Ruruka looked at the box left on her desk as she was leaning back in her chair. Her eyes slowly looked up toward the people who arrived at her cubicle with boxes in hand.
"That's the last of it." Kyoko declared. "Thank you two."
"Eh. No problem. Besides, chick's been through a lot. It's no problem." Hiro smiled.
The former SHSL Confectioner rolled her eyes in response to the man with dreadlocks. Makoto looked at the other three people in the room.
"Are you sure you want to keep coming into work?" He asked Ruruka.
"Planning to get rid of me?"
"No." Kyoko flatly replied. "But it's customary to have a bereavement period."
"What's crying over Yoi-chan going to do, huh?" Her voice was distant with a tinge of fatigue.
"...Suit yourself."
"Anyway. I'm thirsty after a hard day of work! Wanna go out for some drinks?" Hiro grinned. "Ando-chi can come along too."
Ruruka's cold piercing stare was the answer to that invitation.
"I'll join you." Kyoko replied.
"Wh—really, Kirigiri-chi? Is it April Fools?"
"It's the middle of January, Hiro-kun."
"Well... sure. I'll call up the others to join us. How about you, Naegi-chi?"
"I'll catch up. Just need to check in on Junko."
Kyoko kept a stoic front. "Of course. Don't take too long. We don't get many chances to all be together."
"Yeah. I won't. I'll see you two soon."
Hiro gave Makoto a pat on the back and walked out with the former SHSL Detective.
"What am I supposed to do with all this?" Ruruka combed over the several boxes full of things.
"You were the closest person to Izayoi-san. I guess you can pass off all his things to his family if you want."
An annoyed sigh escaped her lips. "I used to hate all of this stuff."
"Really? Why?"
"It was his passion. I mean, his dad did it. His dad's dad did it and so on. Yoi-chan really loved being a blacksmith."
Makoto was waiting for the rest of her answer.
"He probably loved it more than he loved me."
And there it was. Makoto held back his own sigh and continued to ask. "I'm not going to claim one way or another, but he really did care about you."
"Heh. And here I was expecting a whole different answer. Not bad, Naegi."
Quickly attempting to change the subject, Makoto moved to ask a question. "What about you? Do you love being a confectioner?"
It was an unintended armor-piercing question that he shot from the hip. She looked like she was thinking very hard about her answer.
"I mean, I'm also one hell of a cook. Desserts aren't my only thing. But it's what got me noticed as a SHSL talent."
"Yeah, but do you love doing it?"
"...it's the only thing that would never betray me."
There was a tense silence between the two of them.
Makoto walked over to the door. "Hey, Ando-san. Maybe you really ought to take some days off. At this rate you might more mistakes."
"Mistakes? What mistakes?"
"Like losing your friend over being too suspicious of her."
"Hmph."
Their exchange finally ended when Makoto walked away from where Ruruka was sitting, leaving her with her thoughts. He pulled out his cell phone and saw 42 missed messages from Junko. Skimming through them all, he sighed and began to reply to them all.
[ please do not blow up my phone ]
[ oh and please don't blow up the world either ]
Himiko was cleaning a glass while watching the loud group of adults taken up one of the round tables off to the side. She could recognize them as the people they were introduced to at the beginning of their entry into the Alliance along with Makoto, Mukuro and Komaru.
"Nyeh. They're really close."
Maki replied, also watching them. "They went through a killing game, too. I'm not surprised."
"If they're the same as the people we learned about in ours, yeah. How come our class isn't that close?"
"We only had three survivors in ours." Shuichi was sitting over at the bar as well. "The other two were basically not even there."
"Saihara. You're not with Akamtasu?" Himiko asked.
"I don't have to be with her all the time you know. Besides you two are my friends. We are friends, right?"
A warm smile came across Himiko's face. "Yeah! Of course!"
Maki didn't reply with words but a small smile formed on the corner of her mouth.
"So..." Shuichi cleared his throat. "How are you two?"
"Busy." Himiko sighed. "I've been focused on making new potions that I don't have time to practice my presentation!"
"Potions?"
"Nyeh. That's what I'm calling my drinks now. They'll restore your HP and MP!"
Shuichi chuckled. "That's actually pretty cute."
The self-styled mage adjusted her hat downward. "Cute!? Nyeh. You shouldn't be flirting with other girls."
"I-I'm not flirting!" A blow of flustered air escaped his lungs. "How about you, Harukawa-san?"
"...I'll be heading out soon."
