Never Say Never
Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa or the characters associated with it.
Chapter 3
Act 16
"I believe that Taka is plotting to use Alter Ego in order to make his escape!"
The instant Celeste spoke those words; she knew she had won. Hifumi reacted just as anticipated, horrific shock overtaking his features as he struggled to process the 'revelation' she had bestowed upon him. And while the gambler knew that it would take more to convince him to believe her lie, her victory was already guaranteed.
"W-What?! But how can that be?! And how could you possible know this?!" Hifumi stammered, his emotional attachment to the situation giving her even more of an advantage. Celeste was ready for any rebuttal he could give. After all, this wasn't her first gambling match.
In fact, Hifumi had be one of the easier target for manipulation, considering he was a man of passion, and passions were easily exploited. All she had to do was alter her demeanor to something that would register with his emotional state. And since he was 'grieving' over the loss of Alter Ego, if she appeared to be in distress, his protective instincts would take over and make him more susceptible to manipulation.
This was all part of her talent as a gambler. Being able to read people and alter their perception of a situation in order to turn the situation into her favor was child's play. She could even lie to herself, convincing herself that even though she understood that her actions would bring about the death of her classmates, she was perfectly fine with it.
After all, it was all for her dream…a dream that Taka threatened to quash for his idiotic notions of law and order! And if there was anything she couldn't stand more than a self-righteous moron…it was a self-righteous moron that couldn't acknowledge someone of true talent such as herself!
"In the end…the talent he refused to acknowledge will be what brings about his undoing!"
Adjusting her features to be as sympathetic as possible, Celeste meekly replied, "I understand that it may be hard to believe…but it's the truth!" She looked directly at him, her gaze softening, which ultimately softened Hifumi as well. When he didn't interject, she continued, "You see, while on my way to return you camera…I ran into Taka in the main hallway."
Celeste was baiting him, a tactic that proved effective when Hifumi gasped and his eyes widened in shock.
"Don't tell me you tried to confront him about Alter Ego?!" he shouted, almost frantically. Instead of directly answering him, Celeste lowered her gaze and gave a swift nod. Just as she predicted, Hifumi exploded, "Why would you do that?! Didn't we all promise that we would confront him tomorrow at the morning meeting?!"
Intentionally gripping the sleeves of her dress, so that he would notice her 'shame', Celeste quietly answered, "I…I did not mean for it to happen. I planned on simply passing him by and waiting, just as we all agreed. However, the instant he saw me, he began shouting. He criticized my part in keeping Alter Ego a secret from him, having realized that I lied to him about that bathhouse yesterday…"
Beneath her perfect mask, Celeste felt great pride in herself. The whole interaction with Taka was nothing more than a fabrication, but given what she knew of him, if she had run into him by accident, there was no doubt he would done exactly as she claimed. Thus, all she needed to do was 'believe' that it really had happened, and therefore her lie became truth…at least for Hifumi.
Keeping up the act, she became slightly hysterical as she continued, "He said that I didn't deserve to be here…that Hope's Peak didn't need someone as…dishonest as myself here…"
"T-That bastard!" Hifumi interrupted, slamming both hands onto the table before him. "You may have lied but it was for the benefit of our escape from this hellish place! How dare he! It is one thing to steal away the love of my life…but to ridicule of young woman for trying to protect her classmates is beyond cruel!"
Celeste successfully managed to suppress a smirk as Hifumi practically convinced himself of her lie. She had chosen her target well, and everything was proceeding just as she'd planned. And now…all she needed to do was drive the final nail into this proverbial coffin!
"Naturally, I tried to correct him, assure him that I never meant any harm. However, he refused to listen, calling me filthy traitor who deserved punishment!" Reach a hand up to her eyes, she wiped away a tear she'd forced herself to shed as she continued, "He told me that because he now possessed Alter Ego, he could find a way to escape! And when I tried to dissuade him…he…he…"
Purposefully pausing, Celeste inwardly smirked as Hifumi desperately shouted, "He what?! What did that virgin do to you?!"
Pushing away the perplexion she felt for Hifumi constantly bashing virginity, especially considering she was fairly certain he was one himself, the gambler put her face into her hands, and pretended to weep as she exclaimed, "He threatened…to have me executed!"
A momentary silence followed that proclamation before a ferocious shout shook the room.
"COMPLETELY UNFORGIVEABLE! TAKA HAS TRULY GONE MAD WITH POWER!" Hifumi screamed, shooting up from his seat, knocking back his chair unintentionally. "I SWEAR, I WILL NOT REST UNTIL HE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO JUSTICE!
As the fanfic creator's declaration echoed in her ears, Celeste could practically see her castle on the horizon. And while the difficult part of the plan was far from over, so far, everything had gone exactly as she envisioned. Indeed, revenge was a dish best served cold…and when you least expected it!
"It won't be long now…I'll have my revenge on that rule obsessed fucktard!"
"Yes, let us bring him to justice together!" Celeste exclaimed, leaning toward him and grasping his hand.
A thoroughly shocked Hifumi fell into absolute silence as he stared at her bewilderedly. In truth, she hadn't expected him to be so shocked by her proposal. Or it could be the fact that she initiated physical contact with him, as he didn't seem the type to get much of that. However, judging by his surprised visage, she presumed it was a combination of her hand touching his, and that he never expected her to say such a thing. Fortunately, this situation could be easily rectified.
Without loosing her grip on his sweaty hand, which was very difficult for her to endure, Celeste insisted, "I have formulated a plan that will help us be free of his tyranny. In fact, it would liberate us from this school entirely! However…I fear that I will not be able to enact it on my own. But, if you were willing to assist me…"
She intentionally left her sentence unfinished, giving him a sympathetic stare, one that begged him for assistance. She could already see in his eyes that he was considering it, but there was a reluctance there as well. More than likely, he understood that she was suggesting murder…
Her suspicions were confirmed when he nervously pulled his hand away and said, "I-I don't understand…how will bringing Taka to justice serve to free us all from this school?"
Having expected this kind of reluctance, Celeste let her features sag as she answered, "Hifumi, I would like nothing more than to flee this place with the rest of our classmates. However, we both know it is impossible for all of us to escape here alive…"
A slight gasp escaped Hifumi, his reaction proving that on some level, he agreed with her. Because of that, Celeste knew that while it would be difficult to convince him to willingly sacrifice the rest of the class, it was far from impossible. And fortunately, she had just the leverage she needed.
