Danganronpa Alt

by Ryan Hughes the world creator

Hope's Peak, It was built to raise hope in the nation's future. A government-funded school of privilege. They say if you come here and manage to graduate, you'll be set for life. Before we go any further, I should probably introduce myself. My name is Junko Enoshima...And this my story, of how my life forever changed...

2. To Survive Daily Life

Chapter one. To Survive [Daily Life]

"You must kill someone if you want to leave." My mind just stopped working completely. I… I couldn't breathe… my own air stuck in my throat as those words repeated themselves over and over again in my head! Fear… absolute fear paralyzed me throughout my body, dominating every nerve I have. The air was heavy, thick… Like something was pressing on me oppressively on my neck. It took everything to just endure all of this… But as heavy as this air felt, it took only a few sharp words to pierce through it like butter.

"So. What do you all intend to do now?" Byakuya asked everyone, "Just stand and glare at the person closest to you all day?" He asked simply with a disapproving look.

"Those pointed words of his were directed at everyone currently in the room, that much I can tell. Thankfully, it pulled us to some form of reality."

"He's right. Even as afraid or nervous as we are, we can't immediately turn on each other at minute one." Hajime replied in agreement "I certainly feel ashamed to immediately default to that… But I'll try not to do it again." he said with determination.

"Words are one thing, but without action, it's all pointless bullshit." Fuyuhiko spoke dismissively with a huff.

"P-Perhaps so… but what good ideas do you have to get us out of this situation, Mr. Mighty Yakuza?" Teruteru asked while sweating, trying to recover his cool.

"Uhh, duh! Look for a way out, you perverted idiot! Did your brain get stuck in that dick of yours?!" Hiyoko asked mockingly, her demeanor returning to its normal haughty and rude self.

"On top of the escape route, we really need to find whoever is controlling that bloody bear and neutralize them." Komaru said, sounding a bit calmer… or well, trying to sound calmer than before.

"But before we do anything like that, we should look at our handhelds. …The handbook, I mean. It could be good to get familiarized with them. Oh, and we should check what other school regulations there are that Monokuma put in place." Chiaki suggested.

"She has a point. Better to understand what we can and can't do first instead of stumbling around and risk unintentionally breaking a rule and incurring his wrath again." Nagito spoke up in agreement.

"Fuck… Okay, fine." Fuyuhiko cussed softly.

"Alright. Let's hurry and go over the intel these handbooks may have." Komaru urged, clearly eager to get this over with.

Everyone pulled out their handbooks and turned them on, Junko included. As she turned hers on, it flashed and made a soft boot-up sound. Displaying her Name the school's name with the word's e-handbook under it and the crest of the school. One in the foreground, and another on the top right corner with the school's name.

"Well that's fancy, I guess… After turning the thing on it shows my name first. So that bear wasn't lying, these things really show your name front and center. The main menu then popped up, I selected the school regulations icon. An itemized list appeared on-screen…yep those were the regulations alright. Aka, the rules being enforced on us at the end of the gunpoint. Metaphorically and almost literally, if I'm being honest."

"Let's see… Rule one…" 1.) Students may reside only within the school. Leaving campus is an unacceptable use of time.

2.) "Nighttime" is from 10 p.m to 7 a.m Sone areas are off-limits at night, so please exercise caution.

3.) Slipping anywhere other than the dormitory will be sewn as sleeping in class and punished accordingly.

4.) With minimal restrictions, you are free to explore Hope's Peak Academy at your discretion.

5.) Violence against Headmaster Monokuma is strictly prohibited, as is destruction of surveillance cameras.

6.) Anyone who kills a fellow student and becomes "Blackened" will graduate, unless they are discovered

7.) Additional school regulations may be added as necessary

"Ugh… reading all that made me dizzy. Raising my head up from the screen, I looked around and saw the same stormy expression on everyone else."

"This is fuckin bullshit! Who the hell does this 'headmaster' think he is to control ME?!" Fuyuhiko yelled furiously.

"Well ok. Bye-bye. Wonder around the school looking like the dumbass you are and get what's coming to ya." Hiyoko said curtly, "It'd be a learning experience to see what happens when someone breaks these rules with me not on the firing line" She said with a huff.

"B-But if it's a punishment like what nearly happened to you… I don't think there'd be much left of him to not do it again…" Teruteru chimes in nervously.

"..." Fuyuhiko was silent for a moment then spoke up, "I know this shit's out of nowhere… But if there's one thing I learned being in the clan from my parents, it's that you do everything in your power to keep a promise even if it kills you." Fuyuhiko stated.

"So… that has anything to do with this, how?" Komaru asked, looking confused and slightly annoyed.

"I've made a ton of promises that I still have to keep, that's what has to do with this!" Fuyuhiko said, his annoyance turning to anger quickly, "So I wont die here, that's final!" He said firmly.

"Not that I get or really care what that was about, but are you saying you will follow the regulations, or won't you?" Hiyoko asked indignantly.

"Ugh…Fine. Yeah I guess you're right."

"U-Um… I have a question. About regulation number six… What do you think it exactly means?" Mikan asked nervously.

6.) Anyone who kills a fellow student and becomes "blackened" will graduate, unless they are discovered

"You're talking about the second half, right Mikan? Where it says 'Unless they are discovered'?" Junko asked while looking at Mikan, "I was thinking about that. And I think I have some ideas of what that means… but nothing decisive yet…" Junko said. In truth she has a good idea what it may mean… but the idea was both too ridiculous to her. And would make everyone freak out more. Better just keep quiet for now on it.

"It's saying that if you want to graduate, you have to kill someone and not be found out." Byakuya said, helping to clear things up.

"But why do we have to do that?! Why do we have to kill to begin with? Why do we have to go so far as to hide it and keep ourselves from being caught!?" Mahiru asked, perplexed and nearly freaking out.

"Don't worry about it for now. Just focus on following the rules so he… it won't have a reason to punish anyone." Byakuya said encouragingly.

"Ugh, I don't see any reason to explain to her" Hiyoko interjected.

"Frankly, I don't want to hear anything from someone who needs others to decide for her own damn self." Fuyuhiko added scathingly.

"Hey! Don't jab at me!" Mahiru said with a mean look.

"More like a full blown stab." Hiyoko said, sounding angered by Fuyuhiko's comment.

"Well for now, let's forget about that junk about murders or whatever. Now that we know the rules, let's get to exploring and finding a way out!" Akane said pumped up.

"I agree. We need to find where we exactly are, find out if there's possibly a way out, and what our food and supplies will be while we're at it." Hajime said, listing down the things they'll need to do "A bunch of things we will need to do and questions to answer."

"Now that I can agree with. Let's stop fucking talking and start looking around!" Fuyuhiko said less angry and more determined to look around.

"I'll be going alone thank you." Hiyoko said simply .

"Huh? Why?! That's not a great idea, don't you think?" Komaru asked, confused.

"As far as I know, someone might have already begun planning to kill one of us. Are you idiots really saying we should stand around with him or her in our midst and make it easier for them?!" Hiyoko asked indignantly like the answer was obvious.

"W-wait, hold on… That would never-" Mikan tries to interject.

"Don't bother denying it, you garbage pig! You can't deny it's possible. That's why everyone seized up with fear when that graduation rule was made clear to us." Hiyoko said with indignation, "Am I wrong to assume someone has plans like that already? Well, am I?!" She demanded from the meek nurse.

"B-But…" Mikan spoke before going quiet.

"Heh. I'm simply acting in accordance with what I see as best for me, that's all." Hiyoko said with a smirk on her face.

"Now hold the fuck on. Like hell I'll let you run off and do whatever the hell you want!" Fuyuhiko yelled at Hiyoko standing in front of her.

"Out of my way, shorty!" Hiyoko insults.

"Wh-?! What the hell is that supposed to mean bitch?!" Fuyuhiko asked really furiously now.

"A short stack like you, among a sea of giants. So miniscule, so insignificant. Kinda funny, if you ask me. You couldn't possibly have any influence over your taller betters." Hiyoko said mockingly at Fuyuhiko, arms crossed.

"That's it! You're dead meat!" Fuyuhiko declared ready to punch Hiyoko.

"Go ahead and try it, punk!" Hiyoko shouts while swiping her arm to the side… which was immediately grabbed by a third party, "Huh?!"

"Hey hey hey! Come on now, let's not fight over this!" Junko interrupts them both. But she only gets the ire of both of them.

"The fuck you just say, you goody-goody bitch?!" Fuyuhiko asked angrily, his fury aimed at Junko now.

Hiyoko quickly pulled her arm away from Junko, "Tch! Who the hell gave you and your oversized badonkas the right to order me around like I'm your bitch?!"

"Oversized…?! Are you talking about my–"

"Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?! You think you're the boss of this gaggle of misfits and can tell everyone what to do!?" Both asked approaching Junko arms raised.

"N-No, that's not what I was-" Junko tried to say, only to be interrupted and flat out ignored.

"Fuck you you bitch!" Both angry blonds screamed as they punched Junko.

*WHAM!*

They punched me… Fuyuhiko punched my stomach, and Hiyoko my throat. Both attacks sent me flying across the gym, and I landed in a heap. It was almost like a comic book. Except this was my real life… and it's painful. I could see it coming and thought I could've moved out of the way. Instead, Fuyuhiko's punch came first, followed by Hiyoko's after it. Too fast for me to dodge. One second I was standing with everyone, the next I was flying through the air.

Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I kinda forgot that these aren't normal people I'm dealing with. My usual senses kinda went out the window. Being in this situation alongside these "Ultimates" shot out my fuses. So I guess I shouldn't be surprised it led to this situation as absurd as it is. Guess I lost track of reality, huh…? That's my last thought as my consciousness started to fade before cutting like a TV turning off.

"When my eyes finally open again after god knows how long…"

"Nggh…. mmagg…" Junko groans and tries to get up before feeling someone gently and softly push her back into bed.

"Mmmm, huh?" Junko questions looking up and seeing… Mikan?

"Junky! Um… please rest for now… You may not be in the best shape to be walking around right now…" Mikan said concerned.

"M-Mikan? What… happened?" Junko asked softly, getting up again and not facing any resistance this time.

"Oh, uhm… well, you… got knocked out by a "one-two combo", Chiaki's words not mine, by Hiyoko and Fuyuhiko. You landed badly… I, uhm… I took you away as soon as I could. Monokuma seemed to be feeling generous and let me into your room." Mikan explains a bit worried that it was too soon for Junko to sit up right now.

"My… room? Wait, so this is one of our dorm rooms we'll be in for a while?" Junko asked while taking a look around the room.

"Yes. Um… Apparently they're tailored made for each of us… and have different items and… u-um… lack of or having a-a lock for boys or girls…" Mikan explains.

Junko nods as she stands up, surprisingly not too worse for wear. Not even a bruise. She could see a bunch of fashion stuff around her room. Lots of things an Ultimate Fashionista would like. Eventually, she turns to Mikan and smiles.

"Heh… it's kind of funny." Junko said, getting a curious look from Mikan, "Usually I'm the one fretting over you or helping you recover from this or that. Seems the roles are reversed here~" Junko said chuckling.

Mikan smiles and gives a soft giggle "Hehehe… seems so~ Just uhm… d-don't make a habit of it… Please. My heart wouldn't be able to take it." Mikan said with a deadpan stare.

"Wouldn't dream of it, girl! Wouldn't dream of it!" Junko said with a reassuring smile.

"Mikan and I go way back. Back in middle school, I was always kinda the outcast. By choice mainly. I didn't speak to or really interact with anyone besides the teacher or to say "Excuse me" or "Sorry" to a student or two. Then one day, a nearby school shut down for some reason or another. Never really bothered with the details, personally. What I did know was that a few students at my school would be the tutors or senpais for the new transfer students.

And for some mystical, unexplainable reason, Mikan was given to me. I didn't know why, and no one really explained it besides "It's my duty to help her get settled in". And after she arrived, we kinda didn't really talk for about the first half of the month. Me not really knowing how to deal with another human, and her… not knowing how to people in general. Then one day…"

*FLASHBACK*

"P-P-Please stop hurting me…!" A young Mikan begged, her shirt ripped and hair being pulled on by some older boys.

"Come on! Squeal!" One boy said, "I wanna hear the pig squeal!" Another slightly shorter boy said.

"Hey! stop that!" A voice shouted drawing the attention of the three people. It was a young Junko, spotting red hair and eyes, as opposed to her current timeline's pinkish-blond hair and blue eyes.

"Oh yeah? And why should I?" The Taller boy asked.

"Or else I'll tell the teacher!" Junko threatened.

"Hah! I'd like to see you try with dirt in your mouth!" The boy said, having his friend hold Mikan as he chased Junko about. Unable to catch the young girl as she hopes over a run down fence, the boy stops and Junko turns and faces him.

"What? Too chicken to hop over a small fence and make me eat dirt, pretty boy~?" Junko mocked.

"You…!" The boy went at the fence and began climbing, only for the fence to creek and snap, the metal links breaking and popping out, injuring the boy heavily while ripping his clothes before ending with him stuck in the fence in a very… compromising position.

"Ah! AHHH! HELP!" The boy yelled to his friend. The other bully looked at Junko… then he looked at his friend… and just ran off, letting Mikan go and abandoning his friend.

"After that prick got caught, I went to the teacher and told them what happened. I was given a bit of extra work to deal with for the month. While he got suspended for a week. And boy, his parents must've hated what he did. Because he was a completely different person when he came back. …Ah, getting off-track. Sorry! Anyways, after I left the teachers room…"

Mikan was sitting near the teacher's door when it opened. Junko coming out. When she did Mikan sat up and cautiously went to Junko

"U-Uhm… T-Thank you for… h-helping me… B-but… i-i-if you don't mind me asking… why did you bother to help me?" Mikan asked.

"Well… that dude was a jerk and needed a lesson. And I'm not letting someone get bullied for being different. I know what it's like to be different from everyone else… and no one deserves to be humiliated because of it!" Junko said with a huff and crossing her arms.

Mikan seemed surprised… yet found a certain level of comfort in that. Smiling, she looked at Junko, "W-Well…Thank you… uhm… I know we don't talk alot… but uhm…wanna… h-h-hang out sometime?" Mikan asked nervously with trepidation.

Junko, genuinely surprised by that offer, thought it over for a moment. Then she smiles slightly with a shrug, "Sure. It'd be neat."

"T-Thank you uhm… R-Ryoko-senpai, was it?" Mikan asked.

Junko smiles slightly, "Ryoko Otonashi, yes. But for some reason, I don't find that name personally fitting." Junko/Ryoko said before leaning close to whisper to Mikan, "Actually, between you and me… I intend to change my name later. Already have a name chosen, just need the money and time to make it official. And maybe… a few years to do it legally, heh heh." Ryoko said, chuckling softly.

