Mukuro looked out a window as the rain began to start falling. The drops started hitting against the glass every so often. She could barely see the beach, but she knew Makoto was right outside. Most likely being accosted by her sister. The sound of footsteps roused her attention to behind her, turning around to the arrival of Peko and Fuyuhiko. She studied them with a passive interest, keeping her eyes on their hands.

"I've not come for a rematch." Peko explained. "We're here on Hinata's request."

"...have you come to get in my way?"

"Pretty much." Fuyuhiko grumbled. "Not too sure why, but I'm gonna do it anyway. Besides, I should be getting you back for what you did to Peko back then."

Mukuro's eyes narrowed but made no motion to get into a combative stance. Peko made no movement either, simply standing at the side of her childhood friend.

The former SHSL Yakuza adjusted his eyepatch. "Guess you're not gonna attack. Not when your sister's not talking to you, huh?"

The first strike came out, but Mukuro weathered the mental blow.

"I see. We are similar." Peko stated with a small smile. "Both tools to be used freely by our masters."

"Peko, dammit. Not this shit again. You're not my tool. I hate when you call yourself that."

"I was raised to be a tool, young master. It's hard to simply remove such conditioning after a long time."

"You're my partner. Start calling yourself that."

"I will...attempt to fulfill your request, young master."

Fuyuhiko sighed while Mukuro's attention was piqued. She couldn't help feel envious of their relationship.

Mukuro found herself uttering. "Why would you go so far for her?"

"What? She's basically part of the family. Plus I...er...heh." Fuyuhiko tried to cover his blush while Peko blushed freely. "Anyway, what? Jealous of how your fucked up sister doesn't love you back or something?"

Another blow. This wasn't a coincidence.

"Have you just come here to make fun of my si- of me?" Mukuro growled through her teeth.

Fuyuhiko smirked. "I told you already. I'm getting my revenge for what you did to Peko."

"Then why not fight me already?"

"Look. I'm gonna be real with you. Even with me here, I'm pretty sure you'd still kick our ass. A yakuza boss has gotta think with his head, not his balls."

"If it's a fight you want, then I'll be happy to oblige." Mukuro began to reach for her combat knife.

"Then you have already lost." Peko adjusted her glasses.

The former SHSL Soldier stopped her movement and looked straight at the former SHSL Kendoka.

"What do you mean?"

"...you would have admitted that you chose the wrong master to bind your life to. As someone who lives for another, I would have pitied you."

Mukuro clenched her fist.

"Our lives, our happiness... when you chose this path for yourself, you should have known. It becomes our masters'."

"Peko..." Fuyuhiko was solemn.

"I chose the correct master to pledge myself to. How about you? Did you live your life with no regrets in regards to Enoshima?"

The black-haired woman couldn't help her eyes drifting over to her tattoo on her hand. Her eyes then drifted over to the window. She couldn't see Makoto, but she knew he was out there.

"I had regrets."

"Then you served the wrong master." Peko held one of her arms with her opposite hand. "It's a shame. I see you bear a crest of a wolf on your hand. Are they not prideful creatures? If you had no pride in your master, then what a pitiable beast you must be."

Mukuro looked straight at Peko, who returned the gaze in kind.

"Well then, Ikusaba. Are you a proud wolf? Or will you always be a foxhound?"

She couldn't answer. Fuyuhiko walked past her and both girls looked at him from behind. He looked out the window.

"Shit. It's starting to get bad out there. Just like the storm we were caught up in."

A voice from outside of the room answered him. "Then I suppose we should get going."

All three of them turned to look at a Kyoko draped in a long brown overcoat over her normal wear.

"The hell? You knew we were here?"

"I assumed Hinata-san would attempt something like this." She flicked her hair with her right hand. "It was all unnecessary. I was willing to give him time to sort through his own messes."

"S-So you knew. Of course you fucking would." Fuyuhiko sighed and began to murmur under his breath. "Sorry, brother. Think I screwed up a bit."

