The city of Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan. Aside from being a bustling metropolis, it is also a beautiful port city where one could relax and view the calm waters at leisure. It also contains some strange tourist attractions like it having both ramen and cup noodle museums. One could say that the city made Makoto feel right at home in some ways.

Sometimes a good deal on some groceries also helps.

"Finally! My luck's turned around." Makoto smiles while carrying plastic grocery bags in both hands. Mukuro walks next to him carrying another bag. They've just exited the store with the cool breeze blowing through them. The sidewalks and surrounding areas are filled with people in their daily lives. It's noisy with all the people walking and traffic moving along at a steady pace.

"You're still hurt, aren't you? I can carry those bags for you as well."

"It's alright. I'm not…that hurt." He wrinkles his nose. "But you do hit pretty hard, Ikusaba-san."

The compliment failed in its intentions as she looks away.

"O-Oh. I was just making a joke. Sorry."

The walk remained silent for a while, passing by crowds of others along the way. Makoto takes a deep breath as he tries to find another venue of conversation. Mukuro looks uneasy as she keeps her eyes darting around for any potential threats. They eventually find themselves in a covered parking structure walking to Makoto's car. It's much warmer inside with the parking spaces filled with various vehicles. He pops open the fastback and both of them place the bags in the cargo.

Makoto chuckles. "Man, having a car's great. I had a couple of times where I would trip on a soup can or something similar on the way home…oof."

Mukuro's face remains stoic. "You seem to take pride in your vehicle."

"Ah, yeah. It's nice to just drive and kinda forget your worries for a while. Though with all the traffic around I have to drive way out to do that sorta thing. You ever do anything like that, Ikusaba-san?"

She takes a few seconds to respond. "I… like to read mystery novels."

"Novels can really take you into a whole different world, can't they?"

"Yeah."

"If I remember correctly…you used to write for military magazines. You could always be a writer yourself."

She shakes her head.

Makoto smiles. "It's just something to think about." He closes the trunk of the car and shifts his eyes to the left of him. He spots a beat up dirty white van with its doors wide open. He sees two legs covered by rolled up pant leggings with familiar-looking sandals sticking out. Makoto walks over to check, with Mukuro following close behind.

"Hiro-kun?"

A familiar adult face with dreadlocks, round glasses and stubble on his face looks over with eyes widened.

"Yo! Naegi-chi. Long time no see, dude!"

Makoto smiles while Mukuro narrows her eyes on him. He stands up and pats the reporter on the shoulder.

"You seem to be doing alright. How have you been for the past few months?"

Hiro crosses his arms. "Geez. It's been hard! Why didn't you tell me that you didn't need my help anymore? The guards at the academy said I didn't work there!" He sighs. "C'mon dude, are you still mad that I tried to sell off your organs?"

Makoto rubs his neck. "I, uh, haven't really thought of that for a while. Thanks for reminding me."

The SHSL Soldier frowns.

"Wait, seriously?! Then why'd I get fired? I didn't do anything!"

"You…" Makoto sighs. "You haven't noticed?"

"Noticed what?"

"That this isn't our world."

The former SHSL Fortune-Teller raised one of his eyebrows. "What? Last I checked this was totally Earth, dude. Though it is a lot cleaner than it's been in years…"

"And that didn't weird you out or anything?"

"I mean we got rid of the red sky and everything. I thought we were just being awesome at rebuilding society! I mean HPA was rebuilt in a few months and all. And you were our boss!"

Mukuro looks over at Makoto.

"I haven't been the Headmaster of HPA for a few months, Hiro-kun. It's a little impossible when someone's already Headmaster."

"Someone stole your job? Yikes! Ice cold. Was it Togami-chi? Well don't worry! I can totally get you a job where I work, man!"

"Uh…thanks, but I'm self-employed right now."

"Whoa seriously?" Hiro is taken aback. "Didn't take you for the self-starting type, Naegi-chi! Raking in the big bucks? I can always give you some tips."

Makoto pinches the bridge of his nose. "We're going off-topic. How long have things looked like this for you?"

"All clean and normal-like? Uhhh…a few months, maybe?"

"Hm. Just like Kirigiri-san and me. Maybe we all ended up here around the same time, but separated."

"A-Anyway what the hell do you mean by a different world, Naegi-chi? Like…this isn't where we're supposed to be…?"

"Yeah. That's the short of it."

Hiro placed his hand on his chin then shouts as he comes to a realization. "W-We're aliens?!"

Makoto holds his head. "I guess that's a way to describe us."

"We…we gotta go home then! I was wondering where all my stuff was. My mom was looking at me as if I had a stroke or something, too!"

The former headmaster sighs. "Look, I don't think we can easily go home. Or even if it's possible."

"What?! NOOO! Brahman save me!" Hiro screams.

