Disclaimer: I own neither the characters nor the series. This fic is based/adapted from 私の誕生日パーティーと三十分のbirthday:前編


It was a quiet night.

The moon shone brightly in the sky. The trees shook from the gentle sway of the wind. Even the insects seemed to be sleeping, the air lacking the buzzing noise they provided.

In a certain empty classroom, it was anything but quiet.

"Happy Birthday to you!"

"Happy Birthday to you!"

"Happy Birthday-"

A sound of singing resonated within the room even if there were only five occupants. There was no background music. One of the singers was clearly tone deaf with how bad they sounded. At least he had that excuse over the others.

Still, the one who was on the receiving end of the song had found it all pleasant.

Four voices yelled in tandem her name before finally finishing the song"

"Kyoko-chan!"

"Kyoko-san!"

"Kirigiri-cchi!"

"…Kirigiri."

""Happy Birthday to you!""

The sounds of poppers being blown open immediately followed.

"Thank you, everyone…I'm glad."

Kirigiri Kyoko rewarded her friends with a smile straight from the bottom of her heart.


The date was October 6 and the birthday of one Kirigiri Kyoko.

Just like last year, her friend, Asahina Aoi planned to throw her a birthday party and just like last year Kyoko had tried to refuse only to be rebuffed by Asahina's enthusiasm. She put up even less resistance this year and Kyoko knew she'd even have less the following years after.

The swimmer even had the idea to invite the rest of the Future Foundation, but Kyoko put a stop to that. It seemed ridiculous to her for whole Foundation to stop just for a personal birthday.

Instead, Asahina settled, yes, settled, for just the remaining survivors of the 78th class as well as Naegi's sister, Komaru. This increased their annual total number of party goers from four to a whopping five.

"Here we go. Here we go."

The oldest of the celebrants, Yasuhiro Hagakure, placed a large round cake at the center of their table, which consisted simply of a few desks pushed together then covered by a white blanket. The cake was a simple one, with white icing and several lit pink candles at the center equal to her current age.

In the back of head, Kyoko couldn't help but think of the whole thing as a fire hazard.

"Come on, Kyoko-san! Blow it out! Blow it out!" Komaru insisted on the side, her eyes lighting up orange by the flames. Kyoko tried not to think about how that familiar shade of dark green was had so easily captured her attention for a second.

Instead, she decided to oblige the girl's request "Understood."

She turned to the cake in front of her and, used one hand to hold her long hair up to prevent them getting to close to the flame. Then with one hefty blow, she blew out every flame out with one breath.

"Nice one, Kyoko-chan! All in one go!" Asahina clapped next to her as Hagakure stood up to switch the light back on. "You really have to do this kinda thing on your birthday!"

"I don't know about that," spoke up Hagakure as he got back to his seat. "After a certain number, you start to not want to remember…."

"Shush you! We're still young! We're still young!" protested Asahina although it seemed more like she was convincing herself than protesting.

"…Tch. I've done no such thing on my birthday."

"Then we'll do it on Toko-chan's birthday, as well!"

"Well, I didn't mean that in a jealous way…"

Kyoko would always still be surprised on how well the two hit off. It helped that Komaru seemed to help tone down Fukawa's…Fukawa-ness for lack of a better term.

"Anyways, let's eat some cake!" Out of seemingly nowhere, Komaru pulled out a sharp kitchen knife. Fukawa next to her jumped away from the sudden movement.

"Oy! Where did you even get that thing?"

"Eh?" Komaru innocently tilted her head. "I found it in one of the old dormitory bathrooms."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"I-I'm just kidding!" yelled Komaru to distill the suddenly tense air around her. "I got it from the school's kitchen!"

"Why don't I do the cutting instead, Koma-cchi?" Hagakure offered as he lowered the beaded rosary he had pointed at the woman. "I baked the cake myself so I brought my own knife just in case."

Komaru put away the knife…somewhere and let the older man divide the cake. She did have to ask one thing though, "When you mean baked…."

"I mean I made it alright! Why does everyone ask that?" Hagakure shook his head before turning to Kyoko. "How many slices?"

The obvious answer would be five. There were only five people in the room who could eat the cake but…

"Eight."

"You got it." Without another word, he sliced the round cake at the center, then the center of those two halves, then two more for those quarters. "Kinda looks like a pizza now."

He then distributed a slice to each person, leaving three slices. Thankfully, the cake was rather wide so helpings were still generous.

Kyoko used a plastic fork to take a piece of her slice and led it to her mouth. She would never get used to how surprisingly good it was.

"Amazing! Good job on the cake again, Hagakure!" Aoi complimented as she brought another portion to her mouth. "

"Hehe! Well, of course." Hagekure held his own fork in the air, the piece of cake attached threatening to fall odd. "I got taught by my mom and she's perfect at all the mom stuff, ya know! I'm even did it for free! No charges attached!"

That last statement only got Asahina to narrow her eyes in suspicion. "…. Liar. You're definitely planning something weird again! What's the plan this time?"

"You're terrible, Asahina-cchi! Have faith in your long-time friends! That was a long time ago! I'm the new true Hagakure Yasuhiro, especially with my new crystal ball!" The clairvoyant held up a glass ball surrounded by tacky gold dragons.

"See that Komaru-chan! That's what the type of person you don't want to grow up into." whispered Asahina to the just a year younger girl who nodded along.

"Oy! Listen to me will you!"

Kyoko continued eating her cake quietly, content with watching the three animatedly talk with each other.

They really were all on good terms.

"…tch. They're as noisy as always, that swimming idiot and the idiot idiot."

Kyoko turned to her side to see Fukawa sit down next to her, eating her own piece of cake little by little.

"…I didn't expect you'd come. Thank you for coming, Fukawa-san."

Of the six survivors, Kyoko and Fukawa had the least interactions with one another. Kyoko always thought it was just a natural part of their characters. One easily proclaimed her love to another but hid the secret of being a serial killer. The other was a detective who reveled in the truth and the less said about how closed she was on "proclamations of love" the better.

'Maybe, if I was better, this wouldn't be…no…I shouldn't think about it'

Even knowing those differences, Kyoko was honestly happy the other woman could attend.

"…Ah, well, you…indeed…we've known of each other for a long time now…I'm just…willing to at least show up."

