"Welcome, what would you like? Dinner? A bath? …Or me?"

Makoto only stared silently at Junko who seemed to be having way too much fun in a strange, idol-like outfit. Of course, the outfit would probably not be acceptable in any public space much less a concert where an idol would perform.

"Don't think I've ever seen you do cosplay before. Was it because of Shirogane-san?"

"You do have that glint in your eye when you see idols. So-very-naughty-Mako! You'll be turning into a perverted old man at this rate."

"I did make this outfit, yes." The blue-haired mastermind entered from a side door. "I had some inspirations from some ecchi harem anime I've watched over the years."

The former SHSL Lucky Student started to sweat slightly. "You're into those kind of shows? I'd thought you would have more, uh, elitist tastes."

"There's nothing wrong with having some guilty pleasures from time to time."

Junko smirked. "Oh, he knows all about that."

Tsumugi adjusted her glasses with one of her eyes blocked by the glint of the overhead lamp. "Are you surprised, Naegi-san? That a girl like me would be into such things? There are legions of us!"

"Are you talking about fujoshi?"

"Hmph! It's plain to see that you're quite ignorant. Boys' love is beautiful – but so is yuri, magical girls, and even real robot mecha!"

"Th-that last one..."

"I suppose I do enjoy my dramas. But that's the world of anime for you!"

Makoto just shook his head slowly and then cleared his throat. "What have you two been up to?"

"Just a little girl talk, Makoto! Would you like all the nitty-gritty details?" Junko started laughing.

"Seriously, Junko."

The former member of Team Danganronpa had her eyes sparkle. "It's not very often that I get to make outfits for someone who deserves to wear them like Enoshima-sama! She was the SHSL Fashion Girl in your class, was she not?"

It all sounded innocent enough. Normal even. But the two women in front of him weren't exactly what he would consider normal or innocent. In fact, he started thinking about how most of the female he knows personally happen to be actually very scary people in some ways. There aren't many people that invoke his own distrust, but anything involving his girlfriend (or wife – he couldn't really keep track on what she considered him these days) probably had some sort of ulterior motive.

"So suspicious! Just like Kirigiri." Junko poked him on the cheek. "Aren't you supposed to trust me unconditionally?!"

"You saying that makes you even more suspicious."

"But am I a liar darling?"

"No. You really love driving people to despair with the truth."

"Hee hee. Good answer." She pat him on the head to his mild annoyance.

"Regardless, I've overstayed my welcome today." Tsumugi bowed. "Thank you for having me. I have a few errands I need to go and run."

The strawberry blonde waved her off. "Uh huh. Just don't embarrass yourself cosplay girl."

Makoto watched her leave the room and heard her footsteps headed toward the entrance. "Well, at least she's a good house guest."

"Yeah whatever." She learned forward with swirls in her eyes. "You never answered my question. Guess I'll have to choose for you!"

"W-Wait...!"

"What? Your choices are now basically: would you like me, me, or me?"

"I've got somewhere to go later!"

"Upupupupu. Maybe you might see me while you're trying to enjoy it?"

"Junko!"

"Can't a girl pine for her husband?" She brought out her trademark depressed face, complete with mushrooms.

"This is a little more than just pining, I think."

"Yeah you're probably right. But I still love doing it to you!"

"It's not like I'm a workaholic."

"That's exactly it!" She wrapped her arms around him while placing his face against her chest. "Why the fuck are you a good lover to me?!"

His voice was muffled but he was still articulate. "I—don't understand—what?!"

"You're always there for me, I see you whenever I wake up, and yet you're not a total herbivore. What the hell?" She continued to nearly suffocate him while moving his body along with hers. "You just...you just you just you just you just you just...!"

The former SHSL Hope was finally able to pull his chin up. "Well, I can't exactly just let you do whatever you want. That'd be irresponsible."

"No, not that! You should've run away by now! I know you're Mr. Good-Vibes-with-No-Brain, but this is just..."

"I'm not leaving. You haven't scared me off yet."

"Oh believe me. I've tried. But I just...I just can't go through with them." She placed her hands around his neck gingerly. "It's just so easy, but there's something that just doesn't-want-me-to-let-go!"

