Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. So, apologies for the longer than usual wait. With things in my personal life taking up residence in my mind, I decided to take one of the suggestions made in the reviews/PMs, and take a break. That was probably one of the issues I've been dealing with, and what caused me to lack the motivation/focus to write. Stress. Hopefully, by the time of me posting this, many of the things stressing me out will be done and over with, or at least close to done.
Speaking of the suggestions, I thank you guys for giving me ideas on what to do for writing. It's very much appreciated. Hopefully, at least a few of them will help me write at a quicker pace, and I can avoid taking until 2030 to finish. Now then, onto the chapter. Here, we're gonna continue the break, with several class interactions. I hope you enjoy.
P.S. Random question. What could a fanfic writer do with a twitter account? Don't have any concrete plans to make one at the moment, just idly curious.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa.
Chapter 87: Break Chapter 4 Part 2
"I believe I owe you an apology, Mr. Ishimaru."
Those were Hifumi's first words, as soon as he got to the table consisting of Taka, Chihiro, and Mondo. The former two looked at the fanfic creator with slight surprise, while the latter merely stared at him with an unreadable frown.
"Hifumi…?"
"Not just for my future self's actions, but also for what I had said to you myself," Hifumi continued, trying not to shift awkwardly. "I shouldn't have let my infatuation with Alter Ego get the better of me. Future me should not have believed Miss Ludenberg's words so easily. I hope you'll be able to forgive my foolishness, and we can move past what we have seen."
When the fanfic creator had told Makoto that he would apologize to Taka, and not be the character type that refuses to admit he's wrong, he had meant it. Still, that doesn't change that this felt a little awkward, as he wasn't sure what exactly was appropriate to say. Hopefully, this apology conveyed enough of his sincerity.
"Apology accepted, Hifumi!"
And that hope was answered rather quickly.
While Hifumi started blinking in slight surprise, Mondo merely sighed. "Bro, are you really gonna accept that apology that quickly?" the biker questioned his friend.
"I see no reason to delay any acceptance on my part, bro!" Taka responded back, "Hifumi expressed clear remorse for his actions, as well as the actions of his future. Plus, as stated, these conflicts have yet to happen; there's no cause not to accept it and move on!"
In response, Mondo merely shook his head in exasperation. "Well, can't really say I'm surprised," he remarked, before getting up from his seat with a sigh. "If bro is willing to forgive, then I can try and move past this too. Can't stay too mad when you own up to your mistakes, right?"
"Th-Thank you, Mr. Ishimaru. Mr. Oowada…" Hifumi said, still somewhat surprised yet grateful for the forgiveness given to him, "I promise, I will endeavor not to let any confrontation like our future selves have come to fruition."
"I will do the same, Hifumi!" Taka declared, standing to properly face the fanfic creator, "Let's do our best to ensure the future we have witnessed does not come to fruition!"
"Yeah, sure. Still, before I forgive ya fully…" A hand on his shoulder, along with an eyes-closed smile from Mondo, was the only warning Hifumi got. "One thing I gotta do."
"Hurk!" One moment later, the fanfic creator found himself on the ground, arms around his stomach as he tried to hold back the tears of pain. Mondo then stepped back, unclenching the fist he had used to punch Hifumi.
"There, now we're good!" Mondo said cheerfully.
"Mondo!" Taka exclaimed, aghast.
"Hey, I gotta let some steam out!"
"It's fine… Mr. Ishimaru…" With a groan, Hifumi unsteadily got up from the ground. "It was… just a punch…"
"It looks like more than just a punch!"
As Taka helped Hifumi get on his feet, another voice cut in. "Guessing you guys are making up?" All eyes turned to see Leon walking towards, a tray of food in hand. He waved a hand towards them. "Yo."
"Hey, man. And yeah, you can say that," Mondo confirmed, leaning on the table, "Where's Makoto and Sayaka?"
Sitting down in one of the empty seats, Leon pointed to where his friends were. "Makoto went to talk with Hiro…" His finger aimed at one of the booths, where the lucky student was talking to a guilty looking Hiro. "And Sayaka dragged Kyoko to the other side of the room, probably discussing the whole digging into someone's pants thing." He then pointed at the idol having a fervent looking discussion with the slightly bemused detective.
