Part 7 of 9
A few weeks later
Over the last few weeks Makoto, along with Kyoko, Byakuya and Hank had been hunting down the former members of Class 77-B in an attempt to rehabilitate them. Things had been going well for them so far, except now they had run into the human sized roadblock that is the shell of what used to be Hajime Hinata, Izuru Kamakura who wasn't responding to anything not even Makoto had managed to get through to him, so they were at a loss until an idea hit Hank "I'm gonna try something." he said.
"Hill, I swear if you're going to try and convince him with steaks I will not speak to you for a week." Byakuya said, which fell on dear ears as Hank approached Izuru.
"You again." He said in his usual bored tone "You won't find what you're looking for here."
Hank stayed in front of Izuru as he replied "Y'know, through this whole ordeal I was thinkin', first you have every talent known to man right?"
"Yes."
"Second, you have you have my talent for sellin' propane and grillin' a proper steak." Said Hank, as Kyoko, Byakuya and Makoto all started staring at the scene in front of them
"I... suppose that is true." Izuru replied, as his interest was piqued for a brief moment.
"Then answer me this, son. Have you ever grilled yourself a proper steak using clean-burning propane?" Hank asked, as Izuru's expression seemed to be becoming more interested in the conversation rather than bored.
"I have consumed steak before."
"I ain't talkin' about eatin' a steak, son. I'm talkin' about grillin' one. There's a difference." Hank said, as Makoto and Kyoko just gave each other looks of confusion, clearly uncertain about where this would lead, as Hank continued "Listen here, son. Y'ever wonder why you feel so bored all the time?"
"It is something I have considered in the past."
"It's 'cause you ain't got a hobby, I read the files on what they did to you, lockin' you in that room without even givin' you anythin' to do. Ain't no wonder you were bored." Replied Hank. "You got all these fancy talents, but you ain't got passion. That's why you're bored. That's why you feel like nothin' matters. 'Cause you ain't ever worked the grill, seasoned a steak just right, and tasted the reward of your own damn effort."
Izuru stayed silent for a bit as he thought things over before replying "...Grilling steak would not change the course of the world the way it is now."
"Maybe not. But it sure as hell beats sittin' around and waitin' for yourself to waste away because of your own boredom."
The group kept looking at Izuru, his red eyes continuing to stare into Hank's until he finally exhaled through his nose and replied "Show me." as he got up to face Hank.
"Son, lemma tell ya, the best way to kill boredom is finding a hobby. And grilling with propane? That's a damn fine hobby. So if you come with us now, we'll grill as many steaks as you want afterwards." Said Hank.
"That sounds acceptable." Replied Izuru, and as the two began to walk off Makoto, Kyoko and Byakuya got out of their shock.
"Did... Hill just really just change his mind? With Barbecue philosophy no less?" Makoto wondered.
"It would seem so." Replied Kyoko.
"That should not have worked under any circumstance." Byakuya grumbled, as the group quickly began to follow after them.
A few days later
"You want me to do what?" Asked Hank, as the group had placed the last member of class 77-B as well as Izuru into the pods so they could be inserted into the Neo World Program.
"Look, we can explain." Said Makoto.
"You better, because you promised I'd merely help find them to rehabilitate em'. Not whatever sci-fi nonsense you are suggestin' by puttin' me in there."
"I know, but we have a reason for that and we can explain." Said Kyoko.
"I'm listenin'"
"See, the program in which they will soon take part in, reverts them back to how they were when they first started Hope's Peak. Because that was when the school took their brainwaves to use for their experiment and they were still in a proper mindset. Still following us so far?" Asked Makoto.
"Somewhat."
"Well the program also has an assistant who is supposed to lead them in the form of that bunny on screen." Said Makoto, as he pointed towards the image of Usami on the screen. "However, while we do have faith in it, having someone there to guide them as a teacher would allow us to get the best results possible. Now, I know losing memories sounds bad, especially after what happened to us. So for you that wouldn't happen, because right now you are still in a proper mindset and the brain scan we took would be from now."
"Uhuh, what do you want me to do with em' once I'm in there?" Asked Hank.
"Connect with them, essentially do what you usually do and try to have them reconcile with how they used to be." Added Kyoko, as Hank began to think for a moment, leaving the group in silence for a bit before speaking up.
