Chapter 9: Everyday Life with the Ultimate Photographer (Part 1)


Greetings ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Ultimates of all ages, wesst1 here to welcome you to 2019! I really did need that break but I am glad to be back. I hope all of you had an excellent holiday season.

Can I just say that you are the best readers a guy like me can ask for? Well you are. I'm so glad you all enjoyed what I did with Aoi and hope I can continue writing a story worthy of you, my readers.

You all may have noticed that part 1 in the title. Yes, it is finally time for that four-part arc with Mahiru, Mikan, and Hiyoko (in that order) with the conclusion in a fourth chapter that I have been talking about for I don't even remember how long. I hope you'll all enjoy it.

Fair warning though, I am probably going to be making these four chapters shorter than the others. Since there will be a resolution in a separate chapter that just seems like the right thing to do. I do plan to fill that space though. For those of you who have been interested in that Danganronpa-Destiny crossover, I will be putting some samples of what I plan to do at the end of each of the four chapters. As much as I'd have liked to test the waters with a first chapter, I don't know if that is wise given Bungie's decision to drip feed content and, to an extent, lore. Mostly, I don't want future guardian Makoto to report to the Vanguard without me knowing if Uldren is taking Cayde's spot (or maybe when I guess, I can't tell if Bungie is just not being subtle or if this is them jerking the player base around.) If you're wondering why I bring up the Hunter Vanguard, or current lack of one, up specifically, it's because I see Makoto as a Hunter. I do main a Hunter, but this is more of "Makoto Naegi already wears a hoodie so it's easy to imagine a cloak in its place."

But most of you didn't come here for that. So, without any further delay, here's the new chapter.


Present Day

It went against everything Naegi believed in to just stand by and watch as Saionji insulted Tsumiki. Even though each of them had explained that Saionji was just trying to "toughen up" Tsumiki, not that any of their attempts to explain it made much sense to Naegi, it still felt wrong.

If they thought a demonstration would help, I'm afraid they thought wrong, Naegi said to himself.

Naegi's face must have betrayed his thoughts because Koizumi soon said, "I know. It doesn't make any sense to me either, but Hiyoko-chan is adamant that this is going to work."

"I realize that Saionji-senpai is trying to help Tsumiki-senpai in her own way, but even if it wasn't unlikely that this would work, you can't toughen someone up by attacking their sense of self-worth if they don't have a sense of self-worth to begin with," Naegi said. He then added, "Still, it's a nice change from when Saionji-senpai was tormenting Tsumiki-senpai just for the fun of it."

Koizumi flinched at that and said, "I should have done something sooner."

"Senpai, it's alright. Tsumiki-senpai doesn't hold it against you. Besides, you're different now," Naegi assured his red-headed senpai.

"Only because of you. I didn't expect you to help us all as much as you did. You really turned out to be dependable," Koizumi told him. Now I don't know what I, or any of us for that matter, would do without you, Koizumi mentally added while blushing.

"I'm glad you think so Senpai, but I don't think I did anything that great. I've only ever done what comes naturally to me," Naegi said. Back when I first got to Hope's Peak, I was afraid that Koizumi-senpai and I would never be friends. I don't think she ever really expected anything from me in the beginning.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm Kitchen

First Day of Classes

In Naegi's opinion, the day had gone about as well as he could have hoped. From breakfast to dinner things had gone well enough, even if he still didn't feel welcome. It wasn't that he didn't understand, he did, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling. I know that this whole situation is uncomfortable for them, it is for me too, but I hope the girls warm up to me soon, he thought as he scrubbed some pans from dinner. He shook his head and with a bit of a tired smile said, "I'm sure it will work out, I'm already at the bottom so there's nowhere to go but up."

*click*

"Hm?" Naegi had been under the impression that he was by himself, but that click had informed him otherwise. He turned his head to the side and saw one of his senpai, Koizumi Mahiru standing there with her camera raised.

"Good evening Senpai. Did you need my help with something?" Naegi asked. It was a weird question to ask someone who had just taken his picture, he knew. However, Koizumi had been one of the most vocal girls in her opposition to Naegi's presence at the dorm. Naegi hadn't really expected her to want anything to do with him for a while so he figured if she had come to see him willingly, she must have an important reason.

"You asked if I needed anything right away…Not bad, I suppose," Koizumi said, more to herself than to Naegi.

"Huh?"

"I was prepared to label you as 'Unreliable Naegi,' but I guess you aren't too bad. That said, you better man up and try even harder to do your best! Otherwise, I'll have to reevaluate you again," Koizumi warned.

To say this confused Naegi would be an understatement, so he simply nodded and said, "I will not disappoint you Senpai."

"Oh, I'm not expecting anything, so you really won't be able to disappoint me," Koizumi said matter-of-factly.

Naegi felt as though he had been punched in the stomach from that comment.

It must have shown on his face because Koizumi took one look at him and said, "Ah. I snapped the photo too soon. That dumb-looking face would have been perfect."

When he heard that, Naegi couldn't help but think, Dumb-looking face...? That's just hurtful. One he processed what Koizumi had said though, he asked, "Senpai, why couldn't you just take another picture?"

"It's not like I wanted a picture of you or anything. I swear to every god who's listening that that's true. This...is just a record," Koizumi said defensively.

His curiosity piqued, Naegi asked, "What kind of record?"

With a frustrated sigh, Koizumi began to explain, "A record is just a record. I want a record that right now, we're all living together in this place. It's pretty simple...but in this kind of situation, it's easy for us to forget that, you know? So, I decided to make a record of everyone each day, so we won't forget."

Naegi just nodded at that, but couldn't help thinking, Under normal circumstances that might be true Senpai, but I don't think I'm going to forget that I'm living with you girls anytime soon. For my sake I hope I don't forget that I'm an outsider at this dorm.

Koizumi wasn't done though. She went on to say, "But...taking pictures of guys isn't fun, so I guess it'll be fine if I only do that once every three days."

That punched in the stomach feeling returned, but Naegi couldn't say anything in response to that. Koizumi was the one who owned the camera after all.

"So, to answer your question, I have what I came for," Koizumi said as she left the kitchen.

Naegi was still having trouble processing what had just happened so there wasn't much he could say to Koizumi as she left. Maybe he would be able to talk to his senpai better if he knew more about them. He knew about a few of them at least, he had done a research project on Novoselic in junior high and he was sure he had heard at least one of Mioda's songs in the past, but he knew he had to do more. Researching my classmates helped me relate to them better, so it should work for the girls at this dorm, right? he asked himself before finishing the dishes and heading to his room to see what he could learn about dormmates from the Hope's Peak forums.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Sixth Week of Classes-Sunday

Lunchtime was quickly approaching so Koizumi decided now would be a good time to take a break. Koizumi always enjoyed reviewing her work, it always felt wonderful to take pictures of people's smiling faces, but today didn't feel as rewarding as it usually did. She had a pretty good idea as to why too. All she needed to do was look through the pictures she took of the concert Naegi and Yukizome put on to cheer up Mioda.

I don't think I've ever seen such a radiant smile on Ibuki-chan's face. I guess Naegi-kun knew what he was doing, she thought. As she stared at the picture on the camera's screen, she didn't hear someone come in.

"Koizumi-senpai?"

"Hm?" Koizumi looked up and saw that Naegi had entered the dorm's common area. "N-naegi-kun? You shouldn't sneak up on girls like that!" Koizumi reprimanded.

"I wasn't sneaking though. I called out to you before, but you didn't answer, I swear," Naegi defended as he frantically waved his hands in front of himself.

"O-oh," Koizumi said as she blushed in embarrassment. "W-well what do you want?" she asked, trying to save face.

