The crunch of dried up foliage filled the area as the hastily assembled trio walked through a nearby forest. In some ways, the destruction was a net positive in restoring nature around the areas of Tokyo and Yokohama yet the loss of property and the damage to the economy was massive. Many people, as well as the central government, opted for reconstruction.
"We're close, Kirigiri-san!"
The gentle voice of Alter Ego interrupted the quiet as Kyoko started to hasten her footsteps toward the next target. Junko's face didn't hide her boredom as Makoto went over to peek at what the former SHSL Detective found. They stood in front of a ruined fountain and they found what appeared to be a giant slab of solid "water." At the very least, it reflected their visages back at them until it started to form a new vision.
It looked to be another version of Hope's Peak Academy, but with familiar faces younger than they were currently. It looked almost idyllic despite the shenanigans of Monokuma and his cubs.
Junko looked absolutely disgusted. "Ugh, what the hell am I doing here? Making Monobeasts? I guess that's kinda despairing."
"Seems you always seem to be up to something, Enoshima." Kyoko observed. "Perhaps someday you'll calm down."
"Upupupu. Never."
A small, but tired groan came from Makoto.
"Though the question remains... does everyone live out a normal life in this timeline?" Kyoko held her chin in thought. "Seems a bit too good to be true."
Junko put her hands on her hips. "Not like we have time to watch an entire timeline to resolve, do we Kirigiri?"
Kyoko placed her gloved hand on the mirror into another world and it shattered easily. "If I had to theorize, these are just unstable holes left from what Nanami-san tried to do. It certainly would make sense."
"Would there be a stable hole somewhere?" Makoto asked.
"Seems unlikely. But leaving these holes to other worlds would be problematic should someone not related to our group find it."
"Yeah. You'd be right."
"Seems you learned from your dad on how to do some cover ups, huh?" A familiar grin spread on Junko's face.
"Think what you will, Enoshima. This goes beyond politics."
"Sure. Whatever you have to tell yourself to justify it."
The two women glared at each other for what felt like a few minutes before Makoto cleared his throat and got their attention.
"You guys have plenty of time to fight. Right now we need to deal with this."
"...a fair point, Makoto-kun."
"Aw. What a party pooper. Loosen up, darling!"
The two women suddenly turned toward a small rustle as Makoto could see what appeared to be a blur rush away from them.
"Oho." Junko's voice became haughty. "A stalker? Wonder which person they're peeping on?"
"It may be just us in general. Clearly that person knows something." Kyoko dusted off her gloves.
Makoto was completely confused. "How do you know that, Kyoko-chan?"
"They knew that they way they ran prevented us from immediately identifying who or what they were. It was a person, but I couldn't tell anything aside from that."
"Hmph. Didn't seem like anyone we know. What a pain." Junko smirked. "So shy. Why wouldn't they want to meet their biggest fans, huh?"
"This could be bad. Though I'm sure we'll run into them at the next distortion point."
Makoto sighed. "Why would they be following us, then?"
"Perhaps they're curious. Perhaps they want to stop us from closing these temporal anomalies. We'd have to question them when we capture them."
"So confident, lady detective!" Junko tilted her head. "They're pretty obviously hard to fucking catch."
"We could be dealing with anything considering this unknown, I know. But everyone is fallible. Like yourself."
"Tch. I'm a certified beautiful and hyper-intelligent despair goddess!"
"Sometimes I wonder how much of that confidence is manufactured."
"Shouldn't be too hard for the legendary detective-hime, now should it?"
Kyoko's closed her eyes. "No, I suppose not. Though one could only imagine the toll you've had on Makoto-kun due to your...mood swings."
"Maybe you could use that deductive brain of yours to figure out how to talk to a man as well? Unless you've been considering my offer."
"In regards to the 'offer,' I completely and vehemently decline. That answer will never change."
"Aw, boo-hoo. I could show you a good time. Darling's been having one every single night. And sometimes the days, too!"
"Junko, you really are persistent." Makoto pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Aw, what? Don't lie to me and say you wouldn't want it!"
