Kyoko walked through the ship's hallway, heading towards the Operation Center. The sight of her turned several heads as she made her way through.

"Congratulations," a man said.

"Congratulations," another man said.

"Congratulations," a woman said.

At first, Kyoko assumed they were congratulating her on her promotion to Division Head, but some of their expressions were less than innocent. They were sneering at her.

"Nice pull," one such woman said.

Kyoko's heart stopped.

It wasn't about her promotion, was it?

Kyoko's phone buzzed.

Hiro: OMG!

Togami: My condolences.

Fukawa: sucks to be you right now

Hina: Are you okay? :(

The video didn't take long to find. As Kyoko had feared, the Remnants had leaked it. Kyoko's visit to Makoto that night. Their talk. Their confession. Their first kiss… it was all online for the world to see.

Kyoko took a deep breath. She… she could handle this. She had already accepted the possibility that the video would leak. So everyone knew how she felt about Makoto. It was, well, it wasn't fine, but there was nothing she could do about it.

A man jeered as he passed by. "Finally getting that sexy Naegi ass in your life."

That knife that had killed Eguchi? Could someone just stab her in the gut with it? Really twist it in there? That sounded far less painful than having to deal with this.

"Kyoko-chan!"

Hina sprinted down the hall straight for Kyoko, her feet screeching against the floor as she sharply came to a halt right in front of her. Hina stared at her with trembling, watery eyes. "K-Kyoko-chan, I know you didn't want anyone to know, b-but that was s-so beautiful! Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!"

Kyoko buried her face into the palm of her glove.

"You two are just so perfect! When's the wedding?!"

Yeah, Kyoko was nowhere close to marrying Makoto. She wasn't even sure if she truly loved him yet. As strong as her feelings were, she was still wracked with uncertainty. If their relationship ever progressed as far as marriage, it probably wouldn't be until after the war, assuming they both survived by some miracle.

Kyoko wasn't counting on that.

"A-and, that trial," Hina said, "that was not your fault! Do you hear me?! I know you were trying to save everyone, no matter what you say! You did nothing wrong!"

No, no, I abandoned him, but… Kyoko sighed. "Really, I don't need to talk about that anymore."

Hina grinned. "I'm so glad you two are finally together! I'm sure you and Naegi will make each other very happy!"

Part of Kyoko wanted to tell her that they had broken up, but she took it on the chin and let it go. "One can hope." She resumed walking. "Excuse me, but I have a job to begin."

Hina cheerfully waved goodbye. "All the best, Kirigiri!"

Kyoko reached the Operations Center, buzzing with activity as always. Yuri Yasui greeted her with a bow as she entered. "Kirigiri-sama, allow me to guide you on your first day as Division Head."

'Kirigiri-sama,' that was going to take some getting used to.

Kyoko nodded. "Thank you, Yasui-sa… Yasui-kun."

"Of course," Yuri said. "We'll start with introductions to each region's commanding officer. Follow me."

A long day followed.

A long day of speaking with officers from around the world. Kyoko did her best to grasp the status of the Future Foundation's reputation from their reports. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Kyoko had never spoken with so many people in her life. Many officers expressed skepticism if someone like her could really lead them. Although Kyoko didn't show any weakness, she did secretly doubt it herself. She was stepping far outside her comfort zone to take on this responsibility.

But it wasn't like she was hosting an ice cream social. This was business. Kyoko could talk business.

Fortunately, morale was improving across the board. Enoshima's legacy could only carry so far after her death. Still, Kyoko knew they couldn't grow complacent. She reviewed every region carefully.

Kyoko noticed a glaring omission. "What about Towa City?"

Yuri frowned. "We don't have a presence there yet. Nakazawa-sama was trying to negotiate personally, but…"

"Understood," Kyoko said. "Brief me on the situation and schedule a meeting with Towa Group."

Yuri bowed. "Of course, Kirigiri-sama."

A few days later, Kyoko, Yuri, Makoto, and Byakuya stood in a conference room. A monitor on the wall displayed an office inside Towa Hills. The head of the conglomerate, Tokuichi Towa, sat behind his desk. His son, Haiji Towa, also stood in the room. There was also a little girl in a wheelchair. Tokuichi Towa's illegitimate daughter, Monaca Towa.

Tokuichi Towa's expression was cold. "Kyoko Kirigiri. How the Future Foundation selected you as Nakazawa's replacement is beyond me."

Makoto's eyebrow twitched.