"It's pleasing to hear that Sayaka is discussing the indecency of doing such a thing," Taka stated, getting back to his own seat, "While her commitment to being a detective is admirable, and has saved our remaining future selves' lives, that kind of behavior is not acceptable in any other environment!"
"Do you ever talk like a normal person?" Leon couldn't help but ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Is this not how some people speak?!"
"That answers that then…" With a sigh, the baseball player turned towards Hifumi. "So fatty, have you talked with Celeste yet?"
"Not yet. But I plan to immediately," Hifumi answered him, ignoring the insulting nickname as usual. "I… want to clear the air between me and Miss Ludenberg. Obtain a friendly relationship with her once more."
"You want to befriend her after that whole bullshit?" Mondo asked with some disbelief, eyes narrowed, "Forgiving is one thing, but I don't see why you would want to be friends with her. Especially when it's clear that she sees you as nothing but a pest."
"I know, but…" Hifumi spoke hesitantly, shifting in uncertainty, "Despite what we saw… I still think there's someone worth befriending in Miss Ludenberg. The second picture that Mr. Naegi had found proves that we could become friends. That she isn't without a heart."
Mondo was silent, his eyes still narrowed at Hifumi. The fanfic creator continued shuffling nervously, while Taka, Leon, and Chihiro stared at their friend with some concern and caution. After a slightly tense moment between the group…
"I'm gonna talk to her first," Mondo declared bluntly, to the surprise of the rest of the boys, "You can come right after."
"Bro…!" Taka stood up from his seat once again in alarm.
"Mondo…?" Chihiro also looked worried.
"Relax. I won't harm the chick," The biker stated flatly, pushing himself off the table, "Just gonna probe her a bit. See what kind of chick she really is."
(With Mukuro and Junko)
"I can't believe it! How could I be so arrogant?! So blind?! Get outmaneuvered by these amateurs?!"
Mukuro could only stare neutrally as her sister ranted and paced around the room. As soon as she and Makoto separated, Junko decided to drag her into her room. Why? So she could have someone to rave to.
"I'm the Ultimate Analyst! Nothing should get past my eyes, no options should get by me!" Junko continued her rant, "Yet, despite that, I got blindsided by a musclehead and an amnesiac detective! The shame! The humiliation! The indignity!"
Mukuro stayed silent, merely sitting on her sister's bed as she waited for Junko to finish her rant.
"The fact that they manage to pass me, manage to get info I wasn't ready to show is so… annoying!" The fashionista shouted, throwing her hands up, "On the other hand, though, seeing them get closer to figuring everything out, their chances of beating me are getting just a little bit better… it's strangely exciting!"
'And there it is…'Mukuro thought rather blandly, seeing her sister's face twist from annoyance to strange, excited smile. A blush was even across the blonde's face.
"Just the thought of my plans getting ruined, that my dear classmates are able to pull uno reverse moves like that… ooh, I could feel the shivers already!" The fashionista hugged herself as she shook slightly, twisting her upper body around.
Honestly, at times like these, Mukuro finds it even more difficult to understand her sister. One moment, she's ranting about how annoying it is seeing those like Makoto or Kyoko putting wrenches in her plans, the next, shuddering in delight at the thought of those plans being ruined.
Is life really that boring for her that despair and shocking situations are the only things that could stimulate her?
She could only guess.
"Though I'm especially envious of you, Muku~!" Junko's attention was now on her sister, the excited smile still across her lips. "With that unexpected revelation, eyes are turned to you now! Kyoko, Byakuya, and Celeste are especially suspicious of you now, with the others feeling pretty conflicted!"
Mukuro stood silently, willing herself not to show any outright negative emotions.
"But then lucky boy came in and saved you…" The fashionista then gave her sister a cute pout. "Was there something you didn't tell me, Muku~? Did something happen between you and that herbivore man?"
"...He confronted me about the note you gave him," Mukuro admitted, looking away, "I told him about my involvement in your plans; however, he doesn't know that you are the mastermind."
"I see! So he had time to come to terms that you're an Ultimate Despair…" Junko pouted even further at that, getting into her cutesy persona. "I would've liked it if that note drove a wedge of distrust in him! Stupid herbivore man!"
Mukuro stayed silent, a small debate raging in her mind. After a moment, she spoke. "...Why do you call me Ultimate Despair…?"
That earned Junko's attention, the girl tilting her head confusingly. "Hmm?"
