"So you've no other memories between spending time in exile in our version of Jabberwock and waking up on the shores of this one?" Kyosuke looked at them with a stern and serious mood across from the two girls he was questioning.

"Honestly, we don't." Mahiru, despite her nervousness, answered the question as truthfully as she could.

"Don't be so nervous, Koizumi-chan." Chisa smiled. "This isn't an interrogation."

Hiyoko looked displeased. "Oh? Could have fooled me, sensei."

"A shame. There's no leads. Their incarnations here would have known what they were doing." The current vice headmaster of Hope's Peak Academy crossed his arms. "But, as the others have found, once we 'replace' the people native to this dimension, there's no way to recover those memories."

Hajime continued to stay silent as Juzo continued to eye down the former key members of Ultimate Despair. The former bearer of the name Izuru Kamakura didn't even bother acknowledging the man who had inadvertently started his path down to what he was today.

"So that means...there are others like us?"

"Yeah! You guys aren't alone." Chisa smiled. "Don't worry. I'm all right now. And I'm here to make up lost time as your teacher."

The two girls looked over at Hajime. He nodded wordlessly in response.

"Well. Okay." Mahiru responded. "Is...are you guys done with us yet?"

"You're free to go." Kyosuke stood from where he was sitting and began to walk out of the room. "Though I do recommend continuing the charade of being a student of Hope's Peak Academy."

Juzo, not wanting to stick around, followed Munakata out the door.

"Really nice guys they are." Hiyoko scoffed. "A real pair of gentlemen."

Chisa sighed. "It'll be alright girls. We'll sort this out."

Nagito and AI Chiaki were simply watching the whole thing unfold. After a few moments of silence, the current SHSL Lucky Student smiled and began to speak. "Ah. It's so good to see you two again."

"Well, it looks like you've been staying healthy, Komaeda." Mahiru crossed her arms. "He hasn't been neglecting his meals right?"

Hajime nodded. "No, he hasn't. I haven't even had to force him to eat."

"Well, I've had the pleasure of having some wonderful meals." Nagito opened his arms with a carefree look. "Thank you very much, Hinata-kun."

Hiyoko was busy studying the android Nanami. "So that's what you two were up to. You guys just up and left for a while. We were getting worried you know? Can't have my favorite servant getting lost at sea!"

The former reserve course student laughed to himself. "I missed you guys too."

Hiyoko pouted and looked away. "You might be the guy with all those known talents, but honestly sometimes you need to be protected from yourself."

"I'll keep it in mind, Saionji."

"It's good to see you two again." Chiaki smiled.

"So wait... the human Chiaki-chan is alive here, right?" Mahiru pondered. "But you guys gave the AI a body?"

"She deserves it. If it wasn't for her help, well, Enoshima might've won at the end."

"And it was my apology to her." Nagito added. "My plan did lead to her temporary death."

The two girls looked extremely confused as Hajime decided to end that line of discussion. "Everything okay for you two? Nothing out of place?"

Hiyoko held her single ponytail. "Well, I'm just glad I look like what I remember being like. Last thing I need to do is attract those damn pedos again."

"Our looks haven't really changed much since high school." Mahiru laughed nervously. "Not sure whether I should be happy or annoyed about it."

The android girl leaned forward in excitement. "It's a good thing, I hear! People are always complaining about having gray hairs and wrinkles from all the To-Witter accounts I've seen."

"Have you been studying humans, Chiaki-chan?"

"Mmhm!" She puffed her cheeks up as she looked thoughtful. "It might be like using a strategy guide or a walkthrough, but I get to learn more about people now. It's kind of fun."

Mahiru smiled warmly. "Well, I'm glad that Hinata and Komeada haven't scared you off or anything."

Nagito looked down, extending his robotic hand and looking down at it. "I may not be the best example for her, but she truly is a shining beacon of hope. If I contributed but a small piece to that development then I am content with that."

"See what I mean?" The red-headed woman sighed and then put her arms on her sides. "You can't just lay expectations on her like that. And you're letting him do it, too, Hinata. Honestly, you guys really don't know how to deal with children."

"You...consider her a child?" Hajime asked.

"Basically! She's so excited to learn about people and the world." She looks at them both with disapproval. "How long do you think she's been around for? A couple of months? A year, tops?"

"I guess that makes sense."

A smug look comes across the blond girl's face. "Guess it's up to us to help her out, right?"

