Chapter 17: Horseshoe: Act One

6:51 A.M Day Eight

Resort District

Hotel

Courtyard

The Ultimate Punk Musician grumbled as he squinted his eyes at the morning light and leaned against the side of the fountain. "Fucking hell, why the shit did I think it was a good idea to get up so early?" he muttered before letting out a sleepy yawn. "Should've just stayed in bed till, like, eleven."

After a few moments of staring off at the rising sun in sleepy stupor, Naruhiko registered the sounds of footfalls heading towards the hotel. He raised a hand to shield his eyes as he saw a silhouette bolting forward. He almost immediately fell back into the fountain as his eyes widened in a mixture of surprise and amusement.

Shiho came into view jogging at a brief pace. The girl appeared to be absentmindedly lost in her own world, so much so that she did not even realize she had forgotten to put on a shirt. As the Runner came steadily closer, she didn't notice a stone in the path. "Whoa! Ow, dang it!" Shiho shouted as she tripped over the rock and landed on her knee roughly.

For a long moment, Naruhiko's gaze had been fixed on the delicious bouncing flesh in front of him before it snapped back to reality. He watched as the girl fell forward with a loud thud. "Jeez. She's as danger prone as they come," he muttered as he pushed off the fountain and quickly made his way to where she lay. "Hey, Tits, you alright down there? Looks like you really banged your knee up good."

"Ah, yeah it definitely hurts. Huh, didn't think you'd be out here, Naru. You don't seem like the kinda guy to be awake in the morning unless you're forced to," the Runner responded with a hint of a smile. Shiho moved to sit up and stretched her injured leg out in front of her. She carefully rolled up the leg of her pants up to above her knee, going slowly over her tender joint. "So, is it as bad as it looks?" Shiho asked while tilting her head in the direction of the man.

"Yeah, well I couldn't sleep well after yesterday. Kept having fucked up dreams," the boy grumbled as he shrugged out of his jacket. "Jesus fuck. I can't think straight when you've got your massive tits just sticking out like that. Here, put this on," he said as he knelt next to her before draping his white jacket over her shoulders. "Gotta say, your knee has seen better days. We should get you inside and get you patched up and shit."

After taking a few moments to process his words, and feeling the jacket get placed on her, Shiho's hands suddenly grabbed onto her bare chest. "Aw come on. I can't believe I forgot a shirt and a bra... No wonder it felt so breezy." The Runner sighed, then placed her arms through the jacket. "Alright, think you can help me up then, Naru? Probably need your shoulder, too. Guess I'm not going to be running for a bit." Shiho pouted as she reached out to Naruhiko for balance.

"Jeez, you need someone out here running with you, Tits. This is the second time you've tripped, though I guess a rock is a lot better than a body," Naruhiko mused in a gruff voice as he suddenly reached under legs and hoisted her off the ground. "Tell your girlfriend she needs to do her job better." He chuckled dryly as he wagged his pierced eyebrows. "Otherwise, I might just have to steal ya from her."

"Girlfriend? You mean Laris? Me and her aren't dating or anything," Shiho answered as she tried her best to keep her leg outstretched to keep it from hurting more. "I mean, I love her - well, not that kind of love. Hmm, I never really thought of it like that, I guess. She's just been a good friend and all, y'know?"

"For real? Iunno if I'm bummed or happy to hear that. Shit, I thought for sure you two were an item. Hah! Guess it shows what I know." Naruhiko let out a boisterous laugh as he adjusted his grip on her legs. "How ya feelin? Ready to get moving?"

Shiho started laughing as well. "You don't hold back on your thoughts, huh?" she asked as she started to calm down. "Anyway, yeah, let's hurry. I want to get this leg on ice ASAP!"

"Bahaha! Of course I don't. Way too many people in this world beat around the bush. I don't see any problem with saying what's on my mind, especially if we could die anytime, y'know?" He offered her a grin and playfully patted her on the bottom. "Dontcha worry, we'll get ya some ice, and heck, I'll even steal whatever Lach is cooking and get ya some food."

The Runner nodded. "Heh, that's true. I never thought about it that way. Ooh, and I was just thinking about how I wanted to get something to eat anyways!" Shiho pumped her fist along with her words and caused her leg to twitch in pain. "Agh. Yeah, leg first, then food."

8:22 A.M Day Eight

Resort District

Hotel

First Floor

Dining Room

"Hehehe, would you like a knife for breakfast, Utano?" Becky asked through her controller's assistance. "I mean, we already know how good you are at stabbing people in the back."

The Ultimate Poet buried his face into his hands. "H-How many times do I have to apologize till you and Seikatsu forgive me?"

