Notes: We meet again, marvelous readers - and what a time to meet again! If you're wondering where I've been, it turns out four college courses, another DR story, and DR3 reaching its climax can cut a lot of time out of my schedule. I think I will be able to publish two chapters a month, but don't quote me on that. What you should quote me on is that things are going to get more interesting from here!

So let's talk about DR3: it's about to end, and I have to say that I've loved the ride so far. Twist, turns, and seeing the characters I love engage in one last story makes up for any blunders that may have arisen from pacing issues. Let us have HOPE that the last episode is the best one! Additionally, any thoughts on NDRV3? Me, I'm jealous for those who know Japanese and can import the game when it comes out in January.

Regarding the events of this chapter... Uh, read the Author's notes at the end of the chapter for why in the world THAT happened (and for a small treat from me to you!). As always, please express any comments, theories, and critiques you may have.

Finally, I'd like to thank a friend of mine named LinkToSomething68 on Reddit, for reading through this chapter and critiquing it. Thank you, again!

Now then, let's get this show on the roll!

Makoto awoke and silently stretched his limp body. His bedroom was peaceful, only marginally illuminated with aromatic candles. Some minutes after he woke up, the toll signifying day-time rang throughout the house. He groaned and prepared for the coming day. Once he was clean and presentable, he headed downstairs to the front door. Before his hand reached the doorknob, a single, authoritative knock came from behind the door.

"Huh? Who is it?" Makoto asked.

"Byakuya. Open up," the voice replied.

Makoto did as he was told and stepped aside as Byakuya entered. "Need anything?"

Byakuya looked around the interior with tense eyes. "This request is more of a formality, but I'd like to investigate your quarters."

Makoto nodded. "Oh, today's my turn." He directed a hand to the guest room. "Well, anything to aid the group. Take your time."

Byakuya went to the guest room. Makoto took a peek at Byakuya itemizing the bookshelves in the room but otherwise avoided acknowledging him. Byakuya continued his exploration of the house, and after he returned from the second floor, he revealed an antique dagger from his suit. The smirk on Byakuya's face reflected off of the dagger's polished blade.

"To think that Monokuma decided you were worthy of a weapon fit for my treasury," Byakuya said.

Makoto frowned. "So that's his 'gift' for me. Where'd you find it?"

"It was hidden inside a conspicuous patch of your bed's padding. Not a terrible place to hide a weapon, though I expected a bit more of a challenge."

"We shouldn't encourage him…" Makoto shook his head and turned to the front door. "Should we go put it with the others?"

"Good idea," Byakuya passed Makoto with that smirk of his still stuck on his face, "popcorn head."

"H-hey!" Makoto stamped a foot. "What was that for?!"

"And with that, I'm confident you genuinely did not know about the dagger." Byakuya went to the porch and stared at Makoto. "Let's go."

Makoto grumbled but did not hesitate to follow Byakuya. It had been a week or so since the game started, but things were going well. The 'citizens' continued on with their daily lives and at least presented a convincing appearance of normality––as normal as energetic boasts of daredevilness and random jump scares with a smile could be––while Monokuma kept to himself. Squiddy, creepy as it was, was only sighted by Aoi and Murasaki whenever the two went out for a swim, bobbing in Suijin's Sea.

Makoto's hands snuggled his pockets as he stared off to the road. "I kinda feel like things are easier this time."

"It's far too early to say that," Byakuya said. "But our week could have been more bothersome. People are doing as they're told, for one thing."

"R-right… not what I was thinking, but that's nice, too."

When the two passed by a certain pathway shooting off from the road, Makoto stopped.

"Hey, what happened to those logs?" Makoto asked.

Byakuya continued walking. "Yuta happened. You should know this."

"Hey, wait up!" Makoto ran to Byakuya. "What do you mean Yuta happened?"

"Ask him. Or, better yet, watch him."

"Well, looks like you're proactive about helping Kyoko…"

"Shocking, I know."

When the two arrived at Enoshima's central fountain, they saw Kyoko and Daisuke standing in front of an organized row of weapons, sharp tools, and general instruments of danger. She was jotting down something in her notepad and facing the general direction of Daisuke, who had his hands on the back of his head.

