A/N: Here's Chapter Eleven of "The Naegis' Secret Diary!", covering up to Episode Nine of Future Arc. Please read, review, and enjoy!

The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: The Naegis' Secret Diary!

Chapter Eleven: You Are My Reason To Die!

"…Hey, Mom?"

"Hm?" Kyoko asked as they sat on the swings in the backyard. "What is it, Kiki?"

"…Do you ever miss Uncle Koichi?"

"Ah, so you got to that part in the diary, then, am I wrong?" Kyoko smiled wistfully as she openly admitted "Yes, I do. He drank too much and he got on my nerves as a teenager more times than I care to admit, so I'm not sure I would have considered him a good role model for you and your siblings. That being said…"

Kyoko closed her eyes, reliving the memories of the deceased talent scout before she finally continued speaking with a hint of sorrow bleeding into her voice.

"He made sure to keep all of his promises, and as your Grandpa Jin's best friend, he was family to me, something that I was in short supply of, especially after the Tragedy. It was…very painful when he sacrificed himself for me. At that point, the only remaining family left alive was your great-grandfather Fuhito."

"…What…happened to him, anyway?" Kiki asked curiously.

"…He died of old age when I was pregnant with you." Kyoko smiled grimly as she admitted "Your father and I had our…issues with him, so we weren't on speaking terms with him after we got married, but…in the end, he loved us both. He willed this house to us before he died."

"So it's thanks to Great-Grandfather that we're living here?"

Kyoko nodded, confirming "Yes, and I'm grateful he did…though if I could trade this house to have my deceased family back, I would. No house is worth the cost of your family."

Mom…

"Well, enough about that!" Kyoko came to a halt and leapt off the swing before she suggested "Why don't you and I go have breakfast? I'm sure your father and the others must be hungry by now."

"Yum!" Kiki exclaimed as she leapt off her swing and followed Kyoko in the house. "Think Maki and Haruki will join us?"

"Maybe." Kyoko giggled as they entered the mansion.

"Welcome back, Kiki!" Tsumugi greeted as Kiki opened the door to her room.

"Tsumugi!" Kiki exclaimed as they hugged. "It's good to see you again! How were things?"

"Good. Gonta wanted to show you some new bug he found, but I had to tell him you went home for the weekend." Tsumugi explained as they crawled on the bed.

"Ah, well, I'll catch up with him tomorrow between classes." Kiki decided as she grabbed the diary and opened it to the bookmark. "Alright, let's see…looks like there's a little blurb from Dad…" Tsumugi stared curiously as Kiki began to read "Your Aunt Hina was carrying me on her back as she dashed through the hallways when…"

Never again. Makoto vowed. I'm not letting them kill anyone else!

At that moment, the whole foundation seemed to rumble, causing Hina to stop in her tracks, startled by the shaking.

"What the…?" Makoto exclaimed.

"That felt pretty big!" Hina commented in a panic as the rumbling continued.

Eventually it came to a stop, allowing them to both breathe a sigh of relief.

"What…was that…?" Makoto pondered.

"I don't know, but I think it stopped. Come on, let's cover more ground while we can."

Makoto nodded as Hina dashed forth once more.

"Wow, what was that, an earthquake?"

"Hmm…something must have happened to the building from outside…" Kiki mused. "At least neither of them were hurt."

"Yeah, hopefully your Mom was okay too."

"Well, the next section is from her perspective, so let's find out." Kiki decided as she continued reading. "As Mitarai and I felt the facility rumbling, we picked up our pace, hoping to outrun whatever had caused the structure to shake. Once it stopped, we…"

Kyoko and Mitarai came to a halt, gasping for breath until Ryota finally had enough oxygen to comment "I think we're far enough from the danger now. So remind me again why we didn't go through the exit? I mean it had to have been a trap, right?"

"It certainly wasn't a way out." Kyoko answered as she turned to face him.

"I had a feeling." Ryota admitted with an air of disappointment. "But how can you be so sure?"

"Well, to be fair, that passage would've led us to the building's exterior. Technically. But we couldn't have escaped." She looked ahead as she stated with finality. "Not with our lives. We're under the ocean."

Ryota's eyes widened incredulously as he exclaimed "W…We're what?!"

