Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. So, here, we're back to the freetime events, as well as Makoto showing Alter Ego to Taka. So, I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa.
A Lucky Soldier: I wrote a short paragraph about Hifumi's title below. It's there to clear up any possible misinterpretations like "what do circles have to do with fanfiction?". You can choose to ignore it which doesn't really matter that much especially if you don't care about Hifumi's character. In terms of how important it is to the story, it's also quite insignificant since it only pertains to Hifumi's FTEs. Anyways, questions part, then the short paragraph.
Q: Will Kyoko be helping in comforting the victims and killers after the chapter or will you only do that if its someone close to her?
L: Oh she will help people, but she's a very "behind-the-scenes" kind of person (as you can see from the games and DR3-Future arc).
Q: Shouldn't Chihiro be more supportive of Hifumi's relationship with Alter Ego seeing as he was kinda encouraging Hifumi to be with AE during his Ultimate Development Plan?
L: For me, there's two reasons why I'm leaning towards a no for this: 1) I'm not familiar with about 90% of those development plan interactions and 2) It's probably not canon. I only developed Mukuro, Kirumi, and Mahiru.
S: I also lean towards no. Only saw a few development plans and some don't really feel canon.
Q: Will the characters actually develop after seeing all of this? Because so far..they haven't really. I mean i know you said, Byakuya wont apologize ...so what, you're just gonna keep him be the one noted 'insult' spitter?
L: I see what you mean, but not exactly. He's a very prideful person, and given the exaggerated design on his character, he would never throw away that pride. So instead of being a general butthole, he becomes a caring butthole. Like, think of your usual highschool bully calling you names and stuff. Now think of that same bully still calling you names, but keeping other bullies away from you and sometimes giving you lunch money when you can't afford it. That's sort of the image we're going for.
S: And yes, we are gonna develop characters/have been developing characters, but there won't be obvious character changes for all of them. Remember that Chihiro developed some after chapter 2.
Q: *Small details regarding Class 77 and possible future fics*
L: These small details haven't been decided yet. We'll probably figure it out when we get to it.
S: Agreed.
Q: Why i feel girls have pervert punishment to Makoto on end chapter?
L: You have a dirty mind. ):
A QUICK THING ABOUT HIFUMI BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS CHAPTER!
So, regarding our favourite fanfiction creator, his FTE here might sound weird due to it being translated from Japanese. Fanfiction isn't necessarily "wrong", but it's not the exact word either. In the Japanese version of the game, his title is actually SHSL Doujin Author. And no, Doujin does not equal to Hentai (However, it does seem to be a fairly popular type of Doujin). Doujin is mostly referred to amateur level self-published works (but they aren't always amateur level), often based on an official work or concept. This can range from mangas, animes, music, games, or other forms of media. With that in mind, Doujin Circles, are then simply a group of Doujin creator that publish works together. This would've been a completely normal talent, if Danganronpa didn't make everything into extremities and over exaggerate everything. And of course, to the misfortune of our meme'd upon creator, they exaggerate the Otaku side of Doujin artists within him as well as a perverted side. (Not to mention the common English context of "fanfiction" equaling to a fantasy of certain characters "hitting it off"). Anyways, Hifumi is the way he is due to exaggerating a few social aspects about Doujin creators, getting that translated to English, then trying to match English Social Norms (or social norms around fanfiction stuff).
If Hifumi was simply the SHSL Doujin Creator, he would be the god of anime, being able to draw, write, and do everything else necessary to create a game and other things. However, his title does restrict him to being an Author (which is probably done to avoid the ambiguous wording to prevent multiple talents) so he's really good at writing, drawing and catering to a specific audience for success.
So with that out of the way, his FTE should be less "random" so to speak (For example, he's a fanfiction creator, but he talks about games, music and merchandise as well).
Chapter 47: Watching Ch 3: NGL! STGH! Part 6
"Mwehehe… I see quality in you, Mr. Naegi. True quality!" Hifumi declared towards Makoto, letting out a sinister laugh. The two are at the hallway, around the dormitory. "And that's why I've decided present to you my lecture on the nature of fan fiction!"
Given how Makoto had talked to everyone else so far, this was by far one that induced the most cringe amongst the students, and pride in one. Hifumi looked at the screen with pride at his own entrance while Leon and Toko, the two aside from Celeste to have interacted with him the most (one out of necessity, the other out of conflict), sighed for the whole class.
"Oh, great." Leon grumbled. "I was really hoping we didn't have to see Makoto hang out with fatty."
"For once, I-I agree with you." Toko grumbled back. "He'll t-talk about h-his trashy c-comics."
"Not to mention that boring chuunibyou personality." Junko added.
