Chapter 2: The Solace of Hate and Envy (Daily Life #05)

Warning: This fic contains intense violence, lots of cursing, character death, gore and blood, sexual innuendos (thanks Maggie), and possible spoilers for the Danganronpa series, most notably the first one. But hey, everyone lurking in this fandom has at least played the first Danganronpa so no need to worry much there!

With that said, please enjoy!

"You what…?"

Maggie stroked her arm shamefully as she watched Harry Harbreak's eyes flip through five similar reactionary looks: shock, disbelief, depression, anger, and sadness. She did everything she could to avoid seeing the betrayed look on Harbreak's face. Yet her eyes betrayed her first by trailing back into the eyes of the young man she fell in love with.

Harry Harbreak was a nerd. Smart. Academically gifted. Someone that was way out of her league according to the other guys of her school. Yet he was a romantic. Innocent. Kind and caring too. And she loved that about him. Getting together with him was not only easy but it was also the best moment of her high school life. Harbreak never thought he would ever snag a hot model like Maggie ever and Maggie never thought she would fall for someone like Harbreak. Far from what her typical dream guy would look like.

She really liked him. No, not liked. She loved him.

So how could she hurt him in the worst way possible? How could she betray him like that? How could she go up to him that fateful Monday morning and reveal a secret she had been keeping since their six-month anniversary? How could she even keep a secret like that for three years? Damn it, Maggie! How could she go up to him and finally say:

"...I… fooled around with other guys and girls."

"You what…?"

…

Maggie bit her lip as she felt the burden of her contrite heart slowly suffocate her. Every second Harbreak refused to say anything, the more Maggie felt like turning back time to stop herself from revealing such a dangerous secret. She avoided looking at his betrayed gaze as she softly began to plead.

"Please Harry," Maggie pleaded. "P-Please say something…"

Harbreak remained speechless. It was as if his mind had been wandering through a chart of questions and responses he could say. But none of them were something he wanted to say or ask. None of them were something Harbreak was entirely comfortable with. No. Wait. This entire situation wasn't something he was comfortable with! How could he be after his girlfriend confessed to cheating on him?!

"...H-How many-" Harbreak struggled to ask. "H-How many guys and girls have you cheated on me with…?"

At first, Maggie struggled to make a noise but eventually, she pushed through with a soft-spoken answer and a rueful smile.

"O-Only one girl," Maggie sheepishly answered. "It was new so I just… I didn't know how to feel about it and-"

"What about guys?" Harbreak firmly pressed.

"I-" Maggie couldn't even formulate a response to that. She looked down regretfully. "...I- I lost count."

"Th-That many?" Harbreak's voice cracked. If Maggie had looked up to his face, she wouldn't have been able to handle it. Harbreak was tearing up. It would be the first time she would see him cry. Seeing him so damaged. And even worse, she knew it was all her fault. Harbreak's voice continued to break even further as he attempted to grasp the hurtful feeling he had felt. He was suffering. "M-Maggie. W-Why? I- I thought we had something s-special. W-Where d-did you even get the time to-"

Harbreak was hit with realization. He clenched his fist.

"Y-Your modeling trips," Harbreak breathlessly deduced as he slapped himself on the forehead. "W-Was that all a lie? I-Instead of attending school, you were away sleeping with other p-people all around the world. Is that right?"

"N-No, that's not true Harry," Maggie reached out to grasp his shoulder. "I was just-"

"D-Don't touch me," Harbreak slapped Maggie's hand out of the air. Reeling her hand back in shock, Maggie touched the part of her hand that had just been sharply smacked away. Harbreak never used physical force like that before. He never used anything like that in general.

"H-Harry," Maggie urged. "P-Please, just listen to me. None of the people I did stuff with meant anything to me. They were just one-time swings. I-It's not-"

She couldn't be bothered to finish that sentence. Deep down, she knew how disgusting she was. She knew how horrible of a person she was to try to convince the man she was dating that the people she cheated him on with were nothing compared to him. If they were really nothing, why did she do it in the first place? Why?

"P-Please Harry, I knew that-this was how you would react so I-" another wrong thing to say. As soon as Maggie said this, Harbreak bit back with a response.

"S-So you kept it a secret from me for…" Harbreak trailed off before his mind came to terms with another question he had yet to ask. "...H-How long? H-How long have you been doing this?"

Maggie felt her eyes shrink. She quivered. The answer wasn't going to be pretty. None of this was exactly pretty.

"Th-Three years…" Maggie responded, remorsefully.

"Th-Three years," Harbreak repeated in a whisper. His face fell into a downcast as he shook his head, biting the urge to cry. But it was too late, the tears had already seeped down his eyelids. "Y-You've been fooling around behind my back for three years. M-My friends were right. Y-You're just like the rest of them. P-Popular girls never go for the nerds unless they want to mess with them."

"H-Harry, y-you don't really believe that do you?" Maggie's lips trembled. "Y-You can't believe I'm- P-Please Harry. I still love you. I still do. A-As I said, none of the-"

Harbreak didn't say anything else. All he did was turn his back on her, pocketing his hands with a grim expression. His final look toward her was one she would forever remember. His head glanced back toward the model with a disgusted look on his face.

"...You never loved me," Harbreak firmly stated. "Everything between us was nothing but a joke to you."

"H-Harry, please," Maggie collapsed to her knees, tears flying and falling down to the floor. "P-Please don't leave… W-We can still make this work somehow…"

Harbreak turned his head away from Maggie, who was now begging for him to come back and help her up.

"...No, we can't," Harbreak merely said. "I never want to see you again. Goodbye Maggie."

Harry Harbreak walked off but as soon as he took his first few steps away from the girl he loved, Maggie heard him break down with a weep. He broke down as he walked away from her. She made a mistake.

"H-Harry, I'm…" Maggie watched him leave, tears trailing down her eyes as she stayed on her knees. "I'm so sorry…"

(Cafeteria)

"How is she?"

The first question that was directed to Maggie came from a concerned Haruto after the model had come back from a mandatory check-up on Mimi's mental health state. Tucking her hands into her jean pockets, Maggie shook her head with a disappointed look.

"Refuses to come out of her room," Maggie sighed. "Mimi needs a little time to herself, but don't worry about her. She may be small but she's also strong. She can handle it."

Maggie desperately hoped she wasn't spouting anything illogical here.

Currently, the group that was in the Cafeteria today was Abigail, Barracuda, Carter, Haruto, Maggie, Mayu, Zuri, and Jared, who had decided to come for the daily morning meetings once again. Yet, no matter who came to these damn meetings, they still felt the silent aftereffects of the Minigame that they had been forced to participate in last night.

"Surprised someone as small as her hasn't, y'know, lost it like that sailor girl has," Mayu pointed out, twirling a finger over the side of her head with a small sigh. "After everything that's happened to her, you'd think she'd be in a bad place mentally."

"Mayu, let's not say things like that, please," Zuri chided in disapproval.

"Eh?" Mayu blinked. "B-But I was just stating the obvious. Compared to the rest of us, she's definitely suffered more. Lost her best friend. Witnessed a corpse and an execution. Got slapped by said best friend. You know. A lot of stuff that should put someone in a state of constant depression."

"I d-don't think anyone gets the point you're trying to make here," Carter told Mayu as he laid his head on the table.

"I get it!" Barracuda started with a hearty laugh. "She's just saying Mimi's a strong girl is all! Nothing much to it!"

"That's our Barry," Maggie licked her lips in glee, eyeing Barracuda closely. "Always seeing positivity in everything."

"Well, I would hate to break this positivity chain we have here but, I think it's about time we get into business," Jared sighed, fixing his hat, ready to get the day started.

"And there's our Jared," Haruto deadpanned. "Always ready to get down to business to defeat White Collar."

"Speaking of which, are you doing alright?" Abigail asked, raising an eyebrow toward the police officer. "Apparently you missed yesterday's morning meeting. Then again, I guess everyone at some point has to miss these meetings."

It took a while for Jared to respond to Abigail as he had to think about the wiser thing to say in this situation. He certainly did have a nice talk with Cassandra the prior day, but he had a feeling the others would not react well if they found out he talked with her. Best to keep that a secret until another day.

"I just needed a break," Jared scratched the back of his neck with a sigh before smiling proudly. "Consider yesterday a temporary absence. Today, we get right back into the nick of things. Starting with those videos."

"If you're going to ask us to reveal what's on our videos, I would like to kindly pass," Abigail looked away, biting her lip. "It's not something I'm comfortable showing."

"Me too," Maggie hugged herself as she avoided eye contact.

Mayu didn't even say anything in that regard.

"I d-don't have a video," Carter smiled innocently.

"You got Barracuda as an opponent, you little shit," Haruto growled toward Carter. "You don't get a say in anything."

"A-Ah, w-why are you angry?" Carter widened his eyes in surprise. "You didn't get a video either!"

"Yeah, but only because that weirdo Ina decided to throw the game," Haruto grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Now I feel like I owe her a debt. And if I don't, I'll feel like a fucking leech."

"Speaking of which, this is exactly what I wanted to talk about," Jared folded his arms, seriously. "You're the only one except Yuumi to have gotten an Advantage to the Killing Game. Think you can tell us what the Advantage is this time?"

