Chapter 26: Duplicity: Act One

12:34 A.M Day Eleven

Underground

Sewers

The survivors found themselves huddled upon one of the many walkways between the various waterways. Only the faint glow of a phone cast any illumination in the otherwise dim space.

Tomoko scowled and leaned against a nearby wall. "Why didn't I trust my better judgement? If something seems too good to be true, there is usually a reason for it."

"You mean like how we were thrust into a death game that was perfectly suited to your skillset, which managed to earn everyone's trust? Regardless if it was squandered later, it was still a bit too convenient at the time, don't you think?" Sigmund asked as he arched a single brow.

The Shogi Player eyed the Athlete darkly. "If you have something to say, I suggest you speak your mind. I will admit that I have made some mistakes in this game, but I am not involved with the mastermind."

"Hmm, even if it's not you, someone has to be," Seikatsu tapped a finger against her chin. "Perhaps now would be as good a time as any to figure out who. Such knowledge could prove invaluable to us from here on."

The Ultimate Knight frowned as her gaze flitted among the group. "It could be Kurokuma merely trying divide us. However, if what he said is true, someone must have informed him of our plans."

"...Considering that that could be the case, it would be to our benefit to look at anyone who wasn't with someone this evening. Who would have had an opportunity to slip off?" Soo Yeong winced slightly and leaned against Kaizoku for support. "I suppose I was alone, but since I wasn't present for the meeting, earlier, that should rule me out."

"Aye, Naru and I left the meeting to head to the hospital together. We spent all our time since with Soo," the Sailor explained.

The Musician nodded and slumped to the ground before scratching at his chin. "Zoku's right. We sure as shit didn't talk to any bears in that time, so scratch us the hell off that list."

Tiana slowly bent her crop back and forth in her hands. She seemed to be deep in thought. When silence prevailed, she spoke up. "Fortunately, collecting supplies gave quite a few of us alibis. Seikatsu, Laris, Tomoko, and I were in the first aid building. We went there after the meeting, and were together until we met in the courtyard."

"I can attest to a similar situation. Dolly, Siggy, Anna, and I were all in the sports shop and had our hands full up until the time we arrived back in the Amusement Park District," Chloe offered in a calm manner.

Annabelle pulled her night vision goggles down and let her gaze flit around the tunnel. "Hah, I knew these would come in handy again! As for our suspects, aren't we down to only three people?"

"Yes. Shiho, Lachlan, and myself," Haruto said in a quiet voice as his brow knitted together.

"Hehehe, that's not entirely true! While it's true that gimpy was with us, he left early because he wasn't happy about the way we were using our time." Becky snorted. "Considering he was the first to point fingers at the Shogi nut, I think that's sort of telling, don't you think?"

"Omitting your lack of tact and manners, that is a good point. However, before we grill Sigmund, I want to know about you three," Tomoko said as her gaze shifted between Lachlan, Shiho, and Haruto.

Shiho pulled her legs against her chest. "...Uh, well, it was pretty simple. We pretty much just focused on gathering food to last us, then we met up here."

Lachlan chuckled darkly as he shook his head. "Why even bother tellin' a lie like that when you know it's gonna get called out? Sure, we were gathering the food, if by 'we' you mean Haruto and me. You decided to make a stop somewhere else on your own. Got anything to tell us? "

The Runner paled, though it was mostly masked by the dim lighting. Her voice was shaky when she spoke. "W-While that's true, it was to collect my extra sensors. After they malfunctioned that first day, I just wanted to be on the safe side."

Before anyone could respond, a voice resounded throughout the sewers. "Yeesh, talk about a horrible poker face. I guess the jig is up. Shiho was indeed my little mole, which is kind of ironic since most people assume moles are blind! Whelp, I feel good getting that off my chest. Good luck down there, crew. I hope you brought your floaties!"

"No fucking way! You gotta be pulling our legs! Ain't no way she'd ever do some shit like that!" Naruhiko bellowed in indignant rage.

"Why? Because she's blind? Just say it. She used her disability and a sunny disposition to fool all of us," Sigmund said bluntly as he cast a dark look towards the Runner.

"Doesn't that seem too easy, though? Weren't we just sailing under the idea that things aren't that simple unless there's a reason?" Kaizoku's expression was hard to read. "Like, doesn't it seem too convenient that, as soon as we started trying to figure it out, Kurokuma just admits to it?"

"Agreed. No matter how involved she is, it's clear Kurokuma wants to sow discord between us. We should put this matter aside, at least until we're out of this mess," Laris suggested.

"No, I'm afraid that won't cut it. I want to hear it from her mouth. Tell us what you've done! Now!" Tomoko snapped as she stared at the blind girl.

The Runner chewed on her lower lip. "I-I tipped him off before we came down here, and I've been feeding him information for days. I discovered Otto the second day because he ordered me to leave the hotel. I'm so sorry. I never wanted anyone to get hurt, but I didn't have a choice."