"You obviously don't see me as an equal to you," Mukuro pointed out, a small frown across her face, "So why refer to me as such? Why make such a trick when you didn't plan for anyone to enter the principal's office?"
That's what bothered the Ultimate Soldier the most. She doesn't blame Junko for that reveal at the end of the viewing; it was clear her sister, both versions, didn't plan for anyone to break in to that room.
But, if she didn't plan for anyone to enter that room… why was she referred to as the Ultimate Despair? Why make such a trick?
Junko blinked a few times, as if she was processing what Mukuro was asking. Then, the fashionista started letting out a few giggles. Those giggles turned into small laughter, as if she heard a funny joke.
"Silly Muku…" And to the shock of the soldier, Junko pulled her sister upwards… and wrapped her in a hug. "Did you forget? We're in this together. You may be a mere pawn in my plans, but we're still both Ultimate Despairs. The Despair twins. Two sisters bound together in despair."
The affection, the soft words coming from Junko's words, shook Mukuro to her core. The rational part of her mind, of course, is telling her not to fall for this, that this is a honey trap her sister set up for her…
But the other half could not help but cling to this act of affection, to that love and approval she so desperately craved from her. So, hesitantly, she lifted up her arms to recipricate the hug…
And before she could do so, she was met with a knee to the stomach.
"Gak!" With a choked cry of pain, Mukuro fell on her knees, one arm holding her up while the other was holding her stomach.
"And for my future self to use your name? To make you the sixteenth student, even after your death? That must mean she feels similarly," Junko continued on, as if she hadn't just kneed her sister in the gut, "Must've felt that there was still some worth in her useless sister."
Suddenly, she kicked the down Mukuro in the arm, making the soldier fall on her side with a pained gasp. "Treating you like this, insulting you over and over…" She then stomped on her sister's side, causing more choked cries. "Do you think I feel nothing about it? That I don't feel anything over what I do to you? It tears me apart!"
As she talked, Junko continued stomping and kicking Mukuro's abdomen, careful not to leave any lasting scars or bruises, her smile still plastered across her face as her eyes shined in both glee and grief. "Insulting you, hurting you, making you feel pain, killing you… it hurts me in ways most people can't imagine! It's a pain I know you feel as well, my dear sister of Despair!"
Finally, the girl stopped the assault on her sister. Slowly, she got down on her knees, before getting Mukuro back up on her own knees. The soldier's eyes were downcast, an array of dark emotions playing around them.
"I know you enjoy that feeling of despair as well," Junko repeated what she had just said, caressing her sister's cheek, "It's why you cling to Makoto, don't you? Despite knowing what will happen to him if my plans come to fruition."
Mukuro couldn't but tense at this, fear now encompassing her feelings. "I-I-"
"Shhhh…" Junko shushed the soldier gently, putting a finger over her lips, "No need to explain anything. I understand how close you are to our little luckster. That it tears you apart, acting against him."
The fashionista then hugged her sister once again, whispering softly in her ear, "It'll hurt even more… when you watch as I head out to break him. To crush that disgusting hope of his, and making him feel nothing but despair."
(With Celeste)
"Well… I'm not sure if I should be surprised you came to speak to me or not."
"Thought I would just ignore ya for the rest of all this?"
"It's a fair conclusion. After all, you made your anger clear for me."
On the outside, Celeste looked fairly composed, staring into the eyes of the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader. And, while usually she wouldn't fear Mondo, despite his title… she'll admit to feeling guarded around him, unsure of what he'll do. The fact that he refused to hurt women in the past is of little comfort for her.
"Yeah, that's why I'm here," the biker said bluntly, doing little to ease Celeste's concern, "To deal with that anger."
"As I recall, you are not one to hit women…" Celeste reminded him, hoping that the reminder of his chivalry will keep him at bay, "And it should be Hifumi and Taka that should be having such talks with me, not you. Are you certain it is wise to let go of your honor for this?"
"Uh-huh. Keep it up. You might make me consider another attempt to smack ya…" Unflinching, Mondo leaned forward towards Celeste, arms folding on top of the table. "But, no. It's not worth becoming scum just to give you a bruise. I'm just here to talk."
Okay. Very rarely did Celeste felt unnerved by anyone confronting her, be it in gambling or anything outside of it. But this composed biker was starting to get under her skin. It made it more difficult to predict what he'd do, or what the best course of action would be for this.