"Let's get to the point," Kyoko said, her gaze just as steely. "As you are aware, we have reason to suspect that the Remnants of Despair are holding hostages in Towa City. The Future Foundation requests permission to investigate."

Haiji Towa scoffed. "Like the Remnants could hide in our city."

"A bold claim," Byakuya said, "but maybe we should still have a look, just to be sure."

"Fuck off!" Haiji snapped. "You seriously believe the Remnants could have hidden all of Class 78's relatives under our noses? Ridiculous."

He had a point, actually. An operation of that scale would have been difficult to keep quiet, which was why the possibility that Towa Group had cooperated with the Remnants couldn't be ruled out.

"Where's your evidence?!" Haiji demanded. "The word of the traitor in your organization?! Sounds to me like the Future Foundation is the one in bed with the Remnants!"

Yuri's fists tightened, but she stayed silent.

"We're not accusing you of anything," Kyoko said. Not out loud, anyway. "All we ask is your cooperation in our search."

"Oh, sure you don't!" Haiji said. "But if you did find the captives – which you won't – you wouldn't hesitate to point the finger at us!"

Tokuichi sighed. "While I ask you to forgive my son's crassness, it is true that we are facing a diplomatic crisis between our organizations. Kirigiri-san, you are only in command of a single branch of the Future Foundation. Can you honestly say that if you were to find the hostages in our city, the Foundation would not escalate the situation?"

Unfortunately, he was right.

Kyoko held a hand to her hip. "Yes, you are rather suspicious. For one thing, the Towa Group is known for their advanced robotics, advanced enough to develop the Monokumas used by Despair forces."

Haiji shook his fist. "H-hey!"

"And then there's your weapons," Kyoko said. "They are very effective against the Monokumas, so effective that it's like you know the Monokumas inside and out."

"Wh-what are you…?"

"And let's not forget your air purifier, perfectly designed to ward off The Tragedy's pollution. Towa City is a relative paradise amidst The Tragedy. One might suspect that the real reason your city was never attacked is because you had some deal with Enoshima."

"I thought you said you weren't accusing us!" Haiji shouted.

"I am not," Kyoko said. "I am merely explaining why others might find you suspicious, and now on top of all that, we have an allegation that the captives for Enoshima's killing game are being held in Towa City. It could very well be the straw that breaks the camel's back."

"I'm glad you understand the gravity of the situation," Tokuichi said. "Knowing this, can you expect me to allow your agents into my city?"

Kyoko paused. It was a difficult problem. If she were in Towa Group's position, she wouldn't want the Future Foundation poking around, either. Finding the captives in Towa City could very spark war. Too many people would have seen it as proof that Towa City was allied with the Remnants. If the captives were in there, how could they extract them without causing conflict?

Makoto spoke up. "But you have nothing to hide, right?"

Everyone from both sides shot him a quizzical look.

Makoto smiled. "I believe that you wouldn't side with the Remnants. Even if we do find the captives in Towa City, I'm sure there's an explanation. If you help us find them, it would prove that you're on our side."

Both parties fell silent.

Oh, Makoto. If only it were that easy.

Byakuya sighed. "Please ignore our resident airhead. Not even the Killing Game cured his naiveite."

"Huh? What's wrong?" Makoto asked.

"Perhaps you believe us," Tokuichi said, "but you don't speak for the whole Future Foundation. Not everyone is as trusting as you, Naegi-kun."

"But…" Makoto frowned. "But there must be something we can do. My sister could be trapped in there."

"Yeah, we're all so broken up about it," Haiji said in mock regret.

Kyoko held back the flame burning inside her. The threat of war did not excuse his attitude. Those were their families. The least he could do was show some sympathy, even if kind words wouldn't reunite them.

"Do you want a war?!" Yuri shouted.

"I want you to fuck off and suck a bag of –!"

Monaca Towa giggled. "My, it sure is tense in here! Hey, Kirigiri, do you think we're helping the Remnants?"

Kyoko folded her arms. "That doesn't matter."

"But Monaca wants to know! Answer Monaca! Are we guilty?"

What is this kid playing at? Kyoko deliberated how to respond. Should she lie? Refuse to answer? Or tell her honest thoughts? What was the best strategy here?

"I don't declare the guilty party without proof," Kyoko dodged.

Monaca pouted. "That's not an answer!"

"We're not here to discuss –"

"Answer Monaca!"

Kyoko didn't understand Monaca's behavior at all. She wasn't sure if it was the right choice, but if she absolutely had to answer, she couldn't bring herself to feign trust. She doubted Monaca would believe that, anyway.

