimono, a black hakama overtop. As the others came in, Kirigiri's presence was noticed, but no one spoke to her: as long as she and Taiyoshi were out of Kinashi's eye, they could move without the girl being suspicious, the Runner herself arriving shortly.

When the five named were in the Meeting Room proper, Kinashi began with a smile, "How wonderful of you to join me again! I am glad to see there have been no...accidents. Well, I suppose there should have been one, but not to anyone who mattered. Who was the unwitting Victim this time?"

Eiji shuddered, scowling, "How did you know!?"

Kinashi tilted her head innocently, "Excuse me? Know what?" At the silence, she frowned, "Of course I know: how could I have called conveniently contacted you at this time, forcing you to miss the Trial? Of course, not that you can affect anything." Kirigiri gripped the doorframe roughly, getting frustrated.

Urushibara noted, "But you haven't said the Victim's name..."

Kinashi shrugged, "I apologize for not remembering the name of every overly Talented waste of flesh in your organization. There are simply far too many of you to remember."

Eiji grumbled, "Says the Karuta Queen..."

Kinashi's eyes glazed over, her face briefly confronting into a bitter sneer, before she returned to her natural expression. Ignoring Eiji, she began, "Well, moving on. There is a reason I brought you here. Of course, for one, I desired the final answer, but I imagined you would rush it to me as soon as possible. However, since you seem to have failed, I suppose you will remain my captive audience until the Trial concludes, and your allies die. What a pity."

Mahiro noted, "If a message comes in, how will we be able to receive it?"

Kinashi smiled, "Why, your adorable little program, of course!"

Standing defiantly, Asumi Haruka's displeased gaze fell on the monitor as she began, "I'll just..."

Kinashi glared, "No, you will not." With a cocky smirk, she added, "If any of you so much as move, I am afraid you will have your plates full with smoldering debris. From your bombed Base, of course."

"B-bombs!?" Katsuragi gasped.

Mahiro said with his usual placidness, "You're bluffing."

Kinashi said nothing, simply standing gracefully from her seat, and walking off camera. In a few moments, she returned, lugging a metal board with her, dotted with a number of small, flip switches, each row a different color. A number of wires came out the back, leading back in the direction she came. She began, "Each of these cute little switches here can send a unique signal to a transceiver I have set up here. Said transceiver will then send a wireless signal to the linked bomb, detonating it." Looking down at the board, she flicked her finger down it, flipping one of the switches, muttering uncaringly, "Oops..."

The Future Foundation members tensed, but nothing happened. As they began to look around, Kinashi smiled, "Of course, roughly half of them do nothing. I did not have the time required to make enough for every switch, you see."

Eiji shook his head, muttering, "No way. You're trying to say you made that?"

Urushibara nodded, adding, "It would take an expert weeks to make a set up like that these days! Let alone actually plant the bombs."

Kinashi shrugged, "I learned, like a fish in water." Expression hardening, she flipped another switch, proving her point, a shudder coursing through the building.

Somehow unperturbed, Mahiro asked, "Alter Ego?"

After a few moments, the soft voice rang out over the intercom sadly, "Th-the glass ceiling to the Sun Lounge was just destroyed..."

As she relayed the news, Kinashi simply smiled, stating, "Do you believe me now?" Holding up the board threateningly, she added, "We can try another, if you would like."

Mahiro insisted, "That will be unnecessary."

Kinashi nodded, replied, "Very good. Now, to keep from boring you: Alter Ego, you have my permission: if you would alter the monitor so that it shows the Trial? Of course, as long as I can see you through the camera, my hand will not accidentally slip, so you have no need to fear..."

"U-understood," Alter Ego replied. The monitor blinked in and out, before becoming split screened, one corner showing Kinashi, with the other displaying the Trial, the captives discussing things in what looked to be an icy cooler of a Courtroom. The mood still tense, the newer captives sat back in their seats, having no choice but to watch.

Kirigiri began to move away, feeling tired from her time spent standing. Taiyoshi followed carefully, a bit distraught. After a moment, Kirigiri stated, "We need to get to a computer."

Despite not quite understanding, Taiyoshi remained quiet as she followed Kirigiri up to the Communications Room. Reaching one of the terminals, she sat with great relief, saying to the air, "Alter Ego?"

After a moment, the monitor changed, the background becoming green, and a sweet face, though clearly a bit distraught, appeared on the screen, the hair a bit short, and brown, and likewise for the eyes. The white collar of a dress shirt underneath a school uniform's green jacket could be seen as well. A voice came from the speakers, the tone a bit worried, asking, "What should we do, Kirigiri-san?"

Kirigiri asked, speaking back to the mic, which had been installed into many monitors for Alter Ego, "Well, if you haven't sent a message out, do so, if you would, please. Some assistance would be nice...anything on the bombs?"