I guess she still hasn't warmed up to me yet, Naegi thought. "I was going to make lunch for myself, Ikusaba-san, Maizono-san, and Mioda-san. I wanted to know if you wanted me to make you something. I should still ask them, but I'm sure the others would be happy to have you join us," he explained.

"Oh, yeah sure," Koizumi said. I guess he isn't so bad. At least he has manners. It's a start I guess, Koizumi thought as she reevaluated Naegi.

"You seemed distracted, is everything alright?" Naegi asked concerned. Whether Koizumi was his friend or whether she hated him, Naegi couldn't help but worry about others, although he really hoped she didn't hate him.

"I was just reviewing some of the photos I took today and from that concert of yours last night," Koizumi explained.

"May I see them?" Naegi asked.

"You'll probably think they're boring," Koizumi said, blushing at Naegi's interest in her work.

"I won't. Any photos taken by the Ultimate Photographer must be amazing," Naegi countered.

"Fine, but I warned you," Koizumi said as she handed over her camera.

With the camera in hand, Naegi scrolled through the photos and noticed that the pictures all had something in common. They were all of people smiling. Everyone in these pictures looks so happy, he said to himself.

"These are the kinds of photos I take. They aren't all that amazing, but I enjoy it," Koizumi said.

You can almost feel the happiness flowing out from these photos, Naegi thought. As he continued to look through them, he noticed something else, I guess her rule about taking pictures of boys once every three days doesn't just apply to me. I wonder why. Does she not take many pictures of boys because she doesn't let her guard down around them?

As Koizumi saw a peaceful smile make its way onto Naegi's face, she said, "Well? At least tell me how you feel about them."

"Well Senpai, the one of Mioda-senpai from last night is probably my favorite, but that's probably only because I know what she had been going through last week. Seeing that smile on her face puts me at ease and lets me know that she's alright now. Don't get me wrong, I like all of the others too. We hear about all the problems there are in the world but seeing the smiles on everyone's faces is a good reminder that there is plenty of good out there too, we just don't always remember," Naegi said.

"Wow," Koizumi said, wide-eyed.

"Did I say something wrong Senpai?" Naegi asked.

"No, it's just I fully expected you to just say they were amazing," Koizumi said, realizing that maybe she hadn't given Naegi enough credit.

"Should I have?" Naegi asked, confused.

"Absolutely not! Words like "awesome" and "amazing" aren't words of praise at all. They sound half-assed and insincere... I really hate when people say stuff like that," Koizumi told him.

"Oh," Naegi said. He understood, more or less. He may not know much about photography, but he knew enough to know that it must have taken a great deal of patience to get the perfect photo, so he agreed that they deserved more than an "awesome" or an "amazing."

Koizumi continued, "Photos depict everything, whether it's beautiful or horrible. That's the truth contained in these images. That's why no matter what situation we're in, it's a photographer's duty to keep taking photos. That's basically what my mom taught me."

"Is she a photographer too?" Naegi asked.

"My mom is a pretty famous war photographer. But I... just take lots of photos of smiling people at normal places. But because the theme of my work is too conventional, people don't really care to judge it," Koizumi said. She sighed before continuing, "They just say stuff like, 'You should take more 'amazing' pictures.'"

"They've got that wrong!" Naegi shouted before he could stop himself. He continued, "I mean, maybe it's because we can see things like people smiling every day that we don't think of it as 'amazing' or 'interesting.' But if you look at it another way that just shows how easily we take moments like that for granted. What we need to remember is that these days don't last forever, one day we may look back and wish we had appreciated them more. I don't know if this makes any sense but, your photos remind me of the importance of what's right in front of us. Here and now."

"..."

"Koizumi-senpai?" Naegi asked. Did I say something wrong? he asked himself.

"That was another good comment. That's two more than I expected," Koizumi said with a smile.

Naegi winced at that backhanded compliment. At least he hoped it was a compliment.

Now sporting a blush, Koizumi said, "I guess...I can show you my photos again next time. B-bye." With that she began to leave the room.

"W-wait, Senpai, don't you want lunch?" Naegi called after her.

"I'll eat later!" Koizumi called back. By this point, her face was as red as her hair. I guess he's not so bad, she thought as she ran outside.

Once Koizumi was gone, Naegi said, "I'm not sure what Koizumi-senpai thinks of me, but I should probably brace myself for more of those 'compliments.' Good thing I get a lot of practice with Togami-kun." After that he just shrugged his shoulders and went to make lunch for him and his friends.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm: Laundry Room

Ninth Week of Classes-Saturday

It had been an eventful day for Naegi, he had met up with Komaru and the Asahinas. He hadn't expected to need to reassure Asahina that she was feminine, and he wasn't sure how successful he was. When he had called to make sure that Komaru had made it home alright, he had asked to speak with his mother, someone he knew could help him with Asahina. As much as he wanted to follow up with Asahina to make sure she would be okay, he unfortunately didn't have time to do it tonight. As eventful as today had been, tomorrow would be even more eventful since he would be at the opening of the Novoselic Embassy and he still had to do things to prepare. Specifically, he had to iron his shirt. He hadn't had much need for his suit since coming to Hope's Peak, so he was sure that it was okay, but he decided to go over it with a lint roller before he had to leave tomorrow just to be safe.

He had just plugged the iron in when he heard a voice.

"Ah, Naegi-kun!"

"Huh? Koizumi-senpai?" Indeed, it was. Koizumi had come to the laundry room with what appeared to be a basket of her underwear. When Naegi noticed that he turned red and did his best to avert his eyes. "I, uh, I didn't expect anyone to come here this evening," Naegi said.

Koizumi didn't answer right away, she was looking at the ironing board.

"Senpai, is everything alright?" Naegi asked.

"Remember to make sure that the iron is hot," Koizumi said.

"Yes Senpai!" Naegi said, before he thought, It almost feels like the first time Kaa-san taught me how to do this.

"I have to say though, I'm impressed. You cook, you clean, you do handy work, and you do laundry. You really aren't like the other boys," Koizumi said.

"The others?" Naegi asked.

"That idiot Souda-kun almost never washes his jumpsuit. I'm just so used to boys being lazy," Koizumi explained.

Naegi couldn't stop himself from thinking, Nidai-senpai might have a few things to say about that.

"Still…you shouldn't have waited until the last minute to do this," Koizumi lectured.

"I thought there was less of a risk of something happening to it that would get it wrinkled this way though," Naegi defended meekly. Koizumi's overbearing side was making him feel very small, almost like the regal aura Sonia exuded, except he always felt like he was being accused of doing something wrong.

"Well, fine…," Koizumi relented. It was only temporary though as she then said, "But if I see you tomorrow and you don't look presentable after Sonia-chan invited you, I'm gonna be really mad, okay!?"

"Y-yes Senpai!" Naegi said. In spite of being lectured, Naegi couldn't help but smile. He remembered his Otou-san's words from when he was a little boy after a rather harsh scolding. "Makoto, you may not understand now but when we scold you it means that we care. Remember, people don't have time to waste scolding people they don't care about."

Koizumi must have noticed the look on his face because she shot him a questioning gaze.

Naegi saw that and explained, "I'm just remembering something my Otou-san said. That people don't have time to waste scolding people they don't care about."

Koizumi was taken aback by that comment. Naegi's words had turned her into a blushing, stuttering mess. "T-th-that's… N-no… I… Don't flatter yourself," she finally managed to say as she looked off to the side.

"I guess there is a chance we'll be friends someday, huh Senpai?" Naegi asked happily. He felt bad that he embarrassed Koizumi, but he couldn't help but notice how cute she looked when she was embarrassed.

