AUTHOR'S NOTE: chapters 26 and 27 take place at the same time but through different perspectives. 26 is Hajime & Nagito and 27 is Mahiru, Akane, Sonia, Kazuichi, Peko and Fuyuhiko.

"Wait, you're not coming with us? But why?" Kazuichi was curious on why Hajime isn't going to the next island with them, he must have a good reason.

"I've got to get cleaned up after what's happened". Referring to his vomit covered shoes and shirt. "When you're over there. Be careful. Okay?"

"Okay".

Hajime headed for his cottage in order to get changed. Also wondering what he and the others can do to impress their lifestyle on Jabberwock island. Maybe make the cottages big enough so two people can share, one of many ideas that pop into his head. He kept thinking as he made it back to his cottage. He started getting undressed and replacing every piece of clothing with something not smelling like throw up. "That's better".

His next objective was clear, check on Nagito and the rest of his comatose friends, hoping that Nagito didn't do anything.

Nothing, this is definitely unnatural. No sign of movement since before. Not from Mikan or anyone else, something needs to be done soon, whether it's him that does something or it's Hajime. maybe pressing the right button would work, but that's a risk not even Nagito was willing to take.

"I wonder".

"Hey, did anything happen?"

"Ah, you have returned. Unfortunately, no". He was honest, Hajime could tell just by looking at him.

"Do you think we should try waking her up? I mean we'll have to eventually, might as well be now". Nagito brings up a good point, as worried as Hajime was, it was something they would have to deal with in the near future.

"Yeah, we should do it now." He had to think about it for a bit, about the pros and cons of having Mikan with the group once again. Pros? They'll have an actual Nurse so if anyone got hurt, she can treat them. Cons? She's as crazy as she was before she was executed by Monokuma. "Actually, I want to try something I've been thinking about for a while now".

"What is it?"

"I want to see if I can get TWO people to wake up at the same time". All Nagito could do was smile, it seems he likes that idea. It'll speed things up, but they could end up dealing with two problems instead of one. "Do you have any suggestions?"

"I can pick? How exciting!" He seemed to be over the moon after he was asked that. Maybe letting Nagito choose the next one to wake up was Hajime's way of saying thank you. He kept that in mind while deciding who he would like to see alive again. "Him".

"Are you sure? He might not be so happy to see us. You, specifically".

"I need to apologise to him, that much I know. And if he goes crazy, I'll take full responsibility". He sounded sincere, like he meant every word. "Besides, I think I finally understand!"

"Understand what?"

"It's you! You are the Hope that can overcome any Despair!"

It's been an hour since Hajime started working on waking two people up simultaneously and Nagito's having an amazing time as gets a front row seat to how everything works.

"There, let's hope I'm not just testing my luck". He seemed exhausted, makes sense since he's been working all day. Not just with the barge, but with waking up Peko and Mahiru earlier that day. it's as if he woke them all up at once, that's how tired he was.

Like Peko and Mahiru, the lights seemed too bright for his eyes, so he kept them closed until he sat up. The moment he opened his eyes and saw the two of them standing there, he almost jumped out of the pod out of fear and anger. "HAJIME AND NAGITO!?" He looked terrified, being face to face with the man who tricked him into killing AND the man who put him in the hot seat during the first trial. His anger was understandable.

"Hello TeruTeru, are you ok?" A pointless question to ask at this point in time, but he had to get him to calm down or he might get the wrong idea and do something he'll regret. Again.

"A-Am I ok? WHAT HAPPENED!?" He's panicking, they need to think of something. And fast. "I should be dead, why am I not dead?"

"We want to help you TeruTeru, we're sorry how everything went down. We'll explain everything".

Before another word could be said, Mikan's pod opened on it's own. It was set to open moments after TeruTeru's pod opened so Hajime and Nagito could have some one on one time with him. Now it's her turn, or so they thought.

Mikan sat up quickly, Hajime knew right away that something wasn't right. Nagito caught on as well, TeruTeru wasn't yelling anymore but he was still panicking. "What's up with her?"

"Is she okay?"

"No, she's not".

Mikan turned towards the guys once she heard their voices, her eyes reminded Hajime of the time Nagito went crazy during the first trial, as if Hope and Despair had been crudely mixed together. Definitely not a good sign. As if that wasn't enough, she started to drool and laugh to herself.

"Seriously, what's up with her!?"

"S-She's gone". That's all that came out of her, until she got up and out of the pod. Keeping eye contact with the others the whole time. "You took her away, my beloved".

"Mikan, please listen to what we have to say. Please". He had to say something. pleading with her seemed like the only option he had. For now.

Instead of saying anything else, Mikan grabbed a syringe full of a liquid od some sort, most likely a drug that'll make you feel Despair. It turns out she had that on her person the whole time, among many others.

She screamed as she pounced towards TeruTeru, trying to inject him with the drug. But there was something keeping the syringe form TeruTeru.

"Haha… that stings".

"NAGITO!" Hajime couldn't help but be worried. Mikan's syringe penetrated Nagito's shoulder, he put himself in between the needle and TeruTeru. On purpose.

Before she could do anything else, Hajime quickly grabbed her arms and squeezed them enough to make her let go of the syringe. Nagito grabbed the needle and pulled it out of his shoulder, worried about what it'll do to him. Hajime waited for Mikan to speak.

"I…I…" Mikan started to cry, they waited for her to continue. If she were going to explain herself, this would be the right time. "What have I done?"

"She's crazy…" TeruTeru couldn't help but say it. no one else was going to say it, probably because they knew about her malice, but he didn't. "I don't get it; I don't remember her being like that!"

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry". The crazy look in her eyes disappeared completely.

"What was in that syringe, Mikan?"

"I… don't remember… it could've been anything". She seemed very apologetic after what transpired. It's like she snapped out of her trance when she realized what she did. Something hajime had to keep in mind.

"It's okay… I don't feel anything". A confident remark coming from a guy who hardly reacts to anything bad.

"Are you sure?"

"For now, at least. I don't think it's something to worry about".

"Come on, let's head for the marina. Everybody should be back by now". Nagito agreed right away, TeruTeru was hesitant at first but he slowly agreed as well. Mikan felt guilty so she also agreed.

"B-By everybody… you m-mean".

Kazuichi, Sonia, Akane, Fuyuhiko, Mahiru and Peko". Nagito answered.

"MAHIRU… PEKO! They're alive!? It seems she didn't realize she tried to attack TeruTeru, someone she ALSO saw die. Hajime had to point at him, so she noticed.

"You do realise TeruTeru's alive too, right?"

"Ah… I'm sorry".