Ryoko's Resolution

Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa or any of its characters. They belong to their respective creators.


Part 4

"But it's the only way!" Ryoko argued with Akihiro, practically begging him to let her enter the simulation. Naturally, he'd refused, and being the current head of command, only he could authorize her to be put into the simulation. "If I don't go, who knows what will happen to Makoto and everyone else!"

"Not going to happen," he firmly refuted, eyes glued to his monitor as he tried, in vain, to reestablish connection. "Once we're able to view the situation inside the simulation—".

"We both know that's not going to happen!" Ryoko lectured him, gesturing to the other technicians who were still frantically trying to bring the feed back. "We're completely cut off now! The only reason we got to see into the simulation in the first place is because she let us!"

"You don't know that," he contested, his frustration beginning to show. "We also don't know if she was telling the truth about the override system—".

"I already analyzed the data," Ryoko told him, holding up a report as proof. "The change was made recently, within the last 24 hours. That's probably why we didn't notice. We were too focused on the loss of the observers."

Taking the report, Akihiro skimmed it while she spoke, but stopped at a particular sentence. "According to this, the override system was altered so that only a specific individual can verify it…but it doesn't indicate who that person is—".

"It's obviously me—!"

"So you're just going to take that madwoman at her word?!" he cut her off quickly, tossing the report onto his workstation. "Besides being a super-genius, Junko Enoshima was a master manipulator. She could just be trying to lure you in there for her own twisted amusement!"

"So we should just ignore this chance all together?!" Ryoko furiously retorted, clenching her fists tightly. "Makoto…Kyoko…Byakuya…the Remnants…they're all trapped in there with no way out! And you want me to just sit here and pray for a miracle or something?!"

"That's not what I'm saying! Besides, even if we wanted to send you in, we can't right now. Access was cut off when the feed went dead," Akihiro outright lied, which only infuriated Ryoko further.

"That's a lie and you know it!" she shouted at him, slamming her hands onto his console, finally getting him to look up at her. "You think I didn't check the system myself before asking? The only system we still have access to is the pod room mainframe! So don't tell me—".

"Just because we can access it, that doesn't mean we have control!" Akihiro yelled back at her, shooting to his feet and glaring down at her. He wasn't much taller than her, but it was enough to give him an intimidating edge. "If…If we sent you in there, we may not be able to bring you back! And worse, you might—!"

Snapping his mouth shut, he groaned as he realized he'd let his true concern slip. And there was no way the Ultimate Analyst wouldn't pick up on it.

"…I might get turned back into Ultimate Despair…that's what you're worried about, right?" Ryoko poignantly asked, voicing the fear she herself was battling.

"…Yes," he swiftly replied, meeting her gaze while clenching his fists. "I'm sorry…but it's just too dangerous for you to enter the system. Even if you are the only one who can activate the override, it's too great of a risk."

To her surprise, as the two of them stared into each other's souls, Ryoko could see something other than anger in his eyes. There was something he wasn't telling her…and she had already guessed what it might be.

"That's not all…is there?" she probed, her voice practically begging for the truth.

Akihiro flinched, proving her hypothesis correct. Averting his gaze from her, the technician let out a deep sigh before answering. "Before she entered the system…Miss Kirigiri specifically instructed me not to let you into the simulation…no matter the cost."

…Well that certainly explained things. The only question was, had she issued that order out of concern for Ryoko…or because of how disastrous it could be for her old memories to resurface. And although she wanted to believe it was the former, she couldn't deny the possibility that it was the latter. Or possibly a mixture of both.

Either way, it didn't change anything. Ryoko needed to get into the system. And she was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish that. Even if it cost her everything she held dear, she was prepared to do it if it meant saving the few people she truly cared about.

"Akihiro…please," she said softly, struggling to keep her voice even. "If we do nothing…all of them will die. And…I can't let that happen. No matter what happens to me…I won't let them die."

Choking down her fears and apprehension, she did her best to steel herself as she hardened her resolve. Looking the technician dead in the eye, she said, "So…I have a proposal for you…"


-Inside The Neo World Program-

"Sure is taking a while, isn't it?" A.I. Junko said in a bored tone, yawning loudly in disregard for her 'prisoners'. "How long's it gonna take for them to get their butts in gear and send her on her way here?"

"You're wasting all of our time," Kyoko cut her off, a heated glare aimed at the Mastermind. "I gave those on the outside specific instructions not to let Ryoko Otonashi into the simulation."

"Why'd you do that?!" Kazuichi Soda shouted, obviously not understanding the situation. "If we don't get her in here, we're all gonna be trapped here forever!"

"As loathe as I am to agree with Kazuichi, I must concur," Sonia Nevermind added, causing the pink haired engineer to sulk as she continued. "Now that we have the resolve to leave this awful place, should we not invite this Ryoko woman to verify the override?"

"It's not that simple," Hajime answered, a knowing look on his face. A good deal of his memories had returned by this point, and he knew exactly who Ryoko Otonashi really was. "Suffice it to say, Ryoko Otonashi is the last person who should come to our rescue."

"Why?" Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu asked, growing more and more impatient. Glancing toward the three Future Foundation members, he pointedly asked, "Is this Ryoko woman one of the Ultimate Despair or something?"

"…It's complicated," Makoto admitted, not really sure how much to divulge.

"Complicated?" Akane Owari repeated, a confused/perturbed expression on her face. "Are you still keepin' stuff from us?!"

"I'm afraid that information is classified. As such we are not at liberty to divulge it," Byakuya answered her, pushing up his glasses without even looking her way.

"Pfft, yeah right!" A.I. Junko interrupted, laughing at their expense. "Complicated? Classified? Are you seriously telling me that no one's figured it out by now? I figured everyone in World Ender would've known the truth by now!"

The immediate silence from the three Future Foundation members irked the malicious A.I. and she let out a disappointed sigh to express her discontent.

"Well, if you won't tell 'em, I guess I will!" the digital Mastermind proclaimed, much to everyone's shock and fear. Drinking in the despair of the Future Foundation members, A.I. Junko laughed as she began to explain. "Upupupupupu…ya see, kiddos! Ryoko Otonashi is—".

"Right Here!"

A flash of light, similar to when the other three Future Foundation members entered the simulation, blinded everyone present. When the bright light faded, a new figure stood in the courtroom…


"Okay…I'm in." Ryoko confirmed as she surveyed her surroundings, unable to keep from smiling when she noticed Makoto, Kyoko, and Byakuya were not that far away from her.

"Hey guys…" she hesitantly said, knowing she'd gone against her superior's orders. "I know what you're thinking but don't be mad! I'm just gonna verify the override and then we can—".

"W-Whoa! Now there's two of them!" a new voice reached her, causing Ryoko to glance toward a young man with pink hair and sharp teeth.

Knowing that time wasn't a luxury right now, she decided to give a swift explanation to avoid confusion.

"Uh…hey everyone! I'm Ryoko Otonashi. You know…the one person who can verify the override?"

"Like hell you are!" the shorter gangster-looking boy shouted, pointing angrily at her. "We won't fall for anymore of your tricks! Not after last time!"

Raising an eyebrow, Ryoko slowly answered, "Tricks…? Last time…? What are you talking about? This is the first time I've met any of you! Well, except my friends from Future Foundation anyway—".

"R-Ryoko…is that really you?" Makoto's voice suddenly perked up, his words stunning her into silence.

"Uh…yeah? Who else would it be?" she asked, perplexed by the fact that Makoto seemed so surprised to see her.

"Oh, right…they probably weren't expecting me," she reasoned, considering Kyoko's orders and all. "But I can apologize for that later, for now, I need to focus on—".

"Well…hello there 'Miss Otonashi'!" Her thoughts were immediately interrupted as the voice of A.I. Junko finally addressed her. Fighting off a grimace, she turned and glared at the malicious A.I., hoping she was ready for this.

"Show me how to verify the override so we can get this over with" Ryoko demanded of her, not wanting to be drawn into any mind games. "If you don't, I'll just access the data myself. You're well aware of my talent, if I'm not mistaken, so you know I can do it. Either way, you're finished."

Despite her bold claim, she wasn't sure she could access the override without the administrator's (Junko's) permission. However, it was possible that the A.I. didn't know that, and thus she tried this very brazen bluff. To her dismay, the A.I. seemed none too perturbed by her attitude.

