Hello readers and welcome to my new chapter. So, for those of you who don't know, one of the readers on AO3 (SlimGrim360) created a fic called "Class 78th Watches… Uhm… Something?"; basically the class reacting to a small parody of Danganronpa. First off, it's a direct inspiration of this fic, and I'm flattered that I was able to inspire you to make it, SlimGrim. Glad you found the time and confidence to do so. Second, if any of you want to check it out, go do so.
I probably won't read the fic myself, since I'm not really a fan of parodies in general (The most I'll likely do is skim through it). But for anyone that does like them, or don't mind too much, go give it a try.
That's all I wanted to say. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Danganronpa.
Chapter 109: Ultimate Pain, Ultimate Suffering, Ultimate Despair, Ultimate Execution, Ultimate Death Part 2
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, HEY!"
The moment Kyoko and Makoto entered the gym, Monokuma appeared. "Kyoko I don't mind so much." The bear started off angrily. "But Makoto's supposed to be dead! What's HE doing here?!"
Despite the seriousness of the situation, some couldn't help but snicker or laugh. "What? Pissed that your execution actually failed?" Leon mocked the bear.
"Fucking bear now got shown up for a third time…!" Mondo barked in laughter.
"You keep underestimating us; and in turn, the rug keeps being pulled from under you." Sayaka mocked with a vindictive smirk.
'That's exactly how I thought he'd react…' Makoto thought, still feeling rather anxious. 'Are we really gonna be okay…?'
"You were supposed to be punished! Did Kyoko help you?!"
"So what if I did?" Was the detective's response. "What will you do?"
"Honestly, do you get scared Kyoko…?" Leon couldn't help but ask, shaking his head. "Or do you carry around a steel-laced spine 24/7?"
"Of course I get scared. I'm not without fear, after all…" The detective answered smoothly. "But I don't show my fear. Nor do I let it fuel my actions most times."
"If the guilty party is exposed during the class trial, they alone will be executed." Monokuma reiterated. "It's unfortunate, but that is the rule. So now I gotta punish you again! And this time I won't leave anything to chance!"
That wiped away any mirth the class felt, with that amusement being replaced with fear and worry. "Um, whatever Kyoko got planned, she better do it fast…!" Hiro exclaimed worriedly.
'Agreed…' Sayaka, Hina, Mukuro, and Celeste all thought in unison, biting their lips or clenching their fists anxiously.
"K-Kyoko…!" The lucky student turned towards Kyoko fearfully.
"Do whatever you feel you have to."
"WHAT?!"
"THE FUCK?!"
"KYOKO…!?"
Makoto wasn't able to say anything; merely stared at the screen with an agape mouth.
"What?!" Makoto exclaimed in shock.
"Did you seriously bring Makoto all the way back from the pit, just to get executed?!" Hiro exclaimed in bafflement, holding his curly-afro head.
Sayaka slowly turned towards the detective, a darkening aura surrounding her. "Kyoko…"
"Relax." Not at all fearful of the stares given to her, Kyoko kept her gaze steady. "Do recall that my future self has a plan. Do you really think I would do all that work to rescue him, only to let him get executed?"
"And that's the only reason I'm not coming over to strangle you…" Was the idol's chilling warning.
Shaking off his shock, Makoto placed a hand around Sayaka's, in an effort to calm her down. As per usual, the idol upgraded that hand-holding to cuddling, which got the luckster blushing yet again.
"But before you do, let me just say one thing." Kyoko continued on, unperturbed. "If you execute Makoto, that means you lose. Not that that matters to you, right?"
"Huh? I… lose?" Was the bear's confused response. "You! Explain yourself! What do you mean by that?!"
"Well you set up the latest class trial yourself, right?" Kyoko accused. "I was getting in your way, so you wanted an excuse to kill me. I was supposed to be chosen as the blackened and then executed, right?"
Future Kyoko's words got the students to calm down, seeing that she wasn't throwing Makoto to the wolves. "Here we go…" Leon murmured concernedly.
"Let us see if this gamble pays off…" Celeste spoke softly.
"H-Hey, what are you talking about?" Monokuma stuttered angrily.
"But when Makoto chose to overlook my lie, your plan came crashing down." Kyoko pushed further. "The results of the trial weren't at all what you were expecting. Because you never imagined that in that position, one person would protect another like that."
"A recurring theme when it comes to the mastermind…" Taka noted with a hum. "They seemed to only see the flaws in people. Their weaknesses, their fears, their vulnerabilities. They almost completely disregard our virtues and strengths."
"Not only that, but they have a difficult time seeing us overcome those very flaws." Sakura added. "They cannot imagine that we would strive to become better, even in the midst of a life-or-death situation. And this blinds them when we act upon our better nature."
