Chapter 7: A whole new world
Things had gotten really quiet as Esteban and Junko sat next to Sayaka's bed. They had at least two hours of guarding in front of them. Esteban looked at her carefully. He still wanted to board the subject of her want to kill but he didn't know-how.
"You should change the dressing on her wounds." He finally said calmly.
"Hmm yeah... Why don't you do it?" Junko asked smirking.
"You know why señorita Junko. She's a girl, don't want people getting the wrong idea." He said chuckling.
"Didn't seem to bother you when you ripped them off yesterday." Junko said making him do a double-take.
"S-shut up! I did what I had to. Don't want people to get the wrong ideas!" He said blushing a bit. He had to remove most of her clothings that interfered with them saving her. At the time he didn't think much of it, he had after all more important things to worry about. Only then he realized the situation. Mercifully people seemed to ignore the fact of what he had to do to save her.
'El muchachito sonrojado! Que bonito!' His other self said amused.
'Fuck you cabron!' Esteban almost growled.
"Imagine her reaction when she hears about it!" She teased him more.
"You seem to forget you helped me." Esteban countered.
"I just did what you told me." She quickly snapped back.
"Bullshit and we both know it." Esteban said. "You acted way too calm and knew exactly what to do. You've done this before. Who are you really?"
"What do you mean?" She asked a bit more worried.
"You aren't who you say you are. You have an air of danger around you. You look nothing like the pictures in the magazines, you are stronger than you look and your reactions are not the ones of a normal person. Remember when I scared you? You immediately went for a counter."
"I took self-defense classes" she argued.
"Yeah sure, keep telling yourself that." He said disappointed. "Trust goes both ways" he said. He let out a sigh and sat there in silence.
Junko watched as her sister debated whether to tell him the truth or not. She was almost sure she would give in at some point. "Mukuro is not one to say no to Esteban after all" she said putting on some fake glasses.
"But this dancing around is boring as shit!" Her crass personality said. "They've been doing this for almost two fucking years! Get to fucking you two!" An alert took her mind out of the whole situation as she saw one of the turrets that defended the school explode. It seemed the black army had finally brought explosives.
"They are a crafty bunch" she said a bit bored. She had taken into account the fact some defenses might be breached but she was sure they wouldn't be able to get in. "Then again underestimating them is the fastest way to have my plans foiled" she said. A blush crept up her face as she imagined the despair she would feel if her classmates were rescued. All her planning gone to waste. "That would bring me so much despair." She moaned. Esteban might have left them a way in, she wasn't sure but she wouldn't put it past him.
The thing she found interesting was the lack of future foundation personnel. They wanted to bring back a world that was long gone. The black army liked the new situation as it gave them a jumpstart to their ideal civilization. She wondered if the future foundation was waiting for the black army to thin their numbers before stepping in.
"Fat fucking chance! Those loonies will only keep coming in larger force!" Her crass personality said again.
"Esteban I..." Mukuro began saying before going quiet.
"Yes, Junko?" Esteban said as he checked the IV on Sayaka's arm.
"I'm... Sorry" she said solemnly. Esteban turned around to look at her and simply nodded.
"Okay, hey can you change her bandaging? They are dirty" Esteban said.
"S-sure." She said walking over. Esteban wheeled himself away and turned around.
"Just tell me when you're ready." He said turning around. He softly hummed a song as he waited. He checked his bandages and saw he would need to change them soon. He let out a sigh and tapped his fingers to the rhythm of the song.
"Viva la FAI y la CNT, luchemos hermanos contra los tiranos y los requetés. Rojo pendón, negro color, luchemos hermanos ante la batalla debamos morir." He mumbled.
"Esteban I'm done" Mukuro said. Esteban turned around and wheeled himself over. He checked the bandage work and as he thought it was flawless.
"Well done Junko" Esteban said calmly.
"T-that's not my name" Mukuro said softly. Esteban looked at her and raised his brow.
"I see... Well can't say I didn't expect it." Esteban shrugged. "Then who are you really?"
"My name is Mukuro Ikusaba, I'm the ultimate soldier." She said, Esteban eye's widened.
'You know in hindsight it does make sense' his other self said.
'It could be worse.' Esteban replied.
'Wait, we still don't know how she got that title.' His other self retorted.
'Can't be that bad.'
"Mukuro..." He simply said. That name sounded so familiar, he had it on the tip of his tongue. He heard that name somewhere. "You're the ultimate soldier... That explains a lot actually."
She proceeded to remove her wig. She had short black hair, something that made more sense, long hair was a pain in the ass to maintain.
"So yeah... This is me" she said a bit embarrassed. Her make up had gotten ruined and he saw she had many freckles. Still it didn't explain why she was dressed as the Ultimate Fashionista.