"I'll do it, but can you guarantee me that nothin' will go wrong?" Asked Hank.
"Nothing can go wrong, this whole program was developed through notes from the former Ultimate Neurologist, Miss Gekkogahara's therapy notes and Chihiro's Alter Ego program." Replied Makoto.
"I won't lie, I feel a bit iffy in regards to the first one. Especially since he helped Enoshima."
"We understand that and we checked his notes multiple times to make sure everything was in order." Said Byakuya.
"Alright, which pod will be mine?" Asked Hank, as he was led to the pod he would be inhabiting for an uncertain period of time, and then went inside of it as several straps were applied to Hank as he looked up at Makoto and asked "So how will this work?"
"Just close your eyes and you should be in the program before you know it." Replied Makoto.
"Alright, I'll trust you." Said Hank, as he began to close his eyes and in between the wait he started to count sheep until everything went dark for him and the pod he was in began to transform around him and become more pixilated until everything began to transform in an area that looked like a beach. But right before everything could settle in properly the whole area around him began to twist and turn until he found himself in an area that could only be described as a fiery inferno or to someone like Hank hell. "What the, hello! Naegi! Somethin's wrong with the computer!" Hank yelled.
"Oh... I don't think they will be able to quite reach you." A familiar voice said to Hank, as he turned around to come face to face with Junko.
"No!" Hank exclaimed "This ain't possible, you're supposed to be dead!"
"Oh I am, this version of me is something completely different. You might not understand what it is with your simplemindedness, but let's just say that I made a digital copy of my brainwaves before the killing game started, had it learn from my experiences and send it out into the world. You really should thank Izuru for allowing this to happen." Junko replied.
"What..." Hank said, as he thought back to an encounter where he ran into Izuru while getting a drink, as he was coming out of the server room with pockets that seemed to be a lot lighter. "...I knew somethin' was off about that moment."
"Yes, it really was, wasn't it? A shame really that only you figured it out and no one will be able to learn about it until it is too late."
"Too late, what in tarnation are you talkin' about? Can't I just find a way to get out of here?""
"Oh Hill, don't you get it? I brought you here, to a little pocket in the program away from the main area, a place where no one will look and a place you won't be able to get out of."
"For what reason!?" Asked Hank.
"Isn't it obvious, I'm taking you out of the picture before you can meddle in my plans any further. Did you really think that death would be the end of my story, no, my story is only just beginning." Said Junko, as Hank got up in her face while pointing an accusatory finger at her.
"Now look here young lady, I don't know what kinda nonsense you're on, but you ain't gettin' to these kids. They're back to how they were before all this nonsense started and I believe they'll make the right choice, they're strong enough to do so."
"Ohohohohohoho, really? One of them threw away his whole identity because he wanted to be special and the rest fell to despair because they saw a classmate die, and you still have faith in them, how hopelessly despair inducing. They will choose for despair all over again and there is nothing a boring, propane salesman, from nowhere will be able to do about it. The sooner you accept that you don't belong in this story, the better."
"Now you listen here, I may not be some kind of Ultimate Hope like Naegi, but I still believe in those kids after all I taught them long enough. Enough to believe that they'll make the right choice with or without my help."
"Oh..." Junko said, as she raised an eyebrow "...Without your help you say, how predictable of you to say that and also so very lame, you sound just like Naegi. So you know what, prepare to get deleted." Junko said, as she snapped her fingers causing the ground around Hank to crumble as he fell into an endless void. "Bye Hill, enjoy the endless void while your body decays. Once my plan has been completed I'll be sure to tell your family what happened to you."
"Enoshima!" Hank exclaimed, as he kept falling into the void until darkness overtook him and he began to fall into unconsciousness.
Back in the Real World
"Has Hill managed to make it to the others yet?" Asked Byakuya.
"No, but if we're lucky we should see him show up soon enough." Replied Makoto as they continued watching the screen that showed the members of class 77-B enjoying their time at the beach, until both heard Kyoko speak up.
"Neagi, Togami, we have a problem." Said Kyoko, as she brought their attention to the screen with the vitals to show that Hank's vitals had disappeared.
"He's gone? But how is that possible?" Byakuya asked upon seeing the screen, as Makoto immediately rushed over to the pod Hank was in and began to feel for a pulse. Only to find it very weak.