"I don't see why not." Nagito opened his arms wide. "Being exposed to the hopes that brought her into this world would be nothing but good for her."

Hajime grumbled. "Or she could pick up some bad habits." He looked over to Chisa, who was in thought the entire time.

"...well if anyone would be Nanami-chan's mother figure, it would be me!"

The former SHSL Hope sighed and shook his head.

Byakuya calmly placed his cup of tea back down on the desk inside his personal yacht.

"Well, whomever is partly responsible for this mess has managed to elude everyone so far. Including myself." He crossed his legs as he looked to the former members of Class 78 along with Komaru.

"Guess the years haven't got that stick out of your ass, eh Togami?" Junko grinned as she placed her fingers over her mouth.

"You are insignificant now, worm." He adjusted his glasses. "You've already died once. I doubt sending you to the executioner's chair for a second death will change much."

"Oooh, so scary!"

The SHSL Heir moved his eyes toward Makoto. "And you willingly waste your time with this subhuman?"

"Ah, well, she's helped me out a bit here and there."

"Despite her getting you in dangerous situations in the first place?" A sigh escapes the blonde man's lips. "You truly are an imbecile."

Ignoring the chiding from his colleague, he moved onto his question. "Were you able to find out anything on your end?"

"Unfortunately I haven't. The only strange thing I could find out was that a company has been monetizing the killing game as entertainment."

"Danganronpa, right?"

"Indeed."

Komaru was sitting next to her new girlfriend, continuing to waste time away on the Danganronpa gacha game. Toko frowned as she glanced over at the game every so often.

"To think that in this universe we were merely fictional characters in a long running series." Byakuya crossed his arms. "Yet, we also exist alongside it."

Kyoko nodded. "It has been strange. I understand that the works with us in it are the oldest incarnations of the series. Yet no one brings it up."

"I'm sure people write it off as coincidence." Byakuya countered. "Though there will be a few who believe otherwise."

Junko rolled her eyes. "It's why I couldn't use my real name. My beautiful face would be plastered in some festivals and fan sites. Ripping off my own style would be...pretty lame."

"Eh...I was thinking you did that so you didn't have to deal with stalkers." Hina blurted out.

"I mean what kinda famous person doesn't have to deal with stalkers?"

Hina laughed nervously. "Umm...you do have a point, Enoshima-chan."

Mukuro narrowed her eyes for a few moments before relaxing again.

"At the very least, I managed to find the machine with the Neo World Program." Byakuya added. "It'll be in my possession soon enough."

"Did you...uh...buy out the company, Togami-kun?" Makoto asked.

"There are some questions that should not be asked, Naegi. But yes. Their little project cost their company an insane amount of money for small gains. Making an offer they couldn't refuse was easier than even I expected."

Komaru piped up. "W-Wait, so you own the company? Can you convince them to give me Wedding Makoto?"

Makoto frowned. "Excuse me?"

"See!" Komaru showed her elder brother a drawn version of himself dressed in an all-white tuxedo with a blue bow tie. He even had a red rose pinned to the right side of the jacket. "His stats are crazy good, too."

"Why on Earth are you wasting your time playing a game about people you know? Tell her Naegi."

"Tell her what? She's almost an adult. Though I can't say I approve, Komaru."

She laughed nervously. "It's just...really fun."

"I've had to stop her from buying some Google Play cards for the past few hours." Toko groaned. "Seriously, you can't just waste money like that."

"But, but...I need more rolls, Toko-chan!"

"Now you're sounding like you have an addiction! Come on, I need you to focus. We can't both be a mess. T-That'd ruin the dynamic."

Komaru sighs and closes the app. "Alright, alright. I'll stop."

"You better get rid of it." Toko gave an awkward smile back.

"Well, that solves that issue." The heir to the Togami Corporation fixed his tie. "I will, however, admit that the outfit is far better than what he usually wears. Perhaps he could learn a thing or two."

"White does suit him well." Kyoko added.

Makoto sighed. "I'll...keep it in mind."

"I would not worry too much on the matter. I'll deal with it." Byakuya continued. "The more pressing issue is that we have to prevent a potential global-scale calamity from occurring. My resources are at your disposal."

"Good. I was waiting for this." Kyoko stood up. "Barring an actual criminal investigation, we wouldn't be able to snoop around without potential issues. After all, not all of us have any espionage-related talents."