Even if Fukawa averted her eyes when she replied, Kyoko knew it was miles different from before she had gone to Towa City. She seemed to have opened her heart more although in her own unique way.

"After all, Komaru is way too enthusiastic," murmured the writer as she shoved another piece of cake into her mouth. In front of the two of them, the younger girl had brought out that knife of hers once more and Hagakure looked to be trying to do some sort of exorcism.

When Komaru had introduced Touko as her best friend, Kyoko wasn't too surprised from her own previous experience. It was only when Touko did the same that Kyoko actually raised an eyebrow. It seemed that the two had developed a strong bond during their survival in Towa City. She really didn't think anyone could be able to befriend Fukawa and even accept her alternate self. But, if anyone could do it-

'She is "his" sister after all…"

"…Are you jealous"

"…What?" Kyoko turned to Fukawa who suddenly spoke up.

"…No. it's nothing." Fukawa hadn't even turned to her, still watching the two do their pseudo-exorcism.

"If you have something to say, please say it."

"…I'll give it more effort next time," was the only response she got.

Kyoko wanted to ask more but instead kept silent.

"It's finally time!" Suddenly, Asahina. who had disappeared earlier, showed up again holding large bag much like Santa Claus. "Present time!"

She walked in to see-"…what are you two doing?"

"Nothing!"/ "Nothing here, Asahina-cchi!" cried the two as they stood up from their spots on the chalk diagram drawn on the floor back to their original seats.

"Okay then." Asahina ignored it and placed the bag next to Kyoko.

"Hold on." Kyoko spoke up. "A birthday party is one thing but including presents seem a bit excessive."

She had already assumed that the whole party was already everyone's gift to her much like last year.

"Don't be shy, Kyoko-chan," exclaimed Asahina as she pulled out her present from the bag. "You've helped us out a lot! We're friends!"

"That's right, Kyoko-san!" agreed Komaru, pulling out her own gift. "I've already prepared it so you might as well accept it!"

Kyoko could only stare helplessly at the two bright eyes and shining smiles of the women in front of her. She turned for help to Fukawa but was surprised to see the writer take out what looked to be a manuscript from the gift bag.

Fukawa immediately noticed her look and fliched before slowly holding out the bundle of papers.

"Well, if it's just once a year…you should be obedient and celebrate it for once…. unless you don't want a gift from someone ugly and smelly like me…"

"Such a thing…"

"Just accept it Kirigi-cchi! A couple more years and you'll hate hearing about your birthday approaching. You might as well enjoy it while it lasts!"

"…you lack delicacy, Hagakure"

At her words, Hagakure pulled out his own gift which looked to be in a brown paper bag much to her surprise. She had even taught the cake was already his gift.

"…At this point, it would be too rude to refuse." For once, Kyoko allowed herself to enjoy the care peppered on to her. "I will accept your gifts. Thank you, everyone."

Even though she was neve able to remember all the missing memories Enoshima had taken from her, Kyoko still knew that she never had such a large event to celebrate her birthday. Her grandfather was far too strict to throw a party and for a long time she never had any real friends. She liked to think maybe her high school self had celebrated her birthday with the rest of the 78th class once but that she knew it was wishful thinking on her part.

Really, all of this warmed her heart.

"Kyoko-chan! Kyoko-chan! Open mine first!"

"Is it okay?" Kyoko blinked. She had planned to open the presents back in her room so she was surprised when Asahina placed a blue box into Kyoko's lap.

"Of course! That's part of the fun! No one knows what everyone else prepared so we could all take a good look!" Asahina turned to the others. "Is that okay?"

"I…it's a bit embarrassing but it should be fine," admitted Komaru.

"It's not like you can't already guess what I'm giving…so that means I can't be bullied anymore! "pointed out Fukawa as she held up her unwrapped gift

"Should be okay with me!"

"Well, then I'll open Asahina's first." Kyoko held up the blue box in her hand as she was watched Asahina watched nearby with a sparkle in her eye.

"Oy…isn't that." Hagakure nudged Fukawa.

"She couldn't have…" muttered the writer back.

"Is that what I think it is?" asked Komaru to no one.

Their reactions came not from the wrapping but from the shape of the box. It was flat and rectangulat. For anyone, this could have been anything but for Asahina Aoi to give this…

Kyoko opened the box to confirm her suspicions. "Donuts…right?"

She flipped the cover open and indeed there were twelve round pastries in a row.

"Oi you!" Fukawa pointed to the offender. "No matter how much your character revolves around donuts…to think you'd give it as birthday gift!"

Asahina pouted. "I thought it'd be better to give something familiar that I know she'd like than something strange."

"Thank you, Asahina-san. I'm sure I will find them deliscious." Asahina grinned at the words.

"Fufufu! Fukawa-chan and Kyoko-chan don't seem to understand how special the donuts I've give are."

"Er…is that so?" Kyoko lifted the lid again to check the box but only saw the same plain brown chocolate donuts.

"I can't use words! Seeing is believing! Eating is believing! That's the only true way to enjoy a donut! Go on and take a bite!"

At Asahina's encouragement, Kyoko took a single donut and raised it to her mouth before stopping.

"…You did not put anything strange, here did you?"

"What! Of course not!"

"I apologize. I said something rude." Still, Kyoko observed the donut with her keen eyesight to see if there really was anything different about it. Seeing nothing out of order, she took a cautious bite.

"Oh? This is…Coffee?"

Because she had taught they were originally chocolate, the taste of coffee beans came as a pleasant surprise to her tongue.

"That's right!" Asahina looked proud as she stood straight with her hands on her hips. "It's my special handmade donuts!"

"You made it yourself, Asahina-san?" Komaru asked, now kind of wanting to try them out herself.

"Yep! Its fun making your favorite thing! I did say once I'll try making them and I did! There's also another special part, Kyoko-chan…"

"This flavor…" Kyoko licked the inside of her mouth. "Luwak coffee?"

"That's our detective!" Asahina raised a thumbs up. "I heard it was your favorite flavor of coffee so I got some. It wasn't easy but seeing your face was worth it!"

"Well, it was truly delicious, Asahina-san." Kyoko closed the box of donuts and placed it on the table and picked up another present. It was slightly larger and rounder than Asahina's box and wrapped in red and yellow. It was also almost half her size.

"I believe this is Komaru-san's."

