Akane wasn't the smartest person. She would be the first to admit that, but it never bothered her. She was strong, and fast, and a bunch of other things. So she wasn't able to help Haji and Kaz with the computer stuff, nor help with the planning with Son and Baby Gangster. Even now there wasn't much she could do. At least when nothing was happening. Which is what they wanted, but the one thing Akane relied on more than her strength, was her gut.

And even when she told Haji to relax, her gut was telling her something was off. It started when Haji came back with food, and only got worst when he left with the weirdo and Teru. But Akane wasn't smart enough to figure out what was wrong. Haji was way stronger than Teru and the weirdo, so it had to be from something else. She kept a hawk's eye on everyone at the party, but nothing happened.

At least, until the weirdo came running back, completely out of breath and alone. Akane bolted across the beach, trusting her gut that what was wrong was the weirdo's fault. Maybe one of the others would have questioned why he ran back when it was clear he did not have the stamina to do so, or where Teru and Haji were, but Akane didn't even think of that.

"What did you do?!" Akane demanded to know as she grabbed the weirdo by the back of his hoodie and made him look at her.

What Akane saw shocked her. He looked terrified. Akane didn't think she had ever seen him look like that, not even when she tried choking him during the bombing. It was enough to have her listen to what he was trying to say between heaving breathing.

"I need… Hinata is… Mikan needs to… charcoal…"

Akane didn't get most of what he was trying to say, but she did understand one thing.

"Haji? What did you do to him?"

"Owari! Set Komaeda down!" Not-Togami said, and Akane dropped the weirdo.

He fell to his knees, still trying to catch his breath while talking nonsense.

"Collect yourself and tell us what happened promptly."

Akane thought it would be better to just punch the answer out of him, and even the weirdo didn't think it was worth trying to calm down to properly explain what happened.

"You have to hurry… Hinata is… he needs Mikan…" Akane was able to hear him say between gasps for air, then a scream rang out.

"Huh? That almost sounded like a Teruteru scream," Ibuki said as the party fully stopped.

The weirdo running in wasn't enough to draw everyone's attention, but that scream was.

"Tsumiki! We may require your assistance. Komaeda, stay here and collect yourself. You can relay everything that happened to Nevermind," Not-Togami said already starting to leave with the nurse when Akane spoke up.

"No way, if the weirdo did something to Haji he needs to come with us. I'll carry him if I have to!" Akane said even though she was sure Haji was fine.

There was no way he wasn't okay. Right?

"We don't have time to waste. Do what you want, I won't be waiting for you skinny types to catch up," Not-Togami warned before he took off at a speed much faster than you think someone of his size would be capable of.

The nurse struggled to catch up, and Akane looked to Son who came over. Akane still thought that Haji was fine, but the look on Son face was making her wonder if her gut feeling about that was wrong.

"Komaeda, can you stand?" Son asked, but it was in that tone that spoke that no wasn't an option.

"Do…Don't worry about trash like-" Akane didn't let the weirdo finish before picking him up and carrying him under her arm.

His feet were dragging on the ground, but it was a little too easy to pick him up. It made her pause for a moment, thinking about the times she picked up her too thin little siblings, but then the moment passed.

"You have until we meet up with the others, and you better take that time to rest before telling us what you did," Akane warned, giving him no time to respond before taking off.

It didn't take long to get to the gates of the hotel. Even with carrying the weirdo, Coach was the only one who kept up with her. He burst open the doors, and she saw Not-Togami standing with the cook and-

"Hajime?!" Son yelled behind her, breaking Akane out of her momentary shock at seeing Haji lying motionless on the ground with the nurse blocking her view of his face.

"What the fuck is going on?" Baby gangster yelled, arriving with the rest of their class from wherever he was patrolling.

By that time, Akane was able to drag the weirdo closer to the stairs leading up to the restaurant.

"You better explain what you did," Akane warned as she dropped him to the ground.

"I put drugs in a mix packet," The weirdo calmly said, eyes never leaving Haji and the nurse.

"You did what?!" Akane heard Kaz yell from where the rest of the group was.

"Silence. Tsumiki needs to know exactly what and how much you put in. And I need to know if there are any other drinks you did this to."

"It was only one and… well… I just grabbed whatever I could find in the market and crushed them up. It might have been five packets?"

"F-Five Packets? That would be at least 50 pills!" The nurse said, and started listing off some fancy sounding names of what Haji could have eaten.