"O-oh! Well… what is the name you wanna call yourself by later? I-I can call you by that whenever we hang out!" Mikan said, smiling nervously.

Ryoko smiles and hums, "...Junko. Junko Enoshima!~" Ryoko/Junko said brightly.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

"Ever since then, Mikan and I have become great friends. Hanging out with each other having fun discussing stuff. Whether it be fashion, medicine, or whatever else. And I'd always help her out and protect her from anyone who wanted to hurt her. Eventually when I headed to high-school, Mikan and I said our goodbyes, and Ryoko left to become well… who I am now."

"So uhm… wanna have a look around in your room?" Mikan asked, smiling slightly.

"Hm? Oh! Yeah sure. Might be good to familiarize myself with this room." Junko said as she explored the room.

Looking around Junko noticed a note on the wall near a desk. She went up to the wall with the note on it and began reading it.

"Announcement from Headmaster Monokuma. Each room's lock has been designed to completely protect against tampering or lock-picking. Remaking an individual room key is quite troublesome so please make sure not to lose yours. Your room comes furnished with a shower, but please note that the water is turned off at nighttime. Also, the bathrooms in the girls rooms include a lock of their own."

"So that's what Mikan was talking about when she mentioned a lack of or having a lock for boys and girls. Honestly I think boys would love a lock as well. But unfortunately, he makes the rules…"

"Finally, we've prepared a small gift for each of you! For the girls, a sewing kit. And for the boys, a toolkit. The sewing kit includes a map of the bodys vital organs. One stab will do the job, girls! For boys, we believe a strong blow to the head with any of the tools should be ample. Don't think! Just feel! And lets all enjoy ourselves!"

"..." Junko was speechless

"I tore apart the paper and threw its remains in the trash. I am not dealing with that haunting me!"

"Hm… it mentions a room key. But I don't see one…" Junko mused aloud.

"O-Oh, I have it!" Mikan said as she fished something out of her pocket. And took out a small key with a blue end, likely a thing to hold a name and keep you from losing said key, attached to it. Junko takes the key and inspects it.

"Yep, this is definitely the key to my room. Has my name on it and everything. Making it pretty obvious that it's my room even if I didn't have Mikan here."

"M-Monokuma gave that to me to allow me to enter your room…" Mikan explained.

"Well it seems that despite wanting murder he doesn't want someone to just smother us in our sleep. Probably because it's not exciting for that sick asshole…" Junko mutters rolling her eyes as she looks around some more before hearing the drawer open. Looking inside, she sees Mikan checking out the sewing kit.

"It seems b-brand new… it still has clear wrapping around it and everything… H-huh?" She picks up a paper near the kit and looks at it… her skin turning pale upon seeing it. She hurriedly crumbles it up and throws it in the trash.

"Lemme guess… the map of the vital organs?" Junko guessed. Mikan just nods, not saying a word. Junko looked at the kit and held it herself.

"Despite what he wants it used for, I could use this thing for something nice… later. Don't have any use or plans to use it for anything now though."

Placing the kit back in the drawer, Junko checks out the bathroom door. And indeed it has a lock she can use…

"Seems redundant. Who'd need a lock when inside our own room?" Junko asked out loud.

"Well… i-it might be in case y-you l-l-let someone in… and they're trying to kill you… and the lock keeps them away…" Mikan mused uncomfortably.

"Ugh… true I suppose. But kinda pointless. If it's a boy they can take the lock out with their toolkits. And a girl only needs to wait it out for you to open it. Well… maybe until they get exhausted or someone comes to check, then maybe it could work…" Junko muses. Starting to see at least a possible though mainly circumstantial use for the lock doors for the bathroom.

Junko looks around and doesn't spot much besides a notebook… which is on top of the drawer that had the sewing kit. The bed she was on… which looked nice and comfortable. And much to her dislike and slightly anxiety, a camera that is just perched under the ceiling, just over the bed Junko would be using.

"Oh come on! I can't sleep with privacy?! ….Would covering the camera lens be considered tampering…? Tch! Dumbass question, of course that counts. And even if it doesn't break he'd say it's messing with it… so basically, can't touch it period. …Fuck!"

And next to the bed was a lint roller, most likely for cleaning after yourself… and that's it?

"Glad I can keep myself tidy here. No need to worry about feeling icky… for however long we're stuck here, anyway."

After they finished exploring, Mikan and Junko looked at each other.

"Seems that's about it here. Honestly kinda glad it's only fashion stuff here…" Junko said smiling

"You suppose that means they may not… K-K-Know about your… um… Other Talent?" Mikan asked quietly to avoid the possibility the camera could hear her.

"Yep. Mikan, my best friend, is the only soul besides the school to know about my other talent… not only that I have two, but what the 2nd talent even is."

"God I hope so… if that thing were to know, it'd be down to shit creek." Junko said, sighing "...Well actually, it would be surprising for it to not know." Junko admitted.

"Huh? Why?" Mikan questioned.

"Well when I got accepted here, it wasn't for my Fashionista stuff… Okay yes, that's the official reason. But the unofficial reason is well… because of both of my talents… Rumors seemed to have leaked about the possibility, and this school got very interested in that." Junko explains.

Mikan looked thoughtful, "I figured it'd be a matter of time before people started getting curious… i-i-it's surprising that the school took it at face value…" she said "But you deserve it Junky… you really do. You are a one of a kind person!" Mikan smiles happily

"One of a kind or a freak of nature?" Junko asked dismissively.

"Junky…" Mikan said, "You're not a freak of nature… you are truly a special person…" Mikan said smiling "And one day, everyone will know just how amazing you are" Mikan encouraged.

Junko smiles feeling a bit better, "Alright fine. Still, uh… mind just keeping it between us? I rather not talk about that fact in front of everyone and cause chaos… even less so with him." Junko said pointing at the camera

Mikan simply giggles and makes a small zipping motion over her lips. Junko smiles and giggles slightly, hugging Mikan before the two head to the door. Junko took out the key which fitted perfectly into the door's keyhole and unlocked it, letting the two leave.

As they went into the hall looking around and seeing a bunch of doors nearby each with a nameplate which a decentish depiction of their face Junko stretched.

"So we're living close together? Sure hope I don't have the Yakuza leader and Saionji girl as my roommates." Junko said.

Mikan checks the nearby doors to Junko's room and chuckles, "Hmhm~ Nope. Seems me and Chiaki will be your roommates~" Mikan said smiling.

"For real?" Junko asked, checking both sides to make sure. And smiling as she saw that indeed Mikan would be in one of the rooms close to her, "Heck yeah!"

Mikan smiles, "W-We should head to the dining room. Everyone will be there at… 8 PM, I believe… And, um… it's 7:30 PM now" Mikan said.

"Holy shit… 7:30 p.m? Damm I was out for a long time!"

Junko nodded and followed Mikan. While following her she couldn't help but look at Mikan's outfit… and really wanted to ask about it.

"Hey Mikan…? What's with the new outfit? I mean, before you just had a nurse's outfit. But now you look like a battlefield medic!"

"O-Oh, well… that's because… I actually am planning to be a battlefield nurse." Mikan said, "T-To uhm… go into combat zones… and help wounded and injured soldiers…!"

"Wait, what? Really? What happened to just being the Ultimate Nurse?" Junko asked curiously.

"O-Oh well… I got inspired by watching news networks… and TVs about people in combat situations… and I… I always want to help so many people… a-and as a battle medic, I can help people on and off the field… So I d-decided to try to not only be the Ultimate Nurse… but also the Ultimate Field Medic." Mikan explains.

"Huh… that certainly is something Mikan would do… I just hope she's careful…"

"I'll tell you more about my outfit when we're in the dining room!" Mikan smiled as she picked up the pace with Junko right behind her.

Eventually the two arrived inside. No one was in yet so they both decided to take a seat. Junko looked around, seeing a clock that read 7:35 p.m some other tables… and that's about it really.

"S-So, um… the syringes on me… are medicine. Some morphine, some pain killing medication… and others mostly to prevent infection." Mikan explains before pointing at her heart monitors, "And I made these myself… not only can they track your heartbeat… but let another person on a receiving end check in and see your status… s-so if anything sudden happens to cause, let's say a flatline… you can receive immediate help!" Mikan said proudly.

"Woah! That's awesome! But how do you know it works? Tested it out on anyone yet?" Junko asked.

"N-No… no one really wants to test my stuff out…" Mikan said dejectedly.

"Well… maybe tomorrow or so… I can test it out for you?" Junko suggested getting Mikan to smile brightly at the offer.

"That'd be wonderful!" Mikan happily beams

"It's nice to talk about things like this, getting our minds away from the fact we're prisoners in a school. Maybe it's stupid to not wanna think about that, but damn is it easing the nerves to not think about it!"

"H-H-Hopefully so-someone shows up soon, otherwise it'll g-get awkward with just the two of us…" Mikan said, sweating.

"And like it was timed to happen just as she said those words. The doors were opened as Byakuya and the others came inside the dining room filling in one by one."

"Hm. So Junko and Mikan arrived first." Byakuya said to himself, "How are you feeling Junko?"

"Oh, I'm fine, considering well… everything that happened." Junko said, shrugging slightly.

"That's good. Be careful next time. You could get hurt far worse and for a much longer duration of time if that happens again." Byakuya warns.

Junko gave a thumbs up nodding as most everyone got in and sat down.

"Hmph…" Hiyoko and Fuyuhiko huff as they get close to Junko while heading to sit down. "I apologize for punching you back there… the situation with… everything going on put me on a short temper." Fuyuhiko said.

"And I shouldn't have egged him on… Or made fun of your boobs the way I did. That wasn't cool of me, either." Hiyoko said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh! Um… no worries. It wasn't an ideal situation for… any of our nerves" Junko replied.

Both Hiyoko and Fuyuhiko left without a word and sat down with everyone else.

"That appears to be everyone. Alright, we shall start our meeting!" Byakuya declared "Lets go over what we all found and share each of our respective investigations. The sooner we get a grasp of what's going on, the sooner we can all get out of here." Byakuya concluded.

"Hey, hold on a minute!" Komaru said looking different then how she was before. She was looking and sounding stoic compared to the nervous fearful girl previously… or, well, trying to portray that image.

"What's the matter?" Byakuya asked looking at her

"What about the pink haired girl, Chiaki? She hasn't rendezvoused with us yet." Komaru pointed out.

"Hm" Byakuya looked around and noticed that she wasn't here yet.

"Concerning…" Byakuya mutters.

"Where do you think she could've gone?" Akane asked.

"Everyone just shrugs, not sure what to say or if there even was an answer at the moment."

"Wait… are you saying nobody's seen her for who the hell knows how long?!" Kazuichi asked, getting freaked out.

"Why hasn't she come by? Could she… N-no, that's absurd!"

"Let's all calm down and relax. There's definitely a good possibility she may have gotten lost or something…" Hajime spoke up

"Defending a possible enemy combatant? Were you dropped on the head as a child?" Komaru asked bluntly.

"Hey that was uncalled for!" Mahiru shot at her.

"Everyone, please. While I agree it's concerning and suspicions she hasn't arrived yet, jumping to the worst conclusion. We'd only be doing what it wants." Bayakuya spoke up clearly and firmly,."For now, let's start and share our report. And if she arrives we can just tell her what she's missed."

"Ah-Um… Junky… I think I've talked enough… we should l-l-listen to what everyone else has to say." Mikan suggested.

"Good idea." Junko nodded.

Mikan smiles, "Hehe~ You know…"

"Yeah?"

"I'm almost like your assistant, aren't I? Almost like how you were for me in middle school…" Mikan said with a slight blushing smile "I-I may not be the greatest at it… but I'll assist you with e-everything I got!" Mikan said determined.

"Mikan… you've done far more than needed as my not official assistant. Don't burden yourself with more than this, please…"

"Anyways… since you're in the dark about all this because well… this morning… I'll lay out what's been happening." Mikan said "Everyone split up to investigate different parts of the building… B-but… Byakuya was alone for most of it… along with Nekomaru and Chiaki." Mikan explains.

"I searched for anything that could lead to a clue to who's responsible for this madness. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much use. That's all I have." Bayakuya concluded.

"Really? Not a single thing? That's unfortunate." Nekomaru said with a furrow of his brow.

"Indeed… should I uncover something later, you'll all be the first to hear of it." Bayakuya said while thinking.

"We'll keep that in mind." Nekomaru nodded before coughing as he spoke, "As for me, I spent time looking around the dormitory. and there I found that there is one room exactly for each of us."

"Not hard to find out…" Akane said shrugging

"Each door had some sort of identification plate on it, so someone, Monokuma or whoever is controlling him, personally assigned the rooms to us already." Komaru stated.

"And each room key has a Keychain with the owner's name on it." Nagito added.

"Me and Peko also found that the rooms are completely soundproof." Komaru said.

"Your neighbor could be screaming bloody murder, and you'd sleep like a fly." Peko said simply

"Well… at least we have private bathrooms. That's nice, I guess…" Kazuichi said, unsure whether that's really a positive or not.

"But it seems there's only locks for girls' dorms." Komaru pointed out.

"Tch! They're assuming we'll be here for a while… so they got a bunch of rooms ready just for us." Fuyuhiko said, annoyed.

"Well it's better to have some comforts while trying to get out. We at least have some indication that it won't try to force us to kill via starvation, thirst or other lack of amitys" Byakuya said.

"So far we each got a room for us and no leads to who the dead man is for locking us up in this building. Is that all you and the screamer have for us, Mr. Ham Hands?" Hiyoko asked in a slight mocking tone.

"Ham Hands?" Byakuya asked curiously.

"Y-Yes, that's all we have for now! Let's move on to the next person!" Nekomaru shouted, though not even remotely as ear bleeding as it was at the start.

"Did Hiyoko punching me really strike fear in that tough guy's heart? …Is that even how that trope works?

"U-Uhm… I believe Komaru, Hajime, Kazuichi, and Hiyoko all grouped together." Mikan stated.

"We went up and down the school, double-checking the windows in all the hallways and classes. There we tried to see if we could evict those metal plates off the windows. And well…" Komaru spoke with a sigh.

"Not a damn thing worked. Not an inch of movement or a dent on the surface." Hiyoko sighs annoyed.

"And there doesn't appear to be any other escape routes elsewhere…" Hajime said frowning, "Monokuma wasn't wrong. We are cut off completely."

"Which makes this even worse…" Komaru grimaced and held her head in her hands, "It's *really* down shit street here! What the actual fuck?!" Komaru yelled before coughing, "I uh… Sorry. I'm not used to this type of situation." She said, sounding slightly like her shy personality for a moment.

"W-We get you, this sucks. But you panicking out of nowhere is making me freak out!" Hiyoko said nervously.

