Anger washed over me. I could feel my face turning slightly red at the thought of my sub-par work. I just stood there, at the entrance, almost in a trance, waiting for my senses to get back to me.

When they did, I realized now wasn't the time for this. Izuru could probably be anywhere he wanted right now, so looking strictly inside Monomart was not worth it. Maybe if I knew the area better, I could actually catch Izuru next time… There might also be some secret passage or important building in this area that I don't know about…

I made up my mind. I was going to head over to the Future Foundation's library and get some more information about Despair and what happened before Junko erased our memories…

The thought of Junko made me even angrier, but I told myself to hold in the feeling. I've learned to do this naturally. After all, detectives needed to be calm in tense situations. Otherwise, your enemies could see right through you, and your plan.

After ensuring Izuru was indeed not inside that store, I coolly walked out of Monomart, through the scores of people shoving each other around, and back to the Future Foundation, where I started this trek in the morning. All the walking and running really woke me up, but now I was tired in a different way. What a perfect time to sit down and read…

Once I was there, I got pulled into some meetings and such. Unfortunately, I didn't have time for that, but the Foundation insisted. Perhaps the most important thing that I learned from this was not during the meetings themselves. Makoto told me that he had a plan to try to convert the Remnants back to the side of Hope. It wasn't very fleshed out yet, but he wanted all the Remnants captured before he would start, so that he didn't leave anyone behind. I honestly didn't think that far in advance, as what the Foundation did with the Remnants was not my responsibility or my decision. It wasn't even Makoto's decision; I wonder what the Foundation leaders will think.

Anyways, speaking of Remnants, I was informed that all of the Remnants have been captured except for Izuru Kamukura. So Makoto was waiting on me. Like there wasn't enough pressure as it was…

Calm down. Take a deep breath, it'll be fine… Izuru Kamukura may have caused The Tragedy, but I was the Ultimate Detective. He couldn't possibly throw any tricks at me that I haven't seen before.

The library was empty, save for Byakuya Togami. He was silently sitting in a chair, reading a book. On the table next to him sat a stack of at least eight books; he'd probably read those later. He was perfectly fine reading by himself, and I was perfectly fine keeping it that way. I perused the hundreds of books in the library, looking for anything relevant to Monomart, the rise of Despair, the Remnants…

I couldn't find much, only a book about the structure of the town, which I quickly memorized. It seemed like all the books that were of any importance to me were missing…

Wait…

I walked over to Byakuya Togami's stack of books. He glared at me as I did so. And, of course, he had all the relevant books that I was looking for. It looked like I was going to have to bother him after all… I examined the stack, and chose what I thought was the one that would give me the most answers.

"Byakuya, could I borrow this book? 'Despair's effect on the human lifestyle'?"

"No. I plan on reading it."

"This book is third from the bottom of the stack. It'd take you a day to get to it. Which is more than enough time."

"How dare you insult the reading ability of Byakuya Togami."

"I'll even read it in the library, and give it back to you when you ask for it."

"Always making my life more difficult…"

"Byakuya, please. It will help me capture Izuru Kamukura. You swore on the name of your family that you would destroy Despair, right?"

Byakuya gave me a cold stare. After a couple seconds, he growled and removed the chosen book from his stack. He held it out in front of me.

"Please don't bother me again."

Whew… Changing Byakuya's mind is like trying to run up a down escalator…

I immediately snatched the book and walked to the furthest chair away from Byakuya in the library. He's not the only one who didn't want company; I couldn't take any more of his attitude. Well, to be honest, I couldn't take any more of Byakuya's attitude ten minutes after I met him.

I opened the book and started reading. Sighing at a chance at relaxation, I attempted to lose myself in the history of Despair.

'After the Tragedy, millions followed Ultimate Model Junko Enoshima on the pathway of Despair, engaging in activities of questionable moral and societal worth. For example, violence became much more prominent and accepted over a single can of food at the local grocery store...'

They're talking about Monomart… Where I lost Izuru Kamukura…

'In such a dog-eat-dog world, the followers of Despair agree that you should not care about the wellbeing of anyone else, except Junko Enoshima, of course. In fact, you should explicitly try to impose Despair on as many others as possible…'

My thoughts were wandering again. For some odd reason, I couldn't stop thinking of Izuru Kamukura. I couldn't focus on the book. There's something about him… that I just, don't understand. Or maybe it's something about me…

Either way, my concentration was broken here. Maybe if I take a walk, it'll get my mind off things…

Swiftly, I got up out of my seat and started leaving the library. Byakuya Togami grunted, cringing that I would take one of his precious books out of the library. But, to be honest, what he thought didn't matter to me anymore. I was on a mission.

