A.N: Hello again, everyone! Here's a new chapter of this story, taking place during the previous chapter. Another change of POVs in this one! I hope you enjoy it :)
Chapter Twenty-Six: Opposite Sides, Same Methods
"Director Kirigiri. What, pray tell, brings you here?"
Kyoko entered the room and noticed Munakata and Tengan discussing something. Kizakura was there too, although he was on the phone a few feet away.
"Good morning," the Former Ultimate Detective greeted. "I have come regarding an incident that has happened yesterday during the joint mission. I indicated it in my report, so I suppose you're familiar with it, Chairman Tengan."
The old man tapped his chin in thought. "Yes, I believe I remember that; you're right. What is it that you wanted to report, Director?"
"Well…" two agents entered the room, dragging her attacker from the day prior. "This individual tried to assassinate me yesterday. If it had not been for Special Agent Naegi's quick reaction, they would have succeeded," Kyoko explained factually, pointing at her attacker. "Following the instructions you have given me should such an incident occur, I have brought them here."
"You did well, Director Kirigiri," Munakata assured her, walking over to her and her attacker. "I don't believe there are any doubts to be had, are there?"
"None whatsoever." There were only the three of us counting Makoto, so there can be no doubts. "Special Agent Naegi could testify, should it be needed."
Munakata dismissed her words with a wave of the hand. "This won't be necessary," he pulled out a tablet from inside his suit and tapped on it a couple of times. A second later, three agents entered the room. "Bring this individual to be executed right away."
Kyoko's eyes widened in surprise. E-Executed…? The question she was asking herself threatened to leave her mouth, but she managed to keep it to herself. Without even a trial…? What kind of kangaroo court is this…? It's fortunate I know for a fact that they're guilty, or…
While Munakata's three subordinates saluted and dragged them away, the young woman heard Tengan slowly walk over to her.
"I understand your surprise, Director Kirigiri, but an attack against a Division Director can only be punished by death, I'm afraid," the old man said, sighing. "Of course, I wish it was different, but Vice-Chairman Munakata made a good point when he suggested this to me."
"What do you mean, Chairman?" Kyoko asked. If we stoop as low as using Junko's methods… "I don't quite follow."
"By executing those who try to kill our Branch Leaders, we ensure that these attacks are limited in number, you see?" Kazuo told her, beginning to head out of the room. "If you could follow me, I'll explain more on the way."
Kyoko narrowed her eyes suspiciously but nonetheless nodded and followed after the Chairman with her two agents. Kizakura - who was still on the phone - did the same, leaving Munakata alone inside the room.
"So what is it that you meant, Chairman Tengan?" she questioned, not entirely satisfied with the reason he had provided her. "I understand that you want for fear to change side, but if I was attacked, doesn't that mean that it's not working?"
"Well… No decision is perfect, Ms. Kirigiri. But fear not: the laws established by the Future Foundation have allowed reducing the crime rate and the number of attacks on both agents and civilians, although there's still much to be done," Tengan explained, walking ahead in the hallways. They could still vaguely hear Kizakura's voice behind them. "We take what we can get, Director."
The lavender-haired woman nodded. She understood his point, but that didn't mean she agreed. Perhaps it was Makoto rubbing off on her, but Kyoko didn't think that you could eradicate violence with violence. Though she was not a fool either. It was better for the Future Foundation to have the monopoly over violence rather than letting the despair worshippers do whatever they wanted.
"Well, here we are," Tengan said, opening a door and showing Kyoko inside. "This is the main execution room, where those who have committed severe crimes are sent. These cover murder and murder attempts on specific individuals, terrorism, or even treason, although we never had to execute anyone for that reason yet."
The room was definitely on the plain side. It was split into two, with one side occupied by agents and guards with a guillotine, traces of blood still visible. The other, where Tengan, Kyoko, and Kizakura were standing, looked more like a supervision room.