"Oh. With Ikusaba-san?"
Maki nodded, seemingly annoyed by being assigned a chaperon.
"I don't think they're going to ask you to actually assassinate anyone, right?"
The SHSL Assassin's eyes were shadowed by her bangs. "Don't be so naive. You've lived through that stuff out there, haven't you? It's not the civilized society that we're all used to."
"Yeah, but it's mostly just desperate people out there."
"Desperation can cause people to turn into beasts. I would know."
"Harukawa-san..."
"...you two never blamed me for anything. What I did was messed up. It almost got us all killed."
Shuichi mustered a smile. "It wouldn't have changed anything. You really thought you were a student of Hope's Peak Academy. And it's not like you weren't already disliking Oma-kun."
"Yeah. We both know you're a hothead." Himiko added. "Besides. You're blaming yourself enough already. Too much stress causes wrinkles! So my mama says, anyway."
Maki kept an annoyed and fierce look on her face. "Fine. If you two say so."
"Still, are you going by yourself? I thought she was supposed to be our advisor."
"She is." Maki replied. "But it doesn't mean they're going to let her lounge around at a desk all day. Remember what I told you about you being a detective? We're all good at different things. You just accept it."
Shuichi looked straight at her. "It sounds like you're not taking your own advice to heart."
"My talent is killing people. It's not something to be proud of."
"Have you actually killed a person?"
"No. I haven't."
Shuichi looked over at the table with Class 78 sitting at it and saw Mukuro glancing over at the black-haired girl.
"...I think I get what's going on now."
Maki and Himiko looked at each other for a few moments, then at the current SHSL Detective. They both looked confused.
"Don't worry about it."
"You can't be serious." Maki growled. "Saying something like that and telling us to ignore it."
"Hey! I know I'm not as smart as you are, but that doesn't mean you should keep things to yourself." Himiko scolded.
"I'm not hiding anything. I just don't want to say what I think is going on without any evidence."
The two girls sighed in response. There were a few things they knew that Shuichi would not budge on – this was one of them.
"Not drinking at all, Ikusaba-chi?" Hiro asked while gulping down a sake. "It's all good! Besides, Naegi-chi is paying for it!"
Mukuro held her ground. "I don't like to drink. Sorry."
"Hey!" Hina jumped up from her seat. "Don't try to force a lady to drink! It makes you sound like some kind of...weirdo pervert!"
"What?! No!" Hiro yelled back. "Even Kirigiri-chi is cutting loose a little. I just didn't want her to feel left out, y'know?"
"Sure you do. Creep."
"C'mon, Hina-chi!"
Makoto chuckled. "Calm down you guys. How's everything with you, Togami-kun?"
The former SHSL Heir was holding a glass of aged brandy in his hand while looking at the rest of his class. "What? Are you worried about funding for the next fiscal year?"
"Of course not."
Byakuya smirked. "Good answer."
"I mean we're just worried you might never get married, Togami." Hina spouted out causing the Togami group's heir to almost double over in shock. Komaru chuckled while Toko had her eyes wander away from the conversation.
"Y-You! Mind your own self, Asahina. An heir of my own is the least of my worries. I can have any woman I desire, mind you."
"Not with that attitude."
"Don't give him such a hard time, Hina-san." Makoto interrupted. "He's already got his hands full at the moment – what with him soon becoming the actual head of the Togami Group."
"Of course you would understand my plights. It seems there's hope for you all yet."
Kyoko finished another small cup of sake. "Still, shouldn't you try to find someone?"
"I'll...keep it in mind." Byakuya adjusted his glasses. "But what about the rest of you? Should you all not follow your own advice?"
Kyoko looked away. "Administrating the Alliance is time-consuming enough as it is."
Makoto gave her a look while she avoided eye contact with him.
Hina pushed her fingers together. "Well, I haven't really found anyone yet."
"What, like a meathead?" Hiro asked.
"Hey! They don't have to be into martial arts or anything. Besides, is it really that bad to find someone who likes similar stuff to what I like?"
"Nah. It's probably a good idea. Though I don't think I'd wanna date a chick that also wants to turn a quick buck."
Everyone else sighed at Hiro's words.
"Now I'm just getting depressed." Hina groaned. "Hey, Komaru-chan. How are the kids?"
"Huh? Oh, well, they're doing fine. They're at school right now."
"Did they get scouted by Hope's Peak?"
"Yeah. They did."
"Oh, so they're there?"