"My future self is bestowing wisdom upon Mr. Naegi!" Hifumi exclaimed in response to their words. "You should be grateful that you will hear about the nature of fanfiction!"
That earned a snort from Leon. "Yeah. Sure."
"If we're going to be friends, you must be fully informed. I will permit no fanfic bigotry whatsoever!"
"I don't think I have any fanfic bigotry…" Makoto replied with a sweatdrop. "I mean, I don't really know anything about that kind of geeky stuff anyway…"
"See, there it is!" Hifumi exclaimed in frustration. "To you, fanfic equals geeky, right? But is that all that word is worth?"
"Huh?" Makoto tilted his head. "Did I say something wrong…?"
"But that's okay!" Hifumi continued, as if he didn't hear Makoto. "Because I take the word geek as a compliment! For you see, there is nobody on Earth so full of knowledge as a geek!"
"In a sense, a geek is like an expert. That's right, a total expert!" He stated. "A successful musician must necessarily be a music geek, a good movie director is a movie geek. You know? It those experts, those geeks who open up the world to others! So when you say that writing fanfic is 'geeky', you're recognizing us as true experts!"
His lecture earned looks of annoyance and befuddlement. "Isn't he taking it a little too seriously?" Sayaka asked with a sweatdrop.
"That's Hifumi for ya." Makoto replied with his own sweatdrop.
"You know, he's not wrong about it either." Mukuro offered her own neutral opinion.
Taka, meanwhile, merely raised an eyebrow. "But is that true? That geeks hold the most knowledge in the world?"
"Of course not." Byakuya answered with an eye roll. "Don't take the fool's rambling seriously."
"Y-Yeah." Toko quickly agreed with the Togami heir. "H-He's just trying to defend h-his trash."
"Your just saying that because you're a geek as well!" Hifumi declared. "Mr. Togami being a math geek and Miss Fukawa being a book geek!"
"What?!" Toko hissed, looking completely offended. "Don't c-compare with you!"
"Excuse me? I'm more than just a 'math geek' to the likes of you." Byakuya instinctively snapped back.
"So you do admit to being a geek!" Hifumi cried out, pouncing on Byakuya's mistake. Realizing his slip of tongue, he immediately turned around his seat in a disgusted manner.
While they were talking, Chihiro kept silent with a small blush on his face. With Hifumi's logic, that also made him a geek, since he enjoys computers.
Makoto sweatdropped at this. "Okay, so um… what exactly is fanfic, then?"
"Oof! Super direct question FTW!" Hifumi exclaimed in slight surprise. "Basically, we have all different kinds of stores and events, right? These are where groups of holy warriors sell their own stuff based on games, comics, anime, everything."
"And the stuff those people make… are fanfic?" Makoto asked.
"Comics are the most common creation, but it also include games, music, and even merchandise!" Hifumi explained to him. "Of course, that's common sense. I certainly hope you don't expect me to explain such common-sense topics every time!"
"Well, like I said… I don't know too much about this stuff." Makoto told him.
"This goes well beyond 'I don't know too much'!"
"It does?" Hina smiled sheepishly at this, scratching the back of her head. "Cause I didn't really know that much either."
"I think that goes for most of us, Hina." Sakura replied in reassurance.
"But I guess I can't blame you." Hifumi sighed. "The propaganda never touches on that. So as a fanfic ambassador, by the time I am done with you, you'll be itching to buy a premium pass to the next fanfic con! Right?!"
"Is this what he teaches you every time you hang out with him?" Junko remarked.
Makoto nodded. "Yeah, he does."
"It's quite fun, talking about my passion with Mr. Naegi!" Hifumi stated. "No one else would even bother to listen to me! Though I do wish he became more interested in fanfics!"
"None of us are going to be interested, dude." Leon deadpanned.
Makoto sweatdropped once again. 'Obviously he's excited, but…'
"Alright, that's it for the basic!" The fanfic creator continued. "This time, would you like to hear about one of my many legends?"
"Your legends…?"
"Naturally!" Hifumi said proudly. "You don't become the Ultimate Fanfic Creator without a few legends sprouting up around you! One such legend is how, in middle school, I was able to convince the school to create a fanfic club!"
Several eyes widen at this. "You manage to convince your school to have a club like that?" Mondo asked incredulously.
"I sure did!" Hifumi stated proudly, crossing his arms.
"But, how?" Taka asked, trying to wrap his head around it. From what he knew, Hifumi's comics aren't the most kid friendly. How could a school approve of such things entering school borders?
"And that is a great question! Indeed, how did I do it?" Hifumi rhetorically asked in a very stereotypical manner.
"And from that day, I exposed myself and my fanfic to the world at large! By the way, do you happen to know what all of my works are based on?"