"I understand that, sir, but why exactly did you bring me here?" she wondered, not hiding her doubts. "If you want me to witness an execution, I apologize, but I have seen enough to last a lifetime."
The old man sighed. Meanwhile, her attacker was brought inside the room.
"I had a feeling you would say this… I only brought you here so you'd realize that our organization is not as cruel as Junko Enoshima was during her Killing School Life," he explained, seeing the agents prepare the attacker, locking their head under the sharp blade. Seeing Kyoko narrow her eyes, he understood she was not convinced. "You don't have to watch if you don't want to, of course. It was just to dissipate your doubts, Director Kirigiri."
Hm… This only makes me realize that you and Munakata have a right of life or death over anyone who would go against your orders… The young woman thought, though this was obviously something she didn't voice. "Then I'll be leaving if you do not mind. I did what I came here to do, so I'll be taking my leave now, except if there's anything more you needed to tell me."
She bowed her head respectfully in front of the old man before leaving the room.
I don't doubt that they lead a just fight, but my detective senses just can't accept that someone's just been sentenced to death without a fair trial…
The Former Ultimate Detective walked down the halls, trying to be back to Division Fourteen Headquarters as early as possible. She would have liked to be there before lunchtime so she could eat with her Special Agents, but that idea was quickly shot down by someone calling her out from behind.
"Kyoko! W-Wait up!"
The young purple-eyed woman sighed before turning around and noticing a running Koichi Kizakura heading her way, hanging up his phone.
That was a long phone call he was in… Kyoko thought, deciding to wait for the scout. Whatever it was about, it must have been something important. "Kizakura," she simply said when he reached her, panting. "What is it?"
"G-Geez, I'm too old for running like that…" the blonde stated, taking out his customary bottle of alcohol. "H-Hey there, Kyoko! Sorry if it felt like I was stalking you, but I needed to talk to you after this phone call, and I didn't want to lose track of you in this maze."
"Well, here I am," the Former Ultimate told him, resuming her walk. "What did you want to tell me? It better be important."
"So cold…" Kizakura sweatdropped. "I just wanted to catch up a bit with my best friend! No one gave me your number, so I couldn't even text you!"
Kyoko wasn't sure if she wanted to murder him or pity him right now. Odds were, she really was his best friend, though the reverse was hardly true. At best, Kizakura was an unlikely friend. At worst, he was an idiotic bother.
"I'm not sure this qualifies as important, Kizakura," said Kyoko, matter-of-factly.
"Oh, c'mon, it'll be fun! I'm sure you've got all types of adventures to tell me about!" the older Division Director insisted, taking a sip of his bottle. "We can have lunch at the cafeteria if you want. Your old man never passed an opportunity to have lunch with his buddy."
Oh, he was friends with my father, wasn't he…? That had slipped my mind for some reason. Kyoko sighed. I guess my work is taking too much of my thoughts. "I know stubborn people enough to know that you won't take no as an answer, so I might as well accept now."
"Hehe, I knew that would work!" the blonde laughed. Kyoko rolled her eyes.
"You're an idiot, Kizakura. Well, show the way now," she told him, trying to hide her frustration. "Honestly, the quicker I'm done with you, the quicker I can get back to my Division."
"Hey, your agents aren't toddlers; they can manage without their boss for a few hours, can't they?" Koichi rhetorically asked her, almost scolding her. "You really need to take a moment off from time to time, or you'll just burn out from working too much."
"Advice on how to organize my working schedule is rich coming from you, Kizakura," Kyoko deadpanned, traces of a smirk appearing on her lips. "But point taken." If only so you don't bother me endlessly…
The two Division Directors walked side by side, the Former Ultimate Detective following her father's friend in the halls towards the cafeteria. This was only her second time coming to Central Headquarters, her first as Division Fourteen's Director.
"Hey, if you have nothing to say, you shouldn't have told me you wanted to catch up," she said, giving the man a disapproving look.