"What's the rush, huh? Why don't we take a little time to…get to know each other?" the A.I. 'offered', grinning wildly as she stared at Ryoko. "We haven't even introduced ourselves yet, have we? I'm—".

"An Alter Ego created in the likeness of Junko Enoshima," Ryoko finished for her, not letting the A.I. speak openly. "I know all about you, and the person you were based off of. So stop wasting my time and—!"

"Hey!" another new voice shouted, this time belonging to the athletic, and very well-endowed young woman. "Why are ya talkin' to yourself like that?! It's giving me the creeps!"

…Talking to herself? What was that supposed to mean? Having been interrupted once again, Ryoko finally took the time to analyze the expressions of the people around her.

Makoto, along with Kyoko and Byakuya, held incredibly worried expressions. Which was understandable, considering the risk she was taking. However, she noticed that all of them, both her fellow 'survivors' and the Remnants, were blatantly staring at her. The obvious conclusion was that they were still in shock that she'd actually come to rescue them…but something told Ryoko that wasn't exactly the case.

Before she had time to ruminate on that further, Hajime abruptly spoke to her.

"Ryoko Otonashi…I'm sorry," he suddenly apologized, though for what, she had no idea. With a guilty expression on his face, the scientifically created 'Ultimate Hope' continued, "You…walked right into Junko Enoshima's trap…"

…Trap? Well that was obvious enough. There was no doubt that this entire affair had been a trap from the beginning. It was even possible Ryoko had been the A.I.'s real target all along! Either that, or she was considered a bonus prize by the twisted digital Mastermind. However, even if that was true, she had no choice but to enter the system and—

"Why did you come here, Ryoko?" the firm voice of Kyoko startled her. Glancing in her direction, the analyst was shocked to see anger twisting the detective's features. "I gave Akihiro explicit orders to keep you out of the simulation. He doubtlessly told you. You…shouldn't have come here."

…What was that?! Geez, she'd expected Kyoko to be upset about her decision, but she seemed to be taking her anger to a whole new level! Weathering that harsh comment, the analyst somehow managed to keep her emotions under control as she answered, "I couldn't just let all of you die, now could I? If I didn't enter the simulation, you all would've been stuck here forever, or worse—".

"And who says they won't still be trapped her forever?" A.I. Junko chided; a knowing grin plastered on her face. "After all, you're the one who trapped them all here in the first place?"

"…Really? Is that the best you've got?" Ryoko openly scoffed, using it to hide her confusion and anxiety. "Are you seriously trying to convince me that it wasn't Izuru Kamakura who uploaded you into the system? We have video footage of when he did the deed, so there's no refuting that."

Another lie. No such footage existed. However, in this game of deception, Ryoko needed to gain the upper hand somehow! Fortunately, it seemed, the A.I. didn't question her on that front.

"Oh don't get me wrong, Izuru Kamakura is the one who uploaded me into the system," the Junko A.I. concurred, flashing Hajime a malicious grin before turning her attention back to the analyst. "But you're the one who created me in the first place…"

"…What?"

"Don't listen to her, Ryoko!" Makoto abruptly shouted, turning her attention toward him. "Whatever she says, she's just trying to drive you to despair! You can't listen to—".

"Pfffft! Ahaha! Hahahahaha!" A.I. Junko laughed heartily, wiping a digital tear from her eye. "Oh, oh, this is rich! After all the lying you've done to her, when someone finally tells her the truth, you tell her not to listen! Ha! What great 'friends' you've got here, Ryoko!"

Looking between the two of them, Ryoko slowly asked, "L-Lying? M-Makoto…what does she mean?"

"Never mind any of that," Byakuya intruded into the conversation, his tone almost menacing. "All you need to focus on is verifying the override."

"Right, right. That's the whole reason you came here, isn't it?" the digital Mastermind chided, her tone as mocking as always. "Or perhaps…you wanted to learn the truth that the Future Foundation's been hiding from you?"

"…Hiding…the truth?" Ryoko questioned, fixing her gaze onto her fellow Future Foundation members. "What's she talking about? You know something, I can tell that much! Just…tell me what it is!"

A painful silence dug into all of them, but none of them answered her. As for the Remnants, they were all thoroughly confused, with the exception of Hajime, who wore a deeply concerned expression. When no one spoke up, Ryoko fixated her gaze onto Kyoko, her eyes pleading as much as her words.

"Kyoko…please…just tell me the truth."

Meeting her gaze, the detective stared at her for a few moments before slowly answering, "We never meant to keep this from you forever…but we feared what would happen if you found out who you really are—".

"Kyoko!" Makoto exclaimed; uncertainty painted on his face.

"If we don't tell her ourselves, then she will. And I'd rather she hear it from us," Kyoko reasoned, seemingly ready to divulge everything.

"Even so…" the former lucky student tried to protest, obviously unsure if this was the best course of action.

Sadly, the detective didn't respond to him after that. She didn't even look his way, keeping her focus on Ryoko the entire time. Waiting anxiously for her to continue, Ryoko remained silent. However, as the detective opened her mouth to elaborate, she was interrupted.

"Hey! I've got an idea!" A.I. Junko suddenly shouted, snapping her fingers in emphasis. "Instead of telling her…why don't we just show her!"

"Show…me?" Ryoko asked, her face a mixture of uncertainty and fear.

"Yup, yup! And I know exactly how to do that!"

As the A.I. spoke, the larger Junko reached down and picked up the phone displaying the Junko that spoke to them. Gigantic Junko tapped away on the phone for a moment before setting it back down in front of everyone. When the other Junko popped back up on the screen, she held a large hand-mirror in her hands.

"Take a look at yourself, girl! I guarantee you'll be surprised!"

Inexplicably, the Junko inside the phone threw the mirror, which flew out of the screen and directly toward Ryoko's face! If not for her analytical talents, she wouldn't have noticed in time to catch it, but thankfully she did! Grasping the handle, she raised an eyebrow at it for a moment before the A.I. spoke again.

"Go on…take a gander at yourself. I promise you…it'll explain everything!"

Time seemed to slow as Ryoko gripped the mirror. Faintly, she could hear Makoto, Kyoko, and even Byakuya trying to say something to her. However, she blocked it out and instead raised the mirror up to show her reflection. However, instead of a red-haired woman…Ryoko found herself staring at an unexpected visage.

Slowly reaching a hand up, she touched her face…then her hair…feeling the Monokuma hair clips that held up her…strawberry-pink twin-tails?! Angling the mirror, she was horrified to discover that she was once again wearing the gaudy outfit Makoto and the other's had discovered her in!

At that moment, the Remnant's comments suddenly made sense. In their eyes…she looked just like Junko Enoshima! They were practically twins! But…why?!

"Why am I dressed up like Junko Enoshima again?!" she said aloud, using the mirror to examine her entire head and face, garish make-up and all! "I-I know I looked like this when I was found in Hope's Peak but—!"

"You really don't get it yet? So much for being the 'Ultimate Analyst'!" A.I. Junko said with a sadistic laugh. Before Ryoko could respond, the digital Mastermind looked her dead in the eye, and in the most serious voice she'd ever heard the A.I. use, she said, "You're not dressed like me…you are me! Your true identity is Junko Enoshima! The Ultimate Despair!"

The mirror in her hands slipped from her grasp, crashing to the floor and shattering.

"N-No…that's…that's impossible!" Ryoko screamed, gripping her head and staggering about before grabbing the rail in front of her for support. "I-I'm…Ryoko Otonashi! I have a profile for Hope's Peak and everything!"

"Yeeeeah…sorry, but no." The A.I. mercilessly told her, enjoying the despair creeping onto her original's face. "Ryoko Otonashi is a fake identity I used when I tested the memory erasure technology on myself or rather yourself.The file you saw was forged…by you, before you lost your memories."

"That…That can't…" Ryoko looked to her fellow Future Foundation member, a horrified expression taking over her face as she read the guilt on their faces. "No…NO! All this time…all this time…I…I…"

"You never existed in the first place," A.I. Junko gleefully told her, reveling in the despair that was slowly overtaking 'Ryoko'. "You were always Junko Enoshima. The Future Foundation just let you believe you weren't…so they could use you. All that 'guilt' you had made you easily to manipulate. But once they find out that you know who you really were…"

"T-They'll…They'll…"

"That's right! Their very own brand of 'Punishment Time' is all you have to look forward to!" the digital Mastermind finished for her, using her own twisted phrasing.