"A butterfly knife, and where did you find it?" Kyoko asked.

"Weirdest place ever, KK!" Daisuke replied. "So, I woke up today feeling pretty groggy and noticed my hair was all messy. When I went to comb it - Surprise! - my comb was replaced with this thing! Nearly cut my own scalp off. Would make me look pretty gangsta if I mastered this slick baby, though. Feeling me?"

"Of course. Would you mind putting it with the others?"

"Yeah, no prob."

Daisuke twirled the knife's handle merrily as he walked past Kyoko. He placed the weapon in-between a large fire-axe and a pair of sai.

Daisuke saw Makoto and Byakuya and grinned. "Yo! See Doraemon gave ya' a knife, too!"

Byakuya looked the other way. "We're here to drop this, not chit-chat."

Makoto waved at Daisuke. "Hey. Yeah, Byakuya found my 'advantage'."

Kyoko nodded. "Makoto, Byakuya."

"Everyone is accounted for, I hope?" Byakuya asked.

Kyoko nodded. "With Makoto's and Daisuke's contributions, yes."

Makoto shivered as he scanned the long row of weapons. "This is an armory. Can we even keep track of all of them?"

"Some aren't from Monokuma," Kyoko said. "Murasaki and Ahodori deposited most of their supplies."

"As did Yuta," Byakuya added.

Makoto's nerves relaxed. "That's good."

"Sooooo…" Daisuke approached the three Future Foundation members, "we outsmarted Doraemon, right? He ain't gonna tempt us into doing what he wants when we're thinking about the group?"

Byakuya tapped a finger on his crossed arm. "Don't celebrate yet. We're stalling for time until we can attack Monokuma directly."

Daisuke raised a burly fist to his chest. "Really have a bad itch to punch that bear, myself. When you Future Foundation guys get him by the throat, lemme have him!"

Makoto shook his head. "No, better not do that…"

Daisuke cracked his knuckles. "Why?! You don't get the urge to throw stuffed animals through the room?"

Makoto angled his head downward. "Let's just say the results are explosive."

"Returning to important matters," Kyoko said, "with the items procured, we should get to storing them someplace secure." She turned to Daisuke. "Have any recommendations?"

Daisuke tapped a finger on his forehead. "Hm… yeah, I think the tavern's a good place to put 'em. Like, everyone goes there regularly, so it'll be easy to keep track of the weapons. Plus, there's a lot of space!"

Byakuya smirked. "So you are capable of presenting decent suggestions after all."

Daisuke grinned back. "Don't underestimate me, Byagami!"

Makoto nodded. "That does seem like a pretty good place to place the weapons. Nice idea, Daisuke."

"Then I'll get to transporting them," Kyoko said. She marched off into the fog and down the road Byakuya and Makoto came from.

The three at the fountain only had to wait a few minutes for Kyoko to return with a small cart. The group placed the weapons into the cart and headed off to the tavern. As they moved through the tavern's dim halls, they were stopped by the muffled sounds of conversation.

"Please… just please shut up!" a cartoonish voice roared throughout the tavern's hallways.

"As you ask. The discussion is yours!" another voice replied.

Makoto looked wide-eyed at the group and hall behind him. Two dark faces and Kyoko's narrowed purple eyes elicited a weak nod from him. The group continued.

"Good! Now bugger off! Or, better yet, murder someone so I can execute you personally!"

"An execution?" A laugh followed. "Elaborate! Surely you can come up with a suitable demise for me?"

"Do you know what the word 'despair' even means? You shouldn't be carefree about this!"

"No, I doubt I know what the word 'despair' means - I am naive, according to my friends. What say you, friend?"

"I say you should die! Fall into despair! At this point, I'll take anything vaguely nasty and unfortunate happening to you!"

"Oh, like being executed, for example? Not to be insistent, but I am curious about my hypothetical death."

"Fiiiine, you wanna know?! Will that satisfy you?! First you'll be trapped in a room flooded with late homework and teacher's warnings…"

Makoto opened the foreboding entrance to the tavern's dining room. He knew what to expect, so the sight of Monokuma and Hide sitting in a booth, a look of consternation on one's face and a sleepy smile on the other's, only moderately confused him. The two in the tavern turned to Makoto and his group.