"That's not it! It's because I don't want to deal with more guys like my no-good dad! Argh, jeez! That's why I hate boys!" Koizumi said, still red-faced.

"I don't think you've ever mentioned your Otou-san before… What's he like?" Naegi asked. He didn't want to pry, but he did want to know more about his senpai.

"I just said he was no-good. Mom's overseas most of the year. Heaven forbid he help around the house," Koizumi said.

"Then...do you do all the housework while she's gone?" Naegi asked. It sounded unfair, and it was. Koizumi was the child, as a teenager she should be expected to help around the house, but she should still be enjoying her childhood.

"I have no choice. There's no one else who'll do it for me," Koizumi said matter-of-factly.

Deciding that maybe he should stay away from this topic for now, Naegi asked, "Your Okaa-san was a...war photographer, right?" And she's overseas most of the year?"

"Yeah. But it's fine... I like my mom best when she's out taking photos," Koizumi said. A smile made its way onto Koizumi's face as she spoke of her mother, "Ever since I was little...the first thing she'd do when she came home was show me all the photos she took. Photos filled with people's smiles."

Naegi smiled at that. Koizumi's mother sounded very nice.

Koizumi continued, "I'm sure she probably took a lot of horrifying photos, too. But even so, she only showed ones where people were smiling and looked happy."

"So that's why you like photos of people smiling," Naegi said in understanding.

"Actually, I don't know what to do. Is it really okay for me to just keep taking photos of the world I live in?" Koizumi asked.

Naegi wanted to assure her that it was, but Koizumi wasn't done.

"I want to visit different worlds and take pictures of people's sparkling smiles there, just like my mom. But I guess life isn't so simple. I mean, if I go overseas, my dad's gonna be all alone," Koizumi finished.

Even though she complains about it, she's really good at taking care of people. Then again, she'd probably have to be. Otherwise there's no way she'd able to take so many smiling pictures, Naegi thought with a smile.

Koizumi didn't miss that smile and, getting defensive, asked, "Wh-What...? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"I just think it's sweet that you care about other people so much, Senpai," Naegi said.

Koizumi turned red again before she said, "Anyway...make sure you look presentable tomorrow! If you need it, I guess I can help you out and stuff. Just let me know right away if you do."

Naegi noticed that Koizumi was using a much gentler tone than usual. Then without warning, Koizumi walked away with her head down and the clothes basket she brought in her arms. She seemed to be in a bit of a rush to get away.

"Senpai, wait! What about your…er?" Naegi began to ask. He thought it would be impolite to call after her to ask about washing her underwear.

"I can do it later!" Koizumi shouted back. No further explanation was given.

Was she blushing just now or...am I overthinking things? Naegi asked himself. Realizing he couldn't know for sure, he shrugged his shoulders and ironed his shirt.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Tenth Week of Classes-Sunday

Naegi still had a little over an hour to go before he needed to leave for the Novoselic Embassy, but he decided to get ready now. He wanted everyone's opinion on how he looked so as not to embarrass Sonia. As he went to search for his friends, he remembered Koizumi's offer from the previous evening.

I doubt the other girls will lie to me, but Koizumi-senpai may have a better eye for detail when it comes to people's appearances so maybe I should ask her, he thought as he hurried to look for the Ultimate Photographer. Before he got too far, he heard a noise that told him that she was closer than he thought.

*Click!*

Senpai's camera, Naegi thought relieved as he turned to see Koizumi examining her latest photograph.

"Whoa, what a dumb-looking face!" Koizumi exclaimed.

Naegi didn't exactly appreciate that comment, but he supposed being nervous and in a hurry probably would have had him making a face. "Dumb" might be a little too far though, he thought. Curiosity got the better of him which led him to ask, "What kind of face am I making? Could you show me?"

"No way," Koizumi said as she shook her head and held her camera out of Naegi's reach.

Figuring that this was a battle he had no chance of winning, Naegi just decided to ask, "Other than making a "dumb-looking face' how do I look? I was actually looking for you to ask your opinion, Senpai."

"Hmm," Koizumi hummed as she took in Naegi's appearance. He didn't look too bad, his suit was clean, it looked like he had polished his shoes, his shirt was wrinkle free, his tie was… "Your tie is a little crooked. Here let me see it," Koizumi said as she stepped forward to straighten Naegi's tie.

"Thank you Senpai. I tried to make sure everything was perfect, but I guess I missed this," Naegi said sheepishly.

Had it been any other boy, Koizumi would have chewed them out, but Naegi was the only one who never really fought her when she offered criticism. Koizumi knew she could come across as bossy, so maybe the boys complaining was partially her fault, but she was just trying to help. If they could just be more mature, I wouldn't need to get on them as much. If they were just more like Na…egi-kun… What am I thinking!? Koizumi thought as she backed away, blushing up a storm.

"Senpai?" Naegi questioned.

"I straightened your tie. It wasn't anything major…easy to miss. You look fine now," Koizumi said unable to look directly at Naegi.

"Thank you Senpai," Naegi said, still shocked by Koizumi's behavior. Trying to find a way to calm Koizumi down, Naegi asked, "I don't suppose that you would erase that other photo and take it again? I'm sure I look more photogenic now that my tie is straight."

It seemed to have the desired effect as Koizumi said, "Nope, can't do it," and stuck her tongue out.

That's better. Koizumi-senpai looks like she's having fun again, Naegi thought happily.

Unaware of what Naegi was thinking, Koizumi continued, "I never erase a photo once I take it. That's my policy. No matter what kind of photo it is, the moment captured in it only exists at that time." Koizumi looked like there was something else she wanted to add before she started to say, "Also..."

"Also…?" Naegi asked.

"N-Nothing. A-Anyway...You look fine, so you shouldn't cause problems for Sonia-chan. At least not as far as your appearance is concerned," Koizumi said.

Naegi knew that Koizumi was trying to change the subject, but even if he didn't have somewhere to be, he thought that it was best not to force Koizumi to speak if she didn't want to. Instead he just said, "I won't let you or Sonia-senpai down, Koizumi-senpai," with a deep bow at the end.

"W-well just do your best. I'm sure you'll do fine. Sonia-chan was teaching you proper etiquette after all," Koizumi said. It's weird, but I believe him. Maybe I have been too hard on him, Koizumi thought. Pushing those thoughts aside she pushed him by his shoulder and said, "Now get going, you don't want to be late."

"Thank you again Senpai. I'll be sure to repay you," Naegi said as he left to catch his ride to the Novoselic Embassy.

"I hope he and Sonia-chan have a nice time," Koizumi said to herself after Naegi had gone. Later that afternoon, when the hostage situation began, she couldn't help but think she may have jinxed them. That evening when it had ended, she had lectured Souda about agreeing to do strange jobs for total strangers. Had Naegi not gotten shot and been taken to the hospital to have the bullet removed from his shoulder, she would have lectured him about being reckless. Even if he had saved Sonia, he had made everyone worry about him when they saw his shoulder. She wouldn't admit it until much later, but in spite of his recklessness, not only had her junior not let her down, he had made her proud.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girl's Dorm

Eleventh Week of Classes-Saturday

Koizumi was depressed. Anyone with knowledge of what Class 77-B and Class 78 had been doing for the past week would think it was because their hot spring trip had ended. That may have been true for some of the students but not for Koizumi.

No, what had her depressed was a conversation she had recently with her junior, Asahina Aoi. Apparently, the younger girl was having a confidence crisis. She did not think that she was feminine. Koizumi's response to that was to have a crisis of her own. "Someone like Aoi-chan can have self-esteem issues," and "What does that mean for a plain girl like me?" Koizumi couldn't stop herself from thinking, and voicing, those concerns.

