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...

5. Boy's Life Despair Daily Life

After the trial everyone came back up the elevator and into the school. Most everyone spent whatever remained of the day just silently sitting in their rooms or contemplating what happened. For Junko she was in her room… which looked as it did before the incident. In fact, almost before she even came into this dorm in the first place, with the replica sword gone among other things. Junko looked in her room in utter silence.

"..." Junko looked at the bathroom, which had a new door placed on it. She went towards it and opened it entering the bathroom. Which had been cleaned, washed… and Mikan's body removed.

"...She's gone…" Junko said to herself.

"She's… really gone…"

"..."

"It's almost like… there was never anything there to begin with… Every last sign of Mikan's existence has disappeared without a trace…"

"Just like he said…" Junko mutters.

"After the class trial, before we took the elevator back up, Monokuma came back to inform us of something…"

"Oh, I almost forgot! Since the class trial is over, I'll go ahead and dispose of all the corpses! It's okay, no need to thank me! Just seeing your delighted, smiling faces is thanks enough for me! After all, nobody wants to look at a rotting corpse every day! That's can't be good for your health… Nyohohoho!" Monokuma chuckles in his mocking manner.

"I didn't even have time to mourn Mikan or Komaru's deaths… Honestly I'd much rather have her body here than that so I could mourn her… even if it made me sick… That's exactly why he did it. It's a bad joke, a sickening dream… But I have to accept the reality of it all… I headed to the dining hall to meet up with the others… if they're even there…"

Junko trudges her way through the halls, drained and without any energy or will to do anything. Eventually she makes it inside the dining hall where it appears everyone still alive is at.

"Sorry I'm late…" Junko mutters

"Hey… are you okay, Junky?" Akane asked.

"Ahh-!" Junko said as Akane said Mikan's nickname for Junko… tears nearly breaking out… then outright breaking out like a dam as Junko just sobbed.

"W-Woah! H-Hey…!" Akane said, startled and not exactly sure what to do.

"Akane you dope! You used Mikan's nickname for her! Of course she's gonna react like that…" Mahiru said before walking to Junko and helping Junko find a place to sit down, offering her tissues while she was at it, "Here… let me help you…" She said, smiling slightly and trying to comfort Junko.

"I'm glad you're here, Junko. Though you didn't have to come. We would've understood. You're not obligated to come if you're not in the state for it" Byakuya chimes in, "Please. Think about yourself as well"

"...Thanks…" Junko weakly said

"I must ask… but you're not forced to respond if you don't want to. Was what it said true? Did it actually clean your room?" Byakuya asked.

"...Like she was never there… not even the sword was kept…" Junko said

"The fuckin bastard. Won't even let someone mourn the dead." Fuyuhiko said softly, angered by that.

"Yep… it's like the whole thing… never happened." Junko said.

"I cannot… imagine how tough it must be staying there, after what's happened. If… I may ask. Why not stay in Mikan's room?" Nekomaru asked curiously.

"Well… staying there, with the perfume and everything still hanging around in the air… It just hurts too much… Plus… I'm not going to turn away from her death…" Junko said with weak determination.

"Junky– Uhh… Junks… Cheer up ok? Getting depressed isn't gonna help anything, right?" Akane asked, "If we work together, I'm sure we'll find a way out of here!" She said encouragingly, "So just stay positive and stay motivated okay?"

"Is that really supposed to make us feel better?" Nagito said coldly.

"Huh?" Akane asked.

"We were already 'working together' and yet someone was still murdered. Anyone could and likely would betray us at this point" Nagito said simply, "Now that it's already happened once, it's a question of when, not if, the next one takes place." Nagito concluded.

"Because Mikan made the first move, you mean?" Peko asked.

"..." Junko was silent again as tears ran down her cheeks. The tissue Mahiru provided was already being used completely by now.

"B-But…if we work together against the mastermind, nobody'll have any reason to do something like that!" Akane counters.

"Keep telling yourself that. I'll be over here in the real world." Nagito said coldly, "Working together, fighting a common enemy… Like it or not, it's not that simple." He pointed out.

"W-What do ya mean by that now?" Teruteru asked.

"The mastermind seems to be much stronger than we first anticipated. They took over Hope's Peak, which was supposed to be well defended, then modified it to fit their desire. They created Monokuma, which seems to be incredibly advanced, and they're providing for our every need. And to top it off is the execution we witnessed. Everything has been planned down to the last excruciating detail, it would appear." Peko concluded, "This is not your everyday psychopath. Defying them may be too great of a risk for now…"

"Then… what are we supposed to do?" Nekomaru asked.

"Anyone who truly does want to escape… will just have to follow the rules. In which case, the only option is to deceive those around you, and win the game." Nagito said.

"N-No…" Chiaki said.

"No? What no?" Nagito asked.

"I don't want to live… if it means killing someone else to do it…" Chiaki aaid tearing up, "I don't want anyone else to die…!"

"Anyone else?" Kazuichi asked.

"We voted for Hiyoko… she died because of that, right?" Chiaki asked tears running down her cheeks.

"When you put it like that, it really is no different to us killing her ourselves." Nagito spoke.

"B-but…" Kazuichi stutters.

"If we hadn't voted for her, then we all would've died instead, right?" Akane asked, "So… let's just live on for their sake…"

"..." Chiaki just tears up silently.

"She's right, you know. Keeping that blame on yourself will make you into a masochist." Teruteru said.

"...?" Chiaki wasn't particularly comforted by his words.

"Chiaki… You're not to blame. Not you, not Hiyoko, and not Mikan. The mastermind, whoever the fuck they are… They're responsible for everything that's happened. We had no choice but to vote. I can't even… I don't want to imagine what would've happened if we'd refused… and Monokuma was the bastard who ultimately killed Hiyoko, not us!" Junko said, tears still falling but trying to keep a straight face for Chiaki.

"STOP IT! THAT'S ENOUGH!"Chiaki screeched as she grabbed Junko's arm and forcefully brought it down.

"Your skill points are too dangerously low to take on the final boss! If you start that battle now, your own life will be thrown away just like Mikan's!" Chiaki shouted with conviction, unleashing all her pent up stress and trauma with her words, "You want to avenge your fallen unit, then you and everyone here needs to get stronger! But you'll only hold the rest of your team if you are consumed by rage! Back out now, before it's too late!"

Chiaki saved her once already… Junko might as well repay the favor, "So don't waste that anger on yourself, use it on the mastermind!"

*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. Oh, and before I forget… I totally caught you all trying to make yourselves feel better and justify what you did. See, see you, don't see you, see you! That's about how much I can see you, even when you try to hide! Now pay attention and remember this well! The burden of judging others is a heavy one to bear, no pun intended that time. So be well aware of your actions! Order and stability rely on the sacrifice and responsibility of everyone! Okay then, sweet dreams, everyone! Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." The night announcement came which doubled as something else as well.

"W-What was that just now…?" Mahiru asked, horrified.

"Was he saying it's our fault what happened? That's not fair!" Kazuichi said.

"That little shit! First he blames me for Komaru's death, and now Hiyoko's?! Who the fuck doea he think he is?!" Fuyuhiko yelled angrily.

"..." Junko state went back to how it was before.

"And so the day drew to a close… A tense, maddening day that saw the deaths of three classmates. Mikan, Komaru, and Hiyoko… But this is just the beginning… Our despair was only just beginning…"

Chapter Two: Boy's life Despair. [Daily Life]

"I woke up the next day to Monokuma's typical morning announcement. Then he called us all to the gym."

"What does he plan to do now..?" Junko muttered quietly.

"We were practically frozen with fear. But Monokuma was determined to get us involved in his little game… with that goal in mind, he began it…"

In the gym classical music played as the students were made to partake in exercises.

"Okay! Lift your arms up, and down!" Monokuma instructed, "One, two, three, four!"

"One, two, three, four!" Nekomaru shouted, doing what Monokuma asked.

"Now reach waaay up, and bend waaay down!" Monokuma said, "Tighten those muscles! Lets add a little strength, a little speed to those young bodies of yours!"

"..." Junko just watched, not really participating.

"Ahh, doesn't this just feel great?! Being stuck inside like this, you gotta make sure to stay healthy!" Monokuma said blushing and panting.

"You're the one who's keeping us 'stuck inside' against our will!" Mahiru snaps at him.

"Don't sweat the small stuff! That's my motto. Woah, I sounded pretty cool just now, don'tcha think?" Monokuma asked giddily, "Did you fall in love with me? Am I just to die for? Am I just to die in writhing agony for?"

"If we tell you honestly, will you cease this insanity?" Nekomaru asked.

"Nope!~" Monokuma said in a cutesy pose.

"No. No one fell in love with you." Peko said.

"Ohhhhh…" Monokuma said looking depressed.

"So… why did you call us here? Certainly it wasn't just to make us exercise…" Nekomaru asked.

"'Just' to make you exercise? JUST to make you exercise?!" Monokuma asked, sounding ticked off by Nekomaru's question, "If exercise makes you laugh, exercise will make you cry! Now, if you keep doing these exercises, you will uncover the secret of the Assassin's Fist! Passed down from generation to generation in the empire of darkness… The power can be yours!" Monokuma said anger fading to a malicious smirk.

"That… sounds more like the kind of junk middle schoolers make up…" Teruteru said a bit judgemental.

"It doesn't matter! Just get to the point, you stuffed shit. Did you really call us down here just to exercise?" Junko spoke at last, venom dripping in her voice.

"Of course not! You think I have that kind of free time on my hands?!" Monokuma asked, sounding ticked again.

"Okay, then get to it!" Junko demanded.

"Alright alright geez. Ahh, I'd like to make an announcement! Every time you overcome a class trial here at Hope's Peak, a whole new world will open up to you!"

"A whole new world?" Kazuichi asked, curious and skeptical.

"It'd really suck if you had to live here forever with nothing new to stimulate you! Besides, I know how you kids get these days with your ADD and ADHD. I gotta keep you motivated!" Monokuma told them, "So go ahead, look around all you want! Enjoy the brave new post-trial world till you explode!" Monokuma then sinks into the ground like usual.

"With that, Monokuma disappeared, leaving us even more confused than when he'd shown up. But…"

"A new world?" Junko asked everyone.

"Is he talking… about a way to get outside?" Akane asked, though not particularly believing that it would be that simple.

"Unlikely." Peko countered softly.

"Well we don't know till we look so let's get to it!" Fuyuhiko yelled out.

"Whatever he meant, it seems we'll have to search the school one more time." Nekomaru pointed out.

"Then, let us split into groups and investigate." Byakuya declared, "When you're done, please meet back up in the dining hall and we'll share what we found."

"Wow. You're basically a one-trick pony, you know that?" Nagito asked.

"Now let's get moving." Byakuya said ignoring Nagito.

"Seeing his words as their signal, everyone scattered and left the gym… except me. I stood there for a while… not motivated to move… but eventually I had to leave as well…"

Junko headed out, passing by Kazuichi who was in the trophy room area before exiting and seeing Byakuya. She headed up to him.

"Ah Junko, good timing. The gate blocking the stairs is gone. That means a path to the 2nd floor has opened up for us." Byakuya said, "A few others have already headed up. Me and some others will stay down here to see if anything opens up on this floor. I'll leave the school investigation to you."

Junko nodded and walked to the stairs of the second floor. And noticed that indeed the gate was gone.

"So the gate blocking these stairs opened up? This must be what Monokuma meant by 'a new world'. Just a new floor of this hell school we can explore…"

"Still… what's up there?" Junko asked herself before heading up. Arriving into a hallway of blue walls, blue lights and just in general some blue with two bathroom doors to her left.