"Trust me. This is not the building we started in. It's a carbon copy. Identical in every way. But directly beneath the original."

Kyoko closed her eyes and recalled to the moment when the sleep grenade went off, knocking them all out.

"If you recall, we were gassed in the conference room when this began. In all likelihood we were moved while unconscious, and deposited in the room's underwater duplicate so no one would suspect a thing."

"But that's a ridiculous amount of effort, and for what?" Ryota pointed out.

She glanced towards the disbelieving former animator as she explained "It becomes worthwhile if the aim is to confuse. Your disbelief is proof the tactic works."

Ryota gasped, the gears turning in his head as he finally realized the truth of Kyoko's words. Kyoko recalled the weapon Sonosuke threw at Hina, as well as the missing cut from the door after the killing game began.

"At first, I had my doubts it was even possible. But once we got our bearings after waking up, I noticed the mark on the door from earlier had vanished."

"Okay, but then why put us in the ocean?"

"To keep outsiders from intervening, I should think." Kyoko mused. "Yes of course. This all points to the Vice Chairman. He's been closely involved with the building's construction from the ground up. He couldn't have failed to notice." Ryota gasped in horror as Kyoko concluded "It's only logical. Everything about this situation favors him."

"Whoa…underwater?!"

"It's like they're in some perverted version of Atlantis!" Tsumugi exclaimed, causing Kiki to sweatdrop.

"I…don't think they're comparable." Kiki replied. "Still, I guess it makes sense from a tactical perspective. If you're the mastermind and want to have an edge over your captives, the best way to do that is to mess with their perceptions."

"Wow Kiki, you're thinking like a real detective!"

"Well, it makes sense when a real detective points it out." Kiki commented. "It does complicate Dad's whole escape plan idea." She concluded with a frown.

"Yeah, it does throw a bit of a monkey wrench in that idea. If they just busted out, they'd all drown. But why would Munakata participate if he's the mastermind?"

"Well, we don't know for sure if he is the mastermind, but assuming he is, participating would be the perfect way to ensure he destroys all of his enemies."

"Good point. I wonder how your parents escaped under those circumstances…and how Munakata ended up having a change of heart…or at least enough of one to save us from Akki."

"Well, let's find out." Kiki suggested as she continued to read. "Mitarai pondered my hypothesis before he finally replied…"

"I don't know what to say. Can he really be the mastermind?"

It's a possibility, but I don't have enough evidence to say conclusively yet… Kyoko briefly glanced at Ryota before she decided "For now, let's just find Naegi and the others." We've been separated for too long. I need to see him again!

"Ano. Seriously?" Ryota asked, surprised. "I, ano, can't see how he'd help much."

"I can understand why you might think that." Kyoko replied as she turned to face him. I used to think the same way, then he surprised me. He still continues to surprise me. "Granted, Naegi might not seem like much at first glance, but when push comes to shove, he's the strongest human being I've ever known. Bar none."

Kyoko averted her gaze as memories of Makoto's surprising adversity from the Class Trials flashed before her eyes.

"He's optimistic. He always puts his friends first. And he couldn't give up if his life depended on it. I believe in the man with all my heart. See, there was a time when…when if he hadn't been around, I…"

Kyoko's emotional reflection trailed off when Ryota gestured behind her. Curious, she turned her head. To her extreme embarrassment, she saw Hina grinning at her as Makoto stood by her side, his gaze averted as he blushed, smiling bashfully.

He…he heard me…?!

Somehow managing to avoid blushing, Kyoko turned her head and coughed into her fist. Once she was sure she could control her emotions, she turned around to face her friends, expression as neutral as ever.

"Asahina, Naegi, it's been too long."

"You bet it is!" Hina exclaimed as she jogged over and embraced her friend.

"Hey, Kiri…" Makoto awkwardly waved as Hina released the detective, causing her lips to tug into a soft, relieved smile.

"I'm glad to see you're still in one piece." She told him with a hint of fondness in her voice. "I take it Chairman Tengan's negotiations were successful."

"Well…" Makoto's eyes briefly drooped before he told her "I'll…tell you later. Let's…find a room to properly catch up in. We're kind of sitting ducks in the hallway."

"Boy do we have a lot to tell you!" Hina exclaimed. "We've got a whole new escape plan!"