Mukuro smiled. "I think she knew all along."

"Sorry for having you stand by like this, Ikusaba-san. It's time to move out."

The freckled woman nodded, walking past her opponents. She followed right behind the detective as they walked away.

"Come, young master. We mustn't be left behind."

"Right. This isn't over 'til it's over. And we gotta give Hinata our support."

The two yakuza decided to follow the two women to their destination.

"Center yourself. Control your breathing. Right, just like that."

Sayaka could find herself hearing the rain hitting against the building. It felt soothing to her.

Hina smiled. "Is it working? That might help the headaches."

"Yeah. It's definitely helping me. I still do hear her, though."

"Aw, gee. Hey! Maizono-chan! Give your other self a break will ya?"

Sayaka couldn't help but giggle a little. "Thank you for your concern."

"You sure you're fine, though? Not losing yourself or your memories, right?"

"No, I'm still my own person. I'm sure the other me wouldn't want to take my place."

"Not to badmouth her or anything, but why do you think so?"

"...because the me right now would disappear."

Hina clasped her hands as she looked down. "Sorry, other me. I didn't want to do this to you."

"I don't think any of you did. Even Enoshima-san."

"Yeah. What a big cost it takes to live in another world..." Hina sighed. "All the swimming contests, all the medals...all the donuts that my other self won't get to eat! Don't worry! I'll live for all three of us!"

"All three?"

"O-Oh. The third person I'm talking about is the Sakura-chan I knew."

"Ogami-san? Were you two close?"

"Yeah. We were like sisters. We did a lot of things together, talked about a lot of things, and supported each other."

"I...I see. I didn't mean to pry."

"It's okay." Hina gave a big, bright smile. "The more I talk about her, the more her memory lives on!"

"You're a strong woman, Hina-san."

"Well I have my friends to thank. Kyoko-chan and Naegi really inspired me."

"The other me also agrees." Sayaka gave a comforting smile. "Seems my headache has finally subsided. I can focus again. I'll have to apologize to my class when this is all over and done with."

"Aw. Glad I could help! Seems I'm not that bad of a teacher after all."

The serene moment between the two was interrupted by the entrance of Kyoko and her entourage.

"Oh!" Hina helped Sayaka up. "What's wrong, Kyoko-chan?"

Byakuya crossed his arms. "I cannot believe you let that fool get away with his scheme. You would have known he would try to harbor Nanami."

"I did know. But more than that, I understood." Kyoko replied. "Or do I need to remind you what happens when you fail to include the illogical side of things in your decision-making?"

"You talk of Ogami, yes?" He looked over at Hina. "Don't worry. I haven't forgotten."

Hina gave him a serious stare in response. "You better have remembered."

"It seems things are finally moving toward the conclusion." Kyoko announced. "What can you tell us of the storm that took you both?"

"There isn't much more to say. It all happened so damn fast." Fuyuhiko kept his voice unnaturally quiet. "It was just so powerful that it ripped buildings apart."

"Most likely high winds." Kyoko placed her finger on her chin. "Some sort of typhoon, perhaps? Or, even worse, maybe a cyclone."

Byakuya had his trademark scowl on his face. "That would obviously cause untold amounts of damage. Especially to a small archipelago like this."

"Where's the rest of your class?"

"Following Hinata's orders to find everyone else. I haven't seen the others in a while now." Fuyuhiko looked over at the members of Class 78 in his presence. "Think Nanami was getting desperate, if you ask me."

"She was running out of time. And now we're in the same situation."

Hiro held the sides of his head. "Man, this place is gonna wiped off the map if we don't do something! What the hell can we do, though?!"

"As unfair as it would be for the rest of Class 77-B, we need to prevent any more formatting from happening. But since we don't know the actual way that we were all replaced, we're at a severe disadvantage." Kyoko sighed.

Mukuro blinked for a few more moments. "Is Naegi-kun still not here?"

"He's most likely with Enoshima. But now I have a bad feeling."