It was why she stayed rooted in her seat, not brushing him off or leaving him.
"I'm pissed at ya," Mondo stated, his usual heat not ther- no. It was there, just contained. "Still am. It may not have happened, but it could've. If not for this, you would've framed my bro and gotten him killed."
Celeste neither confirmed nor denied what he said, but merely stared at him stoically, hiding any nervousness.
"Honestly, there's a part of me that wants to punch you, to let go of that last bit of self-control and make you feel pain," the biker continued calmly, "But instead… I want to know. Why do you think it was worth killing my bro and Hifumi? What pushed you to do that?"
Celeste blinked at that, rather flummoxed by the question. "You heard my future self, did you not? It was to gain the money from the third motive, and gain my own cas-"
"Bullshit," Mondo cut her off bluntly, giving her a flat stare, "I may have believed it before, and hell, the castle shit may be true. But now that I had plenty of time to cool my head, I know that ain't the reason you decided to kill."
"Oh?" Celeste raised an eyebrow at this, "And I suppose you know me well enough to say that confidently? To know my supposed true reason for my decision?"
"Maybe not. But I think I can make a good enough guess, Yasuhiro."
The mention of her true name caused the gambler to stiffen, the air around the two to become slightly colder. Her fists clenched slightly, her posture became more rigid, and her eyes narrowed into a small glare.
"I suggest not mentioning that name again, dear Mondo," Celeste warned him calmly, though with clear venom laced in her tone, "I very much prefer to go by the name Celestia Ludenberg. Understood?"
"Does it look like I'm someone who gives a damn?" Mondo retorted, unphased by the gambler's anger, "I'm here to figure you out, not play to your tune. Be lucky I ain't calling you Hiro."
Celeste had to catch herself from downright scowling, merely continuing her narrowed glare. "And what makes you think I would concede to what you want?" she hissed, "I don't owe anything to you, or even Taka and Hifumi. What we have witnessed was in the future, and since they have yet to come to fruition-"
"Yeah, you don't have to say shit," Mondo interrupted, conceding to her point, "But I can take a few stabs at your motives. One of the things I can guess is that you hate your actual name with a strange fucking passion."
"Mondo dear, what be the point of-"
"You also love to stick tightly with the whole gothic fashion shit," Mondo continued, undeterred, "Acting all fancy, speaking fancy, and making up a whole fancy life for yourself. But, that whole shit is a lie, isn't it? Something you made up when taking up gambling."
"If you're trying to get under my ski-"
"In fact, your life, your past… It must've been pretty normal, wasn't it? Up until the gambling thing," Mondo mused, seemingly to himself, "Half the stories you've told us aren't even real. But you want them to be. You want to feel special. Feel unique. And Taeko Yasuhiro is just a plain old, normal girl."
"Mondo, I suggest you be quiet before-"
"And this fucking killing game brought out the normal girl you've been trying to push down," The biker pushed further, "Being in a place where you can get easily killed, get overpowered by someone like me, or Sakura, or Leon… it must've frightened you, huh? Made you feel so, so weak. So normal."
"Mondo, shut up…!" Celeste growled. At this point, all composure had left the gambler, and a fierce scowl replaced her glare, along with gritted teeth. "Shut up, right now…!"
"And when people started dying, despite trying to set things up to prevent that, you had to do something," Mondo began to conclude, "And the money, Alter Ego, Hifumi and bro's obsession with it… it gave you the opportunity to do something. So, in one desperate act to survive, to prove you're special, you set up an elaborate double murder. All because Taeko Yasuhiro was a scared, normal girl and Celestia fucking Ludenberg hated that."
"SHUT UP!" With an enraged scream, Taeko jumped from her seat and swung at the biker. Mondo, with a surprising amount of composure, merely caught the slap, effectively holding the gambler in place.
It was a mildly surprising twist of events. Celestia, often one of the more composed students, holding a searing look of rage that would kill someone if possible; Mondo, the most quick-tempered of the class, remaining calm and unphased throughout their entire conversation.
"What the hell do you know…?!" Taeko growled, both her composure and her persona completely lost, "You're just a dumb biker with a hot-temper! Someone too weak to admit what he did to anyone! Who the hell are you to judge me?!"
