"You didn't have to drive us too, Naegi-san." Kaede said with an airy voice. She was sitting in the back next to Shuichi who kept his eyes locked forward.

Makoto laughed nervously. "I just wanted an excuse to drive my new car, honestly."

Kaede shuffled a bit in the leather seat as the engine silently roared. "I didn't think you made this much as a reporter."

"...ah well, I was a reporter. Anyway this was a gift."

"Someone bought this for you? Do you have some kinda sugar momma?"

"Wh—?!" Makoto slightly sunk into his seat. "No, it's not like that. I swear."

"So you do have a girlfriend! Was it that freckled girl that was with you?"

"Ikusaba-san? No, she isn't."

Shuichi snapped out of whatever trance he was in. "Is it with Kirigiri-san?"

"No. Not her, either."

The current SHSL Detective furrowed his brow. "Really? Why not?"

"Things...happened. I didn't think you'd be a gossip, Saihara-kun."

"No, that's not what I meant...!"

Kaede giggled. "Guess we both can't help being nosy. Must be a common thing among Danganronpa protagonists, right?"

The senpai of the two aforementioned protagonists sighed. "I wouldn't say we're being nosy. Anyway, you looked like you were thinking about something Saihara-kun. Are you alright?"

"It's just... that means Kyoko Kirigiri is around right? Why do you all need a SHSL Detective? She's a natural and hypertalented at it and I'm..."

"Saihara-kun!" Kaede frowned and crossed her arms. "Do those things really matter? Besides, she's just one person. One person can't carry the world all by themselves."

"I get that, Akamatsu-san. But I'd only just get in the way..."

"You're better than you realize, you know?" The SHSL Pianist continued to give her praise. "You won the killing game in a way no others would have even thought of. Give yourself more credit."

Shuichi sighed. Makoto started chuckling and the two looked over at the driver.

"You're earnestly trying, Akamatsu-san. But it doesn't seem like you know the right words, yet."

"And you do?" Kaede immediately narrowed her eyes at his challenge.

"I've had the opportunity to watch your killing game. Saihara-kun, you have a good eye for people – look at how Akamatsu-san is doing her best to cheer you up. You two must be very close."

Kaede started blushing madly, while Shuichi turned his head over to the side to hide his own blush.

"Maybe you have the title of SHSL Detective now. I'd say you've earned it from what you've gone through. You're amazing, Saihara-kun."

Now Shuichi found himself blushing madly.

They both felt the car starting to slow down as they stopped at what appeared to be a converted movie theater. There were dozens of people walking into the building and both members of V3 couldn't help but look.

"We're finally here." Makoto parked the vehicle. "Whenever you two are ready, you can go ahead and head inside."

The two scurried out of the car immediately, still red in the face. Both of them walked quickly toward the crowds.

"H-How the heck can he say that so casually?" Kaede blustered. "A-and you're all red, too!"

"I think my heart skipped a few beats."

"Saihara-kun!"

"Sorry. Being able to talk to the real deal, I can see why people want to get close to him and tell him all about themselves."

"Well, I'm not going to be losing this one."

"Losing? Wait..."

"Oh come on. I know you're not dense."

This exchange kept Shuichi's blush on his face.

"W-We should get inside. Looks like whatever is happening in there is about to start."

Kaede sighed. "Yeah. Wouldn't want to be late on the first day."

The two followed the crowd as it assembled in the auditorium. Shuichi could recognize some faces in the crowd but he was more concerned with finding the rest of his "classmates."

"Look! I know that voice anywhere!" Kaede pointed at Miu laughing and cussing up a storm while being around a good number of the others from V3. As expected, the ones missing were affiliated with Team Danganronpa. The SHSL Detective felt relief in his own chest. He wasn't sure what to make of the real life Keebo Idabashi, but he especially didn't want to see Tsumugi.

"Gee, Iruma-chan." Kokichi had his arms up and behind his head. "We're in public and you're totally embarassing yourself. Not much has changed, huh?"

"Will you shut the fuck up already? What crawled up your little twink asshole and died, huh?" Miu gave him a thumbs down.