Komaru shook her head while Toko bit her thumb slightly.
Hina was surprised. "Why not?"
"C-C'mon. Do you really want them to go to a place where they'll just get exploited for their t-talents?" Toko asked.
"No, of course not! But...wouldn't they have a good future if they went there?"
Komaru showed a sad smile. "I'm grateful for that school that got Makoto to meet all of you. It's how I got to meet you all, too. But that was the place where the Tragedy started."
The rest of them all looked down at their drinks.
"Shingetsu-san told me that they all got scouted."
"Really? Hope's Peak Academy?" Komaru asked.
"Yes. That Kizakura guy is persistant."
"Look. I know you all want a good life now but... you guys shouldn't go there. I don't think you guys will be happy."
"...we agree."
Komaru looked at the four kids under her care. "R-Really?"
"It's your decision, though, big sis!" Kotoko reminded. "And we...we came by to beg you not to let us go there."
Jataro and Masaru nodded in agreement.
"I'd never force you guys to do anything you hate. You know that."
"...that's why we love you."
Komaru started to tear up. "G-Guys...!"
In the present time Komaru was tearing up again. The eight empty glasses around her were probably adding to why she was so emotional.
"T-They're mass murderers and annoying brats." Toko proclaimed. "But they've got some good heads on their shoulders."
Komaru wiped her eyes with a napkin. "They're just enrolled in a normal high school in Kyoto. I think they'll be fine."
Makoto smiled slightly, but everyone could see the pride he had for his younger sister.
"Defying the odds? I'm not surprised." Kyoko observed. "I take it your home life is peaceful."
"Yeah, actually. Toko-chan's new novel has been doing really well. And my first manga is almost complete!"
"Wow. Guess you two have been busy too." Hina rubbed the side of her cheek. "I'm glad you two are happy."
Toko looked down for a few moments and then smiled slightly. "Th-thanks."
Suddenly all eyes came down to Makoto himself who suddenly sat up straight from their piercing gazes.
Everyone was silent until Mukuro asked the million dollar question.
"How are things with my sister?"
"Oh, um...they're fine. As fine as things can be with Junko anyway."
"Hm. That doesn't sound good. Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, I'm not. Honest."
Kyoko reached over and grabbed his arm. No markings, scars or injuries.
Her face was still unreadable.
"You know that she'll eventually try something on you. It's in her nature."
Makoto didn't reply immediately. After a moment, he smiled. "Don't worry. It's not like I don't know."
"Seriously, Naegi." Hina crossed her arms. "Are you sure you really want to be with that insane girl? Are you trying to change her?"
He looked over at the former SHSL Swimmer. "If it was that easy, then someone would've done it already."
"Then why?"
"I couldn't tell you a real reason."
"...illogical as always." Byakuya crossed his right leg over his left. "Even Ikusaba was able to discern what she truly is."
"Guys." Makoto raised his hands over the table in a stop motion. "It's alright. I'm not blind."
Kyoko tapped her foot under the table. It seemed like she was expecting all of this. "If Makoto-kun was able to be dissuaded by words alone, he wouldn't have gotten together with her. Enough."
Hina deflated slightly. "Kyoko-chan..."
Komaru was about to say something but held it back. She continued to stay completely silent.
Still a distance away, Shuichi raised an eyebrow.
Naegi-san is with Junko Enoshima?!
The man who was designated as K1-B0 in the V3 killing game looked around a small apartment. With a long sigh, he wiped the sweat from his brow and congratulated himself internally on a job well done. He hears a key turn on a door over to his right and looks over. The door opens and reveals Hajime Hinata entering – wearing a gray hoodie with some jeans.
"You know you didn't have to clean up the place."
"I am no freeloader." Keebo was in the middle of washing his hands. "Is it not customary to take care of a place that one lives in?"
"You'd be surprised at how many people don't follow that rule." Hajime took off his shoes and walked in. "How's everything in Tokyo?"
"Were you aware that the V3 contestants were there?"
"I wasn't sure. But most likely Naegi-san and the others would try to recruit them. You guys gave them their talents, didn't you?"
"Not me specifically. Those talents are artificial."
"So are mine." Hajime reminded him, which prompted Keebo to apologize with an immediate bow.
"You're way too polite."
"I've had to keep up appearances. Otherwise people around me would get suspicious."
"About your condition, you mean?"
Keebo nodded. "When others see that you don't feel emotions like anyone else, they immediately assume the worst."
"You mean they assume you're someone who came out of a mental hospital."