"T-That's not..." He quickly cleared his throat while Kyoko raised one of her eyebrows. "Anyway, we should move on. If that unknown person is trying to mess with those distortions then we have to hurry."
The surviving six participants were down in their spirits as they were resigned to their fate. They were being forced to play a twisted game for some unknown desire and there was already one causality.
"Dammit." Leon finally took a deep breath. "Alright, so we just gotta win this game right? Should be a piece of cake."
Celestia rolled her eyes. "Your bravado is misplaced, Kuwata. Seems you are assuming that everyone can win this game."
"I'm pretty sure that's a possibility. I mean, we're all in this funk together."
"I agree with the SHSL Baseball Player!" Great Gozu roared. "It would be far more beneficial to all of us if we work together."
"Just like the maple leaves migrate to the Eastern seaboard, we should continue to stay as a school of fish." Daisaku blurted out.
"Ugh. Fine. Just don't get in the way of my golden genius brain and I'll have us out of here. You hear me?!" Miu stuck a middle finger in front of her while facing the others.
Keebo stood by and looked and everyone in silence while the SHSL Gambler shook her head. "Fools. The lot of you. And if it becomes impossible for everyone to win the game, then what?"
"This isn't funny." Leon growled. "Let's just do this thing and get the hell out of here. Besides, we have to work with others from what that bear was saying."
As if on cue, the colors appeared on the fronts of their neck braces. Not one of them had the same color, but they could see that each two would form a color corresponding to a door in the foyer they were inside of. Keebo looked straight at Leon who looked back wearily.
"It seems we're a combination."
"...guess we are. Damn. I got unlucky."
"Hmm?"
"Uh..." The redhead rubbed the back of his neck. "Never mind, just ignore that."
Celestia was paired up with Daisaku while Miu was with Great Gozu.
"Hm. I suppose a strange man such as yourself still has some use."
"Eh?" The squeaky voice was clearly getting on the gothic lolita's nerves.
"S-Shit, you better not try anything bullhead! Or I'll turn you into bullshit, got it!?"
"I would never do anything uncouth, miss!" The former SHSL Wrestler stood up tall, making Miu cower slightly. "Let's work together to get out of this shitty situation."
"Whatever. Come on already, bullhead!"
Leon and Keebo walked over to their door and stepped through it, leaving the sight of the others as it shut behind them.
"Y'know, I don't know how you're managing to stay so calm man. You're..."
"Keebo Idabashi. Nice to meet you Leon Kuwata."
"Uh, yeah. Sure. Nice to meet ya dude." Leon pouted. "So what's your secret? You on something? Mind sharing some?"
"No. I am not. I am just like this normally."
"Damn! Kinda weird, but okay. Guess it's really useful in times like this. So what kinda games do you think we're gonna play?"
"Probably nothing too mentally taxing. No offense."
A frown showed up on Leon's face. "Sure. Whatever, man. Kinda uncool."
"Apologies."
"So what's the relationship between you and the blonde chick? She your woman?"
"My woman?"
"Uh...not sure how I can make that more clear, dude."
"We don't have a relationship like that as far as I'm aware."
"Ouch. She's literally asking for it, you know? Girls like her scare the crap outta me."
"Asking for what?"
"Bro, are you just dense or stupid?"
"I don't understand what you're getting at. But it sounds like it may be sexual."
"Maybe is a pretty damn big understatement here."
"I'm very unsure about what to feel for her. Though this line of questioning is very personal, I believe."
"Yeah, yeah. You're right. I'm just curious is all. Kinda lame that the only girl here I'd even try for is..."
"Are you speaking of your classmate?"
"Shh! Don't say stuff like that out loud. Super High School Level students are pretty popular. Who knows what kinda crazy stuff the tabloids might cook up? Though it might work out in my favor..."
"We should probably focus on this challenge ahead."
"You're right. I can figure out how to woo that tea-drinking gambler after we get through it."
"You are interested in her?"
"Sort of. I mean, she's pretty cute. But pretty scary, too. Not exactly my type, but I'm willing to try it out I guess."