"Iunno. Traitors are supposed to occupy the lowest circle of hell. You can start by giving me your orange juice. Dolls here needs her vitamins. Look how pale she is!"

"Y-You're blackmailing me over orange juice?!" Utano sputtered with a look of disbelief.

The doll seemed to offer an indifferent shrug. "Let's be honest, ya ain't got anything else to offer."

Lachlan let out an annoyed sigh as he came walking into the room with a few plates of eggs. "Yeah yeah, save it. I know I took forever, but someone stole the food I already got done." The Journalist groaned. He then looked at the others in front of him. "What? Am I interrupting something here?"

Dolly offered a tiny smile at the Journalist. "Nope. Utano was just having a nice conversation with Becky."

"Nice?" the Poet questioned before seeing a dark gleam from Becky's glassy eyes. She dragged a finger across her throat in a threatening gesture when Lachlan wasn't looking. "Hah, yeah just a nice conversation. So who do you think would have stolen the food? You don't think it was that Nagito guy, right?"

Lachlan scoffed. "I don't know, and I don't really care. It's probably for the best, anyway. I forgot to make your guys' stuff separate from mine, so it was filled with hot sauce," the boy said as he set down plates in front of the two before taking a seat with his own. A sharp smell came from Lachlan's eggs, which were practically orange from how much of the spice he used, and it stung everyone's noses.

"Excellent. I'm pleased to note at least one of you has some domestic skills that are valuable," Tomoko said as she strode into the room before she took Lachlan's plate and reached for some silverware. "A cup of milk tea would be lovely with this. Thank you, Lachlan," she said as she reached for her fork before taking a small bite. She was seemingly pleased with the result as she dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. "Why are you still standing there? My tea isn't going to make itself."

The Journalist seemed to be about to respond, but sighed instead. "Fine. It would be my pleasure, Your Highness," Lachlan said with an overly-sarcastic tone. He shook his head as he stomped back into the kitchen, muttering something under his breath.

"Oh fuck! Someone is whipped!" Becky cackled as she pulled Utano's glass of orange juice across the table. "Come on, Dolls. Drink up or I'll force it down your gullet!"

"B-Becky, I can drink on my own!" The Ventriloquist sputtered before she grabbed the glass and took small sips.

The Ultimate Poet tried to push aside the pair's antics as he offered a tiny smile towards the Shogi Player. "Uh, Tomoko? I-I just wanted to say thank you for last night. You really came through for us."

Tomoko offered a slightly annoyed expression as she was interrupted from her breakfast bliss and wiped at her mouth again. "If you wish to thank me, be more thoughtful the next time you vote. For now, you can help by keeping your stuttering to a minimum. I'd very much like to enjoy my breakfast."

After the Shogi Player's words, the group ate their food in silence for a few minutes. Lachlan walked back in with a cup that he placed down next to Tomoko. "There. Ya happy now, woman?" he asked, though his tone was softer than usual.

"That depends on how limited your culinary ability is." Tomoko responded with a tease of a smirk, then raised the glass to her lips. "...Mm not bad. I've had better, but it's not bad at all. Would anyone care to explain why I found blood in the lobby?" she asked as she seemed to acknowledge the others in the room.

"I saw the moron carrying Tits Mcgee through the front door. Looks like she busted her knee. Who would have guessed that the blind girl is also a klutz?" Becky asked in a sarcastic manner.

"And who precisely do you mean when you use those names? They both seem applicable to more than a few people in this hotel." Tomoko deadpanned.

Lachlan shook his head. "Yeah, cause there are so many blind girls here. As for the moron, the only one I can really think of is Naruhiko." The Journalist shrugged as his stomach growled. "Guess I better make eggs for a third damn time..."

"Maybe he was the one who stole the food, then?" Utano suggested quietly as he folded his hands into his lap.

The Shogi Player shrugged. "That much seems clear. Look, don't be a big baby. I didn't eat all of it. Shut up and open your mouth," she said as she jabbed at a piece of egg before holding it out towards Lachlan.

The boy quirked an eyebrow as he looked over Tomoko. He rolled his eyes before leaning down to eat the offered food. "Uh, thanks, I suppose? Is it just me, or are ya being nicer?"

"Not a chance. I just don't want to be killed because you don't trust me," Tomoko said as she jabbed the fork into the boy's mouth. She then pushed what remained on the plate towards him.

The Journalist took the fork out of his mouth with a smirk. "Sure, lass." Lachlan winked at the girl as he moved the plate in front of him. He sat down to continue eating.

