Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. Before we begin, I would like to ask everyone something. If you read previous ANs, you know that I'm writing original short stories. The question is, how do I get others interested in those shorts? How do you gain people's attention towards your shorts or novels? Do any of you have any ideas (Other than twitter. If at all possible, I would like to avoid that social media, and others like it.)? If you guys have any ideas, PM me or place them on the review please.

So, here, we're gonna wrap up chapter 3, finally. I hope you guys enjoy.

P.S. I'm also thinking of doing a creative writing blog, where I write about my view on storytelling in general, as well as some of the fandoms I've watched, played, or read (Also some ranking blogs of shows, movies, books, characters, etc) It's something that kinda been on my mind for a while. What do you guys think about it? Is it something you would read? That others would read? And how can I gain people's attention about it? Let me know on your reviews or PM me if you like.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa.

Chapter 64: Watching Ch 3: NGL! STGH! Part 23

As the remaining survivors approached the bathhouse dressing room, Kyoko suddenly turned towards everyone. "I'm going to go alone from here." She told them all. "Everyone else head to the dining hall. I'll check in with you later."

Byakuya raised an eyebrow at that. "Does she honestly believe that we would do as she says?"

"Going inside all at once will make the mastermind suspicious." Kyoko pointed out. "We can't give them any more reasons to be."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it, Kirigiri." The Togami heir retorted.

"Why, exactly, are you going alone?" Byakuya questioned, narrowing his eyes.

"Do you even have to ask?" Kyoko glanced quickly at the surveillance camera as she said that.

"That's not what I mean." Byakuya retorted with a glare. "Why you? There's still the risk of a spy, you know."

Kyoko had to resist the urge to sigh in frustration. Again, she really wished her future self didn't do things to increase the group's, mainly Byakuya's, suspicion.

"Considering how secretive Kyoko's being, it's no surprise that suspicion is being placed on her." Sakura sighed. "Still, is it really the best time to bring up suspicion?"

"She's asking us to let her seeing Alter Ego by herself." Byakuya retorted. "Of course it's the best time."

"Why are you so concerned about it, anyway?" Hiro questioned. "Isn't your future self enjoying all this?"

"That means he wouldn't be interested in anything they can spring up on the mastermind? Or, if at all possible, find a way out of the school?" Byakuya retorted, then scoffed. "Please, I am not narrow minded."

Kyoko was silent at that. After a moment, Makoto spoke up. "Then I'll go, too."

Byakuya turned his narrowed eyes at the luckster at that. "You…?"

"Please, let me go!" Makoto pleaded to the heir, bowing to him.

For a moment, the heir just stared at the bowing luckster before speaking. "Standing here arguing is just going to draw more attention to us." Scoffing, he turned and began walking away, with Jill discreetly following him. "Do whatever you want."

"Thank you, Byakuya." Makoto sighed in relief.

"Well, that solves that." Hina also let out a sigh in relief. "I was afraid they were going to have an argument about this."

"Though I wonder, is there a reason Makoto want to go with Kyoko?" Mukuro inquired, before turning to Mondo. "Is this what you mean by waiting till later to press her?"

The biker was silent for a moment, causing concerned, wary, and fearful eyes to turn towards him. But after a moment, he grunted and shrugged. "Probably. But I can't say for sure."

"Are… you okay Mondo?" Makoto asked cautiously.

"Honestly? No, I'm fucking not." Was the blunt response given by Mondo. No words were said after that, the group focusing on the TV.

"Then it's decided now." Sakura was the next to leave.

"I'm going to the dining hall, okay?" Hiro then walked to his mentioned destination.

"Huh? So Makoto and Kyoko are gonna go… together?" Hina asked, a blush rushing up to cheek.

Her words, and her reaction, caused a blush to rise on Makoto's cheek. The blush rose even further when he saw different looks from a few of his friends.

"Huh. Maybe Mondo's wrong, and Makoto is planning something steamy." Leon commented with a smirk. "In that case, you go dude!"