"Sayaka's desperation; Mondo's rage; Celeste's greed; Byakuya's arrogance…" Mukuro listed off. "All of those are easily exploitable. But Makoto, Chihiro, Sakura… either they don't have flaws that can be exploited, or they are able to overcome those very flaws."
"The mastermind… they constantly underestimate hope. The ability for people to move forward." Makoto spoke strongly, eyes flashing with that hope. "And because they do, they always get caught off guard."
"And in response to that unexpected development… you reacted by proclaiming Makoto the blackened and trying to execute him." The detective continued. "You made the choice out of desperation. No, more than that… you must have realized that Makoto, who refused to be manipulated, was a threat to you, as well."
"Huh?" That wiped Makoto's determined look, with his eyes widening in surprise at Kyoko's statement. "The mastermind… saw me as threatening?"
That earned him blank looks at his classmates, similar to the looks he received when he asked why he of all people was entrusted with the knife. The luckster shrank at the looks. "W-What?"
"Dude, you said it yourself, didn't ya?" Mondo spoke flatly. "The fucking mastermind keep underestimating that hope of yours. When they saw that you were one of the few that can't be broken, why wouldn't they see you as a threat?"
"You're not the most physically imposing, sure; nor have any skills in combat, or any societal influence." Mukuro spoke up, a soft look entering her eyes. "But you have such an incredible will. The ability to see the best in others… even when we don't deserve it."
"You said it before; the most abnormal thing about you is your optimism." Byakuya remarked with a tad of dryness. "You refuse to be brought into despair, to make any choices out of fear or desperation. And it's clear that's something the mastermind cannot comprehend."
"You're strong, Makoto. Stronger than people give you credit for." Chihiro spoke passionately, giving the luckster a determined look. "You're able to resist whatever schemes the masterminds throw at us. To believe in others no matter what. That makes you more than capable of facing the mastermind."
"Yeah, I totally agree!" Hina nodded her head rapidly in agreement. "You're really incredible, Makoto! It's no wonder the stupid bear saw you as an enemy!"
Their words got the luckster's cheeks burning yet again, yet he still looked uncertain. That unsure look got Kyoko to speak. "My future self said it before, didn't she? You're the type to overcome this." The detective reminded him. "The type that is able to continue moving forward. Even when you're carrying the deaths of our classmates, our friends… you were still able to remain optimistic. Hopeful."
"That's what the mastermind was able to see in that trial. And that ability to retain that hope made you a threat to their plans."
"..." Makoto found himself unable to say anything. Unsure of what he could say.
"She's right, you know…" Sayaka joined in, squeezing the luckster's arm with hers. "I don't like that it placed you in harm's way, but… you kept showing such incredible strength. Continue believing in those around you. And held onto hope no matter how far we got into this sick game. Just as Kyoko was able to help solve the mysteries surrounding this future… you could've put a halt to Monokuma's plan just by being… you."
"..." In the end, all the lucky students did was accept their words. Because even if he wasn't sure about his own threat level himself, it's clear that his classmates, his friends, saw otherwise. So there must be some level of truth to them.
"..." Monokuma's only response was silence.
"But then there was another expected development waiting for you." Kyoko then began adding. "An entity that would throw a wrench, so to speak, in your precious execution machinery."
"Alter Ego…" Makoto spoke in realization.
"You never imagined the possibility of a being that could come to our aid even after you'd 'killed' it." Kyoko stated with a smirk.
"As stated several times before… they kept underestimating us." Sakura stated firmly. "Underestimated Chihiro, underestimated Kyoko, myself, Makoto…"
"And they keep getting put on the backfoot in response." Leon finished, a smirk growing across his face.
"What was it that he said before… something about only feeling an itch?" Celeste hummed in feigned memory lapse, tapping her chin. "I do wonder if he's feeling more than just an itch right now…"
"Oh, no doubt he's feeling more of Alter Ego's actions." Byakuya stated confidently, a smirk of his own forming. "And it's only gonna grow from here…"
"Now, here's the absolute truth. Makoto didn't kill Mukuro. You did."
"..." Monokuma continued to remain silent.
"So executing Makoto for it would surely be a violation of your rules, which I know you love so much." Kyoko said mockingly. "If the blackened is exposed, they alone will be executed. That's what you told us, right?"
"Hmph. And that means I lose?" The bear questioned back. "You talk a big game. You're saying the blackened is me and not Maoto? And you can prove this, right?"
"No, I can't." Kyoko admitted freely.
"HEY!"
"DON'T JUST FLAT OUT ADMIT IT!"
"We were getting pumped up here, Kyoko!"
