A.N: Hello again, everyone! Here is the penultimate chapter to this Mukuro side story. It takes place during Chapter Sixteen of The Academy of Hope. I hope you'll like it!

Chapter Eight: My Sister of Despair

"A last bit of foundation here, and…" Junko let go of the small brush, looking into the mirror and observing her sister's reflection. "Done! You're almost not as ugly as usual, Muku!"

The soldier blushed, even if the layers of make-up on her cheeks made that unnoticeable to her sister. She looked at herself in the mirror, thinking, I… I feel different… I wouldn't say it's better, but I feel like another person. W-Well, that's kinda the point…

"Now, where did I put my wig…" the fashionista wondered as she headed towards her closet and combed through it before taking out a long and slightly curled strawberry blonde wig. "There, put this on, Muku."

She tossed the wig at her sister, who caught it expertly. "T-Thanks…" N-Now, how do I put this on, again…? The last time I did this was while Junko was her alternate and amnesiac self, and that seems like so long ago…

Time had flown by in the shelter quicker than Mukuro had ever thought it could. Today was December 31st, which meant that another year was about to be wrapped up. And with how eventful it had been, the soldier felt like it had been less than a day since the last New Year's Eve.

Indeed, in only a year, the world had fallen to despair. It had all begun with the Parade - caused by the Student Council Killing Game and the "reveal" that Hope's Peak Academy had been spending the Reserve Course's money like water on human experimentation. It wasn't entirely true… but it wasn't entirely false, either. Let's just say that Junko had exaggerated things a bit as to enrage the talentless Reserve Course students, which had kickstarted her plans.

After that, Junko had executed Chiaki Nanami, Class 77-B beloved Class Representative, effectively turning the Ultimate Gamer's former classmates to despair. The fashionista had truly outdone herself on that one, to the point that even the emotionless Izuru Kamakura - the Ultimate Ultimate - had cried afterward. Then, the sheltering plan came along, and it was a dream come true for the blonde. She now had the best opportunity she would ever get for her Killing Game plans to advance, and this was all thanks to the Headmaster's cluelessness.

The alumnus of Hope's Peak had formed a foundation to fight against Junko's despair, but even then… the twins knew for a fact that things were bound to go awry at some point: there was a mole among them. Well, if he knew, their leader would have said, "there's an imposter among us," but the thing was, no one knew, other than the two sisters. And it hadn't even been planned!

Luck was definitely on Junko's side, and the Ultimate Fashionista knew starting a brand new year with a Killing Game would be the final nail in the world's coffin. But it required preparation, and that's what they were doing right now.

Junko stood behind her sister, who was currently struggling with the bundle of blonde hair she'd been asked to put on. The fashionista sighed.

"You really are useless…" she said, removing her sister's hand from the fake hair. "Lemme do it."

"O-Okay…" I don't know how Junko deals with having so much hair all the time… I mean, it's a hindrance as it always gets in the way, and taking care of it seems like a pain… I'm satisfied with my good old short hair… it's more practical on the battlefield, and it doesn't take me hours to do every morning… Well, Junko's a fashionista, and contrary to me, she's pretty…

The blonde manipulated the wig like a pro, and a couple of seconds later, it was fixated on her sister's head and over her natural short black hair.

"You know you'll have to do this every morning without my help, right?" Junko reminded her as she took half of the fake hair and began tying it. "I know you're kind of a dumbass without me, but you should be able to do that properly… I swear, if you can't do it right during the game, I'll just have Monokuma execute you."

"N-No, I'll manage, don't worry…" Mukuro assured her, though a little shiver went down her spine at the thought. Who knew what kind of punishment her sister could come up with to make her suffer and find some despair. I won't entirely look like Junko… but I need to fool them enough that they can't tell us apart… Luckily, with two years of their memories gone, it might be easier…

The fashionista seemed to doubt her words but nodded nonetheless. She finished clipping the pigtails in her sister's wig before shaking her head, almost with disgust. "Ugh, you really are hopelessly ugly, Muku… I mean, it's better now that you look a bit more like me, but still… Hey, by the way… if anyone during the game asks you why you don't exactly look like I do, you tell them that's because the magazines use photoshop, got it? It will ruin my image, but there are sacrifices I have to make."

"O-Okay…" I need to remember that… It's true that I'm not a perfect copy of Junko, even like this… The soldier sighed. Why couldn't we have been exact twins…?

"Well, that'll be good enough, I guess…" she said, taking one last look at her disguised sister and decided she was looking enough like her. "I'll go change for the party. Do the same, okay?" Junko ordered, turning to the bathroom. "And I advise you to make yourself pretty for the luck boy!"

Mukuro nodded in understanding, removing the wig and getting undressed. She had picked some clothes from the warehouse that looked a bit less… unfriendly than her soldier attire, let's just say. It wasn't anything extravagant either, but maybe, just maybe, she would look a little better than she usually did this way.