"And in the bathhouse of all places! Didn't know you had that much guts!" Junko added, a grin of her own.

"It's not like that!" Makoto protested in embarrassment. "I'm sure it what's Mukuro had mentioned!"

"That's not what the swimmer is going to think!" Jill, speaking up after a long while, stated with a cackle.

An embarrassed blush entered Hina's own cheeks as she rubbed her head sheepishly. Kyoko, meanwhile, kept her composure, not an ounce of embarrassment evident on her face.

"Ahh! Does that mean what I think it means?!" Shaking off her blush, she began leaving with words of encouragement for Makoto. "Good luck, Makoto! Girls like her are total pushovers when you show a little backbone!"

"Excuse me?" Kyoko said flatly, giving the swimmer a look.

That caused Hina to blush further. "U-Um, well, it's just that… sorry Kyoko." She finally sighed in defeat.

"Who's the pushover again?" Junko remarked teasingly, getting a glare and a pout from the swimmer.

After that, both a slightly blushing Makoto and a still composed Kyoko were left by themselves. "Well? Shall we?" The latter asked.

"Yeah…" Shaking off his embarrassment, he and Kyoko entered inside the bathhouse locker room.

"How did you not react to a single thing Hina said?" Leon asked the detective. "You didn't even say anything about her last comment."

"I'm more focused on finding Alter Ego rather than any suggestive comments anyone makes." Kyoko answered smoothly. "Besides, I knew Makoto didn't have those kinds of thoughts."

Immediately, Kyoko moved to one of the lockers and unlocked it with the key. When it swung open, she and Makoto were immediately met with the laptop Alter Ego was residing in.

"Good morning." The AI greeted, giggling. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Immediately, there were sighs of relief across the room. "Thanks goodness." Hina said, sagging in the chair. "We haven't lost Alter Ego."

"It's good that the spy hasn't taken it." Byakuya commented on. "Though it begs the question: Why haven't they taken the opportunity?"

"Perhaps they intended to, and Celeste just beat them to it." Mukuro suggested. "That's a possibility."

"Or perhaps the spy isn't so loyal to Monokuma." Sakura added. "There's no indication that they are bound to the mastermind in any sense of loyalty."

"Perhaps." Was all Byakuya said.

"It's safe…" Kyoko said, sounding very relieved. "Thank goodness…"

'Wow. I've never heard Kyoko sound so relieved.' Makoto thought with amazement.

"Either she was more worried than she really showed… or it's a tell of how comfortable she is around Makoto." Junko remarked. "Cause seriously, I never seen her show that much emotion."

"Probably a mixture of both." Leon remarked. Said detective decided to not say anything in response

"I did just what Celeste asked! I didn't say a word. I stayed quiet the entire time!" The AI continued.

The slight reminder of what Celeste had done slightly dimmed the mood. Some frowned or clenched their fist/anger in anger and frustrations, some flinched at the reminder, some were merely stony gazed, and the rest varied between those reactions.

"Oh, and… I think I might be able to open the last files soon. Maybe as early as tomorrow…"

And just like that, their mood was brightened again. "Alright!" Leon exclaimed with a grin. "We're finally gonna get some answers!"

"Hopefully it'll be something of use to us…" Mukuro said neutrally.

"Please, oh please, let there be hints about the way out of there!" Hina pleaded, clasping her hands together.

"It'll be more useful if it gave us hints about who's the mastermind." Byakuya remarked. "For us, at least."

"I'm doing my best, so please wait just a while longer…!"

Kyoko allowed herself a small smile. "So, now we can officially say the case is closed."

'As far as this incident is concerned, sure.' Makoto thought, before frowning. 'But…'

"Looks like you were correct, Mondo." Sakura commented as they watched the scene. "Makoto was waiting for the right time to press the issue."

"I really hope he get answers from Kyoko…" Sayaka murmured, gazing intently at the scene.

