Chapter 21: Confessions

"I want to be stronger!"-dialogue
'How's that?'-inner thoughts/flashback
*sniff*-onomatopoeia
Ultimate Strongman-title
"Are you up for the task?"-Katakuri's Future Sight/Monokuma.

AN: YOOOOOO, WHAT IS UP? WHAT IS GOOD? THE D...YEEEEEAAAAAH! GOKU D. UZUMAKI IS HERE WITH THE FOURTH CHAPTER IN A ROW! The last chapter was...intense. Chihiro certainly went through the wringer with his training with Katakuri. However, our little cinnamon roll managed to take the first steps toward overcoming his past demons! Does that mean he's completed his character arc? Nope. But he will get better, trust me. This chapter is another character interaction arc then after this, we'll move on to the second motive. Katakuri will gain another student or two in his school. Without further ado, let's get the chapter underway! Giving us the disclaimer this time is none other than the Martial Artist that'll make grown men cry, Miss Sakura! If you may?

Sakura: Sure. *clears her throat* The following is a non-profit, fan-based fanfiction. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Goodbye Despair, and V3: Killing Harmony are all owned by Spike, Chunisoft, and Kazutaka Kodaka. Danganronpa: The Animation, Danganronpa 3: Despair, Future, and Hope Arc are owned by Funimation, Toei Animation, Fuji TV, and Kazutaka Kodaka. One Piece is owned by Shueisha, Funimation, Toei Animation, Fuji TV, and Eiichiro Oda. Please support the official releases.

GDU: Thank you very much, and now- *Asahina pops up and pounces on GDU*

GDU: *GACK!*

Asahina: *smiling and waving* And now back to your feature presentation!

GDU: *gasping and choking* Urgh-t-too tight...H-Hina...*faints*

Asahina: *stands up and gasped* Oh no, GDU! Oh please don't die, please please, please! I didn't mean to, I didn't!

Sakura: *sweatdrops* Hina...

Day Three

Second Floor

Dining Room

1:00 PM

Akane sat in the dining room all alone. After she broke down, she forfeited the match. Not too long after that, she went off to calm her nerves after spilling her feelings in front of everyone after getting her ass kicked. She decided to grab a bite to eat from Teruteru's leftovers, but she didn't have her usual mountain of meat she usually gets. So instead, it's a leg of chicken with a glass of water. To add to the uncommon sight, she's not munching on it as she does. Instead, she nibbles on it. That could only mean one thing:

Akane's in her thoughts.

The fight was an eye-opener for her. Of course, she knew firsthand how much Katakuri outclassed her, but to experience it through combat: if she was, to be honest, she was terrified.

When Katakuri appeared before her in an instant while she was recovering from her fall, she was petrified. But then, all she did was sit there and stare in shell-shocked awe and terror at the giant's supernatural speed. The girl winced as she rubbed the bandaged area of her jaw. Her left cheek is swollen, thanks to Katakuri's punch. Even though Mikan said her jaw should be fine in a few days, the gymnast still felt her bones were broken. In addition to her wounds, Owari's shirt is open, leaving her sports bra exposed with bandages and pads wrapped around her belly. The punch to her gut broke seven of her ribs, but thankfully, neither of them punctured her lungs. But that still didn't alleviate the phantom pain she's feeling after her treatment.

It was a pain to not eat the way she does, but it's disturbingly appropriate because of the situation she's in. She picked the leg and nibbled on it some more, then she picked up the glass. She reached into her shirt pocket and pulled out the medicine Tsumiki prescribed for her to help with the headaches. The girl pried the bottle open but found the task harder than it seems. Akane gritted her teeth as she struggled to open the bottle cap but her efforts bore no fruit. Finally, getting pissed, the gymnast squeezed the bottle and her grip caused the plastic medicine to explode. The small and numerous amounts of pills were scattered over the table, some falling on the floor.

Akane lets out a grunt at the mess she made. She threw the shattered remains of her prescription bottle on the floor and grabbed a couple of the pills that were on the table. She begrudgingly popped them in her mouth and washed them down. The nurse told her that the medicine would kick in about five minutes. Owari sets the glass back down after taking in her daily prescription. The girl covered her face with the palms of her hands as she tried to lose herself of the... unpleasant emotions she was going through right now.

"One leg of meat and a glass of water? That's unlikely of you, Akane," a voice noted.

The gymnast lifted her head to see who the newcomer was. She lets out a small scoff as she leans back in her chair after seeing Katakuri standing in the doorway with his arms folded. The giant walked in and sat across from the busty brunette. Neither of them spoke for a good moment, the silence permeating the dining room.

"You know, we haven't announced the winner of our duel after you left," Katakuri said, breaking the silence.

Akane scoffed. "Thought the victor is the one sitting across from me. I doubt the one that got their ass handed to them could call themselves the winner."

The giant shrugged. "Perhaps. Perhaps not."

The girl frowned deeper. "Look, if you're here to preach to me any more stuff that'll make me think about how I cried and how I shouldn't feel embarrassed about it, then sorry to say, I'm not in the listening mood."

"Oh, I'm not coming to tell you that."

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then what are you here for?"

"I'm here to tell you to get over it."

That earned a slight scowl from the gymnast. "The hell do you mean by that? That wasn't something I have to get over. I nearly had a hole in my chest from your punch, had a spear wanting to cut my head off, and I cried in front of everyone and they all pitied me." Akane clenched her fist. "And there's nothing I hate more than people giving me their pity."

Katakuri leaned back in his chair. "And that's what you think it was? Vain sympathy for your depression? And your only response to it is to act distant and be this 'might makes right' moron?"

"Moron? You have some nerve calling me that. What the hell was I supposed to do, huh? I have to see if I was strong enough for me to help my siblings from that fucking sicko ruling over us. But then after getting pummeled left and right, what can I do? That fight proved that I'm not strong enough for me to be there for them. I have to keep pushing, push like I never pushed before in my life. I don't care if my body breaks, my mind crumbles, nor I bleed to the point I pass out. If I don't step up to the plate to be a pillar for them to lean on, then who will?" Akane exclaimed.