Ikusaba tensed up at those words. "Do you think he's in danger?"

"The most dangerous thing is probably your sister. But he may have gotten in some sort of complication if he hasn't shown up at the assigned time."

"Well, we simply can't leave the search work to only the former members of Ultimate Despair." Byakuya ordered.

"Agreed. Everyone, we need to locate all the missing members of Class 77-B along with the prime suspect Chiaki Nanami."

The rain was not subsiding as Makoto Naegi, Junko Enoshima and Chiaki Nanami were standing atop the dune of sand on the far side of the shore.

Some mist escaped Makoto's mouth as he spoke. "Nanami-san..."

"I was hoping we could have a real introduction when this was all over, Naegi-san."

"You were hiding yourself back then."

"And so she finally reveals herself, emboldened by the success of her plans! You're pretty cocky ain't cha?" Junko taunted.

"Enoshima." Not even the normally calm and kind Chiaki Nanami could utter that name without a bit of disgust.

"Upupupu! Who knew the bit player would be upgraded to main antagonist?! Yet you never even got to play the same game as everyone else did! Want me to explain the rules?"

"No."

"Oh? You're the type of gamer to just totally skip the tutorial. I toooooootally get it. Just don't complain when you lose!"

"Wait, are you being serious right now Junko?" Makoto sighed. "We don't have time for this..."

"You think she'd just come waltzing out here without some way to avoid being captured? C'mon, Makoto! You don't have to be a despairingly unmatched genius like myself to get that!"

"But seriously? A trial at a time like this?"

Junko looked a little depressed. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Having only three people wouldn't be much fun, now would it?"

"As insane as it sounds, I'll have to agree with Enoshima."

"Hinata-san?"

Hajime arrived with Ai and Nagito, walking calmly up the hill. Chiaki took a long gaze at the artificial Nanami but tried to ignore her.

"About time you showed up, Kamakura! Yaas!"

"Nanami." Hajime looked straight at the flesh and blood SHSL Gamer.

She didn't respond to him verbally but only gave a slightly angry, but still slightly cute glare.

"And why are we not apprehending her now? Despite whatever countermeasures she may have." Byakuya snarled through the wind.

Makoto turned toward them. "Togami-kun? Kyoko-chan?"

"You never arrived for our briefing, Makoto-kun." Kyoko smirked. "I take it your luck may have come into play."

"Nice! We've got more than enough people." Junko looked triumphant.

"No sane court would ever try to prosecute Nanami-san for what she's done. We need to find out the truth. And if a class trial is the only way to get to that truth, then so be it. I will participate in this nonsense as well." Kyoko declared. "It's up to us."

Chiaki looked at everyone else pensively. She was not expecting this turn of events.

"Well, Makoto? Darling? Are you up for it?" Junko coyly asked him in his ear.

"Nanami-san? Are you really not willing to explain yourself?"

"I haven't done anything wrong. I'm pretty sure. And I can't let you stop me."

Her AI counterpart sighed in sadness.

"Then I guess we have no choice..." Makoto looked down as the rain continued pouring on them. "We have to find the truth."

"Ahaha! That's what I've been waiting for! And if we're lucky, it'll include some punishment tiiiime~!"

Junko moved forward toward Chiaki. "The rest of us already know how this works. Well, Miss Fanservice? Gonna try and plead for innocence or are you gonna try and run?"

"I'll convince you all that what I'm doing is right!" Chiaki announced.

"Oh? Then explain it for us, gamer girl." Junko opened her arms out wide. "Clearly you have the answers and we don't."

"You don't need to worry about it. I know what I'm doing."

"Sooo stubborn. You might give Makoto a run for his money!"

Makoto stepped forward. "We'll have to take this one step at a time."

"Yep yep! Dismantle the cute gamer chick until she cries uncle!"

"Then do it the right way." Hajime ordered. "Dismantle the testimony, not the girl."

Junko groaned. "Damn! You two are a couple of annoying backseaters!"