"Can we take a second?" The luckster asked out loud, drawing Kyoko's attention. "Since we have this opportunity, I want you to be honest with me…" The lavender haired girl was silent, her smile gone. "Kyoko, please tell me… what are you trying to do all on your own here at the school?"

"Is that why you wanted to come here with me?" Kyoko inquired. Then she let out a sigh. "Regardless, that's not something you need to know right now."

"Will she stop being so fucking secretive?!" Mondo grumbled out with a small growl. "Just give us some goddamn answers already!"

"Can't she tell how suspicious she's being right now?!" Sayaka shouted in aggravation.

"She can't just keep disappearing for long periods of time, without telling anyone where she goes." Byakuya stated with narrowed eyes. "We're not gonna keep letting it go."

"We all thought she was injured or worse before the last trial!" Hina exclaimed, also frustrated. "Give us something to reassure us!"

Makoto was silent through all this, but there was a frown on his face. He really hope his future self can convince Kyoko to trust him. He doesn't want her to keep doing this all by herself.

"I don't… need to know?" Makoto repeated slowly, as if processing the words. A mix of anguish and worry appeared on his face. "That just makes me even more worried!"

His words actually caused Kyoko to look at him in surprise. "Worried…?"

"Like what happened during the investigation this time. You disappeared, and we didn't you see again." Makoto continued. "Without warning, without explanation. When you do that…"

"...it's only natural that they think I'm the mastermind's spy, right?" Kyoko sighed resignedly, closing her eyes. "And you too…"

Her words actually caused Makoto to speak up. "I wish suspicion wouldn't be the first thing you thought about." He said softly, looking at the detective herself. "Can't someone just worried whenever a friend just disappears?"

Kyoko couldn't help but look away from the emotional gaze. "It can't be helped. With my disappearances, you must have had some suspicions."

"Even if I did, that doesn't mean I wouldn't be worried about you." Makoto continued. "We're friends. And even though our future selves think we just met, future me still think the same way."

His words, and the passion he put in them, caused the detective to flush a little. "Do you need to tell me this, Makoto?" She asked him, looking away. "I don't share my future self's thoughts."

"Well, it's just in case you held similar thoughts." Makoto said, smiling. "You can be stubborn when it comes to trusting others, Kyoko."

That caused the detective to flush even further. Why, oh why, does the luckster's words affect her so much?

There little moment was not missed by the group. Once again, they were witness to the bond the two of them shared. One that caused small, jealous frowns from Sayaka and Hina. Mukuro and Taeko merely looked down, feeling insecure about their bond with the lucky student.

"No!" The luckster's sudden shout caused her to look up in shock. "I… I believe in you."

"You believe… in me?" Kyoko repeated, as if she couldn't believe it.

"Isn't it obvious? People believe in their friends, right? That's why I want you to tell me!" Makoto continued, emotions laced in his voice. "And I want you… to believe in me too. Because we're friends."

For a moment, despite his words not directed at them, many couldn't help but feel affected at his little speech. Admiration, wonder, disbelief, guilt, it were some of the several emotions the group was feeling.

How can Makoto still have so much faith? Even after everything he experienced? To the point that his hope could affect others? Not even Hina and Chihiro had that level of optimism and trust.

Kyoko was especially affected by this. How can Makoto trust her? When she didn't do much to earn that trust? When she didn't trust him enough, trust anyone enough, to tell them what she's doing? Even though she's knows that it's in his nature, it's difficult for her to understand.

Mukuro was also affected by his words. To her, it almost felt like he was talking to her. Telling her to trust him. Thus, her mind brought back the memory of what happened this morning. Of what she had to talk to him about. Despite seeing this, worry still grasped her heart.

Junko, however, felt very different from the others. She was stiff, rigid, as if Makoto's words were a paralyze poison. How? How can someone so normal can sound so influential? How can his disgusting hope be spreading to others? It even dared to try to crack her heart full of despair!