"What's with you and my asshole? Sheesh. Come up with some better insults than that! Or is all that pent up sexual energy still short circuting that brain of yours?" The SHSL Supreme Leader grinned.

"Gonta—erm, I mean, we should not fight. We are supposed to be professionals!" Gonta pleaded. "As a gentleman, I don't like these fights you two have."

"The little purple jackass started it!"

Kokichi rolled his eyes.

"Hey you two. Saihara-kun and Akamatsu-san saw the whole thing." Rantaro sighed. "Sorry about that. How are you guys?"

"Hey everyone!" Kaede smiled. "I've been fine. Seems like Saihara-kun and I didn't live too far from each other."

Shuichi mustered a small smile and looked over at Himiko and Maki. The SHSL Assassin was next to Kaito, but keeping a good amount of space between her and him. Tenko and Angie were nearby the SHSL Magician, but she seemed more reserved than usual.

"It's good to see you all again."

"Same here, Saihara!" Kaito gave him a thumbs up. "Even Harumaki was wondering if you'd show up. But I knew you would. You're one hell of a guy, you know?"

"Harukawa-san..."

Maki smiled slightly. "We're friends, right? More than I can say for a good number of people in our group."

"Don't worry!" Angie tilted her head from side to side. "We'll be friends soon enough, Maki!"

A signature killer glare was the red-eyed girl's response. The SHSL Artist was not dissuaded.

"Nyeh... I missed you, Saihara."

"Wh-what?!" Tenko was in shock. "You didn't say that about me!"

"It's not like we haven't seen each other, Chibashira." Himiko tilted her hat forward. "We just hung out last week!"

"Yes, but it feels like it's been ages Yumeno-san!"

"Seems she's quite clingy. I'd advise caution." Korekiyo started laughing in his unique way.

Tenko grit her teeth and raised a fist. "Who asked you?!"

"Come on guys. People are starting to stare!" Kaede admonished.

A loud echoing tap against a microphone reverberated throughout the hall they were all assembled in. Everyone begun to quiet down and looked over toward the stage where five adults were assembled. A woman, draped in a red suit with a skirt along with a long black overcoat draped over her outfit, stepped forward.

"Thank you all for coming. We don't have much time, as there's much work to do. However, I'd like to welcome you all personally. All of you are here to assist in our mission to rebuild and bring order to the affected regions from the recent disaster that occurred last month. My name is Kyoko Kirigiri. It's nice to meet you all."

Kyoko Kirigiri, Tokyo Area Overseer

The speech was as awkward and as uninspiring as Shuichi expected. But he didn't really care so much as he was staring at his idol in the flesh. Kaede tapped him on the shoulder, shaking him out of his starstruck gaze.

"Your mouth was about to catch some flies, you know."

"S-Sorry."

The speech continued. "I apologize. This opening ceremony isn't as grand as some of you were imagining. But we'll quickly process all of you and assign you as quickly as possible to begin."

Byakuya crossed his arms. "You did not want one. A shame. The Togami Group would have easily financed it."

Kyoko threw an annoyed glance at him for a moment. "Please go ahead and form orderly lines in front of the processing stations we've set up so that we can get you all started."

"Geez, this place really means business huh?" Kokichi leaned forward with an open-mouth grin. "So this is the world of adults. I'm so bored I could die!"

"You think it's boring, Oma-kun?" Kaede asked. "I dunno. Maybe you're lying again."

"Nishishishi... maybe. Maybe not. Who caaaarreees?"

Kaito crossed his arms and gave the SHSL Supreme Leader a pensive look. "You sure you signed up to save people? Doesn't seem your style."

"Oh, Momota-chan~! How can I build up an evil organization without members? C'mon. You should think before you speak sometimes."

Shuichi looked at them both wearily. Killing game or not, the personalities of their group was bound to clash.

"Hey! V3! Over here!"

The gifted juveniles looked over to someone calling them over. A man with his hair completely styled in dreads greeted them in what appeared to be stretching what constituted as business casual.

"I can help ya all out here. No charge!"

"N-No charge? The fuck's this guy's deal?" Miu groaned.