He laughed again. "I wanted to know how you were doing, missy! C'mon, you know me: I work quietly, and I drink alcohol. That's not gonna change any time soon!"
I think you meant "I slack quietly," but alright… Kyoko thought amusingly. "Well, there isn't much to be said, I'm afraid."
"Really? By the way, what brought you here today?" he asked, looking genuinely curious. "We don't see you around usually. I saw you with a couple of agents and a shady-looking person, but I didn't hear why you'd come."
"Ah, about that…" Kyoko sighed. "I was attacked during the joint mission yesterday. I just followed the rules and brought my attacker here. I did not expect Munakata to send them to the guillotine with a trial, however."
"You've been attacked?" the Former Hope's Peak Talent Scout seemed surprised and somewhat worried. "You alright, Kyoko?"
"I'm alive and well if that's what you want to know."
Kizakura sweatdropped. "Thanks for telling me; I would never have figured otherwise."
"You're an idiot, so I preferred to make sure," she said, smirking mockingly. "Anyway, Makoto saved me just in the nick of time, so there's no need to worry."
"Makoto, huh?" suddenly, Kizakura's smile turned into a teasing grin. "I guess that made you extra happy, didn't it?"
"Cut it, Kizakura. I know where this is going, and I'm telling you again that you've got the wrong idea about Makoto and me."
Her words were clearly spoken and assertive. However, they didn't seem to convince the blonde man for some reason that Kyoko couldn't begin to understand.
"Yeah, sure."
I'll never understand why he's always so sure he's right… especially when he's not! Between him and Hina, this is getting old…
"Well, whatever. You'll figure it out eventually; I'm sure," Koichi said, moving on. "Nothing else? That can't be the only thing that's happened in your Division in a month, right?"
"Well…" I suppose he's not wrong on that one… The young woman mused, adopting a thinking stance as she walked. "Makoto got even unluckier than me. He was attacked twice during his first two missions, and I'm afraid his very first mission will leave him with trauma for a long time."
"Oh. What happened to the little guy?" Kizakura asked, visibly concerned. "For an Ultimate Lucky Student, he sure is unlucky. Well, here we are."
Kyoko looked up and noticed a sign reading "cafeteria" above a door. She nodded and followed after her father's friend inside, where she quickly understood that the place was already crowded. The Former Ultimate Detective didn't like big crowds much, but she would have to do herself violence.
Besides, the entire world had seen her on television, so it's not like she could keep who she was a secret. At least, she had managed to keep the Kirigiri line of detectives hidden since she'd mentioned it only to Makoto, somewhere where Junko had not placed cameras.
"Well, I don't even know if I would say that Makoto's lucky or unlucky. On the one hand, he seems to be a magnet for trouble, but on the other…" she thought her words through, trying to get them right. "It always ends relatively well, and he gives hope back to people. In a way, he's unlucky, but people are lucky to have him around, making him lucky in turn."
"That seems awfully complicated for an idiot like me…" Kizakura joked, staring playfully at Kyoko. "No, but more seriously, as long as he doesn't get hurt, I think he'll be fine. You went through a Killing Game, and you're still here, after all."
He's right on that front. We've gone through a living nightmare, and he almost died on that conveyor belt back after Mukuro's trial… The thought sent shivers of guilt down her spine. But that doesn't mean I can let anything happen to him now. That would be making our victory against Junko useless…
"Though now I'm curious, I can't lie. What exactly happened to the guy?"
"Hm…" Should I tell him? I'm not sure Makoto wants this story to spread, although I do trust Kizakura… She sighed. Sorry if this wasn't what you wished for, Makoto, but I'd like his take on this… "The story with the zombie aside," Kizakura's eyes widened as she said that. "He witnessed someone who had fallen to despair trying to kill their younger sister. After stabbing her and putting her in a coma, they went after Makoto. If it had not been for Byakuya's quick trigger, Makoto would be dead as we speak."