The more she watched, the more they continue this… she more she feels like there's something about Makoto Naegi. Something dangerous to her plans.

Kyoko was silent, absorbing Makoto's words. Then, after a short yet long period of silence, she let out a sigh. "I understand." She said, a small smile gracing her lips once more. "Then… maybe I can believe in you… just a little bit more."

Makoto's eyes widen at this. "Then…!"

"Fine. I'll tell you." She conceded. "I'll tell you why I've been disappearing, and where I've been going."

"YES!"

"Finally!"

"Victory!"

Several students cheered loudly at Kyoko's words. Leon pumped a fist up in the air, while Sayaka and Hina let out loud squeals. Some even let out sighs of relief.

Kyoko looked away from them all, careful not to let any embarrassment be shown. She knew her future self was too secretive, but she wasn't that bad, was she?

"You see…"

"What I heard from Kyoko then was… well frankly, it kind of mind blowing." Narrator Makoto spoke up as the scene began switched to a dark hallway. "Right after I'd told Kyoko I believe in her, she told me a story that was, well… almost unbelievable."

'What is it?!' Was the overall thoughts of the more emotional of the group. Hina was leaning forward anxiously, while Leon and Sayaka had clenched fists.

"I decided I had to confirm what she'd told me with my own two eyes. So I waited for nighttime to come." The camera moved to show Makoto walking in the hallway, towards the boys bathroom of the second hall.

As he went inside, Kyoko's voice rang in his head. "The boys bathroom on the 2nd floor doesn't have a surveillance camera or monitor on it." She had told him in the bathhouse locker room. As he opened and went inside the storage closet, the audio memory continued. "And in the storage closet, way in the back…"

"She said it was way in the back of the storage closet…" Makoto murmured to himself. "But I mean, seriously…?" Without thinking, he pushed the wall of the back closet. And instantly, as if yanked inside, he fell through a wall, revealing it to be a revolving door.

"What the-?!"

"A trap door?"

"For reals?!"

"I thought those things only exist on TV!"

The group was shocked, to say the least. Who knew there would be a trap door in a bathroom, of all places? Kyoko, apparently. The fact that she went inside the boys bathroom to find it left their mind for the time being. Furthermore, that's in the old school building isn't it? For what purpose would there be a room there?

The clip switched to show Makoto falling on the ground with a loud crash. Groaning in pain, he got up from the floor before realizing where he's at. "Huh…?"

"...is a secret room." The audio memory finished as the camera moved to show the room. It was small, with a large desk at the front, as well as shelves of files behind it.

Eyes widen as the group took in the scene. "A secret room?!" Hina gasped.

"With tons of files…" Byakuya mused with narrowed eyes.

"So this is where Kyoko been disappearing too." Makoto said, still looking a bit surprised. "And why no one was able to find her."

"Not only was she was in a secret room, where no one would easily be able to find out," Mukuro spoke up. "But also in the boys' bathroom, the last place people would think to look for her."

"The fact that she went in the boys bathroom to find it in the first place should be surprising," Leon deadpanned. "But after she looked through Hifumi's pants, it really doesn't."

"She's dedicated to her profession, you can say that much." Makoto replied with a sweatdrop.

"So this is the secret room…" Makoto murmured to himself, walking towards the book shelf. 'There's a bunch of files here, and what look like volume after volume of yearbooks. All of them are covered in dust…'

One file in particular caught Makoto's eye. "Hope's Peak Academy Student Registry…?" He read. "This is the only thing in here not covered in dust."

"What is in there that got the future Kyoko so interested?" Byakuya questioned. "And why did she not share it with the rest of us?"

"Perhaps there wasn't anything of use for us." Sakura guessed. "From what I've seen, she only went there twice, so she couldn't have found much."

Makoto grabbed the file, but before he could read it, a piece of paper slid out from the file, and onto the floor, gaining the luckster's attention. "What's this…?" Picking it up, he read the content on the paper.