"The possibility of your guilt cannot be ruled out," Kyoko said. "There is a considerable amount of evidence against you."

Monaca's face lit up with an unsettling smile. "So, you think that we designed the Monokumas? Supplied them to the Remnants? And sold weapons to fight back against them? You believe we were playing both sides all along?"

"It is a possibility," Kyoko said.

"Puhuhu. It's not just a possibility! It's exactly what happened!"

Everyone froze.

Makoto's mouth fell wide open.

Byakuya's glasses nearly fell off his face.

Yuri's entire body shivered.

Even Kyoko was pale and speechless.

Had Monaca seriously just admitted…?

Suddenly, a phalanx of Monokumas surrounded Monaca.

An icy chill gripped Kyoko's heart. Monokumas? Then, it was true? She was…?

Haiji clenched his teeth. "Y-you bitch! What are you doing?!"

Uncanny laughter escaped from the little girl's lips. "Monaca was bored playing dumb! Monaca thinks it'd be more fun to tell the truth!"

Tokuichi slammed his fist against his desk. "We had a deal, you little shit! You weren't supposed to –"

A Monokuma brandished its claws against Tokuichi's neck.

Monaca waggled her finger. "Naughty, naughty, Daddy. Let's make it clear that Monaca is in charge."

"G-get your robots away from –"

Another Monokuma kicked Haiji in the groin; he screamed and rolled on the floor in agony.

Tokuichi grimaced, completely at his daughter's mercy.

"Y-you're kidding," Byakuya breathed. "This child developed Monokuma?"

"Why so surprised?" Monaca cooed. "Monaca is the Chief Executive of our robotics division."

Sweat dripped down Makoto's face. "Wh-what is going on? What are you doing?!"

"Aww, poor Naegi. He was the only one who believed in Daddy, only to have Monaca spit in his face."

Kyoko steadied her nerves. If the enemy was in the mood to share, what other information could she gain? "Are you holding the captives as well?"

Monaca excitedly clapped her hands. "Yes! Monaca knows exactly where they are!"

"Give them back!" Makoto demanded.

"No, Monaca doesn't think she will. Monaca isn't done playing yet."

Kyoko didn't dare imagine what 'playing' meant.

Monaca creepily titled her head. "So, what are you gonna do about it? Are you gonna make Monaca give them back? If you try it, that might not end well for them…"

What can we do? Monaca was in complete control, but what was she after?

"Or," the little girl said, "maybe Monaca will just blow them all up anyway."

Makoto's face immediately became deathly pale. "N-no! Please! Don't hurt them!"

"Why would you do that?" Kyoko asked calmly, not thinking about what this girl might have done to Fuhito.

"War."

"… what?" Makoto breathed. "You want war?"

Monaca's eyes sparkled. "Yes, war… a big, beautiful war…"

Kyoko had encountered more than her share of lunatics in her life, but this little girl was second only to Enoshima herself.

Monaca flashed a deranged grin. "And Kirigiri is going to help!"

Kyoko furrowed her brow. "Why would I ever do that?"

"Because you're a detective!" she said. "Your job is to uncover the absolute truth, and you never take sides. You never decide what's 'good' or what's 'evil,' only what's true! Now that you know that Monaca is guilty, you have to report it, riiiiight?"

Was this child serious? She expected Kyoko to instigate the war? Even if she were willing…

"Report to whom?" Kyoko asked. "No one commissioned me to investigate you."

"Monaca thinks Tengan could be considered your client. As a Division Head, it's your duty to report something like this to him. It would be an act of treason if you didn't."

Kyoko scoffed. "Please. Tengan-sama didn't hire me as a detective."

Pouting angrily, Monaca pointed her finger at Kyoko. "Fine! Then Monaca commissions you! Expose Monaca's crimes to the Future Foundation!"

"I decline."

A frustrated growl escaped the girl's lips. "Monaca will pay ten-billion yen!"

"H-hey!" Haiji shouted from the floor. "You can't go throwing around that kind of –"

A Monokuma silenced him with a stomp to the crotch. Well, 'silenced' might not have been the right word, but it stopped him from speaking.

Kyoko glared. "No amount of money will sway me."

Byakuya sneered. "A mere ten-billion? Pocket change."

Monaca pounded her little fists against her wheelchair as she screamed. "If! You! Don't! Monaca! Will! Kill! The! Hostages!"