Makoto shook his head. "Sorry, no idea…"
"Well, surely you've heard of the highly acclaimed anime Demon Angel Pretty Pudgy Princess!" Hifumi proudly answered.
Leon rolled his eyes. "If I had a dollar for every time you mentioned that anime…"
"It would probably be enough to pay for five school trips." Junko finished.
"Or maybe even fund the reserve course..." Chihiro commented to himself, counting on his fingers and doing math in his head.
"Now, you might think that sounds totally cliche, but you would be WRONG!" He continued. "I didn't simply copy the 'pretty girl' Princess Piggles style. I took a total meta sci-fi approach! My perspective was seen as quite odd, but if you really look at what I'm doing… my version of Princess Piggles was the total antithesis of the new-wave sci-fi movement. In fact, it was my response to J.G. Ballard's speculative fiction styling!"
Once again, several of the students were confused as to what Hifumi saying. "A what, what, and a what now?" Hina asked in confusion.
"Basically, he wrote his favorite anime in a futuristic setting, but different from the other sci-fi stuff. Apparently, that's also what skyrocketed his popularity." Makoto explained to her easily.
"Ah." Hina nodded in understanding, smiling sheepishly. "Glad you're able to speak Hifumi's geek language."
"Reading manga and watching anime with my sister gave me some experience." Makoto responded with a small, embarrassed laugh.
He then let out a small, creepy laugh before catching himself. "Ahh, my geekdom is leaking out again. I apologize!" After composing himself, he continued. "Anyway, unlike most fans, I never saw Princess Piggles as your typical moe anime."
"Yeah, I definitely got that impression…" Makoto replied back before approaching on a previous topic. "But I can't believe you were able to single-handedly persuade the school to let you make a club…"
"Oh, that's because I bribed them with a cut of my profits."
"Bribery?!" Taka shouted in outrage, startling some of the others. "And the teachers accepted it?! That is completely unacceptable!"
"Wow. Either the school was greedy or desperate to accept the bribe." Leon snorted.
"Geez. And I thought you actually persuaded them to accept that kind of club." Junko sighed in disappointment. "I should've known that you bribed them…"
'Profits…?' Makoto thought in disbelief.
"And I've only gotten better at it! I'm blowin' up!" Hifumi boasted. "Now then, up till now, I've always focused on taking part in Princess Piggles single-setting events."
"Single setting…?"
"It's when a circle gets together to come up with a project or event focused on only one show or series." The fanfic creator explained. "So a Princess Piggles single-setting event would only allow works involving Princess Piggles, see? On the flip-side, there's a free-for-all, where there's no restriction on the number of properties."
"There are actually plenty of free-for-all events every year, and yet…" An outrage look entered his face. "More and more slackers are showing up with no idea what fanfic really meant! It's so ANNOYING!"
"M-Make it stop!" Toko cried, covering her ears. "I c-can't take anymore of t-this talk about t-trash!"
"This is an absolute waste of time." Byakuya groaned in annoyance. "What's the point in this?"
"Like Spirit mentioned before, to keep everyone's energy up." Kyoko reminded him. "Most, if not all of us, would rather feel slight annoyance than utter dread, I would think."
"Hate to admit it, but Kyoko's right." Leon sighed. "Rather see Hifumi blab about his princess show than seeing who's getting murdered next."
"How dare you call Demon Angel Pretty Pudgy Princess a mere princess show!" Hifumi shouted in outrage. "It's one of the best magical school girl animes out there!"
"Yeah, yeah." Leon dismissed with a yawn.
"So in order to crush these peons with all my might, I'm going to start taking part in more free-for-alls!"
"Crush them…?" Makoto shrunk a little at this. "That doesn't sound very friendly…"
"Y-Yeah." Chihiro agreed, shaking a little. "Can't you just do a friendly competition?"
"These events are not for making friends!" Hifumi denied instantly. "It's to show your inner passion! And anyone who slacks off in the art of fanfics deserves to crushed!"
"Are all you fanfic nerds that fiery about the stuff?" Leon asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't participate in these events to make friends!" Hifumi countered in response. "And I cannot forgive those lazy bastards! And don't tell me to ignore them! If you let some little wimp survive, you'll regret it later! Play any RPG where the villain spares the hero when he's level 1, and what happens? Boom! Dead!"
Makoto sweatdropped at this. 'I… kinda get it.' He thought to himself. 'But I kinda don't…'
"Yeah, same here." Hiro admitted. "Except that I don't get it at all."
"Me too." Hina spoke up, rubbing her head.
"Yeah, most of us don't speak nerd." Mondo sighed.
"I just think he's exaggerating a tad too much." Junko said dryly.
Hifumi gritted his teeth in frustration. "Bigots, all of you!" Hifumi accused. "But don't worry! Once we have time, I'll teach you all about fanfiction!"