"Thank you for trusting me Mukuro" he said smiling. "But I have to ask... Why were you dressed as Junko?"
"Well... I caught wind of a possible plot at Hope's Peak... And I couldn't let Junko be in danger..." She started explaining.
"You say it as if you know her." Esteban said with a curious tone.
"I do... She's... She's my sister..." She said. Esteban looked surprised, he blinked twice as if trying to understand.
"Wait? You two are sisters? But... Do you both have different last names? Different parents?" He asked.
Mukuro chuckled, it wasn't the first time someone asked that. She could imagine Junko getting annoyed at the mere question. "We are twins, and the reason we have different last names... It's a long story..."
"Sore subject I get it. I didn't think militaries let kids join..."
"They don't I... I ran away when I was a kid and joined Fenrir."
'Mercenary...' His other said full of spite.
"Hmm... Heard of them and their... Exploits." Esteban said carefully. "Still I'm surprised you knew something was going to happen. Did your contact tell you what exactly?"
"No, he was pretty vague" she responded. Mixing truth with lies seemed to be working. She couldn't tell him all she knew but she could definitely guide him in the right direction.
"Well still, to put yourself in harm's way over your sister. That's commendable." Esteban praised. "She must be thankful." Even if Esteban didn't mean it Mukuro felt a jab. She did her best not to show it, the memory of having being abandoned still fresh.
"I... I hope so." Mukuro simply responded.
"I've heard Fenrir mercs get a tattoo. That true?" Esteban asked.
"You are well informed." She said calmly. She knew the reason of course, Esteban was meticulous, he had eyes and ears everywhere. She just wondered if this Esteban was aware of the full extent of his reach.
"I also have contacts." Esteban said amused. "Being a 'ruffian' has its perks." He chuckled before looking at her. "Can I see the tattoo?"
"You're curious?" She said surprised. She definitely didn't expect him to be so nonchalant about it.
"Course! I might not agree with some merc practices... But you left it all to save your sister. I can respect that." Esteban said smiling.
Mukuro honestly expected him to be colder like the first time they met. Then again he wasn't the same person she had met two years ago. She scrubbed the makeup and showed him the Fenrir tattoo. He looked at him curiously.
"Cool. Now... Onto other questions... Are you going to tell the others?" Esteban asked her.
"No, I don't want people to be on edge, telling them I'm a trained soldier defeats that purpose." She simply stated, she thought of telling them eventually but right now things were tense without them knowing who she really was. Back when she joined Hope's Peak people avoided her like the plague, she. It made things easier, she didn't get attached to anyone, that way her job was easier.
Esteban took the opposite approach and talked with everyone he could. He became friends with people went out with them and had fun. Mukuro saw the advantage in the approach, people would be less likely to be suspicious of him.
"Good point... Regardless thanks for telling me the truth." He said smiling. Mukuro had an idea... She couldn't tell him the truth but maybe... Just maybe by jogging his memory he could start remembering what happened, he would have an easier time foiling Junko than her after all.
"I've told you the truth but... You haven't told me the truth." Mukuro started.
"What do you mean?" He asked raising his brow.
"You aren't just the ultimate heister right?" She asked as he rubbed his temple.
"Yup... Also the ultimate Anarchist." He simply stated.
"Well you were surprisingly... Forthcoming." Mukuro mused smiling.
"Trust goes both ways" he said smiling. "Jesus... We both are way too dangerous to be around them." He said chuckling.
"We are... I could still beat you though." She said smirking. Esteban did a double-take before grinning.
"You might be the ultimate soldier but I think I have the upper hand. Not the first soldier I have gone against." He said cockily.
"Is that a challenge?" Mukuro said amused.
"Maybe" he grinned and tried acting innocently. "I mean now that I'm injured you might have a chance."
Mukuro glared daggers at him. "Overconfidence is dangerous." She warned.
"I can back it up" he said smiling. "After I'm fully healed we should spar."
"You're on!" She replied immediately.
"This ought to be fun!" He said laughing. Mukuro giggled softly, poor Esteban didn't know what he was getting himself into. Maybe if it were the first time they sparred he could have won but they had been training partners, she had memorized his fighting style.
'The benefits of keeping your memories.' Mukuro thought to herself.
"So... Mukuro, do you have any hobbies?" Esteban asked.
"I... I enjoy reading mystery novels." She said a bit timidly.
"Mystery huh? Nice! You know... You don't look like most soldiers I've met." He said.
"What do you mean?" She asked confused.
"For starters you're cute." He said laughing. "And you look no worse for wear. People who tend to get into a lot of fights end up with some nasty scars. You on the other hand don't look to have any, unless they are hidden." He finished speaking and looked at Mukuro who was red. She was stammering as she tried speaking.