"I thought you've been in love before?"

"Well, sure. Love of friends, love of lovers, love of family...love of despair!" Her face twisted into one of ecstasy. "But this is...you did something to me! I swear you did! I can't figure it out, I don't understand...understand...understand..."

"It's still bothering you, huh?"

"Yeah." Her voice became its natural, emotionless tone. "Is it obsession? Maybe it is. I've just been trying to figure this out. Trying to figure out some sort of logic from it. Maybe its just an overload of serotonin."

"But you're not bored, right?"

"No. No I'm not. It's not hope, but I do feel happy. And I can't find an end to it. It's kinda despairing to think about."

"Junko..."

"I was probably always meant to be this way. Maybe just like you were always meant to be, well, you."

"Is it a problem?"

A wide smile formed on her face. It wasn't a full-blown grin, but it was genuine. "It never was."

Makoto smiled back.

"Now, I've gone through the trouble of dressing up like this. I'm going to trouble you now." She leaned forward and blew in his ear.

There was something extremely dangerous about a completely natural Junko.

"Ai-chan!"

The artificial Nanami turned toward the direction of the voice and saw Chisa with a big smile on her face.

"Oh, sen—I mean, big sister. Did something happen?"

"You were spaced out during homeroom! Do you miss Hajime-kun and Chiaki-chan that much?"

"It's not that, but it is kinda weird not seeing them around."

"Well those two needed a time for a little honeymoon. Er, well, they say it's a vacation and they're not married but it's basically what it is!"

"You aren't jealous are you?"

Chisa sighed. "A little bit. I'm more impatient with waiting for our wedding day! Oh, Kyosuke..."

"You've been planning it for months, right?"

"Yes! It needs to be perfect. I've always wanted a spring wedding!"

The SHSL Hope Android tried to process why she would want something like that to be "perfect." Concluding that she wanted to treasure the memory, she gave off a campy smile in response.

"I'm sure it will."

Her words only encouraged the former SHSL Housekeeper to continue to gush over her fantasy. Ai looked over toward the rest of her new classmates that still remained in the classroom. Fuyuhiko and Peko were talking with each other while Mahiru was leaving the room with Hiyoko. Nagito was continuing to stare out the window in contemplative silence.

"Big sis!"

Her head turned to the shorter green-haired girl calling out to her.

"Towa-chan. You managed the find the classroom?"

"Well of course I did. I'm! Not! An! Idiot!" A sardonic smile came from the former Towa heiress. "Though I can't say the same for a lot of the students that I ran into."

"No need to be so cheeky, Monaca-chan. Besides, I have to keep an eye on you too!" A sweet smile spread on Chisa's face.

A fearful look spread on the green-haired teen's face. "No! Mon—I don't want to exercise outside!"

"Oh come on! Your wasting your looks if you just stay inside all the time! Even both of the Nanami sisters get sunlight."

"But I have to help big bro Komaeda with his plans!"

The two women looked over at the white-haired man. His eyes didn't even register their own looks as he continued to stare at the Tower of Hope. Off to the side of his peripheral vision, he could see Nekomaru and Akane exchanging blows outside. They both looked like they were in the prime of their lives. At least on the surface.

"How shameful. I even envy a fellow walking dead. But he truly does have talent. It's only fitting."

"Komaeda-kun." The artificial Nanami walked over and stood next to his desk. "You're involving Monaca-chan?"

"Ah. Not to worry, Nanami-san. No harm would come to her. After all, I've cared for her for so long."

"But what are you planning?"

Nagito gave her a soft smile. "That's nothing for you to worry about. You are hope. The entire class is hope...there's nothing left to prove with any of you. You all try your hardest despite what has happened."

He stood up from his seat slowly with Chisa and Ai both eyeing him as he started to walk toward the door.

"Hold on, Komaeda-kun!" Chisa ordered. "What are you trying to prove?!"

"One last thing before I am no longer myself." He walked out of the room while Monaca looked at both of them. She gave them one last look then followed the SHSL Lucky Student.

"Alright, I'm going to drag him back here and make him explain himself."

