Makoto stepped out of the bathroom, glad he could make it before the nighttime announcement. It went off right when he was done.
He frowned as he looked at his room. Even with the changed bed, the cleaned room, he felt like he could still smell blood in there. It was a smell burned into his mind, haunting him whenever he closed his eyes.
Still, he laid down his bed and tried to think of other things. When he did, his mind drifted to the time he'd spent with Mukuro, swimming and talking.
He wondered if they could make it out, together. It still sounded bad outside. They'd have to stop Junko if the Tragedy would ever end.
He wondered if there was hope for her as well. He'd described her as a disease, but if Mukuro could be convinced, could she?
Probably not, he thought, as he began drifting off. But for Mukuro's sake, I hope it doesn't come to that.
He fell asleep, thinking of a dark-haired soldier with a pretty, soft laugh.
The next morning, Byakuya and Celeste did not join the others in the dining hall. It was less than surprising considering their reaction to Taka, Mondo, and Chihiro's interactions the night before.
Asahina and Sakura were sitting together, Aoi practically falling asleep with her head resting against the table.
"You okay?" Makoto asked as he sat down with his own breakfast.
"I was swimming until the nighttime announcement," she yawned. "Forgot to eat even. Now I'm exhausted and starving." She popped a donut in her mouth. "Sho good."
"You would do well to make sure you take care of yourself in the future," Sakura said, sternly. "I do not wish to see you go hungry."
"Ooookay."
Makoto smiled. It was like the memory wipe hadn't done a thing to damage their relationship. They had always been closer than anyone else in the class.
He saw Kiyotaka, Mondo, and Chihiro talking at another table. The word bro could be heard every few words, and they seemed... Really happy. He smiled. This was an improvement. A step in the right direction.
He sat down across from Kiyoko, who was sipping some coffee and looking at her notepad. "Ah, good morning Makoto."
"Hey," he replied. "Whatcha got there?"
"Something I came across. Are you busy after this?"
He tilted his head. "No, why?"
"The less said about it, the better," Kyoko replied, eying the cameras.
"O-oh. Sure."
Makoto kept looking towards the door to the dining hall. He was hoping that Mukuro could possibly join them in whatever it was.
She never came though. As the two finished their meals, Kyoko wasted no time in leading Makoto out of the dining hall towards the second floor.
In her room, Mukuro was watching the time tick by as she sat on her bed. She didn't want to face her classmates while they were all eating breakfast. Not when Junko had just tried to tempt her into killing all of them. She didn't know why, but she knew if she was in there, she would think about just how... easy it was.
Barring Sakura, none of her classmates posed a threat to her. Even Mondo, how his strength, was sloppy and unrefined.
She looked down at her hands. It would have been so easy yesterday. So easy to just snap his neck. Or hold his head into the pool.
But then she thought of Makoto's face. How hurt he had been when he saw Sayaka had killed Leon. The horror on his face at Sayaka's murder.
Further still, some of her classmates were letting her in, too. Asahina and Kirigiri were at least being friendly with her. It didn't feel right imagining their necks in her hands.
When she was working in Fenrir, there were people she couldn't kill. Superiors, comrades... it was just professional courtesy. But she had a different feeling of being unable to kill now. It was foreign to her, and she didn't know if this was good or not.
Was she getting weak?
Who was she, if she was weak?
She didn't feel weak. Do weak people feel weak?
She propped her chin up on her wrists, contemplating her next course of action. As she did though, her stomach rumbled.
"Might as well get something to eat."
As she stood up, a school announcement chimed.
"Hem hem!" Monokuma said, on the screen, "As a reminder, only 24 hours remain until I reveal alllllll your dirty little secrets! Do your best, students!"
Mukuro scowled. She had to stay on her guard, too. While Taka, Mondo, and Chihiro seemed contented with their secrets, that still left a few students unaccounted for.
She left for the dining hall, passing Chihiro, Taka, and Mondo on the way. Seeing her, Chihiro asked her, excitedly, "Oh, Mukuro! Come here, I want to show you all something cool I found."
Mukuro blinked, confused. Was this an ambush? Were the three of them hoping they could overpower her? She didn't sense any will intent from them, and neither of them looked nervous like they were about to engage in something dubious. Cautiously, she nodded. "Sure. Lead the way." Even still, her mind whirred; there sixteen ways she could kill them all swiftly in the bathhouse.
Twenty-even if she took her time.
She snapped herself out of those thoughts and followed.