"Oh, um. I don't know how I could beat that." She scatched her cheek with a single finger, slight embarrassment in her eyes. It was such an uncannily similar sight that Kyoko had to force herself to look away and instead focus on the present.

"It's not a competition." She wondered if it was something handmade as well. She just hoped it wasn't more food. First the cake, then the donuts, if there was any more sweets she'd have to start worrying about her weight.

She carefully undid the wrapping paper, careful not to break the surprisingly large gift to reveal a…

"A stuffed toy?" To be more specific, it was a large capybara with a brown coat.

She held it up to see its googly eyes shift left to right. Oddly enough, each limb was also different in length. It was also not as thick and fluffy as one would expect from a stuff toy. There was also some weird tattoo on its thigh. However, the biggest question was…

"Why a capybara?" even if it was Fukawa who asked that was the question in everyone else's mind. Kyoko knew she had never talked to Komaru on her favorite animal.

"Ah well," Komaru turned away from her best friend's look. "I was actually going to ask what Kyoko-san's favorite animal was but she may have been able to notice if it was for a gift.

Kyoko nodded at the logic. If Komaru had suddenly brought up the topics of favorite animals to her, it would've been too suspicious. She must've been too scared to spoil the surprise.

"Hmm." Kyoko turned to the younger girl with her signature stoic look. "If I told you I hated capybara's what would you do then?"

"Eh!? Well…it's okay isn't. it?" Komaru looked up at her tearfully, a worried frown on her face.

"Just a joke." Kyoko held it up the toy again to avoid the girl's teary look. Really, their figures were just too similar. "Don't worry, I like capybara's. This stuffed toy is…cute, as well now that take a look at it."

She especially like the brown fur and the way a piece of hair stood defiantly at the top of its head. Plus it looked so dopey looking that she couldn't help but find think of him when she sees it.

Meanwhile, Komaru collapsed on her chair releasing a sigh of relief. "S-safe!...How does he do it…"

"Komaru?!"

"Well, next should be, Hagakure-san's."

However, instead of the brown paper bag, a manuscript was dropped on Kyoko's lap.

Shrugging, Kyoko picked it up and read through the initial pages quickly as Fukawa and Asahina tried to revive Komaru who looked to have fainted from the pressure.

"Oh, is this perhaps a mystery novel?"

She had expected initially a romance story but just from the first chapter it was clear it was setting up to a mystery. The most obvious being that the main character was a female detective who had her own scrappy Watson-esque assistant.

"Well…you should like mystery novels, right? Being a detective and all that." Even as she replied to Kyoko, Fukawa averted her eyes.

"Well, as cliché as it is, it is my favorite genre, yes." Although really, what detective didn't love mystery novels? Kyoko remembered a fondness reading English detective novels as she had grown up abroad. It was only recently that she had tried to get into the Japanese canon of mystery novels although finding copies of those were harder after the Tragedy.

"…Then I'll have to tell you…Byakuya-sama heped as well.

"Togami-san?" Kyoko was surprised to hear the scion's name and the word help next to each other. While in recent years the blonde had grown "gentler", it was still a surprise to hear that he'd help out Fukawa to right the novel.

"Huhuhu…. a collaboration with Byakuya-sama…that is the crystallization of our love…be grateful that you could read it…huhuhu." Fukawa started drooling as her gaze started becoming unfocused. It was the recently revived Komaru's turn to get her back to the reality.

"Actually," It was Hagakure who started to explain. "After the Fukawa-cchi wrote the novel, I showed it to Togami-cchi and he went, "Don't call such garbage a detective novel!", told her the trick was too obvious, and told her what to change and remove."

Kyoko didn't know what was more surprising: that Togami seemed to have pushed through all of Fukawa's delusional writings and read the whole novel just to improve it or that Hagakure could do a startlingly decent impression of the man.

"…so this is not the direct collaboration of Fukawa-san and Togami-?"

"Nope."

Kyouko almost wanted to see how the initial manuscript would have looked. She couldn't help but wonder if the detective and her assistant didn't have a chaste a relationship in pre-Togami drafts.

"Ah! So do you want my novel or not!"

'Oh, she's back.'

Kyoko allowed a small smirk to enter her lips. "Obviously. If it's the collaboration of Fukawa-san and Togami then I'll be sure to read it. I'm looking forward to it."

It didn't help that the Tragedy had pretty much killed off most famous writers. The riots had also caused a disgusting amount of book burnings. As a person who was part of the "reading is my only hobby" group, Kyoko had found the finding new undamaged worthwhile books difficult.

But a mystery novel written by the former Ultimate Writing Prodigy which was further supervised by the former Ultimate Scion? She just had to wait for a rainy day.

"Huhuhu…well, once you finish it, I'd like to ask your impressions.

"Understood."

It was even nice of the writer to write something outside of her field just for Kyoko. Although, she wouldn't mind a hint of romance for the two investigators as long as it didn't get in the way of the mystery.

Well, it was at least guaranteed to be better than the literary adaptations of the Killing School Life broadcast.

Speaking of terrible mysteries, there was only one present left.

"Alright! My turn, Kirigi-cchi! Time for the gift I prepared!"

"…A gift from Hagakure…I can't really expect anything."

"…Um, are you sure it's not actually borrowed debt?"

"…Kirigiri-san, maybe you should throw it away before you see it."

"What's with the cold reaction! Isn't' this too cruel!"

"Everyone please don't be rude." Kirigiri spoke up as she held the paper bag. "Even miracles can happen, and it may be a decent gift."

"Kirgiri-cchi's the coldest one!"

Ignoring the man, Kyoko opened the paper bag and look inside. "…what is this?"

"Let me see!" Asahina went over to peep into the bag as well. She tilted her head in confusion as she too couldn't identify a single thing in the bag. "I dunnow either."

"Haha! Be thankful Kirigi-cchi! That's an assortment of goods I've collected over the years!" Hagakure boasts much like Asahina did earlier but it didn't have the same effect as when the swimmer did it.

"…so you bought occult goods that don't even work but keep increasing your debts like an idiot…"

"That's different Fukawa-cchi! This stuff is the real deal! The genuine OOPart!"

"I had heard how Hagakure-san's in debt." Komaru murmured to herself. "But to think he's actually part of the occult."