Alter Ego shook her head, replying, "The one in the Sun Lounge came from inside the wall. There can't have been anyone inside here since the Base went down on lockdown, so they must have been hidden before the Game began."

Kirigiri leaned back in her chair, thinking deeply as Taiyoshi asked, "What the hell could we do even if we found one..."

"I-I could try to find a way. Guides, or advice," Alter Ego responded.

Taiyoshi's brow furrowed as she wondered aloud, "Yeah, like there's just gonna be bomb disarming stuff on the internet..."

Kirigiri noted, "Kinashi must have figured it out somehow. It might be worth a search."

Alter Ego nodded, "I'll try."

After another moment, Kirigiri wondered, "The worst case scenario is Kinashi detonating the bombs, or the Trial ending with the Culprit getting away. Even if the Culprit doesn't, we're still going to have another body on our hands. We're doing what we can with the bombs, but if there's anything we can use in the meantime..." Turning to Taiyoshi expectantly, she asked, "Can you go to the area outside and ask around? You might also want to inform them as to the reason for that explosion."

Taiyoshi swallowed, the Runner asking fearfully, "There wouldn't be any bombs out there, would there?"

Kirigiri added bitterly, "You saw how many switches were on that board. We need to find them! Any of them! The first one wasn't that strong: if we disarm at least some of them, we might be able to avoid casualties."

Taiyoshi shouted, "You think I can disarm a bomb without it blowing up in my face!?"

"Um," Alter Ego tried.

Kirigiri turned in her chair to face Taiyoshi, replying, "We have to do something!"

"Er."

Taiyoshi retorted, "Well, if you think you can do it, be my guest!"

"Excuse me!" Alter Ego said, the computer speakers crackling a bit from the sudden volume increase. As the two girls turned their attention, the feminine program explained, "I found something. If the bomb matches up, I might be able to guide you into disarming it..."

Turning back to the computer, Kirigiri nodded, "Understood." Looking to Taiyoshi, she asked, "Can you alert everyone outside?"

Calming down a bit, Taiyoshi nodded, running off. Now alone, Kirigiri began to read some of the instructions Alter Ego had found, but were finding them difficult. Plus, as the Trial progressed, her attention kept snapping away. As new evidence began coming to light, she would find her attention captivated completely soon...

In only a little more than a minute, Taiyoshi Nijiko had descended to the First Floor, heading for the door outside. Punching in the code, the metal portal shuddered, shifting open. Stepping outside into the brighter outdoors, she was greeted with the voice of a concerned, middle aged man, asking, "What happened? Is everyone okay?"

As Taiyoshi's eyes adjusted, she saw the man addressing her: a middle aged fellow with a bushy moustache and a coat, a rifle on his back. There were a few others nearby as well, all armed: the security force of this location. There was still some char about from the detonation the other day as well.

Taking a cautious, half step back, Taiyoshi began, "Yeah, we're fine, luckily. I'd recommend evacuating the immediate area though."

Blinking in surprise, the man asked, "Huh? Why? What's going on?"

Grimacing, Taiyoshi began, "Well, there's probably more bombs. I'm just hoping they're all in the Base."

The man's eyes widened, and he gasped, "Bombs?" The others nearby looked at each other nervously.

Taiyoshi nodded, "They won't go off!" Looking a little less sure of herself, she admitted, "Well, at least I hope not. The buttons are in the hand of someone else, and I don't trust her for a second, but it's a bargaining chip; she probably won't be willing to cash it so soon."

One of the others, a younger man, asked, "You think there's anyone here with bomb squad experience?"

The older one replied, "Well I think...Ikari maybe?"

The younger man snorted, "That blowhard? No way-"

"Ah, you guys can figure it out, can't you!?" Taiyoshi interrupted, not wanting to hear their banter. She added, "Most everyone else is pretty much indisposed, by the way, so we can't offer any help. If we could, trust me, we'd be evacuating with you."

With a curt nod, the man responded, "Understood." With a nod, Taiyoshi made her way back in as the man began, "Now, we're gonna make sure this happens in a calm and orderly fashion..."

Their words were cut off as Taiyoshi sealed the door. As she headed back in, she did a cursory search of the corners and crevices, trying to find any bombs, but not having any luck. Trying to think of the most obvious places to hit, she quickly ran down to the Experiment Room. Looking around the seven occupied tables and the machine, she was unable to uncover anything. Heading back up, she also checked the Dining Hall and the Medical Bay, not finding anything of note. Passing the Meeting Room, she headed back up to the Communications Room, finding Kirigiri engrossed by the Trial. It was fairly obvious why, given that a certain Saruta Bimaru was in the middle of a breakdown. Kirigiri seemed to be quite anxious as things began to turn out.

Approaching, Taiyoshi said, "I told some guys, they should get things moving out there. What'd you find?"

Kirigiri shook her head, "Not much helpful, unfortunately." Taiyoshi let out a frustrated sigh: this was going to be tricky. However, Kirigiri offered, "It may be useless to learn how to disarm bombs until we know what we're dealing with. Shall we try to find one first?"