"...A-Anyways. Nagito, Fuyuhiko, and Peko went together as well." Mikan said.

"We tried to find a way to communicate with someone beyond this school. So we looked around for anything that could be useful for doing that." Nagito spoke up, "Unfortunately… nothing was found."

"I went to the main hall to try and do something with that giant metal door. But I doubt even Nekomaru could do much, considering me and Peko couldn't make it move." Fuyuhiko replied, looking away.

"Honestly the fact you even tried shows you're more brawn than brain." Hiyoko mumbles.

"Mmmph…! Anyways, if we're going to get out of here, it's not through the door." Fuyuhiko stated.

"We just have to hold onto hope that we can find an escape." Nagito said with a slight smile

"I'll tell you some more. Nothing about the attempt to communicate outside, but still worth a thought… and perhaps worry." Peko said, "In both school and dorm areas, there are a set of stairs leading to another floor."

"Ah yes, but they're blocked off by gates. And they seem to not be the kind you could just lift up, or open in normal or unorthodox means" Nagito pointed out.

"Meaning for now, the 1st floor is where we'll be stuck in for the foreseeable future." Peko declared, "Though the floors being blocked dose leave for the assumption that there's a 3rd floor and perhaps other floors above that" She added "Meaning a potential way out in one of those floors"

Mikan nodded "Then Teruteru, Mahiru, Gundham and Ibuki were left over, so they joined together." Mikan stated

"I wouldn't say we acted as one united beast…" Gundham said with a frown, "Rather we were all separate hydra heads doing their own thing in the gym. We aren't the ones for detective business."

"Really? You lazed in the gym all day while we actually tried to do something?" Komaru asked incredulously.

"In our defense, you didn't invite any of us along. Nobody came along and said 'Hey you can help out!' So you can't exactly blame us for not being particularly useful." Mahiru said, frowning.

"If you really wanted to go with someone, you have a mouth for a reason. You could've used it to ask or say anything." Komaru said, exasperated.

"Ugh…! You know what? I was better off doing nothing in the gym than being stuck with an uptight girl like you." Mahiru sighs out.

"Uptight…?" Komaru asked, looking surprised.

"You've been bossy of everyone since the ceremony. Acting rude and mean for even the slightest infraction that you see. It's getting on my nerves." Mahiru said plainly.

"And your qualifications for saying something like that to someone you just met are…?" Komaru asked indignantly.

"H-hey hey, ladies~! Let's calm down~ As much as I'd love to see a catfight, I prefer a catfight that doesn't leave you stressed and causes your blood pressure to rise badly for your health." Teruteru chimes in trying to sound like how he was before the ceremony and help cool things down.

"H-hehehe… you two could be sisters with how you're fighting…" Mikan spoke in an oddly happy tone.

"Mikan, I love you… but that joke doesn't work anymore…"

"So that's what everyone has to say?" Mikan asked, looking around for a bit, "T-Then it's just me, huh…?" Mikan asked, looking a bit nervous.

"I-I wasn't with you the e-entire time, Junko… I did go off to check the dining hall for a bit t-to see what it may h-h-have." Mikan said "L-Looking around and entering the kitchen… I found a fridge… and it was o-overflowing with lots of food, drinks and more…" she said, "I guess starvation won't be an issue… whatever good that does for us…" Mikan said, trying to force a smile.

"But how do we know we won't run out after a few days?" Teruteru asked with concern.

"We could eat seeds if we're desperate…" Mahiru said.

"Nonono! That just would not do!" Teruteru said firmly

"I-I-I don't think we need t-to worry about it. All the food gets restocked automatically… every d-d-day, in fact." Mikan said "At least… that's what Monokuma said." Mikan added nervously.

"You spotted him?" Komaru asked.

"And you believed him?!" Hiyoko asked indignantly.

"Y-Yes. He came out of n-nowhere while I was checking t-the fridge and told me that, th-then disappeared… a-and for now e-e-everything he has said is true…so we should a-at-at least take his words at some face value…" Mikan nervously explains, "H-He was so fast… I can't believe someone cou-could be moving him… w-with just a remote control…" She added.

"A weaponized toy that can just appear nowhere whenever it wants…? Are we supposed to not be afraid of that?!" Kazuichi asked, freaking out.

"Everything was okay though, right? He didn't try to… like eat you or make you into food or anything?" Akane asked, slightly worried.

"E-Eat her… or make her into food…?" Teruteru asked, palling at the idea, "I mean…there's a good type of eating out and then there's… that… please tell me you're talking about the former… please?"

"Good Type? …Did you just fess up to a cannibalism fetish?!" Akane said weirded out by Teruteru.

"Uhhhh… who wants to tell her?" Hajime asked the group, his cheeks flushing a beet red.

"Don't. You'll only make yourself look worse than him." Junko said to Hajime, Nagito putting a hand on his shoulder and shaking his head in agreement.

"Jeez, can you not be a pervert for 10 seconds?! Stop acting so sleazy and act like this "Ultimate Chef" you want us to call you!" Hiyoko berated.

"For once I agree with her!" Kazuichi said, looking grossed out.

"Can it, all of you! You are all acting out of line!" Komaru shouted at them looking angry, "In case you somehow forget, we're still POWs– Er, I mean prisoners here! We can be sent to a firing squad at any moment!" She yelled.

"An unorthodox way to put it, but I agree with her. We gotta stop with these shitty ass jokes and do… something now or-!" Fuyuhiko started to say.

"Suddenly a voice cuts through the air interrupting Fuyuhiko"

"Well this isn't how a multiplayer game should be played." A familiar voice said walking inside and joining with everyone, "I don't want to seem rude… But can you really afford to yell so much? Not accepting… the unfortunate reality of our current situation?" Chiaki asked, trying to be as polite as possible.

"Chiaki. Good that you arrived. May you explain why you were so late?" Byakuya asked her

"Oh sorry… I was investigating on my own and lost track of the time. However, I think I got something that might be worth my tardiness" Chiaki said, dropping a piece of paper on the table.

"What's this…?" Junko asked, confused.

"I think it's the map of the academy." Chiaki explains.

"A map? Like a full map of the school?" Junko asked.

"Interesting… where did you find this map?" Byakuya asked curiously.

"Oh… I don't really remember. And it probably doesn't matter." Chiaki said softly.

"I respectfully disagree. It matters because your absence did scare a lot of people." Byakuya countered.

"Ugh, who cares about that? What does it mean, Gamer Girl?" Komaru asked rudely.

"Here, have a look." Chiaki said, pointing at the map, "The building we're in right now. Its layout is the same as the academy." Chiaki said, pointing out the similarities between the map and what they've seen.

"So, this building really is the academy…?" Junko asked. She kinda knew it but at the same time… it was hard to believe without proof this really was the academy. Until now.

"In construction terms, yes." Chiaki said "But it looks like new levels… or should I say, new renovations were added to it." she concluded.

"Renovations?" Junko asked, confused.

"Not all the details are there… All I got was the details of the first floor." Chiaki said softly.

"But if this really is Hope's Peak… and we weren't kidnapped to some other place…" Kazuichi began.

"Fucking stupid! It's not possible. That *This* is where the country's future elite are supposed to come and learn!" Fuyuhiko yelled out, slightly angered by the idea.

"If this really is Hope's Peak, where's everyone else?" Akane asked, confused and nervous.

"Ok let's not talk about anything negative anymore, please?!" Kazuichi asked, pulling his hat down to cover his face.

"Don't we kinda have too? Considering how bad everything is…?" Junko said.

"Bad? What bad? It was all planned out, right? The people in charge had to plan this out right?" Kazuichi asked… not at all believing his own words.

"Dude… denial isn't gonna help." Hajime said.

"But it makes me feel better!" Kazuichi snaps before hiding his face completely.

"...Pfft! BWAHAHAHAHA!" Hiyoko bursts out laughing at Kazuichi.

"What's so funny…?" Mahiru asked confused

"Well for one, pinky's pathetic excuse to comfort himself is hilarious! And two, it seems this splitting up to investigate business actually worked out, surprisingly." Hiyoko said with a fake warm smile.

"I wouldn't say it was that fruitful…" Mahiru pointed out, "We didn't find a way out… nor who's behind this… We don't really have much of an idea of what's going on…"

"It's not crystal clear yet to you what's happening?" Hiyoko asked while looking surprised, or well acting surprised, "It's perfectly clear we're trapped in some secret location with no way out! Duh!" Hiyoko said in a scary tone.

"...How can anyone respond to that?! There's no way to respond to that at all! Mainly because… that's definitely reality staring us in the face. And here we are trying to not accept it by looking away."

"You didn't have to be that blunt about it! Or say it like that! I for one was purposefully trying to ignore the very idea of our BS School Life." Mahiru said with a mix of annoyance and animosity, "Key Words: On purpose!"

"My gut says I'm not gonna like your answer, but do you have any bright ideas that we're not thinking of?" Akane asked Hiyoko.

"Well duh! You just have to kill–" Hiyoko started to say mockingly.

"Don't even joke about that reprehensible stuff, missy!" Komaru chastised.

"E-E-Everyone please, just calm down!" Mikan said while trying to restore some order, "L-Look…! We just need to… t-think for a moment… a-about what to do from here." Mikan said.

"Ugh, fine… I guess there has to be something else we can do." Hiyoko said, dropping her "joke" for now, "Like maybe adapt to living here from now on?" Hiyoko said with a devilish grin.

"Live here? Are you saying we should just accept being here?" Hajime asked bewildered.

"You could also kill each other, like I said. Well, tried to... But if no one's gonna do that, then adapting to live here is the second option." Hiyoko said coldly, "After all, survival is based on who can adapt better than the other." Hiyoko stated, "And as someone who had to adapt to not be kidnapped or killed many times in my life due to my clan, or studying Traditional Dances with a sword instead of a fan, I am more experienced in regards to adaptation. And so I'll be nice and give you all a suggestion." Hiyoko said smiling yet hiding a bossy attitude with that smile.

"And what kind of suggestions do you have in mind, banana hair?" Fuyuhiko asked curtly.

"Well we're trapped here. Meaning we have to sleep here right? Anyone here remember the nighttime rule?" Hiyoko asked.

"Nighttime" is from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. some areas are off-limits at night, so please exercise caution.

Sleeping anywhere other than the dormitory will be seen as sleeping in class and punished accordingly.

"So regarding the 'nighttime', how about a rule of our own?" Hiyoko suggested.

"A rule of our own? What do you mean by that?" Junko asked.

"Going out at nighttime being banned altogether, duh!" Hiyoko said "The regulations may not say anything about it. But I'm gonna make it official!"

"Huh? Why?" Mahiru asked, perplexed.

"The way things are now, every time it's night we'll all be worried, anxious, and constantly panicking." Hiyoko remarks, looking especially at Kazuichi with a stink eye, "We will all be afraid someone might try and kill us in our sleep." Hiyoko said.

"W-what?!" Mikan asked fearfully

"That got you thinking too, pig trash? If we have to worry about that every night, of course we'll snap like twigs." Hiyoko smugly said.

"So you're saying we limit our activity at night as a prevention to that?" Peko asked.

"Yes. But unlike Monokumas rules, this one can't be forced onto you. We ALL have to agree on following it." Hiyoko said, emphasizing that statement for everyone around.

"I see where you're going with that… and I for one agree to it." Komaru nodded, "Like what that traditional dancing civilian said. Without something like that, we'll self-destruct and tear each other apart."

"I agree. I'll make it an official rule for us to comply with." Byakuya said, nodding.

"Hey, who are you to run your mouth for some of us?!" Fuyuhiko asked, peeved but not particularly in the mood to fight about it.

"Seems everyone is smart enough to agree with that… good." Hiyoko said approvingly, "Then if you excuse me…" Hiyoko said, walking off.

"Where are you going?" Chiaki asked inquisitively.

"Nighttime's about to be here, duh. I rather not smell like that garbage pig!" Hiyoko said

Mikan just looks down, not saying a thing as Hiyoko leaves.

"Moving with elegance that she lacks for in mouth, Hiyoko left the dining hall. Her behavior just seems so natural for a girl of her status, and after the near fight in the gym, I don't think anyone wants to try and stop her."

"S-So I guess it's pretty obvious we're spending the night here, huh?" Teruteru asked

"Apparently…" Peko said sighing.

"So what next, Mr. Progeny? One person deserted the meeting." Komaru asked, looking uninterested.

"Hmm…" Byakuya thinks for a moment, "I suppose we shall call it an end to today's meeting. All in agreement?" He asked

Everyone simply nodded.

"Then the meeting is adjourned. Like Hiyoko said, it's almost nighttime. We can talk again in the morning. For now I recommend everyone either wash up if they can or need to, get any drinks now while you can along with any food, and get ready to sleep." Byakuya concluded calmly.

"Do we really need to sleep here?" Hajime asked unenthusiastic about the idea.

"We don't have many options. We can't function long without R&R." Komaru pointed out.

"You can quit it with that military speak, Soldier girl." Fuyuhiko said before sighing, "Ugh so we just have to give up for now."

"Well we have made some progress today I guess… so it's good to stop for now, but what do we do tomorrow?" Mahiru asked.

"Split up and look around again, while of course letting everyone know what we found if anything. That would be our only option." Peko said.

"Yeah that sounds like something to do. Let's do that, then!" Akane said.

"Then we're done, right? Good, I'm exhausted…" Komaru said leaving without a word.

"With heavy movements, everyone headed off to their private rooms."

"Junky… Y-You ready to sleep for today?" Mikan asked nervously.

"Yeah. Let's go." Junko nodded walking out with Mikan

Both arrived at their respective dorms. Mikan enters hers and Junko her own after. Closing and locking the door before approaching her bed.

"..."

"Is this really where I'll be staying for the foreseeable future? Mmm… probably pointless, but it'd be better to get myself familiarized with the lock on the door in case I really need to use it in an emergency case."

Junko went to the bathroom door and opened it pressing the lock. She twisted the knob…

*CLICK*

"Huh? The heck?" Junko asked in confusion. She tried it again… even closing the door after locking it… and each time the door just opened. Like the lock just unclicked after the knob turned

"What the?! I know only the girls' bathrooms have locks, but-" Junko asked.

"Buzzzt! Whatever you're thinking, it's wrong!" Monokuma said suddenly appearing in Junko's room

"Holy shit!" Junko jumps infright, nearly falling down.

"Jeez! Talk about an overreaction, it's like you saw a ghost or something!" Monokuma said with an innocent looking smile, "Like some kind of… robot bear… ghost… Wonder if that pizza palace place is still open, by the way?"

"What are you even doing here?!" Junko asked, regaining her balance.

"Junko Enoshima, this is super duper majorly bad! So bad it's almost otherworldly!" Monokuma said angrily with his arms and fist raised in the air, "Ultra magical awful awful attack!" Monokuma yelled confusing Junko, "...*ahem!* Sorry. I meant to say that I acknowledge that the bathroom in your room has a problem with the lock." Monokuma finished.