Hagakure ignored her and grabbed the item in the bag and the explain them to Kyoko. "This here is a rosary that makes one obedient to their own feelings. This is a bracelet that could makes your body less tired. And this is a wooden carving of a beat that would give you better blood circulation."

'…they're not even beads or ornaments.' Kyoko thought as she looked at his gifts.

"Ah," Asahina decided to step in. "is there any reason you chose those specific items?"

"Well, Kirgiri-cchi is always working harder than other people so she's bound to be tired, right?"

"Maybe, you just don't work enough," retorted Fukawa under her breath. Hagakure didn't even notice as he continued

"Her complexion also always doesn't look that good.." pointed the fortuneteller out as he held up the bear statue.

"Hagakure, Kyoko-san just has a fair complexion! It's not from bad circulation," defended Komaru but soon there was a small murmur from Kyoko.

"…I wonder if I'm too pale."

"No! No! Kyoko-chan's skin's beautiful! Really, Hagakure, don't you have any delicacy?"

Asahina glared at the older man who could only hold his hands up in defense. To try to salvage what was left of his self-respect, Hagakure held up the last item which was the rosary.

"T-to be honest, this here's my real gift. I was supposed to give it to Naegi-cchi but he didn't show up at work today. The rosary would help him be honest with-" "You!"

Before he could speak anymore he was conked at the back of the head. "Yashidiot!"

"We told you not to talk about Onii-chan today!"

"…what?" was the only word that left Kyoko's mouth. She turned to the two women but they just looked away, guilt in their eyes. "What did you mean by that?"

"Oh if you're wondering," It was Fukawa who spoke up. "Komaru and the swimming idiot were worried about you because your husband left his wife for work on her birthday no less."

"…there's no wife or husband here." Kyoko murmured. She could only release a heavy sigh she hadn't realized she had been holding in before turning back to address Asahina and Komaru.

"While I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I'm also not a child that needs everyone to bend over so they could celebrate my birthday." She crossed her arms and gave them both a hard stare. "I understand that at Naegi-kun's position there are certain jobs that he can't ignore."

Yes, the days where Makoto Naegi could be referred to as "an ordinary high school boy" were long over. He was the Ultimate Hope who defeated Enoshima Junko, the Ultimate Despair and reminded the world that they could fight back. He was the survivor of another Killing Game orchestrated by the remnants of despair that had struck a heavy blow to the Future Foundation. He would be the future Headmaster of Hope's Peak academy after it was once again rebuilt.

(Except that other Killing Game was orchestrated by the president of the future foundation.)

Someone like him who was drawing attention all over the world should not be detained for a personal birthday.

It did not help that to cover up the second Killing Game, the reformed 77th class had released a video that made themselves, the Remnants of Despair, the culprit. This video only spurred on the remaining forces of despair. At the very least, they stopped hiding due to their new-found morale boost and were easier to find.

Today, he had important meetings with the future foundation and other staff about the reconstruction plan of the school. Kyoko knew because she had set them herself.

"…you don't have to be so frank about it…" murmured Fukawa."

"Please pardon my useless onii-chan" bowed Komaru.

Even Hagakure seemed amazed at Kyoko's words and bowed his head in apology.

'…I wasn't really thinking about it anyways.'

"That's enough! That's enough! No more Naegi talk alright!" pepped Asahina as she tried to distill the murky mood that had overtaken the class room. "Let's just continue the party!"

Just as she said that, the distinct sound of footsteps that could be heard from the halls.

'Could it be…'

"I was told there was a party but I didn't realize just how a sorry sight it would be."

"Togami-cchi!"

"Byakuya-sama!"

By the door with a sullen look on his face and his trademark scowl stood Togami Byakuya dressed in ann expensive black suit.

'…It's not Naegi-kun.'

"You weren't working today, Togami-san?" asked Kyouko as she tried to ignore the disappointment she felt as his arrival.

"I'm competent enough that I can take my time when hunting down remnants of despair."

Asahina approached him excitedly, "So then you're here to join the party?"

Togami scoffed at her question.

"Of course not. I don't have time to celebrate birthdays nor do I have the interest to. I only arrived because I had a delivery for you.:

"Delivery?" Komaru tilted her head.

Kyoko didn't remember anything she had ordered recently. People still sent Naegi and the other survivors a combination of thank you gifts, death threats, and…. underwear which could have fallen in either of the previous two categories.

'Maybe, if the delivery was a "someone" then…'

Before she could finish her thought, a number of men wearing black suits entered the classroom, all of them carrying a large cardboard box with them.

"That's pretty large luggage," noted Asahina, confusion in her tone. The swimmer clearly didn't know who the boxes were from and, from how Hagakure and Komaru were staring with open mouths, neither did they. Only Fukawa was still staring at Togami.

"You'd better appreciate that it was my direct subordinates that bothered carrying this luggage around." Spoke up Togami.

"So this is what exactly?" asked Asahina as the other men left the room."

Togami crossed his arms and looked in the direction of the delivery. "It seems to be a birthday gift from the 77th class."

" The 77th class…" Kyoko disappointment settled in once again although at least now there was some curiosity mixed with it.

The 77th class who had entered the Neo World program were still in hiding as the "Remnants of Despair", no doubt helping the battle with despair in their own ways. However, even if she did admit that she had watched over them during their Killing School Trip, it wasn't like she was particularly close with any of them so the idea that they had prepared gifts for her was an oddly pleasant surprise. She supposed it was what a teacher felt when her students gave surprised her with a gift.

The only way they could even send something like this was through Togami and his direct subordinates as there shouldn't ever be a link between the rebuilt Hope Academy and the Remnant's of Despair or it would easily lead to the shutting down of the school before it even opened.

"To think the day that Togami Byakuya would be chored to do home delivery. Kirgiri, don't think this doesn't come cheap."

She wanted to point out that it's not like she asked for it but Kyoko instead decided it wasn't worth it.

"I appreciate the delivery. I'm sure I'll recompense you in some form, Togami."

"Hmph, see to it," smirked the blonde.

"I guess he has some surprisingly good points," nodded Komaru as she smacked the bottom of one fist to her palm. She still didn't see what Touko saw in the guy but then again, she also didn't get what someone like Kyoko would see in her brother.

"What are you saying! Byakuya-sama is full of good points! He's like a line of good points!"