Ai shook her head in response. "His luck cycle is probably good right now. You wouldn't catch him."

A sigh escaped from the homeroom teacher's lips. "He's stubborn. No, he's worse than stubborn."

The android girl decided to take a long look at the tower herself. Construction looked to be fairly quick – though there were many businesses staking their futures on the building itself. It wasn't a surprise. She looked back at her teacher who continued to be looking out the door. She didn't have the heart to tell the adult that she already did a bit of her own investigation.

Nine total invitations for an unknown purpose. Ai hadn't figured out what exactly it was, but there was going to be a lot of machinery involved given Monaca's voluntary participation. She had started to track down who exactly got invited, but she noticed that none of their class was involved in any way. The survivors of Class 78, including the Despair Sisters, were not invited either. She had a few ideas, but she was no SHSL Detective. And she couldn't ask Hajime for any help right now either.

"What kind of hope are you trying to make out of this?" Chisa mumbled.

"There's supposed to be a high-profile party that is happening at the tower. Maybe...maybe it might be televised?"

"Komaeda-kun isn't the type to use brainwashing techniques. He would want people to reach hope through their own struggles. That much I can understand from that silly boy."

Ai nodded. "It might be a game of some kind..."

The venue was completely different when there wasn't a huge cheering crowd. Shuichi could easily see how it was meant to be a temporary fixture with how hastily put together the barriers separating the stage from the fans was. If it wasn't for the security team to dissuade any potential problem makers from hopping it, the entire thing would've easily fallen apart from chaos.

"Hey Saihara-kun! Ready for your first investigation?"

"Ah. Akamatsu-san." Shuichi turned toward her. "Well, I wouldn't say it's my first investigation."

"You know what I mean. C'mon!"

The SHSL Detective brought over a small suitcase along with him as they got onto the stage. It was blocked off with caution tape – he couldn't shake off the feeling how empowered the Alliance was, they essentially were serving as its own government agency while not really being left in check by the actual Japanese politicians.

He shook it off, not really wanting to think about politics as he was trying to work.

"Let's keep a look out for anything suspicious."

Kaede smirked. "Yeah! I'll let you know if I run into anything."

This wasn't going to be like the killing game. Instead of things being easy to find and not being able to advance without finding everything, this was real life. He had to make absolutely sure that he had enough evidence to prove Kokichi's innocence.

That was a funny thought. He was used to finding the culprit. But the inquiries had been mostly finding out that the accused were actually innocent. The SHSL Supreme Leader wasn't exactly a blackened during the killing game either. Shuichi began scanning over the area for anything out of place. Nothing right out of the bat – he would probably have to use what tools he brought over in order to take a closer look.

"Saihara-kun! Over here!"

The blue-haired detective walked over to Kaede who was standing at a wall.

"Do you hear it?"

"Hear what?"

"There's a small breeze somewhere around here."

They were inside the backstage proper. He knew there was a weak wind that day, but he couldn't hear it like the SHSL Pianist could. Trusting her sense of hearing, he looked around until he saw a slightly crooked piece of the wooden wall. Taking out some gloves from his pocket, he started to yank at it to see if it really was loose. With a bit of force he managed to remove the plank of wood and set it aside.

"Akamatsu-san, could you stand where the opening is?"

"Huh? Oh, sure."

As she stood in the gap that he made, he pulled out his cell phone and started to take a few pictures.

"H-Hey! You could've warned me. I might look like crap in those..."

"Sorry... but you could have gone through that opening, right?"

"Yeah. A little snug, but I could fit."

"Alright. Now I need to examine the scaffolding and the counterweight."

"Are you going to be okay going up there?"

"I won't be as fast as Harukawa-san, but I'll manage."

"I'll stay down here." Kaede smiled. "If you fall, I'll catch you."

"Let's hope it doesn't happen, then."

"I kinda do..."

Shuichi slowly made his way up onto the metal fittings high above the stage. Taking a deep breath, he started to dust the giant potentially fatal slab of iron along with the actual scaffolding. After taking pictures of what he found, he came back down to the stage. All-in-all the process took around 45 minutes. Kaede, however, was still fully awake by the time he came back down.