"Wha…an escape plan?!" Ryota exclaimed incredulously.

"Is that so?" Kyoko chuckled. "Well, once we get situated, you'll have to tell me all about it. Now then, shall we go…?"

"You bet! Come on, Mitarai-kun!"

"Uh, coming!" Ryota called as he jogged after Hina.

Makoto moved to follow them before she felt Kyoko's gentle, pleading hand on his shoulder.

"Makoto. Wait one moment, please."

"Uh, sure, Kyoko. What's up?" Makoto asked, turning around curiously before his eyes widened at the tears trickling down Kyoko's cheeks. "Kyoko, what's wr…wha…?"

Makoto gasped as Kyoko walked up to him, embracing him tightly as she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Kyoko…"

"Makoto…Kizakura…Uncle Koichi's dead…"

"Kyoko…" Makoto's eyes drooped as his heart went out to the grieving detective. "I'm sorry…" He muttered in her ear as he returned the embrace, rubbing her back lovingly in an effort to comfort her.

The two of them stayed like that for a minute, Kyoko relaxing in the warmth of Makoto's arms as she finally allowed herself to cry in grief.

"Better now?" Makoto asked worriedly as Kyoko stepped out of the embrace and wiped her tears away with the back of her glove.

"Yeah, I'm okay now…" Kyoko assured him with a soft smile. "We should…catch up with the others…"

"Hey guys!" Both turned to the sound of Hina's voice as she called from around the corner. "What's the hold-up?"

"Sorry, we'll be right there!" Makoto called back before he agreed "Yeah, we should go…"

"Here." She offered as she crouched down, gesturing to her back. Makoto nodded gratefully as he climbed on Kyoko's slender spine, letting his arms drape around her neck.

"There, I'm not too heavy, am I?" He asked worriedly as Kyoko gripped behind his knees.

Kyoko briefly turned to smile at him before she assured him "You're fine. Now then, shall we go?"

As Makoto nodded, Kyoko dashed down the hallway until they finally reached Hina. The former swimmer grinned knowingly at them before Kyoko averted her gaze, hiding her blush before she squeezed Makoto's legs protectively.

"Aww!" Tsumugi gushed "Your mom can be really adorable when she talks about your dad like that!"

Kiki smiled as she nodded "Yeah, the two of them can be really lovey-dovey when they're at home. Honestly, sometimes it can get sickeningly sweet, but in this case, I think they both needed it."

"Yeah, and the fact that she allowed herself to cry when it was just the two of them shows just how much she trusts him!"

"Yeah, that was never a point of contention. At least now they're together again. Hopefully with Mom and Dad reunited, they were able to find a way out quickly."

"Yeah, though I do wonder how they got around the whole underwater problem." Tsumugi mused.

"Well, let's find out…" Kiki turned the page before she continued reading "We continued jogging down the hallway until we found an open room. As we opened the door…"

"It…looks like a pantry." Kyoko mused as she allowed Makoto to slide off her back.

"Yeah, the cupboards probably have some kind of instant food stocked away. Look." Makoto pointed out "There's a sink and an instant water heater."

"SCORE!" Hina exclaimed. "I'm starving!"

"Didn't you just have some mini-donuts earlier?" Makoto pointed out.

"Hey, those were a nice snack, but it's been forever since I had an actual meal! I'm dying for some ramen!"

Kyoko and Ryota sweatdropped before she coughed into her fist, disrupting their conversation.

"Why don't we take inventory? Then we can decide what to eat before the time limit expires." Kyoko suggested, causing everyone to nod.

"Sure, that sounds like a good idea." Makoto agreed as the other two nodded.

"Very well then. Naegi, you and I will search the cupboards. Asahina, Mitarai, I see some other boxes lying around. See if they contain any supplies."

"Roger, roger!" Hina saluted as she and Ryota walked over to a nearby box.

"Alright, let's investigate the cupboards."

Makoto nodded and followed Kyoko to a nearby cupboard. The two glanced at each other, smiling before they each opened a door, revealing a substantial stock of instant, pre-packaged foods.

"Ah, finally, a proper inn to restore their HP and Mana!" Tsumugi exclaimed as Kiki sweatdropped.