Makoto was a bit confused when Kyoko stopped abruptly in front of the second floor boy's bathroom. "What's up?"
"Get in," Kyoko said, abruptly.
"Wh-what?!" Makoto replied, surprised. "But I don't have to go right now."
Rolling her eyes, Kirigiri grabbed his hand and said, "I want you in there."
Makoto's face went red. "Wh-"
Before he could object, Kyoko practically dragged him into the boys room and let go of his hand.
"Sorry," she apologized, "I wanted to make Junko think this was something sexual to throw off suspicion. Truth be told, this is one of the few places without a camera in it, like the bathhouse."
"J-jeez," Makoto replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well it's just a bathroom, right? What's so special about this?"
Kyoko led him over to the stall at the end, and opened it. It looked like a fairly standard bathroom... until she pushed a tile on the wall, and a hidden compartment opened.
"Whoa!" He yelped. "How did we never know about this?"
"Well, I first assumed this was either a hidden compartment Junko used as a base for her planning," Kyoko speculated, "Or something my father set up as his own personal shelter or getaway from the students."
Makoto scanned the hidden room, finding multiple paper files and books along the bookshelf, "Have you looked through all these things?"
She nodded. "I have, yes. So far, I've only found records on the history of the school, other classes, and our own student profiles." She smirked. "I was able to confirm the history you and Mukuro told me. You were right about me being the Ultimate Detective?"
"Did you... not believe me?"
"I had a feeling you were right, but it's nice to have the confirmation," she replied. "Can't be too careful in these conditions."
"I guess you're right." He admitted.
"But beyond that, I was able to confirm the Tragedy of Hope's Peak, and the Tragedy itself, from my father's most recent records." She said. "From that, I was able to confirm this was a secret study my father set up."
"A place even Junko didn't know about," Makoto awed. He looked at the rather empty desk that was in the middle of the room. "I wish there was more in here that was able to help us. Like a spare key or something."
"Well, there may be one thing," Kyoko replied. She pointed to the ethernet port on the side of the wall. "If we can find something to hook up to that, perhaps we can reach someone on the outside... assuming there is something out there."
"There is," Makoto nodded. "It's not... great out there, and while some countries are more devastated by way, civilization didn't collapse altogether or anything like that. I don't know how well it'd work, but it might be worth a shot. We should see if Chihiro has anything."
"My thoughts exactly," she nodded, smirking. "I knew you'd come to that conclusion."
"Maybe we should check with Mukuro too, to make sure this isn't possibly a trap set up by Junko." He suggested.
Kyoko said nothing, her face reverting to stoicism. "Perhaps... but if she is the mole, that would play right into Junko's hands..."
He frowned. "I... I really don't think she is."
"But can you know for sure?" She asked. "You need to be able to put your feelings aside and ask yourself, logically and with certainty, can you be absolutely sure she is no longer working with Junko?"
Makoto looked to his feet. "How can someone know something like that with 100% certainty? The problem there is... I can say that about anyone. Even Chihiro."
Her eyes widened. "I suppose that's true. Still. I would ask for you to keep this secret. Even Chihiro is a risk, but we have to take it as he's the only one who could help us in this scenario."
He shifted uneasily. "O... okay. I'll keep it a secret for now."
"Whoa... what am I looking at, bro?" Mondo asked.
Mukuro had to admit. She was confused too. Chihiro had hidden a laptop in one of the lockers in the bathhouse. In it, there was a pixelated version of Chihiro's face on the screen, smiling back at the four of them.
"Well... this is a strong Artificial Intelligence I created." Chihiro explained, embarrassed. "Go on, tell them!" He said to the screen.
The version of Chihiro on the screen spoke. "Hi! I'm Alter Ego. Chihiro created me to be a learning artificial intelligence. I hope we get along."
"When did you have time to do something like this?" Mukuro asked.
"Well, I would throw myself into the work after dinner," Chihiro asked, rubbing the back of his neck. "It helped me deal with everything. And I finally made the breakthrough I needed!"
"This is revolutionary!" Taka exclaimed. "This is amazing, bro! Once we get out, this will change the world!"
Mukuro couldn't really think of an objection. Junko hadn't even created anything like this, and she had ripped off many of Chihirio's programs for the Tragedy. She wasn't good at creating these things from scratch, but she could easily understand someone else's work and copy it.
It made her nervous; if Junko found out about this, it could be catastrophic.
"Make sure you leave this in here," Mukuro advised. "I wouldn't want to risk the Mastermind finding out."