Taiyoshi nodded, and the two girls began their search, starting right under their feet. They flipped over chairs and checked every crevice, but nothing came up. As they made their way out, Alter Ego said reassuringly, "I'll be at any monitor if you need me!"

Now working together, the two were able to search rooms thoroughly at a much faster pace. The first bomb they uncovered was in the Training Room, underneath one of the pads on the walls. It was square, and tucked into a dug out section of the wall. However, Kirigiri noted, "It's not much danger here, I don't think. We should find a more worrying one." Taiyoshi couldn't help but agree, and the two moved on.

However, as they continued to look, they found little luck as they went down. As they searched the Second Floor, avoiding the Meeting Room, they exited one of the offices, and were about to check another, when Kirigiri instead ignored them, heading farther down instead. Wondering what had gotten into her, Taiyoshi decided not to argue. Perhaps she had figured they were a waste.

Indeed, she moved to a key point: the First Floor. The two checked the room, finding another bomb underneath some of the stairs. Figuring that one would be important, they noted it down, but Kirigiri said, "Let's check the lower floors."

Frowning, Taiyoshi asked, "But why not disarm this one?"

Kirigiri reasoned, a bit nervously, "It's...important, but not life threatening. The only places we'd need to worry about are the Meeting Room and the Experiment Room, plus wherever we happen to be."

Head starting to hurt, Taiyoshi shouted, "So we ignore the offices, which are right by the Meeting Room!?"

Kirigiri flinched, before admitting, "We don't even know if these bombs are disarmable! Moving them might set them off, and moving around too much might make noise and inform Kinashi that something is wrong... I'm just at a bit of a loss."

Taiyoshi grumbled, "Are the Trials really so different!?"

Kirigiri insisted, "Trials can be solved by logic and reason! Bomb discovery and disarming is another story. Besides, the only reason we have to worry is if the Trial concludes and she no longer has a way to force us to figure out the poem...even though she does. She knows that which we don't. That might be incentive enough for me."

Grunting, Taiyoshi spat, "Fine, let's just get a move on!" She didn't want to stand around while she speculated endlessly, but she could understand her worry: Taiyoshi herself was also a bit stressed at how things were turning out, and they'd probably been jumping around more because they had little chance to disarm the bombs than anything. They could only pray the Trial went well enough that they didn't have to worry about the bombs in the first place.

Descending to the second Basement Level, the two did a check of the Pool, before heading out, and going down to the bottom level. As they turned the corner to the stairs, they froze as they discovered that they were not the only ones there.

Heels clacking against the steps, a girl finished ascending the steps, her weight a bit more than average, her head covered in curly, dark orange hair, her body adorned with a black skirt and a multicolored shirt, in black, white and red. Taiyoshi recognized her instantly, and she could feel her rage bubble as the girl looked over to the two, her red eyes widening in surprise behind her spectacles as she saw the two.

"Oh you've gotta be-" Tachibana Chiyoko cried out, turning tail and heading down the steps. Teeth bared, Taiyoshi went after her, pacing the blubbery girl with little trouble, waiting until she finished getting down the steps to charge, approaching in an instant, cutting through the air like a knife and raising her leg, striking Tachibana right in her meaty stomach. As Tachibana went down like a sack of potatoes, Taiyoshi hopped up, landing on top of her as she lay on her back, sputtering in pain.

"What the hell are you doing he-gack!" Tachibana began before Taiyoshi's hands found a grip on Tachibana's neck, the Director's words being halted. Tachibana struggled, but found too much resistance against Taiyoshi's toned form. Her slaps and strikes were ineffectual, the girl not being of the proper strength nor posture to break her hold.

Before she could finish the deed, a hand on her shoulder lessened her rage, Kirigiri's voice snapping her back, "Taiyoshi-chan!"

Loosening her grip a little, the Runner said fiercely, "Do you know what this fatty has put me through? Put you through!?"

Kirigiri quickly shouted, "Careful!"

Snapping back to the Director, Taiyoshi saw the reason for her distress easily: Tachibana had reached her hand into her skirt pocket, withdrawing a knife. Taiyoshi released her grip on the girls neck, blocking the incoming stab, receiving a painful gash on her arm. Her other, unhurt hand shot out, grabbing to offending wrist and pushing it to the ground. Reaching with her other hand, she slugged the coughing and sputtering Tachibana across the face and grabbing her other arm, Taiyoshi's own limbs crossed awkwardly in front of her. With Tachibana stuck, Taiyoshi demanded, "Get some rope or something!" Kirigiri nodded, heading off.

As she was being held, Tachibana choked from her bruising throat, "Help, I'm being oppressed! Er, obbreast."

"And some tape!" Taiyoshi added.

