The nurses inside the hospital gave off a big smile to the visiting girl that was walking through the corridors in a nondescript hospital. There weren't many people around, due to it being not open to the public. She dropped her sickly sweet smile as she entered the room containing one specific patient – Nagito Komaeda. He turned and smiled from the bed he was laying in.

"Ugh. Were you expecting a nurse to give you a sponge bath? You're being too cheeky in here, big bro."

"Ah. Towa-san. You came again. It's only been a day, though..." The white-haired luckster looked toward the window. "The nurses provide enough assistance. You needn't concern yourself with me."

"You! Should! Shut! Up! And! Stay! Quiet!" A scary smile formed on the green-haired teenager's face. "Oh no. My bad habits are showing up again. You always make me so mad, Komaeda-nii."

He, on the other hand, was unphased by her look. "Hm. Is that so? I apologize."

"No! Stop it already." Her eyes looked as if they were about to roll out of their sockets. "Time to go outside."

His eyes slowly moved over to the wheelchair she was pushing in front of her. "Just...bring it over. I can help myself in."

Acquiescing to his request, she just watched him squirm and struggle getting himself into the mobile seat. After a few minutes, Nagito fixed himself and sat up straight as she started to push him from behind.

"It...certainly brings back some memories..."

"Oh? Like when I ran over your foot for the 20th time when you weren't looking?"

"You certainly are a rascal, Towa-san." Nagito still smiled. "I suppose it's unbecoming of me to reminisce about those times... even though I was not fully myself at the time."

"Are you kidding me?" Monaca stopped pushing him, almost making him stumble out of the wheelchair. "What's wrong with you?! We abused you? Are you that stupid?"

"Mmm. You did indeed. But I certainly deserved it." Nagito's arms raised, even though he was sitting down. "But you certainly welcomed my teachings with open arms, didn't you?"

"I had no choice!" The former villain's voice started to crack slightly. "You went out of your way to save me and then started spewing that stuff about hope and despair every single day. I had a headache! And, and, and...!"

Nagito was looking forward as she was talking.

"And you were gone. You left to find that hope of yours. And I guess you found it." Monaca sighed. "I guess you got yourself fixed up and then forgot about me. But then I left on my own afterward. I got tired of waiting."

"...once again, I apologize."

"Is that why you took me in again? Convinced Hinata-nii to help me out?"

"I certainly cannot make him do anything. He made that choice on his own. Perhaps he saw a small spark of hope in you, like I did."

"Stopstopstopstop!" Monaca gripped onto the chair, looking like she was about to flip him out of it. "You're so annoying, you know? I'm surprised that your class even tolerates your existence."

"I am surprised, too."

She bit her lip, stopping herself while she was ahead. "Anyway, I just wanted to do this."

"This?"

"...pay you back for what you did to me."

He blinked a few times, unable to come up with a good response.

"You turned me into an adult. I...guess...I stopped wanting to do anything with big sis Junko and hope and whatever else because of you. I thought I could find my answers by just...being alone. But Monaca—I mean I hate being alone. And cold food. Ew."

"It was just another form of despair."

"I know! I know..."

"...but look at what hope it brought you afterward."

She covered her face in annoyance from his words. "You never stop, do you?"

"I can't afford to now. Especially now that I'm at the end."

Monaca's eyes narrowed slightly from what he just said. "It really is the end."

"Are you not glad?"

"No! Stupid!" She hit the back of his neck. "You had shitty reasons, but you still took care of me. Even a girl like me knows to be thankful."

"Ah...I...I see. Thank you."

"No! Stop! Doing! That! You! Bonehead! Seriously, did you get stupider as an adult?" Monaca grit her teeth. "I told myself I'd stop acting this way, but you really bring it out."

"You've certainly come a long way."

"And now you're leaving again."

The two were silent with each other as neither of them knew how to continue the strained conversation. Nagito looked out toward the clouds in the sky.

"I'm sorry. I truly am."

The entirety of Class 78 lined up in front of a classroom – them looking slightly older. It looked as if they were taking a picture, similar to one of the ones that was taken before the killing game. Makoto could hear himself say "cheese" as the soft sound of a cell phone camera went off. Junko, for whatever reason, looked to be playing the part of a happy classmate as well. He looked at the scene for a few more moments until Junko grabbed it from behind and destroyed the fragment from another timeline.