Monokuma jumped to the top of his booth and cupped his paws together. "There is a god in this miserable world! Citizens, save me! This guy is insane!"

"I suppose I am. I trust your feedback on these issues, honorable mayor." Hide waved a lazy hand in the air. "And hello to you all! Would you also like to speak with Monokuma? He is an engaging conversationalist."

Byakuya frowned at Monokuma. "What exactly are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?! This little brat called me here because, 'I had something important I wanted to say to you.'" Monokuma's claws popped out. "And what did that mean? That he wants to be my friend - that he wants to understand me and my love of despair! A waste of time doesn't even begin to describe this stupid talk!"

Makoto took a step back, his eyes widening. "W-wait, are you serious?"

"He is." Hide tilted his head and continued smiling.

Suddenly, Makoto felt something shove past him. Daisuke trotted ahead of him with even spiker hair than usual. "The hell?! Are you screwing with me?!"

"That's what I said!" Monokuma shouted.

Hide waved his head around sluggishly. "Friends, I believe, are people who you should be frank with. Monokuma's account is accurate."

"What…" Makoto tried to plan out his words, but nothing came. He just gazed at the boy and the bear.

Kyoko turned back to the exit. "We'll be on our way, then."

"Wait right there!" Monokuma marched towards the group at the door. "Those are my gifts!... Puhuhu, I think I know what you guys are looking for!"

"You don't know jack!" Daisuke hollered. "And this is not cool, Hide! You always do this shit!"

"I do, do I not?" Hide chuckled.

"Oh, did you really think those gifts were meant to be used?" Monokuma wagged his black paw. "Not at all! My citizens, I gave you those items because I knew you would want to dispose of them. You're all buddy buddy right now, and I just wanted to show how close our little family has become!"

Hide played with an errant strand of hair. "We are all family, in a way."

"Oh cut with that sappy crap!" Monokuma composed himself. "Anyways, Kyoko, you'd better not keep walking off - I suggest dropping your treasures off here!"

Kyoko stopped and looked at Monokuma. "And why should we?"

"Weeeelll, I mean, this tavern's 'uge! It keeps out all those dirty bugs and pest that live south of here! Lots of empty space for lots of death instruments! Plus, there may or may not be an important clue open to you now, that might be upstairs!"

Kyoko took many deliberate steps forward, impressing Makoto with her trenchant tone. "Upstairs it is. We're going."

Byakuya scoffed but followed Kyoko upstairs. Makoto saw Daisuke push the cart into the dining room and stop in front of Hide's booth.

"This ain't the best time to smile, if you couldn't tell," Daisuke said.

"Hm, yes, I am ignorant of my own actions," Hide replied. "Would you recommend I frown?"

"I recommend you stick with your real friends instead of making bad ones."

"Well, I understand why you say that. Monokuma is who he is. Is that not what makes him interesting, though? In any case, I am sorry for upsetting you."

Daisuke stared at Hide, then relaxed his shoulders and frown. "I just don't getcha, dude. You should be smarter than this."

"You expect much of me… Thank you. I will try and meet your expectations."

"Nah, nah. I just want you to be safe. We all worry for you, y'know?"

Hide's smile shrank and his eyebrows fell. "I know that more than anything."

Daisuke nodded weakly and went upstairs.

Makoto went through the dining room, not glancing once at Monokuma. His vision was on Hide lounging in his booth, and he wondered about the strange, suspicious, or innocent boy and his strange, suspicious, or innocent action.

"Makoto, might we speak for a second?" Hide asked.

Makoto stopped. "Um, sure."

"Thank you. I have a question for you: this may sound silly, but have you ever tried befriending Monokuma?"

"Excuse me?"

"Monokuma, his previous controller, one you have named Junko Enoshima… Did you try to befriend them?"

Makoto gut wrenched. He didn't know anything of what was welling up inside him, save for that it felt hard. "Junko - Junko was my friend from the start."

"I see." Hide lowered his head. "Is she still your friend?"

"That… this isn't the time and place for me to try and answer that."

