We ran throughout the building, some how avoiding the soldiers patrolling. "Hey cowlick, we're almost out of here. Right through that vent leads to the training grounds, the gate should be open for an easy escape!" Togami was slowly gaining his senses and wits, "And will we be met with opposition once outside?" Monokuma did his trademark laugh, "Upupupu~ nope! It's completely clear around this time! Buuuuuuut getting to the vent may be the tricky part."

Suddenly five guards appeared patrolling the hallway, "I thought you said we were almost done!" Monokuma gave me an angry look, "Will if you had just-" "moved my ass yeah I get it. Any way we can sneak past?" Monokuma looked around for vents or shadowy areas, "Aha!" He pointed to a locker set leading straight to the vent. "Alright no time to lose."

We sneaked over to the lockers and climbed up as slowly as possible. We made it half way when Monokuma slipped and fell alerting the guards, "HA! MASTER TREASURE HUNTER MY ASS!" The guards looked up at us. Togami sighed, "..excellent.."

I jumped down ready for a the fight, "Well guess we can't really avoid this. Asterious!" Monokuma got off the ground, "Thanks for the help douche. Come forth, Bugs!" The soldiers turned into pyrojacks and after a bit of back and forth we beat them. "Alright let's get out of here already." Togami nodded in agreement, "Agreed." We crawled our way through the tunnel and made it to the training grounds.

"Thanks for helping us out, but we've got to go." Monokuma made frantic gestures, "OH nononono! We made a deal!" I turned around and looked at him, "Yeah? Something about a pet project?" He began to giggle but not his usual laugh, this one was dark and actually kinda off putting. "Well you see, I'm not a treasure hunter at all. I'm a thief."

I scratched the back of my head, "Is there really that big of a difference?" He quickly went back to his normal comic relief nature, "Of course there is! I steal peoples desires! Their 'treasures' so to speak. The more corrupt, the better the spoils! Upupupupu~ this one was so twisted he even created a palace!" I raised my brow, "Palace?" He shot me an angry look, "Yes palace! What we're standing in remember?!" I laughed nervously.

"Sorry guess I was just focused on making it out. Alive..." Monokuma sighed, "Basically if someone is really corrupt they may end up creating a palace! But that's not the point!" Togami began to get impatient, "And what is the point?" Monokuma laughed, "Well cowlick here is the only one I met so far who can enter into the metaverse, he even made a contract to obtain his persona. So as per our agreement, you shall be my partner in crime!" I stepped back in shock, "What?! No way!" Monokuma pouted, "But you promised!" I turned around to leave, "Sorry not interested." Monokuma tried to run after us before tripping, "GET BACK HERE YOU BASTARDS!"

Suddenly we were standing at the school gates. Togami ran his hands through his hair, "Finally, back in a world of reason and logic." I laughed nervously, "Yeah that place was pretty nuts." He turned towards me, "Oh? What happened to all that confidence and bravado?" I scratched the back of my head nervously, "Heh, don't really know... guess I was high on power." I looked at my hand and clenched it shut.

Togami cleared his throat, "Yes well, this 'incident' shouldn't halt our investigation. We will we meet again tomorrow at the same time." I quickly turned towards Togami, "Wait! I... actually... have plans..." Togami looked extremely frustrated and tired after everything that happened, "You do realize a mans life hangs in the balance right? ... but. I suppose, a day to recuperate after everything that happened would be wise." I nodded in agreement, we parted ways and went to our dorms.

I opened my door to find a pink letter on my desk, "What's this?" I looked at the title 'To Makoto Naegi, From Your secret admirer' I blushed, "Secret admirer?" I opened the letter to see what was written on it.

'My sweet Luckster, I've been seeing all the good you've been doing and I think it's super! You're the one investigating the abuse cases right? The way you go around helping others in the short time you've been here is fantastically amazing! Keep up the great work~ M'

I couldn't help but smile like an idiot, I didn't even question how it got in my room. I went to sleep a lot happier than when I woke up.

The next day I entered the classroom, I greeted everyone and then sat down. I pulled out the letter and kept rereading it.

"Quite the letter." I shot my head up to see Kirigiri looking down at the letter, "Oh! H-heeey Kirigiri! Didn't see you there..." Kirigiri gave me her usual blank stare, "I noticed. Secret admirer huh? Didn't think you were that popular." I laughed nervously, "Yeah... I guess so." She turned back towards me, "I didn't mean that in a bad way." I looked at her in surprise, "Really?"

Before she had a chance to respond Maizono interrupted her, "Hi Naegi! How are you today?" I looked up at her, "Oh! Hi Maizono!" I quickly hid the letter not wanting to get embarrassed further, "I'm sorry did I interrupt you two?" Kirigiri took a couple of seconds before turning forward, "...no. You didn't." She smiled wide, "Oh good! Hey Naegi, are we still on for coffee today?" I returned the smile, "Yup! Can't wait!" She gave me another warm smile before sitting down at her desk. Class went by much slower than usual today, just the constant waiting to hang out with Maizono was horrible.

Finally the bell rang and we gathered our stuff, "Ready to go Naegi?" I looked up happily, "Of course!" As I got up Kirigiri grabbed my shoulder, "Hold on. You've got something on you." She swiped away at my back and patted something on my shoulder. Maizono grabbed my hand and looked at Kirigiri, "Thanks a lot Kirigiri! You're much nicer than everyone says you are!" Kirigiri sat at her desk waving, "have fun."

As we walked out of the school gates I reach for my shoulder to find a note, 'Always watch your back. Also I'm borrowing your letter.' I reached for my pocket and the love letter was missing. Great. "Naegi! You coming?" I perked up almost immediately, "Yeah right behind you!"

"Hm. Very interesting."