She took a pose reminiscent to Makoto's. "Anyway, that's so wrong!"

"W-what are you talking about?" Chiaki couldn't help but step back.

"If you're in total control of the situation like you said, then why I am here?"

"That's...well..."

"C'moooooon. Even if you did feel a wittle sorry about me, there's no way in fucking hell you'd have me come back so soon!"

Byakuya crossed his arms. "A fair point. It would have made sense for everyone to have crossed over before her. Possibly to lock her up forever."

"Then it would make more sense that Enoshima coming back was an accident." Kyoko stated.

"Yep yep! Exactly! I should have never been born, first off!" Junko beamed her smile while Makoto shook his head and sighed.

"I...had nothing to do with it. It was an accident like you said." Chiaki answered.

Nagito smirked. "Well, would a complete accident be out of the question? We don't have a clear idea of how this all works after all."

Junko raised her eyebrow in irritation at him. "Idiot! Would you shut up for once in your miserable life?"

"Do you have an answer for it or not? Otherwise we would simply be wasting our time here."

Hajime pointed his finger at the white-haired luckster. "I see what you're doing, Komaeda. I get it. But to move forward...I'll have to cut through those words!"

"Hinata-kun..." Nagito closed his eyes and breathed in. "Very well. What's your proof? Will your hope shine through to get to the truth? Or will you allow Enoshima to dictate the entire thing?"

"I'm not backing down! Have you forgotten about Matsuda's testimony?"

"T-That's...well..."

"Even if we assume that Enoshima crossing over was an accident, isn't it a bit weird that I happened to be his childhood friend instead of her? And that he mentioned a girl that looked like Nanami was responsible for us meeting in the first place?"

"What are you concluding, then?"

"Then who was Enoshima's childhood friend?"

Nagito held his head in shock. "Ah! I-I seem to have forgotten that detail. If Matsuda wasn't with her, then who was?"

"Oh? Are you saying that this girl took his spot?" Junko looked Chiaki up and down. "Well, she is pretty cute..."

"How can you say this for certain?" Kyoko asked. "That seems to be a leap of logic to me."

Junko looked over at Makoto who had his eyes closed. "Getting that brain of yours into overdrive, darling? Upupupupu... this'll be a good one."

"It all goes back to the theater you found yourself in." Makoto opened his eyes. "Why would you even go to the movies?"

Junko smirked. "Well...I actually do like movies. Home Alone is pretty great!"

"Yeah, but going to a theater is a group activity. When you found yourself here you were with Chisa Yukizome, right?"

"Yep yep! A little old, but not too bad on the eyes."

"Who else has a connection to her?" Makoto pointed his finger straight at Chiaki. "You, Nanami-san!"

"Ngh!" Was the SHSL Gamer's response. "T-That doesn't really prove much, I think..."

"Oh? What other explanation do you have?" Junko grinned. "I didn't even attend Hope's Peak Academy in this world. How else would you explain us being in the same place, Nanami-san?"

Byakuya narrowed his eyes. "You clearly don't have as much control over the situation as you're trying to lead us to believe. Why would we entrust the fate of the world to you, then?"

"L-Listen. I may have made some mistakes, but I'm doing this for a good reason!"

"Now it's starting to clear up how you're actually pulling this off! Here I thought you were secretly the SHSL Magician or something!" Junko laughed.

"N-No...!"

"How are you doing this?" Makoto asked.

"I-I can't say. There'd be too much risk if you knew."

Hajime sighed. "We can't prevent you from making a horrible mistake if we don't know how to stop it."

"But...Enoshima could..."

"Enoshima didn't even do anything and everyone here is already in danger."

Chiaki looked down, depressed. "L-Look, I'll make it right. Just leave it to me, Hinata-kun."

"Nanami, why are you so interested in doing this all yourself?"

"That's because..."

Her artificial counterpart placed her hand on her own chest. "You stopped trusting others, didn't you?"