"Yes, becoming strong to protect your family, I get that. But in doing that, you failed to forget to think about yourself and your well-being," Katakuri retorted calmly.

Akane growled. "I don't have time to think about how I feel if they're constantly in my mind! They need their big sister! Their big, strong, and fast sister to keep them safe from whatever assholes or shitty situations trying to take away their smiles! I have to keep fighting! Fighting Coach, Pekoyama, even you to reach that goal of becoming their strength!"

"And in doing so, you destroy yourself in the process."

Akane slammed her hands on the table, making the table shake. Katakuri kept his steely gaze at the distraught teenager even with her glaring daggers at him. "And what the hell do you know about what I'm going through, huh?! Since you're the great and powerful Katakuri that can destroy machine guns with a jelly bean and jump from the ceiling without breaking a sweat, what gave you the right to judge me on what I'm doing to myself for the sake of my family?! What the hell do you know, huh Katakuri, huh?! HUH?! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME?!"

"Because I made the same mistake myself," Katakuri answered punctually.

That made all the anger and indignation in Akane fade away as her face morphed into a confused expression. "What? What do you mean?"

The crimsonhead lets out a sigh. "Akane. There's something I have to tell you, and it's something that no one else must know." Katakuri rested his arms on the table as he readied himself to tell another student his secret. "I'm not a transfer student."

Owari's facial expression turned to one of shock as she sat back down. "Wha-? What do you mean by that? So you're saying that everything you said in that gym was a lie?"

Katakuri shook his head slightly. "Well, yes and no. Yes, I do have a large family and I am the second-in-command of the Charlotte Family. But the lie I told you guys was that we reside in your world, but truth be told...I'm not from your world."

Akane tilted her head in incredulity. "The hell you mean?"

Katakuri began to explain. "Where I am from, my world is a world run by pirates. I am a pirate and my family is known as the Big Mom Pirates. My mama is the matriarch of my family and we are a family of 86. I am the third oldest of my family and as you tell by my...appearance, I am not in your age group. I am two years away from reaching 50."

Owari's eyes bulged as she let out a cry. "WHHHAAAAA?! YOU DON'T LOOK 48!"

"Indeed, I am. And back to my point, I lived almost three times your life. I've seen some horrendous things, done some of the most monstrous deeds, and said some things that'll make even the most cynical, jaded person flinch. But the one thing that I had done that made me look at life differently, that one day that made me the man you see today..."

"Was the near death of my precious baby sister."

Akane lets out a small gasp as she took in what this man is telling her. She has always known Katakuri as the strong, silent type. No bullshitting, no cutting corners, always mean business, and never have time for games. But hearing these words...and the way his forcible tone took a slight drop, was starting to make Akane see the man in a different light.

"It was a hot day, we were living at a port. I was ten years old at the time. I was a reckless young boy. Just like you, I pick fights with bullies, calling them cowards, beating them up. And almost every day, I eat my donuts, whether it be in happiness with my other siblings or at peace when I'm by myself. I never paid much attention to the bullies and what they do after beating them up. But one day...I realized one of the gravest mistakes that everyone learns one of the harshest truths in the world:"

"Is that actions have consequences, no matter how small we think they are."

Akane's eyes widened as she felt her breath hitched by the gravity of the words. "What happened?" she whispered.

Katakuri closed his eyes, trying to keep from shuddering from the memory he tried to keep buried. But it was that one moment that will always be ingrained in his mind till the day he dies. "The oldest of my family, Perospero, came to me and told me something happened to our little sister at the time, Brulee. She got attacked by the same bullies that I always beat up. And in their depravity and cowardice, they sought to take their animosity and hatred of me at her, and she...she..."

.

.

.

"I saw my sister Brulee laying on the ground with her face sliced up."

A fiery rage flared up inside of Akane as she gritted her teeth and her fists clenched tightly they began to shed blood. She despises, no, loathes bullies. She finds them to be the lowest pieces of shit on earth, and will always beat their asses black and blue if they ever mess with her. And to hear that these assholes would cut up Katakuri's little sister to make their dicks feel a little bigger? If she has them in her hands, they will cuss the day their moms open her legs.

"Them pieces of shit..." she growled lividly.

"But that wasn't the worst part."

That made the gymnast do a double-take. Did she hear right? The worst part wasn't seeing his sister bleeding on the ground? Then what it was?

"Heh, shocking, isn't it? That's the most shocking part. That wasn't the worst part of that day. The worst part of that moment...is despite being cut up, despite laying on the ground crying and shuddering from the pain...she smiled," Katakuri continued with slight hesitance.

Akane's eyes widened by the revelation. Her mouth dropped slightly wider after the...depressing part of Katakuri's childhood. She couldn't stop the rapid beating of her heart from the thought of seeing his little sister grinning despite the wound. To imagine seeing one of her brothers or sisters down on the ground smiling through the pain...she would've broken down.

"You want to know what she told me?" Akane lowered her head slightly in an attempt to avoid the giant's gaze on her face. She didn't want him to see her shedding tears again.

"She told me...it didn't hurt...it didn't hurt her not one bit." Katakuri's voice became slightly more wavered. "She told me...I'm fine just the way I am...that I shouldn't burden myself with her well-being. That despite everything that happened to her...everything's going to be alright."

If Akane wasn't crying earlier, salty trickles of water streamed down her cheeks after hearing Brulee's words to comfort Katakuri's distress. To shrug off the notion of carrying an ugly scar across her face for the rest of her days with a smile. To comfort her brother despite her feeling God knows what amount of pain. To tell him that everything will be okay...

It's heart-wrenching.

Katakuri remained silent after telling her. While Akane continued to sob quietly, the giant held back his pain from coming to the forefront. But no matter how tough he acts, the memory will always pierce his heart. The somber silence hung in the dining room for a good solid minute, letting the heavy-hitting story sink in. Katakuri kept his head down, his eyes shadowed while Akane continued to let out her tears of empathy.