Despite her title as the "Ultimate Photographer," Koizumi always thought of herself as rather ordinary. She wasn't beautiful like some of her other classmates. She wasn't as amazing as her mother. She didn't have an amazing talent like the other students.

"That's not true."

"Huh?" Koizumi came out of her stupor to see Naegi giving her a concerned look.

Answering her unasked question, Naegi explained, "You were talking to yourself Senpai."

"O-oh," Koizumi said as she looked away in embarrassment. It would have been bad enough if one of the girls or Yukizome-sensei heard that but why did it have to be him, she thought.

"Koizumi-senpai, I don't really know what you think of me, so maybe my opinion doesn't mean anything to you, but all of those things you said…they aren't true, at least I don't think so," Naegi said. He continued, "I don't think I've ever seen any of your mother's photos so maybe I can't say anything one way or the other as far as that goes, but I assure you that the other two things aren't true."

"You're just being nice, I told you that I hate when people say things that are half-assed and insincere," Koizumi reminded him.

"I mean it! Koizumi-senpai is a beautiful girl with a kind and caring heart. Maybe it is true that you come across as harsh when you scold people, but I think that just shows that you're not just a pretty face, but someone with a beautiful heart to match," Naegi blurted out. After realizing what he said, he turned red and covered his face with his hands.

Koizumi didn't fare much better. Usually boys would just grumble or tell her she was a pain. None of the boys her age had ever said anything like what Naegi had just said. Despite the embarrassment the two were feeling, Koizumi had to know something else, "D-do you really think I have an amazing talent too?"

By this point, Naegi had calmed down enough to say, "Of course I do Senpai. Your talent can make people smile. I know it isn't as flashy as some of the talents of the other students, but I would say that makes it one of the greatest."

"Sato-chan said something similar," Koizumi said.

"Hmm?" Naegi asked.

"Nothing, it's just you sounded like a friend of mine. Although you took it a step farther than she did," Koizumi said.

"Oh?" Naegi wasn't sure where Koizumi was going with this.

"I do appreciate it though. I feel a lot better now, so, thank you," Koizumi said happily.

"I'm always happy to help, Senpai," Naegi said, relieved that he had made Koizumi feel better.

"You really are, aren't you?" Koizumi asked quietly enough that Naegi didn't hear.

"What was that Senpai?" Naegi asked. He might not have caught what Koizumi said, but he knew she said something.

"Oh nothing," Koizumi said coyly as she walked away. For the rest of the evening her smile was brighter than the sun.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Thirteenth Week of Classes-Sunday

"HE DID WHAT!?" Koizumi screamed.

Breakfast at the dorm was rarely ever a quiet event, which, given the personalities of some of the girls was probably to be expected. Even more rare however, was that this time, the noise was coming from Koizumi.

Just as Tsumiki had said, Naegi's hand did indeed swell, and noticeably at that. This of course prompted questions from the girls who were not already aware of how Asahina's date had ended. While they had found it odd that Asahina had returned with Ogami and Naegi, yesterday they had just written it off as a bad date and Asahina met up with the two by coincidence. Of course, Naegi's hand hadn't showed any signs of swelling yesterday. It wasn't until Asahina began recounting the events of the previous day that the girls had connected Naegi's injury with Asahina's date.

"Naegi-kun punched Fukuyama-san and told him that I was too good for someone like him," Asahina said, blushing as she recalled Naegi's exact words.

Koizumi was about to ask why, and then proceed to lecture Naegi about getting into fights when she was distracted.

She wasn't the only one as all eyes turned towards Enoshima, who was in her chair laughing at something on her phone. "The end of Asahina-san's date went viral," she explained before showing the other girls her phone.

Even though Koizumi should have known Naegi better by this point, she was still ready to judge Naegi for what she was seeing in the video. He had, in fact, sucker punched the other boy. Because of course he did, Koizumi thought, Why are boys so violent?

"What? There was way more to it than that!" Asahina said as she saw the few seconds of video where Naegi tapped Fukuyama's shoulder and then punched him.

"What do you mean Aoi-chan?" Koizumi asked.

"Junko-chan, don't go selectively editing videos of our classmates," Ikusaba said as she pulled out her own phone.

"I don't know what you're talking about Muku-nee," Enoshima said innocently.

"'Monokuma' is your user name, isn't it?" Ikusaba asked.

Enoshima's answer was to glare at her sister.

"Look at the comments: 'The full video is so much better.' 'Quit trying to gin up outrage!' There are a few making snap judgments but everyone else is linking to the full video," Ikusaba said as she clicked one of the links. "Here. This video captured everything."

Indeed, it had: Fukuyama running into the little girl; his meltdown; Naegi's response to it; even the young model running off with his tail between his legs. It was all there.

Ikusaba began reading the comments, "'Looks like chivalry isn't dead.' 'I'm not a violent person, but that prick had it coming.'" She scrolled through the comments section some more and said, "Some of the people who judged NAegi-kun because of the other video are commenting, 'I'd better go delete my comment on the other video, the kid in the hoodie was in the right.' 'I still think he probably shouldn't have punched that other boy, but I can't say he wasn't asking for it.'"

Koizumi was actually ashamed of herself after watching the full video. She had been living at the same dorm as Naegi for 13 weeks, she should have known better. He was no violent brute, but he had limits just like everyone else, and belittling his friend had pushed him to it. He was just sticking up for Aoi-chan and I was about to lecture him for being violent, she thought.

"Enoshima-san could you take that video down?" Naegi asked as he had entered from the kitchen. Working with one hand was a lot more difficult than he thought it would be.

"Come on Naegi-kun, it was just a joke," Enoshima said with smile.

"'A little defamation between friends, right?' I'm sorry, I can't let this go. Had I been identified as a Hope's Peak student, I could have caused problems for the whole school," Naegi explained.

"It might be a little late for that Naegi-kun," Ikusaba said, now worried for her crush. "People in the comments identified you as the hero from the Novoselic Embassy," Ikusaba explained.

"O-oh," Naegi said, worried if he'd be allowed to continue attending Hope's Peak Academy.

"It's all mostly positive though," Yukizome said. By this time, she and the girls who cared to check pulled out their phones and were reading the comments too.

"This one gave you a new title, 'Ultimate Hero.'" Maizono said.

"'First he prevents an international incident and now he defends the honor of teenage girls, keep an eye on this kid,'" Mioda read.

"'Hope's Peak's Hero.' Darling, this person sees what I do," Sonia gushed.

"Ahh, you girls took all the good ones, all the rest are from girls saying how cute he is and asking if someone could introduce them to him," Owari complained. This information caused her and her rivals to try to glare holes through their phones.

Those comments put Naegi at ease as he sat down and joined the girls for breakfast.

I don't have to say anything but… "Naegi-kun, I owe you an apology," Koizumi announced.

"For what Senpai?" Naegi asked.

"It's just, in the time I've known you, you've always been kind and helpful, but when I heard and saw what had happened, at first I…" Koizumi trailed off as she looked down.

"It's alright Senpai, we've all been guilty of confirmation bias. At least I know I have," Naegi admitted sheepishly.

"Still though…" Koizumi began.

"It's only natural to want to be right Senpai, but we need to practice prudence when things like this happen, at least that's what Oji-san always says," Naegi said.

"Who?" Koizumi asked.

"My Otou-san's otou-san, Naegi Reiji. He's a judge," Naegi answered. Trying to remember something, Naegi continued, "He told me that we all have biases, it's part of being human, what's important is being aware of them and doing our best not to let those biases interfere with how we view and interact with others. After that he made me promise to be more careful of my own."

"Oh? Care to share why he asked you to do that?" Koizumi asked jokingly, although she believed that it would have been a good story.