"Exactly." Keebo walked over and sat at the table covered by a kotatsu. "But that's the same anywhere, isn't it?"
"Most likely. Not like I've really been outside of Japan or Asia in general. Human beings are predictable."
"Would that include yourself?"
"Yes." Hajime wasted no time in his reply. "You become some sort of ubermensch and you think you're higher than humans. But that's probably one of the most human things that could ever happen."
"Are you trying to repent for your past actions, Hajime Hinata?"
"Repent isn't the right word." Hajime crinkled his nose. "I'm just trying to get control of my own life back. Hiding behind excuses won't cut it anymore."
"...I'm aware of what you've done. I wasn't entirely sure, but you are the same person from the series." Keebo took a breath. "You don't seem worried about me having that knowledge."
"What can you realistically do with it?"
"A good point. I'd be labeled as a madman. But did you take me under your wing to keep an eye on me?"
"Not for that reason." He walked over to the fridge and opened it. "It's because you're liable to make the same kind of mistake."
"What mistake?"
"You were pretty intrigued by seeing yourself as a robot. You can't lie to me."
Keebo looked down. "What harm would it be to completely convert myself? It's not like I'm entirely human."
"No, that's wrong!"
The white-haired boy looked at Hajime but the voice came from a girl. He noticed that there were two more people who just entered the small flat. It was the so-called Nanami sisters who just took a look at him.
The organic Chiaki pouted. "Don't say that about yourself. You're fine as you are."
"...but you treat your 'sister' the same way. Isn't she some kind of machine?"
Ai blinked several times. "That's different. What you're suggesting is throwing away a gift."
"You call this a gift?"
"Yes." The SHSL Hope Android placed her hands together. "I can't taste food. I can't feel the wind blowing against my skin. I'm not saying there's only disadvantages from being an android, but you still have things that I lack."
Keebo bowed again. "I apologize. You two came over as guests and are now caught in my own issues."
Hajime didn't say another word about it. "Chiaki, you guys came all the way here?"
"Don't forget about me." Chisa walked in with a cheery smile on her face. "Someone had to drive these two over."
A nervous laugh came from the brown-haired man with a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"So you brought in another stray?" The former SHSL Housekeeper glanced over at Keebo. He bowed to her. "You know, if you keep taking in people, you really should look into getting a bigger place."
Some sliding tatami doors opened from the opposite side of the flat.
"So noisy..." Monaca rubbed her eyes.
"Hey! You shouldn't be inside all day, Monaca-chan."
A pout came from the green-haired delinquent. "Chisa-nee, why would I wanna go outside? It's sooo boring."
"Honestly, Hajime-kun, you shouldn't be encouraging this. Take a lesson from Komaru Naegi-chan's book." She waved her finger at him. "You're her legal guardian you know!"
"She's not around for me, though."
"Hey hey." Chiaki smiled at Monaca. "I brought you the new Zenoblade remake."
"R-Really!? Thanks so much big sis Chiaki!"
"C'mon. Not you two too." Chisa sighed.
"She's been looking forward to it." Ai explained. "We haven't seen Monaca-chan excited like that before."
"Now if only big bro Komaeda would take a hint." Monaca started to walk over to her room.
"Wait. What's he been asking you to do?" Hajime asked.
"To create one last one." She started to step into her room.
"One last Monokuma."
Makoto opened his eyes slowly. The bed he was sleeping in was way more comfortable than he was used to. His right eye opened wide when he finally registered what was inches right from it. The tip of a familiar curved Monokuma-styled knife. Some sweat starting to form on his face, his eyes followed along the arm of who was wielding it.
"Morning darling!"
"Junko..."
She pulled back the knife slowly and started to peel an apple while next to him in the king-sized bed. He slowly sat up against the headboard and looked over at her.
"Why do you have that knife?!" His voice was still filled with grogginess.
"Huh? It was my knife for you, silly! Why wouldn't I have it?"
Trying to shake off the morning drowsiness, he moved onto his next question.
"Did you sleep at all?"
It took approximately two seconds for her to stop playing with the apple and stabbed it against the wall with the knife. Another three seconds for her to move over on top of him and place her hands on his shoulders.
"No! Of course not!" Her voice was still manic. "Not after what you did to me!"
"I didn't do—"
"How how how how how..." She started shaking him as his body was forced to rock back and forth from the motion. "How am I not bored of you yet?!"
Makoto stared blankly as she stopped shaking him.
