"So anybody else notice that Naegi is all smiles and rainbows lately?" Mondo asked no one in particular in the room, looking toward the class rep, who was taking the moment between class to glare at a gold tinted gaming device.
"Dude, since when is Naegi not?" Leon was leaning back in his chair, feet rested on top of his desk, sending a smug look toward Kiyotaka to see if he could manage to provoke the rule obsessed 'Ultimate Moral Compass' with his arrogant behavior.
Mondo held back a snort and nodded to the other delinquent. "Okay fair play, but I mean more so then usual."
"You know what I think?" Yasuhiro put his arms around the two and grinned at them. "I think our young Naegi might finally have made himself a man."
Leon's eyes went wide. "No way, that pipsqueak couldn't score with a chick!"
"I wouldn't be so sure about that Kuwata~" Sayaka glanced back toward the Ultimate Luck. "Some girls fall for the nice guy pretty easily." a soft smile came over her face as she looked back toward her oldest friend. "Surprisingly easy."
"Tch, please an inchworm like him wouldn't stand a chance as the hero of a romance novel, even bargain bins wouldn't accept something like that." Toko scoffed at the very idea, despite having a few new ideas spring to mind for a 'nice guy protagonist' series.
"Actually the average person template is rather popular in the realm of dating sims, in fact you could say Naegi's attitude and general demeanor give him a much greater chance with any member of the fairer sex." Hifumi looked up from his sketches to contribute to the conversation.
"See I'm telling you, our young man has managed to reach the next step on the path to adulthood," Yasuhiro gave a knowing smirk. "But which of the lovely ladies in this class could possibly be the one to finally make the leap with him?" he turned his gaze to Byakuya. "What do you think Byaki?"
"Did I say you were allowed to speak to me, you peasant?" Byakuya flipped a page in the book he was only half reading. "Besides even such information existed do you believe I have time to look into the mating habits of sheep?"
The assembled students grinned and pointed toward a small jar on the desk next to the Ultimate Heir, who grumbled before putting a handful of money into it. The jar had been the idea of Makoto, to help some of the students who had more...difficultly interacting with others without insulting them. Mondo had a swear jar, Kiyotaka had one whenever he got to intense about school policy, Celestia for insults, and so on, covering a range of bad behavior for each student. Some had fewer then others.
"Hm, it does appear that we may be able to afford another class trip soon," Celestia observed while looking at the various jars.
Aoi smiled brightly and began to shake in her seat. "Heck yeah, that means we get to go to the water park again right?"
Sakura put a hand on her best friends shoulder and gave a small shake of her head. "Asahina dear, we rotate out where we go each time, choosing two times in a row would be much too greedy."
The Ultimate Swimmer pouted at the interjection of reality into her hopes, but quickly bounced back with a smile. "Well however chooses next might want to go to a water park, or maybe a doughnut factor, the kind where they walk you through and show you how they make one. And then they give you free samples!" Aoi's mouth was already watering at the thought.
The other students didn't have the heart to inform her there wasn't a chance of that happening until it was her turn.
"B-back to the conversation about Naegi..." Chihiro began.
"Must we?" Byakuya asked in a rather annoyed tone.
"Hey don't go interrupting Fujisaki you four eyed..." Mondo looked at the swear jar and a vein swelled on his forehead. "Jerk." he settled on that, not having the cash to pay for the actual insult he wanted to lob at the heir.
Chihiro gave Mondo a warm smile and continued. "If Naegi was dating any of the girls in the class we would know, and I am pretty sure if he was dating any of the girls outside of class he would have probably mentioned something right?"
Sakura gave a nod of her head. "It does seem unlike him to keep a secret like that, Makoto tends to be rather open about most things."
Kiyotaka gave a proud smile. "Indeed! Besides any student who can hold the role of a class president would of course know that public displays of affection such as hand holding and the like are strictly forbidden during class hours."
Mondo gave a small laugh. "That ain't proving nothing, if he was getting all lovey dovey he would just be doing it after school right?"
Those thoughtful words caused the various students to pause in their discussion and look back at the Ultimate Lucky Student with suspicious looks on their faces.
However their attention was suddenly diverted away by the entry of Kyoko, who walked straight over to Makoto and put a hand on his shoulder. "Shall we go?" she asked in her normal flat tone.
"Hm?" he looked up at her and offered a smile. "Oh right, yeah." he put the game into his coat pocket and the two of them walked out of the room, side by side the entire way.
The rest of the class sat in silent shock at the sight.
"See, I told you guys," Yasuhiro crossed his arms and gave a nod. "Our young man has grown into a man."