"A weakling who can't own up to his own mistake!" Mondo repeated, mirroring her words without missing a beat, "Someone hiding behind a lie himself. So, when I actually use my fucking head for once, it's obvious when someone else is doing the exact same goddamn thing. It's like looking in a fucking mirror!"
The two students went completely silent at that, both merely staring each other down. Taeko continued shaking in anger, eyes dilated and teeth clenched tightly; Mondo continued holding the hand that was aiming to slap him, not moving an inch from his position. However, before either of them could break the tense silence between them…
"Um, guys?" The two turned their heads to the side, to see Makoto looking at the two worriedly. "Is everything… okay?"
It was Mondo who spoke first. "Thought you were talking with Hiro."
"I was. We had just finished talking when I heard yelling from here," Makoto answered, his eyes moving between the biker and the gambler. "Can you… tell me what's going on here?"
Mondo snorted. "Just a little chat, is all." With that dry remark, he then pushed Celeste back to her seat with little effort, before standing up. Taeko, despite her anger, found herself shrinking, couldn't help but feel small at the sight of the biker towering over her, as well as the aura emanating from him. And with the fear mixing with her anger, she was hard-pressed to gain back control of her emotions.
For a moment, Mondo merely stared her down, pressing his aura on the gambler. Finally, he spoke. "I'm gonna forgive ya," he declared, "Not because you asked for it, but for my own sake. But, I ain't about to forget what could've happened. Not for a while. You got me?"
Taeko could only nod. There was little else she could do, and she wasn't sure if it was a good idea to say anything back.
"Good." With that, Mondo released his aura. "See ya, Ludenberg." He then walked away from the table and headed back out of the room
That left both Makoto and Taeko by themselves. The luckster was shifting awkwardly, uncertain of what to do next, while the gambler continued shaking in an influx of emotions, a scowl across her face.
Finally, it was Makoto who spoke up first. "Are you okay, Cel- Wah!"
Suddenly, the luckster was pulled from where he was standing and into the booth beside Taeko. The girl wrapped her arms around the arm she grabbed, her look appearing more petulant than anything.
"C-Celeste?!" Makoto stuttered, a blush forming across his face. First Mukuro, now Celeste? What's with his female friends grabbing him out of the blue?
"Just shut up and let me have this," was Taeko's response, the grip on his arm tightening. "Who the hell does that stupid biker think he is? Coming over and thinking he's got me all figured out…"
At her grumbling complaints, Makoto couldn't help but sweatdrop and chuckle awkwardly. "Are you upset that Mondo managed to make accurate guesses about you…?"
That earned a glare from the gambler. "What makes you think any of what he said was accurate?"
"Taeko…" The luckster couldn't help but give her something of a flat look. "Would you really react like this if all of what Mondo said didn't hit close to home?"
"..."
The girl could only bury her head in Makoto's shoulder in response, a rather adorable pout forming across her face. That got Makoto to drop his flat look, in his effort to hold back his bubbling laughter. A small smile did form though at Taeko's rather cute reaction, similar to Kyoko's embarrassment earlier on.
"Excuse me. Miss Ludenberg, Mr. Naegi…" The lucky student looked up from his new seat, to see Hifumi standing in front of the booth they're in. "Would this be a bad time to speak?"
Makoto's smile turned awkward at that. "Maybe…" He shrugged, turning back towards Taeko. "Celeste is kinda upset right now, so I don't know…"
"I don't think I've ever seen a pouty Ludenberg before…" Hifumi couldn't help but muse.
That's when Taeko interjected. "I'm NOT pouty…" she denied, rather petulantly too. She lifted her head to give Hifumi a not-so-threatening glare. "What do you want, Hifumi?"
The fanfic creator wondered if he should feel nervous or be charmed by Celeste's demeanor. In the end, he pushed back the inner debate, to get to the reason he was here. "I wish to talk about what transpired in the third chapter."
At that, Taeko couldn't help but groan, slamming her head on the table, her Celestia Ludenberg persona still far out of reach. "Look, I get it, okay? Future me did something stupid, cruel, and selfish. You don't have to worry about me pulling a stunt like that, alright?"
"Mr. Oowada really did a number on you, didn't he…?" was Hifumi's next musing.
That earned a growl from the gambler. "When the stupid biker decided to use that brain of his, is beyond me…"
That earned laughter from both the lucky student and the fanfic creator, neither of them able to help themselves. Hearing the two, Taeko turned her head to give them both glares.