"He still has a pulse, but there's no brain activity." Makoto said.
"Something must have gone wrong in the program." Said Byakuya "What do we do now?"
"We need to get them out of there." Said Makoto.
"That might no longer be possible." Said Kyoko, as she pointed at the screen that used to house the kill switch as they found it replaced with the face of Monokuma as the screen that showed the simulation began to show Monokuma explaining the killing game to the class. "Naegi, what do you want to do?"
Makoto looked at the screen and the people he considered his upperclassman, as he replied "We need to trust that they'll be able to make it to the end in one piece, we only interfere if things seem extremely dire. Right now we need to find a way to contact Chihiro about what happened to Hill to see what needs to be done there."
"Seems acceptable." Replied Byakuya.
"We'll follow your lead." Said Kyoko, as she cast one last concerned look at the pod Hank was in.
"Thanks guys, I'm sure we can find out what happened to Hill while also ensuring things go right with class 77-B." As the three of them began to look back at the simulation, while Makoto used a nearby communication device to get a secret message out to Chihiro.
A few days later
"Shuichi!" Kirumi called out, bringing Shuichi out of his focus on the files that were recovered from the Towa headquarters. "You have a visiter who claims to be family."
"Family? The only living relative I have is Kyoko and she said she'd be busy for a while..." Shuichi replied, as the realisation of who was visiting him hit. "...Oh."
"Would you like me to send him away?" Asked Kirumi.
Shuichi sighed before replying "No... I might as well take care of this."
"Anything you would want me to do?"
"Maybe... inform Kaede that I might need some comfort afterwards... if it's not too much of an issue."
"Honestly, compared to some of the other things my clients have asked of me this is barely an issue for me."
"You are aware that you're friends with all of us, right? We're not your clients." Said Shuichi.
"I know Shuichi, but it is the closest possible comparison." Replied Kirumi, as she walked out of Shuichi's room who immediately closed some of the files and put a cover over the board of pins with which he was keeping track of the connections between the evidence he had been able to find, that was until the door to his room opened and an elderly man entered.
"Hello Kirigiri, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Shuichi asked, trying to be as polite as possible to the man in front of him, as the man immediately raised his nose at him.
"Is that any way to greet family boy, did those fools teach you nothing about respecting your elders?" Fuhito asked in a stern tone, as Shuichi tried his hardest not to flinch.
"Apologies, grandfather. To what do I owe you the pleasure of this visit?" Shuichi repeated.
"That's better, I heard through the grapevine that you and your... former classmates have been investigating the Towa's and their role in all of this in the hopes of bringing them to justice when all of this is over." Fuhito said.
"Hmm, say that this is the case, how would you have heard about this?" Asked Shuichi.
"Keeping your cards close to the chest, I guess some of my lessons managed to stick with those fools after all. Regardless, people talk and that inventor you choose to associate with tends to be rather loud when she's had a few glasses to drink." Said Fuhito.
"Dammit Miu, where the hell did you even get a fake ID from?" Shuichi wondered to himself, as he then asked "So you heard a few things, why come to me with this? From what I've heard you're not to work with detectives who you consider to be of lesser quality."
"I would not say that I consider you of lesser quality my boy, but merely that just like your father and your uncles that you still have a lot to learn. As for the why..." Fuhito said, as he pulled a folder filled with papers as Shuichi gave him a look of confusion. "Oh don't act so surprised, if I couldn't leave this city, then I might as well keep myself busy with an investigation of my own. Which I would be more than willing to work on you with."
"I see." Said Shuichi, as he recounted something Kyoko told him during their first year "...The thing about grandfather is that he always has an ulterior motive of some kind, that was the only reason he re-established contact with the headmaster, to get to be able to train me. So if you ever have him show up on your doorstep, always remember that." and as the memory faded away he asked "Is that your only reason for doing this, out of the goodness of your own heart?"
"Well, I suppose I'm also making up for lost time my boy. I'm not the youngest anymore, even untrained detectives like the people you choose to associate with could see that. So I'm also going to use this opportunity to teach you some lessons that I really should have taught you ages ago." Replied Fuhito.
"Why would you need to teach me those lessons, haven't you taught those lessons to Kyoko? Why the need to suddenly decide that now would be the right time that I learn those lessons?" Shuichi asked, having a gnawing gut feeling as to why he really came here.