"Why admit that so casually?!"
'Don't just say it like that!' Makoto protested in his mind.
"What is this, a comedy routine?" Monokuma growled out. "To make such bold claims without a shred of evidence…"
"I don't have any right now, but with a little more time I guarantee I'll find some." Kyoko assured them. "Because no matter how deeply you try to bury it, there is only ever one absolute truth."
"And now you're trying to talk like some kind of famous detective type?" Monokuma said in irritation.
"...He doesn't know that Kyoko now knows that she's the Ultimate Detective, does he?" Celeste realized.
"More than likely, no." Byakuya answered. "From what we've seen, Kyoko only told Makoto; and we all know that there's no cameras in the garbage pit."
"Oh, boy…" Leon whistled. "I wonder how surprised and angry he'll be once that's revealed…"
"D-Doubt Kyoko will u-use that to her benefit in any way…" Toko grumbled. "Just a l-little thing in the end."
"If Makoto really was the killer, he never would have come to you willingly like this." Kyoko pointed out. "He would have feared for his life, feared another execution. He would have tried to run and hide. He would have been gripped by the despair you so love to inspire."
"That's very true…" Leon nodded his head in agreement. "I know I would've; if I somehow survived my execution."
"But he isn't." Sayaka stated, smiling. Instead…
"But here we are - confronting you with nothing but hope in our hearts."
Junko had to hold back any snarls, any scowls, even keep out any looks of annoyance; especially when she knew the nosy detective and the snobby progeny had eyes on her.
It should've been so simple for her future self! Take out Kyoko and eliminate a threat to her plans, while sinking the others further into despair! But no! Lucky boy had to cling onto that disgusting hope! The damn AI just had to show up at the right time! And the detective was now using her own broadcast against her!
"And that's supposed to be enough to convince me in the absence of evidence?" Monokuma growled.
"It's not you I'm trying to convince." Kyoko countered. "If you were to execute Makoto now, everyone out there watching this would be extremely displeased."
"And here it is…" Byakuya smirked. "Kyoko's trump card."
"This is gonna be good…" Mondo remarked with a grin; with that grin being shared by several more students, along with smirks.
"Huh…?" Makoto turned towards the detective in confusion.
"Imagine what everyone out there would think if you killed Makoto…" Kyoko continued forth. "They would assume that you killed him because what we said is exactly right. Despair can never kill hope."
"Grh-!" That earned another growl from the monochrome bear.
"Of course, you can say we're just making this all up. You're welcome to prove us wrong." The detective goaded with a smirk. "No, you have no choice but to prove it. Because if you kill Makoto without proving your own innocence, you'll be accepting your own defeat."
"Gh-grg-grah!" More primal, frustrated growls left the bear's lips.
"And now Kyoko's goading the bear again…!" Leon couldn't help but laugh. "Like, damn, Kyoko!"
"You love bringing down arrogant douche, don't ya…?" Mondo joined the baseball star in laughing.
Kyoko shrugged. "It isn't my fault some people feel so secure in their position." She said casually, resisting the urge to smirk. "If they wish not to be humiliated, then they shouldn't be so assured in their own victory."
"Too true…" Sayaka giggled in agreement.
"If you want to earn our despair 'fair and square'… then I suggest you take my advice."
"..." For a moment, Monokuma was silent. After the moment passed, he spoke. "So? What's this 'advice' of yours?"
"To do Mukuro's trial over again." Kyoko answered confidently. "Only this time, you follow the school regulations to ensure a fair trial. It's time for one last showdown - one final battle between hope… and despair!"
With each word leaving Kyoko's lips, the class felt themselves getting more and more confident and excited. To them, it's looking more and more likely that this retrial will happen. That the remaining survivors will be able to investigate, find more things about the so-called 'murder', and expose the mastermind as the liar and cheater they are.
After sitting through five chapters of their future, they'll finally get the most important key in stopping it. The mastermind's identity.
"Well? That would make for a proper climax, wouldn't you say?"
'A fair trial… one last showdown… in other words…' A determined look entered Makoto's face. 'This would be our chance to expose the true identity of Mukuro's killer - of the mastermind themselves!'
"So… this is where it's all gonna end." Hifumi declared, pushing up his glasses. "And this class trial enters the same pattern as most of the previous trials…"
"Then they're gonna find out who the mastermind is!" Taka stated excitedly. "And expose them for the world to see!"
"And the bastard will have no choice but to enter his own, damn execution…!" Mondo cheered, looking and feeling very vindictive at the moment.