"Man, you're so sappy. What kind of boring universe is that?!" She grinned. "But it's your sort of thing, huh. I could see a tinge of despair in your eyes."

"It's a nice dream. But I'm not going to despair over it." He immediately snapped back at her. "You...you just gave that one up without a fight, didn't you?"

Her face was neutral and emotionless. "What kind of crazy crap are you spouting out now?"

"It's been like that for a while now. Sure, at the beginning, when we started dating you kind of...well... tried making my life as hard as possible. But now..."

She pinched both his cheeks. "Look at you, cheeky Makoto! Maybe I'm just trying to save for a really good opportunity, huh?!"

"If there's anything you are as a person... you're impatient."

"Tch!" She let go of his face. "Well, you're right about that. C'monnn. Give me what I want."

"I can't really control that, you know?"

"Well we'll just keep doing it!"

"Junko!" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, all I'm saying is that...maybe...despair isn't at the top of your list anymore?"

The former SHSL Despair just gave him a weird look for a few moments, staying silent. "I dunno. I still like seeing that face twist in pain sometimes. And then I feel so bad that it just intensifies the feeling, y'know?"

A tired sigh came from the former SHSL Hope's lips.

"But you do have a point there, darling. I don't want you to fall into despair or anything."

"D-Did you just say what I think you said?"

"I did, didn't I? Well... I guess it's because I'm looking forward to something else." A lewd expression came across her face.

"Junko, seriously."

"Well it just happens to be part of the whole package, doesn't it?" She looked at the remains of all the dimensional mirrors she shattered around them. "It's just like my talent. It can make me see the future, sort of. All choices and all of their eventual conclusions."

"Your analytical prowess, right?"

"Duh!" She stuck her tongue out at him. "But a girl like me never found this to be a possibility..."

"How could you? It defies any science or logic to it." Makoto pointed out.

"But now I can just...upupupu...I'm so excited!"

"Y-You are?"

"Don't think I haven't found out about what you've been planning behind my back."

"Kyoko-chan mentioned it'd be a matter of time, but keeping it a secret wasn't exactly my main goal."

She moved toward him, and this time he didn't even flinch. He looked up at her (only slightly, she wasn't that much taller than him without her boots).

"I've...really been given everything, haven't I? Sure the universe might've balanced it a little bit by making me homeless... but an nearly unbeatable talent, amazing genes, crazy good luck... only to be beaten by the cutest protagonist on the planet. Your sister's a close second, though."

"Thanks? I think?"

"What I'm saying is clearly I've been favored in one way or another. Why do you think I just wanted to bring it all down? Or why despair was the thing I found exciting?"

"Ending the world isn't a great hobby."

"Sure. But it made you into my awesome hubby."

"U-Umm...?!"

"Paying you back for all your smooth lines from before." A small smile appeared on her face. "I can't let you keep winning now can I?"

An eyebrow raised on the brown-haired man's face. "Letting me win?"

"Well, that might not be completely accurate, but it does get you riled up!" She cooed a bit and placed her forehead on his. "You get pretty hot when you're mad."

He closed his eyes. His forehead was really warm. Between his partner's body heat and his own irritation, it was unclear where most of the heat was coming from. He enjoyed the silence for a bit and then opened his eyes – his sight only the one girl who brought his entire world crashing down in many ways.

All the other possibilities were just broken shards of glass at his feet.

"Lets get out of here."

"Oh? Don't want to watch any more of these?"

"No. I'm here right now. With you."

Junko couldn't help keep the small smile on her face. "You dork. There's no turning back."

"I wouldn't and I won't."

"...wonder if our little stalker's enjoying the show. They're gone now, though."

"I haven't found anything new about that."

"Well, they don't seem like they're a threat." Junko finally pulled away from him. "They seem a little familiar, if that makes sense."

"Really? I had that feeling too."

"I wonder..." She tapped the very edge of her chin. "Anyway, you riled me up Makoto!"

"What? How?"

"Trying to be smooth again... you're so annoying!" She grabbed his hand and started walking. "You owe me a dinner date!"