"Try it out?"
"Yep! We're still young, right? There's nothing wrong in trying things out. Whether its chicks, hobbies or talents! I learned that from my sensei. Maybe you can meet him someday."
"I suppose that is the so-called advantage of youth that I've heard about."
Leon frowned. "Seriously, you sure you're okay?"
"I'm healthy."
"That's not exactly what I meant, man."
"Ahahahahaha! Welcome!" The high-spirited killer bear waved at them from the front.
"Whoa, dude?! Where did you come from?"
"Do you really want to know? I could share all the nitty-gritty details about my birth. Since you're so curious about it, of course! Upupupupu."
"No thanks, man." A groan came from Leon. "Show us the damn game already. Stupidstupidstupidstupid bear!"
"Hey! Don't disrespect the Game Master!" Monokuma was fuming so much that they could see some steam come from the robotic mascot. "I swear, kids these days. Fine. Let's get this show on the road!"
More lights turned on around them as if they were on a game show stage.
A monochrome picture of Nekomaru was placed in front with a colorful wreath around it. Mikan was pulling her hair out as she was lamenting the fact that the SHSL Team Manager was actually gone.
"Dammit, Tsumiki." Hiyoko spat. "This isn't about you, okay? Stop making a scene!"
"B-But I couldn't h-help him, I..."
"Ugh. Calm down for once in your miserable life. At least keep what little dignity you have left."
Mahiru sighed. "It's fine. It's just...Nidai is gone. I wasn't expecting it. We were all finally back together and now..."
Akane just stared straight at the casket while biting her lip. She was unnaturally silent the entire time.
Chiaki and Hajime were sitting in the back, watching the rest of their classmates mourn. The SHSL Gamer pulled her hoodie up and looked down.
"You knew, didn't you?"
"...you can only prolong a man's life for so long, Chiaki. And at some point they wouldn't be living anymore. Not how Nidai wanted to, anyway."
"I see...but still. It seems like he never really told anyone else."
"Don't need to have endless talents to know that he considered it an unspoken promise between us. I wanted to respect his wishes."
"Thanks, Hajime-kun. I'm sure he was glad about you not letting the rest of us know."
"I wouldn't thank me for that. Keeping quiet is easier than doing something that would be good for a friend."
The blonde girl looked away and sighed. "In either case, Komaeda-kun never showed up did he?"
"As expected. His 'game' isn't done yet."
The two looked over as the other Nanami sister sat next to both of them with a neutral expression as she looked at the picture of the departed.
Hajime tilted his head over toward the android. "Something wrong, Nanami?"
"An AI like me knows about death but I suppose I don't really understand it."
Chiaki placed her hand on Ai's. "Hey hey. Has it gotten you scared?"
"For someone like me, a true death can be avoided by having backups of my data. Humans don't really have that luxury like I do." The SHSL Hope Android pulled her green hoodie up. "I'm not sure how to feel about it. I like you all."
"We have different ways of preserving someone when they're gone." Chiaki puffed her cheeks up while placing a finger on her chin. "Like always remembering them, putting them in history books for future generations to read...stuff like that, I guess."
"I suppose. They're similar, aren't they?"
"Even backups don't make you immortal. They just make you live a little longer." Hajime added. "You're not too different. Upgrading software and hardware can only take you so far. Eventually you can get depreciated, development can be abandoned or you get replaced by an entirely new program."
"I see. I understand a little better, I guess. Thank you two. You've both taught me how to understand mortality and how to get better at dating sims."
"Uh." Hajime raised an eyebrow with a crooked smile. "Not sure about that second one."
"What do you mean, Hinata-kun?" Ai asked without a second beat. "You're very adept at it. I've overheard the class talk with admiration about you plenty of times."
"Now that just makes me sound like I'm some two-timing pervert."
"Oh." The artificial Nanami stopped for a second and sounded apologetic. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"I know you didn't. But context does matter."
"I see. I'll do better, I guess."
"Don't be too hard on my sister, Hajime-kun. She's trying her best."