"Were you able to find what you needed?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I think I have enough evidence to start to get to the truth of the case. Were you able to find anything else?"

"No, I wasn't. Didn't seem like anything else was out of place over here. Just some trash that wasn't picked up before they had to close everything off for an investigation."

"...what kind of trash?"

Kaede raised an eyebrow but pointed toward it. "Just some loose strings from what I'm guessing were costumes. Empty snack wrappers. Think I saw a beer can right up against the wall over there."

He gleaned over what looked to be a red string. "Thanks for looking anyway."

"No problem. Just glad to be able to help you out."

"The next step would be getting some witness testimony. Aside from Harukawa-san and Oma-kun, the only other person I'd ask is Maizono-san herself."

"Do you think she might've saw something?"

"She might have. It isn't like we'll be able to summon her during the inquiry itself."

"You got a point there. Alright, let's go."

"Are you sure you want to keep tagging along? I wouldn't want to keep you away from anything you need to do."

"C'mon, Saihara-kun. Of course I do. I mean, isn't it natural for a girl to be with the boy she likes?"

Shuichi turned completely red. He didn't have a hat to hide behind, so he looked away.

"So cute!"

"Akamatsu-san..."

"I don't know how more obvious I can get with you. I mean, I wanted to do it earlier, but there were too many people around." She started turning red herself. "It's hard enough confessing like this when we're by ourselves!"

He shook his head. "It's not like I'm dense. I was just—I didn't know what to say back. I wouldn't call myself the romantic type."

"You're just nervous. I think you'd be able to be a total Prince Charming if you tried."

"You really think so?"

"I've got a good feeling." The SHSL Pianist raised her fists as she was looking to pump him up. "You're the type to really give it your all once you shake it off."

"I feel a little lighter. Thanks."

"Hey! Don't avoid the question! Do...do you want to be together?"

The morose-faced boy bit his lip. After a few moments, he gave off a small close-lipped smile and nodded. "Yeah. I'd like that."

"T...Then let's do things that couples do." She reached for his hand. He started to sweat a little but gulped and reached for hers. They held hands with each other for an uncomfortable amount of time in complete silence. Eventually the blonde-haired girl broke it.

"Oh, oh man. This is harder t-than I thought. Movies make it look so easy..."

"Our hands are really sweaty."

"Sorry! I couldn't help it! I'm so embarrassed..."

"Me too..."

Another moment of silence passed between them before they laughed softly.

Kyoko exited the holding cell containing the SHSL Supreme Leader. Mukuro was leaning back on a nearby wall and looked over at her.

"Finished?"

"Indeed. Though I imagine the answers that Saihara-kun get out of him will be different, given their relationship."

"Did he do it?"

Kyoko continued to walk, prompting the black-haired woman to walk alongside her.

"That's not my decision to make. My job is to make sure whether or not someone is a liability to the organization."

"You're talking about the inquiries, right?"

"Indeed. I suspect that a certain assassin let you know about those?"

"...yeah. She did. I guess she heard about it from either Saihara-kun or Akamatsu-san."

"I'll have to speak with them later about that."

The former SHSL Detective did not continue the line of conversation, prompting Mukuro to follow up with another question. "How come Naegi-kun is the one overseeing the trials? Why not you?"

"While I imagine I would be the bastion of impartiality in such matters, it's a simple answer. He insisted."

"He wanted to do that?"

"I believe he feels responsible for anything that happens. Though the inquiries weren't his idea in the first place."

"Whose were they?"

"Mine. Unlike Makoto-kun, I don't believe in unilateral forgiveness. Not without any proof of innocence or rehabilitation."

Mukuro ceased moving while Kyoko stopped and looked back at her.

"No need to give off that look. I acknowledge your effort, Ikusaba-san. Otherwise I wouldn't be talking with you here." The lilac-haired maiden paused for a bit before continuing. "That's not to say you are innocent. You definitely have done many nefarious deeds in your life even before the killing game."

"I'm not going to make excuses for what I've done. The proof is already there."

"Your own actions did cause some postmortem ramifications. Were you aware of a serial killer that went by Killer Killer?"

"I wasn't."