Tiana's eyes narrowed into slits. "You didn't have a choice?! We were five feet from freedom, and you turned your back on all of us! What happened with Maddie was an accident, but you knowingly did this to us!"

"D-Do you think I wanted this?!" Shiho's voice cracked as her shoulders trembled. "They said they'd hurt my closest friend if I didn't cooperate."

"Oh, is that so?" Seikatsu mused as she turned towards the Dominatrix. "Well, Tia, what would you do in her shoes? If memory serves, you have a little brother who depends on you. If the mastermind decided to threaten him, would you not be willing to do a little spy work to keep him safe?"

The Dominatrix winced. "I-I didn't say that. I just..." she trailed off before shaking her head. "No, you're right. I'm being unfair. If push came to shove, I would do the same thing as her."

"Hohoho, but is it really that simple of an arrangement?" Becky asked. "Nagito didn't kill himself, right? It sounds like Big Tits McGee isn't just a spy, but a killer, too!"

"Yeah, and so what if she was pressured into doing it? She still did it and got our asses trapped down here," Lachlan said, folding his arms.

"I didn't..." Shiho trailed off as her head suddenly snapped to the side. "We need to move. Now!"

Soo Yeong grunted as he braced himself against the Sailor. "I'm afraid changing the subject will get you nowhere."

"No, she's not making this up. I can hear water gushing, and it's getting closer," Haruto said with a wary expression.

"Oh crap crap crap!" Annabelle repeated as she looked down the tunnel with her night vision goggles. "Guys, brace for impact. There's no outrunning this. We're about to get flushed!"

The Ultimate Femme Fatale took a steadying breath. So that's the plan. The bear wants to separate us after giving us more reason to murder. I may hate the little bastard, but he knows what he's doing.

A mere moment passed before a torrent of water overtook everyone, quickly sweeping them all in various directions. They were sucked down multiple channels and mercilessly separated from one another. With yet another piece in place, the stage was set for the next motive…

1:05 A.M August 12th 2020

Tokyo

Future Foundation Headquarters

Interrogation Room

"I'm sorry all of this is taking so long. I know you must be exhausted after everything you've been through," a brown-haired man said as he offered the girl who sat across from him a sympathetic smile.

The Ultimate Mathematician shook her head before returning her own, weary smile. "...You don't have to apologize for anything. Intentional or not, I killed someone. I deserve to be in a place like this."

The man in front of her loosened his tie. "Madison, this isn't some criminal investigation. What happened in Kuma Kuma Land was an accident. Even if it wasn't, the Prime Minister and most of the other world leaders have agreed that a blackened can't and shouldn't be tried in the same manner a normal murderer would be."

"I-I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?" Maddie asked as she rubbed at the bags under her eyes.

"Makoto Naegi, the Ultimate Luck and Ultimate Hope. I'm just the Vice President of the Future Foundation, though none of those titles are important right now. Just call me Makoto." He added a reassuring grin.

"Makoto," she said a few times under her breath, as if committing the name to memory. "You said that some sort of precedent was set for being a blackened. Just how widespread are the killing games?"

The Ultimate Hope's mirth faded slightly as he laced his fingers. "...Originally, it began at Hope's Peak with the classes of 77-B, 78, and 79. Since then, however, it's only spread further. For a time, we believed that we'd put an end to the Despair movement, but numerous members affiliated with the Hand of Despair slipped through our fingers. Through them, multiple games have been staged, not only from the members of that organization, but also from other despair zealots and copycats."

"Is it really that bad?" the Mathematician asked with a wide-eyed expression.

"Yes and no. There is far less global rioting and crime than there was two years ago. However, every time one of these games come about, it always seems to inspire others to join the movement."

Maddie fell quiet a moment as she bowed her head. "So it's like a fire is being stoked each time. What does the Foundation plan to do about Kuma Kuma Land? I swore I would do anything I could to help those still trapped there. In the short time I was there, they became precious to me."

The Vice President frowned as he shut his eyes. "...I know this is the last thing you want to hear, but there's not much we can do. The last time we tried to initiate a rescue operation, the chopper was shot down. We were even sent a message: any further interference from us, and they'll drop the entire landmass. It's not exaggerating to say that they have blackmailed the world."

"That just doesn't add up. So we do nothing? What kind of logic is that?" Maddie asked as a hint of steel entered her voice.

"Believe me, I know how you feel. However, you have to see the broader picture. If that landmass makes berth, we're talking about a global extinction event. This isn't the first time the Despairs have taken control out of our hands and left it with those within the game. At this point, we have to have hope that your friends discover their situation and how to prevent Kuma Kuma Land from crashing down upon us all."

"...I have a hard time believing that no one else in the world isn't making a contingency plan. It just seems illogical to me," the Mathematician said as she eyed the man intently.

Makoto felt his shoulders slump ever so slightly. "Not much gets past you, does it? What you're saying is true. There has been widespread debate about launching a nuclear option to destroy the landmass before it can make landfall."

"Nuclear option?!" Maddie choked out as her face paled.