"Oh, me either!" Chihiro advised, happily. "That would be awful! This is work I hope to benefit mankind and help rebuild the Tragedy! A strong AI like this is capable of doing many jobs autonomously!"
Mukuro gave a small smile. "That would be very helpful, certainly. Let's make sure we protect this."
The programmer nodded. "I wanted to show the others." His face fell. "Oh, but there might still be a mole, right? Should I not?"
Mukuro paused. "Well... I can't say for certain. I don't think the idea would have been brought up if it wasn't possible. But... I have no idea who it might be. I'm fairly certain it isn't Makoto or Kyoko... but even her I can't be absolutely sure of."
"If any fuckers tried messing with Alter Ego, I'd set 'em straight," Mondo growled. "No one messes with my bro's program."
"Would that possibly be called a bro-gram?" Taka suggested, in complete seriousness.
Chihiro groaned. "That joke is awful!"
Makoto and Kyoko began walking towards the stairs to the first floor, and passed Sakura and Asahina on their way to the pool. Aoi seemed completely refreshed after her breakfast, though both of them advised the smaller pair they hadn't seen Chihiro since he left the cafeteria. They figured the sooner they could ask the programmer, the better.
They were surprised to see Chihiro, Mondo, and Taka leaving the bathhouse, with Mukuro following behind them.
"Fujisaki," Kyoko called. "A word, if you please."
Chihiro waved the other three off, and went to talk to Makoto and Kyoko. Makoto and Mukuro made eye contact, smiling at each other. Mukuro realized she still hadn't eaten, and decided now was as good of a time as any to do so.
"Perfect timing!" Chihiro beamed. "I wanted to show you guys something... um... as long as neither of you guys are the mole." His face fell. "I guess if you were the mole you wouldn't just come out and tell me though."
"We can swear not to go spreading the information," Kyoko assured the programmer. "We have some sensitive information to discuss with you as well."
"Oh-oh." His eyes widened. "Okay. Well, come with me."
Chihiro led Makoto and Kyoko to the bathhouse, explaining and introducing Alter Ego to Makoto and Kyoko. Like Mondo, Mukuro, and Taka, they were sufficiently amazed at what the programmer had done in such a short amount of time.
"That's amazing!" Makoto beamed. "That will change the world with everything that happened after the Tragedy."
"That's what Mukuro was saying," Chihiro replied, happily. "I'm glad my work can be so beneficial."
"It might even be beneficial to us now..." Kyoko said, rubbing her chin. "We found something you might be able to help us with."
"Sure!" The programmer said, smiling. "I'm more than happy to be able to help my friends. You guys have all been so accepting!"
Kirigiri explained the hidden room she located on the second floor in the men's room. Chihiro's eyes lit up when the detective mentioned an ethernet port.
"I don't know how well I'd be able to contact the outside world... that would be dependent on if there is an internet connection in the school right now," Chihiro explained. "That would be a security risk for Junko. Even if she is using a local wireless network to control the Monokumas, as I can only assume she is, it would need to be a closed network intranet."
"Well," Makoto rubbed his chin, "If we're thinking about what we know, this is being broadcast across the whole world. Reaching the outside world isn't the problem. If someone is trying to come save us... they're already out there."
"Then maybe I can use something to get into Junko's intranet and hack what she's doing?" Chihiro suggested. "I'm not much for hacking, which is a little different, but maybe if I can get into her code I can shut down the Monokuma's, or even the door. But..."
"But?" Kyoko asked.
"There's a chance a new device being hooked onto the intranet will notify the mastermind," Chihiro said, hesitantly. "I can hook Alter Ego up to it, to run the code automatically, but... well, it's my only copy."
"If we're able to get you another device of some kind, or parts for a device, would you be able to install a copy of Alter Ego?" Makoto asked. "That way you wouldn't lose your work."
"Yes! I would love that!" Chihiro exclaimed. "It's been driving me insane not to be able to back up any of my progress."
"There has to be something we could use," Kyoko pondered. "We'll let you know what we find."
"Okay," Chihiro beamed. "I'll be here if you need me!"
Makoto and Kyoko left the bath house, and the detective turned to the boy abruptly. "I worry time may be of the essence. We may want to split up. I'll check the storage room and you check the archive for the library. Let's report back to the dining hall with our findings."
"Sure thing," he agreed.
He turned and took off for the second floor, excited. It was somewhat promising, that what they could be doing is something that could stop Junko. Up until now, he'd felt so powerless. But being able to help so many of his friends was restoring some of his hope, and he eagerly sprang up into the Library.