Quite notably, she had made her choice herself and had not asked Junko for any assistance. She knew it was a risk because Mukuro didn't have any knowledge of fashion… but on the other hand, she didn't care enough to develop one. And as her sister had reminded her, the only person whose opinion on her appearance she cared for was Makoto's. If anything, Junko's insults were more of a routine than anything by now. They broke the monotony of her most recent depression, in a way.

Because yes, Mukuro had gone through a time of depression. As the date for the start of the Killing Game grew nearer, the soldier began to have doubts. Was it the right thing to do? What would Makoto think if he knew what she had done? And what about the near two years she had spent with the other students of Class 78th? She didn't want that to disappear, but she knew it would be a necessary evil if she went through with her sister's plans.

But as always, Junko had convinced her. Reminded her that if her plans worked correctly, then she'd be really proud of her big sister. That she'd get a chance to date Makoto and get him out of that demon's grip. This decided it for Mukuro. Nothing was worth her sister's trust and pride, and the soldier would do whatever she needed to so she'd gain that.

No need to think about it more… These weren't funny days, but it's behind me now… Come on, Mukuro, get dressed… She thought, sighing once again as she took hold of the black skirt she had chosen. Once this was on, she continued with a light grey blouse she had found pretty, and after that, the soldier allowed herself to look in the mirror.

She still had the make-up Junko had used so she'd look more like her… but Mukuro didn't find it so bad, actually! The Ultimate Soldier didn't think she had once looked as good as she did right now during the whole year! Her new clothes fit her perfectly, and the colors went well together. Besides, the foundation and eye-liner Junko had used were a little too over-the-top for her but not bad-looking in any way.

If only Makoto could think that… but Kyoko looks far better than I do, so he probably won't even care… And even if he did, it doesn't change anything…

In the past few months, Mukuro had learned to accept that she wouldn't see the Luckster and his Ultimate Detective girlfriend break up any time soon. On the contrary, they were growing closer and closer every day. But, as Junko had told her, she bid her time and waited for the moment she'd get another shot. When that moment came, Mukuro knew she'd have a better chance at having Makoto like her than before. But for now, the soldier endured it, even if seeing her crush and his girlfriend kiss from time to time made her feel a despair Junko would be jealous of.

Mukuro went back to the bed and put on her shoes, a pair of more gracious sneakers than what she usually wore, though not boots. She actually didn't like boots much because of the lack of balance they came with. Although, Mukuro was perfectly aware her Junko impersonation required her to wear some.

Now completely dressed, Mukuro waited for her sister to come out of the bathroom. She knew it would take much more time for the Ultimate Fashionista to prepare, simply because she was the Ultimate Fashionista. Perhaps this was a cover for her true talents as a genius analyst and despair-addict, but Junko prided herself on her beauty and did her best to look as attractive as she could - and both girls knew the boys couldn't resist her.

Even if the only boy Junko truly loved paid the ultimate price for it… Mukuro didn't care much for Yasuke Matsuda, even when he and her sister had been dating, but she knew his death had brought Junko a lot of despair. Loving Junko… I know it's dangerous, but I wouldn't be here if not for Junko… so I need to keep going for her because she's my sister, and I love her…

When the door opened; and Junko stepped out, Mukuro gaped in surprise. Her twin stood before her, dressed in a long red and sleeveless dress, which made her look regal, majestic. While the soldier had chosen to remain humble with her clothing, this was clearly not her sister's case. Mukuro had to admit she was pretty jealous of Junko's prettiness right now. She looked at her with impressed eyes.

"Haha, you peasant wasn't ready for us to be so good-looking, were you?" the blonde rhetorically asked, looking down on her sister. "No, but seriously, me being hot is as natural as the world being in despair now."

She's not wrong… Mukuro thought, smiling warmly at her sister. It's no surprise she is the Ultimate Fashionista… I wonder how easier things would have been for me if I had been as pretty as she is…? Guess I'll never know… These were thoughts she didn't like to entertain for too long.

"And right now… Hm, how do I put this…" Junko seemed genuinely hesitant as she looked for her words. It made the soldier curious. "Well, you don't look so bad, Muku! That skirt is perfect for you! And wearing simple shoes was definitely the right choice! Expensive-looking clothes wouldn't fit you, anyway. Good job, Muku!"

Mukuro's eyes widened in shock as she processed the blonde's compliments. She waited for the punchline to come… but it never did. Instead, she noticed Junko's smile… a smile as genuine as she had ever seen coming from her sister. She didn't know the why. She didn't know the how. But she didn't truly care.

At this moment, a rare tear formed under each of her grey eyes, making them shine with happiness as she leaped in her sister's arms without even thinking about it.