"Is there ever a time or place for such thoughts… I shall consult my dreams for insight. May I return with answers - or, more likely, further questions - for you, Makoto." Hide's smile faded, and he rested in his booth.

Makoto sighed. With heavy feet, he made his way upstairs. This was his first time in the second story of the tavern. The ashen sky outside left its mark on the otherwise warm red carpet settled in the second floor, and the contrast would have almost been charming were he in a better mood. He followed the sounds of footsteps and wheels rolling nearby, and stopped as they did. His lowered hand remained at the center of his vision.

"This door's been locked since we got here," Daisuke said. "If Doraemon is being honest about things, does that mean - "

"I've checked this door before. This must be what he was hinting at," Kyoko said.

Makoto kept looking at his hand and at the ground.

"Hey, Makoto." Kyoko's voice resonated in Makoto's mind.

Makoto jerked his head up. "Huh?"

"I'll take this door. You've taken that risk enough already."

"Oh! You don't really have to. It's just a door. I can handle this no problem - "

A crisp creaking sound silenced Makoto. Daisuke and Byakuya stood beside Kyoko. She had one hand around the knob and another hand scraping pitch darkness. Held by that hand was a pocket mirror angled towards the unlocked room's hidden interior, a farrago of harsh white and smooth black reflecting off its surface. She retreated her mirror and hand; then, she pushed the door further and walked briskly into the room. Byakuya and Daisuke followed her.

Makoto grinned. Kyoko always was one step ahead of him: the short discussion about the door he was now passing through was proof of that.

Iron Dick's

A neon billboard with those words rested atop a wide theater stage. On the stage was an unassuming mic-stand and a long, shiny stripper pole.

Well, Makoto wasn't expecting this.

Iron Dick's spotlights illuminated only the stage and the first few rows of little seats. Red and black curtains rested near the edges of the stage, and at the back of the stage rested a conspicuous yellow door. Makoto had a long time to parse whatever needed to be noted about the room - or whatever was just too silly to not acknowledge about the room.

"Why is there a stripper pole?" Makoto asked.

"I believe it's because this game is designed to find new ways to test my patience," Byakuya said with a scowl.

"Suuurrpriise!" Monokuma cheered from somewhere before shooting through a hole that had suddenly revealed itself in the stage floor. His stubby hands held twirlers, and an aggravatingly colorful party cone was strapped around his head. "Happy first birthday, Iron Dick's!"

"Uh…" Daisuke let out, hands almost letting go of the weapon cart.

"What is this?" Kyoko asked. Makoto saw the frown on her face in spite of the poor lighting.

Monokuma hopped in place. "It's my precious Iron Dick's birthday party! Our town's first and only strip club is officially opening tonight!"

Makoto jumped back. "S-strip club?!"

"A bona fide, X-rated, content-warning worthy strip club! Aren't I a genius for spicing this town up like this?"

"That's completely crazy! What weird town like this needs a strip club, of all things?!"

"Oh, don't act like you're a prude! I remember what you, Hifumi, and Yasuhiro did during that girls' group shower!"

"T-that's completely off-topic, a-and - !"

"Whatever! The point is you citizens have urges and needs, so I made this place to let it all out! Tonight, Iron Dick's will be ready to reveal everything ! I can tell you're as excited as I am, 'cause you even brought gifts! Hey, notice how all of those toys are made of iron? All part of the theme, puhuhuhu!"

"Interesting," Kyoko replied. " Would you prefer I place the gifts on the stage or in that backroom?"

"Oh, yeah, go ahead and put them in the backroom…" Monokuma giggled. "But, ah, not now . My Iron Dick's needs its opening performance first."

Byakuya crossed his arms. "Which is tonight."

"Yup! And yes, attendance is mandatory."

Daisuke groaned. "What, are you gonna pole-dance? I wouldn't show up if you paid me."

Monokuma waddled down to ground level and in front of Daisuke. "Oh… about that. You're in luck! You don't have to show up!"

Daisuke raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Monokuma held back a laugh. "I mean, the main star can't be an audience member, puhuhu."

"Hm..." Daisuke nodded slowly. "If I'm understanding you correctly, you're implying I'm going to strip tonight."