"Wh...what? No, there's no way...I..."

Ai looked at the woman she was a replica of. "Everyone you cared about left you for dead, right? You...you must've felt so heartbroken at the end."

"What do you know?!" An uncharacteristic outburst along with a cracked voice shocked the entire group. "You—they replaced—ngh!"

"I never meant to replace you. I'm proof that they were still thinking of you." Ai answered.

Junko couldn't help smiling a bit. She was on the receiving end of the class trials previously, but being on the opposite end made her feel a thrill. She was enjoying how imbalanced the mastermind was from this, readying herself for the next onslaught.

Kyoko glanced over at the former SHSL Fashion Girl and then moved her eyes straight back at Chiaki Nanami. "Hinata-san. I take it this line of questioning has a point, rather than to cause the suspect undue stress."

Hajime nodded. "Yeah. After putting the pieces together, things are starting to make sense. By the way, we managed to find the others."

Makoto couldn't smile due to his tone. "You make it sound like it was too late."

"Over here, Hinata!" Mahiru waved over.

"God, what a bunch of slackers." Hiyoko grinned. "They're all asleep."

Hajime made his way over while Nagito and Ai were keeping watch around the perimeter. The SHSL Impostor was checking on the bodies himself while Teruteru shook his head.

"What a darn shame. Sorry, Hinata-kun. Couldn't stop 'em."

Hajime gave the SHSL Cook a small smile. "Seems like Nanami got to everyone long before we got to this island."

"I never would've thought Nanami-chan could be a schemer like that." Mahiru lamented. "How could we not have noticed? I mean, the other versions of us."

Ryota sighed. "Would you really have suspected the nice class rep to do any of this? You guys didn't even suspect me of doing anything."

"That's a good point Mitarai. Though if things were similar to how they were for us, well, we hardly ever saw you in class."

"Y-Yeah. I guess I'm a loner by nature, huh? I'm sorry."

Hiyoko crossed her arms. "Well, at least you aren't creepy. Just a big stupid nerd."

"Thanks, I guess..."

Hajime turned to the SHSL Impostor. "How's it looking? I know you're not Tsumiki, but you should be able to tell."

"Well, I do have experience in...disposing of bodies...if our tenure as Ultimate Despair is anything to go by. This is pretty similar."

Mahiru looked panicked. "W-Wait, they aren't dead are they?"

"No. They're still breathing." The heavy-set individual presented six unconscious individuals laying on the furniture in the hotel lobby. "But what's interesting is what I managed to find on them."

Hajime moved over and looked at what the otherworldly doppelganger had in their hands. Earpieces.

"Mitarai, do you know what these are?"

"I had nothing to do with those. I remember her talking about a recording. Like a song."

"Huh? Nanami-chan made music? I wonder if Mioda-chan helped her out with that." Mahiru tapped her chin as she thought it over.

Hajime turned to the former SHSL Animator. "Did you hypnotize them too?"

Ryota shook his head. "No. Nanami-san never said to get them. Maybe they were working with her and I didn't know?"

"Doubtful." Hajime crossed his arms. "I think these guys may have been helping Nanami but didn't know what she was up to. The previous versions of them, I mean."

Hiyoko smirked. "And so she didn't need them anymore, so bam! She just got rid of all the excess weight. Kyahahaha! Who knew big sis could be so vicious?"

"But why? We're her friends, right?" Mahiru asked.

Hajime shook his head. "No. The ones here now are her friends. The ones who were here before..."

"O-Oh." Mahiru looked down. "She really did miss us that much..."

The former SHSL Hope frowned as those words resonated in his heart.

"Well, Hinata, what do you think she was using these guys for?"

He took a good long look at the unconscious members of Class 77-B in front of him.

"Just like you said, Mioda could have helped her with producing whatever they were hearing. Nidai and Owari were muscle, while Nevermind would have had influence in letting her meet with anyone in the world. Like Byakuya Togami."

Walking around the unconscious lot, he was looking for anything else that was out of the ordinary.