As he swung the door open, he saw Byakuya slouched against a chair, reading a book. The two made eye contact, but the heir quickly went back to reading, clearly with no interest in Makoto's presence. Hifumi was also rummaging through the library; upon closer inspection, he was inserting copies of his own work for distribution among the other books. Makoto figured he'd leave him alone too.
Makoto walked up and down the library and into the archive, but unfortunately, there was no sign of any sort of technological device anywhere.
Discouraged, he retreated back towards the dining hall.
He passed by the men's room on the second floor. He tried not to stare at it as he did, but he couldn't help but wonder what Junko knew of it, if at all. He wanted to ask Mukuro. I promised though...
Keeping secrets from the soldier was the last thing he wanted to do. Even when conflicted, she'd only been honest with him.
As if on cue, he passed Mukuro as she left the dining hall. "Hey," he said, smiling. "I missed you at breakfast."
He blushed after saying it. Why did I word it like that?
Her cheeks took a pink tinge too. "D-did you? S-sorry. Had a late start today." She brushed some hair away from her eyes. "Where have you been running around to today?"
"Kyoko and I were doing some investigating," he said. "Trying to figure if there were any nooks or crannies we overlooked."
"Any luck?" She asked.
Makoto cringed. He should have just made up some other excuse. He glanced at the camera, and Mukuro noticed him do so. "N-no."
Makoto's mind raced. Maybe there was a way to see if Mukuro knew anything about the hidden room without revealing it. Maybe then he wouldn't have to lie to anyone? "Are you up to anything right now?"
Mukuro looked flustered. "N-nothing at the moment. Why?"
"You want to just... walk around with me?" He asked. "Nothing much else to do."
"Sure," she smiled. "I'd be happy to."
"Okay," he grinned, "Sounds good. I just need to let Kyoko know something really quick, okay?"
"Or, sure, I'll um... wait right here?"
"Alright, be right back."
Makoto went bounding into the dining hall, where Kyoko was already waiting. Not too surprising since the storage room was was right next to the cafeteria. He wondered briefly if she had sent him to be out of the way, but he shook the thought from his head. "I didn't have any luck," he told her. "How about you?"
"I was able to find a few things." Kyoko replied. "I already gave them to Chihiro, so we just need to give him time to do his work."
Makoto gave a sigh of relief. "That's good. I couldn't find anything in the Archive than some dusty old files and police records."
"I had a feeling, but I just wanted to cover more ground, just in case." Kyoko replied. "Thank you for your help. Remember what we talked about earlier, okay?"
He knew that she was referring to the hidden room; no one other than the two of them or Chihiro could know about it. He nodded. "I know. I won't say anything."
Makoto turned to meet back up with Mukuro and began to have second thoughts...using exact wording and telling half-truths was the sort of thing Monokuma and Junko would be doing to plant seeds of distrust among the others. Maybe he'd just go ahead and keep it a secret, and spend what precious time he could with the others instead.
As he left the dining hall, he saw Mukuro waiting for him, her face perking up when he came into view. He couldn't help but notice that ever since the first trial and the time they spent together, she looked... happier. She was still rather shy and a little reserved, but before she had been separated from her sister, she always was holding back. He always figured she kept others at an arms length because of her experiences.
He just never would have guessed what those experiences actually entailed.
The two walked the length of the first floor and, naturally, decided to go upstairs and check on Aoi since she had been in the pool for quite a few hours at this point. Makoto passed Yasuhiro on the way out in the locker room, though no words were exchanged.
After making sure she was alright swimming the pool alone, the two walked the length of the second floor, pausing only at the staircase to the third. Mukuro stopped and stared up.
"Only two floors separates us from her." She said. "You know, I've sworn to stop her, but I haven't thought about what I'll do when I actually face her again."
"Well... it's complicated for sure." Makoto assured her. "It sounds like she was the only family you had for years, even if the relationship wasn't great."
She nodded. "Yes... our parents died when we were very young. It wasn't easy for us. We were homeless for sometime. I was always fending off someone or something."
"You've been protecting her for a long time," he said. "I'm sure this all feels unnatural."
"Yes... I feel like I'm turning into something else completely," Mukuro gave a small smile. "Not that the change can't be for the better, but everything these last few days has felt like... like my mind has split into two people."
"What do you mean?" Makoto asked.
"There's the... the old me, or the me I'm used to being." She explained. "The me that is always calculating the most direct or easiest way to counter an oncoming attack, or ways to kill everyone in the room. The me that was only happy when I could be useful to Junko, otherwise I was just a tool in a kit, ready to be used. The other..."