"Why can't I go through with it?! The despair from it would be so much... even more than my own death."
"Well, you're someone who can sort of see into the future, right? What would happen after?"
"...I'd have nothing left." Junko started to sweat. "It would be so despairing and..."
"And that would be it."
"You really like making things simple, don't you?"
"Better than being confused because of how complex it can get."
A loud, banshee-like laugh came out of her mouth and it echoed throughout their bedroom.
"God! I fucking...I fucking love you. Stupid hope boy." She nuzzled against his forehead.
"I haven't really been a boy for a while."
"Upupupu. I agree. Even I was surprised..." A lewd expression spread on her face.
He raised an eyebrow in response. Finally shaking off the last of the sleepy vibes from just waking up, he finally noticed she was only wearing his hoodie over her underwear. Her expression snapped back to a neutral one as she stared straight at him.
"Does it really bother you that much? Not having a real reason to like me, I mean."
"Makoto. When you've lived your life scheming twenty steps ahead of everyone else and finding meaning to your life, why wouldn't it bother me? Despair was so fresh, straightforward, simple and..."
"Self-destructive."
"Like that's stopped me before." She grinned from ear to ear. "Then again, you're crazy enough to go along with me for this long. I can't believe you actually l-o-v-e me back."
"Junko."
She started squealing like a fangirl. "My Makoto, my Makoto, my Makoto, my Makoto..."
"Are we just spending the day in bed? I kinda wanna eat something."
"Hee hee. Maybe I ought to break your legs so you can just wait for me to feed you."
"No."
"Awwww. Party pooper."
"I like my legs."
"I like your legs too."
"S-Seriously..." Makoto sighed and pulled his face closer to her face, giving a kiss. Not wanting to let him go, however, she pulled him into a deep kiss. After a few moments she finally pulled away.
An annoyed groan came from her. "Fine. Guess we won't be here all day."
After she finally moved off of him he stood up and saw that he was wearing just a t-shirt and his favorite style of boxers.
"Wearing so little still feels a little weird."
"You wearing goddamn hoodie to bed every night was weirder."
"Fair point." Makoto brought his finger to his chin. "Wait, didn't you wear my hoodie to bed?"
"That's a little different." She smirked. "Of course, I don't mind taking it off..."
A deadpan tone was wrapped in his reply. "Right."
They both exited the room and started walking down a stairway. The house itself was very unusual for a Japanese residence, actually having western-style architecture. Formerly an abandoned family mansion – made worse by the lingering effects of the Tragedy-bringing storm. However, Makoto took it upon himself to fix it up. Still, while living in it, he was still not too sure why the rich and powerful needed so many rooms.
"Seems Kirigiri was hesitant to let you go. I wonder why?"
"There's a lot of stuff still to do. But you haven't really been sitting on your hands, haven't you?"
"That's my Makoto!" She leaned over on him as they both stopped walking. "Like I'd like you all have all the fun."
"What have you been up to?"
"My new project should be coming by soon."
"New...project? Wait, are we having company over? I need to get some pants."
"No you don't."
The doorbell rang on queue as Junko was admiring the sight.
Makoto smiled. "Hey, it worked. W-Wait, I need pants!"
"Come on come on come on." Junko pushed him toward the front door. "Don't leave them waiting in the snow too long."
Sighing as he surrendered, he went along with his girlfriend to the front doors. He didn't want to admit it out loud, but he was curious to what she meant by her new project. He gulped down his nervousness. Opening the doors he found himself looking straight at a blue-haired girl with glasses.
"W-Wait, aren't you...?"
The glasses-wearing girl turned bright red as she saw them. "I-It's plain to see that you're so casual with each other."
"Tsumugi Shirogane."
"It's an honor to finally meet you both." Tsumugi bowed.
"We're here." Hajime found himself looking around at a ruined park. A ruined church could be seen among the remnants of rubble littering the area around it.
"That was the Sagrada Familia church." Chiaki pointed out.
"Isn't this where Enoshima grew up, then?"
"Yeah. I found out that I didn't live too far from her."
"Chiaki, I wanted to ask..."
"You wanted to know how I got here in the first place, right?"
"Yeah. You were clearly different from everyone else here, being able to call forth other dimensions like that."
"I was born here."
Hajime's eyes widened. He wasn't expecting this. But the whole ordeal made his own analytical talents useless. "But then...wait... are you saying that it was some sort of reincarnation?"
"It might have been. But as far as I can remember, I always had memories of my previous life."