"That's not true!" Makoto insisted, trying to get her to look at him…but she refused. "I swear, Ryoko! I would never let them—".

"W-What can you do?!" Ryoko suddenly yelled, stunning the Ultimate Hope into silence. Aiming a furious glare at him, she seethed, "You weren't able to stop them before! When they pretended to execute me! So why do you think you could stop them now?!"

Clenching his fists, Makoto winced at her words but continued to say, "Things are different now! I know that I couldn't help you back then but—".

"Help me?!" she screamed, slamming her hands onto the podium in front of her. "You think lying to me actually helped me?! Did you think that keeping this from me was helping me?! If that's your idea of helping then—arhhg!"

"R-Ryoko!"

Her hands flew to hear head, gripping it intensely, shaking from side to side. "W-What's going…arrgh! My head…it's like it's splitting open! W-What…is this?! I…I…!"

"Oh no…" Kyoko quietly voiced, a hand shooting up to cover her mouth.

"W-What is it?" Kazuichi asked, incredibly fearful but also confused. "What's happening to her?!"

"…She reverting," Hajime somberly told him, a distraught expression on his face. "Now that she knows the truth…her former personality is trying to resurface."

"No! That shouldn't be possible!" Makoto fearfully exclaimed, staring at 'Ryoko' in utter concern. "All of memories were completely erased! How could they come back?!"

Hanging his head, Hajime continued, "Sadly, because of the properties of the Neo World Program…it's entirely possible." Looking toward A.I. Junko, the man-made 'Ultimate Hope' glared and asked, "Was this your objective all along?"

"A-Are you suggesting that this was the reason we were lured into the simulation?" Byakuya questioned, unable to hide the distress in his voice.

"It wasn't really an objective, more of a side-mission," the digital Mastermind told him as 'Ryoko' continued to writhe in agony. "Once I found out that my original was here as an analyst, I figured it might be fun if I could try and bring her old memories back. Wasn't sure it would work, but it looks like revealing the long forgotten truth was enough to stimulate her burnt out memories."

"Then, am I correct in assuming that you were the one who erased her memories in the first place?" Hajime asked, having put all the pieces together.

"Who can say…?" A.I. Junko replied, her tone implying that it was undoubtedly true.

"Urggh…you…you…did this…to me…?!" 'Ryoko' was barely able to ask, still clutching her head.

"Yup, indeedie! It was me!" the A.I. confirmed, abandoning the ambiguity in order to explain her 'master plan'. "You see, the real reason I erased all of your memories was to punish you. You lost the killing game after all…but death was what you craved, so that wouldn't have been a good punishment. So…I decided to take away all your memories…and your despair with it!"

"…my…my…despair?" 'Ryoko' asked, seemingly less in pain than before.

"Without your memories, despair wouldn't matter to you anymore. Plus, since I fried your brain so hard, you got brain damage and couldn't use your full talents anymore!" The A.I. laughed maliciously as she continued, "As such, your true punishment was being forced to undo the very despair you used to love so much! How's that for irony!"

"…irony? Yeah…I guess it is…isn't it?" 'Ryoko' said quietly, keeping her head down. "And that's what makes this…all the more despair-inducing!"

The gleeful tone of 'Ryoko's' voice startled everyone in the room, and a chill began to run down nearly everyone's spine as she slowly lifted her head…a fanatical smile decorating her lips.

"Oh, what's this now? Have you remembered something, my dear 'Ryoko'?" A.I. Junko encouraged, obviously excited to hear her reply.

A low chuckle slowly turned into a low laugh…that slowly grew louder and louder until 'Ryoko' was outright cackling! Throwing her head back, her 'laughter' echoed all around them room, digging into everyone's ears as madness began to overtake her.

"Ahahahahahahahaha! 'Ryoko'? Just who the hell do you think I am?!"

As she openly cackled, Makoto, Kyoko, and Byakuya grimaced, sadly realizing what had happened. Their worst fear had been realized…and with it, they had lost another friend to despair.

"Oh fuck yeah!" 'Ryoko' suddenly shouted, swinging her head back down before throwing up a double peace sign while she laughed. "That's right, bitches! Junko Enoshima's back and ready to spread some des-pair!"


"Damn, it feels like forever since I cut loose! I was such a goddamn stiff, if ya know what I mean!"

As horrifying as it was to witness, there was no denying that Junko Enoshima…had returned.

The way she carried herself, her tone of voice, the way she was constantly analyzing everything around her…there was sadly no mistaking it. Ryoko Otonashi…was gone, and Junko Enoshima had taken her place.

"So…does that mean your memories have returned?" Kyoko decided to press her; her tone now completely hostile toward 'Junko'.

Seeing that, 'Junko' smirked at her. "Oh, is the little detective upset now that she's lost another friend? Ha! Like we were really friends to begin with! Hard to become friends with someone who killed your daddy, wouldn't you say?"

"Answer my question," the detective demanded, keeping her usual stoic mask up.

"Uhg, fine! Be a buzzkill then," 'Junko' replied, probably thinking the answer would lead to more delicious despair. "It's not so much memories as…instincts. Or…maybe intentions? I can't really 'remember' anything…but I sure can feel it! Plus, just the thought of having my despair taken from me once before…fills me with a whole new kind of despair that I never realized I could experience! Good job, Alter Me!"

"I aim to please!" A.I. Junko patted herself on the back, obviously pleased with herself. "Honestly, it was a shot in the dark that I'd be able to reawaken your persona! But hey, I guess you're harder to kill than I thought!"

The two Junko's shared a laugh, the very sound of it painfully penetrating every sane person's ears. And with it, a wave of despair unlike any other washed over the survivors.

"So what will you do with us now then?" Byakuya pointedly asked them, folding his arms. "Do you intend to keep us trapped her forever?"

"Weren't you listening before, Byaku-dork?!" A.I. Junko chided him, pulling back up her diagram of inhabiting the Remnant's bodies. "The original plan was just to take over the Remnant's brain dead corpses. But now, with my original here, we can upload copies of me into all of your bodies! Duh!"

"You may feel some slight discomfort as my personality overrides yours," 'Junko' told them, explaining in a sexy teacher like voice before going completely crazy with her vocals. "But them's the breaks! Oh man! I haven't switched up personalities in so long! It fuckin' rules!"

Makoto shuddered as the girl he once knew as 'Ryoko Otonashi' seemed to have completely vanished…or rather, disappeared into the depths of 'Junko Enoshima's' mind. Not ready to let another friend 'die', the former lucky student decided on a risky gambit.

"Fight it, Ryoko!" Makoto shouted at the girl who now called herself Junko Enoshima. "Don't let her control you! I know you're in there—".

"Are you really that much of a dipshit?" 'Junko' cut him off, obviously reveling in the pained expression he wore. "'Ryoko' doesn't exist! Not anymore anyway! I may not remember everything…but I do remember…this glorious feeling! Ahhhhhh!"

'Junko's' body shivered with delight, reveling in despair for the first time in so long. Nearly everyone grimace at how much euphoria the revived Mastermind was experiencing.

"Ahhh…thank you, by the way," 'Junko' said to him, coming down from her despair-high. "If you hadn't of run in here, half-cocked, like usual…I never would've been able to experience this wonderful feeling ever again! So really…this is all thanks to you…Makoto."

As her words echoed in his ears, Makoto felt the biting sting of something he hadn't truly felt since the killing game between him and his friends…Despair.

Taking in a shaky breath, Makoto was forced to acknowledge that, even if Ryoko did still exist somewhere deep within the revived 'Junko', there may be no way for her to return to them. And worst of all…it was his fault. If he hadn't of forced his way into the simulation, they wouldn't be in this mess right now.

The entire world had been doomed…by his inability to let people die…how despairingly ironic.

And both Junko's were reveling in it. The look of guilt and horror on the Ultimate Hope's face whetted their appetites for what was to come…a gourmet feast of despair the likes of which the world had never seen before!

"Wait," Hajime suddenly spoke up, turning all heads toward him. "How do you plan to upload copies of your personality into our bodies? We activated the override. Even if it isn't verified, it won't cause you to be uploaded into our bodies."