The scruffy-looking man grinned as they approached. "Yasuhiro Hagakure. I'll get you guys all set up. You guys can call me big bro Hiro, if you want."

Yasuhiro Hagakure, Tokyo Area Talent Scout

Shuichi kept himself guarded. "Just Hiro-san should be fine, right?"

"If that's what you prefer, sure. I've got no problems with it." Hiro pulled up a paper and furrowed his brows for a bit. "So, usually we gotta have you go through evaluations and stuff but you guys got pre-approved."

"Huh? Why are we a special case? Is it because we were on Danganronpa?" Kaede asked.

"No clue. That's not really my decision. Believe me, if it was, you guys would be making us big bucks right now."

"...the hell?!" Miu yelled. "You sound like a goddamn pimp!"

"Whoa, hey. I didn't mean it like that. You guys are basically celebrities, but I'm guessing Kirigiri-chi decided your talents were more important than that."

Shuichi thanked the original SHSL Detective in his mind.

"Are you sure it's okay?" Ryoma asked. "That whole experience didn't exactly help our sanities."

"Hey. She wouldn't be making a big risk if she didn't have good data to back it up." Hiro affirmed. "Anyway, I'm just here to make sure all 14 of you are present."

Rantaro sighed. "Only 14, huh? That's right..."

Hiro counts them one by one while some of the others start to get impatient. Miu starts tapping her foot with a sour face.

"Anyway, I'm gonna go ahead and lead you guys to your orientation. Since you guys are a special case, you guys get a...er...special one! Yeah!"

"I... have a bad feeling about this." Shuichi blurted out.

"Nyeh. They're gonna work us to the bone." Himiko lamented.

"I-I'm not sure what copies of my newest book will do for this whole thing b-but...if you guys say it's important, then I guess I can't really refuse can I?" Toko looked down while pushing her fingers together.

Hina sheepishly smiled. "Aw, come on Fukawa-chan! I really liked it."

"Y...You actually read it, Hina?" Toko was shocked.

"Huh? Can't a girl like romance novels?"

"It's not that. I didn't think you liked reading."

The former SHSL Swimmer sighed. "Let me guess. Because I'm a sporty chick with big breasts, right?"

"I didn't want to say it out loud! But yes." Toko bit her lip.

"Well at least you aren't yelling it at me anymore. Guess Komaru-chan is a good influence!"

"U-Ugh... come on... I'm just trying to be a little nicer. Y-Your tits are still way too big, though."

Hina crossed her arms with an angry glare. But they both immediately turned to Hiro leading the group of former V3 contestants onto the stage they were on.

"T-That was fast, Hiro!"

"Hina-chi! Where's Kirigiri-chi and Togami-chi?"

Aoi Asahina, Yokohama Area Security

"W-what's with these kids?" Toko pointed at them. "U-Ugh, I was hoping not to run into any people while I was here."

Toko Fukawa, Affiliated Famous Author

"Eh? Fukawa-chi?" Hiro rubbed the back of his head. "Well it's not like you work here. I mean you got your own runts to look after, right?"

"Th-they're not mine! They're Komaru's!"

"Are we...interrupting something?" Kaede asked with a nervous sweat.

"No. They're simply being careless. Honestly, having an idle chat where others can hear? I can't say I'm too surprised." Byakuya walked onto the dusty wood flooring with Kyoko right behind him. "So these are the ones he's handpicked? The whole group? That's optimistic."

Byakuya Togami, Alliance Sponsor

"Did you have to come here in person, Togami-kun?" Kyoko asked. "This seems like you're overstepping your boundaries. Or were you just that curious?"

"We've already seen the footage. But I would still like to know firsthand what kind of individuals the Togami Group's finances are funding."

Shuichi was having trouble breathing. If just seeing Kyoko Kirigiri was enough to take his breath away, seeing the living members of Class 78 was potentially sending him into a coma.

"Saihara." Maki shook him out of his stupor. "You were turning pale. Paler than usual."

"S-Sorry. Thanks."

Maki turned to the adults. "You said we were handpicked? By who?"