"I suppose with Kyoko off playing hero and putting herself in the spotlight and needless danger there is no certainty of her surviving. So I suppose that leaves you the only person left who wouldn't squander their potential by straying from the path of being a detective before anything else." Replied Fuhito, as Shuichi's suspicions were immediately confirmed for him.
"And there it is, honestly sir, for someone who claims to be such a good detective you're about as easy to read as an open book." Replied Shuichi.
"What are you talking about boy?"
"I knew that there was no other way you'd want to re-establish contact unless there was something for you to gain out of it. I thought the fact that you finally saw me as worth giving me your lessons was bad, but this... actively losing faith in the grandkid you spend all those years raising to become a detective because she didn't follow your exact views on the craft. What is wrong with you!?" Shuichi exclaimed, as he was slowly losing his calm composure.
"I would mind your tone and your emotions boy, it is unbecoming of a Kirigiri detective." Fuhito replied, as his eyes narrowed.
"Wow, you won't even deny it. Does Kyoko still even exist as your granddaughter in your eyes?" Shuichi asked, but when he didn't receive an answer he continued "I don't know what I should have expected from you. You never cared about anything other than that damn creed of yours, couldn't even be bothered to so much as send flowers to the grave of one of your sons when he died! Do you even care that all three of your sons are dead now! Or better yet, would you even have cared if we weren't found down there and our class would have been involved in a killing game ourselves, one I might not even have survived! Well...?"
"Why should I care? I disowned those three fools, years ago." Said Fuhito, as Shuichi's eyes widened before they got filled with anger.
"You old miserable bastard they were your sons! You really feel nothing!" Shuichi exclaimed.
"Again, you're getting so emotional, it really does not help you as a Kirigiri detective." Fuhito said, as Shuichi merely blinked.
"You cannot be serious, if you think for even a second that I would allow myself to associate with that lineage then you could not be more wrong! After all, why would I want to become like you, someone cold, someone who pushes those he deems unfit to carry his legacy away and kick them to the street, someone who in the end will be all alone! Now get out of my sight, you are not welcome here!" Shuichi exclaimed.
"You stupid boy!" Fuhito exclaimed, as his composure broke and he swung with the folder he had been carrying "I was willing to be fair to you despite you being a lesser detective. I mean seriously, becoming scared of the truth because one person looked you in the eyes, this generation has become so soft! But I see now that you wasted my time, you will never measure up to the Kirigiri lineage, and let me tell you something else, this folder would have broken the whole case wide open for you. But now I'm content with letting you and your classmates wander around aimlessly for the rest of your miserable lives."
Fuhito then got ready to leave, but not before Shuichi threw out one final retort "Yeah well you know what, who needs your approval! My uncle considered me good enough the way I was and Kyoko grew to respect my abilities! Oh and one more thing, if your cold miserable heart is somehow still beating by the time I have kids don't even think about coming anywhere near them! Because if you do I will not be merciful!" Shuichi exclaimed, as Fuhito merely shrugged him off as he walked away, as he Shuichi loudly exhaled while hanging over his desk, until he felt himself getting hugged from behind "Kaede."
"That old fool isn't worth it." Said Kaede, as Shuichi turned around to properly face her, after which he fully embraced her in a hug. "You're usually not this touchy, not that I'm complaining."
"I needed this, I really do." Replied Shuichi, trying to stay calm.
"I know." Said Kaede as the two stayed like that for a bit in silence before she spoke up again "So, you actually see us having kids one day." with a teasing tone in her voice.
"It... it was a spur of the moment thing that just slipped out like that. I know we're not anywhere near ready for that." Said Shuichi.
"Awwww, I know. But it feels good to know you have such faith in our relationship."
"Yeah, me too." Said Shuichi, as he held onto Kaede tighter only for the moment to be ruined when Kokichi arrived.
"Hey Shumai, who's... oh I see you're busy, I'll come back when you're done." Said Kokichi as he was going to leave, only to stop when Shuichi spoke up.
"It's fine, just make it quick."
"Yeah, so I bumped into some old guy in the halls. Is he who I think he is?"
"Yes, it is indeed Fuhito you bumped into."
"Oh good, then I should feel less guilty about accidentally knocking his papers to the ground when I bumped into him. Strangely enough they were all empty."