"Huh?" Haruto blinked before shrugging. "Oh yeah. I did get an Advantage huh. Well, I haven't seen it either yet so I guess we can all share a look together."

Haruto took out his eHandbook and opened it up. As he tapped some icons later, he turned the screen over the rest of the group in the Cafeteria to look at. Squeezing in to make sure that he would have full reigns of his own eHandbook, Haruto opened up the file that the Advantage message would be located in. And in blood red words, the Advantage was as follows:

...

'Congratulations on receiving this Advantage in the Killing Game. There is no expiration for its usage, meaning you will be allowed to use it for the duration of the Killing Game. You can now explore the facility during the Nighttime curfew. Any punishments enforced by Rule #7 will be null and void against the user of this Advantage.'

...

"Well, that looks pretty useful," Abigail stated as a matter-of-factly.

"Like hell it is," Haruto deadpanned. "The fuck am I going to use this for?"

"H-Hang out at your Ultimate Cell in the middle of the night?" Carter suggested.

"Hell yeah, this Advantage ain't half bad!" Haruto immediately shifted to a grin, holding his eHandbook as if it were some ancient scroll that needed protecting.

"You seem to think it was just a moment ago," Mayu placed one hand over her right cheek, bashfully.

"If this is the Advantage that Haruto got however, do you think Yuumi might've gotten the same thing?" Zuri asked, perking her slightly.

"Most likely, yes," Jared nodded at Zuri. "It makes sense for Yuumi to receive the same Advantage that Haruto would've gotten. Either case, it doesn't seem to be as dangerous as the whole... access to my Evidence Cell Advantage."

"It's not going to be much danger at all since only two people have this Advantage in this goddamn facility," Haruto grinned. "Me and Yuumi. And Yuumi ain't the type of person who's capable of attacking me in the middle of the night. So, this is gonna be better than being snuffed inside my room all night!"

"You seem way more excited with this Advantage than you were originally," Mayu deadpanned.

"Either case, I just wanted to see what the Advantage was this time," Jared sighed in relief before smiling at the basketball player. "Thanks Haruto. I think we can rest easy that at least this Advantage won't be used against us."

Haruto flicked a thumbs-up toward the police officer as the others glanced at each other. It seems like the matter of the Advantage was the only thing Jared had on his agenda. But still, someone had to ask…

"So, is that all you wanted to ask, or?" Mayu sighed, looking down.

"That is all, yes," Jared nodded, fixing his hat. "I guess we can all just go off and do whatever. Just continue to be careful, alright?"

"Oh yeah, speaking of being careful, there is something I did want to attempt later today," Haruto looked serious this time. "And I need at least a lot of you guys to be there in case something happens."

"E-Eh, y-you make it sound like y-you're going to-" Carter looked concerned.

"Nah nah, it's just…" Haruto rubbed the bottom of his chin. "I don't think it's smart to say what it is now. I don't want to give an upper hand to you-know-who."

"Voldemort?!" Barracuda gasped. He said the forbidden name.

"The fuck, no!" Haruto glared at the himbo.

"Where do you want us to meet?" Jared looked at Haruto as he angled his hat to hover above his eyes.

"My Cell, tonight," Haruto gave a thumbs-up. "It might be one hell of a make-it or break-it moment."

"You seem really upbeat about this," Zuri perked her head slightly. "Whatever it is, please be careful."

"I have a suspicion Haruto might've found something of importance," Maggie smiled to herself.

Haruto paused for a moment as he rubbed the back of his neck without much of a word. Humming softly, Haruto opened his mouth to speak once more.

"Eh, call it more of a hunch," Haruto stated. "Anyways, tonight. My Cell. Be there or be square."

When all was said and done, Haruto gave his peers a firm nod as he headed away from the Cafeteria. The remaining prisoners within the Cafeteria could only remain silent as they watched the basketball player make his departure. Then, Zuri spoke up with a concerned sigh.

"I hope whatever he has planned, he'll be okay," Zuri said, letting her finger pads touch together.

"He's a basketball player," Mayu beamed, before giving everyone a curtsy. "He'll be just fine! Now if you'll excuse me, the little missus here will be in her room."

As soon as Mayu said that everyone else started announcing where they would be. Jared, at Cell Block S. Zuri, in her room, choosing to see Holland after Jared was finished. Abigail, in her Ultimate Cell, surprise surprise. Barracuda, also in his Ultimate Cell. Not a big surprise as well. Maggie, on the other hand, didn't announce anything. She just kept quiet.

Twiddling her fingers together as everyone began to separate, she followed one person in general…

(Ultimate Personal Trainer's Cell)

"You what…?"

Maggie flinched at the words. Barracuda dropped the dumbbell he had just retrieved from the dumbbell rack, blinking in surprise. It took a moment for him to fully grasp what was just said to him.

Barracuda's entire plan today was as follows:

He would wake up. Go to the morning meeting. And then exercise for almost the entire day. Haruto added a new task for him to complete and it was to find out what Haruto was up to exactly. But Maggie? She just threw a wrench in the works. A wrench against his plans to exercise his body. Almost as if his body was going to deflate, he tried to muster out a response, but nothing came out.

Maggie came into his Cell out of the blue with something to tell him. And then she blurted it out. Just like that. He could see that Maggie was a little troubled by what she had just revealed. Or was she troubled at his reaction? Biting her lip out of habit, Maggie repeated what she had said.

"I like you Barry," Maggie restated. "Like a lot."

"...Like a friend?" Barracuda weakly asked.

"No, like…" Maggie trailed off before closing her mouth. Like what? She didn't think she was actually going to date him. She didn't think she would ever get together with him like that. No. Her mind was too focused on his body. Too focused on the constructs of Barracuda. Not Barracuda himself. Did she even like him as a person…? "Like… Like a fling…"

"A fling," Barracuda flatly repeated. He rubbed the back of his neck, confused. "What's that?"

"...Oh my God," Maggie sighed to herself. What was she doing? She covered her face with her hands as she looked at Barracuda with a slightly broken expression. "You don't even know what a fling is?"

"...I… no?" Barracuda looked at Maggie, confused.

"...A fling," Maggie looked ashamed. She just couldn't help herself at this point. It was a familiar feeling that she craved. A familiar feeling that she'd gotten used to for three years. Yet, why was this so hard to do with Barry? "A fling is just a short fun time together. Between two people. In… bed…"

Barracuda blinked. Did he hear her correctly? A short fun time between two people in bed? Barracuda's eyes widened.

"A-Ah!" Barracuda covered his face. "M-Maggie?! Y-You what?! Y-You want to…?"

Maggie squeezed her legs together. She was ashamed of it all. Guilt-ridden. Conscience-stricken. Barracuda's look of disbelief reminded her too much of him. Too much of Harry. And for a quick moment, she could remember his broken voice. The words, repeating through her mind...

"Everything between us was a joke," the voice repeated in her head. "Was anything between us real? I thought we were friends but all you wanted was to get into my pants. Is that right?"

"Maggie…?" Barracuda carefully approached Maggie as she began to shake, looking up with wavering eyes.

"L-Look, it was a mistake," Maggie stuttered. "I shouldn't have said anything. Forget what I just said."

"Everything between us was nothing but a joke to you."

"You're just like the rest of them."

"You want to mess with them."

"I never want to see you again."

"...How long have you been feeling like this?" Barracuda's real voice snapped Maggie back away from those haunting words. "Feeling like… this?"

"...Since the day I met you," Maggie looked down, answering honestly. "When we were locked in that cell together."

"...Th-That long?" Barracuda stared at Maggie in disbelief. He didn't even know how to react to this, but he had the right to feel any of the following: disgusted, disbelief, confused, weirded out, absolutely uncomfortable. "Th-Then, all this time…"

Oh no. Maggie felt her heartbeat faster and faster. Harry's words came back, almost speaking alongside Barracuda's voice.

"You've been fooling behind my back for three years?"

"You were only friends with me because you felt like this?" this was Barracuda's voice.

"N-No, of course not, I just-" Maggie tried to reach her hand out to Barracuda. Barracuda stepped back.

"Don't touch me."

"B-Barry, please," Maggie pleaded, slowly lowering her hand in slight anguish.

"...Was anything between us real?" Barracuda looked down, a little hurt. "Were we really friends? Or was I just someone for you to have fun with?"

"F-Friends," Maggie insisted. "We're friends, of course! Y-You have to believe me Barry! I… I only told you this because I thought I should be a little more honest with you-"

Maggie stopped. No. That wasn't it. Honesty wasn't the reason why she revealed this fact on this important day. It was the same reason she revealed her sins to Harbreak. Guilt. She was guilty that she was feeling this way.

"No good," Barracuda shook his head. "These bars won't bend no matter how hard I try."

"I do know something else that bends," Maggie licked her lips as she glanced down at herself and then back toward Barracuda's muscular arms. "Unfortunately, it might need a little assistance…"

"Oh yeah?" Barracuda turned to Maggie. "What's that?"

Maggie merely sat on the mattress, extending her legs almost in a revealing way. In her mind, she couldn't believe she was locked in a cell with a beefcake of a man. It was her lucky day. She hasn't felt like this in forever. She was feeling a certain way.

Feeling needy. Maybe being locked in a cell with someone like him wouldn't be all bad. But… Why was he avoiding her seductions? Maybe he's shy. Yeah! That must be it! Sooner or later, they'll be pleasuring themselves. She knew he wanted it too. Or at least, she thought she did.