"So the reason it won't open isn't because it doesn't have a lock, if that's what you're thinking. Or that the lock is fake. It's because the lock is completely busted." Monokuma said simply, smiling.

"I wasn't thinking either of those…" Junko replied.

"Oh, so I jumped the gun. Ah… oh well. At least you know now and not later~!" Monokuma said smiling, "Anyway, the lock in your room is as pointless as a lock on a boy's bathroom would be! Well… pointless if you don't know the birds and bees~" Monokuma giggles slightly.

"Ew… please do not describe that to me." Junko stated dryly.

"Anyways there's a tried and tested trick to keep the door locked if you need it locked." Monokuma said as he approached the bathroom door and started to mess with it, pulling the door close and keeping it shut by holding the handle.

"...Really? That trick?" Junko asked rolling her eyes

"It keeps it locked~! Isn't that crazy though? Your door's the only one that doesn't work! That's almost a mathematical impossibility! A one in an oh i don't know… million? Or something?" Monokuma guesses smiling as Junko just froze.

"W-what does he- He can't really k-know… C-can he?"

"But then again, I'm bad at math." Monokuma said, looking down shamefully.

"U-ugh! Don't say weird shit like that!" Junko said angrily.

"Woah, touched a nerve or something~?" Monokuma asked mockingly, "Either way, I suddenly don't feel like being here anymore. Bye-bye!" Monokuma then left the same way he suddenly appeared.

"H-Hey come back!" Junko yelled.

"...Dammit!"

*Bing Bong, Ding Dong*

"Mm, Ahem, this is a school announcement. It is now 10 PM. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Okay then, sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Monokuma announced on the monitors.

"So… nighttime. We promised we wouldn't leave our rooms now, so…"

"All I can do is try and sleep… somehow…" Junko muttered to herself.

"I collapsed on the bed like a log. My eyes closed immediately. Not because I was ready for bed… Hell, I wasn't ready to spend a single night here. But I was utterly exhausted by everything that happened. It was as if I spent an entire day browsing the net for really unheard of movies and watched them all day and night. Or more aptly, like I was in some horror show where everything is an illusion… or, well… a nightmare."

"Yeah…that's more fitting. There's no way in hell someone would just accept any of this outright! This situation we've been dropped into… is utterly ludicrous."

"So this is how the curtain closed on my first day of Hope's Peak Academy. Soon enough, I surprisingly went to sleep. Would it be too much to hope that when I wake up this was all a big acid trip of a nightmare? …Of course it would be a lame yet nice ending like that for me. Pigs would fly sooner before that happens."

As Junko sleeps she ends up having a dream… or perhaps more accurately. A nightmare?

*Monokuma Theater!*

"In any normal school, Mr. Monokuma would be a kind teacher. But when I think about what's coming up… I'm just so full of pride and joy. Our ceremony earlier today was absolutely splendid. Thank you all very much. Remember that you're all students of Hope's Peak Academy, and strive to refine your ideals. I swear to you, I will send you all off into a new tomorrow!"

…

…

…

*Ding Dong, Bing Bong*

"Good morning, everyone! It is now 7 AM, and nighttime is officially over! Time to rise and shine! Get ready to greet another beee-yutiful day!" Monokuma announced on the monitors.

"...Welp. It wasn't a dream. Called it… but that actual dream last night… What the fuck was that?! Ugh… Apparently it's morning. No way in hell to tell though with the windows covered. So how can we know for absolute certain? Anyways. What to do now huh? Maybe find Mikan? We could work well to find something or where to go at least. I did promise to test out those heart monitors she showed. Plus she's eager to help and honestly, I'm eager to spend time with her again."

"Alright, it's decided! To Mikan we go!" Junko declared out loud to herself.

"I then left my room."

Junko left her room, checking around. Seeing some students slowly leaving their rooms. Like Byakuya who was outside his room at the moment. Junko turned to her left and went to Mikan's door.

"There's a doorbell next to the door. So I guess we're supposed to use that instead of knocking. Would he punish me for knocking on a door– …Actually, let's not tempt fate here."

Junko pressed her finger on the doorbell

*Ding Dong!*

"..."

Mikan opens her door peeking out.

"H-Hello? Who's there?" Mikan asked nervously.

"Heya Mikan! How's it dressing?" Junko asked, giving a wide smile.

"Oh, Junky! Great timing!" Mikan said, smiling and relaxing immediately as she left her room.

"Oh? Really? Why's that? Got something in mind?" Junko asked curiously.

"Uhm… w-well, i have a favor to ask you… i-if that's fine by you." Mikan said, nervously smiling.

"A favor? Heh, rare for you to ask so bluntly for a favor. Go ahead, shoot! I'm all ears!" Junko replied, flashing a thumbs up with a grin.

"W-well… I was just… g-g-getting ready to head out. If it's okay, would you… uhm… l-like to come with me? Maybe we could talk some m-more…" Mikan said softly, looking to the side.

"Hey, you don't even need to ask! I'm totally down to hang out with ya! Where ya heading? What's our date spot?" Junko asked with a teasing smile

"Ahh– Mmmmm…!" Mikan blushes and pouts, punching Junko lightly in the arm, "You promised you wouldn't say it like that anymore." Mikan deadpans.

"Ah ah ah~ Ryoko promised that~ not Junko~" Junko said slyly, earning another light punch to the arm.

"W-Well… Junko better make the same promise then!" Mikan said with a pout and a huff crossing her arms.

"Alright alright~ I promise to not say it like that anymore~" Junko said sticking out her tongue

Mikan kept pouting… before flicking Junko's nose and giggling "Alright. I forgive you~" Mikan hugs Junko for a brief moment before pulling away, "Anyways uhm… we're heading to…" Mikan said, going back to her nervous demeanor "...I've been thinking that… there might be something I can find… for self defense purposes. I-I'm just worried…" Mikan stutters.

Junko blinks surprised by that, "Self-defense…? Really?"

"I-I mean… whatever… whoever… is k-keeping us here could show up… a-and attack us… Y-You never know… w-well you might, but there's a possibility you wouldn't…" Mikan said.

Junko thinks for a moment.

"Whoever trapped us here…making these rules for us to murder each other… putting us in this position… Okay yeah, she's right to want something for her own safety"

"S-So I just…want to be able to… uhm… protect myself… a-and not have to rely on you all the time…" Mikan said softly.

"Wanting to be self dependent now, do we? My girl's all grown up. I could cry if it weren't for this situation… Anyways, a weapon to protect herself. Well… thinking about it, that display case in that room before the gym proper had a bunch of shit. Maybe that could be good for something?"

"How about the gym?" Junko asked.

"O-Oh! I was thinking the same!" Mikan smiles.

"Heh! Great minds think alike!" Junko smiles happily.

"Indeed, it seems so!" Mikan smiles happily seeming excited rather then nervous or timid

"Heh. Even after all these years we are still in sync~ Now then, onwards to the gym!"

Junko turns around and starts to head off with Mikan following her. As they walked they bumped into Byakuya.

"Ah. Good morning Junko." Byakuya greeted, "And good morning Mikan." He said to Mikan.

"Yo!" Junko said, waving her hand.

"H-Hi…" Mikan said nervously.

"It is nice to see you two up and ready this morning. Well if it is morning anyways…" Bayakuya mutters, "Let's make sure to do our best in finding any clues, or possibly a way out." He said encouragingly.

Junko nodded, smiling.

"Jeez, how did we get lucky to have the good kind of rich kid?"

Junko walked down the hallway passing by the dining hall as she walked she entered the main hall. Her and Mikan heading down to where the Gym would be. On their way there they encountered Mahiru, Akane, and Nekomaru.

"Oh hey! Whatcha all doing?" Junko asked the three.

"We're… not doing much…" Mahiru said, sighing.

"Need any help?" Junko offered.

"No… but thank you… Honestly, I don't think help would be helpful for us… as oxymoronic as that sounds…" Mahiru answered with a nervous chuckle.

"Hey don't be so negative! There's a likelihood of any help being helpful, no matter what!" Nekomaru replied.

"Yeah I agree!" Akane said smiling "If you wanna help whenever we're totally cool with that!"

"Well… glad you two are optimistic… I'm gonna search on my own for anything useful, if that's alright." Mahiru said, heading off without much of an opportunity for anyone to answer.

"Hmm… Should we…?" Akane asked, unsure what to do.

"Let's leave her be. We should trust her." Nekomaru said simply.

"I wonder if there's something bothering Mahiru. She seems… distant from all of us."

Junko and Mikan were gonna head off, but noticing the one room they have yet to explore. The storeroom. Both decided to at least give it a look around. Opening the door and entering inside, both are greeted by Komaru.

"Hey there Ju~nk~o~!" Komaru called out in a singsong tone.

"Well, you're in a better mood." Junko said with a hand on her hip.

"Yeah, sorry about last night. I realize it's only been a full day, but I felt like I could go insane at any moment. Wouldn't anyone feel like that if they were locked in a building where the only way out was the death of another?" Komaru said, losing her smile for a minute before it came back, "Anyway, what are you two doing, hm? Out on a date or something?"

Mikan blushes.

"W-Wh-What makes you ask that?!" Junko asked, blushing herself. It's one thing when she says it. It's another when someone else says it to her.

"...Oh really? Geez, how unprofessional of you. A total player in our midst." Komaru said back to being annoyed and agitated.

"I-It's not like that… I'm just her assistant, that's all." Mikan said quickly.

"...I mean, yeah that's true. But why does being dismissed by Mikan make me feel some type of way?"

"Role-playing? Seriously? Ugh, just don't forget your safe word." Komaru sighs in annoyance, getting really grumpy, "Whatever, you do you and I do me. Just don't think you're free of judgment." Komaru said leaving.

"Ugh…! That girl did say she was on the verge of going insane, but damn her attitude!" Junko crossed her arms.

"I-I think… she already has." Mikan said with concern, noting her sudden mood swings throughout the conversation… or whatever the exchange was.

As they started to leave Mikan stumbled nearly tripping. Junko catches her and spots something.

"Hm?" Junko bends over and picks it up. It was…a golden coin? With Monokumas face?

"W-What… is that?" Mikan asked quietly.

Junko shrugs. And looked around. Noticing a machine perched on a counter in the shop. Deciding to try it out she approached the machine and inserted the coin and spun the dial. It made a loud cracking sound, then a sound of something falling and hitting metal was heard. Junko opens the small metal door where prizes would come out and sees… a small container.

"So… there's coins laying around in this building… that we can use for… this thing?"

Junko takes the container and opens it. Inside it was… a Bandage Wrap?

"Wait… There's actually items of use or whatever in these things…?! What the-"

Junko just looked confused before putting the warp away for now.

"Ok, that machine spits out actual items of value for a coin we don't even know if there's more of." Junko summarized

"I think… t-this is one of Monokuma's… jokes…" Mikan guesses.

After a bit of confusion at the machine, the two left and made their way to the gym, opening the door and entering the entrance room to the gym where all the trophies and other items were at.

"Well here we are… I guess we should look at that display case." Junko said. Mikan nodded as she also looked around elsewhere just in case.

Junko looks at the various trophies and items displayed, she could see real use for each as an effective defense weapon. Applied in a blunt way… which unfortunately means being real close, making them not serviceable. Eventually her eye's would land on a sword of some kind.

"That's… Wait, no that's a replica sword. With that gold coating and fancy look. Pretty impressive perhaps, but probably not practical."

Junko lightly taps it. Causing a fair bit of the coating to get on her finger.

"Ugh! The coating is really easy to rub off…bleh" Junko said to herself disapprovingly.

Mikan turns and sees Junko and the sword and approached, seeing Junko's finger covered in gold

"W-Wow, your index finger's completely gold…" Mikan said intrigued as she looked at the sword and Junko's finger "It might be a little… impractical for self defense."

"Better than nothing at least… but that's not saying a lot." Junko noted

"Y-Yeah. Maybe you…s-should take it with you…! It might add variety to your room" Mikan suggested "But you'd have to wrap it up in something to not be covered so much in gold…!" Mikan said playfully.

"Welp… I'm having a gold replica sword tonight. And not for dinner, thank goodness."

"Yeah true…but what about your self defense?" Junko asked.

"I don't really see a-anything else I c-could use for self-defense…" Mikan utters.

"Well… worst comes to worst, I could protect you… like I kept you safe back in the old days" Junko said "I know you seem to want to be self-reliant… but don't be afraid to come to me for help if you need it! I'm always happy to help you at a moment's notice!"

"Junky…you never change do you? Whether as Ryoko or Junko, you always put others first it seems" Mikan smiles happily.

"Blame my sister. She made sure that I turned out right with her love of discipline." Junko said jokingly.

Mikam giggles slightly, "Well I'd say your sister did a very good job~" Mikan said approvingly

"Mikan then giggles. I can see she feels so relaxed with just the two of us. Man it feels like just yesterday she would go as far as to…. well… prostrate herself at the first sign of conflict. And now look at her! I'm… really happy that Mikan came into my life… and I came to her's…"

"Uhm… well we can stop looking for a weapon and…hang out more…i-if that's fine with you…" Mikan said smiling.

Junko smiles as they walk away from the display case and to the center of the room where they both decided to talk.

"So… uhm… I know I just said I wanted to hang out with you, but now… I kinda don't know what to say…" Mikan said giggling a little.

"Well… it's been a long time since we've seen each other… so I guess, uh… we can just not talk and stand around into total silence." Junko said, meaning for it to be a joke.

"Oh ok." Mikan nodded.

"...I-I meant that as a joke-" Junko said.

Mikan gives a mischievous smile before Junko lightly pokes her cheek.

"You little-"

"Hehehehehe~ Careful what you wish for~" Mikan giggles before going into thought. "To be honest though… it's been awhile since I could just do… nothing" Mikan said.

"I guess that would be true…working to be a nurse and now a field medic? You're basically doing something every bloody day!" Junko said.

"...U-Uhm… this may be out of nowhere suddenly but. Junky, do you have a dream?" Mikan asked.

"Well… Not particularly. Nothing like yours, Mikan… actually, what was your dream again? Or is it different from before" Junko asked.

"My dream… hasn't changed that much… I still want to help everyone… to give treatment to those in need… to give aid to the sick, hurt, and so on. I… you know what my family is like… my uh, living conditions. And… you also know what attracted me to be a nurse in the first place. Having people rely on me… being in power… then you came into my life… and that dream morphed to a desire to help everyone…like you helped me. Then one day… seeing news of current conflicts in the world… wars, terrorism, and so on… my dream expanded and changed… to include everyone, military or civilian. I-I guess I could also blame your sister for that… Eventually… that became my current dream… and what might be my final one." Mikan summarized.