"Hinata did mention something about charcoal," the weirdo off-handedly mentioned, still lying on the ground looking at Haji and the nurse.

"C-charcoal can be used to trap chemicals but…"

"Charcoal? There's some in the restaurant," the cook said just in time for the nurse to cry out.

"W-we need activated charcoal, which is heated to at least 900°C. H-Hinata's pulse is still strong, but his heart rate is too fast. We need to get him in a bed and elevate his head more."

"Nidai! Carry Hinata to his cottage. Hanamura, do you think you can make the activated charcoal Tsumiki needs?"

The nurse listed a few other things she would need while Coach picked Haji up and they rushed off. Baby Gangster and Son followed, and Akane-

"Hehehe, what hope! To see the ultimates work together like this… I was worried that the death of the ultimate hope would only bring despair, but look at you! Such inspiring Hope! To think-"

"Will you shut up?!" Akane yelled, and the weirdo looked at her like he had forgotten the situation he was in.

Most of their classmates were either helping the cook, or getting stuff from the market that the nurse asked for. One person who stuck around was Kaz, and Akane had a feeling she knew why.

"Kaz, you have any rope with you?"

Hajime woke up with his head pounding and his mouth feeling like ash. His eyelids felt like lead plates, and took a while for him to open them.

Between one blink and the next, he realized he was in his cottage. Still in the simulation, which meant he didn't die. Hajime was in his bed, with Tsumiki crouched over asleep on it, sitting in a chair she must have brought in (more likely someone else brought it in for her). His nightstand was overflowing with items from the market that must have been used as a substitute for medical supplies. Near the foot of his bed, sitting on the ground, was Chiaki who was playing her gamegirl. It looked like she was nodding off, and has been for the past hour or two.

On the couch Fuyuhiko was asleep, sitting up (likely fell asleep while watching the door), and Kazuichi was laid out on the couch with his cheek pressed into Fuyuhiko's leg (he didn't fall asleep in the position, and when he woke up would make a big deal out of it).

The sunlight coming from his widow showed that it was around noon. Hajime must have slept through the morning announcement.

Considering he almost died, he felt fine. It was closer to the one time he drank as a teenager and woke up hangover. Dehydrated. Not someone who consumed a lethal dose of over the counter drugs.

If anyone else took that drink, they would have died. Hajime might have died if his avatar was more like his teenage self and he didn't have the knowledge that in real life he would be able to survive something like that.

It was a bunch of coincidences that led to a more favorable outcome. It made Hajime feel…

Tired.

Tired, and maybe a little nauseous. Both were things that he could fix with some water and getting back to sleep.
Problem was, the water glass was in the middle of his nightstand, and moving to grab it would wake up Tsumiki (and in her shock, she would tip the chair over backward). He couldn't ask Fuyuhiko or Kazuichi since they were both asleep, and waking them would result in them getting flustered at their positions rather than just getting him the glass.

Which left Chiaki.

"C-chiaki," Hajime croaked out.

His throat felt like it was on fire, and it was taking all of his control not to start coughing.

Thankfully, Chiaki heard him, and yawned before looking up. But instead of quietly greeting him good morning like he expected, her eyes widened as she jumped up to her feet, dropping her handheld to the ground.

"Hajime! You're alright!"

That was the only warning Hajime had before everyone woke up. Tsumiki fell out of the chair, kicking the nightstand on accident and knocking over the water glass which just made Hajime sigh. Kazuichi started screaming and Fuyuhiko yelled at him to shut up.

Is it too late to just go back to sleep? Hajime wondered, but before he could even attempt to do that, his front door was kicked open.

"Is someone trying to kill Haji again?" Akane announced as she put down the leg she used to kick open his door.

"What? No! Why do you sound excited about that?!" Kazuichi yelled, but thankfully stopped screaming.

"Ya know why," Akane said, dropping her fighting stance altogether.

Kazuichi looked like he was about to argue when Sonia stepped in.

"I brought food!" She said, showing off the tray of food before turning and spotting him, "Hajime! You are awake!"

"Y-yeah, do you have some water?" Hajime's voice cracked, and this time he didn't bother stopping his coughing fit.

"Ah, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have fallen asleep like that!" Tsumiki said as she passed one of the water bottles Sonia had brought over (Chiaki helped her up and righted her chair).

Hajime drank half the bottle before he attempted to talk again.