"You'll meet him sooner or later." Byakuya adjusted his glasses. "But clearly you're all still wet behind the ears. There needs to be someone who acts as their advisor."

"Hold on! We've gone through a whole damn killing game already!" Kaito argued. "We can handle ourselves!"

Kyoko crossed her arms as she addressed the group. "There's the issue of your killing game only having three survivors. You're all clearly imbued with genuine SHSL-talent. But you are also dysfunctional as a unit."

Kirumi curtsied and began to respond. "Did the person who picked us want us to have someone oversee our activities?"

"No. He made no mention of it. But as the current head of the Alliance, I can't agree with letting you all run wild."

Kokichi gave a twisted grin. "Well we're clearly at an impasse, right? Then how about a wager, Kirigiri-chan?"

The lilac-haired detective returned his playful tone with an ice cold glare. It even made the SHSL Supreme Leader flinch slightly.

"No need to dismiss me so fast! I'm just suggesting a wager."

Byakuya crossed his arms with a look of disgust. "Are you so tone-deaf that you don't exactly realize your position here?"

"And what wager were you going to suggest, Oma-kun?" Kyoko asked.

"Nishishishi! Seems you can humor people when you want to. Oh-kay! So, since you've already seen our show, why not settle this with a Scrum Debate?"

"Dammit, Oma!" Kaito growled. "The hell are you plotting?"

"Oh come on. We're going to end up arguing with them anyway. Why not make it official? We're just going to argue our sides and whoever happens to be more convincing gets their way. No take backs. Sooo... how about it?"

The gears slowly turned in Kaito's head. "Huh. That's actually not a bad plan."

The adults all turned toward Kyoko. She closed her eyes for a few moments and smirked. "I figured you'd try and pull something like this. Very well. We accept."

The lights in the empty theater dimmed and the stage lights all went on. There were exactly 19 lights – five on one side while the rest were in a concave shape on the other.

Shuichi gulped.

"Don't be nervous, Saihara-kun!" Kaede smirked with her fists halfway up. "We've got the edge still."

"Waiting on you." Kyoko ordered.

The adults were already arranged and posted on each light. The V3 members did the same in a disorganized manner.

Kaede could hear the quiet whispers of the music as if she was back on the show. There was something twisted and nostalgic about the feeling.

Byakuya grit his teeth. "Are you even taking this seriously? This isn't a killing game."

"I'll do it!" Kaede exclaimed. "Of course we're taking this seriously! We're willing to bet our freedom on it."

"Y-You kids really should listen to your elders!" Toko pointed accusingly at them. "Do you think you know better than we do?"

"Hoshi-kun!"

"It's not that we don't respect you. But we didn't even have adult guidance when we were killing each other."

Hina put her finger on her chin. "Isn't that more reason to have an advisor then?"

"Amami-kun!"

"No. I'd say we're clearly able to take care of ourselves when there isn't a Monokuma pushing us to murder."

"Uh... what do you mean by that? Didn't you guys only have three people survive?" Hiro asked.

"Tojo-san!"

"We were only pushed into murder when the mastermind framed Akamatsu-san."

Byakuya gave a haughty look. "Oh? Is that all? Sounds like it didn't take much for everything to fall apart then."

"Angie-san!"

"Yoohoo! We were being threatened with everyone dying if we didn't murder anyway! But we held on 'til the last minute!"

"B-But..." Toko frowned. "Everything completely fell apart after that, didn't it? Who's to say that it wouldn't happen again?"

"Shinguji-kun!"

"Kehehehehe... we wouldn't make the same mistake twice. I assure you."

Hina put her hands on her hips with an angry look. "And how are you assuring us? It sounds way too risky!"

"Chibashira-san!"

"You have my word as a fellow warrior! You have to remember that even though there were killers, there were also victims too!"

Hiro had a nervous sweat on his face. "But what about the victims wanting payback for what happened in your show?"

"Iruma-san!"

"Of course I'm fucking pissed about that! But our murders were basically pretend! Kinda like kinky roleplay if you think about it..."

Hina started shouting at the teens. "This isn't pretend. People can die for real!"