Tachibana managed to hack out a laugh, "Oh, we're getting kinky~"

Having been tired of Tachibana for months now, Taiyoshi took a breath, before sinking her head down, slamming her forehead into Tachibana's face. The Director's head smacked against the ground, and the girl went still. Taking a few breaths, Taiyoshi let go, resting her cut arm after snatching Tachibana's weapon. As she stood, looking down at Tachibana's unconscious form, she couldn't help but feel a glowing sense of satisfaction.

Unaware of the happenings below, Oonishi Eiji sat on the chair, watching as the captives began to take the Elevator back up. The course of the Trial went well for Future Foundation, but there was still a matter of Kinashi Ririka. As the Elevator reached the top, the Karuta Queen, seemed to be quite unamused.

"So, judging from your reactions, I would assume that somehow, Tachibana Chiyoko was revealed, and Executed?" Kinashi asked bitterly.

Eiji smirked, replying, "Not quite going as planned?"

Kinashi scowled, "It would be unwise of you to try my patience. However, do not think you get to go free. Oh no, I am not done with you quite yet. With such a hitch in our plans, I cannot exactly let you run amok. No, something must be done."

Mahiro stated, "A renegotiation of terms seems appropriate."

Kinashi pondered for several minutes of silence, before nodding, "I suppose." Holding up her switchboard, she began, "I hold your lives in my hands, yet am unable to decipher the answer behind the poem. Of course, as are you and most of Future Foundation, but the longer you work, the more likely a chance you have to become bored, and give up on your allies, or find some way to remove them from the Game without rendering your allies comatose...it might be easier to simply give up on them. Who remains? Old, valueless men and women?"

Katsuragi snorted, "Never!"

Kinashi shrugged, "Reliving. But, in the end, I suppose I must let you go...however, not without taking something. A limitation, if you would: I will give you two more days. If you don't give me the answer within forty eight hours, I will detonate these bombs. Can you find and disarm them all in such a short time? Can you ever be sure you got them all? Perhaps you should simply cut your losses and run. Or-"

"Jeez, you talk too much. One thing you both have in common, I guess," came a voice from outside.

Kinashi's eyes widened in surprise, and she muttered, "What? Who speaks!?"

The answer came in the form a body being roughly shoved to the ground in the middle of the room, quickly being followed by Taiyoshi Nijiko stepping in. The Runner leaned down, picking up the barely conscious girl, making Eiji gawk as he recognized Tachibana Chiyoko, her arms bound by a rope, tape covering her mouth. Taiyoshi held the dazed Tachibana by the hair, facing her towards the camera, smiling and raising a 'V' for victory sign, posing for Kinashi despite the blood dripping from her arm. Eiji briefly glanced to the door, seeing Kirigiri standing at the doorway quietly.

The other members of Future Foundation simply stared, not imagining Tachibana would crop up in their midst like this. Kinashi seemed placid, but was more likely holding back her emotions.

The Karuta Queen finally let out a sigh, mumbling, "My my, it seems we have been found out." Continuing, she explained, "After all, how could Tachibana access the Game without a physical connection, let alone implement our Monokuma AI at the very last moment? She's been right under your noses this entire time. My intent was to distract you, success or failure...but we did not plan for a failure of this magnitude." Glaring at Taiyoshi, she spat, "Outwitted by you of all people..."

Scowling, Taiyoshi snapped, "If it makes you feel any better, Eiji was the one who suggested I stay out of sight."

Kinashi blinked, before admitting, "It does not." With that, Kinashi raised her hand, holding the switch board up in view. Eiji flinched as Kinashi swung her hand like lightning, seeming to flick one of the switches. Those in the room tensed, but the switch was never flipped.

Kinashi stated, "If you think I care for the life of Tachibana Chiyoko, you are sadly mistaken. She does not care for her life: she is Super High School Level Despair. And with her having made such a critical error, I cannot do anything for her situation. This changes nothing: two days. Take what information from Tachibana-san you can and pray it will help you, and if it does not, expect things to come crumbling down around you."

As she finished, Tachibana began to stir, suddenly jerking around in her ropes. Kinashi looked at her quizzically, and Eiji realized what she was trying to do: the Director was nodding her head in the direction of Kirigiri Kasumi. Taiyoshi tried to stop the struggling girl as Kinashi began to turn her head to the side of whatever monitor she was viewing.

Thinking quickly, Eiji stood, beginning, "Ha, you've really got us. I'm starting to get worried." Wiping his forehead he began to loosen his tie, stepping a bit closer to the camera. Ignoring the confused looks of the others, he took it off, and began to loosen the buttons of his dress shirt.

Face hardening, Kinashi asked, "What are you doing?"

Eiji continued, "It's kinda hot too, that humid summer air and all..."

Kinashi's face remained placid, but as Eiji began to open his shirt, revealing his thin, bare torso, Kinashi's face began to falter. Her cold, serious expression began to soften, and her cheeks started to change color. Finally, unable to take any more, she put down her switch board, covering her face with the sleeve of her white kimono, snarling, "Oonishi Eiji, you disgusting, lewd...put your clothes back on!"