"We would rather not, Hifumi." Celeste replied, doing her best to keep her composure. Seeing Hifumi acting geeky to the max is annoying her to the brim. She really hopes that this will be over soon.
"It's a dog-eat-dog industry, where only the most brutal survive. Oh, but don't worry. I'm gonna start you off easy by getting you involved in some simple cosplay action!"
"Huh? I'm gonna get involved?" Makoto asked. Then his mind processed everything he said. "...Wait, did you say cosplay?!"
That earned some laughter from some of the guys while Makoto's cheeks burned in embarrassment. "Hifumi actually wants you to do that?" Leon asked with a smirk.
"Y-Yeah." Makoto admitted. "Been preparing a costume for me to wear ever since when he first mentioned it."
The girls, mainly those crushing on him, giggle at the thought of Makoto in a costume. It would be so cute to see.
Kyoko, despite her amusement at the thought, leaned towards Makoto and whispered, "Do you want me to help you get out of it?"
The luckster shook his head. "No, don't worry. I mean, it's not like Mondo offering to ride with him and his friends, so it shouldn't be bad." The blush on his face then deepened. "Besides, it's not like I can escape dressing up now with the punishment setting up for me."
"True." Kyoko conceded, her smile becoming a bit wider at the mention of Makoto's punishment. She'll be looking forward to seeing it.
If the next murder and trial doesn't cause too much calamity.
"You're a pretty good-looking guy. If your costume was decent enough, I might even let you work my booth!" Hifumi stated, before let out another creepy chuckle. "I bet you could even net yourself a magical girl harem!"
Makoto cheeks flared up even further while the smiles and giggles from the girls disappeared. Kyoko slightly frown at the thought of other girls getting attracted to Makoto, with Mukuro outright scowling. Hina also frowned while Celeste gritted her teeth. Sayaka grabbed Makoto's arms tightly, a scowl also on her face.
"Hifumi!" Taka shouted in outrage. "As I said before, polygamy is illegal! Don't encourage it!"
"Hey, I can't help if Mr. Naegi is able to attract females to him!" Hifumi said in defense.
"And I don't think that would happen, anyway!" Makoto quickly said before an argument could break out. "I'm still just a normal guy, after all. I don't think cosplaying would change that."
Although Makoto was oblivious himself as his eyes returned to the screen, literally everyone else in the room let out a sigh upon hearing his last words. He may be unexpectedly smart or insightful, but never did they guess that he was that dense as well.
"So with that in mind, let's change the world of fanfic together!"
"...What does that even mean?" Makoto sighed/whined as he waved farewell to Hifumi.
The scene switched to Makoto walking into the recreational room, where he spotted Hiro at. "Hey, Makoto!" Hiro greeted. "What's up, my brother and fellow mother-lover? Let's raise our semi-siblings up right, okay?!"
Immediately, faces turned sour at the mention of Hiro's fortune. "Can we stop bringing that up?" Hina whined. "I don't even want to think about that."
"Why not?" Hiro asked, looking confused. "It's a way for Makoto and I to grow closer!"
"I don't want to get close like that!" Makoto stated fiercely. He would definitely rather not share the same lover as Hiro, thank you very much!
Unknowing to him, the five of the girls shared a similar statement with him.
"S-Stop talking about that…" Makoto pleaded with him.
"So! Ready for the next round?!" Hiro asked him eagerly, talking about the fortunes.
"No!" A collective 15 voices rang out in response to the Hiro on the screen. They do not want to hear another fortune from Hiro!
"Never!" Makoto immediately shouted. But then paused for a moment. "...Actually, how do you do your fortune-telling, anyway?" He asked curiously while changing the subject. "I saw you doing palm readings and stuff, and you didn't use any tools or anything…"
Kyoko didn't know if he knowingly changed the subject in that manner or not, but seeing it happen was enough to get a small amused smile from her stoic face.
"Wow, I didn't know you knew about divination tools!" Hiro said, impressed. "Sounds like you know your way around the spirit world!"
Leon cocked an eyebrow at this. "Um, I'm pretty sure everyone knows at least that much about fortune telling."
"Is this the extent of clairvoyant knowledge?" Byakuya remarked condescendingly. "If so, I'm very disappointed. More so than usual when it comes to this nonsense."
"Hey! It is not as easy as you think, you know!" Hiro responded angrily, thought several of them doubt his words.
"Er, I'm not sure you need to know that much to know about those kinds of tools." Makoto responded back.
However, his words fell on deaf ears. "Now that I know you're an expert, I have a question for you! A correct answer gets you another discount!"
"No thanks…" Makoto deadpanned.
"You honestly expect Makoto to want to hear another of your fortunes?" Junko asked in disbelief.