'But… what reason would the mastermind have to accept the challenge?' The luckster then thought doubtfully, and nervously. 'They'll probably just execute me without another word…'
"At this point… I found that doubtful." Celeste admitted to, shaking her head. "True, if the mastermind goes along with this, there's a more than likely chance that the survivors will find out everything. But if they execute Makoto on the spot…"
"They'll be validating Kyoko's claims. And the killing game would risk being for nothing." Taka finished for the gambler. "Bring about hope and outrage, rather than the despair they so desire!"
"Meaning they got themselves trapped between a rock and a hard place." Leon remarked. "Will killing Makoto cause everything to crash down? Or will they have to off themselves in their own damn trial?"
"In the end, it all depends on what the mastermind finds the more acceptable risk." Sakura summarized, her eyes narrowed. "And what they value more."
"..." Once again, the bear was silent for a moment. But then… "Kehehe… interesting. Beary interesting indeed!"
"...Beary?" Makoto couldn't help but deadpan.
For a minute, the class could only blink at the sudden change in tone. But then…
"Oh dear. How unfortunate…" Celeste couldn't help but say. "He's going back to bear puns."
"Seriously…?" Hina groaned, holding her head. "I thought he got rid of that from the very beginning!"
"Well, he seems to have come back in doing more…" Sakura merely sighed in response.
"Oh, I was getting bored, so I decided to change things up a little. So, time for bear jokes!" Monokuma explained. "Now, what you've suggested might be pawsible. It would certainly make for one honey of a climax!"
"Does that mean you accept?" Kyoko inquired.
"If we do things your way, that'll be enough to convince you and the viewers, right?" Monokuma summarized. "And it would cause you unbearable despair, right? Then I'm prebeared to agree to your terms! Will your hope win out? Or will my desbear claim victory…? Let's have one final grizzly showdown!"
"HE AGREED!"
"YES!"
"We got one more showdown with the assholes!"
"Now stop it with the bear puns! Please!"
'He agreed…!' Makoto thought in both shock and relief. 'Then we still have a shot at this…!'
"But this is the long-awaited climax, right? Just guessing the killer is bearly a fitting end." Monokuma added. "So for this final face-off, you'll have to unearth all the mysteries that have been bearied underneath!"
And that instantly turned that feeling of victory into one of bafflement.
"...Huh?"
"What…?"
"What did he just…?"
"All the…?"
Makoto's eyes widened at this. "All the mysteries…?"
"That's right. Every last mystery that's pawing around the school." Monokuma confirmed. "If you can do that… then that'll be enough to koalafy as a victory for you!"
"...One hand one, potentially good for us. We can finally figure the what the hell is going on in that future." Leon said, looking a bit troubled. "On the other hand…"
"Can they solve all the mysteries…?" Sayaka finished for him, biting her lips concernedly.
"That's what we've been trying to do all along…" Kyoko stated, having no problem with that prospect.
"Okay, well, good!" Was all the bear could say. "Then let's bear it all! If you can claw your way to the truth of Mukuro's death, AND solve the mysteries of the school… then you win! But if you can't do all of that…"
"We'll all face execution. Right?" Kyoko concluded.
"...I wonder how the other survivors will react to this." Hifumi mused. "Considering they were not informed about this…"
That got some of the students, realizing that the four other surviving counterparts are still in the dark. "...I guess we'll have to see." Was all Sayaka could say.
"Kehehehe… I can bearly contain my excitement…" Monokuma laughed eagerly. "When you learn the whole truth… what kind of despair will you show me?"
"We're as excited as you are, I'm sure." Kyoko shot back in response. "When we've uncovered every last truth, how will the Ultimate Despair reveal their own despair…?"
'Oh…?' Junko raised an eyebrow at that. 'You think YOU can make me feel despair? Win it all, and have me face my own defeat?'
The fashionista had to hold back a deranged giggle. 'Bring it, Junior Detective! Let see you have what it takes to have me plunge into the darkest pits of despair… and avoid plunging in yourself…!'
'I honestly can't believe how this has all turned out…' Makoto mused to himself.
"But before we get started, I want to clarify one more thing." Kyoko then spoke. "Do you remember the rule? When one student kills another, that's when a class trial is held."
"I remember that, fur sure." Monokuma confirmed. "So what?"
"I just want to confirm, that is what you said, right? And it's a true statement?" The detective questioned.
That got a laugh from the bear. "You don't have to be so suspicious. I've said it before, but it bears repeating…"
"Everything is based on the school regulations. And having a trial for Mukuro is no exception to that."
"..."
"..."
"..."
An eerie silence entered the room as the class took in Kyoko's question, and Monokuma's response. And as they did, knitted eyebrows of confusion, disbelieving looks, and narrowed eyes of suspicion slowly started forming across the students' faces.