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.

.

.

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"Tell me you got them fucking shitbags," Akane queried softly yet venomously.

The giant lets out a murderous gaze at the thought of the lowlifes that harmed his sister. "I did more than just 'got them'," Katakuri growled. "They still hadn't found their bodies."

Owari lets out a snort. "Good. I wish I would've been there, bought popcorn and everything."

Katakuri chuckled slightly. "Of course, you would." Akane lets out a light chuckle herself. The mood in the dining room was starting to take a slight uplift after the somberness of Katakuri's childhood.

"But Akane...the reason why I told you this was because, after that day, I declared myself that I will never let my face become the cause of my brothers and sisters getting hurt. Just like you, I trained, fought, maimed, and killed to stay in that perfect light they see me as. That feeling of them was rewarding, I'll tell you that. I was the perfect pillar for them to rely on, I was the most trusted out of everyone, and that was one of the many reasons Mama picked me as her right-hand man. My stoicism, efficiency, tenacity, straightforwardness, strength, and will set a perfect example for the rest of my family to follow, which led to my family becoming one of the biggest powers in my world where not even the government dreamed to mess with us. It was good, very good, almost intoxicating," Katakuri continued.

"But alas...like all good things...there's the downside," he said gravely.

Akane knew what he was referring to. "Because of the high standard, they expect out of me, that made my attempts of pleasing them through my words and actions all the more agonizing. The very thought of living up to their standard as the Perfect Child of the Charlotte Family was anything but tormenting. Day and night, I had to live up to that standard. What makes it worse was that I was the one who placed that curse upon myself. It'll make you extremely stressed out, high-strung, volatile...it's self-destructing. If what I described to you of the feeling of everyone relying on you intoxicating, then the downside will be the toxic side," the giant stated. He looked down at his glove in thought.

"I barely had time to let myself go. Whenever I do, it's either during my ten-minute merienda, snack time, or the late-night hours. But even then, the constant thought of everyone watching your every move expecting nothing but perfection? It's depressing."

The gymnast let the crimsonhead's words sink into her head. She never realized she was doing that to herself. She knew she liked the attention but to have it on you every day with everyone wanting to see you as their role model and not the real you? She would've lost it.

"So, what should I do? Even if I did stop doing what I'm doing, how am I supposed to defend my siblings from assholes still?" Akane asked, needing an answer.

Katakuri lets out a short sigh of his own. "Well, I'm not going to lie and say it's going to be easy. For me, being in that position for decades was second-nature to me. I was so caught up in it that I declared to myself that to keep that posture as the perfect, invincible, big strong brother, I did my best to make sure that no matter what I'm doing or what happens to me, I would never fall on the back."

Akane winces at the notion. "Geez, you're shitting me?"

"Afraid not. As much as it sounds nice that everyone sees you as the erect pillar that never has fallen...like I said, it'll bring some serious mental issues that would break you," Katakuri replied.

The gymnast slouched back in her chair after taking in Katakuri's story. She was realizing that she was mirroring Katakuri in this position. She was so caught up in becoming the strongest for her family's sake that she has forgotten about her well-being, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Akane may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but even she knows that mental issues, especially when it comes to overachievement and perfectionism, is a hell that she doesn't want to be in. She's already going through hell concerning leaving this place, why add another one?

But the thought of her siblings all alone with her protecting them from whatever bullshit's happening out there continued to eat away at her mind. Of course, she has to grow strong for the sake of her family. Who wouldn't do anything for their family's well-being? Even if it means breaking your being, she'll do it. They'll be happy knowing that they're safe...but will she be happy?

Her mind was starting to hurt with all the life-questioning thoughts running through her head. She slouched down in her chair to relieve herself of the stress. "I don't know, man...it's too much...I don't know what to say..." she said numbly.

The giant nodded slightly. "Of course, I understand. Not everything gets resolved overnight, neither does everyone agree on the same page."

Akane gives Katakuri a small smile in appreciation as she sat back up and with renewed vigor, chowed down the leg and drank the water in a split second. "Ahh. Shame that my sulking made the meat cold, but anything's better than having nothing in my belly at all!" she exclaimed boldly. "I need to ask him to whip me up a hot pot to fill me up!" She pointed at the sitting man with an emboldened sense of confidence, but not in a cocky manner. "I am going to train my heart out, anytime whenever it's the best time. Maybe not then, or the next time after that...but one day...one day, I want us to fight as equals. Me and you exchanging fists and kicks! You best prepare yourself, man, because once Akane Owari has her sights on a new opponent, she will train her heart out until she defeats them fair and square!"

Katakuri nodded. "And I will be waiting, Akane."

The girl grinned ferally at the affirmation. Then, her fiery grin changed to a softened smile as she lowered her digit. "And...thanks...for the talk, Katakuri. And I'm sorry for...you know...jumping down your throat," she apologized sincerely.

Katakuri waved it off. "No need to apologize. It could've gone down a lot worse."

Owari chuckled. "True that." She walked over to the door and grabbed the doorknob. "Well, I'm about to catch up with the others and do something, I dunno. Wanna come?" she offered.

"As much as I like to, I got something I need to do concerning myself. I need to head to the gym and train," he replied.

Akane squawked as she opened the door as Katakuri stood up. "Y-You? Train? How can a badass like you need more training? You can mop the floor with all of us with one hand tied behind your back."

Katakuri walked towards the door trailing the girl. "You say that, but there's never such thing as too much training. Even I need to do some polishing with my skills."

"Pfff, yeah right, dude," she snarked lightly. The two former combatants took their leave, with the giant closing the door behind him.

The kitchen remained still for a solid moment after the two left. A few seconds later, a creak was heard in the quiet dining room. The creaking was coming from the bottom cabinets in the kitchen, and emerging from the cabinet was someone that arrived here earlier. The figure stretched for a few seconds before turning its attention to the door where the two fighters went through. The eavesdropper's figure was trembling slightly after staring at the door for a minute.