'La rompiste pendejo!' His other self bellowed as he crouched right next to her. 'She's like a dear in front of a headlight.'
'I didn't mean for it to happen!' He said frantically.
Junko's face went neutral as she saw the exchange. She felt a slight sting, at first she thought it was despair but... It was different, something she had never felt. "Hmm..." She watch them share some laughs and stories. She already knew what it was but it didn't make it any less frustrating.
There had barely been any despair, between Makoto and Esteban cheering them all on there had barely been enough to satiate her. Now Esteban was like that lucky boy who infuriated her, he was so naive. He instantly trusted Mukuro, was the amnesia not working or? Her eyes narrowed as she saw something in his pocket.
"Hmm it seems I underestimated you." She said completely emotionless. Then she began to laugh as she saw the glint of a scalpel.
With their shift over they swapped with Sakura and Hina. Mukuro had already fixed up her disguise, they bid farewell and left. Esteban wheeled himself into the room and let out a sigh. He put the scalpel on the table and wheeled himself over to the bookshelf. He grabbed mutual aid and laid on the bed.
'She's very dangerous.' His other self said.
'Yes, doubt even Sakura could stop her under the right conditions.' Esteban said calmly.
'So about the book...'
Esteban turned the page to the one he was told and started reading. It seemed normal for the most part. But he quickly noticed the glaring spelling mistakes.
'Nothing is a coincidence.' His other self said. He read carefully and remembered the letters...
'Would you look at that?' His other self said wide eyed.
'Looks like we have our first lead.'
Esteban barely slept an hour, he painfully changed his bandages and headed to the vault door. He looked at the beast and a slight smirk appeared on his face. "Let's finish this..."
A few hours in he still had his ear to the vault, he was so close to finishing it. With a slight move he finished and backed away. The vault groaned as he heard a click as the vault groaned.
He held his breath as he saw one of the hinges open. But that was about it... He looked at the door and groaned, he needed the code to unlock more hinges he thought. Besides that he saw a new system appear. It looked like s simple lock. A pad with the alphabet with a screen. He needed another code...
"Nothing is ever that easy..." He groaned, he needed a clue to work on this. He would need to investigate more.
"Good morning, everyone! It is now 7 a.m. and nighttime is officially over! Time to rise and shine! Get ready to greet another beee-yutiful day!" Monokuma said over the coms. Esteban wheeled himself over to his room and headed to the shower.
He struggled but lifted himself off the chair and into the shower. Hot water splashed on him as he carefully checked his stitches which only had light bleeding.
"They did a good work" Esteban praised as he let the water soothe his aches. Although in a lot of pain he had decided to just power through it. No need to let everyone know.
Right now he was more worried about the fallout that was to come. Leon and Sayaka had done the unthinkable and they probably wouldn't be the last.
"Dios mio..." He mumbled. He felt bliss, the warm water washing his worries away. When he was younger he only knew cold water, after he first took a warm bath he wondered how he ever lived without it. He finished his shower and put on some clothes.
He decided to leave the Monochair behind, he needed to show strength. Show people and specially the mastermind he wouldn't be put down. He slowly walked over to the door and as he was opening it he saw Makoto about to knock.
"Hey Makoto, need something?" Esteban asked with a warm smile. Makoto looked lost for words until he bowed down.
"I-I wanted to thank you for saving Sayaka!" He said looking at the floor. "Without you she would have died!"
Esteban looked awkwardly at the boy bowing before him he put a hand on his shoulder and let out a chuckle.
"Camarada... Never bow again please, I did what I thought was right." Esteban began explaining. "You and I are just guys stuck in a bad situation, we are equal so no bowing!"
"Y-yes!" He said nodding quickly. "Umm do you need help walking to the cafeteria?" Esteban saw someone hiding in a corner and shook his head.
"I'll catch up to you." Esteban said. "But if you want to make it up to me, could you make me some coffee?"
"S-sure!" He said with newfound determination. After he left Esteban looked over to the person in hiding.
"Come out Kyoko, you can't sneak up on me." Esteban said laughing. She simply stepped out and walked over to him.
"I take it you're feeling better?" She asked.
"If anyone else were to ask I would say yes, but... I feel like shit." Esteban said letting out a chuckle. "How about you? How are you holding up?"
"As good as the circumstances allow" she simply said. "I needed to ask you something."
"Sure, go ahead."
"You were the one who choked Sayaka?" She asked, Esteban simply nodded.
"After she tried killing me I tried scaring her, seems it didn't work. I'm just lucky no one brought it up in the trial."
Kyoko looked at him suspiciously trying to find any hint of him lying. She let out a sigh and looked straight into his eyes. "You overdid it."