The class turned and looked at the Ultimate Clairvoyant, before in unison they said. "Shut up Hagakure."
"Thanks again for doing this Kyoko," Makoto smiled toward his classmate as the two walked through the near empty school halls. Most students had made a beeline to grab a meal from the always overflowing cafeteria, so it was usually a pretty safe bet that there wouldn't be foot traffic. "My friend is worried sick over this, and I honestly think they would feel a ton better if they could get some information on their friend, you know?"
Kyoko simply gave a nod in reply toward his thanks, focusing on the details that she already knew. A new friend Makoto had made outside of the class had a informally scheduled meeting with another party to socialize during break periods. A few months ago said party had mysterious stopped appearing despite having promised to come the next day at the scheduled time. After this absence there had been no sign, no note, and not attempt to get in contact with said friend after their disappearance. Of course it could fall to a number of simple to explain factors, but something about the case had felt different to Kyoko. She wouldn't go so far as to call it a 'sixth sense', but her family had long been known to get certain hunches about interesting mysteries even if they hid in mundane shells. Thus she had asked for a week and a half to clear out her backlog of cases, in actuality just a few missing pets and a few requests from some students to put to rest rumors, so that she could focus her full energy on the case before her.
Of course even if she hadn't gotten the feeling she wouldn't have denied the request. If it were anyone else maybe, but Makoto was different. He had been the first of her classmates to ever reach out to her beyond needing her help, he was the kind of person who it was hard to wall oneself off from even if one was an expert on keeping people away. Slowly but surly his honest smile and easy to read face had drawn her into the classroom life that Hope's Peak offered, and the circle of people she could call friends had increased. She owed him a debt of gratitude that she couldn't express with words, or maybe she could but the thought of doing so made her stomach fill with an unpleasant feeling that she tried her hardest to ignore.
"I haven't had much of a chance to do serious case work in quite some time, it will be interesting to attempt it with my current levels of knowledge." that much was true, back when she was a child she would solve cold case murders for fun, but stuff like that only got her so far, the scars of her hands were a permeate reminder of that fact. Having let this worry slip during a conversation Makoto had the class come together and perform various mock mysteries for her to solve. The 'Mastermind' changed from one case to the other, and sometimes multiple people would work together. Most of the time the scenarios were quickly solved, but a few times they had actually managed to trip her up by making details that looked easy enough to get that they could have been a mistake. Learning from those and pushed her to new heights.
"Heh, when you say stuff so seriously like that its almost kind of comforting." Makoto of course believed that no matter what the truth was or how well it was hidden Kyoko would be able to find it.
The entered into an elevator and slowly descended to the bottom floor. "So I don't believe you elected many details on this new associate of yours, what are they like?" Kyoko asked, trying her best to have a casual conversation. It had been brought to her attention that if her people skills remained as low as they were at the start of the class her ability to gain evidence through questioning would be compromised. So when appropriate and with the people she trusted she let her walls down in order to test conversation skills. Of course the one who would hold the title for the least amount of walls would probably be the boy next to her.
"Oh well they are really smart, and skilled too," he smiled that same earnest smile and leaned back against the elevator. "The Ultimate Gamer, but they aren't a shut in like you would imagine someone with that title. Actually they are kind of nice, and really smart too."
Kyoko nodded, trying to form a mental image of someone who would hold the title of Ultimate Gamer. The first thing that sprang to mind was of course Hifumi, but such images were more from societal expectations then anything else. They could also look like Chihiro, or even a beauty like Junko. There were too few details, but as the elevator hit the bottom she canceled the line of thought. Her own eyes would be able to take in the image of the person they were to meet.
The two walked out of the building and into a large open area with a fountain and a bench, which was occupied by Chiaki Nanami, who looked up from her game and upon spotting Makoto broke out into a happy expression. She gave a wave to the two of them and suddenly Kyoko found her mind rushing with thoughts.
'So this new friend is a woman, but wait why wouldn't Makoto have mentioned this?' she thought to herself, following each step next to her classmate even as her mind raced. 'Wait, I never asked for a specific gender or name, all I knew was that they were Makoto's friend that he had been spending lunches with. So without thinking I would have used gender neutral speech, and Makoto being the kind of person he is would have simply followed my lead without thought himself.'
"Sorry we are a bit late Chiaki, did you manage to get some stuff for lunch?" Makoto asked as they finally drew closer to the girl. Chiaki nodded and revealed three wooden boxes containing the kanji for 'fresh' on the tops of them. Whatever she said in response to Makoto was drowned out by Kyoko's thoughts.