The figure was thankful for the momentary solitude in the kitchen as the room was now being filled with soft, pain-filled, depressing sobs.

Day Three

Second Floor

Aquarium

1:35 p.m.

"I must say, seeing that fight made me realize something," Peko murmured to herself as she and Fuyuhiko peered through the expansive room. The large aquarium was nearly the size of the courtyard they were previously in. There were multiple tanks filled with an exotic array of biome: from saltwater creatures to freshwater, even brackish and swamp aquatic animals reside in their tanks. Dolphins, squids, piranhas, snakes, sharks, crocodiles, and that's to list the basics of the marine life that resides here.

"What you mean by that, Peko?" the gangster asked inquisitively.

The swordswoman released a small sigh. "Watching the duel made me think about my skills as a combatant. While it's true that my swordsmanship is exceptional, I know that I still need improvements on my reflexes and counters. I knew that Katakuri was the superior fighter, but to see it up close and personal?" Peko clenched her fists slightly after remembering the fight choreography. "I felt nothing. I would be dead if I was in Akane's shoes. If Katakuri could take away my sword, I'll be a heap. So I thought am I too reliant on my sword? And what if a situation pops up and I would not have my sword? What could I do then? What would I do then? If I'm unable to fight without using my sword as a crutch, then what good am I as your tool, Kuzuryu?" the silver-haired girl wondered to herself.

The gangster lets out a growl. "For the last fucking time, Peko, stop calling yourself a tool. I don't know why my shitty parents drove that bullshit in your head, but you're anything but a tool. And for the last time, call me Fuyuhiko, not Kuzuryu."

Peko nodded. "Of course, please forgive me, Kuzu-I mean, Fuyuhiko."

Even though the boy heard the hesitance in her tone, it was at least a little step in the right direction. "Better. Now, as for Katakuri, that is debatable. Yeah, he can kick all our asses left and right with his eyes closed with one hand tied behind his back, but don't let that discourage you into making you think you're less than shit. Use that as a study guide, learn from the fight, then hone that into your sword," Kuzuryu said wisely.

Peko was taken aback slightly by the maturity her master's displayed. Hotheadedness, swearing, and impulsiveness are his forte, but to hear advice like that coming from him? It made the silver-haired girl an even greater reason to remain loyal to him. But the feeling of doubt was still bubbling in her belly. Letting out a sigh, she turned to him.

"Do you think...that I can reach Katakuri's prowess one day?"

Kuzuryu stopped in his tracks. He kept his gaze at the dolphin tank, silently. A bead of sweat revealed itself from the bespectacled girl's forehead, the salty band of nervousness streaming down her porcelain face. The bubbling tension in her belly steadily rose the longer the silence stretched between them. No sound came out from the aquarium except the sloshing of water from the aquatic creatures in their displays.

"Do I think that you can?" he asked neutrally. Peko stared at the master in silence, waiting to hear anything that'll alleviate the rapid beating of her anxious heart.

Kuzuryu turned his head around. He gave her a simple gesture: a shrug.

Peko's heart sank. While she knew the impossibility of it, to hear her master giving her an unsure answer made any hope of being useful for her master all the more useless. Her face twisted to a constrained grimace to try to contain the agonizing disappointment she allowed herself in.

"I don't know, Peko. That's not up for me to decide," he replied. "Now come on, we got more places to see."

The swordswoman stood like a statue. The dreadful feeling she's been going through turned into confusion. What does he mean about that? That wasn't a direct answer that she needed. What did he mean that it's up to her-?

Oh.

Like a lightbulb, the words brightened her understanding. She felt as though a section of her heavy burdens are being lifted off her shoulders. All these years of being a tool for her master that no one ever gave her the chance to think, feel, talk, or act for herself. This was why the Kuzuryu Clan drove the mindset into her to mold her to become the perfect shield for their heir, to continue the family business. That all she's good for is being a shield. A sword to cut his enemies who dared to threaten him. Forget one's necessities and well-being, as long as the heir is safe and secure, nothing else matters. That's what she's been told to do. That's what she was raised to do. That's what she's been trained to do.

Until she realized that her master, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu, is unlike anyone else in the Kuzuryu bloodline.

Perhaps, even more?

"Oi Peko, you coming or what?" Fuyuhiko called out, echoing outside in the hallway.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Coming!" The silver-haired girl shook out of her train of thought and briskly walked out of the aquarium, leaving the marine-themed room vacant once again.

In one of the aquarium tanks, a dolphin stared at the door where the girl once left out. Its beady eyes stared at the door thoughtfully for a few seconds before swimming back to its pod.

Day Three

Second Floor

Infirmary

2:12 p.m.

Monotonous beeping droned in the infirmary. Fluids slowly dripped into the IV tube. The heart monitor beeped its steady rhythm, mirroring the calm rising and falling of Leon's chest. After another check-up, Mikan deduced that the baseball player's recovery is nice and steady. The positive news is thanks to Katakuri's interference, he stopped Leon's brain from swelling to the point of comatose. Because of that and the routines the nurse is giving to him, Tsumiki said that if this keeps him, Leon will awake in two days.

The news gave Sayaka a wave of relief that she desperately needed after such a long time in her well of despair. But that didn't stop her from feeling like trash for putting the boy in this bed. That's why she volunteered yet again to keep watch of Kuwata in case something comes up. It's been a few hours after she watched the fight between Akane and Katakuri on screen in the infirmary. After watching the fight, she grew even bigger gratitude and respect for the crimsonhead giant. If it weren't for his rescue, Kuwata would've been lying here with a drape over his body.

The bluenette lets out a sigh to calm her spirits, but even the calmness and serenity of Leon couldn't ease her nerves. She still wonders why Katakuri forgave her after committing a dastardly deed. She wanted to curl up in some dirty corner, rot away, and die to attempt to atone for her crimes. Sayaka clenched her arms with her hands as she remembered how everyone was clawing at each throat, trying to figure out the blackened from a crime she planned and committed. Besides, isn't first-degree murder worse than second-degree?