"So this is the second floor of the school. Maybe there's a clue here… Yes, I'm sure of it! There's gotta be something anything here!"

Junko starts to walk forward before stopping as she sees in her peripheral vision a door to her side. Turning left, she went down to it and opened it up. Greeted by what looks to be a pool storage area? With locker room doors in front and pool items to the right. Akane, Hajime, and Peko were there waiting.

"Oh, Junks! Hey, guess what!" Akane said looking determined, "Guess what I found! A pool! A POOL! A cool pool! An awesome pool! A wicked pool!" Akane said, clearly excited.

"Yeesh. You don't have to keep repeating it, I got it…" Junko said nervously.

"And there's a ton of exercise equipment in the locker room! Nekomaru is gonna go nuts when he finds out!" Akane said excitedly.

"Yeah, I-I guess so.." Junko said.

"Akane seems way way more excited than usual…"

Junko looked around before landing her eyes on one of the locker room doors which seems to have some kind of reader.

"I guess this door leads to one of the locker rooms."

"Oh! And I guess you need your handbook to get into the locker rooms!" Akane said.

"Really?" Junko asked curiously.

And like a dreaded locust… Monokuma appears.

"Really really!" Monokuma stated.

"Uwaa!" Akane yelled, jumping a little.

"If you wanna unlock the locker room… you'll have to swipe your personal e-handbook across the card reader next to the door. However, to maintain maximum security in the lockers… only a boy's handbook can open the boys locker room, and the same goes for the girls! And that's the bottom line!" Monokuma explained.

"Uhm… My gut tells me I'm gonna regret asking but… what if someone opens the door, and then someone else sneaks in?" Akane asked.

"Anyone who commits such indecency will be punished without mercy for their scandalous sexual depravity!" Monokuma threateningly said, pointing up to something all 4 four of them have yet to take notice of. "See, there's a Gatling gun mounted on the ceiling right? And it'll be all DUNKA DUNKA DUNKA DUNKA DUNKA!"

"I bet it'd really hurt to get shot by that thing!" Akane said not very approvingly of the gun.

"Um… it'd be alot worse than that…" Hajime murmurs.

"But what happens if someone loans their handbook to someone else?" Peko asked, "A boy could borrow a girl's handbook, and that would get them into the girls' locker room, wouldn't it?"

"Wh-?! That never even occurred to me! To think someone could be so low, so cowardly, so devilish!" Monokuma said, angered by the idea.

"Look who's talking…"

"Hmm… Okay, then how's this sound? Time for a new rule! As of this moment, loaning your e-handbook to another student is strictly prohibited. There! So now nobody can give their handbook to anyone else, right?" Monokuma asked, smiling "You like that? I'm kind of a genius, right? It's because my brain is 100% cotton!"

"I don't imagine anyone would've lent their handbook out in the first place…" Peko said while pondering a little, "After all, they would likely be held responsible for anything that person might do using the handbook…"

"But uh… ya just seem to be concerned with all this locker room security stuff…" Akane pointed out.

"It's cuz all you teenagers are sex-crazed maniacs! You're at that age where you'd try humping a plastic bottle!" Monokuma said, panting and blushing, "So to keep anything unseemly from happening, I have to maintain a rigorous watch!"

"Then in that case, I would ask that you keep the same close eye on our dorms. If some man and some woman decided to share a room, there would be nothing to stop them." Peko stated.

"Hey woah! What's that supposed to mean?!" Akane asked, a little offended.

"All I care about is protecting the holy image of the school itself! I don't care what happens in your private dorms! By force or by cunning, do whatever you want!" Monokuma said.

"I hate you so much…" Akane mumbles, looking agitated at Monokuma.

"Alright, the new rules are in place now, goodbye!" Monokuma said vanishing yet again.

"Maaan, that stupid bear totally ruined my mood! Maybe I'll go take a dip to cheer myself up." Akane said, sighing "Peko, Hajime, you wanna come?" She asked brightly.

"I'm not particularly interested in getting myself wet." Peko said.

"Sorry… I'll pass." Hajime said, looking at the entrance door.

"How come?! When you're in a funk, there's nothing better than a good swim to pull you out of it!" Akane replied surprised.

"I'm 99.99% sure that only applies to you.."

Junko looked around a bit more. She was tempted to head into the pool to check it out… but decided to just leave for now and check elsewhere. Walking down the hallway she looks around checking out some of the classrooms nothing of note really could be found in them.

So she went to the library room and opened the door to enter inside. She sees that several of the others were in there. Nagito, Teruteru, Mahiru and Chiaki. Junko quickly spots a letter on a bookshelf. She went to investigate it.

"The shelf is covered in dust. But the self has a letter. What's in it?"

Junko checks the letter.

"Hope's Peak Academy?!"

"It was buried under a thick layer of dust. It must have been sitting there for quite a while. We should check what's inside." Chiaki stated.

"Not sure how I feel about going through other people's mail without their permission…" Junko said uncomfortable.

"I get that. But what we shouldn't do is leave without finding out what's in the note." Chiaki said.

"Fair enough." Junko nodded.

"I broke the seal on the dusty envelope, and pulled out the single sheet of paper that was inside. Unfolding the paper, I read what was written on it."

"From The Hope's Peak Academy Executive Office"

"Throughout the years, we have been committed to shaping the youth who will one day shape the world. We have a long, proud history as an institution of higher learning with full governmental support. Our graduates enter society ready to take on active leadership roles in every major job field. However, Hope's Peak Academy must now lower the curtain on its glorious history, for the time being. This decision was not an easy one to make, but serious issues beyond our control have made it necessary. But make no mistake-this is not the end for Hope's Peak Academy. We intend to reopen our doors as soon as the issues forcing our closure have been resolved. That being said, this is the end for now… And I would like to personally and sincerely thank everyone for your help and support over the years. For now, we are awaiting official governmental authorization to formally cease operations…"

As Junko read that she became curious then confused to utterly bewildered.

"What does this mean?" Junko asked.

"Hmm… The contents of this letter are quite interesting indeed." Nagito said smiling.

"S-So… it would seem Hope's Peak had stopped functioning as a school. And judging by the dust on the letter that was collected, it wasn't something that happened very recently. If I were to guess… I'd say the letter might be at least a year old." Chiaki thought out loud.

"So you're saying Hope's Peak closed down at least a year ago?" Junko asked curiously.

"Most likely, the mastermind took over the school after it was abandoned to put on this game." Nagito said.

"B-B-But that would mean it was closed when I got here a few days ago!" Junko said, "But it doesn't make sense at all! Plus, if the school had shut down, don't you think it would've been in the newspapers? Every TV station and stuff?" She asked, "I mean, you're saying it could've happened a year ago, right? But before I got here, I looked stuff up online about the school, and never saw ANYTHING about this!"

"That must have been all part of the mastermind's plan. They lured us all in here… someone who could create a place to judge and execute people could potentially be capable of anything." Nagito pointed out, "Of course, that's all assuming if that letter in question is real."

"Well if it is real, though, that does solve one mystery surrounding the school… The reason there are no other students here could be because the school had already closed down." Chiaki concluded.

"That would be a nice and simple solution, yes…" Nagito agreed.

"Then what about the other part?" Junko asked, pointing out a line on the letter.

This decision was not an easy one to make, but serious issues beyond our control have made it necessary. But make no mistake-this is not the end for Hope's Peak Academy. We intend to reopen our doors as soon as the issues forcing our closure have been resolved.

"What do they mean by serious issues? That's apparently why the school had to close… Is there any connection between that and what's happening to us now?" Junko asked.

"If the two events are connected… then uncovering that connection would be a useful clue? On top of figuring out the mastermind's motive… Although I can't really say any more until we find more details." Chiaki said.

"Meaning in other words, only the mastermind knows the truth right now." Nagito concluded.

"The mastermind's motive… if we can figure out why they would want to imprison us all here… will that be enough to get us out of here, or…?"

Junko looked around some more as Teruteru and Mahuru spoke to each other.

"So uh… you've been more of a team player as of recent. What changed?" Teruteru asked.

"...I was letting my own insecurities and personal feelings cloud my judgment… and dictate my actions… I… I'm sorry about that…" Mahiru apologized.

"Hey it's alright… but if I may ask… what was it that got you so insecure?" Teruteru asked.

"I… I don't wanna talk about it yet…" Mahiru replied.

Teruteru just nodded and dropped it.

"Overhearing that, I started to understand why she acted the way she did…"

Junko then went to the door at the back of the library. Junko goes to approach it when Nagito stops her.

"I already checked there. Nothing of worth to be found." Nagito said.

"Oh… well alright…" Junko nodded and headed away as she headed away she noticed a laptop. She checks it out real quick.

"A laptop here? The laptop looks old. And covered in lots of dust."

"It's broken. I tried pressing the power button earlier, but nothing happened." Chiaki said.

"It's broken? Shit!" Junko cursed.

"I was hoping I could use it and see what's happening outside, maybe even get a clue to some of the shit Monokuma said… if it's broken, then there's nothing I can really do about it…"

"Well at least we have an idea of what's on the second floor now…" Junko said.

"But nothing was spotted that might lead to any kind of exit or anything… All I can do now is hope someone else found something worthwhile. Welp, time to head back to the dining hall as soon as possible!"

Junko headed out the library and down the stairs back to the dining hall. Where everyone had gathered.

"Okay. Everyone, how did your search go? Did anyone discover anything of note or interest?" Byakuya asked everyone.

"There's a library!" Teruteru said first.

"And a pool! A freakin' pool! And locker rooms filled with exercise equipment!" Akane yelled excitedly.

"However, there wasn't anything resembling an escape route." Nekomaru pointed out.

"Yeah… he's right." Junko agreed.

"That is unfortunate, but luckily that wasn't all that opened up. The Warehouse and bathhouse on the first floor of the dorms are now open. And the warehouse is full of food, clothes, and everything we could need. Quite an oddity." Byakuya explained, "I will admit, I may have helped myself to the food." Byakuya said with a relaxing smile.

"We need to keep in mind, of course, that going out at nighttime is still prohibited. Let's not forget that." Peko reminded everyone.

"Huh? Wasn't that Hiyoko's rule? And she broke it and killed someone?" Kazuichi asked.

"Just because the maker broke her own rule and committed murder doesn't mean the rule is invalid. We should try to do better than she did." Peko pointed out.

"I agree. Also, rich dude. Did you found a fuckin' way out or what?" Fuyuhiko asked, a little antsy.

"Unfortunately… I did not." Byakuya said.

"There wasn't anything in the warehouse we could use to get our asses outta here? Nothing?!" Fuyuhiko asked.

"No, nothing at all. I'm sorry." Byakuya apologized.

"You fuckin people… Who gives a shit if we have a goddamn pool now?! Or a warehouse, or whatever the fuck?!" Fuyuhiko angrily asked, "We're still trapped in this piece of shit school! We need to find some GODDAMN WAY OUT!"

"Now, now, you shouldn't take your anger out on him. For the time being, we should at least try to make do with what we have. It's not ideal, but starting fights gets us nowhere." Peko said.

"Tch… whatever." Fuyuhiko said backing down for now

"For now, let's just continue our investigation, and let everyone know if any of us discovered something." Byakuya said, hoping to ease the tension.

"So… we're done for today?" Chiaki asked.

"For the foreseeable moment, yes." Byakuya nodded.

"The air seemed to suddenly grow heavy again. Was this the mastermind's plan? Give us hope, then just turn around and betray that hope?"

"..." Nagito was silent as he stared at Hajime.

*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."

"We all promised not to leave our rooms during nighttime… There's not much else to do… I guess I'll go… to… bed…?"

As Junko went to her bed, she saw something laying on it. It was… it was…

"M-M-Mikan's monitors…!"