Kyoko's chest tightened. This child had backed her into a corner. If she didn't act, her grandfather, Makoto's family, and so many others would die, but if she gave in…

"What happens if we do?" Makoto asked. "Will you let the hostages go?"

"Yes!" the little mastermind said sweetly. "As long as the Future Foundation attacks Towa City in full force, the hostages will not be hurt! Great deal, right?"

Actually, it was their only choice.

Kyoko sighed. "Even if I refuse, you will kill the hostages and use that as your casus belli, will you not? Based on the terms you have given, our options are to start a war and save the hostages, or let the hostages die and let the war happen anyway. Not really much of a dilemma."

Makoto clenched his teeth. "I don't want to start a war, but I can't let Komaru and my parents die."

"Ugh." Monaca groaned as if she were deflating. "You're right. This is boring. The offer is so good you have no reason to refuse." She smiled. "Oh, Monaca knows! How about this…" She pointed at Byakuya. "You, come play with Monaca!"

Byakuya scowled. "Excuse me?"

"Monaca said come play with her!" she snapped.

"Why me?"

"Because we're both affluent progeny!" she said. "Both underdogs, too! Monaca wants to know what the heir to the Togami Corporation is like!"

"I… what?!"

Makoto stepped forward. "If you're going to take someone, take me!"

Kyoko glared at him. What are you doing?

The girl dismissively waved her hand. "Nah, Monaca doesn't want you."

"Why not?!" Makoto demanded.

Monaca wildly thrashed her arms in the air as she screeched at the top of her lungs. "Monaca! Doesn't! Want! Naegi! Monaca! Only! Wants! Togami!"

Kyoko couldn't play favorites, but she couldn't deny a feeling of relief that Makoto wouldn't be able to risk his life. If Makoto had wanted to go, Kyoko wouldn't have stopped him. She wasn't the type of person to refuse a friend's desire to help, even if it put them in danger. However, she was thankful that Monaca had removed that option.

"… what are your terms?" Byakuya asked.

Monaca gave another sweet smile. "All you have to do is play with Monaca. Come to Towa City. Monaca will even show you where the hostages are!"

"That's it?"

"That's it!"

Needless to say, that sounded far too good to be true. Could there have been a more obvious trap?

"Can we send anyone with him?" Kyoko asked.

"Oh, sure," Monaca said. "Anyone but Naegi is welcome!"

Makoto's face twisted in confusion. "What do you have against me?"

She glared at him darkly. "You murdered Big Sis Junko."

A pit deepened in Kyoko's stomach. So she really was trying to imitate Enoshima.

Byakuya looked at Kyoko. "The call is yours, Division Head."

Kyoko held her chin. Could she really risk Byakuya's life on such a longshot?

"If Togami doesn't come," Monaca said, "Monaca will kill the hostages!"

Was it worth the risk? Or would it be better to take the initiative and strike in force? If they did so, the hostages would probably die, but what was Monaca planning with Byakuya? If Kyoko sent Byakuya, what would happen? Would he die for nothing? Or would he suffer a fate even worse than death?

Kyoko's eyes met Byakuya's. "Are you willing to go?"

Byakuya clicked his tongue. "What are you asking my permission for? You're the commander."

"And I'm asking if you're ready to risk your life," Kyoko said. "The rest of us have loved ones held hostage, even me, but do you?"

"We have his butler!" Monaca exclaimed.

"Oh, Pennyworth," Byakuya said flatly. "My heart bleeds."

Kyoko narrowed her eyes. "Togami-kun, answer me."

Byakuya folded his arms. "What if I'm not willing? Will you not send me? Are you really leaving it up to me?"

Kyoko's head turned to the side. "… I am."

"What?"

Kyoko brushed her braided hair. "This is a dangerous mission. There's no telling what will happen. If you're not willing to go, I don't want to force you."

Byakuya stared intensely at her. "Kirigiri-sama, I thought you were the type to accomplish your goals no matter the cost."

Yeah, I thought so, too.

"I believe you said something about hard choices? Well, now is the time. Do what you must, O Great Kirigiri-sama."

Kyoko cast him a sideways glance. "If you won't answer, then I won't send you."

Byakuya sighed. "Why? Because 'friends protect each other no matter what?'"

Kyoko didn't respond.

Byakuya snickered. "You have changed, Kirigiri."

"Do you have an answer?"