"All... empty?" Shuichi asked.
"Yeah, you'd think that he'd put something on em', but nothing. You want my opinion, I think he had hit rock bottom as a detective and was looking for his big break." Said Kokichi.
"That makes way too much sense." Shuichi muttered.
"Anyways, I'm off. You two can continue with whatever this was." Said Kokichi as he gestured to the two of them who were still in an embrace "Just be careful, as much as I like kids, I'm not quite ready to be called grand godfather uncle Kokichi."
"Sorry, I already gave the title of godfather to Kaito, he said he'd do the same for me." Shuichi replied apologetically.
"Meh whatever, I'm too young to be an uncle anyways. Same goes for you being parents."
"Dude get out!" Kaede yelled, with a blush on her face.
"Nihihihihihi, I'm going, I'm going. Toodles." Kokichi said, as he left the room while closing the door behind him.
The two now alone, Shuichi looked Kaede in the eyes as he said "So, you want to stay or..."
Keade interrupted him by giving him a kiss on the lips as she replied "Does this answer your question? Besides, the night is still young" As Shuichi returned the kiss, the two of them knew that this would be a very good night for the both of them.
Later
"So, have you heard anything from Chihiro yet?" Asked Kyoko, as the three of them watched the motive with Twilight Syndrome unfold.
"I did, he told me we had to keep Hill in his artificial coma, and that he'd try to find a way to get him out. He just needed time." Replied Makoto.
"So at this point we are essentially sitting ducks." Said Byakuya.
"It would seem to be that way."
"I do not like that."
"Me neither, but there is not a whole lot we can do right now." Said Kyoko, as they refocused their attention to the screen.
A few days later
"Come on Nagisa, we're gonna play a round of baseball, you should really come. It'll finally get you out of that dusty room of yours." Said Masaru.
"Just a bit more, I've almost managed to crack through the school's security. I'll be there in a few minutes, you can go ahead." Replied Nagisa, as Masaru merely shrugged after which he took off. Nagisa then looked at the screen in front of him, as the little figure he had created on the laptop he was using kept digging through the metaphorical fire walls with each swing from the axe. This kept going for a while, to Nagisa it only felt like a few minutes, but that couldn't be further from the truth as he felt a hand on his shoulder, looking up a bit startled he looked up to see Peggy standing there with a glass of lemonade in her hand. "Ms Hill?"
"Sorry, you were just workin' so hard I thought I'd come brin' you somethin' to drink." Replied Peggy.
"Why, weren't we going to play a round of baseball?" Asked Nagisa.
"That was hours ago, Bobby's currently settin' up the grill to make steaks for dinner. Would you like me to bring some of it up to your room?" Asked Peggy.
"No, you don't have to. I'll be with you guys in a bit." Said Nagisa.
"I'll be sure to tell em' that." Said Peggy, as she was about to leave only for Nagisa to call out to her.
"Hold on a second, I need to ask something."
"What's wrong?"
"How do you do it? How do you make sure you don't fall back into old or bad habits?" Asked Nagisa.
"This about you accidentally overworkin' yourself again?"
"Yeah... I try to move away from what was drilled into my head, but each time I do so I find myself back to square one. How do you it, cause you've made some mistakes before too, right?"
"I have, but there is no secret to it. You just take it one step at a time, sometimes you'll fail, but other times you'll get a success. But you gotta focus on the successes no matter how small."
"But I made them a promise, won't they be mad that I failed to keep the promise?"
"No, cause they're your friends ain't they? 'Sides, we know you kids have your issues, Jataro's still wearin' his mask, earlier Masaru felt really bad about missin' one of the hits and Kotoko still has some trust issues. But none of us blame ya' for that."
"Alright, one day at a time then." Said Nagisa, as he then heard a noise coming from his laptop as he looked at it to see all the files that had been recovered from Hope's Peak database. "Hm."
"If ya wanna look through em', I'm not gonna stop ya, but then I'll probably bring dinner to your room."
"You know what, the files will still be there tomorrow, I'm taking a break for the day." Said Nagisa, as he put the security on his laptop, closed it and followed Peggy out of his room. "Thank Ms Hill."
"Don't worry about it." Said Peggy, as the two began to make their way over to the outside area for the barbecue Bobby was preparing.