Feeling the nervousness fade away, Hifumi found the confidence to say the next thing. "With all that being said then, can we reconcile with one another and continue our friendship?"
That turned Taeko's glare into an incredulous look. "Friends? Are you kidding me?" she voiced in disbelief, "After seeing me crack your head in the future, you still want to have anything to do with me?" Not to mention treating him like shit, both in the future and the present.
"You've admitted your faults and aim not to do them in the future. That is enough for me," Hifumi stated, pounding his chest with a fist, "Besides, we've also seen that we developed an even closer bond with the pictures. That tells me that it's worth retaining our friendship."
The gambler still couldn't help but continue staring at Hifumi incredulously. After a moment, she just groaned again and slammed her head on the table. "You know what? Fine. I'll take the olive branch." she groaned from where she's laying, "Are you happy now?"
"Very much so," Hifumi said proudly, unaffected by the lack-luster response, "I'll leave you alone for now, Miss Ludenberg. Enjoy your quality time with Mr. Naegi."
With that, the fanfic creator walked away from both Makoto and Taeko. The gambler continued to lay her head on the table, letting out groans and grumbles, while the luckster rubbed her back in comfort, an amused smile now on his lips.
(With Mondo)
Makoto wasn't the only one who'd noticed the interaction between Taeko and Mondo. Taka, Hifumi, Leon, and Chihiro all observed the interaction between their biker friend and the gambler, with a mix of curiosity and worry. While they were confident that Mondo wouldn't intentionally hurt a girl, they all knew how volatile the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader was. So, they expected a shouting match at best; blows to be thrown at the very worst.
What they didn't expect was Mondo to be the composed one while Celeste completely lost it.
While Hifumi went to speak to Celeste himself, Leon, Taka, and Chihiro spoke with their friend about the interaction between him and Celeste.
"Dude, I don't think I've ever seen you that calm before!" Leon exclaimed in disbelief, "You barely raised your voice through the whole thing! Where the hell did that self-control come from?"
Mondo sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Look, I'm aware that I'm not the most cool-headed guy, alright?" he admitted, "But you don't get to lead a gang like mine without keeping your head together sometimes. Just took what I've learned with the Diamonds and applied it with Ludenberg."
"Incredible, bro! Seems as though you really did develop some helpful skills as the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader!" Taka praised his best friend, "Should you not apply those skills during your day-to-day life?"
That earned a snort from the biker. "Like I said before, I'm not the most cool-headed dude," Mondo remarked dryly, "Takes a lot of effort to keep calm; and it's merely focusing my anger, not suppressing it. No way I could do that forever."
While Taka hung his head in disappointment, Chihiro looked at Mondo tentatively. The programmer looked as though he wanted to say something, but was hesitating, unsure as to how.
It was something Mondo picked up on. "I forgave her," he stated bluntly, his attention now focused on his petite friend, "I'm taking your advice, and letting go of my anger. I won't forget for a while what she's capable of doing… but I ain't gonna let anger blind me like that. Not like future me."
At his words, a bright smile entered Chihiro's lips, the tension slipping from his body. In response, Mondo nodded back, a smirk forming across his own face.
(Later)
Makoto let out a tired sigh as he headed out of the rec room, and to the second floor of their bedrooms. A bit after Hifumi left him and Celeste alone, Sayaka (in her talk with Kyoko) had come to notice the two were so close together.
That resulted in narrowed eyes and pouty pop sensation coming to the table, scooching up to Makoto's other side. Throughout that time, the lucky student had to play peacemaker between Sayaka and Celeste, some of that tension coming from the former's ire with the latter.
Suffice to say, that was exhausting. Especially with the added fact that two of female friends, both of whom he considered very pretty, were clinging on to him, resulting in him getting very flustered.
However, despite his slight exhaustion, a smile couldn't help but enter his lip. Things are looking better. Lighter. Hopeful. More and more of his friends are coming to terms with what they have seen, with more of them making up and forgiving each other, to the point where more friendly interactions are there than before. There's some tensions that remain, most likely, but steps are being taken to move forward.
However, there's still those that have unresolved feelings. There's Hiro, whom he had talked to, who's dealing with some guilt. Toko is likely dealing with a similar guilt, albeit worse (it's Toko, after all). Byakuya could be holding some resentment for the heat he's been getting. And of course, there's Sakura and Hina…
"Hey, Makoto!"