"W-Wait, I have to go back to work!"

"Nope! Denied!"

"Junko!"

"Makoto!"

He grabbed hold of her hand as they walked off.

Byakuya was escorting a nervous-looking Mikan Tsumiki into the wing where Nagito was staying in. He continued to look forward while the SHSL Nurse was busy trying not to look toward him, with nervous sounds coming from her mouth. There was absolutely no conversation between them until the reached the door.

"There's only so many people we can ask to...assist...with this. You would know him best, Tsumiki. You have an hour."

"Y-Yes! I understand!" She looked like she was about to beg him for forgiveness, but he cut off that avenue of discussion quickly as he walked away. She watched him walk away and once he was out of sight she finally entered the room.

"Ah! Tsumiki-san. Seems I've been getting a lot of visitors today." Nagito smiled as he looked toward her from the bed.

"K-Komaeda-kun. H-Hello."

"Please come in! Come in! What can I do for you?"

"N-No, I'm here to check on you. T-To double check your... condition."

"Oh, I see. Then go ahead."

She nervously approached the bed but slipped on the floor into a compromising position as he looked at her.

"Are you okay, Tsumiki-san?"

"I'm sorry! Please don't hate me!"

She slowly picked herself up off the floor and walked over to Nagito laying in the hospital bed.

"I'll, um, need to remove your blanket for this."

"No need to go that far for me. I can still move my arms." The white-haired luckster moved the blanket from covering his body and he was dressed entirely in a hospital gown.

"O-Okay...now please try and move your legs." She watched as he looked a little strained. "Can you sit up?"

"With some help, I can."

Nagito grabbed onto Mikan's hand as he adjusted himself and sat straight up on his own bed. She had brought her own small bag of tools and took out a reflex hammer. Hitting his knees, she observed that his legs made no movement on their own.

"I see. I-I've been told this is because of your FTD. Oh! Um... frontotemporal dimentia." She gave him a very nervous look while placing her finger right on the edge of her face. "Did you always have this? Along with cancer...?"

"It was before my admittance to Hope's Peak."

"Wh...it's just like with Nidai-kun!" Mikan was dejected. "Did you not trust us with that information."

"It didn't seem too relevant. I expected my luck to hold out until we all graduated. Then you all wouldn't have needed to worry about me."

"That's horrible! We—I could've taken care of you, you know."

"Perhaps. But you needn't waste your efforts like that."

"I-I wouldn't mind, you know."

Nagito looked straight at her. "Ah, is it because it's hard for me to do much on my own? Don't feel sorry for me. You have a new lease on life, despite your...checkered past."

"Huh?! What do you mean?"

"I may not know as much as Hinata-kun does, but I already was able to tell that you were a troubled girl when we first met. Perhaps... had our world been a different place, we may have been very good friends you and I."

"You..."

Nagito looked away from her. "It may have been the influence of the brainwashing video, but you ended up falling in love with her. So did I. I loved and hated her." He looked back at her and she was still right next to the bed.

"Komaeda-kun, I..."

"We both found hope in the darkest despair wrapped in a strawberry blonde model." Nagito smiled gently. "Ah... have I kept you here too long? You were just here to verify that I'm unable to use my legs at the moment, correct?"

"It's okay, Komaeda-kun. I d-don't mind staying."

He slowly went back to laying down in bed. "Hinata-kun is surely a beacon of hope, isn't he?"

"W-what? What do you mean?"

"I've seen you look at him from afar as well. We certainly do owe our lives to him in a way."

"...he did save us all at the end there." Mikan had a crooked smile on her face. "H-He's also...um...very handsome."

"Indeed."

"B-but he's so out of reach, isn't he?"

"He's in a league of his own. Just to be his friend, though...I'm honored personally."

"...I like being his friend too."

The two just sighed from this depressing conversation.

"We have never talked like this at length, have we Tsumiki-san?"

"N-No. We h-haven't."

"I wouldn't mind if you continued to visit me."

"R-Really? You don't h-hate me? I'm not annoying?"

"Hm? Of course not. It just occurred to me that maybe we have some things we can see eye-to-eye on."