'Chiaki...no wait Chiaki Nanami, I remember that he used her last name once when talking about her, but Nanami could equally refer to either a male or female.' But now that they are face to face he was calling her by first name, something that he didn't even do with all of his classmates yet. She refocused her attention long enough to catch that she was comfortable using his first name as well, and that meant they were on fairly good terms with each other. But beyond that both of their body languages spoke to the fact that neither seemed to hold any particular distrust or worry that members of the opposite sex held for each other. Even around friends many girls would hold themselves in a particular way, either to lessen or increase the amount of attraction one might gain from looking at them. Of course there were exceptions, such as Junko Enoshima who let loose an aura that drew peoples eyes to her, or Kyoko who was able to fully control her body language despite the situation.
But these two, talking to each other and laughing about some joke one or the other had made were standing opposite of each other without a hint of worry, as if they had no discomfort around each other at all. To see Makoto so open with someone, and for the someone to be a girl whose body language was also open, it made Kyoko feel uneasy. Not in a way that indicated either of them were threats or something akin to that, but rather the uneasiness came from a feeling she was unsure of. A quick cough into her hand drew their eyes toward her, allowing for Kyoko to take control of the conversation. So long as she was focused on something else she could push the odd feelings aside for the moment.
"I am sure that Makoto has already told you about me, but regardless my name is Kyoko Kirigiri, the Ultimate Detective. I have some idea of the situation from what he has told me, but would like to hear the words from you." she pulled out a notepad and a pen, ready to take notes.
Chiaki frowned at the cold voice of the other woman, but after seeing the same easy going smile on Makoto's face she quickly realized that she wasn't trying to be mean, but rather it was just an aspect of her personality. So without further questioning Chiaki launched into the story about how she had met Hajime and how he had eventually never shown up again. The entire time Kyoko took notes, only occasionally stopping to ask for further details on things Chiaki hadn't explained clearly the first time. Overall it took almost twenty minutes before Kyoko felt satisfied that she had gotten as much information as she could. But still something was bothering her. During their conversation there had been a few times when talking about Hajime had obviously upset her, voice getting snagged on a word. And during those times Makoto would put a comforting hand on her shoulder that seemed to calm her. Seeing this happen brought back the same feeling that she had felt upon seeing Makoto smile at her.
Her own curiosity was getting the better of her in this, so she turned toward Makoto and said. "Naegi, would you mind getting us drinks from the vending machine?"
He gave a nod. "Yeah, be right back!" he gave a wave to the two of them before turning and walking toward one of the schools many vending machines.
Once he was safely out of earshot Kyoko returned her focus back to Chiaki. "There are a few additional questions I wished to ask you, a few regarding the case and one of a more...personal nature."
The Ultimate Gamer gave a nod, ready and willing to answer any question put forth by someone who was going to help her find her lost friend. "Go ahead."
"Your relationship with Hajime Hinata, how would you describe it?" Kyoko questioned, watching for her response.
The implication of the question didn't escape Chiaki, one could only spend so much time around her classmates with more sordid interests without picking out subtle words such as that. "W-we are just friends." she answered, a light pink blush coming to her cheeks. At least she thought as much, or rather she had never put much thought into that question. It wasn't that he was unattractive, but he had put a barrier between them at almost all times by thinking of himself only as a reserve course student, and her as an Ultimate. Even their friendship which she held dear survived despite that divide, not because of it.
Kyoko gave a slow nod before asking her second question. "And what of Makoto Naegi, what relationship do you hold with him?"
This time the blush that came to Chiaki's face was anything but light, now both cheeks were tinted with a deep red color. "I-I mean to say that we-" she found herself fumbling around for words without any clear idea as to why. The two of them were just friends, they met up for lunch, played games, and talked. Sure it was a lot of fun, but so was being with her classmates and playing games.
But then some rouge part of her brain compared the two, and found a difference. Playing with her friends was nice, bringing them together to enjoy themselves, but playing with Makoto felt different. Even if they ended up playing a dull game, or were on a bad losing streak it felt like they would have the same amount of fun as if they were playing perfectly. She tried to imagine bringing Makoto to one of the gaming sessions with her class, imagined him playing games with some of the other students, and for some reason doing so gave her an uncomfortable feeling, the kind of feeling when someone was playing her favorite game at the arcade and had lined up a full five dollars with no intention of stepping away.
Her brain continued the line of thought, imagining Makoto spending time with one of her classmates by himself the way they did. Some of the ideas were funny, especially with some of the crazier guys in her class. But imagining him spending such time alone with the girls in her class, that brought back the bad feeling she had.
Kyoko could see the girls emotions were in utter chaos and decided to take a small mercy on her. "I see, so you are rather close then."