The lucky student was jolted out of his thoughts by the sound of his name being called. Looking forward, he saw Junko walking down the stairs of their guest rooms, a grin across her face.
"Oh, Junko," Makoto responded back, waving back at the fashionista, "You're heading to the rec room?"
"Yep!" Junko bobbed her head in confirmation, hopping down the last few steps, "Didn't eat much during the last viewing, so I'm gonna get something there. What about you? Heading up to talk with some of our classmates?"
That got a sheepish laugh from Makoto. "That obvious, huh?"
"Like the sun rising up!" was the confirmed answer, her grin now amused, "Wouldn't be our optimistic lucky boy if you weren't checking on our depressed classmates."
Again, the lucky student could laugh sheepishly, unable to deny it. Still, it wasn't something to be ashamed about nor was he. If his classmates need help with something, or an ear to listen to them, then he'll do whatever he can.
"Still, it's impressive that you still got that head held so high, Makoto," Junko mused, walking over to Makoto, "Even with the whole Sayaka situation, none of the optimism left ya."
A somber look entered Makoto's face at the reminder of what transpired in the first chapter. "To be honest, I did waver a bit," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head, "For a moment, I wondered whether I should trust Sayaka or not. But… I didn't want a potential future to ruin our friendship now. That's what I feel."
Junko let out a mocked, exasperated sigh. "I wonder, is there a distrustful bone in your body?" she asked him, "I mean, with all the stuff our classmates did to you, I figured you would at least have SOME reservations."
Her words caused Makoto to blink a little in bemusement. "What do you mean?"
"Both versions of Mondo punched you; Celeste tried to manipulate and kill everyone for a castle; Byakuya was being a complete douche, more than usual…" Junko started listing off, counting by her fingers, "And Kyoko's over there, using you as bait and getting mad when you decide to keep a secret for once. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't have taken half the crap sent your way."
"Well, that's…" Makoto frowned at the reminder of the other stuff that happened to him personally. "I can't really hold a grudge for something that hasn't happened yet. This is all just a possible future, one we can stop from happening now."
"But still, not a shred of resentment? Not a few grievances? Not even feeling hurt about anything that happened?" Junko purposely pressed on.
And just like she planned, the luckster was looking pretty conflicted. As if a debate between his forgiving nature and whatever negative emotions that were lying dormant was raging.
Seeing this, she blinked a few times, as if just realizing what she's doing, then backed down, an abashed look now across her face. "Sorry. Probably shouldn't be trying to dig up any resentful feelings. You probably have enough issues with being involved with every murder case in some capacity."
Her last statement caused the look of distress from Makoto to grow further. That made it clear that the luckster had figured that part out himself, if only subconsciously.
Seeing the seeds being planted, Junko faked a flinch. "I… should shut up now," she muttered guiltily. Quickly, she walked past him in a clearly guilty fashion. Before she went to the rec room, she turned her head towards him and said this. "Please don't take what I said seriously. It's just me rambling and pressing the wrong buttons. No one blames you for anything, and it's good that you're so forgiving." With that, she completely turned away from Makoto, hiding her sinister, ear to ear grin.
The seeds were now firmly planted. Now, to see how they'll sprout.
Meanwhile, Makoto continued standing there, wrestling with the string of emotions Junko had brought out of him. The feelings of betrayal and hurt he felt from his friends' actions; the feeling of guilt from his involvement with each of the murder cases. Those were the things that sprouted during the viewings, things that he fought from festering further. After all, none of them would help with everyone else feeling worse than him.
Still… it's difficult to completely shake off these emotions bubbling within him.
Unknown to him, Mukuro was up at the second floor, listening as her sister manipulated her ever-growing crush. Her back was pressed against the wall, near the stairs, unable to act against what Junko was doing. All she could was listen… as tears silently trailed from her eyes.
And that's the end. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and that the quality is still up to snuff after the small break I took. Pretty uncertain with some of the interactions I wrote out in this chapter, but I felt like this was the best direction for each of them. Hope none of them feel out-of-character.
Anyways, I'm hoping this'll be the beginning of the end of this long writer's block. Not only is much of the stuff in my personal life dealt with, but I think I've pin-pointed the source of the block (*Look at a can of Coca-cola suspiciously*). We'll see if this'll be the beginning of a faster rate of updates. Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you guys later.