Ignoring the rabble, Togami drew his gaze across the classroom, trying to locate a familiar brown antenna.

"Oy. Where's Naegi?"

"Ah, Naegi-kun…" Just as Kyoko was about to reply to him, she was interrupted by Hagakure who answered for her.

"If you're looking for Naegi-cchi, he didn't come today. He's too busy at work."

At his words, Togami simply raised an eyebrow before turning to Kyoko, his chin held high.

"Hmmm…As odd as it sounds, currently, his job is better and more important than yours. Maybe, he got bored of you?"

Kyoko wanted to correct him that Naegi couldn't get bored because there was nothing to get bored with because the two of them weren't in a relationship.

Instead, she just murmured, "That might be the truth."

Not expecting her to agree with him so pathetically, Togami threw an intense glare at Kyoko and clicked his tongue in anger. "Tch..!"

"Hey! That was awful!"

"Calm down Asahina-cchi! You know Togami-cchi's not serious about what he says. Just leave it."

As Hagakure tried to calm Asahina down, Fukawa excitedly approached the still incensed Byakuya.

"Will…will you be staying for the party, Byakuya-sama?"

"Do not move so close to my face. You still stink." She complied inching backwards. "I thought I would could spare you some time but unlike the rest of you I have work to do. In the first place, there is no law that indicates I need to celebrate Kirgiri's birthday."

As he turned to leave, Kyouko stood up to follow him. "…Should I go as well? You may need more hands."

"Kyoko-chan?!"

Togami glared over his shoulder, "Help? A Togami doesn't need help. Are you forgetting that I came all this way just to deliver you your presents? If you want to "help", then stay right there and don't waste the favor I had bestowed upon you."

And with that, he left without another word.

"Hey, guys, let's start opening this up!" exclaimed Komaru who was standing right next to the large box. She had long learned that the easiest way to put up with Togami Byakuya was to just ignore the guy.

Asahina sent a worried glance to Kyoko who only returned a shrug. "Well, I am interested in what our senpai had sent us. Although, I have to wonder how they learned of my birthday."

"Ah!" Asahina yelped in realization. "I think I told Hanamura when he was teaching me how to make donuts."

"Wasn't that chibi a grade above us? You should use an honorific when you address that perverted hick. Show some respect"

"…Aren't you doing much worse, Fukawa-cchi?"

Asahina looked up, a finger on her mouth, "Well, when he was helping me out make donuts, he told me it was okay to talk like students so we'd be in sync but I just dropped the honorific because it's easier."

Kyoko immediately notice an important detail. "Asahina-san, did he teach you how to make donouts directly."

"Yup!" was her cheery reply. "I was secretly taught in the school kitchen with the help of Togami's subordinates at the time!"

"….It would have been really bad if you were both found out."

"Ah! Yeah… sorry, Kyoko-chan," apologized Asahina. She looked like she wanted to bow so Kyoko hurried her response.

"Well, what's done is done. And thanks to that I got a nice present. Fortunately, if even I hadn't heard of it, then no one else important has." She showed a small smirk before giving Asahina a level stare of warning. "Next time, you want to contact the 77th students, only do it through me or Togami."

"Yes! I'm really sorry again, Kyoko-chan!"

As Asahina's smile returned, Fukawa approached her worried.

"Making donuts with just the two of you…you weren't sexually harassed, were you?"

The swimmer shook her head. "Not that I could recall really."

Even Kyoko was surprised on the restraint the cook had shown. Was it just Asahina's purity? Or was he really a different person. She hadn't known them enough after they had been reformed to draw a conclusion.

Suddenly there was a shriek as Asahina hugged Fukawa's arm.

"Hehe. It's unusual for Fukawa-chan to worry about me. Thanks."

"…I was just wondering what you were doing that's all."

"Yeah yeah. Fukawa-chan. You should really learn to be more honest."

"Noisy. Stupid." The writer pulled away from Asahina and made her way to Komaru though it didn't seem to upset the swimmer too much.

Eventually the five of them all gathered around the large box.

"It's already open?"

"Sorry, you guys were taking too long" apologized Komaru as she once again held up her knife.

"It's fine." Kyoko then flipped the lid of the box open and looked inside.

At the very top was a pink bottle of liquid. Kyoko took it out and read the label. "This looks to be a health drug from Tsukimi-san. I'm sure it will be effective if she chose it. It seems to be good for colds."

Of all her upperclassmen, Kyoko found herself closest to the nurse for the simple reason that she had saved her back in the final Killing Game. Even now, she would ask consultations from her over a secure line.

Next, she took out a laminated piece of paper. Written on it was a list of ingredients and cooking instructions. It was also surprisingly detailed.

"This is Hanamura-san's."

Hagakure took a glance at the paper, "Curry rice? You liked curry Kirgiri-cchi?"

"I don't mind it but I don't have any special preferences for food." admitted Kyoko.

To be honest, the recipe looked intimidating as she embarrassingly never leaned to cook. When she was younger, she preferred fast food she could pick up on the go. Food that could last long for stake outs were also a go to for her. Even back in the Future Foundation, she was simply too busy to cook any number of meals a day.

"Curry rice." Komaru tilted her head. "Maybe, it's for onii-chan?"

"…Indeed" agreed Kyoko. "Naegi-kun loves curry rice."

"Ah! S-sorry." Komaru looked away embarrassed that she was heard. She still seemed careful not to let Kyoko think about Naegi.

'Naegi-kun's favorite. Maybe I should try making it' An image of a smiling Naegi happy eating the curry she had made popped into Kyoko's head and she concluded that the gift wasn't too bad.

Kyoko replaced the recipe with the next gift.

"It looks like a music player?"

"Let me listen!" Komaru wore the earphones that came with the player and pressed play. And then pressed stop after a total of five seconds. She then immediately removed the earphones and handed it back to Kyoko, her focus in her eyes much darker than they were before.

"That black birthday song…I think I just saw a nightmare."

"Tch..that stupid high tension woman…she should use her talents in better genres" grumbled Fukawa as she supported Komaru who looked to be close to losing consciousness.

Kyoko put down Ibuki's gift next to the others.

The next one looked difficult for Kyoko so it was Asahina who lifted the dumbbell out of the box.

Hagakure reached in when he noticed a memo that had fallen off the dumbbell. "This looks like a training program? It's probably that robot guy."