Later
"This is bad, Mikan has reverted back to her despair state, we have to do something." Said Kyoko, as they watched the third trial unfold.
"No, we need to have faith that Hajime and the others can pull through." Replied Makoto.
"Blind optimism will not get us anywhere." Said Byakuya.
"I know!" Makoto snapped "But we have to at least try."
A few days later
"Alright Sherlock Emo, here's the files from the Hope's Peak security office Keeboy and I were able to recover. Told ya a gorgeous girl genius like myself could get them." Said Miu, as she handed Shuichi a stack of papers.
Shuichi looked at the papers in surprise, as he then looked at Miu and asked "Where did you get these? Also how did you get these?"
Miu began to nervously play with a lock of her hair as she said "Well, you guys asked us to find those records, right? What better way than to get the original versions."
"Ok, that still doesn't answer the how?"
"Eheh, well... I've kinda modified Keebo to be capable of longtime flight and also put a booster seat on his back. So he flew me to Hope's Peak, we broke into what was left of the security office and grabbed those papers. You're welcome." Miu proudly boasted.
"Miu... are you saying that there is a way out of the city?" Asked Shuichi.
"Well... there was when we left, but... that green haired brat must've really not liked us leaving cause when we came back we were met with missile launchers and nearly wrecked as bad as a virgin during her first prom."
"I see..." Muttered Shuichi.
"Oh what now? Was it not got for ya your majesty? Cause if it wasn't I'll just throw the fuckin' papers in the fireplace."
"No Miu it's fine." Shuichi said, as he raised his hands in defence "It just wasn't what we meant when we asked you to find those records, because Hope's Peak also stored them on the computers and we wanted you to get inside of the network. But because you left, it pretty much left Nagisa to overwork himself, which I don't think I need to tell you is bad when it was going so well to get him to unwind more."
"I... oh... I'm sorry... please don't be mad at me..." Said Miu, as she looked down in guilt.
"Honestly, just help him decrypt the files further and I'm sure he'll be fine." Said Shuichi, as Miu nodded after which she left the room, as at the same time Shuichi looked down at the records and saw one that had him and Kaede leave the school at the same time. With a fond smile on his face he said "I wish we had taken pictures while we went ice skating that day."
Later
"Naegi, we're all seeing this, right?" Asked Kyoko, as they watched the remaining survivors fall into despair over the revelations.
"I know." Makoto said.
"We are all out of options, we have to go in there." Said Byakuya.
"I agree, just making sure to download the protections Chihiro created for us." Replied Makoto, as the download finished. "Great, let's go." He said, as all three of them rushed over to their pods in order for them to enter the simulation.
A few days later
"Tell me again why we're doing this?" Asked Tsumugi, as she, Angie, the Warriors of Hope and Bobby were standing around a burning steel drum, while she was holding onto the Junko costume that she had been forced to create as a way to lead her followers in the event of her death.
"Nyahahahahahaha, it will be to fully cleanse yourself of the evil's of that demon." Said Angie. "After all, you have been making some good progress in your sessions and welcomed god back into your heart. Now you just have to do this."
"Ok, but why are they here?"
"Simple, I had all four of them make a painting of Monaca so they could metaphorically burn their connection with her away."
"But why is Bobby here?"
"I just want to see the fire burn everything, so just get the show started already." Said Bobby, as the costumes and the paintings were thrown into the fire. Tsumugi then turned to Angie with a look of confusion on her face.
"Why do this for me Angie, we were never all that close?" Tsumugi asked.
"Oh, really, you think after getting blessed in the same light of art block that I don't consider you a friend?" Asked Angie, as the group continued to watch as the fire raged on and began to burn the paintings to a crisp.
"I... plainly didn't consider that."
"Well, we're all here for you, remember that." Said Angie, as she turned to the Warriors of Hope and asked "So, how do you kids feel?"
"Better." Said Masaru, while Jataro and Nagisa nodded.
Kotoko laughed at the fire as she then exclaimed "Good riddance you green haired monster." as at that moment the Junko outfit and wig fully burned as well. "And to you as well! Hope you're burning in the darkest pits of hell!"
"See, isn't this better for all of us?" Asked Angie.
"I suppose you're right." Replied Tsumugi.
"By the way, do you remember who brought you to her?"