"Oho! That won't be a problem," 'Junko' told him, winking suggestively. "Once I 'de-verify' the override, now that I'm literally inside the system, I can hack it from within and change any settings I want!"

"I was counting on that," A.I. Junko said, looking slightly relieved. "Having to play this stupid 'Observer' role really limited everything I could do! But since you don't have that role, you'll be able to change whatever you please!"

Again, the twin Junko's laughed in unison, forcing their despair upon the rest of the subjects. The Remnants shared a horrified and confused glance but knew exactly how powerless they were. Kyoko seethed as she stared at the woman who only a few moments ago had been 'Ryoko', self-loathing mixed with agony marring her features. Byakuya angrily grit his teeth at both of them, desperately trying to come up with an alternative despite the hopelessness.

"Well then, let's get the show on the road…literally!" A.I. Junko exclaimed, looking toward her original. As she did, 'Junko's' podium lit up and the words, 'Override Confirmation' appeared in front of her. "All you gotta do is push the red button, Real Me. Once that's done, the override will be rescinded, and we can start—".

Suddenly, a hopeful voice suddenly shouted over the explanation, ceasing it immediately.

"I won't let this happen!" Makoto Naegi, the Ultimate Hope, yelled at them. "I don't know how…but somehow, I'll stop you from doing this! Mark my words!"

"Sorry, but a little bit of optimism isn't exactly going to stop us now!" A.I. Junko chided his childish notion. "You have no power here. 'Hope' doesn't exist here! Only 'Despair'! A world of endless despair is just around the corner! Ahahaha!"

"I don't care what you say!" Makoto refuted the A.I., ceasing her laughter. Holding into whatever remained of his hopefulness, the former lucky student lived up to his new moniker as he shouted, "As long as there's hope…I'll never give in to despair!"

"That's right," Hajime joined in with him, turning toward his panicking companions. "We've come too far to let it all end here. Isn't that right?"

"Y-Yes, that's right! We must never give up on living! Just as Gundham taught us!" Sonia concurred, finding strength from sacrifice.

"You're absolutely right, Miss Sonia!" Kazuichi said, still fawning over her.

"Peko would be real disappointed if I gave up now," Fuyuhiko agreed, tugging on his eyepatch.

"I'm not lettin' anyone have my body! Only I get to have all the tasty meat! No one else!" Akane said, confusing everyone but also sounding determined.

"Well said…all of you," Kyoko told them before turning to Makoto, her expression softening as she smiled at him. "As you once said…hope keeps on going. And I won't let it stop here."

"Kyoko…" the Ultimate Hope replied, reciprocating her smile.

"I have no intention of giving up either," Byakuya interjected, obviously feeling left out, though he'd never admit it. "We have faced certain defeat before and spat in it's face. This time will be no different."

Revitalized by the encouragement of his comrades, Makoto turned to face 'Junko' one last time. Feeling all of their hopes and dreams riding on him, he pushed through his despair and shouted:

"You see, Junko…as long as hope exists, we'll never give up!"

A heavy, disconcerting pause occurred after he spoke, waiting for her to answer him. However, she merely stared at him, with an almost blank expression that seemingly no one could read.

Then, abruptly, 'Junko's' face morphed into a mocking expression. Smirking maliciously, she responded, "Well then…it's a good thing I won't be making the same mistake twice then!"

Hesitating slightly, Makoto asked, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

Her smirk widening into a grin, the revived 'Junko' explained, "During the last class trial of the School Live of Mutual Killing…I gave you all a choice between Hope or Despair. But this time, you don't get a choice!"

Maniacal laughter escaped 'Junko' as her hand hovered over the red button, a vengeful look in her eyes. Grinning madly, the revived 'Ultimate Despair' chose to speak those iconic words as she ended this.

"Now then…let's give it everything we've got…" She paused, glanced up at Makoto taking in his slightly hopeful expression…before snapped her gaze over to A.I. Junko instead! The malicious A.I.'s eyes widened in shock, but it was too late. "It's Punishment Time…ALTER EGO JUNKO!"

Slamming her hand down, instead of pressing the red button, she pressed the confirmation button, forcing the system to accept the override.


All at once, the world began to shake…parts of it beginning to crumble. Both the Remnants and the Future Foundation members stood there in shock and awe as some of them began to realize what had really happened.

Gigantic Junko looked around ominously…until a strange rabbit creature popped out of nowhere and began battling her! It was over in a matter of moments, with the white rabbit, Usami, securing victory and shattering the huge woman into pixilated bits, which slowly began to be deleted from the system.

At the same time, a piece of rubble tumbled from above, crashing into the massive cell phone and knocking it to the ground. The phone cracked and the screen fizzled, but even then, the A.I. of Junko stayed on the screen…panic and surprise radiating from her.

"W-W-WHHHAATTT IIIISSS THHHHIIIISSS?!" A.I. Junko screamed, completely flabbergasted by the sudden shift in power. That's when she heard it…laughter. But not maniacal laughter…relived, almost happy laughter…coming from 'Junko Enoshima'. "Y-YOU! W-WHY DID—?!"

"Let's just say…you had it coming," 'Junko'—no, Ryoko Otonashi told her, smiling brightly as relieved tears spilled from her eyes. "Dang…I've never sworn that much in my whole life…that was scary…"

As Ryoko's demeanor shifted back to her usual self, the A.I. realized too late what had occurred. "Y-You…You never…regained…your original persona!"

"Nope, I sure didn't…" Ryoko told her, wiping away the moisture from her eyes. "But I knew that if I didn't convince you that it had, you never would've let me verify the override."

"B-But how?!" A.I. Junko furiously questioned, almost in disbelief. "If you didn't regain your memories or personality, how did—?!"

"Did you forget? I'm the Ultimate Analyst," Ryoko sweetly informed her, rubbing in her victory. "I've been watching you for the last few hours; observing your speech patterns, physical gestures, and even your thought process. Plus, I've read the entire file of what happened during the Hope's Peak killing game, so I had that information to draw from too. It wasn't exactly easy, but it looks like I was able to fake it well enough that you didn't notice."

A look of utter disappointment spread across A.I. Junko's face as the screen began to flicker even worse than before, causing her voice to crackle.

"S-So…this entire t-time…I was c-completely fooled by you?" A.I. Junko asked herself, until she thought of something. "B-But…wait…no one ever…t-told you about being J-Junko! So…h-how did…"

"I suspected for a long time now that I was actually Junko Enoshima," Ryoko confessed, her tone slightly melancholy. "I didn't exactly have proof, but there was enough evidence to at least consider it as a strong possibility. So when you confirmed it, it honestly wasn't really a shock."

"O-Oh…well t-that's…really…disappoint-ting…" Those were the last words that A.I. Junko ever spoke before the screen went completely black, confirming her deletion.

Despite having gotten 'vengeance' on the A.I. for erasing her memories…Ryoko didn't feel at ease. After all, getting her memories erased was the best thing that ever happened to her, as far as she was concerned. Not to mention, even if it was an evil A.I. that she had created…Ryoko felt a twinge of guilt knowing she'd killed a sentient being. There had been no other way, but that didn't make her feel any better about it.

"R-Ryoko? Is it…really you in there?"

Snapping back to reality, Ryoko, still having the appearance of Junko Enoshima, turned and saw Makoto staring at her, his hopeful expression heartwarming.

"Yeah…it's me. Sorry about…everything," she apologized, bowing deeply to him.

It had been insanely difficult not to break character every time Makoto reached out for her. Each time it happened, she desperately wanted to reassure him that she was still herself…but knew she couldn't. If she had given away any hint that she was still Ryoko Otonashi, the A.I. would have trapped them all in the system and it would've been game over.

And then, when Makoto inspired everyone to hope…it took everything she had not to lose her composure. The way he stood up to her and wasn't willing to give in to despair, despite the odds…gave her the last bit of courage she needed to put an end to A.I. Junko for good!

Sadly, it seemed that her deception was going to cost her. Judging by the expressions on Kyoko and Byakuya's faces…she may never have their trust ever again. Especially Kyoko. After what Ryoko had said about her and her father, she doubted their relationship would ever go back to the way it was before. Even if it was all an act, that didn't mean it didn't hurt the detective to hear it.