"Ooh ooh!" Barracuda grinned. "I can also try out baking for the party too!"

"Barry!" Maggie gasped before looking impressed. "You never told us you can bake."

"I can bake!" Barracuda grinned. "It's part of the training of being a fitness trainer! I can make some really nutritious cookies that'll make you want to do a hundred push-ups!"

Barracuda grinned and flexed his muscles. That was enough to turn Maggie on.

She clenched her legs together, biting her lip in glee as the group continued discussing about the party Yuumi and Mimi were planning. Barracuda was driving her crazy. It was only Day 3 and yet being around this guy was like being around good food. God what she would do just to have this guy take her away.

"Thanks for helping me out, Barry," Maggie gratefully looked at Barracuda with a nod. "I don't know how I would've cleaned up everything here by myself. I'll tell you this now, don't expect me to clean up everything as the wife."

"I would gladly bake for my wife!" Barracuda grinned, giving Maggie a thumbs up. "And do other things too like chores and take care of the kids! If I ever have kids, that is, haha!"

Maggie couldn't help but slightly blush at the thought of having children. Not just any children, but Barracuda's children… Which was a weird thought to have for two people who only met four days ago. It was a familiar feeling. That feeling she had back when she went on that spree to pleasure herself. Typically, it took a day for it to happen. But for some reason, it was taking a lot more this time. She didn't know why at the time.

Now she knew that it was because she was curious. Who was Barracuda? Who was the guy she was thirsty for? Who was the guy she wanted to touch her in so many unnatural ways possible? She didn't know, but she was curious. Curious about who he was… as a person.

Her desires and flings never involved that.

So why was Barracuda any different?

"You'll choose Trust, right?" Barracuda looked toward Maggie in slight worry. Barracuda was admittedly closer to Maggie compared to anyone else in this cast of sinners and prisoners. He knew he could trust her, but there was a slight fear that the one person he could trust might betray him. So, he just needed to make sure by asking her… even though she could lie but hey, he needed to believe something here.

"Um, do you really need to ask?" Maggie's face looked offended before resorting to a smile. "Of course, I'll choose Trust, you big lug."

"What a relief!" Barracuda announced, flexing his chest muscles with a hearty grin. "Then I'll choose Trust too!"

"You better," Maggie laughed at Barracuda's flex. "Or I will not be happy. And naughty boys won't like me when I'm not happy."

"Luckily, I'm not a naughty boy," Barracuda laughed. Maggie's comment flew straight over his head. But she didn't care.

Stay pure, Barry.

Was she, herself, okay with that thought, however? Maggie wasn't sure why she thought that way. But over time, she saw Barracuda as a friend. Someone different from a fling. Different from a desire. It was like her view on him was changing…

A friend was who Barracuda was… Yet why did she so desperately still want to grovel and beg for him to give her pleasure. Why did she want it so badly? Why was she still feeling like this? Friends shouldn't feel like this, right?

The seed of doubt… had been planted.

"Ah I see," Maggie gave a sly look as she bit her lip. "Alone at last…"

"Exercise with me Maggie!" Barracuda exclaimed with a grin.

"Oooh," Maggie licked her lips. "Getting straight to the point. I like that…"

"Judging from your body type, maybe adding a little extra muscle to those arms isn't going to be that bad of an idea," Barracuda declared after rubbing his chin and examining her body.

"Oh, I'll add a little extra muscle alright," Maggie winked toward Barracuda.

"Great!" Barracuda grinned. "Grab a 15 pounder and we'll start with that!"

Once again, Maggie's attempts at hinting her intentions flew way past the cuckoo's head. It was time Maggie noticed that. Only she didn't. She couldn't. And she wouldn't. While Barracuda continued to show off his skills, that seed of doubt began to grow.

What was she doing? Why did this feel like a mistake? Maggie's smile started to fade as her mind swarmed with thoughts. Oh God. What was happening? Was this right? Was it right to feel this way…?

"To my dearest Maggie LaDroubi," White Collar's voice said to her the night she received that accursed video. "The supermodel. The one who derives from every stereotype a member of the popular cliques can offer. You have the looks. The popularity. The power to force any man to fall for your beauty. Yet much like your model sisters and brothers, you all share little understanding over who you really are. Don't think I can't see it when I watch you stare at the one you call Barracuda? You clearly don't understand your feelings. But I do. I've seen it all too well. I am the Devil after all…"

Maggie's hands began to shake. Did he really know what was happening to her? No. There's no way. What she felt was her own business! There's no way-

"It's lust, Miss LaDroubi," White Collar sinisterly sneered. "Lust is the word you are looking for. A very deadly sin. One of seven in fact. And you are the very epitome of lust itself. You don't think of this Barracuda person as a person, do you? He's just a piece of fried fish for you to enjoy. How shameful of you to think so little of such a large person. Hm hm, you are certainly no different now than you were then. Don't you remember? The one who you hate the most…"

…

Harry Harbreak.

That was why. How could she forget? Harry Harbreak was the reason.

"...I… I thought I thought of you as a friend," Maggie's mind returned back to the present. Harry Harbreak was the reason why she had felt guilt in the first place. It was all Harry and her stupid mistake. "But White Collar was right…"

Barracuda blinked when she mentioned the man's name.

"I never thought of you as a person," Maggie's eyes began to swell with tears. "You were never a friend to me. You were just a desire I desperately wanted."

"...M-Maggie?" Barracuda looked confused by what the model was saying.

"Nothing between us was ever real," Maggie dropped to her knees. "Oh God. What have I done?"

"Hey, hey, Maggie, calm down," Barracuda squatted down to Maggie's level. "If that's what White Collar told you, then you shouldn't believe him. I mean, he was just trying to get into your head. Right? Maybe that's why you came to me with such a crazy thing to say!"

That wasn't helping one bit.

"...I've been holding it in for so long Barry…" Maggie looked down. "I know it now. I'm repeating the same mistake I made four years ago. I'm a horrible person. I've been nothing but horrible to you…"

"Th-That's not true Maggie," Barracuda attempted to say. "I mean. You're nice to everyone! You help Mimi a lot when she's down. If anything, you're like a mom to the entire group. That's not a horrible person!"

Maggie didn't say anything. That desire she had for Barracuda was slowly fading. But she didn't feel it. She could still feel the power of lust flow through her bloodstream.

"...Look Maggie," Barracuda sighed after a brief moment of silence. "If it makes you feel better, it doesn't change how I feel about you. I mean, it was really weird when you came up to me all of sudden about how you really felt about me… But I would like to still remain as friends and only friends. What do you say to that?"

"...Just friends?" Maggie looked up toward Barracuda. She would be lying if she said she wasn't a tad bit disappointed by that outcome. But it was better than being left in the dust. After everything she had felt for him. After that dangerous desire was twisting her image of Barracuda… this was the best possible solution for her.

"Just friends," Barracuda confirmed. He crossed his arms together with a small sigh. "...I gotta go. Lots to think about…"

Barracuda hummed to himself, confused. Maggie had just revealed that she never thought of him as a friend. Only a desire. That was all he was to her. So why did he bother saying that he still wanted to be friends with her. His mind went to White Collar. He clenched his fist. It must've been her video.

That was probably why this was happening. Maybe Maggie was just confused or maybe she did mean it. Either case, Barracuda had a lot to think about. Who was Maggie to him now? Or no. Who was he to Maggie now?

And Barracuda headed straight into the direction of the Pool as Maggie sat on her knees, tears beginning to subside as she wiped them with her wrists.

This was a better outcome than whatever alternative could've occurred.

So why did she still feel heartbroken?

(#66's Cell)

Holland opened his eyes when he heard a knock on the metallic cell door of Cell #66.

"...Zuri?" he mumbled, tiredly.

If there was anything Holland wished for, it would be for Cell #66 to be cleaned on a daily basis. The unsanitary room was starting to become a little musky for Holland's senses. The cockroaches never ceased to dub him yet another desk to scatter and crawl onto. And the lightbulb that had once flickered had gotten a little dimmer. In other words, the conditions of his imprisonment were slowly feeling unbearable, and Holland had only just now started feeling the aftereffects of what spending three days in a dirty cell would be like.

The slit of his cell door opened up for some breakfast to be pushed through for him to eat. Sandwiches. Again. It was better than starving and eating those cockroaches should push comes to shove, however. As Holland slowly reached for one, the voice he expected to answer him surprised him enough to stop what he was doing.

"No, it's me, Jared," Jared's voice appeared on the other side of the door. Holland blinked, neutrally but still a hint of surprise vacated his expressions.

"...What are you doing here?" Holland asked Jared.

There was a small pause before he got a response.

"...Can't a cop see an old friend of his?" a sigh escaped Jared's lips.

"...Were we ever friends?" Holland blankly questioned.

"I thought everyone here was my friend with some exceptions," Jared answered honestly. Some exceptions included Arthur and Cassandra (before they had their Free-Time Event).

Holland didn't bother touching his food. He wasn't sure what to think about Jared. He understood that Jared was a cop trying to enforce some ground rules to make sure no one gets hurt or killed. He understood why he would place him inside a cruddy place like this. But at the same time, even if he accepted his fate, he still regretted accepting it in the first place. Three days in this cell was pure torture. His only fresh air was during the Minigame and another one of those isn't going to happen any time soon, is it?

