Chapter 3

The next day, Kazuichi was once more at his locker. as he put his algebra textbook away, he slammed the door shut, sulking into the dining room. As he did so, he was surprised when someone stepped in his way. a girl with long, wild blondish-pink pigtails, with a beautiful smile on her face held up two fingers in greeting, with her other hand on her hip.

"Hi! You're Kazuichi Souda, right? I'm Junko Enoshima! The ultimate fashionista!" Kazuichi's eyes bulged in disbelief. He knew who Junko was. Everyone did... She only the most popular, most famous girl in the academy...She was on the ccover of every fashion magazine. Girls envied her beauty...And here she was, talking to a mechanic like him... Junko Enoshima was talking to HIM...In front of everyone!

"Uh, y-y-yes, I am...! Wow...Junko Enoshima! Did you need something fixed? I'd be more than happy to help you!" The fashionista relaxed her smile.

"Not fixed, no...More like...built...Are you okay? You'e eyes are red...Have you been crying?" She tilted her head innocently, yet her lips pouted with concern. Kazuichi tugged at his blue jumpsuit as he glanced down.

"Yeah, I'm fine...Actually...No...No, I'm not fine...I...I was upset last night...The girl of my dreams hates me..." Junko pouted further. She grabbed Kazuichi's hand and started pulling him out of the dining room. Everyone present watched in stunned silence as Kazuichi was dragged off.

Out in the city, Junko Enoshima had dragged Kazuichi into a small cafe. she sat down across from him at one of the vacant tables, gently stroking his hand.

"Now then...Tell Junko all about it...Okay? Did you know despair can actually help you? The pain we feel from despair can actually help us heal from heartache...So go ahead...Tell me about this girl." So he did. He told junko how he had fallen i love with Sonia the moment he met her. To him she was beautiful, perfect, with no flaws whatsoever. The more he talked, the more comfort he felt from Junko. She listened to his every word, watching him intently. When he finished, Junko pursed her lips in thought.

"Hmmm...Sounds to me like Sonia Nevermind just doesn't like you at all...it's pointless to chase someone who doesn't return your feelings...You know? But instead of letting that despair contrl you...Why not use it? Use it as a shield, a weapon! use it to make yourself stronger, braver...More...awesome! Embrace the despair you're feeling...Don't try and chase it away with hope. Let it into your heart, learn to love it...Then, you'll be happier than you've ever been!"

"...Really...? Accept despair...? I'd...be happy...?"

"Of course! Trust me, been there, done that...now look at how happy I am! I owe it all to despair! You know what you nheed? You need a project! Something to replace Sonia...Which brings me back to my business..." She reached into her purse and whipped out a folded paper. She slapped it down on the table and unfolded it. it was a crude drawing of a bear that was half black, half white. Junko tapped her hair accessories.

"I was hoping you could build...a robot! Just for me! Modelled after these, see? I was thinking of calling him Monokuma...But there's no way someone like me can pull it off...I need someone who knows their way with machines! Someone who knows their tools! I need...you, Kazuichi Souda!" Junko was grinning that infectious grin again. Kazuichi could feel that grin drawing him in. Her energy made him want to help her more than anything...He felt like Junko was someone who appreciated him. Someone he could relate to. He wanted to do anything for her. She took the time to comfort him. Sure Leon helped, but Leon didn't exactly get upset a lot...If not ever...He grabbed the drawig and looked it over.

"So you want this as a robot, right? I'll do it! I'll make this the best, most awesome robot ever! i can even add all kinds of cool functions! Leave this to me, Junko!" he had that dreamy look on his face as junko leaned across the table, ulling him into a tight hug. The position in his face was in was awkward, but he wasn't exactly complaining...

"Oh thank you, Kazuichi! You're amazing! I knew I could count on you! In exchange, I'll help you embrace your despair just like I did!" She pulled his face up and kissed him on the cheek, then let go. She placed some money on the table as some food arrived and waved.

"I have to go talk to my sister now. She'll be so excited! Bye, Kazuichi! I'll see you tomorrow!" She practically ran out the door. Kazuichi felt like he never had before...Thanks to his despair, he befriended Junko Enoshima. An amazing, beautiful girl who appreciated him and his talent, and him as a person.
Kazuichi could almost swear he was in love...