"Of course." Hiro said, like it was obvious. "Why wouldn't he?"
"Maybe because your fortunes are a load of bull?" Mondo snorted. "And you con people all of their money for a clear glimpse of the future?"
"You guys are just haters! All of you!"
Once again, his words were on deaf ears. "There are 22 cards known as the Major Arcana, and 56 cards known as the Minor Arcana." Hiro began. "Generally, the cards from the Major Arcana are used for divination. Do you know what I'm talking about?!"
Letting out a sigh, Makoto thought about for a moment. When said moment pass, he figured it out. "Oh, I know! You're talking about tarot cards!"
"Ahh, gloriously correct!" Hiro said in amazement. "I will now tell you your fortune for a measly six hundred bones!"
That received blanks looks from the group. "Hey, c'mon! Don't make those faces!" Hiro exclaimed in response to these faces. "Six hundred is a very good price for my fortunes!"
"Yeah. Good price." Leon deadpanned. "I'd sooner believe that Hifumi isn't attracted to girls than believe that."
"Well... I'm not really into 3D girls..." Hifumi muttered to himself.
"Wow, really? ...Is something I'd never say!" Makoto declared. "I've had enough fortune-telling for one lifetime…"
"I see…" Hiro sighed in disappointment. "Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me!"
'I wouldn't change my mind, even if it's free.' Makoto deadpanned in his mind.
"Sure thing. Anyway," Makoto said, getting back on topic. "Getting back to what I asked you about before, if you don't use any tools or whatever, how do you do your fortune-telling?"
"Well, don't be fooled. I have my own technique." Hiro told him fiercely. "For example, I employ numerology!"
"Numerology…?" Makoto tilted his head in confusion.
"It uses of mathematical formula to predict the future based on birth dates, lettering number, all that." Hiro explained.
Byakuya raised an eyebrow at that. "I'm surprised you're actually able to use mathematical formula."
"I'm surprised he knows the concept of numerology at all." Mukuro voiced her straightforward opinion.
"I'm not stupid!"
"Then you have fooled all of us." Celeste remarked dryly. "Cause you definitely didn't pronounce yourself as smart."
"But I didn't see you use numerology with Makoto's fortune." Chihiro pointed out.
"But… I didn't see you doing anything like that, either…" Makoto pointed out.
"Well, it's more of an inspirational type of fortune-telling!" Hiro stated. "Some kind of unknown power just acts through you, and suddenly, bam! You've got the info!"
Eyebrows rose in disbelief at this. "That's intuition!" Sayaka cried out. And she would know! It's her thing!
Byakuya sighed. "I told you his fortunes are foolish."
"It's not intuition! Like I said, it's an unknown power that comes through you!"
"Making it sound pretty doesn't take away that it's intuition." Junko said dryly.
"You're talking about intuition!"
"Don't try and describe it using such a cheesy word!" Hiro responded back.
"I'm sorry, what?" Sayaka slowly to turn Hiro with a cold look on her face. "Intuition is what now? Cheesy?"
Hiro paled. "I, uh, well… future me?" He offered up weakly.
"But if it's not intuition, then it's gotta be some kind of supernatural power…" Makoto said in slight musing.
"Don't compare my clairvoyance to some occult bullcrap!" Hiro denied angrily. "I hate the occult! Take that crap somewhere else!"
'You hate the occult…?' Makoto thought incredulously.
"Now here's some good news. Act now, and I'll throw in an extra bonus on your reading!" Hiro offered. "I used white magic to record a CD of spirit messages I received from the luxury suite of heaven! Five seconds of this baby, and you'll be witnessing miracles and communing with angels for days!"
"...Ow. Ow, my brain." Junko moaned, holding her head. "Ow. Ow."
"Can you please stop saying stuff like that?" Hina groaned, also holding her head. "I hate having a headache."
"And you said you… hate the occult…?" Makoto asked slowly.
"Hey, business is business!"
'The more I talk to him, the less I understand…' Makoto thought, walking away from the vibrant fortune teller.
"Why do you even bother talking with this fool?" Byakuya asked Makoto. "Just listening to him lowers your intelligence!"
"Yeah! It's like I can feel my brain cells committing suicide one by one!" Leon added.
"When will you guys stop being so mean?!"
"Perhaps when you properly convince us that there is merit to your fortune telling." Mukuro replied blankly. "So far, you have said nothing but contradicting phrases and ungrounded arguments."
"Mukuro has a point, Hiro. Your career and words just don't match up." Sakura agreed, speaking up after a long period of silence.
Hiro hung his head. "You guys just don't get it…"
The scene switched to Makoto sitting on the bed, idly thinking to himself. 'Getting close to nighttime.' He thought to himself. 'But I still got some time. What should I do until then?'