"Owari-san must've wanted Kyoko-chan to get stronger with this." Asahina did a few experimental curls before placing it down next to the others. "Although, she may want to battle you after."

The next gift was a fan with a beautiful pattern design. "This must be from Saionji-san".

There was also a notebook on instructions on various dances. Kyoko guessed this was the woman's direct way in telling her to teach them at Hope's Peak was rebuilt. While she wasn't as attached to the country compared to the dancer, Kyoko made a mental note to check how their current curriculum may needed arts and culture as well.

"W…what is this?!" Kyoko turned to Fukawa who had a book in her hand. It was obvious that the writer must've been interested to see what her upperclassmen could write. However, when everyone else had approached her to see the problem, they saw something unexpected.

"Ah, it's Naegi-kun."

It wasn't a book but a photo album

"Oho! That's us! There's Naegi-cchi and me and that's you Asahina-cchi!"

The picture showed everyone from their class wearing the brown uniforms of Hope's Peak Academy.

Every picture in the album showed everyone bright and happy with smiles on their faces. It was the perfect image of a peaceful and comfortable school life.

It would be hard to think soon after the Tragedy would strike.

"Oh…! Sakura…! It's Sakura-chan!"

There's Kuwata-cchi, Oowada-cchi, …. here's Fujisaki-cchi wearing bloomers."

Asahina's face was a mixture of joy and loneliness while Hagakure had a rare look of restraint on his face as he suppressed his emotions

If this was a week, a month, even a year after they were released, Kyoko knew the two would be crying their eyes out but, at this point, they had grown too much, already made too many real connections with other people to be that saddened over erased relationships they'll never know about.

As cold as it sounded, Kyoko, never truly found herself distraught over her dead classmates. Maybe, it was because she had made sure to keep her distance from everyone but a short lucky boy. Maybe, it was because she had also lost more memories than the rest of them. Or maybe she had no reason and was just that cold-hearted.

"…There's Yamada and Ceres and Ishimaru, they're all having fun playing some card game…"

Even Fukawa had refrained from her usual insults. Her eyes scrunched up as she just called the dead by their names.

Komaru who couldn't have any relation to the deceased watched without much change in her expression. However, she did feel something which was why she not a single word was said after every flip of the page.

The next page caught Kyoko's breath as she felt her body tense.

'…Maizono'

In the picture, Sayaka Maizono and Naegi were smiling side by side, facing the camera.

She felt pain as her chest tightened. It was a feeling she had experienced multiple times over the years and yet it was only now that she understood what it was.

'To be jealous of someone already gone…how ugly'

She turned away and sighed to herself in secret as everyone was still too busy looking over the album. She already knew that if all those pictures were only of the class smiling then she wouldn't be in it. Compared to today, there was nothing that could have put a smile on her face back then. At least there didn't seem to be any pictures of Enoshima and Ikusaba although she was sure Naegi would be the only one who would feel saddened by that fact.

The Kirigiri Kyoko back then would have preferred investigations over staying in class. She would have told off her father on the first day then made plans to leave in a year or even a semester. She would have pushed everyone away and there were no plated windows and locked doors to force her to interact with people and them her.

"Oh, there's a picture of Kyoko-chan!"

"What?" Asahina's words snapped Kyoko out of her funk, depression being replaced by surprise. She turned to the album to see what kind of picture was taken and…

It was of a younger Naegi Makoto and younger Kirigiri Kyoko smiling together as they shared one umbrella.

"Woah, Kyoka-san! That's a dangerous smile you have there."

"That's right, Komaru-san. A girl can't show such a smile to a teenage boy. He might get ideas, you know?"

Kyoko ignored their wide grins with a pointed cough as she continued staring at the picture.

'… a truly natural smile.''

Back in school, she knew she would've tried to ignore men as much as possible but the girl in the picture was relaxed as she kept close to the boy holding the umbrella.

'So even back then…I wasn't alone …'

Even if it was just one picture, a weight she never knew she had was lifted in the back of her mind. In exchange, an uncomfortably warm feeling spread throughout her body as she felt immense gratitude for a boy she'd never know for reaching out to a girl she'd never know as well.

After they were done with the Koizumi-san's album, they moved on to the next gifts.

"First a picture book of fluffy animals and an DVD of some detective anime." It was surely Pekoma-san and MItarai-san. If it was chosen by both of them, that means they both were definitely top notch.

The picture book would be something nice to look at after being tired from work and was already interested in seeing the detective anime. Maybe, she could invite Naegi to watch it with her?

Fukawa picked up another book only this time her face scrunched in disgust. "'100 ways to deceive people'. Ugh..it's from that fake who dares copy Byakuya-sama. It's actually a surprisingly normal gift."

"Let me see that!" cried Hagakure as he snatched the book from Fukawa's hands and started reading it.

"Oh look at this one!" Asahina needed two arms to hold the box she had found with gorgeous wrapping and lace ribbons holding it together. "It's pretty big. Who do you think it's from?"

"Possibly, Nevermind-san," deuced Kyoko. "Only she'd have access to such intricate wrapping. Or even bothered to.

"Then let's open it" cheered Komaru excited to see what could be inside such pretty wrapping.

Right before, Asahina was about to hand it to Kyoko, a rattling sound came from the within the box. Immediately, Kyoko withdrew her fingers while Asahina nervously and slowly placed the box on the ground.

…rattle.

…rattle.

…Thunk.

…Thunk.

It was clear that whatever was inside the box was moving.

"…."

"…."

"…."

From within the box, an odd croaking sound was heard followed by beeping then more rattling.

"Should we still open it?" asked Komaru, not as excited as she was earlier. "I mean, it's probably something alive right?"

"As much as I think it's harmless, we can't take that risk. It may attack us or have a disease we're not immune to." Kyoko had heard about how the Princess' kingdom contained many rare animals such as the Makango. However, Makango's were only related to matrimony and not birthdays. "I'll give her a call and ask the details before opening it later.

With much effort, Hagakure was convinced to move the box to one corner of the classroom. Whenever they all stopped talking, it was easy to hear the box's rattling.

The next gift was a sake bottle from Kuzuryuu-san. Kyoko didn't really partake in drinking but she could appreciate what would be great alcohol. They were all adults already anyways.

