A/N: Here's Chapter Five of "Class 77's Recovery!" Please read, review, and enjoy!

Class 77's Recovery!

Chapter Five: Chisa Yukizome Returns! Time for Emotional Therapy!

With a hum, the pod opened, revealing the still prone form of Chisa Yukizome. A few tense moments passed before she opened her lips, letting out a gentle yawn. Her eyes fluttered open, no longer swirling with despair. Still dazed and fatigued, she weakly sat up, holding her hand to her forehead as her blurry vision cleared.

"What…what happened? Where…where am I…?"

"A-Ano…" A meek, soft voice echoed in her ears, causing Chisa to turn her head.

Once her vision cleared, she saw a petite, brunette girl. "Who…who are you…?"

"My name is Chihiro Fujisaki. Do you remember what your name is?"

Do I remember what my name is? Why, that's a silly question; of course I remember my own name! Chisa thought in amusement before she nodded. "My name is Chisa Yukizome; I'm the teacher of Class 77-B at Hope's Peak Academy." She tilted her head, inquiring, "And who are you, dear? I don't remember you in any of my classes."

"Oh, I'm in Class 78; I'm the Ultimate Programmer."

"I see…" Chisa turned her head, glancing at the pod she found herself in. "Were you the one who built this…contraption…? What is this, anyway?"

"It's an apparatus designed to allow someone entry into the Neo World Program." Seeing Chisa's confused expression, Chihiro continued "I'll explain later. More importantly, what's the last thing you remember?"

Chisa pursed her lips, closing her eyes as she sifted through her memories. The last thing I remember…? Let's see…I remember…the riots the Reserve Course were involved in. Then…I stumbled upon Chiaki and Nagito in that hidden room.

Chisa had to withhold her gasp of shock, tears streaming down her eyes. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to relive the traumatic moments that lead to her turn to despair.

"I…I was captured. I…watched this awful video. And…someone, I can't remember who…started messing with my…my brain. That video…the last thing I can remember…is that video…!"

"Yukizome-sensei, please calm down!" Chihiro fretted. "I can't imagine what you went through-"

"Chisa!"

"Kyo-Kyosuke…?" Chisa finally gasped, looking up as she felt a pair of firm, yet comforting hands on her shoulders.

Staring down at her were a familiar pair of blue eyes. Their usual hardness had faded to a relieved softness.

"Kyosuke…" Despite still dealing with her own traumatic realizations, Chisa couldn't help but give a soft smile. "You called me Chisa…"

A soft chuckle managed to escape Kyosuke's lips before he wrapped his arms around the woman he loved. "Chisa…the nightmare's over, okay? Enoshima won't touch you ever again; I promise."

"Kyosuke…"

Chisa buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around him just as tightly. Kyosuke held the blubbering woman close, determined to never let her go ever again. While the scene played out, Juzo quietly approached the Ultimate Neurologist, who had been sitting quietly out of view.

"So, is she cured? Did that Neo World Program work?"

Biting his lip for a second, Yasuke nodded. "The influences of Junko's despair are eradicated, at least. In that respect, the Neo World Program was a success."

"But…"

Yasuke sighed. "The trauma unfortunately is another story. She'll probably need more conventional therapy to come to terms with everything she's been through…especially if her memories of her time in Despair are hazy."

Juzo hummed in understanding. "Isn't her class doing therapy too, since they were exposed to Enoshima's shit and whatnot? You think it'd be a good idea to have her join too?"

Yasuke nodded. "I've already spoken with Gekkogahara about having her join Class 77's sessions once she's ready. Hopefully, she'll be well enough to join their next session."

Juzo hummed, staring with worry at the weeping Chisa. The emotionally crippled woman seemed like a far cry from the strong, independent woman he and Kyosuke had hung out with for years.

Whatever the fuck Gekkogahara plans to do during her therapy…I hope it can help you, Yukizome…

"Y-Yukizome-sensei!" Hajime instantly stood up, surprised when Chisa hesitantly walked in the room, accompanied by Munakata.