"How would that even work?"
"You saw it yourself. Everyone replaced their counterparts in this world. It was probably something like that."
He didn't seem pleased by that explanation. But he sighed. It wasn't like Chiaki would know the specifics of her own birth.
"I guess that'll have to do then."
"Sorry. But it's not like I knew everything about what would happen in the first place, right?"
"No. You didn't. And thinking about it – it's not like talents themselves are all too different from supernatural phenomena."
"Really? How?"
"I'm the proof. They were able to make someone like me with just brain surgery."
"That's true."
Chiaki moved over to a long-emptied sandbox and sat down on its edge. Hajime took a seat right next to her.
"Were you dating the version of me in this dimension?"
She shook her head.
A tired sigh escaped from his mouth. "I bet he was devastated."
"If we were together you would've truly wanted to come to Hope's Peak."
"I see." Hajime gave her a sad look. "You broke his heart on purpose then."
"Even if I wanted to be with the other you, it would just be a lie. I couldn't lie like that."
"Stubborn as always." He gave her a small smile. "I can't help but still feel a little flattered, though."
She laid her head on his shoulder. "But this...just for this...I think it might've been worth it."
There were a few birds out chirping on the dead trees that now populated the area. Chiaki was laying on his shoulder for what felt like minutes, completely quiet with her eyes closed.
"I had to make sure it wasn't just another dream."
"Chiaki..."
"It's really you, isn't it?" She started tearing up. "Please, Hajime-kun..."
"I'm here. It's really me."
"Thank you."
"We have a lot of time to make up for what we lost."
"The future right?" She buried her face in his sleeve. "You were pretty cool when you said that the first time."
A blush came over the normally-stoic Hajime's face. "R-Right. You got to see that through Danganronpa."
"I got to see everything, yes. I never realized you had such a heavy burden on you in the first place."
"That was then." He held her hand. "I've got better things to worry about now."
Now the SHSL Gamer was the one who found herself blushing.
There was a bit of rustling from a nearby bush with Hajime raising an eyebrow and sighing. He ignored it and enjoyed the quiet around him with Chiaki.
Chisa, meanwhile in the bush with Ai, started tearing up.
"Chisa-nee." The artificial Nanami questioned. "Shouldn't we respect their privacy?"
"T-They're both my students! I have to make sure they're fine!" A little bit of sweat showed up on her forehead. "Though I'm a big sucker for romance stories like this."
"Aren't you getting married to Munakata-san soon?"
"W-Well, that's that and this is this! Come on, we shouldn't make too much noise."
ANote
Shuichi found himself sitting in Kyoko Kirigiri's office next to a familiar face.
"Hah! So they called you in too, eh Saihara?"
"Do you know what's going on, Momota-kun?"
"Hell if I know." Kaito shrugged. "I was in the middle of G-Force training and then they said they wanted to speak with me. How about you?"
"No idea either."
"T-They better not be thinking I'm cheating on exams this time! That was just part of my fake memories from the killing game."
"I don't think you're in trouble." Shuichi gave him a nervous smile. "Besides, you wouldn't cheat for real right?"
"Er, well, I wouldn't say never."
"C'mon."
"Anyway. You shouldn't worry too much about me. You're no longer my sidekick."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I saw you in that last trial during our killing game. And I heard some good things about your work lately. You've become a man now!" He slapped Shuichi's back with a loud clap. "That means we're rivals."
"R-Rivals?!"
"Yeah. I've really been falling behind. I can't let you get ahead of me, you know!" Kaito grinned.
The SHSL Detective sighed as the door opened from behind them. They looked back and found themselves looking at not only Kyoko, but also Mukuro Ikusaba entering the room.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." The former SHSL Detective walked over to the other side of her desk. Mukuro was staying behind them both.
"Erm...what's going on, Kirigiri-san?"
"I'd like you two to join Ikusaba-san for a field mission."
Kaito smiled with a thumbs up. "Some good old fashioned legwork. Now that's something I can get behind, Kirigiri!"
Shuichi was more measured and careful. "What exactly are we going out there for? That's not exactly in either of our job descriptions."
Mukuro moved behind the blue-haired boy and handed him something long. He looked at it. A katana in its sheath.
"It's part of our mission of course."
"Isn't the Alliance's mission to develop and restore the destroyed sections of Japan?" Shuichi asked.
"That's one of them." Kyoko turned around in her chair with her backs to the two men. "The other is the Ultimate Talent Development Plan."