"Aw. So sad!" Junko grinned. "A shame you aren't me, huh?"

Ignoring the fashionista's little quip, the detective continued. "Given the Togami family's clout, we should be able to look throughout most of the islands without issue."

"It shouldn't really be anything like the simulation back in the Neo World Program." Makoto added.

"Of course not." The lilac-haired girl moved toward the door. "This place wouldn't have a factory for Monokumas."

"Not yet." Junko twirled her hair as she stood up.

"Look, let's put our differences aside and get to work." Makoto reminded them. "We've got a ton of ground to cover. We can't rely on what we saw in the NWP simulation to show us what the island is like."

The former members of Class 78 began their move toward the second island without any more objections. Using both Makoto and Kyoko's cars from the port, the drive took around fifteen minutes until they reached drove through the center isle and made it to the designated "second island." Just like the first island was far bigger than the in-game counterpart, the second island was far more lively. There was a public library featured in the middle of it, a few diners, some stores and pharmacies but it lacked the ruins that featured prominently in Class 77-B's adventure.

"None of these places look suspicious." Makoto sighed as he closed the driver side door as they assembled in a public parking lot. "But it wasn't going to be that easy, right?"

Kyoko made no expression on her face. "Of course not. We don't even have any solid leads."

"So what do we do in this situation, Kyoko-chan? It's not like a killing game where things are laid out." Hina asked.

"Simple. We canvass the area." She took a moment to clear her throat. "I mean to say...question any possible witnesses. Hope's Peak Academy students stick out. If there's any leads, we can start there."

Byakuya crossed his arms. "Why aren't the chaperons actually keeping an eye on all of them?"

"A caveat of their school trip. The Headmaster, in all of his...misguided wisdom...decided to give the students far more freedom for this trip. As a reward."

Makoto continued. "So they only ended up sending three of them and obviously can't watch them all at the same time. They didn't even bring along the homeroom teacher of Class 78."

"So we just need to talk to people?" Hiro smirked. "Hehe, sounds like my kind of plan!" The former SHSL Shaman immediately walked off to "interview" people. Byakuya and Toko both sighed as they watched him.

"If that moron gets in trouble for scamming the wrong people, leave him." Togami ordered.

"The Fifth Island..." Hajime looked at it as Monokuma pulled up to him with Monaca in tow.

"See? Ain't it boring? No pizzazz! No excitement! Just a sleepy little island town."

"It may be boring, but to be honest...I prefer it to whatever bullshit the AI Enoshima made up for our fifth island."

"Hey! Don't mock Enoshima-sama! She tried her best. Probably. I don't really know myself. I'm like a baby! Ahahahaha!"

Monaca bopped the giant robotic killer bear on the forehead. "Bad Kuma. I don't know why I made the AI this way. I was probably still in my...old phase... when I did."

"I am simply glad that you finally got over her. She wasn't the best of examples to follow." Nagito added.

"Ugh. Please don't get started, Komaeda-nii. I don't want a headache right now."

"As you wish, Monaca-chan."

The AI Chiaki hummed. "Do you think any of the students visited this island, Hinata-kun? I understand that all the islands are connected by the central one, but I don't see why anyone would want to visit a place where it's just mostly locals' houses."

"It's best to look anyway. It'd be a pretty good place to hide some kind of secret facility. That and since it's mostly locals here, we'd probably be able to find out easily if anyone came by."

"Fair enough." The artificial SHSL Gamer nodded. "Then let's get started. Hopefully we don't run out of stamina points or time while we do this."

"The islands are way bigger in real life. Though for Komaeda and me, this place is way different from what we're used to." Hajime crossed his arms. "It'll be a slow process. But the more possibilities we get rid of, the better."

"This isn't boring you, right?"

"Mmm. It's mind-numbing for sure. But outright boring? Not yet."

Chiaki sighed. "Yet everything in the real world is so fascinating to me..."

"I assure you, it's a problem with me than with you." Hajime looked down. "Not dismissing things outright or immediately declaring what will happen...it's been a long process. Even back as Izuru Kamakura, I wasn't able to predict things with 100% accuracy, but I was still so damn conceited."

"Why do you think you do that? I mean, you do have that sort of talent. But you treat it as a problem."

"Because, Nanami, it led me to not give two shits about anyone else. I became some sort of demigod and walked around like I was hot stuff. And look what it cost me. I lost the only person that I ever cared about."