"I wish I could offer you some words of comfort, but multiple nations have been discussing it. Most recognize that utilizing such drastic measures could prevent the end of the world, but with the amount it would take, there is the concern that the fallout could be just as bad," Makoto explained with a weary expression.

The Mathematician shook her head. "Vaporizing a landmass that size would take an incredible amount of power."

The Ultimate Hope nodded in response. "A conservative estimate says that the blast would be a hundred times more powerful than the the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, combined. With that kind of damage, it's hard to call such an option a victory at all."

"So, in the worst case scenario, we're talking about global extinction, or possibly a nuclear winter?" Maddie felt her shoulders slump.

"The situation is dire, but that's why I choose to put my faith in humanity, in something besides despair," Makoto mused as he eyed the girl intently. "Come on, you must be exhausted. I know my family is missing me right now. The Foundation has arranged a small apartment for you. I'm sure you haven't slept well in ages."

The Ultimate Mathematician stared at the man for a long moment. "Y-You're really letting me go like that? After what happened to Kanade, I-I expected to be behind bars."

The young man stood up and gently patted her shoulder. "Maddie, I told you the killing games aren't being treated like a normal situation. Besides, what happened to you was nothing short of an accident. One that was set in motion by a very sick individual."

Maddie wiped the back of her hand against her eyes. "I-I… thank you."

"You don't have to thank me; I'm just being honest. Come on, we'll get you settled. Tomorrow, we'll start a search for your loved ones," Makoto said as he gave her a reassuring smile.

1:16 A.M Day Eleven

Underground

Sewers

The Plastic Surgeon grit his teeth as the Sailor guided him forward. "...Kaizoku, I can't keep going like this. I've reached my limit, so I'm nothing but deadweight at this point. I can feel the painkillers wearing off."

"Alright, lad, we'll stop for now. Now's a good time to get some new bandages for you, since those are probably soaked," Kaizoku said as he helped Soo Yeong lean against the sewer wall.

"I'm afraid your compassion may just be your downfall. You really shouldn't be wasting your energy on my well-being, especially not with a new motive in play," the Surgeon replied as he slumped to the floor.

The Sailor slung his backpack off his shoulder and fished out a dry roll of gauze. "You're really ready to call it quits, huh? Well, it's a shame that it's my choice to put everyone else above me," he joked, handing the item off to the Surgeon.

"That sort of mentality is admirable in the outside world, but putting everyone before yourself will eventually result in you paying a price you can't afford. Take Shiho, for example. She risked her well-being and safety for someone else. Even if she somehow survives this motive, she has a huge target on her back, and it's all because she wouldn't put her own livelihood ahead of someone else's. Sometimes, worrying about yourself isn't a terrible thing." The Surgeon stared at the gauze in his hand.

Kaizoku leaned against the wall next to the other man with a dry chuckle. "I didn't worry about myself 'cause I saw myself as unworthy, but that doesn't matter now, I guess. So, do you think you're going to be able to carry on?"

A strained chuckle escaped the Surgeon. "No, I think I'm done for now. It'll be a miracle if my wounds don't become infected. That aside, there's no sense in wandering around, anyway. We have no idea where we are, let alone where the others ended up. We're just as likely to succeed by staying put for the moment."

"You're right about that, but I think we both know that's not what I meant," Kaizoku said as he looked over Soo Yeong with a serious expression.

"What do you want me to say? Should I pretend I have some great purpose left for me? Everyone is so quick to offer advice, but it's easier to say something when you're not the party involved." Soo Yeong's response came with a hint of bitterness.

"Some people just want to help, even when empty words are all they have. Can't say I can really blame them, but your feelings are your own," the Sailor mused. His expression softened as he looked off, lost in thought. "There is one purpose you could still serve. It's one I'll admit I've been thinking about for myself."

Soo Yeong's lone eye fixated on the Sailor. "Taking your own life? What has you so depressed that you'd consider that an option? Is it to protect whoever is in danger?"

Kaizoku sighed as he turned back towards the Surgeon. "I'll save you from the sob-story, but it's more the second part. In this case, it would save more people besides just my hostage."

"...Let me ask you something. You're one of the ones who stuck your nose in to help Churi and me. Don't you have someone like that, too?" the Surgeon asked quietly.

"Aye, I even talked about it with the poor lass," Kaizoku said as he looked over his stumped finger. "Are you gonna say I should just put it all aside for them? Even if we lose everything?"

Soo Yeong shook his head. "I'm the last person to be offering advice. To be honest, if anyone should die, at least my death would bring about some good. My death might mean more than my life at this point. Maybe if it comes to that, I'll do just that. Perhaps, that way, I could be remembered as more than a sulking and disfigured killer."

"That's the exact thing I've been afraid of people seeing me as." The Sailor chuckled lowly. He continued looking over his missing finger as he spoke. "Hell, I've been so afraid of people seeing me that way that I actually turned down a girl's feelings for me. I always regretted it and let it distract me, until an engine I was working on reminded me why that was a bad idea."