"I may have... Also... I found something, might be a clue."
Her eyes widened before nodding. She pulled out a paper out of her pocket and a pencil and handed it over to him.
He nodded and wrote it down, for a second her mask cracked and she looked genuinely surprised before nodding.
"Thank you for sharing this information." She said a faint smile on her lips.
"We are a team, remember?" Esteban said smiling. "If you find anything on your side please tell me."
He extended his hand she hesitated for a sec before shaking it. She walked past him towards the cafeteria. Once he couldn't see she genuinely smiled thinking about the anarchist.
Esteban slowly started walking towards the cafeteria before a voice spoke up. "You and Kyoko are getting along well huh?" Esteban saw Mukuro dressed as Junko walk up to him. Esteban kept the scalpel on his body at all times. Although he truly wanted to trust Mukuro she was the only one that could really kill them all.
She seemed trustworthy but... He hadn't made it this far without a healthy amount of suspicion.
"Jealous Junko?" He asked amused.
"Hardly", she deadpanned.
"Come on Junko, I still think you are really cute" he teased. She went red before trying to hide using her wig.
"S-shut up!" She said embarrassed. She smiled, things had gone better than she had expected. Her smile quickly disappeared when she thought about what her sister would do now. Maybe she got a kick out of failing once but they had to be careful, if she grew bored she could always end the game and kill them all.
"Seems I nailed it, soldada" he said smirking.
"The hell are you doing?" She hissed.
"No one understands me" Esteban said shrugging.
"You have nothing to worry about Junko." Esteban said calmly. Once they walked in he saw how tense the atmosphere was. Leon sat there avoiding eye contact with everyone. "It's a relief though... Knowing you can defend yourself."
"That also means I could kill someone..." She said avoiding his gaze.
'At least she is self-aware.' His other self said.
'Doesn't make me feel better' Esteban responded.
"Well I'll know if you kill someone. So you better kill me to avoid suspicion." He said. She looked surprised and turned around to confront him until she saw that grin, her face softened immediately.
"Eh... You are a good guy. I promise that if I kill I won't kill you." She said jokingly making him chuckle. He was sure if she had told that to anyone else they would have been horrified.
They entered the cafeteria and saw everyone waiting for them. Leon sat next to Sakura who seemed to be keeping an eye on him. Leon avoided everyone's gaze. The tension was thick and they all just looked up to them once they arrived.
"You're late" Togami said as Esteban flipped him off. He moved over and sat next to Kyoko, Mukuro sat next to him as they all looked over to Leon.
"Jesus Christ this is somber." Esteban joked only to get some glares sent his way. "Wait we are missing Chihiro and Mondo... Guessing they are watching over Sayaka."
"They are" Sakura confirmed.
"So what are we going to do with Leon?" Esteban asked the question on everyone's mind.
"W-wait, do we really need to do anything? Sayaka is alive!" Makoto argued. Esteban looked over at him with a sympathetic smile.
"We spared him, that doesn't mean he's free of repercussions. He needs to take responsibility for his actions."
"Killing him would have been easier" Togami sneered. Leon looked even more downcasted at him.
"Simple, yes... Better I doubt it." Esteban retorted. "Once we start killing it will only go downhill from there."
"Yeah! I mean. Sayaka is alive, so we should just think of a punishment that doesn't involve killing him!" Mukuro said backing him up.
"I-If the blonde bimbo a-and c-criminal are pushing for this so hard... What do you think we should do?" Toko asked.
"Hey who are you calling blonde bimbo!" Mukuro said glaring at her.
"T-there is only one blonde bimbo here... I didn't think those a-airbags impeded your hearing." Toko said smirking.
"We shouldn't fight" Hina said.
"True enough. How about we have Leon take care of Sayaka?" Esteban asked. They all turned to see him. He could see some confused expressions, others approving others neutral.
"What!? I almost killed her and you want me to take care of her!?" Leon asked angrily.
"It does seem like the most logical solution." Kyoko said stepping in.
"As much as I don't want to give this peasant credit he makes a good point." Togami said.
"If something were to happen to Sayaka under his supervision then it would be his fault." Celeste deduced.
"And if that happens I can use my super-duper special execution!" Monokuma said surprising everyone.
"What do you mean by that?" Sakura asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" Monokuma asked confused. "The only reason Leon is alive is because Sayaka lives. If something were to happen to her... Well he would become blackened and I would be able to use my extra special punishment. Want to see it?"
"No!" They all said in unison.
"Boohoo... You're all spoiled sports!" Monokuma whined. "Anyways... You kids better work this out fast. After all... There is a whole new world for you to explore!" After Monokuma everyone stayed in silence before Kyoko spoke up.