"T-Thank you, J-Junko!" she exclaimed, hugging her twin closely, making her wince. She sobbed against Junko's shoulder and felt a hand stroke her back in a comforting gesture. "T-Thank you so much, s-sis…" I'm so glad you're here for me…

"Don't get used to it." the fashionista replied flatly, but she didn't pull away. Her next words sounded more hesitant, though well-thought. "A-Anyway, we should go. Being late to the party would be suspicious. And we don't wanna be suspicious, especially now."

"A-Alright…" Mukuro said, reluctantly pulling away from her sister's rare tender embrace. "R-Right behind you, Junko." I don't deserve her… I really don't… She thought with an overjoyed smile.

"Then let's go." Junko snickered as she opened the door, saying, "I hope they enjoy this party… because it may very well be their last, puhuhuhu…"

Mukuro didn't even want to know what her sister was currently doing in the bathroom that justified such loud noises of pleasure. Well, "didn't want to imagine it" would be a better way to put it because she exactly knew what Junko was doing. After all, the Headmaster had given each of the girls in the class a "package" of sorts. It was meant for those who wanted to spend the last night of the year with someone, so it wasn't really Mukuro's case. The Ultimate Fashionista had apparently decided to make the best of it, although alone.

The party had gone well, all things considered, even if interacting with the Ultimate Detective was something Mukuro knew she would never get used to - nor did she want to. If anything, she was looking forward to kidnapping her for the Killing Game tomorrow to get this over with. The soldier was as physically ready as ever, so she knew she was prepared for everything Kyoko would throw at her. And, in a way, Mukuro was looking forward to it. Battling against someone as well-versed in martial arts as Kyoko promised to be interesting, even if she would have to stay focused. If she didn't, her enemy wouldn't hesitate to strike, and this wasn't something Mukuro could let her do.

It would mean betraying Junko's trust, and she couldn't do that.

Sakura will be something else, though… I'll need Junko's help to get her because she's a tad too strong for me to fight without a weapon… The girl admitted, knowing the Ultimate Martial Artist was not aiming to become the World's Strongest Human for nothing. And at least… it'll settle the score between Kyoko and me, once and for all.

Mukuro's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening and her sister coming out of the bathroom ready to tap out. It made the soldier giggle a bit, though she kept it silent.

"Geez, despair will never be outmatched, but that thingie is not so bad either!" Junko proclaimed, holding out said 'thingie' in the air, pretty proudly. "The despair I'll feel tomorrow when they'll all be encaged, unable to defend themselves… to think that it'll be even better than that… I can already feel it!"

"Y-Yeah… I-I'll do my best to help you, Junko." Mukuro assured her, looking at her sister from under her blankets and seeing her smile maniacally.

"Is it a promise, Muku?" the blonde asked her with her cutest expression.

"I swear, Junko."

"Even if Makoto asks you not to go through with it?"

"I promise, Junko. I've… done too much to stop now, anyway."

The Mastermind nodded in understanding before going to her own bed, her expression unreadable. Mukuro couldn't even begin to guess what her sister was currently thinking. It probably was related to despair or the Killing Game, but she didn't know more than that.

"Well, I need to catch some sleep if I wanna be well-rested when we pay a friendly visit to our dear Headmaster for his ride to space. Good night, Muku!" Junko said as she lay down on her bed. Her voice was the same as usual, but there was something slightly off about her.

Mukuro dismissed it, thinking her high just a few moments before was the cause.

The soldier replied, smiling, with a kind, "Yes, you too, Junko. Tomorrow… you'll show the world just in how much despair you'll be plunging it. And I'll be by your side, forever." Forever.

There was a moment of silence. At first, Mukuro thought her twin had already fallen asleep. However… the Ultimate Fashionista's next words left a bad taste in her mouth, a sort of bad omen.

"The world I'll be plunging to despair, Muku… will be mine."

And with these mysterious words, she turned off the light, leaving a confused Mukuro to drift off to sleep herself before a crucial day when the fate of the world would be decided in a clash of hope and despair.

To be continued…

A.N: This chapter has two possible interpretations, or at least, there are two intended interpretations. That's actually why this chapter might seem a bit "weird" at times, and why neither Junko nor Mukuro are really in-character. It doesn't change anything to the story I'm telling, but you might have a different interpretation of what happened depending on how you consider Junko and Mukuro's canon relationship. I won't say more because giving my own opinion might sway some people. This chapter was difficult for me to write - in the sense that Junko is a really complex character. If there are some fellow writers who have already written her in their stories, you know what I'm talking about. I hope it was a satisfying second to last chapter, anyway. The last chapter should be a bit longer than this one, and it'll be different from all the others!

Until then, please leave a review to tell me what you thought, and I hope you all have a good day! :)