Eiji noted, "They are still on."

"Put them on correctly!" Kinashi insisted. With a frustrated hiss, Kinashi finally sputtered, "Fine! You are free to go and do as you please for the next two days! Leave me be." With that, she stormed off and out of sight, the tips of her ears burning red.

With a sigh of relief, Eiji began to redo the buttons of his shirt, turning back to see the blank faces of the others. Suddenly a bit self-conscious, Eiji tried to explain, "Er, I remembered her weakness." Looking to Taiyoshi hopefully, he asked, "You remember, don't you?"

Tachibana mumbled something incomprehensibly, yet gleeful, from behind her tape, making Eiji glad it was in place. Taiyoshi simply shrugged, "Not really."

Suddenly getting flustered, Eiji began to tie his tie back on as he explained, "W-well she gets really nervous when it comes to guys doing that kind of stuff! It worked, didn't it?" From her sitting position, Tachibana nodded knowingly.

Taiyoshi grumbled, "Didn't she grow up with her brother? Oh whatever..." Looking down, she began, "Now, what to do with you..."

The situation with Tachibana was sorted rather quickly. She was tied down tightly in the Group Bathing room, the door of which would be under constant surveillance. Kirigiri quickly came to understand why there was a lack of any sort of jail cell: so rarely were foes of Future Foundation kept alive. In these troubled times, one less mouth to feed made much more of a difference then one more body on the pile.

With a number of pressing concerns, Future Foundation split into to two groups. While Urushibara went to get some sleep, Taiyoshi, Asumi, and Mahiro went to search for any more bombs, while Kirigiri, Katsuragi, and Eiji decided to stay with Tachibana, aiming to get whatever information out of her that they could, as Alter Ego tried to salvage what security footage she could, trying to find some type of evidence, while looking up some way to disarm the bombs now that she could analyze them. First, however, Kirigiri asked to review the footage from the Trial, seeing it all at once, from the very beginning: discussion of evidence, Saruta's breakdown, Ichijou's hopefulness, and Tachibana's appearance. She couldn't help but beam in pride when she saw them bring down Tachibana together, without even a word of help from Kirigiri. The gap in her absence had been filled.

Having completed her viewing, she gathered Oonishi Eiji, before heading down to the Group Bath, her mind full of questions. After meeting Katsuragi at the door, the three headed into the room with Oonishi leading the way.

Going through the changing room to the Bath, Tachibana looked up at them as they opened the sliding door, tape still covering her mouth, each of her wrists tied tightly to two separate faucets on the wall of the bath. Reaching her, Oonishi stopped down, his face intense, hiding a simmering anger as he ripped the tape off roughly.

Tachibana cried, "Owie! Ugh, I'm an S, not an M."

Katsuragi snorted, "You're an L." Tachibana didn't deny it.

Before the interrogation could get underway, Kirigiri stepped a bit closer, raising her hand and slapping Tachibana across the face. The Director's cheek beginning to redden, Kirigiri explained, "That was for Ganaha."

Tachibana snorted, "Oh, she's an M alright." She flinched as Kirigiri raised her hand again, smacking her once more. Tachibana laughed, "You hit like an old lady! But more importantly, how are you still alive!?"

Oonishi nodded, "Good question. You first."

Tachibana pouted, before explaining, "Well...when we put our virus in the machine, it altered how the brain waves interact with the users a bit. You know, the Death Function! The one that's killed everyone so far when they get all hyped up from their imminent, virtual deaths. Or something like that, I didn't make it. But I did chill out while getting poked with arrows. Admin functionalities like nulling the pain sure helped too. It was weird though! I still lost all feeling as my blood ran out. Alter Ego is really good, making that Program and all!" Suddenly, with a bit of hostility, she added, glaring at Oonishi, "You should try it sometime. Dying, that is."

Oonishi sighed, "Everyone will at some point though, won't they?"

Katsuragi ignored him, noting, "So, you installed that loophole on purpose to escape. Well, unfortunately for you, Kirigiri discovered it on her own."

Tachibana pouted, "Hmm, then why isn't that murderer tied up her with me? Hmmm. Hmmmmmmmm." Kirigiri felt her eye twitch at Tachibana's words, but said nothing.

Oonishi didn't even give the obvious response, instead asking, "How did you plant all the bombs? Where were you hiding, for that matter? And where are they?"

Tachibana's voice deepened as she laughed, "If you want my treasure, you'll have to find it first! I left it all-"

"Answer!" Oonishi spat.

"Make me!" Tachibana shouted back. Her hands twitched in their bindings as she added, "But come on, I left the hatch to my little hidey hole cracked open. At least look first."

Disgruntled, Oonishi continued, "Then what's the poem for? And aside from Kinashi, who are you working with?"