Mikan looked extremely relieved and glad. "Of course! I'll visit as much as I can, okay?"

"I would appreciate it."

Kaede was sitting at the bar counter with Maki sitting right next to her and Himiko cleaning out a glass.

The blonde pianist started to sound out a sentence. "Um...so..."

"Out with it." Maki's voice was nothing but her usual angry tone.

"Look, I was just wondering if you two knew what was going on with Saihara-kun?"

The two former finalists of Danganronpa V3 looked at each other. "We were wondering the same thing from you."

"R-Really?"

"Nyeh... I know he's not the most social guy, but..." Himiko put away the glass she was cleaning. "He's not outright anti-social. He's been avoiding us for the past week, too. We thought you had something to do with it."

"N-No! I wouldn't!"

"Liar." Maki retorted. "We thought you two broke up."

"We didn't! At least, I'm pretty sure we didn't." Kaede looked down. "I haven't even talked to him in the while. Maybe a few texts here and there, but nothing like a real conversation. I was hoping you two knew what was going on."

"We don't." Himiko looked deflated. "Do you think he might be in trouble?"

"He's in trouble alright." Maki had her signature death glare. "Whatever that idiot is thinking, he shouldn't avoid his friends."

"Yep!" The small magician raised her arms. "We'll get to the bottom of this curse that's afflicting Saihara. Or drag some answers out of him."

Kaede gave off a nervous smile. "I guess we should try finding him first. Maybe he's in his office right now?"

"Let's go! Before our haste magic wears off! Or curfew comes by..."

Himiko finished off her cleaning with the help of the other two and locked up the bar for the night. Afterward, the three girls went to the first place they thought of looking – Shuichi's office. Kaede moved over to the door and her eyes widened.

"...what's wrong?" Maki asked.

Kaede made a shushing motion and motioned the two sanguine girls to move to her. "I hear someone in there."

"Then we should let ourselves in." The SHSL Assassin wasted no time in barging into the office, with one Kirumi Tojo looking at them while she was in the middle of dusting one of the lamps.

"Tojo-san? Why are you here?"

"Ah. Akamatsu-san. I was just doing my nightly cleaning of Saihara-kun's office."

"You...do that sort of thing?"

"Only recently. He mentioned being very busy lately so he needed the help. I obliged."

"I mean, she IS the SHSL Maid..." Himiko pointed out. "Even though that sort of talent is a little weird for someone who wants to become a Knight-Queen. Or maybe Prime Minister."

"Sometimes being very helpful and useful allows you to make connections you would otherwise not be able to make. The game of politics is very give-and-take."

"And what gain would you have from helping Saihara?" Maki asked.

"A favor that I may choose to use at some point in the future. He's also a very nice guy, so I don't have any problems with this."

"Have you seen him?" Kaede finally asked.

"I spoke with him earlier today."

"Really?! Was he okay?"

"He looked perfectly healthy. But I am not a health official. Though..."

Maki's eyes narrowed.

"He was acting a little strange. I'm unable to point out what exactly was off, but there was something different about him."

"O-Okay. Thanks for your help, Tojo-san."

"My pleasure." She curtsied and returned to her cleaning duties.

The twintailed assassin was looking around the office. "Hmph. It's so clean that I can't tell where Saihara went off to. Must've been on purpose."

"On purpose? So we wouldn't follow him?" Kaede asked. "I know he's a smart guy, but..."

"Whatever he's up to, he doesn't want anyone else involved. That's my guess."

"Someone else must have run into him." The SHSL Pianist raised her two arms. "Let's not give up here. We'll find out what he's up to."

"Who do you think we could ask? I can't exactly scry..." Himiko asked. "Also I haven't really talked to anyone except for Harumaki and Chibashira lately."

"Doubt he'd go to Chibashira-san for anything. She's not exactly the secretive type." Kaede looked a little apologetic as she mentioned that.

"Loudmouth is more like it." Maki walked past them both. "But that just eliminates one person we need to ask. And it's not like he can talk to Momota in space, either."

"So that's two more...and Idabashi-kun and Iruma-san haven't been around since their mission."

Himiko started to yawn. "Nyeh... can we do this tomorrow? I have to open the bar up early."