Junko was stunned as she just stared at the monitors… before seeing the note attached to one of them.

"Considering these weren't used for the murder, and considering it'd only be right to let you have something of her left, these monitors will hereby be under you possession!

Junko just stared at the monitors for a long time… before she started to sob. Crying a lot as she laid the monitors on the desk before crying herself to sleep.

*Monokuma Theater!*

"Mr. Monokuma… Mr. Monokuma, do you have a second? I… I don't really like myself. I don't have any kind of skill or hobby I can say I'm super good at… and my grades are totally average, too. My reflexes are okay. Not great, not awful. I could get into a decent collage, where I'd make a few friends. Maybe even find a normal girlfriend… or boyfriend. Which is exactly why I don't like who I am! I understand that now! My life is just one giant copy-paste! I don't have any imagination! I'm a perfectly average cardboard cutout! You see what I mean, right Mr. Monokuma?!"

…

…

…

*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! Oh, that's right. I wanted to let you know that your e-handbooks have been updated! New regulations have been added, so please take a look and enjoy your school life more than ever before!" Monokuma announced on the monitors.

The new rule has been added to the Regulations menu.

"He must be referring to yesterday… 'Loaning your e-Handbook to another student is strictly prohibited."

"But… right now I need to head to… break… fest…" Junko said as her eyes fell upon the monitors. The tears threatened to appear again… all she wanted to do was just stay in her room and hug the monitors and cry… but… she'd be dishonoring Mikan… so reluctantly she forced herself to move and head to the dining hall.

"Mornin', Junks!" Akane happily said.

"G-G-Good morning…" Junko struggled to say "...Is everyone here?"

"Nope! Still waitin' on Byakuya and Nagito!" Kazuichi said.

"Nagito I'm not surprised about, but it's off that Byakuya's not here yet…"

"He's probably trying to get Nagito out of bed." Peko assumes.

"We just have to be patient. Sure enough, they'll be here!" Nekomaru said with a calming smile.

"I don't mind waiting for them." Peko said "But I am slightly hungry…"

"Oh! Well I would be happy to assist with that, my fair madam!" Teruteru offered.

"Tch…! Touch her in any way and I'll feed that dick fried to you." Fuyuhiko threatened.

"..." Peko just looks at Fuyuhiko with a slight look before turning her gaze towards the self-acclaimed Ultimate Chef, "I'd like some curry please. With non-alcoholic wine." Peko asked Teruteru.

"Mmhmm Mmmhm, got it~!" Teruteru nodded and headed to the kitchen.

"He then headed inside the kitchen to start Peko's food. He came back out a few seconds later."

"Quick question, do you need it right away or are you able to wait a bit…?" Teruteru asked.

"The sooner the better, but I can wait awhile." Peko said.

"Great. Because it may take awhile to finish to your liking." Teruteru informed as Peko nodded. He then headed back in to make the food.

"You could've offered to make food for the rest of us…" Mahiru complained slightly.

"After he headed back in the dining hall doors flew open, and one of the late arrivals came storming in. But…"

"We have a situation! Everyone there is a situation here." Byakuya said, gathering everyone's attention.

"What is it?" Kazuichi asked, a little concerned.

"Nagito refused to come out of his room. I rang the doorbell. And even knocked on the door. And he never showed." Byakuya said

"M-Maybe he wasn't there?" Junko said.

"I'd like to think so. But I am worried something might have happened to him."

"What he meant by that… he didn't have to say anything else. Everyone understood exactly what that might mean."

"I-It might be a good idea to split up and look for him…" Junko suggested.

"I was able to suggest the same thing." Byakuya said.

"I'll check his room one more time. I'll hammer on that button till either he responds or it breaks!" Akane said.

"The rest of us will check the rest of the building then." Nekomaru said.

"Yeah before it's… too late, ya know…" Kazuichi said nervously.

"...So what might Nagito have gone… Maybe he went to go check out the 2nd floor of the school again…"

Junko and everyone headed out the dining hall and split up to cover ground. Junko went to the main hall and upstairs. Where she sees Chiaki near the bathrooms. Junko looked around in the pool entrance and some of the classrooms before entering the library

"When I opened the door to the library and looked inside… I… called out in sudden surprise."

"Nagito? What the heck are you doing here?!" Junko asked.

"Of all the things I'd imagined, this most definitely wasn't one of them…"

"Seriously. What are you doing here?" Junko asked Nagito who was sitting on a chair reading a book.

"Fishing. What else does it look like I'm doing?" Nagito asked, "Can you be quiet? I'm trying to read."

"Uh… sorry?" Junko said unsure, "Wait, fuck no! What are you doing here? Everyone's super worried! We've all been looking for you!" Junko shouted at Nagito.

"Really? Worrying about such a lowly human such as me? Who asked you to do that?" Nagito asked as he kept reading.

"B-Because… we're all supposed to meet up in the morning and eat together. We made a promise, dammit!" Junko chastised.

"I'm sorry, we made a promise?" Nagito questioned, "I suppose peace and quiet will be out of the question, huh?"

"Nagito snapped his book shut, and slowly stood up, smooth and silent as a shadow. Meanwhile, the others must've heard my yelling and started showing up, one after another."

"So this is where you've been hiding Nagito…" Byakuya said, looking displeased.

"The heck are you doing here man?" Kazuichi asked.

"We were concerned about you, you know!" Nekomaru said.

"Well you had no reason to be. I was just reading" Nagito stated plainly, "I never read such a… coarse novel before, but it might just prove useful at some point." He concluded.

"Wh-what were you reading then?" Akane asked.

"A mystery novel." Nagito said.

"W-Wait, you're… not using what you're learning in that there book to betray us… right? Right?!" Teruteru asked while trying to not worry much… he failed.

"Don't be stupid." Nagito said.

"Oh, thank go–" Junko was about to say.

"It's just something to keep in mind." Nagito said before Junko could finish.

"Yea– what?!" Junko asked, shocked.

"It's just something to make me useful for a murderer, or if need be, come up with something original if I decide to fight." Nagito said with a smile, "Otherwise, this game of ours will be totally boring, right? It's not often you get to take part in such a high-stakes, high-tension activity. So if you're going to do it, you have to make sure it's entertaining." Nagito chuckled to himself.

"His words sent a chill down my spine. There was a undeniable smile in his face as he spoke. He looked like he was actually enjoying himself?! Enjoying this deranged 'Killing Game'?!"

"What the fuck do you mean, 'game'?! That's fucked up!" Fuyuhiko yelled at Nagito.

"But it is a game." Nagito said simply, "It's a game of life or death, which can have only one winner. That's all there is to it."

"Are you saying this is a Zero-Sum Game?" Peko asked.

"Zero-sum whatzit now?" Junko asked.

"It's a part of game theory, a mathematical model. In game theory, what we are going through now is called a 'zero-sum game.' In this type of game, in order for one person to gain something, another must necessarily lose something. In other words, it is a situation in which participants must compete for a position or resources." Peko explained.

"You mean like a kind of elimination match." Nekomaru caught on.

"Entrance exams, sports tournaments, job openings-most social interactions fall into this category. Everyone must scramble to obtain something which is limited. For you to succeed, someone else must fail. This also applies to the school life we have been subjected to here. In this case… our 'limited resource' is that only one of us can successfully become the blackened." Peko concluded.

"So, this game was designed from the beginning to force one of us to try and defeat all the others." Nagito pointed out.

"That can't be… that… there's no way that's what they had in mind!" Junko countered.

"I guess if Hiyoko was here, she'd say something like 'This is why adaptation is so crucial!', and then say something else along the lines of 'If those who want to escape disappear, there would be no reason for this game!'" Peko said, her voice taking on a higher pitch to imitate Hiyoko's voice.

"Ah, but why would I want to stop playing? It's getting so much fun now…" Nagito chuckled.

"He smiled again as he spoke. That smile was filled with evil intent. It twisted his face into something not human…"

"Sounds like you don't even acknowledge the possibility that you may lose, am I right?" Peko asked.

"Well of course! Though I admit, I could die anytime. If I do kick the bucket, I hope that I could at least help my killer in some way." Nagito smiled.

"You don't speak like the others. Only someone so fervent on their luck would be this confident." Peko replied.

"T-That's just arrogance, right…?" Kazuichi asked hopefully.

"You talk like that, but what if you end up dead?!" Akane asked.

"Then like I said, I'd hope I could help my killer." Nagito said.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?!" Fuyuhiko demaded.

Nagito was silent for a moment then spoke "All of you posses the qualities needed to be able to embody it... Do you understand? Hope, in other words, is a proactive will and talent... It's an absolute "good" that's brought forth by that! That's why, as long as there exist seeds of hope, I'll gladly kill a person... and gladly die myself, if left with no other alternative. Since right now, my reason for living like this is hope itself!" Nagito declared.

"Wh-what the fuck?! You're a fuckin' psychopath!" Kazuichi yelled bewildered.

"Typical from an uneducated, brain-dead, useless piece of garbage like you." Nagito replied.

"I'm going to fucking kill you!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"Oh will you? Lemme help you with your crime." Nagito replied, chuckling.

"Y-You keep saying that yet…" Kazuichi replied utterly horrified by Nagito now.

"Don't bother arguing with him. For him, the concept of losing simply does not exist." Peko said, "Being the Ultimate Lucky Student and this, for lack of a better word, optimistic personality… It's only a victory whatever happens, either to him or someone else." she stated.

"Ah, Peko. I'm glad you understand me." Nagito said with a smile.

Peko remains silent, refusing to entertain him anymore.

"Anyways, let me just say this to all of you. You all need to try harder. If an opponent isn't going to put all their hope in it to give their best, where's the fun for me?" Nagito asked.

"Th-That's a horrible way to look at it…" Chiaki said.

"Hmm?" Nagito asked.

"This… isn't a game. Our lives are on the line you know… to kill your own friends is… is… It's horrific!" Chiaki said fervently.

"Friends? Who decided that?" Nagito asked.

"...Huh?" Hajime and Chiaki both asked in surprise from his statement.

"We're not friends. No, quite the opposite. We're in competition. We're enemies." Nagito stated simply.

"B-But… you know…" Chiaki silently spoke.

"But what? Stop trying to force your contradictions on me and just accept what I'm telling you." Nagito said, looking annoyed.

"U-um…" Chiaki murmurs.

"Yes? If you have something really valuable to say, say it. Otherwise, that mouth of yours better be closed." Nagito rudely remarked.

"...I-I'm sorry…" Chiaki said softly, tearing up.

"Hey, shithead! You get off on bullying people that can't fight back? You wanna try that on me?!" Fuyuhiko yelled angrily.

"So, you're back to pretending to be friends, huh? And how long do you think that's going to last?" Nagito asked.

"Fuck you!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"Is that all you have to say?" Nagito asked disinterestedly, "It's unfortunate you would waste your breath on such empty garbage."

"That's it! You're fucking dead!" Fuyuhiko yelled, getting ready to punch Nagito.

"H-Hey! H-Hold on! Just calm down!" Akane yelled.

"I AM CALM!" Fuyuhiko screamed at her.

"Oww! How is this 'calm'?!" Akane asked, holding one of her ears in irritation.

"Anyways… I don't have any intention of working with the rest of you any longer. Of course, it's for a murder…" Nagito said, "But generally, to cooperate during an elimination game… is frankly a waste of time. And I'd hate to waste my time."

"Waste of time?!" Junko asked.

"Engaging in 'friendly' group meals is out of the question. Someone could easily poison our food. And I'm not interested in becoming part of the Last Supper yet." Nagito answers.