"We must face reality, no matter how horrific it might be…" she continued, her features hardening as if she was coming to grips with this herself. "Monokuma will never allow us to leave. And it is obvious that sooner or later, Taka will turn on us, have us all executed one by one until only he remains. If we wish to survive, we must be cruel. To be honest…I am not sure I'm capable of committing such an atrocity. Taking another's life…is not something I ever expected to be forced to do. But when faced with the prospect of execution…"
Again, she silenced herself, letting her words sink in. The gambler gauged Hifumi's reactions and saw that deep inside his beady black eyes, he was considering her proposition. She just needed to push a bit more, give him a reason to trust her and follow through with her plot.
"No one wants to die, that is a sentiment we all share. However, when Alter Ego was taken from you…what did the others do?" As her question reached him, she saw him flinch, a realization floundering in his mind. "That's right…they abandoned you. They chose to 'wait' instead of helping you rescue the one you love. Honestly, it was difficult not to voice my opposition at the time—".
"Wait…you mean that you supported my decision to restrain Taka?!" Hifumi stammered, completely shocked. "Why didn't you say anything at the time then?! If I recall, you stayed silent during the whole affair—".
"Indeed…I did," she interrupted, her voice purposefully filled with shame. "I know that proposing this plan cannot make up for my cowardice. And it may seem hypocritical of me to support you now, but I assure you, I want to see justice brought to Taka for all of the misdeeds he's done!"
Near the end of her speech, she was no longer acting. She truly did want to see Taka punished for his crimes, just not the ones perpetrated against Hifumi. Even so, she knew her enthusiasm would drive him forward, possible convincing him to man up and get with the program!
There would be no happy ending for everyone here! If you want to escape, someone else has to die…everyone else has to die. And while it was easy to push that thought aside at this moment, deep down inside, Celeste knew that once she reached the final stage of her plan…she would have to confront that conflicting notion as well…if she wanted to realize her dream.
"But…why me?" Hifumi abruptly asked, for once catching her off guard. "Out of everyone here, why would you come to me for this? Surely someone like Byakuya would be more inclined to assist you?"
Unfortunately, the fat otaku made a great point. Byakuya would have made better partner for murder…except that he was exceptionally smart. And while she could easily match wits with him, she would have to constantly be on guard. After all, there was no way someone like him would ever willingly work with others, especially if his life was on the line.
No, she needed someone who would never betray her. Someone that she could wrap around her little finger…and only Hifumi Yamada fit that bill. Teaming up with him presented the least amount of risk, improving her chances for escape.
"There are many reasons…but chief among them, is that I know that I can trust you," Celeste falsely confided, which earned a shocked expression from him. "Byakuya would surely betray me, leave me for dead in this horrible place. You, however, have proven to be loyal and strong of heart, two things that we will both need if we are to make it out of here alive. But that's…not the only reason…"
Celeste knew that her words would intrigue him, which was confirmed when the fanfic creator quietly asked, "Well…what other reason is there?"
Just as planned, Celeste let a delicate smile decorate her lips, a sad and yet earnest smile that would fool even the most perceptive of people. She locked eyes with Hifumi and let out a deep sigh.
"Call it…a jealous whim," she began softly, averting her eyes as she continued. "I am jealous of the love you have earned, but at the same time…I am awe-struck. The love you have for Alter Ego…is by far the purest I've ever seen. Never in my life have I seen such devotion, and while others might find it odd that you feel so much for an AI program…I find it inspiring."
"I-Inspiring?!" Hifumi stuttered, obviously unable to believe what he was hearing.
Keeping her pleasant guise in place, Celeste nodded as she continued, "Indeed. Love is not something others should be allowed to judge. As long as you both care for each other, that is more than enough. Yours is a love that I have never experienced…and I don't believe I ever will. I am too…unfeeling. However, you, my dear Hifumi, have been blessed. To love and receive love in return is more precious than anything else in this world. And, at the very least, I would like to help you reunite with your love. And to ensure that you are never separated from her again…I will do all that I can to free you both from this horrible prison!"
Celeste hid a grin as she knew that her claws were sinking into Hifumi's mind. Finally, she would achieve the first step of her plan. Hifumi had presented a little bit of a challenge, but in the end, she knew what his answer would be.
"M-Miss Ludenberg…" the fanfic creator softly replied, struggling to regain his composure after her awe-inspiring speech. However, less than a moment later, his voice boomed, "I completely misjudged you! You truly understand my feelings! And while I know it may be difficult for you…I appreciate all that you would do for me!"
Feigning shock, Celeste gasped and asked, "Then…does that mean…?"
"Yes! Let us work together to free ourselves from this place! Let justice be served upon Taka's head! Let love shine through and cut us a path out of this hellish prison!"
As Hifumi's declaration rang out around her, a single thought consumed Celestia Ludenberg's mind.
"Too easy…"
"I am honored you would trust me, Hifumi. Now, let us go over the plan to realize our freedom!"
"Holy crap…this is a lot easier than I thought!"
Mukuro practically screamed as she effortlessly ran a brush through her now straightened wig hairs. Beside her, Sayaka sat with a pleasant and somewhat triumphant expression, her hands carefully tying the 'Fashionista's' hair up into pig tails.
They had spent hours fixing the knots in the wig and fortunately, at no time did Sayaka question anything. In fact, she was filled with all sorts of compliments about how 'fine' and 'soft' the fibers felt. Mukuro wondered what her reason would be if she found out it was all fake but knew that she would never be foolish enough let that situation occur.
Still it had been more fun to work on straightening her 'hair' than she'd imagined. Having never really cared about her appearance, Mukuro finally understood why some girl's like to fuss over their hair. It was fun to chat with Sayaka about how to straighten and brush it properly, with both of them chiding and messing with each other. They both enjoyed it so much that Mukuro had almost forgotten the reason why she'd let Sayaka over in the first place.
Unfortunately, before she could act on that, the pop idol gave her a bright smile as she finished tying up the wig into 'Junko's' usual pig tailed look.
"I told you it wouldn't be that hard once you got used to it," the pop idol reassured her, pulling a bright red ribbon tight. "There we go, your signature look. Are you sure you don't want to try something different?"
The soldier successfully kept herself from tensing at that question, relieved enough that they had managed to untangle the mass of pink fluff and make it presentable. And while she did feel confident that she could probably experiment with the wig without worry that it would pop off, the risk of getting too comfortable with it stopped her.
After all, she didn't want to be 'Junko' for the rest of her life…
"N-Nah, not right now. It took us forever just to get it back into my usual look, and I'm cool with that for now," Mukuro sweetly replied, winking to herself in the mirror for added effect.
"Aww, but I wanted to teach you braiding…" Sayaka disappointedly mentioned, hanging her head slightly.
Feeling a hint of guilt, Mukuro immediately replied, "W-Well, we can cover that next time! I mean, I can't always have the same hairstyle, right?"