"Gokuhara-kun!"

"Gonta—erm, I promise, we'll stick together and overcome anything. We all want to help with the recovery. As gentleman, I will promise to do everything I can to keep all safe!"

"Th-there's a lot of you, sure. But doesn't that sound way too cocky!? Cheeky kids!" Toko spat.

"Momota-kun!"

"Maybe we're pretty confident about ourselves. But we've gone through some shit and we're all still in one piece. We'll be able to do the impossible. Just you wait!"

"Be realistic." Byakuya had a condescending tone. "You could be outnumbered out there. Not to mention some assignments will require low numbers."

"Oma-kun!"

"As much as I hate to inflate some of these guys' egos, we're a pretty balanced group of thinkers and fighters. Plus, since we already know how annoying we can be to each other, we'll know how to work together pretty quick."

Hina crossed her arms. "Oh? So what happens if some of you get captured? I'm telling you, you'll need the extra help!"

"Harukawa-san!"

"We're survivors. We won't just lay down and die. And nothing will get in my way."

"Pretty big talk." Hiro put his hand behind his head. "But are you guys really giving no value to your own lives? C'mon, that's just bad chi."

"Yumeno-san!"

"We're not taking our lives for granted! Us three at the end were willing to use our own lives to stop the killings. And we didn't make that decision lightly."

Byakuya looked straight at the last member of the V3 group who didn't speak. "I've no interest in letting a suicidal group burn out so quickly just to give us, at best, minor help. Perhaps you should all just go home, then."

"Saihara-kun!"

"I've already come all this way. We all have. We're in this together. With or without extra help."

Kaede smirked as she prepared the group for the final push. Shuichi, however, looked far from confident. He glanced over at Maki and Himiko who had similar looks on their faces. The three then looked at the only person who did not speak at all.

"Hold it!"

The music stopped in Kaede's head. Something was wrong.

All eyes were on Kyoko.

"...and what happens when you're all dragged into a killing game for real?"

Kaede felt like there was a frog stuck in her throat. She started to look at everyone and no one else spoke up.

"A...Anyone? Hello?"

The entire V3 crew felt off-balance as it felt like all momentum they built up suddenly stopped and was reversed onto them.

Kyoko, Byakuya, Toko, Hina and Hiro pointed straight at the teens. "And this is our answer!"

The face on the SHSL Astronaut couldn't be described as anything but agonized. "N-No way. We had the momentum, right? How'd she just reverse our scrum like that?"

Crocodile tears came out of Kokichi's eyes. "Waahhh! Kirigiri-chan doesn't play fair! I guess I might've underestimated the old timers a bit..."

"Wait hold on. You can reverse flow of the debate? I...didn't even think about doing that." Kaede looked embarrassed.

"As we said." Kyoko dusted off her outer jacket. "This isn't a killing game. If you're so inflexible, you may actually die for real. I suppose I have a phone call to make."

Hina looked like she pitied the juveniles. "Hey. There's some donuts in the dressing room to your right. You guys can hang out there until we grab you guys, okay?"

"We really had no chance, huh?" Shuichi sighed.

Maki gave him a look. "What do you mean by that?"

"They weren't even complete. And the person missing was the most dangerous one."

"W-Wait, are you talking about Naegi-san?" Kaede asked.

Shuichi looked toward where the audience would be and saw Makoto sitting in one of the private balconies, looking down at them.

Makoto Naegi, Alliance General Secretary

The former SHSL Hope watched as the people assembled onstage begin to disperse to wherever they were going. Unlike Kyoko, he's started to dress down – no longer wearing a tie and just an untucked open green-collared shirt with black pants. He felt a slight chill as two manicured hands reached out from behind him and covered his eyes.

"Upupupupu."

"...Junko..."

"Awww, sorry I took so long, darling! You didn't want me to kill any of the hired help, so I had to take it slow. So if I seem a little pent up, it's all-your-fault~!"

"Is that what you call it?" Makoto sighed.

"So this is your new gamble, huh? Eugh! Look at all of them. So full of hope!" Junko's eyes narrowed as she pulled right next to his face. "Though that boy with the blue hair is a little interesting..."