Her thoughts were cut when she heard the door opening. She turned and was surprised to see Ibuki Mioda of all people entering the infirmary. What made the disgraced idol reel a bit was the expression on the usually cheery guitarist. Instead of her ecstatic face, it was a blank face. Not angry, sad, or depressed. Just...blank.

Sayaka kept her gaze at the girl yet Ibuki took no notice, but her gaze was directed at the sleeping Leon. Mioda, in a creepy fashion, mechanically walked into the room and closed the door behind her. She walked over and grabbed a nearby chair. She dragged the chair across the floor, its scraping making Maizono wince. The chair finally made its stop as Ibuki sat down, next to Maizono.

The room was now beginning to be filled with tension as the two girls are present. Sayaka stared at the colorful musician with wariness, worry, anxiety, and a bit of fear. She never expected her to come in here to check up on Kuwata. Does Mioda has feelings towards the guitarist and if so, is she here to give her a chewing out for putting her crush in death's grip? Is she here to threaten her? Maizono would've been slightly okay if Ibuki came in here with a sad or angry face, which would be easier to know what she was going through. But a blank face?

Sayaka swallowed her anxiety. She was about to open her mouth to try to break the ice but-

"I was about to ask him to be my boyfriend," Ibuki said blankly. Sayaka flinched slightly but listened.

"When he came to me, he wanted to become a musician. He thought of playing the guitar, but he thought guitars are too 'cliche. So he opted to play the drums," the girl continued. "He said he never played the drums before in his life, but his face...I could never stop seeing how bright his face lit up after we did our first jamming section. He bashed and crashed on the drumkit while I improvised my playing." Ibuki lets out a light chuckle from reminiscing.

"When most people see me, they labeled me as a 'weirdo' or 'the annoying chatterbox.' Sure, I shrug it off with laughter and a good joke here and there, but deep down...that inner me that I tried so hard and so long to keep underneath resurfaces, every once in a while...hoping to find someone that'll accept me for me...and my...other me. So when Leon saw me, he didn't see Ibuki Mioda, the Ultimate Musician, or the annoying, chatty, hyperactive girl, he sees Ibuki Mioda...his other half."

Sayaka felt as though she'd been stabbed the more she heard Mioda's confession. She never took in how much Leon and Ibuki were connecting, and she stepped in and tried to take him away from her. She felt even worse than ever.

"He came up with the idea that we should form a duet, him and I. He came up with the name of it: The Rockstars." Mioda lets out a bittersweet laugh with tears streaming down her face. She wiped them as she continued with her trip down memory lane. "I was all on board with it. So we practiced; I was brushing on his drumming skills and me on my singing. And my singing of course...needs work, to say the least. So guess what else Leon came up with?" Ibuki asked.

The question confused Sayaka, but the question hit her like a ton of bricks in a split second. Maizono's lips began to quiver as she realized what Leon had in mind. The girl covered her mouth to stifle her sobs from realizing that Kuwata was about to ask her to become a part of the forming band.

"At first, I wasn't sure since someone like you has a band of your own but he was steadfast in wanting to form a band. He'll be on the drums, me on guitar, you on vocals, and Kaede on the piano. He claimed that the four of us would turn the music world upside-down and that our music style will revolutionize the world. To be the next great, alongside other J-pop and K-pop wonders. Such a thought was too far-fetched, even for me, but his neverending enthusiasm and strive for it made me fall in love with him all the deeper."

"But then the alarm came of the first death," Ibuki finished somberly.

There it is. Sayaka's mind began to fall into a deeper well of despair like never before. She knew what she did was devastating, but she realized how impactful her actions were affecting others. Now, she's feeling firsthand that her actions not only affected Leon but others as well.

"When I heard that they found you in that bathroom, I felt as though everything was turned to black. I wanted nothing more than to find the one who did it to fall in a pit of spikes while being set on fire, still alive. But when I realized that Leon did it, I felt...like my entire being...my soul was ripped apart in shreds. I couldn't look at him the same anymore. I didn't see the boy whom I had a crush with, whom I jammed with from time to time," Mioda continued with her voice cracking with a mixture of emotions: anger, sadness, confusion, and betrayal.

If Sayaka wasn't crying, she was holding back from letting out a wail of shame and self-hatred as she continued to hear more of the trial from Ibuki's perspective. It's gutwrenching to know that the consequences of one's actions would not only affect the victim and the offender but those around them.

"But when Monokuma showed us the recording of you and Katakuri's conversation in the infirmary, I was stunned. I was confused, I was scared, I was...angry. I was so angry when I heard your confession in that room. When those words fell from your mouth the reason you did it, at first...I wanted to just..." Ibuki opened and clenched her fists to quell her rising fury. "Put my hands round your neck and squeeze the life out of your lungs for doing that to poor Kuwata." Maizono unconsciously rubbed her throat.

"But when you admitted on why you did it, I took it in and thought about it. Your friends are out there, God knows what. I couldn't imagine what you must've felt when you saw the DVD. I would've done the same thing if I was in your place, so I would be a hypocrite if I say otherwise. You did it in a poor attempt to save your friends, not out of anger, malice, or any other downer emotion. But that still doesn't excuse you in the slightest for what you've done. So I'm not going to badger you, Katakuri did that awesomely," Mioda said.

The room fell into a deeper silence after Ibuki told her story. Sayaka stared at the girl in a new light. She not only heard the other side of the trial but a heartfelt confession that Ibuki not only had fun with Leon but fell in love with him as well. Now that she heard and felt what happened on Mioda's side, it made her actions all the more reprehensible and revolting. It doesn't matter if she feels sorry or remorseful, what's done is done and the aftermath of her actions is coming back to her to make her feel the full brunt of the effects it had on others. Long story short, she felt worse than garbage.