"...I know I've become one of those exceptions," Holland concluded, resting his head against the door. "...I also know there's an alternative reason why you're here. There's no reason for someone like you to visit someone like me."

Jared took a moment to think of a response. Holland heard a small chuckle from the officer's side before he got one.

"Yeah, you're right," Jared let out another sigh. "Nothing gets past you, does it? Even when you're locked up in that cell of yours."

"...My murder plan might've been sloppy, but it goes to show I'm a better thinker and designer of intricate games than a murderer," Holland merely said. "...What do you need from me anyway?"

"Just to talk," Jared said, the officer sliding his back against the door to sit down. "Lately, I've been obsessed with figuring out something and it took a toll on my leadership role yesterday."

"...Just yesterday?" Holland asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you mean, 'just yesterday'?" Jared asked. He seemed to have taken slight offense from that comment.

"...If I remember correctly," Holland looked up at the ceiling. "You weren't the one who suggested I get thrown in here. That was Cassandra. From what I can tell from that alone, it didn't seem like you were the one in charge during that time…"

Jared's eyes fluttered. He's insane but he had a point. Since the day he took over for Kane, he hasn't really been up to par to how Kane controlled the group. Not only that, throughout everything, he did some questionable things that went against his code of conduct. Voting Distrust against Arthur. Not attending the morning meetings he was in charge of. Just… being out of it in general.

He lowered his hat, slightly disappointed.

…

The two guys laid against the door, back-to-back for a while. Holland had yet to touch his sandwich and Jared was still wandering through his thoughts alone. By the time he snapped back into reality, the police officer thought he should let the game designer know something. He fixed his hat back onto his head.

"You know, Zuri still really cares about you as a friend," Jared smiled to himself when he said this to Holland.

"...I think everyone knows that," Holland responded, with no hint of interest in his voice. "She comes to see me a lot and has been supplying me with food…"

"Has she?" Jared rubbed his chin, surprised to hear that. "I knew she often came to visit you, but I didn't think she… Huh."

"...How do you think I'm still alive in here?" Holland said, though if he could express anything, he would definitely be a little amused. "I need to eat too."

"Ha, guess that's something that escaped my mind when I first got along with the idea of locking you up," Jared chuckled sheepishly.

"...So, you're saying had Zuri not been visiting me every day, I would've probably been starving for three days," Holland flatly stated. He was a little less amused by that.

"Ah, but, that's Zuri," Jared changed the topic in an attempt to save himself from any bashful remarks Holland was going to make. "Always looking out for others."

Holland's body relaxed itself. He thought about Zuri. About how she was one of the more active people who was willing to give her a chance. About just how… just how great she was. Holland scoffed to himself. How could someone like him deserve to call someone like her a friend. Jared caught that sudden noise.

"Heh, you care about her too, don't you?" Jared smiled, taking his hat off.

"...Of course," Holland answered honestly. "She's the only one here who's willing to support me. How can I not care about someone like that?"

"...That sounds… almost similar to when you mentioned your mother," Jared blinked, moving his back away from the door to face it in surprise. "Wait. You don't think Zuri is like a mom to you, right? Because that's just kind of weird. Or at least, Zuri wouldn't be the mom of our group of girls…"

Jared rubbed his chin in thought and was quickly losing the point of why he asked that in the first place. As such, it was Holland who had to bring him back on track.

"...Zuri is just a friend to me," Holland said. "But I care for her a lot. Why wouldn't I? Both my mother and Zuri had gone through so much and yet they take up so much of their time for someone like me…"

Holland looked up at the ceiling as if he were looking up at the stars.

"...Anyone who bothers to give their time for me is someone I appreciate…" Holland said.

"Well, your mother is a given," Jared looked at Holland. "She gave birth to you. Therefore, it's her duty as a mother to take care of you!"

Jared notably didn't ask about his father. He suspected it may have been a touchy subject so unless Holland himself brought it up, he wouldn't bother prying further. As for Holland, listening to Jared's reasoning forced him to exhale a long breath.

"...That's a little too optimistic for someone like you," Holland blankly said with a neutral stare. "...My mom never asked to give birth to me. She never asked to suddenly be a mother and she especially didn't ask my father to…"

Holland stopped. Jared was right. It was a touchy subject. As far as he could tell, Jared knew what Holland was implying and chose to keep quiet about it. Instead:

"I'm sorry," the officer apologized.

"...Even after everything, my mother could've gotten rid of me…" Holland stared at his own hands, as if he were examining every part of his own DNA. "She could've put me up for adoption. She could've aborted me. She could've sent me away to someone else. But she didn't. She took on the task of taking care of me. She didn't care who I was… All she cared about was that I was her son and hers to love and take care of…"

Holland clasped his hands together.

"...I owe her my life," Holland quietly said.

Jared furrowed his brows in thought over Holland's family history. He was certainly blessed to have a mother who really cared about him. And with more contemplations over that snippet of the game designer's backstory, Jared could finally understand why he did what he did.

"...You know you risked your own life by going on that attack like that," Jared firmly scolded. "Truthfully, Holland. I admire how much you love your mother. But at the same time, she just did what every mother should do. There's no need to owe her anything."

Holland didn't seem satisfied with what the police officer said. This time, it was his turn to turn around to the metallic door that was blocking the two guys from seeing each other face-to-face. With a small frown, the game designer asked a question.

"...Do you have anyone you really care about at home?" Holland asked. "No… Of course, you do. You received a video too in our first Minigame. Who was in it?"

Jared's grip on his hat tightened. He didn't expect Holland to ask him that all of a sudden. His mind wandered to that video he received in the first Minigame. Another time of his life of imprisonment where White Collar's voice would chill him to his core.

"To my dearest Jared Caertas…"

"...A victim from an assault case I was investigating back as a rookie," Jared's eyes shook slightly. Holland didn't say anything for a while. There was only so much the game designer could theorize over what the officer's story could've been. With no change in expression, Holland opened his mouth.

"...You don't have to say anything if you don't-"

"Her name is Talia Wayward," Jared cut him off, his eyes looking serious before softening. "She's a waitress working at my local diner. And she's well, a really close person to me that I really care about. Let's just leave it at that for introductions."

Holland let him continue his reminiscence.

"Back when I was a rookie, there was a prolific serial killer that was roaming the area, assaulting, torturing, and murdering girls' day and night," Jared continued. "Detectives were at a loss on what to do. The Chief's office was getting ransacked by emails and complaints for the police not doing their jobs effectively. And the public… they were getting scared. No matter how hard we tried, we just couldn't pinpoint his patterns and how he kept getting away."

Jared stared at his police hat, specifically at the badge with solemn eyes. At first, he thought there was a speck of blood covering the golden flaky shine of that badge. But that was nothing, but an illusion conjured up by his own guilty conscience.

"On the morning of her birthday, Talia became the 28th and final victim," Jared said. "She was abducted from the local diner. By the time we found her, she was barely breathing and covered in blood. She survived the attack, fortunately. She was physically scarred but nowadays, they've healed. Barely noticeable now. But... had I gotten there an hour later, she would've been in a much worse condition. She would've been…"

Jared trailed off.

"...Some parts of my memory are hazy but due to Talia getting involved in this, I guess I kicked myself into high gear and obsessed over catching the guy," Jared rubbed his head with a sigh. "Bring him to justice for what he did. Two days later, we found him."

"...And did you bring him to justice?" Holland asked.

"...I don't know," Jared sighed, after a pause.

"...How do you not know?" Holland pressed, confused.

"He got off too easy," Jared frowned, disappointed as one single blink caused him to imagine Warren Nizen's blood on the badge of his hat. "I left six bullets in his body. All because of what he did to her… In the end, I hope he's burning in Hell for the 28 girls he's harmed."

"...I'm sorry," Holland turned away from the door.

"Don't be," Jared said, though a little relieved that Holland didn't take into account that Jared had killed a murderer out of cold blood. These people really didn't mind the fact he ended a killer with his own hands, huh? "After that incident, I started pushing myself to be a better cop. I always checked in on Talia everyday… because deep down I'm worried that something will happen to her when I'm gone."

"...Or is it that you actually think you owe her something?" Holland suggested. Jared glanced away from his police hat in surprise. "...You feel responsible for what happened to her so you do everything you can to make sure nothing happens to her again. If anything, that just tells me you feel like you owe her a debt for being careless with her safety…"

Jared stared back at his badge. That was why Holland asked him about Talia was it? To tie into who they cared most. To why he owes his own mother so much? He scoffed to himself. Holland really was smart. Because now Jared understood why Holland believed so hard in owing his mother his own life. Only while Holland owed her his life for her taking care of a child she didn't ask for, Jared owed Talia his life for failing to make sure she was safe.

"...I guess you're right," Jared stopped looking at his hat, letting himself wear it with a small pride. "So, this is what you mean by owing someone, isn't it?"

"...We may have different reasons and beliefs, but in the end, I figured that I show you that we're not really that different," Holland shrugged. "There's no way both of us can let go of anyone we feel like we owe something to."

Jared seemed to agree with what Holland was saying.