Suddenly, a bright light engulfed Makoto, Kyoko, and Byakuya. The technicians were bringing them back first…which made sense. Even if by some miracle the technicians hadn't seen Ryoko's 'transformation' back into Junko…she still had to keep up her end of the bargain to Akihiro when she got back.

"Ryoko!" Makoto called out to her as he began to be logged out. Then, with a warm and gentle smile, he said, "Thank you! I'll see you on the outside!"

He barely finished speaking before he and the others were logged out…leaving Ryoko alone with the Remnants for the very first time. Turning back to them, she found Hajime approaching her, a smile on his face.

"Thank you," she immediately told him.

"For what?"

"For going along with my ruse even though you saw through it."

Rubbing the back of his head, Hajime said, "So you noticed, huh?"

She had, almost instantly. While retaining Hajime's personality, he had somehow gained all of Izuru Kamakura's implanted talents. He was the only one who saw through her act, and he acted accordingly. Such was the power of the Hope's Peak's 'Ultimate Hope'. And for once, it seemed he lived up to the name.

"Despite everything…I'm still the Ultimate Analyst," she told him, earning a small smile from him. Reciprocating the gesture, she nodded firmly and said, "None of this would've been possible if you hadn't chosen to live for yourself. So I guess, I also wanted to thank you for that."

"It's not me you should thank," he replied, his tone serious.

"Are you talking about Chiaki?" she asked him, to which he didn't seem surprised.

"…Yes."

That made perfect sense. Hajime had grown close to the 'Chiaki Nanami Observer' during their time in the simulation. She had wondered what must have happened to ignite this sudden change in him, and now it seemed that she had her answer. Despite being a program, 'Chiaki' had been instrumental in healing not only Hajime, but all of the Remnants. And for that, she truly deserved the greatest of thanks…especially for her sacrifice.

"Then I will…I promise," she assured him, earning a satisfied nod from him.

A moment later, a light engulfed her as well, meaning it was her time to be logged out.

Stepping away from her, Hajime called out, "Hopefully we can meet again…"

His voice was twinged with fear. He was still worried he might disappear once he was returned to his physical body. Knowing something of that fear herself, Ryoko decided to share some encouraging words from one of her only friends.

"Hajime Hinata!" she shouted at him as her body began to vanish. "No matter what happens! Don't lose sight of yourself! If you do that! I'm sure—!"

She never got to finish…never saw if Hajime heard her words. As the world shifted around her, she felt hopeful as her consciousness was dragged back to reality.


Makoto Naegi woke up in darkness…then a hissing noise sounded…and finally hands assisted him in sitting up. Removing the helmet from his head, the world around him became visible. Light stung his eyes and he blinked as they adjusted. Looking to his right, he found Kyoko and Byakuya waiting for him, having gotten out of their pods first.

"That was reckless," Kyoko immediately scolded him, her tone harsh. He sighed. He'd expected her to be mad at him. He hoped she would forgive him, and judging by the slight smile on her face, it might not take too long.

"I really won't come to save you next time," Byakuya threatened, pushing up his glasses. "If you ever pull something like that again, I'm letting you suffer the consequences for your idiocy."

"Fair enough," Makoto told him, allowing them to assist him in getting out of his pod. Glancing around, he noticed that it was only his friends near him. "Where is everyone? And…where's Ryoko?"

To this, Kyoko and Byakuya shared a look. That couldn't be good. Before he had the chance to ask, he heard a rushing of footsteps. Looking toward a pod not far from his own, he was shocked to see it surrounded by the entire security team, all of them dressed in full riot gear. Stunned by that sight, he didn't have time to react before the pod hissed and opened.

From his current angle, he couldn't see who was in the pod but taking a few steps closer his eyes widened. Sitting in the pod, wearing a pair of handcuff, was Ryoko Otonashi. Her head was downcast as the entire security team aimed their firearms at her, prepared to fire at a moment's notice. It was then that a familiar voice called out:

"Ryoko Otonashi…" Akihiro said loudly, standing just behind the security team. With a pained expression on his face, the substitute leader continued, "You are under arrest for disobeying Division Leader Kirigiri's orders. Take her away."

As the security team hoisted her out of the pod, Makoto's eyes widened he came to the realization that Ryoko had been wearing the handcuffs the entire time she'd been in the pod.

"What's going on here?" he heard Kyoko confront Akihiro, walking over to join the conversation.

With a somber expression, the technician answered, "In exchange for being allowed into the simulation…Otonashi agreed to be taken into custody the instant she returned."

"She what?!" Makoto exclaimed before Kyoko held up a hand, urging him to quiet down.

"And you agreed to this?" she questioned Akihiro with a stern expression.

"…I did. And I'm prepared to face the consequences for it," Akihiro told her, showing no hesitation.

After a brief pause to consider the situation, Kyoko replied, "…That won't be necessary. However, I need to know something. Once Ryoko Otonashi entered the simulation…were you able to reestablish a connection and view what was going on inside?"

"Let's not mince words, Division Leader," Akihiro boldly answered her, looking her square in the eyes. "Tell me what you really want to know."

Hesitating for only a moment, Kyoko asked him, "Very well then…how many people know Ryoko's true identity?"

"…Everyone."


"Hold still. Don't even think of trying anything."

Ryoko Otonashi sat in an interrogation room, with a one way mirror across from her. They were injecting her with something, more than likely truth serum. Or at least she hoped that's all it was.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was a lethal injection…" she grimly thought, toughing out the pain of the injection.

Once they were finished, both the medical personnel and the security team left the room, leaving her completely alone. Not that it really mattered. With the one way mirror there, they could keep an eye on her without 'risking' anyone. If the situation was reversed, she would have done the same.

Alone in the room, Ryoko felt her body involuntarily relax. More than likely the injection they gave her was causing it. Leaning her head back, she breathed in deeply and didn't fight it. Now that the cat was out of the bag, or so she figured, she didn't exactly have much time left. Once she returned to Future Foundation HQ, a swift execution was all that awaited her.

"In the end, my Alter Ego was right…" she begrudgingly admitted to herself. "Soon enough…I'll be getting my very own 'Punishment Time' courtesy of the Future Foundation."

Not long after being injected, or perhaps it was a long time and the drugs just kept her from noticing, the door to the interrogation room opened. Lifting her head back up, Ryoko wasn't surprised to see Kyoko Kirigiri walk through the door, completely alone. It made sense for the former Ultimate Detective to be in charge of her interrogation, doubly so because she was the Division Leader responsible for this entire operation.

Taking a seat across from her, Kyoko stared at her for a moment before checking her watch.

"That should be enough time," she said casually, cluing Ryoko in on the fact that it must have been a truth serum they gave her. Whether she did that for the red-haired woman to figure out, she couldn't be sure at the moment. Folding her hands in front of her on the table, Kyoko started by asking, "So tell me…who am I talking to right now?"

Of course that would be the first question. Kyoko was deadly serious about it too, but that didn't stop Ryoko from answering, "What does it matter? I won't be alive for much longer anyway."

She spoke a grim truth, the truth serum working it's magic on her. However, it seemed that Kyoko didn't appreciate her answer, as she frowned deeply and said, "It matters to me. Now please, tell me who I'm talking to."

Realizing there was no way out of this, the analyst answered, "Ryoko Otonashi, that's who I am."

"You truly didn't revert back to Junko Enoshima in the simulation?" Kyoko asked next, keeping her eyes trained on the redhead.

"No, I didn't." Her answer was swift and concise, knowing that a lot more questions would be coming her way.

Waiting just a moment, the detective then asked her third question. "When did you first learn that you used to be Junko Enoshima?"

Oh, this was going to be a long story. And with the truth serum in her, she'd be sharing every detail of it.

"Like I said in the simulation, a few months ago I pieced it all together. There were too many inconsistencies, especially after I was given permission to read the case file for…the School Life of Mutual Killing."

She paused for a moment, remembering that moment vividly.

"The file mentioned sixteen students…but all mentions of Junko's twin sister were nowhere to be found in the records. That's when I started to get suspicious. Mostly because it didn't make sense for 'Junko' to sacrifice herself at the start of the killing game, given her personality. But if she killed her sister instead—".

"How did you learn about Mukuro Ikusaba?" Kyoko cut in, eager to hear about that bit of the story. "As far as I knew, she wasn't mentioned in any file you were allowed to read."