"You're right on the money, sweetheart!"

"Ah, it's all coming together now…" Daisuke closed his eyes and grinned. "Life's finally throwing me to the dogs."

Makoto rubbed the back of his neck and lowered his head. "This, this can't be real. This just can't. Is this a joke?"

Daisuke shook his head. "No, Monokuma's serious. I'm going to strip tonight. Seems like everyone here's gonna have to watch."

Byakuya snorted. "I'm not listening to this conversation."

"Huh..." Makoto looked at Daisuke. "You're... actually taking this pretty well."

"You think so?" Daisuke asked.

"Yeah. I mean, this whole suggestion is just crazy - "

"Nah, you're just boring!" Monokuma interrupted.

" - Uh, anyways, but you're so calm about it. How?"

"Well, I don't really get a choice with Monokuma, I think. Plus, there's probably a clue here, which'll only show up when I do the dirty deed. Might as well bear through it with a smile."

"That's not a bad way of looking at things."

"Whoa, Maky's throwing me some consents!" Daisuke laughed. "Honestly, though? I'm the most nervous I've ever been in my life right now! Showing it all off to the Future Foundation and my friends?! That's a dare even I wouldn't do! Bwahahaha!"

Makoto smiled along with Daisuke. "Yeah, not going to lie, I'm not really interested in seeing you strip either, so I'm with you there!" For a moment, he forgot all about the absurd circumstances surrounding this conversation.

"Things could be worse! You could be the other main star on stage," Monokuma interjected.

Makoto's smile disappeared. "Say that again?"

"Things could be worse! You could be the other main star on stage."

Makoto started perspiring. "N-no way! Y-you're not saying I'm - "

"But, then again, I could just be pulling your leg. Am I that naughty of a bear, I wonder?"

Makoto gulped weakly in response.

"Turns out, what could be isn't what will be! You're not stripping this day, Makoto - "

Makoto breathed out a relieved sigh.

" - you're just going to perform a stand-up routine tonight."

"What?"

"Come on! Your entire existence is a joke, so why wouldn't I exhibit you to the new students and show just how low the Future Foundation's standards are?"

Makoto furrowed his face. "The only joke in here is you, Monokuma."

"Puhuhuhu, I'm not the one who's gonna embarrass himself just to get a clue about his situation."

Makoto remained silent for a moment. "Fine. We'll use that clue to figure out who you are."

"There you go again! Your hope's standing firm even now! Ah, you really are a funny guy. That's the way it is!"

"Whatever." Makoto turned his sights to the stage and stared at the mic-stand. Monokuma never specified he had to perform well , so he humored the idea of not even trying and just wasting time until the clue, which he presumed to be behind the stage's back door, was uncovered. If nothing else, it'd probably annoy Monokuma.

"Anyways," Monokuma said, "The two of you better stick around and prepare for your shticks! My Iron Dick's not going to have a half-assed opening - I want it full-assed! Daisuke, better enjoy showing off your Tristruck boxer-briefs!"

"H-hold on!" Daisuke shrieked. "I-I've never h-heard of Tristruck! Not once, nope! I don't wear their underwear e-either!"

Monokuma covered his face with his hands. "Wow, you're really bad at lying. Makoto, I recommend talking about how you let Sayaka die."

Makoto's face flared into the harshest glower he could muster. "You… you have no right to talk about Sayaka, bastard!"

Daisuke flinched, momentarily distracting Makoto from his furious trance. "S-Sayaka? You mean the -"

"Relax, relax! I miss her too: seeing how easy it was for her to fall into despair was hilarious!" Monokuma turned to Kyoko and Byakuya. "Now, you two, leave the premises! Your e-handbooks will notify you when you can come and celebrate! I'm sure your eyes will be glued on the performance! See you soon!"

Kyoko and Byakuya turned to Makoto and Daisuke, displeased looks on the formers' faces.

"You have my sympathies. Know that I'll be paying attention to anything but the two of you acting like clowns." Byakuya headed to the door. "Just keep in mind our end goal, and it'll be over soon enough."