"Quit talking like you're in a fuckin movie or something!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"All I'm saying is that, ultimately you are all free to do whatever you want on your own. Goodbye." Nagito said leaving.

"Without a second glance back, Nagito left. There wasn't anything we could do to keep him from going. His way of thinking was just beyond anything the rest of us could even comprehend."

"W-Was he serious about all that?" Kazuichi asked.

"Without a doubt, he was." Peko confirmed.

"Well fuck him then!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"He's not necessarily wrong, I hate to admit it. But at the same time, yeah… screw that jerkface." Mahiru said.

"Well at least you no longer have a stick up your butt!" Akane smiles.

"...Ignoring that." Mahiru said before looking at everyone else, "Still we should pay attention to who makes our food and make sure no one adds anything that could kill us, either immediately or hours from now." Mahiru said.

"I can get down with that." Junko nodded.

"Hopefully it won't be necessary but…" Mahiru said not finishing her sentence.

"L-Lets just think of something positive!" Kazuichi said.

"Speaking of food, I'll be heading to the dining hall if anyone needs me." Mahiru said leaving.

Junko was silent for a moment before everyone headed back to the dining hall.

"Ultimately, our breakfast meeting came to an end without answering any questions. Everyone headed back to their rooms"

"Jeez, I'm tired already… But I won't give myself a day off! Keep moving and keep going!" Junko said trying to get herself amped up before a knock came to her door then.

*Ding Dong!*

"Huh? Who could that be?" Junko asked, heading to her room and opening the door and was startled by a sudden hug by none other than…

"Ibuki?!" Junko asks as Ibuki hugs her tightly.

"Hehehe! Did Ibuki surprise Junko-chan? Did she?!" Ibuki asked excitedly.

"I-I would say I'm a little surprised yeah… What are you doing here?" Junko asked.

"Ibuki's come to invite you to some fuuuuun~! Don't worry, you'll still have enough free time for other things!" Ibuki smiled while making a cute pose. As Junko couldn't help but slowly get into it.

"W-Well… sure why not? What do you have in mind?" Junko asked.

Ibuki didn't answer. She just grabbed Junko's arms and guided her down the hall into the main hall and into a classroom. Yet again the classroom Junko woke up in.

"Huh? Why are we here?" Junko asked before she spotted four wooden sticks… that for sure used to be a part of the chair she broke 2 days ago because of Monokuma.

"Ibuki found these pieces of chair! And they're long enough that they can be drum sticks! So Ibuki and Junko-Chan are gonna rock out! Yahooo!" Ibuki shouted.

"Ok this is so strange… but hearing the excitement in her voice and her eagerness… it's actually rubbing off on me!"

"Heh! Alright! Let's rock out! Junko and Ibuki! The Freaky Chicks!" Junko said playfully.

"Ooooh! That's not a bad band name! Maybe it needs a bit of work, but Ibuki approves!" Ibuki smiles.

Junko and Ibuki took the chair legs and started to beat them around the classroom. Making various noises ranging from loud smacks to bangs yet for the two, it was an enjoyable experience of making "music" together as they rocked out and had fun. Junko found herself feeling better about some things. And at least, it made Junko feel better about the morning and last night… to a degree.

"Yahoo! We rocked hard Junko-chan!" Ibuki said excitedly.

"Heh! That was fun! We should do that again sometime! Or just hangout whenever!" Junko said smiling, flashing a thumbs up.

"Maybe we can go swimming together! Ooh, it would be a girl's fantasy!" Ibuki said excitedly.

Junko laughed as Ibuki hugged Junko and the two headed out back to their dorms.

"That… was nice… I needed that… now who to hang out with…?"

Junko headed out of her room unsure who to talk to. So she decided to visit the store room. She has that strange coin still might as well use it. She went over to the storeroom where she found a bag near that machine. Checking it out it was chalk full of those coins… with a note on it.

"As a reward for completing a class trial, you have earned 88 Monocoins! Use them wisely on the Monomono machine!"

"..." Junko just sighs and takes the bag and spends a bit of time on the machine. She found out a few things during that time. One, it dispenses items of various types. Two, it can also dispense the same item on occasion. And three, more coins cause more items to spit out… somehow. After a little while she left the machine with around 20 new items, 5 of which were repeats. Heading off, she decided to meet with Byakuya again to talk to him. She finds him in the dining hall eating. Junko hops on over and sits near him.

"Sooooooo~ Wanna hang out~?" Junko asked, smiling.

"Sure. I wouldn't mind. Just don't mind the food. I get peckish at times." Byakuya said.

"I don't wanna judge, but that honestly doesn't seem healthy…"

Junko spent time watching Byakuya eat and wondering how he stays healthy from it. By the end of the meal(s), he was finished.

"Eh, might as well give him a gift."

Junko reaches into her pocket and pulls out the first item she gets and hands it to him, which she realized too late was… a chocolate beef jerky.

"Oh, uh… sorry, I…" Junko tried to apologize, blushing in embarrassment thinking that would've been an insulting gift. But then…

"Where… did you obtain this…?! This masterpiece couldn't even be found by the collective effort of my Togami Corporation! I'll be keeping this…!" Byakuya said.

"What? The collective effort of an entire CORPORATION like couldn't find that? Well… considering how they choose their heirs, probably they don't try too hard to search for something they considered beneath their heirs. Still, glad he loves it!

"...So Junko, you asked me something about me. So let me ask something about you." Byakuya said.

"Sure, shoot." Junko said, smiling.

"I've always been curious. What is it like being a Fashionista? Especially an Ultimate one." Byakuya asked.

"Eh… it's about as you expect. Modeling, doing poses, being on covers and junk like that. Just no makeup or photoshop for me, cuz… I'm literally the best at being a Fashionista without all that." Junko said, "My gorgeous good looks are all natural, baby!"

"Hm. Fair enough." Byakuya nodded.

"The fans are the only downside. Some are nice. A lot are crazy. And some… are… well…" Junko said letting the implication of that last part be self evident.

"An unfortunate fact of life, of course." Byakuya sympathized with Junko.

"Eh, it's not all that bad. Eventually, it becomes predictable to me. And I can usually plan around it." Junko said nonchalantly.

"Hm? You can predict the actions of your fans?" Byakuya asked curiously and a little impressed

"I'm a perceptive person. I can notice small details most overlook. Like that fly… that's buzzing… near you…huh?" Junko questioned.

Byakuya turns and indeed, there's a fly buzzing around him. He swats it away quickly, but he also gets curious.

"For a fly to be here… there'd had to be some access outside. Or a garden of some kind." He stated.

"Yeah…maybe that might mean if we can go a floor or two above, we can find some form of way to see outside!" Junko said invigorated.

"Possible… maybe." Byakuya said before turning to Junko "Still. I'm amazed you can spot that fly. You truly are perceptive, Junko." Byakuya compliments

"Heh thanks!" Junko smiles, flashing a peace sign.

"After talking about where that fly could've come from, me and Byakuya headed our separate ways. I went back to the door of my dorm and thought of who to see next… hm… Why not Chiaki? It'd be nice to check on her."

Junko went to find where Chiaki might be. Searching around the first floor she didn't find her so she headed upstairs and found Chiaki near the boys bathroom door with Mahiru holding her shirt.

"But we should investigate everywhere…" Chiaki complained.

"Chiaki, it's indecent for a girl to enter the boys restroom. Please just let it go." Mahiru scolded her.

Chiaki pouts before relenting, "Fine…"

"Uff… oh hey Junko!" Mahiru smiles while waving at Junko.

"Uh… Hey Mahiru. Hey Chiaki! What'cha both doing?" Junko asked.

"Chiaki wanted to enter the boys bathroom, but seeing as that was indecent, I stopped her." Mahiru said.

"Good call." Junko agreed "Really don't see why to see inside there…"

Chiaki just pouts before looking at Junko "What did you come up here for?" She asked.

"Oh I wanted to hang out with ya again!" Junko grins happily.

Chiaki immediately started smiling "I'd love that!"

"Heh. Don't let me keep you, then." Mahiru said as she turned around, "Have fun!"

Junko smiled as she and Chiaki headed to a nearby classroom, but not before saying their farewells to Mahiru. Chiaki gave Junko a handheld game. Junko happily plays it, having fun and enjoying herself, especially as it was an old style game. Seems Chiaki took their last conversation to heart.

"Gosh that was fun! I should definitely give her something!"

Junko fishes around her bag and pulls at a Tips & Tips second magazine, handing it to her.

"Hmm… how did you know I wanted that?" Chiaki asked, smiling.

"I didn't. Just a lucky guess!" Junko smiles.

"Glad she liked this one!"

"So… I wanted to ask… uhm… What's your family like?" Chiaki asked.

"Meh. It's not perfect. It's not bad but we have had a fair share of…differences." Junko said.

"Oh… uhm… why?" Chiaki asked.

"Mainly over my sister. Or well… the fact that I still call Mukuro my sister. Like I said, my family doesn't consider her as family anymore. It's kinda well… because they disowned her…" Junko nervously said.

"T-They disowned her?" Chiaki asked, a little surprised.

"Yeah… technically speaking I shouldn't be acknowledging her as my sister… But I don't follow those stupid rules like others. So I still consider Mukuro as my sister, call her my sister, and love her as my sister." Junko said.

"Wow… you really are a great sister!" Chiaki smiles

"I'd like to think so, but we have had our fair share of arguments ourselves. Not as much as I haved with Mom and Dad, but it's close somewhat." Junko replied

Chiaki nodded in thought, "Well I'd say the fact you still see her as your sister and still love her despite what others say makes you a wonderful sister!" Chiaki smiled happily.

"Thanks Chiaki~!" Junko smiles ruffling Chiaki's hair

"Hey…!" Chiaki playfully said as she messes with Junko's hair

"You mess with MY hair?! Oh it's war now!" Junko said.

"We spent the next few hours messing up our hairs before we laughed our way back to our dorms."

*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."

"Another day gone… this day may be over. But this 'game' isn't. How long can this keep going? All the stress and anxiety kept me from sleeping until late into the night…"

*Monokuma Theater!*

"Whenever I spot a cute girl, I have a tendency to stare. I can't help it. I just stare with intensity. The other day, I rode my bike to the train station… I was in the bathroom, Just looking at myself in the mirror…"

…

…

…

*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!"

"Well, best head to the dining hall before anything else." Junko said to herself.

Junko left her room and made her way quickly to the dining hall.

"I went to the breakfast meeting. Same as always. But something that I didn't anticipate…"

"...I hate to say it but this meeting feels smaller than before…" Byakuya noted.

"Nagito took off yesterday. Wasn't surprising he hadn't come today."

"The table is starting to feel bigger." Byakuya said to himself, almost saddened.

"With three dead and one abstaining, it isn't much of a surprise…" Peko pointed out.

"Yeah, with four people missing, I guess it would feel kinda empty…" Junko said softly.

"Shouldn't we at least check on him? I know Nagito's whatever but… I'd feel better if we had eyes on him." Akane said.

"No thanks. It'd just be a repeat of yesterday." Kazuichi replied.

"That's a little cold…" Peko said.

"Says the mysterious woman with an eternal simple voice" Gundham murmurs quietly.

"Ugh, I'd rather keep an eye on him rather than not keep an eye on him!" Fuyuhiko said "If we don't keep an eye on him, he might actually kill someone. You all saw it in his eyes…" He reminded them, "I say we bound and gag the fucker! At least then he can't do shit!"

"I think that's a bit overboard…" Junko said.

"I concur. Having an ally get possessed makes everything worse for all." Gundham replied, "Letting our spirits go mad, it brings us all down." Gundham finished.

"What the fuck are you talking about?! Make some actual fucking sense!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"Foolish mortal. You dare insult the great Gundham Tanaka?!" Gundham said loudly.