"So that's how you lost your finger?" Soo Yeong asked, though it was clear it was more of a statement than a question. "But it seems you were troubled before your disfigurement. Why is that, I wonder?"

Kaizoku smirked as he looked back into the man's eye. "I'll share if you'd like, but I won't fault ya for passing on that mess. You got enough on your plate, anyways."

The Surgeon rolled his eye. "Just spit it out already. You dancing around the subject is growing tedious. Besides, I'm curious to know what caused your own self-loathing."

"Jeez, guess I'll quit wasting time," Kaizoku muttered with a sigh. "It's about my dad..."

2:05 A.M Day Eleven

Underground

Sewers

"Le batard, the day will come that the one pulling Kurokuma's strings won't be able to hide behind a ridiculous stuffed animal," Chloe groused as she sat on top of a large pipe. She eyed Seikatsu, who sat below her. She shuffled through a series of damp tarot cards that were illuminated via the faint light from the girl's cellphone. "Mon cher, do you believe that will solve anything at the moment?"

The Tarotologist sighed as she put aside the deck. "I don't plan to do a reading, if that's what you mean. It's not like I need them to divine what will happen. After enough time down here, someone will snap. It's the inevitable outcome we always face."

The Femme Fatale crossed her legs before pursing her lips. "I can't deny that is a strong likelihood. I imagine giving us all a person to focus our hatred on would lead most people to at least consider murder. Fortunately, in my case, I only have one person outside of this game, and I doubt they managed to capture her. Even if they did, she wouldn't forgive me for being manipulated by the person behind all of this."

"At least you still have someone. Should you make it out, and should you not lose them because of this mess, be sure to cherish them. There is no one waiting for me, so I at least have no stakes in this motive," Seikatsu muttered as she pulled her legs against her chest.

Chloe eyed her for a moment before slipping off the exposed pipe and landing on her feet with ease. She took a single stride and crouched next to the other girl. "Considering we're both trapped in this disgusting situation, do you mind if I ask you something personal?"

Seikatsu shrugged as she slipped the cards into her pocket. "Go for it. In this game, we'll most likely end up either spilling our guts or someone else's."

"Fine. I'll just get straight to the point, then. What caused you to have so many personalities? Do you even remember what caused it in the first place?" the Fashion Designer asked as she raised a slender brow.

"Of course I remember. Despite the six deaths we've witnessed here, none compare to watching my mother's murder, nor when her killers began chasing after me." Seikatsu slowly stood up and looked over hands. "My first personality formed when I killed one of them."

Chloe shut her eyes a moment as if in deep thought. "It just goes to show how fragile the human mind can be at times. You have my condolences, for what it's worth. Do you know why she was attacked? Was it random?"

Seikatsu's shoulders dropped as she interlocked her hands. "She was targeted by other tarot readers, of all people. Her skills were driving many of them out of business, so they took drastic measures. They were even desperate enough to have a child killed."

"People do terrible things to one another, don't they?" Chloe asked in a solemn tone. "Sometimes, the reason can be so petty, too. My mother was murdered, as well, at the hands of an assassin. To make matters worse, she was expecting. It turns out I lost my mother and sibling all in the same day."

"I see, it is truly a painful world. It almost makes one wish they could take on the troubles of others," the Tarotologist mused. "Did you ever find out who was the one to do such a horrid act?"

The Designer shifted uncomfortably. "It took no effort for me to find that answer, considering I was the one who did it. All because I was so driven by blind rage."

Seikatsu crossed her arms as her demeanor shifted. "So you sought out your own Justice. I can't say I approve, though I do not know what led you to such an action in the first place."

The Femme Fatale offered a pained smile. "When I was thirteen, I discovered my father had been killed by mother. He was the ideal I used when judging what a man should be. He was a good and decent man, and deserved far better. To make matters worse, I discovered the only reason why he'd been killed was that my mother believed he was keeping me from realizing my potential as a killer. I suppose, in the end, she got what she wanted. When I learned what she had done, I became obsessed with revenge. I wanted her to suffer. I couldn't just let my father's death go unanswered. I prepared the perfect ambush and struck her down without mercy."

Chloe paused as her voice became layered with emotion. "...I didn't know she was pregnant. I wanted to hurt her, but in the end, I was just as bad as her, if not worse. I brought an innocent life into the equation. Perhaps, if there is a higher power, this is my form of divine punishment."

"Seikatsu was just an innocent girl who witnessed something no child should. In her rage, she awoke a side of herself that threatens to end all life it comes across. I have done what I could to keep it at bay. In the process, I splintered her into more and more personalities. However, I have also recently begun the task of trying to fuse them back together," the Tarot Reader explained. She shook her head briefly before continuing. "My point is, we do not truly control all that transpires due to our actions. We can only decide what we will do about them."

"Death," the Fashion Designer whispered in realization as she eyed the Tarotologist intently. "You said you're trying to fuse all of the personalities back together? What would that take? Is there anything I or anyone else can do to help you?"