"...your near complete genocide of an entire middle school spawned one of the most dangerous murderers in history. It was a stain on the Future Foundation that had to be hidden away from the public. Not to mention all the things that went on around it."

"I see."

After examining the former SHSL Soldier for a while, the Alliance head blinked a few times and then continued the conversation. "In some ways you are similar to your sister."

"How?"

"There are only a few things that truly interest you. The list of things may have expanded, but it's not a very exhaustive list. What I'm saying is that morality doesn't really seem to apply to you."

"Would you say a moral person would have done what I've done?"

"That's hard to say. The better question is what are your goals?"

"I only want to protect the people that I like. And I want to protect what Naegi-kun treasures the most."

"Ah. That explains why you were so readily willing to agree to doing this favor for me. The Alliance is a reflection of those things that you want to protect, after all." Kyoko started to walk as Mukuro continued to follow her. "Though it seems you've gotten fond of some of the people you were meant to observe."

"Is that a problem?"

"It doesn't seem to be. Make sure to keep it that way."

"Of course." Mukuro immediately followed up with a question. "I wanted to ask, Kirigiri-san, why is it that you have me here instead of someone more...qualified...like Hina-san?"

"An interesting question. While I'm not worried that someone like her would be more than capable of being a nuturing figure to lean on, those teenagers don't need that sort of guidance. It would only serve to patronize them for what they've gone through."

"Guidance isn't exactly what you're looking for in me, are you?"

"No. You are to make sure they don't do anything destructive to themselves or the organization. It's a simple task."

"You make it sound like I'm a glorified babysitter."

"You have experience with what happens when your quarry leads you by the nose. You wouldn't make the same mistake here, would you?"

"...no. I've already seen the cost of that."

"Good. Then I don't think I need to remind you, then."

The two women of the original Class 78 found themselves in front of Kyoko's office. The owner of said office looked straight at the former right-hand woman of SHSL Despair.

"Despite everything, I just wanted to say...thank you."

Mukuro's eyes widened in shock. "Really?"

"Contrary to what your sister had conditioned to make you believe, you're more competent than you realize."

While the former SHSL Detective entered her office, the former mercenary just stood in complete disbelief and walked away – a little visibly shaken by what she just spoke about with someone she didn't expect it from.

Himiko was finally closing up the bar after a long, tiring day. She was happy that the place was getting more popular due to her fanciful efforts, but she definitely wanted to take a nap after all of it was over. Heading out the door and locking it behind her, she sighed and started to head for her assigned room in the building.

"Yumeno-san!"

A familiar, energetic voice called out as the SHSL Magician turned and saw someone she was trying to not run into while she was worn out.

"Nyeh... oh... hi, Chibashira."

"What's wrong? Do you need something? An energy drink? Maybe a massage? I'm not really sure how to do the second one, but if you need it I'll learn right away!"

"I'm fine! I'm fine. I just need to recharge my mana. And maybe eat a whole wagyu steak."

"Oh? Are you going out to eat?"

"Well, that was kind of the idea. Harumaki and Saihara are kinda busy, though..."

"Could I come along with you?"

"Ehh...well, sure. But will it just be us two?"

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"I wasn't planning on a date."

"W-What?! A date? I wouldn't! Honest! We would just be hanging out, right?"

"I'm too tired to argue this. Sure."

A couple of footsteps approached them and Tenko moved to block them from Himiko. "Who's there?!"

"Sorry. We're not bad guys." Rantaro waved while Kirumi followed from behind. "I heard you two were about to go out to eat?"

"Yeah. Wanna come along?" The red-headed bartender gave off a tired smile to them both.

"I'd be honored." Kirumi replied. "Speaking of which, you did do well in the killing game."

"Nyeh...I was just lucky, I guess. It must've been the boon that I kept refreshing onto myself."

"Hehe. I suppose that's a way to look at it." Rantaro replied.

Tenko looked a little displeased with what developed, but she let it go. "Where are we gonna go eat anyway?"

Kirumi gave off a thoughtful expression. "You mentioned wanting some wagyu. I would be able to show us a suitable location."

"Oh yeah! Someone like you would definitely know where some good steak would be!" The realization re-energized the tired mage as she looked forward to the feast.