"Maybe later, but I have to get ready after breakfast," Naegi said. Turning to Owari, he said, "Owari-senpai, I've been thinking about what to teach Sadaharu-kun and the others to cook this week, I'd like to run it past you when we're in the kitchen."

Owari took this opportunity to smirk at her rivals one-by-one before saying, "Sure thing Naegi-kun, and thanks for doing this. We all love it when you come over."

While Owari's rivals glared at her, Koizumi was thinking, That's sweet of him. I wonder…if I've been unfair to him, have I been unfair to the other boys? Naegi always gave her a lot to think about.


Hope's Peak Academy-Courtyard

Thirteenth Week of Classes-Wednesday

With classes having ended for the day, Koizumi had decided to meet up with her friend from the Reserve Course, Fuwa Sato. She was a girl with violet eyes and long, dark-green, wavy hair that reached past her shoulders. She wore the Reserve Course uniform, which consisted of a long-sleeved button-up, a red necktie, a black-pleated skirt, and brown shoes with matching socks. She and Koizumi had been friends for a long time.

As Koizumi was showing her friend her most recent photos, her phone rang.

"Hello, this is Koizumi Mahiru," she said.

"Mahiru-chan, it's so good to hear your voice," a woman's voice said.

"M-mom!?" Koizumi asked excitedly, it had been months since she had heard her mother's voice.

"It's me! I just called to tell you that I'll be home this Saturday and will be here for at least a month!" the woman, Mrs. Koizumi said excitedly.

"That's great Mom! I can't wait," Koizumi said.

"I can't either Sweetie, I've missed you and your father so much," Mrs. Koizumi said. She was silent for a bit before she asked, "Was he alright the last time you saw him?"

"He was okay. Same as he always is really," Koizumi answered. Thinking of her father reminded her that she probably had to get things ready for when her mother came home.

"Oh." her mother said. Koizumi thought she imagined it, but she thought she heard guilt in her mother's voice.

"It's fine, I'll make sure everything is ready for when you get home," Koizumi said.

"That's my girl. I know things haven't always been easy on you and that it's only gotten harder since you started going to Hope's Peak Academy and I'm sorry about that," Mrs. Koizumi said.

"It's fine Mom, it's not your fault," Koizumi said.

"Well actually, I-…What? Now? But I-… Oh. Oh, that is bad. Just let me say good-bye to my daughter and I'll be right there," Koizumi heard her mother say. Returning her attention to her daughter, Mrs. Koizumi said, "I'm sorry Mahiru-chan, I have to go now, but I'll see you this weekend. I love you!"

"I love you too, Mom, see you then," Koizumi said as the call ended.

"Your mom is coming home? That's great!" Fuwa said happily.

"Yeah, it-,"

"Koizumi-senpai!" Naegi's voice interrupted as he ran over to greet the older girl. Seeing that she was with someone he immediately began apologizing, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were with someone."

"It's alright Naegi-kun," Koizumi said. She wasn't going to admit it just yet, but she had developed a soft spot for the younger boy. Realizing that the two had never met, Koizumi introduced them, "Sato-chan, this is Naegi Makoto, he's the boy that got placed in the girls' dorm by mistake. Naegi-kun, this is Fuwa Sato, she and I have been friends since junior high."

"It's very nice to meet you Fuwa-senpai," Naegi said as he extended his hand.

"Likewise," Fuwa said, although Koizumi thought it sounded a little forced. When Fuwa shook Naegi's hand Koizumi thought that she must have imagined it.

Getting back to why he had come over, Naegi asked, "Have either of you seen Mioda-senpai? She challenged me to a game of hide-and-seek, but I should probably get started on dinner soon."

"We haven't seen her Naegi-kun," Koizumi said.

Naegi finally noticed something was different about Koizumi and said, "Koizumi-senpai, you seem pretty happy."

"Yep. My mom is coming home this weekend and she'll be home for a while," Koizumi answered happily.

"That's great Senpai, I'm happy for you," Naegi said.

"Thanks. I just hope Dad did something to get ready for her," Koizumi said, her mood coming down at the thought of having to take care of her father.

"I know it's not fair to have to take care of your own parent when you're still a teenager, Koizumi-senpai, but maybe there's a reason your Otou-san is the way he is," Naegi suggested.

"What could you possibly know about her situation?" Fuwa asked angrily.

Naegi knew he had overstepped his boundaries, but he had already begun to say his piece, so he might as well finish. "Nothing really, but in the time that I've been at Hope's Peak, I feel like I've come to understand Koizumi-senpai, at least a little. I don't think she'd continue to love someone that she really believed was no-good. After that, I'm just assuming that her Kaa-san is the same way," Naegi explained.

Fuwa was getting ready to respond, but Koizumi spoke up first, "My mom sounded like she wanted to say something, I think it was about Dad, but she wasn't able to finish before she had to get back to work."

Naegi was curious about this piece of information, but it was a matter between Koizumi and her parents, so all he said was, "I'm sorry Senpai, I know I tend to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, but I promise I never mean to cause problems."

"I know, it's fine but I'm sure if there were more to it, I'd know about it already," Koizumi said, although she was curious about what her mother was going to say. I said it wasn't her fault that I have to do all of this stuff for Dad, but then she started to say something. Was she going to blame herself? Why would she do that? Koizumi asked herself.

"You're probably right, but some families are pretty good at keeping secrets from each other," Naegi said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Anyway, I'm sorry if I offended either of you. Fuwa-senpai, it was nice meeting you. I'm going to look for Mioda-senpai for a little longer before I have to give up," Naegi said with a bow before he left.

"Why do boys act like they know everything?" Fuwa asked when Naegi was out of earshot.

"He's not so bad, he's helped a few of the other girls with their own problems. I think he was just trying to help me too," Koizumi said in Naegi's defense.

"You don't think he was right do you?" Fuwa asked, shocked at what she was hearing.

"I don't know," Koizumi said. That was how she usually felt when she talked to Naegi, confused. Was she wrong? Had she been too hard on her father? Had she allowed a misunderstanding to affect her relationship with others? She didn't know, but she had a feeling that she would find out.


Koizumi Family Home-Front Door

Thirteenth Week of Classes-Saturday

This weekend is going to be great, Koizumi thought as she reached her front door. She had informed the school that she would be spending the weekend with her parents so as to spend as much time with her mother as possible. The only snag had been when she had told everyone at the dorm this information, Saionji had been less than pleased. The other girls were able to finally get the Ultimate Traditional Dancer to let her friend go though. Hiyoko-chan may have had a growth spurt since our first year, but she still acts like a little girl, Koizumi thought with a small laugh. That little episode had made her late however, she had missed the train she had originally planned to catch and had to wait twenty minutes for the next one. She had wondered if she would be able to beat her mother home, but it seems like she had.

Opening the door, she called to her father, "Dad, I'm home!"

She didn't receive an answer, which was odd. Usually her father came out and asked if she was alright even if she had simply gone for a walk.

Getting worried, Koizumi ventured further into her home. She eventually heard heavy breathing and ran to the source. Her father was in the living room, on the couch, clutching his chest and breathing heavily.

"Oh God, Dad!" Koizumi screamed as she ran to her father. Was he having a heart attack? He kept himself in good shape, but it was possible. She must have been with her father for longer than she thought because she then heard her mother's voice shout, "Kota!"

Koizumi looked to the side and saw her mother run into the room, take her husband's face in her hands and say, "Kota, it's Ryuko. Please, calm down. Everything is fine."

Mr. Koizumi was able to gasp out, "Ma-Mahiru?"

"Mahiru is right here, she's fine, see?" To illustrate this, Mrs. Koizumi pulled Koizumi in close so that Mr. Koizumi could get a better look at her.

