Sonia waited until the next morning to share the good news with everyone. Like everything in her life, her miracle wasn't what she had expected it to be. Tanaka was subdued, curious, but otherwise no trouble at all. However, he refused to speak to her, or anyone for the matter. Always the extravagant type, she never thought she would see a day where Gundam wouldn't even speak out in his defense.

"So Snow White, enjoy your nap?" Souda teased, trying to get a rise out of the disheveled boy. "What's with the sheet around ya', it's like ninety degrees outside." Hinata had advised against introducing Gundam to the group so soon. Peko had taken two weeks to recover from the Neo World, and Gundam was still having issues with mobility. Yet Sonia insisted it would be better for him to get to know the group as a whole first, so integration would be an easier process.

"Kazuichi-kun that's enough!" Sonia snapped. "I apologize Tanaka-kun, he often gets a little carried away." It was Sonia's idea to encourage Gundam to share meals with them. Even if he was a part of Ultamite Despair, it was imperative for him to see they meant him no harm. She felt a little silly using the tricks he taught her about taming wild animals, but it was a sure fire way to get their intentions across to the new comer in a none threatening way.

"So what, did you cut out your tongue or something?" Akane asked, intruding into Gundam's personal space. Gundam shook his head 'no' and retreated further into the sheet.

"Owari, I'm pretty sure doing that would make you bleed out." Kuzuryuu remarked.

"Needless to say," Hinata amended, "we're all glad that you were feeling well enough to join us Tanaka-san. We have information on what happened to us, yourself included. So there will be a discrepancy between what you know and what we remember. If you have any questions, you can ask any of us, or you could write them out I suppose." He amended.

"Not on the file," Kuzuryuu added, "we've only got the one right now and eight other people still have to read it."

"Kazuichi-kun and I were also thinking of going to the first beach for some swimming later today. You're welcome to join us, if you feel up to it." Tanaka took the file from Hinata and pulled it into his cloth cocoon. He didn't know how to deal with all these people paying attention to him. Without anyone's permission, he took his food and retreated to his room.

"I don't know which was worse, the Shakespearian nonsense or the cold shoulder." Souda sighed.

"He'll be fine." Sonia argued. "He just needs a little time to adjust."


The island's lock down ended up working in Peko's favor. Granted, it would be for an indeterminate amount of time, but for now she didn't have to worry. No one would question her reluctance to return to Japan and her needs would be provided for. It was who she was trapped with that was the problem. She sat in the examination room. Her former master flipped through the charts, obviously agitated. After avoiding breakfast, Hinata approached her, saying she would have to explain the documentation situation to anyone who was inconvenienced by her actions.

"I'm sorry if my actions inconvenienced you in anyway. Where is Owari-san?" Peko asked, her limbs ridged.

"What does that have to do with anything?" A little thrown, Kuzuryuu gestured casually. "Unless, is this like about a 'girl thing'? Cause if so, I think Sonia would be the better person to talk to."

"No," Peko deigned, "I do not need to talk to either of the girls."

"Then why did you destroy the charts!?" He demanded. "That file you shredded had your care plan in it!"

"I know very well what was inside and I am capable of handling the situation on my own." Peko argued. "This may come as a shock to you, but some of us would like to maintain some basic human dignity."

"I get that you can handle the situation Peko, you're not an idiot. I just want to help you." Kuzuryuu buried his head in his hands. "You don't have to do this alone."

"Why?" Peko asked.

"What do you mean why? Nobody should get stuck handling everything on their own. Jesus Christ Peko, what reason would I have to give you for you to let me help you? Cause there are fourteen years worth of reasons that the Neo World and Junko didn't fuck up, take your pick." Kuzuryuu leaned back in the office chair.

"You acknowledge that I am not the person from the simulation," Peko reasoned, "and you think our shared childhood is enough to mend that gap?"

"Of course I know you're not the same person! I fucking watched her walk away and didn't do shit until it was too late." He still grieved over the loss. Though technically fake, it still haunted him like a prophetic nightmare. "I sure as hell won't let that happened again." Peko sat with her head bowed, taking steady breaths.

"Then why are you here with me, instead of out there with your friends?"

"Because this isn't about them, this is about you!" He implored. "Just tell me, why did you shred the documents?"

"I can't." She sighed. "Not right now. Not like this. I'm sorry." She slowly rose from the table and left. If Junko were still alive, she surely would be disappointed by the hope that welled up in her chest.


Everyone except Tanaka gathered in the cafeteria for dinner. It seemed the breeder had gone back to sleep. The group was a little concerned, but the charts said it was too be expected. Akane burst through the double doors as everyone sat at the table.