Tachibana shrugged with some difficulty, answering, "Dunno. And not telling. Well, come on, I already said, didn't I? Furugori put them all there."

Oonishi shook his head, insisting, "Not what I asked. You are you working with?"

"You know who I'm not working with? You," Tachibana smirked.

Kirigiri frowned, muttering, "This is getting us nowhere... Does Future Foundation have any approved torture methods?"

Tachibana snorted, "Meh. I've done worse to others than you can do to me. What kind of a person would I be if I couldn't take what I could dish out?" Without responding, Oonishi simply turned, walking away. Assuming he wanted to walk away from her, Kirigiri and Katsuragi followed. Tachibana chortled as they left, "Bye bye~"

Outside of the Group Bath, Oonishi mumbled to the others, "She's probably right. Physical torture won't work."

Katsuragi wondered, "Oh? What're you thinking, Eiji-kun?"

Oonishi explained, "I know Tachibana better than most: she enjoys making fun of people a lot. Complete and total isolation...how do you think she'd react?"

Kirigiri nodded in understanding, but pointed out, "It may be effective, given enough time, but we're already quite short."

Oonishi admitted, "And genuine torture might not work. She might enjoy it, honestly. She's pretty screwed in the head."

Katsuragi snorted, "Worth a shot."

Oonishi scratched his head, sighing, "Maybe. We'll get it sorted out. But for now, we need to get to work on those bombs. Find as many as we can and get rid of them."

Kirigiri nodded, "I'll help."

Katsuragi said, "Well, I'll stay here then."

Splitting up, Kirigiri went off to search, her path taking her down to where she and Taiyoshi had found Tachibana. Searching the bottom Floor, it was rather distressing that she didn't find any bombs. She did, however, stumble across the hatch Tachibana referred to. It was well hidden within the fresh Park and Garden area, the seam visible against the grass of the Park. Hoisting it open, she climbed down the makeshift ladder, finding a dimly lit room, dug out of the dirt. Where the excess soil had gone, Kirigiri couldn't guess, but the small room had a small fridge, and a wire sticking out of a tube in the wall, a headset at the end, the other side no doubt leading to the New Development Program. The small fridge had some IV bags. There was also a mat, where the girl likely laid as her mind was interacting with the Program. Kirigiri could guess that there were no bombs here though.

The lengthily search through the rest of the Base was not fruitless, luckily, and a few more bombs were indeed uncovered. That was not the only good news of the day either. As Kirigiri searched the upper floors, Taiyoshi was called to the Comms Room, so Kirigiri decided to join her there, and see what was up.

As she searched the room again, Oonishi Mahiro waited in a chair until Taiyoshi arrived shortly. Mahiro began, "Someone who can synthesize the requested tranquilizers has been found. It should take about ten hours to make them. How long can it take for you to get to Chronos Base?"

Taiyoshi thought for a moment, before saying, "HQ, huh? 550 kilometers...damn, that's a two day trip. I'll just have to run a little faster then..." Kirigiri gagged on her spit at the figure: could this Super High School Level Runner really run so fast for so long? Before she made her way out, however, she wondered, "Why don't they use the helicopter though?"

Mahiro sighed, "Shiata's strike team is gearing up, so it's been reserved for them. They're going to need it for the moment Kinashi is discovered, so she can be eliminated as early as possible."

Taiyoshi frown, but didn't argue, heading out the door as if she made runs like that every day, only stopping to give Kirigiri a confident smile and a wave.

Seeing Kirigiri's reaction, Mahiro explained, "She really has been invaluable. Roads are difficult these days: blocked by rubble, or bandits. Even the few we've cleared have dangerous chokepoints. Taiyoshi Nijiko doesn't need to worry about roads, blockades, or fuel."

Kirigiri nodded, hoping she would get to see the young girl again, and that she could return before that tranquilizer was needed.

Going back to her searching, Kirigiri began to get fatigued, having been up since a little before midnight. She had little choice but to rest her old body, praying they would be in a better position later.

A few hours after midnight, Kirigiri found herself waking up once again. Curious about the state of things, she got her breakfast, before meeting Oonishi Eiji at the desk, who shared that they'd managed to disarm four bombs, and had found two others. Of course, there was some worry that most were hidden in hard to reach locations like the one in the Sun Lounge.

Worried about the prospects, Kirigiri spent her morning doing more searching, finding the task surprisingly freeing mentally, allowing her to dwell on the mysteries yet.

As she worked, she came around the Second Basement Level, being surprised to see Katsuragi sitting on a chair in front of the Group Bath, sound asleep. She knew he was supposed to have a shift change a few hours ago...

Suddenly a bit fearful, she got a bit closer, confirming that the old man's was indeed breathing. Relieved, she quietly went through the drapes into the Group Bath. Had anyone even fed their captive yet?