10:14 A.M Day Eight

Amusement Park District

Bumper Cars

"Oh my. I don't know if I'll be able to keep those pancakes down," Churi said as she covered her mouth a moment before offering an apologetic smile. "That was fun though, wasn't it? Aren't you glad you came? I could just tell you needed to get your mind off something."

Kaizoku scratched at the back of his head. "Aye. After the day we had yesterday, I've had a few things on me mind." The Sailor offered Churi a hand to help her out of the car.

The Love Guru took the boy's hand before climbing out of the car. "I know, it's been written all of your face. Call it a girl's intuition, but I think someone is in love. So, who's the lucky gal or guy? Come on, you can tell me. I swear I won't tell a soul."

The Sailor's face flushed lightly at the woman's words. "Heh, I suppose ya could say that, lass. I must say, you're quite astute. What made ya so interested in the love lives of others?" Kaizoku asked with a look of intrigue.

Churi's expression soured slightly. "...My parents went through a bitter divorce when I was really young. I saw how happy my father was when he found someone else, and how it changed his life. Even though my mother has always been… cruel to me, I wanted her to find happiness too. I thought if she could find someone, that maybe she would change too. That she would be a better person. I-I started with classmates at school and seemed to have a knack for reading people and figuring out who they had chemistry with. It must sound so silly though, huh?"

Kaizoku shook his head with a bit of a smile. "Not at all, deary. It's rather admirable you wanted to see others happy, even if they had been bad to you. My mother was always... callous towards me." The boy couldn't but help but scratch at his burn scar. "Anyways, were you able to help her? Your own Ma, that is."

The Love Guru began to rub at her arm in an anxious manner. "Time and time again, I found my mother good men, but she would always ruin it and blame me for it. I-I had to go the to hospital multiple times over the years. You'd be surprised how people believe you fell down the stairs or tripped more than once," she said in a quiet voice. "My mother has been the one person I could never find the match for. I-I used to believe it was my fault, but I realized after a lot of heartache, that it was her, not me, that was the problem."

The boy placed a comforting hand onto the Guru's arm. "It's alright, Churi. I can't say I've been through the same, but I can say that you still turned out to be a good person. If she couldn't accept your help, then it's her loss." Kaizoku sighed as he gingerly brought his hand back. "What do ya say we leave things for now? It would be a shame to waste a fine day on so much negativity, aye?"

Churi seemed to rebound almost immediately as she clasped one of the boy's hand between both of hers. "Right you are! No sense in wallowing in the past. We need to talk about the future, so lay it on me. Is there anyone special that makes your heart flutter?"

Kaizoku couldn't help but laugh at the Guru's change in mood. "Well, ya certainly aren't one to let things hold you down for long." His smile began to falter a bit. "It's a bit hard to say, lass. For a long time, I kinda had it in my head that I should just focus on raising my sister and not worry about myself so much." As he spoke, his pirate persona peeled away. The Sailor quickly shook his head. "But, I don't want to think about that, for now at least. To answer your question, though, it's not so much someone. More like two people, actually." As he said the last part his face began to blush deeper.

Churi nodded her head attentively. "Two people, huh? Now it's important that you're absolutely honest with me and yourself. What you're feeling? Do you think it's love, or lust? There's a really big difference. Why don't you describe what it is about them that you love? I feel like doing that really helps open the floodgates."

"I- I'm not sure about all of that." Kaizoku awkwardly laughed as he tried to calm himself. "It's probably too soon to call it love - well, for one of them it's definitely too soon - but I don't think it's lust. Anyway, it's just that both of them have more or less been there for me. I'm used to being there for others, but I guess I hadn't felt like I was cared for in a while."

The Guru's eyes began to sparkle as she jostled the boy's hand frantically. "Oh, I can see it in your eyes. Please tell me who it is! Wait, no. Let me guess. One of them is Naruhiko, am I right? If I'm wrong, please don't take any offense."

The Sailor nodded towards the woman with a grin. "Yeah, it's kinda been building up for a while, especially when we were preparing for the concert. Was it that obvious I had a thing for him? I probably looked like a fool too, huh?" Kaizoku asked as he chuckled again.

"A fool? Everyone is a fool when they're in love!" Churi gushed as she bounced on her feet. "So you like a bad boy, huh? Now tell me who else is making your heart flutter, mm?"

"This really means alot to you, huh, Churi?" Kaizoku's smile grew a bit wider watching the Guru's reactions. "Like I was saying before, it's definitely too early to call this love, but yesterday Shiho, Laris, and I were talking. We all spilled our guts over some bad things in our pasts. Laris and I were caught up in our own problems, but Shiho was just so sweet. Made both of us stop feeling so down in the dumps. It was nice to feel looked after like that."