"Fine," Byakuya said. "You don't have to worry. I'm no coward. If there's a chance it will save the hostages, I will play this brat's game." He chuckled. "Besides, if something happened to Naegi's sister, I'm sure there would be no end to his crying, and that would be a fate worse than death."

Makoto held his chest. "Togami, you would really do that for us?"

"Not for you," Byakuya said. "This is for revenge. That brat developed the weapons that killed my family. She thinks she can trap me; I'll show her. She'll regret ever messing with the Togami Corporation."

Monaca snickered. "Monaca just wants to play! Honest!"

Kyoko nodded. "In that case, we'll assemble a team and send you to Towa City."

"Understood," Byakuya said.

Kyoko turned back to Monaca on the monitor. "Does this satisfy you?"

The girl smiled and nodded. "Monaca can't wait! See you soon!"

The connection to Towa Hills was terminated.

Kyoko faced Byakuya. "I don't know what she's planning, but your priority is to find the hostages. Avoid fighting if you can." She paused before adding, "no unnecessary risks."

Byakuya folded his arms. "Hmph, whatever you say, boss."

She looked at each of her comrades. "What we learned today does not leave this room, understood? Officially, the Towa Group agreed to our request for investigation. Nothing more."

Yuri frowned. "Do you really think we can avoid war?"

"We have to," Kyoko said. "All-out war with Towa City would be the end of the Future Foundation. Too many people have died already. We can't afford to lose more."

"But that girl is a Remnant," Yuri said. "Is there any other way?"

"We have to try," Makoto said. "If we don't, she'll…" His legs shivered. "She'll kill…"

Kyoko nodded. "As Naegi-kun says, it's our only chance of saving the hostages."

"… alright," Yuri said. "This secret stays between us."

Makoto looked at Byakuya with a mix of pain, worry, fear, and hope. "Togami, don't die."

Byakuya laughed. "Don't you know who you're talking to? It'll take more than some wannabe Enoshima to beat me. I'll have your family back before you know it."

"Togami…" Makoto pulled him into a hug. "Thank you."

Byakuya cringed painfully. "Wh-what is this? Get your filthy commoner hands off me! Save it for your girlfriend!"

Makoto let go. "I wish I could save them myself, but I'll leave it to you."

Byakuya straightened his glasses. "Yes, your concern is touching."

Kyoko looked firmly into Byakuya's eyes. She wasn't going to do anything as bold as Makoto, but she had to express her gratitude somehow. This could have been the last time she saw him.

Kyoko reached out her hand.

With a sigh, Byakuya reached back and shook it.

"Be careful," Kyoko said.

"Sure, whatever."

She kept her gaze fixed with Byakuya's. "Togami, I know we had our differences in the past, but I consider you a true friend. Thank you for everything."

Byakuya clicked his tongue. "Stop acting like I'm going to die! I'm coming back alive, you hear me?" He turned towards the exit. "Just get my team ready. I'll get it done."

As he left, Kyoko breathed deeply. Am I making the right choice?

I could be sending him to his death. I could be sending others to their deaths. I almost certainly am.

But that was inevitable. She was a commander in the middle of a war. No matter what choices she made, people were going to die because of her. That was the burden she had taken upon herself.

Still, was this the best choice? Was Kyoko a fool to think that going along with Monaca's request would gain them anything? Was there any hope for the hostages? Was there anything else Kyoko could have done?

She looked at Makoto.

His body was shaking, but she could still see the glint of hope in his hazel eyes. He was still holding out hope that his family would survive.

But what if they didn't?

If his parents didn't make it, if Komaru didn't make it, could Makoto keep going?

Of course he could. He was Makoto. Nothing would ever stop Makoto from moving forward. Even if all his friends, Kyoko included, died on him, Makoto would keep fighting.

But that didn't mean they weren't worth protecting.

Makoto believed that the deaths of his loved ones weren't meaningless. He always tried to find strength in his fallen friends, because no matter who died, 'hope kept on going.' Even so, Kyoko wanted to spare him as much of that pain as possible. Just because he could keep going didn't mean it was acceptable.

It was always better when they were alive.

Kyoko began preparations for the mission.

Days later, Makoto sat on the couch in his quarters, with Kyoko by his side.

The mission could have gone better, could have gone worse. Byakuya had made it back alive, like he said he would, but the same couldn't be said for his team. Fighting had broken out within Towa City, a war between adults and children instigated by Monaca Towa. And Toko had stowed away in Byakuya's transport. She had stayed behind, with Komaru.