"I….I am always happy to influence you to pursue your calling, Mikan… and glad my sister's influence isn't just limited to me, heh heh…" Junko chuckles lightly.

"I… I would do anything to achieve that dream…." Mikan suddenly said, growing serious, "I've been… chasing that dream for so long as it changes and evolves…someday it has to come true. I can't take my eyes off of that dream for a second. Even a bad dream… whether a waking one or sleeping… you have to keep your gaze fixed on it, if you want a hope of making it reality. So many people would rely on me… so many will come to depend on me… to need me. What happens to them if I lose focus? You have to keep going. Even… even if it means no sleep… food… or breathing." Mikan started looking pensive.

"Is… Is it really getting that overwhelming?" Junko asked, concerned.

"D-Don't get me wrong… I love helping everyone who needs me. I really do! But that's also… exactly what scares me. Everyone is coming to see me… as a sort of angel… as someone who would protect them and care for them… keep them safe and help them heal. Honestly, everyone I have helped has… become like a family to me, as odd as that may sound. Without them… I may have collapsed from the pressure a long while ago..to see their happiness… their joy… their smiles… it's the best thing in the world… But… that's what scares me the most of all. What happens if I'm not around? What happens if no other professional is not around? They… they could die… or get less than optimal care and be mistreated horridly…" Mikan said as her pensive attitude was growing.

M-Mikan? I….I've never seen her this serious. I– Oh gosh she's trembling! She worked so hard… and has found people far more deserving to be called a family then her old one ever did. Sacrificing everything for them…losing it all…i…i can understand that terror…"

"So that's why I came to Hope's Peak… why I wanted to come here. They say… success is guaranteed if you graduate. Meaning I could care for my family… and have more family to care for… forever and ever… at least… that's what I thought I really believed, then we got trapped here. Oh… oh god…! I'm stuck in here while my family is out there waiting for me…! W-wondering where I am and why I'm missing…!" Mikan said with panic ebbing in her voice, "Each minute something bad could happen… and… And…!"

"M-Mikan–"

"I CAN'T BE STUCK HERE! I NEED TO GET BACK TO THEM! I HAVE TO!" Mikan yelled in a pure fright of panic.

"This… isn't the typical kind of fear… or worry that Mikan usually has… This… this is desperation… for a family she cares about more than anything. I understand why she feels that way. Trapped in this living nightmare with the risk of losing everything we know outside forever? That can break an average person. A few kind words won't fix this. The weight of everything is becoming to much for her…"

"S-Sorry, I… didn't mean to complain…" Mikan said, trying to apologize, "I guess I ruined the mood…"

"Mikan, no not at all… Hey… how about we get out of here and into the dining hall to get some food alright?" Junko suggested.

Mikan thinks for a moment… before relaxing, "Well… it'd be fun to see you cook! But I'm no slouch when it comes to cooking myself!" Mikan said, smiling softly.

"Really? Glad you've gotten better at self sufficiency!" Junko smiles happily.

"Well… right now I'm just good at Chil Oil..and Oil stuff in general really…" Mikan admitted.

"The condiment? …Really?" Junko deadpans.

"Pfft… nope I'm just kidding~" Mikan said, smiling playfully.

"She bursted out laughing. That earlier mood of her's gone the instant it came. Back to the girl I always knew. Gosh, how did it happen so fast?! Mood swings like that aren't typical. …Was it a mask Mikan is putting on? A neutral expression? A-Anyways… we went to the dining hall and ate before heading back to our rooms…"

Junko stands in her room. Looking at the new addition to her room. The replica sword.

"Well… at least there's variety now, I guess… but now looking at it makes me uncomfortable. Uff… well there's still plenty of time left in the day. I don't feel like just sitting here. Maybe a look around is in order?'

Junko headed out of her room and looked around. Nothing much she could check out or anyone nearby to talk to…

"Well… checking on Mikan would probably be good."

Junko turned and went to Mikans door and rings the doorbell.

*Ding Dong!*

…

The door opens up as Mikan came out

"Hey Junky… What do you need?" Mikan asked rubbing her eye slightly

"Hey Mikan… I just came to see if you wanna chat for a bit?" Junko asked, "Maybe even test out your heart monitors you showed yesterday." Junko said

"O-Oh I forgot you said you'd do that hehehe… sure I'd be happy to!" Mikan said, smiling a little.

Junko takes one of the heart monitors and places it on an arm and decides to run around the dorms. First jogging then running around getting a bit of exercise on her before arriving back where Mikan was, and she was smiling delightedly.

"I-I think it works~! Yay~" Mikan said, showing her Monitor which displayed Junko's monitor. And its fast beating indicates how fast Junko's heart was going due to the exercise, "Still need to make sure it's working for both so…" Mikan steps forward, "I'll go around and you check on yours." Mikan said Junko nodded and stood back.

After fiddling with the monitor Junko finds where she can get a display to the monitor for Mikan who then begins making her lap around the dorms. Immediately the display for Mikan's monitor began beating RAPIDLY fast, causing Junko to get concerned… really concerned as it beated super rapidly that it sounded like a blaring alarm, just less loud. Eventually Mikan arrived drenched in sweat before collapsing, coughing and struggling to breath.

"I… I hate to admit it… considering my profession I wish to seek… but I have not had a lot of exercise for it…" Mikan struggled to say while trying to breathe.

"God… Mikan, are you ok?" Junko asked as she helped Mikan up.

"I just… need to improve on… how long I can go running…" Mikan said, "Still… a-at least my monitors worked…" Mikan forces a smile as Junko holds Mikan.

"Yeah… it's really an amazing invention Mikan… but please don't push yourself like that…" Junko asked, worried.

After a few moments, Mikan finally recovers and Junko steps away, wondering what else to do.

"I still have that Bandage Wrap… I supposed it wouldn't hurt to give Mikan something…"

Junko digs in her pocket and takes out the wrap, handing it to Mikan, "Here. Something you may like."

"Hm?" Mikan hums looking at the warp and taking it. Looking at it… before smiling "Thank you very much! I will treasure this for the rest of my life!" Mikan said brightly.

Junko smiles, "Seeing her so happy from that gift… makes me feel super happy!"

"Junky… can you make time for the two of us to talk? Privately?" Mikan asked

"What's with the formalities?" Junko asked curiously

"W-Well… I guess this is formal b-but… it's because I trust you more than anything else." Mikan firmly stated.

"Woah, really?" Junko asked, slightly taken aback by that.

"Having you by my side… r-really makes me feel alot better, you know… i-if we had never met… w-who knows how I'd turned out…" Mikan said in deep thought. Looking uncomfortable by the idea of what her life without Junko could've been, "It's… horrid we are meeting under these… screwed up conditions… b-but… I'm glad it's you here with all of us." Mikan said, smiling happily.

"Mikan…"

"Standing here face to face and hearing her say that…gosh it's embarrassing, but it's nice that the one human connection i made in my life is the one that i have had the most impact on…"

"I… get how you feel… I probably would've broken down or completely shut myself off from everyone. Or worse, I ended up like that Komaru girl…" Junko said, slightly blushing a little.

"R-Really?! Eheheh… Thank you for the kind words Junky." Mikan smiles delightfully.

"That smile… her happiness… I wasn't being a flattering smooth girl or whatever. Both that smile and her… save me."

"But… isn't it also strange? I never believed I'd actually get to talk to you like this again after we parted…" Mikan said in thought "After you left… my family limited my social life a lot more… and even sent me to a different, not very nice school…" Mikan stated.

"...Those fucking assholes. They'd sooner sell Mikan off if it meant something worthwhile for them."

Junko clenched her hand into a fist, "Mikan… those people aren't what family are. Not by a goddamn mile."

"Junky… you're so sweet… Uhm, hey… do you remember something… particularly interesting that happened back in middle school?" Mikan asked.

"Hm? A lot of interesting things happened there." Junko said.

"Ehehe… ok then… remember when one day there was a certain kind of bird, uhm…" Mikam pounders trying to think.

"A crane? Oh! You mean when a crane walked into the pond for… whatever reason?" Junko asked.

"That's right! It was a crane that got into the pond… The teacher and other students didn't know what to do… some even wanted to chase it out… But you led it into the forest away from the school… you helped it find its way out without any real… reason to do so."

"I wasn't gonna let some brats harm the bird. Plus, even though I did it mostly on my own volition, I was expected to do something considering my status as a senpai of sorts…"

"I wanted to thank you back then… but should I now?" Mikan pounders.

"Eh?" Junko asked, raising a brow.

"I was the crane you see. L-let me give you my cloake… E-Eheheh… No, I'm kidding. I've… read a bit too many poems and novels while I was alone…" Mikan nervously smiled.

"Figured. You weren't ever a social butterfly…" Junko stated.

"Well… when the only people you interact with are your family and o-others w-who treat you… um… differently from others… you have a skewed perception of human contact." Mikan said softly "Honestly… That's why I was so eager to talk to you again… even for just a few seconds. I never… thought this was how'd we meet again however…" Mikan said, slightly anxious.

"Yeah. Had we met again literally ANYWHERE else. It'd be your tropey dramatic reunion. But instead, it's this school turned into hell."

"Maybe it's wishful thinking, but… I firmly believe, like with the crane, you'll help me get out of here with everyone." Mikan said with an encouraging smile "It's… more of a feeling… but one I have come to trust when it's in regards to you." Mikan said plainly.

"...I'll save you Mikan. I'll save you even if I have to take a knife for you."

"I'll do my absolute dammedist, you can count on that, I'll make sure– No, I'll ensure it's more than a feeling!" Junko said firmly "If there's a will, there's a way… as they say… Plus I'm the girl with two talents! No one can counter that!" Junko said with a smug grin.

"Eheheh…not often I hear you talk positively about your talents." Mikan smiles approvingly "And I believe in you. You've yet to let me down, and I doubt you'll be doing it now."

"And I'll make sure to never let you down."

Junko smiled as she hung out with Mikan for a bit before heading back to her room.

*Ding dong, Bing Bong*

"Mm, Ahem! This is a school announcement. It is now 10 PM. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Okay then, sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Monokuma announced on the monitors again.

"Today's already at an end… I swear, tomorrow… For Mikan and everyone here… I'll find some clues! I swear!"

Junko laid down on her bed staring up into space.

"My eyelids began to slide shut, my conversations with Mikan, both this morning and afternoon, played on repeat. In a way, it's frustrating. I understand where her desperation is coming from, but I can't share it. The pressure she's under can only come from someone with an at least normal life… or at least something working towards a normal social life… as normal as it can be for her! After all, she's gone through. But me? She's the only real human besides my parents and sister I have ever interacted with! Compared to everyone here, I'm a freak. Not that they know why at the moment... But that explains my own frustration, I suppose… Unlike everyone here… I can never really connect to them…"

Junko falls asleep… as she has another nightmare…ish.

*Monokuma Theater!*

"Ahem, so… I'm sure that you've noticed that the killing game has begun, but… there's still room for a little laughter. It seems our newest students, already so filled with despair, still have some hope of escape! Puhuhuhu… So when will it begin? When will that hope begin to die? Is it time yet? Is it time?! Heart pounding excitement!"

…

…

…

*Ding dong, bing bong*

"Good morning, everyone! It is now 7 AM, and nighttime is officially over! Time to rise and shine! Get ready to greet another beee-yutiful day!" Monokuma announced on the monitors.

"Another day… another 'morning' and another nightmare… What to do today?"

Junko headed out of her room. And looked around.

"I could talk to Mikan again… but after spending an entire day with her and hearing her pour her heart out to me twice… I'd look like a creep. Maybe I should talk to someone else. But who?"

Junko walks around the school, taking in some of the sights. Even visiting the Laundry room, which was as she expected. Though she was pleasantly surprised… and a little bit creeped out, when she noticed a magazine that was about none other than her, in her various photoshoots and dresses during her fashion career up until now.

"On one hand, I should be happy my modeling has made it to this school. On the other hand… the thought of that bear looking at me in various poses makes me sick to think about… Ugh!"

Leaving the laundry room she bumps into Chiaki.

"Oh sorry!" Junko apologized.

"Hey, it's alright. I should've been paying attention." Chaiki smiles.

"Hm… Well, I guess since I bumped into her already…"

"Wanna hang out?" Junko asked.

"Sure. Hajime's busy with Nagito and Ibuki, so I have time to kill." Chiaki smiles.

The two headed over to Chiaki's room where Junko looked around. Finding a lot of games… of various types of genres. From fighting games all the way to hidden object games.

"Jeez… that's more games than I've played… in my entire lifetime!"

Junko takes a seat on Chiakis bed with Chiaki sitting by her.

"So if I remember correctly, you said you play games that I may not approve of. So… tell me about the types of games you play!" Chiaki smiled warmly.

"Oh well… typical games you never heard of… like, the kinds that don't even have a cult following. That you'd have to search on the deep net to even find." Junko chuckles slightly, "Most games… tend to be really predictable for me… Give me a game and I'll guess its plot in two seconds."

"Alright. Resident Evil." Chiaki said.

"Zombie game, one that involves disease and a big evil corporation getting more than it bargained for." Junko replied immediately.

Chiaki giggles "Ok, that was an easy one. How about… Shadow the Hedgehog?" Chiaki asked.

"The edgier side game of the Sonic franchise, where Shadow, the Ultimate lifeform, stars as the main character during an alien invasion of earth." Junko said, "...Lots of criticism came after that one, mainly for the multi-path storyline being all over the place save with little to no impact after the true ending."

"Impressive. But how about… Rise of the Guardians?" Chiaki said smiling

"Hm… Crap, what genre is it?" Junko asked.

"It's an action style beat-'em-up game… That was based off of a movie…" Chiaki said while being careful not to give too much away.

"A game about heroes who fight some evil guy and restore peace of some kind to the world."

Chiaki blinks, "Have you ever-"

"Nope, but that kind of plot has been done a lot." Junko said dismissively, "Not that it doesn't work, or you don't see it everywhere for no good reason… But you do see it all the damn time."

"Didn't even need my second talent for that last bit… Probably shouldn't tell her that just yet, though."

Chiaki just nods in her state of surprise, "So… what kind of games do you like then that you play?" She asked inquisitively.

"...Don't freak out, but… ET from Atari is my number one favorite." Junko said, sweating.

Chiaki giggles, "Ok, good joke… but seriously what's your favorite game?"

Junko just stares at her… not saying anything.

"Y-You're serious?!" Chiaki asked.

"Yup…" Junko said while looking down. Chiaki could hear the ashamed tone in Junko's voice clear as day.

"...The door's right there. You can leave." Chiaki said with a cold stare.

"HEY, WHOA! YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T JUDGE ME–" Junko started speaking defensively… only for Chiaki to start laughing

"Ahahahaha! Kidding, kidding! It's cool that you like a game that's almost universally seen as… Well, god awful. But… why do you like it?" Chiaki asked.