"Chiaki Nanami. Erm...the one from your past, correct?"

"Yes."

The android Nanami looked down wistfully. "But you've started to care for others. In your own way. I guess what I want to say is that I believe in you, Hinata-kun."

"I don't see what the problem is anyway." Monaca said. "Who cares about others? They're all such a pain in the ass. Some ugly, disgusting people out there."

"Most of them untalented." Nagito smiled.

Hajime groaned. "Let's focus, people. We'll go through this place block-by-block. While Koizumi and Saionji are able to spy on Class 77-B, we can focus on the external investigations."

"Don't you think you're overestimating those two?" Monaca asked with a tinge of venom. "They'll most likely slip up."

"It doesn't matter in the end." Hajime replied confidently. "The important thing is that they gather information to help us. Just like in the killing game."

"Oh? Using your friends to further your own goals. That's pretty ruthless of you." Monaca smiled. "Not bad, Hajime-nii!"

"I'd like to not be complimented on that."

The four (or five, if you counted Monokuma) went around the various neighborhoods to ask questions. Nagito, as expected, refused to personally talk to any of the people they met. From what they Hajime and company gathered, the island was as quiet as they thought it was. There weren't any strange, natural or otherwise, disasters that occurred there for the past year. Unsatisfied from the lack of any meaningful progress, Hajime gathered everyone back together.

"Tch. Was my intuition off?"

"You're not really able to predict what the mastermind is doing because you have no idea who it is." Nagito responded. "At the very least, they must be aware of your presence."

"Makes sense." Hajime started laughing to the surprise of his group. "It's funny...I should be getting more pissed off about this but I'm actually starting to have fun."

Chiaki sighed. "That's a small victory. I guess."

As he was about to break them for the rest of the day, he noticed a familiar tanned girl running around in the suburb they found themselves in. Immediately biting onto the lead like a hungry dog, Hajime went after the SHSL Gymnast. Using his modified body, he managed to catch up with her in a short amount of time, despite the girl's parkour. Launching a high-jump kick toward him, he eased his right arm before moving it and blocked it with little effort.

Hajime sighed in relief as he was able to control his strength this time around.

"The heck? How're you able to block with a lazy stance like that?!"

"Listen, I'm just here to talk."

Akane jumped back. "Surprised you didn't cop a feel. Who the heck are you supposed to be anyway?"

"Hajime Hinata. I'm a friend of Komaeda."

"That weirdo's got friends?" Akane eased her stance. "Now this I gotta hear. What do you want with me?"

"Well, uh, I'm just wondering what you're doing all the way out here. You're Akane Owari, right? There isn't any attractions on this island. Just houses."

"Some guys invited me over for some lunch. And the food was good. Didn't really catch what they were sayin' but... one of them wanted to give me a full-body massage so I just booked it."

Hajime sighed internally. Somethings never change.

"What? Not gonna ask why a chick was all by herself?"

"Er...no, not really. You look like you could handle yourself."

Akane grinned in response. "Hah! You got some good eyes there. I think I like you, Hina."

"Hinata."

"Hime?"

"Hinata."

"Alright, alright. You seem like a good guy, Himeta."

"Close enough."

"You're kinda skinny looking. Even with how freakishly strong you are, you gotta eat!"

"Er, well, I'll keep that in mind."

"Hey, since you're a friend of Komaeda, why not eat with us? Me and Old Man Nidai will get that diet of yours back on track. Then maybe we can throw down a few rounds. I wanna fight you!"

"I'm not even a student of Hope's Peak. I don't want to impose or anything."

"Eh, it's fine. Yukizome's probably not gonna get mad if I take you along."

"...Probably?"

"Don't worry about it!" She walks over and casually slaps Hajime on the back. "My gut tells me you'd fit right in with the rest of our class."

The others finally caught up with their de-facto leader.

"Eh? What's with the giant bear?"

"I'm not just a giant bear!" Monokuma threatened. "I'm the lovely, cuddly and amazing Monokumaaa!"

"Shush, Kuma." Monaca scolded.

"Ah! Owari-san!" Nagito smiled. "It's been a while."

Akane crossed her arms. "The hell have you been? You've been skipping classes, Komaeda! And more importantly skipping all of Hanamura's good meals, too!"

"I apologize. I've been busy. But I assure you my hope in you all has never waned a bit."