Justice sighed and looked over the Femme Fatale. "I don't know how best to describe how it works. I'll just say to be wary. Once Seikatsu realizes her personalities are going away, she will begin to fear what could happen. If you all choose to help her, try to be a base for her, but be on guard. With less of us around, Death could more easily gain control. Seikatsu needs to confront her eventually, but until then, she is treading water."

"So, in the end, Seikatsu won't be able to regain her former self unless she comes to terms with all of her personalities, with Death being the primary one," Chloe surmised as she crossed her arms. "I can't imagine this killing game is doing much for her mental state. However, I'll do what I can. It would be nice to save a life for a change, rather than taking one."

"Whether it brings you any meaning, I am thankful to receive what help I can. I will continue to keep Death at bay while I can. I wish you luck on your endeavors against this game," Justice said as she closed her eyes.

Seikatsu's eyes shot open as she looked around confused. "What happened? Did I pass out for a bit there? I remember we were talking about our mothers, but then it's a blank... Chloe! Please, tell me Death didn't appear!"

The Fashion Designer reached out before cupping the girl's cheek in her hand. "Non, you have nothing to fear, cher. Justice was kind enough to explain your situation. Relax, alright? Why don't you try and get some shut eye? I'll take first watch. In the morning, we'll continue our search."

"Justice was here? She was the second personality I formed. She is so focused on stopping Death, she almost never surfaces..." Seikatsu muttered as she sat down against the wall. "Perhaps I will take that rest now. Thank you. Please awaken me later so you can also get some sleep."

"Don't worry, darling. I won't neglect my rest, either. After all, we need to be ready for anything," Chloe said with a coy wink.

3:28 A.M Day Eleven

Underground

Sewers

"Can you not go any faster?" Tomoko huffed as she peered over Naruhiko's shoulder while holding out her phone to illuminate the tunnel ahead of them.

The Punk Musician rolled his eyes as he adjusted his hold on the Shogi Player. "Sorry, your worshipfulness, I can only move so freaking fast while I'm carrying your ass around. I'm only doing this because you were bitching so freaking much!"

The Ultimate Shogi Player huffed. "Well, excuse me for taking pride in my appearance. I don't want to smell like one of your typical fans in a mosh pit."

"Tch, as if you'd know anything about my fans. You probably listen to some boring crap, don't ya? You look like the type who only listens to classical music on repeat," Naruhiko groused as he purposely jostled her a bit.

"It seems I was wrong. You are dumber than you look. My music tastes would actually surprise you," Tomoko huffed. "Figures I'd get stuck with the idiot of the group. Somehow, you always seemed a lot smarter in interviews."

Naruhiko paused a moment. "Interviews, huh? Now why would you know anything about that? I hardly ever did interviews. They sort of went against the whole rebel image. In fact, the only interviews I ever did were with VIP fans, but those were private."

Tomoko paled slightly as she nearly dropped her phone. "Hm, I-I simply had an acquaintance who was a fan of Mirai, that's all. They were the one who told me about it."

"Sure. Your acquaintance have a name?" The musician chuckled as suspicion crept into his voice.

"What does it matter? Of course they had a name. Why are you suddenly giving me the third degree, idiot?"

The Ultimate Punk Musician shrugged. "Iunno, sounds like you're a closet super-fan to me. Gotta say, that makes you more interesting. If you get Lachlan's permission, I'll sign your tits."

The Shogi Player painfully grabbed the boy by the ear. "Mention my chest again and I'll tear your balls off. Do I make myself clear?"

"Jesus fuck, woman! Alright, alright, lay off now, will ya?" Naruhiko groaned as they came upon an identical tunnel.

"Fine, we have a deal. Just so you know, I do love your band and punk music in general. You're still a colossal bonehead, though, and if you tell anyone what I just said, they'll never find your body," Tomoko whispered into the boy's ear.

The Musician shivered. "I don't know whether to be scared or turned on right now. Probably best if we just focus on not dying. This tunnel look familiar to you?"

"No, and I don't see any marks, so it means it's not part of the path Nagito used to reach the entrance of the park," Tomoko mused. "It would seem he wasn't bluffing about the size of these sewers. We haven't seen a soul yet."

"No kidding. Shit just goes on and on. Look, I need a breather, so you're gonna have to suck it up," Naruhiko muttered as he lowered the Shogi Player to the ground.

Tomoko huffed. "Whatever. It's not like it matters at this point, anyway. There is no avoiding this stench."

As soon as the Shogi Player was on the ground, both of them just barely registered the sound of movement. In a flash, a small form leaped onto Naruhiko's now unoccupied back. The Musician stumbled briefly, but was able to keep his footing. Annabelle giggled to herself while pulling her night vision goggles up. "Boo! It's about time she got off. I've been waiting for my turn for a while now!" she exclaimed before sticking out her tongue.

"Yeowza! You scared the freaking shi- er crap out of me!" Naruhiko snorted as he eyed the child glued to his back.