"Is everyone in favor of having Leon take care of Sayaka?" She asked. They all nodded leaving Leon speechless looking down at the ground.
"Guys... Thanks for... Not executing me." He said weakly.
"Well then... Work to make up for it!" Esteban said smiling. "Besides Sayaka did start this so having her stick with you is certainly... Therapeutical in a weird way." Esteban saw Makoto slide a cup of coffee to him, he nodded in acknowledgment and started drinking it.
"Wait what did Monokuma mean by a whole new world?" Hina asked.
"Good question..." Esteban said. "We should check out what he means. But before that I want to tell you guys I've made progress in opening the vault door."
"Wait really?" Mukuro asked surprised. "When did you do that?"
"Couldn't sleep. Decided to work on it. The door is opening... It will take time though, it's more complex than I thought." He explained.
"What do you mean by that?" Makoto asked, his eyes shining with hope. Esteban looked around and saw everyone was at least in a better mood.
"Whoever designed this vault door designed it like a puzzle box. Basically meaning I have to solve and crack all the puzzles and mechanisms to get it open. But... I'm making progress." He finished saying.
"That's great! So we can escape soon!?" Hina asked excitedly.
"Soonish. I need to work on it... And it seems I need a code." He said standing up and walking over to the kitchen. He grabbed two slices of bread and put some butter on it. "Anyways we should investigate what Monokuma was talking about." He took a bite out of his sandwich and walked over to the table.
"We should also tell Mondo and Chihiro about the plan. And leave Leon with Sayaka." Kyoko said as she also stood up.
"W-wait I don't know what to do!" Leon said worriedly.
"Don't worry. She is recovering. There should be no complications." Esteban said nonchalantly. "If something happens just come looking for me."
They went over to the infirmary to tell Mondo and Chihiro about the news. They all decided to go ahead and check the second floor that had been open. Esteban stayed a bit longer checking on Sayaka. Everything was fine, at least as far as he could tell he was no doctor after all.
He left and slowly made his way upstairs. Each step feeling like his stitches were about to burst open. He made it upstairs, the floor looked like the first one, with no way out. He started walking as he gave one glance over to the men's restroom.
'Bingo...' His other self said.
'If the message is to be believed then there should be more clues in there...'
'Something is off camarada...'
'I know... Why did I plan for this eventuality. How long have we really been in here?'
'Esto apesta...'
'It sure does.' Esteban replied. Esteban walked through the first door and saw what seemed like a pool area. It would be nice if it weren't for the gatling gun mounted on the roof...
"Oh, Hey! Hey, guess what! Guess what I found! A pool! There's a pool here! A POOL! Pool pool pool!" Hina said excitedly.
"I see that señorita" he said chuckling. "You must be happy."
"Of course! Finally something to do!"
Esteban looked over and saw Celeste checking one side of the room and Chihiro on the other looking a bit down. Esteban approached Chihiro and patted her on the back.
"So... We should restart training later today." Esteban mused, Chihiro looked up horrified.
"B-but you're hurt!" She stammered. Esteban ruffled her hair and laughed.
"It will take more to put me down señorita!" He said smiling. "But don't worry I won't be participating. If anything I'll just tell you which exercises to do."
"I-I would like that very much!" She said her eyes full of excitement.
"Great!" Esteban said smiling. "I'm sure Hina and Sakura would join us right?" Esteban asked.
"I can't speak for Sakura but I'm in!" Hina said fist pumping.
"T-that'd be great." Chihiro said trying to sound excited.
"We could use the pool!" Hina said excitedly.
The look of dread on Chihiro's face did not go unnoticed for Esteban. "For this exercise I think is better if we use the gymnasium." Esteban said calmly. Chihiro looked up to him and gave him a thankful look. Esteban simply nodded.
"I hate to say this but..." Esteban said with a sigh. "Monokuma! What is up with the Gatling gun?"
Monokuma popped out of the ground striking a pose. "Ya called hot stuff?" The bear said making Esteban groan.
"Gross..." Hina said.
"He really is unfortunate..." Said with clear disgust.
"So the gatling... What is that about?" Esteban asked crossing his arms.
"Simple really... Anyone who commits any indecency will be punished without mercy for their scandalous sexual depravity!" Monokuma explained.
"So this is supposed to stop anyone from sneaking into the other gender's change room?" Esteban asked.
"Correctomundo! I know that you teenagers have hormones up to 11 so as a responsible headmaster I'm stopping that from happening! The last thing I need is one of you running around with a baby!" They all looked with disgust at the bear.
"But what happens if someone loans their handbook to someone else? A boy could borrow a girl's handbook, and that would get them into the girls locker room, would it not?" Celeste asked. The bear tapped its chin and shrugged.