The Guru's smile only deepened as she stepped back and adjusted her glasses. "She's like a little sunshine that brightens this scary place. Look, the best advice I can give you is to not panic or freak out. It sounds like you're still exploring your feelings. Why don't you just spend time with both of them and let the chips fall where they may? The last thing you wanna do is rush into a relationship. I know this place is horrifying, but you should never try to force love out of fear."

Kaizoku lazily shrugged. "Rushing into it isn't going to be a problem for me. If anything, I've probably been denying myself love, cuz I thought I didn't deserve it. And either way, just spending time with them sounds good." The Sailor nodded before look the women in the eyes. "If you want help with anything, let me know, alright? Like, if there is something else you want to talk about."

A shy smile flitted to her face. "W-Well there is sort of someone that I like too- that I would like to get to know better, but I need some advice. For being a Love Guru, I'm horrible at romance for myself," she admitted as she began to wring her hands together. "I mean, not many people are interested in the freakishly tall skinny girl. Y-You know what? I don't want to be any trouble for you. Forget I said anything."

Kaizoku once again placed his hand on the Guru's arm. "Take a breath, Churi. After you took the time to hear me out, I'll gladly return the favor."

"I-It's just kind of embarrassing. You see, I'd really like to get to know Soo Yeong more. He's not only handsome, but also so polite. Every time I see him smile, it makes my heart race. I'm kind of scared, though, because Utano really likes him, and honestly, he sort of scared me not too long ago. I don't want to get in Utano's way, but at the same time, I do want to spend more time with Soo Yeong. I-I just don't know what to do," Churi admitted as her shoulders slumped.

"Maybe it would be best to get Soo Yeong's thoughts on the matter. I could try and talk to him if you'd like." The Sailor scratched his chin in thought as he spoke. "Wait, what do you mean by Utano scared you? Did he say something, or..."

Churi seemed to pale slightly. "I-I think he was just making a joke, but he seemed pretty adamant that I stay away from Soo Yeong. Would you really talk to him for me?" she asked hopefully. Her eyes seemed to sparkle behind her glasses.

"Of course, dear. I'd be glad to return your kindness. I suppose I'll keep the thing with Utano in mind as well, though I don't know what to think of all of that just yet. It's probably best to keep your distance from him for now," Kaizoku explained. "Anyway, I'm going to try and think on what you told me for my own love life. Thanks for hearing me out."

The Guru quickly moved forward and hugged Kaizoku. "Oh, you're very welcome! I hope it helps, and I look forward to hearing what you find out."

12:30 P.M Day Eight

Resort District

Fifth Floor

Hotel (Chloe's Room)

"Now don't be shy. I have plenty of colors to choose from," Chloe said, offering a wink as she gestured at the plethora of nail polishes that were neatly organized along the carpeted floor.

The Ultimate Knight uncomfortably pulled her legs against her chest as she stared at the wide array of colors. "I-I can't recall the last time I've done something like this. Did you really call us here just to do our nails?" she asked with suspicion lacing her tone as she eyed the Fashion Designer.

A smirk crossed Chloe's lips. "I did have a matter I wanted to discuss with you both, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. Annabelle, darling, are there any colors you like?"

The Investigator looked between the various colors with an intense stare. After a few moments, she gave a short nod before reaching for a dark green. "Hmm, I think this one would look the best, right?" Annabelle asked looking towards the Fashion Designer expectantly.

Chloe reached out and delicately tapped the child on the nose. "I think that's a wonderful choice. Have your mothers ever shown you how to do this, or would you like some help?"

"Heaven forbid we make a mess. I believe we'd have to face the wrath of Tiana and Haruto," Laris chuckled as she seemed to relax slightly.

"No, one of my moms showed me how. I've never done it on my own, but I want to try!" Annabelle exclaimed with a confident smile.

The Fashion Designer giggled. "Very well. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask," she said before her gaze flitted over to the Knight. "And what about you, Laris? Are you going to pick a color?"

"Oh, I don't think that's necessary. I mean, it would typically be covered anyway, armor or not. I wouldn't want to waste your supplies," Laris responded with a polite smile.

"Nonsense, I have more than I could possibly need. Live a little. Annabelle, what color do you think would suit our beautiful Knight?" Chloe asked as he raised a slender brow.

Annabelle set her gaze on Laris for a few quiet moments before looking back to the assorted polishes. The young girl seemed to contemplate her answer very seriously. "Ooh, I know!" The Investigator picked up a lighter shade of blue and handed it to Chloe. "This one! It matches her eyes!" Annabelle explained proudly.

"So it does, darling. I have to be careful, or you might steal my job one day," she said, offering the girl a tiny wink as she took the small bottle and held it up. "Now Laris, you wouldn't want to let Annabelle down, would you?"