"...How long, precisely, were you waiting?" Tomoko asked in a deadpan tone as she intently eyed the investigator.

"Hee hee, long enough to know what a fangirl of his you are," Annabelle happily answered. Her face got a bit serious as she started looking over Tomoko. "Hmm, do you not want people to talk about your boobies because you barely have any?"

Tomoko's eyebrow twitched in irritation as she started to pinch the girl's cheek roughly. "If you want to live long enough to have any yourself, you'll show your elders a little respect. There's nothing wrong with not having a pair of watermelons strapped to your chest!" she said with a growl.

"Ahh, I'm sorry!" Annabelle cried out as she pushed the Shogi Player's hand away. "Jeez, you'd think she would be glad to have any attention paid to a chest that tiny," the small girl muttered under her breath as she rubbed at her cheek.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Tomoko shrieked as she jabbed a finger against Annabelle's chest. "I hope you're flatter than an ironing board after puberty!" she seethed.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Don't take it so hard, Tomoko! Some guys like girls that come in all sizes. It ain't nothing to be embarrassed about," Naruhiko snickered.

"Another word out of you and you'll be left a soprano singer," Tomoko grumbled as she stepped backwards and folded her arms. "The two of you are going to drive me insane. To make matters worse, I'm so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open."

"Yeah, it has been a long night, but it's gonna be pretty risky to try and get some sleep. Bad enough we're stuck down here. The extra motive is just overkill," Annabelle said as she climbed off of the Musician's back.

Naruhiko stretched and looked between the two girls. "It ain't good, that's for sure, but I trust ya both. We haven't come this far for nothing, right?" he asked as he slid against a nearby wall. "I know it's risky, but I think we should try and get some shut eye. We're only walking in circles at this point."

The Shogi Player rubbed at her forearm. "How can you be so naïve? If one of us were to strike when you lowered your guard, you'd be defenseless."

"Maybe, but I'm a guy who likes to live on the wild side. Besides, I figure I'd rather get some rest before things get worse, ya know? It's up to you two, but I'll be startin' my snooze," the Musician mused with a slight shrug.

Annabelle sighed as she sat down next to Naruhiko. "Might as well. It's not like sleep deprivation is any safer for us."

"Fine, just do me a favor. If one of you decides to kill me, at least make it quick," Tomoko took a seat several feet away before pulling her knees against her chest.

4:47 A.M Day Eleven

Underground

Sewers

"Lari, I know that I could apologize a thousand times, and it would never be enough," Shiho said as she shoved her hands into her hoodie. "It's just that Sebastian, our family's butler, was the closest thing I had to family."

The Knight paused mid-stride before turning to face Shiho with a makeshift torch in her hand. "Shiho, I can't speak for the others, but I would never judge you for that. When someone you love is on the line, it makes things more complicated than black-and-white. No matter what you did, I still count you as a precious friend, one that I treasure and care for. Others may see you as a traitor, but I see you as someone who is loyal to her loved ones. I think that makes you human, not a bad person," she said as she gingerly patted the girl's shoulder with her free hand.

Shiho sniffed. "I-I don't deserve such kindness. How can you be so calm about it? I-I betrayed everyone!"

Laris took another stride forward before opening her arms and gingerly pulling the girl into a one-armed hug. "Shiho, I've killed people just to survive. To escape Novoselic, I had to slay more men than there are participants in this game. I'm a killer, but, if I let that self-loathing consume me, it'll crush me. Focus on the here and now, and do what you can to atone for that. That's all you can do. As I said, I see you as a victim as much as anything else. Kurokuma preyed upon your desire to protect the one you cared about. He must be a very special person."

"My real father and uncle are terrible. They both treat people like lab rats, myself included. As they became more and more insane, Sebastian was the one person I could count on. He's not even that old, so I guess you could say he's more like a big brother. He was really one of the few things that kept me from going crazy. It was because of him that I found out how much I enjoyed running. He showed me how to face the world with a smile, and see the best in things, no matter how bad things were," the Ultimate Runner said as she gently hugged her friend.

"He sounds like a great man. If he's the reason you turned out the way you did, I'd say he did an excellent job." Laris playfully tousled Shiho's hair. "Now come on; we should keep moving. Think you can use your sensors to find the others or our way back?"

The Ultimate Runner offered a weak smile as she stepped back. "I'll do my very b-" she was cut off as she tripped and fell on her bottom.

The Knight shifted her torch before her eyes widened. She noticed Becky laying on the small catwalk next to the fallen girl. "Shiho, are you alright? Looks like you found someone already," she said as she stifled a giggle.

"Ha… Ha… Ha," Shiho rubbed her bottom before reaching over and pressing her palms against the ground. She then felt Becky's limp frame. "Wait, is this Becky?"

"Seems like it. I guess she's much more quiet without Dolly. I hope our resident Ventriloquist is alright," Laris said with a concerned expression.

The Runner slowly rose to her feet before pulling Becky against her bosom. "I hope so, too. These two are rarely apart. Dolly must be worried sick."