"That's right…except during the initial interrogation with Munakata and the Chairman. When they showed me Junko Enoshima's file…all they did was replaced her picture with someone disguised as her, the rest of the file was from Hope's Peak Academy's records."

It seemed that Kyoko was beginning to understand, but she remained silent as Ryoko continued to explain.

"Part of being the Ultimate Analyst means having a photographic memory. I remembered that file mentioning a twin sister, but nowhere else was that shown. And if 'Junko' had twin sister, why wasn't anyone talking about her? At first…I thought maybe I was the twin sister…but once I received the mission briefing file for this very mission…I confirmed it was the other way around."

At the mention of the mission briefing file, Kyoko perked up. Once a moment presented itself, she asked, "The mission briefing file I had sent to you should have only contained information on the 78th Class. How would that prove your theory?"

"…Remember that secret I told you I was keeping?" Ryoko reminded her, earning a momentarily look of shock from her superior. "I have no idea why…but Mukuro Ikusaba's file…as well as mine, well, 'Junko Enoshima's' anyway, was included among the documents. And judging by your reaction, you didn't know about it."

This revelation caused Kyoko to momentarily break her stoic visage, letting a look of worry cross her face as this info came to light.

"If everything you've said is accurate, it would mean…we have a traitor within the Future Foundation."

"More than likely…yeah," Ryoko concurred, having come to the same conclusion. "I didn't say anything at the time because…I was scared that if I did, I'd be executed. If Munakata found out I knew that I used to be Junko Enoshima…well, he probably already does by now and is planning my public execution."

At the mention of that, Ryoko studied Kyoko's face closely. There was a hint of regret there…but it was impossible to know if it was related to her eventual fate or the fact that someone within the Foundation was a traitor. Regardless, she didn't have anything left to lose at this point, so even if she hadn't been drugged, she would've been telling Kyoko the truth.

"Who gave you the file?" Kyoko abruptly asked. "The one with the information about your previous persona and Mukuro Ikusaba."

"It was…Division Leader Yukizome," she told her, remembering that moment clearly. "She said she was asked to deliver it…was that true?"

Raising a gloved hand to her chin, Kyoko pondered aloud, "Possibly. She was visiting our division and I recall her taking some files with her. I didn't authorize it, but it's possible Munakata did."

"If that's the case…there may not be a traitor at all," Ryoko speculated, a sinking feeling forming in the pit of her stomach. "Munakata would've used any excuse to have me executed…and now I get why. It could be that he had Yukizome plant those to try and get me to figure it out for myself…which would give him a reason to have me—".

"But why go to such lengths…?" Kyoko countered, almost instinctually. "There would be no need for him to use such underhanded tactic, not with the influence he currently has. And then there's the matter of your involvement here…"

At that, the detective paused, as if considering something monumental. Then, she turned her gaze back to Ryoko and began to stand up.

"Thank you for answering my questions. I'll be back soon to update you on—".

"Don't patronize me…" Ryoko found herself saying, not wanting to delay the inevitable any longer. "Now that people know that I'm…that I was Junko Enoshima…I know what's coming. You could at least be upfront with me about how much time I have left."

Steeling herself, Ryoko waiting with bated breath as her superior stared down at her. Like a true detective, Kyoko's face didn't betray her emotions. Even Ryoko was having a hard time reading her, which wasn't terribly abnormal. In fact, things had reverted back to when the two of them were practically strangers…which hurt more than Ryoko had thought it would.

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Kyoko pulled her chair out and reseated herself across from Ryoko. As she looked at her, their eyes met, and Ryoko felt as though the detective was glancing into her very soul.

"Before I tell you that, isn't there something you really want to say to me?" the detective suddenly asked, much to Ryoko's surprise. "You alluded to it earlier today. And I can tell there's been something on your mind concerning me for a long time now. I think now may be the best time for you to get it off your chest."

Well, that was certainly shrewd. Given the fact that she probably didn't have much longer to live, Kyoko made a good point. At the same time…to finally ask the burning question she'd held in for months now…wasn't exactly easy for her to vocalize. However, since it seemed that Kyoko was at least semi-aware of it, there was a good chance she already knew exactly what Ryoko wanted to ask her.

In that sense, was there even a real reason to ask? Yes…because if Ryoko was going to be executed for her past self's crimes…she at least wanted to go with a clear conscience.

"Alright…if you insist," Ryoko said to her, still unsure if she really wanted to ask or not. However, there was no going back now. So she plucked up her courage, stared into the detective's lavender eyes, and asked, "Don't you hate me…for killing your father?"

There…she finally said it. And now…Kyoko had the right to vent any and all resentment she held toward her father's killer.

To her surprise, Kyoko didn't immediately respond. The detective sat there for a while, staring at the table in front of them, as if organizing her thoughts. When nearly two full minutes had passed, she finally lifted her gaze, seemingly ready to answer.

"I have always hated my father," she said, her voice hard and cold. "He abandoned my mother and I when I was a child. And I wanted nothing to do with him. Even when I discovered he'd been murdered, my feelings about him didn't change. However, that doesn't mean I wished for his death either. Regardless of my personal feelings, he did not deserve to die the way he did. And because of that…I will never forgive Junko Enoshima for what she did to him. Not now. Not ever."

As much as she tried to hold it in, a single tear formed in Ryoko's right eye, slowly trickling down her face. Even having expected this response, the venom in Kyoko's voice seeped into Ryoko's chest, and she found herself struggling to breathe. Taking in deep, shaky breaths, the analyst was about to try and respond when the detective abruptly resumed.

"That said, I do not hold you responsible for my father's death," Kyoko told her, her voice steadily growing less cold and harsh the more she spoke. "Holding you accountable for the crimes your past self committed would be irresponsible and illogical. Because you're no longer the person who murdered my father. As you just stated, you are Ryoko Otonashi, your own person, separate from Junko Enoshima."

Because of—no, in spite of Kyoko's assertion about her, the Ultimate Analyst couldn't help but see the flaws in that assessment. Fighting off her personal pain, she couldn't help but disagree.

"But…that doesn't make sense," Ryoko argued, still under the affects of the truth serum. "Even though I didn't 'personally' kill your father, the fact remains that I'm responsible for his death. Shouldn't I be punished for that, regardless of the fact that I forgot about it?"

Considering the question seriously, Kyoko offered a counter argument. "If that's the case, do you believe that Hajime Hinata deserves to be punished for Izuru Kamakura's crimes?"

"Ye—No…uhg, I don't know!" she frustratedly admitted, not liking always having to tell the truth all the time. "Besides, our circumstances are different! He was made into what he is. I wasn't—".

"He chose to allow Hope's Peak to experiment on him," Kyoko corrected her, much to her chagrin. "In that sense, you two are the same. But it seems like you don't want to blame him for Izuru Kamakura's actions—"

"S-Stop it!" Ryoko shouted, feeling completely overwhelmed. "You're avoiding answering my question! Don't you want to see me get punished for what I did to your father?! Yes or No?!"

"No."

"How can you answer so quickly?!" the analyst shouted, lurching forward in disbelief.

At this, Kyoko did take a moment to pause, and consider her next response very carefully.

"It's not as though I came to this decision lightly. In truth, I've been thinking about it for quite some time now…ever since you first joined my Division. And believe me when I say that it was not an easy decision to make. However, I came to this conclusion after spending time with you recently," Kyoko informed her, keeping her tone even and serious. "I chose not to seek retribution for what Junko Enoshima did to my father. Because that would mean punishing 'Ryoko Otonashi' for crimes 'she' did not commit. And that would be…hypocritical."

The more Kyoko seemed intent on forgiving her, the more frustrated and furious Ryoko became.

"But why not?! You have every right to!" Ryoko insisted, getting tired out by this argument. Slamming her handcuffed hands onto the table, she angrily exclaimed, "Your father's killer is right in front of you! You should hate me with every fiber of your being! But you don't! Why?!"

"Because I believe you punish yourself enough. That's why."

Those words echoed in Ryoko's ears, stunning her into silence as her mind refused to process what they meant. Stubbornly…adamantly…she refused to let Kyoko get away with brushing it off like this!