She paused, thinking over how to phrase it. "It's as if... the past few days I've been a me that never really existed. A me that could express my own thoughts and desires. Never before has anyone asked if I wanted to swim, or play games, or see movies. And I never thought about what I wanted to do for me. Maybe this is the whole... creating my new future thing you were talking about."
"I'm sure it is," Makoto assured her, smiling. "You can't just expect to deprogram your way of life in just a few days."
Mukuro turned to him, frowning. "I know... which is why I must tell you a secret."
"What's that?"
"Junko came to talk to me last night."
"Sh-she was in the dorm?!" Makoto asked, jumping back.
"N-not in person," Mukuro replied. "Just as Monokuma. She... she offered to let me back into her good graces, provided I did something for her."
"I have a feeling it wasn't something I'm going to like to hear," he replied, a sardonic smirk on his face.
"No," she sighed. "I would have to kill everyone in this school... except me or you."
Makoto's jaw dropped. "That's insane!"
"I said the same thing. But she knows how to get under your skin. She reminded me of all the other lives I've ended. Made it sound like... you know, what's ten more?" She shook her head. "And the whole time after, and this morning, all I could think of was... was worrying about slipping into the old me."
Makoto hesitantly reached over and grabbed her arm. "I won't let that happen."
Mukuro looked up into his eyes, and for the first time, Makoto saw a hint of fear in those pale blue orbs. "It's not that easy, Makoto. I don't..." She took a deep breath. "I don't want to hurt you. Or Aoi, or Kyoko, or Chihiro, or any of the others. But..."
"But?" He echoed.
"You don't understand," Mukuro sighed. "Once I know Junko wants something, the old me: Junko's Soldier has a hard time ignoring it. All day today, every time I saw someone, I couldn't help but think of all the ways to kill them."
His eyes widened. "That's... intense."
"You don't know the half of it. The whole time I was in the bathhouse, I was trying to ignore the various ways I could easily have killed Mondo, Taka, and Chihiro." She looked to her feet. "Even on this walk...I couldn't help but look at something and think, 'I could smash Makoto's head against that,' or, 'I could throw Mondo into the sauna and turn it up all the way.'"
He frowned. "But... would you want to?"
"No!" She blurted out, abruptly, taking both of them by surprise. "Makoto, you have to understand, I have never wanted to hurt you."
His smile returned. "Then... that's okay."
"It can't possibly be that easy."
"No, maybe not, but we have to make sure we focus on what you want," he replied. "You can't expect to just deprogram your battle instincts in a few days. Your Talent is to know how to..." He paused to choose his words, "Eliminate people as efficiently as possible. You've been trained by Junko to always be using that. She knows that and wants to take advantage of it. Like I said, I won't let you turn into anything you don't want to be." He grabbed her hands. "I promise. I'm glad you told me."
Mukuro's face flushed with color. "I'm glad too. I... to be honest Makoto, I feel like I can tell you anything."
A pang of guilt went up Makoto's chest.
He wanted to tell Mukuro. He wanted to tell her everything, too.
"Of course you can, Mukuro," he replied. "Don't give into her. We just have to find a way to get to her."
"Yes. You're right." She smiled at him. "You know, when she told me that, all I could think of was you being the first person to ask me what I want."
"I'm glad." Makoto said. He could only wonder what she wanted right now, as the two of them were holding hands and looking each other in the eyes...
A third voice interrupted them. "Oh my, have I wandered into a level ten intimacy cutscene?"
The voice surprised them both, making Makoto and Mukuro let go of each other's hands and jump backwards. Hifumi was there, adjusting his glasses and snickering. "By all means, I wouldn't want to interrupt any of your philandering."
"I-it's not like that!" Makoto replied, waving his hands and blushing furiously.
Mukuro just looked at her feet, face scarlet with embarrassment.
"Well, if it's nothing too serious, I was hoping, Mr. Naegi, you could help me with some inkwork! You said you've done it before, correct?" Hifumi asked. "If I trusted you before, I'm sure I can trust you again!"
Makoto laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "S-sure Hifumi. I'll be right there." He turned to the soldier. "You don't mind, do you? After all, we can pick this up again whenever?"
Mukuro just looked up, barely able to maintain eye contact. "Y-yeah, you're f-fine."
After the embarrassment she was feeling, she probably needed to sit by herself for a while. She watched them leave and chuckled. He's too nice for his own good.