"Quiet down, Hiro-kun!" He waits as the clairvoyant stops screaming. "You mentioned your mom…"

"Yeah! She said she didn't remember anything about The Tragedy or how she was stuck in Towa City for a year. I thought it was just because she was getting old. Erm…don't tell her I said that."

"I assumed that everyone alive from our side would all have their memories still. Maybe only certain people do?"

"How the hell did we end up here anyway?! Not that it's a bad place or anything. I just want my stuff."

"I have no idea. That's what I've been trying to figure out."

Hiro grins and gives a thumbs up. "Well, between you and Kirigiri-chi, you two'll have this case solved in no time! Gives me some time to do some shopping." He looks over at the freckled girl. "Uh…you got an assistant or something? Nice to meet ya! I'm Yasuhiro Hagakure. You can call me Hiro! And for a small fee I can—"

"Hiro-kun. She's one of our classmates."

"Wait, what?" He narrows his eyes at her. "Uhhh…don't tell me…hmmm…"

She curtly responds, "Mukuro Ikusaba."

"Still not ringing any bells. You sure, Naegi-chi? She does look a little younger than we do."

Makoto responds, "She posed as Enoshima during the killing game. Her sister."

"Ohhhh. Not-Junko."

A few quiet moments pass.

"Wait! Wasn't her body blown up?! How's she in one piece? Is…" Hiro's face goes pale. "A GHOST!"

Makoto sighs. "While that's actually not a wrong reaction, I'm not going through this again." He just grabs Mukuro's arm. "See? Alive."

The soldier tenses for a moment and then breaks out into a full-blown blush as Makoto moves the arm in front of him. Hiro screams again. "A ZOMBIE!"

Makoto lets go of her arm as he loses what's left of his patience. "No! She's alive."

Hiro's scream peters out. "O-Oh. Okay. I trust you. But if she starts wanting my brains all bets are off."

Mukuro's eyes narrow. "I don't think your brain would be appealing."

"Yikes! Don't be so mean, Not-Junko! Anyway, why's she so young compared to us then?"

"I'm barely in my twenties…" Makoto frowns then changes the topic for his own sanity. "Anyway. Do you have your phone on you?"

"Yeah, dude! Check it out. It's a brand spanking new model from Korea!" He shows off his new smartphone. "I mean, I bought the previous model a few months ago but this thing is way better. Gotta stay on top of the trends right?"

"Let's exchange numbers, Hiro-kun. And…you're not in debt, are you?"

"What? No way! I'm a reformed salaryman, Naegi-chi! Though uh…if you could lend me ¥50,000 I wouldn't be against it…"

Makoto rolls his eyes. "Sorry. I can't spare that much."

"Aw, c'mon! We've been friends for a long time haven't we?"

"That's why I can't spare it."

"Ouch! You're messing with my chi, dude!"

Makoto puts his phone away after they exchange numbers. "Call me if you find any of the others. I'll keep in touch, alright?"

"Sure, dude!" Hiro closes the back of his van and walks over to the driver's side. "If you find yourself in Minami, just hit me up. I still owe you a couple of drinks."

"I might actually take you up on that." Makoto smiles. "See you."

Makoto lays two bowls of ramen on the table. He sits across from Mukuro. "I'm not used to cooking for others so I hope it's not too bad."

She stares at it for a short while then helps herself. "It's good."

He lights up and gives a thumbs up. "Alright! Guess I've got some skill." He starts eating his own bowl loudly. "Man, I never get tired of this stuff. It's a simple dish but you can always do something a little different to it each time. This time I used a different stock."

His companion seems to eye him as finishes off his own soup, eating hers at a relatively slower pace.

"Something wrong?"

"No, I—" Mukuro seems to be choosing her words carefully. "You always seem so laid back."

He chuckles to himself. "I have an appreciation for enjoying life, I guess. Considering everything that's happened…"

"I'm sorry."

Makoto stops himself. He looks over at her.

"I involved you in something horrible, Naegi-kun. You could have died. And you…you just continue to show me kindness and I…" She looks down. "I don't deserve this from you."

"Hey, I'm not doing this to guilt-trip you. You've saved my life a few times in the past, you know. You might not believe it yourself but I see potential for good in you."

"…good? In me…?"

"It sounds foolish, but I can't help seeing it in everyone I meet."

"I'm a mass murderer, Naegi-kun."

"I know."

She just looks at him. The normally stoic face of the SHSL Soldier couldn't stop cracking from the bewilderment that she was feeling. Whatever she's trying to say refuses to come out as she can only mouth the words.

"By the way, you shouldn't be saying 'I'm sorry' in this situation."

She stops and her eyes widen.

"You should be saying, 'thank you." Makoto smiles.

A few tears fall from her eyes. "Thank you." She wipes her eyes quickly with a smile on her face.