"S-Sorry Chiaki. Guess I'm still a little rough around the edges."
"Well..." The gaming prodigy gave a small, comfy smile. "I did like how long your hair was. It looked like it was really fluffy."
"Having my hair that long was a real pain. It just meant I didn't really care about it. The fact that it was so lush and silky had more to do with my talents than me putting in any effort. Kinda boring, if you ask me."
"So if you felt like it, you'd regrow it and care for it?"
"Probably. But I don't really want it. I like my hair like it is now."
"...yeah. It's nice and simple. Though that cowlick of yours looks kinda sharp as a knife."
"Why does everyone joke about that?" Hajime sighed. "It's soft like any other lump of hair."
"Can I touch it?" Chiaki asked.
"Sure. Go ahead."
The two Nanami girls looked at each other and giggled as they started to pat his head. He just looked at them with a curious glance, liking the feeling of their hands on his head. Their motions were very gentle on his scalp.
"Hey! What the heck are you two doing, anyway?!" Hiyoko pointed.
Mahiru looked away as she started to speak. "I...kinda wanna touch his hair, too."
"Me too! F-Forgive me, Hinata-kun!" The SHSL Nurse cried.
The three girls walked over and started to pat his head too. Fuyuhiko placed his hand in his palm and sighed at the sight, being offended on Nekomaru's behalf. Peko just gave a small look over toward her master and then looked away as if to erase any supposedly-impure thoughts running through her head. Gundham started to pat some of his own devas in response, while Sonia joined him in getting the others that were being deprived of touched affection.
"Guys. Guys!" Hajime raised both his hands with open palms. "I get it. But we have to face the truth here. Nidai is gone. It's okay to cry and everything."
Mikan just immediately turned on the waterworks as if she was commanded to cry while Hiyoko visibly looked annoyed by her antics. Mahiru sighed and looked back at Hajime.
"It was just a nice change of pace. Did we annoy you?"
"No, Koizumi. I just didn't want to be the center of attention here." Hajime stood up from where he was sitting. "But I guess he wouldn't want us to mope around too much. Sitting around and crying wouldn't be something he'd want."
"Nah. It fucking wouldn't." The SHSL Yakuza replied. "Always wanted us to be better and get better. Probably would be yelling out at the top of his lungs right now."
Hajime nodded. Kazuichi, who was doing his best to ignore what Sonia and Gundham were doing, gave him a thumbs up with a struggled smile.
"Alright. Let's get on with this." Hajime walked over to the casket with Fuyuhiko, Peko and Kazuichi joining him in carrying him out. Akane bit her lip as she watched them walk out with it.
"This is the third time I've lost him. But I just can't...sorry old man. Guess I'll never learn."
Chiaki and Ai looked at the SHSL Gymnast with a pitying look. The rest of the Class, aside from the absent Nagito Komaeda, followed the procession out of the room they rented in the school. Chisa, meanwhile, was left in the room alone with her own thoughts.
"Take this!" Tenko yelled as she threw Shuichi down onto the mat.
The SHSL Detective groaned slightly as he went to stand up. Maki was off to the side observing him.
"Come on! You can't just take hits like that without fighting back. Or is this one of your degenerate kinks?" The SHSL Akido Master gave off a smug grin.
"N-No way!" The blue haired boy dusted himself off as he stumbled to his feet. "But I could use a break..."
Tenko rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Five minutes. Then we're back to training, alright?"
"I don't see why you're going through the trouble. Are you feeling inadequate as a detective again?" Maki asked. "Or are you trying to show off in front of Akamatsu?"
"A little bit of that first one. Investigating the ruined areas is dangerous, Harukawa-san. And I might be myself. Sure, I could run and hide... but what if I can't do either of those things? I'd have to fight."
"Well." Tenko interrupted. "At least you're doing it for a good reason. Though if I was practicing with a guy, I would be hoping it was someone who at least had some hand-to-hand training. This is starting from zero."
"S-Sorry." He wanted to change the subject. "It's been a while, Chibashira-san. How have you been?"