As the soldier waited to see if her suggestion resolved the issue, a mischievous giggling enlightened Mukuro to the fact that she's been tricked.
"I was just kidding," Sayaka said with a smirk. "But since you offered, I'll take you up on that offer another time. Besides, it's getting kind of late."
Surprised, Mukuro slowly turned to see that it was already past 8 PM. She was floored by the fact that it had taken so long to fix her hair, but then again, they had spent a great deal of time chatting. Unfortunately, during that entire time, the soldier hadn't found the right moment to express herself to Sayaka. And she was quickly running out of time…
"I guess I'd better get going. I don't want to make Leon wait any longer than I have," Sayaka cheerfully told her, standing up to leave. "Maybe we could hang out again tomorrow? Assuming everything with Taka gets taken care of after the meeting…"
"Seriously," Mukuro sighed, feeling unnerved just talking about it. "But no sense in worrying about it right now. We'll just—".
"—have to do what we can?"
Mukuro snapped her head over to see Sayaka smiling down at her. A light chuckle escaped the soldier as she didn't need to question how her friend knew what she was thinking.
"I'm starting to think you really are psychic…" Mukuro chided before remembering that she needed to get something off her chest. "Hey, Sayaka?"
"Hm?"
The pop idol continued to smile warmly at her, which for some reason made that weird feeling resurface in Mukuro's chest. It was happening so often now that the soldier should be getting used to it, but she just couldn't! It felt so…wrong, and yet so right all at the same time! She reveled in the warmth this feeling brought her, but hated that she couldn't understand where it came from!
And unfortunately, it made it all the more difficult for her to express herself.
"I-I'm not good at this stuff so…" Mukuro paused before groaning loudly. "Let's just say that I'm sorry and leave it at that!"
Her sudden proclamation visibly startled Sayaka, letting her smile drop into a confused frown. As Mukuro watched her smile fade, that weird feeling dissipated…but she felt hollow and empty with it's sudden disappearance. What was this weird feeling doing to her?!
"You're…sorry?" Sayaka slowly questioned, her tone snapping Mukuro back to reality. Glancing over to the pop idol, the soldier found her features grown more and more concerned. "I don't understand…what do you have to be sorry for?"
"Shit…" Mukuro cursed under her breath. She really hadn't thought out how to apologize, and it was biting her in the ass! However, she'd come too far to back out now. "I-I'm…That is…I'm sorry I never really gave you a chance before!"
"Junko…what are you talking about?" a perplexed Sayaka reiterated.
Feeling the pressure that she'd forced upon herself, Mukuro let a stream of words fall out, "I thought you were a stuck-up princess that didn't get how the real world worked…everyone liked you…hell, some of them wanted to be you! Meanwhile, everyone just looked at me like I was some kind of carnival attraction…a spectacle for everyone to stare at. I was jealous…and I don't even know why…"
Unintentionally, Mukuro recalled memories of her time spent at Hope's Peak. Whenever she wasn't doing Junko's bidding or spending time in class, she would just stand around, waiting for more orders from Junko. People would stare at her, some would comment on how odd she was, and none of them tried to approach her. Her title as the Ultimate Soldier brought her a great deal of pride…even if it meant that no one wanted to get close to her.
On the other hand, Sayaka was never alone. She always had someone by her side, either supporting her or befriending her. Even Makoto idolized her, which stung quite a bit Mukuro now realized. Sayaka had everything. She could get whatever she wanted without much effort. She was the exact opposite of Mukuro, who had to work for everything she'd attained. That notion created a resentment toward for the pop idol that the soldier hadn't realized existed.
But everything was different now…
Mukuro had thought that Sayaka had everything…when in fact she had so very little. Her dream was all she had, and now that had been taken away from her. In a way, she and Mukuro were the same…both of them had lost their reason for living. Sayaka's dream was dead…and Junko considered Mukuro to be dead. And even though they both were slowly moving forward…it was difficult for both of them. It was an odd kind of companionship that Mukuro never imagined experiencing. And it's what drove her to apologize to a girl that she had once considered murdering.
Taking a deep breath, she let out a great sigh as she continued, "But…I was just being stupid…I'm the one who was ignorant…I didn't see that you suffered just as much as anyone else…and I'm sorry for not realizing you had problems of your own sooner…"
There…her apologize was complete. It was clumsy and awkward, but she had done it.
Surprisingly…she didn't feel any better afterward. In fact, as she stared at the perplexed look on Sayaka's face, she realized that it may have been better to have said nothing at all. Things had been going great between them, and the soldier truly valued the time they spent together. But now she may have destroyed all that with her inelegant apology!
Suddenly, Sayaka took a deep breath, the act startling Mukuro.
"As long as we're being honest, I used to think you were just a dumb bimbo." The pop idol's brutal honestly stung, but also kept the soldier silent as Sayaka continued, "I remember reading interviews about you in those fashion magazines and used to think, 'Wow, she must live a charmed life'…even though I knew from experience that the entertainment industry was cruel to absolutely everyone…"
Mukuro flinched at the mention of the magazines. Junko prided herself on being able to fool everyone into believing she was an honest and straight-forward person, and the industry ate it up. It was no wonder that Sayaka would think she was a snarky bitch…because the real Junko kind of was!
"But all that changed when I actually met you," Sayaka abruptly continued, a smile returning to her lips. "From the very first day, you were nothing like I imagined. You stood up for others, and while you were a bit self-centered, you weren't anything like I thought you'd be!"
At that moment, the soldier was reminded that due to the memory wipe, Sayaka hadn't 'met' Mukuro Ikusaba…which meant that the person she thought was her classmate was only a figment. And there was a great difference between the person she pretended to be…and the person she was.
"I'm not—", she tried to interject, only to be cut off.
"And then you saved me…and I didn't even have the courage to properly thank you for it," Sayaka pushed forward, a determined expression hardening her features. "Because without you…I would have died all alone. But thanks to you…I know what's important now. So…I just wanted to say…thank you."
As those last two words echoed in her mind, Mukuro felt that strange feeling resurface in a surge that threatened to overwhelm her. Sayaka's words resonated with her and made her genuinely believe that her actions were appreciated. And she felt great pride in knowing that she had saved her classmate's life of her own volition.
Unfortunately, a great shame also invaded her heart at that thought, for she bore the responsibility of placing Sayaka and the rest of the class into this hellish situation in the first place. The mixture of pride and shame was difficult to bear, both sides making too much sense for her to dismiss. Her hands, stained with the blood of the innocent, had been used to save Sayaka's life. It hadn't been an act of redemption or at least she hadn't thought that at the time. Mukuro had just found the pop idol clinging desperately to life…and saved her to repay Makoto. That's right, it was just because she was indebted to Makoto for saving her own life…it had nothing to do with actually wanting to save Sayaka…or did it?