"What Leon did was wrong, but who wouldn't defend themselves from someone attempting to stab them? So, does that means I still have feelings for him? To be honest, I'm not quite sure. At the same time, I do, but on the other hand...*sighs* I don't know. I hate that I don't know how to put it in words. I'm going to head back to get a bite to eat." The musician stood up from her chair to head out the door. But as her hand rested on the doorknob, she stopped but didn't turn around.

"Sayaka Maizono, I'm going to be brutally honest: I hate you. I hate everything about you after what you did to Leon. All Kuwata wanted was for us to form a band, and he was hoping that coming to you would be the best chance to ask you to join. And how did you repay him? By putting him in this bed. But Leon wouldn't want me to become this way, so I would do my very best to stop hating you. So I'm going to ask you this:"

"Once Leon wakes up, will you still be able to join our band?" With that said, Ibuki took her leave.

Sayaka's blank-filled face bursts once the musician left. The best way the girl could express her emotions was to grab the blankets from the infirmary closet, cover her face and unleash her emotions in the form of broken, pain-filled, muffled, self-loathing cries and sobs.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! Sorry Sorry Sorry SORRY SORRY SORRY!"

*whimpers*

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry."

The infirmary was filled with the girl's self-deprecating, muffled sobs. Now, Sayaka know full well that she's the scum of the earth for doing this to Ibuki. Though unknown to her, she was so wrought in her self-resentment and depression...

That she didn't noticed the slight twitching of Leon's finger.

Day Three

Second Floor

Dormitory

2:49 p.m.

After the fight, Makoto went back to his dorm to reel his mind back from the jaw-dropping confession Jun-Mukuro Ikusaba gave him earlier. He could not believe that one of the few people that he thought would genuinely be his best friend would turn out to be working for the mastermind, which...shocker, turned out to be her younger twin sister, Junko Enoshima. The fight was a good release of tension after the nerve-racking experience of the trial, but that wasn't enough to calm his mind down from the revelation. That's why he found himself staring at the bathroom door in his room. The day of the confession was so clear in his head that he can still remember each word Mukuro told him, verbatim.

'N-Naegi-san...the truth is that...I'm not Junko Enoshima,' the blonde girl confessed hesitantly yet with a hint of relief in her tone.

Makoto sat there slacked-jaw and dumbfounded by the sudden confession that all he could do was blink owlishly. Where is this coming from, he asked himself. His brain was so overloaded by what had transpired and with this confession coming up, his mind was having trouble processing it.

'W-Wha-?' he asked numbly.

'Junko' nodded her head shamefully as she closed her eyes. With a small sigh of regret, she grabbed her hair. With a few seconds to brace herself, the girl pulled the wig off to expose the luckster to her naturally short, dark hair. Makoto's eyes widened as he continued to watch the girl get rid of her disguise. The girl continued to take off her facade by using the wig to wipe the powdered makeup from her face to reveal her freckled face. After that, she took off her eye contacts to reveal her greyish-blue eyes.

Taking another deep breath, the girl then revealed her name. 'My name is actually Mukuro Ikusaba...I am the Ultimate Soldier...and...' She swallowed a lump of saliva. 'Junko Enoshima is the mastermind behind this...and she's also my younger twin.'

Makoto's face began to drain its flesh color as he listened to 'Mukuro'. It was then that his brain finally caught up and he was finally able to register complete words. 'T-Then that means t-that... y-you's the...' he trailed off.

Mukuro turned to the side, too ashamed to make eye contact with him. 'y-yes...I'm the m-mole...'

Makoto clenched his fists as he remembered the rest of the confession. His mind was so muddled by everything that's transpired in the last few days that he was physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. First, with the start of the game. Next, with the attempted murder of Leon. Then, the revelation that Sayaka was responsible for everything yesterday. And then, his confused feelings on whether he forgives or forsake Sayaka. Then finally, this out-of-nowhere confession from Mukuro Ikusaba, the elder sister of the mastermind, Junko Enoshima, sent him in such a state of disbelief and overload that he's surprised that he hadn't lost his mind.

Then, of course, the request the girl asks of him after the talk:

'Please, Makoto! I know this is a lot to process and I'm sorry for telling you this now, but I sincerely hope that this will at least refresh your mind after all the trickery and lies that happened the other day! And I know that I gotta confess with the others once the time is right, but would it be too much to ask of you to keep it until I find it comfortable, to tell the truth? The last thing I want is for another fight to break out if the truth comes out!' she pleaded.

Makoto was about to retort until he heard the last thing Mukuro said that pierced his heart.

'Please Naegi...I...I don't want to die...' she whispered tearfully.

With a heavy sigh, the boy rested his head in his hands. Her tearful, honest, and remorseful words continued to trouble his already weary soul. How could he not say no to such a proclamation? As much as he hates keeping secrets, for her sake and everyone else, he'll keep quiet for the time being. Yet again, the early revelation of her association will further trouble the waters amongst the group. No, he will not tell. Troublesome people such as Byakuya, Nagito, Korekiyo, and especially Kokichi will find enjoyment in the repercussions of such.

"What am I going to do?" he asked quietly.

"Nyuk nyuk nyuk! Want some friendly advice, lucky boy?"

Makoto turned his head to the right and saw the dreaded monotone bear waddling out of the corner of the door. That same deranged, perverted smile is ever present on Monokuma's face. The luckster grimaced at the unwelcoming 'headmaster'.

"What could you possibly have something to say that I wanna hear, Monokuma?" Naegi asked with an exasperated tone.

"Geesh, a friendly welcome would've been appreciative, but since you're already down in the dumps already, I'll do you a solid and cut to the chase," Monokuma replied as he twirled over to the boy. "I believe you and I both know of what going through that boring head of yours."

Instantly, Makoto was on guard. "What do you mean by that?" he asked rapidly.