"I…wouldn't exactly call it an inn…but at least they can actually have some food and rest for a bit before the end of the time limit." Kiki concluded optimistically.

"I wonder what they did until the Phantom Hourglass ran out of sand." Tsumugi mused.

"Well, only one way to find out." Kiki replied before she continued reading. "After searching the cupboards, we found some boxes of snacks, including more mini donuts for your Aunt Hina, as well as some water bottles, tea, and instant ramen. After we cooked some of the food and tea with the instant water heater we all started to eat. Once we all relaxed, I told your father and Aunt Hina about my deduction, and…"

"Wow. Under the sea, huh?" Makoto breathed in awe s Kyoko sipped her tea. "Somebody went to a lotta trouble."

"Evidently. You said Togami was en route with reinforcements?"

Makoto nodded as he confirmed "It's been long enough now that he should be at the real HQ as we speak."

That's comforting. At least now we know there's help coming for us. Makoto and the others will make it out of here.

"What if there's traps?" Makoto wondered worriedly. "What if Togami's hurt? Oh, Kami. It'd be all my fault."

"What do you mean?" Kyoko asked curiously with a hint of worry.

Makoto smiled sadly as he confessed "I was told…someone would die, all because of me."

"Don't start down that path." Kyoko gently admonished. "Why would you think that? Did Munakata say something?" Did he…?

Makoto ignored Kyoko's question, musing "You know, up until now, I was confident I could be useful in any situation. Here though, I'm sunk. There's nothing I can do."

That's not true, and you know it. Kyoko retorted in her mind. He needs a pep talk…but with Hina and Mitarai here…no, this is an emergency. I'll just have to pretend they're not in the room for now…

As Kyoko tugged on her left glove, Makoto continued. "Munakata was right. My words don't carry any real weight I'm just…"

"Letting him get to you." Kyoko interrupted as she threaded her fingers with Makoto's.

Makoto gasped as he felt the warm, comforting embrace on his hand. He glanced down, his eyes widening at the sight of Kyoko's bare, scarred hand. He looked incredulously at Kyoko, touched as she stared intently, yet warmly into his own hazel eyes.

"Your words lift people up. Give them something to pin their hopes on. That's certainly what they've done for me. Have faith in yourself, Makoto. We need your words. We need your optimism. Your hope is infectious. If you ever lose sight of yourself, just look to us. We'll remind you who you are. It's the least we can do."

Kyoko…

Makoto smiled and nodded, reassured as Hina giggled at the scene. The amused sound echoed in Kyoko's ears, reminding her that they did indeed have an audience.

"Well, then…" She began as she let go of his hand and replaced her glove. "Just remember that, Naegi."

"Yeah, I will." Makoto vowed. "Thanks, Kiri, I needed to hear that."

With that, Makoto dug into his ramen, causing the others to sweatdrop at his voracious appetite now that he wasn't down in the dumps.

Makoto… Kyoko smiled as she ate her own ramen much more politely, thinking Glad to have you back.

Tsumugi sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye as she breathed "That was…so touching…"

Kiki smiled, nodding as she agreed "Yeah…back then Mom always wore gloves to cover the scars on her hands, and she only took them off for those she considered family. To show that now…when Aunt Hina and Mitarai were in the room too…it just shows how much she loved him, even before she proposed."

"I don't think I've ever seen such a loving couple before!" Tsumugi gushed. "They should really make a romance anime about them!"

I…think it would have more tragedy than romance, considering what happened to them… Kiki sweatdropped. Besides, Mom and Dad are kinda private. Dad may like anime, but I don't think he'd appreciate a TV show about his and Mom's life.

"Oh, sorry." Tsumugi apologized bashfully as she saw Kiki's skeptical expression. "I got a little carried away, didn't I?"

"Just a little bit." Kiki giggled. "It's okay though, I know you tend to get excited about this stuff. Let's just see what happened next." Kiki turned the page and continued "After we finished eating, we exchanged information about what we saw and who we knew to have died. Once Mitarai drew up sketches on a piece of paper…"

"Even the poor Chairman." Ryota muttered as the four of them stared sadly at the sketch of the deceased.

"Yeah, I know. I saw him on the monitor." Makoto explained. "Before he died, he left a kind of message. I entrust the hope of the world to you."