The next after were large transparent plastic bags filled with brown grains that looked like cat food. On it were instructions.

"Is this its food?" asked Hagakure as he removed the bags from the box.

"Well, at least we know that thing doesn't eat people." sighed Komaru as she glanced nervously to the box at the corner of the room.

Asahina read the instruction that came with he bags. "If you use this offering to sate the bloodlust of the magic beast of darkness. It is only proper to do so under the gaze of a bloody moo-Oh there's normal instructions on the back."

Kyoko rubbed her chin. "I'm only worried that my apartment doesn't allow pets, nor do I have to time to look after on. I don't want to send it back unless I need to so I may need to let someone else look after ti for a while.

The four exchanged glances before quickly going back to the cardboard box to change the topic.

"Hey look at this!" Komaru reached in and pulled out a pair of round glasses. She slid them on with a smirk. "Now we match Touk-woah this thing's freaky!"

Kyoko picked up the case Komaru had left in the box. It contained instructions as well what looked like stickers. "It seems Kazuichi-san made "Culprit tracking glasses".

She had seen it in a manga Naegi had lent her and it looked like Kazuichi read it too as he went out of his way to invent it.

"So you just place this sticker on someone…"Komaru placed a sticker on Asahina's back. "then you can follow a perp anywhere right?"

She donned glasses again which showed a compass that pointed towards the swimmer's direction where Komaru moved.

"But if you think about it, couldn't people just use it for stalking others?" Asahina pointed out.

Komaru took off the pair of once more only to see her best friend staring at the glasses in her hands, almost hungrily.

She immediately handed it back to Kyoko who mentally noted to seal it away. It's not like she needed something like that anyways.

Next was another of the gadgets from the manga, the voice changing bowtie. This time made by Hinata-san. Kyoko wondered if the two had bonded over the manga recently before making these things. It was even possible they had talked about it with Mitarai when he chose his own gift for her.

"Isn't that the guy with like all the powers or something?" Asked Komaru not familiar with any of the remnants besides one.

"Well, sorta." Hagakure shrugged. "Why he uses them on this instead of getting us gold with some sort of Ultimate Gold Digger talent is beyond me."

"Well, at least the stuff he makes is fun." Komaru twiddled with the bowtie as she looked at the instructions. It looked like there were only a few preset voices on the thing. Most of the names were what she guessed the rest of the class but thankfully, she knew two of them.

She switched on the "Togami Byakuya" voice.

"[Toko, I love you!]"

"D-don't imitate Byakuya-sama's voice, Komaru!" chastised Touko angrily. "You're not hard enough! You need more anger! More disgust."

"[…Ugh. I regret this now.]" honestly spoke Komaru but that only seemed to get her best friend breathing harder. She had to change quickly before it got weird.

She switched on the only other name she recognized.

"[Kirigiri-san is cute!]"

"!"

"[Kirgiri-san, I-]" Before she could finish, her head snapped back from a flick of Asahina's fingers. She hadn't even noticed the older woman get so close.

"Don't joke around. Let's look at the next gift."

Taking off the bowtie, Komaru bowed her head as she handed it over. "Sorry, Kyoko-san."

"….it didn't bother me."

Kyoko placed the bowtie on the pile of presents she had received

Medicine, a curry recipe, an original birthday song, a training regimen, a dumbbell, a fan and a notebook of dance routines, an album of smiles, a fluffy animal collection, a dvd of a detective anime, a book on deceiving people, a…pet?, sake, pet(?) food, culprit tracking glasses, and a voice changing bow tie.

To think she had received so many things. She made a mental note to check again when the birthdays of the 77th Class were so she could at least return the favor.

There was still one more, however.

"….So the last is Komaeda-kun's."

"Eh…"

"Oh, the perverted Naegi clone…"

Of course, Fukawa and Komaru would be the least trusting of the man, especially since they had direct contact with him.

"It's fine. He's not in despair anymore." As she said that, Kyoko took out a small elongated box. It was around the same size of the one she kept in her drawer that she had received almost a year before. She opened it to reveal.

"A flower?"

"Somehow, it's not surprising, huh?

As Komaru and Fukawa looked over the gift, Kyoko said the name of the flower.

"A Gerbera daisy." It was a simple thing, with a green stalk and white petals. However, what made it more amazing was that, it was clearly real. In the world where the atmosphere has been polluted for years, who else but the Ultimate Luckster could find such a thing?

"I thought he'd bring something crazier but now it's sorta anticlimactic, right?"

"It's not really like that servant, right? Wasn't all about bigger and bigger things?"

"In flower language, the white Gerbera means hope," supplied Kyoko. "If he really did love hope from the bottom of his heart, then it's a wonderful gift."

Placing the flower with the rest of the gifts (excluding the box), Kyoko couldn't help but feel closer to people she's only learned off through a virtual screen. These were people who had not only saved her, but all the 78th survivors who were involved in the Final Killing Game.

All because one person thought they deserved a chance.

She never thought she'd receive so many gifts on a birthday.

"Just looking through all of these was hard work." Komaru stretched her arms over her head. "I hope we won't have to do this for everyone's birthdays."

"Hehe, if you think we're done here, Komaru-chi. Then you're wrong on that count!" With cryptic words, Hagakure reached into his pocket to bring out silky black box.

Komaru stared at the box. "Are there still more of the 77th class?"

"No, that should have been all of them." Pointed out Asahina as she mentally counted how many they were.

"...Ah, I believe I understand." Kyoko accepted the box and opened it to reveal a luxurious watch. There was no one else who could afford such a thing for a gift and leave it to Hagakure Yasuhiro, of all people.

"Jeez, that guy," pouted Asahina as she admired the watch." "Can't he be honest for once? I'm sure he said something like 'I have no obligation to celebrate Kirigiri's birthday but it's not like I can't prepare any gifts.'"

"Don't you dare make a mockery of Byakuya-sama, you are swimming idiot! You're not like him at all, not one millimiter!"

"Pfffftttt…" Meanwhile, Komaru held her hands to her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter as not to incite Touko's wrath who instead turned to Kyoko.

"And you! Don't you misunderstand Kirigiri! Just because he gave you a gift doesn't means he like you!"

"I know." Kirigiri combed her hair in annoyance.

"He's a strange form of tsundere." Hagakure concluded as he nodded his head sagely.

….