Then, the maniacal bear turned deathly serious at the drop of a hat. "Don't act dumb, Naegi. You and I both know that my stupid sister spilled her guts to you because of her 'guilty conscience'. Ugh, just thinking about that makes me sick," Monokuma stated in a cold, harsh tone. He spat the words 'guilty conscience' as if they were venomous.

The boy flinched. Of course, Monokuma-Junko Enoshima has eyes and ears everywhere. But to hear something like this so soon? "What do you want from me, Junko?" he demanded with his eyes narrowed.

The bear tilted his head mechanically. "Oh, so you now going to refer to me by my real name, huh Naegi? Don't you think it's too soon for the twists and turns to unravel now? And what if my dumb sister told you nearly everything to appease to her heart? It's not like it's going to matter in the long haul," Monoku-no, Junko said in an uncharacteristically empty tone.

Makoto gritted his teeth in anxiety and frustration. "S-So what are you going to do, huh? Kill her? Kill me? You know that even you have to abide by the rules you establish. I mean, it's not like it matters to you to break your own rules, but even you can't do something that hasty to avoid suspicion and for everyone to come after you."

"That does not sound like a bad idea. I have my ways of sweeping things under the rug."

"And so what if you do? Katakuri-san is already onto you, I have no doubt that he figured out that Mukuro is doing your dirty work and you'll throw her away once you find no use for her. Face it, Junko. You lost, no matter what you do!"

The robotic puppet stared blankly at the defiant boy. Even though his nerves are racking due to Junko's unpredictability, he'll still play her desires for despair against her, as long as everyone doesn't tear each others' throats out. And it's frankly, about time that the madwoman is going to be taken down a peg.

Monokuma began to pace back and forth with his paws behind his back. "Ah yes, Katty. The big hero that's going to save the kids from the big evil guy. The freak that somehow has enough to power to withstand a machine gun without getting a scratch and strength that makes all you fighting types look like pansies. But I wouldn't put my eggs into one basket, Naegi-kun~," the robot drawled out mockingly.

That raised some hairs. "W-What do you mean by that?"

"Nyuk nyuk nyuk. Let's just say that our friendly neighborhood giant isn't feeling the best right now," he replied cryptically as he waddled back to the corner of the room. But not before giving Makoto one last thing that made his stomach turn. "And if you truly value my sister's meaningless life, I reckon that you keep that big mouth of yours shut until the very end of the game because I would hate to eliminate someone due to their...inability to keep spoilers in their mouth. Have a nice day, Makoto Naegi." With that said, the mechanical mascot disappeared into the walls with a wicked grin on his face, leaving a stricken and ashen Makoto Naegi, who continued to stare at the spot in agony and shock.

Day Three

Second Floor

Gym

3:46 p.m.

Loud punching noises echoed in the gym. Training dummies flew across the room until they crashed onto the wall on the other side. Some dummies exploded on contact with sand spilling from them. The person responsible for such enormous strength was none other than Katakuri.

Katakuri stood tall with his fist outstretched to the last training dummy to focus his strength. After his match with Akane, he felt his body aching from the phantom pain on his left side increased. He still doesn't know why he's going through such trauma, but he knows that training will at least sharpen his fighting prowess and stave off the pain. And also to sharpen his Haki usage. The pain dulled his second nature Future Sight considerably that he had to will it to avoid the pain becoming severe. But he knows that training will keep him from overusing his abilities.

True, it's no contest that he's the most powerful individual in this world, even with his power halved. But if this continues, he'll never be able to return to Whole Cake to help his family whenever they need him. Speaking of which, he wonders how Brulee is doing after being held hostage by that brat Straw Hat Luffy. The thought of his family makes the giant wonder on how everyone else took in his loss to the boy. He knows that they'll be devastated and their morale through the floor, but none more than his other brothers, Perospero, Daifuku, Oven, and Cracker. Katakuri rubbed his temple in regret and frustration at himself for letting his family down; no doubt that Mama will demote him for losing to such an upstart, like his younger brothers and ex-Sweet Generals, Cracker and Snack.

He knows that he'll still hold some regard in the family for being the second-strongest, but he's not stupid to not know that any respect, admiration, and reverence his family had for him for his undefeated losing streak is gone.

But pushing those thoughts aside, the man stretched his arm to retrieve the farthest training dummy. So far, he felt no straining of his Devil Fruit usage. Once his hand clutched the dummy, he yanked it towards him at high velocity, the speed turning the harmless dummy into a deadly projectile. But Katakuri closed his eyes and willed his right arm to release Mole with ease. A second before the dummy gets to hit his face, the giant slashed the dummy clean in half, the sand filling falling on the gym floor.

Katakuri sets his weapon on the ground, allowing it to stand upright as he observed his handiwork and folded his arms. Even with the seemingly impeccable display of spearsmanship, speed, cool-headedness, and Devil Fruit usage, Katakuri lets out a disappointing sigh.

'Not fast enough. This pain hindered my prowess. Normally, such a thing like that would've been over in the blink of an eye. Regardless of how much this upsets me, I need to watch how I use my abilities. Thankfully, the training had increased my abilities' usage significantly...well, enough that I can't wince in pain every five seconds,' Katakuri said to himself.

"Alright, let's try this again," he said.

Katakuri closed his eyes yet again to focus on his strength. He lowered his arms by his side; his deep breaths made the thick arms bulge with swelling power. After doing the same routine for a couple of seconds, the phantom pain reared its head in the form of a minor tingling in his abdomen.

Focus.

The more he focused on his arms, the more swelling the pain was becoming.

Ngh, focus.

Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as he felt the tingling sensation turning into a burning sensation. But, he must press on.

Focus...

*squelch*

Come on...come on, now...

Veins were pulsing in his arms and forehead as the pain turned to a stabbing pain.

Almost there...come on...

.

.

.

*STAB, SQUELCH*

"BLOCK MOCHI!"