"I thought about it and decided that if you horny teens are willing to go that far then you should bear the consequences!" Monokuma said laughing.
"You seem awfully concerned with all this locker room security stuff..." Hina said softly.
"It's cuz all you teenagers are sex-crazed maniacs! You're at that age you'd try humping a plastic bottle! So to keep anything unseemly from happening, I have to maintain a rigorous watch!" Monokuma said sweating and blushing. Esteban looked confused at how that even was possible.
'What is that bear made out of?' His other self said.
'I have no clue... And I really don't want to know at this point...' Esteban responded.
"I think we have bigger issues at hand to focus on fucking." Esteban said crassly.
"Hmm you say that but I can't trust you teens! Specially you!" The bear said pointing at Esteban. "I've seen how you look at my luscious curves! But sadly for you student headmaster relations are forbidden!"
"I'd rather shoot myself" Esteban said flipping the bird.
"Hmmph truly a tsundere" the bear said before jumping down the hatch. Esteban simply let out a sigh and walked towards the exit.
"If you need anything don't hesitate to ask." Esteban said before stepping out. Once he closed the door he gritted his teeth and lifted his shirt a bit. The wounds were probably bleeding, he was exerting himself too much. But it was necessary, as long as he didn't open his stitches it should all be okay.
"Are you okay?" A concerned voice asked. Esteban looked up and saw Sakura.
"It just hurts a bit." Esteban said laughing. Sakura crossed her arms not buying it.
"I know you're in pain. You should rest." She said concerned. Esteban shook his head.
"I can't do that. People are depending on me." He said calmly.
"I understand you feel responsible but we are all in this together." Sakura replied.
"We are but things are... Tense... I know we dodged a bullet but how long can we do that?"
"I have faith in us." Sakura said surprising him.
"Well... That's good to hear." Esteban said smiling. "I'm out of commission when it comes to fighting so I'll be relying on you Sakura."
"You can count on me." She said seriously.
"I know. Also! I'm helping Chihiro work out, Hina joined and I wanted to see if you wanted to join us."
"I would be honored." She said with a soft smile.
"Sorry I can't spar with you."
"That's no issue" she said reassuringly.
"When I'm back in full force I'll need to work off the rust. I'm sure you could help."
"Of course" she said smiling. "I'm going to go check on Hina, I'm sure she's happy about the pool."
"She sure is" Esteban said chuckling. After he was left alone he checked some of the classrooms he found some monocoins and stuffed them in his pocket. After leaving he headed towards the library. He walked in only to see Toko and Hifumi arguing.
He shrugged it off and walked over to Makoto and Kyoko who were talking. Then he saw it... A laptop, his eyes widened.
"It's broken" Kyoko said.
"Of course it fucking is" Esteban mumbled. He looked at the computer, he knew nothing fixing electronics but with any luck Chihiro would. "Chihiro might be able to fix it."
"You think so?" Makoto said hopeful.
"Maybe... Dunno, we need to give it to her." Esteban said.
"Should we be discussing this?" Kyoko said glancing at the camera.
"Most likely doesn't matter. Doubt the mastermind would leave the laptop here if we could use it to escape." Esteban said flipping the bird at the camera. "You guys found anything else?"
"W-we did! An envelope with a letter inside!" Makoto said.
"Can I see it?"
"Sure!" He said handing it over to Esteban. He looked at it and saw it looked old. He started reading it and his eyes widened a bit. Hope's Peak was closed by the government according to it.
'That makes no sense!' His other self said.
'This is odd...'
Esteban looked up to Kyoko giving her a knowing glance. She simply nodded, this information gave more credibility that they had been stuck here longer than they thought. If Hope's Peak had been closed he would have heard something about it from his connections.
"Hmm... Well any information is useful I guess." Esteban said handing the envelope back. "What's in the back room?"
"According to Togami it's government documents and other very dangerous things." Makoto said. Esteban's eyes almost sparkled as he looked hungrily at the door.
"We do have other things to do don't we?" Kyoko said rolling her eyes.
"Spoiled sport!" Esteban said pouting. "Anyways... We should gather everyone and tell them what we found."
"Yeah!" Makoto said walking out. As the room emptied Kyoko signaled him to get closer. He leaned over.
"How did you find this?" She asked. Esteban simply shrugged.
"Gonna check it tonight." Esteban whispered.
"I'm going with you." She simply stated.
"Going with me to the bathroom? Oooh bold." He said smirking, she glared at him and shook her head before walking past him. "Hah! Well... No rest for the wicked..." He said walking out of the library.
Omake
A few days had passed since the debacle with the student council. Esteban leaned on the railing on the roof of the school. He recently was able to kill a Togami family member. It should have felt like righteous vindication. Instead it felt hollow, the kill brought him no joy.