"I'm sure you're right, so let's try to find her and everyone else. We can find our way out of this nightmare then," the Knight said as she offered Shiho a half-hearted smile.

"I doubt anyone will be pleased to see me. In fact, I wouldn't blame them for being happy if I turned up dead," the Runner said quietly.

Laris' expression hardened. "If anyone tries to hurt you, they'll have to get through me first. You can't atone for your crimes if you're dead, and I'm not about to let you die."

Shiho wiped at her eyes with her feet hand. "Hah, why are you such a good friend to me after everything that's happened?"

"It's because I'd do anything to protect those I care about. These days, that list is very short. You, Chloe, Annabelle, and the others are precious to me. I couldn't protect my sister or my homeland, but I can at least try to protect you and the others," Laris said with a pained smile.

5:30 A.M Day Eleven

Underground

Sewers

"I-I hope Becky is alright. We need to find her," Dolly stammered as she looked across the small makeshift fire between Lachlan and Sigmund. "Do you think we'll find any of the others?"

Sigmund offered a weak shrug. "It's hard to say, really, considering none of us ended up in the same place and we found each other after the fact. I'd say anything is possible."

"Hope you brought your floaties, huh? Goddamn bear must get off on messin' with us. Hell, for all we know, some of the others coulda actually been flushed away," Lachlan said dryly as he looked over the fire.

"Considering how much water was involved, it's possible someone drowned. It seems Kurokuma has gone off the deep end," Sigmund mused as he scratched at his shoulder stub. "To make matters worse, I lost my crutch in that mess."

The Ventriloquist hugged her knees as she responded weakly. "At least some of the supplies endured. What bothers me is how Kurokuma timed that."

The Athlete nodded. "No doubt about it. As soon as the bombshell about Shiho was dropped, he didn't waste any time. I doubt that's a coincidence."

"Yeah, it probably ain't, but I can't help feeling like I missed somethin'. Probably just my nerves actin' up. We're in a pretty grim situation down here, after all," Lachlan muttered lowly while shoving his hands into his jacket pockets.

"What should we do? I think it's almost morning, but I don't think daylight is going to change our situation much," Dolly murmured with a dejected expression.

Sigmund sighed. "There's not much to be done. Either someone is killed, or all of the hostages are. Even if we were to reach the entrance, it doesn't change the motive itself."

Lachlan laid back, staring at the barely-visible ceiling. "Looks like we're going to have to wait for the inevitable. Heh, imagine if someone snaps, only to find out their hostage already bit the dust. Serves 'em right."

"The joke would be on them. Becky is the only friend I had before being stuck here. There's no one they could use against me, anyways," the Ventriloquist admitted as she watched the embers on the charred piece of wood begin to fade.

"I wonder if, in that scenario, Becky could be used as your hostage. I honestly wouldn't put it past our captor. He doesn't seem to possess any boundaries," the Paralympic Athlete responded quietly.

Lachlan's smirk disappeared as his brows knitted together. "Given how we got into this damned game, they musta taken a hostage for as many of the hundred of us as they could. Doubt they kept any of them around after they lost the person linked to 'em. So yeah, something tells me boundaries aren't any of the mastermind's concerns."

Dolly shook her head in disbelief. "Oh my god, I hadn't even thought about that. If they really did take hostages like that, there could have been at least a hundred more people who were just… killed for no reason. I-I can't figure out why someone so obsessed with this sick game would kill so many of us at once."

"It's obvious, isn't it? They wanted to send a message. Clearly, the person behind this doesn't value human life. Considering how they've droned on and on about despair, it seems they wish to spread their own sick philosophy," Sigmund responded.

Lachlan sat upright again and watched the final embers of the fire. "You're right about that. Whoever it is sure seems to hate people, overall. Guess that comes with the territory, though." The Journalist's expression hardened as he looked from Sigmund to Dolly. "So, with that said, what the hell are we going to do for now?"

"What can we do? As you said, our only option at this point is to wait for the inevitable," Sigmund replied lowly.

"B-But, even if someone does kill, how will we even know? Someone could already be dead, and we wouldn't know, right?" Dolly asked with a wide eyed expression.

The Paralympic Athlete offered a somber nod. "That's true, and I get the feeling that Kurokuma is well aware of that."

6:12 A.M Day Eleven

Underground

Sewers

The Ultimate Parental Figure let out a murmur as he slowly stirred. He immediately registered a dull pain in the back of his skull, but he also felt it resting on something soft. As his lids flitted open, he barely made out a faint spark of light caused by a small fire. He shifted his bleary gaze to see Tiana staring down at him with a look of genuine concern. It was then that he realized that his head was in her lap. "T-Tia.." he rasped as he nearly bolted up, only to be stopped by her hand keeping him planted. Her fingers from her other hand gently tousled through his hair.

"Welcome back, Haru. You really had me worried for a while. You've been out cold for hours now," the Dominatrix said as she offered him a weak smile.