Before he could think on it more, the doorbell suddenly rang. "Huh?" Makoto looked at the door. "Sounds like someone's here." Without any preamble, Makoto walk up to the door. When he opened, he saw a still traumatized Taka at standing in front of it. "T-Taka!"
The sight of the Ultimate Moral Compass also surprised the others. "What's Mr. Ishimaru doing there?" Hifumi asked. "And why?"
"I'm wondering the same thing." Taka said, narrowing his eyes. As much as he hate to admit it, he thought that his future self would keep himself isolated, at least for a while.
The moral compass was silent, as usual. But after a beat or two of that silence, he finally spoke up. "...Is it true? Can I really… see Chihiro?"
That caused several of them to tense. "Is he talking about Alter Ego?" Hina cautiously asked.
"Most likely, yes." Sakura answered her friend. "He must've heard us talking at some point."
"And my future self wants to see him." Taka said, frowning. Now he understands why he's at Makoto's door. To ask him if he could get the chance to talk to Alter Ego, to ask him something.
"Huh?" Makoto was confused for a moment before his eyes lit up in realization. "You mean Alter Ego?"
"He's… still alive?" He asked, his voice weak.
"N-No… not quite…" Makoto hesitantly answered him.
"Let me see…" Taka continued, as if he didn't hear Makoto. "I want to… talk to him…"
"T-Taka…" Makoto bit his lip. 'The way he is now, there's no way I can explain what's going on with him…'
Mukuro nodded in agreement. "True. In his traumatized state, he could barely understand what is happening around him." Very few soldiers in Fenrir were like that, so she can easily see the signs.
"So what should Makoto do then?" Hiro asked.
"The best thing to do right now is do what he asked." The soldier answered.
"But aren't we forbidden from using Alter Ego?" Hina pointed out.
'Kyoko said we're not allowed to use Alter Ego.' Makoto frown in slight confliction. 'But… even so…'
"I'm sure my future self will understand." Kyoko reassured. "This isn't really for personal use. It's to help someone internally suffering." And at this rate, he's regressing more than progressing. It would be cruel to leave him like that.
"If you say so." Makoto said, though he looks a bit uncertain. It's not like he doesn't trust Kyoko's words, but the fact that his future self feels like he should sneak around makes him a bit concern.
He looked at his grief stricken friend. 'I can't just leave him like this.' He then spoke out loud. "Okay, why don't we get going…?"
Taka doesn't say anymore. Merely follows Makoto as he walks out the door.
The scene switched to Makoto and Taka gathered around the locker where Alter Ego is held. "Okay, so… there's a laptop inside the locker, understand?" Makoto explained to him. "And the laptop there's a program called Alter Ego."
"How do I… talk to him?" Taka slowly inquired.
"O-Oh, um…" Makoto moved towards the computer. "Well, you just tell me what you want to say, and I'll type it in for you."
Taka was silent for a moment. Then, he hesitantly spoke. "Do you… hate Mondo?" Taka asked, his small and weak voice filled with many emotions. "And since I couldn't stop him… do you hate me?"
Several eyes widen at the questions before turning to the moral compass. The only ones who weren't surprise by this question were Makoto, Chihiro, Mondo, and Taka, with the latter of the four looking down.
"Taka…" Hina spoke up hesitantly. "Are you thinking that?"
The honor student was silent at first. Then, he spoke. "I did, at first." He answered softly. "I thought I could do something. Maybe I could've stopped Mondo. Maybe I could've convinced everyone that we could share our secrets with one another. Something that could've stopped Chihiro's murder and Mondo's execution."
He took a deep breath before speaking once again. "But it doesn't matter now." He says firmly. "Makoto, Mondo, and Chihiro showed me that. The future has not happen yet. I can stop this from ever happening."
That brought soft smiles from the group. "That's good to hear. And you're correct." Sakura said in agreement. "We will stop this killing game from ever happening."
'If you're able to stomach everything!' Junko thought with a sing-song voice. 'And not rip each others throats out first.'
Makoto bit his lip once again. 'He's forcing himself to get the words out.' He realized. 'From his mouth, from the bottom of his heart… he's forced his weakened voice to make the sounds.'
"...Please."
Many winced at how broken he sounds, their hearts clenching at his voice. Mondo clenched his fist, the guilt filling his heart, while Taka looked at his mentally broken form.
"O-Okay…" Makoto then typed the question exactly like Taka asked them.
At first, Alter Ego was silent. Then, he spoke. "Do you hold yourself responsible…?" He asked Taka. "If Master could talk now, I think this is what he would say… please, live your life for the both of us. It's impossible for me now, but you can still survive and escape - all of you."
Chihiro nodded in agreement with his AI. "Yes. I think I would say that." He said, sounding slightly confident.