As the fire ate the car she was in he couldn't help but feel pity for Byakuya. The irony in that feeling did not elude him. The Togami household, the Herrera family and the Syndicate killed his people. With the few that survived still agonizing in hospitals due to the white phosphorus.
They deserved no pity, an eye for an eye. They took everything and he would do the same. But killing family members of one of his classmates didn't feel like justice. Even if Byakuya knew how to keep his emotions in check he knew he was devastated. In fact he knew he was actively turning the city upside down looking for the person responsible.
He wouldn't find him of course, but he commended his drive. In an ironic way the two were pretty similar. Driven by revenge, though Esteban told himself he had loftier goals besides that.
The student council killing game... He had never seen people fall so deep into despair. The things they did were monstrous, the worst part was the school hid it.
He was disgusted with how corrupt Hope's Peak really was. Human experimentation, coverup and their willingness to throw people under the bus was astounding. That didn't make seeing what Junko was really capable of any less disturbing.
She had been an unfortunate teammate for him. But an effective one nonetheless. He was surprised at the pull she had in the higher echelons of society. How easy she made it for him to smuggle weapons and support to so many movements in Asia and Africa.
But seeing the actual cost of dealing with the devil weighed heavily on him. When this all started he really didn't care about what he needed to do. But these people weren't bad. Most of them were genuinely good people who were fed a lie. They trusted him and treated him as a friend even though he was helping to plunge the world into chaos just to rebuild it from scratch.
He pulled out a cigar from his jacket and lit it up taking a huff. He looked up to the sky and wondered what his dad would say about what he was doing. He wasn't naive, his father was an idealist and incorruptible. He would be disgusted with his actions. He taught him compassion, mutual aid, loving your neighbor and righteousness.
He tried it at first and it seemed to work. Until his world burned. He was out of town when it happened and only was able to save a few people. People that even years later were still bedridden and in constant pain. Then he understood drastic measures were needed.
He let the idea of judgment dance in his mind. If he were to die today would he be sentenced to hell or let into heaven? He doubted he deserved anything but damnation at this point.
"Kiri I know you're there." Esteban said puffing out the smoke. Out of a corner came the Ultimate Detective. Someone who had caught his attention. Reserved and distant she was a mystery and boy did he like that. Getting to know her had been hard but he had made progress. She was a good person, someone who bore her mistakes on her skin if her story was to be believed.
"You look conflicted" she said stepping forward towards him. He looked over his shoulder and motioned for her to lean next to him.
"You could say that señorita" he said huffing more smoke.
"You smoke?" She said. He looked over to her.
"You disapprove?" He asked not really minding if she did. He could always put it out and smoke later.
"I'm just pointing it out. Is there a reason you smoke?" She said keeping her poker face.
"Trying to learn more about me Kiri?" He asked amused.
"You know a lot about me. I thought I should learn more about you, considering you are my friend." She said making him do a double take. "What?"
"I'm just surprised you called me a friend." He said chuckling.
"Isn't that what you said you wanted to be?" She asked raising her brow.
"Of course! It's just strange seeing you so straightforward. But I'm not complaining." He said smirking. For a brief second he caught a blush that made him smirk even more. "Good to see you talking with more people Kiri, you're a good person."
"Thank you, but don't dodge my question." She said getting him back on topic. His smirk fell as he looked up at the sky again.
"I do smoke, not often mind you. I just do it when I'm stressed out, overwhelmed or when I need to think." He explained. "I can put it out if you want."
"No need" she simply replied. "What is stressing you out?" She asked. He looked over to her and he saw that knowing look. That look when Kyoko had figured out something. He worried if she knew about his association with Junko maybe she had figured out she was behind the killing game.
Maybe it would all be over without him doing a thing. He would run back to the Free Latin American Territories and just focus on building a better tomorrow there.
"Something tells me you already know why" he said huffing.
"Why did you do it?" She asked. It wasn't an accusation or at least it didn't sound like one.
"I don't know what you are talking about." He said shrugging.
"Will you make me say it?" She asked raising her brow.
"You know I enjoy hearing your deductions Kiri so fire away." He said smiling. If she really figured the killing game out she was in grave danger. Junko would have her killed and he doubted he could stop Mukuro if she tried.
"You were involved in the murder of Shinobu Togami." She said calmly. Although he showed no emotions he felt relieved. Even if he wanted to end Junko's plan involving Kyoko was not an option.
"Me?" He asked innocently. "I'm just the ultimate lock picker."
"I know your papers were forged." She said looking him straight in the eyes.
"Can you prove it? I mean getting any information from the Free Latin American Territories is quite the task." He said smiling.