"Tanaka's animals could have been used as scouts and Soda could have made gadgets for her. Basically similar roles as we had when we were all despair."

"That's...so she was copying Junko Enoshima?"

"In a way. She knew all about our talents so she'd be able to know how to utilize them well."

"I mean I understand that she needed to reach certain people to bring them over, but...that can't be all there is right?"

"No, you're probably right Koizumi. There had to be something else she was using them for."

"But what?"

Hajime took a long look at Ryota, who only nervously looked back.

"If she's taking inspiration from The Tragedy, then..."

"You're not just stopping with our class, are you?"

Chiaki gave Hajime a long stare, not responding at all. The wind started to grow fiercer while the rain only continued to splash against them.

"Taking inspiration from me huuuuuuuuuuuh? Well, I guess I shouldn't be too surprised! You do something so crazy that so many others just try and do it too! I am a trendsetter, you know."

Byakuya was irritated at the droplets invading the surface of his glasses. "And what exactly is she trying to do?"

"She must have created a way to reach out to as many people as she can." Hajime explained. "Just like how Enoshima brainwashed the entire reserve course."

"That doesn't answer how she's doing it. We wouldn't be able to know the first place to look." Makoto added. "It had something to do with whatever we were all hearing at the time."

"And we didn't have those earpieces when we became aware of our new surroundings."

Chiaki stood defiantly. "Then how do you know those earpieces had anything to do with me?"

"Stalling for time, huh?!" Junko gave her a sour face. "I'll rip that defense of yours apart!"

The SHSL Gamer continued to stare her down. "Just because everyone had an earpiece when you found them doesn't mean anything. They could have been trying to communicate with each other! Or doing something else. It doesn't prove that they were working with me, either."

"Haha! Despair at how wrong you are!"

As if another wall was torn down in front of her, Chiaki stepped back in shock. "What are you talking about?!"

"That perverted cook had something to say about the whole thing, didn't he?"

Hajime closed his eyes as he felt the rain fall on him. "Yeah. He mentioned that he felt a certain, uh, tingling like someone was telling him something. If anyone knows how to get how and why he gets turned on, it's Hanamura."

Byakuya's face couldn't hide his shock. "So you're telling me it wasn't a song, but a message? This is getting ridiculous."

"Well, if you've ever heard Mioda's music, she's not one for following the rules on how a song's made." The former reserve course student smiled nervously. "We could probably bring it a step further. It could've been a song with a subliminal message."

Kyoko's gloved hand was pinching the edge of her chin. "Something similar to Ryota-san's Hope Video."

Makoto's began to voice his concerns. "And you're going to try and use that subliminal message on a larger group of people. Like...some kind of audience, right? How big would it even be?"

"Who cares?!" Junko growled. "It doesn't matter. The only thing that does is that she's somehow used a recording of who-knows-what and it somehow brings people from the other side!"

"So your hypothesis with 'dimensional anchors' is incorrect, then?"

With an analytic tone, Junko waved a finger right in front of Makoto's face. "It's because I assumed that it was a more natural phenomenon. But the whole anchor theory is correct. And that anchor happens to be Chiaki Nanami!"

"That raises another question then." Kyoko began. "How did you come to this world in the first place, Nanami-san?"

"I...I don't know." Chiaki looked down at her feet.

Hajime looked at the depressed SHSL Gamer. Ai tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hinata-kun, I think she's telling the truth. And I think it might be tied to what we were just talking about."

"You think?" Hajime blinked a few times. Even with all of his talent, he felt out of depth. This wasn't something he could solve with logic.

Makoto broke the silence. Even Chiaki paid full attention. "Well, if there's only one anchor then... it obviously has something to do with Nanami-san. Junko, you said something to me earlier..."

"I say a lot of things. Are you sure you want to repeat all the naughty things I've said?"

Kyoko looked annoyed.