As she reached the sliding door, something odd put her on guard: though the sliding glass door was already opaque, she couldn't see anything beyond it due to a mixture of condensation and steam. Fearing the worst, she opened the door, crying out in surprise at being assaulted by warm steam, the pressure difference causing it to burst out of the opening. Choking as she accidentally breathed some in, she covered her face as it began to filter throughout the changing room. Carefully, she leaned into the room, reaching her hand around inside until she found a few knobs. Getting a look through the steam, she made sure to set them all to the off position. It was only then she noticed the sounds of buzzing machinery, as they began to quiet down. The low hum hadn't been detected earlier.

Realizing there was someone whom must have seen everything, Kirigiri stepped back into the changing room, saying to the air, "Alter Ego?" There was no response, an upon a quick examination, she realized that there was no camera in here.

With only one thing she could think to do, she went to badger Katsuragi, poking him awake. With a grunt, the man said defensively, "I wasn't sleepin'!"

Kirigiri asked bitterly, "Then who turned up the heat in the Bath? Tachibana Chiyoko?"

Suddenly aware that something was amiss, Katsuragi got to his feet on his shaky legs, following Kirigiri into the steamy room. Carefully, they walked into the Bath proper, the steam starting to fade. Kirigiri felt herself begin to sweat, accumulating even more moisture as that in the air clung to her clothes.

She was relieved, barely, to see the silhouette of Tachibana on the wall, right where they'd left her. However, she was also abnormally quiet. Approaching, Kirigiri asked, "Tachibana?" As she got a closer look, she reflexively raised her arm over mouth in disgust, and behind her, Katsuragi only grimaced.

Tachibana was dripping wet with water and sweat, her clothes loosely hanging from her body, her curly hair matted down. Her skin, however, was bright pink, covered in burns, her skin seared and blistered. Her mouth was taped tightly, her face contorted into silent pain, her wrists bruised from pulling against her bindings. Even outside of the Killing Game, Kirigiri Kasumi couldn't seem to escape bloodshed.

From the Old World: Abnormal Days, B Side

After the discovery of the corpse, Kirigiri and Katsuragi stepped outside, allowing the steam to disperse even more. They had alerted Alter Ego, who had in turn alerted Urushibara, Eiji, and Mahiro. Eiji came down a few minutes later, followed by a slightly tired looking Mahiro shortly after, a cup of coffee in hand.

After taking a sip, Mahiro began, "So, I see no reason to linger." Leading the way, he moved into the Bath, the steam being gone, though a bit of humidity could still be felt in the air. As he stood a few feet from the body, Eiji moved in, stooping down to give it a look. Reaching into her pockets, donning her gloves and tying her hair back into a ponytail, Kirigiri went to examine as well.

Eiji muttered, "So...how long does it take to die in a heated sauna?"

Kirigiri answered, "Not more than half an hour for a normal person." Pointing something out, she added, "And this tape over her mouth...this was no unauthorized interrogation."

Eiji nodded, "Someone wanted her dead."

After a moment, Katsuragi mumbled, "Er, you two..."

Mahiro casually took another sip of his coffee, noting, "There isn't much consequence for failing to discover Tachibana's murderer, you know."

Blinking, Kasumi and Eiji turned to each other, their serious moods fading. They pointed to each other in realization, saying in unison, "We both..." Kirigiri felt the corners of her mouth twitch, and Eiji covered his mouth with the back of his hand, but clearly shook lightly with laughter.

Standing, Kirigiri sighed, wiping her forehead of moisture, before saying in relief, "Right, no Trials or Punishments."

Eiji added uncaringly, "Besides, it's just Tachibana anyway." The two shared another chortle at the deceased Director's expense.

Katsuragi nodded, noting, "Who didn't want a piece of her? The things she's done..."

Mahiro put down his cup of coffee, before stopping down and looking at the corpse himself, pointing out, "However, whoever did this cut off our chance at getting more information, as slight a chance as it was. There has to be some reprimand."

Eiji nodded, face serious once again (though a bit less so), "Right."

Back to the corpse, Kirigiri noted, "So, someone entered, taped her mouth, turned on the heat, and left."

Mahiro added, "It seems like she did not desire this fate. You'd think she'd have reveled in it, given her status."

Eiji finished, "Seems pretty simple though, compared to, well, you know, the usual."

Katsuragi nodded, "Of course it's simple! We just ask Alter Ego."

A bit sheepishly, Kirigiri nodded, "Right, right, the security footage." Things were so easy here in the real world. To be honest, Kirigiri actually did mind it more than her guilt would ever allow her to admit out loud.

Finished with their investigation, the four headed upstairs, making their way to the Comms Room. As they entered, they found it dark, except for the screens, which showed various scenes from both around the Base, within the Game, and others. However, there was a silhouette obscuring the screen where Alter Ego resided, the edges of the AI's face hinted with worry, a bottle on the desk beside the screen. As the lights began to brighten, the silhouette stood, revealing itself.