"I don't, it's all a blur to me."
"That's unfortunate."
Later
"Thank you... thank you Chiaki. There... I finally said it." Hajime said, as the simulation around him was beginning to crumble and he was beginning to find himself be send back to the real world. But as that was happening he could feel one final faint whisper.
"Me too... thank you as well Hajime. I'll never forget about you guys, all the time were spend together wether they be good or bad, I'll never forget them. I'll be cheering for you guys, even if I can't be there. Cuz' we're still friends in the end."
"Yeah... you're right." Said Hajime, as his vision began to blur until a bright light shone in his face and he found himself back in the real world coming face to face with Makoto.
"Oh good, it seems that everything worked out in the end. What do you remember?"
"Everything." Replied Hajime, as he was helped out of the pods and met up with Kazuichi, Akane, Sonia and Fuyihiko.
"Good to see you finally awake man." Said Kazuichi.
"Same, you all make it out ok?" Asked Hajime to which everyone nodded, as he turned to the three members of class 78-A and asked "So now what?"
"Now you work on bringing your classmates back, even if the chance is small, there is a still possibility you could pull it off." Replied Kyoko.
"What about the extra pod over there?" Asked Akane, as she took a look inside of it to see Hank "No way, the old man, what happened to him!"
"Old man..." Sonia wondered, as she took a closer look "...Mr Hill?"
"What happened to him?" Asked Kazuichi.
"We don't know, we tried to send him in to help support you guys, but something went wrong and we don't know..." Makoto started, only for his attention to be grabbed by the sound of Hank's vitals reappearing on the screen. "What the..."
Meanwhile
Back within the darkest pit of the crumbling situation Hank's virtual body and consciousness was still floating in the dark void, until he felt himself getting pulled towards a bright light that got bigger until he ended up in a grassy plane. It took him a bit to wake up, until he could finally open his eyes again and he came face to face with a mess of pixels "This better not be Enoshima again." Hank thought until the pixels turned into Chiaki. "What the, Ms Nanami? How? You're supposed to be dead."
"I know, but you're not supposed to be in here either. Though, I suppose you're right, I'm supposed to be dead. However, that doesn't mean I can't save you."
"How? Enoshima send me here to have me rot into nothingness."
"She's not the only computer capable of sending people to different locations in this place." Said Chiaki as she got a nostalgic look in here eyes "You know, I remember our first lecture. It devolving into chaos because Akane kept asking about eating steaks, Kazuichi wanted to mess with the barbecue and Mahiru kept scolding everyone."
Hank sighed as he replied "I just wanted to help ya'll become decent folk, functionin' members of society and the likes. It's why I wanted to help, I still believed there was good in em'."
"And I thank you for that."
"I'm terribly sorry you had to die at such a young age, you still had yer' whole life ahead of ya." Replied Hank.
"Don't feel bad, sometimes bad things just happen. And although I may be gone, I can still help you get out of here." Said Chiaki, as Hank's body began to glow "And Mr Hill, keep doing what you believe is right."
"I will, thanks Ms Nanami." Said Hank as he vanished from the simulation as the last parts of it began to crumble away.
Back in the real world
"...how is this possible."
"Uuuuuuugh, my head." Makoto heard a voice coming from the pod, as he looked down and saw the now wide awake Hank Hill.
"Old man, you're ok!" Akane exclaimed, as she yanked open the cover of the pod to help Hank sit up right.
"Dammit Owari, what did I tell ya about callin' me old!" Hank exclaimed.
"Sir, you're ok, what happened in there?" Asked Kyoko, as she quickly handed him a glass of water.
"Enoshima happened, part of her was in the computer and she sent me into some dark void to rot away forever while she enacted her plan."
"How did you even get out?" Asked Sonia.
"Nanami appeared in front of me and saved my life, even remembered the good moments during our lectures."
"You still owe me a steak." Said Akane.
"Oh hell yeah, that would be pretty cool." Added Kazuichi.
"I never had an American steak before, I would love to have one." Said Sonia.
"Idiots, you really want to do that now when all of our friends are still gone?" Asked Fuyuhiko.
"He's right, we still have to bring them back." Said Hajime.
"Tell ya what, if everyone comes back, I'll grill up some steaks for everyone." Said Hank.