"But I don't! If anything, everyone's letting me off easy!" she insisted, holding her head in her restrained hands. "Nothing that I ever do will be enough to make up for what I did to you! What I did to the whole world!" Choking back a sob, she snapped her head up, fighting back tears as she screamed, "You said I should learn to forgive myself, but that's just. Not. Possible! Forgiving myself is out of the question and you know it! If I did that, it would be like admitting that I don't have regrets for what I did! But I do! And I always will! No matter what anyone says, I DON'T DESERVE FORGIVENESS!"

Somewhere in the middle of her screaming, tears began pouring down from her eyes, and her nose became runny. Her throat burned as she finally let herself express what she truly believed. She coughed violently as she damaged her vocal cords, but she didn't care. She deserved it…and more. And when she was done with all her yelling, she let her head slam into the table and stayed there…in utter agony.

As both her mind and body were wracked with intense agony…she finally allowed herself to cry unabashedly, not caring how sad or pathetic she looked right now. And as she wallowed in her own misery, she couldn't help but acknowledge how hypocritical she was being.

The truth was…she really didn't know what she wanted anymore. She didn't want to be executed, that much was true. But she did want to be punished for everything she'd done in the past. Especially after meeting the Alter Ego of Junko. She'd witnessed firsthand how terrible she used to be…and she finally understood why everyone despised her as much as they did.

And yet…in that very same instant…she also desperately wanted to be forgiven.

Ryoko Otonashi wanted to start fresh. She wanted to be given a chance to really make this world into a happy place, free of the despair her previous self had championed. At the same time, she didn't feel like she deservedto live in that world…no matter how much she wanted to. Not being allowed to live in the peaceful world she hoped to bring about felt…fitting.

At least until now…

Because, as much as it pained her to admit, Kyoko's words of encouragement and forgiveness were slowly beginning to change her mindset. And for the first time since learning of her true identity, she actually wanted to live…and find some form of happiness. Even if that happiness came in the form of spending the rest of her life working to fix her mistakes. That would be enough for her.

That's what she'd come to believe…but deep in the back of her mind, she also believed that someday…someone like Munakata come to take their vengeance on her. And when that day came, she wasn't sure if she'd have the will resist them. And that thought truly frightened her…

And so, as she sobbed into the hard surface of the table, she was shocked when a pair of hands gripped her shoulders and pulled her back up into her seat.

Blinking rapidly to get her vision back, she felt a soft cloth being pressed against her nose.

"Blow," she heard Kyoko's voice order her. Not thinking, she did as instructed, blowing her nose on what she assumed was the detective's handkerchief. Once that was done, a gloved hand wiped at her eyes, helping to clear her vision.

"Do you feel better now?" Kyoko asked, folding the handkerchief and using the clean side to wipe up her messy face.

"Nho…" Ryoko told her, incredibly embarrassed and upset.

"Not even a little?" the detective pressed, finishing cleaning her up.

"…Maybe a little," she replied, hating the fact that the truth serum was making her sound like a whiny brat.

In the midst of Kyoko's kindness, she barely noticed that her hands were no longer cuffed. Looking up at her superior, she saw the detective putting the cuffs into her suit pocket. She hadn't even noticed Kyoko had freed her of them until now. A moment later, the detective then went back to her seat, but instead of sitting down, she pulled it around the table to seat herself next to Ryoko.

She then laid a gentle hand over the redhead's trembling hand, remaining silent as Ryoko began to calm down. It was soothing, not just her warm touch, but her very presence as well. The intimidating aura that Kyoko usually exuded was nowhere to be found, replaced with a calming and caring sensation. Daring to glance in her direction, she found the detective looking at her with a melancholy smile on her lips, one that conveyed she truly didn't enjoy seeing Ryoko in such a state.

Perplexed and slightly frustrated by her strange behavior, Ryoko couldn't help but ask, "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"…Because I want to be."

Those simple words conveyed more than Ryoko could have ever imagined. Kyoko Kirigiri, who had every reason to hate and distrust her…chose to do the opposite. And as much as she wanted to blame this on Makoto's influence, her analytical talents told her it wasn't that simple. After spending a great deal of time alone with the detective, Ryoko had learned that, underneath her hardened exterior, was a thoughtful and caring woman who truly wished to befriend her.

And as much as Ryoko wanted to accept that friendship…it was already too late.

"But it's pointless…" she argued, carefully disengaging from Kyoko's grasp before folding her arms onto the table and laying her head down on them. With a look of indignation, she sighed and said, "Nothing you do is going to stop Munakata from having me executed. Once I get back to headquarters…they'll have me killed."

"Ryoko…you're not going to be executed," Kyoko told her, which only made the redhead scoff. When she didn't respond, the detective decided to continue, "You're not going to be executed because…you're not supposed to be here in the first place."

Now that got Ryoko's attention! Lifting her head up swiftly, the stuffed up redhead sniffled and said, "W-What do you mean?! This was supposed to be my first real mission!"

"No…it wasn't." The seriousness with which Kyoko spoke terrified her and kept her quiet as the detective explained. "Chairman Tengan never approved my request to have you be assigned to field work. I had no idea why at first…but then he told me that instead of a field mission, you were to be transported a maximum security facility where you would be permanently incarcerated."

"P-P-Permanently incarcerated?!" Ryoko repeated, almost unable to believe what she was hearing. "B-But why?! I…I thought I…I'd proven how useful I could be to Future Foundation!"

"I thought so as well," Kyoko told her, a perturbed expression taking root on her face. "However, it seems that, with the Remnants of Despair being caught, they believed your usefulness was at an end…and thus decided to imprison you."

Reeling from this information, Ryoko sat there, staring at the table, struggling to comprehend what she'd just been told. There was no doubt that Kyoko was telling her the truth, she had no reason to lie to her whatsoever. But if it was true…then why was this happening to her? All she wanted was to help make amends for everything she did to the world. And she was pretty good at it too! Despite everything, she'd managed to help save the Remnants of Despair here on—

"W-Wait a second!" she stammered, her addled mind only now registering key information. "If what you're saying is true, w-why am I even here?! On Jabberwock Island?!"

With a look of unease, Kyoko momentarily glanced at the one way mirror before turning back to Ryoko.

"I was ordered to turn you over to an escort team that would transport you a different island with a security facility, under the guise of allowing you on a field mission," the Division Leader explained, traces of guilt littered in her words. "Makoto was to personally escort you, so you wouldn't be suspicious until it was too late. Once your incarceration was verified, we were to retrieve the Remnants of Despair and turn them over to the Future Foundation to be tried and executed for their crimes."

Horrified and feeling betrayed, Ryoko desperately fought to keep calm as she said, "B-But then…how am I here?! Or the Remnants for that matter! How were you able to—?!"

"It was, in part, thanks to Gekkogahara," Kyoko told her, again stunning her into silence. "She didn't agree with either your incarceration or the Remnant's execution. So…she arranged to have you put onto an unregistered ship instead of the one bound for the security facility. She also fabricated communication from that facility, falsely verifying that you were successfully imprisoned. This gave us the time we needed to transport you and allow you to assist in rehabilitating the Remnants."

"G-Gekkogahara…did all that?" Ryoko stammered, almost unable to believe it.

Doing such a thing would not only risk her position as a Division Leader, it would also put her life in jeopardy if someone like Munakata found her out. However, given how much she knew the former Ultimate Therapist cared about her patients, it definitely sounded like a risk she would take.

"She did. She also provided most of the technicians who helped supervise the Neo World Program," Kyoko continued to explain, a great deal of respect in her voice. "Without her support, there is no way we would've been able to pull this off. It's unfortunate that she couldn't be here herself, but she needed to stay behind to ensure the other Division Leaders didn't suspect anything."

All at once, everything began to make sense to Ryoko. The reason she had no security team watching her at all times was because she'd been brought her for her own safety! Also, Akihiro had mentioned everyone was all putting their lives on the line for this mission…that was because everyone here was defying Future Foundation orders! They had put everyone on the line…just for the slim chance of saving the Remnant's souls. Sadly, this presented even more unanswered questions!

"O-Okay, so let me get this straight," Ryoko said aloud, verbally organizing her thoughts to make sure she understood everything. "I shouldn't be here, and neither should the Remnants."

"That's right," Kyoko answered, seemingly ready for this outcome.

"Alright…then what was your plan for after the mission was completed? If what you've said is true, won't all of you be in mega trouble for going against orders?"