"I suppose I wouldn't have felt the need to apologize if, on some level, I didn't regret what I've done to her…"
With that in mind, Mukuro grunted as she replied, "I didn't do all that much—".
"You set up an IV and bandaged my injuries. How is that 'not much'?" the pop idol instantly refuted, much to the soldier's surprise. With a light sigh, Sayaka continued, "Listen, I don't want this to be hanging over either of our heads, alright? It's been fun just getting to know you and I don't want this to get in the way of that."
Instantly feeling a bit embarrassed for starting it, Mukuro replied, "I-I didn't mean to kill the mood! I just wanted to—".
"Tell you what," Sayaka suddenly interrupted, startling the soldier back to alertness. "I'll accept your apology if you accept my appreciation for saving me. How does that sound?"
With that, Sayaka held out her hand and smiled, and not her usual smile. It was light and delicate, maybe a bit nervous. It was a smile that showed she meant every word. It made Mukuro's breath catch in her throat as that weird feeling spread warmth through her entire body. Staring at Sayaka's hand, it felt like much more than a simple agreement was being offered. As if taking that hand would mean something entirely different—what it could mean was something Mukuro couldn't fathom.
However, from deep within herself, Mukuro felt compelled to grasp that hand. She couldn't logically understand why, and perhaps it had to do with that warm sensation filling her being, but for the first time in quite a while…the decision seemed obvious. And even though nothing about their situation would change because of this choice, Mukuro was somehow reassured that everything was going to be alright.
Slowly, she reached out and grasped Sayaka's hand…nodding firmly.
"Alright…I accept."
Sayaka squeezed her hand and reciprocated her smile. "No need to be so formal. We're friends, after all."
As the pop idol made the proclamation, Mukuro noiselessly gasped before letting a genuine smile spread over her lips.
"Friends, huh? I've never had one before…it feels…nice…"
"…Miss Ludenberg, are you sure this is going to work?"
"Do not worry, I have thought of every contingency. All you need to do is play your part accordingly and everything will be fine. If we both fulfill our roles adequately…then everything will work out just as planned."
"But…how do you know that they'll do what the notes say? I mean, there's no way to be certain—".
"Trust me, my dear Hifumi…there is no way they will be able to resist."
Yasuhiro Hagakure paced back and forth in his room, his very existence being called into question.
"It just doesn't make sense! I'm always at least 30% accurate! But lately, all of my predictions were wrong! Not even 10% accurate!" Ceasing his pacing, Hiro tilted his head upward and glared at the ceiling. "I can't see the stars, so I don't know if one of the planets is blocking my spiritual flow…or it could be aliens! Yeah…they're the reason my predictions have been all over the place!"
Unfortunately, even after that definitive conclusion, Hiro was no closer to resolving his feelings on the matter. His psychic vibes had never been so out of sorts before. And the fact that Taka had stolen away their last hope, just as he'd predicted tragedy would be averted, threw his abilities further into question!
"What will everyone think if they find out that I'm…I'm…useless!" Hiro panicked, furiously running both hands through his massive locks of hair. "If they knew my talents was failing lately…someone might try to kill me!"
Unwillingly, his mind began to envision various horrible ends to his life. He might be bludgeoned over the head with a metal pipe! Drowned in the pool with cement boots! Stabbed while in the shower! Eaten alive by—
*Knock*Knock*
"Eyahhh! They're here already!"
Hiro dove behind his bed, cowering as he peered over his sheets, staring at the door as if he expected someone to bash it open. However, much to his 'surprise', nothing happened. Only the initial knocking had echoed and none had followed. Which was odd, considering he imagined whomever was outside would be banging on his door repeatedly until he finally answered.
Rising up to his feet, the clairvoyant glanced at the door and spotted something protruding at the bottom. Cautiously walking over, he discovered that a small piece of paper had been shoved under his door. Carefully, he bent over and picked it up, unfolding it and reading its contents:
We've discovered a secret path that might lead out of the school. Taka can't find out about this yet. Let's meet in the Rec Room at 1 AM.
Hiro reread the note several times, and with each reread he grew more and more excited.
"Hell yeah! I was right after all!" he shouted, his loudness deafened by the soundproof walls. "It was a little late but now that we've found a way out of here, disaster will surely be averted!" Pointing up at the ceiling, he chided, "Take that ya stupid aliens! We're getting out of here tonight!"
Glancing to the clock on his wall and noting that it was only around 9 PM, Hiro took out his deck of tarot cards and shuffled them.
"May as well make a few more predictions while I'm waiting," he reasoned with himself, his confidence fully restored. "Now…who's going to be the lucky lady to bear my child…"
"First, second, and third floors…clear!" Disciplinary Committee Chairman Ishimaru shouted to himself as he headed for the stairwell, finishing his nightly rounds before curfew. "Now to check the dormitory before night time!"
It was getting late; it was already well past 9 PM and he would soon need to lock the dining hall doors. Well, to be honest, all he needed to do was close them and they would lock at 10PM. It surprised him at first, but considering that Monokuma was absent, it made sense that the whomever the Mastermind was could lock the doors from afar. How else would they be able to ensure that their rule of the cafeteria being unusable at 'night time' was upheld?
As the Chairman strode through the halls, he only mildly surprised to have not encountered any of his classmates. It was possible they were all avoiding him, and for good reason! Their betrayal surely stung and they shamefully hid from him to postpone their punishment! However, they could not elude the morning meeting and if he needed to wait to speak with them at that time, then so be it!
Descending the final set of stairs, Taka's feet unconsciously stopped just in front of the nurse's office. He could hear movement inside, undoubtedly Mondo was settling in for a long night of keeping watch over Chihiro. Staring at the door, the Disciplinary Chairman clenched his fists while his aura flared.
"Soon…" he whispered to himself, his flaming eyes practically searing the door. "I will make you pay for your crimes…Mondo Owada!"
Strutting away from the nurse's office, the incensed Disciplinary Chairman briskly made his way around the final corner on his way to the dorms. However, not too far ahead of him, a piece of litter lay on the floor. Being the responsible young man that he was, Taka assumed the responsibility of keeping their environment clean.
With a swift movement, he snatched up the litter, which happened to be a small sheet of paper and prepared to head into a classroom to dispose of it. However, his eyes unintentionally saw a bit of writing on the note…particularly his former nickname!