"There you go with your fancy hope again." Akane huffed. "Hope's not gonna fill my stomach! Speaking of which, you gotta eat more too."

"Do not worry. Hinata-kun has been making sure I eat well."

"Eh? You two got a brotherly bond going on? Haha, I knew my gut was right about you!" Akane grinned and then moved her gaze toward Chiaki. The android smiled gently in response.

"Hm. Are ya Nanami's sister?"

"Sister?" Chiaki tilted her head.

"Listen, I know her and you definitely don't feel like her."

Hajime tensed up slightly. Chiaki, however, pulled up her hood and looked down.

"No, I'm just feeling a little under the weather."

"Huh?" Akane immediately looked worried. "You didn't get some weird island disease, did you? Come on, we gotta get you to Tsumiki."

"Ah. Don't worry about it, Owari-san. It's just some allergies."

"You sure? Last thing we need is our class rep to not be enjoying the trip! And you were so psyched for it too."

Gears started to turn in Hajime's head as he started to analyze her last statement.

"Thanks for worrying about me. I appreciate it."

Hajime interjected. "Actually, you know what? I might join you guys for dinner after all."

"Haha! Now we're talking." Akane gave him a thumbs up. "You can bring your little green-haired sister too."

"Huh, er, no way..." Monaca looked extremely hesitant.

"You remind me of one of my lil' ones. Don't worry, big sis Akane'll take care of you too."

An unhappy pout came from the small Towa's face while the Monokuma she was riding on simply laughed at her expense.

Kyoko continued her relentless questioning of both locals and tourists. From what she could gather, the vacationing students have been seen from time to time, but no suspicious activity. Makoto, meanwhile, was nursing some bandages that were placed on his face.

"Rescuing cats. Come on, Makoto!" Junko rolled her eyes. "Wasting your time with all those small fry?"

"Hey, that lady really was trying to get her pet back. She was extremely grateful so it was worth it in the end."

"It didn't slow down the investigation. You really are impatient." Kyoko was compiling some notes on her tablet. "Or are you that surprised Makoto-kun would go out of his way for a good deed?"

Mukuro glanced over toward Hina while Byakuya was busy directing his subordinates. Komaru and Toko were busy moving between roofs of different buildings as they were trying to scout from above.

"Feeling kinda skittish, huh?" Hina asked.

"I feel a little useless here."

The former SHSL Swimmer smiled. "Aaah. I used to feel the same way before."

"Hm?"

"Those three are pretty smart. It's fine. That's not my strength. Besides, between all of us, we could probably take on a whole army!" The energy in her voice was unwavering. "We each have our strengths and our weaknesses, but together our strengths become stronger and we can overcome our faults."

"I...I see." Mukuro replied. "I always thought I could do everything on my own."

"See, I'm not surprised Ikusaba-chan. I used to think that about Sakura-chan."

The freckled girl kept silent.

"She was so strong, loyal and kind. But because she was alone, Enoshima-chan got to her. I can only imagine how guilty she must have felt when she was the spy." Hina placed her hands together and looked down. "In the end she realized that lesson before I did. That us together could overcome the killing game."

"So she was your teacher."

"Guess so. I started getting more into martial arts and I've been able to protect my friends. Maybe I'm not very helpful in an investigation, but I can make sure they can snoop in peace."

Makoto walked up to the two of them. "Has Hiro-kun come back yet?"

"No." Hina crossed her arms with a disapproving look. "He's probably found a few people to mess with and totally forgot about why we're here."

Kyoko finished what she was doing on her electronic device. "It seems we've only confirmed that no one is outright doing anything suspicious."

"Hm." Makoto tapped his chin. "Maybe because they're not doing anything weird?"

Junko tapped her own head. "That's using your noggin. They already got everyone they want on the island. None of you guys woke up in a weird facility or anything, right? Just random places throughout the country."

"Then it means they're waiting for things to happen 'naturally.' But..." Kyoko continued. "Having all these people change all at once might not be the end result the mastermind is looking for."

"Oh. I see." Makoto placed his finger on his chin. "Because there are so many people who could be an anchor..."

"Yep! They could be trying to bring in way more than we thought!" Junko crossed her arms together in triumph.

Byakuya sighed. "So even all of us gathering together was a part of that person's plan. Interesting."

"Hey, then, why are we all still here? Shouldn't we get off the island?" Hina asked.