"The hope of the world." Ryota parroted, causing Kyoko to stare curiously at him. "What do you think he meant?"

An uneasy silence permeated the room, the other participants of how to answer before Makoto suggested "We should…probably barricade the door, in case the attacker comes while we're sleeping."

The others nodded and stood up before glancing around the room.

"That piece of furniture over there seems like it would make a suitable barricade." Kyoko suggested as she pointed to something resembling a desk.

"Good idea." Makoto complimented. "Mitarai-kun, mind giving me a hand?"

Ryota nodded as he followed Makoto over to the furniture and they each gripped one side of the thinner edge.

"Alright, let's tip this over on three. One, two, three!"

Makoto and Ryota grunted as they pushed as hard as they could, finally toppling the furniture onto its side.

"There." Makoto sighed as he wiped the sweat off his brow. "Now we have a way to grip it so we'll have an easier time pushing it against the wall."

"Good…idea…Naegi-kun…" Ryota panted as they wearily grabbed the nearest edge.

"Alright, one, two, three!"

Makoto and Ryota grunted in pain as they pushed with all their might. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, their makeshift barricade wouldn't move an inch. Hina sighed in exasperation as she walked over and single handedly pushed the furniture against the doo, causing the boys to fall over as they caught their breath.

"Okay." She stated proudly as Kyoko glanced at her bangle. "That oughta do it, I think."

"Wow." Ryota wheezed in amazement while Makoto smiled apologetically.

"Sorry. It's mostly my fault she has so much upper body strength." Makoto commented, causing the three of them to laugh.

"We're almost at the time limit." Kyoko informed them.

Hina grinned as Makoto and Ryota stood up before she exclaimed confidently "Let's see the attacker try 'n bust their way in here now."

"Nice work, but we may not be as safe as you think." Kyoko grimly chuckled.

The three of them looked at her in confusion before Makoto and Ryota reluctantly nodded, the former animator commenting "I see what you mean. Whoever it is has complete control over this whole place. What's a simple barricade gonna do?"

"I suppose there's no real way to be absolutely sure." Hina reluctantly admitted.

Kyoko took a silent breath before she stared straight into Makoto's hazel eyes and told him seriously "Makoto. Listen." Makoto gasped in surprise before Kyoko finished "Whatever happens next, promise not to turn your back on hope. I'm on your side. Don't ever forget that."

A confused Makoto narrowed his eyes in determination and nodded, assuring her "Yeah, I know you're always with me. I believe with all my heart we're gonna win this thing. Look at us! How can we lose?"

Hina smiled, humming in agreement before a familiar jingle played on their bangles. Each of them felt a pinching sensation before a wave of drowsiness swept over them. Each of them fell to their knees as sleep overtook them. Kyoko smiled at Makoto's cute yawn before he too fell asleep. At last, Kyoko's eyes closed as she too surrendered to the darkness of slumber.

Three down…

"Kiki? What's wrong?" Tsumugi asked as Kiki bit her lip.

"Three down…" She commented. "That's the third time she referenced the time limits. And that's not all…the way she spoke to my father…she spoke with such finality. It was like…"

Kiki's eyes widened in realization as she gasped in horror.

"Oh, Kami!" She breathed as she covered her mouth with her palm. "Did she…did she really…?"

"Did she what, Kiki? What did you realize?"

"I…I have to make sure! I have to keep reading…!" With a shaky voice, Kiki turned the page and continued "With the third time limit passed, we waited for the fourth to begin. Once I opened my eyes, I…"

Makoto gasped as he sat up and glanced around the room, taking note of the still unconscious Kyoko, Hina, and Ryota.

"We're still alive." He breathed before he stood up excitedly. "I think we did it! No one's been killed!"

At that moment, Hina and Ryota finally roused from slumber, groaning as they stood up

"Looks like we made it through, huh?" Hina commented.

"Yeah. Your barricade worked like a charm." Makoto complimented. Now the game's over, and we can all go home…what…?

Makoto stared at Kyoko's still prone body, noticing the faint red color from underneath her purple locks.