"...That's why no matter what anyone says, I won't stop believing in the fact that I owe my mother my own life," Holland said. "And you shouldn't either with Talia."

Jared chuckled to himself. Holland had a point with everything he said. Or at least, that's what Jared would like to think. It was everything he liked to hear. He cared so much about Talia. He understood now.

The two boys let them rest against the metallic door, back-to-back as they remained in silence for a long time. Clearly, Jared and Holland, who started this game together, seemed to finally grow closer together as this hellish game continued on…

(Swimming Pool)

"I can't trust you or anyone else."

Yuumi believed that with absolute passion and vigor. That is, until the Minigame, ironically enough. She was so sure that Mimi was going to betray her. So sure, that her trust was going to be misplaced. And yet Mimi still surprised her. Mimi surprised her everyday with her every attempt at trying to restore their friendship. Either it was pure desperation, or it was genuine. Yuumi didn't know until the Minigame. Yuumi had betrayed her out of fear by selecting Distrust and Mimi had stuck to her word and chosen Trust.

How could she think straight after that?

She had made a terrible mistake. Was that right? Was she wrong all this time that she couldn't trust Mimi? All because Mimi had lied to her about who she really was? Yuumi didn't understand it. But after a nonstop streak of lies and betrayals, Yuumi couldn't take it anymore. Everyone was keeping secrets. And anyone here was bound to start killing one way or another.

Yuumi couldn't trust anyone. She just couldn't. But what about Mimi? Yuumi hugged Sailor Penguin tightly. God. Mimi must be so hurt right now. And it was all her fault.

Her trip to the pool was supposed to calm her down. Get her to reflect on the smaller aspects of her misjudgment. What she didn't expect however was Barracuda having a similar idea. The larger male was already by the poolside, dipping his feet inside the pool water, crossing his arms in thought over his earlier encounter with Maggie. Looking up however, he gave Yuumi a small smile and waved her over.

Yuumi gulped slightly. Could she trust Barracuda? Before her sudden declaration of everyone as untrustworthy, Barracuda seemed to be the nicest person in this facility. But… was that really the truth about him? Would she take the risk?

…

"What are you doing here, Barracuda?" Yuumi looked down.

She took the risk. Anyone with a name belonging to a fish of the ocean should be somewhat trustworthy… at least in terms of her connection to the sea. The sea has betrayed her once and over time, she's learned to conquer it. The sea was under her command. So, the sea should be someone she could trust now.

That was the logic, right?

"...Just had a talk with Maggie," Barracuda looked down. Another name that she remembered. She was also really nice too. Nowadays, she would see her hanging out with Mimi a lot. She didn't know why but it was nice to see her be a friend to her otherwise ex-slowly being fixed-best friend.

"Which brought you to the pool?" Yuumi asked Barracuda, confused. Judging from his expression, he was at a loss over something. At a loss… just like she was.

"Need time to think to myself about everything," Barracuda sighed.

Yuumi turned away from Barracuda. Together, they rested their feet inside the water as they remained silent for a while. Sighing, Barracuda opened his mouth to ask a question.

"...Maggie told me she never saw me as a friend," Barracuda said. "But a desire she wanted. I don't know what exactly that means but I just told her that I think it would've been better if we were just friends."

Yuumi turned to Barracuda, intrigued by whatever soap opera Barracuda walked into.

"...You still want to be friends with her after she said something like that to you?" Yuumi asked Barracuda, bewildered.

"Well, of course," Barracuda chuckled, scratching the back of his neck with a small grin. "I know Maggie probably didn't mean what she said. I mean, she was so upset when she said it. Anyone that upset couldn't have meant what they said, right?"

Yuumi didn't say anything. If that was her in that situation, she probably would've left Maggie in a heartbeat, dejected and devastated. But Barracuda was different. How someone like him could remain so optimistic was a wonder to the entire world. How someone like him could… forgive so easily. Yuumi started fluttering her feet through the water with a sigh.

"How can you be so trusting of others, Barracuda?" Yuumi asked.

"How can you not?" Barracuda raised an eyebrow toward Yuumi. "In an environment like this, you gotta trust someone!"

Yuumi's eyes flickered a bit.

"...I…" Yuumi began to say before she placed her hand into the pool water with an open hand. Then taking her hand out from the water, she watched as her hand reflected the light of the room. "...Because the last time I gave my trust, it was broken."

Now it was Barracuda's turn to face her and remain silent. He clasped his hands together as he softly asked out of curiosity.

"What happened?" he asked.

"...I don't remember what happened since I was 6 years old," Yuumi glanced down at the pool as she reminisced. Her sad reflection stared back at her solemn eyes. "My entire family was a group of fishermen, sailors, people who knew and understood the way of the water. The ways of the sea. It was the same with mommy and daddy."

"Ah… did they?" Barracuda was about to say before he started to trail off, not wishing to finish the sentence.

"...Mommy and daddy loved traveling the world," Yuumi glumly stated. "They always went out to explore on their boat, the Sybil. Of course, that meant they would always leave me with grandpa while they went out on their adventure. They never brought me along at the time because I was young. But I really wanted to be a sailor too. And they promised me that when I got older, they would teach me. Get me to try my hand at the Sybil one day."

Barracuda looked down. He may have little to offer in terms of intelligence, but he could infer what Yuumi was getting at here.

"Mommy and daddy broke that promise when they sank at the bottom of the ocean with the Sybil," Yuumi concluded.

"...I'm sorry Yuumi," Barracuda would wrap his arm around her shoulder if he could, but he didn't feel the need to touch anyone. Not after what happened.

"Don't be, it wasn't your fault," Yuumi muttered, somewhat bitterly. "It was mommy and daddy's fault for always leaving me behind. Not only that, but it was also the ocean's fault too."

"The ocean's?" Barracuda blinked.

"As I said, my family history included fishermen, sailors, and everyone who understood the ways of the water," Yuumi continued to stare at her own reflection, glumly. "And because of that, I was always taught to trust the ocean because the ocean would guide me to safety one day."

"Ah, so you blame the ocean for…" Barracuda looked down.

"...I trusted the ocean to keep them safe," Yuumi frowned. "But the ocean betrayed me and took mommy and daddy away. Two important aspects of my life that I completely trusted and then I was lied to. By mommy and daddy that they would come back. By the ocean who would protect them."

Barracuda glanced away. That was why Yuumi couldn't trust anyone anymore was it? The constant backstabs and betrayals from everyone she thought she could rely on. That ultimately brought back memories and kicked all of the optimism out of her system. Barracuda still had one question however…

"Huh, but if you were betrayed by the ocean, why did you become a sailor?" Barracuda blinked.

"Family tradition I guess," Yuumi rested her face onto her shoulder. "Grandpa didn't want me to become a sailor, but I guess I wanted to fix the broken trust I got when I was 6. Become a sailor so I can believe that it was mommy and daddy who helped me in spirit. And then conquer the sea and let them know who was boss."

"...I don't understand," Barracuda sheepishly stated.

"It doesn't matter if you do," Yuumi sighed. "What matters is that I only became a sailor because of broken trust. And once I became a sailor, I thought I wouldn't be betrayed like that ever again. So, I held out hope. And... I was wrong…"

"...You know Mimi still cares about you, right?" Barracuda scratched the side of his cheek. "I mean, she's been doing everything she could to reconnect with you. Arthur and Holland may have broken your trust but Mimi, she's still trying to hold on to your friendship together. Because your guys' friendship is what she truly cares about the most!"

Yuumi took that thought into consideration. She knew what Barracuda was getting at and she saw it for herself in the Minigame. But how was she supposed to face her? How? After all this time? Would she even… forgive her?

Yuumi weakly chuckled.

"You're so positive, Barracuda," Yuumi mused.

"You used to be too," Barracuda stated, scratching the back of his neck. "Can we get that Yuumi back please? For Mimi's sake?"

Yuumi didn't say anything for a while. Instead, she changed the topic and turned to the personal trainer with a curious look in her eyes.

"How can you trust everyone so easily?" Yuumi asked. "You even chose to trust Carter without hesitation, yesterday. What's your secret?"

"...Good question," Barracuda tapped his chin before chuckling. "I guess that's what happens when you serve as the second helper to your large family."

"Second helper?" Yuumi blinked at Barracuda.

"Yeah, back when I was with my family in Russia, it was just me, my Pa, grandma, and four younger little sisters," Barracuda grinned, as he reminisced about his family.

"Eh?" Yuumi realized he missed one member of the family. "What about your-"

Barracuda knew exactly what she was getting at. Yuumi stopped when she saw Barracuda's face. Clearly, that was a subject he didn't want to touch on.

"O-Oh, s-sorry," Yuumi looked down. She knew all too well what that feeling was like.

"No, it's fine," Barracuda sighed. "The loss was tough. But then again, my family's entire life was just so tough. We were all poor and only Pa had a job at the time. When he lost his job, it got a hell lot worse. That's how I became the second helper of the family."

"But how did that help you trust people?" Yuumi perked her head, confused.

"...Well, since I gotta find a way to provide money for my family, I took a job at the gym!" Barracuda grinned, folding his arms, reminiscing about simpler times. "At the time, it was a way to make money. And working as a personal trainer for others was entirely built on trust. If someone wanted to get into shape, they needed focus, commitment, and sheer will! And they had to trust me to help push them hard enough so they could reach their goal! Same with the other way around. I had to trust them to make sure they put in the effort. If they even fake one push-up, what a waste of time that would be for the both of us!"