"I'm not surprise." Makoto said, smiling. "You're incredibly selfless Chihiro, as well as strong." The programmer flushed at the compliment.
Once again, Taka didn't say a word. "Hey, Taka…" Makoto hesitantly spoke up.
But before he could say more, Alter Ego spoke again. "The one asking those questions is… Taka, right?" The AI inquired. "Analyzing all available data, that's the only conclusion I can come to. Master told me how close Taka and Mondo had become. So that must be why he feels responsible…"
The screen suddenly went dark. And in an instant…
Was Mondo. "You're not letting yourself get crushed under the weight of that responsibility, are you?!"
That definitely startled the others. "M-Mondo?!" Sayaka exclaimed in shock.
"The hell?!" Mondo exclaimed, also shock. "Is it copying me?!"
"I see." Byakuya said in understanding. "Your AI can also imitate others, am I correct?"
Chihiro nodded. "With enough data, it can accurately predict what they say and also look like them."
"Very impressive." Celeste complimented.
That caused Taka to make a choking noise of shock. "A man's only worth as much as the load he can carry!" The AI continued. "You get it, right bro? Hell, what am I saying? Of course ya do!"
Taka could only stare at the laptop in shock while Makoto's own eyes widen. "Th-That's…!"
The laptop switched back to Alter Ego's original appearance. "I'm sorry if I startled you…" He apologized. "That was my attempt at a simulation, using the data Mondo that Master had given. I figured if Taka was depressed, that's the kind of thing Mondo would have said to him…"
The AI then switched back to Mondo. "So you're just gonna stand there, huh? Just wait for things to get better?" He rhetorically asked. "Just take your time and get all depressed, take the time indulge your regrets… you might even start walking again without realizing it. Sure, that kind of mediocre thinking might work for some people."
"Damn." Mondo said in amazement. "That would be something I would say."
"And all that from some data Alter Ego gathered?" Hina breathed out in awe. "That's so amazing!"
Chihiro's cheeks couldn't help but burn at the compliments.
The laptop once again switched back to Chihiro's appearance. "...What if I said it with that kind of condescending tone?!" He giggled.
Taka stayed silent, for a moment. Then, he began letting a noise, sounding like a laugh, drawing Makoto's attention. "Taka…?"
The noise he's making also drew the other's attention. "Is he… l-laughing?" Toko hesitantly asked.
A smile slowly entered his lip. "It's starting to sink in…" He murmured. "The way a bucketful of water sinks into a bone-dry sponge…"
Smiles slowly entered their lips. "Is he finally getting himself together?" Hina asked hopefully.
"Look like meeting Alter Ego is having a big effect on him." Kyoko mused.
"Huh…?" Makoto said in confusion.
"Those words… deep within my heart…!" He said to himself, a blue glow suddenly surrounding him. "They're inside of me!"
Their smiles slowly left them when they noticed the glow. "Is he… glowing…?" Leon asked, wondering if he's seeing things.
"What is going on?" Hiro asked nervously, looking as if ghosts might attack them.
And suddenly, Taka screamed with renewed energy, his hair turning white, his eyes blazing, and his skin back to his healthy color.
Immediately, the room exploded. "Taka?!" Chihiro exclaimed.
"What the hell?!" Leon shouted.
"His hair white!" Hina pointed out in shock.
"And his eyes are blazing!" Makoto added.
"The fuck happened to him?!" Mondo cried out.
"He went Super Saiyan!" Hifumi squealed.
Even Celeste and Kyoko couldn't hide the shock they're feeling. The latter had guessed that this would give Taka the energy he needs, but she didn't expect… that.
Taka looked at the screen with wide eyes. Did that speech really energized that much? To the point that his hair and eyes changed?
Junko merely blinked a little, merely a bit surprise by this. Honestly, she expected that pep talk to bring Taka back from the dead, but she didn't expect to go all super saiyan, as Hifumi stated. She mentally frown. Can't her classmates just stay in despair, like good little hostages?!
"T-Taka?!" Makoto exclaimed in shock, taking a step back.
"Who the fudge is Taka?!" Taka growled right back.
THAT shocked everyone. "Did… he just said what I think he just said…?" Junko slowly asked, looking really shocked.
"I think so." Sayaka confirmed slowly, as if trying to process it herself.
Taka's eyes were as wide as saucer. What just come out of his mouth?!
"Y-Your eyes…"
"Hey, don't worry about it!" Taka reassured. "Guess I caused kind of a scene, huh? Shoot, man…"
"And your voice…" Makoto's eyes were getting wider and wider.
"Did Mondo and Taka somehow merged?!" Hina exclaimed, looking as shocked as the others.
"Oh no! Not more g-ghost!" Hiro cried out. "Mondo has possessed Taka!"