"No one seemed to notice except me… But when Gundham got mad at Fuyuhiko, four hamsters popped out from his scarf, small The little guys didn't look violent, but they were practically ready to pounce as soon as Gundham would say 'Sick 'em!'"

"Did anyone else hear hamster noises…?" Ibuki asked around, but she didn't seem to get any answers, "...No? Just me?"

"Well, almost no one… Ibuki must have really sharp hearing or something. But before I could even think about responding to her…"

"Are you calling me an idiot, you… You…!" Fuyuhiko was about to shout at Gundham.

"That's enough!" Peko said, looking displeased at the two men.

"Huh? What's wrong, Peko? You look… really mad right now…" Junko pointed out.

"You've been getting into fights at the drop of a hat. And it's getting tiresome." Peko chastised Fuyuhiko.

"U-Ugh… It's because everything's been pissing me the fuck off!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"So much so that you're acting childish." Peko said simply.

"Ahg…!" Fuyuhiko said surprised.

"Oh shit here it comes…!"

"...Fine I'll try not to get into any more fights if I can help it…" Fuyuhiko said, looking away.

"...Huh?"

"I don't believe that is something you can keep…" Mahiru said mostly to herself.

"Do you actually intend to follow through on that?" Peko asked.

"Of course. What, you take me as some kinda liar? Not to my Pekoyama." Fuyuhiko said to Peko.

Ibuki's ears perk up at Fuyuhiko's words, "Mmm…?"

Peko blushes but smiles approvingly, "Glad you're willing to uphold your values."

"Peko seems to be happier now. That's great. We should be bonding and working together like this… because by doing so we're bound to get outta this hell school sooner or later! I mean… someday soon… Still, our biggest concern right now… Is the one who never showed up to breakfast. What can I even try to do to understand him better?"

Junko headed back to her room after breakfast.

"Okay, so… what should I do today?" Junko asked herself.

*Ding dong*

"Huh again? Who is it this time?"

Junko opens the door and again is greeted by Ibuki.

"Oh hey Ibuki! What up?" Junko asked.

"Heya Junko-chan! Ibuki's got a great idea of what to do! Come on, let's go!" Ibuki said, dragging Junko off.

"Hey– woah! Hahaha! You really are determined when you have your mind set on something!" Junko said smiling as she got dragged before walking with Ibuki, the wild girl took her upstairs and into the pool room. Junko takes a look around the room since she hasn't visited it yet.

"Honestly, it looks pretty nice. The pool's big, it has a locker way over in the back and benches for people to watch."

Ibuki let Junko go. Junko didn't really know what Ibuki had in mind so for now she just checks out the pool. Walking around it seeing what it may be like before moving to the edge of the pool.

"Honestly would make for a good swim… really. Too bad we don't have pool clo–"

*SHOVE*

Junko was suddenly shoved forward into the pool, falling face first into the water. After a bit of splashing around to get some balance and be able to open her eyes without having water in them Junko spits out some water as she hears laughing. Looking up, Junko sees Ibuki having a laughing fit.

"Hahahaha! Junko-chan's all wet! Ibuki got Junko good!" Ibuki laughed out, smiling playfully.

"Y-You…! My clothes and hair are all wet now thanks to you!" Junko yelled not really mad about this.

"Hehehehe! What's Junko-chan gonna do~?" Ibuki asked with a smug look. At this Junko smirks back and reaches out grabbing Ibuki's ankle

"Get payback of course!" Junko said as she yanked, causing Ibuki to fall into the water.

"Ahhh! Ibuki's going down! Ibuki's going doooooown!" Ibuki yelled as she floundered in the water before gaining control. She then pouts at Junko, "Ibuki's all wet now~!"

"Well whatcha gonna d–" Junko was about to say before she got splashed by water.

"Retaliation!" Ibuki yelled.

"Oh it's war now!" Junko yelled as she splashed Ibuki back.

"Me and Ibuki entered in a splash war, then a tug of war, tussling in the water while we splashed around. Eventually we called a truce and spent the next few moments getting out and jumping into the pool. After a bit longer we finally got out laughing the entire time."

"That was fun! Ibuki wasn't expecting Junko-chan to drag her down like that!" Ibuki said with a bright smile.

"Heheh. I wasn't expecting you to shove me like that~!" Junko said, giving Ibuki a playful shove, "Though now I have to dry my clothes so you get the honor of keeping my clothes in your room till they dry~!" Junko said, smirking.

"Only if Junko-chan keeps Ibuki's clothes in her room to dry off!" Ibuki said with a similar smirk.

"Eh, alright. Fair's fair~" Junko playfully said smiling as the two left the pool. Getting undressed in the locker room and wrapping towels around themselves before switching clothes. They both then headed back. Once in her room Junko laid Ibuki's wet clothes down on the shelf and got dressed.

"Heh, I really love Ibuki's company. Now who to meet with?"

Junko left her room and decided to head into the hall, where she saw Mahiru.

"She has been in a friendlier mood after Mikan's trial… Sure she came across as hating my guts after she died, but I couldn't help but notice the complete 180 she did when we learned that Mikan… A-and then that stuff I heard from her and Teruteru… Why not, at this point? I should try to get to know her more."

Junko went over Mahiru and waved.

"Hey Mahiru! Whatcha doin girl?" Junko asked

"Huh? Oh hey Junko! I'm just fiddling with my camera a bit. It's odd that out of everything else that's taken from us, this wasn't. Probably because it's a camera I suppose…" Mahiru pounders.

"Well hey no sweat. Wanna take a photoshoot with me? I bet it'd be a fun time for both of us~!" Junko grins happily

"Hm… sure! Say cheese~!" Mahiru smiles as she takes a picture of Junko.

"Me and Mahuru did a improture photoshoot. With me posing in various ways while Mahiru takes picture after picture."

"That was… genuinely nice. Let's do that some more next time." Mahiru smiles warmly.

"I think I have something she might like."

Junko takes out a Hope's Peak ring and hands it to Mahiru.

"Huh? Can I really have this...?

I actually wanted this right now. I'll gladly take it."

"Glad she likes it! Hopefully that'll make us closer!"

"So Mahiru. I wanted to ask… about your photos if you don't mind." Junko asked curiously

"Oh sure. I can even show you them!" Mahiru said smiling, showing her camera's photo album to Junko.

"Huh… all smiles."

"You only take smiles?" Junko asked

"Mmhm! It's something I like taking pictures of to remember." Mahiru said.

"But why so little boys?" Junko asked

"Uh, that's… uhm… something I prefer to keep to myself, if that's alright." Mahiru said, smiling nervously.

"Alright, fair enough. Still these photos are wicked! I might make you my personal photographer when we get outta here~" Junko said playfully

Mahiru blushes slightly, "You don't need to be that nice…" she said, trying and failing to sound grumpy about the praise.

"Me and Mahiru talked some more before I headed off."

Junko arrived back to her door and thinks about what to do

"You know what? Ibuki surprised me twice. Imma surprise her!"

Junko eagerly hopped over to Ibuki's dorm door and rings the doorbell

*Ding dong!*

"Hm? Oh, Junko-chan! Heya! Whatca want~?" Ibuki asked brightly

"I wanna hang out with you of course! Though just mainly talk if that's fine." Junko said.

"Ibuki's happy to talk all day long!" Ibuki replied

"Me and Ibuki just talked about whatever came to our minds for a few hours."

"Heh! You say the most random of stuff! I love that!" Junko smiles as she fist bumps Ibuki.

"She definitely should get something!"

Junko takes out another Hope's Peak ring she got from the Monomono machine and hands it to Ibuki.

"I see, I see! Something amazing has come out! This is bad! I'm so excited, I can't stop shaking!" Ibuki said.

"You say the wildest of things Ibuki… I love that!"

"So so Junko-chan! Tell Ibuki about yourself!" Ibuki said excitedly

"You first!" Junko replied grinning

"Hm, well… Ibuki loves wandering off to other places to explore! One time, I nearly walked onto a fishing boat and almost ended up in a foreign country." Ibuki replied with a smile.

"...I'm sorry, what?! Jeez, Ibuki be careful about that!" Junko said a little taken aback by how Ibuki nearly ended up in a different country.

"It's fine! Ibuki was A-ok!" Ibuki smiled.

"Well… I don't have much to say about myself. I do Fashion work… I have a family, albeit a dysfunctional one... I exist for the most part…" Junko shrugs.

"What about friends? Junko-chan must've had a lot of friends!" Ibuki said eagerly.

"N-No… Mikan is… er, was my only friend.." Junko said softly.

"Huh? Why?" Ibuki asked, her smile now a curious look.

"Well… people tend to stay away from freaks." Junko shrugs.

"..." Ibuki suddenly hugs Junko tightly "Junko-chan is not a freak!" Ibuki said firmly.

"W-Woah! What's with the sudden hug?" Junko asked, startled.

"Junko-chan is not a freak!" Ibuki said again.

"Sure sure, whatever you say." Junko replied with a half hearted smile.

Ibuki just hugs Junko for a while before returning to her sunny disposition.

"We went back to talking and hanging out like before. Still, that was a sudden shift in mood for her…"

Junko and Ibuki parted ways. With Junko heading back inside her dorm.

"..." Junko stands in her room. It was close to night yet she she couldn't think about sleep as her stomach growls

"Damn I'm hungry… Better eat now before I get screwed by it being Nighttime."

"To the dining hall then." Junko said to herself.

Junko heads out of her room and down the hall where she hears some commotion in the dining hall. She walked in with some trepidation on what it was…

"I just wanted to eat, man… And now I'm about to get roped up into something that I honestly didn't want any part in… Actually, no. I'm already roped in because I walked in… fuck me."

Inside the dining hall Peko and Fuyuhiko were inside looking as though they had had a big argument.

"Ah. Seems we have an intermediary after all." Peko huffs.

"Eh? What's going on?" Junko asked confused

"I have a favor to ask you, Junko!" Fuyuhiko yelled at her

"A favor? From him? Oh, this won't end well…"

Junko would rather leave… but not wanting to give Fuyuhiko a reason to actually consider burying her alive, she went up to him.

"C'mon, Junko. We need you to be our witness!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"Witness? Witness to what exactly?" Junko asked

"Peko's been on my ass since today. Saying I've gotten out of control…" Fuyuhiko huffs.

"You have gotten out of control! You've been getting more violent lately over the past few days. Letting yourself act on your emotions. It's going to cause a problem I can't help you with." Peko said, looking very annoyed.

"Oh I'm sorry! It's just that everyone here has been driving me up the goddamn wall!" Fuyuhiko shouted.

"And you think this will solve anything? It's going to alienate them like what almost happened to us. You need to swallow your pride for once and acknowledge that this is more than just us." Peko shot at him.

"These shits dont know us! And we certainly don't know them! Why the hell should we bother with them when already one of them killed another person!" Fuyuhiko kept shouting.

"Tch. Why must you get like this at the worst of times…" Peko sighs.

"Okay, then let's throw down. Prove that my patience is really 'that poor'!" Fuyuhiko said.

"Normally I prefer not to fight against you. But for your own sake, I'll accept." Peko replied.

"And you, fashion model! You'll be our witness for our challenge!" Fuyuhiko yelled at Junko.

"Gah! Please stop with all the yelling! Also… really? You're gonna… throw down? You're not gonna start trying to fist fight, are ya?"

"Because honestly she could wipe you without a thought…"

"Eh, not this time. Byakuya said there's a bathhouse on the 1st floor of the dorm, right? With a sauna inside?" Fuyuhiko asked.

"A endurance contest… that's what you have in mind?" Peko asked, "I suppose it would be a good test of your patience. To see who can stay in the sauna the longest." She nodded in agreement.