Laris regarded the serious expression on the Investigator's face before her shoulders slumped. "...Chloe, you are the devil. Fine, I suppose having a bit of feminine charm wouldn't be a terrible thing."

Chloe's lips pulled into a deep smirk. "Excellent. I even have a sundress picked out for you when we're done."

"Y-You're out of your mind! There's no way I'll be caught dead in a dress! There's just no practicality in wearing something so frilly!" Laris exclaimed in a rare moment of embarrassment as her face flushed.

"Aw, but I'm sure you'd look really pretty, Laris, especially if Chloe chose it," the young girl said. "Though maybe not if it makes you uncomfortable." Annabelle seemed to shrug off the thought as she prepared to paint her toenails.

The Ultimate Knight collected the toenail polish and stared down at her feet. "I'm not sure I could ever be pretty, M'lady. I'm just not used to wearing things most ladies would wear." She removed the top of the bottle and cleared her throat. "Chloe, you said there was another reason for us being here, right? Could you elaborate?"

Chloe chuckled as she delicately began to coat one of her nails with a vivid red color. "Always to business. There is a reason why I wanted to talk to you both. Tomoko and I discussed a plan last night. It's clear to us that this Nagito knows a way out of the park. How else did he manage to infiltrate it in the first place? I did some scouting before dawn, and I'm fairly confident I know where he's laying low. However, I'm going to need some help capturing him. That's why I'm reaching out to the two of you."

The Investigator paused her brush strokes as she looked towards Chloe curiously. "Wow, that's a good point. He had to come from somewhere." Annabelle put aside her polish for a moment to think and the young girl's hands began to lightly shake. "Though I'm not sure I want to be near that jerk again," the young girl explained lowly.

"Absolutely not. Chloe, you had to save Annabelle from nearly being killed after a run in with this maniac. There is no way that I, let alone Haruto or Tiana, would ever accept these terms," Laris said as she nearly dropped her nail polish.

The Fashion Designer offered a sigh. "Look, I know what I'm asking is a lot, but consider the alternatives. If Nagito tells us how to escape this park we can all leave and end this game like that," she said as she snapped the fingers on her free hand. "I chose you for a specific reason. I think Nagito might be more likely to take the bait with Annabelle, and I trust that we can keep her safe, Laris. I know good and well that Haruto and Tiana would never accept these terms, which is why we can't tell them. Please, I implore you to consider the bigger picture here."

Annabelle looked down at the ground quietly. "So, if we do this... We can save everyone, right?" the young girl asked as she met Chloe's eyes with a determined look. She received a nod before continuing on. "Then I want to do it, even if it's dangerous and we have to lie about it."

The Knight set her jaw as she stared at Annabelle for a long moment. "M'lady, do you realize just how dangerous that is? Even with the two of us looking out for you, there is always the chance he could catch us off guard. You could very well die."

"And the longer this game continues, the greater chance there is that we all might die. We have to take that chance. Annabelle, I wouldn't suggest this if I wasn't confident that I could keep you safe. However, it is imperative that you tell no one. As I said, I think I know where Nagito has been staying recently, but if we let it get around, it's possible he'll disappear again," Chloe said as her expression hardened. "We can't allow that to happen."

The Investigator nodded. "I understand. So what's the plan, then?" The young girl smiled as she returned to painting her nails.

"We need to wait till dark, but if we wait till curfew, someone will notice you're missing. We'll tell everyone that we're going to take you to ride some of the rides in the amusement park. Tomoko assures me she's going to keep the others preoccupied for the evening. It's rather simple after that. I've discovered signs that someone has been living in the kitchen at Kurokuma's Flapjacks. There's an employee shower and plenty of food in there. Chances are he's been laying low there while skulking about. You're going to enter through the main entrance and go towards the kitchen. Laris, you will go around the building and go through the rear entrance while I go through the window in the bathroom. Our job will be to lure him out and cut off his means of escape. Once we have him cornered, leave it to me to subdue him."

"I know you're clearly more than you let on, Chloe, but do you think you can take this guy on without backup?" Laris asked with a worried expression.

A trill of laughter escaped the voluptuous beauty as she set her polish down and winked at the pair. "Fear not. Tonight, it won't be the Ultimate Fashion Designer helping you, but rather the Ultimate Femme Fatale. Komaeda doesn't stand a chance."

