Before the Biggest, Most Awful, Most Tragic Event in Human History
Although Mukuro knew nothing about music, she could feel in her heart that Sayaka's voice was beautiful. It was entrancing, even, despite the fact that she didn't know what language she was singing in - it certainly wasn't Japanese.
When it came to an end, Mukuro's classmates - or at least most of them - began to applaud, and she suddenly realised that she should do the same. Then Sayaka stepped down from the music room's stage to give Makoto a hug, and Mukuro stopped clapping. Junko began to laugh. 'Huh?' Mukuro turned to her sister in confusion. 'What is it?' Her little sister just laughed harder. 'Seriously?!'
Mukuro looked back at Makoto to see him smiling radiantly at Sayaka, and she felt a dull ache in her heart. 'I'm going,' she said, and made for the door, which Hina was already walking out of. Just before she could cross the threshold, however, a voice called out to her. 'Hey, Mukuro!' She turned to see Sayaka quickly walking towards her, a wide smile on her face. 'Before you leave, I just wanted to say thanks for co- are you okay?' The idol's smile had faded into a concerned expression. 'Is something wrong?' Mukuro shook her head. 'N-no? Why do you ask?' 'You just... have a sad look on your face', Sayaka answered. 'Oh.' Mukuro didn't know what else to say. She was even more lost for words when Sayaka gently placed a hand on her shoulder. 'Feel free to stay here, if you want.' She leaned in closer. 'I'm pretty sure someone's got a cake coming, so you might want to stay around for that,' she whispered with a smile. 'That sounds like a great idea!' Junko was suddenly behind Mukuro. 'Doesn't it, sis?' 'Okay', Mukuro answered. 'If Junko wants me to stay here, then I'll stay.'
As the party went on, Mukuro watched her classmates talk, smile, and laugh with each other. She had no idea how to join in. Did she just walk up and insert herself into a conversation, or did she have to ask first? Or would she have to wait for someone to be alone, then approach them? 'It doesn't matter', she frustatedly thought. 'They're all going to die anyway.' She found herself looking at Makoto, who was talking with Sayaka, a bright smile on his face. 'Most of them.'
Sayaka and Makoto suddenly glanced over and began to walk towards her. 'Hey, Mukuro', Makoto said as he drew closer. 'How's it going?' 'I... I'm alright', she replied, unsure of what to do. 'That's good', he nodded. 'I saw you practicing with Sakura the other day', Sayaka said. 'It was really impressive!' 'Thanks.' An awkward silence filled the air for a moment. 'So, uh, how did you get so strong?' Makoto asked. 'Before you... started working, I mean', he added hurriedly. 'I don't think he likes it when I talk about combat', Mukuro remembered. 'Working out,' she replied. 'I... a-as a kid, I did a lot of... uh... running around and climbing.' 'Cool!' Sayaka said, smiling. 'Me and my friends never did anything like that, it must have been so fun!' 'I didn't really have friends, I just did it by myself.' Mukuro was just stating a fact, but Makoto and Sayaka seemed upset by it. 'Um... I did try to get as close as possible to other kids without being seen, though.'
Before either of them could reply, Hina came back into the room, pushing an opulent dining trolley carrying a cake stand with an opaque lid. 'Oh, let's go get some cake!' Sayaka said excitedly. 'Come on, Mukuro!' She and Makoto rushed over, but a hand grabbed the back of Mukuro's collar before she could follow. 'They're a cute couple, aren't they?' Junko asked, grinning. Mukuro's heart skipped a beat. 'They're... dating?' Her sister laughed. 'No! Well, not yet, anyway. Although, it's possible that Makoto might have his eyes on...' She placed both her hands on Mukuro's shoulders. '... someone else!' Mukuro's eyes widened. 'Wha... you mean h-he...' 'Yeah, he's probably attracted quite a bit to Kyoko!' Mukuro felt as if she'd been punched in the gut. 'Oh.' 'Makoto's a white knight', Junko explained excitedly. 'So a girl like Kyoko, with her daddy issues and painful-looking scars - I've seen them, don't tell her - must be so attractive to him! Plus, she can just wear gloves to hide the hideous part of her body, while your entire body is hideous! I'm right, aren't I?' Mukuro nodded in silent agreement. 'If Junko says so, it must be true.'
Sayaka walked back to Mukuro, two plates in her hands. On each was a slice of chocolate cake with pink and purple icing. 'Here you go, Mukuro', she said with a smile, handing over a plate. 'And you can have this one, Junko.' The Ultimate Despair smiled. 'Nah, you have that one, the birthday girl shouldn't have to wait for her cake! I'll just cut my own piece.' With that, she strolled off, leaving her big sister alone with the idol again.
Mukuro took a bite of the cake, her eyes widening as the rich flavour hit her tastebuds. 'That's... really good.' 'Yeah', Sayaka replied. 'I think this is the best cake I've ever had! Although, I might have to do some exercise after this', she said with a grin. 'Actually, would you like to hang out some time and show me some of how you exercise?' 'Huh?' Mukuro suddenly felt nervous, but she didn't know why. 'Why me?' 'Well, um...' Sayaka glanced down at the floor. 'You've just got... um... a really nice figure, so if I do the same exercises you do, I should get the same results, right?' Mukuro was even more confused. 'But... you already look good?' 'And how do I have a "nice figure"?' Sayaka smiled. 'Aw, thanks Mukuro! But it can't hurt to try and look better, and besides, it'll be fun to hang out!' 'Well', Mukuro replied, not knowing what else she could possibly say, 'okay then'.
Sayaka beamed. 'Great! And maybe I could teach you a bit about singing? I think you'd be really good at it!' Mukuro shook her head. 'Oh, no... I don't think I'd be any good at that.' Now Sayaka shook her head. 'No, I think you've got a great voice for singing! How about you try something like Please Give Me Wings?' Mukuro slowly nodded. 'I think I know that one... I like it.' 'Well, I am psychic after all,' Sayaka grinned. 'I can't wait!'