"Busy. Acting as security underneath Ikusaba-san is really exciting, though! She's so cool." Then she sighed. "Why are boys so weak? Too much thinking about girls' unmentionables to focus, right?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Well...think about it. You're leaving combat to the girls, y'know? I don't even think Naegi-san can fight himself."
"It's not like I want to leave it to girls." Shuichi argued. "I just was never all that strong."
"Remember what I told you, Saihara-san. Neo-Aikido is good for lifting doubt."
"...you do have a point."
"While we're still on our break...um..." Tenko was uncharacteristically bashful as she looked at Shuichi.
"What's wrong?"
"Y-You're one of the only few guys I can turn to! So can I ask you something?"
"U-Um...sure. But hearing you say that makes me really nervous."
"You and Harukawa-san are close to Yumeno-san, right?"
"Given the circumstances of the killing game, yes." Maki flatly replied.
"Can you guys help me out? I've been trying to get closer to her but she always seem so distant. I-I mean it's still cute and all but..."
"She's not interested."
"Aiyee!" Tenko nearly screamed. "I-I mean I know that much. I'm not stupid, you know."
Maki held her tongue from an easy retort.
"It's just I still want to be her friend, obviously! I care about her a lot. W-Why are you glaring at me like that, Harukawa-san?!"
"Well, what's wrong? You hang out with her don't you?" Shuichi asked.
"I know. But I always feel so distant from her! She's not as laid back as she is with you guys."
"She's pretty perceptive. She can see right through your intentions." Maki pointed out.
"My intentions are nothing but honorable!" Tenko pleaded. "E-Even though she's such a cute, tiny flower."
"...right." A glare came from the SHSL Assassin for just a moment until her face relaxed into a neutral emotion.
"Have you given her some space, then? I'm t-together..." Shuichi took a small breath. "...together with Akamatsu-san, but we're not around each other all the time. Just like how Harukawa-san and I aren't always hanging out with each other always, either."
"Ah!" A realization hit Tenko. "See, this is why I like you Saihara-san. You really aren't a degenerate like a lot of guys turn out to be. I should probably give her some space."
A sigh of relief came from the SHSL Detective's mouth.
"Anyway, I'm all fired up now! Let's get back to training."
A small groan then followed his previous noise.
"I'll pitch in as well." Maki looked straight into his eyes.
"H-Harukawa-san?"
"You're clearly perceptive enough to understand people. It might take a few knocks on the head, but we'll turn you into someone who can at least put up a fight."
He closed his eyes for a moment and then looked at the two girls.
"Fine. I'll give it my all then."
"You better. Or else you'll die."
"D-Die?!"
"Hey! Don't end the life of my student!"
Keebo and Leon were sweating as they finally rolled down a giant rubber ball down a specific hole. The sound of a pre-recorded audience along with a blowhorn blew when it finally went through the abyss.
Monokuma appeared right behind them. "Ahahaha! Well done! Looks like you guys aren't useless after all."
"What the hell man?!" Leon wearily yelled. "How's this supposed to make hope or whatever?"
"Oh no. This is just because I was bored." The bear grinned as he held his cheeks. "The fun's just about to start."
"What?! More?"
"Come along this way! Or else you'll be punished! Upupupupu." The small mascot quickly dashed into a now-open hallway away from the two boys.
"The hell's his deal?" Leon clenched his fist. "I'm getting real tired of that creepy laugh of his."
"We should get moving." Keebo pointed out. "We've already gotten a taste of what his punishments are like."
"Yeah, you're right. But what I'd give to be able to tear that stupid bear into scrap metal!"
The red-and-white duo made their way down the hallway and ended up in a large triangular room with two other shut doors across from them. With Monokuma no where in sight, they looked around.
"Those doors are color-coded like the ones before." Keebo observed. "I don't think we can open them."
"So I guess we're the first ones here, huh? Sick."
"It may mean that finishing in the timely fashion may be connected to punishments in some way."
"Huh? What makes you think that?"
"The way that Monokuma was trying to get us into this room as soon as possible."
"So what happens if you're last?"