Coming to a complete halt, his gaze shot to the note. Normally, he wouldn't invade someone's privacy and simply crumple and dispose of the note. However, since this particular notice had 'Taka' written on it, he couldn't deny that he was now involved and therefore needed to ascertain the reason behind this note's existence.
Without hesitation, he scanned the paper:
We've discovered a secret path that might lead out of the school. Taka can't find out about this yet. Let's meet in the Physics Lab Equipment Room at 6 AM.
As Disciplinary Committee Chairman Ishimaru finished reading, his rage boiled over.
"H-How DARE they!" he shouted, crumpling the note in his hands as he clenched his fists. "Their betrayals know no bounds! Not only did they keep Alter Ego from me, but they also discovered a possible escape route! I will not stand for this!"
Furiously stomping toward the dorm, the Disciplinary Committee Chairman's aura blazed. He had no idea that just a few feet away, hidden around the corner, two figures watched his departure. A few moments later, that fateful ringing echoed throughout the school.
*Ding*Dong*Bing*Bong*
"Good evening from Hawaii! Where you all are, the time is now 10 PM..."
"Miss Ludenberg, I've completed preparations for Robo Justice and the Justice Hammers."
"Well done, Hifumi. I am impressed you managed such a feat so quickly. It must have been difficult."
"Never underestimate the knowledge and experience of a true otaku! With these sacred tools, we shall take back my beloved and finally rid ourselves of the tyranny plaguing our lives! Soon we shall be free!"
"…I could not agree more. And now that all the pieces are set, we only need to prepare ourselves."
All was quiet on the third floor of the school as the night rolled on. It had been several hours since the 'night time' announcement and it seemed that everyone had settled in for the evening…well, almost everyone.
"Alright…almost there," Hiro said to himself as he climbed the stairs leading to the third floor. "I still can't believe that Makoto and I are going to have the same woman birth both our children! And on second thought, maybe I outta keep that prediction to myself for now. I can tell him after we get outta here, it'll be easier for him to take the news once we're breathing fresh air!"
Laughing to himself as he approached the Rec Room, the clairvoyant glanced at the hallway clock, nodding with a smile.
"1 AM on the dot! I wonder if I'm the first one here!" he said as he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Once inside, however, Hiro blinked rapidly as nothing but a dark room greeted him. Raising an eyebrow, he briefly wondered if he'd gotten the time wrong as he reached for the nearby light switch. Unfortunately, before his hand could reach the switch, a pair of arms materialized behind him. Before he could gasp, a damp cloth was slapped over his nose and mouth, a sickly-sweet scent invading his nostrils.
Instantly, the clairvoyant realized his folly as his consciousness rapidly faded. Just before the darkness claimed him, he heard a smug voice call out.
"Phase one…complete."
Hiro fell like a sack of potatoes, and Hifumi struggled to keep him from crashing to the floor. Barely managing to lower the clairvoyant to the floor, the fanfic creator wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Well done, Hifumi." Celeste congratulated as she flicked on the lights. Using her foot, she scooted a box of cosplay robot parts toward him. "Now, we need to hurry and move on to the next phase of the plan."
"R-Right…" the fanfic creator replied, almost solemnly. For a moment, his eyes drifted down to the damp cloth he'd used to incapacitate Hiro. "Um, Miss Ludenberg?"
"Yes?" she answered immediately, an anxious expression hidden beneath her smile.
"I was wondering why you had a bottle of chloroform in your room. It's not typically something a young lady such as yourself would possess—".
"I 'borrowed' it from the nurse's office some time ago, before it was closed off," the gambler informed him, smiling sweetly. "It is embarrassing to admit, but I suffer from restlessness. Sometimes, it is necessary to use a small amount to help me fall asleep."
"Oh, I see," Hifumi replied with a nod. "I suppose that's why you often arrive later to the morning meetings?"
"No." Her tone firmed slightly for a moment before she smiled again. "I am a lady. It takes time for me to prepare myself in the morning. Now, if you don't mind, we need to be quick. We could be discovered if we tarry."
"R-Right!"
Without another word, Hifumi began pulling the costume pieces from the box and began fitting Hiro with the outfit. He chose to set the largest piece first, which happened to be the chest and abdomen section, as clairvoyant's massive hair tendrils would be a challenge. Once that was finished, and the largest piece was secured with a clasp Hifumi had installed, it was a simple matter to apply the arms and legs of the robot cosplay.
As he worked, Celeste sat off to the side, crossing her legs and waiting for him to finish. She occasionally flashed him a pleasant smile if he glanced her way, but nothing more. As she continued to wait she found that, much to her surprise, the fanfic creator worked in complete silence. And while she had first assumed it was for concentration, something about his silence unnerved her. Even given the grim nature of their task, it was uncommon for him to be so quiet.
Sensing his apprehension, Celeste put on a concerned expression and asked, "Is something the matter?"
Hifumi flinched, holding the last piece of costume, the elaborate headpiece, with shaky hands. Staring down at the unconscious Hiro, a line of drool dripping down the clairvoyant's chin, the fanfic creator took in a deep breath.
"Are you sure we can't shave his head to make it easier to fit?" Hifumi almost begged, glaring at the massive amount of fluff atop the clairvoyant's head.
"I'm afraid that would not do," Celeste refused him, shaking her head. "There might be evidence that he did not shave himself, which I'm sure some of the others might pick up on."
It was obvious she was talking about Kyoko. The mysterious girl did have a habit of examining every inch of a person's body, even if they weren't a victim. It was a sound reasoning, one that Hifumi couldn't argue with, no matter how much he wanted to.
"Anything else?" Celeste mindfully asked, her tone soft and concerned.
"Are you sure that there's…no other way?"
There was no need for Celeste to question what he meant, his resolve was weakening and that was something she couldn't allow. Her smile disappeared, replaced by a deep frown.
"I'm afraid that all other options have been exhausted, and we don't have the time to plan a new strategy." Her tone softened, becoming almost melancholy as she continued, "Even if we did, it is far too late to turn back now."
Startled by her proclamation, Hifumi sputtered, "W-What? How is it too late? We haven't…killed anyone yet."
Hanging her head slightly, Celeste solemnly answered, "True, but we have already broken the rules and 'attacked' a fellow student. Even if we turn back now, just leave Hiro here, unconscious and unharmed…we would still face a class trial."
Hifumi's eyes widened as he realized the extent of his actions. Since Hiro wouldn't know who attacked him, a bullying trial would be unavoidable. Even if the failed in killing Taka and rescuing Alter Ego, they would still face a trial…and he would be the culprit this time. Celeste, while having planned the event, didn't actively participate, leaving the blame mostly on him.