"We've gone through worse… and weirder." Kyoko glanced at both Makoto and Daisuke. "Watch out for each other until we can regroup. With this development, hopefully we'll gain some ground against Monokuma." She then left through the door.

Daisuke sighed and sat down on the nearest chair available. Makoto released his grip on his pockets' insides and tried to distance himself from the present. He had the clue - everything in-between him learning about the clue and him having it just didn't exist.

"Welp," Monokuma interrupted Makoto's thinking, "I'll leave you guys to your practice! Don't bother exiting the room, by the way. When it's time to get started, I'll let you know! Until then, break a leg! Puhuhuhu!"

And with that, Monokuma lept into air and fell into the hole he came from. Makoto and Daisuke now had the time and privacy to prepare for the performance of a lifetime. Or, at least, a once in a lifetime performance.

"Um… hi. I'm Makoto Naegi. Yeah, I know you know that already. Feel free to, uh, Naegi about it to each other later…"

"Haha… Yeah…" Daisuke coughed. "Keep it up, Maky."

Makoto grumbled under his breath. This was his fifth attempt at stand-up comedy in what felt like a week compacted into an hour. Daisuke sat at the front, his expression hinting at a variety of moods - like disappointment, discomfort, and, most persistent of all, boredom. Makoto didn't care about being entertaining, but at this point, he could at strive to be interesting.

Makoto, thinking a thought that surprised even himself, wished he had Hiro's 'talents'.

" Come on, funny stories - " A yawn from Daisuke followed. " - Oh come on! My life's been bizarre since high school, how am I coming up blank?!"

Daisuke stretched in his seat. "Yo, you wanna just switch and let me do my thing? Maybe you'll get some inspiration from seeing me… y'know."

"No!" Makoto pouted. "I got this. I can be funny, just give me one more shot!"

"Sure," Daisuke sighed, "whatever you say."

Makoto cleared his throat and leaned towards his mic. "Alright. So… name's Makoto Naegi. I'm the former ultimate lucky student, but I hope you call me the ultimate hope."

"Aaand you blew it." Daisuke stood up and started walking to the stage. "Come on. This'll be better for you than it'll be for me, Maky."

"This shouldn't be hard!" Makoto whined as he forced himself to descend from the stage. He plopped himself on the nearest seat he could and glared at nothing in particular.

"Yo! Keep your eyes on me - need someone to keep track of my moves!" Daisuke yelled.

"You do know that means I'll have to watch you undress, right?" Makoto replied sharply.

"And what if I want you to see me undress?"

"E-excuse me?!"

Daisuke bursted out into laughter. "I did it! Sorry, but you're the kind of guy who shouldn't frown, y'know? Don't need another Yuta and Byagami in this place!"

"Huh?" Makoto shook away the shock buzzing in his head. "Was I frowning?... Sorry, I guess I'm just a bit annoyed at myself."

"What's up? Not everyone's a natural born jokester like me!"

"Well, you're lively, but in a nice way. No, it's just… I'm just told all the time I have a way with words, but I never really tried to be that way."

Daisuke had begun tumbling along the upper portion of the stripper pole when Makoto spoke. He managed to remove his shirt before he landed on his feet as Makoto finished. He then sat at the edge of the stage.

"You're telling me you aren't a verbal hurricane, Maky?" Daisuke asked.

Makoto tried to play off his hands running through his hair as just a mindless tick. "N-not really! I'm just saying I think I can't will forth anything interesting. Like, I only impress people when I'm not trying to."

"Ah… so instinct?"

"Yeah." Makoto snapped his finger. "I just remembered something. Just a week ago, I told my friends a pretty cool story without intending to. Now, I can't even come up with an opening - let alone an entire routine!"

"Seems like you've got only one solution - just make it up as you go!"

"Make it up as I go… Well, I've tried everything else. Maybe not trying will work out."

Daisuke stood up and grinned. "You can always trust the man, Daisuke OTA!"

Makoto smiled and relaxed into his seat. With constructive eyes, he watched as Daisuke continued his practice. Daisuke seemed like a natural, swinging and sliding up and down the pole. Makoto caught a certain hesitation present in Daisuke's act, however: throughout all of Daisuke's dance, the hands that had swiftly taken off his shirt moved with deliberation to release collar, shoes, socks, but not shorts. Those hands did everything they could to avoid the shorts, in fact.