"What happened?"

"Huh? You don't remember the weirdo tried to kill you?" Akane asked.

"No, I mean after that… and he wasn't trying to kill me. The drink was meant for someone else," Hajime said, not liking it sounded like he was defending Komaeda but he didn't want any misunderstanding.

"What do you mean-"

"E-excuse me!" Tsumiki interrupted, and Hajime realized she had been trying to get their attention for a while now, "I-I'm sorry to interrupt, but please wait until I give Hinata a check-up before talking about this! If N-Nagito was right about how much he put in, I need to make sure there isn't any organ damage!"

There was a brief moment when Hajime looked at the others who were looking at him for… permission? More likely trying to make sure he was really okay, and not wanting to leave him alone with Tsumiki. Which was a nice sentiment, but wasn't needed. As much as he - Kamukura - didn't get along with Tsumiki, Hajime knew it would be unfair to judge her based on how she acted while in the throes of despair.

"We can talk later," Hajime promised, almost sounding normal.

No one looked happy, but Tsumiki did take her duties seriously, and soon enough, everyone was out of the cottage. Hajime was certain that at least two of them would decide to stand guard outside, ready to rush in if needed (Fuyuhiko and Akane most likely).

"S-Sorry to ask but… uh… I need to have you to remove your shirt. Not because I want to see you topless or anything like that! I need to look for any discoloration common in organ failure… Please don't get mad!" Tsumiki was in a rush to explain.

"It's fine. I know you're just doing your job," Hajime said and only hesitated for a moment before unbuttoning his shirt for easy access and turning away to stare at the wall and not Tsumiki.

His face felt a little flush as Tsumiki took a look. It could have been worse. At least Hajime wasn't set up to a heart monitor and IV. At least Tsumiki allowed him to remove his shirt himself rather than just doing it herself.

The Tsumiki looking over him was so different from the one who followed Junko every word, or even the nurses who helped him during the project. Hajime couldn't help but wonder if they managed to succeed with the shutdown while keeping everyone alive, if Tsumiki would stay like this or-

"…Hinata? I-I said you can button your shirt back up."

"Oh, sorry," Hajime muttered as he quickly closed his shirt.

"I-it seems like you're fine. N-Nagito must have just overestimated the amount of drugs with acetaminophen he put in…" Tsumiki trailed off in thought.

"Uh, yeah, I mean, if he did all that while we were at the market, he wouldn't have a lot of time to prep. Make sense that he would… overestimate when trying to remember," Hajime lied through his teeth.

Hajime was certain that whatever amount Komaeda told Tsumiki was correct. But if he told Tsumiki that, she would start wondering how he wasn't dead, and that wasn't something he wanted to explain.

It's better she just thinks it was a non-lethal amount. Hajime thought to himself as Tsumiki muttered her agreement.

"I-If you're feeling up to it, I can call the others back in? E-Everyone was r-really worried about you…"

"We should catch up on what happened… but feel free to take a break. I know you've been hard at work keeping me healthy, so… thank you."

"Oh! T-T-There's no need to thank me! I was just… I'm always happy to help!" Tsumiki said as she stumbled out of the chair, but she looked happy so Hajime wasn't too worried.

Hajime was a little worried that Tsumiki stayed up the whole time keeping an eye on him (he was sure she did and was only asleep for ten minutes when he woke up). She needed a break, but he also didn't want her in here when he talked to the others. He needed to be able to freely talk with them and make sure everyone was on the same page.

Luckily, the others seemed to have the same idea, since when Tsumiki called them back in, Chiaki talked to Tsumiki and they both left.

"Are you really alright? Or were you downplaying your pain to Mikan," Fuyuhiko demanded to know, giving Hajime a look like if he found out Hajime was lying he would make sure his pain would be increased tenfold.

"No, I'm really fine. Just tired."

"Well, if you truly feel alright…then do you mind explaining what you meant by the drink being for someone else?" Sonia asked with a small, polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes (clearly, she was still worried about him, but was willing to hide her concerns for the moment).

Hajime sighed and rubbed his eyes before explaining, "Komaeda was trying to get someone killed technically by me so the 'ultimate hope' could escape."

Hajime still felt sick that his own insecurities caused this. If he hadn't randomly grabbed that drink, someone would have died. Once again his own actions were putting all his friends at risk.