"It is getting close to curfew. And I don't think we'd make it to Saihara-kun's dorm in time."

"That's if he's even sleeping in there in the first place."

"...a good point you bring up, Harukawa-san." Kaede smiled. "Okay! After work tomorrow, we'll continue this. Let's meet up at Yumeno-san's bar."

Nagito's eyes opened slowly. The days and nights were blurring together – only really knowing what time it was when he looked out the window. He looked over and saw Hajime sitting to his side, just looking at him. His head was right near where the lamp was from his point of view.

"Are you okay?" Hajime asked. "You seem pretty out of it."

The SHSL Lucky Student chuckled to himself. "To be honest... not really. But that's the point of a punishment."

"It could have only gone so many ways, Komaeda."

"Ahahaha...just my luck." Nagito sighed. "I suppose I have only you to thank for this, Hinata-kun."

"Thank you for you becoming a prisoner?"

"...to thank you for giving me one last chance to find my answer. I have nothing but hope for the future now."

"Are you talking about Idabashi? You really did a number on him."

"Yes, but I don't think he would have come to any true conclusion without some sort of intervention. He did work on a killing game beforehand, did he not?"

"And those other people?"

"Just mere stepping stones like myself."

Hajime did not look pleased in the slightest. "You're nicer, but still as twisted as ever."

"Yes, but you still consider me a friend. You've told me this."

"I do. Unfortunately even with all my talents, I refuse to forcibly change you."

"I thank you for that. If I had the ability to change, it should come from myself. But it seems I'm of the same ilk as that woman in the end." Nagito's smile turned twisted. "I'm just happy that something could be born out of my own despair... even if it cost me much."

"It didn't cost you as much as you think." Hajime pointed out. "You had others to support you. Willingly."

"You make a fair point. But you make it sound like you were all accomplices."

"What makes you think that was unintentional?"

A small chuckle came from Nagito. "Another fair point."

"...at least you're truthful now."

"I couldn't hide anything from you. Not as how you are. Perhaps if you were still that reserve course student..." Nagito stopped and thought over his words. "Actually... even if that were the case, I think you might have still figured me out."

Hajime didn't reply to that assertation.

"You would have strong connections to us and our class anyway. You were like a missing piece to our mishmash of a strange puzzle. My only regret is that I hadn't been able to understand you as well as I could have."

"There's still some time, Komaeda. And it's not like you're going anywhere."

"I'm continually impressed by you. Not even considering your myriad talents."

A bored sigh came from Hajime's mouth though he stopped himself midway. "Let's change the subject."

"Ah! Of course. What would you like to talk about?"

"Shouldn't you be the one asking me the questions?"

"...apologies. I'm not so good when I'm taking the lead." Nagito smiled.

"If you want to understand me better, you'd better put the effort into it."

"Indeed. But I wouldn't want to hold up any plans you may have with Nanami-san."

"They're both here, actually."

The two Nanami sisters entered the room with comfy smiles on their face.

"Hey hey." The artificial girl had a tray of Nagito's breakfast in her hands. It caused the white-haired lucky student to turn away as he became bashful.

"You...two do realize what I've done, haven't you?"

"Yes, but you're still my classmate." Chiaki pointed out. "And I'm not blameless either. Here, you should eat this before it gets cold."

"I truly am lucky..." Nagito took a bite after Ai placed it right in front him. It was as tasteless as ever.

Keebo was waiting in the lobby. He had earned himself a big bonus from taking on a personal mission from Byakuya Togami himself. He was unsure of what to do with his newfound amount of financial assets. He could finally get his own place, but it was not like he had many hobbies or interests in the first place.

"Idabashi-kun."

He turned and saw Mukuro Ikusaba walking in, fully geared and somewhat dirty.

"Did you just come back from a mission, Ikusaba-san?"

"Yes. What are you doing, standing around?"

"Thinking."

"About what?"

"...about life." He looked at his rebuilt arm, still not covered by skin. "I guess I've come to terms with my own imperfections."

"I don't think I've ever met a perfect human in the first place." Mukuro pointed out. "But it's good to come to terms with that. Especially with how fast you've done it?"

"Were you able to?"