"Huh…?" Was Makoto's confused response. 'Mukuro's trial is no exception? Then… it's part of the regulations? Which would have to mean that whoever killed Mukuro…'
"Kehehe… It's very polarizing, I know, but - okay, enough puns." The bear then quit it with the puns.
None of them were at a state where they could even sigh in relief at the fact that there'll be no more puns. All were too focused on the implications being given.
"Anyway, here's a hint…" He then offered. "I'm sure I told you this already, but… this killing game began with sixteen student participants, all of them high school students. And the only people to take a single step in Hope's Peak since the killing game began… are those sixteen students."
"...The fuck is this damn bear trying to say?" Mondo questioned, dread filling his gut.
It was a dread several in the class began feeling, especially the smarter students that were able to connect the dots.
"I think it's obvious, monkey." Byakuya spoke, his eyes narrowed into a glare. "He's implying that a student, one of the sixteen that are in the school, killed Mukuro. And considering what we know…"
"That means the mastermind is a student of Hope's Peak." Kyoko finished, closing her eyes. "If he's telling the truth, the one who killed Mukuro and is the mastermind of this killing game, is an Ultimate."
Stunned, disbelieving looks were shared amongst. Someone from Hope's Peak is the mastermind? A student, no less? But how? Who? Why?
Kyoko and Byakuya, however, found this to be even more confirmation to their suspicions. While it could be any of the hundreds of Ultimates that reside in the school… wouldn't it make the most sense if the one missing from their roster is the culprit? The one girl absent from their class of sixteen?
"What…?"
"Are you telling the truth?" Kyoko asked.
"..." Rather than answer, Monokuma went quiet. "..."
"Why'd did he go quiet all of a sudden…?" Makoto inquired in confusion.
"...Puhu… Puhuhu…" But then the bear started laughing, right before… "I'm done talking! I got nothin' left to say to you! So get lost, would ya?!"
"Why so mad?!" Was the luckster's next, startled response.
And of course, the bear's sudden anger snapped the class out of their uneasy thoughts.
"Yeah, what the hell?!"
"What's up with that?!"
"S-Sudden h-hostilities!"
"What got him so pissed?!"
"He seems… emotionally unstable." Kyoko guessed with a sigh.
"Leave me alone! Get outta here!" Was Monokuma's angry response.
"O-Okay, I'm going. I just…" Makoto said nervously, taking a few steps back. "You're really gonna let me go?"
"Makoto!"
"Don't go questioning a good detail!"
"Especially one concerning your life!"
"I get it! I'm sorry…!" Makoto cried out, holding his hands in surrender.
"..." Once again, Monokuma went silent before saying, "Hmph. I don't even care anymore. You're all gonna get your punishment later anyway."
That earned several sighs of relief. "My heart can't take much more of this…" Hina sighed, holding a hand over her chest.
"Unfortunately, we still have one more investigation and trial to go through, Hina…" Sayaka reminded the swimmer.
Said swimmer could only huff at that. "Great…"
"I need to start getting it ready. A super duper extra special punishment, overflowing with despair…" The bear began laughing to himself, streams of "Puhuhu" leaving his mouth.
"Come on, Makoto. Let's go." Kyoko advised, grabbing the luckster's attention.
"Okay…"
"Puhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu…"
"Yeah. Get away from that thing. Far away." Leon urged the future Makoto and Kyoko, looking disturbed. "Seriously, how can an animatronic bear be annoying, creepy, and menacing all at the same damn time…?"
"I'll give you an answer when I find it, dude…" Mondo quipped, rather creeped out himself.
"The mastermind definitely cemented themselves as one of the more unsettling and disturbing antagonists…" Hifumi declared with an air of seriousness. "Even with the cutesy and humorous aura he surrounds himself with…"
"I would say that cutesy and humorous aura makes Monokuma even more unsettling…" Sayaka pointed out with a small shudder.
The next scene showed Makoto and Kyoko standing outside the gym, with the luckster turning towards the detective. "Kyoko… thank you." He spoke sincerely, a relieved smile upon his lips. "Everything I have right now is because of you."
'Agreed…' Makoto nodded in agreement to his counterpart. Regardless of how he ended up nearly executed, it doesn't change that Kyoko managed to save him. He couldn't not be grateful for that.
"Like my future self said; she was paying back the debt created." Kyoko whispered, squeezing the luckster's hands. "She dragged you into that mess to begin with. It only made sense to save you."
"Maybe, but… that won't stop me from being grateful." Makoto argued softly. "And I can still give my thanks for repaying whatever debt we had between us, so…"
Kyoko remained silent in response, quietly accepting the lucky student's words.