"You said to me that words are power. And now that I'm really thinking on it... it's true isn't it?" Makoto wiped some rain from his face. "It wasn't a flashy battle that defeated you, it was my hope along with my words. It was words that saved Hinata and his class from despair. And it was words that made Mitarai-san finally abandon his plan to brainwash the entire world with his hope."

"Sure. But any old idiot can say whatever they want and not cause the whole world to change."

"That's because there has to be something behind those words. For me? It was hope. For you it was despair. For Hinata-san, it was the belief in the future." Makoto looked straight at Chiaki. "And for her words to work, there had to be something behind them!"

Hajime's eyes opened wide. "I've...I've got it!"

Chiaki looked over. "You...what...?"

"I'll never forget it." His words where drenched in a melancholy. "Your last words to me."

No... I don't want to die! I... I still have things I want to do. I wanted...to stay classmates with everyone! One...one more time...I wanted...to play video games...with you.

Hajime closed his eyes and tears couldn't stop leaking from them. "Again...just like back then..."

"The first ever execution." Makoto huffs and mist comes out from his mouth. "From what I understand, she still hoped and willed through it til the very end."

Nagito's eyes clouded over. "Yes, even in those final moments...she still tried to push forward. A true SHSL Hope."

"It could have been a prayer from deep in her heart." Makoto continued. "And it must have been strong enough for her to show up here."

Kyoko took a deep breath. "So what you're saying is...it's as if fate answered her desires. Just like it answered Enoshima's for a world of despair. And how it answered your pleas for hope to overcome it."

"That's what it seems like. There's nothing logical about it but...it's the only answer I can come up with."

Even Junko refused to argue the point brought up by the current SHSL Hope. All they could hear for the next few moments was the howling of the wind along with the rain striking all the surfaces around them.

Chiaki spoke up. "...what you called a prayer, it might've turned out to be a curse."

ANote

"Th-there's no way! He could never be a killer!" Kaede pleaded with the television screen.

"Are you doubting Saihara-kun's conclusions? Besides, you heard it. Oma-kun manipulated him into doing it." Rantaro explained.

"I knew that rat was always trouble!" Tenko bellowed. "Making a nice guy like Gokuhara-san do something so horrible!"

From the opposite side of the room, Korekiyo laughed in his trademark way. "Yes, but he still committed the deed. Despite being manipulated into doing so, he still murdered Iruma-san. A killer's a killer, as they say."

"Don't equate him with a degenerate like you! If more guys were like him, maybe I wouldn't think so lowly of them!"

"That would be quite boring, wouldn't it? The beauty of humanity is how simultaneously depraved and angelic we can be."

"Nyahaha!" Angie smiled as she watched the two argue. "I might be inspired on my next work!"

"Oh?" Kirumi gave her a curious look. "Some sort of new sculpture?"

"Yep! I'll call it, the 'Two Devils Who Argue About Silly Things!"

"...that's a pretty unimaginative name." Ryoma cleared his throat as he was watching the conclusion of the trial.

"You know, I was wondering." Kirumi began to point out. "How come we haven't seen Iruma-san yet?"

"That's actually a good question." Kaede replied. "She's been dead for a while now. D-Do you think something could've happened?"

Rantaro leaned back into his chair. "Guess there's gonna be some lawsuits."

"N-No way! She can't have died for real. Oh man...if that was a thing..."

"It's more likely that they're gonna release them at the same time."

"Why's that, Amami-kun?"

"Maybe to see whether or not there's some lasting damage. We're in the fourth trial now, after all."

Korekiyo opened his arms out wide. "Indeed! Their implanted personalities have been there for a long while now. I can only imagine the current effects it has on their psyche."

Some sweat started to beat on the SHSL Pianist's forehead. As Korekiyo implied, she could only imagine the potential damage on the survivors at this point on.

"None of us knew it would be this crazy." Kaede sighed. "I just wanted to become more well-known so my music could sell better..."

"Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for." Rantaro pointed out. "This was a relatively new thing. I had no idea when I did it the previous season."