2:41 P.M Day Eight

Resort District

Second Floor

Hotel (Gym)

The Ultimate Plastic Surgeon delicately wiped a sheen of sweat off of his brow with a towel. Soo Yeong wore a slate grey fleece zipped hoodie over a plain white t-shirt and a pair of dark blue jogging pants. "Detoxing one's body is yet another way to keep your skin radiant. I have to say I sincerely appreciate your company, ladies. Here, I thought you both might appreciate these," Soo Yeong said as he stooped over before removing two water bottles from his bag. "Please have your fill. I noticed a small fridge near the locker room."

Seikatsu smiled giddily as she took a bottle and greedily drained the contents. She wore a long-sleeved black tracksuit with white horizontal stripes and white sneakers. She sighed blissfully after a moment. "Thanks, Doctor Moon! Speaking of which, I feel like I could run to the moon and back!" She giggled before eying the Dominatrix next to her. "What do you think, Tiana? Think you're ready for another round after this?"

"I suppose another set would probably be good for me. However, I'm definitely going to need a break for now," the blonde explained. She was wearing a white v-neck shirt, a pair of black jogging shorts, white cat socks, and grey-blue sneakers. Tiana gladly accepted the water before quickly emptying it to replenish what she'd lost in sweat. "You certainly are energetic right now, Sei, or is this just another personality? I'm sorry if that was rude of me, it's just a little hard to keep up with it all."

"I'm as radiant as the Sun right now!" Seikatsu exclaimed as she turned to face Tiana. "And don't apologize. There are so many of me that I have trouble keeping up with it. Not many people wanna be friends with someone as disjointed as I can be. Sorry that some of my sides are so gosh darn annoying."

The Surgeon eyed the exchange curiously. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you manage to end up with so many personalities? I've heard of split personalities, but your condition seems like a far more extreme version of that."

The Tarotologist stuck her tongue out. "Oh believe me, it's a really tragic story. You don't want me to get into all of that. Just know that there are twenty two of us, some good, so not so good. Just stay clear if Death comes out, 'kay? She's not nearly as friendly as me."

The Dominatrix walked a bit closer giving a small grin. "Well with a name like that, I'm not surprised." Tiana placed a hand over the dark haired girl's. "I'm sorry to hear that it all comes from a dark place. Are you sure it's not something you'd like to discuss?"

Seikatsu's demeanor shifted as she became far more timid. Her shoulders drooped. "I'm afraid to talk about it. I was told by a psychologist that, with effort, I could begin to assimilate these personalities and become a whole person again. What they didn't understand was that most of my personalities are to ward against Death. If my personalities began to disappear, so would the things blocking Death. It's so strong. Much stronger than any one of my other personalities."

"...You had a head mental break at some point that created this Death persona, but the other personalities are just a ward against this one personality?" Soo Yeong asked with worried expression. "Just what is this personality capable of?"

"...It's the absence of life. It's just cold and unfeeling. It very nearly killed Tomoko," she admitted as pulled her legs against her chest as she stared down at the floor.

"I'm very sorry you have to deal with this. It must be very taxing on your mind." Tiana knelt down next to the Tarotologist and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "From what I can see, most of your personalities change with your mood. Do you know what brings out Death?"

Soo Yeong rubbed at his chin. "That's a splendid question, Miss Blake, one that could very well defuse a potential bomb. Do you have any idea, Miss Tabi?"

Seikatsu tensed a moment before slowly hugging the Dominatrix in return. "...I think she's more prone to come out when I'm feeling dark emotions, threatened, or cornered in some way. There is a reason why most of my personalities are so flamboyant. They are all extremes, while Death is just a void."

"That's more than a little troubling. It means that, in the case of Tomoko and Utano, your death persona could be triggered by people who simply anger you." Soo Yeong frowned.

"That is quite concerning, as even an accident could put anyone at risk." Tiana held on to the girl softly as she thought over everything. "Are you able to switch personalities on your own? Like, will a different one try to take over?"

"It's always been sort of random, like mood swings, I guess. I mean, aside from Death, most of my personalities are aware of one another, so I don't have any real confusing spells or anything. However, I never know what's going to come out," the Tarotologist admitted.

The Surgeon pinched the bridge of his nose. "This might be a risky proposal, but I think this requires more research. Seikatsu, right now, you could be a ticking time bomb, especially in the midst of a killing game."

The Dominatrix slowly nodded. "I agree. I would hate to see anyone else get hurt, including you, dear. Would you be alright with us trying to figure everything out?" Tiana pulled back a bit from the embrace and looked the Tarotologist in the eyes.

The reserved version of Seikatsu meekly nodded her head. "I don't want to hurt anyone ever again, so I'm willing to try."

"I'm pleased to note that you're open to receiving help. I'm not even sure where to begin, so we might have to give this matter some more thought. It's a shame we don't have the Ultimate Psychologist with us." Soo Yeong chuckled mirthlessly before staring down at his watch. "Ladies, shall we stop here for the day? I think our minds are likely elsewhere anyways."