"You must not leave."

That earned befuddled looks from the group. "You must not leave…?" Taka repeated.

"That's… weird." Was all Hiro could say in comment. "Who wrote that?"

"And why?" Sayaka added, tilting her head in confusion.

"That's… kind of weird." He murmured to himself. "I could understand if it said, like, 'I can't leave'. But 'you must not leave'?"

Makoto was silent at first, trying to contemplate the meaning. But then, something happened. 'What is this?' Makoto mentally groaned, holding his head. 'My head feels… funny.'

Immediately, alarmed and concerned looks appeared on several faces. "Is Makoto okay?" Sayaka asked worriedly.

"W-What's happening?" Taeko murmured in concern, speaking up after a long while.

Kyoko narrowed her eyes, her brains rapidly coming up with ideas. Is it possible… that this note is triggering a blocked memory? If so, then could it be incredibly important?

'This strange sensation. It's like deja vu…' He placed one hand, as well as the files, on the table, while the other held his forehead. 'Those words… you must not leave… I've seen them… somewhere before…'

If anyone thought that the surprises were over, they were disappointed. "He's seen them before…?" Hina asked in confusion.

"Just as I thought." Kyoko spoke, drawing attention. "That note has triggered a lost memory."

"Seriously?!" Leon exclaimed in shock, with some sharing similar shock. "First Hifumi, now Makoto?!"

"Okay, what is up with this?!" Junko questioned in shock and confusion. "I thought all of our school memories were completely erased!"

"It seems like the perpetrator merely suppressed our memories, rather than erased." Kyoko mused. "Whether it's a mistake on their end, or just mere limitations on what they could do, I'm not sure."

"Getting back to the note, why does it appear in Makoto's memories?" Byakuya asked, getting back to the other subject. "Why does it exist?"

"That's a good question." Taka agreed. "It must be something important, if Makoto's memory is trying to come back because of it."

Junko has an idea as to why. And if she was right, then that means that Hope's Peak made things much more easier for her to do her killing game. Practically hand-wrapped the entire school for her!

"But…" The luckster spoke out-loud. "I can't quite remember…" 'What do I know?' He thought with slight frustration. 'What don't I know? I… I-'

Suddenly, a masked person with a white coat on appeared behind Makoto, a pipe in hand. And with one swift motion, bashed him over the head with it, just as the screen turned black.

"MAKOTO!" And just like that, thoughts about Makoto's memories and the note was squashed the moment they saw the future luckster getting attacked.

Hina and Sayaka jumped out of their seats, fear in their eyes, while Taeko gripped his arm tightly. Mukuro also leaped from her recliner, knife out and face twisted in anger.

"Who the hell was that?!" Leon exclaimed in shock, standing up from his seat.

"Was it the mastermind? The traitor?" Hiro asked fearfully, worried about a masked person walking around the school, as well as his friend. "Someone working with either?"

"Whoever they are, Makoto is at their mercy!" Taka exclaimed in concern. Needless to say, everyone was worried for their luckster, including the luckster himself.

The black screen slowly lit back up, showing a groaning Makoto gaining back consciousness. "Oww…" He groaned, holding his head in pain. As he got himself back up, his eyes slowly went towards the bookshelf…

Which was now completely empty.

"Shit/Fuck!" Was the curses coming from both Leon and Mondo, respectively. The others just looked just as frustrated.

"They took everything!" Byakuya griped in aggravation. "All that information, gone!"

"Miss Kirigiri is going to be extremely angry…" Hifumi murmured, causing Makoto to pale some.

"We were so close to figure something out!" Hiro moaned, dropping his head.

Taking a deep breath to assuage her own frustrations and worries, Kyoko spoke. "We still have Alter Ego. Plus, my future self probably had taken a look at at least one of the files. Hopefully, that will be enough."

"At least Makoto is okay…" Hina sighed in relief, drawing nods from several of the students, especially the girls. And slowly, everyone got back to their seats.