Chisa smiled warmly at Hajime and her students. "Hinata-kun, everyone. It's so good to see you again…" Her smile faltered as she recalled the reason she was even here. "Even if I wish the occasion was a more pleasant one."

As the others frowned, Kyosuke asked "Are you sure you'll be okay, Yukizome?"

Chisa smiled reassuringly and nodded. "I'll be fine, Kyosuke. I'm among good friends here; I don't need your protection during these therapy sessions."

For once, Nagito genuinely smiled, making sure his reassurance was free of any incendiary remarks. "Don't worry, sir. We promise to fill the hole in Yukizome-sensei's heart with hope once more!"

The others sweatdropped before Peko cleared her throat. "We promise, our teacher will be safe here with us."

Though still hesitant, Kyosuke nodded. "I'll…be outside, then…"

With that, Kyosuke turned and walked out, leaving the group alone with Miaya Gekkogahara. Her fingers typed away at her keyboard, allowing the Usami avatar to speak.

"Now, then…it's good to have you back with us, Yukizome-san. Please, have a seat." After Chisa curtsied and took her seat in the circle, Miaya asked "How much do you remember of what happened?"

Now frowning, Chisa let out a heavy sigh. "I…I remember bits and pieces after the Despair Video."

While Ryota flinched in guilt, Mahiru tilted her head in confusion. "Bits and pieces?"

"Yes…they're still hazy, but I…I recall…luring Chiaki into that…that trap…"

Chiaki seemed to grow smaller in her chair as the others, sans Mikan and Hajime, gaped in shock. "Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa! Time out! Ibuki can't understand this!"

"Yeah, why would you lure your own athletes into a trap that could get us killed?!" Nekomaru demanded.

"Tech…technically, it was only designed to execute Chiaki…" Mikan interjected.

"…It must have been while that vixen Enoshima's influence was at its strongest…" Gundham mused.

"Y-Yes…" Chisa's lip quivered. "But still…that doesn't absolve me of responsibility. As your teacher, I let all of you down…especially you, Chiaki…"

"Chiaki…" Miaya turned her attention to the Ultimate Gamer, who seemed to be leaning into Hajime's side while Sonia stroked her back. "Why don't you tell Yukizome-san what you're feeling?"

"She's right, Chiaki." Sonia gently encouraged. "None of us want you to hold this in."

"Chiaki…"

Chiaki finally looked up at Chisa. The teacher's gentle, green eyes reflected the undeniable remorse and responsibility that weighed on her as she faced the immense trauma her student suffered at her own hands.

"Go ahead, Chiaki. Tell me how my betrayal has affected you. I promise, I won't take offense to whatever harsh words you might have for me. I probably deserve most of them, and as your teacher, I think we need to hear them."

Hajime and Sonia each took one of Chiaki's hands, squeezing them in reassurance. With a deep, shaky breath, the wounded gamer began to speak.

"What…what you did to me…pushing me into that corridor where Enoshima intended to kill me, knowing that you were dooming my classmates, my friends, to a lifetime of despairful enslavement…it…it really hurts!"

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Not a single smile flickered among the group, not a single laugh or even a joke was shared. Everyone understood the severity of Chiaki's trauma, and they were determined to let her get it off her chest.

"Going through that hallway, stepping on those spikes, getting shot at, that black ball hitting my eye. What I went through was pure, physical torture. Through it all…the only thing that kept me going…was the desire to keep my friends safe from Enoshima!"

The others stared in awe, touched by what Chiaki put on the line for their sake. Mikan especially shriveled in guilt at the part she had unwillingly played in her classmate's near death.

"Hearing Enoshima taunt me with every step I took…I was so afraid…afraid that I'd never get out of that damn maze! That my corpse would rot in that dungeon. If it wasn't for Naegi and Kirigiri…that's exactly what would have happened. But what hurt the most…was the sting of betrayal when I thought I had reached the end, when I saw everyone smiling and reaching out to me…only to get skewered like a shish kabob!"