Tiana sighed as she stood up. "Yes, I believe you're correct, Soo Yeong." The blonde offered a hand toward the Tarotologist. "Come on, Sei. We should probably get out of these sweaty clothes. Do you want some help?"

A tiny smile worked its way to the Tarotologist's face as she took the offered hand. "Thank you, Tiana. I-I am sorry for anything my other sides may say or do. A shower and a change of clothes sounds great to me, too."

4:37 P.M Day Eight

Carnival District

Zoo

The Paralympic Athlete leaned against his crutch as he edged forward and stared into a large den filled with several lions. "You know, I kept half expecting Yushikuma to come running when we arrived in this district. It seems we may have seen the last of him. I can't say I will mourn his absence. However, there is something more pressing on my mind. Is there a reason why you insisted on us speaking?" he asked as cast a studious gaze upon Haruto.

The Parental Figure brushed his hand through his hair. "I wanted to talk about your sisters," he said cautiously. "You've brought them up a lot, and I wanted to know if there was anything I could do."

Almost immediately, Sigmund tensed. "As far as I see it, there is little either of us can do till we're free of this place. I can't go a minute without thinking about them. I can't begin to explain it, but I'm all they have left. Dying in this place just isn't an option for me."

Haruto gave him a warm, reassuring smile. "I know what you mean. I don't have any brothers or sisters, but I see all the children I've helped as family, and if I were to die, I wouldn't be able to be by their side if they needed to see me again. Plus, there are lots more out there who might need me. I'm sure we'll both escape, Sigmund, but if you're feeling stressed, I'm more than happy to ease some of it away."

"You do realize that I'm your elder, right?" the Paralympic Athlete asked before allowing himself a faint smile. "Look, I appreciate what you're doing, but there are probably people who could use your support more than me. I don't make a habit of relying on others, and I'm not about to start anytime soon. When you look at me, you probably see half a man, but I don't need anyone's pity. I can take care of myself and my family just fine on my own."

"I never saw you as that, and I'm not giving you pity… at least, I hope I'm not." The boy thought carefully. "Forgive me. I was under the impression you had to take over as the father for your sisters, and I know from experience that being a fatherly figure at a young age can be tough. If you don't want my help, that's great. I just wanted you to know that if you ever needed any help, I'll be there."

Sigmund offered a quiet sigh. "I apologize if I came across as rude. Shortly after I had recovered from the accident, I had to fight tooth and nail to prove that I could take care of Chloe and Kathy despite my disabilities. I suppose I've never let my guard down when it comes to them. I remember social workers insisting they could find them better homes. I'm afraid I'm just not very good at showing weakness around others."

"Oh, you're fine," Haruto said with a wave. "And I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Social workers sometimes forget that parenting isn't just providing physical care. It's also giving emotional support and teaching them valuable life lessons. It's about forming a close bond and preparing them for the future. I can tell you have been doing just that." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "If you don't mind me offering some advice, I want to say this: Sometimes, even the strong need help every now and then. I know I've needed it a few times."

"Hah, you remind me of my sisters a little bit. You get to the point of putting on such a show that you forget how to stop acting anymore. If you don't mind me asking, how in the world did you get into your line of work? There must be a story behind that," Sigmund said as he eyed the boy next to him.

Haruto blinked. "You know, I'm surprised no one has asked me that. A parental figure is pretty rare for an Ultimate talent." He chuckled lightly. "I didn't really have a special childhood. My parents were very doting, but they raised me right. I guess my story starts when I was fifteen. On my way from school, I had found two kids in an alley, lost and afraid. Their names were Beth and Cody, and they were abandoned by their parents. I didn't want to leave them there, so I took them to my place and looked after them until I could find them a foster family. I tried using a blend of both my mother and my father's styles of parenting, and boy did it work. A month later, those two wanted ME to be their dad. Can you believe that?"

Sigmund stared at the other boy with a look of surprise and curiosity. "That is something else. You know, once upon a time, I was training to be in the Youth Olympic Games. I wanted to be an Olympic gold medalist in Judo, representing my country. I had trained for years, though. Sounds like you were just a natural. Hm, I guess it just goes to show that all Ultimates are different. So what happened next?"

"By then, I had already found them a foster family. I could tell they were gonna miss me, so I promised to visit them when I could. I also got a picture taken with them, so they could have a memento of me." Haruto gave a slight smile. "My heart almost melted. There is nothing more fulfilling to me than watching a child enjoy life and ensuring they have a bright future." His smile slowly turned to a frown. "I had applied at a daycare center afterwards, and I quickly noticed that I was the only male employee. I had asked the manager about it, and she told me that most men are afraid to work with kids because of a certain assumption. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about."