"Gone…" Makoto whispered in disbelief. "It's all gone!" An anxious frown entered his face. "What does this mean…?"

Suddenly, the luckster began getting all wobbly, causing him to hold on to the floor. "F-For now… I should go back to my room…" He groaned. "Get some rest…"

"You may have spoken too soon, Hina…" Junko said, drawing worried looks from the group.

"That sounds pretty bad." Mondo said softly, grimacing. "Must've been a pretty hard hit if your whole body is hurting."

"Or the mastermind could've kick him around while he was unconsciousness…" Hiro suggested. And that suggestion gain some angry looks from some of the girls, with Mukuro looking particularly murderous.

"Let's not think about how I got hurt…" Makoto said, looking uncomfortable. Whether it's because of theories, or Taeko's crushing hold on his arms, nobody knows. "At least I can walk to my room."

The scene switched to Makoto limping on the first floor, looking a bit pale. "The farther I walked, the more I felt…" He moaned in pain. He then collapsed on the floor, getting on one knee.

"Again, too soon…"

Jill suddenly let out a laughter. "I wonder if Big Mac will crash here!" She giggled. "That would be funny to see!"

"No it would not!" Hina shouted, glaring at the serial killer. Sayaka and Mukuro also joined in on the glares, with Kyoko and Taeko giving icy stares. "He's seriously hurt!"

"So? It his fault that he- ah, ah…" Suddenly, she stopped, her nose twitching. "Achoo!" And just like that, she switched to Toko. "H-Huh?"

"And Toko's back…" Leon sighed. "Who's going to explain everything to her now?"

"I'll do it." Chihiro volunteered, timidly raising a hand up. As the programmer began explaining to Toko everything that had happened, the group turned back to the TV.

Before he could pull himself together, or lose consciousness, he suddenly heard a thumping sound. "Hm…?"

Like Makoto, the group's attention was also gain. "What was that…?" Leon asked with concern.

Few more of that same sound was then heard from the distance. "That sound… it's coming from… the gym…?"

Shakily, he got up from the floor, and moved to where the sound was.

"Is it a good idea for Makoto to move towards the sound…?" Sayaka asked, worried. "He's hurt and vulnerable!"

"It's probably not. But all we can do is watch." Byakuya pointed out.

The next scene showed Makoto entering the gym, with the sound getting louder and louder. 'What's going on…?' The luckster thought to himself. 'It can't be nothing…'

Limping towards the door, Makoto made a crack in the entrance so he could see. The site he saw before him caused him to stiffen, eyes widening.

What he saw was Sakura and Monokuma, fighting. Each giving and blocking blow after blow. Soon after, the two landed opposite of each other, with Monokuma on a stool. Both were glaring at each other intensely, their eyes glowing.

"What the hell?!" Mondo exclaimed in shock.

"Sakura?!" Hina gasped.

"What is she doing?!" Leon shouted.

"Have she lost her mind?!" Hifumi squealed.

"Did Monokuma anger her or something?!" Hiro asked frantically.

Looks of shock was spread around everyone's face at the skeptical they witnessed. Even the more stoic ones were taken off guard what they're seeing. The girl was herself was surprised by her future self's action.

While clearly capable of fighting, the Ultimate Martial Artist had shown herself to be level-headed and calm in any situation. So what the heck caused her to attack Monokuma? Or did the bear attack first?

"Why you…! What do you think you're doing?" Monokuma growled.

Sakura was merely silent, continuing to glare at the bear.

"That's what we want to know…!" Hiro agreed, looking all kinds of frightened. "Did Ogre reach a tipping point or something?!"

"Did the third trial brought her to her limit?" Byakuya theorized, looking bewildered.

Hina looked at her friend with worry. "Sakura, what do you think is going on?"

"I'm… honestly not sure, Hina." And she meant that. The martial artist wasn't what would bring her to attack Monokuma. The need to rebel? To resist? But why would she need to show that?