"What do you mean the weirdo was trying to get you to kill someone? Didn't he put painkillers in your drink or something?" Akane asked, but Fuyuhiko answered before Hajime could explain.

"Didn't you hear what that bastard said last night? He fucking put the drugs in the powder drink packages. Hajime must have used the one he put it into. And since he made the drink, if someone did die, Hajime would have been responsible."

"Oooh, so it's kinda like what he did with the whole fire extinguisher. I still didn't get why Chiaki was responsible when the weirdo was the one who set the whole thing up."

"Well, it is good that Komaeda didn't put enough in to kill anyone," Sonia commented, and before Hajime thought better of it, he corrected her.

"No, he did use enough. It just wasn't enough to kill me since I remember how much that would take."

Hajime was still trying to rub the tiredness out of his eyes, and missed the look everyone was giving him.

"What the fuck do you mean by that?"

"Huh?" Hajime asked, dropping his hands to see everyone staring at him in different levels of worry, "Oh, uh…I know how that sounds, but it wasn't anything I did on purpose. Just… some tests that were run during the Kamukura project. To figure out my tolerance to drugs or poisons."

"Bro… that still sounds really messed up?" Kazuichi looked like he was about to cry, which wasn't what he wanted.

He didn't want his friends worrying about it. They had their own issues to deal with. He didn't want them to waste time on him dealing with the consequences of his own actions.

"It really wasn't that bad," Hajime lied with a shrug before changing the topic, "So… what happened when I passed out?"

Hajime really wanted to ask where Komaeda was, but he already had a good idea where.

"When Komaeda came back to the party, Imposter took charge making sure Mikan had everything she needed to save you-" Sonia started to explain, only to get cut off by Akane.

"Then we tied up the weirdo and placed him in the old building again!"

"Uh yeah, Akane and I did that. Then we all took shifts watching you? Though Sonia and Akane left to get food before you woke up…"

"Peko's watching Komaeda right now, and I was planning to switch with her after you woke up," Fuyuhiko finished.

I guess that's one thing taken care of since I don't know if Komaeda will try another plan since his failed. Hajime thought, though he didn't really like the idea of Komaeda tied up again. He could clearly remember how he looked last time and…yeah.

"Oh! Nekomaru already switched with Peko since the second island opened up!" Sonia told them with an excited clasp of her hands.

"Really? Even without a murder happening?" Hajime asked to clarify since he always assumed Monomi was only able to defeat the beasts due to Monokuma 'letting lose' after the murder trial.

"Ya! And the others are already exploring it. Son and I even checked it out before getting you all grub."

"Wait, that's why you were gone so long? You left at the morning announcement, and it's almost noon now!" Kazuichi yelled, yanking his hat down.

"It would be too suspicious if we did not want to check out the new island. In fact, that is what Chiaki and Mikan are doing now. I also believe it would be wise for you and Fuyuhiko to do the same," Sonia said as she cleared the nightstand a little to put the tray of food on it.

There were a few things that were grabbed from the market, but there was also a bowl of soup that was still hot. Something about the smell made Hajime think Hamamura made it, which was nice but Hajime didn't think he could stomach it.

"Yeah, we should probably go…" Hajime said as he started to get up, only to be stopped by a hand on his chest.

"Wha'cha mean by we? You're staying here with Son and me."

"What? But I told you I'm fine."

"Uh… sorry bro but you kinda look like you're about to faint again? Or maybe blow chunks…"

"Blow chunks? What are you, fucking twelve?"

Hajime fell back into his pillows as the others lightheartedly argued. He doubted they were doing it on purpose, but it was making him even more tired.
It should be fine if I go back to sleep. I doubt Komaeda will pull anything today. Hajime thought as he closed his eyes to the sound of Akane punching Kazuichi in the arm, causing him to squeak.

Exploring the next island was…weird. Kazuichi liked the second island. There weren't any weird places like the other islands, and while he avoided the beach house after what happened, the diner was always nice. He had no idea what it was like in real life. Kazuichi was pretty sure Hajime checked out the other island one of the first days after the future foundation left and before he figured out how to get into the program, but he didn't mention much besides it looked like how you expected it to after being abandoned for years.

Thinking about his soulbro just increased the weirdness. Hajime wasn't there talking to everyone and actually exploring the island. Instead, Fuyuhiko was still walking with him, and Kazuichi thought about asking if they were still trying to keep things similar to last time after what happened, but didn't. He didn't really want to be alone. Seeing Hajime collapse on the steps looking dead put forth all his fears. Kazuichi was worried if they had the party in the old building, Komaeda would try to kill Hajime, and look what happened!