"What about him?"

"Hehe. He's someone who just outright rejects hope and despair doesn't he? And it's all mixed together. Kinda like us, don't you think?"

"I'm not sure if that's the same."

"Anyway, who cares?!" She casually flicked his ahoge. Makoto finally turns slightly behind him and takes looks at Junko, opting to tie her hair in a single long ponytail with her white bear hairclip holding it. A bright pink oversized sweater with black shortshorts along with gyaru-style jewlery hung from her neck.

"It's going to snow you know. Are you sure you want to be wearing that?"

"The uncomfortable cold can be so despairing, you know?" Junko grinned. "But you've given me the best gift of all!"

"A gift?"

"Yep! You forgot my birthday. Awww... you're so cruel. You really spoil me, you know?"

"I didn't forget!"

Junko's face turned deathly serious. "Don't ruin this for me."

"I get that you hate your birthday so much..."

"My birthday and Christmas! A real double whammy."

"It's just, well, what I had in mind, I couldn't exactly get it to you in time."

"Oh? The despair of failure?" Her voice had a depressed tone in it. "Really amazing, Makoto. You spoil me too much."

Makoto sighed. "Anyway, I'm just about done here."

Junko leaned in forward, putting her lips next to his ear. "Good! Besides, you already know what I want..."

If the former SHSL Hope could blow smoke out of his nose, it would be similar to a steam-powered train right now.

Holding his head with both hands he just groaned. She grabbed his hand and dragged him off to who-knows-where.

Shuichi was nervously sitting in a chair in front of Kyoko who was looking over something on a laptop right in front of her. The only sound in the room was the clacking of the shallow keys. The current SHSL Detective found himself swallowing often, feeling like there was a knot in his stomach. The former SHSL Detective closed her laptop and had her eyes fixed right on him.

"I'm sorry for that. I had to send a few messages."

"N-No, it's alright. It wasn't a problem."

"What's wrong? You seem very uncomfortable."

"It's just...you're...you're Kyoko Kirigiri. In the flesh and...erm...sorry. I'm making this super awkward. This is supposed to be about work, right?"

She didn't respond immediately. After a few nerve-wracking moments, she continued. "I'm sure you're curious to what kind of work you'll be doing for us."

"Y-Yeah. I mean, I have the title of SHSL Detective but... you're already here. I mean, sure, you're not a high school student anymore but I feel like I might be getting in your way."

"Not at all."

"R-Really?"

"Keep in mind that I'm also an administrator. I can only be in so many places at once."

"That's true..."

"Considering your advisor won't be here for a long while, you'll go ahead and report directly to me. Is there any issue with that?"

"None at all!" Shuichi almost screamed out. "Sorry. But... what kind of cases will I be working on, if you don't mind me asking?"

"While you are still young, you have ample enough experience to handle anything up to murder."

"Th-that's..."

"Don't doubt yourself so much, Saihara-kun." Kyoko leaned forward slightly and had her hands together on top of the desk. "Considering you'll have access to proper investigative tools, you'll find yourself having an easier time than in the killing game. I guarantee it."

"O-Okay. But I haven't even read up on proper investigation procedures or anything."

"That's perfectly fine. I'm not about to throw you out into the world without training."

Shuichi sighed in relief.

"Though personally giving you your training doesn't seem to be on the table at the moment. My apologies."

"It's fine. You said it yourself. You have a lot of responsibilities."

"Well, that's not quite it I'm afraid. It seems a case has already been assigned to you. Our detectives are spread thin and overworked at the moment."

He gulped. "W-Wait, hold on!"

"I've managed to delay the case as long as I could. And once I show you to your office, I'll be able to give you a few things."

"An office?!"

Kyoko gave her trademark close-lipped smile. "Shall we?"

"Yes! Erm... I mean, yes please."

Kaede was waiting outside of Kyoko's office when she was surprised by the two walking out and headed out somewhere. Curiosity being her prime motivation, she decided to follow them while keeping her distance. Eventually they all reached an office on one of the lower floors of the main office building they refurbished into the Toyko Headquarters.