"It's good to feel hungry again!" Akane cheered. "Finally I'll be able to eat more than 'small portions'." She quoted with her fingers.

"I don't think that's a good idea, you could make yourself sick." Kuzuryuu interjected. "You still have two weeks of protein blends and salad."

"Well the doctor isn't here." Akane said as she heaped food onto her plate. "You don't have to worry, I know my limits, mom."

"The fuck? I'm not your mom?" Fuyuhiko frowned

"You're a total mom." Hinata snickered.

"Hinata!" Kuzuryuu grasped imaginary pearls.

"I believe it was you who reminded us we were too young to drink or drive." Sonia speculated.

"He just said that because he couldn't reach the peddles, even if he wanted to." Souda joked.

"Hey, my legs are long enough to kick your ass at this table without standing up." He kicked Souda's chair, nearly toppling the mechanic over. "So don't go starting shit you don't want to finish."

"I hate to interrupt," Peko cleared her throat, "but it appears that something ate this fruit before we could." She carefully set down her grape that had an evident hole in it.

"Shit!" Sonia cursed. "I'm so sorry. All of the fresh rations we are given are castoffs from the other island. I inspected everything thoroughly a few days ago," She collected the contaminated goods from the table. "I guess I missed a few."

"Here, let me help you with that." Souda began.

"No!" Sonia snapped. "I-I mean no thank you." She hurried off to the kitchen with the spoiled food.

"I should get back to fixing the electricity in the new cottages so we won't have to share later." Souda mumbled. "I'll see you guys later."

"I don't know what you guys are talking about, the food's fine." Akane shrugged. The lingering atmosphere at the table was oppressive. Hinata tried his best to lighten the mood.

"Do you guys want to go swimming later?" Hinata asked.

"I'm good." Kuzuryuu said somberly.

"I will have to decline as well." Peko said holding her stomach.

"Hell ya!" Akane grinned. "We can go 'swimming'." She said with a wink.

"I mean actual swimming." Hinata clarified blandly.

"Right~" Akane winked again.

"Seriously, swimming not sparring." Hinata reiterated. Akane went to get to the kitchen to grab seconds with a laugh.

"Whatever you say Hinata." She shrugged. When she entered the kitchen, she was startled to find Sonia sitting on the floor. Her eyes were red rimmed and puffy. As soon as Sonia noticed the company she turned her face away, wiping her eyes.

"Oh, Owari-san, did you need something?" She asked, a little embarrassed. "I'm just... waiting for my tea." Akane set her plate on the counter slowly.

"I'm just here for seconds." She crouched down to Sonia's level. "You okay?" It was no secret that Sonia had tried her best to take over kitchen duties as a way to help the group. She felt guilty that her talent offered nothing to help improve their stay on the island. Even if she lacked the experience, she wanted to at least alleviate the stress of where their next meal would come from.

"I'm fine, really." Sonia sighed. It occurred to Akane, that Sonia probably hadn't have problems with necessities before. Now, more than ever, they had to live as if there wasn't a cent to their name. It was something Akane had done without shame for years, but perhaps the princess didn't understand no one blamed her for the state they found themselves in.

"Alright, Hanamura's going to hate me for this," Akane began, "but food isn't bad unless it makes you sick. If you freeze stuff like fruit, is will last longer." She then pulled a wilted head of lettuce out of the garbage. "And stuff like this is fine as long as you don't eat the outer layers." As she went through her routine, and Sonia stood to join her at the counter. "Expiration dates are just suggestions; if it smells fine, you can eat it. Eggs are good if the white isn't cloudy, and stale bread tastes fine when toasted." Sonia nodded and followed Akane's advice as they worked together in the kitchen. She would be able to leave the kitchen with tea, and a little less stress.


Kuzuryuu noted that this section of town was probably crap before the despair incident, anarchy had done little to help the situation. He needed to get Junko's eye to Tsumiki as soon as possible. The only reason he was waiting outside, was his partner of sorts insisted on finding her family first. To be fair, they were the reason she got dragged into this mess. What kind of dead beat racks up a gambling debt and uses their step daughter as payment? Though Kuzuryuu shouldn't still find this shocking, after all, they were in the freaking apocalypse. With Junko gone, the Remnants of Despair went ballistic, each crawling to whatever comfort they could find during the shit storm. Not that he was able to find his.