"Fuck it. Let's grab something to eat before dealing with everyone else," Fuyuhiko suddenly said, grabbing Kazuichi and pulling him to the diner as soon as they crossed the bridge.

"Oh, right. We left before eating any of that food that Mi… I mean Sonia and Akane brought us," Kazuzichi said instead of commenting on why Fuyuhiko was bolting after seeing the small group standing by the ruins.

It probably was because he was just hungry. Kazuichi knew the last time he ate was during the party, and he was too worried about something going wrong to really eat much. Then there was the whole dealing with Komaeda, and guarding Hajime…

The diner was just as Kazuichi remembered from before, and only after they got in, did Fuyuhiko let go of his arm.

"You didn't have to pull me all the way here!" Kazuichi complained as he sat down in a booth.

"Shut it. Do you want just a burger, or fries too?"

"Uh, both would be great! Thanks 'Hiko!" Kazuichi said, and while Fuyuhiko did glare at him for the shortened name, he didn't comment so Kazuichi figured they were close enough friends for that.

A quick look outside showed that Hanamura was walking back from the beach, head down, looking rejected. Kazuichi really didn't want to deal with him, in the dinner, with only Fuyuhiko, and only let out the breath he was holding when the cook walked by without even glancing at them. But then Kazuichi realized how odd that was.

"Should we be worried that Hahamura just walked from the beach by himself?"

"Did you hear any screaming?" Fuyuhiko asked as he dropped two trays of food down, startling Kazuichi a little.

"Uh, no?"

"Then it's fine. Tsumiki is the only girl who doesn't know how to put him in his place, and she should be in the pharmacy by now if she didn't end up sticking with Nanami," Fuyuhiko said before digging into his burger with only one hand.

Kazuichi wasn't sure about that, but he was too hungry to argue. Not that he would want to argue with Fuyuhiko even if he wasn't hungry, but it was the thought that counts!

"Still, considering last time…" Kazuichi started to say, only to get a hard kick in the shin. "Dude, what-"

Fuyuhiko tilted his head at the camera behind them in the back of the dinner, then pressed a finger to his lips.

"Uh…"

Fuyuhiko tried kicking him again, but this time Kazuichi moved his legs to either side and he just ended up kicking the table.

"Why is everyone trying to punch or kick me today?!"

"Stop being a dumbass and we'll stop. Besides, it's like, friendly hitting. If it really bothers you, I'll tell Akane to quit it," Fuyuhiko said, looking out the window.

"It's fine? I mean, it doesn't really hurt but… why were you doing it?"

Fuyuhiko suddenly turned back to Kazuichi, looking like he couldn't believe he was this stupid, before dropping his burger on the tray. Then he got up, went over to Kazuichi's side, and grabbed the zipper of his jumpsuit before pulling him over so that Kazuichi's face was right in Fuyuhiko's.

"W-W-Wha-"

Kazuichi was sure that Fuyuhiko was either going to punch him or kiss him, but instead, he just leaned over slightly to the right and-

"There's cameras dumbass. We can't talk freely out here."

Kazuichi fell backward when Fuyuhiko let go of his jumpsuit, and it took a moment for him to realized what he said.

"Oh… OH!"

Thats right! I completely forgot that Hajime told us only to talk in his cabin about serious stuff.

"Now you get it," Fuyuhiko said while rolling his eyes and getting back to his food.

"Hey! Don't act like that! There's just been a lot going on, it just slipped my mind for a moment."

"…Hey Kazuichi, can you do me a favor?" Fuyuhiko asked, and Kazuichi didn't like how serious he sounded.

"Uh… y-yeah?"

"Can you shut up and eat?"

Kazuichi made an exhale wheezing sound that covered up his laugh. Fuyuhiko was just doing his weird friendly but scary banter. That meant that things were fine.
Hajime was fine, and no one died. They still had like 16 days left before they could do the shutdown, but already they had more people left than last time.

"Yeah, I can do that."

"Can you? Because you're still talking and haven't taken a single fucking bite out of the food that I so generously got for you."

Instead of answering, Kazuichi just grabbed his burger and took a huge bite. Maybe a little too big, since he started coughing, and caught Fuyuhiko rolling his eyes before passing over his soda.