"Don't thank me just yet. The real battle is still ahead of us." Kyoko reminded him.
"Yeah, true…" Makoto admitted.
"But still, I'm glad it worked out." Kyoko then said with a hint of relief. "I wasn't sure if the enemy would accept my proposal."
"B-But honestly, why would the mastermind agree to that?" Makoto asked, confusion now being shown. "I mean, they don't stand to gain anything from a final showdown, do they?"
"They had no choice but to accept." Was the detective's answer.
"Huh…?"
"It's all because of that one moment that the mastermind let down their guard, like I said." Kyoko explained.
"Oh right. Kyoko mentioned that before!" Hina spoke in remembrance. "We're finally gonna hear what that moment is?"
"You mean you haven't figured it out, Hina dear?" Celeste asked with a raised eyebrow, before shaking her head. "What am I even asking, of course you didn't…"
"Hey!" Hina turned towards the gambler with a pout. "Well if you're so smart, then how about you tell me?"
"It's about to be revealed anyway, so just be patient…" Celeste smoothly replied, not rising to the bait. Which caused Hina to pout further.
"So when was it that the mastermind let their guard down…?" Makoto inquired curiously.
"I wasn't there to hear it myself, but do you remember what the mastermind said?" Kyoko reminded the luckster. "They said they had hijacked the airwaves to broadcast our school life to the outside world, right?"
The mention of the broadcast immediately caused minds to click. "...Oh. Right." Leon didn't know whether to rub his head sheepishly or shudder at the reminder. "The bear told us the entire thing is being broadcasted."
"And revealing that information to us turned out to be a major weakness for them…" Byakuya stated confidently. "Along with a major advantage for us."
"In their arrogance, the mastermind allowed themselves to let their guard down and reveal such vital info." Celeste added. "They believed everything was in their favor. So they found no harm in doing so."
"Y-Yeah, they definitely said that…" Makoto confirmed with a small shudder.
"And what did you think when you heard that? Pretty hard to believe, right?" The detective then asked rhetorically.
"Well…" The luckster stuttered, trying to find the right words. "I mean, the idea of actually taking over the airwaves seems so… unbelievable."
"You don't exactly read about something like that happening very often, so it's hard to imagine." Kyoko spoke in agreement. "In other words, that kind of thing is extremely difficult to pull off. And yet… the mastermind was able to do it."
"But think of it another way - there must have been some reason they had to do something that difficult."
"A reason…?" Makoto repeated in confusion.
"They had to show the world something, no matter the cost - us killing each other." Kyoko stated.
"They wanted to show the world…?"
"The mastermind has been very adamant about not killing us directly, but forcing us to kill each other." The detective pointed out. "And all the rules and regulations were designed to encourage that."
"Yeah, that makes sense." Makoto, starting to follow Kyoko's words, nodded in agreement. "If those stupid regulations didn't exist, nobody would've killed anybody…"
"So the mastermind's ultimate goal was to make us kill each other, and show that off to the world." Kyoko concluded.
"But… why?" Makoto then asked, still rather lost.
'The question of the week…' Was the thoughts of several students, all of them desiring the answer to that question. They know that the mastermind was doing all this for a reason. That there's a message, an effect, that they want to spread across the world.
But what is that message? What are they trying to tell the world?
"To prove a point, most likely." The detective answered.
"Prove… a point?"
"The outside world has a name for the students of Hope's Peak, right? A certain concept…" Kyoko pointed out.
"You're talking about 'hope', right?" Makoto guessed.
"And for those of us who represent hope to kill each other and sink into despair…" Kyoko continued. "The mastermind wants the world to see that, to try and prove that despair is better than hope. That's their goal, as the Ultimate Despair."
"...Is that it?" Taka couldn't help but ask, sounding as baffled as everyone else likely is. "Is that truly the sole reason? Their true goal?"
"The mastermind wants us to kill each other… just to prove that despair is better?" Sayaka spoke in incredulous anger. "They took our memories… made us so desperate to escape… had us betray each other…"
"...just to prove such a ridiculous, downright childish notion?!" Celeste finished for the idol, her accent starting to slip yet again. "That's… that's absurd! Insane!"
Byakuya looked towards the gambler with a raised eyebrow. "You speak as though the sanity of their goals is important." He spoke bluntly. "It's insane because the mastermind is insane. At this point, that much is clear."
"He's right…" Kyoko agreed, closing her eyes. "This is an individual who wants nothing more than to watch the world fall into chaos. Into despair. There's nothing rational about them, nothing logical. There's only a pure, deranged desire to show the world chaos, and all that it entails."
"...What?"
'They want to prove that despair… is better than hope?' Makoto thought dumbfoundedly. "But that… that's ridiculous!"