Best news was, Komaru was alive, along with many other captives. Kyoko's grandfather had also been rescued, thanks in no small part to Hiro's mother, a great help to the Resistance.

But sadly, not everyone had survived. Hina's brother had died trying to escape the city, which had left Hina in tears. Chihiro's dad, also dead.

Makoto's parents… still missing.

Not a perfect outcome, but they had done what they could.

With the mission over, Makoto and Kyoko were taking a much-needed break. Makoto leaned his head against Kyoko's shoulder, and Kyoko wrapped an arm around his back. Her comforting touch calmed Makoto's mind as he processed everything that had happened.

"I told you she was extraordinary," Kyoko said.

Makoto nodded. "She really is. Fighting all those Monokumas, and staying behind to keep the fighting from getting worse. I'm…" He sniffled. "I'm proud of her."

Kyoko stroked his hair. "But you wish she was here."

He nodded again, wordlessly.

"I'm sorry," Kyoko whispered.

Makoto faced Kyoko and caressed her cheek. "Hey, you did good, Kyoko. I owe Komaru's survival to a lot of people. Togami, Fukawa, everyone who went with them, but also you. It's thanks to your leadership that any of the hostages were saved. You made the right decision."

Makoto's comforting words and touch made Kyoko's face turn a slight shade of pink. "I didn't do much. The ones who took the field are the heroes."

He kept tenderly stroking Kyoko's cheek. "Don't sell yourself so short. You were able to stay calm under pressure and make a tough choice. If it were someone like Munakata, he would have ordered a full-scale assault without a second thought, and so much more would have been lost. My sister would be dead if it weren't for you. Thank you, Kyoko."

As Kyoko's blush deepened, Makoto decided to take the initiative for once. He cupped both of Kyoko's cheeks and pulled her into a kiss. A soft moan escaped Kyoko's lips as she reciprocated, resting her hands on his shoulders. Feeling Kyoko respond positively to the kiss he had started was nothing short of thrilling.

Makoto looked at her happily as he pulled back. "You're a good person, Kyoko."

Kyoko averted her eyes. "I'm not."

"Yes, you are," Makoto said. "Remember what you did in the conference room? You asked Togami if he was ready to put his life on the line. You could have just ordered him to go, but you didn't. You weren't going to force a friend to risk his life."

She frowned. "I still let him go, and I sent other people to their deaths."

Makoto caressed her cheek again. "You can't save everyone. It would have been a lot worse if you hadn't." He smiled. "You did have to go against your family creed, right? You said that you don't take sides, but you refused to accept Monaca's commission out of principle. You kept the truth of the Towa Group hidden so war wouldn't break out. You want to save people, Kyoko. You want to do the right thing."

Kyoko shook her head. "It wasn't a valid request. She wanted me to start a war, not solve a mystery."

"My point still stands," Makoto said. "You did the right thing. I bet that's why you took this job. You want to do good, make as positive of an impact as you can. You said something like that when we left Hope's Peak, didn't you? I'm proud of you, too."

If Makoto didn't know any better, he would have thought that Kyoko's eyes were tearing up. She spoke hoarsely. "Y-you have too much faith in me."

He kept giving her his warmest smile. "Well, that's me. Foolishly optimistic."

Staring into his eyes, Kyoko gripped his head and pulled him into another kiss. Hard. Makoto gasped as he felt Kyoko's tongue brush against his lips, before slipping past. His heart pounded as Kyoko explored his mouth, but he fought back against the shock and met her tongue with his in a sensual dance, utterly mesmerized by her passion.

Kyoko's face was crimson as she pulled away, her eyes swimming. "I… don't know what came over me."

Makoto pursed his still-tingling lips. He wasn't sure what had brought that on, either, but how could he not be worried?

"Did you not like it?"

"No, it was wonderful," she said urgently. "I just… need some time before trying something like that again."

Ah, so she didn't regret it. Relieved, Makoto smiled gently. "Yeah, I get it. You took me by surprise, too, but I liked it."

She smiled back weakly. "Perhaps I won't keep you waiting too long for a repeat performance."

Makoto went speechless. He really was lucky.

Kyoko cleared her throat. "For now, uh, it's been a while since I've started telling you about Oneesama. Would you like to continue?"

"Oh." Makoto nodded. "Yeah, if you want to. Your stories are scary sometimes, but I still love hearing them."

Kyoko flinched at the word 'love.'

"Uh…"

"I'm glad you do," Kyoko said, brushing off her embarrassment. "I believe we left off just before the Norman Hotel Case…"