A scowl spread across the Athlete's face. "Believe me, with two younger sisters, I know what sick assumptions people tend to make. I'll be honest, I may have misjudged you. I assumed your friendly demeanor was a façade, but it seems you sincerely are a caring person. I do hope this game doesn't change that."

"Thank you, Sigmund. Ever since that day, I thought of the children who don't have fathers or father figures growing up. It's not fair to them, you know? Kids need both male and female role models in their lives. I spent the next two years helping out as many fatherless families as I could. Most of them were single-mother households. I would call these mothers and offer them my assistance. I never charged a cent. They usually said yes, and so I looked after numerous children, giving them love and respect as if I was their actual father. I also worked at numerous daycare centers, mentoring programs, and orphanages. Eventually, Hope's Peak gave me the title of Ultimate Parental Figure, though I wish it was the Ultimate Father Figure. Now matter how good of a parent I seem to be, I could never replace a mother. Either way, I hoped to use this title to rid the world of that awful assumption, so other men could act like fathers without fear."

"That seems like a noble - if not challenging - goal, but what's the sense in setting easy challenges for ourselves?" the Athlete asked before his expression became a bit more somber. "You know, when I see Annabelle, I see both of my sisters. They're not too far apart in age. This is bad enough for us, I can't imagine the toll it's going to have on her. Haruto, I hope you're prepared for what's ahead of us. I don't say this to be cruel, but Annabelle is an easy target. There is a good chance that she won't survive this. I hope you can make peace with that."

It was a faint change, one that was hardly noticeable, but Haruto's eyes darkened a bit. "I… I'm aware of that. I know that I could f-fail at any moment, because I had failed once b-before. Even so, I'm not going to give up. She still has a chance, so I'll do whatever I can."

Sigmund offered a weary smile. "As I said, I don't say that to be cruel. However, it's important to acknowledge the facts rather than run from them. I truly hope that never comes to pass, but like with an earthquake or tornado drill, it's better to be prepared than to be caught off guard."

His eyes lit up, and he gave a weary smile of his own. "Exactly. It's better to have and not need than to need and not have. That's why I offered to help you, Kathy, and Chloe if you ever needed it. It's also why I was going to suggest you get some prosthetics. Something tells me you're against that stuff, and that's fine, but there might be a time when you'll wish you had a second arm or leg."

"Alright, Mother Teresa, I think you've done your several good deeds for the day. Look, I appreciate the concern, but I don't need prosthetics. I-It's not just about my pride, it's that I… never mind. What I've lost is a reminder to me of something very important. It would be an insult if I tried to replace what I lost."

"That's fair," Haruto said as he lightly pat Sigmund's shoulder. "I was just offering the same advice you gave me, but I'll drop the subject. Sorry if I went too far."

Sigmund shut his eyes. "You didn't go too far. There are just some things I'm not comfortable talking about."

"I have those, too, my friend."

16 Survivors Remain

*AN* I wanna thank my betas so much for the quick turn around for this chapter and I wanna thank Petty for being my partner in crime. We managed to really get this one knocked out quick. Also thank you so much Fee5H for your contribution with Haruto. It was a great scene =)

Also we're accepting applications for Oasis of Hope, a brand new SYOC set in the same universe. Come join us in the merciless sands! My application is on my profile!

Review Section:

Blazerxz

Yeah I definitely had flashes of Age of Ultron while writing that lol.

StoryProducer214

Nah Mad Max has a very different destination.

doomqwer

Hope you had a great holiday and a wonderful new year!

The Celestial Sky Dragon

Despair in the sky my friend! I always love seeing your reviews. So glad to be conspiring with you and Petty =)

MudkipOfDespair

Considering SoT is finished by this point in the timeline, I have to say no! Haha

pokemansuperallstar

Oh Shiho. Your precious pumpkin is so damn fun to see in every scene. She's the one who needs a protection squad. Fortunately she has atleast a couple of members.

The Kobold Necromancer

Hey man it's cool. I know you're just trying to help. I can't really say much about the dialogue because 90% of Danganronpa is dialogue, but I'll see what I can do lol

bellatrixshine

FTE's are always important. Characters needs these especially after the shit they've been through.

BouncingFish

Apologies that Mad Max wasn't in this chapter. However I'm going to have her appearances be meaningful and not just thrown in for shits and giggles going forward.

Fee5H

I'll definitely have the Noir bit at some point soon ;)

PettyPunk

Darling you know that I wouldn't do this without you. I'm glad you're so dedicated because we've got a lot of work ahead of us ;)