Chiaki, for lack of any better answer in her own confusion, simply gave a nod of her head.
Before any further questions could be asked Makoto arrived with the drinks and a smile. "Hey guys, hope you like lemonade."
Both girls looked at him, but Chiaki suddenly blushed and looked away for a moment. Seeing that she had made the girl uncomfortable made Kyoko feel a bit guilty, like she had overstepped some boundary and ended up hurting someone. "I am going to take my leave and begin my investigation, would you be willing to exchange phone numbers so I can keep you updated?"
Chiaki nodded and the two exchanged numbers before Kyoko turned and walked away, her own feelings still in a jumble.
Makoto frowned as she walked away without even taking the lunch that Chiaki's classmate had prepared for them. "Heh I should have warned you she could be pretty intense sometimes." he sat down and pulled out the food, offering Chiaki hers so the two of them could eat.
About halfway into the food Makoto turned toward Chiaki. "Oh I heard they were opening a new arcade in town, unlimited games for everything but the prize games, I was thinking it could be fun to go this Saturday and hang out."
"Hm, that does sound like it would be fun." Chiaki admitted.
There was silence for a moment as the unspoken invitation went completely ignored by the Ultimate Gamer. "Would you uh...like to go...you know with me this Saturday?"
Realization suddenly dawned on Chiaki and her blush came back in full force. "Um...yes that sounds like fun...I think." she didn't know what she added that last part, whenever she got nervous she always sounded uncommitted to things.
"Awesome, I bet with the two of us working together we could beat any game in there with ease!" Makoto flashed her a grin before returning to his food.
The rest of their usual lunch meeting went by quickly, and soon it was time for them to part ways again.
"W-wait," Chiaki suddenly said, feeling a bit nervous. "I was thinking, since I gave my number to Kirigiri that maybe you would want it as well?"
He blinked and then laughed a bit. "Yeah it is a bit silly we haven't already done that isn't it?" the two exchanged numbers quickly and Makoto was forced to jog away, giving a small wave toward the girl.
Chiaki let out a breath and turned around to walk away herself, before a sudden message flashed on her phone.
Hey look my first text message to you!
And now my second.
When will it ever stop?
Despite her confused state due to Kyoko's question Chiaki couldn't help but laugh as the antics of her friend. She shot him a few texts back and walked toward her own class, a smile plain on her face.
Day passed into night and the horror began.
A hallway filled with blood and dead bodies of Hope's Peak Academy guards, located deep underground to protect the precious thing on the other side of the door at the end of the hallway. Two young women walked by the scene of darkness, one whose eyes were constantly scanning for threats, and the other who used the blood splattered on the wall to leave long traces with her fingers.
The one who was able to act so calmly in the middle of the bloodbath wondered what these people had felt before their lives were snuffed out. During their last moments had they felt despair? Was the knowledge that your life was over the kind of despairful knowledge that could even trump other feelings of deaspair? One day she hoped to know, the depths of despair that the feeling of ones life ending could bring.
The cautious girl opened the door in front of them, allowing the other to enter into the room and smile at the young man on the other side of the door.
"Kamukura-senpai!" Junko Enoshima called out, a manic smile on her face. "I am so glad we could finally meet face to face!"
The young man looked up toward Junko, red eyes flashed in the dark room. "Hm, how boring."
Chiaki laid back on her bed dressed in her night clothes with a satisfied sigh, the comfortable mattress feeling like heaven after a long day. Her eyes spied her phone, revealing a new message on it from Makoto.
Gonna get some sleep, hope you have good dreams :)
Chiaki sent a reply back to the him.
You too, sleep well.
She turned off the screen and held the phone to her chest for a moment, and felt her heart beat a bit faster then normal.
"How...do I feel about Makoto?"
Man screw the first part of this chapter. Dealing with so many character in the same location makes my head hurt. I just hope that it turned out well for those of you reading it.
So I decided to move back class 77 learning about Makoto until next chapter, because I feel like I can get a bit better of a reaction from that. So next chapter we have a date that isn't a date, the start of an investigation, and a few other fun surprises in store for this alternate universe.
If you are interested in seeing new chapters come out quickly the best thing to do is to drop a review to tell me your thoughts, follow so you don't miss the next chapter, and favorite it. Also spread the links to your friends, word of mouth is always appreciated.
Oh one final note, yes Kyoko does have feelings toward Makoto, but this is a Chiaki x Makoto fanfic first and foremost, but from most information sources it seems that the two might have had feelings for each other in the main story, so I felt like it was a valuable element to keep in. Anywho catch you guys next chapter.