"W-Well, you're still okay. Maybe a little different from what you used to be. So maybe the rest of them will be alright."

"That's a good way to think, Akamatsu-san."

The door opened and everyone immediately looked over. Instead of a staffer escorting them inside, Miu and Gonta entered the room trying to take in the sights.

"And—and—Gonta still sorry about murder."

"God! Will you stop already, Gokuhara?! Fucking hell! I already forgave you w-when you cried and went down on your knees!"

"You did what to Gokuhara-kun?" Kaede crossed her arms and looked at her with a disapproving glare.

"I didn't do anything, Bakamatsu." She laughed. "Damn, I never thought I'd miss your ugly face with your small tits."

Kaede's glare only intensified.

"H-Hey, stop looking at me like that!" Miu's face glowed a deep red as some drool started rolling out from the side of her mouth.

"I-Iruma-san, come on!" Tenko groaned. "Does everything really turn you on?"

"T-This...Bakamatsu doesn't turn me on! H-Hell no!"

"Then why are you quivering?!"

Kaede sighed and rolled her eyes. She then looked over and Gonta and gave him a much more gentle look.

"Are you alright, Gokuhara-kun?"

"Y-Yes, Gonta is fine. Head no longer hurt. Thank you for concern, Akamatsu-san."

"I...I don't think you always talked like that."

"No, Gonta not usually talk like caveman. But talk so long like this that it impossible to stop! Did Team Danganronpa mess with tongue?!"

"Kehehehe. I wouldn't worry about your tongue." Korekiyo raised one of his hands. "You see, it's actually a normal phenomenon. Have you heard of people from the Kansai region lose their accent when they move to a place like Tokyo? It's quite similar. You're just used to making sounds and forming sentences in a certain way that it's become natural to you."

"So Gonta can be cured?"

"With effort, yes. Perhaps we can find a linguist to help."

"Huh." Tenko couldn't help but be impressed at the SHSL Anthropologist. "Guess that's from your studies on people, right?"

"Indeed. Just because knowledge can harm, main or kill doesn't mean there isn't knowledge out there that can help!"

"Ugh! Why do you have to be sooo creepy when you're taking a compliment?!"

"At least Gonta can write properly. Gonta always like studying bugs, but more because of environment."

"Oh? You're one of those like...greenpeace...kind of people?" Kaede asked.

"Nono. Gonta want to become scientist! But getting degree very hard. Family very poor. So Gonta join Killing Game!"

"Geez... hearing about your dreams make me feel like mine are just so shallow in comparison."

"Gonta no mean to make you feel like that, Akamtasu-san! Gonta think you very nice and probably have nice dreams too."

"Geez, you're such a sweetheart. And you got a pretty good bod too." Miu mused.

Kaede sighed. "And how about you, Iruma-san? Why'd you join?"

"Cause I'm fucking awesome! Hahaha!" Miu put her hands to her sides. Seeing her joke falling flat, she frowned and held her hands together. "W-Well, actually...I heard a rumor that these guys had a way to change personalities. I always kinda wanted to be a more flashy girl. Cause everyone likes flashy girls, right?"

Kirumi looked down and kept her voice calm. "Not in the way you've been acting, to be honest."

"Well fuck that! I'd rather be this than some yamato nadeshiko!" Miu show off a thumbs down. "Who the hell wants to be around some boring basic bitch?!"

"Oh, Iruma-san..." Kaede couldn't help feel a little sorry for the SHSL Inventor. "I mean, you make some amazing things. Er, well, now with your new SHSL talent. You don't need to be flashy."

"Well, being a hot chick, an amazing inventor along with an amazing personality would make p-people like me! I mean, that's a triple threat if I ever heard one."

Rantaro raised an eyebrow. "By the way, did someone escort you here?"

"Yeah, some weirdo with Team Danganronpa. He was mumbling so much I couldn't understand shit! Why?"

"Huh. Wonder why he didn't come in with you?"