"Kami, please no." He breathed before he finally spotted the trail of blood dried against her left cheek. "Her Forbidden Action!" He gasped before he cried "Kyoko! Kyoko!" What was it?! What was her forbidden action?! He panicked as he picked up her prone wrist.

He shook in horror as Kyoko's forbidden action came up in taunting, red text.

ENTERING THE FOURTH TIME LIMIT WITH MAKOTO NAEGI ALIVE.

Hina's eyes welled with tears as she gasped, holding her hand to her mouth in horrified shock.

"This…This isn't happening." Makoto tried to deny as tears welled in his own eyes.

"But she knew it was the fourth time limit!" Hina cried as Makoto hung his head in grief.

"Why?" Makoto closed his eyes as he cried "You could have…Why didn't you say something?!" I would have allowed myself to die in a heartbeat if I knew living meant sacrificing you! "Kyoko…"

"Kyoko, no!" Hina sobbed, tears finally streaming down her face in anguish.

"Not her." Ryota muttered in sorrow.

As the three continued to grieve their fallen comrade, a microphone hummed, catching their attention.

"Makoto Naegi."

Munakata! Makoto realized angrily, gasping as the vice-chairman's voice echoed throughout the facility.

"If you're awake, I assume you've discovered what Kirigiri's Forbidden Action was. Do you understand now? Do you see the truth? Your platitudes are useless. It's time to cast them aside. Time to settle once and for all whose hope is real. Yours or mine."

Makoto found himself taking a trip down memory lane as memories of the detective who stole his heart flooded his mind.

"Whatever happens next, promise not to turn your back on hope. I'm on your side. Don't ever forget that."

Kyoko's final words echoed in his ears as Makoto clenched his fists and opened his tearful eyes.

Useless? Kyoko DIED believing in those platitudes. My hope is real, and even though Kyoko Kirigiri is gone, she's still with me. Together…I'll settle this once and for all!

Kiki's hands shook as tears welled in her eyes. Tsumugi watched with worry and concern as the girl sniffled, tears dripping from her cheeks and staining the parchment in her hands.

"Kiki…are you…"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Kiki cried, the echoes of her grief threatening to shatter Tsumugi's eardrums.

"Kiki!" Tsumugi exclaimed in a panic as the girl continued to sob in anguish.

"Mommy…she sacrificed herself…so Daddy could live on…she loved him so much she was willing to die for him! I…I'm so stupid!"

"Kiki, where's this coming from? You're not stupid, how could you even think that?"

"When…when we were learning about the Killing School Life in middle school…when we saw Daddy cover for Mommy in the fifth trial…I…I lashed out! I told her I hated her…I accused her of not loving Daddy! I'M SUCH A HORRIBLE DAUGHTER! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Kiki, calm down!" Tsumugi tried to console the wailing girl as she wrapped her arms around her in a calming embrace. "You are not an awful daughter, okay?" She told her as she stroked Kiki's brown locks. "You're a wonderful daughter to your parents! You're their pride and joy! You got angry and lashed out, but that doesn't make you a terrible daughter!"

Tsumugi continued to gently shush the crying, guilt-ridden girl, rubbing her back soothingly. Kiki's grip slackened as the diary fell softly on the floor before she latched onto Tsumugi. She laid her head on Tsumugi's shoulder, sobbing into the cosplayer's nightgown.

"Kiki, it's okay. Your mother is still here, she's alive. That poison didn't kill her, she's safe, and she loves you, Kiki."

Kiki continued to sob as Tsumugi continued to console her. Eventually, her sobs quieted, her consciousness fading as her grip slackened. Tsumugi sighed in relief as Kiki's whimpers turned to snores, the girl too emotionally exhausted to stay awake.

"Thank Kami…I can't imagine how hard it was to read about your mother's death, even if she's still alive."

Tsumugi frowned as she stared down at the slumbering girl, anguish still on her face.

"…Can't leave you alone, I should stay with you in case you have nightmares." Tsumugi decided before she awkwardly grabbed the blankets and draped them over the two of them.

"Good night, Kiki. Try to have some sweet dreams."

Kiki groaned sleepily as she squeezed Tsumugi tighter, desperate for the comfort from her best friend.

Tsumugi smiled and squeezed back before she yawned. She felt slumber begin to take her as her heavy eyelids closed, Kiki's room melting into black.