Yuumi tapped her chin in thought over what Barracuda was saying. She didn't quite understand it herself… That is until she snapped her fingers.

"Oh!" Yuumi gasped. "So, the key to trust is a clear partnership between two people, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so!" Barracuda laughed.

"W-What do you mean you guess so?" Yuumi flatly deadpanned. "Y-You said this was how you learned to trust people?"

"W-Well, I don't know if it was the entire reason," Barracuda frowned, glancing up in thought. "But it sure sounded like it was part of the reason! I dunno! I guess I'm just that kind of guy! I trust whoever comes my way and I would like it if they returned that trust with respect!"

Yuumi thought about what Barracuda had said. Was this helping? It did when Barracuda made that inspirational speech but when Barracuda started talking about his past, it did little to help her understand what it meant to trust someone.

She had quite a lot to think about…

"...You know, I'm glad you and I are talking to each other," Barracuda laughed. "It was a good distraction from everything that happened."

"Hm?" Yuumi looked back up at Barracuda before looking down. "I guess so…"

She still wasn't satisfied. What was she to do? Should she trust Mimi again? As Barracuda said, she was trying so hard. So, shouldn't she return it with her trust? Yuumi didn't know. Would that be the smart decision?

Barracuda on the other hand, sighed. He missed his family. He wondered how they were doing. And due to the fact that he missed his chance at getting the videos, there was no way to find out whether or not his family was doing okay.

Reminiscences.

Barracuda chuckled at that as he saw Yuumi ponder in thought. She was lost in it. Best not interrupt her for now. He wasn't even sure if she was going to start trusting people again, but hey, it was best to hope that was the case… right?

After all, Barracuda and Yuumi did grow closer together! Fish and sailor. Who would've guessed.

(Ultimate Basketball Player's Cell)

When it came time to gather at the Ultimate Basketball Player's Cell to see whatever Haruto was plotting, Zuri found herself walking into a crowd of people which consisted of Arthur, Carter, Cassandra, Ina, Jared, Maggie, Mayu, and of course, Haruto himself. After a while, it didn't seem like any more people were going to arrive, which of course, irritated the basketball player slightly.

"Oi, the fuck?" Haruto growled. "So, you're saying that Arthur and Cassandra came but Barracuda and Abigail didn't even bother? What the fuck?!"

"I'm sure they had their reasons," Zuri tried to assure the basketball player.

"B-Barry said he had to… do something," Maggie lied. She knew all too well what the real reason was. It was because of her and her stupid confession. Maggie herself didn't look that well either, yet she forced herself to come anyway. She needed the company.

"Eh, are you alright?" Mayu looked at Maggie, curiously. "You look like you applied more make-up than usual."

"Mayu…" Ina sternly glanced toward the heiress.

"H-Hey, what?!" Mayu pouted toward the revolutionary. "I'm stating the obvious here! Everyone can see how much of those chemicals she smothered on her face!"

"...Um, because I wanted to look my best for whatever Haruto is trying to present?" Maggie asked with a sheepish yet weak grin.

"Yeah, right, I don't believe that!" Mayu huffed, crossing her arms.

"Who the fuck cares about Maggie's obsession with makeup?" Haruto grumbled. "I called you all here because we got more important things to discuss. Or rather, a more important show to present to you guys."

"A show?" Arthur raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused by the fact that his time was going to be wasted. "What are you going to show us? A magic trick with a tank filled with piranhas? How delightfully boring."

"If that's what you're thinking then why the fuck did you bother to show up?!" Haruto growled at Arthur.

"Just get to the point already," Cassandra rolled her eyes. "I came here because I wanted to see what everyone was up to. But instead, all we're seeing is Haruto throwing a tantrum like a baby as always."

"Bitch!" Haruto clenched his fist. "You don't get a say in anything here!"

"She's right, Haruto," Jared sighed, tipping his police hat down. Cassandra raised an eyebrow at the police officer for butting in for her sake. "Let's just get to the main point of why we're here. Or rather, I think I can figure out what exactly you might've found… An escape route."

Immediately, Arthur and Cassandra, two of the more uninterested members of the group, looked to be a little more attentive of what Haruto was to show them. With a hearty laugh and a more boastful boost to his prideful image, Haruto gave a toothy grin to his peers.

"That's why you and I are cool, Jared!" Haruto gave the police officer a thumbs-up. "Yeah! I think I found a way to escape. And it's going to happen, right here in my own Ultimate Cell!"

"If that is the case, where is the escape route?" Ina asked, curious.

"Ain't it obvious?" Haruto grinned before pointing to the open sky and the breezy air of the Cell. "It's there."

"Y-You're going to get yourself blasted to space?" Carter fixed his glasses with a confused blink. Haruto shot him a dirty look before Maggie intervened, looking a little more upbeat. Although she had a tough time with Barracuda earlier, the idea of a possible escape from this prison was enough to give her an emotional boost.

"No, he's talking about what's beyond those barbed wires," Maggie pointed to the wall that was cutting them off from what was among the outside of their facility. The wall with specifically the barbed wires. "You're thinking about getting out by going over those wires, right?"

"You got it!" Haruto grinned, giving the model a thumbs-up. "It's something that's been on my mind for a while! Why else do you think I hang out in my Cell a lot?"

"To… play basketball?" Mayu blinked.

"T-To deal with stress?" Carter answered.

"Because this is your Cell and you're you?" Cassandra flatly stated.

"That was fucking rhetorical," Haruto deadpanned.

"Your possible escape route plan that you've apparently been contemplating for a while seems intriguing except for one little issue," Arthur sighed, as he continued to keep his arms folded and his eyes closed. "...How are you even going to get over the bloody wall? It's at least a few feet taller than Barracuda and that man is as tall as the Himalayas. Not to mention the barbed wires planted at the top. Even if you make it to the top of the wall, you will have those to deal with. How do you intend to account for all of these?"

"Well, originally I was going to have Barracuda chuck me over the damn wall but since he didn't even bother to show up, it's down to Plan B," Haruto mumbled to himself before answering the snowboarder. "I'm the Ultimate Basketball Player. My jumps exceed more than the average person. All I need is for people to stack themselves together like a human ladder and then I'll be able to use that to get over the wall and the barbed wire."

"You're a basketball player, not a gymnast!" Mayu scolded. "This plan sounds stupid!"

"And d-dangerous!" Carter looked worried. "If this goes wrong, y-you could possibly f-find yourself hurt or even-"

"Don't fucking doubt the plan until it's been done!" Haruto glared at the heiress and the opinion columnist. "This plan requires a team effort! All of us have to cooperate or else we won't be able to escape this fucking Killing Game! That's why I think this will work! That damn bastard White Collar is always expecting us to suspect each other but boy will he be surprised when he sees all of us working together to get at least one person out!"

"You're bananas!" Mayu declared before slightly drooling. "Mmm. Actually, if you do end up getting out, when you come back for us, can you buy me some banana bread please? I'll even pay you with my own credit card!"

"How do we even know you're even going to come back for us?" Arthur narrowed his eyes toward the basketball player. "For all we know, this is just a ploy for you to leave us behind in this Killing Game…"

It seemed a handful of members of this group seemed to think so as well. With a sigh, Haruto shook his head as he stepped his foot forward.

"This is actually why White Collar doesn't think it's going to work!" Haruto exclaimed. "Because of thoughts like that! Clear all suspicion and trust me! Trust each other! When I go over those wires, you bet I'm coming back for you guys! I mean, not all of you guys are bad so like hell I'm letting you guys suffer for the rest of your life!"

Arthur scoffed. He didn't believe the basketball player one bit, no matter how adamant or preachy he got with the idea of trust. Cassandra felt similarly. Ina stepped forward after contemplating this idea further.

"I say we go for it," Ina suggested. "If Haruto succeeds, this will ruin the game that White Collar had planned for us and put him in a spot which will make him feel powerless. Anything to force that demon to blunder just a little bit is better than nothing."

"There we go!" Haruto grinned.

Jared was the next to step forward with a serious but friendly show of support.

"You better come back for us," Jared fixed his police hat with determination. "Otherwise, I'm escaping here myself and putting you under arrest."

"You know I'm coming back," Haruto nodded back toward the police officer.

Soon, more and more members of the group surrounded Haruto. They all seemed very supportive of the idea that Haruto was committing to. And eventually, even Arthur and Cassandra relented in giving this plan a shot. They may have been negative pessimistic assholes, but they also wanted to escape too. And this was their best shot yet…

…

"Ugh… this would be so much easier with Barracuda…" Mayu groaned as she held up Arthur. She looked much more tired than everyone else as they constructed their makeshift human ladder. Altogether, they were able to match almost to the height of the wall, meaning if Haruto climbed up, he would easily be able to avoid the barbed wires. "W-Why couldn't I be on the top? I'm getting tired!"

"Mashiro, if you drop me, I will put your entire company out of business," Arthur coldly stated which made the heiress try a little harder to withstand the weight of everyone she carried.

"A-Are you doing okay, Ina?" Carter looked down, nervously. He was the one on top given the fact that he was the weakest, with only Zuri behind him in that regard.