"Owari!" It was drizzling outside and this was a new suit damn it! He couldn't spend all night dicking around."What the hell is taking so long?" The sound of rapid gunfire ran through the empty street. "Shit! Owari!" He pulled out a magnum and kicked down the door.

Akane stood with the gun she hated aimed clumsily at the open window. The smell of blood was heavy in the air. Her siblings lay on the floor, fatal gashes along their backs.

"I-I tried to check for a pulse." She trembled. Her red hands still gripped the gun. "But they were all- And then I saw it. Some fucking ninja or something was in the house." She couldn't take it anymore. She threw the gun at her feet. "Damn it what am I going to do now?"

"At least you found the bodies." Fuyuhiko sighed. "Now you can do whatever the hell you want. Meanwhile, the Future Foundation is hunting down anyone from Hope's Peak. So if you want to live, I suggest you leave." He stepped outside and waited a bit. Ten seconds, just like every other time he had to wait up on the odd gymnast. Then thirty minutes went by, he was about to call he name when he saw her standing in the doorway.

"What are you waiting for?" She asked, gun back in her hand.

"I don't know, maybe for you to wash your fucking hands. You look disgusting." He took a swig from a silver flask.

"I'm out of bullets." Akane whispered. He choked on his drink.

"What do you expect me to-" He saw a flash of silver out of the corner of his eye. Someone was climbing the wall. "Freeze! By order of the Secret Police!" He shouted at the figure standing on the wall. In the shrouded moon light, he could make out silver braids and a stained sword. She had no plans of stopping. "I said freeze!"

He shot the sword's woman in the shoulder. Biting back a scream, she stumbled over the roof tops and out of sight.

"You're not getting away this time Peko!" He growled.

Kuzuryuu sat up in his bed in a cold sweat. He hadn't had a nightmare since waking from the Neo World. Why now of all times? His gaze drifted to the window, red eyes stared back at him through the glass.

"Jesus!" He half shrieked as he fell out of bed. What was Tanaka doing outside his window? The breeder made no move acknowledge him. Just wandered away in search of a different window. "The fuck?" Fuyuhiko groaned into his hands. It was 2:45 in the morning.


At breakfast, Kuzuryuu expressed his displeasure with the way things were going.

"We need to do something about Tanaka."

"Can we talk about, literally, anything else?" Souda groaned. "Like, Rocket Punch has lava lamps, pretty cool right?" He threw up his hands when Fuyuhiko continued.

"I saw him outside my bedroom at 3 in the fucking morning just staring. Like I don't have nightmares already." He hadn't been able to get back to sleep after that, petrified something would come for him in the night. "If he's sleeping now, he'll probably be wandering around again tonight."

"He was just lost." Sonia sighed. "I informed him earlier there would be a cottage prepared for him, he was just trying to find it." She was always quick to defend him, but the rest of the group wasn't so sure. Since waking up, Gundam had refused to adhere to a normal sleeping schedule. As such, they barely saw him at all, except for Sonia.

"Did he tell you that himself?" Peko asked.

"Well, no." Sonia poked at her food. "However, it was apparent that he was disoriented. That much is clear."

"Even so, Kuzuryuu-kun is right," Hinata said with closed eyes, "we can't have someone who just woke up wandering around alone at night."

"The dude doesn't even talk," Akane shrugged, "I don't see what the big deal is."

"It isn't a big deal." Sonia insisted. "Everyone adjusts at their own pace."

"We don't have a lot of time to let people go at their own pace." Hinata argued. "I agree, Tanaka-san doesn't seem to be a threat, but we need to make sure he is at least be under observation before we can wake anybody else up."

"Dangerous or not, wandering like that is creepy as hell." Fuyuhiko shook his head.

"I cannot believe you." Sonia admonished. "You will never get anywhere if you don't at least try to understand everyone as they are now. So what if he's a little different? That's why I-"

"Look who's up." Akane interrupted. Sonia slowly to see Tanaka standing in the doorway.

"Tanaka-san." Sonia flushed. He awkwardly shuffled to the kitchen for breakfast. After some hesitation, he left for his room with food in hand. "Tanaka-san wait!" She ran off after him.

"Ugh," Souda moaned, "how much of that do you think he heard?" He and Hinata shuddered to think of the damage control.

"Perhaps, if he was given duties during the day," Peko suggested, "he would be more inclined to remain active during the day." She pushed away what remained of her breakfast. Akane took it immediately.

"That's a good idea." Hinata agreed. "We could use the help cleaning up around here." He wrinkled his nose at the leaves on the floor of the cafeteria.

"So, lava lamps. What's that about, am I right?" Akane said grinned.