"I'm not in the mood for this." She said uncharacteristically sharp, he looked at her and realized she was furious.
"Hmm I see you are angry. You probably think all I've done was an act, I just got close to people to use them. Is that it?" Esteban asked seriously.
"Is it not? It makes more sense why you would approach me. Cloud my judgment." She reasoned although she kept a straight face he could see her clutching her fist in anger.
"Kiri..."
"Do not call me that."
"Kyoko... Yes I'm not who I said I am... I have my own goals here but if there is one thing I can assure you is I never used you. I do care about you." He said carefully.
"Who are you really?"
"I am Esteban Valverde, but most people in the world call me El Partisano." He said putting out his cigar.
"You are the Ultimate Anarchist." She said with a neutral expression.
"And ultimate Heister. The reason I'm here is to make the world a better place. That and get my revenge."
"For what?" She asked. Esteban let out a sigh and explained it all, his family, the destruction of el Carmen. The culprits, all of it he laid it bare.
"I act as I wish I was still, an idealist and a good person. Dad would be disappointed." He said calmly. In all that time Kyoko never spoke she just listened, never judged just let him lay the facts.
"Do you regret killing her?" She asked.
"No" he simply replied.
"You wouldn't be sulking if that were the case."
"Heh, not mincing your words Kiri... Yes I do have second thoughts. But justice needs to be served, an eye for an eye."
"You took justice into your own hands because no one would do anything." She reasoned.
"Exactly, this incident would be swept under the rug" Esteban said gritting his teeth. "No one paid for the white phosphorus in Fallujah, you think they will care about a small town in bumfuck nowhere?"
"I understand."
"Thanks Kiri... So now what? Will you turn me in?"
"No." Esteban looked at her wide eyed.
"Wait what? I think I misheard you said no?" He asked confused.
"I said no. I won't turn you in." She said as he stood there confused.
"Why? I mean I have a criminal record a mile long, killed a Togami, I am considered a terrorist in most jurisdictions. I'd be the catch of the century."
"There will be more people I catch. Besides you are my friend." She said. She saw something she never expected to see, Esteban was blushing as he scratched the back of his head. She had never seen him this embarrassed.
"Ah... No se Que decir" he said reverting to Spanish. The look on his face made Kyoko genuinely smile.
"No digas nada," she said in broken Spanish surprising him even more.
"Now you're just getting kicks out of embarrassing me." He said laughing.
"Maybe I am," she said chuckling. Then she noticed it. His long shirt neck had moved and she saw a scar across his neck.
"Got it while fighting a drunkard, dunno how I even survived." He said calmly seeing she had seen it.
"I see..." Her hands respectively rubbing her gloves.
"You think you are bad. Maybe they are but there is a reason I try to keep long sleeves and never go to the pool." He said with a sad smile. "I rather spare you from seeing me."
"Mine are pretty disgusting." She said letting her guard down. He shook his head and lifted his shirt. Then she saw it, he was covered in scars, some worse than others. All of them looking painful.
"Doubt it, I've been shot, stabbed, had shrapnel lodged in my ribs. It's a miracle I'm still alive." He said jokingly.
"Why do you trust me so much?" She asked.
"You are pretty straightforward. You are a good person and you're smart." Esteban said. "You're one of the most trustworthy people I know." He grabbed her hand and placed it on his neck. "Doc said a centimeter further I would have had my jugular slashed. Scars are okay, you're still alive, they may not fade but they are still part of you."
Kyoko was surprised at how he was acting. She backed out a bit still rubbing her gloves before she had a crazy idea. She took a deep breath and slowly removed them.
Esteban kept his cool as he saw the nasty burns she had. They were ghastly but he had seen worse visiting the hospital. He slowly reached out she almost instinctively pulled back before he grabbed her hands. Tracing his hands on hers he smiled.
"Does it hurt?" He asked concerned.
"They stopped hurting years ago, now it just feels numb..." She looked up to him, he showed no disgust, only understanding.
"They don't take away from how cute you are." He said smirking making her blush.
"You're just getting payback from earlier..."
"A bit but you are cute." He said smiling. He lifted her hand and before she could react he laid a kiss on her hand.
"What!?" She asked instinctively pulling back.
"Don't be so self conscious Kiri." He said laughing.
"You're irredeemable." She said with a light smile.
"Maybe I am" he said smiling. "But... Hey it's kind of my charm." The world wasn't all corrupt, there were still people who were worth fighting for...
Cut! New chapter! Hope you guys are enjoying it! From here on out there will be more changes to the events in game so you have been warned. Also remember you have about 2 more chapters to vote for the pairing. Love it? Hate it? Leave some feedback! UltimateMetroMan out!