"That's weird…" Makoto muttered.

Daisuke came to a stop and his body tensed. "W-what's weird?! Ahahaha, stop messing with me, Maky!"

Makoto raised an eyebrow. "You seem a bit insecure about something. You already said you were nervous about this whole event, but that didn't stop you from keeping a cool head. Am I wrong?"

"Uh - " Daisuke bit his fingers, " - Yeah, dude! You're just seeing things."

Makoto closed his eyes. "Am I? Let me think about this…"

A moment of silence passed. Then, Makoto smirked and leaned on his armrest.

"I think I've figured this out. You have a secret - a secret you're trying to hide through your performance."

Daisuke flinched back. "Say what?! S-stop messing with me, man!"

"It was weird. Your anxiety seemed centered around something I didn't really notice at first. When Monokuma 'cheered' you on… he mentioned Tristruck, didn't he?"

"Maybe…"

"Tristruck underwear, to be exact."

Daisuke's sweat glistened under the harsh spotlights. "Tri-who? Never heard of 'em!"

"I have." Makoto held his chin. "They're a super popular band. A J-Pop band."

"J-Rock, actually!" Daisuke shut his mouth with his hands immediately afterwards.

"Bingo! Your secret…" Makoto shot a finger up to Daisuke, "is that you're a secret J-Pop fan!"

"D-damn it!" Daisuke kneeled over and punched the stage. "Yeah, you caught me. I'm… I'm into J-Pop. Can I just ask how? What gave me away?"

Makoto eased his stare and smiled. "Who did Monokuma and me mention?"

Daisuke's eyes flared. "Sayaka! I mean, it's a common name, but my mind went to one person the moment I heard it - Sayaka Maizono! The hottest pop sensation ever!"

"You were right. Honestly, I had a feeling after you reacted to that name."

"It's more than a feeling!" Daisuke pumped his fist. "When I hear Sayaka's songs once again!" He sighed. "I used to go to her concerts all the time."

"Really? You're lucky. I only ever watched her shows on TV. You know, she and I went to the same middle school."

"Dude… you're saying you were friends with her?!"

A stinging pain weighed down Makoto's throat. His words came slowly, like the wistful recollection of more innocent times. "Yes. We only became friends because we both went to Hope's Peak Academy, though. She recognized me first, surprisingly enough."

"Hope's Peak Academy, huh?" Daisuke turned to face away from Makoto. "So, that's how she passed away. She was part of your game, and… and she didn't make it."

"I couldn't - no, she didn't."

The room was quiet for a long time after Makoto sat back down. In the silence, he had only his memories and the discomfort on his eyes and heart to commune with. Here, was a memory of a white swan and a small pool. There, was a memory of his pained ribs and a track field, with vivid green leaves on a familiar tree and the salty scent of sweat in the air. Ahead -

Ahead, behind a ravaged door and abject darkness, slumped in a bathroom stained by a disgusting, viscous pool of dripping blood, was proof Makoto let Sayaka die.

Makoto let them all die. That insane cackle before Junko's death mocked him even now: he couldn't even save her.

"Yo," Daisuke's voice, spritely and familiar, rang in Makoto's ears, "are you crying?"

"Huh? N-no, I'm fine. Really," Makoto stammered.

Daisuke paused. "You know, when I heard she died, I cried."

Makoto sat silently in response.

"Her music brought me through... some hard times."

"Hard times?"

"Part of being human, I guess," Daisuke chuckled. "You grow up dealing with Via Desperatio, things are tough. I dunno, I guess I liked how cute her group was or how optimistic her lyrics were."

"Oh," Makoto nodded quickly, "that sounds like Sayaka, alright. She wanted to inspire people with her music. It was her dream, and it's a dream I admire."

"Haha." Daisuke smiled softly. "Funny. If it weren't for you and Monokuma showing up, I'd still be wondering why I couldn't remember how she died. Is that a silver lining?"

"You don't remember how she died?"