For once, no one immediately disregard his statement. A few of them actually looked like they agreed.
"I'm… a new me…" He then let out a roar. "I'm totally stuffed with fighting spirit now! Ya dumbbutt!"
"O-Okay, Taka… just calm down." Makoto hesitantly told him.
"I AM calm!" Taka stated back. "And don't call me Taka! That's… that's not my name anymore… I'm… me!" He then began sprinting out the batthouse. "I! Am! Meeeeeee!"
"...What the hell did you just unleash, Makoto?" Leon questioned, wide eyes.
"Great. Taka turned from broken to unstable now." Byakuya sighed in annoyance. "That will be annoying to deal with."
"Well, at least he's feeling better now." Hina said weakly, her mind in the middle of processing what the heck just happened. "That's something, at least."
"True." Sakura agreed, musing to herself. Taka's transformation kinda reminded her of Nekamaru in a way, whom she spars with from time to time.
"H-Hey! Taka, hold on!" Makoto took after him…
But before he could get out of the room, Kyoko walked briskly inside, blocking the exit. "What do you think you're doing?"
"K-Kyoko!"
The appearance of the Ultimate Detective caused several to stiffen. "Oh crap! Kyoko!" Hiro said in horror.
"Welp, Mr. Naegi is dead." Hifumi said in sympathy.
However, Kyoko waved them off. "As I said before, don't worry. My future self will understand the situation."
The sight of the lavender haired girl made him nervous. "Oh, um… no, see… this is just-"
"Don't go around doing what you feel like." Kyoko said coldly.
Her words and cold tone caught everyone by surprise, especially the detective herself. "What?" Was all Hina could say, almost as if she didn't hear Kyoko.
"It causes problems. And not just for me. For everyone."
"Is she… scolding Makoto?" Mondo asked slowly, his anger slowly building up. "For fucking helping my bro out?"
"So it would seem." Sakura said, narrowing her eyes in slight befuddlement.
"Well, this is the 'old' Kyo- Kirigiri." Mukuro reminded everyone.
"Kyoko is fine. And yes, I can imagine myself behaving that way as well." Kyoko admitted.
Makoto looked away in shame. "S-Sorry…"
"If you're really sorry, you'll get out of here. Now." She ordered.
"O-Okay…" He then head out of the room, looking embarrassed and sullen.
The sight of Makoto's 'kicked puppy' look caused Kyoko to wince while Sayaka scowled in anger. "You're actually reprimanding Makoto for trying to help a friend?!"
"What was that about understanding what he's doing?" Celeste questioned, her voice slightly icy.
Kyoko looked away from the group, especially when she saw the hurt developed on the present Makoto's face. While the rational part of her mind can see why she's acting this way, she can't help but feel angry at her future self's cold nature towards Makoto.
"Honestly, I can understand why she did so." Byakuya said, crossing his arms. "Using Alter Ego continuously is too dangerous under the circumstances."
"Still, she didn't have to be so cold towards him!" Hina argued with a scowl. Then, as if realizing something, quickly turned towards Kyoko. "But we know that you're not like that Kyoko! We don't blame you or anything…"
"It's okay." The detective reassured the swimmer. "I understand why your angry. I disapprove of my own behaviour myself." In the past, she could see herself doing something like that. But now, she's different.
As Makoto laid on his bed, he thought about previous events. 'But still… what was with Taka's sudden freakout?' He thought to himself. 'I'm seriously worried about him…'
Before he could think on it, the school bell rang and the nighttime broadcast came on. 'It's nighttime already.' He sighed. 'I guess I'll have to wait till tomorrow to figure out Taka's whole… thing. For now, time to sleep…'
"Yeah, that'll be something to deal with." Junko sighed. "Hopefully, it'll do more good than bad." She really hopes that it'll cause more problems rather than fixing them.
The others nodded in agreement to Junko's words. Hopefully, Taka's… reawakening will help more than hinder.
And that's the end. I hope you guys liked this chapter. As per usual, make sure to review, favorite, and follow and I will see you later.
A Lucky Soldier:
Wow, I didn't think there were that many F/Extella players out here. And to that one guy asking if I'm going to get Extella link, HELL YES (when it comes out on steam or PC). In other Fate news, I'm ready to roll for Artoria and Martha tomorrow when the banner changes. Good luck to all the masters out there rolling :D
Anyways, now that its August, I can feel the despair of knowing that school is just 3 weeks away. I just wanna be a NEET and be paid for it D: (Monaca, spare me some Monokumas and a space van too please)
On a slightly more serious note, this is just a gentle reminder that this fic at the end of the day is just for fun and giggles. We try to keep to the canon as much as possible, but understand that there may be things that we will bend towards our convenience just to make things easier.