"You're right. It is ridiculous, completely irrational." Kyoko agreed with a nod. "It's the kind of thing that nobody but those who call themselves the Ultimate Despair would devise. That group whose only purpose and motivation comes from despair…"
"B-But-! Is that really their only reason for making the rest of us suffer?!" The luckster student exclaimed in protest.
"It's just… so damn hard to swallow and believe!" Leon exclaimed, holding and shaking his head. "That type of shitty villain is something you only see in movies! Why the hell anyone would spent that much time, that much effort, just to prove that fucking point?"
"More to the point… how would this benefit them?" Sakura questioned, sounding calmer than several of her classmates. "What does proving despair's supremacy over hope gain them? Is it merely self-satisfaction? Or is it something more?"
"Exactly!" Celeste exclaimed, quickly latching onto Sakura's words. "There's gotta be a reason other than some damn bragging points to be doing this! Locking us up and making this some fancy gladiator match is one thing! But they hacked every damn broadcast out there to get everyone watching! The hell are they trying to gain by doing all that?"
None of the students had an answer to that. Even the more intelligent students were at a loss as to what the mastermind's end-game truly is. All they could do was watch, and hope for more answers. More hints.
"I know how angry it must make you." Kyoko said understandingly. "And yet… that same motivation is what led to the mastermind revealing their weaknesses."
"What…?"
"Because their goal is to broadcast this killing game to the entire world…" Kyoko began explaining. "...the mastermind has had to be more particular than is reasonable about their own regulations. If the mastermind simply ignored their rules, this wouldn't have been a 'game', but a one-sided slaughter."
Her words caused some of the students to shudder fearfully. "Honestly, the fact that they decided to host us killing each other is something of a mixed fortune." Byakuya admitted to. "As stated before, they could've easily slaughtered us all at any point in time. Whether that's right before losing our memories, after, during our sleep, they both have the means and the time to… wipe us all out."
It was a difficult thing to admit for the Ultimate Affluent Progeny. As someone who thought himself untouchable, to realize how vulnerable his future counterpart truly was… it was an incredibly hard pill to swallow. But he wasn't stupid; nor was he as bullheaded as he was in the past. He can see that his life could've ended at any point in time, by the hands of a psychopath hiding behind an animatronic bear.
"I… honestly not sure how to feel about that…" Hina confessed, looking pretty queasy herself. She sure as hell doesn't feel grateful to the bear or anything, but… was it really better that this happened rather than their life getting snuffed out in an instant? The swimmer couldn't find an answer to that.
"Let's… just stop thinking about it, and move on." Makoto quickly suggested, not wanting to ponder more on the subjects. Several of the students rapidly bobbed their heads in agreement to this.
"At least, that's how those who are watching this would have seen this."
"And that's why the mastermind couldn't kill any of us themselves?" Makoto concluded.
Kyoko nodded. "That is precisely the reason. No matter how much they may hate what I'm doing, I haven't violated a single one of their regulations."
A flashback of Junko's death was shown. "Junko broke the rules, so she was punished. But in my case, they couldn't lay a finger on me."
Several flinched at the sight of Mukuro, disguised as Junko, getting speared. While the soldier herself merely looked down, Makoto gritted his teeth angrily, a glare being aimed at the floor.
"I still don't understand… how you can still be loyal to the bastard…" Sayaka spoke up, turning her attention towards the Ultimate Soldier. "After seeing them kill you, why would you want to stand beside them?"
"...The answer will be clear… once the future survivors figure out all the mysteries." Was the only answer Mukuro was willing to give. "Once everything is revealed, you'll understand."
Of course, there were some students that weren't satisfied with just that. However, knowing that Mukuro would likely not budge on this, they placed their attention back to the screen.
The screen then went back to the present. "So instead, they tried to use the class trial, following all their proper rules, to get me killed. They began a trial that didn't have a right answer, then made me out to be the killer."
"But even that didn't work…" The luckster stated.
"Yes, thanks to you." Kyoko nodded. "And due to that failure, the mastermind took yet another risk. They attempted to kill you instead, who also was not the killer."
"And when that fact was exposed on live TV to the entire outside world…" Makoto's eyes lit up in understanding. "...the mastermind had to accept your suggestion?"
"To prove to the world that despair is better than hope, they have to defeat us in perfect form…" The detective answered. "It would only do the mastermind harm to have it shown they'd violated their own regulations."
"But all of that was a hunch, right?" Makoto pointed out. "And you were still able to get the mastermind to accept your challenge…"
"Well, it's only thanks to you that we got the chance." Kyoko responded back. "Because you believed in me, another path opened up."