She finishes her bowl of ramen. Makoto picks up both bowls and walks over to the sink. "My place isn't exactly a great place for visitors. So would you like to go to Yamashita Park with me? Haven't been there myself yet, but I heard it's a pretty good sightseeing spot."

She jumps up with a beet red blush on her face. "Y-Yes! I'd love to."

The sunset reflects its orange hue against the waters of the port. There are many people, mostly tourists, roaming the parks and enjoying the view of the waters. Numerous ships line the docks and the pier. Many of the ships were converted into actual property such as shops, restaurants and museums. They both walk out of a women's clothing store with Mukuro holding a decently-sized bag.

Makoto rubs his neck. "You really did need more sets of clothes but uh…they all look kind of similar to each other."

"It's fine. I'm not fashionable like my sister is."

"Okay." He drops the subject. "Anyway there's a—"

The sounds of rushing footsteps come from behind Makoto. Mukuro drops the bag and reaches for a knife hidden on her leg. Before she can finish drawing it, Makoto is being lifted up by a familiar female athlete, wearing similar clothes to what she was wearing back during their high school days.

"Naegi!" The adult ex-SHSL Swimmer hugs Makoto tightly. "You're okay!"

"I'm…ugh…okay! Can…can you let me go…still sore…"

"Oh, oh, sorry!" She puts him down with a sheepish smile. Mukuro sheathes the dagger back in its hiding place.

"Hina-san…it's been a while."

"That's all you can say after all this time, Naegi?! I was worried sick about you and the others!"

"Sorry…I was trying to find you too. I'm glad you're alright."

Hina notices the girl standing next to Makoto. "Um…wait…" She thinks for a few moments.
"Wait, SHSL Despair is alive?" Her eyes become determined and gaze at Mukuro, with the SHSL Soldier returning it in its intensity.

Makoto steps in between them. "Hey, hold on. It's fine."

Hina softens her look and eyes Mukuro for a while. "Okay. If Naegi can trust you, I guess I can too."

Makoto breathes in relief.

"Anyway, where have you been? I ran into Kyoko-chan a while back and you're the second one I've found!"

"I live in this city, actually. What have you been up to, Hina-san?"

"It's been rough. But…my family's all okay! I was so happy to see them, especially Yuta-kun. Though, apparently, I've never gone to HPA." She pouts. "But it's…gonna be okay. I can finally aim for the gold, right?"

Hina sighs. "It's not fair, you know? It was like a whole chapter of our lives was erased. And I guess our class doesn't even know about us either. I mean, it's nice that people didn't die but…I feel so out of place, you know?"

Makoto places a hand on her shoulder. "No, that's a totally normal reaction to have. I bet the others have been trying to cope with it too."

"Aw, that's not fair Naegi. Even in a situation like this you stay so cool."

"Really? I think I'm just weird."

"I-I mean…it's always been like that, you know? Even during the first killing game you just took it in stride. All those horrible things happened and you just kept going." She smiles. "But it helped us all out in the end, right? We won over despair." She makes a glance at Mukuro for a second then goes back to look at Makoto. "Anyway, have you seen your family?"

Makoto freezes. "Oh, uh…no. I haven't. I've been on my own for the past few months."

"Wait, what?! You haven't even seen Komaru-chan?"

"If I had to make a guess, she's either here in Yokohama or in Towa City, but searching such a big area for one or two people is pretty hard."

"Okay, that makes sense. But what about your parents?"

"Uh, well…" Makoto seems to be carefully crafting his response. "I guess I'm too prideful you know? They'd probably be super worried if I showed up homeless." He laughs nervously.

Hina doesn't buy the excuse. "Mmm. Well, when you want to talk about it, I'm all ears."

"Geez, Hina-san. You've gotten sharp."

She blushes and smiles at the compliment. "You and Kyoko-chan are my best friends after all. If I couldn't tell if something was bothering you then, well, I'd be a bad friend wouldn't I?"

Makoto laughs. "I wouldn't go that far, but thank you."

Mukuro frowns as she picks up her shopping bag.

"So, um, does that mean Enoshima-chan is alive too?"

"Yeah."

Hina frowns and crosses her arms. "Are you okay?"

"Mostly. She was actually the first person I ran into."

"Yikes! There's that legendary bad luck of yours. Erm, no offense, Ikusaba-chan."

Mukuro stays silent and looks away from her.

"Well, don't worry Naegi! You know I'm always around to help you out. Let's exchange numbers?"

"Of course." He pulls out his phone as she does. "Alright. The only people I haven't run into is Togami-san, Fukawa-san and Komaru."

"Wouldn't Fukawa-chan be with Komaru-chan? They're roommates right?"

"She'll be with either her or Togami-san if I had to guess."

Hina sighs. "Yeah. You're right."