"It...it even has my name on it. Whoa. But wait, why are the detectives' office so big?"

"Well, you're actually a special case. General Secetary Naegi arranged for this. I approved it."

Shuichi felt elated until something in the back of his mind started gnawing at the good vibes. "Wait, why am I a special case?"

"Because you'll also be handling trials."

"T-Trials? Wait, hold on!"

"Not many people want to work in these disaster-affected areas. We hardly have any legal staff to spare. Therefore, I made the decision to have you work both as a detective for both external and internal affairs. You're not representing anyone legally, rather you're set in an elevated position where you can make inquiries on members' activities."

"That sounds like a lot of things to remember..."

"Not to worry. I've left a library of knowledge for you to read up on, as part of your training."

Shuichi stifled a groan. Himiko was right – they were definitely going to work him to the bone.

"H-Hey! Wait!"

Both of the detectives turned around and saw Kaede with an angry pout.

"You can't just dump all of that work on him! That's crazy. Maybe you can handle that much, but Saihara-kun is...!"

"Who said anything about him having to work by himself?"

Shuichi and Kaede both looked at each other with a confused look.

"Detective Saihara has the authority to work with as many people as wishes. Of course, it's up to the individuals he asks whether or not they want to assist him. I'd imagine they have their own work schedules to keep track of."

"I-I mean. I'm just a performer. I can schedule those anytime I want! It's not like I'm an idol or anything."

"Akamatsu-san?"

"Let me be your partner! Come on! I missed out during the killing game."

Shuichi smiled. "Sure. Let's be...partners."

"In any case." Kyoko continued. "I've had the liberty of already preparing case data and evidence for your upcoming trial. Go ahead and get settled in your office and do as much reading as you can."

"Y-Yes, Kirigiri-san."

"If you need anything, I'll only be a phone call away." Kyoko handed Shuichi a key. "I need to attend a meeting at Hope's Peak." Kyoko immediately walked away, leaving the two V3 Protagonists to explore the office. As expected, all it had inside were bookshelves of chock full of books along with a desk and office chair that looks like they were just newly purchased. There was also a small set of couches with a coffee table seperating them from each other.

"Pretty cool, Saihara-kun." Kaede smiled.

"I sound more like an inquisitor rather than a detective." Shuichi sighed. "I know things were bad out in Tokyo too, but this is..."

"That's why they needed the help, right? Besides... maybe you'll end up liking it and wanting to do it for real."

"You mean becoming a lawyer?"

"Why not?"

The current SHSL Detective rubbed his cheek with his finger. "Well, alright. We'll see how I like it, then."

He walked over to his desk and leaned back on the chair. It was still a little stiff.

"Guess I'd better start reading." Shuichi pinched the bridge of his nose. He started to look in his desk and found a thick folder inside it. This was presumably the case file that Kyoko prepared for him. Putting it on top of the desk, he opened it. There was a picture inside of it.

It was a stern-looking young man with a red coat.

ANote

"Oh? Is General Secretary Naegi not joining us today?"

Kyoko did not look amused at Kyosuke's attempt at dry humor. "I'm sure my presence is enough. Have you looked over my proposal?"

The current headmaster of the rebuilt Hope's Peak Academy leaned forward on his desk. "Considering our current situation, I'd be willing to lend out some members of Class 78 as 'interns.' Though I'm wondering why you're asking for them rather than our sophomores in both sections of Class 77?"

"I'd rather not bother them now. They'll have plenty of time contribute to our mission once they've finally graduated. They did miss out on a normal high school life, you know."

Kyosuke sighed. "That's not the real reason, is it?"

"No, not at all. It seems one of our new hires had some caveats attached to her."

"Interesting. So which student did you have in mind?"

"I'd like to borrow Mondo Owada for a time. Considering his current title of SHSL Biker Gang Leader, I'd say the public has currently soured themselves on their view of the academy. It should serve as some good publicity during these trying times."

"I see. In that case, I'll approve your request. Though I'm curious... which new hire of yours was this problematic that you'd come all the way here?"

"A small girl who fancies herself a mage."