"Still, I can't believe how much of the mastermind's thoughts and plans you were able to figure out." The luckster spoke in slight amazement. "I didn't have the slightest clue…"
"In the end, though, I couldn't prove any of it." Kyoko then admitted. "It was just my reasoning. Essentially, I was making a bet. But it looks like I got it right. This time, at least, I won the best."
A quick sigh then left her mouth. "To be honest, I haven't been that nervous in a long time."
"You were nervous…?" Hina spoke with slight disbelief. "You could've fooled me!"
"Yeah! You looked totally calm that entire time!" Hiro spoke in agreement.
"The only s-sign of that n-nervousness was that sigh of yours…" Toko pointed out.
"Of course. I couldn't come towards the mastermind looking nervous and uncertain, could I?" Kyoko responded back to the disbelief. "A strong and confident demeanor was needed in order to ensure they accepted the challenge."
"Very true…" Celeste nodded empathetically to this, having calmed down from her previous hysterics. "When gambling, making any sort of bet, a confident mask is essential so that your opponent is unable to play around you."
"That goes for business dealings as well…" Byakuya added in. "To have the best chance of a good deal, a strong front is what's needed. Fear and uncertainty have no place in the art of business."
"I totally couldn't tell you were nervous at all…" Makoto noted. "You seem totally confident from the moment we decided to go talk to him."
"Well, presenting a strong demeanor is a fundamental part of negotiation and persuasion, wouldn't you say?" Kyoko remarked with a small smirk. "Plus, if I'd shown my uneasiness, that would have just made you that much more uneasy."
"She raised a good point…" Taka mused with a small frown. "If Kyoko showed any signs that she was nervous or uncertain about something…"
"Most of us would be freaking out like nobody's business." Leon admitted to flatly. "Kyoko freaking out means that we're dead, and nothing we do would change that."
"Amen…" Hina, Hiro, Hifumi, Mondo, and even Toko nodded in agreement to this.
"And that is why my future self kept up a strong front." The detective herself stated, not reacting to her classmates' words. "To keep Makoto from getting anxious."
The luckster could only rub the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly.
'Yeah, you're probably right.' The luckster admitted to himself, slumping. 'How pathetic…'
"Like Leon said, most of us would react the exact same way…" Sayaka reassured the lucky student, in a slight scolding tone. "There's no need to be ashamed of something most others would've done."
"I guess…" Was the only thing Makoto could say, looking away.
"No. No self-deprecation, mister." Sayaka stated with a pout, poking the luckster's cheek. "You would've had a perfectly normal reaction, and that's that. Don't go feeling bad over something you have no control."
"Okay, okay, I get it...!" Makoto relented with a small whine.
"Anyway, we can't relax just yet." Kyoko then warned him. "All we've done is earn another chance to fight. We have to win this time. Or everything we've gone through will have been for nothing…"
"You're right…" Makoto agreed, a look of determination across his face. 'If we can't defeat the mastermind, it'll cost us our lives…! There is no option except to win!'
The thoughts and words caused determined looks to be set across the student body. This is it. This is where the survivors figure out all the mysteries within the school. How it ended up the way it did, figure out the lost memories, what exactly happened in the outside world…
And most importantly, find out the very identity of the one who'll plan all this for them. Their future selves have to succeed, in order to stop this future from ever happening!
"But before we begin the final battle, we have to tell the others what's going on." Kyoko advised.
"True, but now we know who our real enemy is." Makoto spoke a tad eagerly. "All we have to do now is work together with everyone to destroy the mastermind…!"
"Work together with everyone…" Kyoko repeated, sounding more skeptical than Makoto. "Is that really possible?"
And just like that, the determined looks shared amongst the students were replaced with confused, dumbfounded, and flat ones.
"...Oh please don't tell me she's still suspicious of the others…!" Leon groaned, facepalming.
"Seriously? Just what do we have to do to prove ourselves to you Kyoko?" Hina cried out in exasperation, throwing her hands up.
"This really is getting fucking old…" Mondo grumbled out in irritation.
"...Huh?"
"Anyway, right now we have to go find the others." Kyoko said, quickly changing the subjects. "They're probably in the dorms somewhere. Shall we go?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no!"
"You are NOT pulling the mystery act again!"
"What is it THIS time?!"
"Come on, Kyoko…!"
As the class groaned and cried out in aggravation, Kyoko could only turn away from the class, willfully keeping out the blood from rushing to her cheeks. She couldn't stop the small that left her lips.
So her future self may still be a little bit suspicious of the others. Is that really so bad to warrant these reactions?
And that's the end. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Next up will be the class seeing Makoto reunited with the others right before the investigation starts. Review, favorite, and follow and I will see you later.