The scout seemed to ponder her story for a few seconds.
"I've heard that the young woman who was stabbed was to be discharged from the hospital soon. I have no doubt that Makoto will want to pay her a visit before then," she added. "If he hasn't done so already, that is."
"I… Man, that left me kinda stumped…" the fedora-wearing man admitted as they got into line. "I'm not sure something like this ever happened to anyone from my Division. We might not be on the field as much, but still…"
"Well, things are what they are. Makoto is one of my Special Agents, so keeping him safe is one of my top priorities, both physically and mentally," Kyoko explained, taking a tray. "But he insists that he wants to be on as many missions as possible. He feels like he's only useful when he's close to people."
"Makes sense, if you want my opinion," the man said with a shrug. "You wouldn't have given him the title you gave him if he'd stayed inside his room at Hope's Peak, doing nothing."
"Yes, I suppose that's true. I understand Makoto, though, and I have to take his feelings into account when I make decisions regarding his working schedule. Although… everyone in the Division says that his enthusiasm helps them work, so I'm grateful."
Subconsciously, a small smile appeared on Kyoko's lips. She didn't even notice Kizakura looking at her funnily, a teasing and happy smirk plastered on his face as they grabbed their food.
They went to have a seat at a table where they could be left in peace, both with their tray. Kyoko always ate healthily and was surprised to see Kizakura seemed to be the same. She figured out that his unhealthy habits stopped when the bottle was inside his pocket.
"Well, bon appetit, Director Kirigiri," he said as he dug in his food, going at a slow and civilized pace.
I'll never know if he acts like an idiot just because he's one or wants people to think that he's one… Kyoko wondered, nodding and beginning to eat as well. Suddenly, a cellphone beeped. Hm? Maybe I have a text.
She took her phone out of her pocket and looked at the screen, only to realize that there was nothing new. At the same time, Koichi finished taking a sip of his bottle and took out his own cellphone.
"Geez, they won't leave me alone!" he complained, typing on the little device.
"Who is 'they?'" Kyoko asked, seeing him as focused as he was when he was on the phone earlier.
"My agents, actually," he answered, putting the phone back on the table. "Someone called them earlier because they wanted to join the Future Foundation. They were pretty insistent, too."
"Ah, I see."
Kyoko returned to her food, satisfied with the answer. It made sense, after all; he was a scout in charge of recruitment for the entire organization. After a while, though, she noticed him looking at her.
"Aren't you going to ask me for more info?"
"Why would I? For once, you've answered a question clearly and in full." What is he up to again…? "What do you want me to ask?"
"Well, I just thought your detective senses would push you to be a little more curious, that's all."
"Alright, I'll bite," Kyoko said, understanding that he wanted her to ask. "Could you tell me more about that since it appears to be so important?"
"Glad you asked!" he chuckled, making the young woman sweatdrop. "The thing is, I've already met the person who wants to join."
"Oh, you have?" Why the hell would I care about that…? Kyoko wondered, seriously starting to feel like the former talent scout was wasting her time. "And what do I make of that piece of information, hm?"
"Hey, you didn't let me finish!"
"Apologies, then. Go ahead."
"Well, this person has a title, which is what I think you'll find the most interesting. I never thought I'd see it come up now, though."
"A title, huh…?" Now, this does sound interesting… "You've caught my interest, Kizakura."
"Haha, have I, now? Well, enough suspense. Their title is…"
He paused one last time for good measure and waited until Kyoko glared at him and tapped her foot impatiently on the floor to continue.
"The Ultimate Copywriter."
To be continued…
A.N: Regarding the "riddle" from Chapter Twenty-Five, we have a winner! Numquam Nusquam has found the answer (to my surprise, haha), so I'm afraid the prize is not up for grabs anymore. Moving on, I hope you liked this chapter! We like those cliffhangers, don't we? :p Anyway, please leave a review, and I hope you have a nice day! :)