Urushibara Itaru, his face placid, though slightly red, his hands in the pocket of his lab coat, began, "Well, it took you long enough..."

Mahiro sighed, "Not even trying to hide it, are you?"

Urushibara frowned, "And why should I? I did us a favor. I eliminated a major threat before she could potentially escape. If Kinashi's bombs went off and failed to incapacitate her: what then? She'd be off to cause more havoc, more Despair. She was certainly little good to us alive. You should be thanking me."

Mahiro sighed, setting down his cup, replying, "Very well. You're suspended: until this situation is resolved, you are not allowed in sensitive rooms, such as the Experiment Room or Comms Room, unless otherwise noted." Kirigiri had to admit that didn't feel like much of a punishment at all.

Urushibara, however, seemed a bit perplexed, the blonde sputtering, "What? That's the end of it? Aren't you curious about how I did it?"

Eiji shrugged, "You taped a helpless girl's mouth shut and turned a knob. It's not really that impressive."

Baring his teeth, the middle aged man shouted, "So, you neglected that I politely asked Alter Ego not to say anything as I did my deed, against your wishes?"

Alter Ego frowned sadly, "I'm sorry, Oonishi-san..."

Katsuragi snorted, "Stop being overdramatic..."

Urushibara stamped his feet, raging, "Overdramatic!? It's you who are being underdramatic! A murder happened under your nose and you don't even care!"

Approaching, Mahiro began, "You've been drinking, calm down."

"Calm down!? Calm down!? She...she..." Urushibara's bluster began to fade, and he sank back into his chair, slumping. He mourned sadly, "Yuugo...he was like a son to me. Tachibana was just as much his killer as the girl who did the deed. Justice was served today." Wordlessly, Mahiro helped him to his feet, helping the buzzed man out of the room, no doubt to put him to bed.

Katsuragi sighed, "Well, he's not wrong. To be honest, I don't mind in the least."

Looking over to Eiji, knowing bits about how personal it was, Kirigiri wondered aloud, "What about you? Surely you must feel satisfied."

Eiji thought for a moment, before mumbling, "Well...as messed up as she was, she was still a really Talent Director who just got kind of unlucky, even if she didn't take it well. Not that I could stomach her stuff without thinking of...er, anyway, it still feels a little tragic, but still justified. I guess I'm kind of mixed."

After a few moments. Katsuragi moved over to the chair, sitting down, no doubt to keep watch. Having nothing left for them here, Kirigiri and Oonishi took their leave.

In the hall outside, Kirigiri muttered, "The poem, her ally, the bombs, the virus... There's so much we could have gotten from her, and so little we can do."

Oonishi said, "Well, Alter Ego's just about found out how to disarm the bombs, there's just the matter of teaching all of us. The virus is sort of a non-issue, honestly. The poem...we're trying. Her ally...if Kinashi's 'far' in distance, but 'close' in friendship, then that someone else would be 'close' in distance but 'far' in how much they like each other, I guess."

Kirigiri frowned, "So...the traitor: it's most likely... What happens if we kill the physical form of the most likely traitor?"

Oonishi shook his head, interrupting, "I don't know, but...what if we're wrong? What if there's a dead man's switch in the virus?"

Kirigiri thought in silence, before taking a breath, finding her resolve. Leaving Oonishi Eiji, she made her way through the building, her mind racing. On the chance they were wrong, and innocent life would be taken. They would have to wait until they were actually sure.

But Kirigiri didn't have to wait. Not that long.

Heading downstairs, she encountered Oonishi Mahiro on the lower levels, Urushibara likely in his Dorm. Noticing her, the man gave a nod.

Kirigiri asked, "The traitor...what do you think?" Oonishi raised an eyebrow, and Kirigiri explained, "Tachibana's 'ally', close in person, far away in relation. If Kinashi is close relation but far in person, then there must be someone. It would explain the bombs, the virus..."

Mahiro sighed, "It's a frightening possibility, but...what of it?"

"If there is a traitor: Furugori, Uzatei, Minami, Nagasaki, Saruta, Ishihara, Ichijou..." Kirigiri began.

Mahiro interrupted, "All members of Future Foundation from before Tachibana even escaped."

Kirigiri shook her head, pointing out, "All possibilities must be taken into account! A deep agent? But whoever it is...I know everyone the best, living in that...machine. I was with them for days. But I don't know everything. Their pasts, the trials and hardships they had to endure...tell me, please."

Mahiro studied her for a moment, before replying, "Very well, but...isn't it yourself that you want to know about most of all?"

Kirigiri did not deny the implication.

Things are still building up! Next update is back to Ichijou with the investigation. Thanks for reading!

However, I think this is a good time to get around to explaining one thing: Kinashi Ririka. We saw her die...right? Anyway, if you're curious, you can see here: pastebin(.com)/NsbBLhFP