"Oh, well… It's bad, yeah. I mean, there's no two ways about it. It's random. It's a mess. And it's awful in every sense of the word. But you know what? I love it for that!" Junko said.

"Hm?" Chiaki asked curiously.

"The sheer randomness of the game… Where you spawn at, what you're supposed to do, how even if you know what to do you're still confused on how and where to do it. Oh yeah, and the lack of any direction? I absolutely love that! It makes every playthrough different, unique, practically impossible to guess. And there's no plot so I can't get bored of the 'story', which is a bonus." Junko explains, "...I'd have also been fine if they took the one from the movie if they wanted to be faithful to the book. Actually, would that have even been allowed at the time?"

Chiaki looked to be genuinely interested and intrigued by Junko's explanation… Especially on how she finds the absolute randomness of a game to be enjoyable, along with lack of direction.

"W-Wow… I never found someone who enjoys randomness in of itself in a game like that… Hm… Maybe I can find a game for you to play with that might fill that need!" Chiaki smiled.

"I'd be thrilled if you did… especially if it's ET. Or well something like it…" Junko smiled playfully.

"Hehehehe… Maybe if I scrape the bottom of the barrel, I might find something for you!" Chiaki smiled jokingly.

"We spent the next few hours talking about my game tastes. Or as she was probably thinking 'my lack thereof-' after I bid her farewell and headed to my room door. Thinking of who else to meet next now."

"There's still a lot of time left today… and I'd rather spend it instead of not doing anything…" Junko mused as she looked around for who to talk to. Her eyes settled on Byakuya.

"Well why not? He seems nice. And it'd be interesting to learn more about the Togami clan."

Junko went over to Byakuya.

"Hey there, Byakuya! How're you doing?" Junko asked, smiling.

"Hm? Oh hello Junko. I'm alright." Byakuya said simply as he turned his focus on her, "What do you need me for?"

"Well… I was thinking… wanna hang out? It might be nice to chill together and talk." Junko suggested.

Byakuya seemed surprised by that… taking a moment to respond, "Hm… I suppose it wouldn't hurt to talk." Byakuya said, "Though I do warn you that if this is some ploy… you won't succeed." he warns.

Junko nodded, understanding the need for the warning as they both headed to the dining hall to chat.

"So… what would you like to talk about?" Byakuya asked as he sat down facing Junko

"Well… I've always been curious about the Togami family… So why not tell me about them?" Junko asked.

"Hm… well alright. Though I doubt you'll like what you hear." He said simply, "It has to do with the secret to the Togami family's prosperity. Our success comes from our family's rather… peculiar inheritance system. You see, our family head never takes a wife. Rather, he couples with exceptional women the world over, in order to bear as many children as possible. They then make the children compete, and only one can come out on top. And whoever it is… earns the right to become the next head of the family. For my battle, there were fifteen of us in total. When all was said and done, only one was still standing, the youngest brother. Me. In the entire history of the Togami family, the youngest male had never won." Byakuya explains in full detail.

Junko was… straight up speechless. She couldn't say a thing… How could she say anything?

"I… I… to be raised in such an environment… thrown into… well, a fight for your right to exist in a family just to be allowed to inherit?! I… no wonder he's an Ultimate… how on earth did he become such a good person?!"

"You… I… I don't know what to say… except… What happened to the ones who lost?" Junko asked.

"Well, technically speaking… They're dead. Not literally, mind you. But more so in the metaphorical sense, like… Dead to the family, or something along those lines. I suppose for some… It might be literal…" Byakuya spoke solemnly, "Never to be acknowledged or even recognized by the wider family. Period."

"Gosh… How do you deal with it? I mean… it must eat you up alive inside." Junko spoke softly.

"It's not a good feeling… but I try to live with it. That way, I do good for everyone." Byakuya said.

"To go through so much and still be this determined to be good? He's a bloody saint."

"Me and Byakuya spoke more about the Togami corporation and what the family is like… and while some details he tells me are odd, considering what their heir selection is like, I honestly can't see anything else being more odd than that. Eventually, we parted and I headed back to my room."

*Ding Dong, Bing Bong*

"Mm, Ahem! This is a school announcement. It is now 10 PM. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Okay then, sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Monokuma announced on the monitors once again.

"Three days now… and it's becoming routine… I hate this. Off I go to sleep… When will I… no, WE… When are we gonna get out of here? I stared blankly at the ceiling and went into an uneasy sleep."

Junko sleeps for a third day… and for a third time, a bizarre nightmare is what she is greeted with.

*Monokuma Theater!*

"I need an immediate, fast-acting pick-me-up! If it doesn't act now, it's the same as giving into regret. What do you think guides the world? Speed, of course! That's why Formula One drivers are so popular! Any idiot can accomplish something if they take it slow. Even a human piece of excrement could create a masterpiece if they spent their entire life on it! Someone who does things in a timely fashion is both wise and admirable. Straight is better than a curve or an angle. Freestyle is better than the backstroke or breaststroke! Drive-thru is better than a sit-down! A Sunday comic artist is smarter than a graphic novelist! What I'm saying is, speed is the gold standard of the standard world. Which is why I said I need that pick-me-up! (Meanwhile, 0.000002 seconds later…)

…

…

…

*Ding dong, bing bong!*

"Good morning, everyone! It is now 7 AM, and nighttime is officially over! Time to rise and shine! Get ready to greet another beee-yutiful day!" Monokuma announced on the monitors again.

"I woke up to that annoying bear's voice, pulling myself out of bed reluctantly."

"Gh… Another day. Another night of restless sleep. Another Nighttime. Day after night after day after night. Yep, Hiyoko was right. The fatigue is building in me… dammit!"

"And as soon as I was thinking that…"

*Ding Dong!*

"...the sound of the doorbell rang in my room."

Junko turned and faced the door wondering who it could be. She tentatively opens the door slowly and is greeted by a surprising face.

"A good morning, isn't it?" Byakuya asked

"Woah! Hey there Byakuya! Came to chat with me after I talked to you yesterday?" Junko asked half jokingly,

"No, but if you want to chat again sometime, I wouldn't mind." Byakuya said kindly, "Now, seeing as you don't mind this interruption to your day…"

"Without saying much he came inside my room, standing by my bed. Must be important if he is coming here personally."

"So… what's up Byakuya?" Junko asked

"I have been thinking since last night… and I believe a good way to better coordinate our efforts to find an escape, and build some trust between all of us while we're at it, is that after every morning announcement, we meet in the dining hall. There, we can eat, discuss, and just talk together." Byakuya said "I've been informing each person formally about my plan. If it isn't inconvenient for you, may you please head to the hall?" Byakuya asked, trying not to be forceful.

"Hm… Honestly, that's a good idea! Keeps everyone from being at each other's throats, and we can discuss what we find… Or I suppose, report any… concerning signs." Junko uncomfortably mused, "Alright, just gimme a sec and I'll head down!" She said with a smile.

Byakuya nods and heads out, closing the door, likely to inform others.

"Hm well I should probably do a quick rinse. It's been, what, 3 Days since I washed up? I'm probably getting nasty by now!"

Junko went into the shower and did a quick rinse. Mainly washing her hair and other important areas before hopping out, drying off, and getting dressed. Afterwards, she starts heading out of her room to the dining hall.

As Junko heads to the hall, she sees Mahiru and curiously goes up to her.

"Uh… hey Mahiru." Junko said, waving.

"A-Ah… yes?" Mahiru asked, looking a bit startled.

"Sorry if I scared you. I was wondering what you were doing… after the first 2 days, you seemed to be… distant." Junko said softly.

"I… it's nothing… don't worry… I'm just trying to… prepare for hanging out with everyone…" Mahiru said, however Junko gets the feeling that Mahiru wasn't being fully honest.

"Mahiru… Are you really ok…?"

"Ugh…so much to do, so much to do…" Mahiru said walking off.

"...I'm really concerned about her now."

When Junko arrived in the dining hall she could see that everyone was here this time around.

"Alright. Everyone's here. So shall we begin this meeting now?" Byakuya asked.

"Ibuki's eager to meet with everyone!" Ibuki said, smiling happily.

"Eh, most of us seem to be ok with it." Kazuichi said.

"I think it's pointless, but whatever." Hiyoko sighs.

"Then let's begin." Byakuya said simply, "Everyone, I thank you for making time in your day to come here together." Byakuya said kindly to everyone.

"Don't twist the narrative. You dragged me here" Hiyoko complains.

"All I said was that I would find it suspicious for you to not have time, seeing as you don't do much." Byakuya stated, "Anyways I have mentioned this already but… In order to get out of here we must cooperate and work with each other. That is essential! So for the first step of this meeting, we would be talking and sharing about ourselves to gain trust and become friends. So from now on, we shall meet here in the dining hall every morning after the morning announcement." Byakuya finished.

"I… I-It's nice to eat with other people… but not a lot to be done…" Mahiru said uncomfortably.

"I agree with that second part. Not a lot is being done but i think it's idotic to eat with everyone considering…. Well, do I even have to say it at this point?" Hiyoko said simply.

"Aaaaaaanyways. Did anyone found any intelligence? Or any clue at all?" Komaru asked.

"Only silence would answer her."

"Seriously? Not a bloody thing?!" Komaru asked annoyed, "Anything, it can be about getting out, who's doing this, or hell a recipe for a pie! At least it's something! Nobody has any of that at all?!" Komaru indignantly asked.

"You're going to die." Hiyoko said coldly.

"Wha-" Komaru asked, surprised.

"If you can't stop yourself from showing fear, weakness or whatever in front of everyone… You. Will. Die." Hiyoko said firmly

"I told you not to fucking joke about–!" Komaru yelled.

"I'm not joking. Can't adapt when you die. Like I said on our first night. If I couldn't adapt, and showed fear when I really shouldn't be, I'd be a corpse at best or a sex slave at worst." Hiyoko said with a fake smile that oozed with hostility, "So adapt, or die already."

"Oh, I'm sorry! They never covered this in basic training, or any training at all! Adapt to being in a school where you'll only leave via murder? Do you understand what you are saying?!" Komaru asked, bewildered.

"Are you asking for a repeat of the first day?!" Fuyuhiko warned.

"Feel free. Still, if there is one thing I agree with... Nobody has any clues?" Hiyoko asked.

"All I can tell you is that whoever is behind this is one messed up dude." Akane said, "Who'd trap us in here if that wasn't the case?"

"No duh, Sherlock. How about an actual clue of worth?" Hiyoko asked.

"Uhm… I don't wanna seem rude or disrupt the conversation… but Komaru, you said something about basic training?" Hajime asked.

"Hm? Yeah? What about it?" Komaru asked.

"So… were you in the military or something?" Hajime inquired.

"..." Komaru was silent for a while before sighing, "I suppose… I should tell you all now. I didn't earlier because it'd make everyone suspicious of me. My Ultimate Talent is… I'm the Ultimate Soldier." Komaru said.

"Ultimate Soldier?" Kazuichi asked.

"Y-Yeah… I was in the army and was… well, recognized for my skills. And, well… I got scouted out for my soldier skills." Komaru said, "...Sorry. That rough explanation was a little bland and boring."

"H-Huh…? That sounds kinda like your sister, Junky…" Mikan said.

"Sister?" Ibuki asked curiously, "Junko has a Sister? What's her name?" Ibuki asked, smiling.

"Oh! Well, my sister is Mukuro Ikusaba. Like Komaru, she's also an Ultimate Soldier!" Junko said smiling.

"O-Oh really? What's her unit?" Komaru asked curiously.

"Oh…uh… she doesn't have a unit…" Junko said nervously, "She…uh… isn't a part of the regular military, actually." she added.

"Then… how did she become the Ultimate Soldier?" Komaru inquires.

"Well… she joined a mercenary group called Fenrir before entering middle school. She earned her Ultimate by never being wounded in battle!" Junko explains.

Everyone seemed to be impressed by that or at least intrigued. Before Hajime spoke up, "Wait… you said she joined before entering middle school?"

"Uh… y-yeah…" Junko nodded.

"W-WHO LETS A KID THAT YOUNG INTO THE MILITARY?!" Kazuichi asked, shocked.

"One t-that's… primarily based in the middle east…" Mikan said.

That got nods from everyone. Though Nagito looked curious about something, "You said your sister's name is Mukuro Ikusaba, correct?"

"Uh… yeah, why?" Junko asked.

"Well, I don't mean to intrude but… isn't it odd you both don't share the same last name? Or anything similar with your names?" He asked.

"Oh, uhm… that's a long story… To give a brief explanation, my parents weren't… remotely excited that my sister skipped middle school to join a mercenary group… so now she's no longer considered part of the family." Junko said, chuckling with an uncomfortable smile.

"Oh… apologies. I didn't mean to pry…" Nagito said with a nervous looking smile.

"It's fine! Really! You didn't know and I haven't mentioned my sister to the rest of you." Junko said smiling.

"Well Junko, if it makes you feel better, you shouldn't have to worry much longer about not seeing Mukuro or your family again. Help has to come soon!" Akane said while subtly changing the topic.

"W-what makes you so sure?" Mahiru asked.

"Well… we've been here a few days now right?" No one's seen us or been able to connect with us, so I'm sure they're getting worried and probably called someone to help already!" Akane said encouragingly.

"AHHH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" A disgustingly familiar voice laughed out. That being none other than Monokuma, who appeared suddenly in the dining hall.

"Call who, the police? Who puts their hope in the police nowadays?!" Monokuma asked mockingly.

"What are you doing here, you robotic contraption?!" Nekomaru asked, less than pleased to see Monokuma.

"You guys, seriously… Do you understand what role the police exist to fill? All they're good for is being a foil, playing against a villain or anti-hero or evil organization. The bad guys come along and destroy them, and that shows just how badass they really are. Are you sure you wanna rely on such an unreliable group of losers?" Monokuma asked with a wicked smile, "I mean come on! If you really, REALLY wanna get out of here, all you gotta do is kill!" Monokuma said grinning.

"Y-You… you can stop now…!" Kazuichi begged.

"Oh sure, beg the homicidal bear to stop. That will surely work." Hiyoko rolled her eyes

"I'm with bananas here… Really? That's not gonna accomplish much." Komaru said.

"The hell you want, psycho bot?" Fuyuhiko asked.

"Did you just call me Mr. Serialkillers Psychofreak Bastard? …Is that German?" Monokuma asked curiously.

"I did not say any of that! Except for the psycho part…" Fuyuhiko stated.