"...it took me too long to do that. I've done things I could never take back. And I guess I've gotten my just punishment because of it."

"If you feel that's fair, I can't really dissuade you." Keebo pointed out. "I do know who you are, though."

"...I guess you know the truth about us?"

"More or less. I could deduce it from what I've seen and what tidbits Hinata-san was willing to give me."

"Then what's your take on it?"

"There's a lot of unfair things about this whole thing... but trying to force it won't get anywhere. Especially with how things are set up now. With your sister and Naegi-san and all..."

It was a bitter pill to swallow, but Mukuro was able to take it.

"Not that I'm saying you deserved to be with him."

"Of course you aren't."

"All I think anyone can do is live with the second chance they've been given. And live in a way they won't regret it." Keebo looked straight through Mukuro. "I don't have any regrets."

"...it must be nice to live that way. I could never become the ultimate killing machine like my talent would suggest."

"It's not an easy way to live. I know that there's something wrong with me." The white-haired boy responded. "But I just do my best. That's all I can do."

"Do my best, huh. That's so simple. It's kind of like what Naegi-kun would say..."

"I don't hope for it, though. I just do it."

"Bringing up that old slogan? 'Just do it.' I guess that's a good way to live." Mukuro passed by Keebo toward another part of the building. "I guess this is what it means to be a guardian or a teacher. You get to learn a lot, too."

The student without a SHSL talent watched the former SHSL Soldier walk away for a while.

"What the fuck, Idabashi?! Stop staring at her ass!"

He turned slowly back to a jealous Miu Iruma. "Hello, Iruma-san."

"Don't hello me! Man, my body's way better than that flat adult's!"

"You shouldn't be so insecure."

"I-I'm not insecure! Take that back! Fuck!" She teared up a bit and looked to be enjoying it a little bit.

"Did you need something?"

"Well, aren't I your girlfriend?"

"Are you?"

"Asshole! You...you just like teasing me, don't you?"

"I don't remember agreeing to this."

"Stop making this so awkward! Ugh... not wanting to be with a busty, gorgeous, genius girl like me."

"Those can be very good aspects for a human female, yes."

"Why are you like this?"

"I'm just born this way. I'm not able to completely change my personality."

"F-Fine..." Miu sighed and looked defeated.

"I never said no, though."

Her eyes lit up. "What the hell is your problem?!"

"You're one of the most expressive people I've met. I like that."

"Really?" She looked like she was half-turned on and half-happy. "I...I mean, hell yeah! Of course!"

"Though you don't have to try too hard with me." Keebo smiled, reminiscent to his robot counterpart.

"Shit...you're so cute. So fucking cute. And hot! Take me right now!"

"No."

"Fuck!"

ANote

Nagisa was sitting in Makoto's office, sipping on some hot chocolate he made for him.

"Y-You didn't have to go out of your way for me, big bro."

"Well, I'm supposed to be your big bro, aren't I?" Makoto smiled. "Besides... I didn't think you'd be interested in the Alliance."

"It's a good way to try and help other kids like me out there. I wanted to see what it's like... for the future."

"It makes sense. Though I doubt we'll still be a paramilitary force by the time you graduate from high school."

"Even better." Nagisa placed the hot mug on the coffee table. "Thanks for setting up that thing with Maizono-san, by the way. I know Utsugi-san has some bad memories of acting but... something in her wants perform. I could tell."

"It's no problem. So... if you don't mind me asking, how's your relationship with her?"

"W-What?!"

"Ah, well, Komaru mentioned something along those lines."

The blue-haired teenager turned red as a cherry. "There's no relationship! No!"

"Oh? So you don't like Utsugi-chan?"

"I-I didn't say that! She's really funny and adorbs and...ugh...!"

Makoto couldn't help but giggle.

"That's something you picked up from Enoshima, isn't it?"

"I won't confirm or deny it. They do say you pick up things from your partner. Adorbs, right?"

Nagisa looked completely dumbfounded. He wasn't expecting to be cornered intellectually by Makoto Naegi of all people.

"L-Look. Just don't start spreading that around, okay? We're n-not boyfriend and girlfriend..."

"Not yet, I suppose."

He sighed wistfully.