"With or without our presence, whatever is being accomplished will still happen. And trying to force the two classes to leave would bring more suspicions toward us from the eyes of the world." Kyoko answered. "Imagine if word that a parallel universe was possible. The chaos it would cause would be imaginable. Not to mention our own lives would be impacted."

"Pssh. Who cares?" Junko retorted. "Maybe some people going nuts would spice things up. Good times for everyone!"

"We've already seen what your version of a 'good time' leads to, Enoshima." Kyoko sighed. "In any case, it'll be fine to end our investigation for the day. We haven't found any one individual being suspicious enough to stake out the night for."

The girls, instead, knew what she actually meant by ending their activity surprisingly early. Makoto coughed.

"Well! We did some good work today anyway!" Hina smiled. "Alright, everyone! Let's relax and get some good rest."

Hiro walked up to the group with a goofy grin on his face. "Perfect timing. Lemme treat you guys out to a drink!"

Byakuya scoffed. "Figures. But if you do buy me a drink, I only accept the finest brandy."

"G-Geez, of course you'd have some expensive taste... come on Togami-chi, give me a break here!"

The large convoy returned back to the first island without any further incident. Komaru, Toko, Byakuya, Hina and Hiro all immediately went to the cantina after saying their goodbyes. Junko smirked right at Makoto, who just narrowed his eyes at her. Mukuro shifted her eyes between her sister and Kyoko. After a short, wordless standoff between Junko and Kyoko, the former SHSL Fashion Girl grinned at the former SHSL Detective and started walking off on her own.

"I guess she'll enjoy the show from a distance this time." Kyoko crossed her arms. "We'll be fine, Ikusaba-san."

Mukuro nodded. "If...she tries anything, I'll do my best to stop her."

"Thanks." Makoto sighed in relief. "But don't overdo it."

One more smile came from the freckled girl as she faded into the shadows. Makoto pulled out a bottle of wine from his trunk.

"Enoshima didn't tamper with that, did she?"

"Probably not. The cork's still in one piece." He smiled. "Anyway, it's a special night."

"It's not that special." Was her baiting response as she grabbed some wine glasses from her own car. "Though I did notice what you wanted to do right away."

"Not bad, detective." A soft laugh came from the former headmaster of their Hope's Peak Academy. "But I did come with more."

Kyoko raised her eyebrow as he pulled something else from the trunk. A Rose in Vitro. A smile couldn't help forming on her face and he gave it to her.

"Sometimes you can be an enigma, Makoto Naegi. But I shouldn't be surprised that you would remember a trite little detail like this."

"It's making you really happy for how trite it's supposed to be, Kyoko-chan." Makoto took a breath. "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you. This really means a lot to me."

The pair moved toward the sandy shore with the full moon shining down on them from a clear night sky. With both of them standing and watching the ocean, Makoto was pouring some servings of the red wine that he brought them.

"...honestly. You know how to spoil someone."

Makoto took a sip from his glass. "Hm? What do you mean?"

"Going along with my act of desperation."

The sanguine liquid was gulped down quickly from his end. "Well, it really wasn't like you. Asking a personal question out in the open like that."

"Sometimes there are things worth fighting for. You of all people should know that."

He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I might have rubbed off on you in the wrong ways."

"Perhaps. But it's natural, isn't it?" Kyoko smiled. "Don't think I haven't noticed you starting take on the same physical ticks that I have."

Makoto laughed heartily.

"But...I can understand why you're so hesitant around me."

"Do you?"

"Back in our version of events, we had just overcome our last trial by fire. And things would naturally develop from there." She closed her eyes momentarily before looking back at him. "But now complications have arose."

"That's one way of putting it."

"You've never quite shaken off the way you've looked at me since the killing game. That I was your mentor." She sighs. "I suppose I'm only to blame for that. Not like I really entertained the notion of being anything more until we were well into our tenure working for the Future Foundation."

"We had other things to worry about. I'm not taking it personally."

"People and fate were somewhat unfair to you. Despite being the SHSL Hope, the organization we pledged ourselves to treated you with a shocking lack of respect. Our group started working separate from each other. Despite that, you were the one that persevered and kept our class together and it ended up paying off in the end."

Makoto started studying her face as she went on.

"I suppose this is my way of saying that I wasn't around much for you. And I'm sorry. You're treating me so well and I've only started treating you with what you honestly deserve."