Ina on the other hand was stone-faced. No expression. No words. Just in total disbelief that she of all people had to be placed on the bottom of the ladder to carry seven other people. She was definitely struggling.

"P-Please… h-hurry…" Ina struggled to speak.

"Why did we think it was a good idea for Ina to carry seven people?" Cassandra flatly stated.,

"W-Why am I on top?!" Zuri was shaking as she held Carter up, looking absolutely terrified. "I- I h-hate heights!"

"Th-That's no excuse to d-drop me!" Carter exclaimed, looking terrified upon hearing Zuri say that.

"Hurry Haruto!" Jared ordered as he struggled to hold up his responsibility. "I don't think any of us can hold on any longer!"

"I think I cracked a nail…" Maggie looked a little somber.

"I can't believe I'm agreeing to do this," Arthur grumbled to himself. He had better things to do than struggle to hold up six people. "Haruto. If you don't get up here in the next 3 seconds, I'm dropping everyone."

"S-So heartless!" Carter gasped.

"N-No no no no no no, please don't!" Zuri begged out of fear.

"I will actually kill you if you do," Cassandra glared down at Arthur.

Haruto on the other hand was taking a deep breath as he readied him to sprint toward the human ladder. He looked as if he was preparing for a marathon. But this was far from any marathon he's watched. This was a moment of truth in which he can escape Hell itself. He had to do this. For himself. For everyone.

Fuck you White Collar.

He's not going to let him keep everyone hostage any longer!

"W-What on earth are you prisoners doing?!" Monohebi suddenly appeared on the scene. She didn't seem amused by what was happening. In fact, she looked a little surprised and even frantic on what was happening. "A… A prison break?! N-No!"

Haruto turned to the snake. Then with a cocky grin, a stick of his tongue, and a flip of his middle finger, Haruto laughed.

"I'm not going to play your stupid game any longer, bitch. Tell your Master I said that. Oh and add a 'Fuck you' at the end too," Haruto grinned before sprinting toward the human ladder.

"Y-You!" Monohebi yelled as she slithered after Haruto. For the first time, her sophisticated rule-abiding voice sounded desperate. Almost frantic like. If she let a prisoner escape like this, White Collar would have her scales for dinner! "M-Mr. Walker! D-Don't you dare leave these premises at once!"

Haruto didn't care.

He was sprinting at top speed.

Ina looked ready to give in.

But Haruto had time.

He had this in the bag.

Haruto climbed onto Ina…

…The added weight caused Ina to slowly crumble to her knees.

Haruto climbed onto Mayu…

…Mayu cried out as she felt her strength slowly leave her arms.

Haruto climbed onto Arthur…

…Arthur couldn't hold on much longer.

Haruto climbed onto Maggie…

…Maggie cracked another nail, and she was not happy about that.

Haruto climbed onto Jared…

…Jared still held on but felt the instability of the human ladder start to give in.

Haruto climbed onto Cassandra…

…Cassandra closed her eyes, ready to brace impact since the ladder was quickly toppling over.

Haruto climbed onto Zuri…

…Zuri was screaming. She was falling. Why did she agree to this?!

And finally, Carter…

…Carter hugged himself. Yeah, he hated being on the top.

Then with a powerful bounce from Carter's head…

…Haruto found himself in the air. It was a feeling that he was used to. That invigorating feeling he got when he made the game-winning shot. That refreshing feeling he got when he was about to win. He was making the shot. What was beyond those wires was the hoop and he was the ball.

He couldn't stop grinning. He was really going to escape. He thought to himself about the others that had toppled down to the ground with some scrapes and slight injuries… He was going to come back for them. That was a promise.

Because… he was out.

…

Jared was the first to open his eyes after their topple. His first glance was Monohebi, who was staring up at the sky in utter disbelief. Time had slowed down for everyone as they all checked to see whether or not Haruto had made it past the barbed wire. He was still in midair, ready to dive over the wires.

And almost too quickly, everyone began cheering for him. Haruto was going to make it. He was going to escape. White Collar's game was going to be ruined.

This was…

…

…

…

...

...

...

…Then all too quickly Haruto felt an electrical current suddenly surge through his bloodstream. He was still in midair but somehow, he wasn't. There was something above those barbed wires. Something unnoticeable to the human eye at first. He didn't know what it was, but it was hella painful as he screamed in pain.

"A-ARRRRRGHHHH!"

His scream echoed throughout the Ultimate Basketball Player's Cell before his body started falling toward the ground.

"A-Ah no!" Carter gasped.

"H-Haruto?!" Maggie looked shocked.

"S-Someone, catch him!" Zuri screamed, shaking indefinitely.

"H-Haruto!" Jared immediately got up and raced to catch up…

…

…But he was too late.

...

...

SNAP!

(Cafeteria)

Abigail bit down on a sandwich as she watched Yuumi carefully.

While the equestrian didn't go to the Ultimate Basketball Player's Cell to see what Haruto was up to, and thus didn't know about the events that had just occurred, Abigail found herself in a peculiar situation where her very presence was making the sailor rather uncomfortable. Yuumi had long left the Swimming Pool after her conversation with Barracuda and was now stuck in an awkward moment where this horse-riding punk won't stop looking at her.

Yuumi wanted nothing more than to just leave. In fact, that was exactly what she was going to do! She didn't have to deal with this! Not now of all days!

Standing up, Yuumi prepared to leave until Abigail finally said something within that moment of silence they had made.

"Wait," Abigail sternly spoke up. Yuumi didn't know why she stopped. She could've just sped walked her way out of this. But perhaps deep down she wanted to know what Abigail was going to say.

Yuumi slightly gulped. The punk was already on her way, walking right up to her face.

"W-What do you want?" Yuumi looked down. If she was looking to lecture her about trust or what's been going on, she really didn't need it. She already had her obligatory session with Barracuda. She didn't need another, especially on the same day.

Abigail stopped until she was inches from her. Folding her arms, Yuumi could tell that Abigail hadn't been sleeping well lately.

"...You need to go talk to Mimi," Abigail firmly stated with a frown.

Yuumi blinked. That was not what she was expecting, especially from someone like Abigail who had seemed like your typical 'I don't care' kind of person. Why was she getting involved now of all days?

"T-Talk to Mimi?" Yuumi asked, looking down because she knew deep down that she was right.

"You heard me," Abigail sighed. "I don't even know if you know what you're doing to her, but it's seriously pissing me off that you don't even look like you're going to try to fix what's going on between the two of you."

Yuumi remained silent as she never bothered looking back into Abigail's eyes.

"Why do you care?" Yuumi asked, slightly suspicious.

"...Honestly, I don't," Abigail sighed, keeping her arms folded. "But it's getting to a point where hearing you say how much you don't trust anyone is getting seriously annoying. That and Mimi won't shut up about how sad she is about you. So seriously, for hers and everyone's sake, go to her room right now and talk to her. I don't care what it's about, just do it."

Blunt. Straightforward. Abigail meant every word and it showed to Yuumi. Another reason on her plate to potentially trust Mimi again. That doubt in her mind told her otherwise. She was betrayed enough as it was but…

"Anyway, that's all I wanted to say to you," Abigail sighed, yawning slightly. "In the end, it's your choice what you want to do. But for the love of God, you could at the very least just talk to her. You don't have to trust anyone just to talk."

Abigail let out a sound of exasperation as she shook her head. Then without much else to say, Abigail left Yuumi to ponder what she should do in the Cafeteria.

She didn't have to trust anyone just to talk. She didn't have to avoid anyone.

She had lots to think about before. Now she has more…

(Ultimate Basketball Player's Cell)

...

...

...

"Oh, dear me…"

Haruto weakly woke up to the sound of a sinister chuckle watching him come to. The desperate cries and sounds of familiar voices echoed through his blurred vision. But what was worse was the excruciating pain he had woken up to.

"A-Aghhh… AGHHH…. AGHHHHHH!" Haruto struggled to open his mouth but it didn't take long before he started screaming both in pain and in fear. What he was staring at now was his own leg, completely bleeding, twisted, and what's more… a bone was sticking out of it.

He broke his leg in the worst way possible.

"A-AGHHHHHH AGHHHHHH, F-FUCK!" Haruto screamed in pain, tears pouring out of his eyes as he watched Jared use his police shirt to apply pressure to the bleeding. Everyone else was either looking away due to how damaged he was, or silently weeping to themselves over the outcome of their little ploy.

Nevertheless, he also noticed a familiar yet someone he just didn't want to see, especially at a time like this. Monohebi looked fearful as she glanced up to who else? White Collar, who, while leaning on his cane could only look down at him as that mask grinned at him.

"...Dear dear me," White Collar perked his head, curiously. "Whatever happened here? I was told to come here at once by Monohebi. Apparently, you had a message for me. Let me remember what it was… ah yes! 'I won't be playing your stupid game any longer, bitch. Fuck you.' Pardon my French, but I do believe that was what Monohebi's voice recording told me."

"V-Voice recording…?" Haruto weakly said as he slowly let tears flow out of his eyes over his broken leg.

"...That was a rather entertaining show now, wasn't it?" White Collar turned to the rest of the prisoners, who couldn't be bothered to give him any dirty looks. They were all too distracted with the outcome of Haruto's leg. "But if you're going to give me a show, you must remember the safety precautions…"

White Collar walked over to Haruto as he spat blood on the floor.