"I asked you a question! What's the meaning of this?!" Monokuma roared. "How dare you to defy me…?"

At that, everyone froze, processing what they just heard. Is Monokuma implying what they think he's implying…?

As if to confirm, the dialogue continued.

"This wasn't part of the deal!"

As everyone took in what the bear revealed, looks of horror slowly entered several faces. Eyes were wide, skin went ashened, mouths went gaping. None of them couldn't even think to say anything as of yet.

Sakura… was the traitor? She was working with the mastermind?

'The deal…?' Makoto caught, confused at what he just heard.

"I've made a decision…" Sakura finally spoke. "I will no longer retreat, no longer compromise, no longer regret… I've made my decision! I'm going… to resist you!"

"Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-?" Leon stuttered, looking shell-shocked.

"Ogre's… the traitor?!" Hiro shouted, his face white as a sheet. "She's working with the mastermind?!"

"What the fuck…?" Mondo whispered, his jaws dropped on the ground.

"Th-This is certainly not expected…" Hifumi stuttered out, looking rattled. "Sakura was the honourable warrior type, so I couldn't imagine her doing something like this!"

"Which is exactly why Monokuma chose her…" Byakuya realized with gritted his teeth. "She's one of the least likely to suspect, as well as one of the few who don't lash out."

Sakura seemed to be the most affected. Her eyes were wide as they have ever been, with her body shaking. She… betrayed her friend? She was the one working with the mastermind?

She knew there was a chance that she could be a traitor. That she would be the one that was with Monokuma at the end of chapter 2. Still, that didn't prepare her to see it for herself. To hear that she was working with the one who put them in the monstrous situation.

Hina was even worse off. Eyes were the size of saucers, her skin lost her tan coloring, and her arms were wrapped around herself as she shook. Distress was clear on her face as she took in what she heard. Taking in one of her worst fears coming true.

"Hmm… okay." The bear said, his voice casual once again. "But… you do realize what will happen if you go through with this, right? You haven't forgotten, have you? What I'm holding hostage…?"

"...?!" The martial artist nearly recoiled at that.

All the while, Makoto was staring at this with shocked eyes. 'What am I looking at…?' Makoto thought to himself. 'What am I hearing…? A hostage? Then… could it be…? The mastermind's spy is…' With that, the screen went black.

"Chapter 3, A Next Generation Legend! Stand Tall, Galactic Hero!" Once again, the red and yellow silhouettes of the cast was shown, this time, Hifumi's, Taka's, and Celeste's silhouettes getting blackened.

No one paid attention to the fact that the video ended. All of them just sat shell-shocked as what's been shown to them played in their mind.

But once they realized that chapter 3 ended, students reacted. "Oh hell no!" Leon shouted in anger. "It did not just cliffhanger us!"

"Fuck that noise!" Mondo spat, glaring at their host.

Said host held his hands up in a defensive manner. "Hey, I didn't make the series. I only edit the amount of scenes in chapters." Before anything else could be said, Spirit continued speaking. "Besides, this is the best time to end it for you guys. It's obvious that this is a lot to take in."

"No kidding!" Junko snorted. "Not only is there's someone with a mask, running around the building, but we know that the guy isn't a traitor. Cause we saw that Sakura is the traitor!"

"Sakura…" Makoto turned towards the martial artist herself. "What do you think about all this?"

"I… am unsure." Sakura said, gritting her teeth. It's difficult for her to come to any conclusion as of this moment.

"This is bad, this is really bad!" Hiro panicked, grabbing his dreadlocks fearfully and pacing. By now, several of the students have stood up from their seats, now that the chapter was over. "We have a spy in our midst! That spy is Ogre, of all people!"

"C-Calm down, Hiro!" Makoto quickly told the fortune teller. "She's only a spy in the future, not our present."