Hifumi began to ponder if that was her intention from the beginning…
"That being said, the blame will be on both our heads, but only I need be punished," Celeste abruptly told him, much to his surprise. "After all, I was the one who instigated this attack and if it comes to it…I will take responsibility. It is the least I can do after putting you into a difficult position such as this."
Hifumi gasped, stunned by her sudden act of compassion. She was giving him a chance to back out, and he knew this was his only opportunity to take it. However, it would mean condemning Celeste to take the fall for what he'd just done. And no matter how loud a lingering voice of doubt shouted in the back of his mind, he couldn't bring himself to force that fate upon her. It would be a betrayal of his chivalrous spirit…not to mention he might lose his one chance to rescue his beloved Alter Ego.
In the end, just as Celeste had said, it was too late to turn back. Instead, Hifumi steeled himself as he prepared to follow through with her plan…knowing that he would rest easy when Alter Ego was liberated from that virgin's clutches!
"Y-You're right…" he finally acquiesced, stuffing the tangled mess of a forest that was Hiro's hair into the headpiece. Somehow managing to fit the robot head into its place, Hifumi took a step back, placing his hands on his hips as he nodded at his own work. "Robo Justice is finally complete!"
"Indeed, now we need to move on to the next phase," Celeste reminded him, holding up her new acquired camera. "Hifumi, if you would please?"
Nodding to her, the fanfic creator hoisted the unconscious 'Robo Justice' up and slung his arms over his shoulders, giving the illusion that the robot was grabbing onto him. In true otaku fashion, Hifumi struck various terrified poses, gasping and shouting wildly as he got into character. All the while, Celeste snapped pictures, evaluating each one before eventually deciding on the best one to showcase Hifumi's 'abduction' to the others.
"That is enough," Celeste told him, making extra sure she deleted any duplicate pictures. "Now then, it is time we disposed of him."
"About that…are you sure he won't wake up before too long?" Hifumi questioned, preparing to transport the 'robot man'. "I mean, if he wakes up before we finish establishing our alibis—".
"Don't worry…" Celeste reassured him, a somewhat wicked smile forming on her lips. "By the time he awakens, everything will be set in motion. Now, let's hurry and get him to the pool. The locker near the back will serve as his 'hiding place'."
Although he was perturbed by the almost sadistic glint in his partner's eyes, Hifumi decided it was best to move forward as planned, lugging Hiro toward the door. Just before reaching it, he stopped, his mind racing as he thought about what the next few phases of Celeste's plan would entail.
"Miss Ludenberg…?" the fanfic creator hesitantly asked. "You're certain that this is the only way? What if something goes wrong?"
Celeste's eyes almost showed how much she wanted to sneer at him, but she managed to hold in her disappointment. After all, she was so close to having her vengeance…and she wouldn't let his soft-hearted tendencies to rob her of the 'justice' she desired!
With a pleasant smile, she answered, "Fear not, Hifumi. As long as we work together, absolutely nothing will stop us. After all, with such detailed planning, what could go wrong?"
-Several Hours Later-
"Won't you reconsider? It could be dangerous."
Alter Ego voiced 'her' opinion as Disciplinary Committee Chairman Ishimaru laced up his boots, almost ready to head out for the meeting. With his aura flaring and his eyes burning, he glanced back at the laptop with utter confidence.
"As the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, I am responsible for disciplining those who would disrupt the peace of our fragile school society. I cannot abandon my duty simple because it might be dangerous!"
Staring at the laptop, awaiting its answer, Taka suddenly remembered Alter Ego's hearing deficiency and scooted over next to the laptop. Typing word for word his previous response, he waited while the AI processed his answer.
"Oh, I see…" Alter Ego replied carefully, obviously hesitant to retort. Slowly, the AI appeared to gather its courage as it said, "Even so, you could simply wait and confront everyone during your ritualistic meeting in the morning. You planned on addressing them at that time anyway and I'm sure that everyone will tell you what they discovered about a possible means of escape—".
A sudden flare startled Alter Ego into silence. The intense aura around Taka blazed, his eyes practically scorching the air as he gritted his teeth and wordlessly seethed. Staring wide-eyed at the Disciplinary Chairman, the AI feared that 'her' good intentions may have awakened something fierce within him.
Her suspicions were confirmed when Taka took to the keyboard and replayed:
[The time for leniency is over! I need to teach those who would disrupt our communal life the penalty for betrayal!]
Alter Ego gasped at that message, 'her' petite face almost shuddering as she understood his intentions. Rereading his own words, the Disciplinary Committee Chairman realized that he should have been more reassuring. And even if he meant every word he'd conveyed, that didn't mean he had a right to frighten the AI entity.
Taking to the keys again, he continued:
[Fear not. I am only going there to reprimand them. No harm will come to either them or myself. Of that, I can guarantee you!]
Chairman Ishimaru nodded to himself, pleased with his own choice of wording. Unfortunately, his firm determination did nothing to ease the AI's conscience, evident when 'her' face sank and a hint of tears welled up in 'her' eyes.
"B-But…Master…Master said something similar to me…and then never returned!" Tears slowly dripped of Alter Ego's pixelated eyes as she reiterated, "And…I don't want anyone to be put in harm's way because of my existence!"
Taking in the AI's distressed expression, the Disciplinary Chairman felt his anger grow. If his classmate had just listened to him, they would not be putting so much pressure on one as pure as Alter Ego. After all, even if the laptop contained useful information that might help free them, putting the AI into such a delicate position of having to keep secrets was undoubtedly traumatizing. However, Taka imagined that as long as they got the information stored inside, his classmates probably didn't care for the well-being of the AI itself.
Even though it was a bit odd, Chairman Ishimaru considered Alter Ego a student, the same as everyone else. And as such, it was his duty to protect the fragile entity from those who would abuse 'her'. And the first step toward that goal was confront those who continued to scheme behind his back!
More reassured of his decision, the Disciplinary Committee Chairman typed his final response:
[After I have disciplined those who are meeting in secret, I will return and bring you before everyone for the morning meeting. We will then discuss how best to survive this ordeal.]
Registering that message, Alter Ego gasped and a hopeful visage finally crossed 'her' face. A bright smile spread out on 'her' lips and she joyfully replied, "R-Really?! Thank you so much, Disciplinary Committee Chairman Ishimaru! I'll be waiting, so please come back soon!"
Alter Ego's hopeful expression combined with 'her' respectful words and tone strengthened Taka for what he knew needed to be done. He would no longer hesitate to punish those who would bring harm to his fellow classmates. And while a small part of him wondered if he was capable of introducing such harsh discipline, all he needed to do was remind himself that they had brought it upon themselves.