"Probably Monokuma's little 'screw you' to me. Maybe I did remember, up until I got stuck here. I just know she's gone, and that I cried. Now that's what I call a one-two gut punch."

Makoto shook his head. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. You're probably feeling just as bad if not worse from relearning all this."

"Man, no need for apologies! If anything, I'm gonna be the one to say thank you."

Makoto widened his eyes. "Wait, what's all this about? I haven't really done anything."

Daisuke marched to the base of the pole, his hands on the back of his head. "You got me to reveal a secret of mine and reminded me why I'm a daredevil at heart. Think that's more than enough."

"I'm a bit lost. Why are you a daredevil, anyways?"

"Simple question with a simple answer! I wanna do something so awesome and unbelievable, people'll be happy and kids'll be hopeful. Making friends is a big plus, too."

"Ah…" Makoto saw his once blurry vision become clear at last. He felt the weight and pain in his body evaporate - replaced with vigor and direction. "I… I think I have my skit!"

Daisuke crossed his arms over his bare chest, his eyebrow raised. "You do? What'll do?"

Makoto stood up and smiled. "It's going to be about Sayaka and a person that reminds me of her."

"Welcome, one and all, to Iron Dick's first birthday! Now, I know you're all itching to celebrate - "

"Celebrate! Yaaay! Wait, does that word have the same meaning as cerebral? :o"

"Surprisingly, those two words' definitions have absolutely nothing in common, buddy of mine! Once again proving that Japanese (Or English? Beats me!) is a terrible language! Now where was I? Oh right. Before the celebration can begin, I want to ease my little Iron Dick's into this new and scary world. In order to do so, I enlisted two talented citizens to perform an opening show!"

"Oh my, this does remind me of some more… risque horror films. Quite absurd, but perhaps enticing!"

"Throughout my entire life - as both a student and a writer - I never thought I'd become witness to a strip club opening… That I'm accepting this is happening brings my own sanity into question."

"I'm just happy Monokuma didn't decide my talent made me most fit for a 'dancing' performance. I hope Daisuke isn't too nerve-wracked about this, though."

"Have some faith in our lunkhead, Koji!"

"You're right! Let's cheer on Daisuke together, Suki! Also, did you get to cleaning Makoto's clothes?"

"Yeah, yeah… Fixing that mess was its own reward."

"Silence! Now then, without further ado, let me first introduce the first performer of the opening show. 6'1'', weighing in at a nice 176 pounds, the boy as smart as a brick wall: Daisuke Ota!"

"Woooo! Sup, guys?! Tonight, you'll get to know me real well! I've gotta secret I'm gonna show ya'!"

"T-this, t-this is s-so lewd! Ugh, so disgusting! I'd, I'd never w-write about this… hot and dirty display of m-masculinity…"

"Toko! You're drooling on me!"

"A-am not! L-like I would ever drool about your a-assets!"

"And now, for the second member of our performance! I hope he doesn't need much introduction. It's the man, the myth, the luckster whose brains and slippery luck foiled my plans twice in a row: Makoto Naegi! Give him a round of applause!"

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

"Hey, this thing on? Good, looks like it is. Ok then - so, one day, I had to perform stand-up comedy in a strip club. Crazy how things works out that way. My life was weird during that day, and it's been weird before that day. I guess that's a comforting idea - y'know, that I can always rely on things not going as planned: I can't predict what absurd thing is going to happen next, but I'll always win if I bet that some absurd thing is going to happen. The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess. Prime example of that? People. People like an idol friend of mine. She's someone who's always with me for different reasons every day. You see, I find new ways new people remind me of her…"

Notes: So, last year in college, a friend of mine told me they'd be impressed if I could ever justify both a strip-club and a character (preferably male) stripping within a story. They were completely facetious about the demand. I, however, was completely earnest about making that a thing.

This entire plot point emerged from a silly joke. Petty is my middle name, I guess.

Returning to more serious matters, I experimented with making art of the 79th class! I used Rinmaru's Anime Avatar Creator to create rough sketches of how I imagine my characters to look. Note, these aren't quite accurate, but I'm anything but an artist and I'm confident you can fill in the remaining details. I also included character biographies, so if you're interested, check 'em out through the link in my profile page! Until then!