"F-Fuck… you…" Haruto tried to glare. But as soon as he did, White Collar pushed his cane directly on the broken tibia protruding from his leg. "A-AGHHHHHHH!"

"Stop that!" Jared was about to push White Collar aside before the man in the devil's mask pointed the sharp end of his cane directly at Jared's chin, forcing the cane to lean at an angle as he planted it firmly on the bone.

"AGHHHHHH!" Haruto let out another scream as Jared was being reminded of the rules with that one gesture.

"Mr. Walker," White Collar leaned over the fallen basketball player, voice dark and irritated. "You seriously thought I wouldn't account for someone attempting to escape by climbing over that wall? When I refurbished this facility for you all, I of course put every precaution of escape into check. What you just experienced is one of those very additions of mine. Thin electrical wires that aren't... necessarily invisible. Just unnoticeable unless you look really closely. Thin electrical wires that are all inhibiting at least 500 volts per wire. Anyone attempting to escape past that wall will experience a shock like no other… and fall back down to where they made their attempt… as Mr. Walker has just experienced for himself. However, most people die after a painful shock or at least from the fall. So, for you to come out with nothing but a broken leg… Consider yourself lucky, Mr. Walker."

"Y-You mother- I will f-fucking get you for thi-" Haruto was about to curse before White Collar pressed down against his broken bone harder. "-AGH!"

"No, you listen here, and you listen here right now you ungrateful little sinner," White Collar's voice sounded especially angry, gripping Haruto by the chin. "I gave you all a chance to live peacefully and rediscover your sins. And your answer to my generosity is attempting to leave?! Mr. Walker, had this been a rule, you would've been punished for your insolence!"

White Collar released the cane off of Haruto's broken leg.

"...Ah, but I guess in a way, you already have been punished," White Collar noted, curtly. He clicked his tongue behind his mask. "I'm not a doctor but as far as I can tell, with a broken leg like that… I'm afraid your career as the Ultimate Basketball Player is forever over. I'm sorry, Mr. Walker. I truly am. I knew all too much how much the sport meant to you… But… You did place this upon yourself."

White Collar's mask lifted itself back into that sinister grin. A grin that mocked him dearly. That was when Haruto's worst realizations came to life as he looked back at his broken leg. White Collar's voice repeated itself over and over again in his mind. His fear… was realized. His career as the Ultimate Basketball Player was forever over.

He was never going to be able to play basketball again.

"N-No… N-No… N-NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Haruto screamed in agony, tears flowing out of his eyes as he recognized what White Collar just revealed. "AGHHHHHH! AGHHHHHH! NOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOO! M-MY LEG! M-MY FUCKING LEG!"

Haruto's scream was different this time. No longer was it out of pain. It was now out of agony. A fear realized. Despair.

White Collar seemed satisfied as he turned around, finally taking his cane away from Jared's chin. But before he could leave, Jared's voice stopped him as Haruto continued to wail in anguish over what he had just done to himself.

"H-Hang on, you can't leave him like this!" Jared exclaimed. "Y-You need a doctor for this kind of injury! There's no way you'll just let him bleed to d-death! R-Right?!"

White Collar contemplated this for a moment. Truthfully, he could just ignore Jared's order for a doctor. But at the same time, Haruto already had enough punishment as it was with his broken leg and all. With a scoff, and turning around he glanced toward Monohebi, who still looked petrified over the events that had just occurred.

"Monohebi," White Collar called out.

"I- S-Sir, M-Master, I swear I didn't… I swear I didn't know they were plotting this!" Monohebi quickly stuttered, a sight most unusual of the usually prim and proper snake. "P-Please forgive me! I should've been w-watching them more closel-"

"Go and deal with Mr. Walker's injury, please," White Collar ordered. "As for your surveillance on these sinners earlier, we will have a… talk about that."

Monohebi looked down, ashamed of how badly she had just messed up. A talk with White Collar in that regard was definitely not a good sign! Slowly, she slithered over to the crying Haruto as she prepared him to get ready to be taken care of. As she did so, White Collar left, walking straight toward the direction of the Swimming Pool.

Maggie stepped forward, looking almost on the verge of breaking down after all of this.

"W-Where are you taking him?" she asked the snake.

"...Nowhere," Monohebi stated, solemnly. "Mr. Walker will be treated here. I will be working on him throughout the night. Besides, there is no way a measly snake like me will be able to move him. He'll get better by the morning…"

"That quickly?" Jared looked at Monohebi as he looked at his friend worriedly.

"You'd be surprised at how remarkable this facility's technology is in terms of its medical procedures…" was all Monohebi said as she prepared to help Haruto's injuries. "Either case. It is time..."

Monohebi's voice then was alerted throughout the facility with the same announcement they've grown to listen to.

"Attention all prisoners," Monohebi's voice announced. "It is now midnight. Curfew hour begins now. As such, all prisoners must report to their confinements. Anyone who is caught outside of their confinements will be punished accordingly. Fortunately, since it is your first day here, we'll give tonight a slide. Be sure to review the rules on the Rules App of your Handbook. That is all."

With no further choice but to leave, everyone left, leaving behind a broken Haruto with Monohebi. A broken Haruto, who was both, broken mentally and physically.

"P-Please get better Haruto," Zuri looked at him, tears in her eyes.

"W-We'll be waiting for you tomorrow, alright?" Jared lowered his hat, saddened by what had happened to him.

"G-Get some rest," Maggie bit her lip.

Those were the parting words Haruto received. But he didn't care. How could he? His leg was broken. And now… he heard the worst thing he could hear in this hellish environment:

He was no longer the Ultimate Basketball Player. He was just Haruto. A young man with a broken leg, broken dreams, and broken spirit.

When the Monohebi nighttime announcement rang, Arthur was already on his way back to his room after an interesting day. Haruto had broken his leg over an idea he had to escape. The snowboarder could only scoff. He was warned. And he was also one who disagreed with the idea. That man had no one but himself to blame for what happened to his own leg... and his chances to being a basketball player. He hadn't bothered watching the video that had been sent out to everyone just yet. Why would he? It was a video of the person he hated the most in this world. Why should he permit himself with feelings he didn't wish to feel after all? But…

…At the same time, Arthur would be lying if he said he wasn't the least curious to see who White Collar thought his most hated person in the world was. Also, could be useful would be some context clues in the video regarding how long it may have been since he had been imprisoned here in this hellhole of a facility.

Arthur paused.

He chuckled to himself, a wry smirk forming on his face with all these thoughts in his mind. White Collar was much clever than he had given him to be. If it wasn't the curiosity of seeing whether or not his hated one was suffering in a life without him, it was the curiosity of finding clues regarding his imprisonment. Whether or not White Collar intended that or not, Arthur had to give the man in the devil's disguise a benefit of doubt.

He would've put a lot of work in these videos…

Arthur opened his door and instantly a piece of paper fell to the floor. Raising an eyebrow, Arthur reached down and picked it up, before reading the words on the paper carefully. He narrowed his eyes.

…Then without a word, he shut the door behind him…

DANGANRONPA: CORRUPTED HOPE

Another chapter bites the dust! We are so close to the Deadly Life! So close, yet... still so close :D Place your bets because that dead body is going to pop up soon!

I have to say, I started out writing this chapter feeling a little neutral about it. But that scene with Haruto's escape attempt was so hype for me to write that it's become one of my favorite scenes to write in this story thus far :D Who knew I liked writing about how some kid was going to break his leg and lose his career as a basketball player? XE My only problem might be the Maggie scene but that might just be me because I think things could've been executed better. But it's your opinion that matters in the end :0 Either case, I hope you guys really liked this chapter as much as I liked writing it! We're nearing the official climax of Chapter 2 ;D

Updates for the Trials: I have finished Trial Part 1 and it's currently being grammatically beta'd and will be beta'd again due to me being not confident enough with it. Trial Part 2 is almost done being written. But these Trials are due to be edited and as such, I do not think the next chapter will be released until the Trials are officially one hundred percent done and ready to go. So, I apologize if there is some delay in chapter uploads.

Either case, that's all I have to say about this chapter! I hope you enjoy it and of course, leave me anything you liked, didn't liked, want me to fix... I will take them all! :D

Prisoners Remaining: 14

Abigail Ellsworth - The Ultimate Equestrian (oddlyillregular)

Arthur Kingston - The Ultimate Snowboarder (SinWriter7)

Barracuda - The Ultimate Personal Trainer (Weekaro)

Carter Franklin - The Ultimate Opinion Columnist (armadas)

Cassandra Mura - The Ultimate ? (ExtraMeme)

Haruto Walker - The Former Ultimate Basketball Player (theotakureader101)

Holland Delaney - The Ultimate Game Designer (Sempi)

Ina Hamamura - The Ultimate Revolutionary (VividIsSleeping)

Jared Ceartas - The Ultimate Police Officer (Otterplay)

Maggie LaDroubi - The Ultimate Supermodel (Project Drama)

Mayu Mashiro - The Ultimate Heiress (zetsunaflame)

Mimi Kazoo - The Ultimate Fairytale Writer (Idraegan)

Yuumi Kizuchi - The Ultimate Sailor (Shamelles410)

Zuri Auraline - The Ultimate Bassist (CandleFire45)