"Aah- Jesus effin Christ…!"

My wound seared with pain as strong vodka trickled over it, causing me to grind my teeth too relieve some pain but it had little to no effect as suppressed groans filled the room. I was, for lack of better worlds, in excruciating agony as the strong liquid passed over my injury.

"You need to take better care of yourself" Mukuro chided as if she was some kind of professional or my mother.

I grumbled slightly under my breath as she took a cloth to the injury.

"Well do you want to get an infection?" She said with a raised eyebrow as she set down the bottle of Vodka and the cloth.

"No" I mumbled quietly.

"Hey don't get moody with me" The soldier gave me a slight poke on my arm

"I'm not the one that got shish-kebab'd like an idiot trying to be my knight in shining armour"

"Fine then, next time I won't save you" I retorted sarcastically as I poked her back before a short laugh.

"That reminds me, I never said thank you for saving me…too your face that is" she muttered awkwardly while playing with the edge of her cargo shorts.

"I'd do it again…" I said as rested a hand on her shoulder. This caused her to look back up and our eyes to meet rather awkwardly and clumsily. "Besides, I would've bled out of it wasn't for you. So I guess we're even?"

The soldier brung up her right hand and placed it on top of mine. I could feel heat burn at my cheeks as I gave her hand a gentle squeeze before placing it back down at my side. She, on the other hand, was blushing pretty vigorously. Despite that, she held my gaze and nodded, albeit a little cautiously.

"E-Even…"

I nodded in response, trying to ignore the rising inferno that rushed from my cheeks.

"A-Anyways" She announced, regaining her composure. "This is the only bandage we found so you may have to make do for a while"

"I'll try" I responded.

"I know I don't have to tell you this but don't over-exert yourself and don't go swimming in anything unpleasant" she said while applying the bandage.

"Thanks mum, can I go play with my friends now?" I quipped sarcastically as I put my shirt back on. This was then followed by another quick jab to my arm.

"Shut up Makoto" she responded with a light smile after a short and airy laugh.

"Well let's get going then" I said as grabbed my bag and walked toward the door.

"Yes, let's"

XxX

"Yo, Naegi, can I ask you something"

"What do you need Kuwata?" I replied as Leon jogged next to me.

"Well, when I entered the academy, I was 17. So am I 19 now? Cos we lost two years, right?"

I paused for a second, giving the question some thought.

"I think so? Hey Mukuro! What's the date?" I called over my shoulder.

"Not sure what it is exactly, it's about mid-may" she answered.

"So yeah I guess we're all 18/19 depending on your birthday. In short, yeah urm… happy late birthday?"

"Jesus…" He mumbled as he realised how very serious the brain washing was. Two years, completely removed from our memories. He ran a ringed hand through his locks of red hair before pointing his gaze at the floor.

"I know dude…" I breathed tiredly.

"Wait, wait, wait. How old am I then?!" Hagakure screamed with shocked realisation.

"Ancient" Oowada laughed which, in turn, elicited grins and giggles from the whole group.

"O-Oh by the way, feel free to call me Makoto. If you feel comfortable with it that is" I said as I placed a sensitive palm on his shoulder.

The redhead looked back up and turned his gaze to me. I nodded at him slightly as I removed my hand from his shoulder. For a second, the boy looked slightly unsure. However, his old confident, arrogant smirk returned as did the mischievous twinkle his eyes usually held. Leon then flung his arm over my own shoulders and put me in a headlock.

"Makoto it is then. It's only fair if you call me Leon in return though" He exclaimed while thoroughly noogie-ing my poor scalp.

"Ahh J-Jeez fine just p-please stop" I shouted back while forcing my way out of his hold.

After I had freed myself, The Ultimate All-star brung me in close again to whisper in my ear.

"So, Makoto, it seems as though we have some celebrating to make up for. We missed two birthdays right?"

"Well we didn't exactly miss them, I still remember them" I responded in my own hushed tone.

"I don't though so I need to make up for it. Ikusaba has some of that Vodka in her bag right?" He asked while nudging me in the abdomen.