I walked to an area near the square, next to a relatively quiet shop. I sat down at one of their outdoor tables and continued reading my book.

'Due to the onset of Despair, shopkeepers who did not support Junko Enoshima found it increasingly more difficult to keep their businesses running. Many such establishments went under, and were quickly knocked down and rebuilt, by Junko Enoshima and the higher-ups in Despair, as newer, more profitable Despair shops.'

'Junko Enoshima was revered as a goddess among the Despair followers. Her image was everywhere, and being like Junko Enoshima was like fulfilling your destiny. Thus, Junko Enoshima Boutiques and Hair Salons started to prosper by selling that fact that you, too, could look like the goddess herself, Junko Enoshima…'

"They've got one of those in the square, if you're interested…"

I was surprised that someone would speak to me while I was reading. But after a second, a glazed look appeared across my face. There was only one person, reasonably, who this could be.

I moved my book to the side, and just as I expected, he sat there, directly across from me.

Izuru Kamukura.

This time, he was wearing a Monokuma hoodie: white on one side, and black on the other. The hood was up, so his long, silky black hair was tucked inside the hoodie. The hood obscured half of his face in the shadows. The face that I couldn't get out of my mind earlier. He was slouching in his seat, staring at me with the same expression as before.

Thankfully, I still had my handcuffs at my side. But it was interesting, though… Why would he throw himself into danger, knowing that I was explicitly trying to catch him? Did he not take this seriously?

I closed my book and tossed it in the light backpack I was wearing.

"It seems you can't stay away from me."

"Why would I want to?"

I grew serious. "You saw what I was going to do, Izuru. You're only endangering yourself by doing this."

"Endangering myself?"

Izuru chuckled a bit. For some reason, the laugh paired well with the slight grin that reappeared on his face. So… intriguing…

"Everything else is boring."

"I'm sure sitting in a jail cell is worse."

"Kyoko... That's only if I get caught."

As Izuru was finishing his sentence, he pushed himself up in his seat and rested his folded arms on the table. He was now staring directly at me. Those eyes…

No. This won't happen. Not this time. Calmly, I reached for the handcuffs, keeping eye contact to make sure Izuru wouldn't notice, and then when I was in position…

SLAM

I looked down.

Izuru's hands were not there. He chuckled and instantly started running away.

Almost growling, I got up and started following him. That's two chances I had today…

After a couple seconds, I knew where Izuru was going. The map of the town in the book I read earlier helped me with that. I'd surely have the advantage in this race… Especially if he was heading towards the square, which it looked like he was.

We were only a couple blocks away from the square, when Izuru turned down a side street. I followed him. It was one of those alleyways near an apartment building that had a large, green trash bin sitting on the side. Izuru started turning down corner after corner, and I was getting further and further away. The book I read had all the important places and streets marked clearly, but these back alleys were less documented. Even so, I should have been fine, if Izuru didn't turn so much that I lost my bearings of where I was…

This was getting tiring, but I had to catch him. Keeping my eye on him, I saw his right arm motion over his left shoulder for a second. He seemed to throw something…

SLAP

A white piece of paper flew threw the sky and hit me straight in the face, obscuring my view. Of course, it didn't help that I was running directly at it, either. I clawed at my face, and after a second, I tore the paper off.

But Izuru Kamukura was gone yet again. Hurriedly, I ran over to the next intersection, and looked down every other alley.

Not a soul to be found.

I growled again. Never in my life as a detective have I let my suspect get away, let alone twice. In the same day. I was so mad that I couldn't possibly hold it in. I crumpled up the piece of paper that Izuru threw at me and threw it on the ground with a audible 'argh'.

Wait… Did that piece of paper have writing on it?

I bent down and picked up the paper. I tried to unfold it the best I could. And indeed, I was right. The paper had a message from Izuru Kamukura, written in script.

It seems you can't stay away from me, either.

I look forward to having more fun with you.

-Izuru

The note didn't make me feel any better. So, Izuru just revealed himself to me for fun? Does he think this is a game? This isn't a game. I've been a detective all my life, and I've always liked it. I couldn't think of anything I liked doing more. But I've never once treated it like a game. It's serious business, and people could get hurt.

Hm... If it was really serious business, and I liked it so much, then why was I losing concentration earlier?

Oh, no. It's not - there's no way…

I felt like I was in a trance for the rest of the day, which didn't involve much important business. Mainly because any important business I involved myself with would be pointless since my thoughts were helplessly clouded trying to explain my inner workings. So, I decided to just relax and let my mind wander. My anger at myself eventually washed away into some mix of longing and obliviousness. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but smirk.

In all my years as a detective, it seems I still haven't seen everything…