The others shared a collective feeling of nausea, recalling how powerless they felt when they watched Chiaki's fatal injuries in real time. For his part, Hajime bit his lip in guilt, furious with himself for not doing more to save her, for effectively heaping the task of her rescue to Makoto Naegi and Kyoko Kirigiri.

"I know you were hypnotized, that you were manipulated. Everyone was tricked by Enoshima. But I…I have nightmares now. Nightmares of of your malicious smile, of crawling for my life in that dungeon. The fact that this is the better fate for me, that I'd be dead if it wasn't for Naegi and Kirigiri, doesn't change the fact that I'm afraid of you, Yukizome! I know you're cured now, and as my teacher, I still care about you and remember all the times you were there for me. But still…I…I…"

Chiaki broke down, causing Hajime to wrap his arm around her in a hug. Chiaki buried her head in his chest as Sonia rubbed her back and whispered soothing words in her ear.

"Holy shit…" Fuyuhiko muttered, her admission breaking through even the stone-cold composure of a professional yakuza.

"Man, she must really have it bad if she didn't even mention a single game reference during that whole confession…" Kazuichi reflected.

"Yeah, there's nothing I could cook up that can make this go away…" Teruteru lamented, the others surprised that he managed to refrain from making even one inappropriate comment.

This is all my fault… Ryota thought, clenching his fists in anguish. Yukizome, Nanami, everyone's suffering…it's all my fault! If I had only stood up to Enoshima and Ikusaba, none of this would even be happening. Death would have been preferable to this!

At that moment, Ryota felt a rather large hand resting atop his own. Shaken out of his morbid thoughts, he looked up to the Ultimate Imposter, who shook his head before whispering in the animator's ear.

"Don't blame yourself; the blame lies with Enoshima, not with you, and not with Yukizome."

Though still not entirely convinced, Ryota let out a quiet sigh and nodded. The two returned their gazes to Chiaki, who was starting to recompose herself. As she tried to wipe her eyes against her sleeve, Chisa quietly rose from her seat and walked over to the sniffling gamer. Looking up, she was taken aback by the guiltily smiling Chisa holding out a handkerchief.

"I know I have a long way to go before I can regain your trust as your teacher, Chiaki. I'm not sure if I'll even forgive myself, not even after I die. But…I promise I'll do everything I can to atone for my betrayal. Would you kindly accept my attempt at an olive branch, Chiaki? Can we try to start rebuilding the trust we shared, as teacher and student?"

After a moment of tense silence, Chiaki hesitantly took the handkerchief. She briefly dabbed at her eyes before blowing her nose in it.

"I…I want to trust you again. I'm not sure if I'll ever completely move on. But…I'll try to be your student again…" A small, wry smile tugged at Chiaki's lips. "…I think."

Though it was just a hair, Chisa's smile brightened at the promised cooperation between the two. Miaya's avatar cried at the sight, gushing, "This is so wonderful! You're making such great progress already!"

The camaraderie was interrupted by a rather loud growling noise. All eyes turned to Akane, who smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her head.

"My bad, just all this mental energy is making me hungry! Can we take a break to grab food?"

Everyone sweatdropped before Chiaki gently smiled. "That sounds…nice…"

Chisa clapped and stood up. "That sounds like an excellent idea! Teruteru, would you mind helping me with the cooking?"

Grinning, Teruteru rolled up his sleeves. "It'll be my pleasure…" The Ultimate Cook narrowed his eyes at a certain dancer. "As long as someone stays out of my aphrodisiacs!"

Hiyoko pouted, crossing her arms over her breasts. "Will you ever let that go?! I said I was sorry!"

"I'll make sure nobody drugs the food." Peko interjected, causing Hiyoko to whine.

"Alright, recess is in session!" Miaya declared, allowing the others to rise and file to the Dining Hall.

Though things were far from perfect, the small smiles shared in the group indicated a marked improvement from when their therapy had started. With everyone at least making a genuine effort to get things back to a level of normalcy that they knew from before Junko ruined their lives, the Ultimate Therapist was confident that the tightly-knit group would turn out okay.