That seems to have done the trick as Mr. Koizumi started to relax and his breathing returned to normal. Once that happened, he pulled the two most important women in his life into a hug.

Koizumi was confused, and once her father loosened his embrace she asked, "What just happened? Shouldn't we take Dad to the hospital?"

Mrs. Koizumi knew that her daughter was shaken up by what she had just seen and knew that explanations were in order, but first she turned to her husband and asked, "Kota, what happened? Did your medicine stop working?"

"Medicine?" Koizumi asked.

"No Ryuko, Mahiru was late and I just couldn't help but worry. I didn't know what happened," Mr. Koizumi explained.

"Wh-what medicine? Why would me being late do that to Dad? What was that just now?" Koizumi asked more confused than ever.

"You never told her?" Mrs. Koizumi asked.

"No, I didn't want to cause more problems for either of you," Mr. Koizumi said.

"I suspected it last time I called Mahiru-chan, but I didn't think you could hide it this long," Mrs. Koizumi said, slightly impressed, but saddened that her husband and daughter had a rift between them due to something beyond anyone's control.

"Hide what? What are you two talking about?" Koizumi asked, frustrated that her questions weren't being answered.

"Mahiru-chan, your father suffers from anxiety disorder," Mrs. Koizumi said.

"Dad does? Since when?" Koizumi asked.

"Since always, Sweetheart," Mr. Koizumi admitted sadly. His daughter already had a low opinion of him, now she was going to think he was crazy.

Mrs. Koizumi continued for her husband, "The reason your father has trouble finding work is because of something that happened after we got married. I was on my first major assignment. Your father was worried of course, but he was fine until he received a call." At this point, Mrs. Koizumi began undoing a pashmina scarf she was wearing. Koizumi had always been curious about that, no matter what her mother wore, she always wore a scarf with it. When she saw what was under it, she gasped. A jagged scar, faded slightly from time but still visible, ran across her mother's neck.

"Nasty, right? A bomb went off and I got hit with some shrapnel, it missed hitting anything vital, but I still required emergency surgery. When your father heard, he suffered his first panic attack. He'd always been a nervous individual, but after that it got worse. He had trouble functioning while I was still away and lost his job. His employer didn't want to hear that it was anxiety," Mrs. Koizumi said angrily.

"This was years ago, when the stigma attached to mental illness was much worse than it is today," Mr. Koizumi interjected.

"That doesn't make it right!" Mrs. Koizumi shouted. After calming herself, she continued, "When I got home and heard what happened I suggested that I could give up being a war photographer and find work closer to home, but your father…"

"Ryuko, I couldn't ask you to give up a job you love. It's been hard but we've never gone without," Mr. Koizumi said.

"Kota, why didn't you tell Mahiru?" Mrs. Koizumi asked.

"When Mahiru was three-years-old, I took her to the park. Some girls who looked to be five came over and saw me and asked where her mother was. When she told them, they started saying that she was lying and that you abandoned us. I knew it wasn't true but seeing our little girl crying was more than I could bear. If other children picked on her because you weren't around how much worse would Mahiru feel if she found out that I was…" Mr. Koizumi said.

"You are NOT crazy!" Mrs. Koizumi shouted. "You sacrifice for this family in your own way. I wish I had known that you had kept this a secret. Our little girl would have understood, you should give her more credit," she said.

"I don't give him any credit, why do I deserve any?" Koizumi asked holding back tears. She recalled every instance of her belittling her father in front of other people and the flood gates opened. "Daddy!" Koizumi cried as she hugged her father tightly. "I-I'm *hic* so so-sor-."

"It's okay. It's okay," Mr. Koizumi said as he comforted his daughter.

"Everything is going to be okay from now on," Mrs. Koizumi said as she joined the embrace.


Once things had calmed down, the Koizumi family began to enjoy their time together. Koizumi still felt bad, but her father assured her that it was fine. At dinner, Koizumi couldn't help remembering what Naegi had said earlier that week and, without meaning to, said, "Naegi-kun was right."

"Who is Naegi-kun?" Mr. Koizumi asked.

"Is that your boyfriend?" Mrs. Koizumi asked excitedly.

Koizumi turned as red as her hair and said, "N-no. H-he's th-this guy I know. He's really understanding. He told me that maybe there was a reason Dad is the way he is that I didn't know about."

"Naegi-kun sounds like a smart boy," Mrs. Koizumi said.

"He is. He's in the year behind me but he's always helping everyone, and he always seems to know just what to do," Koizumi said.

"You should invite him over!" Mrs. Koizumi suggested happily.

"No boys!" Mr. Koizumi shouted.

"It's not like that at all," Koizumi said before burying her face in her hands. The rest of the evening was filled with either her mother teasing her or her father saying she couldn't date until she was his age.


Hope's Peak Academy-Front Gate

Fourteenth Week of Classes-Sunday

It had only been a day-and-a-half, but the Koizumi Mahiru who stepped onto campus was not the same as the Koizumi Mahiru who had left to visit her family. Learning about how her father had suffered in silence for so many years had caused Mahiru to rethink how she had treated all the men in her life. While she knew that some of them were, in fact, immature, she knew that she now had to look beyond the surface. She had believed that as a photographer she could capture people's feelings on film, and to an extent she could. Perhaps it was because of that belief that she never saw a need to look deeper. She looked at a picture she had taken of her parents just before she left, it was the most beautiful picture she had ever taken in her opinion. In finally coming to understand her father and in his understanding that he did not need to bear his burden alone anymore, she believed that his smile had never been brighter.

It was then that Koizumi thought back to that picture of Mioda she had taken months ago. She realized why that smile was so beautiful now, because that smile had come after sharing in Mioda's pain the week after that ill-fated concert.

She had come to this conclusion after her mother had shown her all of the photos she had taken overseas, the good, the bad, and the ugly. There was a world of difference in the context that the photos beyond what just the smiles showed: the horrors of war; the suffering of people; their joy in a hard-earned peace. She could pick out who was hiding their pain and who was rejoicing at the prospect of a brighter future.

Of course, change does not come easy, Koizumi knew this, so as she made her way to the dorm, she kept her eyes peeled for someone who could help her with what she felt she needed to do next.

"Hey Koizumi-senpai! Welcome back," a male voice greeted happily. It seems he had found her first.

"Hi Naegi-kun. It's good to be back," Koizumi greeted.

Naegi paused for a moment to take a better look at his senior and asked, "Did something happen Senpai? You seem different."

"A lot actually," Koizumi said before she told Naegi of what had transpired during her visit with her parents.

"I'm glad your Otou-san is okay, Senpai," Naegi said.

"Yeah, me too. Turns out that you were right," Koizumi admitted.

"I just had a feeling that there was more to the story, Senpai," Naegi confessed.

I wish I had considered that there was more to Dad than what I was seeing, Koizumi thought. A moment later she asked, "I actually need to ask you for something... Will you listen to me?"

"I'll listen to anything you have to say, Senpai. I just hope I can do whatever it is you need," Naegi said.

"You don't need to be scared. It's not like I'm going to make you to do something impossible," Koizumi said. She thought for a moment before adding, "But this is something only you can do."

That served to confuse Naegi, who asked, "Only me?"

Koizumi nodded before making her request, "Can you take a photo of me?"

Naegi didn't mind, but he still didn't understand. "You want me to take your picture? But why me?" he asked. He then said, "I don't mind Senpai, but I haven't really taken many pictures before, and I don't even know how to use your camera. Wouldn't you rather Saionji-senpai or Fuwa-senpai take it?"

"N-no, it's fine. I just want you to take it. In fact, it has to be you," Koizumi said shyly.