"But hey, we'll have the team all together soon enough. Then we can actually discuss what's been going on."

Hina's eyes light up. "Mm-hm! Then we can celebrate with lots of donuts! Oh…I haven't really been doing any digging on that. But I can tell you what happened to me.

I was just doing my rounds after class ended one day and I somehow ended up around here. I usually come by here hoping to find one of you guys. In fact, I was in the middle of my daily workout! Shall we, workout partner?"

"Oh-erm-I'd love to." Makoto visibly sweats. "But I'm currently here with Ikusaba-san sightseeing."

"Aw. Well, it is a pretty sight. Maybe you should take Kyoko-chan one of these days, too."

The implication was not lost on Mukuro.

Makoto chuckles. "Haha. Maybe. Her life's pretty hectic from what I can tell, though."

"You know she'd make time for you."

"Yeah, but I don't want to abuse that. She's got her own life after all."

"Hehe! That's why I like you, Naegi. A real gentleman. But you really ought to spend time with her."

"You're right. Anyway, before you go back on your run, want to hang out for a bit?"

"Sure! Uh…if I'm not being a bother or anything."

Mukuro just nods, disappointed.

The trio walk toward the waterfront as people pass them by. Others are watching the calm waters of the port as well. An all-white yacht appears to be leaving the docks. Makoto stares at it for a while. Normally he would see some rich adolescents partying on the deck but there only seems to be two figures. It sails into the middle of the bay until it's engulfed by flames from a flashy explosion.

"Oh my…!" Hina gasps.

Makoto's eyes widen, then he pulls out his phone. He zooms in and starts taking pictures.

"Wh-what are you doing, Naegi?"

"I'm on the clock." They can hear the sound of emergency sirens blaring toward the area. Many of the people in the area start running while a few others are in shock from the scene. He looks at the pictures on his phone. "Wait…you can see this, right?"

Mukuro takes a look herself. "That's the emblem for Hope's Peak Academy."

"Right. I have a bad feeling." He sends a text to Kyoko with the pictures attached. After a few minutes, he gets a reply. A police boat as well as some firefighting teams gather across the bay to do their own work.

Thank you for showing me this, Naegi-kun. From my own investigations, it looks like the leaks from HPA are probably connected. More than likely the victims were members of the Steering Committee. I'll keep you updated on anything I can uncover here.

Hina sweats. "U-Um…isn't this world supposed to be perfectly peaceful?"

"I don't think such a perfect world exists. A-Anyway, I need to get to work. Do you need a ride to your place, Hina-san?"

"No, I'll be fine. Thanks. I'll…see you later." The athlete walks away with low energy, visibly shaken by the sudden events.

"Sorry about cutting this short, Ikusaba-san. But I've got to do my job."

"It's okay."

Makoto starts walking toward the dock before the authorities can close it off. He logs onto To-Witter to post the breaking news on his account.

"Since I'm not a detective, I can't go and physically examine the charred remains of the boat but there's another option."

"Hm?"

"Witness testimony. The lifeblood of all reporting!"

There were a few witnesses around the docks that Makoto could get to. Apparently earlier in the day, a suspicious-looking teenager was seen hanging around the area a few hours before the explosion happened. Only two elderly men boarded the yacht along with its crew. No individuals abandoned ship during the short cruise into the bay it had, possibly signifying no survivors. The fire was eventually put out, only leaving a charred husk. The duo could see body bags being shipped out of there by emergency services.

"Mm. Hey, Ikusaba-san."

"Yes?"

"The explosives used… do you have an idea on what they were?"

"Judging by the strength and intensity of the blast, it could have been several payloads of C-4. Most likely imported from somewhere like the Middle East."

"So whoever's behind this isn't messing around. Could be some sort of terrorist group, but I have a feeling it might be a group at HPA."

"You don't think my sister's involved in it, do you?"

Makoto stares at the wreckage deep in thought. "She doesn't go to Hope's Peak. I'm not saying that she couldn't have masterminded this, but…

This feels more like a declaration of war."

ANote

Shirokuma: am i the only one who actually likes hagakure-san?

BlackCapPI: Um. Probably. He's totally useless and not funny. He even has a decent talent, but he's too stupid to even utilize it.

Shirokuma: but then he'd become overpowered. we have enough of those types of characters in danganronpa already

BlackCapPI: Sure, I guess. But all he really gets is his own light novel and even then it was kinda…weird. I mean Asahina-san got the third entry to shine a bit and it was kinda lackluster. Still more than Hagakure, I guess.

Shirokuma: i mean does everyone have to be useful? sometimes you can like a character if they make you laugh or have a good personality

BlackCapPI: I would at least like to have other students to be at least competent. Or antagonistic. Give me a challenge.

Shirokuma: you're the type to solve cases before the trial, huh