"GODDAMN RIGHT!" Fuyuhiko shouted out, eager to start the challenge.

Reluctantly, Junko entered the bathhouse. Taking a moment to look around as it was her first time entering. The locker room and bathhouse itself was as she expected. The sauna was interesting to her though. But she couldn't fully appreciate it because well…

"Are… you two really going to go through with this?" Junko asked.

"Of course!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"He'll be out within minutes, anyway. With his lack of temper, he'll see how far he's let himself slide." Peko said.

"We'll see about that!" Fuyuhiko said, then he smirked as an idea popped up, "Hell, let's make things interesting. Wouldn't wanna win without a challenge!"

"Interesting…?" Junko asked not sure where Fuyuhiko was going with this.

"We're going to battle with our clothes on!" Fuyuhiko declared.

"Are you actually serious…?" Peko was a little surprised by Fuyuhiko's declaration.

"What? Are you afraid, Peko?" Fuyuhiko asked, smirking.

"Tch… If it'll help you finally control your temper. I'll go through with it." Peko said.

"Heh! Let's do this!" Fuyuhiko yelled.

"I kinda get where his idea came from, at least I think I do… A boy and a girl going in a bath without proper clothes usually indicates something that's meant to be behind closed doors. But I couldn't tell what shocked me more about that exchange: Fuyuhiko's roundabout way of keeping something indecent from happening between the two… or Peko's hesitation to go along with that challenge. …Is there something between these two I don't know about?!"

They both enter the sauna itself, clothes on. Both of them sat on the benches as the heat cranked up, enduring the hot temperatures of the sauna together.

"Ah… Y– Fuyuhiko… I won't judge you if you take your clothes off if it gets too much for you…" Peko said with a slight smirk as she gets covered in sweat.

"How about you mind your business. I mean, look at you Peko." Fuyuhiko said simply at her, "Your face is all red. What happened to that stalwart swordswoman?" Her asked smirking back

"I just have a natural red looking face." Peko said teasingly.

"You don't have to act all big, Peko." Fuyuhiko said

"A-Act? Ha. I'm still plenty good. In fact, I could eat a streaming hot curry right now." Peko replied

They keep going at it.

"Uh… are they… ok?" Junko asked herself.

"I tried to push away my growing concern for a few minutes… then a dozen… then a full hour passed by…"

"You really should give up, don't you think… Fuyuhiko?" Peko asked.

"What about you? You can't even hardly talk much… Peko." Fuyuhiko replied

"Say an-anything you want You– F-Fuyuhiko. I'm good… completely good. In fact, I'm even feeling cold." Peko replied

"Peko… that's not really a good thing…" Fuyuhiko said, slightly concerned.

"Uh… Hey you two? I know you both wanna prove you're both badasses or whatever but uh i think this is going a bit far." Junko said a little worried, her face pressed against the door window.

"Shut it!" Both of them yelled at her.

*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."

"Guys, you have to have heard that. It's nighttime! How about calling it a tie before you get yourselves killed?" Junko asked while banging on the door.

"A true test of skill has no tie…!" Who said determined, "You win, or lose. That… the only thing that matters right now." Peko said

"Dammit Peko! You… Argh…!" Fuyuhiko said back annoyedly, "Bring it on! I'll… I'll show you why I'm a Kuzuryu…!"

"Seriously?! You're putting your position as leader of the fucking clan over your own damm life?!"

"Guy come on! Enough already!" Junko shouted at the two meatheads.

"Yeah, you hear her? Just admit defeat already and head back to your dorm." Fuyuhiko smugly said.

"Tomorrow morning… you'll be singing a different tune and be controlling that anger of yours properly….!" Peko said back smugly.

"Big talk when… when your face is about to blow up…!" Fuyuhiko replied.

"Same can be said to you…!" Peko shot at him.

"Alright, fuck this! Don't come crying to me if Monokuma punishes the two of you!" Junko punched the sauna door as hard as she could before leaving, not willing to put up with this anymore. She headed back to her room. Yet even afterwards she was still concerned about them.

"Really hope they don't overdo it… even those two… A swordswoman and Yakuza leader won't do it to the death… right… Right…? The concern stayed with me as I succumbed to sleep…"

*Monokuma Theater!*

"If fate does exist… Does that mean your future is decided the moment you're born? If all your yesterdays pile up to create your tomorrow… is your future as final as your past? I just dont know. That's why I'm still alive– because I don't know. That's why I desperately cling to life!"

…

…

…

*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!"

"Morning already? I hope Fuyuhiko and Peko didn't kill themselves…" Junko mutters.

Junko didn't waste much time. Heading off to the dining hall as soon as possible.

"I may have been a bit worried about the two… even though I said they shouldn't come to me if something happened… I hurried to the dining hall quicker than I normally do. And when I got there…"

"Heh… Guess I still have a habit of underestimating you, Peko!" Fuyuhiko said with a happy smile.

"Hmph. As did I with you, Fuyuhiko." Peko said happily to him.

"Woah wha–?" Junko asked aloud, taken aback by their sudden friendly bond.

"Hey, Junko!" Fuyuhiko called out, still smiling.

"We just wanted to thank you for acting as the witness for last night" Peko said happily

"So… I take it you two are on good terms now." Junko said.

"They've been alot chummer all this morning. Fuyuhiko hasn't even yelled or cussed yet. I should be happy but… feels kinda weird?" Akane said, confused why she feels weirded out by this.

"Hey, this ain't weird! This is just getting over a rough patch!" Fuyuhiko shot at Akane with slight offense to her remark.

"Oop! I probably ruined it–" Akane said nervously not sure how to respond

"Forgot her comment, Fuyuhiko. She's just not understanding of our particular bond!" Peko said with friendly dismissiveness, "The relationship me and Fuyuhiko have is something not many will understand." Peko sajd with a serious expression.

"Heh, that's true Peko. Though don't expect me to tattoo that or something." Fuyuhiko said playfully.

"Well I'd hope not." Peko said back with a smile.

"So… about that contest… Who won exactly?" Junko asked

"Ah, who gives a shit?" Fuyuhiko said to Junko.

"I agree, it's a meaningless question. What matters is that we both took part in it together." Peko stated.

"Ok… completely the opposite of what you two said last night, but whatever." Junko said dropping it.

"Their friendship seems more deeper and complex than I gave them credit for…" Nekomaru pointed out.

"Yeah, for real…" Akane agreed.

"Peko and Fuyuhiko bonding with each other dominated the room all throughout breakfast. All in all, I would not recommend this experience highly."

Junko and co headed back to their rooms after wrapping up breakfast.

"So… what to do now?" Junko asked herself.

*Ding dong*

"Ibuki again? Neat! Wonder what she has planned for me this time."

Junko opens the door only to not be greeted by Ibuki… but by Mahiru, who came in and stood beside her bed. Junko, confused and a little unprepared, decided to see what Mahiru wanted.

"Mahiru? Uh… What do you need?" Junko asked curiously.

"I… uhm… well…" Mahiru struggled to say looking equally as unprepared as Junko was "Ugh… so easy thinking about it then saying it…" Mahiru muttered to herself.

"Thinking about what? I'm all ears for whatever you want." Junko said, giving a welcoming smile.

"I… I have a favor to ask you… I need you to go somewhere with me…" Mahiru said nervously.

"Where do you wanna go exactly?" Junko asked.

"Un well… the library." Mahiru said

"What? You need a book or something?" Junko inquires, "Can't you ask Nagito? He spends all his time there and probably knows something you'd like." Junko suggested.

"Mhm…" Mahiru said looking to the side

"It's… more than just a book, isn't it?" Junko asked

"...Keep a tight lip, ok?" Mahiru asked Junko seriously

"My lips will be as sealed as the door keeping us here." Junko said.

"...That's an awful saying. Sorry but… no." Mahiru said nervously smiling before giving a cough, "Just follow me to the library and I'll tell you more." Mahiru said.

"Alright, got it." Junko nodded.

"I wonder what she's hoping to have me do…?"

"Alright just let me peek.." Mahiru whispered to Junko, "Be quiet please."

"I was really curious now. This was starting to pique my interest a lot. But I didn't ask many questions and crept gently into the library."

Both Mahiru and Junko softly open the door peeking in.

"Unsurprisingly, Nagito was there by himself, absorbed in a book."

"Ok, he's there alright." Mahiru whispered, "Junko, go talk to him. Distract him or whatever. Just keep his attention on you."

"Eh?" Junko asked, a little confused by what Mahiru wants to do that requires that.

"Please. Just do it, ok?" Mahiru pleaded.

"Ugh… I am so owed an explanation for why I'm doing all of this afterwards…!" Junko bemoans.

"I'll tell you at least something if it all goes well." Mahiru said.

"Why do I feel like I'm putting my neck out for something so miniscule?"

Junko looks at Nagito, who was still reading his book

"Oh god, why did I agree to any of this?"

Nagito lowers the book down some and looks at Junko, "Hello there." He said with a slight smile, "What brings you back to see someone like me?"

"Ah– Uh… wow you noticed me, huh?" Junko asked as she saw Mahiru creeping around the walls while Nagito was focused on Junko.

"Of course. It wasn't to hard to feel your gaze on me." Nagito said.

"Well… I just came to check on you and… stuff… uhm… found any good books lately?" Junko asked.

Mahiru gets halfway around the library approaching… the door at the back of the room?

"Mahiru, what is your plan here?"

"Oh well not that much. Some more mysteries. Some crime. Others thrillers. Mabey a few that would be of interest to you, like fashion tips and such." Nagito replied, relaxing on his chair.

Mahiru gets to the door and gently opens it. Entering inside the room behind the library.

"Just gotta keep him on me for a bit more…"

"Well… that's certainly interesting… I might look into those later. Uhm… question. Why have you been hanging out in the library?" Junko asked.

"Hm? Well because it's just interesting. And full of many interesting little things, heh heh." Nagito lightly chuckled.

"O-Oh? Like what?" Junko presses.

"Oh I would like to tell you… but that would be telling too much. Besides, I'm sure you have better things to do then engage with someone as worthless as me." Nagito smiled.

"Mahiru please hurry the fuck up! I can't keep him busy all day!"

"A-Ah well, it's just… I got some time to kill at least… still uh… Tell me a bit more about yourself!" Junko asked.

"Hm… what is there to tell? I admire the talents of you Ultimates. I seek hope above all. And I'd do anything for hope to shine through. Whether that be a stepping stone for you all or helping someone else be that stepping stone." Nagito replied.

"Ok, you're a fuckin' loony…"

The backroom door opens as Mahiru leaves and closes it silently creeping back to Junko.

"Finally!"

"W-Well I guess I should be uh… going for now… It was uh… good talking to you…?" Junko asked.

Nagito smiled… before turning his gaze and seeing Mahiru, "And what are you doing here, Mahiru?" Nagito asked.

"O-Oh! I was going to get a book… but you two were talking so… I didn't want to disturb either of you… I'll just come back later!" Mahiru replied quickly.

Nagito gave a smile… one that looked to be… very knowing, and not believing of Mahiru, "Hm… Alright."

Mahiru and Junko left the library together.

"Just remember Mahiru. I'm always on the watch. Even if you think I'm not." Nagito said simply.

After the door closed both Junko and Mahiru took a moment to breathe and just… think.

"...Ok Mahiru. I mean this not with disrespect, but… what the actual fuck was your plan?!" Junko asked.

Mahiru was sweating profusely. Looking to be both in fear, panic, and a bit of exhilaration, "I… I can't tell yet but…" she breathes hard.

"But?" Junko asked curiously.