"Senpai, I'm not sure I understand, but if you're sure…" Naegi trailed off as he held out his hand to accept Koizumi's camera. It should have been a simple request. Had it been anyone else, it probably would have been, but to have the Ultimate Photographer ask you to take her picture…Naegi felt as honored as he felt nervous.

Naegi took a deep breath and said to himself, "If I remember correctly, it's better to take one step forward..."

"Yep... When you're not used to taking photos, you somehow always end up taking one step back," Koizumi said. Remembering that it was her picture that was about to be taken, Koizumi's feelings of self-consciousness returned, and she said, "Oh...but...you don't have to do that right now."

This didn't help ease Naegi's own concerns, but he powered through and focused on Koizumi.

*Click!*

As soon as he released the shutter, Koizumi immediately ran over and took the camera from his hands.

"Huh? Does my face really look like this?" she asked. Then she laughed and said, "Hahaha...I look a little goofy. I guess you are a novice."

"I don't think I did too badly though," Naegi said.

"Yeah...it'll work," Koizumi said.

"Work for what?" Naegi asked.

"I realized I didn't have many photos of myself," Koizumi began. After she found the right words she continued, "I needed a record of myself. I've never really thought to take progress photos before, but I realize it's something I need to do."

"What do you mean Senpai?" Naegi asked.

"Knowing what I know now, I've had to rethink a lot of things in the past day-and-a-half. I know some people think I act like I know everything, and they were right. My dad, my classmates, even you, I had already judged all of you when I first met you. In the back of my mind, I think I always knew that was wrong, but it wasn't until yesterday that it hit home. I know that progress photos are used for people who want to lose weight or get into shape, so no one else will understand, but I want to change. I need to remember who I am now. The me...who's here like this," Koizumi said as she pointed to herself in the picture. Koizumi then said, "That's why you had to be the one to take it."

"What do you mean?" Naegi asked.

"This picture is a record of who I am now, but if you take it, it's also my goal. I really wanted a record of myself as you see me," Koizumi admitted with a blush. Seeing that Naegi didn't quite understand, she went on, "Naegi-kun, I don't know how you saw me when we first met, but in the time that I've known you, I've learned that your first instinct is to always see the best in everyone. I want to be the person you see me as, the 'beautiful girl with a kind and caring heart.' Will you keep recording my progress until then?"

"Of course, Senpai," Naegi nodded with a bright and eager smile.

"Thanks, Naegi-kun," Koizumi said happily. "I know! If you're interested, I'll give you my old camera!" she added.

"Are you sure Senpai?" Naegi asked.

"It's fine! I want you to use it. I'll make sure I teach you how to take photos," Koizumi said happily. Then getting serious, she said, "Please watch my progress from now on."


Present Day

She's changed so much, all three of them have, Naegi thought as he looked from Koizumi to Tsumiki to Saionji.

I needed to change, we all did. I guess it was good that I started before Hiyoko-chan, otherwise we might not all be as close as we are now, Koizumi thought. I still don't think I agree with what Naegi-kun did, but I understand why he did it, Hiyoko-chan was getting out of control, as she remembered a dinner one evening at the dorm. It was that evening that she was forced to realize that not only had she been too hard on the men in her life, she had been too lenient on Saionji.


Hope's Peak Academy-Girls' Dorm

Fourteenth Week of Classes-Friday

It had only been a few days, but it was clear that Koizumi was making an effort. She was definitely showing more patience with the boys, even if she was seen with a stress ball every day after dealing with certain members of her class. She had also adopted a gentler tone, at least as long as no one did anything too outrageous.

"Koizumi-san, it's nice to see you getting along with the boys. I know some of them can be a little over the top, but I think it's fine to let them enjoy being high school students in their own way," Yukizome said regarding the changes in her student. The girls were just sitting down to dinner as Naegi brought everything out.

"Over the top is right Sensei," Koizumi sighed as she thought of how many stress balls she had gotten from the school's Ultimate Therapist, Gekkogahara Miaya. Koizumi then added, "But I realize that maybe I've been a little too hard on them in the past. More than that, I realize that maybe there are reasons they act the way they do that I don't know about. I'm still going to be hard on them when I have to be though."

"Nothing wrong with that Senpai," Naegi said as he was getting ready to sit down. Before he could however a loud cry of, "I'M SORRY!" pierced the air. All eyes turned to Tsumiki and Saionji.

"Pig barf, why don't you get out of here before you ruin everyone's appetite?" Saionji phrased that as a question, but anyone who knew her knew it was a demand.

"B-but w-when c-can I-I…?" Tsumiki began through tears.

Koizumi didn't know what the cause was this time, but she knew that Saionji's behavior had been getting worse lately. As much as she wanted to stand up for Tsumiki, it was important that the girl be strong on her own.

"Tsumiki-san stay where you are. Saionji-san, Tsumiki-san couldn't possibly ruin anyone's appetite," Yukizome said more forcefully than she normally would. It seemed Koizumi wasn't the only one to notice that Saionji had been being more bratty than usual.

"Saionji-senpai, I think you should apologize to Tsumiki-senpai," Naegi said.

"That's nice, but I don't listen to servants. Do something useful and get me a drink," Saionji ordered.

"Okay," Naegi said without a fuss.

He came back shortly and gave Saionji a glass full of what appeared to be fruit juice. Saionji took one sip and spat it back out. "BLAH! WHAT DID YOU JUST GIVE ME?!" she demanded to know.


Present Day

Both students were shaken from their reminiscing by Tsumiki's voice.

"Naegi-kun," the nurse said as she ran over to the younger boy. In doing so, she tripped and left herself rather…exposed.

Through gritted teeth, Saionji said, "Mikan-nee, you can't always run to Makoto-nii and have him fight your battles for you."

"She's right Mikan-chan," Koizumi said as one of her eyes twitched as Naegi went to help the Ultimate Nurse up.

"I'm sorry," Tsumiki said.

"It's true that Tsumiki-senpai needs to stand up for herself, but it's also important that she knows we're here for her," Naegi said. Knowing what he knew about the poor girl, he knew just how much she needed to understand that. He placed his hand on the nurse's shoulder to show support and gave her a friendly smile.

"Okay, I'll try," Tsumiki said with a small smile. I won't let you down, Naegi-kun, she thought.

Naegi saw that smile and thought, I can't fight all of Tsumiki-senpai's battles, but still, I'll do what I can to protect that smile.


To be continued next time.

Special thanks once again to Pupla for proofreading.

Well, you already knew that but it's even more important this time. Mahiru is only one part of this and the story of her growth as a person still isn't done. She hasn't fallen for our favorite Luckster completely, but she's close.

Was I too hard on her though? Seriously, I'm asking. I think I might have been. Then again, she would be the one with the most to say about a boy in the girls' dorm, so she'd probably be pretty hard on Makoto and no one can look good when they are too hard on Makoto. At least I don't think so.

Ah Mahiru, yes, some men are scum, but you know what? Some women are scum too.

Kind of had psychology drive the chapter. Parentification, Anxiety, and how some children will vilify the parent that raises them and deifies the parent that isn't around. During the course of my research, I found out that mental illness is still stigmatized in Japan, although the articles I found were, at best, as recent as 2015, so you never know, things change. Here is what I found though:

Only 5% of Japanese people believe that mentally ill people can recover from their illness.

A survey done on employers found out that 61% of people would never employ someone with mental illness.

Only 20% of psychological professionals believed that people with mental illness should live in a community without being hospitalized

77% of mental health professionals in japan believed that it was dangerous for mentally ill people to live by themselves.