"Mabey if I ignore him he'll go away." Monokuma said facing away from Fuyuhiko

"Don't ignore me, you fucker!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"Okay, okay! Let's get back to business. Your life here has already begun, and a couple days have gone by… And nobody's killing anybody!" Monokuma stated as if it was a negative for who knows what reason, "I thought all you kids were lazy and selfish, and here you are working together. I guess that's what getting to know each other does to a group of young upstarts… But now I'm totally bored!" Monokuma said, looking depressed.

"Say whatever the hell you want. We won't start slaughtering each other!" Junko stated.

"Wait, I think– …Yes! Ding ding ding! I figured it out!" Monokuma declared laughing happily, "All the mystery ingredients are here!" Monokuma said, striking a cutesy pose, "That's what I couldn't understand. But I just realized there was one very important piece missing!"

"What are you going on about?" Junko asked.

"If you wanna know, I'll tell ya! It's motivation!" Monokuma announced, "Puhuhuhu! It's so simple, I'm practically embarrassed I didn't do this sooner! I just have to give everyone a motive!" Monokuma declared while hiding, or trying to look like he's hiding, a giggle with his hands.

"Motive? What the hell are you on about now?" Fuyuhiko asked, pissed.

"Actually, there is something I wanna show you guys real quick!" Monokuma suddenly announced.

"Stop changing the fuckin subject!" Fuyuhiko yelled out, getting very angry now.

"I have a little video I'd like you all to see." Monokuma simply said, "And don't worry, it's not some pervy "adult" video or anything. Seriously, it's nothing like that!" Monokuma said panting, sweat appearing on his face… or top head? Was he blushing? "It's a special video for each of you showing what's going on outside the school." Monokuma suddenly said.

"Outside the school? What do you mean…?!" Junko asked, not feeling too good about where this was heading.

"Heh-Heh! Ooh, Master's so impatient today! Why don't you just watch it and find out?" Monokuma asked, "Here in the school, there's a specific place you can go that has everything you need to watch the video." Monokuma said giggling.

"That's good, I suppose. We can watch the video now." Chiaki pipes up "But before that, I've been meaning to ask for a while… What are you exactly? Why would you want to do something like this? What do you want from us?" Chiaki asked.

Monokuma takes a pondering pose,."What do I want from you…? Well if you wanna know…" Monokuma said, "Despair. That's all." Monokuma said simply with no emotion, "If you want to know more than that, you'll have to figure it out yourselves." Monokuma stated nonchalantly "Do whatever you need to in order to uncover the mystery hidden within this school. I won't try to stop you~." Monokuma said smirking, "Cuz to be honest, it's entertaining as heck watching you guys search desperately for answers!" Monokuma giggles, nearly laughing, "So I guess I want amusement from you too! Despair and amusement… really, nothing more complicated than that!" Monokuma cackled.

And soon like that, Monokuma vanished

"H-He's gone" Mikan stated "A-And once again… he left before we could find out anything useful…" Mikan said annoyed.

"I think he's doing that on purpose just to screw with us." Junko said, frowning.

"He's gotta be…" Komaru nodded.

"I personally disagree. We got something very important from his dialogue, his speech I mean." Chaiki said, "He won't try and stand in our way from finding the truth. That's an interesting detail to pay attention to." Chiaki said seriously.

"Perhaps, but what about the video he mentioned? I'm… morbidly curious about what it has." Nekomaru admitted.

"Same here." Fuyuhiko agreed.

"Fuyuhiko glanced around the dining hall. And once his gaze landed on me, he stopped. Oh no… what did I do now?"

"Hey Junko! Check this out for us, will ya?" Fuyuhiko asked with a smug smile.

"Me? Why?" Junko asked confused

"Well, you're closest to the door right? You'll be quicker." Fuyuhiko reasoned.

"Ok, guess that's true… I'll be going then."

"...If Junky's going, I'm going with her. It's not safe right now to walk around this place alone." Mikan said seriously.

"Sure, that Monokumas gonna eat you up alive, pig trash!" Hiyoko chuckles.

"Let's go, Junky." Mikan said, completely ignoring Hiyoko.

Junko and Mikan headed out the dining hall.

"I-I can't decide who's worse… Hiyoko or Fuyuhiko…" Mikan murmurs, "...Oh, and sorry about… mentioning your sister…" Mikan said.

"Hey it's fine no worries! They'd get curious sooner or later, might as well tell them now. Plus, now we know Komaru's Ultimate! Pretty wicked to think about… two Ultimate Soldiers. Small world."

"It's odd though, I never heard mention of her in any news or media… maybe the government wanted to keep her identity a secret to prevent any nasty stuff."

"S-So…where is this… 'Special Place' Monokuma talked about…" Mikan said thinking "Do y-y-you think… it would involve DVDs and such? But where..?" Mikan asked herself out loud.

"A place for DVDs and videos? I think I know just the place!"

Junko headed off with Mikan following her. Then entering the main hall and looking around before heading towards a room with a yellow door and a blue cassette tape image on it. And on top was a simple sign reading "AV"

"Weird to make an image in the door… but maybe that's to make it crystal clear or something."

The two entered inside looking around for a bit before Junko quickly spotted a box that's partly opened.

"Bingo. That's where we'll find what we need to watch."

Junko approached the box and peered inside it

"Yep… DVDs. That'll fit neatly into these computers in the AV."

"A-A bunch of DVDs… And…" Mikan picks one up. It had Junko's name on it, "..each one has so-someones name o-on it…"

"This is definitely the "Video for each of us", he mentioned." Junko concluded.

"I-I'll t-t-tell everyone!" Mikan said, rushing out the room.

"Gosh, she's a lot more assertive. I didn't go after her. I was holding the DVD she was holding… the one that had my name… it rooted me in place."

"Might as well get a first look.." Junko said to herself.

"Taking the DVD, I put it in the expensive looking player nearest to me and put on the headphones."

…

…

…

An image flashed showing a picture. Or more accurately, a still image that's split. One of Junko's parents in what appears to be their home. And another… of Mukuro in an apartment building of some kind. All three were smiling. (Or trying to look like she's smiling for Mukuro).

"A-Ah-!"

"W-What the fuck?! It's…it's my family! Mom… Dad… Mukuro? I… I yelled out without even realizing it, and my heart began racing fast."

"You getting into Hope's Peak is a dream come true… Please do your best honey!" Junko's mom said.

"We may have our disagreements, my child… But I am very proud to be your father. Please don't push yourself too far for us." Junko's dad said.

"Are you really watching this while I'm so far, Junko? Good luck, okay? I'll be sure to visit if time permits it." Mukuro said in a rare showing of warmth.

"Please end there. Please end there. Please end there…! I'm already about to cry… please… I… I know it won't, but let me have this! To see them… all of them wish me well, despite my differences with them… especially my parents. It… it gave me so much hope! And strength! I would've been happy, maybe even slightly embarrassed, if this was in an ordinary school."

"But I should've known better… it's not an ordinary school… And soon… it became different…"

The screen cuts for a few seconds to static. The shows the same scene but… now the home Junko's parents were in was completely ransacked and trashed. Pictures and furniture destroyed or ruined. And Mukuro's apartment showed bullet holes and a broken gun. Along with what looked like a streak of blood on the wall.

"...!"

"I... I… I… I… I… I… I… I… I…!"

"M-Mom… D-Dad… S-Sis? W-where did… you all go…? It… it looked like… like a war zone in both images! And… he then began speaking to me."

"Junko Enoshima, accepted into Hope's Peak Academy. And her family, while not always one to get along together, came together to support such a wonderful and talented young woman. But it seems like something has happened to both her parents, and even her sister's well-being! Oh boy, this is awful! What could have possibly happened to this family's well-being!?" Monokuma asked.

"LOOK FOR THE ANSWER AFTER GRADUATION!"

The player stops leaving Junko with nothing but a black screen.

"W… Wha… What…? WHAT HAPPENED TO EVERYONE?!" Junko screamed out.

"I was shaking. I felt dizzy…w-was it always this blurry or…? Oh I feel sick…i…i…"

"GOD FUCKING DAMMIT WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!" Junko shrieked.

"I damn near punched the screen of the DVD player. My thoughts were numbed. What… how… I can't… what am I supposed to think about other than this?"

"I need to get out, I need to get out, I need to get out, I need–" Junko mumbled, feeling like she's about to vomit.

"Junky?" A voice called out snapping Junko to some reality.

"Y-You look unwell… w-what happened?" Mikan rushed over to Junko immediately.

"I looked at a concerned Mikan… and behind her, I can see the others who looked a bit disturbed at what put me in this state…"

"Yo… What happened?" Akane asked worriedly.

"I just silently pointed at the box"

"So that's what Monokuma was on about?" Hiyoko asked, looking inside and grabbing the disk with her name on it.

"It must have had something in them. I advise caution and an open mind while watching them." Byakuya said as he took the disc with his name on it.

"They all took the disc meant for them. And after a while, it took little time for them to react to the videos they saw."

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Fuyuhiko yelled absolutely beyond furious.

"This was forged, right? It has to be fake! No other way, right?!" Akane asked, terrified.

"N-No… it's not real… h-haha… no way…" Hiyoko said as she looked to be hiding tears.

"I… I… I… LET ME OUT PLEASE! I'M SORRY!" Mahiru yelled while clutching her head.

"Yep… as I expected. They all saw what I've seen… well something similar, if I had to guess. No one here… not even Hiyoko or Fuyuhiko tried to hide their fear, confusion and anxiety… Except for *him* even now, he was as calm as a stone."

"So this is what it meant by motive." Byakuya said in thought "It wants to fuel our desire to leave so that we will be more prone to killing each other." Byakuya stated.

"I-It's definitely the classic 'Prisoner's dilemma'." Chiaki said shakily, trying her best to be as calm as possible.

"H-H-Huh?" Ibuki asked confused trying to not foam at the mouth.

"To, uh… use an example… Imagine two players in a crash course war in a strategy game. But both want peace and try to scale back their forces as a sign of good faith. But… there's a chance for a surprise attack or betrayal by one player or the other, S-So each player fears lowering their guard. The result… Neither scales back their forces and they both end up betraying each other." Chaiki explained slowly regaining composure as she spoke, "I-In other words, the fear of invisible treachery becomes the greatest enemy to co-operation." She finished.

"Y-Yeah like with what's happening now… We're all saying we'll work together, but in our hearts we're afraid someone might stab us in the back… figuratively and literally…" Mahiru said grimacing.

"That's exactly it's plan. It wanted those thoughts in our head so we'll start massacring each other." Byakuya stated.

"You can say that all you want, but maybe you're certain that once everyone drops their guard, you can just…" Hiyoko insinuated hatefully.

"What are you trying to imply?" Byakuya asked curtly.

"Wait, stop! This is exactly what Monokuma or whoever is manning him wants! He *wants* us to fight! Don't you see?!" Nekomaru yelled out.

"Yeah… Yeah we all need to calm and relax here…" Hajime said, his face however showing he is deeply terrified.

"Okay, then… maybe discussing what we saw will help?" Komaru asked nervously, "Maybe… talking about it will get everything out of our system… Besides, even you have to admit, Ms. Enoshima, you're also curious, right?" Komaru asked Junko.

"...Dammit. I hate to agree with her but… yeah she's right… I am morbidly curious about what's on everyone else's videos… Ugh!"

Junko turned to look at Mikan.

"Mikan..? Hey…" Junko called out.

"..." Mikan was just silent, looking absolutely terrified.

"What… was in your video, Mikan?" Junko asked, approaching her.

"..." Mikan remained silent.

"H-Hey I know you're a little startled but… You can tell us, please." Mahiru pleaded.

"..." Mikan kept silent.

"Mikan…?" Junko said concerned.

"I gently reached out and stroked her hair."

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Mikan shrieked and ran.

"She… slapped my hand away and ran off…!"

"Whoa! Mikan?" Akne asked, a little worried.

"Eh, let her be." Hiyoko said uncaringly.

"I-I can't do that!" Junko said, "I have to make sure she's ok, dammit!"

"It's… almost like a romance manga or book… except for once, the childhood friend is getting picked." Mahiru said softly.

"Maybe because you don't have friends of your own?" Komaru shot at Mahiru.

"Ibuki's… a little worried." Ibuki said uncomfortably.

"Then why don't you head and check on Mikan? We can stay here for now." Chiaki said, smiling encouragingly, "I'll help out with anyone who's doing worse…"

"They're heading their separate ways… but… Screw it! I have to find Mikan! I have too!"

Junko rushed out of the room and looked frantically around

"Where could she be? She can't have gone too far already…"

Junko looks around for where Mikan could've gone. Checking the storeroom, the gym entrance, and even the girl's bathroom. Eventually after running out of places to look, she checked one of the classrooms. And as she enters inside she realized two things

One this is the classroom she first woke up in that began this whole crazy nightmare to begin with. And two…

Mikan was here! And was huddling in the corner. Junko approached Mikan.

"She's just in the corner of this classroom doing nothing. Sitting on a chair staring at the floor. She looked… terrified… upset… angry… No wait… she didn't have an expression at all! There… wasn't anything on her face that would hint at any emotion. Like the mask from a couple of days ago was ripped off…"

"M-Mikan, are you ok?" Junko asked.

"Yes… Yes I'm completely fine… totally fine…" Mikan said… sarcastically? "...Of course I'm not fine. How can I be? What did we do to end up like this? Why is he doing such terrible things to us…? I want out! Let me the hell out of here!" Mikan yelled rushing for the door only for Junko to block her and firmly hold her shoulders as Mikan struggled.

"Mikan! That's enough!" Junko firmly and maybe a bit harshly shouted.

"Gah…! She's thrashing around too much. I have to hold harder… fuck!"

"...!" Mikan was startled but slowly seemed to stop struggling.

"I get it. I know how you feel. When I think about what could've happened to my… my family… all three of them…" Junko looked down before she shook her head, "But I have to stay calm! This is exactly what that bastard wants! He wants us to lose our composure! He wants us to stop thinking rationally!" Junko firmly said.

"Real or fake, those videos were meant to drive us to our baser instincts. And that's something you should know about, considering you want to be a field medic! So get your head straight, soldier!" Junko said in a tone mimicking a Sargent, hoping that'll be enough. She hates having to be this firm on Mikan, but right now, she needs it.

"..." Mikan was silent for a moment

"Admittedly, more of this was to help myself calm down. But hopefully it should help her equally… Just be calm… Just be calm…"

"We just have to work together to find a way out…" Junko said, easing her grip.

"...But… what if there *isn't* a way out? What if help *never* come?" Mikan asked shivering

"If that happens… then dammit, I'll get you out myself, come hell or high water!" Junko declared.

"I… wasn't expecting what would happen next when I said that."

Mikan suddenly rushes… not for the door, but for Junko… burying her face into Junko's chest and hugging her tightly.

"Mikan…?" Junko asked, surprised.