"But… once I fully process what I've seen… you'll be the first to know." Mahiru said simply before heading off.

"..." Junko did know what to say.

"Ah young love!" Monokuma said, popping out of nowhere.

"Holy shit!" Junko yelped.

"Who would've ever guessed she would go for someone like him?" Monokuma asked in a cutesy pose, "But eager passion can also be scary! Sometimes that leads people off in the wrong direction! Nyohohohoho!" Monokuma laughed before vanishing.

"Does he seriously think I like that guy? Especially after the other day?! Ew! Where did that even come from?!" Mahiru yelled out after Monokuma was already gone.

"..." Junko stands there looking tired.

"Suddenly I feel exhausted and would rather sleep."

Mahiru saw Junko's face and looked concerned, "Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, Mahiru. I just need to relax in my room for… awhile…" Junko said to herself, "We'll talk later, okay?"

"Sure, but first…" Mahiru looked down at the floor for a moment, "I never got the chance to apologize for my behavior… not directly, anyway. I'm sorry, Junko… for everything that happened."

"Is she talking about the accusations that I killed Mikan? I heard something about insecurities in her talk with Teruteru, but…"

"I'm not saying I believe that 100%, but… it's highly likely you did it…" Mahiru stated.

"I'm telling you I didn't do it!" Junko said, agitated.

"Save it for the trial, will ya…? Either way, I don't want to be victim number 3, so… I'll be leaving…" Mahiru said.

"I guess I can't blame her with how everything was set up… Even then, it was never her fault to begin with. It's the mastermind's fault! I'll die on that hill, no matter what agenda Monokuma tries to shove in our faces!"

"I appreciate it, Mahiru. And I meant what I said! We're all getting out of here together! Count on that!"

"We'll see what happens…" Mahiru said softly, but Junko could see a hopeful smile on her face, likely relieved that her apology was accepted.

After she and Mahiru part ways, Junko heads back to her room and after taking a moment to recover gets up and starts thinking of what to do.

"Well, there's still time to do something… What to do… what to do…?" Junko asked herself as she headed out her room. Who to talk to? Who to visit?

Junko thinks for a moment and decided to see someone she hasn't talked to alot yet. Heading over down she checks over the doors till she finds Hajime's and rings the doorbell.

*Ding Dong*

…

The door opens slowly

"Hm? Oh hey Junko. What do you want?" Hajime asked with a slight smile.

"I was hoping to just hang out and talk if that's alright." Junko said smiling.

"I'd like that." Hajime smiled.

Junko and Hajime hanged out together. Talking and occasionally doing the odd thing here or there.

"That was nice. I like just doing something that isn't that much."

Junko looks in her bag. And got out some mineral water and gave it to Hajime.

"Oh thanks Junko! I been needing a good drink." Hajime said happily as he took the water and drank it.

"Glad I could do something nice for him!"

"Hmm…" Junko hums.

Hajime looks up at her "Yeah?"

"Still don't know what your Ultimate is yet?" Junko asked.

"Yeah, no… it's still not coming to me…" Hajime said, looking nervous.

"No sweat. Just need a bit of time… Instead, let's talk about you and Chiaki!" Junko said smiling.

"W-What about the two of us?" Hajime asked, blushing.

"Weeeeeeeeeell~ How about maybe how about the fact you two seem to hang out a lot~?" Junko asked with a devious smile

"Uh… um… Ah, well…" Hajime blushes "It's just that we get along really well. She's been very kind and helpful to me since day one and she really seems to care a lot about everyone… And well right now, she needs my help and my attention given what happened… to Mikan… Komaru… and Hiyoko… She's… trying to hide it… but she's not taking their deaths at all." Hajime said.

"Oh… I… she does seem like the caring type, yeah… maybe a bit too caring for her own good… putting others before herself is gonna end badly, given the shit show we're stuck in now." Junko said "Still… I hope she recovers…"

"Yeah… she takes their deaths personally. And she might take it more personally, deepening on what happens…"

"I hope Hajime can help Chiaki out. She needs it."

After talking a bit more about Chiaki and some about each other Junko and Hajime parted ways.

Junko stands in her room as it becomes night.

*Bing Bong, Ding Dong*

Ahem! School announcement, school announcement. Nighttime is quickly approaching, but before it arrives… All students, please gather in the gym immediately! Emergency! Emergency!

"Gather in the gym? Why now? And this late?" Junko asked herself, "..."

"This isn't going to end well… I can already sense what's coming…"

Junko comes out of her door, worry and concern on her face as she starts to take off to the hallway before stopping by Chiaki.

"Hey…Chiaki. Heard the announcement too, huh?" Junko asked.

"Yeah…" Chiaki said, sounding just as thrilled as Junko was.

"No choice for us is there…?" Junko asked

"W-Well… no… it's also not great to defy him anyways…" Chiaki replied.

"Yeah…" Junko nodded.

"Can't do much but go forward…"

Junko headed down the hall and into the main hall. Going doo it before entering into the trophy room. Where she sees Teruteru

"Yo!" Junko said

"AAAAAAHHH!" Teruteru yelled before calming, "A-Ah… J-Junko… Please for pete's sake, don't scare me like that…" Teruteru said

"Sorry…. I guess we should head in, huh?" Junko asked.

"U-Um… or we could not. I mean we could say we got sick!" Teruteru offered

"Look, I don't feel particularly thrilled either but we have to acknowledge this…" Junko sair not happy.

"Ugh true… we don't have a choice…" Teruteru relented, heading inside.

"Best head in myself…"

Junko headed inside herself where everyone was gathered

"Hmph… To ask us all to gather together here all of a sudden like this… I get the feeling it has something for us…" Byakuya pointed out.

"Indeed. What dose he have in mind for us now…?" Peko asked, not keen on this.

"Heheheheh. He keeps things interesting, that's for certain." Nagito replied smiling

"Um… why can't you just smile and not laugh like a normal person…?" Teruteru asked.

"Yeah, it's kinda sick you're enjoying this so much…" Akane agreed.

"Which of us is actually 'sick in the head', hmm?" Nagito asked

"The heck is that supposed to mean?!" Akane asked bewildered.

"Nothing, nothing at all in particular. Just admiring, that's all." Nagito dismissed, "I don't want to kill anyone, But I also don't want to stay here living in blind denial, day after day." Nagito said, "I was just admiring how you could live like that and keep your sanity." Nagito said smirking.

"I'm not in denial…" Akane said agitated.

"Now I hate to be a Debbie downer… or is it Daniel downer for me? Anyway, remember when you brought up how the police or whoever would come help us? I wonder where they are…? it's been a reeeeeeeal long while since we got here. It seems there's no sign of rescue from what I could see." Nagito stated.

"T-That's…i was actually wondering about that…" Akane said, looking down.

"It's strange, that's true… There's no way the police or someone else at all wouldn't know about it. We're right in the middle of a major urban area." Chiaki mentioned.

"The police are slacking!" Teruteru yelled out.

"Or perhaps… the mastermind may be just powerful enough to control the police." Peko mentioned, "We can't discount that."

"Oh, this reminds me of something… M-maybe unrelated…" Kazuichi said.

"Then why mention it?" Mahiru asked.

"I-It's worth bringing up!" Kazuichi remarks "A-Anyways… I was in the main hall, staring into space… When suddenly I, uh… heard something." Kazuichi explained.

"Heard what?" Hajime asked.

"A sound… that I don't remember hearing anywhere here.." Kazuichi said.

"What kind of sound Kazuichi?" Byakuya asked.

"Like I said, I don't know! But if I had to describe it… it was like…a construction site, I guess?"

"Construction site?" Junko asked curiously.

"I mean, I could have imagined it, I only just barely heard anything…" Kazuichi said

"A-Actually… seeing as you are the Ultimate Mechanic… I'll put more stock on you saying it was construction noises." Mahiru said with a slight smile.

"Say what?! Whatchoo talkin' about, Mahiru!?" A voice called out.

And before the students gathered on the podium, eerily similar to their first day, Monokuma pops out.

"He's here." Chiaki said.

"What Kazuichi heard wasn't the sound of construction… but it could have been an explosion!" Monokuma said with a grin.

"H-Huh?!" Junko asked, startled.

"Or maybe a machine gun! Puhuhu… That can kinda sound like construction in a way!" Monokuma added.

"What the fuck… Are you…?" Junko asked, more curious than annoyed at the bear right now.

"Ah ah ah! Beyond this point my mouth is zipped, my lips are sealed, i am fully puckered!" Monokuma said playfully "it's a secret little secret!"

"Fine, then let's move on to what you can tell us." Byakuya said firmly, "Why did you call us here?"

"You don't beat around the ol' bush, do ya?! Ready for me to get to the point, huh?" Monokuma asked, "But before that, do you mind if I vent a little? I'm low on energy these days. My stitchings are even losing all its shine and luster… I'm thinking, it's probably because of this ho-humm, boring old everyday life." Monokuma explained looking slightly depressed facing away, "I'm looking for something with a little more stimulation, something rife with danger and intrigue! Listen, can I just be frank? The next blackened hasn't shown up yet, and I'm getting boooooooored! So, I've decided to come up with a new way to motivate you!" He declared.

"M-Motivate?! L-Like one of those video?!" Junko asked with anger and worry and slight fear all mixed in her voice, "Are you going to show us more demented shit to make us kill?!" She asked anger overpowering her fear and worry.

"You saying I drove your girlfriend to murder?! What a mean thing to say! Just awful!" Monokuma said, looking offended.

"Whatever you have planned, we won't kill each other anymore. You can't make us." Byakuya firmly stated, "I swear that whatever you do, we will not!"

"Hmm. That's very big talk. Do your very best to back it up, okay?" Monokuma replied, "Now then, with your permission, let me begin! So this time it's… embarrassing memories and secrets!" Monokuma said, panting and blushing, "As long as you're alive, it's a given that there's things you don't want other people to know about you!" He mentioned "So I did a little investigating of my own, and I dug up some of your darkest secrets!"

Monokuma suddenly pulls out several slips of paper each having a student's name on it, "And those embarrassing memories and secrets are all contained in the envelopes!" He said grinning "I have them right here… I'm going to hand them out now, so take a second to take a peek!" He finished by tossing them out to everyone.

"As Monokuma spoke, he tossed the envelopes at our feet. I quickly snatched the envelope with my name written on it… I nervously pulled out what was written inside… I-it couldn't be that bad… r-right?"

Junko then looks at the words of the letter.

"...M-My… My… My entire body… suddenly went stiff and rigid like frozen ice."

"Junko Enoshima has two Ultimate Talents and goes by two names."

"Ahh– Aahhhh…!" Junko couldn't form coherent words as she stared at the paper.

"You… Can't… Be… Serious…!"

"He knew about my second talent… about my original name… He knew all along?!"

"H-How…?" Akane freaked out.

"To know about this…" Byakuya said in deep thought, concern threatening to appear on his face.

"Everyone started to talk at once."

"You have 24 hours! If someone doesn't become blackened by then… all your deepest, darkest, most embarrassing-est secrets will be exposed to the world!" Monokuma declared, "Maybe I'll roll by a crowded intersection in a van strapped with loudspeakers and spill the beans! Kyaaah! Wouldn't that be soo embarrassing!?" Monokuma asked, panting again.

"..."

"I-I-I-I-I… W-why is it all blurry again? I uhm… it's so hot… I feel… I feel…"

"S-So that's what you… m-meant by 'motivate'?" Junko asked, struggling to stay on her feet.

"Yup, you got it! They're all pretty unpleasant, trust me. None of you want me to reveal that stuff, right?" Monokuma asked.

"..." Junko started to sway as her mind started to shut down. Taking a drunken step backwards as she felt sick and was finding herself blacking out.