Interviews and surveys found that Japanese people are generally very unwilling to get married or start a relationship with someone with a mental illness. A site like Online Social Community for Adults with Mental Illness could not exist in Japan

Approximately 75% of survey respondents were completely understanding of someone not renting a room to someone just because they had a mental illness

It is important to note that generally mental illness stigma is stronger in OLDER people than younger people. But since Japan has an aging population, well you know how that works.

As for picking anxiety disorder, I have firsthand experience with that, never had a panic attack or anything, but since it runs in my family, I've seen what it does to people when their medicine doesn't work. As for Mr. Koizumi hiding it, people have hidden worse from their families for years and years, so it's not entirely outside the realm of possibility.

Did you know panic attacks can last for over half an hour? I didn't until I did the research.

As for why Mr. and Mrs. Koizumi were still together, it's never stated that they weren't, and I needed Mahiru to realize that she doesn't know everything. I could have just made Mr. Koizumi very laid back, but Mahiru would never have learned anything.

On why I gave Sato the family name Fuwa: Who here has watched Shimoneta? Doesn't she look like Hyouka? If she looks like Mad Seaweed I might as well give her Mad Seaweed's last name.

One more thing: You've probably all noticed that I kept switching between mom and dad, and Okaa-san and Otou-san, and mother and father. Should I pick one set and stick with it? I just have Makoto and some of the others use Okaa-san and Otou-san to show how respectful he can be and how proud he is of his Japanese heritage. Not that I believe that the others aren't proud, mind you, just that I think that at least half of the cast of characters are likely to be open about accepting Western influences. I don't know, maybe I should pick a set and correct previous chapters as needed.

Mikan is up next. Who wants to guess what Makoto gave Hiyoko to drink? You have two more chapters to guess correctly.

For those interested, here is a little taste of what I have planned for when I get around to that crossover of mine.


Flash


"The Light lives in all places, in all things. You can block it, even try to trap it, but the Light will find its way."

—The Speaker.


In the vacuum of space, far beyond the Sol System an entity of unknown age and origin made its way through the stars. It had been known by many names, the most recent of which was "The Great Machine." But it would always consider itself "The Traveler." A massive white sphere, a disciple of the Sky, the Light. Once again, it was forced to flee its ancient enemy, the Deep, the Darkness. The poor Eliksni, it could only hope that the majority of that race survived the onslaught of the champions of the Darkness, the Hive.

Would things have gone differently if it had granted its blessing to the races of Fundament sooner? Would its own disciple, the Leviathan, still live and keep the Worm Gods trapped within the core of that gas giant? These and many other questions plagued the Traveler as it continued on its journey. To where? Even the Traveler did not know. Wherever it went, the Darkness followed.

For some time, the Traveler felt something from a far-off star system. A fragment of its power? How was such a thing possible? The Traveler had been to many places in the universe, but it knew it had never been anywhere near where it could feel the Light of that fragment. It was then that an idea struck the Traveler.

The Darkness had its own champions. Although the Light taught the cooperation between all things, perhaps the Traveler should look for champions of its own. Not to conquer or to exterminate, but to defend, to show that the Light was the best way. What the Traveler did next would alert its ancient enemy to its location and possibly even its destination, but perhaps by the time the Traveler made contact with the species of this far-off system, its champions would be strong enough to push back the Darkness.

It was with that conviction, that hope, that the Traveler released a pulse of Light.


A few days later on Earth, night had fallen and the occupants of the Naegi household had turned in for the night. Or at least most of them had, Ghost didn't exactly need sleep. He was at a loss, without a Vex time gate he had no way to return to his time and he wouldn't dream of asking any member of the Naegi family to make a wish on the Ahamkara remains that had come back with him.

What is there to go back to? As good as he is, my guardian is probably already dead, he thought. As cynical as those thoughts were, the small AI had a point. As best he could figure, his guardian had wished on One Thousand Voices and all of their gear, even what the Red Legion had destroyed, and even Titan and Warlock gear had come back with him to before the Golden Age.

It felt strange to think of his Guardian as being dead. Not because of what they had accomplished, but because he had come back to when his Guardian's first life was just getting started. He would be lying if he said that he hadn't wondered what his Guardian had been like before he died, and meeting Naegi Makoto had shown Ghost that his Guardian had always been a good person. Ghost knew he made the right choice with his Guardian before this, this just reaffirmed it.

Still, what could he do. There was no Last City to protect; the Traveler had not arrived in Sol; and even with his powerful inner Light, Naegi could not wield it without the Traveler's blessing so there was no way to fight the Darkness if he and Naegi were around for the Collapse. Due to their limited understanding of Vex time travel, it was generally understood that the Vex moved to different time lines as easily as they moved through time. Perhaps it was an oversimplification, but the Warlocks had no other explanation for the existence of Precursor or Descendant Vex.

"Ghost?"

Ghost was shaken from his thoughts and looked over. "I'm sorry Makoto, did I wake you?" he asked.

"No, I haven't really been able to sleep that well lately," Naegi confessed. "I wish there was more I could do for you," Naegi said with his eyes downcast.

"It's not your fault. Honestly, to hear Failsafe tell it, being sent to the past sounds better than being trapped in the Vex network," Ghost said.

"Ghost? If I were a Guardian, could I help you?" Naegi asked.

Ghost knew that if he had a heart, it would have broken at that question. "Makoto, there isn't anything anyone can do. Without the Vex there is no way to travel through time and it's too dangerous to rely on the Ahamkara bones for help."

"But still, I-," Naegi began, but stopped after he saw some of the shadows on his wall shift. Looking out his window he saw pale light spreading across the night sky, almost as if it had circled the entire globe and was about to converge at one point. In fact, that's exactly what was happening.

"What is-? Light!" Ghost exclaimed happily, not caring about the how or the why at the moment. As soon as the Light converged about the Naegi home, Ghost felt a surge, similar to the one it felt from the shard of the Traveler in the European Dead Zone. "Get ready Makoto!" Ghost shouted as it turned to Naegi.

"What do you mean? Ready for wha-?" Naegi never finished as Ghost appeared to split apart and shoot a beam at him. He was prepared for it to hurt, but instead, he felt good. Better than ever. Powerful. Invincible even. Once Ghost had finished, Naegi stood up, he knew he had been changed.

All Ghost said was, "Eyes up Guardian."

As the Ghost celebrated and the new Guardian was attempting to make sense of what had transpired, neither thought to check on the other occupants of the room. The two possessed many weapons and armor that had wills of their own, trophies from a future Naegi Makoto's exploits, two weapons in particular should have been monitored closely. A sniper rifle as black as deep space and a fusion rifle seemingly made of the bones of some creature, the Whisper of the Worm and One Thousand Voices schemed in silence. While all that remained of the Ahamkara, Riven of a Thousand Voices, was willing to wait and see what changes the Traveler's Light caused on the blue planet, Xol, the Will of Thousands, was not so patient. It could not afford to be, what remained of the Worm God had become part of the Sword Logic that sustained it in becoming a weapon, but he still demanded tribute. Perhaps, if the Traveler could reach out across space, so to could Xol. He had once before when he came upon the Taken on Io, he could do so again.

Yes, perhaps it was time for whispers from the Deep to come to Earth. Perhaps it was time for Xol to reconnect with his other disgraced brother.


I'm on the fence about whether or not I should have the Traveler send out Ghosts. If I do that, Natsumi and Sato are going to die and come back as Guardians. A Warlock and a Titan, but which would be which is another question I need to answer. Suggestions are welcome. Personally, I'd make Natsumi a Titan and Sato a Warlock, but that's just me.

Thanks to Riven, Touch of Malice is there too, but I don't know if Future Oryx should have a role.

Anyway, who will Xol reach out to? Who will that Worm God reach out to in turn? Find out next time, oh reader, mine.

Anyway, read and review and I'll see you next time.