"Please… help me Junky…" Mikan begged in a tone that reminded Junko of those younger years…

"So small… shaky… fearful… Just like when we first met…"

"Why…? Why is this happening to me? To kill, or be killed… I just can't take this anymore…!" Mikan said, sobbing into Junko's chest.

"Mikan…" Junko said softly.

"…" Mikan cried and sobbed as Junko ran her hands through her hair. Gently rubbing her scalp with her hand. After a few minutes, Mikan slowly looked up.

"She looked at me with those big, wet eyes of hers…"

"Can… I… can I believe what you said?" Mikan asked.

"Huh?" Junko asked a little taken aback

"That you'd get me out, if you had to? Come… hell or high water?"

"What happened to trusting your gut? Of course, absolutely. Have I ever let you down?" Junko asked, smiling warmly, stroking Mikan's hair.

"Junky… You're the only one I can trust… Please… no matter what happens… Please be there for me… I need you on my side…" Mikan begs.

"Of course! I'm always on your side 100% always! You… you *are* my best friend after all. And my assistant and… well, so much more!" Junko replied.

"..." Mikan was silent again, tears drying up, "Thank you, Junky… thank you." Mikan said at last "Hearing you say that… I can keep going for now… I can get through this… as long as you're here with me because…like you said, I'm your best friend and assistant!" Mikan said, smiling happily.

"That smile felt forced, but…it was an improvement from before… and it's good to help her recover…"

"...It's standing up!" Monokuma said, appearing from nowhere.

"KYAH!" Mikan jumped afraid

"Junko! It's standing up!" Monokuma said panting and blushing (?)

"*What's* standing the fuck up?!" Junko yelled very aggressively.

"Do you have to ask? Your flag– Oh! Wait… you're a girl… I just realized that." Monokuma said, going from sinisterly smug to intrigued and thinking in a few seconds, "Man, those badonkas should've really made that obvious."

"Flag… girl… you… YOU MOTHERFUCKER!" Junko roared furiously.

"And before you ask… of course I'll join!" Monokuma said, chuckling.

"You've got two choices! Either get the hell out or tell us what the hell is up with those videos!" Junko demaded.

"It's gonna come out… It's gonna come out! My pristine, pure white… stuffing!" Monokuma said grinning "My innocent, honest stuffing is about to come gushing out!" Monokuma yelled.

"I'LL TEAR SOMETHING OUT ALRIGHT, FUR BALL!"

On pure instinct, Junko grabbed a chair and swung it down at Monokuma with all her might. And next thing she knew… the chair crashed onto the floor, splattering and straining Junko's hands.

"J-Junky?! Are you ok?" Mikan asked.

"If I hadn't avoided that chair hit, you would have just violated school regulations. Thought I'd let you know…" Monokuma said as he was looking away, "But girl, are you slow. Slow SLow SLOw SLOW!" Monokuma said angrily, "I could've wolfed down a thousand-dollar full-course dinner in the time it took for you to finish your swing!" Monokuma mocked, "Your speed, agility, alertness, passion, boldness, sense of despair, antagonization. It's all lacking!" Monokuma yelled before vanishing.

"Huff…! Huff…! Huff…! Huff…!" Junko was breathing heavily. Very tempted to swing and break another chair just to lower her rapidly raising blood pressure.

"W-What was that just now?" Mikan asked.

"He just wanted to fuck with us…" Junko spat in disgust.

"W-W-Well… for now… you wanna head back?" Mikan asked.

"Yeah…" Junko nodded.

"Monokuma destroyed the good mood we'd just made quite swiftly… We headed back to our dorms…"

"You should rest, Mikan… you need it." Junko said, hugging Mikan close.

"I'm sorry for worrying you Junky… I… I'll go lay down for a bit.." Mikan said.

"She entered her room and closed the door, vanishing from my eyes…"

"Now on my own, I went to tell everyone that Mikan was okay for now. Then I headed to my room. It was hard to think after all that happened… those videos… Mikan… Monokuma… I needed rest…"

Junko rested in her room just staring at her ceiling not thinking before eventually stirring

"Jeez…Seriously, what's going on here? There's just so many problems already, and new ones adding on top! What even is my biggest problem now?! That we're trapped here? That I saw a video that's… 95% likely to be real? Monokuma? What the mastermind of all this has in store for us? Or…are we our biggest problem? I want to get out of here but I will never kill someone. Do they feel the same though? Mikan I know, but what about the rest? Yeah… that's definitely the biggest problem right now for us."

"..."

"..."

"..."

*Ding Dong!*

"Huh?"

Junko opened her eyes. Feeling as though she woke up from sleeping.

"When I opened my eyes, they checked the clock…"

"Nearly 10… I fell asleep unknowingly." Junko sighs.

"Almost nighttime…"

"So… who's here now?" Junko mused as she approached the door and opens it

"I-I'm sorry to come by so late…" Mikan said.

"Mikan?"

"Mikan? What are you doing out so late?" Junko asked curiously

"Wait… her body is trembling… what happened?!"

"What happened? Mikan, please tell me." Junko asked.

"S-S-Sorry to bother you… but… something really weird just happened." Mikan said as Junko froze for a moment… before hesitantly asking.

"Something weird…?"

"Just a little while ago, I was laying in my room… and all of a sudden, m-m-my door started rattling and shaking…" Mikan started to explain

"Her voice sounded like all the air was squeezed out of her lungs… Just hearing her talk… makes me tense…"

"It was like someone was trying to force the door open. My door was locked, so they couldn't get in of course… But they started shaking the door harder and harder. I was so scared I couldn't even move…" Mikan explained looking pale.

"So… w-what happened?" Junko asked

"After a while, it just… stopped." Mikan said "I let some time go by, then I got up and opened the door to check outside… But nobody was there." Mikan finished looking unervered.

"Someone tried to force their way into your room…?" Junko asked, realizing what that means in the back of her mind.

"I… I don't wanna accuse anyone but… still… I'm scared…" Mikan stammers out "What if that happens in the middle of the night? What would I do then…?" Mikan asked.

"Y–You don't need to… worry… I mean, we can't go outside at nighttime… we… promised… that…." Junko said trailing off as she realized what that meant.

"It's…only a promise we made… if someone breaks it… how'd we know?" Mikan asked

"Then… hmmm." Junko thinks for a moment trying to think of what to do… before coming up with an idea.

"Got it! We switch rooms!" Junko smirked

"H-Huh?" Mikan asked curiously

"Think about it. If someones trying to get you. They'll be heading to your door right? Well… what if who is inside your room isn't you… but me~? And you were in my room~? You'll be safe as they'd not come to my room but yours and I'll get the jump on them!" Junko grins like she was a genius "It's foolproof!"

Mikan just stared… before smiling "Junky…you never fail to amaze…but the school regulations…" Mikan said

"It only said that we cant sleep outside the dormitory, not that we can't share rooms or sleep in different rooms~" Junko pointed out

Mikan nodded at Junko's explanation

*Ding dong, Bing Bong*

"Mm, Ahem! This is a school announcement. It is now 10 PM. As such, it is officially nighttime. Soon the doors to the dining hall will be locked, and entry at that point is strictly prohibited. Okay then, sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Monokuma announced once more.

"O-Oh… nighttime…" Mikan said worriedly

"Okay. You sleep here. I sleep in your room. And if… or when, that asshole shows up it's gonna be a bad night for them!" Junko said determined.

"Oh I shouldn't forget…"

"Lets trade keys, too. So we can… well enter and lock or unlock our rooms.." Junko said.

"Oh yeah…" Mikan nodded.

"We traded keys. She seemed to have ragain some composure… before losing a bit of it again…"

"Junky, please be careful. Especially if you intend to actually fight this person…" Mikan said.

"I will be! As long as you don't open the door for anyone. No matter who it is." Junko firmly said.

"As much as I hate to say it… even if I knew 1000% it was you, I won't open it. Switching would be kinda moot at that point." Mikan nodded in agreement.

"Oh also. If you need to use my bathroom… uhm, warning. The lock is busted." Junko said.

"Huh?" Mikan asked intrigued

"Yeah so… after the first night, I tried out the lock… and it's not working. Monokuma told me himself that it's busted… so you have to use the old trick of holding the door closed to keep it, well… locked." Junko explains

"Gosh… the odds of that must've been 1 in a thousand-"

"DO NOT! Ahem… Don't. Please." Junko said.

"Huh? Why?" Mikan asked.

"Monokuma made the same joke and it nearly fried my nerves." Junko explained

"Huh? Wh- O-Oh… Ohhhhhh…!" Mikan said, realizing why.

"That mechanized fur ball had the gall to say he was bad at math afterwards! Gah! …Sorry, just… the idea of him ever somehow knowing… that is nerve wracking." Junko said.

"No no, it's fine. I get you" Mikan nodded.

"Phew… See you tomorrow. And stay safe, ya hear?" Junko said as she and Mikan hugged for a long while before pulling away. Junko heading out and closing the door.

"Immediately I looked around. Doors closed? Check. No life around? Check. Anyone possibly nearby? Nope."

"Nobody's around… good." Junko said to herself

"Making sure no one sees me, I headed to Mikan's room and open the door closing it and locking it before looking around in Mikans room for a bit"

"Surprisingly plain… save for the nurse wallpapers and medical items here or there…" Junko mused, "Smells nice though…"

Junko was about to head to bed when she peered into the trash can. Seeing the DVD from the motive

"So Mikan kept it… tossing it in the garbage. Can't blame her for that. Better wait for her to bring it up before I ask though… if she ever wants to talk about it."

Junko then went to the bed.

"As I lowered myself onto Mikan's bed, a pleasant fragrance enveloped me. Mikan's perfume? She uses that now? Maybe it'll bring me some sweet dreams while I sleep here tonight. Feeling a little better than before I fell asleep."

Unfortunately for Junko, sweet dreams would not come… not in this school…

*Monokuma Theater!*

"Imagine you're all in a big spaceship, in the middle of an intergalactic adventure. You've heard of Noah's Ark, right? We're sort of like that. We've set sail and left Earth behind! Here you don't have to worry about crazy neighbors, corrupt cops, drunk drivers, or Pyromaniacs! You don't have to worry about the ozone layer, or asthma-inducing air pollution! And of course, you don't have to stress about studying for finals or practicing for the big game! But… But even our world of freedom has a few rules. After all, freedom can only exist *because* of rules. If you're really dead set on returning to that tiny piece of dog poop you call Earth… please do your best to follow the rules. I hope I've made myself perfectly clear. So then, let's everyone do our best to follow these new guidelines and live happily ever after together!"

…

…

…

*Ding dong, bing bong*

"Good morning, everyone! It is now 7 AM, and nighttime is officially over! Time to rise and shine! Get ready to greet another beee-yutiful day!" Once more Monokuma said

I sat up, still half asleep… another nightmare after I had hoped to avoid… ugh, I'd just not mention them anymore! I rubbed my eyes and slowly pulled myself out of bed. Mikan's room… I'm in Mikan's room… At this point, I'd rather have had a vivid wet dream about the girl than whatever Nightmare Theater segments keep popping up. …I seriously just imagined one right now. Good thing I'm alone.

"Maybe a nice shower before I join up with everyone for breakfast will get my mind out of the gutter." Junko murmurs with a blush on her face.

Soon as her improvised morning routine was done, Junko headed out and went to the dining hall as soon as possible

"A few people had already gathered at the hall by the time I arrived."

"Good morning Junko. At least, it would appear so. How are you doing?" Byakuya asked.

"Just as well as anyone can…" Junko shrugs

"Morning." Hajime said smiling warmly waving at Junko.

"Heya!" Akane cheerfully said with food in her mouth.

"I see I'm early myself." Nekomaru said, smiling.

"So the people here now would probably be model high-schoolers. The ones who showed up later…"

"Hey." Fuyuhiko said simply.

"Apologies for being tardy. My outfit refused to be disciplined." Komaru apologized, giving a rare smile.

"Sorry for my own lateness. I was busy preparing some wonderful spices that you'll all just love~!" Teruteru said smiling.

"...were the types with a more relaxed sense of time. Most high-schoolers fall into that category. And finally, the ones who make everyone wait till the next ice age…"

"...Sorry. I was caught up in a level on Tetris." Chiaki said softly, sitting next to Hajime.

"Heya trash bags, slept through my alarm." Hiyoko said, smiling and giving herself a noogie.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so late…" Mahiru said sitting alone.

"Good nom-nom-noming! Let's all have a blast today!" Ibuki yelled out happily.

"Shit I got here so late! Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!" Kazuichi apologized a lot.

"...Yeah they don't care about time. And for some…. other people in general. They move to their own pace. Regardless, everyone's here. Well… that should've been what happened…"

"Wait… we're still missing some people." Byakuya said.

"Peko and Mikan, right?" Akane asked.

"Wait… Peko I don't know much about, so safe to assume she's doing her own thing. But Mikan? She's never late unless… unless…"

"Did something happen?" Peko asked as she arrived in the dining hall.

"Peko. You seen Mikan?" Fuyuhiko asked

"Unfortunately no. I came here straight from my room." Peko said.

"Did she forget our promise?" Teruteru asked curiously.

"No. She's the kind of person who'd never forget. Especially if Junko's involved." Chiaki pointed out.

"...Ok you didn't need to be that blunt. But… hearing everyone talk like that, a cloud of unease rose in me… This… No, it's ridiculous. No way. No way at all!"

"I-I-I'm gonna check on her!" Junko said quickly leaving before anyone could respond.

"When I arrived at my room… where I let Mikan stay for a single night. What was supposed to be safe and secure…"

Junko came into her room, and… it was a warzone! Table overturned, walls scratched up, bed torn…

"What the hell?!" Junko looked around quickly before her eyes settled on the door… Or where it should've been. Instead, it was like it was knocked completely down. Laying down flat on the ground in the bathroom.

"Better take a look…"

Junko headed inside.

"Let's… take… a look… in… side?!"

Before Junko's eyes… was Mikan laying on the floor of the shower…

"...O-Oh, ha ha! Very funny, Mikan." Junko said, forcing a fake laugh.

"She's dea-"

"..."

"You can get up now, Mikan." Junko approaches Mikan.

"She dea-"

"..."

"M-Mikan… this… isn't funny anymore..." She touches Mikan's body… feeling the blood on her cold body.

"...N-No… No No No No No No No! Mikan, don't you do this to me...! Don't do this to me, please...!" She shakes Mikan's body as it lifelessly moves.

"SHE'S DEA-"

"N-No! Dammit, Mikan! Don't do this to me! God dammit Mikan don't do this to me please!" Junko begged as tears welled up in her eyes.

"SHE'S DEAD!"

"No… No… No…!" She hiccups as tears stream down, "MIKAAAAAAAAN!" She shouted crying as her vision went black.

"I screamed… I don't know how loud…or how much… I just screamed as I held her lifeless body… before everything around me… all faded to black."