"How do we know that?" Junko asked, wary eyes set on Sakura. "I don't want to play devil's advocate, but for all we know, Sakura could've worked with the mastermind for who knows how long. She could be working with him even now."

Truthfully, however, Junko wanted to stir the drama pot. She hasn't approached any of her classmates, other than her sister, about her plan to bring despair around the world, and don't plan to until needed. Still, she could stir the pot some, and bring about chaos amongst her class.

"Y-You're making baseless accusations, Junko!" Chihiro hastily spoke up. "We don't have any proof that links Sakura to the mastermind, other than what we saw. And that only proves the future Sakura is working with the mastermind unwillingly, not our Sakura."

"S-Still, she could b-betray us!." Toko pointed out, looking freaked out. "Still s-sell us out to the mastermind, or k-kill us herself in the future. S-She could manipulating us right now through that logic you given!"

"Toko, that's-"

Before Makoto could finish his sentence, a soft, yet shaky voice cut in. "Stop it…" The source of it was Hina, who still looked shaken. "Stop acting… like Sakura is the enemy."

Several eyes turned to her, many worried, a few incredulous. "But, she is the enemy!" Hiro exclaimed, as if it was obvious. "Ogre betrayed us, she said so herself!"

"NO SHE DIDN'T!"

Hiro yelped and fell on his butt at the sudden shout. The swimmer now stood, aiming a fierce glare at the cowering fortune teller. "She didn't betray us! She hasn't done anything that would hurt us!" She screamed at him. "She could've told the mastermind about Alter Ego! Could've taken the laptop herself! She could've killed anyone of us by now! But she didn't!"

"T-That because others beat her to the punch." Toko pointed out, still looking wary. "She still got the c-chance to do any of those things."

"That doesn't mean she will!"

"W-We all thought that with Sayaka, Mondo, and C-Celeste. And look-"

"SHUT UP!" Hina screamed back, causing the author yelp and recoil back. "Sakura would never do that! She's our friend, she cares about all of us! She even said that she's going to resist the mastermind!" A fresh wave of tears began gathering in her eyes once again. "THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL SAKURA WOULD EVER TRULY SIDE WITH MONOKUMA! SHE WOULDN'T!"

"Hina!" Sakura finally jump from her seat and placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Please, calm yourself!"

A sob escaped Hina's mouth, as the tears started falling down. She turned towards her best friend, looking absolutely terrified and angst-ridden. "You wouldn't willingly want to hurt us… you wouldn't…" The young girl clenched her fist as her head went downward. "Monokuma force you to… to do something so horrible…"

"Hina…" Wanting to comfort her in some way, Sakura brought her friend to a hug. Immediately, she clung to her, letting out heart wrenching sobs. Sobs that caused some students to tear up themselves, including the martial artist herself.

"Let's take the chance to relax, cool our heads." Kyoko sighed, deciding to speak up. "All of us are clearly rattled with everything that happened. We'll reconvene tomorrow once again, which should give everyone a chance to calm themselves."

No one disagreed. The first one to leave was Toko and Hiro, quickly scurrying out in fear of the swimmer and the martial artist; Byakuya, Mondo, and Taka was next, all three of them silent on their walks; Taeko, Hifumi, and Chihiro followed their lead soon after, all of them having timid or uneasy postures; and the rest slowly made their way out of the living room, with some giving concerned and sympathetic gazes towards the still hugging best friends.

Makoto was one of the students giving the two those gazes, though it was mixed with anxiety as well. Three chapters in, and they finally got some semblance of hope. Of the possibility of much needed answers. But hope that was quickly overshadowed by the murders of two of their future selves; the revelation of who did it; of how and why she did it; her execution; and finally, the reveal of Sakura being the traitor.

The third chapter of their future probably gave them the most hope; but at the same time, it gave them the most despair.

And that's the end. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Was planning to also put in part of the break chapter in here, but I felt that this was a good stopping point. Remember to answer the questions above you guys, about my short stories and the possibility of a blog. Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you guys later.