"Sounds good." Said Makoto, as he turned to Hank and asked "Listen, we have to get back to the Future Foundation HQ, are you good to move or do you need to stay here?"
Hank tried to stand up from his pod, and with some difficulty managed to stay standing "I think I can go, just feelin' a bit stiff, but that's all."
"Great, then we should get going." Said Makoto, as the group began to make their way over to the docks where the boat was located, as Makto turned to the others as he added "Keep working towards that bright future you mentioned during the final trial and you should be able to accomplish great things." As the four of them got onto the boat and began to take off to return to the Future Foundation HQ, as the survivors waved them off.
A couple of days later
"Have you all lost your damn minds!" Hank exclaimed, as he had just witnessed Juzo punch a restrained Makoto in the stomach and in the face causing him to crumble to the ground as Kyoko, Aoi and Chihiro all went over to him to check to see if he was injured.
"He is right, I the Great Gozu will not tolerate this type of lynching!"
"Naegi, can you stand?" Kyoko asked, as she quickly examined him "He needs medical attention, he is in no position to testify like this."
"Oh please, I barely touched him." Juzo scoffed.
"I suppose you have a point, I'd rather not have him faint while giving testimony, have the accused escorted to a medical room to get checked out." Said Munakata, as Makoto was quickly led away. Munakata then turned to Hank who almost got ready to speak up and said "Hill, I would watch your tone if I were you. You were discovered to have helped Naegi along with the others, so I have no hesitation in having you sentenced to death alongside him. So be very careful about what you say next."
"This ain't right, no one gave you and the others the damn right to be actin' like judge, jury and executioner. That is how tyrants are created."
"You're a fool Hill, can't you see I'm doing this for the greater good."
"Not much of a greater good if you start actin' like the people you're supposed to be takin' a stand against." Said Hank, as he walked off to check on how his former students were doing.
Later
"Ugh..." Hank groaned, as he was trying to regain his bearings after the sleeping gas had knocked everyone out. It took a while for him to stop seeing spots in front of him, but by the time he did he felt a tug on his shoulder from Aoi, as she pointed his attention to a nearby screen. Hank shook his head one more time as he said "No what could be..." only for him to come face to face with the image of Monokuma "Bwaahaahaa, what in tarnation!"
"Oh good, now everyone is paying attention." Monokuma said.
"How... you can't be here."
"Aww, that sounds like you missed me. Did you miss me that much Hank? Did ya? No matter, like I told these fools, you're all stuck in another killing game, one that will determine the fate of everything, Hope vs Despair and in case anyone tries step out of the game, I've got bad news for ya. It's already started." Said Monokuma, as he pointed up as everyone looked up to see the corpse of Yukizome impaled by the chandelier as it dropped down to the floor. "Nyohohohohohoho! Happy killing!" He exclaimed as the screen turned off.
Hank then looked at the bracelet on his wrist that read Forbidden action: Mentioning propane and propane accessories, as he thought to himself "This could be an issue." as he then turned to Aoi and asked "Anythin' I miss from his explanation?"
"Just the rules and the fact it's being broadcast again." Replied Aoi, as she showed him the rules.
"I see."
"By the way, what's your forbidden action?" Asked Aoi, as Hank merely showed his bracelet to her. "Oh..." She muttered trying to hold in a laugh "...That is... very unfortunate."
"I'll manage, have you seen Fujisaki anywhere?" Asked Hank, as he looked around the room.
"No, where could he have gone?"
Meanwhile
"Hello! Anyone!" Chihiro exclaimed, as he had found himself inside of a locked room with a only a dimly lit lightbulb, a laptop attached to a charging cable, a small fridge with a small amount of food and water, as well as a letter, as he was trying to find the door that lead out of the room. Giving up he took a quick look at the letter.
Dear Chihiro Fujisaki, apologies for the situation you find yourself in at the moment. But I could not afford to have you and your skills ruin my plans. So instead I'm issuing you a challenge, this computer has the basic programming language needed to get yourself out of this place, but also a weak connection to the Future Foundation's servers. Try to get out of here before it's too late, otherwise I will be very disappointed in you. Signed T.
Chihiro got a look of determination in his eyes as he exclaimed "Challenge accepted, I have no intention of losing!" As he immediately went to the computer and began to open the programming application and immediately got to work.
Part 7 of 9, to be continued.