"I think we'll be finding out shortly."
Another door opened and showed Great Gozu lugging around a worn-out Miu Iruma. Despite her sweaty and tired look on her face, it didn't slow down her mouth at all.
"Fucking shit! What kind of girl genius has to do physical labor?! My inventions should be doing this crap, not me!"
"It's fine to bemoan your own shortcomings, young lady." The former SHSL Wrestler pointed out.
"Fuck no! This whole thing is unfair. You hear me?!"
The masked luchador put Miu down and she fell down on her knees in exhaustion. Keebo walked over to her. Leon was busy admiring her from a safe distance.
"Dammit. Wish you were a robot right now. I'd have installed a cooler or a soda fountain machine in you, no problem!"
"I would not have liked either of those."
She regained some energy with a smirk. "What do ya mean? Don't trust me to put some amazing crap inside of you?"
"Wasn't one of your inventions on my robot alter a photo addon to take pictures of said 'craps?"
"H-Hey! Don't fucking say that out loud, idiot!"
Leon was immediately turned off by that exchange. Keebo helped her up with the help of his prosthetic arms and kept her steady. She, in turn, was not tired to try and put her chest up on his arms.
"Hehe. Copping a feel already, Keebo?"
"Iruma-san. You're literally pushing them onto me."
"Don't pretend you're not into this thing. I could lean on you like your robot self, too. If you want a full body examination from this hot golden genius!"
"Damn, she's really laying it on thick." Leon muttered.
"A shame she's such a vulgar girl." Great Gozu sighed. "Children these days."
"I don't believe your talents include such a thing for human bodies."
"Get a damn romantic bone in your body for once. A specific bone, anyway. Hah-haha!"
The final door finally opened and a completely-fatigued Daisaku finally nearly stumbled in with Celestia Ludenburg being carried through a wooden carrier tied to his back, as if he was lugging in some crops.
"Hm. Still better than Yamada-kun, I suppose."
The former SHSL Farmer looked like he was struggling to stand as the SHSL Gambler let herself down with a graceful landing.
"The hell, Ludenberg?" Leon rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "You made the poor guy carry you all the way here?"
"I had already contributed to finishing our game earlier. He merely was assisting a lady in not breaking any nails."
"Fucking hate prissy bitches like you." Miu spat.
"Hmhm. Of course someone like you would try and get herself dirty. Do you have any pig-like relatives?"
"Why you little...!"
Interrupting the developing cat fight, Monokuma made his noisy reappearance.
"Congrats on all finally making it here! I'm so proud of you. Mostly."
Great Gozu was helping his friend up while he was dazed from the experience. "Do you take pleasure in torturing us like so?!"
"Of course! What kind of Game Master would I be if I didn't enjoy my game?"
"I'll bring you to justice! Count on it!"
"Speaking of which, it's now my duty to finish up the round! Because iiiiiiiiit's punishment time!"
A cold chill went through the participants as they all went completely quiet.
"Now, now. I'm a fair bear. For the punishment rounds, you have a chance to win your freedom! More specifically, the freedom to continue to participate in the game."
A chain from seemingly nowhere grabbed Celestia by the neck, taking her completely by surprise and breaking her poker face.
"Hah! Serves you right." Miu taunted.
"Hey! Easy with that. She could die!" Leon reminded.
"Tch...!" The SHSL Inventor's triumphant face went grim for a moment.
A nearby wall opened up to be a fake one, showing up to be a one-sided mirror. Leon rushed over to see what was to befall the SHSL Gambler. It looked to be like a movie set from where he was standing, as Keebo walked over with Miu to see what was going on. Great Gozu and Daisuke went over as well, their curiosities overwhelming their logic.
The Europhile was left surrounded by Victorian-like architecture around her. She admired it for a short while as she immediately turned and saw a flame starting from right behind where she was standing. The scream even penetrating from where the others were standing, she started to run away from the flames down the corridor. The fire engulfed everything behind her, such as the paintings, statues and even the fancy gothic candles. With a terrified expression on her face, she continued running until the hallway ended into what appeared to be a murky lake with the rest of the building she was in sunk into a decline from beyond where she stood.