To this, the detective seemed more than ready to answer. "Our hope was that, by showing we could rehabilitate the Remnants, we could persuade a majority of the Division Leaders, including the Chairman, and have your sentences reversed."

"…Kind of a bold strategy, don't you think?" a skeptical Ryoko questioned, seeing far too many holes in that plan.

To her surprise, Kyoko let out a light chuckle and revealed a soft smile. "Yes, well, I actually had the same concerns. But…a certain someone convinced me to have hope that everything would be alright."

Shifting her gaze, Kyoko directed her smile toward the one way mirror, instantly cluing Ryoko in on who was watching from the other side. Unable to suppress a chuckle herself, the red-haired woman said, "That definitely sounds like Makoto…"

Letting their amusement fizzle out, Ryoko hardened herself as she asked the most important question.

"So…what happens now?" she asked, watching as Kyoko's expression shifted back to seriousness. Letting her gaze drift back down to the table, she lamented, "I can't imagine the other Division Leaders will be pleased with the results of the experiment. In that sense…it seems far more likely that they actually will call for my execu—".

"I'm not going to let that happen," Kyoko confident asserted, catching her off-guard. The detective's stern but determined visage proved she meant every word. "Even if it means defying the Future Foundation, I won't turn my back on you. This, I swear."

Ryoko's breath caught in her throat, and she felt a rush of heat burn her cheeks. Kyoko's fiery gaze burned into her, searing her with flames of passion and resolve. No one, not even Makoto had caused her to feel as drawn to them as Kyoko was doing right now. And while it definitely felt like more than she truly deserved, at that moment, all Ryoko could focus on was the profound respect and care that Kyoko displayed for her.

Briefly shaking her head to clear her thoughts, the analyst knew exactly what she needed to say.

"…Thank you, Kyoko." That heartfelt reply was all she could think to say. Then, nervously, she reached out and grasped the detective's gloved hand, squeezing it tight. Blinking away tears of joy that threatened to spill, she reiterated, "…Thank you…Thank you…!"

Ryoko was only half-shocked when Kyoko turned her hand over, gripping the analyst's in return, and squeezed back. She didn't say anything, but she didn't need to. All that needed to be said had been spoken, and…that meant more to Ryoko than words ever could.

Because, despite all of the barriers between them, and the hardships they endured, it truly felt as though she and Kyoko Kirigiri…had finally become friends.

Sadly, the moment was interrupted by the door blasting open, revealing a very out of breath Akihiro. Ryoko instinctively tried to pull her hand back but found Kyoko still grasping it. Their eyes met and the detective nodded to her with a smile before releasing her…a silent promise that they would continue their conversation later.

"D-Division…Leader…Kiri…giri…" Akihiro wheezed, trying to suck in air.

"Take a moment to catch your breath," Kyoko instructed him, finally standing up and turning to face him. Once he started to breathe properly again, she calmly asked, "What's going on?"

"O-One of the…Remnants…has woken up!" the technician informed her, still trying to catch his breath.

"Who is it?" Kyoko pointedly asked, folding her arms to conceal her nerves.

"I-It's…Izuru Kamakura!" Akihiro informed her, worry evident on his face.

"…Hajime," Ryoko whispered to herself, in both horror and hopefulness. If he truly had reverted back to Izuru Kamakura, this would undoubtedly complicate things. In spite of that, for some unexplained reason, the Ultimate Analyst found herself clinging to the hope that, just maybe, this was a sign of good fortune.

Maybe it was because of her conversation with Kyoko just now, but despite the clear tension in the room…Ryoko dared to hope that everything would be alright.

Looking up, she watched as Kyoko's face hardened before she immediately began heading for the door…only to stop and turn back to Ryoko. A bit startled by this, she was unprepared when her newfound friend extended a hand toward her and smiled.

"Are you coming?" she asked, clearly inviting the shell-shocked analyst.

Feeling the trust and camaraderie the detective's displayed for her, it took Ryoko all of two seconds to make up her mind.

"Yeah…Let's go!" the analyst confirmed, rising to her feet and following after her friend.


"Please let it be him. Please let it be him."

Ryoko silently uttered a prayer to any gods that would listen as she, Kyoko, and Akihiro ran toward the Command Room. She was still a little woozy, on account of the truth serum, but she managed to keep up all the same.

Racing down the hallway, the three of them quickly entered the Command Room, and found a seemingly foreboding sight. All of the security personnel were lying on the floor, thankfully still breathing, many of them knocked completely out cold. Most of the technicians were cowering behind their workstations, trying to stay out of sight.

And standing in the midst of that chaotic scene…was a long haired young man wearing a suit.

His head was downcast, his eyes obscured by his hair. Upon hearing the three of them enter, however, he slowly turned to face them. Ryoko gasped as she took in his face. A pair of mix-matched eyes, one hazel and the other bright red, stared back at her. The instant their eyes met, neither one of them could look away.

As the two of them maintained eye contact, the dangerous young man's expression slowly shifted…until a warm smile spread across his face, obviously recognizing her despite both of them changing in appearance.

Taking a cautious step forward in front of Kyoko and Akihiro, Ryoko gathered her courage and dared to call out, "Nice to meet you in person…Hajime Hinata."

"Yeah…you too, Ryoko Otonashi," the young man said with a nervous chuckle, which Ryoko immediately join in on.

Sharing an apprehensive but also therapeutic laugh, the two former Masterminds felt an instant kinship with each other. The two of them had changed so much, become so much more than they ever imagined. And somehow, seeing Hajime like this…gave Ryoko more hope than she ever could have dreamed of.

Letting their laughter die out, Ryoko nodded to Kyoko, who seemed to relax slightly. And just when she was about to try and explain everything to him, the young man held up a hand, stopping her.

"I took your advice, and decided not to lose sight of myself," he told her, earning a slightly surprised but ultimately pleased gasp from Ryoko. Running a hand through his long, messy hair, Hajime nervously asked, "So, uh…know any good barbers?"

Stifling a giggle, Ryoko Otonashi ran a hand through her own long red hair, eventually coming to the small remaining bit of pink at the ends of it. Feeling something inside be set free, she smiled brightly at Hajime and showed him the pink edged of her own hair.

"Why don't we just do it ourselves?" she suggested, to which Hajime returned her smile and nodded, understanding her intentions.

"Shall I make preparation for that?" Kyoko offered, smiling gently at both of them before gesturing to the unconscious security team. "Once this mess is all cleaned up, of course."

Ryoko was a bit shocked, but quickly began to understand. Normally, the detective would've been more distrusting of Hajime's sudden transformation…but it seemed that because Ryoko trusted him, she would as well. Feeling that trust from Kyoko emboldened her, and she nodded firmly.

"I'd appreciate it…if you don't mind?" she asked apprehensively, glancing down at Hajime's handiwork.

"Not a problem," she told them, turning to head out of the room. "Once I get the medical team in here to look over everyone, I'll collect everything you might need and meet you in our room."

"Sounds good!" Ryoko concurred, smiling as her friend went off to prepare. Looking back toward Hajime, who appeared a bit embarrassed by the scene he'd caused, her smile widened as she said, "Alright then, I think about time we stopped carrying around all this extra weight. Don't you?"

"Definitely," Hajime simply replied, ready to embrace the future he'd earned for himself.

With newfound resolve filling her entire body, Ryoko Otonashi approached Hajime, taking his hand into her own. With hope blossoming in her heart, she lead him toward her room where a pair of sheers undoubtedly awaited them.


A NEW BEGINNING…STARTS NOW

Greetings, my beautiful readers! Holy crap this took me a while, but I am SO HAPPY with how it turned out! Thank you all for the amazing encouragement and engagement you've had with me over the last few days! You all make this so worth it, and I truly appreciate everything you've done!

As I just implied, we're not quite done with this yet! Next, we'll see what the Future had in store for not only Ryoko, but Hajime and the rest of the Remnants! Again, I plan to have a one-shot in-between them, similar to what I did with the 'Memoirs of Future Foundation', I had at the end of the last story. So look forward to that sometime soon!

And, as always, I appreciate any comments/reviews you guys leave for me! They help me grow as a writer and also I enjoy hearing your opinions or theories on what might happen next! So leave one for me if you feel like it! Thanks again and keep on smiling, my beautiful readers!