"Now that, present time is done, how about some drinks?" Asahina appeared with another bag. From within, she pulled out a few bottles of various liquor and a few glasses.

"Drinking?"

"To think Asahina-cchi, would prepare drinks.

"And don't worry, Komaru-chan, I prepared some juice."

"…I'm just a year younger than you guys. Hit me up."

"Coke for you then."

"Boo!" complained Komary but she accepted the drink.

After all the drinks were poured and distributed, Asahina raised her cup high.

"To forgetting our worries!"

With a loud clink, the rest of them raised up and touched glasses.

Kyouko took a sip of her own drink. The sake Asahina had prepared was delicious.

"Sake," She murmured aloud the word as the face of a man came to her mind. Kizakura Koichi, someone who had also saved her life during the final killing game.

"If he was alive, would have also celebrated with us?"

If he was still alive, he could have told her more about her father.

"Kirigiri-san, is something wrong?" To her surprise, it was Fukawa who had asked. "Your complextion looks awful. Well, worse, at least."

"Oh! Kyoko-chan? I'm sorry if you didn't like the sake I brought, I'm sure I could still-"

"It's fine, Asahina-san. It's delicious" Kyouko calmed the woman down as she tried to calm herself as well. "I… just remembered something a while ago. I'm sorry, if I made you worry.

The swimmer didn't look convinced, but she at least didn't pursue the subject. "Not just the taste, I've prepared enough alcohol to get us through the whole night! So drink up! Drink up.! Let's drink all night long!"

"Let's do it then!" To Asahina's shout, Hagakure returned with the same amount of high tension. Already there were numerous bottles around him. It because of his older age, he had already gotten used to drinking.

"I want to drink too." Komaru pouted into her coke. The sight made Kyoko smile.

"Then, next time when you're 21, let's drink together."

"Really, Kyoko-san? It's a promise!"

She smiled happily at Kyoko's words and with some embarrassment raised her pinky.

Kyoko couldn't help but mirror her smile and captured Komaru's pinky with her own.

-but I want you to promise me, the first priority is to come back. If things look dangerous, come back immediately

'Yes…I've done this before.'

After all this time, I've been quite reckless in keeping that promise.

….

2300

The classroom had turned dark enough that she had difficulty looking around but Kyoko didn't take to turn the lights on.

"Asahina-san, if you sleep in such a place, you'll catch a cold. Let's go back to your room." She nudged the tan woman sprawled on the floor but all she got were happy murmuurs. She tried again but this time she got a small sigh. The woman must have been having a particularly happy dream.

It looked like she had no choice.

Perhaps it was already expected that they'd all be somehow sleeping on the classroom's cold hard floor which was why Kyoko was able to find a nearby bag full of blankets.

She looked at down on the four occupants.

"Munya…Sakura…Uu"

"Byakuya-sama…..I love you…."

"Guga…Guga…"

"Uh…debt collectors…not my kidney…"

She placed a blanket first over Asahina then rolled her over so she could stay on top of it.

For Fukawa and Komaru…Komaru looked to be kicking the writer's head even if Fukawa didn't seem to mind. The common thing between the two being how deep into sleep they looked

She placed blankets over the both of them even if it was a bit awkward.

'I wonder, if Naegi-kun has the same problem…' No, she entered his room many times before in the Killing School Life and he seemed to be all but normal. If anything, it was odd he kept his parka on.

Finally, she placed one over Hagakure. He looked in the middle of a bad dream. Unsure what to do. she placed an extra blanket over him.

"Let's drink all night long!" looked to be the plan but it soon turned out to be impossible. Even if they all could drink alcohol that didn't mean they could take it. It wasn't even like they had much opportunity to do so due to their busy lifestyles.

It was unexpected that everyone fell asleep around the same time. Even Komaru who hadn't drank anything but coke conked out quite easily.

Now that she was by herself, Kyoko opted to sit on a chair and read the manuscript Fukawa had written to her.

If she was completely honest, she was already feeling drowsy, but she knew she could fall asleep now. She reached into the top of her blouse to pull out a pendant which had been hidden beneath her clothes.

A beautiful thin purple stone at its center shone even in the dark.

It wasn't something that had cost too much but, for her, it was an important treasure. She stroked the stone with a finger as she continued her reading.

It's much quieter than a little while ago.

"Ahahahaha"

"Asahina-san, you shouldn't drink too much."

Asahina had been laughing non-stop, her face flushed red.

"Gegegegegege!"

"Ahh, Touko-chan, don't shake me. I need to go to the bathroom."

"Ufufufufufu"

"Let go Touko-chan…I really need to leave!"

Fukawa seemed to have combined with Genocider's personality when drunk. She'll turn back to normal when she wakes up. Probably.

In the meantime, Komaru was able to finally get to the toilet with Kyoko's help although she immediately feel asleep when she got back.

As for Hagakure,

"Kirigiri-cchi, if you give me the watch Togami gave you, I'm sure I can relay the interests on my debts. Help me out here!"

"No."

"Then the bow tie. Or the glasses. With those I can make some cash too."

"No.

...Became more annoying than usual.

….

But as loud and as noisy as that time was, right now only silence dominated the empty classroom. In the past, she may have preferred the silence as her only company, but now she couldn't help feel a bit lonely.

Whether it was a good change or a bad change, she couldn't say.

But she was sure if had told him about it, he'd be pleased.

As she read through the manuscript, she remembered the words everyone had told her earlier.

- - - - !

- - - - ! ! !

She was happy. Kirigiri Kyoko was truly happy that she could now say with confidence that she had friends that truly cared for her.

However, they seemed to have misunderstood one thing.

If one listened carefully, they could hear footsteps rushing from the end of the corridor to the half open classroom.

No, those were not the footsteps of the Shinigami. This was not such an ominous thing. It was simply the sounds heard by her own eardrums.

-!

-!

-!

She wasn't hurt. She wasn't in a bad mood. She wasn't being tolerant.

Because…

The door of the classroom opened completely.

There stood a heavily breathing man with a hair antenna that had not changed even changed since his high school days. That was the trademark feature of the man she had been waiting for.

He took a few deep breaths before speaking.

"Sorry for making you wait, Kirigiri-san"

"Good work. Naegi-kun. It's fine. You're on time until the date changes."

…because she knows he won't break his promises with her.

23:27