"I'm not so petty to be worked up about that sort of thing. Besides, you're an independent woman."

"True. But Enoshima's affections revealed something about yourself that you've forgotten, haven't they?"

He sighed.

"Maizono-san was the same way. Despite her own shortcomings, she was extremely adept at understanding people. When she put in the effort into making a friend there was honestly no stopping her."

"Look, you've been dancing around the issue. What is it you want to do, Kyoko-chan?"

Her train of thought was derailed immediately as he asked that armor-piercing question. She quickly drank down her own glass in response.

"...that's the actual answer, isn't it?" Kyoko started laughing softly to herself. "I suppose this is what they call 'over-analyzing the situation,' hm?"

He continued to look straight at Kirigiri, her face lit up by the soft light of the moon. She moved her free gloved hand toward him.

"I'd take it off myself, but my other hand is a little preoccupied."

"...alright."

Makoto used his own free hand to slowly take off the glove to reveal her scarred hand. He's only seen it once. But it was never alarming to him personally. After it was completely off, she grabbed it with her free hand and placed it in her pocket. Moving the glass to her other hand, she directed him to repeat it with her other hand. Once both of her hands were free of their leather prisons, she placed the newly liberated hand on his cheek.

"If I have any desire to fight back, it has to start with this, doesn't it? I'd have to bare it all to you. My feelings, my failures, my pain, and everything else that comes with it."

His face went completely beet red. "T-That's, um, well..."

She pulled close, pressing her lips to his – the moonlight bathing them all the meanwhile.

ANote

Rantaro peered over from the couch toward the entrance. "Get some good enough sleep, Akamatsu-san?"

"As well as a dead girl could." Kaede groaned. "At least I didn't forget my makeup today."

"Well, you always know that I'm around to help out."

"Haha. So sweet of you, Amami-kun. Anyway, they had a piano out in the lobby and wow...I'm amazed! I've never played so well before."

"Yeah. They screwed with our heads, so getting some SHSL talent is some nice compensation for it."

"I mean, I guess I'm a little more cheerful. So I kinda got off light compared to some of these guys." She took her seat right next to the SHSL Survivor. "Did I miss much?"

"Nah. Just some everyday life. Though seems like your man's been making some good friends."

Kaede smiled. "Oh really? That's great to hear!" She suddenly recoiled. "Ugh...wait...shouldn't I be getting jealous?"

"You'll get used to it. They may have made up that personality, but it's still yours. Might as well own it."

"You're pretty laid back. I wonder what you were like before Danganronpa?"

"Not much to say." Rantaro smiled. "Maybe a little more hot-blooded. I did love traveling around."

"Well, when we get out of here, we should all take a nice and long vacation."

"I'll agree with that. I'd like to go with all of you on a trip to some exotic locale. Probably be better than going straight home with whatever weird stuff they put in our heads."

"True. If anyone would notice anything different, it'd be our families, right?"

"Bingo. And if I was Team Danganronpa, I'd send us off someplace for a while so they wouldn't get in trouble."

"Might as well make some good come from the bad." She turned to the screen and immediately saw the body discovery. "No! Hoshi-kun!"

"You're...shocked, Akamtasu-san?"

"Well, yeah. I mean I know this is a killing game but...I really was hoping they'd get over themselves a bit, you know?"

"They don't have any personality they can unify behind. And when someone like that isn't around, problems just start showing up. I'd keep my eyes on Angie-san personally."

"When you put it that way, you make it sound like they wanted me to die."

"I wouldn't put it past them. We did make it to the very end of the deadline."

"Yeah...that's right." Kaede sighed. "I...almost ruined the game after all."

"That probably brings up another question. Were you really the one who killed me?"

"What?"

"I mean—"

The door opened from across the room and they saw a familiar short figure looking straight at them. Ryoma walked in and didn't say a word.

"Are you alright?" Kaede asked.

Ryoma pinched the bridge of his nose and rubbed it. "A...little hard to breathe but...I'm in one piece. Didn't even see what happened."

"You should probably take a seat." Rantaro advised. "You're looking low energy. Way more than usual."

With a bit of a groan, Ryoma made the concerted effort to do so. Despite that, he stayed completely silent. Kaede and Rantaro looked at each other momentarily and nodded to one another, silently agreeing to watch what the new case was going to reveal to them.