"We aren't getting pissed Leon, I don't think either of us want the hangover. Plus, it's for medical use" I hissed back, punctuated with my own nudge.

"Oh come dude, it wouldn't just be us two. We could get some of the girl's, I call dibs on Maizono!" He explained, arm outstretched as if he was trying to present the very concept before my eyes "Just not Ishimaru or Togami. They'd kill the vibe so fast"

"No means no Leon, we need to concentrate" I ordered, authority dripping from my usually less than authoritative tone.

"Wow, Killjoy…" Leon pouted with disappointment shadowing his features.

"Look, once we find a place we can settle down and then we will celebrate"

"Promise me?"

Leon put out his closed fist, awaiting reciprocation.

"Promise!"

I knocked my own closed fist against his as he relinquished his grasp of my neck and shoulders, only to scruff up my hair.

"Already looking forward to it little dude"

Our conversation was interrupted by the sight of the bridge peaking on the not-so-distant horizon. It wasn't a very grand affair; just a simple, small bridge. Before stepping over the threshold, I took one last look around my surroundings. Sure you could call it paranoia, but considering the situation I think that a little dose of paranoia may be needed in order to keep people safe. Everyone was already making their way to the other side, on the other hand, I was still standing at the very beginning facing away from the exit. I scanned the rooftops and the streets below, vigilant for potential threats that could be following us. I wouldn't put it past Junko to send someone, or something, to tail us. Alas, the only thing that I had to keep me company was a gentle breeze that felt quite glorious on my skin.

"Makoto! C, mon dude!"

Leon, halfway across the bridge already, made a waving motion to hurry up.

"Yeah I'm coming!"

Taking one last look, I turned my back and jogged up the bridge to catch up with my friends. Perhaps I am being a little too cautious, but I can hardly be blamed for being worried. It's then I noticed something odd. Everyone else had screeched to a halt at the very end of the bridge.

"Just as I thought it would be plain sailing from now on"

I increased my speed to a run, much to the delight of my wound which screamed in agony with every step. After I caught up, I pushed past Aoi and Sakura to see what all the fuss was about.

In the middle of the street, a single monitor sat on top of a stool. Conspicuous didn't even begin to describe it. This was obviously Junko's doing but why exactly? I instinctively started to survey the area, on alert for any threats. I could sense the likes of Mukuro and Togami doing the same as I approached the laptop with carefully placed steps.

"AHEM"

I was stopped in my tracks by a familiar shrill voice. Everyone swivelled around to meet the noise, including myself. Standing there, a couple of paces away, was a single monokuma.

The small animatronic sashayed its way down the street with an unnerving amount of

confidence and swagger. In fact, the bear strutted straight past myself and everyone else

without as much as a lift of a finger. I think we were all stunned, more than anything.

Shaking off the initial shock, I quickly dived my hand into my pocket to get a grip onto the

knife. Sure it wouldn't do much against the metal shell of the bear, but it was definitely

better than using my fist. If it was a person, I would try to talk to them but I know

from experience that Monokuma's couldn't be negotiated with.

However, I kept my closed fist in my pocket. If the bear was hostile he would've jumped on

Me the first chance he got. The bear waddled over to the monitor, his feet making a familiar

plodding sound. He turned the laptop on and slide CD into the slot. We all just stood there. Dumbfounded. A small popup appeared with a spinning wheel and the words 'loading', in large letters. Then, after the wheel had stopped its revolutions, she appeared. Who else could I expect it to be?

"Helloooooo~ my gorgeous classmates" The high pitched voice squeaked.

The scene was exactly what you would expect from a mastermind's lair. Monitors showing camera feeds from all over Tokyo, dim lighting and a rather deep sense of dread. The girl in question, was sitting sweetly in her chair with her arms tightly wrapped around a plushie version of the mascot.

"Hello Junko…" Mukuro replied in a quite tone, eyebrows furrowing.

"It's a video you fucking idiot" The small mono-tone bear said while shaking its head in mock disapproval.

Before the soldier could respond, the video continued.

"So are you guys enjoying your liberty? The feeling of fresh air rushing through your lungs? It's great isn't it? Anyways I just wanted to inform you that from tomorrow morning onward, you are all officially free game!"