The flames drew closer and closer as she looked between it and the murky water. With an angry look on her face, she tossed aside her dress and was left down to her garter and underwear as she decided to swim across the water. Her powdered visage was washed away by the stationary water she furiously swam through and her drills came undone. Finally reaching the dirt of the shore from across, she stared back at the flames that even engulfed her signature dress. A foghorn sounded from the other way and a way out appeared for her. Not wanting to stare a gift horse in the face, she ran through while soaked.
Meanwhile for the audience, a hidden door opened up in the triangular room. Leon looked at the others and ran ahead. When Keebo and the others arrived at the new room that opened up, the SHSL Baseball Player was holding back an angry Celestia.
"Whoa, hey, I didn't do this to you! Stop it!"
She had completely lost her temper. Even her real accent was heard in her speech. "But I bet you liked seeing me down to my undies? You stupid pervert!"
"I just wanted to see if you were okay!"
Keebo walked over and held her by the wrist with his robotic grip. "That's enough. Kuwata-kun is right. Besides, you'll get a cold."
An indignant face was the only response to the white-haired operative. But she sighed and had her arm go limp. Keebo let her go and her arms fell to the sides.
"Anyway, you still look pretty cute! Don't let this get you down, okay?"
A sneer was the SHSL Gambler's response at Leon's attempt to cheer her up.
"Upupupu. So you decided to live with no dignity, hm? Ahahaha! Guess the Punishment Games really do bring out the worst in people."
"...my life is far more precious in this circumstance. I expect to be reimbursed entirely for this nonsense."
"Nope! We're free of any wrongdoing in the contract! But...I'm feeling a little sorry for you, so here." Monokuma handed her what appeared to be the Hope's Peak Academy gym uniform. Celestia angrily snatched the set of clothes without another word.
"Guess you've all earned a break! The next game'll start in 30 minutes!"
Doors opened around them, revealing them to be in the center of what appeared to be a living quarters. Celestia immediately went down a hallway to hopefully dry off in a room.
"Heh. Guess that chick's got no tits. Like I thought." Miu laughed.
"...of all the things to point out..." Keebo sighed.
ANote
Shuichi, Maki, Kaede and Tenko were hanging out in Himiko's bar after hours. Many of the chairs were already put away on top of the tables and the alcohol was locked away for the next day. A round of chitchat had been going for nearly an hour until a knock on the entrance was heard. The others went silent as Himiko stood up to open the door.
"Amami? What brings you around this hour? I never enchanted or summoned you. Or asked for anything, really."
"Hey, Yumeno-san. I figured you guys were here."
The SHSL Magician let in the SHSL Survivor and locked the door behind him.
"Hey, Amami-kun." Kaede greeted. "What's going on?"
"I just wanted to check up on you guys. I'm supposed to be our 'class rep' right?"
"Hehe. You've got a point there. We're just hanging out. Going to be around for a while?"
Rantaro pulled up a chair and sat at the table. "For tonight, sure. Also brought some snacks if you guys were hungry."
Tenko's eyes lit up. "W-Well...I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a little midnight snack. I'll have to work it off tomorrow, though."
"Hey. It's no problem. Pretty important to enjoy yourselves, right?"
"...you're kind of like our big brother, aren't you?" Shuichi pointed out. "I'd thought Tojo-san would be the overbearing one."
"Does it bother you, Saihara-kun?"
"No, not really. But I thought you had siblings?"
"I do. I guess this just comes naturally now."
Maki kept quiet around the former protagonist of a Danganronpa season.
"How are you, Harukawa-san? You doing alright. It's been a week since Momota-kun left."
"...I'm fine."
"Oh? If you say so." Rantaro smiled gently. "Well, you've got a lot of people around here. So I guess you're definitely not lonely."
"I don't get lonely."
Rantaro pat Maki's head. The others' eyes opened up and they all held their breath. Maki sighed and pouted. "Don't do that."
"Sorry. Just a force of habit."