"T-This is fake right? This…is is a dream…y-yeah… it's a dream and I'll wake up anytime now… h-heheheh…"

"It's definitely something I'd rather people not know for sure, but… we will never murder over something like that!" Byakuya declared in a loud firm voice.

"Wh-what'd you say?!" Monokuma asked angered.

"He's right. Your plan to doomed to fail! No one's going to murder someone for this kind of thing." Peko said just as firmly.

"O-Oh no…" Monokuma said defeated and depressed, "Is it because…for better or worse, your memory is still a way to connect to the outside world?" He asked "I have stuff I wouldn't want anyone to know no matter what, so I assumed you'd l be the same… Which is why I put so much effort into preparing this next motive! Gaaaaah, you're saying you really won't kill each other over this stuff? That just sucks! …Nope, can't go back on my word. She and I promised each other to see this through… Stupid promises. Okay, then in 24 hours, I'll expose all your secrets to everyone here just to make myself feel a little better! So sad, so depressed! Farenotwell…!" Monokuma depressedly said as he vanished.

"..." Junko was barely comprehending anything. Just standing was becoming more difficult by the second

"W-w-with an… almost convincing… l-l-look of… depressed dejection on h-h-his face, Monokuma receded i-i-into the gyms depths…"

"I didn't know what to expect at first, but… maybe we dodged a bullet on this one." Akane said with slight optimism, "I mean… Yeah having those secrets revealed is gonna be totally embarrassing. But that's seriously not enough to give someone a reason to kill, right?" She asked hopefully.

"I have an idea, though you're not forced to go along with it. Why don't we all confess to the secrets in those envelopes right here and now?" Byakuya asked "If we do so, then any and all motives for murder will vanish. A good solution in my opinion." He concluded, "I shall start… My secret is–"

"Byakuya, I don't think I'd be particularly interested in your stupid story. Besides, I think there's someone who isn't in favor." Nagito stated.

"Hm? Who?" Byakuya asked.

"How about our lovely Fashionista over there?" Nagito pointed at Junko who was starting to hyperventilate.

"Junko? Are you ok?" Peko asked.

"I-I-I I can't breath… w-why… c-cant I… can't I breathe…?!" Junko asked, gasping for air as her vision blurred more and more.

"J-Junks? W-Whats wrong?" Akane asked, worried.

"I-I-I… H-Heheheh… this is a dream… I… I'll just wake up like this a-all never… h-happened…" Junko said mid hyperventilating as she tried to smile before her body went lax. And she began to fall.

Junko was was expecting to fall into the ground and wake up in bed. Instead she felt herself stop at an incline. Her vision cleared up enough to see Byakuya holding her.

"I-I know it's just human nature to not wanna tell your secrets… but that reaction… are you ok?" Teruteru asked, worried.

"I'll say absolutely not." Peko surmised.

"Yeah… I can tell…" Teruteru nodded

"I would say that's her answer, sure enough. There's no need to discuss it." Nagito said dismissively.

"And you Gundham?" Byakuya asked.

"I… apologize, I don't want to talk about my darkest truths right now." Gundham said simply, "But perhaps later we can open this spell again…"

"I mean… I'm not particularly excited to talk about it either, I getcha…" Akane said as she looked at Junko with worry.

"I am with the others on this. Even if Peko was the one to suggest it, I'd still say no." Fuyuhiko said.

"Alright, thats fine then. Either way, if it's just a few secrets, I'm sure nobody's about to kill anyone over it." Byakuya concluded.

"You say that. But Junko's reaction says otherwise." Nagito pointed out. As Junko was still hyperventilating.

"W-Why am I n-not awake yet…? This…this is a dream right? I… I can't breathe, oh god why can't…" Junko mutters as her brain started to shut down.

"Okay. Then in fairness to everyone, I'll keep my secret for now. Still, we all have 24 hours to get ready." Byakuya said. As he said this he saw Junko's hand, the one clasping to her secret slacken. He could read her secret now if he wanted to and no one would be the wiser… Instead he put his hand over hers and helped her tighten her grip on it. Before looking up at everyone else. "Having our secrets exposed won't be enjoyable, but it's preferred to dying for it." Byakuya said "Please don't do anything hasty." he said to everyone.

"You saying that over and over makes me worry more…" Teruteru mentioned

"Fair enough… I just know it's going to be tough on all of us… but…" Byakuya began to say, but…

*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."

"Nighttime already, huh? Let's call it a day…" Kazuichi said

"I agree. We need to prepare for tomorrow. Especially her." Nekomaru said, pointing at Junko.

Junko's vision clouded again as Chiaki and Hajime tried to help her breath. Junko was unable to speak, let alone think. As everyone started to head out, Byakuya carried Junko over to her dorm. Putting her in her bed before heading out

"Secrets or memories you don't want anyone to know about… a way to connect to the outside world… Honestly, all that crap was having a deep effect on me… I just…i can't i…I wouldn't kill over this but…i… Ok. There's no way anyone would kill over stuff like that. At least, that's what I thought. But maybe its my shutting down mind being optimistic. Which is probably why, without much struggle… I feel asleep. But what I didn't know is that even then… a tragedy was taking place."

*Monokuma Theater!*

Hey, do you have a second? I wanna confide in you… it's about the prevailing world attitude right now. The difference between passive and active i mean… For example, it's the difference between like, "'Oops! I killed him,' and, 'Yeah that's right. I killed him.' Amazingly, there are tons of people who don't understand the difference. Can you believe it?! But there's a HUGE difference between 'Oops!' And 'That's right.' You know what I'm saying, right? Anyone can kill someone in the heat of the moment. But surprisingly few can do it with calculated intent. To make that choice, then put it into action, it's way harder then just letting your emotions lead you. It's all about preparation. Resolve. So maybe you're wondering, what's the point I'm trying to make? Well, I'm not totally sure myself. Maybe you should try reading between the lines."

…

…

…

"...mor…ng…..goo…d…Goo..d…morning…" Junko slowly started to wake.

"Good morning!" Monokuma said.

"Ahhh!" Junko yelped falling off her bed with a thud

"Upupu! Nice reaction! I'm glad to see you didn't disappoint!" Monokuma chuckled mockingly.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" Junko yelled.

"I wanted to spice things up! So instead of a school announcement, I decided to wake you up in person!" Monokuma said playfully.

"What the hell for, you little shit?!" Junko yelled

"Because it's fun. And as long as I'm here, I figured I'd let you hear it right from the bear's mouth." Monokuma said simply

"Hear what?" Junko asked

"Are you sure you should be acting this laid back? I mean, even though something happened to one of your buddy-buddy classmates?" Monokuma said with mocking concern

"Wha..?" Junko asked color draining from her body.

"Wuhwuhwuhwuh-what? Your face is all blue, like someone on the verge of death!" Monokuma said curiously.

"Wh-what happened… WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Junko screamed.

"Puhuhu! That's for me to know, and you to find out! Good luuuuck!" Monokuma said as he vanished.

"Something's happened to someone…could it been…w-was it-?!"

"N-No it can't be…there's no way someone would…" Junko tried to convince herself

"But…what if…? No! Dammit no! 'What if's' are pointless. Especially now, when…"

"The dining hall…i have to get to the dining hall!" Junko said to herself.

Junko ran out her door and down the hallway. Nearly falling over in her rush. As she makes it tk the dining hall

"Junks! There you are!" Akane said.

"Are ya okay?" Kazuichi asked

"Monokuma talked to you, too?" Nekomaru asked

"Akame, Kazuichi… Nekomaru… and…" Junko looks at Nagito

"..." Nagito was quiet.

"Nagito…You're the only ones here? Where's everyone else?" Junko asked panic in her voice

"They either already went off to verify what Monokuma said… or they've fallen victim to the 'something' that Monokuma mentioned." Nagito replied

"The… Something?" Junko asked fear in her voice

"It…No it can be… again? Has it happened again?" Nekomaru asked "Murder?!"

"After hearing what Monokuma had to say, the worst possibility forced its way into my mind… it took me everything i had to drive that thought away."

"S-So… if something really did happen… Does that mean someone did it because of what happened yesterday?" Kazuichi asked in nervous trepidation.

"It can't be! That stuff was just a bunch of old memories!" Akane countered.

"'Just' old memories? Junko's reaction last night would say otherwise." Nagito said, eyeing Junko, "Clearly someone… Perhaps two someone's felt it was more important than that." Nagito said.

"Huh…?" Junko asked, confused.

"To judge someone else's values based on your own outlook… is that really your hope? Despite the inherent danger of it?" Nagito asked

"Wh–? Why didn't you say or do something yesterday?!" Akane asked, agitated.

"Did you already forget? This isn't a co-op game. It's every man and woman for themselves. What good does it do me to go out of my way to help you?" Nagito said directly.

"Shut up and tell us who's secrets you know!" Akane demanded loudly, very agitated.

"Hm? Secrets?" Nagito asked.

"Y'know… The embarrassing stuff Monokuma was gonna reveal if no one dies." Akane elaborated.

"...In the immortal words of Hiyoko Saionji, did your brain go to your tits or something?" Nagito said in a tone akin to Hiyoko's in her 'uber bitch' mode, "Monokuma clearly said that he'd reveal our secrets to everyone if no one dies in 24 hours. Even if for whatever reason he changed that announcement to this morning at the last minute, wouldn't it make more sense to call everyone to the gym or dining hall so he could spill everyone's beans at once?"

"He… did say that…" Junko spoke up reluctantly.

"That means, if that dreadful feeling I have isn't foreboding a tragedy… it's for my secret name and talent to be revealed. But if for whatever reason we wait until tonight… and that black and white slimeball doesn't say anything, then…

"So really, what other alternative could there be?" Nagito pressed everyone currently in the dining hall, "I suppose a better question is… which of the two outcomes do you all prefer to become reality, hmm?"

"H-Help me out here, Junks…!" Akane suddenly begged Junko.

"I looked just as frightened as Akane was, as if silently begging HER to help ME comprehend this!"

"There's something wrong with him, for serious… Did he get mind controlled or something?" Kazuichi asked in nervous curiosity.

"That's not our top priority now. What does matter now is that we find out what happened!" Nekomaru said.

"Ah, he's right. Let's all split up and begin looking. Hmmmm… the game's afoot." Nagito said, smirking.

Junko headed out with the others as they looked around, not finding much on the first floor dorms or even the hallway. So they headed upstairs to search the second floor. Junko enters the pool room where she is met by a weird sight.

"Huh? The door's opened? But they're supposed to be lock aren't they?"

*Ding dong, bing bong*

"For this investigation, i have unlocked the doors. Please look around to your heart's content!" Monokuma said.

"I-Investigation?!" Junko yelled to herself.

"Just as I thought." Nagito said coming inside

"Nagito–!" Junko yelled out surprised

"Judging by what he just said, there can be no doubt a murder has really taken place." Nagito smirked.

"C-Come on…!" Junko yelled annoyed.

"And the locker rooms… They're suspicious. Very suspicious, indeed. Wouldn't you agree?" Nagito asked.

"Suspicious? What do you mean?" Junko asked

"It seems nobody's searched the locker rooms. Let's start with the girls locker room." Nagito said simply.

"He was muttering, as if talking only to himself. Without waiting for a reply, he pressed his hand against the girls locker room door… and the door swung open without a sound."

Junko and Nagito enter inside…

"In that moment, time frozed."

Before the two of them… was Gundham! His body strewn about the girls locker room like a wicked sick display.

"What…?" Junko asked.

"I don't know how long it took for me to fully comprehend the reality of what I was looking at. But as soon as I did…"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Junko shrieked.

"A wild, almost primal scream escaped from my mouth."