Finally, Katakuri's arms became blocky with the block-like arms and hands gleaming with a black sheen. The giant grunted as he kept the Block Mochi arms on display amidst the unbearable pain coming full force. The blocky arms appeared for a few seconds until Katakuri lets out a sharp yet controlled gasp of pain as he released his Haki. His Block Mochi returned back to normal after his release. Katakuri held himself tall and swallowed a lump to avoid himself from collapsing on his knee.

'As I thought, I am still weak. That fight would've been a pain if I would've continued longer. But at least my training is doing something with my tolerance of using my powers for a longer period of time. As of now, I can only do my Future Sight. My Armament Haki is out of reach for the moment. No need to kick yourself, I will reach that goal,' Katakuri said to himself.

The giant took a deep breath and exhaled in equal depth when the pain was alleviating. He walked over to the center of the gym to start over with his training, but his senses spoke to him, letting him know that he was not alone. He took a deep breath to collect himself since he knew who the person is.

"If you're going to watch me train, at least do so sitting or standing, Chihiro," he called out. Then, a squeak was heard.

The giant turned around and looked at the source where the squeak came from, underneath the bleachers. Still, no movement.

"It's okay, Chihiro. I'm not upset."

A few seconds had passed and tiny footsteps became audible. And lo and behold, emerging from beneath the bleachers was the feminine programmer herself, Chihiro Fujisaki. The girl has a huge blush of embarrassment on her face the more she reveals herself. She timidly walked over to the middle of the gym, but still kept a good distance away from Katakuri.

"I-I-I'm s-sorry for spying on you, K-Katakuri. I-It's just that...I-I can't help it that you look...b-brave," the girl answered meekly.

"No hard feelings, Chihiro. And like I said, if you want to watch me train, at least ask," the giant replied. He went back to arranging his training set.

Fujisaki looked over to the scattered and destroyed punching bags and weights. Seeing the ridiculous amount of these awestruck the girl. "U-Um...m-may I ask, what exactly you were doing?"

Chihiro kept looking at the floor, her body trembling in fear and anxiety. But she made it this far! She's not going to cower away! It's now or never!

"K-K-K...K-Katakuri..."

The giant hummed in response. The girl continued to press on, her voice barely audible but Katakuri's sharp senses can pick up what Fujisaki's saying.

"I-I...I have...a-a-a..." Chihiro swallowed a large lump of anxiety and fear as sweat continued to stream down her face. "I-I...*exhales loudly*...I-I have...a-a-a c-c-con...f-fession to...m-m-make..."

Katakuri stares in silence. Chihiro was grateful for the giant's immense patience despite her extreme hesitance.

"I-I-I..." The girl clenched her chest to calm her racking nerves and racing heartbeat. Despite the gym having a cool temperature, the programmer felt as though she was standing in the middle of the desert. Her lips dry from exhaustion, her breathing heavily as though she ran a marathon, her body trembling like a leaf in a hurricane, and her face filled with so much blood that she looked like a tomato. But no matter what, she must go on!

'C-Come on...say it, you coward! Y-You've been pitied, mocked, ignored, and bullied for long enough! N-Now it's the time to start becoming brave! I-I-If Katakuri's brave enough to stand up against Monokuma despite the rules against insubordination, then so can I!' Chihiro exclaimed to herself.

"You got something to tell me, Chihiro?" Katakuri asked patiently.

The girl flinched from the voice. She felt so pathetic, she mustered the courage to start the conversation, why couldn't she finish it? Why is it so hard to say the words? Come on, he's right here, it's now or never! Don't blow it! Don't screw it up! Just tell him what you are and what you want!

Chihiro whimpered wimpishly as she's choking on her tears and words, her throat balling so hard, she was barely breathing.

Katakuri knew what she was about to say, but deciding to give her the courage to utter the words from her mouth, he does this.

"Well, then. If you're not going to say it, then I'll look into the future and see for myself."

*GASP*

'N-NO!'

Chihiro's world froze from hearing that. No no no, this is her time! She's going to be the one to tell the words! If he says the words, then that'll further prove that she's a sniveling coward!

Katakuri closed his eyes as he took a deep breath and exhaled. "Let me guess, you're a-"

"NO!"

The giant looked down at the girl who was glaring at him with a fiery sense of courage and vigor. Despite her face puffy from the crying and her nose running, neither of them deter the fierce expression on her face as she pointed at Katakuri.

"YOU DON'T GET THE SAY IT, MR. KATAKURI! PLEASE, LET ME SAY THIS! PLEASE DON'T LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND SPEAK FOR ME! LET ME SPEAK FOR MYSELF!" she cried with her voice cracking more frequently.

The gym reverberated at the declaration. Giving her what she wants, Katakuri closed his eyes and nodded to respect her wishes. Seeing his agreement, the girl finally gave her confession to her one and only hope.

"I...I want...I want to be strong..." Swallowing the last of her trepidation, Chihiro stared at Katakuri with teary yet fiery eyes as she cried out her confession.

"I decided that I'm going to be a man! And I need your help!"

End of chapter

AN: Hey guys...long time, no see. I know...this year and a half long hiatus was the dead-last thing I wanted to do...but ever since my laptop wants to give out of me, plus with work and all sorts of problems piling up, it nearly killed my desire to continue this story. I have no excuse whatsoever, at all. I despises hiatuses with a burning passion, and I LOATHE giving one out for a last resort. But...

You guys and your immense, bottomless patience and reviews kept me going, it started to revive the fire I had when I first started this fic. And because of that and a new laptop...I AM BAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKK! MORE INTENSE AND RARING TO GO! I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS STORY UNTIL THE LAST PUNCTUATION MARK! I WILL FINISH THIS, AND I WILL MAKE QUALITY CHAPTERS FOR YOU GUYS AND GALS TO ENJOY!

SO PLEASE ENJOY THIS CHAPTER, as I'm already resuming the next one, starring the one you all was banking on will get some screentime, Chihiro Fujisaki! Hopefully, next chapter will be released some time next week or the middle week of this month. Either way, please look forward to it and it's so good to be back.

T_T Thank you all so much...from the bottom of my heart.