My fists instinctively clenched in frustration and anger in immediate response to the words of the fashionista.

"That's right my lovelies! From here on in, Japan is officially my hunting grounds and you are officially my prey! Best of all! There will be specialized Mono-cameramen on the scene to televise your horrific deaths nationwide! Of course I won't be using anything like a homing device, that would be boring and unfair, so you don't have to worry about this being an unfair fight and why would I deny us the thrill of the chase! Oh my god I'm sooooo~ excited already"

The girl then exploded into a fit of rampaging giggles so shrill that it made me instantaneously wince in pain. Her high pitched squeals of delight filled the streets as we stood there, gawping at the monitor. As fast as a flick of a switch, her laughter ceased and her demeanour switched up.

"I don't want to have to kill you but you are the ones who choose freedom over the safe confines of the school…" She spoke in a melancholy tone.

Leon tapped me on my shoulder in the slyest of manners.

"What is wrong with this bitch? Is she schizophrenic or something?"

"That and a whole laundry list of other things" I whispered back.

Meanwhile, the young blonde was gently weeping into the microphone.

"I d-do love you g-guys, you're my high school classmates y'know…." She trailed off, choking back sobs. "That's why I've left you a small present for all of you…"

The Monokuma that had pressed the play button, and up till now had been standing idly by the monitor, had begun to waddle over the bridge at pace.

Instincts kicked in as I scanned our surroundings, looking for threats.

"3…"

Junko's voice had taken a cool and calculated approach, a far cry from the sobbing mess she was only a couple seconds prior. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not a bear, or any other type of enemy for that matter, in sight.

"2…"

Some of the group had started to panic now, looking around frantically for whatever this 'present' was. That's when it clicked, the reality of said 'present'. I could see that some had realised too by the quick change in expression.

"EVERYONE! GET AWAY FRO-…"

"1…"

XxX

A devilish smile crept unto the lips of the mastermind as she watched the carnage ensue from the safety of her control room. Sure things hadn't gone to plan but she may just be able to salvage this mess and create the bone chilling despair she was looking for.

"Urmm your excellency?"

Typical. Every time she was in a half decent mood, someone would come round to piss on her proverbial porch.

"What Teruteru?" She groaned as she took a mental note to stop giving keys to her control room out to idiots and her underlings.

"A-Are you sure about this? We could've just knocked them out and re-wipe their memories" He spoke while awkwardly playing with his hands.

The girl slowly spun herself around to face the chubby chef, who cowered away at her cold glare.

"Teruteru. What are we trying to achieve?"

A simple question. Therefore there should be a simple answer but who knows, when you are surrounded by morons 24/7 then your expectations tend to drop.

"Spread despair?" He questioned, somewhat internally as if the simplicity of the question had confused him.

"Congratulations" She responded dryly. "Now what is the complete opposite of despair?"

The Chef's eyes squinted, seemingly asking himself whether this was a trick question or not. Considering it was Junko, he wouldn't put it past her.

"Hope…"

"Correct. Now tell me how we can deepen the despair of an individual by using hope?"

"H-Huh…?"

"You dangle hope right in front of their fucking noses and then rip it away from them when they get close without any fucking mercy!" Junko shrieked, persona changing for the umpteenth time that hour.

Teruteru, looked ready to skedaddle out of there then rather deal with the younger woman. However, that would probably make things worse for him in this situation.

"So-o, is that t-the only reason?"

"Well no" Junko sighed "We don't know how they would fair with having their brains fucked over again, especially Kirigiri considering how extensively we washed her. Also everyone outside saw them escape, this way we can make it look like we wanted this to happen"

"Ah, very smart" Teruteru nodded.

"Exactly why im in charge. Speaking of being in charge, get me a cherry cola. I've got some scheming to do"

A/N

oh shit waddup

well i did say i was going on hiatus but im back now and my exams are over so hopefully we can have some actual consistency but you never know with me.

anyways please leave a kudos and a comment or whatever because i literally stayed up all night writing this for you guys, hence why it slowly gets more shit

(btw it does say Leon is 17 so im juts going with it tbh)