Standing up, he smiled down at Alter Ego before closing the laptop and turning away. Immediately, his visage hardened and his aura intensified, the flames in his eyes hot enough to melt steel. With that resolve, he proceeded out of his room and ventured into the hallways of the first floor.
The Disciplinary Chairman had no idea that, watching from the shadows, a figure in a gothic dressed grinned as he departed.
…she wasn't sure…when it started…probably after that voice…began calling out to her…
…such a warm…and familiar voice…it was so quiet…but she could…still hear it…calling out to her…
…she remembered…another voice…a voice so much like her own…it called for…help…
…that was when…she began to hear…that first voice…so clearly…
"Chihiro…I'm sorry"
…there…it was…again…
Mondo paced around the nurse's office unable to sleep since hearing Alter Ego's cries for help yesterday. Leon had come and told him the bad news, and the baseball star had suffered his fury as he insisted that he had to be wrong. Even in his current form, the biker couldn't see Taka as anything less than his friend…his bro.
And when he'd been told that Taka had 'stolen' Alter Ego for himself, Mondo straight up refused to believe it. Even if it was true, surely the Moral Compass had a good reason. He had to believe that…because if he didn't…he would have to acknowledge that all of Taka's sins were his fault.
If he had just controlled himself, just explained everything to Taka back then, then none of this would have happened. Everyone was freaking out because of Taka's craziness, and now they may have lost their only lead that would help them all escape! Not to mention that poor Chihiro had poured her soul into making Alter Ego, and now the little laptop was being treated like some kind of bargaining chip!
Mondo had never wanted to punch something more in his life than he did right now, but he managed to hold himself back. There was no telling what unintentional damage he might cause, even if he just punched a wall! He was…afraid. Afraid that he might hurt someone else because he couldn't control his rage. At the same time, he had so much pent up frustration and had nothing he could do to fix it!
Eventually, after stomping his feet as he paced, he somehow managed to feel a bit better. At least enough for him to be able to just sit down and try to relax. Taking a seat next to Chihiro's bedside, he stared at the unconscious programmer, grimacing as images of his own crimes replayed in his mind.
"Chihiro…I'm sorry," he apologized to the sleeping programmer, somehow hoping it might wake her this time. He'd lost count of how many times he'd apologized, feeling more and more hollow each time. "I know that no matter how much I say it…it won't change a damn thing! But still…I'll keep apologizing until you finally wake up! And then, I promise…it'll be the first thing I say to you!"
…again…Chihiro heard that voice…
"Chihiro…I'm sorry."
…there it…was again…that voice that was…so familiar and yet so distant…
…floating in a sea of darkness…that voice continued to call out…growing close and closer…with each passing moment…
…time was irrelevant…all that mattered…was that voice…for it brought peace…
…Chihiro…couldn't understand…why the voice…kept apologizing…
…but she was grateful…without that voice…she would have…lost her way…in that ocean of blackness…
…she was close now…so very close…and yet…so far…
Following his apology, Mondo leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily…feeling utterly lost.
"Dammit, I just don't know what to do anymore!" the biker vented, trying to keep his voice low. "It's all my fault this happened to you…and it's my fault that Taka's become a pissed off Rule-Nazi! All because I was too weak…because I wanted to be strong like big bro…when I didn't even know what it meant to be strong in the first place—!"
Suddenly, Mondo heard footsteps just outside the office door, or more accurately, he heard someone stop just outside the door. Immediately on guard, the biker stood up and walked toward the door, keeping a good distance in case someone tried to break in. A part of Mondo hoped it was the Mastermind behind that door, so that he could bash their teeth in and finally fulfill his need to punch something!
Unfortunately, after a few moments of silence, nothing happened. In fact, Mondo began to question if he'd heard anything at all.
"Just hearing things…" he muttered quietly and prepared to head back to his seat.
Just then, he heard an unmistakable voice…
Surprisingly, a yawn escaped Taka as he made his way toward the first-floor staircase.
He hadn't slept since finding that note on the floor, his mind pouring over exactly whom that note had been meant for. He surmised that someone must have dropped it, and given Makoto's string of unfortunate luck, the Ultimate Lucky Student seemed the most likely candidate. However, the real threat was whoever instigated this act of betrayal. And while all those who would choose to participate were just as guilty, those who chose to refrain should be granted clemency.
"However, for those who have decided to turn their backs on social order…I know the sort of punishment that will need to be enacted!"
As fate would have it, as that thought echoed in his mind, he came to a halt just outside the nurse's office. He could hear Mondo shuffling around, and a faint whisper of the biker's low voice. A part of him wanted to confront the biker now and be done with it, but given that he wasn't allowed to enter the nurse's office unless it was an emergency, he instead chose to continue with his current objective.
"We will settle this soon…Mondo Owada!" he seethed aloud, barely managing to keep his voice low. Unable to keep himself from stomping as he headed for the staircase only a few feet away.
Mondo could barely believe his ears, mostly because he wasn't entirely sure he'd heard Taka muffled voice through the door! He'd spoken so low that it had been hard to hear but what he was certain about was his bro's intention. It sounded as if he wanted to settle things between them, but the biker wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing!
Mondo also want to settle things between them but did that mean breaking off their friendship permanently or trying to talk things out? In Taka's current state, he wasn't even sure if the Moral Compass would be willing to listen to him, not that anything he could say would fix the damage he'd done. At the same time, Mondo knew that his friend spiraling out of control and since it was his fault, the biker felt he should be the one to set the Moral Compass straight…regardless of the potential consequences.
Before he had time to contemplate opening the door or not, the furious stomps of his former friend's departure echoed, leaving Mondo alone with his thoughts.
He wanted to go after his friend, but knew there was no way he could leave Chihiro defenseless. And while it was true that no one had tried to harm either of them yet, there was no guarantee that someone wouldn't snap…he knew that all too well. Not to mention that the motive this time was money, a universal tool for turning good people into worthless criminals. Because of that, he couldn't leave Chihiro alone, but he also needed to apologize to Taka and try to set the record straight. However, do to one would abandon the other, and he just couldn't bring himself to make that choice.
"Dammit…I should've just opened the door and talked to him!" he cursed aloud, pounding his fist into his hand. "Why the hell am I so weak?! I know I'll never be as strong as Big Bro, but at least I need to be strong for everyone else!"
Instantly, he recalled his conversation with Junko the other day, specifically something she'd told him:
It has nothing to do with strength…I'm just doing what I can, that's all. Besides, I'm not willing to let the bear have his way!