"Now I'm fired up! Thanks, Tojo-san!"

"I'd love to be of service."

While the four walked over to leave the scene Himiko noticed another unseen figure from the sides of her vision. In a moment, they were already gone. Already tired and not wanting to ruin her good mood, she ignored it.

ANote

"And so, like, she just didn't know when to stop. Hey! Nagisa-kun! Are you listening?"

"I have been, Kotoko-chan." Nagisa adjusted his messenger's bag as he was walking along with Kotoko. "You really shouldn't be getting into arguments like that. Komaru-nee would have to get called in if anything happens."

"Oh. I wouldn't do anything too bad to her. She's already ugly as hell already." The pink-haired girl adjusted her headband. "I might have to beat her up a bit if she doesn't stop, though."

"Look. Daimon gets into fights too often. I don't need you to be a problem too."

"Yeah, sure, whatever 'big bro' Nagisa."

"H-Hey!" He started to turn red with embarrassment and anger. "I'm just trying to watch out for you guys."

"Like always." She wrapped herself around his arm while he tensed up. "Come on! It wasn't adorbs the first time!"

"Sorry. You know I'm just not used to it."

"Then we'll just have to have you get used to it. Okay? Okay."

Nagisa held back his protests and sighed. "Alright. If you insist."

They both waved at one of their classmates that was passing by them in the hallway. "That's Hijirihara-senpai, right?" Kotoko asked.

"Yeah. He's a weird one. Really nice but really lazy."

"You don't think anything's off about him?"

"Mm... you mean like in a big sis Fukawa sort of way? No. But he'd have that potential."

"Potential? I wonder what he was like in our universe?"

"I have a feeling he might've been some sort of immoral killer." Nagisa exhaled as he gave it a thought.

"Definitely not adorbs." She looked down and saw a piece of paper in his hand. "What's that?"

"I'm doing a favor."

"Huh? Oh, is that why we haven't run into Masaru-kun and Jataro-kun?"

"They'd run to blab off to big sis Komaru if they found out."

"Ohhh... are you doing a favor for The Servant?"

"...we owe him, too. As twisted as he was. We just treated him as some annoying servant even though he took care of all of our needs. Though it was Monaca-chan, mostly."

"You're probably right. He was really creepy though."

"That's besides the point."

They both arrived at the gymnasium where they had an assembly earlier during the day where professionals were arriving to talk about their professions and "the needs of the nation." There was, afterward, a small job fair where high school students would be able to learn (and potentially be recruited) about them. Two large, burly men were talking with each other after many of the other adults had left. One was an imposing figure with a bull for a mask, while another was an afro-haired man with a silly-looking face. They turned to face the two youths.

"Ah! Greetings, young ones! The fair is over, but I'd be willing to speak with you both more about our professions! Though wrestling is dangerous, it is still an honorable and worthwhile—"

"Gozu-san." A totally mismatched voice from the other man came out. "I don't think they're here for that. A couple of nuts come from the sea, right?"

"Whaaaat?" Kotoko looked at Daisaku Bandai with a completely confused expression. "Is he okay? And why's his voice like that?"

"They're my own personal sayings. They don't mean anything."

"Don't be rude. I apologize for her. I actually came by to give you a message from an acquaintance."

Great Gozu crossed his arms. "Hmmm? Suspicious. I have a bad feeling about this."

"I don't know what's written here, but it was addressed to you both." Nagisa explained.

Nagisa handed over the fancy letter to Great Gozu, who opened it carefully and read it. After a while, he showed it off to Daisaku who then read it as well.

"You are acquaintances with that man?" Gozu was still defensive. "I understand that I am famous from my work, but why invite Bandai-san?"

"I wouldn't know, Gozu-san." Nagisa sighed. "You'd have to ask Komaeda-san about that."

"I believe I will. If he intends to bring my friend into some sort of danger, then I will be his opponent!"

"...right. Good luck with that."

Nagisa and Kotoko left the building with confused expressions on their face.

"What's the Servant plan to do with them, Nagisa-kun?"

"I don't know. And honestly, that's not our worry right now."