"Hours?" His eyes hovered around, scanning the dark halls. No one else was around. "Where is everyone else?"

The Dominatrix shook her head slightly. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen another soul. You and I washed up in the same area, but you were already unconscious. You had a pretty nasty bump on the back of your head, so I'm assuming you must have hit the wall while we were being tossed about," Tiana explained with a thoughtful expression. "I dragged you as far as I could, and, after an hour of trying, I managed to find something dry enough to burn. I was trying to conserve my phone's battery as long as possible."

"I see... Thank you, Tia," the boy said with a warm smile. After that, he weakly dug into his pockets. "I wish there was something we could do for them..."

"Believe me, I know how you feel, but with our cell service being shut off overnight, they only serve as flashlights down here. If these tunnels are as massive as Nagito claimed, there's no telling where everyone may have ended up. I would have tried searching on my own, but I wasn't about to leave you like this," Tiana said as she gently stroked the back of her hand against his cheek. "How's your head feeling?"

Surprisingly, Haruto didn't tense up in response to the touch. If he did, then it was minuscule compared to last time. Instead, he started feeling more relaxed. He answered after giving a deep breath. "Throbbing... but I think it'll pass soon. How are you feeling? Did you get hurt at all?"

"My ankle is a little tender still, but otherwise I'm fine. I'd give anything for a nice hot shower, though." She laughed quietly, but her smile didn't quite reach her face. "...Haru, I'm still trying to process the idea that Shiho betrayed us. Never in a million years would I have suspected she was the one, yet I know I'd probably have done the same."

"I can't argue with that. As far as I know, Lachlan and Sigmund were the only ones who saw through her." He finally dug his phone and camera out of his pockets. Immediately afterwards, a look of realization appeared on his face. "Now that I'm thinking about it, there has always been something off about Shiho, hasn't there? Despite being an optimistic ball of sunshine, she mostly spent time with specific people, like Kaizoku and Laris. She wasn't like Churi, who I noticed was supportive of everybody."

"I'm not really sure what you mean. While it's true Churi was supportive of everyone, Shiho has been there for a lot of us too. Sure, she spends a lot of time with Kaizoku and Laris, but I've also seen her with Naruhiko a lot too, and she was the one who looked out for Annabelle during the second motive when they were being chased by Yushikuma. When we first got to the new district, she even spent a couple of hours exploring and playing with Dolly and Seikatsu. I never found that out of the ordinary," Tiana admitted before shaking her head. "Though, perhaps I'm too trusting for my own good."

"No, no, you're right. I didn't think there was anything odd about it, either, but then I heard Lachlan mention her giving fake smiles. A long while after that happened, I started having this nagging feeling in my mind, but I managed to shut it out. I believed in her until the very end, and I'm just now realizing the connections between everything." He looked lost for a moment, before letting out a wince and touching his head. "You know what, forget I said that. I think I hurt my head worse than I thought. It's making me talk crazy."

"You're not talking crazy, Haru. You're just a guy with a big heart. You saw the signs, but wanted to believe in someone. That's one of the things I like the most about you. You always try to find some light, even in a hopeless situation." Tiana leaned over before gently brushing her lips against the boy's forehead. "Just rest for now. That's an order!" she said. Her voice was firm, but she couldn't stop her lips from twitching slightly. "This time, I'm going to keep you safe."

The Parental Figure blinked, then he chuckled and gave a weak, yet playful, salute. "Yes, ma'am." Before he drifted back to sleep, he held out his phone and camera. "Can you hold onto these for me? I don't want to lose them, especially the camera. It's very dear to me."

Tiana smiled thoughtfully before nodding. "If it's precious to you, then I won't let anything happen to it. I'll guard it with my life."

"Thank you... Feel free to look in the album, if you'd like," he said after closing his eyes.

The Ultimate Dominatrix watched as the boy slipped back into unconsciousness over the next few minutes. Her eyes flitted from the camera and down to the boy sleeping in her lap. "Haruto, I hope you know that I love you. No matter what happens to us, I hope my feelings reach you," she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

13 Survivors Remain

OMAKE

*AN* As always I'd like to thank our betas, and Petty/Fee5H for helping with these scenes. You guys rock! I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review thanks!

Review Section:

Blazerxz

Hahaha yeah, but without questions a KG can get stale. So it's important to have new dilemmas and things to solve.

Yamomo

Something like that ;P

Cam

Well someone bit it. Guess we'll see soon enough if you were right.

The Kobold Necromancer

It was actually pretty straight forward and it was a reference to the Zero Escape series =)

BirblordAlmighty

Hahaha isn't it a wonderful situation?

NSPunny

Tension is definitely boiling over. That much is for sure.

pokemansuperallstar

Be afraid. Be very afraid muahhahaha

bellatrixshine

Now that we know who you want to hug, we need a list of OC's that need to be punted into the sun next ;)

doomqwer

Sometimes the oldies are the besties!

Natsukumo1000

Lol love the Yugioh reference!

MudkipOfDespair

Fun for us, miserable for them hahaha.