Despite how stupid he felt, a smile slowly overtook Mondo's lips. Junko Enoshima, a hot fashionista girl with so much to lose…could be strong in the face of despair. She fought with all she had in order to keep everyone alive, and she never gave up, not once…and she hadn't given up on him either. Somehow, he felt as though he could draw strength from her example, a person who reminded him of what true strength was. And right now, Junko was trusting him to keep Chihiro safe, and regardless of how much he wanted to sort things out with Taka, it was obvious that his place was here.
"Yeah…yeah, that's right! I just need to do what I can right now!" the biker psyched himself up, slapping his face with both hand before clenching his fists. "From now on, I'm not gonna hesitate! I'll to keep watch over Chihiro until she wakes up…and even after that! I swear, on my honor as a man, I will make sure nothing bad happens to her again!"
…it was so loud now…that voice that was…so familiar…
…it cut through…everything…
"I swear, on my honor as a man, I will make sure nothing bad happens to her again!"
…it was so close…to her now…as if…the voice was…right next to her…
…and there was light…for the first time since…she could remember…
…it was soft…and warm…and bright…it evaporated the darkness…
…and as that voice…that strong voice called out…she finally remember…
…Mondo…
As the biker listened to his own voice echo in the small room, for the first time since the incident…he felt his strength returning. And then, something startled him…
"M-Mondo…? Is that…you?"
Time stood still as a dainty voice called out. Mondo's breath caught in his throat as he spun around staring at the only occupied bed. Tears welled up in his eyes as he saw Chihiro's eyes flutter. And he almost gasped when, as she lay there, with her eyes half open, Chihiro called out to him.
"I…I can't…see you…Mondo…" she said softly, her voice weak and frail. Despite how exhausted her must have been, somehow she found the strength to pull her hand from under the sheets and reach out. "Mondo…are you …there…?"
It took Mondo less than a second to sprint to her side, kneeling at her bedside. Grasping her hand with both of his, the biker squeezed tightly. Slowly, Chihiro turned her head and stared at him. Mondo flinched, unsure of how she was going to react…fearful of her reaction. However, much to his surprise, she instantly recognized him…and a small but bright smile spread over her lips.
With a heaving sob, the tears that Mondo had held in burst forth, streaming down his cheeks. Bringing her hand closer, he rested his forehead against their conjoined hands, openly sobbing. However, amidst his tears, Mondo somehow found the strength to keep the promise he'd made.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Mondo shouted, "Chihiro! I'm…I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, Chihiro!"
…she had no idea…why Mondo kept…apologizing…
…she didn't have the strength…to ask him…why…
…but she knew…no matter what he'd done…it wasn't on purpose…
…he was…her friend…
…and she needed…to let him…know that…
Mondo's apology rattled the room, undoubtedly carrying down the hallway as well, but he didn't care. He'd waited for this moment for so long, and now that it was here, he couldn't care less what happened to him. Chihiro had come back, and if she wanted to condemn him, have him executed, then he'd gladly take it.
All that mattered was that she was alive…
Suddenly, he became shocked as he felt dainty fingers patting his forehead. Snapping his eyes open, he glanced up to see Chihiro's hand resting on his forehead. Utterly confused by her gesture, his eyes down slowly trailed down to her see still smiling warmly at him.
Then, much to his surprise, she spoke:
"…I forgive you…"
For nearly a full minute, Mondo couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't process anything other than the words she'd gifted him with. Not once since the incident had he expected Chihiro to forgive him. He didn't deserve it…after everything he'd done. And yet…that's what he was given…forgiveness. He had almost killed her, nearly destroyed such a pure and innocent life, and yet she still forgave him. She forgave him…a man who deserved no forgiveness…but sought it nonetheless.
As warmth spread through his entire body, Mondo finally felt himself slowly letting go of his own self-loathing.
...it took…all of her strength…to say those words to him…
…and now…she could feel…herself fading…
…she was afraid…afraid of being forced…back into that blackness…
…but…
Unfortunately, the biker didn't have time to relish in that warmth, because almost without him knowing it, Chihiro's hand slipped from his grasp. As her hand fell to her side, Chihiro's eyes slowly began to close, much to Mondo horror. Her smile faded and her breathing slowed as she began to once again lose consciousness.
"No…NO! Chihiro! You gotta stay awake! You gotta—!"
In spite of his pleading, Chihiro's eyes closed and her head rolled to the side as she fell back into uneasy slumber. Panic consumed Mondo as he shot to his feet, fists clenched and tears still rolling down his reddened cheeks. A guttural scream tore from Mondo's throat as grief consumed him.
…as the darkness return…Chihiro refused to despair…
…she could still…hear him…Mondo's voice reached her…so easily now…
…and although she knew it would take time…she could…find her way back…
…after all…she needed to…ask him…
"God-dammit, NO! CHIHIRO!" Mondo's screams tore his throat as he smashed his fist into the wall. "Dammit, Chihiro…you can't forgive me and then just…and then just—!"
Suddenly, before his anger overtook him, he remembered something! Leaning in close, he pressed his ear to Chihiro's chest and breathed a quick sigh as he felt her breathing and heard her heart beating…if only faintly.
Understandably, his worry only intensified. He had no idea what needed to be done, if anything! He'd never dealt with people going into or out of coma's before and he was already panicking just trying to figure out where to go from here! Luckily, he had one idea…
"Junko! She knows some medical stuff! Maybe she can—!" he stopped himself midsentence, as he recalled his situation. "Dammit, she's not allow in here! No one's allow in here! And Monokuma isn't even here so there's no way he'll let anyone—".
Mondo's eyes widened as he realized that there was one person…a student of absolute authority, who had been given charge over the school while Monokuma was away. Without a second thought, Mondo tore out of the nurse's office and desperately sped toward the first-floor stairwell.
"BRO!"
"6 AM…and no one has arrived yet!" Disciplinary Committee Chairman Ishimaru said aloud as he waited in the equipment room. "The least they could have done was be on time for their own meeting! Once they arrive, I will give them all a stern talking to!"
Tapping his foot impatiently, the white haired and blazing eyed Moral Compass was completely unaware of the figure hiding just behind the door…a large blue hammer grasped in their hand.
To Be Continued…
Greetings, my beautiful readers! Quite a climax this chapter had, huh? But how will this all turn out? Is Taka going to be pummeled by Hifumi? Will Mondo arrive in time to help him? And how will Celeste's plan go with this new development? You'll have to keep reading to find out!
Again, sorry that update will be sporadic for a while. My associates and I are working on the DR: IF dubbing project and it'll be at least another month or so before we finish. We'll be making a new youtube channel for this video to air on, and I'll tell you more about it as we get it up.
For now, I hope that you're all still enjoying the story! Please leave a review/comment to tell me what you think of the story or if you have questions related to this story. Thanks again and have yourselves a great day, my beautiful readers!