Chapter 5

4 months passed since that day. He had been busier than ever, working hard on Monokuma. He was dedicated to the project, to pleasing Junko. As he put the finishing touches on the bear, he wiped the sweat off his forehead with his arm. He was filthy, covered in oil, rust, grease, you name it. But, the robot was done. he hoisted the bear up and lugged it out into the hall, hurrying for the stairs. He couldn't wait to see Junko again! She would be so happy to see Monokuma! as he ran down the hall, the door to a dorm swung open suddenly. Kazuichi didn't have time to stop himself from crashing into the person who came out. Luckily he fell backwards, so he didn't drop Monokuma. Not that he would break...Kazuichi made sure of that. The robot was designed to feel like a stuffed animal, but it was still a robot.

"Kazu? You okay?" Kazuichi looked up as Leon stood. Th impact had knocked him over as well. When he saw the robot, his eyes widened.

"Whoa...Is...Is that it...?" Kazuichi climbed back to his feet with diffuclty.

"Yeah, meet Monokuma! I'm delivering him to Junko! She said she'll have a gift for me!"

"Really? Man, that's awesome! Sounds like she likes you...Who would've thought? You should so ask her out...You two have been seeing each other for meetings for over a year! What have you got to lose, right?" Leon clapped his friend on the shoulder, giving him an encouraging grin.

"Yeah...Yeah I think I will! I've been keeping all my despair from Sonia bottled up inside, embracing it, loving it, just like Junko's been teaching me! I'm sure she'll agree to a date with me! I've done everything she's said after all!" The grin on Leon's face quickly disappeared, replaced with a nervous, confused expression.

What is he talking about? Bottling despair? emracing it? Loving it? How can you like such a horrible feeling?!

"Wait a sec...Kazu...Junko's been telling you to basically fill yourself with despair? You don't find that...weird...? Usually people let go of despair, not hold onto it...That can't be healthy..."

"Relax, Leon! It's totally awesome! I've also been watching the movies Junko told me to watch I my spare time. Pretty depressing stuff...But I learned to love it. the pain of heatbreak...the anguish of betrayal...I've embraced it all, just like Junko said! She said it'd make me happy, and look at all the amzing things that have been happening to me! All thanks to despair!" The more Kazuichi talked, the more Leon worried. This was not how a human being should be talking...It sounded like insanity to him...He flinched, stepping back from Kazuichi.

"Kazu...I think something's wrong with you...You're not well...This talk of despair isn't normal...It sounds like something's wrong with Junko...I...I think maybe on second thought...maybe you shouldn't see her..."

"...What are you talking about? You just said-"

"I know, I know what I said...But that was before you told me what she's been doing to you...It feels like she's trying to brainwash you, man!"

"Leon, everyone knows there's no such thing as brainwashing...That's just movies and stuff! You're overeacting. Everything will be fine! You're one of my only friends, and I appreciate the concern, but trust me. It's cool! Just wait, next time you see me, I'm gonna have the most popular girl in school on my arm! It's gonna be so awesome! I gotta go. Later Leon!" He started to run off. Leon's eyes widened. He tried to use his speed to grab the mechanic, but the mechanic was already at Junko's door, ringing the doorbell. He watched as junko pulled Kazuichi inside quickly, slamming the door shut behind him. a knot formed in his stomach. Something was definitely wrong...But what it was, he couldn't figure it out...

Junko Enoshima...Who are you?
_

"Alright, Junko...I proudly present...Monokuma!" Kazuichi proudly stood the robot up. Junko hugged it immediately.

"It's the most beautiful, the most despairful thing I've ever seen! You amzed me, Kazuichi Souda...It works exactly as you told me, right?"

"Yup! Here! He handed her some notes, which contained everything about Monokuma. Junko read them over, scanning each word carefully.

"Alright, got it! Okay, ready for your present?" Kazuichi's eyes widened, as did his grin.

"Yes, of course!" Junko giggled, then handed him a touch pad.

"You'll recieve an email on that pad within 3 days...Make sure you're with your classmates when you get it! such a gift like this deserves to be shared!"

"An email? Okay, sure! Not a problem! thanks, Junko! Oh yeah! I was gonna ask you if you'd...-" He was quickly silenced as a delicate finger was pushed to his lips.

"shhh...Don't say anything until after the email. Okay? trust me... It'll be to die for..."

Outside in the hall, the red-head was still worried for his friend. What was going on in there? was Kazu ok? He raised his fist to knock on the door, just as Kazuichi emerged. Leon's eyes widened as his fist accidently knocked his friend in the head instead.

"Ow! Hey, hey, hey! What the hell man?" Kazuichi groaned, rubbing his head.

"Sorry! My bad man. I was getting worried, so i was gonna knock...What's that?" He raised a brow when he saw the touch pad.

"This? Junko gave it to me. Said to share the email I get in 3 days with the rest of class 77-B. I bet it'll be good! I better go, see ya Leon!" Once again the mechanic ran off before leon could even say anything.